Welcome aboard.
All boats are a compromise of more factors than are believable. You need to find one where the design compromises suit you.
As you look at LOTS of boats, both in person and online, consider how you might most often use a boat.
It sounds like you will be using it as a house most of the time, and coastal / ICW cruising in summers.
To me, this suggests that interior workspaces and comfort might be a priority, rather than open-ocean capability.
Opposite the Kadey-Krogen are the Bluewater brand boats, lake cruiser / houseboats with lots of space, but only marginal capability as boats.
Consider your access from a dock, fixed or floating, whether you would anchor or use a marina while cruising, and whether you might need a dinghy if you choose to anchor out.
Use the search time to take training. Power Squadron, local or regional training captains, and books can all be useful.
Will you be cruising alone, or with friends / family? This may affect the side deck width and line handling access you need.
Another thing to look at in this time is how you usually live your life. Do you need social space for lots of people (large saloon or aft deck) or not. Do you need headroom / elbow room ?
Check the availability of insurance, and what the insurers expect from you as an owner.
Jack Martin Associates in Solomons MD isva reliable agent, who works with the Marine Trawlers Owners Association (a good and cheap group) to get decent rates and conditions. They could give you some preliminary advice, as could many others here.
Note that GEICO / Boat US has stopped writing policies on boats over 40 feet long or over 20 years old. They were a major insurer.
Boat search sites will be your friend. Boats.com, boattrader.com, yachtworld.com, and others can help you see what is available, at what prices, and sometimes why that price is asked.
There is a book by Pascoe, Mid Sized Power Boats, that might help as an overview, though my reading of it is that he never saw a boat he liked. YMMV.
Good luck with your search.
JohnS