Share 'Tips for buying first cross bike'

So I have gotten the ok to spend the money and I have the button ready to push I just need to figure out what bike shows up at my door when I push the button.  I am looking to buy a cross bike to use as a full season road bike and then to start racing cross in the fall. I am hoping to spend $1500 or less. I am trying to figure which brands to look at. I have a list of some bikes that I have seen…