What is a Petition to Partition

A petition to partition may occur when property held by more than one party (co-owners) is split up legally because the parties can't agree on what should be done with the property. Many times, people will purchase a property with a friend or family member, only to find that years later a strain happens in the relationship and one or both parties want to sell their share in the property. That in itself is not a big problem, unless the parties disagree about what should happen with the property. When a disagreement happens, that can't be resolved, it is important for each party to seek an attorney. Usually, cases like this will end up before a judge. Each party will lay out their interest for the property and the judge will determine what will happen with the property, including the interest each party will have with the property. The judge can also appoint appraisers to determine the property value. Getting to this point will usually cost quite a bit of money in legal fees. To avoid this type of situation, contact an attorney to discuss plans before a contract is signed.

If you have questions regarding a Petition to Partition or other Oklahoma legal issues, contact David Keesling with Richardson, Richardson, Boudreaux, Keesling at 492-7674 or www.rrblawok.com.

Find Tulsa area homes for sale, tips for Tulsa area buyers and sellers, and more at www.homeguidetulsa.com.

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

De-stressing the Closing Process

Buying and Selling a 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 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 the closing process or if you are in need of Tulsa area closing services, contact JJ Pierce, FirsTitle, 918-493-2241 or www.firstitle.com

For all your Tulsa luxury mortgage needs, contact Steve Currington, Currington Mortgage, 918-394-LOAN or www.curringtonmortgage.com

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

Get Artsy with Your Landscaping!

Many of us have not heard of glass mulch. Glass mulch is becoming more popular for many reasons. First, it is very earth friendly. It is made from recycled glass, tumbled to ensure there are no sharp edges, and lasts forever in landscaping as mulch. Second, it can be laid out in a design using various colors for a more artistic flair in landscaping.

There are many uses for glass mulch when it comes to landscaping. You can use it as:

• garden mulch
• accent for driveway or pathways
• mixed into concrete for a terrazzo tile effect
• used in non-skid or reflective paint
• used to create a beautiful fire pit

When you need a beautiful and sparkling effect for your landscaping, remember to consider glass mulch.

For glass mulch in Tulsa, OK. contact Leigh Murray, Garden Glass of Oklahoma, 918-232-0210 or www.gardenglassofoklahoma.com.

Termites, When Will You Get Them in Your Home?

I am sure that there are many who are saying that they have never had termites in or around their luxury home. In Oklahoma, the saying goes that "it's not if you get termites, it's when you get termites". According to our friends at Montgomery Exterminating, termites "break down plant and wood material" by tunneling underground until they get to a source of that material, your home for example. One of the main problems with termite damage is that they eat from the inside out. When you finally see the damage, often you can end up with structural damage as a result. In addition to your home, they will eat furniture, paper, fences, cloth and books.

Did you know?

• Termites on earth outweigh humans on earth!
• Over 5 million homes have some type of termite damage.
• Termite damage is more common than storm, fire, and earthquake damage.
• Your homeowners insurance will not likely cover termite damage.

So, what do you do to prevent termites from damaging your home?

Montgomery Exterminating uses the Sentricon Colony Elimination System to kill the termite colony and prevent any further damage to your home. For more information on Tulsa, OK. termite elimination or the Sentricon Colony Elimination System, contact Duane Montgomery, Montgomery Exterminating, 918-438-4885 or www.montgomeryexterminating.com.

For all your Tulsa luxury real estate needs, contact Sherri Sanders, Tulsa Luxury Property Group at McGraw Realtors, 918-592-6000 or www.tulsaluxurypropertygroup.com.

Summer Cleaning Tips

Although summer is coming to a close, it isn't too late to do some summer cleaning. When cleaning out your home, remember these tips to make the decisions even easier:

1. Have I used the item within the last year? Will I use the item within the next year?- If the item hasn't been used in the last year, it is unlikely that you won't use it this coming year, so consider getting rid of that item.
2. Is this a sentimental item?- If the item has sentimental value and you have the space to store it, then keep it if you want. Remember though, some of us think that everything has sentimental value, so limit your sentiment or you will be overflowing!
   
