Where did you look to find your home?

Sorry Melissa, but I currently rent also, but at the demise of my mother in law my wife receives the house that we currently live in, so in hindsight , we're paying for the house. Look for something that's in your price range, and doesn't need a master carpenter to fix up . There are a lot of nice houses out there. Look online, realtors generally have some great ones on there sights.

Decide what general area you want to live. Find out what are the neighborhood hangouts, and where the people who are really involved in the community hang out. (Volunteer fire departments, churches, township hall meetings, diners and cafes, etc.) drop the word that you are looking for a home to buy or rent. Drive around the neighbor hood on weekends and anytime that people may be outside, or walk your dog. If you see someone that might remember you, stop introduce yourself and see if they know anyone who may be renting or selling. Some people may think your kind of odd, but most will offer a lead if they think they might have one.

I bought a 35 acre farm for 60 cents on the dollar when the owners already had a valid offer from a large regional grocery store. The farm was never listed. I got the lead by stopping at the local volunteer fire department while they were training, and the same lead the same day at a garage sale.The owners, an elderly retired couple, had a relative that worked for the grocery chain. It turned out that the couple would rather have the land remain a farm than become a wholesale distribution center.

You don't have a house because of "THE". Like anything else in the finance/money arena, pragmatic and timely should trump the heart. Save "THE" for later when you have the resources for "THE". For us, we didn't hit the big "THE" until we retired. Everything before met functional criteria before anything else. One other thing. If you tour a house for sale and the only thing you're really thinking of is how you want to change it, you're not being pragmatic. Safe and 3 squares is where you start. Add to that gradually within your limits. Remember to play the long game when it comes to the big stuff.