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Randy Gasswint
RE/MAX Executives
7506 E 91st St Suite 200
Tulsa OK 74133
(918) 231-5734
Fax: 1-888-848-2907

Randy Gasswint's Blog

Randy Gasswint

Blog

Displaying blog entries 121-130 of 206

When purchasing your Tulsa real estate, you will probably be amazed to know that the time from underwriting to closing has increased. What used to take less than three weeks is now taking in some cases two months. The need to keep your finances in order until the mortgage is approved is paramount.

The following eight ways of preventing the chance of losing your mortgage should be adhered to as closely as possible.

1) Do not make deposits to your personal bank account at random. And do not deposit different amounts all the time. Most people's accounts are used for direct deposit of their paycheck. They may deposit an amount from time to time but they do not constantly deposit different amounts. The only time a different amount may be deposited daily is if they own a small business. This would be under a business account and not your personal account.

2) Do not apply for or take a new credit card. The importance of keeping your credit in the same shape it was in when the underwriter got all of his information cannot be stressed enough.

3) Do not move money around from one account to another. By leaving the money in the accounts and just using one or the other, it does not look as if there is something untoward going on.

4) Do not make any big purchases. For example, purchasing a new car or signing a lease on a more expensive vehicle than what you have already should not be done. The purchase of a vehicle even if you need it should be postponed until after the mortgage is approved. If you have to rent a vehicle for transportation on a temporary basis, this would be the way to go rather than making a big purchase at the present.

5) Do not stop paying bills. Even if they are ones you are disputing, the non-payment of the bills could cause a problem with your credit. This could completely change things with the underwriters. If you want the Tulsa real estate you are trying to purchase you will need to keep everything the same as it was when the application was submitted.

6) Do not change jobs. Switching from a salaried position to a commission type job is an extremely bad thing to do. This is not the time to change the amount of money you are making.

7) Another huge mistake if you are interested in purchasing Tulsa real estate would be to quit your job. Not only should you not quit but you should not change the type of work you are doing. Now is not the time to start a business either.

8) Do not deposit different amounts of money into your bank account at random times. The deposits that go in should be able to be accounted for when it comes to where they are from. For example, a weekly or bi-weekly amount from the same source every time is clearly a paycheck. This can be documented. 

These rules may not be the easiest to follow, but if you want the purchase of your Tulsa real estate to proceed smoothly you should try to stick to them. Underwriters like things to stay simple. The best way to keep everything going along smoothly until your mortgage is funded is to keep everything under control.

7 Eco-Friendly Tips to Sell Your Tulsa Real Estate

by Randy Gasswint
When you are getting your Tulsa real estate in top shape to show to prospective buyers you should use these eco-friendly tips. Not only will you be helping to conserve energy but you will show prospective buyers that you are an energy conscious homeowner. They will be interested in purchasing a home in which the previous owner has cut the energy costs by going 'green'.

* The first order of business is to get your home in the best showing shape possible. This will include packing up everything that you want to keep, getting rid of things you no longer want and making your home as uncluttered as possible. When people come in to view your Tulsa real estate they will be able to see their things there rather than seeing your personal decorating choices.

On many of the items you no longer want there are a variety of choices for recycling. There are always social service organizations that need items for their clients. Animal shelters have a need for towels, blankets and other useful items. Check with non-profits in your area and see where you can help by donating many of the items you do not want.

* Cleaning your home is another very important step. By using environmentally friendly cleaners you will be keeping your home free of pollutants that can cause allergic reactions. If you are using chemical cleaners, when prospective customers enter your home and the lingering scent of a chemical starts causing reactions such as sneezing and watery eyes, the person is going to want out of the home as quickly as possible. This is not conducive to selling your home.

* Another thing that many people do when putting their Tulsa real estate up for sale is to provide a brochure with pictures of different rooms, information about the neighborhood and contact information. The people who come to see the house can take one with them and this will help keep your home in their thoughts. The brochures can be printed on recycled paper with a notation on the back that says this and asks that they please recycle the brochure when they are finished with it.

* Plants are a great addition to any home and they clean the air that you breathe. A couple of plants placed strategically will make your home look more appealing. You do not have to go overboard but cascading ivy hanging in the kitchen adds a certain ambiance to your kitchen area. A tall palm or a similar plant looks very nice in the living area of the home.

* If you are going to put refreshments out for prospective buyers, why not make them a healthy choice? Instead of bottled water or soda, an interesting pitcher with fruit décor holding filtered water and lemon and lime slices on the side will make a great refreshment.

