Reasons to Buy Your Tulsa, OK Dream Home in 2011!

In a recent article posted in Realtormag, Michele Lerner gives 5 reasons why you should buy a home in 2011. They include:

▪ Mortgage rates will stay low. Even with rates climbing — maybe to as high as 6 percent by 2012 — they are still well below where they have been historically.
▪ Tax cuts could help. Extending the tax cuts could encourage a more rapid recovery for the economy.
▪ Americans want to be home owners. A recent Fannie Mae survey showed that Americans still believe a home is a safe and desirable investment.
▪ Builders are about to begin building. Home builders have been sitting on the sidelines. This year, they think pent-up demand will create an appetite for new homes.
▪ Homes are shrinking. Homes are getting smaller, which has made them more affordable.
Source: Investopedia, Michele Lerner (12/24/2010)

If you are considering buying or selling a Tulsa, OK luxury home, now really is a great time! Contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com to find out more.

Dealing with a Home or Business Fire

A home or business fire is not only destructive it can also leave you wondering "what do I do next"? First, contact your insurance company and inform them of the fire and gets things going from their side. Second, get all your important documents together , especially those that have survived the fire. If they didn't survive the fire, attempt to get another copy. Third, take inventory of what was and wasn't damaged. Damaged property can be difficult and stressful to handle, so call the professionals. Fourth, contact your insurance agent as soon as possible.

For more information on Tulsa, OK fire and water restoration, mold damage, or helpful tips after this type of damage to your property call Roger Fisher, PCC Cleaning and Restoration at 918-641-1111 or visit their website at www.pcccr.com.

For Tulsa, OK insurance, contact Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance at 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

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

Just for Fun....Which Celebrity Would Make the Best Neighbor?

Many of us have dreamed of becoming rich and famous, so to speak; however, have you considered which celebrity would make the best neighbor? In Tulsa, OK luxury real estate you could find many local celebrities that would make a best neighbor choice. When considering national and international celebrities, however, what do Americans think? Zillow, a real estate website, conducted it's fourth annual Zillow Celebrity Neighbor Survey. Who is it that Americans would most like as a celebrity neighbor and who would they least like as a celebrity neighbor? Read on to find out:

Most Desirable Neighbors for 2011
Sandra Bullock – 26%
Sarah Palin – 10%
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia DeRossi – 9%
The Obamas – 8%
Conan O’Brien – 7%
Lady Gaga – 3%
Katy Perry and Russell Brand – 2%
Justin Bieber – 1%
Other – 7%
None of the above – 27%

Worst Neighbors of 2010
The Jersey Shore Cast – 26%
The Obamas – 15%
Sarah Palin – 13%
Kanye West – 11%
Mel Gibson – 10%
Charlie Sheen – 8%
LeBron James – 3%
Mark Zuckerberg – 1%
Other – 1%
None of the above – 13%

For more information on the Zillow Celebrity Neighbor Survey, visit www.rismedia.com to read their original article.

For all your Tulsa, OK area luxury real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard, The Tulsa Luxury Property Group at McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Incorporating Green Products into Your Tulsa, OK Home

When building, remodeling, or replacing products in your Tulsa, OK luxury home, eco-friendly or green ideas can be very easy and often inexpensive to implement. Here are some easy ways to incorporate green products into your home:

• When building a new home, face the widest part to the north or south.
• Place doors and windows where you will receive good cross-ventilation.
• Ensure your attic space is well ventilated by using roof ridge vents, lighter colored roof materials, lots of insulation, and by placing A/C ducts in the attic to help absorb the heat.
• Install an energy-efficient and properly sized heating and A/C system for your home, make sure that duct work is correctly sealed, and use a programmable thermostat.
• Utilize landscaping materials, plants and design that is appropriate for the climate and rainfall levels in your area. There are even newer products, such as Garden Glass, that incorporate glass as a safe use in landscaping.
  
• Use low-flow toilets and shower-heads and energy-efficient appliances.
• Recyclable and renewable materials can be used for decking, siding, interior and exterior trim, and more.
• Choose flooring materials made out of concrete, bamboo, or recycled wood.
• Replace your air conditioning filter regularly to enhance the performance of your air conditioning system and to reduce pollutants in your home.
• Replace older lighting fixtures and dimming switches for newer ones that utilize more energy efficient technology.
  

When you're done with all the old products, remodeling, and building supplies, call David Tittle with I-Haul at 918-261-4008. I-Haul will remove all the old products, recycle and donate what they can and dispose of the rest.

