More and more people will be buying homes for the first time. Home prices and loan rates are both down considerably thereby making affordability better and better. Combined with the new first time homebuyer tax credit, this is a great time to consider purchasing a home for the first time. SmartMoney.com has a really good article for first time homebuyers (and other homebuyers) that explores common mistakes when purchasing real estate.
See:
http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/10-mistakes-first-time-home-buyers-make.html
See also:
https://www.moneycafe.com/personal/featured/homepurchaseloans.htm
https://www.moneycafe.com/personal/featured/homebuy.htm