Good luck! I just sold the first place I owned. Did learn a few things buying it, hope they can help you and your husband!
-Seriously consider getting a home inspection (usually the real estate agent recommends this, well-worth it to know what you're getting into, imho!)
-When you figure what you can afford, figure in plenty of $$$ for the little things - curtain rods, paint, tools you may not already have, roof leaks
, etc. All the kinds of things landlords take care of that now come out of your wallet! I was sure glad my mortgage was reasonable when it came time to pay the plumber, etc.!
Enjoy the process! It is so fun to have somewhere you can do up the way you want it!
There are some web sites both on building and on buying an existing house - probably even chat forums. Good luck!