For more ideas or estimates on incorporating green products into your Tulsa, OK home, contact the professionals below:

Tulsa OK area Roofing: A-Best Roofing, Judy Smith, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.
Landscaping Design in Tulsa, OK: Bluum Outdoor, contact Nathan at 918-599-8500 or www.bluum.net.
Tulsa, OK Heating and Air Conditioning: Air Assurance, contact Stephen Taylor, 918-258-HEAT or 918-258-COOL or www.airassurance.com.
Building and Remodeling in Tulsa, OK: US Building Systems, contact Rick Oberlender at 918-743-1293 or usbs@att.net.
Air Conditioning Filters: Filters 4 Me, contact Rick Butefish at 292-8600 or www.filters4me.com.
Tulsa, OK Flooring Products: ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings, contact Jim Ecrette at 252-7711 www.prosourcefloors.com/tulsa (ask for Darryl Baskin’s preferred pricing).
Tulsa, OK Electric Services: Murray Electric, Larry Murray, 918-557-3020 or www.murrayelectric.com.
Garden Glass of Oklahoma: Leigh Murray, Garden Glass, 918-232-0210 or www.gardenglassofoklahoma.com.

To find energy-efficient, eco-friendly, or luxury homes in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw realtors 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Homes for Sale in the Tulsa, OK Area

Gorgeous Horse Ranch for Sale in Mounds, OK!

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

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Updated Owasso, OK Home!

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

$99,500

3 Bedrooms
1 Full, 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Garage

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Exquisite Custom Luxury Home in Bixby, OK.

15080 S. Columbia Ave.
The Estates of Posey Creek Farms in Bixby, OK.

$1,250,000

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


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

De-stressing Your Tulsa, OK Closing!

Buying and Selling your Tulsa, OK. luxury home can be a stressful process, but when the closing process doesn't happen smoothly, it can add even more stress. Here are a few tips to help the closing process happen without a few of the most common glitches. First, listen to the professionals. If your Tulsa, OK real estate agent or mortgage broker gives you suggestions for the closing and moving process, heed their advice. They see problems regularly and can help you avoid some of the most common problems. Second, pack and move out of the house as early in the day, or even the night before, as possible and schedule closing for the afternoon. For buyers, schedule the final walk through earlier in the day as well. This added time should help with any unplanned delays. Third, consider adding a little extra expense to your budget in case there is a delay in closing and storage or hotel costs are needed or you need to hire a professional for an unexpected home repair. Finally, ask for a final settlement statement a day or two in advance of closing so that there last minute surprises are kept to a minimum.

For more information on Tulsa, OK closing process or if you are in need of Tulsa, OK closing services, contact JJ Pierce, Closings of Tulsa, 918-493-2241 or www.closingsoftulsa.com.

For all your Tulsa, OK area mortgage needs, contact Karen Heston, Bank of Oklahoma, 918-488-7353 or http://kheston-boklo.mortgagewebcenter.com

For all your Tulsa, Oklahoma area luxury real estate needs, contact, Diana Riley-Patterson of the Tulsa Luxury Property Group at McGraw Realtors, 918-782-3211 or www.tulsaluxurypropertygroup.com.

Luxury Homes for Sale in the Tulsa, OK Area

Secluded Owasso, OK Luxury Home For Sale
15601 East 82nd Street North
in Owasso, OK.

$1,900,000

4 Bedrooms
4 Full, 2 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage

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Luxury Home for Sale in Jenks, OK.

10726 S. Lakewood Ave.
The Gates at Forest Park

$4,200,000

6 Bedrooms
7 Full 4 Half Bathrooms
5 Car Garage

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Luxury Home for Sale in Owasso, OK.
10001 N. Glen Ellen Dr.
Clearbrook Addition

$2,100,000

5 Bedrooms
6 Full 2 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage




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

Habitat For Humanity Builds its 400,000th Home!

Probably most of us have heard of Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that helps eliminate poverty and homelessness by providing shelters. These shelters are built by volunteers of all races and religions for needy families. These families provide hundreds of hours of labor on their project as well as making down-payments and mortgage payments on their home, which is sold to them at cost. Habitat for Humanity has now built over 400,000 homes for families. To read more about Habitat for Humanity, visit their website. For a Tulsa, OK area Habitat for Humanity office or find a Tulsa, OK area ReStore (a store that sells reusable and surplus building materials) near you.

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

Owasso OK Luxury Home for Sale!

