The good news; homes are becoming more and more affordable. The bad news; everyone is fighting over them. Keep in mind that you may have to make several offers before getting one accepted and also be willing to offer more than the list price within reason. By offering more than the list price, a large down payment and good FICO scores, you will increase the chances of having your offer accepted. This is pretty simple but can be very frustrating because of the competition. Remember to be flexible with your time when viewing homes and proactive in checking homes online. Yes, your Realtor will be searching as well but no one should be hungrier than you. The sooner you see a great one, the sooner you can get your offer in. Be patient and tenacious and your home will come! The hunt is on.