Tulsa OK Real Estate Architecture in Maple Ridge

There are a number of architectural styles used in Tulsa, OK real estate. One area, Maple Ridge, Tulsa, OK is an example of this diversity. There are areas of this neighborhood containing homes that were built as early as 1907. With a large part of the neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historical Places, you will find Tulsa, OK real estate here in the following architectural styles:

Adam – This style includes a semi-circular fanlight over the front entrance. There are an even number of windows on each side of the main entrance and they are double hung windows. The beams are flat or keystone and the roof is either side gabled or hipped.

Bruce Goff – This architectural style used on Tulsa, OK real estate is characterized by exposed structure, based on the principles of Organic Architecture. Bruce Goff was a student as well as a friend of Frank Lloyd Wright and is widely recognized for the originality and creativity of his designs.

Classical Revival – Many Maple Ridge, Tulsa, OK homes have an entry porch of 2 stories that dominates the front of the home. They have 4 columns and a semicircular fanlight over the front door. The windows are placed in equal numbers to each side of the front door.

Colonial Revival – The front door of this Tulsa, OK real estate contains a decorative crown or an entry porch with sidelights or a fanlight. The windows are symmetrical (either in pairs or triple) and the front door is centered.

Craftsman – Homes of this style have low-pitched gabled roofs and an overhang eave that is wide and unenclosed. There are decorative beams under the gables and the bases supporting the porch extend uninterrupted all the way to the ground.

Georgian – The front entrance door is paneled and has decorative crown. The cornice has a decorative molding and the windows are double hung. They are in rows around the main entrance. There is either an arch or changed brick patterns above the windows. The roof is usually hipped or side gabled.

Prairie – This architectural style used for many Maple Ridge, Tulsa, OK real estate is a two story home with porches. The roof is low pitched and has wide eaves that overhang. The detailing stresses the horizontal lines and the porch supports are square and quite large.

Tudor – The façade of this style of home contains cross gables that are prominent and the windows are tall and narrow. They are in groups and are multi-paned. The roof is steeply pitched and there are side gables. The home contains very large chimneys.

If you would like more information about Tulsa homes, 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 Ranked 8^th for Best Places to Retire

The Broken Arrow community has received the honor of being No. 8 of 25 cities named by MONEY Magazine as the “Top 25 Best Places to Retire” in 2011. Broken Arrow was the only city in Oklahoma that made the list and the they were ranked for entertainment options in addition to their local health care systems.

When describing the advantages available in the Broken Arrow community, MONEY Magazine wrote, “In the past few years alone, Broken Arrow has seen some notable new developments.” They were referring to the 20,000 square-foot YMCA, a 68-bed hospital and the performing arts center that hosts a variety of programs enjoyed by seniors. In addition, this community has many hiking and biking trails and six golf courses. There are also numerous civic groups that are an advantage for retirees in the community as well as two community centers.

The homes here cost approximately half of what many communities cost, starting in the low $100,000s. The mayor, Mike Lester, says the Broken Arrow community is starting to be noticed by others across the nation as a wonderful place to live. He also said that a movement in the direction of being recognized year after year for the availability of the opportunities and amenities provided by the city is being established.  

The cities ranking higher than the Broken Arrow community were:

1. Marquette, Michigan
2. Cape Coral, Florida
3. Boise, Idaho
4. Danville, Kentucky
5. Weatherford, Texas
6. Southaven, Mississippi
7. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The number nine and ten spots were Lake Charles, Louisiana and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Broken Arrow community was also ranked in the 2010 MONEY Magazine’s Top 100 “Best Places to Live.” They have received various recognitions nationally during the past five years as well.

If you would like more information about Tulsa homes, 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!

Maple Ridge – Tulsa, OK Real Estate Spotlight

Maple Ridge in Tulsa is a historic district. It is bordered by Hazel Boulevard to the south, Midland Valley Railroad right of way to the west, Peoria Avenue to the east and Highway 51 to the north. The area that has been zoned by the city with Historic Preservation Overlay is known as North Maple Ridge. It is between 15^th Street and 21^st Street. Tulsa, OK real estate located here is divided into subdivisions. The north neighborhood is the oldest among these neighborhoods.

