2009 Tax Tips for Tulsa OK Home Owners

Your Tulsa OK home is going to be one of the largest, if not the largest investment to be made in your lifetime. How can you ensure that you get the best deductions when it comes to taxes? This is a source of confusion for many home owners.

The Tulsa OK home that you own will allow a variety of ways to benefit from savings when it comes to filing your taxes. The interest rate you pay on a mortgage and the taxes for real estate are two places you can save. Even if you do not plan on getting a refund, the amount you will owe can be reduced.

The best way to find out what taxes and credits you are eligible for is by checking on a few tips. Here are a few that you may qualify for that could result in a substantial savings.

1) Do you itemize deductions? If so, there are now two forms available for itemizing the deductions for your Tulsa OK home. The newest Schedule L is an addition to the schedules for 2009. Although many people use Schedule A, this one can be used instead.

Since only about 1/3 of tax payers itemize, the use of this schedule replaces the old Schedule A and allows homeowners who do not itemize a higher standard deduction. Single taxpayers can add $500 to their deduction and married taxpayers may add $1000. This was designed to cover state taxes that you may have paid over the previous year.

2) In addition, if your Tulsa OK home is located in an area that was declared a federal disaster area, Schedule L can be used to report this loss. After using Form 4684 to figure the amount of your loss, it is added to Schedule L.

3) Interest on the mortgage for your Tulsa OK home is also tax deductible. The definition of home is quite flexible. As long as it contains the amenities of a normal home, it is considered a qualified home. This includes toilet, eating and sleeping accommodations.

When you claim the interest on a mortgage you must itemize your deductions. The amount of the mortgage payment must be secured to get this deduction, but if you use the loan for something other than buying a home, improving an existing home or building one, only the first $100,000 is allowable for deducting interest. 

4) Let’s not forget - Uncle Sam has offered some credit to those who choose to make their Tulsa OK home more energy efficient. The improvements you made that are for the purpose of decreasing the cost of heating and air conditioning. The credits that can be deducted are 30% of the cost you spent to upgrade to energy efficient products.

The credit for certain improvements are not subject to the 30% deduction. Insulation and windows are a $1500 credit instead of 30%. The best form to get for these deductions is Form 5695.

If you are like most people today, you need to take the tax deductions and credits for your Tulsa OK home. The economy is such that saving money whenever you can is necessary. Although these are only a few of the tips you need to save on your home, there are more available if you take the time to look them up. IRS publication 17 may be very helpful.

Tulsa OK Realtor Announces Tulsa Air and Rocket Racing Show – April 24, 2010

As your Tulsa OK realtor I am proud to announce the Tulsa Air and Rocket Racing show which will take place April 24, 2010. Preceding the show on April 23 will be the Aviator Ball. It will be at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Aviator Ball is part of the fund raising activities for the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. The ball will consist of dinner, an air show and a live band as well as an auction. Bids will be received for flights in military jets and WWII aircraft from the military.

The Air and Rocket show is guaranteed to be a great time for everyone with the numerous events that are scheduled. As your Tulsa OK realtor, I would invite everyone to come out and have a good time. The gates will open at 9:30 a.m. on the 24th and the first air act will be at noon.

Air acts will include several from the local area as well as military planes. Local Randy Harris will be flying a Skybolt 300 and will show his skills as an aerobatic flyer at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. Another local, Paul Jennings will demonstrate his prowess in the air without the use of an engine. Paul is a National Champion aerobatic glider pilot.

A real treat from nearby Collinsville, OK will be Greg Shelton and Ashley Battles. They will be performing daredevil feats with Greg piloting the plane and Ashley performing outside the plane. Tulsa OK realtors encourage everyone to come out and support the local talent.

Military representing the Marines, Air Force, Army and Navy will be in the air showing the power of the military aircraft. This will include electronic warfare, cargo and military fighter planes. The Tulsa Warbirds will be providing aerial entertainment with high speed flybys. This will include fighter planes such as the T-28, B-25, P-51 and T-6 to name a few.

