Why do I need a Survey??

When you decide to build an addition or a new home, you will need a survey. A survey shows where the property lines are as well as any buildings, easements, driveways, or encroachments on the property such as a neighbor’s driveway. You might say, “I don’t need a survey, I have a plat map”. A plat map only shows the property boundaries, it doesn’t show easements or encroachments which can cause a problem with a legal title. A survey will ensure that anything you are building is not on someone else’s property or easement. It will also help if you have acreage and decide to sell some of it later.

For more information on Tulsa, OK. land surveys, titles, and the closing process, contact JJ Pierce at Closings of Tulsa at 918-493-2241 or www.closingsoftulsa.com.

For luxury real estate in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area contact Tim Hayes, Tulsa Luxury Property Group at McGraw Realtors, 918-592-6000 or www.tulsaluxurypropertygroup.com.

Improve or Move?

Although the economy has shown signs of improvement, many homeowners are choosing to improve their home rather than move. By doing so, when the economy changes they will have increased the value of their home and will be able to sell it at that point. There are many ways to improve your home and add value, including: repairing and replacing your roof, repainting the interior and exterior of your home, installing energy efficient products, providing curb appeal through landscaping, upgrading fixtures, and doing basic maintenance and pest control.

• Repairing or Replacing Your Roof- Make sure that you keep your roof in good repair and when needed, replace it. Check with your roofing professional to see if you need a new roof, have venting problems, have loose shingles, or have any other roofing issues that are in need of repair.
• Repainting- repainting your home not only helps maintain the property but it is also appealing to buyers when you decide to sell. Keep neutral colors in mind, however, so that it will be appealing to a large number of buyers.
• Installing Energy Efficient Products- replace old windows, appliances, hot water heaters, and heating and a/c units with newer energy star rated ones. This will help decrease your energy bills and will be attractive to buyers.
• Providing Curb Appeal through Landscaping- make sure that your landscaping is attractive to buyers. An attractive exterior can help ensure that buyers will at least take a peak inside. Also remember to provide landscaping that will look good in every season.
• Upgrading Fixtures- this is an easy and often inexpensive way to improve your home. Replace doorknobs, cabinet pulls, light fixtures, and plumbing fixtures for newer ones.
• Doing Basic Maintenance and Pest Control- this is one of the best ways to improve your property and prevent buyers from walking out the door. Many buyers simply don't want a "fixer upper" or problems with pests. They want it move in ready. Simple home maintenance and pest control will keep buyers interested and will help prevent more expensive repairs later.

Remember, if you don't have the time or skill, hire a professional to do needed improvements and repairs. A poor repair job won't attract buyers when you decide to sell. Check our the professionals listed below or visit www.tulsahomemaintenance.com for a complete list of professionals. Should you decide to move, visit www.homeguidetulsa.com for tips on buying and selling and to search for homes for sale in the Tulsa, OK. area.

Roof Repair or Replacement in Tulsa, OK.- Judy Smith of Abest Roofing at 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

Pest control in the Tulsa, Oklahoma Area- Duane Montgomery, Montgomery Exterminating at 918-438-4885 or www.montgomeryexterminating.com.

To buy or sell Tulsa, OK. Luxury Real Estate- Tim Hayes, Tulsa Luxury Property Group at McGraw Realtors, 918-592-6000 or www.tulsaluxurypropertygroup.com.

Tulsa, OK. Moving Services- Mike Ellingson, Relocation LLC, 918-459-MOVE or www.relocationllc.net.

Tulsa, OK. Mortgage Services- Karen Heston, BOK Mortgage, 918-230-9432 or kheston-boklo.mortgagewebcenter.com

Tulsa, OK. Electric Repair and Installation- Larry Murray, Murray Electric, 918-557-3020 or www.murrayelectric.com.

Tulsa, OK. Building and Remodeling- Rick Oberlender, US Building Systems, 918-518-5913

Tulsa, OK. Home Automation- Keegan Beck, KMB Enterprises, 918-527-1031 or www.kmbenterprisesllc.com

Tulsa, OK. Homes Are Selling in Less Than 2 Months!

According to Realtor Magazine (Daily News, May 25, 2011), homes are on the market an average of 95 days. This is up 13% when compared to the same period last year. Homes in Tulsa, OK. sell in an average of 58 days. Read the whole article, "Where Homes Are Selling in 2 Months Or Less", below for more information.

Nationally, homes spent 95 days on the market in April, which is up 13 percent year-over-year, according to April housing data from Realtor.com of 146 markets.

But in a few markets, the median age of inventory of homes for sale was less than 60 days.

