Consider renting if you think you'll soon need to move. Have the courage to be a contrarian. The best time to buy is usually at the bottom of a real estate cycle when no one else thinks it's a good time to buy. Compare the monthly costs of renting a home to buying it to see whether buying offers a good value. You can easily save thousands of dollars by shopping around for a good mortgage.
Money is a commodity just like toasters and toilet paper.
Choose a mortgage that fits your needs and ability to accept risk. Don't take an adjustable-rate mortgage unless you can afford the maximum possible monthly payment and the risk of fluctuating payments. What you don't know is usually what gets you into trouble. Real estate is a team sport. Put the right players on your team and you greatly reduce the likelihood of problems with your purchase.