You can make many homes very nice. I've seen homes in all areas look good (glamorous) as well as not so glamorous (in all areas) Make a plan. Start out with what you can afford and work up. Make sure you keep your home in the best shape you can. When you're ready to start climbing that ladder, then your home will be one of the first to sell. Take that money and put down on the next home. If you can afford it, maybe think about renting out the first one, taking a equity loan out and buying your dream home. That way you're working on your retirement also. If this is your first home you're buying and are planning on staying in it for at least 3 years, look forward to the $8,000 tax credit.
Hope this helps,
Gilda Baxter GRI, SRES

Do you mean glamorous? I don't know of any homes for under $1,000 but if you add some zeros and make it $1,000,000, you're sure to find glamorous. :) If you meant $1,000 per month, you should find a nice home.

Good Luck to you,

Sandy Kinslow
Coldwell Banker