Sunday, July 31, 2011

Get Artsy with Your Landscaping!

Many of us have not heard of glass mulch. Glass mulch is becoming more popular for many reasons. First, it is very earth friendly. It is made from recycled glass, tumbled to ensure there are no sharp edges, and lasts forever in landscaping as mulch. Second, it can be laid out in a design using various colors for a more artistic flair in landscaping.

There are many uses for glass mulch when it comes to landscaping. You can use it as:
  • garden mulch
  • accent for driveway or pathways
  • mixed into concrete for a terrazzo tile effect
  • used in non-skid or reflective paint
  • used to create a beautiful fire pit
When you need a beautiful and sparkling effect for your landscaping, remember to consider glass mulch.

For glass mulch in Tulsa, OK. contact Leigh Murray, Garden Glass of Oklahoma, 918-232-0210 or www.gardenglassofoklahoma.com.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Summer Cleaning Tips

Although summer is coming to a close, it isn't too late to do some summer cleaning. When cleaning out your home, remember these tips to make the decisions even easier:

  1. Have I used the item within the last year? Will I use the item within the next year?- If the item hasn't been used in the last year, it is unlikely that you won't use it this coming year, so consider getting rid of that item.
  2. Is this a sentimental item?- If the item has sentimental value and you have the space to store it, then keep it if you want. Remember though, some of us think that everything has sentimental value, so limit your sentiment or you will be overflowing!
  3. Does this item hold monetary value?- If you don't use or can't store the item, consider selling it or giving it to someone who would appreciate it.
  4. Do I have room for this item?- If the answer is no, then store it or get rid of it.
  5. Is this item usable?- If the item is broken, too old, or unusable, consider recycling it.

For all your Tulsa, OK. Junk Removal, contact David, I-Haul of Tulsa, 918-852-2146 or www.ihaulusa.com.

For Tulsa, OK. Storage and Moving Solutions, contact Mike Ellingson, Relocation LLC, 918-459-6683 or www.relocationllc.net

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Finding Your New Neighborhood

by James Kim

Moving is an incredibly strenuous task in and of itself, but finding your new home could be just as stressful. One of the biggest components to finding the right house for your family is picking the neighborhood. Location is crucial, as any real estate mogul will tell you. If you know nothing about Austin real estate, for example, but you want to move to Austin, the process of finding a neighborhood could be extremely daunting. But not to worry -- there are several things to consider that can make your choice a tad easier.

1. Kids

Do you have children? If so, you will need to be near a school, preferably one of prowess. websites like Great Schools give you the rankings and standardized test scores of different schools in your area of interest. This could give you a better idea of what area is right for you. Of course, if you don’t have children, you probably don’t want or need to be near a school. However, keep in mind that being near a school can be a huge selling point and could help you sell your house later on down the road.

In addition to the school, you’ll probably want to get close to places like parks or a local pool if you have children.

2. Commute

How far is the area from your job? Is it near a congested intersection? Will you have to muddle through traffic every morning? If you can avoid being stuck in traffic daily, I think we can all agree that you should probably do so. Being close to public transportation could assuage your traffic situation.

You may also want to ask yourself how close your area is to amenities such as grocery stores, malls, restaurants, etc. While everyone wants a quiet area, it can be a huge burden to have to drive 30 minutes every time you need something at the grocery store.

3. Safety

This is probably the most important factor to consider when looking for an area for your new home. The Realty Times provides several excellent suggestions about how to investigate safety in your area, including inquiring at the local police department and talking to local business owners. You can also visit sites like Family Watchdog to examine general crime ratings and to check to see if any sex offenders live in the area.

4. The “Feel” Factor

Research can only tell you so much. In order to cover all your bases, visit your prospective neighborhood at several different times of day so that you’re not caught off guard later. Suppose, for example, that you are looking into a hip, downtown location. During the day, it could seem like the perfect find. But, at night, the area explodes with noise. You will want to be prepared for these types of scene-changes. A tenured real estate pro who specializes in the area will be able to help you get more of a “feel” for the area.

Finding the perfect home is never an easy task -- make things easier on yourself by approaching the process step-by-step. Methodically researching can assure that you will find a house that will fit you and your family for years to come.

James Kim writes for Austin Real Estate service Homecity.com. HomeCity combines powerful online Austin MLS search technology and other online tools with personalized real estate services to provide clients with the knowledge they need to make the right buying and selling decisions.


