HEPA Filters Can Improve Your Health in Your Tulsa, OK Luxury Home!

In a study performed by researchers in Canada, it was found that quality air filters can improve cardiovascular health. This study, "An Air Filter Intervention Study of Endothelial Function Among Healthy Adults in a Woodsmoke-Impacted Community" states that "HEPA filters can improve blood vessel health and curb heart disease for residential owners who use wood burning stoves, in addition to reducing other fine particulate matter in the home that can contribute to chronic disease."

To read more of this informative study and how HEPA filters can improve your health, visit http://www.darrylbaskin.com/air_filters_improve_health.

How can you get a great quality HEPA filter without leaving your Tulsa, OK. luxury home? Contact Rick Butefish of Filters4me at 918-292-8600 or www.filters4me.com.

What Defines Tulsa, OK Luxury Home Construction?

All across the United States, luxury real estate construction usually has several common factors. A few of those common factors include: price, amenities, and material quality. When it comes to price, it is not uncommon to hear people ask "Where does the price for a Tulsa, Oklahoma luxury home begin?" Generally speaking, luxury homes in the Tulsa, Oklahoma and surrounding area begin at $500,000. Many real estate experts across the country will tell you that the price for the luxury real estate market in any area is based on the top 10 percent of home sales in the last year.

Another factor in luxury homes is the amenities. One thing that all luxury homes in Tulsa have are amenities. Amenities are different for everyone but all luxury homes have them. For some, it might be the location- near a waterfront. For others it could be a unique in-ground pool, high end appliances, expensive finishes, and lots of space.

Along the same line, when luxury homes are being constructed, higher quality materials are being used. On the exterior, you might find stucco or full brick or stone instead of partial brick or siding. In the interior of the home, as above, you will find high-end appliances, granite or marble appliances, extra space, and upgraded flooring- plush carpeting, solid hardwood flooring, or even marble. In today's market, many expect lots of energy efficient features and products as well.

With a luxury property in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area, there are many factors to consider to ensure that the investment will pay off, not only in comfort and expectations, but also in future value.

For all your Tulsa, OK luxury real estate needs, contact Gordon Shelton of the Tulsa Luxury Property Group of McGraw Realtors at 918-592-6000 or www.tulsaluxurypropertygroup.com.

Too Much Stuff in Your Tulsa, OK. Luxury Home?

Is your Tulsa, OK home full of "stuff". Here are a few quick tips and questions to help you get your home de-cluttered in no time.

• Sometimes it can be helpful to de-clutter before tackling any cleaning. Once you de-clutter there will be less stuff to clean and less stuff on counters, floors, and tables to move around.
• When de-cluttering, set out three boxes. One box is for things to keep, one is for things to donate, the last is for things to throw away. Consider these questions when deciding what to do with each item. Do I need the item? Will I ever use this item again? When did I use it last time? Has it got sentimental value? If it needs repair, will the repairs be made?
• Be realistic when de-cluttering. If you are short of space or haven't used it in a while, throw it away or donate it.
• Don't take a lot of time when de-cluttering. Many times, the longer you spend on one item, the more likely you will convince yourself that you need to keep it. If you still find it difficult to decide, put it aside for later and come back to it.
• If you find there is something, especially large items, that you need to keep but don't have space for, put it in storage.

For more information about Tulsa, OK area storage, moving, and packing or for an estimate for storage or moving services, contact Mike Ellingson of Relocation LLC at 918-459-MOVE or www.relocationllc.net.

For Tulsa, OK area junk removal or to haul off unneeded items, contact David of I-Haul USA, 918-852-2146 or www.ihaulusa.com.

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

Tulsa Foreclosures

Visit us online at www.homeguidetulsa.com Darryl, More foreclosures doesn't necessarily mean the Tulsa area real estate market is dismal.  In a recent interview with KJRH Channel 2, I explained that Tulsa has a healthy demand for homes in light of the financial turmoil.  For home buyers in Tulsa, this extra inventory of homes means a better selection and low interest rates mean a lower house payment.  But don't wait long to decide since demand for foreclosed homes in Tulsa is higher than many other cities and the best buys don't last long.  If you are interested in taking advantage of this unusual market opportunity, email or call us for more information. The Baskin Real Estate Specialists

The Baskin Real Estate Specialists, McGraw Realtors
10131 S. Yale Ave., Tulsa OK 74137 918-258-2600


Visit http://www.homeguidetulsa.com

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Luxury Home For Sale in South Tulsa Area

Jenks, OK. Luxury Home

10524 S. Gum St.
in Jenks, OK.
Estates of Stone Bluff

$2, 450,000

3 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
6 Car Garage

For more information on this Jenks, OK. Luxury Home or to buy or sell Tulsa, OK area luxury real estate, contact Kelly Howard, the Tulsa Luxury Property Group at McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Should You Renovate Before You LIst Your Tulsa, OK Luxury Home?

