Tulsa Oklahoma Real Estate

Many people are feeling the pinch of food prices and gas prices as they keep going up, up, up.  So now many have turned to bartering as a way to save their hard earned money.   After some research, we have found several places online for everyone to take advantage of.

Many things being traded online are movies, cd’s, dvd’s, appliances, electronics and services.  If you want a movie, you simply go online and swap a movie you already have for the one you want.  You can even do lawn services for your chiropractor or someone else that provides services you need. 

An interesting barter we heard of recently was a house painting job in exchange for five weekends on the homeowner’s boat.  Some people are handing over their possessions for dental work or medical services.  Just about anything goes when it comes to bartering.  Your possessions can become your currency nowadays.

So take a look around your home and see for yourself what can be traded.  Even the smallest of things are eligible. 

Some great places to barter online are:

Barter Bee ~ Book Hopper ~ Book Mooch ~ Craigs List ~ Domu Swap ~ Free Cycle

Games Trading Zone ~ Go Swap ~ Home Exchange ~ Just Between Friends ~ La La

Neigh Borrow ~ Online House Trading ~ Pad 4 Pad ~ Paper Back Swap ~ Peer Flix

Swap A CD ~ Swap A DVD ~ Swap A Gift ~ Swap Tree ~ Switch Planet ~ Title Trader

U Swap It ~ Zuna Fish ~ Z Waggle

Tulsa ’s new City Council and Mayor Kathy Taylor are inviting Tulsa , Oklahoma residents and friends to join them for “Neighborfest ‘08” in Tulsa parks this summer.  This event is a great opportunity for residents of Tulsa to meet their elected officials, make new friends and bring friends to Tulsa .

There are four events left: July 15, 22, 29 and August 5.  Each one will include free ice cream and drinks for everyone.  There will also be an on-going talent show, live entertainment, and informative displays. 

The talent show is open to individual persons and group talents.  “Tulsa Talents” is going to be hosted by Wayman Tisdale and wife Regina this year.  Tisdale is a former US Olympic basketball player, an NBA star and a jazz bass guitarist.  Tisdale is also a performer and recording artist with a new album coming out this summer.

The last event will be August 5^th.  This event will also celebrate a city-wide back to school rally where all Tulsa ’s students and parents can get together and get to know each another.

Also at this year’s event there will be the new “Bring a Friend to Tulsa .”  You can sign up to win two round-trip tickets to bring a friend to Tulsa .  Other prizes are included in the winner’s prize package.  The city came up with this unique way to get visitors to come to Tulsa so they can see just how great the city has grown, with great hopes they will buy a home.

We hope everyone and their friends enjoy this years Neighborfest. 

Tulsa will be having many events and celebrations such as concerts, exhibits and outdoor celebrations this 4^th of July and we hope you get to go out and enjoy them.

Here is what you can expect to find in Tulsa this July 4^th 2008:

• Arts, Crafts, Music and Cajun Festival in the Grove Civic Center.  There will be Bayou singing and the best Cajun food west of the Mississippi .
• IBC Bank Annual Car Show at IBC Bank on 101 and Riverside .  Join the Tulsa Vette Set on the 4^th for their second annual car show.  There will be free food, drawings and giveaways all day.  You can vote for your favorite car and see if it wins the People’s Choice Award.  There will also be a coloring contest for kids.
• The Fourth at the Fort at the Fort Gibson Historic Site.  Here you can celebrate Independence Day the old-fashioned way like was in 1840.
• Red, White and Zoo from 9am to 5pm at the Tulsa Zoo.  Come picnic with the zoo family for 4^th of July fun.  This will be a great day of celebrations and adventures with the animals.
• Tulsa Freedom Fest ’08 from 4pm to 10:30pm at River West Festival Park on Jackson Ave.  This is Tulsa ’s big annual 4^th of July celebration.  It features the largest fireworks display and entertainment to be found in Tulsa .

We are sure you will love all the festivities as much as we have since we have been serving Tulsa , Oklahoma .  So, get the family out and enjoy a whole day of fun.

