At Better Lifestyles, we take
a different approach to
finding you a home.
We want to find you not only a home, but a place where you can call home for many
different reasons ....
a place where you can enjoy the many better things in life. The following links contain articles that are set up to be a tutorial, taking you step by step through the home buying process.
 

  Don't Buy a Car - or Did You Already Buy One?
When Income Grows and You Want to Buy "Stuff"
Debt-to-Income Ratios and Car Payments
How Buying a Car Reduces Your Purchase Price
  Things Not To Do Before Buying a Home
No Major Purchases of Any Kind
Don't Move Money Around
Should You Change Jobs? .
  Reasons to Delay Buying a Home
  Why Buying a Home is a Good Idea
The Best Investment
Income Tax Savings
Stable Monthly Housing Costs
Forced Savings
Freedom and Individuality
  The Business Cycle and Buying a Home
Recession and Expansion
Supply and Demand
Should You Try to "Time the Market"? .
  What's More important -  Buying a House?  Or a Home?
  Why Search for A Realtor?
Finding an Agent by "Accident"
Listing Agents vs. Selling (Buyer's) Agents 
Should You Call the Listing Agent?
Agent's Advertising - Is the Purpose What You Think?
Finding Your Own Realtor
Some Basics About the Search
How to Conduct the Search
Interviewing A Good Realtor
When the Agent Asks You for an Appointment
 
  Buying a Home With Resale Value - Location
Location, Location, Location?
Location - Local Community, Town or City
Location - the Local Neighborhood
Location - the Residential Neighborhood
   
  Buying a Home With Resale Value - the House
A Home With a View?
Lot Choice and Landscaping
House Size
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Closets, Garage & Laundry
Kitchen
Fireplaces
Swimming Pool?
   
  Comparable Sales and Your Offer Price
Determining Your Offer Price
Comparable Sales in the Public Record
Comparable Sales in the Multiple Listing Service
Comparable Sales - Pending Transactions
   
  Factors Affecting Your Offer Price
How Property Condition Affects Your Offer
How Home Improvements Affect Your Offer  
How Market Conditions Affect Your Offer
  How Seller Motivation Affects Your Offer
  The Final Decision on Your Offer Price
   
  Offering to Purchase Real Estate- the Basics
Introduction and Overview
Contingencies in a Purchase Offer
Earnest Money Deposit
  The Closing Date
  Transfer of Possession
   
  Writing an Offer - Safeguards Regarding the Property
Disclosures From the Seller
Condition of the Property Upon Transfer
Inspections You May Require
  Final Walk-Through Inspection
 
  How Financing Details Affect Your Offer
Down Payment
Interest Rate
Closing Costs and Financing Incentives
  Seller Financing
  Cash Offers
 
  How FHA and VA Financing Affects Your Offer
Extra Costs for the Seller
More Detailed (and expensive) Appraisals
 
  You and the Seller Must Agree on Some Services
Settlement and Escrow
Title Insurance Companies
  Termite and Pest Inspections
 
  Buyer's Remorse- Did You Make a Huge Mistake?