We rented for awhile. Talked to everybody. Then made a list of everything we wanted in a pre-owned for our perfect house including price range and location. Let realtors search and send us their finds. We were very picky so we shot down a ton of fine homes. When we finally found it, we knocked on neighbor's doors and checked them out. Have a perfect match now.
I believe in lists. The longer your list, the longer it will take. Ours was a year but we were picky! Most do it in weeks.