10 Things NOT TO Do Before Buying a Home in Broken Arrow

Before looking for a lender for a home in Broken Arrow, find out what you need to do to make your request as near perfect as possible. There are a few tips you will need to know that can work to your advantage when you are shopping for a home in Broken Arrow.

• Do not purchase a vehicle if you want to purchase a home in Broken Arrow. This will cause your debt-to-income to jump up and is a detriment to buying a home.

• Do not purchase furniture or other big ticket items on credit. This also has a negative impact on your debt-to-income ratio and makes loan options less favorable.

• Do not change jobs before applying or during the time your application for a loan for a home in Broken Arrow is pending.

• Do not deposit large amounts of money in your bank account. The money you will be using for a down payment should be in place and remain there for a couple of months prior to the loan.

• Make all your payments on time including credit cards. Showing responsibility goes a long way towards a loan for a home in Broken Arrow.

• When filling out the application for the loan, make sure you state all debts and do not inflate income. This is fraud and is serious.

• Make sure you have money in your account for closing costs. This will be a part of the financing and you will probably have to pay part or all of the closing costs.

• Do not co-sign a loan for anyone. Even though you will not be making the payments on the loan, it changes your debt-to-income ratio and this is not a good idea when you are trying to purchase a home in Broken Arrow.

• Do not do anything that will result in inquiries on your credit report. This looks as if you are shopping for more credit and is not good when trying to get a loan for a home.

• Do not change banks at this time. Stay with the one you have as this shows stability and is more favorable in the eyes of a lender.

If you would like more information about the home in Broken Arrow, 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!

Bixby and area Home Safety Tips for the Holidays

Keep your Bixby home safe from intruders and thieves. Unfortunately the Christmas season brings with it a rise in the number of robberies and thefts. The importance of keeping yourself, your family, home and vehicle safe is even more paramount at this time of year. The best way to safeguard your Bixby home and family is to stay alert and be cautious.

A few tips to help you to stay safe and aware of your surroundings will go a long way toward protecting your possessions, home and family. Here are some that should be a part of your plans as you enjoy the holiday season.

1. Always lock your home. This includes windows, doors and any other access points. Do the same with your car even if you are only going to be out of it for a few minutes.
2. Keep valuables in a safe place. This includes your credit cards and checks. Do not put gifts in plain sight of a window. Arrange for package delivery to a neighbor if you will not be home.
3. Do not carry large amounts of cash. When shopping keep track of your credit cards and checks. Carry your purse tucked under your arm; never in a shopping basket.
4. Stay alert to who is around you and park in well-lit areas. Check inside and around your car as you approach.
5. Do not advertise that you are leaving your Bixby home unattended for the holidays. Do not cancel newspapers or your mail. Have a friend or member of the family to check the home while you are gone and take in your mail and newspapers.
6. Keep your Bixby home safe by making sure your outdoor Christmas decorations do not block your view of the yard. Do not create places for thieves to hide.
7. Instead of having checks delivered via the mail to your Bixby home, try direct deposit. This is much safer.
8. If something seems suspicious around your Bixby home, contact your local police department and have them check it out rather than doing so yourself. This is not the time to be brave. Allow the professionals to do their job. 

If you would like more information about Bixby 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!

Best Christmas Events in Tulsa 2010

Christmas events in Tulsa will provide a terrific time for the whole family with the holiday parades, the spectacular Christmas lights and the beautiful music of the season. The parade will introduce the arrival of the holidays with many floats adorned in their Christmas finery and the brass bands playing. Of course, Santa will join the festivities! There are many parades during the Christmas events in Tulsa so you can see them all day long just by finding your favorite spot to stand and watch.

Included are Sand Springs on December 3rd featuring the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade. On December 4th the Broken Arrow annual Christmas Parade will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Main Street. The theme of this year’s parade will be “A Winter Morning Sleigh Ride.” On December 11th, Sapulpa will begin the holidays with their annual Christmas parade. With merchants lighting their store fronts all along the parade route in downtown Sapulpa, there will also be many activities going on within the stores.

Christmas events in Tulsa will include the Tulsa Parade of Lights on December 11th and the following events will be ongoing for this year’s holiday celebrations.

• Lights On! through January 1st in Utica Square where shopping will be accompanied by the festive lights and the much-loved Santa House and the kids can stop for a visit. The Nutcracker Vignettes are a tradition and this is another place to visit while shopping as the figurines portray The Nutcracker for the enjoyment of all.

