Eliminating Dust Mites...

Okay. I know you are probably saying "Bugs in my bed? There are no bugs in my bed!" Actually, there are. Dust Mites are microscopic bugs that eat dead skin cells that are shed from humans and animals. They can be found in lots of places, but are especially prevalent on mattresses, frequently used furniture, and carpeted areas. Humans slough off 1/3 (or 10 grams) of dead skin a week and cats and dogs produce even more. More than 100,000 can be on your mattress and in one square yard of carpeting. Many of us can actually be allergic to dust mites and their feces, which is a large component of dust. Okay, I know you're probably saying "That's enough, tell me how to get rid of the nasty things!"

Although we can't completely get rid of dust mites, here are some ways to reduce dust and Dust Mites in our homes:

• Cover your mattress with a plastic cover or mattress cover made exclusively for reducing dust mites.
• Use Hardwood Flooring instead of carpeting since it is easier to reduce and clean dust from hard surfaces.
• Clean regularly. Wash your sheets and blankets at least once every two weeks and clean areas where they are likely to be every week.
• Reduce fabrics on your furniture by purchasing leather furniture, which is less inviting to Dust Mites.
• Use quality air filters and replace them often in order to reduce dust and allergens in your home.

For more information about hardwood flooring options in the Tulsa, OK area, 7contact Jim Ecrette at 918-252-7711 or email him at prosourcejim@tulsacoxmail.com. (Don't forget to ask for Darryl Baskin's flooring discount!)

To purchase quality air filters contact Rick Butefish of Filters 4 Me at 918-292-8600 or www.filters4me.com.

To eliminate pests in your Tulsa, OK area home, contact Duane Montgomery of Montgomery Exterminating at 918-438-4885 or www.montgomeryexterminating.com.

Maintaining Your Homes Appraisal Value!

With mortgage rates at an all-time low, it is not uncommon for homeowners to consider refinancing their home. One of the biggest concerns some homeowners have during this real estate market, however, is keeping the appraisal value of their home high. Read on for a few tips to help maintain your home's high appraisal value.

1. Before your appraisal is ordered, ask your lender to request an appraiser who is from your county. Also request an appraiser that is certified and has a professional designation such as a Senior Residential Appraiser from the Appraisal Institute (SRA) or a Member of the Appraisal Institute (MAI).
   
2. One of the first things to do as a homeowner when you are facing an appraisal on your home is to be knowledgeable. Ask your realtor for comparable sales in your area. Also, take the time to visit some of the open houses in your area. With this pricing information you should have a good idea of your home's value.
   
3. Don't be afraid to let the appraiser know that you have seen comparables to your home. Also be willing to confront the appraiser if he overlooks important facts and features of your home.
   
4. If the appraisal is low, don't be afraid to question the appraiser. Sometimes they can overlook important information that will affect the value of your home.

Although you cannot control the value the appraiser will place on your home, with the right knowledge and preparation you can help prevent a low appraisal during this struggling real estate market.

To buy or sell your Tulsa, OK area home, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

To Read More on this subject, check out the original articles "Keeping Home Appraisal Values Up" in the Tulsa World and "How to Avoid a Low Home Appraisal" from Bankrate.com.

How Do I Handle Fraud in Title Insurance?

Handling fraud in any situation is difficult. When it comes to title insurance, there are some things to keep in mind. First, let's define title insurance. Title Insurance is insurance that covers financial loss as a result of a defect in a title to real estate. Second, we need to know what period the insurance will cover. When we buy homeowner's or auto insurance, we are covering our home or auto from the time we purchase the policy until that point in the future that the coverage is canceled. With title insurance, though, it works in reverse. Title insurance covers from the moment you purchase your home and into the past. If you are sued after you close on the property, then the title insurance may not cover you. Finally, title insurance issues can be quite tricky. To ensure that you are covered for everything you need, talk to your attorney or your title company. You may even consider asking for extended coverage on your title insurance to cover you from your home purchase into the future.

If you have legal problems with your Oklahoma title, contact David Keesling at Richardson, Richardson, Boudreaux at 918-492-7674 or www.rrblawok.com.

