Tom and Bev

Curb Appeal Tips for Home Sellers

tomandbev — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:33:12 +0000

Spring and summer are the best times for homeowners to start preparing their landscape before they put their home on the market. All potential buyers love a good looking yard and those who have kids like it even more. Your main focus should be landscaping or “curb appeal”.

Landscaping or “curb appeal”, is the first thing potential buyers notice when pull up to your home. Therefore, to get them to the door, you need good curb appeal. Curb appeal alone can increase the value of your home by 5% to 11%.

Studies show that things such as curving flower beds and design sophistication attract potential buyers better than a rectangular box filled with flowers. The size and diversity of plants is also important to potential buyers. Colorful plants such as annuals are inexpensive and easy to put in and really brighten the look of the yard.

Also, while you’re looking to create curb appeal, you’ll want to give consideration to the materials you’ll be using that will attract insects. Ask your local landscaping supply store about different types of foliage and what kind of insects they may attract. Taking a few notes can save you a future headache. Areas like Tulsa, OK where the weather gets plenty of warm days each summer will have more insects.

Other things to look for when getting your yard ready for sale are:

Root problems – if you see cracks in your driveway or sidewalk, you might have a root problem.

Sewer/septic tank problems -if you notice a sunken area of the yard, it is possible that you have a leaky sewer or septic tank.

Limb control – check to make sure there are no limbs near your roof, fences or power lines. This can save damage from animals and weather.

Tree health – trees that have fungus or mushrooms growing at the bottom of them may have health issues and need to be removed.

Thoughtfully creating and maintaining your landscaping or “curb appeal” is a huge benefit to both the buyer and seller.

These curb appeal tips are brought to you by: Tom and Bev Herring – your real estate resource for Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities.

Motivated Seller – 982 N Scenic Drive – Cleveland, OK

tomandbev — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:44:35 +0000

Motivated Seller w/fantastic lakeview,sub zero refrig, island kitchen open to dining and greatroom, split bedrooms, composite wrap around deck,heated and cooled 2 car garage with workshop+ 2 carports,newer roof shingles and driveway, fireplace with insert. MLS #1314102

View a Virtual Tour of this Home

Comments Form

Great House and a Nice Buy – 935 N Westpoint Road – Cleveland, OK

tomandbev — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:13:14 +0000

We found what you’re looking for. Updated with year-round lake view. 3 bedrooms plus office. No carpet – hardwoods, laminate and ceramic. Mostly updated in the past few years. Loads of updating, 2 living areas, office could be 4th bedroom. MLS #789465

Click here to view a Virtual Tour of this Home

Comment Form

Rent or Sell? Tips to Help You Decide

tomandbev — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:00:56 +0000

To rent or to sell, tis the question of the day. While inventory in many markets across the nation have created bidding wars, renting is still popular too. Selling your home may bring in a large sum of cash, but rent can also bring in the cash you need. Therefore, we have some tips to help you decide what you should do now that the housing market is recovering.

Rent vs Sell – you have to ask yourself how much you can sell your home for when compared to how much you still owe on the property. If you owe too much, renting could be a better value for you. Becoming a landlord can be a lot of hassle. However, you will make a monthly income while paying the home loan down.

Let’s look at renting the home:

Rent income – Your goal should be to rent the home for at least $200 a month above your loan, insurance and tax costs. You will need to set that amount aside each month for repairs that will be needed later. If you cannot make a profit off your home, rent if for what you owe and have a clause in the lease that will make them liable for all home repairs. Just keep in mind, your home will need repairs so you will have to trust the renter a whole lot.

Home upgrades – Just like a homebuyer, a renter will want to live in a nice home that does not need repaired and is not falling apart. However, you don’t want to invest a large amount into upgrades and repairs if you are renting. If you need carpeting, builders grade should suffice. Investing in expensive carpet won’t help you rent your home. It will get damaged, and all renters care about is clean carpet.

Property maintenance – When you rent you will have maintenance just like owning the home. Sometimes you will have more if a tenant is not taking care of your property. Therefore, just like we referenced above, you will need to rent your home for more than what you owe so you can save up for repairs. A deposit will help some if a renter leaves the home in disarray. But, if the water heater goes out while the tenant is still occupying the home, you will need that extra cash to get it fixed. Be prepared for many unexpected repairs.

If renting is not for you and you owe too much on your home, ask your lender if they would agree to a short sale. Just beware that it could hinder you from buying another property right away. Hopefully, these tips will help you weigh your pros and cons to help you make the decision that is right for your situation.

These renting vs selling tips are brought to you by: Tom and Bev Herring – your real estate resource for Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities.

Curb Appeal Tips – Successful Creations

tomandbev — Thu, 09 May 2013 03:30:03 +0000

Now that the winter’s snow has melted away in most of the country, let’s consider some calculated curb appeal to get people slamming on the brakes to see your beautiful home. Curb appeal is something prospective buyers stop for a better look at when a house is for sale. The National Association of REALTORS® say, “53% of buyers decisions are based on curb appeal”. With so many homes for sale, the major importance is to understand the “new normal”.

Curb appeal is outdoor staging and more important than ever before. If a palace was for sale, no one would have the opportunity to buy it if they didn’t get the bell to ring to see the inside. Without style and upkeep of the grounds, no one is going to want to see the inside. You need to pay attention to the outdoors as well as the indoors. However, all sellers must keep in mind that curb appeal depends upon what the buyer is looking for. Buyers that are urban oriented aren’t just looking at the lovely lawn. They are also looking for clean windows, good condition paint, attractive front doors, nice plantings, leaves raked and freshly mowed lawns. That sets the tone for what a buyer thinks the house should look like.