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

For Tulsa moving and storage, contact Mike Ellingson of Relocation LLC at 918-459-6683 or www.relocationllc.net

Friday, July 15, 2011

Abandoned Homes Can Decrease Your Property Value!

The article, "Battling the Neighborhood Eyesore" posted on Realtor.org says that "foreclosures will affect 91.5 million nearby homes by 2012 and reduce property values of these homes by $20,300 per household". For homeowners trying to sell their homes, losing an average of $20,000 in the value of their home is not pleasing. What can homeowners and neighbors of these abandoned properties do to reduce the chances of losing value on their homes? The article mentioned above gives several tips to help keep these abandoned homes from looking like an eyesore and therefore reducing property value of nearby homes. Read on for more information.

Abandoned homes can be an unpleasant sight. Overgrown lawns, boarded windows, sagging gutters, and unsightly mold—not to mention, a higher risk of fires, vandalism, rodents, and mosquitos.

Properties are often left to deteriorate while in foreclosure limbo; the owner is already gone but the bank can’t take possession until the foreclosure process is finalized.

So what happens when you have to sell the property next door? According to research by the Center for Responsible Lending, foreclosures will affect 91.5 million nearby homes by 2012 and reduce property values of these homes by $20,300 per household.

“We were getting a lot of complaints from real estate professionals about these properties looking unkempt and asking what we can do about it,” says Bud Humbert with Century 21 Associates in Waldorf, Md., and also the chairman of the legislative committee for the Southern Maryland Association of REALTORS®. On behalf of his association, Humbert, also an REO specialist, approached Charles County officials to request that they update the county’s nuisance abatement law to include a "clean and lien " provision. The rule would allow the county to step in and clean up vacant properties and put a lien on them for the cost of the cleanup. Other cities and counties have enacted similar ordinances.

If that neighborhood eyesore is bringing down your listing, here are some steps you can take:

Notify the homeowners’ association. Most HOAs will pay to have the grass mowed and take care of maintenance issues, and then tack the expense on to the HOA bill, which will have to be cleared by the bank before the property sells, Humbert says.

Investigate local and state laws. Some states, such as California, will fine owners for not maintaining properties. New Jersey passed a law that puts banks in charge of maintaining the property from the beginning of the foreclosure process. Whom should you contact with your gripe? Start with your city’s building division; it’s often in charge of making sure a vacant property is boarded and secured. The bylaw department can check for building code vio­lations, the fire department can inspect for fire hazards, and the police can help if there’s vandalism.

Make property boundaries clear. "We are called on to handle this situation frequently, " says Margaret Innis, owner of home staging company Decorate To Sell in Andover, Mass. "On the outside, fences make good neighbors; so does landscaping with arborvitae shrubs—a fast fix worth the investment. Inside, use plantation blinds turned down so the light comes in but the view does not. "

Help with cleanup. Stepping in to help with the maintenance can be tricky. Regardless of your good intentions, your actions could be considered trespassing. First figure out who owns the property, which can be a challenge in itself, and then offer your assistance. Some cities and counties have started a vacant property registration that makes it easier to locate the owner. When Andy Hood, with Weichert, REALTORS®–Covington Group in Madison, Miss., struggled to sell a condo that overlooked the patio of a foreclosed property, he called the neighbor and asked if he could clean. "The woman was grateful and accepted my offer, " he says. "I hauled away a truckload of junk, pressure-washed the exterior, washed the patio furniture, and weeded and pruned her flower beds and shrubs. " Hood’s listing sold immediately after.


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

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Tulsa, OK. Homes for Sale


602 Cross Timbers Blvd.
The Lakes at Cross Timbers
$329,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
3 Car Garage


Broken Arrow, OK. Home for Sale

1705 S. Juniper Ave.
Village Park
$159,900

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
2 Car Garage


11425 S. Louisville Pl.
The Estates of Waterstone
$2,850,000

6 Bedrooms
6 Full 2 Half Bathrooms
7 Car Garage

For more information on these Tulsa, OK Area Homes for Sale or to buy or sell Tulsa, OK real estate, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Tulsa, OK. Area Horse Ranch For Sale...



19983 S. Sheridan Rd
Mounds, OK. with 80 Acres

$2,699,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Full, 2 Half Bathrooms
5 Living Areas
3 Car Garage


For more information on this Tulsa, OK Area Luxury Ranch For Sale or for all your Tulsa, OK. luxury real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.






Saturday, July 9, 2011

Mortgage Rates Rise...