To purchase title insurance or if you have questions about title insurance in Oklahoma, contact Ann Rollins of Closings of Tulsa at 918-493-2241 or www.closingsoftulsa.com

For all your Oklahoma home, auto, and life insurance needs and more, contact Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance at 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com

For all your Tulsa, Oklahoma area real estate needs, contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialists of McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com

How to Select a Moving Company...

There are lots of decisions to make when moving to a new home. Selecting a moving company may seem like an easy and quick decision to make, however, there are several important things to consider in order to avoid damage to property and extra fees.

Don’t accept any estimate unless it is a a visual estimate. It is difficult to be accurate with estimates without visually inspecting all of the items that will be transported. If a company is unwilling to give you a visual estimate, don’t use them. It is also important to verify that the inventory that the company has is accurate.
Always get more than one quote. The best way to know what the average prices are for a move is to get more than one quote. After you have received several quotes be cautious with any estimates that are much lower than the others. Some companies that give much lower quotes will add extra fees or charges on your bill later.
Make sure that the company is property licensed and insured. Does the company have a good safety record? Are they licensed through your city/state and through the Department of Transportation. Do they have the proper insurance required by law? Will they provide adequate insurance to cover the value of your property?
Before you come to an agreement or sign a contract, make sure that any fees and charges that they company could charge you are clearly marked on the contract. Don’t find out later that your bill is much higher than expected.
Check with other customers and the Better Business Bureau. Find out if they have had any complaints and how they were handled. Ask other customers how they were treated.

For all your home and commercial moving needs in the Tulsa, OK area, contact Mike Ellingson of Relocation LLC at 918-459-6683 or www.relocationllc.net.

For all your Tulsa, OK real estate needs, contact Darryl Baskin of McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

New Luxury Listing...

Extraordinary Mediterranean Style Residence!

720 West 108th Place
Jenks, OK. in Aberdeen Falls

$1,695,000

5 Bedrooms
5 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage

Extraordinary Mediterranean Style Residence, Classic & Stately.
Be Prepared to Enter a World of Opulence Exceeding Every Buyers
Expectations in Architectural Design, Craftsmanship & Attention to Detail!

To buy or sell a luxury property in the Tulsa, OK area, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Selecting a Tulsa, OK Area Pest Control Company....

How do you select a great Tulsa, OK area pest control company?

One of the easiest ways to is to ask people in Tulsa, OK. What do people in Tulsa, OK say? In their June issue, Tulsa People magazine featured readers’ favorite service companies. Among the favorites for Tulsa, OK is our very own Montgomery Exterminating! In addition, Montgomery Exterminating is among the top favorite service companies in Tulsa, OK as listed in the Tulsa People Magazine A-List. As a customer, I am not surprised that Montgomery is a favorite! They are knowledgeable, friendly, reliable, effective, and a great value. Congratulations Montgomery Exterminating!

To check out the Tulsa People Magazine A-List visit their website.

For pest control service in the Tulsa, OK area, call Duane Montgomery of Montgomery Exterminating at 918-438-4885 or www.montgomeryexterminating.com.

For all your Tulsa, OK real estate needs, contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialist of McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

New Luxury Property Listings!

Exceptional Luxury Estate!

10001 N. Glen Ellen Drive
Clear Brook Subdivision in
Owasso, Oklahoma

$2,100,000

5 Bedrooms 6 Full 2 Half Baths
4 Car Garage

Exceptional Luxury Estate Features All the Finest Details. Hardwoods, Beams, Travertine Marble, Gorgeous Moldings, Granite, & Chateau Cabinetry Thru-out. Culinary Kitchen, Office, Wine, Hobby & Media Room. Master Suite w/Spa Bath, Laundry & Exercise Rm.

Grandeur!