* Refreshments can also include cookies or crackers. Real estate agents suggest cookies because the smell of fresh baked cookies is one of the most pleasant smells. However, instead of expending the energy (yours and your oven's) to bake cookies all day long, you may want to check into some of the scents available that can make your home smell as if you have been baking. There are many choices for freshening up your home including organic candles and plug-in scents. They do not use but a trickle of electricity - much less than turning the oven on.

* Last but not least, let prospective buyers know that your home is energy efficient. Whatever you have done to help conserve whether it is changing light bulbs or installing solar panels, the prospective buyer should know that you are making your home more cost-efficient.

Top of the Charts, Tulsa, OK Real Estate is Move-In Ready!

by Randy Gasswint

Tulsa OK Real Estate

The renowned online research team at Relocate-America, has just announced it's "America's Top 100 Places to Live 2009" and Tulsa, OK hit the #1 spot! 

Per Relocate-America's online description, this Top 100 list is nominated by each city's residents as "a great place to live", marked by  information gathered about the neighborhoods, beauty of the area, school performance, recreational activities and economic growth.  To be #1 on this list is definitely something to rave about!

Mike Neal, President and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber,  spoke highly of this finding too, stating that "our diversified industries, quality of life and cost of living" are what has made Tulsa, OK stay well above the competition nationwide. 

Other star-studed accolades have been noted in recent days, in particular, Forbes magazine listed Tulsa as one of the best places in the nation to find a job. Ranking at #2 within the mid-sized cities category, the metro area took its honorary position in the financial magazine's "Best Cities for Job Growth" and also ranked 10th among all cities.  

Living within the Tulsa, OK real estate area, has been a favored choice for many over the years, and with all these top nominations, it's easy to see why!  Tulsa was also identified as the fifth best city to ride out the recession in the nation, per a study conducted by Forbes.com.  It seems as though not only is the area full of positive places, but also teeming with happiness too!  

Oklahoma City, OK, and Jenks, OK, also made Relocate-America's Top 100 Places to Live list this year.  Tulsa was also on the list last year at position #5.

When it comes to the cost of Tulsa, OK real estate, the Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors stated that as of February 2009, the median price of a home was $125,000.  Unlike the two coasts, home prices in Tulsa do not witness spikes and valleys (or craters as in some CA and FL home values!), but see more of a consistent even pace; Tulsa has actually seen an increase in home values over the past year or so.

In other noteworthy news, Bob Ball, the chamber's economic research manager, noted that "the cost of doing business in the Tulsa metropolitan area is nearly 14 percent below the U.S. average, and its cost of living is 11 percent below the U.S. average".

It's not surprising why more and more people choose Tulsa, OK real estate as their new place to call home every day.  Come see for yourself!

* RelocateAmerica is a leading provider of quality online resources and real estate expertise to relocating consumers. Since 1997, they have been dedicated to providing real estate consumers with valuable information and resources to make well-informed real estate decisions.


The top questions foreclosure buyers should ask are important in understanding the process of buying a foreclosed Tulsa home. Tulsa OK Real Estate is certainly  still selling; much of it is because of the new home buyer tax credit, and the bargain prices of foreclosed homes.  There are a few things you should keep in mind before you go in search of a Tulsa home.

1.    Is Now A Good Time to Buy a Tulsa OK Real Estate Foreclosure?

Many people are asking if we have hit the bottom in the housing market, or if there are still more foreclosures in the pipeline.  While the Tulsa OK Real Estate market has suffered due to job losses, especially related to the cut-back in oil production, there may still be some better homes coming into the foreclosure market, and banks may become more aggressive about unloading them.

 
2.    What’s the First Step Buyers Should Take To Purchase a Foreclosure?

Buyers should get pre-approved for a loan before shopping for the foreclosure.  That is the part that can be the hardest to get, even for new home buyers that can use the new tax credit for their down payment.  Once you are pre-approved, you will know how much you can afford to spend on a Tulsa home and be ready when the right one comes along.

3.    How can you tell a Good Foreclosure from a Bad One?

Buyers need to be aware that foreclosures are bought “as is”, so it is important to get a home inspection done, to be certain you are not taking on somebody else’s headache.  The other things to consider when looking at Tulsa OK Real Estate is checking to make sure that liens have been released, and it’s hard to know how long the house has been vacant, since the foreclosure procedure can take a while before the Tulsa home actually comes up for sale.

