<prompt> Human: I love on the east coast and I think I need to be thinking about buying a house instead of renting. As I said in the title, I make about 40,000 a year and hope to be getting a raise soon. Not sure what I can expect now. I am paying around 1000 a month in rent and figure that I could own a house for that amount. What price range should I be looking for? What steps do I need to take in order to buy?  <response>: Dont forget to have a thorough inspection. Best to avoid the lemons, a costly repair can turn a house into a huge liability. 