Tulsa's Ambassador Hotel Helps Save Lives Across the World!

Tulsa's Ambassador Hotel has helped save thousands of lives all across the world through a program called Clean the World. Clean the World takes used hotel hand soap and using a recycling process, cleans and sterilizes the soap and packages it for shipment to countries all around the world where many die from common diseases such as pneumonia and acute respiratory infections. These diseases and infections cause approximately 17 percent of deaths in infants and children. It is estimated that 60 percent of these deaths can be prevented when children wash their hands with soap and water.

Thanks Ambassador Hotel and Clean the World!

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

Top 5 Tips for Securing an Accurate Appraisal

Top 5 Tips for Securing an Accurate Appraisal

When it comes to buying or selling property, a successful outcome often hinges upon an accurate appraisal. Unfortunately, due to unrest in the appraisal industry sparked by government guidelines imposed by the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC), securing an accurate appraisal can be hard to come by these days. Colleagues have shared many a horror story about an appraisal gone wrong and a client that's left to pay the price.

As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, however, I have learned that there are steps you can take to help ensure an appraisal accurately reflects the home's value. Consider the following advice:

1. Keep it local. Inaccurate appraisals are often the result of the current practice of using an appraiser who is unfamiliar with your community…sometimes, they're even coming from another state! Talk to your agent and/or lender and insist that the appraiser involved is local and, therefore, understands home values in your neighborhood.

2. Utilize comps. Make sure your lender and appraiser are accurately leveraging comps (comparable market sales) of local properties sold within the last six months to help appraise your home. Your real estate agent can help in this area.

3. Put your best foot forward. If you are selling your home, make sure it's in the best possible shape before the appraiser visit. Invest in any necessary repairs and effective cosmetic changes. Consider how your home stacks up against other homes in your neighborhood and let that be your guide.

4. Review carefully. Review the appraisal thoroughly to make sure all the basic facts are correct: square footage, features of the home, number of rooms, etc. If you find mistakes, call the appraiser and ask to have them corrected. If the appraiser refuses to make the corrections, file a complaint with your state's real estate appraisal board.

5. Don't settle. You are not bound to accept the appraisal results. Both buyers and sellers can request a new appraisal. There is no guarantee that the bank will accept the new appraisal, but it can be used to challenge the first appraisal.

An honest, accurate appraisal can make all the difference in your real estate transaction. Follow the above steps and please e-mail me for more details. I encourage you to forward this important information to your social network, as well.

Eastbrook Townhomes

Tulsa Luxury Property Group met at Eastbook this morning at 35th and Peoria. Prices start at $445,000. More information at www.tulsaluxurypropertygroup.com

Residential Real Estate Statistics for Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, Tulsa, Bixby, and Union Public Schools

The following reports have been pcreated by Tom Allen, appraiser and reflect the trends in Residential real estate absorption rates in the Tulsa Oklahoma area including  Broken  Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, Bixby, and the Union Public School District.   It reflects an increasing length of market time based on the available inventory of single-family homes and the rate at which they are selling. On my radio program, The Future of Real Estate on KRMG,  I have been reporting that sales have been eclipsing the increase in inventory which would create a shortened market time. This latest data shows a  different story. Discussions with Mr. Allen Center around seasonal trends and the series of bad winter snowstorms and the Tulsa Oklahoma area which seemed to put a damper on sales. Regardless of the excuses, the numbers are the facts. Mr. Allen was recently a guest on my radio program and I was taken aback when he answered that  months of available inventory for homes in the Tulsa area were increasing. Rest assured, I will be discussing the latest data as it is available. Subscribe to The Baskin Report online and listen live at www.KRMG.com  Saturdays at noon central.

