Hi Pat,
More often than not, newbies look at brands, but they haven't really looked at what they want in a rig. Others might chime in, but for what you are planning to do with yours, here are some suggestions. An interior can make or break a rig, so for me, I want an 80 inch long bed. Do you want it in it's own room? Tried the 74 inch ones, just too short. For me, I want an oven, and some decent counter space to cook on. I like comfortable seating too. Smaller units have dinette seating, some might have a loveseat or a couch. Being able to sit and watch TV without turning your head might be important.
Then we start looking at quality. Tire and wheel size varies. Open pipes versus enclosed pipes underneath. Dump valves location. Where are the steps? Bed next to the stove? Then look at storage. Is there room to put your shoes by the door, and wet clothes? Is there room for a bbq, lawn chairs. Look at the weight of a dry rig. Heavier and smaller often means better build, solid construction.
I like a big rear window so I can look out the back, it's nice when parked in a scenic spot. Sometimes the kitchen is at the back, sometimes the bathroom is.
Once you know what you want in a rig, then start looking for the things you find important.