• Rhema Holiday Lighting will be part of the Christmas events in Tulsa beginning in November and going through January 1st.

• The 26th Annual Festival of Trees will be ongoing through the 12th of December at the Philbrook Museum of Art.

• Cascia Christmas Walk will be held on December 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• On December 5th the Christmas events in Tulsa will feature the Jenks Festive Holiday Home Tour from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Winterfest will be ongoing through the 3rd of January at the Bok Center.

In addition music will be a large part of the celebrations in Tulsa with the following performances:

• Handel’s Messiah - December 19th

• 90th Annual All-Lutheran Messiah - December 5th and 5th

• 15th Annual Red Dirt Christmas - December 18th

• Tulsa Boy Singers - December 17th

• Tulsa Festival Ringers - December 1st

• Tuesdays at Trinity - December 7th, 14th , 21st

• Holiday Supper - December 5th

• All Souls Holiday Concert - December 12th

• Council Oak Men’s Chorale - December 3rd, 4th, 7th

• Signature Symphony - December 3rd, 4th  - “A Tulsa Christmas featuring Kelly Ford and Cathy Venable”

• Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame - December 5th, 12th, 19th

All of these Christmas events in Tulsa are guaranteed to be a great time for ringing in the holidays.

If you would like more information about the Christmas events in Tulsa, 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!

3 Ways to Save for your Bixby Home Down Payment

Buying a Bixby home today usually requires a down payment. The good news is this is not nearly as much as it was in previous years. During the 1900s many lenders required a 50% down payment before they would lend the money on a home. The average today is 20% and there are options that do not require that much. One option for buying a Bixby home is to use an FHA lender. They typically only require 3.5% as a down payment. Of course, if you can afford more, go ahead and do so because this will lower your mortgage. The more you can put down the lower the mortgage amount you will pay.

What are the ways you can come up with a down payment for the Bixby home you want to purchase? One way many people are finding is to save a tax refund for this purpose. The tax exemptions you claim when filling out your paperwork for employment can allow you to claim all your dependents or zero.

If you claim zero, your employer will take more taxes out of your check, but this will be returned when you file in the form of a tax refund. If you have a hard time saving money, this allows you to get it all in one lump sum and could be enough for the down payment on your Bixby home.

You can of course, go the route that many people do and borrow the money from your parents. There are tax laws that allow an amount to be gifted from each parent without negative tax results. If a gift is not possible, ask them for a loan for the down payment on your Bixby home with a interest rate that would be better than one you could get from a bank. This would be a good situation for all parties involved.

Another way of getting the down payment for your Bixby home is to see if the seller will pay it. There are many motivated sellers that will give the down payment as a credit. In addition, some will even pay closing costs. The amount you can receive varies so you should check with your lender. There is one program, the Nehemiah program that allows sellers to provide 6%.

If you would like more information about the Bixby home, 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 Local News Update

Tulsa OK home owners might be pleased to know that sales were up just a bit in August. Does this mean things are improving? The sales are still lagging behind the 2009 figures. There were 738 homes that changed owners in August which was an increase in the Tulsa OK home sales of 5.4% from July.

It is not time to celebrate quite yet as the number of homes that sold through the 31st of August was a lower number of homes than were sold  during the first 8 months of 2009. Median sale prices were at $140,000 in July and fell to $131,000 in August. However, the median price for a Tulsa OK home is still above the figure, 127,652 which was recorded as the median price a year ago.

Local Market Monitor, a group based in Cary, NC that does real estate analysis has identified Tulsa OK as the top market for the cautious investor. The new report which was released in October, has put the Tulsa OK home area in the first spot out of 315 metro areas. Second place was taken by Oklahoma City.

According to predictions, the Tulsa OK home market should remain flat for the next year, then rise by 1% the next year. By the third year it should rise 2%. This was contained in the report on Tulsa in which the group also fixed the average price of a Tulsa OK home at $150,400.

If you would like more information about Tulsa OK 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!

Halloween Events in Tulsa OK 2010

Are you ready for Halloween in Tulsa OK? If not, it’s time to get ready as there are many events at the Castle of Muskogee Halloween Festival that you will not want to miss. Throughout October you can enjoy the Halloween Village, open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. All of the other events will begin at dusk on Fridays and Saturdays in October up to the 29th, 30th and 31st. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Prepare to be thrilled and terrified when you celebrate Halloween in Tulsa OK with a journey through the maze of corridors within the Castle to the cemetery beyond.

