Advice on getting ready to buy a house?

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Hi everyone! I just started my career in law enforcement in the DMV area (hoping to change to a department or agency in the midwest-preferably Chicago), and after getting introduced to bigger pockets by a really good friend, I have decided that the best place for me to start in real estate would be to house hack my first home and go from there. I would love it if anyone had any advice or ideas on how to prepare to buy my first home with a house hack in mind (I'm thinking about the Chicago area). 

Does anyone have any strategies that are especially effective for law enforcement? 

Any suggestions on things to do/not to do when buying your first home?

Thoughts on buying a first home given the market at this moment? 

Thanks in advance everyone!