Owasso, OK Master Planned Community - Stone Canyon

An Owasso, OK community sheltered by 3,000 acres of nature, yet only 20 minutes from  Tulsa, OK, Stone Canyon is man and nature living in harmony. Planning for Stone Canyon in Owasso took time as a concentrated effort to blend the homes being built and the outdoors in a way that worked together was the ultimate goal. Stone Canyon in Owasso is a “green” community with the beneficial aspects of being secluded yet only 20 minutes from Tulsa.

Residents of this Owasso, OK community can enjoy three neighborhood developments - Settler’s Creek, Tanglewood, Greystone and The Bluffs - where homes and lots for building homes are currently available. Stone Canyon in Owasso has a wide assortment of amenities available for residents including golf and shopping. There are 650 of the 3,000 acres preserved for use as common areas and for the enjoyment of nature.

Stone Canyon has an amenity plan that is being developed for all types of activities within the community that are suitable for family fun. The lake at Stone Canyon is going to be at the center of the activities. The plan is for a natural fish habitat which will be fantastic for those who enjoy catch and release fishing. The lake is 100 acres, so this should provide plenty of space for everyone.

The Amphitheatre has been finished as well as the Climbing Mound and the first walking trail loop. Further additions to the Park include a huge beach area with plenty of sand, trails that include exercise stations, a Butterfly Garden and fishing pier.

The inclusion of a substantial area of lake front is in reserve for the Stone Canyon Town Center. Providing residents and those living in the surrounding areas with dining by the lake, boutiques, a modern Owasso Fire House and many other amenities, the Town Center will provide many features for Stone Canyon’s long-term Amenity Plan.

In the works for hikers, runners, bikers and walkers is a trail that will be from 5 to 10 miles. The trail around the lake will be two miles long and think of the view while jogging or walking on this trail. It will be absolutely wonderful.

Another amenity that will be enjoyed by the residents and visitors of Stone Canyon communities will be The Patriot. This Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design is one of more than 300 golf courses this leading architect has designed. The Patriot will have views of 30 miles. Within the course are limestone walls that are at least 190 feet tall. The course includes the canyons that are lined with trees and grass native to this area. The Patriot is exceptional when it comes to providing one of the most gorgeous courses anywhere. 

If you would like more information about Stone Canyon, or any Owasso, OK community, please give me a call at 918-231-5734 or visit my Contact Us page and send me a quick message.  I’ll respond right away!

 

The Pros and Cons of Buying a Downtown Tulsa Condominium

The prospect of buying a downtown Tulsa condominium appeals to a large percentage of people. This is why there are many buildings being remodeled and constructed to meet this demand. A downtown Tulsa condominium provides time-saving access to jobs meaning it does not require a commute each day. Professionals especially like the idea of living in the downtown area for the amenities that are easily accessible. There are, of course the advantages of not having maintenance to worry about and they do not have to spend their Saturdays mowing the lawn.

Living in a downtown Tulsa condominium means that people have more free time to do the things they want to do. They do not have to travel a long distance to go to social attractions or shopping. Going to a movie in the evening is just a matter of minutes. The option of dinner after work and a quick shopping trip is much more viable if you are not worried about the long drive home.  Downtown Tulsa condominium living allows owners to have their own home without the worry of keeping up with the lawn maintenance, the painting or pressure washing, the repairs and all everyday things that crop up for homeowners to attend to.

In addition, many are adding fitness centers in the building when they convert or construct the condos. All residents have to do is get in the elevator and go to the center whenever they need to workout. This is another advantage for those who are living in the downtown area. When you have to drive for an hour to go to your gym and then drive another hour back home, you will often put it off rather than spend the time it takes to go back and forth.

When you work all week long and drive to and from work, on the weekend the last thing you want to do is be in the car for a long period of time fighting traffic. Living in downtown Tulsa, you can catch a bus or a taxi and be at your destination in no time. Condo living gives you a little more freedom to do the things you choose in your free time rather than the things you feel you need to do.

