What are the steps you go through? Should you buy the domain name first or second?

I would look around for someone's whose willing to host you for sure. let them know that you will be purchasing a domain. then buy the domain ASAP and just ask your host/hostess what he/she needs from there.

namehere.host.com is a subdomain. you could probably redirect a domain name...but why? you can find free hosting for domain names too...so you don't need to redirect! ;) hope that helps.