Rocket racing will begin at 3 p.m. on the 24th with the Rocket Racing League. The league consists of highly proficient airplane pilots that will give spectators a glimpse into the future of racing. The league will perform their latest in sky adventures which includes aerobatic maneuvers while at the same time managing a rocket powered flight which includes gliding and boosting.

If you are ready for a great day, this Tulsa OK realtor recommends taking the family and heading for the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. The morning can be spent checking out the Rocket Racing League tent, walking the displays and vendors will be on site at this time. The events will begin at noon and run approximately until 5 p.m. This is going to be an extraordinary event for young and old.

Tickets will be available the day of the show; however they may be purchased at a discount rate online or at participating Arvest Bank branches in advance. All money earned with benefit the Tulsa Air and Space Museum’s educational and stimulating programs that are open year round Tuesday through Sunday.

Bixby OK Schools & Community

Bixby OK is a community that believes education is one of the most valuable tools available. They have been supporting the schools in Bixby for years and understand that expansion and investment are necessary for the continuation of excellent education.

As proponents of the benefits education can provide, they are living proof. 76% of all Bixby residents are homeowners. This shows the ability to generate an income that can support the purchase and continuing ownership of homes that are in affluent neighborhoods.

Community should be involved in the schools and is encouraged. The continued belief that parents should be involved in and support the schools is what makes this Bixby OK school system function as well as it has and continues to do.

This is another reason the Board of Education believes the retention of well qualified staff members is essential to providing educational excellence. Not only do the teachers have to be highly competent, but they must be caring as well.

Another essential element of the Bixby schools is the Bixby Education Endowment Foundation. They are the backbone behind the community, the teachers and the students. With grants made possible through donations, teachers can further their education. In addition providing funding for music, art, math, science and reading, the funds have supplied sports equipment, microscopes, portable computer labs and much more for the students.

This is just another example of the way this community stands behind the opportunities that are available to provide an investment in the future of the children. By involving area businesses in this effort, the opportunity for matching funds for every dollar that is donated helps to provide the support that is helping the Bixby schools to excel.

Bixby OK Real Estate Community & School Profiles

The Bixby OK real estate area is one of the places in the nation that people can feel safe raising their children. The public schools have made education a priority while ensuring that the children are in a safe learning environment. This is no small task considering they are responsible for 4600 students in a district of 100 square miles.

The key to remaining in the top spots for state as well as national honors in education is the curriculum they believe is exactly right. Bixby OK schools emphasis is on the basic skills of Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Reading and English as well as the preparedness for the technological advances we are experiencing today.

In addition, accessible by many grades are the arts, technology, business, agriculture, foreign language, music and education in technical and vocational fields. A well-rounded choice in education benefits many more students is one of the beliefs that has proven a success when it comes to the Bixby, OK schools.

Community involvement is another strong belief in this area of Oklahoma. Only recently a $33 million bond issue was approved by residents of Bixby to continue on the positive education path they have chosen. The bond made possible the addition of a modern classroom for science at the high school, a highly advanced computer room, the 6th grade classrooms were completed and phase II at the 5th/ 6th grade center at Bixby North.

Tulsa OK Events - Arvest Winterfest

Downtown Tulsa OK events includes the area's largest outdoor holiday celebration with Arvest Winterfest, which began Nvember 27th and runs through January 4th, 2010.  Open daily (excluding Christmas) there have been some major enhancements added this year with the new location on Third Street in front of the BOK Center between Denver and Frisco Avenues, a larger (60' x 150') ice skating rink, an even bigger tree, and a warming and hospitality tent too.

Oklahoma's tallest Christmas Tree is also on display - an enormous 44' tree with 35,700 sparkling lights, almost 110,000 indivdual tips and a base diameter of nearly 30'!  A great spot for holiday picture taking!