Here are the fastest-selling cities from April:

Denver
Median days on the market: 44 days
Median list price: $249,900

Oakland, Calif.
Median days on the market: 44 days
Median list price: $319,950

San Francisco
Median days on the market: 54 days
Median list price: $645,000

Washington, D.C.-Md.-Va.
Median days on the market: 57 days
Median list price: $369,900

Tulsa, Okla.
Median days on the market: 58 days
Median list price: $149,900

Bakersfield, Calif.
Median days on the market: 58 days
Median list price: $135,000

San Jose, Calif.
Median days on the market: 59 days
Median list price: $480,000

Fresno, Calif.
Median days on the market: 59 days
Median list price: $160,000

Omaha, Neb.
Median days on the market: 59 days
Median list price: $152,725

And where were homes spending the longest number of days on the market? Savannah, Ga., where the median days on the market in April was 198 days, according to Realtor.com housing data.

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

Tulsa, OK. Area Luxury Homes for Sale

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.

No Post-Move In Surprises!

When buying a home, most buyers will hire a home inspector to inspect their property for problems. When problems arise, sometimes repairs can be negotiated with the sellers or even repaired after move-in. A home inspection can help prevent surprises for buyers after they move in to their new home. There are, however, some issues that an inspection won't uncover. After all, an inspector can't see everything. In a recent article in Realtor Magazine, "Avoid Home Flaws Being Uncovered Too Late", information is given to help buyers avoid being surprised with problems after moving in.

Home inspections don’t always turn up everything wrong with a home, but unknowing buyers can quickly turn unsatisfied when they move into their new home if they find a bunch of problems.

"The purpose of a home inspection is to look for material defects of a property: things that are unsafe, not working, or that create a hazard," Kurt Salomon, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors, told the Chicago Tribune. However, most buyers "think we can see through walls and predict the future.”

Home inspections, for example, don’t specifically test for environmental safety hazards like lead, asbestos, or radon--which can be costly to remove. Inspectors also may overlook mold or vermin when its hidden behind floorboards.

As such, buyers also should be on the lookout for common hazards because pinpointing these before closing at least allows them the opportunity to ask sellers to help pay for removal costs.

Experts warn that buyers should take note of homes built prior to 1978, which usually contain lead and possibly asbestos in 9-by-9 floor tiles in basements.

To help avoid post-move-in surprises, buyers also might consider bringing in additional safety inspectors to evaluate the home, such as chimney inspectors, electricians, or experts for leading or radon testing.

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

Luxury Homes For Sale in the Tulsa, OK. Area

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
$899,900

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

American Housing Reform

The National Association of Realtors has concerns about reforms that might be considered in America's Housing Finance Market. The National Association of Realtors believe that reform must must include these factors more thoughtfulness and transparency. One concern of the NAR include the elimination of government-sponsored enterprises. They are also concerned in the amount of transparency and accountability in the secondary mortgage market. Read on for the full article, "Affordable, Reliably Home Financing is Priority" at Realtor Magazine (May 2011).

Reforms to America’s housing finance market must ensure a reliable source of affordable mortgage lending for creditworthy consumers. That’s according to REALTORS® and other industry insiders who examined the federal government’s future role in the secondary mortgage market at a session called “Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac: Obama Options and Beyond” at the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® 2011 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C.

Steve Brown, 2011 NAR first vice-president nominee, opened the session by outlining NAR’s position for reforming the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), saying that reform is required, taxpayers must be protected from losses, and the federal government must continue to play a role in the secondary mortgage market to ensure a steady flow of mortgage liquidity in all markets under all economic conditions.

Reform Must Be Thoughtful

“As the leading advocate for home owners, NAR is concerned that eliminating the GSEs without a viable replacement is not a reasonable option and will severely restrict mortgage capital and result in higher fees and costs for qualified borrowers,” said Brown. “Reform of the secondary mortgage market needs to be comprehensive and undertaken methodically.”

James Parrot, senior advisor for housing at the National Economic Council in Washington, D.C., overviewed the Obama administration’s recommendations for reforming the GSEs in the wake of the financial crisis, which included varying levels of government backing. He noted the primary objective of the proposals was twofold: first, to lay out an immediate near-term path for reform, with steps that could be taken the next few years to reduce taxpayer risk and move the housing market to more stable footing, and second, to frame the discussion regarding the government’s long-term role in housing finance.

“The government’s large presence in the housing finance is unhealthy and needs to be scaled back; however, the steps we take over next few years to reduce the government’s role and increase private capital will have a tremendous impact on the housing market and economy as well as the availability and affordability of mortgages,” said Parrot. “The objective isn’t to turn away from housing, but to make the housing finance market stronger so that families and their most important asset are better protected,” said Parrot.