4.    What Are The Costs of Buying a Foreclosure?

Typically, a house is sold at a foreclosure auction, or some of them can be purchased from bank REO companies that specialize in selling the foreclosure reasonably.  If it is listed through a real estate agent, then there would be sales commission, taxes, insurance and inspection costs, and most banks will want an appraisal if you are getting a loan, versus paying cash.

5.    What is the Procedure for Purchasing or Making an Offer?
      
You can make an offer through the real estate bank that has the foreclosure listed, but don’t be surprised if you have to wait awhile for an answer.  Depending on how the Tulsa OK real estate foreclosure is being handled determines how long it takes to process the paperwork on a Tulsa home.  Once it has been accepted, you need to be prepared to close fairly quickly, which is why a pre-approval is important.

Buying a Tulsa home by going through the Tulsa OK Real Estate foreclosures can give you an opportunity to get a great deal on a house, but you need to be careful that you give the house a good inspection, since some people probably started letting things go on the house the further behind on their payments they got.  It’s still possible to get a great deal on a Tulsa home and now is a good time to do it.

Tulsa, OK Spring Has Sprung Events!

by Randy Gasswint
Photobucket

 Spring has sprung in Tulsa and it's time to take advantage of some outdoor events going on this month.  Here are some highlights of some of the activies avaiable, and some that I will be attending again this year - I hope to see you there too!

April 10 & 11
Tulsa Garden Center's SpringFest Garden Market & Festival
Location: 
2435 S. Peoria
Hours:  9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Here you will find every type of plant, gardening information, garden art, food and fun. It's a gardening extravaganza you won't want to miss!  Proceeds from SpringFest Garden Market and Festival benefit the Tulsa Garden Center. For more information call 918-746-5125.

April 18, 2009
Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum 
Location : 6421 E. 36th St. N.
Hours: 9am-5pm
Greener than ever, the Tulsa Zoo's annual EarthFest celebration is back and ready to welcome you!  Celebrate with them the Party for the Planet and help increase environmental awareness as the Tulsa Zoo hosts EarthFest 2009.  They will also present an EarthFest Hero to an individual and company in the community that dedicates time and efforts to being green. For more information or to nominate an EarthFest Hero, contact Lindsay Anderson at (918) 669-6637 or log onto
www.tulsazoo.org.

April 18 - 19, 2009
Tulsa Garden Center
Location:
2435 S. Peoria Ave.
This year represents the 59th Annual Garden Tour of Oklahoma's largest garden club, plus the Annual Standard Flower Show will be running during the same days featuring, "Tulsa's Spring Beauty." The Tour will showcase private gardens dressed for spring, along with floral designs and horticulture to educate visitors about the art of gardening, horticulture, landscape design, environmental sciences.

April 7, 2009
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Location : BOK Center - 2nd St. & Denver Ave.
Time : 7:30pm
Ok, so yes, this is not entirely along the same Spring lines as the other events, but how can you not include it in the top events of the Tulsa area?!  If you haven't got your tickets yet (which range between $40 - $100) you may be too late!  You may be lucky enough to grab a couple of tickets at the door though...

Whatever you do this month, make sure you make it memorable - take some pictures and send them to me and I'll post them on here to share with others!

Tulsa OK Real Estate Trend Market Report ~ February 2009

by Randy Gasswint

Below is the market statistics for February 2009.  These include all sales within the Tulsa, OK Real Estate area.   You can also view prior month's market trend reports by visiting my previous blog pages.

Tulsa, OK real estate is maintaining its strong hold and only seeing a slight reduction in the average list price and sale price versus last month's numbers.  The number of days on market increased slightly too over January, however, not enough to worry about.   Please feel free to bookmark this site to watch the market trends and statistics throughout the year. 

TULSA REAL ESTATE

SINGLE FAMILY HOME MARKET STATISTICS

   
Date

# Existing Single Family Homes         Sold

Average List Price

Average Sold Price

Average Days on Market

List $ to Sold $ Ratio

February-09

707

$152,552

$147,553

65

96.00%

January-09

585

$159,275

$150,885

61

95.00%

Here is a slideshow of some of the homes sold during the month of February 2009 within the Tulsa, OK real estate market area. 






I would be more than happy to discuss your real estate needs as you consider your next move to or within the Tulsa homes area.  Please also visit my website to view all Tulsa and area homes that are currently available for sale.  If you find a home (or homes) that you would like to personally view, please contact me via email or phone.