Luxury Home for Sale in Owasso, OK.
Clearbrook Addition
10001 N. Glen Ellen Dr.
$2,100,000

5 Bedrooms
6 Full 2 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage

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

For more information on this beautiful luxury home in Owasso, OK. or to buy or sell Tulsa, OK. luxury real estate, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Foreclosed Tulsa Properties Sell for 32% Less...

According to a recent article in the Tulsa World, "Buying on the Cheap", Tulsa area foreclosed properties during the third quarter of 2010 were shown to have sold for 32% less than regular properties (Realtytrac). Nationwide, foreclosed properties sell for 36% less. Even though Tulsa's foreclosure sales prices are a little higher than the nationwide or even Oklahoma average, 32% is still not a good figure. Doug Emve, Oklahoma Association of Realtors president said that the figure is still too high.

Although there is still a high number of foreclosures in the Tulsa market, many sellers are turning to short sales. Sherri Sanders with McGraw Realtors, says that she is seeing more short sales in this market. Despite all of this news, Sanders thinks that "people think the situation is worse than it is" and is "optimistic that clearing out the excess inventory of foreclosed homes will strengthen the local housing market."

Read more from this Tulsa World article at www.tulsaworld.com.

Want to buy a Tulsa foreclosed property? Want to stop your Tulsa foreclosure? Contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.stopmytulsaforeclosure.com.

Need Tulsa foreclosure legal advice? Contact Chuck Richardson of Richardson, Richardson, Boudreaux at 918-663-5070 or www.rrblawok.com.

Preventing Identity Theft!

While checking out some blogs recently, I ran across a great blog, "How to Prevent Identity Theft This Holiday Season" by Paul Quinn. Thankfully, many of us have never experienced identity theft. For those that have, though, they will tell you that it is a long road! Read on for information Paul shares on methods thieves use to steal your identity and ways to prevent identity theft.

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. As you look for in-store and online deals this holiday season, it is crucial more than ever to be mindful of identity theft.

The following facts and tips are extracted from the FTC’s website and Kiplinger’s article “10 Oline-Shopping Traps That Catch Even Smart Shoppers.” Enjoy this holiday season but at the same time, be smart.

Identity theft is generally defined as someone using your personal information (such as your name and Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other financial account information) in a fraudulent manner.

Know that skilled identity thieves may use the following methods to get hold of your information:

1. Dumpster Diving -They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
2. Skimming - They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
3. Phishing – They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
4. Changing Your Address - They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form.
5. Old-Fashioned Stealing – They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records or bribe employees who have access.
6. Pretexting - They use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies and other sources

The best way to deter identity theft is shredding financial documents when discarding them, keeping your social security card in a safe place, not giving out your personal information to suspicious callers, mailings or internet sites and closely monitoring your bank and credit card statements.

The Kiplinger’s article gives 10 online shopping traps that made lead to fraud. They are:

1. Blindly clicking into unfamiliar sites – Don’t rely on search engines for comparisons, go to well-known comparison sites.
2. Assuming You Have the Same Protections with Debit as Credit – If a hacker steals your debit-card information and raids your bank account, you must report any misuse within two days to get the same $50 limited liability as you would with a credit card. Miss that deadline but report your loss within 60 days and you could be liable for up to $500.
3. Not Monitoring Your Accounts – If you do a lot of shopping online, review your credit card statements regularly to make sure there aren’t any unauthorized purchases. Compare receipts to credit card statements or use just one credit card for online purchases.
   
4. Shopping From a Public Wi-Fi Connection – Hackers can tap into Wi-Fi connections at hotspots, such as coffee shops, airports and hotels, to capture your personal information. That’s why you should never shop online using a public Wi-Fi connection. Also, never use a public computer to shop or check accounts online.
5. Billing Directly to Your Smart Phone – Use a credit card instead of having purchases billed through your mobile carrier because the card provides more security.
6. Wiring Money to Pay for an Item – If you purchase an item from an online auction site, such as eBay, and the seller asks you to wire your payment, don’t do it. Pay with a credit card so you can dispute the charges if you don’t get what you paid for.
7. Falling For Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals – If a website or individual is offering a deal better than anyone else, won’t accept credit cards and demands a direct transfer of funds, it’s probably a scam. A common one: Someone claims he’s selling a vehicle at a low price because he needs the money fast (he lost a job or is a soldier going overseas, for example).
8. Clicking a Link in an Unsolicited E-Mail – Don’t ever click on a link in an unsolicited e-mail to go shopping, even if the e-mail looks as if it came from a legitimate retailer, It’s safer going directly to a retailer’s site to see whether it’s having a sale rather than clicking on a link that could take you to a fraudulent site.
9. Clicking URLs on Social-Networking Sites – Using Twitter can be a smart way to stay on top of deals, but you have to make sure the deals are legit. The URLs on Twitter (and sometimes Facebook) are often shortened, so you don’t know whether you’re going to land on a legitimate retailer’s site by clicking the link. Use Twitter as a tip, then find sales on your own.
10. Assuming an Escrow Service Is Always Safe – If the seller is pushing you to use a particular escrow company to handle a transaction, be suspicious because it might be part of a scam. You can verify a company’s legitimacy by checking with state regulators, or ask to use an escrow company of your choosing,