If having a yard is important, this is one of the disadvantages of living in a condo, however sometimes a balcony or a patio area can make up for this. The condos that have lawns are shared by all residents so you will not have a private yard. Living in such close proximity to others is sometimes hard to get used to if you have lived in a single family home all your life.

Remembering that you have neighbors above or below you is going to be essential to being a courteous neighbor. If you are used to coming home in the evening and turning your music to the limit, you might want to invest in headphones because this can be annoying for many people. You may not agree with all the rules and regulations that have been established by the condo association, so looking these over before signing your contract will be a wise move. Then you can see if there is anything that you strongly disagree with and if so, you should shop around to see if there are others that have more lenient rules. 

If you would like more information about buying a Downtown Tulsa condominium, please give me a call at 918-231-5734 or visit my Contact Us page and send me a quick message.  I’ll respond right away!

 

Tulsa Convention Center - Another 2010 Tulsa Award Winner

For two years in a row Tulsa Convention Center has won the Prime Site Award. Both 2009 and 2010 have been extraordinary years for the center. Due to the flexibility of the facilities and the dedication of the friendly staff, organizations schedule their events here each year. There are many that return every year for this very reason.

The Tulsa Convention Center is managed by SMG and has been open since 1964. They have been the site of over 20,000 events and have hosted the events for more than 25 million visitors. Connected to the Tulsa Convention Center by an enclosed sky bridge for pedestrians, is the Downtown Doubletree Hotel where many guests stay. There are also three other hotels that are easily within walking distance. Click here to view a virtual tour of the Tulsa Convention Center: http://host.newspin360.net/tulsaconventioncenter/

The Tulsa Convention Center is home to the largest ballroom in Oklahoma, the Tulsa Ballroom. This ballroom can be divided as needed to create space for several groups and is often used for receptions, banquets and many other special occasions. The area is totally carpeted and the catering department is available for your event. In addition, sound packages, special lighting and staging are available to set the stage for your event.

There is also the Exhibit Hall which can be used for meetings of any type, sporting events and shows to name a few. The Exhibit Hall in the Tulsa Convention Center can be separated into three halls for convenience. It also has a sound system that is a permanent feature and a freight elevator service for the ease of moving equipment in and out. 

The Tulsa Convention Center Arena has been the setting for many high profile entertainment venues such as the Rolling Stones and Elton John. Recent entertainment has included WWE-World Wrestling Entertainment, Thomas and Friends and Staind. The arena can easily handle crowds of up to 8,900.

On the second level is the Assembly Hall, which is the place for virtually any big event you are having. From wedding receptions to dances and dinners, this is one of the most popular spots for large events. It can also be extended if this is not enough space.
There are three lower level meeting rooms which can be used for assembling board meetings or a whole host of other business meetings. These rooms are comfortable and are perfect for a small business dinner.

If you would like more information about the Tulsa Convention Center, please give me a call at 918-231-5734 or visit my Contact Us page and send me a quick message.  I’ll respond right away!

Broken Arrow, OK Home Buyers Given $8,000 Tax Credit

A bill, H.R. 5623 that was recently passed in the House and the Senate was being watched very closely by Broken Arrow, OK home buyers who had not yet closed on their new home purchases. The situation had been looking somewhat bleak for Broken Arrow, OK home buyers as well as many others across the country. They had signed contracts to purchase their first home with the assumption that everything would be in order to allow them to receive an $8,000 tax credit.

However, the delays in closing were causing them to second guess whether they had made the right decision. Broken Arrow, OK home buyers were part of the approximately 180,000 that had signed purchase agreements and were going to miss the deadline for closing that would allow them to claim the tax credit. The passage of H.R. 5623 has provided these Broken Arrow, OK home buyers an extra 90 days to close, relieving the pressure for the time being.

The homebuyer tax credit is loosely based on a similar situation from the 1970s. The U.S. was in a housing crisis then as well and Congress passed a tax credit allowing new homebuyers to claim $2,000 if the home was going to be their principle residence. The housing market stabilized and inventory decreased as a result of the tax credit. Many are hoping that history will repeat itself and the housing crisis being faced today will be solved by the passage of the latest tax credit bill.

