What is Absorption Rate and Why is it Important? - 01/31/11 01:08 AM
This Tennessee Realtor, Tammie White, does an excellent job of explaining our real estate absorption rate and how/why it needs to be considered when pricing your Tulsa home for sale. Tulsa home sellers, please take a moment to read!
Via Tammie White Realtor® Franklin TN Homes For Sale (Keller Williams Realty):
A question I often get asked? What is Absorption Rate and why is it important?
The simplest definition of absorption rate is the rate at which properties are sold in a given area. For example, there are currently 845 single-family homes for sale in Franklin TN. During December (the most recent month … (6 comments)

Preparing you home for sale is a Part Time Job that pays very well. - 01/29/11 09:48 AM
This Texas home stager presents home selling in a new perspective: home Sellers have a part-time job of selling their home that pays a huge bonus when the job is done. I really like this outlook! Tulsa home sellers, please read!
Via Anna Dovger~Home Staging ~The Woodlands, TX (Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607):
Preparing you home for sale is a Part Time Job that pays very well.
Yes, it is a big job to prepare your home for sale. But imagine that in couple of months you will get thousands of dollars! The better you do your job more you will get paid. Are … (4 comments)

Florence Park Bungalow: 3 bedroom, 2 full baths, 2-car garage $190,000, 1611 South Evanston Ave, Tulsa OK - 01/28/11 10:12 PM
Florence Park Bungalow: 2 baths, 2 car garage … (10 comments)

Weekend Events Tulsa Oklahoma January 28-30, 2011: Heller Theater, Brady Theater, Home & Garden Show, Black Journey, PAC and Disney! - 01/28/11 10:25 AM
Weekend Events Tulsa Oklahoma January 28-30, 2011: Heller Theater, Brady Theater, Home & Garden Show, Black Journey, PAC and Disney!
Black Journey Date: January 28, 2011 Time : 7:00 pm Location: Tulsa PAC- John H. Williams Theatre, 10 E 2nd Web: http://www.tulsapactrust.org/?p=black Explore African-American history from the slave era through the civil rights movement in this musical play. The story is told and illustrated through the music of times: spirituals, Civil War songs, jazz and contemporary music.

The Green Country Home & Garden Show Date: January 28 – 30, 2011 Location: Expo Square – Exchange Center Web: http://www.exposquare.com Show Hours … (2 comments)

Rain Radio: ActiveRain's Most Subscribed to Blogger, Katerina Gasset - 01/27/11 05:48 PM
I didn't even know that Active Rain had a radio show, but I'm not going to miss Friday's show with Coach Katerina as guest speaker. Hope you will join in!
Via Bob Stewart - ActiveRain (ActiveRain):
When Katerina joined ActiveRain on June 18th, 2007 there were already 44,000 members on the site. Since that time she has in many ways been one of our most successful bloggers. Her blog has been subscribed to by almost 2000 ActiveRain members. This level of engagement currently makes her the most subscribed member on the network. (not counting those of us who work here, or have in … (8 comments)

Cafe Samana - Brookside's awesome healthy dining choice and Conscious Cafe - 01/27/11 11:33 AM
Cafe Samana - Brookside's awesome healthy dining choice and Conscious Cafe
Yesterday I met girlfriends on Brookside for lunch at Cafe Samana, located at 3807 South Peoria Avenue where the Blue Moon Bakery use to be. My girlfriend Kalyn is vegan vegetarian, so finding a spot we can both enjoy is sometimes a challenge. Not at Cafe Samana - we enjoyed EVERYTHING we had.
Boasting home cooking from organic and locally-grown ingredients, Cafe Samana also offers gluten-free menu items. Entrees are under $10, but there's no cap on taste!
Kalyn, Lindsay and I shared hummus and vegetables before lunch. … (9 comments)

Selling? Do your homework - 01/27/11 09:26 AM
Ana has put together a good list of things for Tulsa home sellers to consider before putting their home on the market. Preparing your Tulsa home for sale will be a waste of time if you won't price your home correctly. Please read over her list and call me if you have any questions!
Via Ana Hitzel Corona, California (AccentPositives - "Putting Your Best Space Forward"):
Selling requires doing your homework first and that homework is early preparation.  There are times when this is not possible due to life circumstances but nine times out of ten, you know the move is coming and … (0 comments)