Southside Addition was planned and mapped in 1907. Over the next 30 years the north, south, southwest and central sections were constructed and are adjacent to each other. There are several large lots and homes here that were built according to the states first subdivision rules and regulations. They are quite diverse and practically every type of architectural style was used.

As the oldest neighborhood in Maple Ridge in Tulsa, the north is mainly mansions that are made of clapboard and two story homes made of brick. Many of the mansions are from 1912. The south and the southwest neighborhoods are made up of homes from the 1920s and the 1930s. They are mostly two story bungalows made of brick and styles similar to classical architecture as well as Spanish stucco. The central section contains homes that were from a later date and they are somewhat larger than the northern mansions.

Tulsa, OK real estate in this area was mainly constructed by the people who became wealthy due to the Glenn Pool Oil Strike of 1905 as well as the Cushing strike of 1912. The development of this neighborhood was closely tied to the petroleum and banking industry in the 20^th century. The homes here are highly desired by those who make an upper-middle income within Tulsa.

The Maple Ridge Association has been in existence since 1964. This was the first neighborhood in Tulsa to be listed in the Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory. Maple Ridge in Tulsa was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

If you would like more information about Tulsa homes, 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 Events - September 2011

Tulsa events for September are gearing up and residents and visitors can enjoy a variety of activities. Restaurant Week is one that will be a great opportunity to sample the area’s eateries and help to support a good cause. Fighting hunger in Oklahoma is the focus of this Tulsa event that goes from September 10 to 18, 2011. More than 30 restaurants will be offering prix fixe meal options or a three course meal for a set price. An appetizer, entrée and a dessert will be served and for each one purchased, 10% of the cost will be donated to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Food for Kids program. Up to $25,000 of the donations will be matched by the George Kaiser Family Foundation. 

Another of the Tulsa events that can be enjoyed is the Hispanic Fest. The festival will run from September 16 thru 18, 2011 at 6th and Boston in the downtown area of Tulsa. Organized by the Oklahoma Hispanic Chamber Foundation and the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the celebration will be held at Chapman Centennial Green Walk Park. The hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. Admission is free and there will be entertainment, art and food. This is an event for the whole family. 

Tulsa events will include the Oklahoma Scottish Festival from September 17th through the 19th at River West Festival Park. This is an important celebration of the Celtic heritage and history of Oklahoma. Come and learn about your Scottish lineage and family history. There will be a wide variety of highland games, music, crafts and food. The musical entertainment will feature local as well as national entertainers. 

The Scottish Festival will include drumming and pipe band competitions, solo piping and Scotch and Irish dance demonstrations guaranteed to provide fun for the whole family. In addition, there will be Scottish craft vendors and heavy athletic competitions featuring more than 60 athletes. Workshops during the day and demonstrations of the traditional domestic skills of the Scottish will also be a part of the activities. 

If you would like more information about Tulsa homes, 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!

Current prices for buying a Tulsa home are cheaper than renting one. The demand for rental homes has increased dramatically recently. This, combined with the lower prices of homes, has resulted in the purchase of a two-bedroom home in many major cities across the U.S. being less expensive to buy. This is according to Trulia, a real estate web site. Their findings show that buying in 74% of the largest cities across the country was cheaper than renting. Tulsa home prices have followed the trend in other cities and the interest rates are at their lowest levels. 

• Do you have the cash needed for closing? Add the down payment and on a typical home, this could add up to approximately $40,000. 
• Do you plan to stay in the home for several years? When buying and selling real estate many of the associated costs can end up costing more money. 
• Can you handle the costs of owning a Tulsa home? This will include other things besides the mortgage payment. There are utilities, property taxes, maintenance, insurance and other expenses. 
• Not all owners of a Tulsa home can take advantage of the tax credits for homeowners. The mortgage interest that is deductible can help to lower taxable income, but this normally benefits higher income homeowners. The average borrower usually must take the standard deduction.