The original bill, HR 4213 was having problems being passed which was due to provisions that had been attached. The main one was extending the benefits for more than 1.7 million unemployed. The hope was that the tax credit for homebuyers would push the bill through with the inclusion of the extension of unemployment benefits. However, this did not happen and the bill stalled in Congress.

This prompted the introduction of H.R. 5623, which also has some provisions but left out the extension of unemployment benefits. The provisions that are included with this bill are geared more towards preventing the rampant fraud that has been a part of the tax credit. This bill passed by a 409 to 5 margin. In addition, even some states are offering incentives to purchasers. The ultimate outcome would be a reversal of the problems faced by the housing market. However, this remains to be seen.

In addition to the tax credit for first time home buyers there is a credit for those who are buying but have owned a home before. They would receive up to $6500 in a tax credit if they owned and lived in their previous home for at least 5 years of the last 8 and purchased the new home after the 8 year period.

 

Tulsa OK Homes Area Attractions Wins Again - BOK Center

The Tulsa Convention Center and BOK Center are the proud recipients of the 2010 Prime Site award. Tulsa OK homes area facility, the Tulsa Convention Center received the award from Facilities Magazine, the ultimate source for professional planning of special events, entertainment, meetings and conventions. This is the second consecutive year the Tulsa Convention Center and BOK Center have won the award. Chosen from thousands of contenders in Canada and the U.S., those who oversee these facilities are proud to be recognized for the service and amenities they provide to clients.

The Tulsa OK homes area facility, the Tulsa Convention Center received the number of votes necessary to qualify as a Prime Site winner. The awards are voted on by the readers of the magazine which is over 51,000 Association and Corporate Meeting Planners. The criterion that is considered when voting consists of:

•   Location

•   Quality of Staff

•   Technical Capabilities

•   Food and Beverage

•   Access/Egress

•   Lighting, Sound and Staging

•   Other Amenities

The BOK Center (Bank of Oklahoma Center) is located in Tulsa OK and is the multi-purpose arena for the area. The facility has 19, 199 seating capacity and was designed for concerts, basketball, hockey, arena football and events similar in nature. The cost was $178 million from public funds and $18 million from private funds.

On August 30, 2008, the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening was performed by Hanson and Garth Brooks. The first event, a community choir was held on August 31. The center is part of the Tulsa County Vision 2025 initiative for long term development. The Bank of Oklahoma is the namesake of the center, having paid $11 million for the naming rights.

There are several permanent residents including the Tulsa Oilers, Tulsa Talons, Tulsa Shock and plans to attract the national and regional sporting tournaments are ongoing. The BOK Center has the amenities to handle additional events. The center has 37 public restrooms, dressing rooms with lockers, a player’s lounge, game officials locker rooms, hydrotherapy and workout rooms and offices for coaches as well as trainers and equipment managers.

Fourteen concession stands are located within the facility and seven of these are partial branches of Tulsa-area restaurants. The general concessions serve traditional arena food - hotdogs, corndogs, chili fries, chicken tenders, Mexican food and desserts.

The hanging scoreboard is a highly advanced version weighing 50,000 lbs. and uses four HD screens that are 8 feet by 14 feet, four that are eight feet by eight feet and an HD screen that is a wrap around that is nine feet plus a wrap around that is three feet. The system cost $3.6 million which was funded by private donations.

Former tax packages for arenas had always been rejected by the voters until Tulsa mayor Bill LaFortune took office in 2002. He held a municipal planning conference during which several projects throughout the county were proposed. This was where Vision 2025 came into the picture. Raising sales taxes only by six-tenths of one cent over a period of 13 years was approved and construction began on the center in August 2005.

Three years later the first concert was held on September 6, 2008. The Eagles were the featured entertainers. Since that time there have been several famous performers at the center including Brad Paisley, Celine Dion, Nine Inch Nails, Metallica, AC/DC, Elton John and many more.

