Help future BTB, looking for house? a condo? a townhouse? help!!!!

How did you do it?

We really want to buy a house (in New York).
It just seems like they are selling a lot of crap for A LOT of money!

It's so expensive to live on long island. All of our family is here. We really want to up and go to florida and have our $300,000 mansion LOL...but our family is here...

My FI and I have been on www.msnli.com looking at houses...but just looking online...it takes a long time i'm sure to get the house?

And the area...and the school district....and visiting these houses...

How many open houses did you visit? How long did it take you to CLOSE vs. the time you first started looking around?

WEdding is in October so...what's the BEST plan of action for any couple who's interested in getting house?

In this post, I ask for your recommendation regarding house searching, possibly a good broker you came in contact with, or just a good area in long island to buy in (farmingdale.--->west).

THANKS!!!!!!!!!