making first home purchase in las vegas, advice requested

[bonanz]

I'm looking to buy a condo in vegas. I'm 23 and this is my first real estate purchase. The condo is for me to live in, can any of you brilliant real estate / investing types offer any general advice before i go on with this.

I know las vegas real estate is crazy right now, but basically i don't want to rent anymore, and don't think can't really afford a house (don't think i need one either, single guy) and i'm relatively young and just want to start a trend of owning rather than renting. also rent keeps going up and up due to the real estate boom and investors buying out apartment complexes to convert them to condos to sell.

I'm just kind of nervous thinking about it and it's kinda stressing me out for some reason, but really, i think it's a positive thing.

anyways, any advice for a first time buyer (especially in vegas) would be appreciated.

thanks