The Trail of Blood will be for those who are brave enough to challenge the haunted woods. The Ultimate Maze - can you find the way or will you be trapped? A haunted hayride will keep you on the edge of your seat as you tour the grounds of the castle. Visit the Bates Motel and the Torture Chamber for the Halloween in Tulsa OK adventure that will keep you guessing as to what will happen next. Halloween Land will be a safe zone for the little ones to trick or treat without fear. The Enchanted Boardwalk will feature over 150 inflatables for Halloween and there will be a Pirate Stage with entertainment that can be enjoyed by all.  

Halloween in Tulsa, OK will include the Hallow Marine. This high-seas adventure is at the Oklahoma Aquarium and will feature pirates handing out treats and carnival games as well as a trick or treat trail. The event will be from October 27 - 31, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and is a great adventure for the whole family. 

The 13th Ward is the newest in the Halloween in Tulsa, OK attractions and has more than 40,000 square feet of haunted happenings. Open every weekend in October including Halloween night, you will experience the terrifying excitement of Halloween from the moment you step out of your car on the parking lot.

Caution! Hex House is an adult Halloween in Tulsa, OK haunted experience. This is not for children, so plan this event only for the adults. Hex House is a walk-through attraction based on a time in Tulsa’s haunted past that is not foCr those who scare easily. The intense terror you will experience in Hex House is totally unpredictable and will keep you on your toes with every step you take. This nightmare adventure will cast you into a reality that is unlike anything you have ever experienced. It will be open later on certain nights for a longer jaunt through the land of terror as Halloween in Tulsa, OK approaches.

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!

Owassa Homes FHA Loan Info

Owassa homes can be purchased by obtaining an FHA loan. If this is the area you are searching for your new home, you will want to find out more about the FHA loan programs available to you. This is the Federal Housing Administration and they have been helping people to become home owners since the 1930s. When you find an FHA approved lender, you can get financing for one of the Owassa homes you have been looking at without having excellent credit. The FHA will insure your loan with the lending company as long as you have met the eligibility requirements needed and a lender has been found.

The good news is FHA loans are not just for the first time home buyer. Almost anyone can get this type of loan. As long as you have at least 3.5% of the selling price for a down payment, which by the way can be a gift, and have fair credit or even poor credit you may be considered for a loan to buy one of the Owassa homes you have been considering as your next residence.

Even if you have been through a foreclosure or a bankruptcy, you are eligible to apply for a FHA loan. The FHA will insure your loan with the lending agency and this makes lenders much likelier to approve the loan.

Make sure the Owassa homes you have been perusing are in good shape because the FHA will want an appraiser approved by them to see if the home needs repairs. In addition, they will work up an amount that they feel it will take to bring the home up to par. This must be agreed upon by the parties involved.

There are some disadvantages to purchasing Owassa homes with an FHA loan. The loan typically will require not one, but two forms of mortgage insurance since this loan does not have the stricter conventional loan standards. One type of insurance, the MIP which is the upfront payment can be paid at closing or it can be financed into the mortgage payment.

The other type is the annual MIP and it is a monthly charge that is included in the mortgage payment. The MIP is called an annual premium, but in reality it is a monthly premium since that is how it is paid.

If you would like more information about the Owassa 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!

Why I Call Tulsa Home

There are many good reasons for calling Tulsa home and if you talk to someone who lives there they will tell you Tulsa is unlike anywhere else they have ever been. The charm and quaint locations in the downtown area has everything from lofts to the city’s oil baron luxury neighborhoods. When the oil industry was at a peak, there were many homes built for the oil barons who called Tulsa home.

The townhouses and lofts that can be found in the downtown area of Tulsa today are becoming popular again as the area is revitalizing. Part of this is due to the new BOK Center arena. Another part is due to people whose children have grown and moved into their own homes as well as baby boomers, who are reclaiming the downtown areas as their new Tulsa home. 

Part of the reason for the popularity of a Tulsa home is this city is the “fifth most affordable city” in which to live. When considering the cost of living and the salaries, Tulsa is well below the national average in cost of living at 8.6% below and 16% above the national average in per capita income. Add to that the nation’s second shortest commute time and this allows for enjoyment of the amenities in the area - and there are many.

Tulsa was selected as one of America’s Most Livable Communities. The numerous activities that are located in Brookside alone will give you all types of fun things to do. There are restaurants of every type so no matter the type of food you have a taste for, it can be found.

