First Time Home Buyer

I am beyond ready to buy a house. I have steady employment, a hefty downpayment, and an eye for design. Never in a million years would I fathom how hard it is to find your first home. There's so many "what ifs." I found a house that I LOVED about 3 months ago, but could not get pre-approved at the time because I haven't work my two part times jobs for two years... which I personally think is a hunk of bologna. So I decided to hold out and keep my fingers crossed that the house would stay on the market. As of last Friday, they had an accepted offer on it. Awesome :( Of course, that doesn't mean it will actually sell. I don't have high hopes for that though. So I continued looking. I found a house in Richmond that would be perfect... 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, new kitchen, full finished basement, best part of town, in my price range. Only problem, it's in Richmond. Less than 5 minutes from work but in one of the fastest dying cities in America. The housing market in Richmond is awful. The schools are terrible. I don't know if that town will ever turn around. But the house...that house is perfect! I've looked throughout Eaton, Lewisburg, Lakengren (my ideal locations)...I'd get half the house with double the work. Houses don't sit long here. I did find one down the street from my apartment in Eaton... two bedrooms, one bath, full basement (unfinished). It's $2000 more than the house in Richmond and half the square footage but is in the town I'd prefer. Ugh, it makes my head spin.

I pray every day that God will help me find a house that's meant to be. I just hope He answers my prayers soon.