If you would like more information about Tulsa homes, 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, OK Home Mortgage Rates Expected to Rise due to U.S. Debt Downgrade

Tulsa, OK home mortgages rates could increase due to the recent debt downgrade. The recent downgrade by Standard & Poor, one of three major credit agencies, could have an affect on the rates for potential homebuyers. The lower credit rating for government bonds basically means the same thing as when consumer credit ratings are low. There is more risk involved in loaning money since the borrower is deemed less reliable. 

Although not every type of borrowing is directly related to the government’s credit rating, future Tulsa, OK home mortgages backed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae could result in higher rates. These two companies are backed by the government and their credit ratings were part of the downgrade by S & P. About half of all mortgages in the U.S. are owned or backed by these two mortgage companies. 

For those who are considering the purchase of a Tulsa, OK home in the future, the rates will not likely be affected anytime soon. However, for those who are considering the purchase of a home, it would be a good idea to ask about locking in mortgage rates. They have been at an all time low recently and these rates are directly linked to 10-year Treasury bond yields. Should the yields increase; mortgage rates will increase, although for the time being it does not appear that they will increase due to the downgrade. 

Additionally, home equity loans for a Tulsa, OK home as well as variable rate mortgages could cost more. When the housing market collapsed, adjustable rate mortgages suffered a high failure rate. The number of new home loans with adjustable rate mortgages is less than 5% of the market today. 

With interest rates being so low in the last few years, many homeowners refinanced to fixed-rate mortgages, so it is uncertain how many adjustable rate mortgages are still in existence on older loans. For homeowners who do still have adjustable rate mortgages, a change in their interest rates would depend on the loan being linked to Treasury rates, the prime rate or federal funds rate.

A benefit for those who own a Tulsa, OK home is that most adjustable rate mortgages as well as home equity loans are linked to the federal funds rate. This is set by the Federal Reserve, therefore this should protect borrowers. The Federal Reserve does not plan to increase rates for “an extended period.” 

If you would like more information about Tulsa homes, 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!

Think you know Oklahoma Festivals - Test your Knowledge

Oklahoma is known for it’s festivals. There are many held at different times of the year. Are you up to date on your Oklahoma festivals? Check you knowledge and see with the following questions?

1. What festival is Guthrie famous for?

a) National Sand Bass

b) International Bluegrass

c) Red Earth

d) Canna

Answer: b) International Bluegrass Festival

2. What festival is Muskogee famous for?

a) Mozart

b) Calf Fry

c) Rose Art

d) Azalea

Answer: d) Azalea

3. What about Stroud? Do you know what festival it is famous for?

a) Czech

b) Falls

c) International Brick and Rolling Pin

d) Will Rogers

Answer: c) International Brick and Rolling Pin

4. What festival is Jay famous for?

a) Huckleberry

b) Kolache

c) Strawberry

d) Pottery

Answer: a) Huckleberry

5. When it comes to Oklahoma festivals, what is Vinita famous for?

a) Little Italy

b) Calf Fry

c) Pottery

d) Mason Dixon Line

Answer: b) Calf Fry

6. What is Noble famous for?

a) Jim Thorpe Museum

b) Troy Aikman

c) Lake Eufala

d) Rose Rock Museum

Answer: d) Rose Rock Museum

7. What festival is Grove famous for?

a) Canna

b) Mozart

c) Pelican

d) Kolache

Answer: c) Pelican

8. Which is Oklahoma’s largest lake?

a) Lake Eucha

b) Lake Eufala

c) Arkansas River

d) Lake Keystone

Answer: b) Lake Eufala

9. What is Tulsa famous for?

a) Oil capital of the world

b) Jim Davis Arms Historical and Historical Museum

c) Roger Miller

d) Largest rural industrial park in the nation

Answer: a) Oil capital of the world

10. What is Tahlequah famous for? 

a) Pretty Boy Floyd

b) OK’s second largest city

c) Capital of the Cherokee nation

d) Circus City, USA

Answer: c) Capital of the Cherokee Nation

If you would like more information about Tulsa homes, 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!