Freddie Mac reported that mortgage rates are on the rise after being at a "standstill" last month. Despite this, mortgage rates are very affordable. Read the article, "Mortgage Rates on the Rise" found at Realtor Magazine below:

After being mostly at a standstill the past month, long and short-term mortgage rates were moving up this week, reports Freddie Mac in its weekly mortgage market survey.

"Mortgage rates followed Treasury yields higher over the holiday week but remain quite affordable by historical standards,” says Frank Nothaft, chief economist at Freddie Mac. “For instance, interest rates on all mortgage outstanding in the first quarter of this year averaged just under 6 percent. With today's rates, these home owners who have the ability to refinance could shave $169 per month in interest payments on a $200,000, 30-year fixed mortgage."
To buy a Tulsa home while rates are still low, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Why Sellers Should Consider a Pre-Inspection

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Why Sellers Should Consider a Pre-Inspection

Traditionally in the real estate process, an inspection is requested by a home buyer around the time they are applying for a mortgage. In fact, more than 85% of home buyers request an inspection as a way to uncover hidden faults and costly repairs that may need to be taken care of. In today’s buyer’s market, revealing such faults prior to closing can serve as a bargaining chip for sellers, forcing the seller to either accept a lower price or foot the bill for repairs prior to closing.

That’s why an increasingly important strategy for home sellers in today’s market is to have your property inspected before even putting it on the market. Here are some reasons why:

  • When potential buyers are considering your home, knowing that an inspection has already been done can make your home much more attractive to them. A pre-inspection can give you an important competitive edge by making buyers more confident about placing a bid on your home; with a pre-inspection, buyers know there will be no hidden surprises awaiting them down the road.
  • If defects are uncovered once the buyer has already placed a bid and is applying for a mortgage, you are suddenly under the gun to either accept a lower offer or cough up the funds for repairs. Conversely, a pre-inspection allows you to take care of any repairs within your own timeframe. If expensive repairs are uncovered before putting your home on the market, you can budget accordingly over a period of time and comparison shop for the best pricing.
  • A pre-inspection also allows you to decide which repairs are not necessary before putting your home on the market. Certain problems you might have been worried about may turn out not to be as bad as you originally thought…and, therefore, not make a difference in how you price your home.
  • Having a pre-inspection affords you more control in the negotiating process. Being aware of your home’s pros and cons in advance, helps put you in the driver’s seat when it comes to price negotiations. In fact, a pre-inspection allows you to price your home more accurately in the first place.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact our team any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Darryl Baskin
Darryl@DarrylBaskin.com
McGraw Realtors
Office: 918-258-2600
http://www.DarrylBaskin.com



Posted via email from The Baskin Report

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Tulsa Area Homes for Sale...

15601 East 82nd Street North
in Owasso, OK.

$1,900,000

4 Bedrooms
4 Full, 2 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage

_____________________________________


Updated Owasso, OK Home!

11607 E. 84 Ct. N.
Three Lakes Village in Owasso, OK.

$94,900

3 Bedrooms
1 Full, 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Garage
_____________________________________



19983 S. Sheridan Rd
Mounds, OK. with 80 Acres

$2,699,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Full, 2 Half Bathrooms
5 Living Areas
3 Car Garage
_____________________________________


For more information on any of these Tulsa, OK area homes for sale or for all your Tulsa, OK. real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Consumers are Making Better Money Habits...

According to a recent article, "Recession Helping to Raise Awareness of Credit Scores and Leading to Start of Good Money Habits" at RISMedia.com, consumers are becoming more aware of and beginning to make better decisions with their money. They are striving to make better money habits. According to that article:

"Budgeting and Cash Flow:

• 25 percent of users have been late at least once on their monthly bills in the last year;
• Of those who said they were behind on their bills, 28 percent are concerned they will never catch up;
• Of those respondents with children, 64 percent did not currently make any contributions to an education fund;
• Less than half (48 percent) of those surveyed keep a budget to track monthly expenses and cash flow. This is down from 52 percent in 2010.

Credit Scores and Cards:

• 18 percent of respondents have maxed out at least one of their credit cards, down from 22 percent in 2010;
• 31 percent pay off their balances in full every month. This is down from 36 percent in 2010;
• When surveyed about the amount of credit card debt they are carrying, respondents with current debt stated:
-Less than $5,000: 27 percent
-Between $5,000-10,000: 16 percent
-More than $10,000 in debt: 20 percent
• Only 6 percent of users did not know their credit score.

