First time home buyer in Nothern Virginia with questions

[Kay Wong]

Hello Everyone!  This will be my first post on BiggerPockets. 

I am looking to buy a home in Northern Virginia, but because I do not know much about the Real Estate Market, I am looking for some advice.  Should I buy a home in Northern Virginia now or wait?  I hear mortgage rates and house cost/value are going up and with Trump in office, the market could change. Is it worth to buy a home now or is this a bad idea?  How does all this affect the housing market?

If I am going to buy a home, I plan to live in it and maybe rent out part of the home.  Where would be a good area to buy and invest in?  

Where would be good places to check to get the best loans?

Any other tips or advice on things I should know would be helpful. 

Thanks!