Keep Your Home Safe

Many times, we take for granted that our homes are safe. Unfortunately, if a break-in occurs, our feelings of safety are shattered. Here are some tips to help discourage a break-in and to help you and your family feel safe in the new year!

1. Use a Solid Core or Metal Door for all exterior doors or entry doors. Also, make sure that these doors have the following: heavy-duty deadbolts with a one inch throw bolt, heavy-duty knob-in-lock sets with dead latch mechanisms, heavy-duty strike plate with four, 3 inch screws to ensure that it is properly secured into the door-frame, wide angle 160 degree peephole mounted no higher than 58 inches.
2. Ensure that all sliding glass doors have secure locks and a secondary blocking device. Make sure they open properly and are properly secured to the frame.
   
3. Do not leave windows unlocked at any time. Always make sure that your windows are kept down and locked. Since windows don't use locks, use a stick or dowel as a secondary blocking device on your window as well. When keeping a window open for ventilation, keep it open no more than 6 inches and make sure that the blocking device is in place. Don't leave windows open that are close enough to a door for an intruder to unlock using your open window.
4. Don't hide keys outside your home. Find a trusted neighbor to keep a key for you. Be a trusted neighbor as well. Sometimes a watchful or nosy neighbor might just be what keeps burglars away.
5. When on vacation, have someone pick up newspapers, mail and fliers and ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway once or twice. Use light timers inside so that the lights go on and off randomly.
   
6. Use plenty of outdoor lighting on pathways and near doors and windows. Make sure that lights have 100 foot of visibility and are motion activated.
7. Have an alarm system installed and monitored. Use stickers and lawn signs around your home as well.
   
8. In case you do have a burglary, keep your valuable and electronics well inventoried. Take pictures or videos and make sure you write down or show the serial number of these items. Update your inventory regularly and keep a copy of this inventory in location off sight such as a safety deposit box.

For questions on security system installation in the Tulsa, OK area contact Tory Tipp of TNT Security at 918-313-4074 or torytipp@yahoo.com.

FHA making more changes?

On December 2, 2009 HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan spoke at a hearing before the House Committee on Finance. I will summarize his proposed changes for FHA.

Understand that at this point, it is just a proposal, however, I do believe that some of these changes will transpire.

Reduce seller concessions to 3% (now at 6%)
Raise the minimum FICO score
Increase the minimum down payment
Increase to the upfront mortgage insurance premium
Require lender’s to have more “skin in the game” holding them more financially accountable for their origination quality.

For more questions contact me

Karen Heston, Mortgage Banker
Bank of Oklahoma, NA
7060 S Yale, Suite 100
Tulsa OK, 74136
918.488.7353 \ Phone
918-280.3390 \ Fax
kheston@bokf.com \ Email

Your Rights During a Move!

When you or a moving company moves your household goods over the interstate, there are certain rights and responsibilities that you and the moving company have, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Although moving companies are not required to provide an estimate, you may ask for one. If you request a binding estimate, and the mover is willing to provide one, they has the right to charge you for a detailed estimate. A binding estimate must clearly describe all moving, shipping and other services provided. With a binding estimate, you are not required to pay more than the amount on the estimate, however, should anything change or need to be added, that is not clearly on the estimate, the charges may change. To ensure that the binding estimate is effective, it must be in writing and a copy must have been available to you before you move.

Every mover is required by law to prepare a bill of lading for any shipment it transports. The bill of lading is the contract between you and the mover. The information that is listed on the bill of lading is required to be the same as that on the order for service, which is required as well. You must be provided with a copy of the bill of lading before the mover loads your furniture. You have the responsibility to read the bill of lading before you accept it.

As a customer, if the moving company doesn’t write an inventory of everything in the shipment, you should do one yourself. As part of the inventory, list the condition of all items. Companies that create an inventory will usually ask you to sign each page to ensure that everything is correct. If you disagree with anything, make a note on the inventory and initial it. You should receive a copy of this inventory. At the time of delivery, check the inventory to verify that everything was delivered in the same condition in which it was picked up.

Moving companies are required to assume liability for the value of any goods that they transport. There are, however, different levels of liability. Make sure you are aware of these levels and the cost for each one.