 

Broken Arrow OK Real Estate Area City Parks

by Randy Gasswint

With the growing population unlike many other areas throughout both Oklahoma and the US in general, the Broken Arrow OK real estate area city park system is managing to keep up by providing families with some of the best park facilities available.  

One park in particular, Nienhuis Park, has seen much of the growth in the last few years, which is located in the northern part of the community.   Here the new gymnasium, the Niehuis Aquatic Facility, youth football complex, Community Center, public pond for fishing and the Skate Park, have all been completed and have brought an abundant of activity to the area.

Other less recent parks that the City of Broken Arrow opened were Centennial Park on Main Street and Jackson Park on the western edge of the community (Washington and Garnett). In addition to these, the City also boasts the expansion area of the Indian Springs Sports Complex, with the addition of more soccer fields and an adult softball complex.

Broken Arrow's park system is brought together by the "neighborhood" parks.   Almost every one of them has been updated with some type of improvements - whether it was new playground equipment, picnik areas added or spray pools for toddlers (and their moms!) to enjoy.  You can visit Rockwood West, Sieling, Haskell Park and Camino Villa Parks, to take advantage of the spray pools in the coming warmer months.

Below is a list of the City's parks for you and your family to discover.   You may also click the following link to view a pdf file of the location of each of these Broken Arrow, OK City Parks for your convenience.

Arrowhead Park Aspen Creek Park Battle Creek Golf Course
Battle Creek Pocket Park Camino Villa Park Centennial Park
Central Park Copper Creek Park Country Aire Park
Country Aire Tot Lot Haskell Park
Indian Springs Mini Park Indian Springs Sports Complex Jackson Park
Leisure Park Lions Park Main Place
Morrow Park Nienhuis Park Ray Harral Nature Park
Rockwood East Park Rockwood West Park Sieling Park
South Loop Trail  Timberbrook Park Urbana Park
Vandever Park Veteran's Park Wedgewood Park
Wolf Creek Park Linear Trail  

3314 S New Haven Avenue, Tulsa, OK  

Presenting:

3314 S New Haven Avenue, Tulsa, OK


Welcome to this renovated midtown home with great character!  Enjoy the new wood floors and fresh paint throughout.  There is also a new eat-in kitchen, double pane vinyl windows and (with an acceptable offer) a new roof will be added!

With three bedrooms, one full bathroom, over 1100 square feet of living area and a huge, peaceful backyard, your family will find it easy to feel at home here.  The oversized utility room with storage will come in very handy too. 

Appliances included with this Tulsa, OK home include dishwasher, range/oven and refrigerator.  There are no homeowners or subdivision fees and taxes for 2008 were only $758.00.  Listed at $87,500, this will make a fantastic first home purchase for any family.

For more information on this or any other property currently for sale within the Tulsa, OK real estate market, please do not hesitate to contact me via phone or email today. 

Broken Arrow OK Real Estate


Country Aire Estates II


Welcome to this incredible updated home featuring vaulted ceilings, wood floors in the living room and dining room, an updated kitchen with tile back splash and new appliances, new vinyl windows, and modern bathroom decor.

This property is close to the neighborhood park, pool, & playground, plus you can walk to Peters!  Come enjoy this corner lot location with mature trees.

For more information on this Broken Arrow home, please contact me at 918-231-5734.  You may view a virtual tour of this home by clicking the following link: 
2620 W Broadway Street Virtual Tour and also here is a slideshow of additional photos of this Broken Arrow, OK home.


Jenks, OK Real Estate - Featured Listing - 11909 S Quanah Avenue

by Randy Gasswint
11909 S. Quanah Avenue, Jenks, OK  

Welcome to this great Jenks home with acreage!

Surrounded by trees in a peaceful setting, this three bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom spacious family home is located on 2.58 acres with mature trees and a creek.  The stone exterier is known for its low maintenance, plus there is a shed and covered porch for your outside living needs.

The interior includes vaulted ceiling in the living room, a formal dining room, a spacious kitchen with bay window view of the backyard, and an office with a built-in desk, plus spacious bedrooms.  This is a great value for the area.

Directions to this newly listed property are as follows:  Take Hwy 75 South to 121st exit (AKA Hwy 117), then go East one block and turn left on Quanah.  The house on the right.

For your personal viewing of this home, please contact me at your convenience - but don't wait too long - this fantastic Jenks, OK home won't last long!  Here is a slideshow of the property for your viewing:

 

Displaying blog entries 121-130 of 206

Randy Gasswint
RE/MAX Executives
7506 E 91st St Suite 200
Tulsa OK 74133
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Last Modified 2/6/2012