The boutiques offer shopping for a variety of items. There are bars, the new BOK Center where you can go for a concert, many lovely parks for enjoying on an outing with family and friends or go it alone on a bike ride for some exercise. There is also shopping at Utica Square and all of this can be very handy. As you can see there are many reasons people love to call Tulsa home.

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 Area Upcoming Events - Tulsa State Fair - Sept. 30 - Oct. 10

Tulsa area events are getting ready for another grand kick-off on September 30th. The Tulsa State Fair, a premier event for the whole family, will be in full swing starting Thursday, September 30th at 5:00 p.m. The goal of the Tulsa area events is to provide education as well as a great fun event for the entire family.

The Tulsa State Fair will have many attractions that are sure to include something that each and every family member will enjoy. These fabulous and fun Tulsa area events will run from the 30th of October through the 10th of October.

The first night is Ford Family Fun Night and the admission at the gate is only $1 if you have a coupon from Tulsa’s local Ford dealer. The admission price without the coupon is $5.

A whole host of attractions are planned for the Tulsa area events this year. The Tulsa State Fair will feature many daily promotions including the first night admission discount mentioned above. Friday the first 4,000 visitors through the gate paying admission will receive a Tulsa State Fair Limited Edition pin.

Monday, October 4th will allow Tulsa area events riders a $5 discount on the purchase of a wristband when they get their coupon from Mazzios. The price includes admission at the gate as well.

The fun starts at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday when the two for one price is the feature of the day for gate admission and midway rides. The Arby’s Ride-A-Thon will be featured on Wednesday with $5 off wristband prices when you have a coupon from Arby’s.

The Thursday events include $3 off the admission price with a coupon from Star 103.3. Friday the first 4,000 visitors to the Ford Truck Arena ticket office will get a free Tulsa State Fair t-shirt with a proof of gate ticket. The last day of these Tulsa area events will be Sunday, October 10th when riders receive $5 off wristbands with the coupon from the Urban Tulsa Weekly issue of Oct. 5th.

Attractions for the Tulsa State Fair will include artistic programs such as OK State Sugar and Art show. Dairy Sculpture and Cake Chicks are a couple more of these attractions. The Muscogee Creek Stage will feature many venues of entertainment such as the ’picking and fiddling’ championships. The Wine Garden Oasis will have wine tasting from the vineyards around the state and do not forget the Culinary Kitchen Stages. The Tulsa area events abound at this years fair and everyone is invited to come out and have a great time.

If you would like more information about Tulsa area events, 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 Golf Course Renovations

Tulsa golf course, Woodbine at Mohawk Park as well as Old Page at Page Belcher will be closing on Friday - at least long enough to get the renovations they have needed for some time. Both have bent grass greens that will be replaced. A Bermuda grass that has been cultivated and is smaller than the typical Bermuda grass will be used. Another Tulsa golf course, Tulsa Country Club has closed nine of their courses and will close nine more on Monday to undergo a course renovation.

The course was originally designed by A.W. Tillinghast and will be restored by architect, Rees Jones reinstating the original design. This will not be the first course designed by Tillinghast that Jones has restored. Baltusrol and Bethpage Black have both been restored by Jones. Baltusrol, in particular is one that has many of the same features as the Tulsa Country Club course.

The bunkers, fairway grasses, the irrigation, the enlargement of some ponds and some tree removal will be the focus of the renovation for Tulsa Country Club. A few of the holes will be lengthened while some are shortened. Planning on the greens being sprigged in the spring, the Tulsa Country Club will not open before July 1st. If they are sodded the opening may be in June.

The courses at Woodbine and Old Page will not take as long. They will be sprigged within ten days and opening is hoped for in October barring any problems. Tulsa has not had Bermuda greens on their courses recently although they have been used in the past. These changes have the capability of saving as much as $100,000 per year.

The general manager of both of these courses, Tom Wolff hopes that the summer months will increase revenue even more with the number of people enjoying the warm weather. Extensive renovations performed at Stone Creek and Old Page in 2005 and 2007 respectively were expected to help and they did until this summer’s intensive heat.

Early in July due to the application of potassium at the wrong time, the greens turned brown. The intensive heat has made the problem worse. Stone Creek and Page Belcher greens have also had some problems this summer, however Stone Creek will remain open through the winter months and workers will try to save the bent grass greens.

Depending on the outcome, the officials will then decide whether the need and the funding is available to change the greens at Pecan Valley and Stone Creek to Bermuda greens. The beginning cost of changing the greens is approximately $100,000. The funds for this will come from golf course operations money and not the city.

If you would like more information about the Tulsa golf course, 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!