In part 1 of last weeks blog. I discussed financing tools.  This week in part 2 of my blog, I will be discussing ownership tools. 

Ownership tools include different types of ownership warranty deeds.  These are different in most states and on most applications.  Here are some examples of the different ownership warranty deeds out there:

A covenant against encumbrance deed is applicable when a grantor states that the property is free of any encumbrances or liens other than the ones already told about.  Basically, the buyer is guaranteed that a third party cannot get a title on the same property. 

A statutory warranty deed is a special deed that is most commonly used by trustees and executors and is not as protective of the buyer as others are.  The grantor of the deed delivers the property with two warranties.  One, the grantor states the title has been received and two, the grantor states that during ownership the property was not encumbered.

Bargain and sale deeds are most commonly used in tax sales and foreclosure auctions and do not protect the buyer from any encumbrances.  It only implies that the grantor hold the title to the property.  This does not guarantee a good title from the grantor.  This could give the grantee some trouble if defects later appear. 

Quit claim deeds are most commonly used to transfer property between family and friends.  This is the least protective of all deeds for the buyer.  This deed does not provide any covenants or warranties to the buyer.

Trustee’s deeds are used by a trustee, in the event of bankruptcy, to sell the debtor’s property.  This deed can only be executed by the trustee.

A sheriff’s deed is given to the buyer for ownership rights at a sheriff’s sale.  These sales are usually held to pay court judgments that are against the property owner. 

If you still have questions about financing and ownership, contact us.  We are always here to give a helping hand and guide you through the process.

I’ll start by telling you that there is a difference between financing tools and ownership tools.  And, because there is so much to understanding regarding everything associated with buying a new home, I will break this up into two blogs.  This blog I will start with financing tools and the next I will go over ownership tools. 

Most new homebuyers have many questions about warranty deeds, mortgages, contracts and trust deeds.  Some know these common terms when buying a home but really don’t understand what they mean or how they work.

Financing tools include mortgages and trust deeds. 

A mortgage is a legal document where one person or party promises to pay the lender for the total amount of the home plus financing fees. 

A trust deed is unlike many other deeds.  This deed transfers the land tile to a title company or a trustee.  After the loan has been paid by the borrower, the title is then transferred to the borrowing party.  Keep in mind, the trustee has no power over the property unless the borrowing party defaults on said loan.

The difference between a trust deed and a mortgage is that there are only two parties involved in a mortgage; borrower and lender.  And, there are three involved in a trust deed; borrower, lender and trustee.  Another difference between the two is the way the foreclosure process is handled  if the borrowing party defaults on said loan.  A deed of trust allows the foreclosure process to go faster.

Seller financing sometimes comes into place when a seller owns the property and is willing to be the lender.  The seller is completely free of any debt, and is willing to let the buyer pay him/her a monthly payment.  The seller basically becomes the mortgage company.  After the full selling price has been paid, the seller will then turn over the legal title of the property to the buyer.  These types of seller financing contracts vary from seller to seller.

Check back next week for Understanding Warranty Deeds, Mortgages, Contracts, and Trust Deeds – Part 2.

If you’re looking to invest in your financial future, then the most positive thing you can invest in is a home.  And buying a home now, while we are in a buyers market, is the best way to do it.  Buy low now, sell high later.

In today’s market you can buy a home for 5% to 10% lower than the asking price.  That’s a savings of $5,000 to $10,000 off your mortgage.  With a 30-year fixed rate mortgage on a $200,000 home, you can save over $100 a month.

There are tons of properties to choose from, and all at great prices.  So go get pre-approved for your home loan and start house hunting.  A great place to start is the Internet.  There are many websites listing homes for sale that give you information about the property.  Or, find a real estate agent to help you in your search.  Real estate agents have all the resources needed to help find the perfect home for anyone.

Are you one of the many homeowners trying to build equity in your home?  If so, there are many ways you can do this and raise the value of your home. 