I have hardwood flooring underneath my carpet. Should I refinish the hardwood or recarpet? - 01/26/11 08:10 PM
Debbie Gartner, New York flooring guru, answers the question many home Sellers ask me. Absolutely pull up your worn carpet and refinish your hardwood flooring - your home will smell better and look more updated immediately!!
Via Debbie Gartner, Westchester Flooring (Floor Coverings International Westchester NY & Fairfield CT):
If you have hardwood floors underneath your carpet, is it better to refinish the hardwood or to recarpet? Which is less expensive?  I get this question often from my customers and it is such a lucky find when you have hardwood flooring underneath the carpet.
Most customers prefer hardwood flooring - it looks nicer, … (2 comments)

Tulsa Home Sellers: what you can do to help sell your vacant Tulsa home for sale - 01/24/11 12:55 PM
Tulsa Home Sellers: What you can do to help me sell your vacant Tulsa home for sale For starters, keep the utilities on in your Tulsa home for sale. Not only is that the polite thing to do, but you agreed to keep your utilities on during the listing period when you signed your listing agreement. We want to keep prospective home buyers INSIDE your home for as long as possible, and therefore we want to keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If Buyers have looked at six or more properties, somebody may need to use … (4 comments)

Free 411 Calls On Your Phone Or Cell Phone! - 01/24/11 10:58 AM
I think I've mentioned Google's free 411 service in my electronic newsletter, but this Maryland Realtor has blogged about it and included a video. Great stuff and it's FREE!!
Via Dan Quinn, Realtor, DanQuinnHomes.com (Prudential Advantage Realty):
Free 411 Calls On Your Phone Or Cell Phone!
I hate to pay for 411 calls - I think they should be provided free by our phone service providers.  I've lived long enough that I can remember the days when all 411 calls were free.  Well I've found those days are here again, thanks to Google and Free411!  You have to love it when there are … (3 comments)

Home Prices Drop but Interest Rates Go Up Video - Redding - 01/24/11 10:47 AM
Seriously Tulsa home buyers - interest rates are not going to be this low again for a long time. In the greater Tulsa area, home prices are not declining much further - particularly not on "move in ready" Tulsa homes for sale. So, unless you're paying cash, now is a good time to buy!
Via Laura Reilly Home Buyers Realtor Plus Short Sale Team Member Redding Ca (Real Living Real Estate Professionals):
 
Home Prices Drop but Interest Rates Go Up Video - Redding.....
If you are a first-time home buyer in Redding California, the current real estate prices couples may make it … (0 comments)

Speechless Sunday: Underwear. Not just for butts anymore. - 01/23/11 11:50 AM

 
My girlfriend purchased these HANDERPANTS from Snow Goose at Utica Square Shopping Centre in Tulsa Oklahoma. The Snow Goose offers contemporary gifts, award winning toys, hilarious cards, and comfortable clothing for women. Since 1981, the Snow Goose has provided shoppers of all ages a unique and eclectic blend of merchandise unlike that found anywhere else.
 
 
… (15 comments)

Locally-Owned Full-Service Salon, CENTRIC, the Salon at Philtower, Downtown Tulsa - 01/22/11 10:03 AM
Locally-Owned Full-Service Salon, CENTRIC, the Salon at Philtower, Downtown Tulsa
Downtown Tulsa is one of my favorite places to shop, so I’m thrilled that my friend Amanda Burn’s salon is in the magnificent Philtower building on 5th Street, just east of Boston. This is one locally-owned business you’ll want to support!
 

Mandy has been doing my nails for years, and she gives the best French Gel manicure in Tulsa! She offers pedicures and manicures in all price ranges: a quick manicure is only $20, petite pedicure is $30 and full spa pedicure is only $60.

Centric is … (4 comments)

What to do when your TWO best friends are Realtors and you’re ready to put your Tulsa home for sale on the market - 01/21/11 09:22 PM
What to do when your TWO best friends are Realtors and you’re ready to put your Tulsa home for sale on the market
You are ready to list your Tulsa home for sale and are stumped because your two best girlfriends are both Realtors. Obviously you need to trust your Tulsa home sale to the one that you consider to be the better-skilled Realtor and you may not even know which one that is!
Friends or no friends, you must separate business from personal and interview your girlfriends and perhaps another agent or two as well. If your friends are … (10 comments)

