First Things First

I am often told "I have never bought a house before and I have no idea where to start." If you are in this situation, here are some tips...
Before you even start searching online, making sign calls, driving around neighborhoods, etc., talk to a lender. This could be the bank where you have your checking account, a credit union, the one closest to your office, etc. You can also find many lenders online, but I caution folks (especially first timers!) against finding a lender this way. There are a lot of reasons for this, but to put it simply, you need someone you can go to face to face who will be accountable to you and your agent for present and future business. (My local Allen Tate rep is great... just email jennifer.tuttle@allentate.com).
A lot of times people respond to this advice by saying they want to look around, find a house, and then speak to their lender. Don't do this! Nothing is worse than finding your dream home, making plans, and then realizing you don't qualify for the mortgage needed to purchase it. From that point on, nothing will look as good as that "first love." You may even find out you can afford more than you thought. At least get a pre-qualification so you will have a ballpark figure of what you can afford, and often, this can be done over the phone.
Next, hire a buyer agent. All agents in NC are assumed to work for the seller (even if they have never met the seller), and you need someone on your side, working for you and looking out for your best interests. Buyer agency costs nothing and can save you a ton.
There are many many things you need to know, but with an honest and responsible lender and agent by your side, you are ready to go!