The FTC says that filing a police report, checking your credit reports, notifying creditors, and disputing any unauthorized transactions are steps you must take immediately if you are a victim of identity theft.

To view the original blog post click here!

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

South Tulsa Homes For Sale...

Charming Old World Home in Jenks, OK!

6338 East 111th Place
Woodfield Village in Tulsa, OK.

$325,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Garage

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New Construction in Bixby, OK!

14558 South Urbana Court
The Auberge in Bixby, OK.

$214,900

2 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Garage


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Gated and Secluded Luxury Estate in Bixby, OK

1724 East 151 Street
in Bixby, OK.

$2,675,000

5 Bedrooms
6.5 Bathrooms
4 Car Garage


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Gorgeous Luxury Estate on Over 1/2 Acre in Bixby, OK.

11707 South Fulton Avenue
Forest Hills Estates in Bixby, OK.

$725,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Full 2 Half Bathrooms
3 Car Garage

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

Tulsa, OK. Area Homes for Sale

Sapulpa, OK Home for Sale

602 Cross Timbers Blvd.
The Lakes at Cross Timbers
$339,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
3 Car Garage

Broken Arrow, OK. Home for Sale

1705 S. Juniper Ave.
Village Park
$165,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
2 Car Garage

Jenks, OK. Luxury Estate for Sale

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

Ways to Go Green in Your Tulsa, OK Home This Christmas!

With Christmas fast approaching, there are many tasks that you might find yourself rushing to complete in your Tulsa, OK home. For some, it is decorating, for others it is completing last minute projects and touch-ups that have gone undone. Whatever you find yourself trying to complete before you Christmas guests arrive, read this great article on ways that you can go green this Christmas season!

RISMEDIA, December 4, 2010—(MCT)—Now that the holidays are in full swing, the thought of guests descending on your home may have you in an all out redecorating rush. Do your part this holiday season and go green while you paint, clean, and even accessorize.

We all know that paint can completely and inexpensively change the look of any space. But did you know that it’s one of the biggest sources of indoor air pollution? That’s because conventional paints contain volatile organic compounds—or VOCs—which are known to cause everything from headaches to certain cancers.

Now, it’s easier than ever to get your hands on low or no VOC paint from nearly any paint manufacturer. The cost of low or no VOC paints are comparable to conventional paints and they last just as long. Just look on the can’s label to make sure you are choosing the healthiest option for your home.

Another source of those dangerous VOCs is household cleaners. If you’re like me, you may take cleaning to a whole other level when company comes to town. Before you spend a lot of money on store-bought cleaners, take a look at the non-toxic options you may already have in your pantry.

Items like baking soda, vinegar, and borax are effective cleaners for every room in your home. They do everything from disinfecting surfaces to killing mold. If you want to go the store-bought route, look for cleaners that are plant-based and biodegradable.

Now for the fun part of buying things for your home. If you’ll be picking out a new piece of furniture before your friends and family arrive, pick ones that don’t emit dangerous chemicals into the air. Some affordable pieces made from medium density fiberboard—or MDF—actually contain a formaldehyde-based resin.

Gas from the formaldehyde is known to slowly release into the air and can irritate eyes and cause breathing problems. Formaldehyde is also used in many furniture adhesives. When shopping, find out what the furniture is made of and if any formaldehyde adhesives are used in the manufacturing process to ensure you aren’t bringing toxic pieces into your home.

There may also be some smaller items on your shopping list this year. If you’ll be getting new towels or sheets for your guests, opt for organic cotton items. These pieces are produced from cotton that is grown without using harmful pesticides or insecticides. Not only that, you’ll also find organic cotton items are generally softer. Major retailers now offer organic options in every price range. You can also find decorative bed pillows made with organic cotton at many home goods stores.

There are plenty of ways to get in the green spirit this holiday season and it won’t cost you any more money or time. So do your part when guests come to visit to make sure your home is the healthiest it can be.

(c) 2010, The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.).

Click here to view this article, "Around the Home: Green Your Home for the Holidays"

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