Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Bailout Costs Taxpayers More than Expected.

According to a recent article posted by Paul Davidson in USA Today, the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will cost taxpayers more that was originally thought. So far, Fannie and Freddie have received $135 billion in funds from the Treasury Department. They are expected to receive another $19 billion by 2013.

Paul also mentions that the $154 billion bailout is not the compete figure...

"All these figures exclude dividends paid, or expected to be paid, to Treasury based on its preferred shares in Fannie and Freddie. If those amounts were included, the companies are expected to draw $221 billion to $363 billion by 2013."

The bailouts for the financial firms and auto industry cost taxpayers $50 billion.

Read the original article, "Fannie, Freddie bailout to cost taxpayers $154 billion", here.


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

Some of South Tulsa's Finest Luxury Homes for Sale...

Some of South Tulsa's Finest Luxury Homes for Sale...

Jenks, OK Luxury Home for Sale

720 W. 108th St. in Jenks
Aberdeen Falls Addition

$1,695,000

5 Bedrooms
5 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage

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New Construction in Bixby, OK!

12204 South 68th East Avenue
Woodmere Addition in Bixby, Oklahoma
$935,000

5 Bedrooms
4 Full 1 Half Baths
4 Car Garage
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Magnificent Gated Estate in Jenks, OK!

777 West 106th Street
The Estates at Stone Bluff in Jenks, Oklahoma
$2,999,000

5 Bedrooms
7 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
3 Car Garage


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

Got Too Much Stuff in Your Tulsa, OK Home?

It is all too common to hear someone say, "I have way too much stuff" or "I don't have any more room in my Tulsa, OK home"! Some people hoard, others save “just in case”, and many find out they have too much stuff when they have to move. Whatever your reasons, now that fall is here, it is the perfect time to go through that stuff and figure out what to do with it. Here are your five basic options: Keep it, Store it, Sell, it, Donate it, and Throw it Away. The hardest part for most people is trying to put that stuff in the right category. Try these tips to make getting rid of all that stuff easier.

First- get five buckets, bags, or containers. and label them with Keep, Store, Sell, Donate, Throw Away. As you go through items, put them in the proper containers. If you have any doubts, set it aside and come back to it later.

Second- ask yourself these questions:

• Does this item add positive value to my life or does it make me feel bad?
• Does this item have sentimental value? Is it a family heirloom?
• Have I used this item or worn these clothes in the last year?

If the items make you feel bad or haven't been used in the last year, don't keep them. Keep the items that are very important to you and that you use regularly.

Third- if the item is in the keep pile but you don't have room for it, consider placing it in a Tulsa, OK storage facility. Remember to think about insurance coverage and special needs for items in storage, such as temperature, parking, etc.

Fourth- if you are getting rid of the item, follow these basic rules to categorize that “stuff”!

• Throw it away if it is torn, ripped, broken, or stained. If you have large items, old building supplies or just too much stuff for the trash can, call a Tulsa, OK Junk Removal Service, like I/Haul.
  
• Sell it if it is something that you think someone else would buy or could imagine someone else using. Remember that selling items will often take time, whether selling in a garage sale, consignment store or online.
  
• Donate items that are in good shape and would be helpful to others. Places like John 3:16 in Tulsa, OK , Tulsa Salvation Army and Goodwill of Tulsa take many donations and some even pick up in certain areas. Also remember that some items like children’s toys, book and videos can be donated to children’s hospitals and other organizations with needy or sick children. Be creative and check around. There are many worthwhile places to donate good used items.

For information on Tulsa, OK storage facilities and moving services call Mike Ellingson, Relocation LLC at 918-459-6683 or www.relocationllc.net.

For Tulsa, OK junk removal services, contact David Tittle of I/Haul at 918-261-4008 or www.ihaulusa.com

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

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air pollution can pose many health risks, including: allergies, asthma, and even cancer. The average person spends about 30% of their day at work and 75% of their day indoors . These simple solutions can improve the air quality in your business and your home:

• Avoid smoking and the use of chemicals indoors.
• Use building materials that don't emit toxins. Ask your builder for some eco-friendly building options.
• Dehumidify in moist areas.
• Ensure adequate ventilation.
• Use filters that help reduce air pollutants.

For information on high quality air filters to improve indoor air quality, contact Rick Butefish at www.Filters4Me.com or 918-292-8600.

To build a new Tulsa, OK home or for questions about acceptable green building materials in Tulsa, OK, contact Rick Oberlender of US Building Systems at 918-518-5913.

Do I Repair, Refinish, or Replace My Hardwood Flooring?

