Check the archives on this subject!! DON'T buy for at least 6 months, get to KNOW the areas first, check their good points AND bad points. Get to know the Realtors to trust, LEARN the TRUE market value of properties, what your ? or $ will buy. You MIGHT even fid a 'Good Deal' going if someone is packing up & going back Stateside/Canada or Europe!!
Drop me a line by e-mail if you want some more "Sane" advice & we can meet up here when you come. I have lived here 10 years now & have made most of the mistakes newcomers make & believe me, there are MANY!!
Good Luck & give Jim Belaire my best if you talk to him! - Grahame.