First, you should know that cosmetic things like new carpet, landscaping or new paint will not raise the value of your home.  These are all nice and will help sell your home faster but not for more value.

Here are some things you can do to raise the value of your home:

~ Finish a basement

~ Update old siding

~ Add a room to your home

~ Update your home’s roof

~ Finish a lofted area

~ Add a garage to your home

~ Put in a swimming pool or Jacuzzi

~ Add a sunroom

~ Build a deck

~ Add an outdoor living room, kitchen or other outdoor living space

All these are great ways to build equity and add value in your home.  The biggest reason for adding value to your home is for more livable space or to update something old and structural.

There is another way to build equity in your home if you’re not up to the task of adding onto your home, and that is paying more on your mortgage.  Paying 13 mortgage payments each year instead of twelve, will help you pay off your mortgage seven to ten years earlier.  This builds equity quite fast.

Spring and summer are the best times for homeowners to start preparing their landscape before they put their home on the market.  Buyers with kids love a good looking yard for their kids to play in.

Landscaping, also known as “curb appeal”, is the first thing buyers notice when pull up to your home.  To get them to the door, you need good curb appeal.  Curb appeal alone can increase the value of your home by 5 to 11 percent. 

Studies show that things such as curving flower beds and design sophistication attract buyers better than a rectangular box filled with flowers.  The size and diversity of plants is also important to potential buyers.  Colorful plants such as annuals are inexpensive and easy to put in and really brighten the look of the yard. 

Also, while you’re looking to create curb appeal, you’ll want to give consideration to the materials you’ll be using that will attract insects.  Ask your local landscaping supply store about different types of foliage and what kind of insects they may attract.  Taking a few notes can save you a future headache.

Other things to look for when getting your yard ready for sale are:

• Root problems – if you see cracks in your driveway or sidewalk, you might have a root problem.
• Sewer problems –if you notice a sunken area of the yard, it is possible that you have a leaky sewer.
• Limb control – check to make sure there are no limbs near your roof, fences or power lines.  This can save damage from animals and weather.
• Tree health – trees that have fungus or mushrooms growing at the bottom of them may have health issues and need to be removed.

Thoughtfully creating and maintaining your landscaping is a huge benefit to both the buyer and seller.  Contact me for more information about selling your home in today’s market.

There’s nothing quite like the invitation to touch and feel the real deal to get buyers to beat a path to your door.  This method of exposing your home to potential buyers is vital.  An open house is a great way to get feedback on your home and validate the price.  It also exposes buyers that are not currently working with an agent and may not be aware of your home’s availability. 

An open house let’s interested buyers know that they have competition and need to get their offer on the table a.s.a.p.  It can also grab impulse buyers.  These are people who take one look and fall in love.  Marketing conditions can also make the open house really cool to most buyers. 

Sunday afternoons are the best time to attract visitors to your open house.  Plan to start early and stay late.  Saturday is another good day.  Make sure you mail post cards to invite neighbors and friends and other prospects.  You will also want to list your open house in the local paper or on websites with free classifieds.  A Realtor is your best option.  They handle all your advertising for you so all you have to do is prepare the home.

Contact us for more tips on making your open house all it can be and more.

When you’re looking to buy a home, you also want to find the best schools for your child’s education.  Tulsa public schools are part of the largest school district in Oklahoma.  The district is made up of fifty-nine elementary schools, fifteen middle schools, and nine high schools.  Tulsa schools all have an accountability plan that is based on academic assessments and other criteria that support the district’s goals.  Each school is measured on this accountability plan using a 4-point scale.  The scores are used as a tool to determine the schools that should be recognized for their educational success, making Tulsa schools a great place for your child’s education.

The City of Tulsa has a large library system made up of 25 facilities for your convenience.  Each facility is involved in the community and provides programs such as free job and business assistance, free computer classes and story-time; all making your child’s education go even further.

You can also find fourteen institutions of higher learning in Tulsa, Oklahoma, along with charter schools and private schools.   

No matter what school you choose for your child, you won’t be disappointed in the Tulsa public school system.