There are weekly promotions happening to entice families from around the area to take advantage of the great community gathering place during the holidays - regular prices are $8 with skate rental and $5 with your own skates (children 3 and under are $5) to skate, but Monday's are half price with a donation of a non-perishable can of food for the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.  Tuesday's you may also skate for half price with the donation of a new unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army's holiday toy drive. 

Stay all day with the available treats and rides Winterfest has to offer too, such as gingerbread lattes, Polish sausages, eggnog, warm apple cider, smore's and gingerbread men, along with an old-fashioned horse and carriage ride through downtown.

Also, each Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon during the Arvest Wintervest, the Tulsa Figure Skating Club will be performing at the Arvest Ice Rink, free of charge.

Tomorrow, December 12th, the annual PSO Holiday Parade of Lights will take to the streets, with a brand new route starting in Downtown Tulsa and making its way down Denver Avenue to just in front of Arvest Winterfest.  Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy the wonderfully decorated floats, marching bands, dance teams and giant helium balloons.  Afterwards, you can make your way over to arena to watch the Tulsa Oilers against the Texas Brahmas hockey game that starts at 7:35 p.m.

Whatever you do this weekend in Tulsa, I hope you enjoy with friends and family - let me know what new holiday traditions you introduced to your family this year!

Christmas Events in Tulsa, OK - Plays & Shows

This month will leave you anything but bored. There is so much to do this month that you are sure to find plenty. Your only dilemma will be which one to do first!

Plays and Shows:

December 3-12, 2009. The Santaland Diaries. Location:  The Tulsa Performing Arts Center. ShowTime's and prices vary. For more information call (918) 596-7122 or visit http://www.tulsapac.com.

December 4, 2009-January 2, 2010. Frost on Winter:  A Juried Art Exhibit. Location:  Tulsa Artists Coalition in Tulsa. Exhibit hours vary depending on the day. For more information call 592-0041 or visit http://www.tacgallery.org.

December 7, 2009-December 23, 2009. "I am Tulsa too" exhibit. Location:  Loose Leaf Paper Company in Tulsa. Hours vary.

December 10-12, 2009 at 8 p.m. and December 13, 2009 at 2 p.m. Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella:  The classical story of the overworked Cinderella who spends her days daydreaming only to finally get her wish in the end. Location:  Broken Arrow Community Playhouse. For more information call 258-0077 or visit http://www.bacptheatre.com.

December 10-12, 2009. Tulsa Farm Show. Location:  Expo Square-Quik Trip Center. Hours vary depending on the day. Free parking. Free admission. For more information call (507) 437-7969 or visit http://www.farmshowsusa.com.

December 10-23, 2009. A Christmas Carol:  The classic story of Scrooge. Location:  Tulsa PAC. Showtimes and prices vary depending on the day. For more information visit http://www.tulsapac.com.

December 11, 2009. Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Concert. Location:  BOK Center. Prices vary. For more information visit http://bokcenter.com.

December 12-20, 2009. The Nutcracker presented by the Tulsa Ballet. Location:  Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Prices and times vary. For more information visit http://tulsaballet.org.

December 31, 2009 at 7 p.m. Gallagher with B.B. King and John Fannell. Location:  Osage Event Center. Prices vary. For more information visit http://www.mabeecenter.com.

Things to do in Tulsa, OK - Christmas 2009

Sights, sounds and activities - it's all here in Tulsa, OK this Christmas 2009 season.  Get out there and enjoy the many splendors that this fantastic city has to offer!

Christmas Lights and Parades:

December 1-31, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Lights in the Park at Tulsa River Parks. For more information visit http://riverparks.org.

December 12, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. Owasso Christmas Parade. Location:  Main Street. For more information visit http://www.owassochamber.com.

Activities:

December 7, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. YMCA Holiday Gala & Auction. Location:  Marriott Southern Hills. Come join us for a holiday get together and auction to benefit the YMCA. For more information call 587-2100 or visit http://www. ywcatulsa.org.