Darryl Baskin
The Baskin Real Estate Specialists
at McGraw Realtors

Serving Northeastern Oklahoma since 1989
www.darrylbaskin.com
www.baskincommercial.com
Member, TulsaLuxuryPropertyGroup.com
Recognized by Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate
A Recognized Allen Hainge CyberStar and Howard Brinton Star Power Star

 

 

 

 

Months supply of Inventory is calculated using the # of properties that sold PENDING during the

month.  NAR's caluation reflects the # of properties that CLOSED escrow during the month

 

Tulsa, OK- Alternative Energy Capitol of the World

Mayor Dewey Bartlett holds a press conference at the McBirney Mansion in Tulsa to unveil a new energy program for the City of Tulsa.  Using grant funds, the City will upgrade fixtures and equipment such as street lights to reduce operating costs and enable lights to be turned back on during these times of reduced income.  Only 2000 of the 6000 lights lining area highways are presently turned on.
 
Other plans include establishing natural gas fueling stations accessible to the public, which has been a major obstacle to individuals and businesses changing to natural gas as a fuel source.  An Office of Energy will be established by the City to coordinate programs and participation.

Leading the way sets an example for other cities and is a step in the right direction as the City establishes its program on sustainability.

Hardwood Flooring

What type of flooring do luxury homeowners install in their homes? Luxury homeowners use the same basic types of flooring that most of us do. The difference is usually the style, price, and often quality of the product. One of the most popular flooring products that homeowners in all price ranges love is hardwood. Hardwood flooring offers many benefits including:

• adding value to your home
• reducing allergens
• warmth (when compared to other flooring options such as tile)
  
• more friendly to the environment (than many other options)
  
• easy maintenance
• fits with most any decorating style and price range of home.

Although many homeowners want hardwood flooring, they find it out of their price range. No matter your taste or budget, check out all your options before deciding on the right flooring product for your home. Hardwood flooring doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. For more information on great hardwood flooring at great prices, contact Jim Ecrette of ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings at 918-252-7711 or prosourcejim@tulsacoxmail.com. Make sure you ask for Darryl Baskin's wholesale pricing!

For all your luxury real estate needs in the Tulsa, OK area, contact Tim Hayes of Tulsa Luxury Property Group of McGraw Realtors at 918-231-5637 or www.tulsaluxurypropertygroup.com.

Protecting Your Home and Family from Fire!

Fire can be a devastating event. It damages everything in its path and can cause serious injury and death. To help protect your family and home from fire, read on.

• Be prepared ahead of time! Being prepared is probably the most important step of all. This step involves many things. First, make sure you have homeowner's insurance in the event of a fire. Second, have a fire escape plan with all the necessary items such as escape ladders, fire extinguisher, smoke detectors etc. Third, practice your fire escape plan. If you have children, this is especially important. Take time to discuss what to do in the event of a fire and practice this at all hours of the day and night. Don't take for granted that they know what to do.
• Avoid unnecessary risk! Cigarettes, fire places, and appliances are common causes of fires in the home. To avoid these risks, make sure that all cigarettes are put out before going to bed or if you are sleepy. Consider putting them in a glass of water to be safe. Make sure that fires in your fireplace are completely out. If you use it often, install a screen and glass door for extra safety. Finally, avoid putting appliances near furniture. Appliances and heaters placed near furniture can often overheat and cause a fire to start. When a fire starts from any one of the items above, they often start very slowly and smolder for a long time before actually catching fire and being detected.
• Test your smoke alarm! It is very important to test your smoke alarm often to ensure that it is working properly. Also replace the battery at least once per year, even if it appears to be working. If your smoke alarm seems to go off regularly when there is not a problem, such as during cooking, consider moving it a few feet away. If your smoke alarm is 10 years old, replace it.
  
• Keep Emergency Numbers on Hand! Keep emergency numbers near all phones in case of fire or emergency.

No matter how much we prepare, we can't completely prevent fires in our home. should a fire occur, remember to call your homeowners insurance agent and home maintenance professionals to take care of any damage and ensure insurance coverage of repairs.

Contact these professionals for questions or quotes:

• Homeowners Insurance Coverage in Tulsa, OK- Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance, 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

• Roofing Repairs in the Tulsa, OK area- Judy Smith, Abest Roofing, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

• Fire Damage and Restoration in the Tulsa- Roger Fisher, PCC Cleaning and Restoration, 918-641-1111 or www.pcccr.com.