What's the Best Kind of Tile? Easy Guide to Top 9 Tile Choices - 01/21/11 09:16 AM
For those of you remodeling or preparing your Tulsa home for sale, I'm passing along great information from a Raleigh, NC real estate professional about different types of tile and what's appropriate to use where. So many tile choices!
Via Penny Hull at Stanton Homes - New Homes Raleigh Triangle Area (Stanton Homes - New Homes Raleigh NC and Surrounding Areas):
What you need to know before you choose tile Thinking of putting tile in your new bathroom, kitchen, breakfast room, laundry room, patio, foyer or fireplace hearth in your new NC custom home?
Here are nine ways to go - but … (1 comments)

Weekend Events January 21, 2011 Tulsa Oklahoma - 01/21/11 08:45 AM
Back Alley Blues & BBQ Side Search: BeansWhen: Saturday, Jan. 22, 6pm-midnightWhere: The VFW Post just west of 6th and Peoria Music: Blues tunes by Danny Buck, Scott Ellison, The Dustin Pittsley Band and more Celebrity judges: Joe Kelley of the KRMG Morning News; Sunny Leigh of KVOO and Tasha Ball. Cost: $5 at the door to be given to the American Heart Association in memorial of Marcus Takach, who died from sudden cardiac arrest during the Route 66 Half Marathon in November.
Harlem Globetrotters Date: January 22, 2011 Location: BOK Center Web: www.bokcenter.com
… (0 comments)

YIKES - there are going to be STRANGERS going through my Tulsa home for sale!!! - 01/19/11 09:41 AM
YIKES - there are going to be STRANGERS going through my Tulsa home for sale!!!
For some Tulsa home Sellers, it is disconcerting that strangers will be tromping through their Tulsa home for sale. And yes, we are marketing your Tulsa home for sale to the general public, because your close friends and family members didn't want to buy it.
Tulsa home Sellers wonder how we will track who views their Tulsa home for sale. Remember that in the Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors, we use SUPRA lock-boxes and can track activity at our listings using the networked electronic … (5 comments)

10 Reasons Your House Is Not Selling - 01/18/11 06:55 PM
Dave Conners, Arizona Realtors, writes a true but funny blog post about why your home may not be selling. If your home is on the market or you're thinking of selling your Tulsa home, please enjoy this quick read!
Via Dave Conners (Keller Williams Check Realty / Stephanie Woods Team):
10 Reasons Your House Is Not Selling.  A few days ago I wrote about how price and condition will determine whether your house sells or not. Here is a follow up that focuses on many other ways home owners sabotage the process of selling their home.

 1. Price is still the most … (1 comments)

Speechless Sunday: Owen Park, Tulsa Oklahoma - birds skating on thin ice! - 01/16/11 08:35 AM

 
This photo of Owen Park was taken January 15, 2011. As the temperatures begin to rise, the thin layer of ice is melting from the pond, leaving the birds less than stable footing. Loved this close-up shot showing the thin layer of ice and the fluid water. This is a beautiful city park and the oldest park in Tulsa Oklahoma, located slightly north of downtown Tulsa off of west Edison Street.
 

… (13 comments)

Lions, Tigers, & Bears..oh My - FHA raises mortgage insurance & now Fannie Mae raising fees?? - 01/16/11 08:04 AM
Jeff Belonger is absolutely the best blogger when it comes to FHA loans - he is truly the expert. I absolutely agree with his position. Requiring higher credit scores than a 620 and requiring higher down payments would absolutely disqualify a huge number of very responsible prospective homeowners and is not a solution to any problem we have in our current economy.
Via Jeff Belonger-The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans ( - FHA Home Loans - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc):

 
Many of us know that FHA raised their monthly mortgage … (2 comments)

Tulsa Homes for Sale, Florence Park Market Update for 2010, Tulsa homes active, pending and sold - 01/15/11 09:57 AM
Tulsa Homes for Sale, Florence Park Market Update for 2010, Tulsa homes active, pending and sold
In 2010, 23 Tulsa properties were sold in the Florence Park neighborhood. Home prices remain very stable in this neighborhood with the lowest home selling for $70,00 and highest selling for $312,000; average price was $172,104.
Of the 23 sold, 17 sold for over $150,000 - anything below that price was likely in disrepair. As of this market snapshot January 15, 2011, there are eight active listings and four properties under contract. Active properties range from $135,000 to $269,000. View a typical Tulsa … (0 comments)