The Oklahoma City Thunder played the Houston Rockets on October 13, 2008 which was the first major event in sports to be played here. The BOK Center is also the host for the Tulsa Oilers ice hockey team and the Tulsa Talons. Upcoming events for the center are:

Justin Bieber - July 6, 2010
WWE Monday Night Raw - July 19, 2010
Rascal Flatts - July 23, 2010
The Jonas Brothers - August 2, 2010
Celtic Woman - August 6, 2010
American Idols LIVE! Tour 2010 - August 8, 2010
Sean Hannity Freedom Concert - August 20, 2010
Women of Faith - August 27-28, 2010
John Mayer - September 3, 2010

Tulsa, OK 4th of July 2010 Family Fun Events

If you are counting down the days to the Tulsa, OK 4th of July 2010 events that you have been looking forward to you know there are not many left. ONEOK Freedom Fest 2010 will be a terrific event this year for the residents and visitors of Tulsa. When you are ready to celebrate Independence Day this year, the Tulsa, OK 4th of July 2010 festivities will give  you a choice of three locations. Each one will have fireworks and other family friendly ways to celebrate.

Oklahoma celebrates Independence Day in a big way and this year will not be an exception. Choose one of the following three locations to join family and friends for the spectacular Tulsa, OK 4th of July 2010 celebration.

1. River West Festival Park - Located at 2100 S. Jackson, the River West Festival Park celebration will begin at 5 p.m. on the 4th of July 2010. There will be food vendors and beverages available. The kids can have their faces painted, receive free inflatable and enjoy the Rock Climbing Wall sponsored by Lafarge North America. The Tulsa, OK elected officials will say a few words to the crowd starting at 6:30 p.m.  The Red Dirt Rangers will perform live music from 6:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. The grand finale of the fireworks display over the Arkansas River will be from 9:30 to 10:05 p.m. Produced by the world famous Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, this will be a great Independence Day celebration. A kids’ zone will be located here as well.
2. The 4th of July 2010 beginning at noon the Tulsa Parks will be holding their annual American Salute at Veterans Park. Located at 1875 S. Boulder Avenue, there will be an old-fashioned picnic for the family and music to enjoy. The kids can receive free inflatables. A Bicycle Parade will begin at 7 p.m. so all the kids can get their bikes ready by decorating them with their own decorations or the ones provided by Tom’s Bicycles. There will be a kids’ zone at this location.
3. Elwood’s Café at 19th and Riverside Drive will open on the 4th of July at 10 a.m. and will feature live music from noon to 11 p.m. There is a cover charge of $15 for adults and children 6 to 12 can attend for $5. Featured entertainment will be Junaloosca at noon, Eric & The Adams at 1:30 p.m., Sam & the Stylees at 4:14 p.m. and Midlife Crisis Band at 7 p.m.

More Celebrations

Another great 4th of July celebration will be held at the RHEMA Bible Church grounds. This is one of the largest 4th of July celebrations in Oklahoma. The festivities are attended by more than 35,000 people each year. There will be music and food and the event which is held from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. will feature one of the largest displays in the state. The cost is free and it is a great family atmosphere celebration.

The Cajun Festival and Arts, Crafts and Music Festival will be held July 3rd, 2010 at the Grove Civic Center in Grove, OK. There will be many vendors with arts and crafts as well as food vendors. The hand-made jewelry and Native American items will add to the collection on sale here. This celebration is a fun time for everyone and can be enjoyed all day long.

Chris Miller and Bayou Roots, Jana Jae and Hotwire and Rick Sprague and the New Cajun Band will be performing this year. They will begin at 10 a.m. and will alternate to give everyone a chance to hear this terrific music.

What Your Tulsa OK Credit Report Means to You

Many people are interested in buying Tulsa, OK homes today partially because of the lower price of real estate due to the economy. If you are considering this option, you will need to know what your credit report means to you in terms of purchasing Tulsa, OK homes. The first thing you need to know is what has been reported on your accounts. The possibility is always there that wrong information can end up on your credit report, thereby decreasing your chances of obtaining a loan for one of the Tulsa, OK homes you are interested in buying.

