Well being in Minnesota you are in a meca for Canoes. Look for a good brand name like Old Towne, Mad River, Wenonah, or Bell.
In your price point I would look for a plastic boat or Rolodex.
Pros: Durability, you can drag the boat across a rocky beach and have little worries.
Price will be cheaper than wood, fiberglass or Kevlar.
More quite in the water than aluminum boats (good for fishing) and warmer to sit on in cold water.
Cons: look for dents or warps in the plastic. If the canoe was crushed; pinned in a hydraulic, snow load or stepped on by a moose the boat will be shot.
Plastic may be too heavy for you. Will you be putting in on your truck/car rack solo? Do you plan on big portages around Voyagers Boundary Waters National Park? If so look to spend more money and get a glass boat or a folding boat like an Ally boat.
When shopping:
Find a size that is good for you: solo paddling 12-15 foot tandem 15-17 foot with a 2 + big newfoundland dog 17-18 footer, want three seats or removable seats? Rivers or lakes? Boat rocker and hull shape is something to look into as-well-as. Will you put a kicker motor on the boat? A square stern may be better than adding a bolt on transom.
http://www.trailspace.com/articles/canoe-shapes-curves.html
Check the gunwhales and seats to see if they are pulling away from the hull of the boat. Wood may look good but plastic or Aluminum gunwhales and seats are also more durable and require less care.
If storage is an issue living in the city renting boats may be better for you to start with I know many places in the Midwest rent good boats.
Big thing is get out an d have fun.