Hardwood Flooring Video - White Plains NY 10605 - 01/15/11 08:53 AM
I love to re-blog Debbie's posts because she really educates us about all types of flooring. This is awesome if you are considreing hardwood flooring and she includes a great video clip!
Via Debbie Gartner, Westchester Flooring (Floor Coverings International :Westchester NY & Fairfield CT):
Are you looking for hardwood flooring in White Plains, but you're just not sure where to start?  Well here's an easy way.  Check out this quick hardwood flooring video (less than 2 minutes).  You can see some of the breadth of hardwood flooring species and styles.
Begin to by picking out what you like.  Do you prefer light … (4 comments)

WHAT IS THE HOME STAGING PROCESS? - 01/14/11 11:24 AM
This Vancouver home stager does a great job of explaining the home staging process. My listing services include a staging consultation, but I always encourage my home Sellers to retain the services of a stager in addition to the consultation. When I sold my personal home, you BET I hired a home stager! Staging sets the tone. When Buyers literally make their purchase decision based on their emotions in your home, you want to ensure that those emotions are positive and overflowing! Get it right from day one and your home will quickly sell. You wouldn't go on a blind date … (1 comments)

Does Your Home Pass The Sniff Test? Tips For Selling Your Home in Wake Forest NC - 01/13/11 10:41 AM
Tulsa home sellers - please take a moment to read Leesa's post about getting and keeping your home fragant for prospective Tulsa home buyers. Read all the way to the bottom to get her special tip!
Via Leesa L. Finley -Wake Forest NC REALTOR® Wake Forest NC & Raleigh NC Real Estate (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):
For the most part buyers make decisions on a purchasing a home from the emotional side.
What will it be like for their family growing up there? Can they start a family there? What will the Holidays be like? Will their … (1 comments)

Buying & Selling your Tulsa homes at the same time: How is it possible? - 01/12/11 10:01 AM
Buying & Selling your Tulsa homes at the same time: How is it possible?
I have two clients in this dilemma: one is down-sizing from a 3-story condo to a one-level home, and the other couple needs to leave their starter home for something larger to accommodate their growing family. Both are nervous about how it is possible to buy/sell their Tulsa homes at the same time, so I thought I would address the steps.
First, you have to put the home that you want to sell on the market. Unless you can afford two mortgage payments at the same … (3 comments)

How Repairs are handled per the Oklahoma real estate contract - 01/10/11 11:23 AM
How Repairs are handled per the Oklahoma real estate contract
When a Buyer makes an offer on a Tulsa home for sale, he will ask the Seller to be responsible for up to $xx in repairs - yes, the repair cap is negotiated BEFORE inspections are done. The Buyer's Realtor should be able to estimate an appropriate amount to request.
Inspections are usually done within the first ten days after the contract is negotiated and ratified. Based upon inspection results, the Buyer will write out a list of requested repairs and the Seller will obtain estimates. If the estimates EXCEED the … (9 comments)

Tulsa MSA 2010 November Home Sales: comparison to 2009 - 01/05/11 06:00 PM
Tulsa MSA 2010 November Home Sales: comparison to 2009
Tulsa MSA* (Metropolitan Statistical Area) 2010 November Home Sales
. . . .                                             Nov 2010                    Nov 2009                     Oct 2010
Listings Processed                             1,508                           1,396                            1,784
Year-to-Date                                   21,622                         20,690                           20,114
#of Homes For Sale
on Last Day of Month               … (3 comments)

10-Digit Dialing and New Area Code for the 918 Area Code - affecting Tulsa Metropolitan area - 01/05/11 09:50 AM
10-Digit Dialing and New Area Code for the 918 Area Code - affecting Tulsa Metropolitan area
Beginning March 5, 2011, you will be required to dial the area code to place local calls.
Now is a good time to start the habit of leaving your area code when leaving phone messages. Starting April 1, 2011, phone numbers with the new 539 area code will start rolling out. All local calls that are considered local will remain local. Also, you will not need to dial “1,” then the area code to make local calls.
As you may have seen on the … (3 comments)

