Usual advises apply - same as buying anywhere. Very much depends on your budget and then depends on what location you have in mind. In the US there are basically 3 types of property - House, Condo or Co-op apartment. House & condo are properties on which you will get a title deed but a Co-op apartment is one in which you will not get a title deed but a share certificate as the building is owned & run by a company and purchasing an apartment will entitle you to shares only. With a house or condo apt. you will be responsible for its maintenance etc but with a co-op apt you will be required to pay a maintenance fee every month to the management company. Some condo's also have maintenance fees attached. Very much depends what you have in mind ?? More detail required Bobmax