Before shopping for a home, shop for a mortgage. Then you'll know the price range you can afford. Inspect at least 10 homes within your price range in various neighborhoods throughout your town. Sunday afternoon open houses are a great opportunity to quickly inspect many houses. Even if you don't have children, check the school quality where you are considering buying.
Good schools help home value appreciation.
Armed with all this information, narrow your choice down to a specific home in a specific neighborhood. My mother is dying of cancer, and she is obsessed with taking care of everything before she dies. Her funeral is all planned, even including who will and won't give eulogies. Because I took care of her during her illness, she wants me to receive her house. But she wants to deed it to me now.