where do i get started when i want to buy a house.who should i talk to first?

Talk to whoever is selling it (the owner or a real estate company). After you see it and get all the facts and details and price and all of that - if you're still interested, you have to contact a mortgage company to get the financing secured.

A real estate agent.

PRESUMING you need a loan, do two things at one time;
FIND A BUYER'S REAL ESTATE AGENT
so that you are properly represented-=and do not accept
DUAL agency under any circumstances.

and find a mortgage broker who can find you a good loan.

Luck.

l would contact a morthage lender first, so you know you'r approved for $. then conact a realtor.

Talk with a mortgage specialist to find out what u can afford. Then get with a realtor & make sure they know u do not want to go beyond ur means. Also, make sure the value is not too high. Most sale contracts l see come through r too high & the appraised value is much less. My friends found out how much they could afford & their realtor got them the very top of their price, but the property was not really worth it. Do some good research on values of actual sales, not just what is listed for sale. People can ask whatever they want, but what will it actually sell for? That is the real question!

If you've never done it, start by reading ''Home Buying For Dummies.'' Educating yourself is the best protection.