Pretty much what these guys said.
Definitely keep in mind the lead/asbestos deal and I'd x2 on a buyers agent. Keep in mind though they still work off of a % of the final deal so while they are legally supposed to be on your side, some may be more ready to jump to get you into a home that may not be really what you want.
We lucked out and got a great buyers agent and his inspector was very good. Pointed out all the flaws in the house that we found and then some.
You said you have well over 20% down payment which is awesome. That would have been my first suggestion. You should have 0 problems in the financial side regardless of your credit history (unless you're a total **** up).
Also, I agree with your mindset on location (why we picked our house in Amherst). Definitely way better to have a smaller/simple house in a really nice town than vice versa IMO. Commute is a driving factor as well (pun intended), in addition to what type of area you want to live in (rural, city, suburbia, boonies, etc.)
And whatever you do, try not to fall in love with the first house that fits the bill. Try to be unbiased. It's tough, I've been there.