10726 S. Lakewood Ave.
The Gates at Forest Park Addition in
Tulsa, Oklahoma

$4,200,000

6 Bedrooms
7 Full 4 Half Baths
5 Car Garage

Never Before Has a Home of this Grandeur, Quality, and Technology been Available! 6 Bedrooms, Magnificent Master Suite & 4 other Luxury en-suite, Apartment w/Elevator. Cinema, Gym, Sauna, Tennis Court, Pool/Spa. Rare Opportunity to Own One of Tulsa's Foremost Properties.

For more information on these luxury properties in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area or to buy or sell your Tulsa, OK area home, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

supplemental information about the July 27 primary election, links to 5 voter guides and possibility of a referendum petition in the city of Tulsa

RE: KEEP FOR REFERENCE: supplemental information about the July 27 primary election, links to 5 voter guides and possibility of a referendum petition in the city of Tulsa

4.  Please open and print out the attachments called "Tulsa County" and "Statewide".  We recommend this because we have listed additional phone numbers, e-mail addresses and web sites for candidates that we didn't have when we sent you the previous e-mail.  Also, you need to know that one of the candidates for District Judge (Clancy Smith) is no longer running for that office because she was just appointed to be a judge over a higher court in Oklahoma.  Her name is still on the ballot.  This is one more reason that we encourage you to forward this e-mail and the previous e-mail to everyone you know in Tulsa County.  Also, if you had any difficulty getting your district numbers from the state election board web site, please call the Tulsa County Election Board ASAP at 596-5780 and ask them these questions:

What is my precinct number?

What is my State Senate district number?

What is my State Representative district number?

What is my County Commissioner district number?

The answers they give you will enable you to see which candidates on the "Tulsa County"attachment are on your ballot.  Also, please go to the Tulsa County Election Board web site and click on your precinct number to see EXACTLY what races are on your ballot.  The web site for the Tulsa County sample ballots is http://www.tulsacounty.org/tulsacounty/dynamic.aspx?id=4740

 

5.  We have located 5 pro-family web sites that provide voter guides and/or additional information.  The reason that we are also attaching the survey questions from the OK-SAFE voter guide is so that you can answer the survey first, and then compare your answers to the answers provided by the candidates.  All 5 of these web sites are on the "Statewide" attachment, but we are repeating them here:

 

http://www.ok-safe.com/Website/Default.aspx?id=5&pageid=61                http://www.okforlife.org

http://www.okfamilypc.org/voters_guide.htm                                               http://ivotevalues.com/

http://ethics.capwiz.com/election/guide/?state=OK&races=presidential&races=congressional&races=state_leg&races=statewide_office&races=statewide_ballot&browse_races=Go

 

6.  If you live in the city of Tulsa, an ordinance was passed in June adding sexual orientation to the list of "protected classes" to the City of Tulsa's non-discrimination personnel policy.  We have been told by an attorney who works for the City of Tulsa that Mayor Bartlett does not have to sign or veto the ordinance, because it is a change in policy.  The Tulsa City Council approved this policy by a vote of 6 to 3.  If you don't know how your City Councilor voted, you can call his or her office at 596-1990.

 

7.  Because the issue described in paragraph 6 of this e-mail is an extremely important moral issue, we have asked a Tulsa city official to determine if the voters in the city of Tulsa can circulate a referendum petition to repeal this ordinance.   The response we have received is that the charter for the city of Tulsa does have a provision for voters to sign a petition for a referendum election on city ordinances.  Therefore, large numbers of people will need to commit to getting involved to get this issue onto the ballot.  (In other words, we need to get the sexual orientation policy on the ballot for repeal.)  At least one individual in each precinct will have to commit to getting enough signatures from the voters in their precinct to put this issue on the ballot.  These volunteers from each precinct will have to be organized so that the correct numbers of signatures are obtained in the time allowed.  People will have to raise money to promote these issues to the general public.  There are many other things that would have to happen if this project is to be successful.  If you are willing to commit to any of these important duties, please reply to this e-mail and tell us what you are willing to do.  Also, all 9 of the City Councilors in Tulsa will be up for re-election in the fall of 2011.

 

8. that this information is provided for educational purposes only and is NOT being generated by any church or ministry.

What NOT to do with Your Credit Card!