When you monitor your credit reports, you will know the minute anything that does not belong is put on your report. This will allow you to challenge it as soon as possible. The credit reporting agency will have 30 days to investigate and if they cannot prove the debt is yours, they must remove it from your credit report. This means you will not have items on your credit report that are derogatory or that might prevent you from getting a loan for one of the Tulsa, OK homes you want.

Another important thing your credit report will mean to you is the confidence that you will obtain the loan for the property you want. If you keep your credit in good shape you will not have to worry about being approved for a loan. The lenders who look at your credit report will be making a determination. This decision will be based on whether they think a return on the investment they provide for your purchase is highly likely or less likely. If it is the latter, your chances of obtaining a loan are not very good.

A perfect credit rating will also mean when times are tough, especially during a recession, you will be the last to feel any effects from lenders who are becoming more cautious about lending money. If you maintain your credit score in the high range, not only are you more likely to get the loan, but your interest rate will be lower. The advantage you will get from a lower interest rate can potentially save you thousands of dollars over the period of the loan.

Protecting yourself from predators that are always on the lookout for other’s personal information is another benefit you will reap from monitoring your credit. An identity thief can totally ruin your credit to the point that it may take years to repair. In the meantime, you cannot purchase anything by obtaining a loan because your credit is in such bad shape. No matter it is not your fault, the credit report still says they are your debts until you can get them taken off the report.

The only person who can protect you from identity theft is you. The sad part is many people do not even know they have been victimized for a period of time so the identity thief has had plenty of time to destroy their credit. Monitoring your credit report can be one way of battling this problem. Your credit report means you will either be able to purchase the things you want or you will be denied credit.

The Oaks at Indian Springs - Broken Arrow Homes for Sale

The Oaks at Indian Springs is a Wilton subdivision in the residential community of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. An upscale neighborhood that features a mixture of Broken Arrow homes for sale, the custom built homes here are Colonials, contemporaries and custom built ranches with three and four bedrooms.

The homes were built by Thomas J. Arone & Son Builders during the early 2000s. They are only a few minutes from Interstate 87 and not even 10 minutes from downtown. This is the beauty of living in The Oaks at Indian Springs. A rural setting that is quiet and serene but still close to all the amenities is what you will get when you purchase one of these Broken Arrow homes for sale. 

The homes are located on generous lots, from one third acre and up, and is bordered by Northern Pines Road to the west and Gailor Road to the south, which are both access points to The Oaks at Indian Springs. They are also within the South Glens Falls Central School District. Ballard Elementary, Oliver W. Winch Middle and South Glens Falls High School are where The Oaks children attend school. In 2008, 83% of graduates of the high school earned a Regents diploma.

Broken Arrow homes for sale currently in The Oaks include a 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom, 3 car garage that is listed at $475,000. Another estate home is a 6 bedroom, 4 full and 2 half baths with a 4 car garage. This home is over 6,000 square feet and is listed at $1,175,000.

Residents of The Oaks at Indian Springs do not have to go far for shopping or recreation. There are several stores within 15 minutes including a Price Chopper supermarket, a variety of gas stations, banks and restaurants on Route 50, the Shoppes at Wilton and the Wilton Mall.

When it comes to recreation, Gavin Park is a park run by the town that has playground areas, basketball courts, and soccer and baseball fields. This is also the place where many of the town’s celebrations take place. It is located at the crossroads of Beverly Street and Lewis Drive. The Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park is another amenity that can be enjoyed by residents of The Oaks at Indian Springs. This is over 800 acres of land that is protected by the town. Mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, jogging and hiking are all available here.

When purchasing Broken Arrow homes for sale, enjoying Moreau Lake State Park is another option. There are several activities that can be enjoyed here such as boating and fishing, cross country skiing and hiking, lounging on the beach, a picnic area and wooded campgrounds.