Buying a Tulsa, OK home takes careful planning. The purchase of a home is something that you will have to live with for many years. Choose carefully and avoid the following mistakes when deciding on the Tulsa, OK home that you will ultimately purchase. 

1. Always have a professional inspector check out the home. There coul d be hidden problems that you might not see when touring the home. Wiring that needs replaced or a leaking roof could mean expensive repairs.
2. Get pre-approve before shopping for you new Tulsa, OK home. Not only will you know how much home you can afford, but many sellers are more comfortable with a potential buyer who is pre-approved. 
3. Do not buy a home that is more than you can afford. You may have been approved for $300,000, but you do not have to spend that much. Work out a budget and remember the payments are only part of the expenses.
4. When choosing a real estate agent to help you find a home, interview them the same as you would anyone else who will be working for you. See how they interact with others. Are you comfortable with this agent? 
5. Look at the home you are living in and consider what you need that is not present in this home. The Tulsa, OK  home that you purchase should not be a duplicate of the one in which you presently reside. 
6. Many homes today are listed on the Internet and virtual tours are a part of the listing. Personally tour the home and do not buy based on the listing. 
7. Do not buy the first home you see. Often people will fall for the first one and do not think they need to look at other homes. At least three other homes should be toured to compare prices. 
8. When touring a home, concentrate on square footage and floor plans. Do not allow the decor of the home to be your deciding factor. 
9. Learn the real estate language. A Tulsa, OK home being sold 'as is' usually means it is a fixer upper. 
10. Check out the neighborhood before purchasing. Is the home close to amenities? Does it have a high crime rate? Visit on  different days and at different times. 
11. Do not buy the most expensive home on the block. Rather than appreciating in value, it will depreciate and they are often harder to resell. Look at the average cost of Tulsa, OK home in the neighborhood.
    

After purchasing a Tulsa, OK home you find repairs are needed that were not uncovered during the home inspection. The home may contain mold, the roof might leak or it can have mice. Why weren’t these problems found when the inspection was performed? Many times after the purchase repairs that should have been performed prior to the sale are uncovered and they can cost thousands of dollars. To lessen the chance of this happening when buying your Tulsa, OK home, the following tips can be invaluable. 

1. The home inspector that will be used should be interviewed. Find out exactly what they check when doing the inspection. Do they actually climb out on the roof of the Tulsa, OK home or do a visual inspection only? The inspector may be recommended by your real estate agent and most first-time homebuyers do not realize that they can vary according to their experience and knowledge. Ask about their experience and what it entails. 
2. Consider your lifestyle - current and future - since many aspects of home safety are dependent on who is living in the home. Outdated features of the Tulsa, OK home that are safe for adults can be hazards for children. Safety is a consideration that becomes more important for households that will be home to elderly adults and children. The location of bedrooms and presence of lead paint are two of the concerns of buyers with children. 
3. Do an inspection of the Tulsa, OK home yourself. Many problems can be corrected before the purchase if the buyer is aware of them. Homes built prior to 1978 may contain lead-based paint. This can be an expensive undertaking requiring a professional certified by the Environmental Protection Agency. Often the sellers can pay for part or all of the cost of repairs that will need to be performed. 
4. Before purchasing the Tulsa, OK home, there are other inspectors that can be brought in to check for specific problems. They include electricians, lead-testing and even child-safety. Estimates for repairing any problems can be obtained before buying the home. 
5. If the worst happens and the problems are found after purchasing the Tulsa, OK home, do the repairs that require immediate attention first. Problems that can wait can be spaced out and taken care of later. This will help keep your budget under control and help to avoid getting caught up in expensive credit card debt.

If you would like more information about Tulsa homes, 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!