For most of us, using a credit card has become a way of life.  To improve our credit score, or keep our credit score high, and keep those credit cards available remember what NOT TO DO!

1.  Seek a lower rate.  Although asking for a lower rate can be a good thing sometimes, keep in mind that when you ask for a lower rate, credit card issuers will often check your credit score or credit report or even question you about your financial situation.  Once you ask for a lower rate, companies will often treat you as if you are a new customer and check your most recent credit history.  If you have had any credit problems that show up in your credit report, this could actually cause your credit limit to be lowered or your account closed.  To prevent this, check your credit report before you ask the credit card company for a lower rate.

2.  Close your account.  If may seem that closing your account would improve your credit score, but it may not.  Credit bureaus use the information from these creditors to track your information and give you a score.  When there is too little information, it will actually cause your score to decrease.  Closing an account will not remove any information from your credit history right away.  It can take up to 7 years for delinquencies to get off your record.  In addition, credit bureaus use the information they get from your credit report to figure the "debt-to-limit ratio".  When you close an account that already has a zero balance it will cause your available credit to decrease which raises that debt-to-limit ratio.  Instead of closing the account you owe nothing on, consider reducing the balances on other credit card accounts.

Remember that a lower credit score makes it more difficult to get a loan for school, a car, or a mortgage.  Keep your credit score high and you will increase your chances of getting that much needed loan next time you want to buy a car or a home.

Read more from this Tulsa World article "Safety in the Credit Card Ring", here.


To buy or sell a home in the Tulsa, OK area, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com

Gated and Secluded Estate!

Gated and Secluded Estate! Luxurious Private Estate sits on 4 Acres with up to 100 acres available including a 12-acre pond. Rare & unusual hand carvings and stone accents. Master suite is separate from the 3 guest en suites. Gourmet kitchen with stainless appliances, Saloon w/impressive Bar & Huge exercise room. Gorgeous outdoor living space with kitchen, pool and 2 Beautiful Koi Ponds. Truly resort like living! 5 Bedrooms, 6.5 bath rooms and 4 car garage. $2,675,000

For more information on this gated and secluded luxury estate in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Junior Achievement- Making a difference for a new generation

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TYPro's- Tulsa Shock - Junior Achievement

Having trouble viewing this email? http://typros.org/events.asp?id=776&eventsid=1517&

July 13th Tulsa Shock Game to Benefit       Junior Achievement fans are invited to cheer on the Tulsa Shock, the city's newest professional sports team, for a nationally televised game against the Los Angeles Sparks, Tuesday, July 13 at the BOK Center. Tickets are just $15, and if purchased through the contact below - $5 goes to Junior Achievement.   This partnership, made possible by Tulsa's Young Professionals Group, TYPro's is open to everyone!      Join TYPros and The Tulsa Shock as they  support Junior Achievement!    Consider these options:  Make this a fun night for your family  A team building time for your employees  Invite some friends Come meet new people who also are JA fans Pass this along to others For information or to purchase tickets, contact AJ Weir at 918.949.9725 or ajweir@tulsashock.net   Hope to see you there!!!

The "Norm" Changes for Mortgage Down-Payments!

Before the housing market crashed a few years ago, the "norm" used to be for buyers to save for years until they had enough money to put a down-payment on a home. Lenders are now taking us back in time as they change the requirements for a loan. If you are thinking about buying a home or are in the search for one, keep these things in mind:

• To receive low-rate mortgages or refinancing, lenders now require 10% down-payment or equity.
• If you can't put down 10% you still have the option for an FHA insured mortgage but you will still need 3.5% down-payment
• For no down-payment loans you need to qualify for a Department of Veterans Affairs Guaranteed Home Loan or a USDA Rural Housing Service Loan.
• A first mortgage of 80%, with a 5-10% down-payment, and the remaining 5-10% on a second-mortgage can, in many cases, be cheaper than getting the home loan with mortgage insurance.

Take advantage of extremely low mortgage rates and buy or sell your Tulsa, OK area home today. Contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

To read the original article in the Tulsa World, "Buyers Forced to Jump Through Hoops", click here.