Only a short distance from The Oaks at Indian Springs are the Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Loughberry Lake, Lake Lonely and Saratoga Lake. In addition, there is also the Saratoga National Golf Course, Yaddo and Congress Park.

Tulsa Properties Among the Nation with Fewest Negative-Equity Homes

If Tulsa properties are on your list of places to consider for a permanent residence, you will be pleased to know this is an area that has not been affected as strongly by the problems the rest of the country is having with the housing market. There are a few homeowners with negative equity in their homes, but percentage wise, Tulsa properties are way below the average.

CoreLogic, a business data company conducted surveys and according to their results, Tulsa properties show only 5.9% of homeowners has negative equity. Of 402,187 that are on record, only 23,724 are in the negative. The state of Oklahoma average is far below the national average, which is 23.7%.

This makes Tulsa properties an excellent buy if you are in the market for a home. Add to this the fact the area is a beautiful place to live with access to anything you may want and you have a winning combination for your new home.

Credited as the reason for this low rate is that during the last ten years when the rest of the nation was experiencing skyrocketing prices for properties, Tulsa properties maintained their 3% increase that had been in effect since 1981. The president of ERA John Hausam Realtors in Tulsa, John Hausam says the prices in other areas that went extremely high and then plummeted was not experienced by Tulsa.

The Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors says the average price for Tulsa properties at the present is $126, 000 as of March which is only a 5% increase from the previous year. In contrast, Nevada experienced the highest rate of negative equity at 69.9%.

According to the chief economist at CoreLogic, there are two important factors that trigger default - unemployment and negative equity - and these have become more stable in the past six months. So, not only will you benefit from purchasing Tulsa properties, but with the rate of unemployment stabilizing this is an area that is a great place to live and work.

If Tulsa is the area of the country you are considering for your new home, this is good news. A good job market and a terrific place to find an affordable home can make this one of the best choices around. Buying a home in which you can maintain or increase your equity is one of the most important aspects of home ownership.

No one wants to have an upside down mortgage and make payments on a home that is not worth the price they are paying. When choosing the Tulsa area as your next home, you will be in a better position than most of the country, so check out the beautiful homes that are available here. You will be glad you did.

Broken Arrow, OK Golfing - Lit’l Links Golf Club

Touted as the “biggest Lit’l golf school in America” Lit’l Links Golf Club in Broken Arrow, OK is a Par 3 course with 18 holes and 3 sets of tee makers. Designed for golfers of all levels, the course has laser measured spaces to the greens so that they are accurate. The hills on this course have a 40 foot elevation and the greens are L93 Bentgrass.

In addition, the course has holes that are played through fairways that are tree lined, water holes and Scottish Link’s style holes. On average they range about 157 yards but the longest is 233 yards and the shortest is 106 yards.

The driving range at Lit’l Links is a superbly lit range and has grass tees. The east facing range allows you to have your back to the sunset. There are 2 300 yard long target fairways and 14 target greens. They are around the lake to allow you the best workout using all your clubs.

A golf shop is also located here with a great selection of accessories, clothing and equipment for all your golfing needs. The shop stocks merchandise from leading manufacturers in the latest style and the price is guaranteed not to be beat.

The golf instructors at Lit’l Links are PGA instructors and can teach a new player how to play, improve the veteran athlete or teach you how to become a professional golfer. The lessons are all designed to improve your game no matter what level you play. For members there is a free mini-lesson night every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Lit’l Links is registering juniors from 6 to 17 years old for their 2010 Summer Golf Camps. The camps are held on Monday thru Thursday, starting June 1st and going through August 12th. The camps start at 9 a.m. and last until noon. The camps are from 3 to 4 days and a new one will be held each week during these dates. If you are interested in having your child attend one of the 2010 Summer Golf Camps, call the Director of Golf, Jim Ingram at 830-6798 and sign them up today.

All that is needed by the player is their personal bag of clubs and the proper attire for playing golf. There are no beverages or beverage containers allowed on the golf course.