When listing your home for sale, there are so many things that are recommended before you list. Everything from cleaning and decluttering to painting and remodeling. It can be extremely overwhelming when considering what is most important. In an article posted by Dan Steward, "Pre-Sale Renovation: Home Seller Do’s and Don’ts", he discusses renovations that should and should not be done before you list your home. Dan talks about everything from Kitchen to Bathrooms, cabinetry and countertops to appliances Read on for these great tips:

RISMEDIA, January 25, 2011—You’ve probably seen those depressingly cheery home-themed TV shows: a couple needs to sell their house, they have an outdated kitchen, and a designer comes in and proceeds to convince them to renovate the kitchen into a stainless-steel-clad shrine to culinary greatness—for tens of thousands of dollars. In an ideal real estate market, that would add value, but in today’s market, expensive pre-sale renovations, for the most part, aren’t worth it. The numbers bear this out: In general, a home remodel will cost quite a bit more than you’ll get back when you sell; remodels done in 2010 will only recoup 60% of their price when the house is sold, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2010 Remodeling Cost vs. Value survey, done in partnership with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

Two of the areas that potential buyers are often most pressured to remodel before selling are the kitchen and bathroom. Here, we’ll tackle both of those rooms, and let you know what to do—and what to avoid—when considering a pre-sale renovation:

Kitchen
-Don’t put in expensive professional-grade cook’s appliances. You may choose a tricked-out, $10,000 Wolf stove, but the buyer may be a loyalist to Viking. Or, even worse, the potential buyer might be a take-out addict.

-Do, however, service the appliances you have, so that they work perfectly. And, if you have seriously outdated appliances that can be replaced for $1,000 or less (like swapping a dingy old fridge for a basic new one), that’s a good idea. Similarly, if there are any appliances that you lack, which most buyers consider essential, it makes sense to buy one (like a dishwasher—you can get a nice model for under $1,000).

-Don’t replace your cabinetry entirely—even if it’s a little outdated. It’s just too subjective. You might think sleek, white Scandinavian cabinets are the way to go, but you’ll be in a bind if your potential buyer prefers dark wood.

-Do invest in cabinet refacing if your cabinets are extremely outdated. Many refacing companies will give your cabinets a fresh façade for well under $2,000, and it’s a good investment in creating a positive impression of the room without doing a pricey knock-down.

-Don’t go granite crazy. Or marble. Or etched-Murano-glass-accented tile. Spending thousands of dollars on a new countertop and backsplash is downright dangerous, as there are so many different options these days, it’s impossible to find one that will please most people.

-Do hire a professional cleaning company to come in and make what you have sparkle. While this won’t magically make your tile look magazine-spread-worthy, it will certainly make it look a lot better, as discoloration from age often makes tile look even worse.

Bathroom
-Don’t do expensive tub/shower repairs or replacements. Just like with the big-ticket kitchen fixes, this is a matter of taste. If you put in a round jetted tub, what if the buyer wants square? And is an amethyst-crystal steam shower really something everyone will love?

-Do replace dated bath and shower fixtures; this can be done generally quite inexpensively. For instance, if you have a 30-year-old, tiny showerhead, replacing it with a large, rainwater-style model will lend a subtle spa-like quality without costing a lot.

-Don’t replace your smallish vanity with a new, built-in model. A lot of remodelers emphasize the intrinsically relaxing qualities of having all your toiletries, towels and even reading material beautifully organized in one big unit made of high-end wood, marble and chrome. And it is certainly beautiful. But it’s also a risky choice, and a matter of taste.

-Do freshen up the vanity area. Invest in a big mirror and put bright lights over it. And a few hundred dollars spent on a nice faucet is well worth it, as, like the showerhead, it’s a true basic—and updating the basics, in most homes and markets, is all you should be focusing on.

Other tips for redoing your kitchen and bathroom frugally

Kitchen:
-Declutter your counters. A disorganized kitchen is a buyer-deterrent. Clean up the counters and pare down countertop items to the essentials—toaster, microwave, coffee pot and not much more than that.

-Keep your pantry and cabinetry clutter-free too. You don’t have to alphabetize your cereals—just know that potential buyers will probably open those cabinets, so they won’t want a ladle falling out on their head.

-Give your kitchen table or breakfast bar some life. It’s simple—placemats, a colorful vase or two and a tasteful flower arrangement will reinforce the idea that the kitchen is the heart of the home.

