Were you debt free? Single or married? How much was it? How much down? What kinda features did you look for? Any regrets about it? Did you try to live by a financial rule of thumb (like 30% DTI, or 35% or less total net pay)? Whatever you're willing to share, please do!

I've been a rentcel my whole life. I'm debt free, have a GF that I don't live with, got around $145k in non-retirement, looking maybe for something in the $450k-525k range. Been thinking I'd get a house with a relatively cheap HOA built after 2015, in a newer upcoming area further away from the main city, location towards the south since it's closer to the city by a bit. Whenever I'm window shopping Zillow I'm trying to review 2k+ sqft 3bed/2bath or more. Main things I look at are a nice primary bathroom, fenced in yard, screened patio, modern appliances, non-weird colored walls and chit.

Any advice? What was your story?