More Transparency Needed

Panelist Susan Wachter, a professor at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, agreed that private capital needs to return to the housing finance market, but that most likely won’t happen until the market has stabilized.

“There needs to be more accountability and transparency in the secondary mortgage market so that private investors can best assess their risk and safely get back into the market,” she said.

Mark Calabria, director of Financial Regulation Studies at the Cato Institute, argued for a very limited government role in the secondary mortgage market; saying that the private capital market has the funds and capacity to absorb Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s market share. He said that increased government support in the past few decades has only slightly increased America’s home ownership rate and that rates in other countries are higher despite their government’s limited involvement.

Despite his opposing viewpoint to the level of involvement, Calabria did acknowledge that some government backstop was essential in the future, since the housing and finance markets are sensitive to booms and busts.

David Katkov, executive vice president and chief business officer at The PMI Group, countered that it would be naïve to move to a purely private market because it’s been successful in other countries, adding that the U.S.’s housing finance system dwarfs that of other countries and is far more complex.

Ann Grochala, vice president at the Independent Community Bankers of America also shared concerns for small lenders and community bankers in a purely private market, where competition from large lenders would be great.

Source: NAR

For Tulsa, OK. Luxury Real Estate, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Tulsa, OK. Area Homes for Sale

Tulsa, OK. Luxury Home For Sale

3919 East 115th Place
Sequoyah Hill II Addition
$1,495,000

Jenks School District
4 Bedrooms
4 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage

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Tulsa, OK. Home for Sale

9705 South Lakewood Avenue
Sun Meadow Addition
$198,000

Jenks School District
4 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Garage

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Tulsa, OK. Condominium For Sale

5727 East 72nd Court 5-17
Granite Hill Addition
$149,900

Tulsa School District
2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
2 Car Garage

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

Be Prepared For An Emergency!

Between the record snowfall this winter in the Tulsa, OK. area and the recent tornadoes, it is not surprising to think of Emergency Preparedness. In a recent article found in www.rismedia.com titled "How Stuff Works: Emergency Preparedness" byMarshall Brain, Marshall discusses the most important things to consider when preparing for an emergency. He suggests keeping things on hand such as: water, prescription medication, toilet paper, cash, generator, and non-perishable foods. Read on for more details on how to prepare for an emergency.

RISMEDIA, March 28, 2011—(MCT)—If there is one thing we saw with the Japan earthquake, it’s how quickly the world can go from “normal” to “complete disaster.” After the earthquakes and tsunamis struck, many people in Japan were thrown into quite primitive conditions: no electricity, no telephone service, no medicine, no clean drinking water and no shipments of food arriving because the roads were gone. Hurricanes can bring the same kind of destructive force across a wide area. So can volcanoes.

If your city were to be struck with a large-scale disaster, would you and your family be ready to handle it?

That’s where emergency preparedness comes in. The basic idea is to have enough supplies on hand so that your family can survive a week or two of pandemonium that follows any major disaster. One reason to be prepared is because it ensures the survival and relative comfort of your family. The other reason is because it makes things less chaotic for rescuers and relief crews. If you are able to manage your life without any help, it frees up rescue teams to handle those who are truly in need of assistance.

So what should you have on hand in an emergency?

Perhaps the most important thing is water. Humans use a lot of it: for drinking, cooking, cleaning and even for flushing the toilet. At a bare minimum, a person needs about a gallon per day. You would like to have at least enough water available to handle three days, and a week or two would be even better. If you have four people in your family and you are planning for a week of coverage, you need a minimum of 28 gallons stored somewhere in the house. And it needs to be in the right kind of package. Milk jugs of water start leaking after a year or so—clear plastic bottles won’t. If there is a natural source of water nearby (river, lake, etc.) you can use it if you have a way to carry and sterilize the water.

You need any prescription medicines that are essential to your life, as well as an adequate first aid kit. Because there will be no electricity, you will want a good flashlight and fresh batteries, as well as a battery operated radio to get information. Glow sticks are also nice to have available.

Of course, you will need some food. Many people have enough food in the pantry to handle a couple of days. In a big disaster you may want a week or two of food on hand. Canned foods (soup and other prepared foods) and dried foods (rice, pasta, etc.) are best. Keep in mind that you need a way to open the cans and cook the food. And old-fashioned can opener and a camp stove are handy.

It is nice to have some emergency cash. With the power out and the telephone system down, ATMs and credit card machines are not going to work. For the same reason, gas stations are not going to be pumping gas either. If you have some advanced warning of something like an approaching hurricane, filling up your car’s gas tank is a good move.

Don’t forget the little things. If you run out of toilet paper, that is a disaster all on its own. Keep several packages of toilet paper in the back of the bathroom cabinet just in case.

