I bought a fixer-upper house knowing nothing at all, relying on what the home inspector and realtor said as to its structural soundness & potential. I figure this is practice and an opportunity to learn these skills before I eventually build my own house. :) It's pretty intimidating, and the hard part is not knowing what it is that you don't know. But, once you get that figured out, YouTube and library books can tell you how to do almost anything. And it turns out everything is easier than you'd think it would be, especially wiring and plumbing (considering how much plumbers and electricians charge). My favourite book for basic tools and techniques is 'Tools and Techniques' by the Handyman Club of America. This is an awesome book for covering the beginner stuff like how to drill holes neatly, how to measure stuff, use different basic tools, how to buy lumber, etc., as well as specific how-to projects (e.g., how to cut hinge mortises) and sections on working with wood, metal, plumbing and electrical.
The other great resource I've had was Home Depot. They have actual electricians and plumbers in the appropriate aisles, so you can go in and ask them your questions - what kind of wire, will this box work, is there any reason I shouldn't do x, how do I cut this pipe? My local Home Depot employees have been ridiculously helpful and will stand around and explain whole projects to me.
Best way to learn is just to start doing it. So if you had a project you could do now before you have buying a house on the line - a reno in the place you're living, building a garden shed, or helping a friend with something - just diving into it is the best way to get going, I think.
A few months after I got my house I started dating someone with a lot of home reno knowledge, so that was a big help too and I recommend it if the option's available. ;)