Retirement:

• 39 percent of survey takers are scared or uneasy about their prospects for retirement;
• Nearly half of respondents said they plan to retire between 60-65, while 16 percent said they don’t ever see being able to retire"



When it comes to buying a home, these financial decisions and money habits can make a huge difference in getting a good mortgage rate to buy a home and not being able to get a mortgage at all. Begin today by making better money habits!

To buy a Tulsa home for sale, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Remodeling? Know which Projects Will Increase Your Home's Value

With many home buyers choosing to stay put as opposed to selling their home in the current marketplace, remodeling projects are gaining new ground. However, before you set out on your remodeling project, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) advises homeowners to make sure they’re getting the most value out of their remodeling dollars.

In my years of experience as a real estate professional, I have seen first-hand how the right home improvements can add to your home’s value…especially today when equity has been so hard hit. Wise remodeling decisions will also help command a higher selling price if and when it comes time to put your home on the market. To help guide you, NARI offers the following suggestions when considering a remodeling project:
• Exterior home improvements such as roofing, siding, windows and doors are subject to the elements and usually need to be replaced after a number of years. In terms of re-sale value, updated exteriors give sellers an edge over buyers who are attracted to your home before entering.

• According to Energy Star, half of a home’s energy use is dedicated to heating and cooling. If a system is more than 10 years old, it may be time to replace it. New, energy-efficient systems are not only more cost-effective but are also better quality.

• All homes benefit from increased insulation and sealing, regardless of climate. Older homes are traditionally under-insulated compared to new homes, and recent insulation innovations like spray foam or cellulose increase the ability to trap air inside. Proper insulation evens temperature flows, reduces energy use and has long-term benefits.

• Kitchen and bath renovations continue to be winning remodeling choices, as homeowners continue to see the value in updating high-functioning areas of the home that are used frequently. Be sure to take universal design concepts into account, increasingly incorporated into kitchen and bath areas to accommodate people of all sizes, abilities and ages.
While it may be acceptable to handle cosmetic updates to your home on your own—such as painting—be sure to contact a qualified professional for larger remodeling jobs like the above. Also, if your home remodel is large scale in nature—and potentially cost prohibitive—consider “phased” remodeling, where projects are broken into phases over time, for a long-term project plan.

Feel free to contact our team any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

For Tulsa maintenance professionals, visit the link or check out the professionals below....

For Tulsa heating and a/c repair, contact Stephen Taylor, Air Assurance, 918-258-COOL or www.airassurance.com.

For Tulsa remodeling, contact Rick Oberlender, US Building Systems. 918-734-1293.

For Tulsa plumbing installation and repair, contact Mullin Plumbing, 918-258-6636 or www.mullinplumbing.com.

For Tulsa electrical repair and installation, contact Larry Murray, Murray Electric, 918-557-3020 or www.murrayelectric.com.

For Tulsa roofing installation and repair, contact Judy Smith, A-Best Roofing, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Do you know enough to get a good mortgage?

Last month, RIS Media presented an article entitled, "Nearly Half of Home Buyers Surveyed Don’t Understand Essential Information about Mortgages". Do you know enough to ensure that you can make an educated decision and get a good mortgage?

Here is some surprising information found in that article:

  • "More than half (57 percent) of prospective home buyers who were polled do not understand how adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) work."
  • "One-third (34 percent) of the respondents who are prospective home buyers do not understand that lender fees are negotiable and that they vary by lender."
  • "Nearly half (45 percent) of polled prospective home buyers believe that they should always buy mortgage discount points when obtaining a mortgage."
  • "More than half (55 percent) of prospective home buyers in the study do not understand that mortgage rates vary throughout the day."
  • "More than one-third (37 percent) of prospective home buyers who were polled believe that pre-qualifying for a loan means they have secured financing."
  • "More than two in five (42 percent) of the polled prospective home buyers do not understand that Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are available to ALL buyers."
One way to ensure that you are well educated about mortgages, before you get one, is to do your research. Zillow.com offers lots of great information about mortgages and other real estate related fields. Click the link for more information.

Another way to make sure that you get the best mortgage, is to use a knowledgeable, experienced, and well respected mortgage broker. Selecting the right mortgage broker can mean lots of savings for you in the long run, as well as prevent a lot of hassle and run-around.


To read the original article, "Nearly Half of Home Buyers Surveyed Don’t Understand Essential Information about Mortgages" visit the link.

For all your Tulsa mortgage needs, contact Karen Heston, BOK Mortgage, 918-231-9342 or http://kheston-boklo.mortgagewebcenter.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1

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