In case of a hurricane, a big tarp and some rope might be nice things to have in the garage. If the roof gets damaged, you may be able to cover the hole.

If you want to ride out a disaster in style, an emergency generator (and enough gasoline to keep it running) can be a very nice thing to have. With it, you can keep your refrigerator running, provide lights at night and so on. Having a generator requires an extra level of discipline, because gasoline goes bad. If you are keeping gasoline in the garage for the generator, you need to replace it on a regular schedule.

Thankfully, full-on disasters—like the one that happened in Japan—don’t occur very often. But when they do, it’s good to be prepared so you can survive without undue hardship.

To buy or sell luxury real estate in the Tulsa, OK. area, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6431 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Breathtaking Tulsa, OK. Luxury Home For Sale....

Tulsa, OK. Luxury Home

11528 South Oswego Avenue
in Sequoyah Hills II Addition
$1,595,000

Jenks School District

4 Bedrooms
4 Full 3 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage

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

What's the Right Color Paint?

Choosing the right paint and decor colors for your home can be a huge feat! Many homeowners try painting small patches of several different colors on their walls in order to see how they look. Some use swatches from the paint store and even others just don't paint because they don't know which shade to use. Whether you are choosing colors that you plan on living with, or you are choosing colors to help stage your home, the following article ("Using the Psychology Behind Color in Staging Homes" Melissa Tracey, Realtor Magazine) will give you some great information.

Did you know the color you choose for your home can at a subconscious level psychologically affect you or others? Choosing a wall color may have just gotten a little more stressful!

Scientific research has long pointed to the connection between color and its emotional or mental pull on our psyche, even if we do rarely realize it. And as a former psychology writer, I can’t resist the urge to bring back some of this scientific color research for you to consider when selecting paint colors.

After all, you can use such research to harness the positive energy of color when staging properties for sale.

A company called Colour Affects, based in London, is based on helping organizations and individuals learn how to draw from the psychological influence of color on human responses and behaviors.

Here are some of the insights they’ve drawn from color research, along with some of my “try it” tips for how you may be able to apply the information in your staging.

RED

This powerful pop of color can grab a person’s attention first and foremost, and has even been found to raise a person’s pulse rate. A 2009 study by researchers Ravi Mehta and Rui Zhu also found that red can actually improve a person’s cognitive performance too, making a person even more accurate and attentive to detail.

Try it: We all want buyers’ eyes drawn instantly to those selling features, right? Maybe a red accessory on the fireplace mantel or a vase of red flowers on those sparkling granite countertops can help you get buyers’ eyes right to where you want them.

BLUE

Blue is known as a soothing color that can be mentally calming. Blue actually tends to surface universally as the world’s favorite color, according to research, so you’re probably not going to turn off too many buyers by incorporating blue. However, you also don’t want to give people the “blues.” Sometimes blue has been found to be perceived as cold or unfriendly, so don’t overdo it.

Try it: A soft blue color in the bathroom or bedroom may just be the calming retreat you want to create in a home you have for sale.

Also, since blue has been found to make people more creative (studies have shown people in a blue room were found to be twice as creative than when they were in a red room), blue might be a good choice in a children’s room too.

YELLOW

This color is known as having the strongest impact psychologically. It can lift your spirits and is known as the color of “confidence and optimism.” Just don’t go overboard with it: Too much yellow has been found to make people feel emotionally fragile, depressed, or even suicidal–not the impact you want to have on buyers viewing your property!

Try it: Gold colors can liven up family rooms or hallways. Shades of yellow in a basement also may be a good choice in brightening an area of a home that often can be viewed as dreary.

GREEN

A restful color and known as the color of “balance.” Most people are reassured by green on a primitive level, since it usually indicates the presence of life and water. Research that focused on treatments for seasonal affective disorder also have shown that people exposed to green colors (excluding greens with yellow undertones) actually were found to have improved moods–an important note to those of you who live in cold weather climates!

Try it: Shades of more neutral greens can give a restful, harmony in bedrooms. Also, scattering green plants throughout a home also may help buyers get that “reassured” feeling that this is the right home for them.

WHITE

While it can communicate clean and hygenic, too much white can be a strain to look at and even send the message “Don’t touch me!” But you want buyers to not only touch but live in the property so too much white may be a detriment. However, white can give a heightened perception of space so for small spaces, you can use it to your advantage.

Try it: Use a shade of white (such as antique white or Navajo white) on your trim for a clean, contemporary look. But unless your design scheme is modern, you’ll probably want to choose a color other than white for your walls. White walls can make a home feel cold and plain. Color on your walls can psychologically do your buyers more good.

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

Up with Trees Sherri Sanders