December 12, 2009 at 8 a.m.  Jingle Bell Run. Come and join us for a run or a walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. For more information visit http://www.arthritis.org/chapters/eastern-oklahoma/jbr.php.

December 13, 2009. Lebanese Christmas Luncheon and Baked Food Sale. Location:  Therese Maronite Catholic Church. Delicious meal and joyful people coming to celebrate. Santa will be here! Prices are $10-$15. For more information call 918-260-2962.

December 13, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. A Day in Bethlehem. Location:  Kirk of the Hills. Come and join us for some family activities! For more information visit http://www.thekirk.com.

SpiritBank Event Center, Tulsa OK

When trying to find a great area to live in, many people want to know about the available school system, the projected home appreciation values and most of all, the security of raising a family. Within Tulsa, OK real estate and other areas across North America, it is not often that entertainment is factored in because many people are used to driving downtown to attend a concert or major event. Movie theaters are slowly being replaced by home delivery and kiosks. Shopping is still reserved for the mall and grocery stores are coupled with retail outlets. Entertainment is usually the last on a list of necessities.

The SpiritBank Event Center in Tulsa, OK is unique in its design and where it's located. No more driving downtown and fighting one way streets, traveling to South Tulsa will give you all the amenities that you want and need. Shopping, dinning and most of all, a place to attend concerts, events, and if you are looking for space the banquet rooms are perfect.

The SpiritBank Event Center was built on a design that would allow residents of South Tulsa to experience first class retailers without traveling downtown. The nostalgia has worn off and downtown just cannot offer what South Tulsa can. Not only does it service Bixby and other surrounding areas it serves as a hot spot for future conventions and proposed business ventures.

When trying to allure potential buyers to an area there has to be a draw, a solid base of education was the major factor but buyers are looking for more, a lot more. When it comes to family events you want a place that is close and offers everything you want. Nobody wants to drive an hour to have fun, the need for an establishment that gives South Tulsa a better choice can be found at the SpiritBank Event Center.

The shopping that surrounds the area is every growing and retailers all want to be on the list where the most traffic is being seen. Just like a potential home owner who wants certain luxuries a retailer wants their business to be on the list of home owners who live in that area.

The Regal Plaza shopping area is perfectly laid out so that shoppers who want to shop can without convention traffic as a hurdle. The SpiritBank Event center sets off Memorial and has a spacious parking garage to hold vehicles when a major concert or event is taking place. There is no parking shortage because of the smart planning. The marquee that allows for drivers to see upcoming events is well lit and when you're stopped at the stoplight you can read about who is coming in concert.

Located on 105^th and Memorial the SpiritBank Event Center is far enough from the highway but close enough for you make that short drive so you can enjoy the entertainment that South Tulsa has to offer. If you want to make it a weekend to remember the Hampton Inn and Suites are located close by for your convenience.

Bixby OK Homes For Sale in Auberge

The Auberge community in Bixby, OK is a private gated community, with Old World design that offers a relaxing and secure lifestyle for active singles, couples and those that just don't care much for yard work. With professional landscaping, energy efficiency, security and advanced technologies, The Auberge homes are low maintenance cottage villas that offer 1,500 to 2,600 square feet, in a variety of floor-plans.

The Bixby OK real estate area lifestyle includes professional landscaped front yards and streetscape, offering residents a no maintenance front yard that involves no resident upkeep. The homeowner association takes care of the yard work, so you can enjoy a great front yard without the effort. Energy efficiency means low utility bills and the homes feature extra insulation, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, in addition to tightly sealed air ducts and energy efficient windows. Since you save on utilities, you have more money for your fun and relaxing lifestyle.

Security and home automation or SmartHome technology means your Auberge home is equipped with a security alarm system and it is pre-wired for the optional home automation systems that allow you to set the preferences for your lighting and security system coordination settings. The entire community is a security gated and private access community for additional safety.