The early spring and late fall are the toughest times to make the view more appealing to potential buyers. Some flowers are not in full bloom and all but the evergreens are leafless. The grass may be brown and sparse. Other things that may affect your home’s curb appeal are the neighbors’ houses. With townhomes and attached houses, your house can look perfect but it doesn’t help if the attached house is beaten up and looking rundown. Remember, you are selling your neighborhood, too.

Easy fixes are the weeds that pop up between pavers and patios. Trim bushes neatly and plant beds should be trimmed out. If the drive is asphalt, make sure it is clean. Fresh mulch gives landscapes a warmer look. Fresh paint and clean windows don’t add up to much of an expense, but they go a long way in helping buyers to like your home. It gives buyers the impression that you care. Photos of your home in different seasons are a good idea to leave inside the house for prospective buyers to see. But don’t put the photos in the Multiple Listing Service because it will confuse buyers as to when your home was listed. It can give the impression that your house has been on the market for too long.

These curb appeal tips are brought to you by: Tom and Bev Herring – your real estate resource for Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities.

Special Incentive to Sell – 9323 E 92nd Place – Tulsa, OK

tomandbev — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:56:01 +0000

Appliances and furniture negotiable. Nice house. Corner lot. Large bedrooms, living room with vaulted ceiling and fireplace. Inside utility area, deck. Neat and clean with space saver microwave and newer stove. Roof is 4 years old. Move-in ready. Includes 1-year warranty. MLS #1312253

Click here to view a Virtual Tour of this home.

Property Comments Form

Home Buying Lessons: Be the Perfect Homebuyer

tomandbev — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:06:59 +0000

Now that it is the home buying season, the market will soon be flooded with buyers. In some markets that are doing really well since the housing bust, home buying will be a stiff competition. And, even though home prices are improving, you can still get a great deal and a very low mortgage rate. So, now that there will be multiple bids on one home, you need to be able to stand out from the rest of the buyers. Therefore, we have some home buying lessons that will help.

Home buying lessons:

Predict the future

Predict what the future might hold by planning ahead at least by four months. Look at your credit history and scores to make sure it is accurate. This will help you avoid taking on more debt than necessary.

Set your price

Decide what you can afford so you don’t end up looking at homes you can’t afford. This will save a lot of time. Do a little homework by going to open houses and see how the negotiations are going. You don’t want to have the mindset that you can put in a bid for 85% of the asking price if others are putting in bids at 95%.

Cash is always king

The old saying cash is king is so true when it comes to buying a home. The more cash you have access to, they more desirable you are to home sellers. If you can put 20% down, you instantly look like a stable buyer.

Preapproval is necessary

Getting prequalified for a mortgage will help give you an idea of exactly what you can afford. This will also help you compete with cash buyers. You will be a stronger buyer when you can handover a prequalified letter with your offer.

Be personable

If you have fallen in love with your dream home and there are multiple offers on it, try writing a letter to the owners telling them why you want their house so badly. Often, many sellers are still attached to their home even though they are selling it. So, when you write them a letter, it shows you are investing love and appreciation for the home along with your offer.

Be flexible with closing

You will be a more desirable buyer if you can be flexible with the closing timeline. Ask when they would like to close and try your best to match it.

These home buying lessons are brought to you by: Tom and Bev Herring – your real estate resource for Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities.

DYI – Backyard Fun with Horseshoes

tomandbev — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:01:31 +0000

Now that it’s summer in Tulsa, OK, you can bring the family together for backyard fun with horseshoes. Building your own horseshoe pit is a wonderful way for friends and family to enjoy an outdoor activity that is healthy and fun. Therefore, we have some tips on how to build your own permanent horseshoe pit. It’s an easy process and doesn’t require many supplies.

DYI – How to build a permanent horseshoe pit

Dimensions & Options – A regulation size pit is 6ft by 40ft with a platform for pitching at each end. If you’re building one for children, you can use the 6ft by 30ft dimensions or for even smaller children, 6ft by 15ft. To mark your dimensions, use twine or a kite string and four wooden stakes.

Pitching platforms should be 6’ x 6’ each.

Materials List – You can easily find the needed lumber and materials at any lumberyard or home and garden center. For easy transportation, ask the home center or lumber yard to cut your 12’ boards in half.

2–2×10 x 36″ for the backboard

2–2×4 x 22″ for the backboard braces

8–2×4 x 72″ for the pitching platforms

10–2×4 x 15″ for the pitching platforms

1–4x4x 72″ bottom rail for backboard

6–2×6 x 72″ deck boards

#8 x 3″ deck screws, box of 100

Pitching Platforms – Create the platform boxes using two 72-inch 2x4s and15-inch 2x4s. Use the #8 deck screws to lock each corner together. Screw three additional 15-inch 2x4s to the sides equally spaced along the 72-inch length (use two # 8 deck screws at each joint). Next, attach the three 72-inch 2x4s to the top of the box to form the deck. Repeat this process for the second pitching platform.

The Backboards – To create the backboards you will need to position the two 2x10s for the backboard along their 36-inch edge and attach the two 2×4 x 22 along the short edge of the backboard, and attach each 2×4 brace with eight deck screws.

The Pit – If you will be using a sand pit, remove all grass and dig out 4 inches of dirt so you can allow for 4 inches of sand. Add the horseshoe stakes at each end of the pit with 18” above ground. Smooth the sand in your pit and you’re ready to have unlimited outdoor fun.

More tips: If you’re not crafty or just don’t have the time, you can buy horseshoe sets at any sporting goods store.

These backyard fun tips are brought to you by: Tom and Bev Herring – your real estate resource for Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities.

Berwick on Cedar Ridge in Broken Arrow, OK

tomandbev — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:11:02 +0000

Berwick on Cedar Ridge in Broken Arrow, OK – A New Found Tradition