I hate that one!

Know what you don't like for your housing decisions. You will know what you like when you see it, but what if that takes some time? As you are answering the question of what you like in the market your looking in (which could be a new regional area or area of town) establish a list of what you hate. Second+ buyers know this because they know they want to sell and why they are moving. First time buyers are often overwhelmed and this could be a good place to start. Share it with your Realtor. Action of any kind could help reduce the frustration. Take the frustrations out on a list of "dislikes".
This way your Realtor can listen to your objection and take action, applying your feedback to new areas or ways to tweak the search. This new list will help when the previous home or list of homes did not meet the standards you were expecting AND this will get you closer to the type of home you want which the market will provide. Cast a wide net! It might be the aid in negotiating with yourself over your own set of expectations. Learning the market your in is key, trust your 'gut' and enjoy the process as best you can.