Welcome aboard, aaron45p-
Like creekbend, I kept landing on TBN while searching for a first tractor (I was total noob).
I got lots of great ideas here.
One of the best was to:
1) Determine what jobs need to be done.
2) Determine what implements would best do the jobs.
3) Determine your budget.
4) Determine what tractor would best fit the implements doing those jobs and your financial state.
5) Go visit dealers, kick tires, get package prices.
6) See who you'll want to business with in the future and close your deal.