What is the Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act?

Lenders have always had to disclose the overall cost of your loan and other information during the lending process. This includes fees and the actual Annual Percentage Rate. Lenders that are not reputable would play games with the rate by adding fees. Many clients would close with a higher rate because the lenders would change the fees at the last minute. This act requires that lenders redo the Truth in Lending disclosure if the APR goes up by .125% or more. It also requires that closing must wait 3-7 days so that the buyers have time to understand any changes that may have happened. This can sometimes cause an issue when purchasing a home because this waiting time can't be waived. It is required and closing will sometimes be delayed. This also can increase costs for the seller and buyer for items such as interest, storage costs due to delayed closing and more.

For your Tulsa mortgage, contact Steve Currington with Currington Mortgage at 918-810-0092 or www.curringtonmortgage.com

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

Handling Fraud in Title Insurance....

Handling fraud in any situation is difficult. When it comes to title insurance, there are some things to keep in mind. First, let's define title insurance. Title Insurance is insurance that covers financial loss as a result of a defect in a title to real estate. Second, we need to know what period the insurance will cover. When we buy homeowner's or auto insurance, we are covering our home or auto from the time we purchase the policy until that point in the future that the coverage is canceled. With title insurance, though, it works in reverse. Title insurance covers from the moment you purchase your luxury home and into the past. If you are sued after you close on the property, then the title insurance may not cover you. Finally, title insurance issues can be quite tricky, especially with luxury real estate. To ensure that you are covered for everything you need, talk to your attorney or your title company. You may even consider asking for extended coverage on your title insurance to cover you from your home purchase into the future.


If you have legal problems with your Oklahoma title, contact David Keesling at Richardson, Richardson, Boudreaux, Keesling at 918-492-7674 or www.rrblawok.com.

To purchase Tulsa title insurance or if you have questions about Oklahoma title insurance, contact Karen Burnette of Firstitle at 918-493-2241 or www.firstitle.com

For all your Oklahoma property, auto, and life insurance needs and more, contact Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance at 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com

For all your Tulsa, Oklahoma luxury real estate needs, contact Peter McGraw of McGraw Realtors at 918-592-6000 or tulsaluxurypropertygroup.com

When building, remodeling, or replacing products in your 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. Consider eco-friendly mulch, such as glass mulch. Glass mulch is tumbled to be smooth and never need replacing.
  
• Use low-flow toilets and showerheads 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.

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

Tulsa Roof Installation and Repair: A-Best Roofing, Judy Smith, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com
Heating and Air Conditioning Installation and Repair in Tulsa: Air Assurance, contact Stephen Taylor at 918-258-HEAT or www.airassurance.com
Tulsa Building and Remodeling: US Building Systems, contact Rick Oberlender at usbs@att.net.
Air Conditioning Filters: Filters 4 Me, contact Rick Butefish at 292-8600, rick@filters4me.com, or visit their website at www.filters4me.com.
Tulsa Flooring Products: ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings, contact Jim Ecrette at 252-7711 or prosourcejim@tulsacoxmail.com (ask for Darryl Baskin’s preferred pricing).
Tulsa, OK Glass Mulch - contact Leigh Murray, Garden Glass of Oklahoma, 918-232-0210 or www.gardenglassofoklahoma.com.

To find energy-efficient, eco-friendly, or green luxury homes in Tulsa contact Gordon Shelton of the Tulsa Luxury Property Group at McGraw Realtors, 918-592-6000 or www.tulsaluxurypropertygroup.com

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.