For more information or for an estimate for residential or commercial moving services in the Tulsa, OK area, contact Mike Ellingson or Mike Steinberg at Relocation LLC at 918-459-6683 or www.relocationllc.net.

Insurance Claims

How Do I Handle an Insurance Claim on my Homeowner's Policy? Many times homeowner's find that insurance adjusters can't answer questions about their policy. That is because, many times, insurance adjusters are sub-contracted by the insurance company. To help alleviate that problem, make sure that you ask plenty of questions about your policy before you purchase it. Find out what is covered and what isn't. Also keep in mind that many policies stipulate that you have to file a lawsuit within 1 year of the claim or you will waive any right to do so. If there are problems with your claim, you may need to file a lawsuit before the year is up in order to make sure that your time doesn't run out and you are stuck with repairs that you can't pay for. To avoid being put into that position, work ahead, ask questions, and do your research.

For more information about filing insurance claims or for an estimate for insurance coverage contact Mike Tedford of Tedford Insurance at 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

If you have had fire, water or smoke damage to your Tulsa, OK. area property, contact Roger Fisher of PCC Cleaning and Restoration at 918-641-1111 or www.pcccr.com.

For legal advice on insurance claims, contact Paul Boudreaux of Richardson, Richardson, Boudreaux at 918-492-7674 or www.richardsonlawfirmpc.com.

Protect Your Home Value During Tough Economic Times

During today's tough economic times, we constantly hear abour the suffering housing market. Keep the following tips in mind to help protect the value of your home.

• Mow your yard.
• Mow your neighbor's yard.
• Keep your house painted.
• Support your homeowner's association. This is not the time to be quibbling over inconsequential matters.
• Watch your entry to the neighborhood. Keep it well maintained.
• Exterior matters most- many owners will be facing difficulty finding the funds to maintain their home as they have in the past. Don't put home maintenance issues off or you might find a bigger problem with a bigger bill later. Hire home professionals if necessary.
• Don't flood the market if you are not a necessary seller. Your presence as a home for sale (if it competes with another house in the neighborhood) could cause a seller who is desperate to sell to become more desperate and drop their price further to compete.
• Variety of selection is important.
• Talk up the neighborhood! What you say to your friends is as important as any house advertisement.
• Never say "They will never get that!" to anyone...EVER! You should HOPE AND PRAY they DO!

To find out what your home is worth and for all your real estate needs in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

For estimates for residential repairs in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area, contact Jonathon Knapp of Residential Repair Inc at 918-621-1020 or www.residentialrepairinc.com.

To check your Tulsa, Oklahoma home for termite damage or wood rot, contact Duane Montgomery of Montgomery Exterminating at 918-438-4885 or www.montgomeryexterminating.com.

New Info on Buyer Tax Credit!

Many first-time home buyers that took advantage of the $8000 tax credit a year ago are still waiting for their refund. Most of these buyers amended their 2008 tax returns. The IRS says that all amended returns are reviewed by hand, therefore it is taking longer than normal.

The IRS has also clarified the guidelines for co-borrowers seeking the tax credit. For more information about taking advantage of the buyer's tax credit in the Tulsa, OK. area, contact Steve Currington, Currington Mortgage at 918-810-0092 or www.curringtonmortgage.com.

To buy or sell property in the Tulsa, OK. area contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialists at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

The Toliver Trio to be featured TONIGHT!!!!

Tulsa's own The Toliver Trio have been chosen as the FEATURED group for The Gospel Station Network's Monday Night Spotlight, December 7th  at 7pm on the following FM stations: 105.1 Ada/  88.3 Lake Texoma Area,  93.9 Watonga/Kingfisher,  91.5 Tulsa/ Henryetta/Okmulgee, 94.7 Lawton, 102.7 Paris, Tx, 93.3 Enid, 101.5 OKC,104.3 Granite/ Altus, 103.9 Bartlesville , and internet www.thegospelstation.com

Out of hundreds of entries, The Toliver Trio was selected by the Gospel Station Network Review Committee to be featured on December 7th at 7pm.  "We were very impressed with the talent and testimony in the music of the The Toliver Trio ."  Randall Christy, President of The Gospel Station Network.

You may visit the Trio, which consist of Adrianne, Brittany & Brooklyn Toliver, and view more about them & order CDs at www.TheToliverTrio.com.