When a good quality hardwood floor is installed properly and needed repairs are done well it provides a beautiful and durable flooring option. When repairs, refinishes, and installations are not done properly or a bad product is purchased it can cause many problems. Here are some common problems with hardwood flooring and their causes:

• Buckling is usually caused when the flooring is not given proper time to acclimate, moisture testing is not done correctly, or it is not given proper room to expand.
• Creaking or squishy floors can be caused by incorrect floor preparation on both a concrete slab and a wood sub-floor.
• Fading and color changes can occur simply due to exposure to light over time or from failing to install from different cartons. Since cartons of hardwood flooring can come from different lots it is important for the installer to use several different cartons at a time when installing the flooring in each area.
• Visible and Invisible defects can occur when using a poor quality hardwood floor. Although it can also occur with even the best of hardwood products, it is less likely when good quality hardwood products and good hardwood flooring installers and repair professionals are chosen.

To ensure that your hardwood floor looks beautiful for years to come, select a good quality floor, have it installed properly, and make sure all repairs are done correctly.

For new hardwood flooring in Tulsa, OK, call Jim Ecrette of ProSource Flooring at 918-252-7711 or www.prosourcefloors.com/tulsa and ask for Darryl Baskin's Contractors Rate.

For Tulsa, OK hardwood flooring repair and installation, call Jonathon Knapp of Residential Repair, Inc. at 918-621-1020 or www.residentialrepairinc.com.

Looking for a Tulsa, OK home with hardwood flooring, contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialists at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com

Lead, Why it is it Such a Big Deal?

There are many health concerns that go along with lead. One of the main concerns involves children. When kids get a hold of it, it can cause central nervous damage, ADD and many other issues. Why does lead create such a problem? Lead particles are very small and can be easily disturbed. 1978 was the cut off date for using lead in the US, however it has been found in things from other countries. With children it is very concerning because they put their fingers in their mouth and ingesting lead can cause health issues. How do I know if there is lead in my home? The biggest areas to watch are paint and caulk. When disturbing paint or caulk, be cautious and call professionals. Instead of sanding or removing it yourself it is better to paint over it so that it is not disturbed. It can spread easily even when taking precautions. For health reasons, it is important to call a professional instead of trying to handle it yourself. Professionals must be certified in order to handle lead removal.

Call the professionals at PCC Cleaning and Restoration for lead paint removal in the Tulsa, OK area at 918-641-1111 or www.pcccr.com.

For real estate needs in the Tulsa, OK area, contact Darryl Baskin of McGraw Realtos at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Kitchen Remodeling Trends to Consider in Your Tulsa, OK Home...

According to an article in EzineMark.com by Joaquin Erazo, Jr, today's kitchen remodeling trends can help retain or even increase the value of your Tulsa, OK home. The key is knowing what trends to focus on when remodeling. Some areas of current trends to consider include: technology, televisions, green products, sinks and workstations, gathering spaces, tradition, colors and appliances.

Technology: High-tech home improvement options are transforming the kitchen during a remodel. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves offer a wider variety of features to save you time and energy. Sound systems, computers, and televisions are increasingly part of the kitchen. Wireless Internet allows home technology wherever you want it.


Televisions Everywhere: New fridges have televisions built in and come with remote controls and cable hookups. You can even find range hoods with built-in TVs and DVD players!


Green: Today's consumers look for cabinets, flooring, and tables made from sustainable materials such as bamboo. They also want water-conserving faucets and energy-efficient appliances.

Healthy: Another aspect of going "green" includes installing cabinets without Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and adding copper sinks, which have innate anti-bacterial properties. Homeowners also want ways to make their food safer. You can find refrigerators specifically designed to keep food fresh for longer and faucets with built-in filtration.

Fancier Sinks: You can find with built-in strainers, colanders, or cutting boards. Faucets are more likely to be the flexible, pull-out variety and many sinks offer a deeper bowl for filling large pots.

Work Stations: Specialized stations are cropping up all over the kitchen. Areas for preparing bread, making coffee or pizza, and wine-tasting nooks are all growing in popularity.


Kitchen as Family Room: Increasingly, homeowners want lots of gathering space and comfortable touches for when the family gathers in the kitchen. As in the past, they also want kitchens that open onto the family room.

Traditional Styles: A more contemporary look has become less popular. Traditional styles dominate, with Shaker enjoying a great deal of popularity.

Neutral Colors: White seems to be the most popular kitchen color choice since it offers a great deal of flexibility in styles and décor. Other neutral colors such as beige and off-white are now trendy as well.


Colorful Appliances: While cabinets and walls are less colorful, appliances are growing more so. Some dishwashers and fridges come with a variety of panels that you can coordinate with your décor.

Read more: http://lifestyle.ezinemark.com/todays-kitchen-remodeling-trends-help-improve-your-home-7d2c25ca1227.html#ixzz13F9mW585


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