3. Does this item hold monetary value?- If you don't use or can't store the item, consider selling it or giving it to someone who would appreciate it.
   
4. Do I have room for this item?- If the answer is no, then store it or get rid of it.
   
5. Is this item usable?- If the item is broken, too old, or unusable, consider recycling it.
   

For all your Tulsa, OK. Junk Removal, contact David, I-Haul of Tulsa, 918-852-2146 or www.ihaulusa.com.

For Tulsa, OK. Storage and Moving Solutions, contact Mike Ellingson, Relocation LLC, 918-459-6683 or www.relocationllc.net

For all your Tulsa, OK. Luxury Real Estate needs, contact Sherri Sanders of the Tulsa Luxury Property Group at McGraw Realtors at 918-592-6000 or www.tulsaluxurypropertygroup.com

Top 10 Ways to Prevent Roof Leaks

While roofing problems are obviously exacerbated by rain, there are other insidious, but lesser-known sources that contribute to roof leak issues. Whether you’ve got a new home or an older one, most roof shingles, on average, can go 15 years without needing repair—but a roof can deteriorate well before the 15-year mark, and the longer you wait to repair it, the more expensive the repair will likely be.

By being aware of the various problems that can lead to major roof leaks, you can catch them early, avoid expensive repairs, and prolong the life of your roof. Of course, this is especially critical if you are approaching the home-buying or –selling process. Home inspection company Pillar To Post recommends that you keep a close watch for the following roofing red flags and correct them as soon as possible:

1. Incorrect shingle installation. Even the strongest shingles won’t stand up to rain if they’re not properly installed. Improper joint locations and a lack of underlay are two issues that are particularly hard to see, but can be extremely problematic.

2. Structural sagging. A sagging roof structure is often the result of moisture retention, and nearly always foreshadows, or coincides with, a leak issue.

3. Water “ponding.” Clogged roof drains and indented areas on flat roofs can cause water pooling—which is basically a leak waiting to happen.

4. Damaged nails. Even on shingles that have been expertly installed, nails are the first thing to show wear. Corroding nails leave microscopic holes that invite water in.

5. Improperly hung gutters. Gutter placement is critical and just a tiny shift caused by strong wind can tamper with the gutter system and divert rain onto the roof.

6. Moss. As moss gathers, it retains more and more moisture that you might not be able to see—until it starts dripping into the attic.

7. Insufficient insulation. Pre-1980s homes, in particular, may not have an adequate vapor barrier; if they don’t, a replacement is warranted—surface patching and minor repairs will just amount to wasted money.

8. A deteriorating chimney. Cracks, eroded joints or decaying caps in the chimney allow moisture and water to seep in.

9. Poor past repairs. From improper plastering to inadequately plugged-up holes, any past repairs that look like they’re DIY are probably not up to code and are not apt to provide leak protection in the future. Have a professional evaluate and correct as necessary.

10. Don’t forget the attic. Many leaks can actually originate in the attic so be sure not to terminate any vent or exhaust pipes in the attic.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact our team any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Darryl Baskin
McGraw Realtors
918-258-2600
www.darrylbaskin.com

For Tulsa roofing installation and repair, contact Judy Smith, A-Best Roofing, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com

Don't let a friend lose their home to foreclosure!

Visit us online at www.homeguidetulsa.com Darryl, If someone you know has fallen or will soon be falling behind on mortgage payments, the fear of the unknown can be overwhelming. But local real estate agents with training and resources of Certified Distressed Property Experts have an inside edge to help troubled homeowners. Read more to find our how we can help you or someone you know avoid foreclosure. The Baskin Real Estate Specialists

The Baskin Real Estate Specialists, McGraw Realtors
10131 S. Yale Ave., Tulsa OK 74096 918-258-2600


Visit http://www.homeguidetulsa.com

Change your email preferences here.