Bathroom:
-If you want to add a little life to the wall, try a simple, straight-lined wood or stainless-steel floating shelf with a few candles on it. It’s an elegant, boutique-hotel touch that doesn’t cost much.

-Toss down a colorful floor mat. Bathrooms are often devoid of color; this is a great way to add that color, and a little warmth.

-Again, clear clutter. Even your beauty essentials shouldn’t be on the counter if you’re in the open house stage.

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

Tulsa, OK Area Homes For Sale...

Bixby, OK Luxury Home for Sale!

10824 S. 93 E. Ave.
Bixby, OK. in The Legends Addition
$725,000

5 Bedrooms
5 Full 1 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 Luxury Home for Sale in Jenks, OK.

10808 South New Haven Avenue
Belmont Addition in Jenks, Oklahoma

$1,895,000

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

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

Gorgeous Bixby, OK Luxury Home For Sale...

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 this Bixby, OK luxury home for sale or to buy or sell your Tulsa, OK area luxury home contact Kelly Howard of The Tulsa Luxury Property Group at McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Recycle, Don't Trash, Your Old Electronics

The technology in computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices is improving at such a fast rate that by the time we get used to the new one, there is an improved one on the market. When we purchase a new electronic device, what do we do with the old one? Often, we just throw them away. The problem with this is that there are "toxic heavy metal components like lead, cadmium, beryllium, and mercury that can pollute the environment" (RISMedia, 2-5-11).

Knowing that these toxic metals can pollute the environment, what can we do with our old electronics? Donate or recycle old electronics. Recycling old electronics in the Tulsa, OK area is easy. Organizations like Goodwill, take these donations, sell what they can and recycle those that they can't sell. The money they make off these items helps with job training and employment. Other organizations such as Cell Phones for Soldiers, March of Dimes, Keep America Beautiful and Call To Protect also take used cell phones.

To read the full article, "Around the Home: Get Rid of Electronic Waste the Right Way" by Terri Bennett click the link.

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

Keeping Your Tulsa, OK Luxury Home Secure While On Vacation

With all the snow and cold weather, many of us are thinking of leaving our Tulsa, OK luxury home for a a nice warm vacation. Whether you plan on vacationing soon or waiting until later in the year, you will find some excellent information in the article, "10 Tips to Protect Your Home while Away on Vacation" by Kelly O'Ryan. This article give handy tips that will help to keep your home secure, your utility bills down, and your mind at ease. Read on for these great tips:

RISMEDIA, February 11, 2011—With school vacations approaching, many lucky families are planning trips to cure their winter blues. Here are some important things to remember if you leave your home for several days.

1. Turn down your thermostat, but don’t shut it off. You shouldn’t set your thermostat any lower than 55 degrees in order to protect your pipes from freezing.

2. Arrange for snow removal in your absence in case there’s a storm while you are away. Massachusetts law requires residents to clear their own sidewalks and walkways six hours after a storm takes place and you’re not off the hook if you are out of town.

3. Make sure to hold the mail and newspaper. If you can’t have someone pick it up every day, it’s a sure giveaway that nobody’s home and can be a green light for burglars.

4. If possible, leave a key with someone you trust, preferably a neighbor and have them keep an eye on your home while you’re gone. Make sure to offer returning the favor and thank them with a gift when you return.

5. Unplug all electronics that don’t need to used like the television, coffee maker, and home computers.

6. Lower the temperature on your water heater.

7. If you can, leave a car in the driveway and use timers to turn on outdoor and indoor lights to give the impression that someone is home. Leaving the porch light on the entire time you’re gone is a bad idea. If you don’t have a timed light, you can leave an interior light on for the duration of your trip as long as you can’t easily notice it during the day.

8. As excited as you may be to go on vacation, avoid advertising it over Facebook and Twitter. Also, keep this in mind while posting updates from your cell phone on vacation.

9. If you have access to one, place all your valuables in a safe or safe deposit box.

10. Remember, if your house is on the market, you can ask your REALTOR® to stop by and check in. While you’re on vacation, it’s a great time for showings because you won’t have schedule conflicts.

If you follow these tips the next time you are out of town, you will most likely protect your house and your peace of mind.

For Tulsa, OK luxury real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Luxury Homes For Sale in the Tulsa, OK Area

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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Elegant Luxury Home For Sale in Bixby, OK.

13420 S. Lewis Ave.
$999,000

13420 South Lewis Avenue in Bixby, OK
The Estates of Hampton Hills Addition

5 Bedrooms
5 Full, 1 Half Bathrooms
3 Car Garage

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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

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