The community clubhouse is one of the fun features of the neighborhood that includes a gourmet kitchen, luxurious swimming pool with waterfall, a patio with grill and fireplace, meeting room, plasma television and indoor fireplace, making it a great year round place for community fun with friends and family.

Speaking of fun, the Auberge Golf Association membership allows you exclusive member rights at the nearby White Hawk Golf course and the amenities the 18-hole, par 72 golf course has to offer. The landscape features include waterfalls, Bermuda fairways and bent grass greens.

The Old World style cottages come in the Clery, which is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, with 1,865 square foot model that sells for $234,500 currently and includes upgrades like fireplace, granite countertops, full masonry exteriors and Energy Star certified systems and appliances. Presently, for $257,500, you can get an optional 3^rd bedroom to use as a game-room or an additional bedroom and a 3^rd bath for 2,210 square feet.

The Giverny models currently start at $247,900 for 1,631 square feet and feature 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage and formal dining room or for approximately $271,500 you can upgrade to the 3^rd bedroom or flex-room and 3^rd bathroom model at 2,508 square feet.

The Provence model has 1,631 square feet at approximately $209,900 and features 2 bedrooms and a flex room, 2 baths, 2 car garage and still features the granite countertops and a covered patio and porch with no maintenance, full masonry exterior. With beautiful French Country architecture and copper accents, all of the homes offer everything that carefree, active adults would need to live in luxury, yet low maintenance exteriors and landscaping to eliminate worry.  They offer plenty of room for an active lifestyle.

Bixby OK Quality of Life

One of the great things about Bixby OK real estate and the quality of life that comes with it is that it has a quiet town feel to it. The quality of life allows residents to feel safe while going about their daily lives. The amenities are comfortable enough that you get a feel for everything you need in one area. It's like having it all and not having to share it with anybody.

Bixby, Oklahoma sets just far enough off the beaten path that you can enjoy a quieter type of life. The school system is second to none and when it comes to a public education parents want the best for their kids. Since Bixby, OK is in Wagoner County of Tulsa the taxes for home owners isn't felt as much as other Tulsa areas. Its one suburb that attracts people who want a different way of life than what the city has to offer.

Shopping is close with major retailers and minor stores that allow residents to get what they need without all the hassle. Many local people patronize their local merchants to help keep their core of Bixby, OK thriving. It has been voted as one of the best places to live because of the friendliness of the people who live there and when you visit you'll understand why.

With only 24 square miles of land Bixby, OK has plenty of room for everybody. The recreation in Bixby, OK allows you plenty of choices. Whether you want to fish, watch some great football or just have a picnic at one of the four parks, you can attend each with the family and create some lasting memories.

If entertainment is your pastime then Bixby, OK has that covered as well. The Starworld 20 has first run movies with state of the art sound, when a new movie hits the screen you can guarantee Bixby, OK has it at Dickenson Theaters. This facility is located at 103^rd S and South Memorial Drive.

Because community is what makes us neighbors there are several year round events that bring Bixby, OK real estate residents together. Starting in March is the Arbor Day Celebration; April hosts the Miss Scholarship Pageant while May and June give way to the BBQ and Green Corn Festival.

When it gets cooler the Arts and Crafts Fair and Pumpkin Festival helps to round out the fall season When you want to get out and enjoy some exercise you have a lot of choices, besides the parks where you can spend with family and friends you can also narrow down your choice of sport. Whether it's swimming at the pool at Bixby High School or playing tennis at Quail Creek Park the option is there. If you like golf Bixby, OK has two challenging courses, one is located at The Links apartment complex or you can play Whitehawk.

Bixby's library is serviced by the Tulsa City-County Library system so you can have materials sent to your local branch, no need to spend time anywhere else. Restaurants are plentiful in Bixby, OK. If you've got a craving for it they most likely have it. The staples of Tulsa can be found in Bixby, OK.