Here's some great advice from an online financial magazine caled Moneyning. It reccommends that if your going to buy a home or condo make sure you plan on staying for at least 5 years or more.  With all the  up front costs and commissions assosiated with buying and selling you need at least 5 years via appreciation to get that money back.

One of the great things about Real estate is that it's forgiving if you keep it.

Here's a link to the article.
http://moneyning.com/housing/the-five-year-rule-for-buying-a-house/