So my husband and I are hopeing to be financially ready to get our first home in the coming year. We just got married in October, we're young (23), but employeed and making money. Our lease on the apartment we are in, is up in 6 months so we either need to find a new one (long story involving "low-income" housing and now both of us having jobs that makes us well out of that income bracket).

Do you have any tips for us? What kind of stuff do we need to know and keep in mind?

My husband gives the impressions that he may know what he's doing in this search, but I kinda like to get a feel for it myself and who better to turn to than my friends at the American Girl HostBoard!

How can we really know if we're ready for owning a home?

Give me everything you've got. Even if it's just ramblings or stories about your quest and conquests in the land of home ownership. I need perspective!