January 2011 Events Tulsa Oklahoma ... Harlem Globetrotters, Disney, MLK parade - 01/04/11 03:57 PM
January 2011 Events Tulsa Oklahoma ... Harlem Globetrotters, Disney, MLK parade
Tatur's Polar Bear Plunge Two Mile Race Date: January 1, 2011 Time: 1:00pm Location: River Parks West Amphitheater Web: http://tatur.org/PolarPlunge.html
Portraits of a Garden Amateur Photo Contest and Exhibit Date: January 4 - 29, 2011 Time : Photo submissions 9am-3pm Exhibit 9am-4pm Location: Tulsa Garden Center Web: www.tulsagardencenter.com
Oklahoma Wedding Show Date: January 8, 2011 Location: Expo Square - Central Park Hall Web: http://www.okmag.com Admission $9
The 5 Browns Date: January 8, 2011 Location: TCC Van Trease PACE Signature Symphony Tickets: www.MyTicketOffice.com; 918-596-7111
Monument Piano Trio Date: Sunday January … (3 comments)

How are Credit Scores computed? - 01/03/11 12:42 AM
Bookmark this friends if you are working on improving (or even understanding) your credit score. Lenders are tightening their belt this new year, so improving our credit scores should be on our new year's resolution list! Good luck!
Via Jason E. Gordon, CMPS, CDPE (Primary Residential Mortgage Inc):
While basic understanding of the "book smarts" within the mortgage industry will help you understand specific terminology, loan programs, and features, there is so much more you will need to know in order to make an informed financial decision.
My approach to providing education strives to further your understanding beyond the "book smarts" of the … (8 comments)

Lori's Top Ten List for Two-Thousand-Ten, 2010 - Better than David Letterman's! - 01/02/11 11:44 AM
Lori's Top Ten for Two-Thousand-Ten, 2010 - Better than David Letterman's!
Following is my TOP TEN blog posts of 2010 - not necessarily my BEST ten posts, but in order of most viewed on Active Rain. As we review our business in the past year and plan for 2011, it’s good to review which blog posts were viewed most – statistics on Active Rain allow us to do this. So here’s my top ten!
06/26/2010 Am I the only one ANGRY that the June 30th deadline was not extended? Comments: 148; Views: 4029; Clicks: 1918  Lori Cain's Blog post about the … (7 comments)

Speechless Sunday: the $350,000 closet my client wants to buy in Tulsa OK - 01/02/11 09:41 AM
We have an amazing condominium complex along the banks of the Arkansas river that is on the edge of downtown and a pretty swanky place to live. Although the condos are affordable, the monthly fee is hefty - but includes separate storage, valet parking and a dozen other amazing perks. My client and I have had a good time looking at the units for sale, and she is in LOVE with the master bedroom closet - about 16-feet square. I took a photo of this one because we both loved the color and the shoe rack. Also included is a photo … (11 comments)

Who pays the buyer's agent ? - 01/02/11 09:05 AM
Gita has done an excellent job of simply explaining how Realtors get paid when working with Buyers. The Sellers pay our commission, so my representation to Tulsa home buyers is FREE. So, let's shop! :=)
Via GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR BUCKS COUNTY, PA HOMES (RE/MAX Centre Realtors):
email from North Carolina . We will be relocating to Philadelphia and are looking to buy a home  We saw your profile and web site on the internet. We would like you to help us find a home. How much do you charge ?
ANSWER. If you employ me as your Buyer's agent, you do not have … (0 comments)

Cork Flooring - Why is it green? How is it made? - 01/02/11 08:55 AM
Debbie does a great job of educating us about different flooring. I LOVE this post about cork flooring because Deme and I are considering replacing our kitchen tile flooring with cork flooring. It is properly sealed, so you don't have to worry about dropping an egg or your pups scratching the flooring. AND, it's a great green option - read why!
Via Debbie Gartner, Westchester Flooring (Floor Coverings International :Westchester NY & Fairfield CT):
Why is cork flooring considered to be a green product? Where does cork come from?  How is cork made?  Have you ever wondered?
 
Where does cork come from? … (1 comments)

To my clients and friends: Why I blog - 01/01/11 11:30 AM
To my clients and friends: Why I blog
My blog is almost like a diary to me - an online journal and a place where I can discuss my real estate transactions, respond to frequently-asked questions from other Tulsa home buyer and sellers - hopefully share educational information from which we can all benefit. Internet exposure is KEY to selling your Tulsa home and those of you shopping for homes know what you like to find on the internet when searching for your next Tulsa home.
I also blog because I want my readers to get to know me. I'm … (12 comments)

 

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