The Globe has a great bunch of articles helpful to people thinking about buying their first single-family house or condominium.

I couldn't say it better, myself:

The Globe quotes information from Mass Housing, a great state organization whose mission is to help first-time home-buyers.

Buying a home is probably the biggest purchase you'll ever make. Without the proper information, it can also be the most difficult. This primer on the home buying process will prepare you for the responsibilities of owning a home. The content and tools have been designed by MassHousing, the state's affordable housing agency, to provide the first-time home buyer with a step-by-step guide to navigating the sometimes intimidating and often confusing path to home ownership.

The steps include:

Step 1: What can I afford?
Step 2: Find an affordable place
Step 3. Home-buyer counseling
Step 4. Pre-qualification
Step 5. Making an offer
Step 6. Applying for a mortgage
Step 7. The home inspection
Step 8. The closing process

Great information.

More: How to buy a home without breaking the bank - MassHousing, by way of The Boston Globe