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Rent or Sell? Tips to Help You Decide
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
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.
Home Buying Lessons: Be the Perfect Homebuyer
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
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
Berwick on Cedar Ridge in Broken Arrow, OK – A New Found Tradition
Photo Courtesy of: berwickcr.com
Berwick on Cedar Ridge got its name from the one of Scotland’s first and finest golf clubs. You will find a timeless appeal of the residential community that makes up Berwick on Cedar Ridge. Residents of Berwick on Cedar Ridge enjoy tree lined vistas, quality craftsmanship and golf course views, along with a tradition that evokes the true history of the golf community.
Berwick Neighborhoods
Photo Courtesy of: berwickcr.com
There are four neighborhoods within Berwick on Cedar Ridge: Berwick I, Berwick Villas, Berwick Fairways and Berwick Greens. While each neighborhood is very distinctive in its own way, each one is integrated into one upscale community separated by their architectural design.
Berwick Fairways
Photo Courtesy of: berwickcr.com
Phase I and II are made up of 160 lots that can be built with customizable homes. Choose from elegant gated entrances to the magnificent golf course to the water-front views. Each lot and home is designed to enhance beauty, value, privacy and security to all homeowners.
Berwick Villas
Photo Courtesy of: berwickcr.com
This neighborhood is a private gated community of garden villa homes. Each home includes a minimum of 3000 square feet of design offering spectacular views of the landscape. The extensive water feature provides a lakeside lifestyle.
Berwick I
Photo Courtesy of: berwickcr.com
A traditional charming community with modern amenities. These homes include 2,700 square feet of living space, tons of natural preserves, and landscaped water features. The neighborhood illustrates seclusion and privacy.
Berwick Greens
Photo Courtesy of: berwickcr.com
An exclusive gated community, the Berwick Greens is made up of custom-built homes on executive estate lots. It is surrounded by immaculately maintained and private grounds, which offer breathtaking views from every angle.
This Tulsa neighborhood information is brought to you by: Tom and Bev Herring – your real estate resource for Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities.
Moving Yourself into Your New Home Now More Popular
The most recent US Census Bureau statistics now show that it is more popular to move yourself into your new home. Last year, more people packed up and moved themselves vs hiring a moving company to do it for them. The do-it-yourself alternative is growing by leaps and bounds. Over 15% of our nation’s population move each year, with most of that being done in the spring and summer months when the weather is warmer and children are out of school.
Because of the affect on the moving industry, many companies are now offering options that can help and save you money. You can get a full service move at the price of a renting a moving truck. You just make a reservation for your moving date, they will bring a trailer to your home for you to pack, and they pick it up when you have finished. The trailer is then delivered to your new home where you will unload it yourself. They generally give you two days to pack it and two days to unload it.
The perks for this option let you get moved by a professional for a much smaller price. So, when it comes to finding companies like this for your move, simply search online for “you pack, we drive”. You will get a list of all the companies in your area that offer this service. And, when it comes to packing yourself, we have a few quick tips to keep in mind.
Packing tips:
* Start early – packing will take longer than most people anticipate. Starting early will help you in the end.
* Think thin – get rid of anything you haven’t used in the past 6 months. You will have less to pack after you declutter.
* Label everything – when labeling each box, write what it contains specifically on the side.
* One-at-a-time – keep organized by packing each room one-at-a-time. If you start in the bedroom, finish it before you move to the next room.
* Take it with you – take all important/personal items with you. Any documents with your social security numbers on it should be in your possession at all time, never on the moving truck.
* Essentials – keep a box of essentials like paper towels, toilet paper, sheets, towels, etc. that you will need on your first night in your new home.
* Totes – consider buying inexpensive plastic totes for items that will go into long-term storage.
This moving information is brought to you by: Tom & Bev Herring – your real estate resource for Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities.
Tulsa’s Top Events in April 2013
Tulsa, OK is hot, hot, hot with top events this April. There will be a lot of great events to take advantage of this month that will be great for the whole family. Therefore, we have compiled a list of a few of the top events that you don’t want to miss.
Tulsa, OK Events April 2013:
Sesame Street Live – April 4 – 7, 2013
About the Show
When Elmo gets his furry fingers on Abby Cadabby’s magic wand, there’s something in the air, and Sesame Street becomes a nonstop, all-singing, all-dancing musical monttage! Grover and Baby Bear sing their highs and lows, Cookie Monster sings fast and slow, Bert and Ernie converse in song and Murray makes mouth music for all to sing along! Learn why it feels good to sing a song, but why it feels good to stop, too! What will Elmo learn about the power of musical magic? Join the conga line of fun to find out!
Play Zone at Sesame Street Live is back by popular demand! Come and play BEFORE the show! Play Zone at Sesame Street Live, a fun way for children to experience their favorite street! Imagine your child sitting in Big Bird’s nest, popping up in Oscar’s trash can, twirling in Zoe’s dance studio or visiting Elmo’s World. You never know who’ll make an appearance! Families won’t want to miss a single picture-perfect moment. Play Zone opens one hour before the show, and best of all, Play Zone is FREE with your Sesame Street Live ticket!
Get the ultimate fan experience with Sunny Seats! The Sunny Seats Package includes a VIP Seat and a pre-show Meet & Greet photo opportunity with two Sesame Street Live Friends. Sunny Seat orders will include a special admittance ticket for entry into the Meet & Greet. You will receive the special admittance ticket with the rest of your show tickets. All Meet & Greets start 90 minutes prior to the performance. Please meet at the Sunny Seats sign. Latecomers may miss the opportunity. Please bring your own camera.
Showings:
Thursday, April 4, 2013; 7:00 PM
Friday, April 5, 2013; 10:30 AM
Friday, April 5, 2013; 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 6, 2013; 10:30 AM
Saturday, April 6, 2013; 2:00 PM
Saturday, April 6, 2013; 5:30 PM
Sunday, April 7, 2013; 1:00 PM
Sunday, April 7, 2013; 4:30 PM
Event Information
Location : BOK Center, Tulsa
Web : http://www.bokcenter.com
Doors: One hour before show
Tickets: $17, $22, $27, $37, $57
On Sale: Jul 25, 2012 – 10:00 am
Parkside’s By Your Side Run – April 13, 2013
About the event
Parkside’s By Your Side Run promotes physical fitness while raising funds for the By Your Side program benefiting Parkside’s clients and their families. The event features a 5K ,1 Mile Fun Run/Walk and Dog Walk. Participants are enchouraged to dress-up like their favorite animials to show support for Parkside’s pet therapy program and to add to the family fun. Strollers are welcome to participate in all events. Bring the family and stick around after the main event to meet the pet therapy animals, enjoy live music and other family fun.
Event details:
Time : 9:00 am
Location : Mohawk Park – Shelter #3
Web : http://www.parksideinc.org/
Address: 5731 E 36th St N, Tulsa, OK 74115
Days/Hours: open 7 days a week
Admission: $25-5K (with t-shirt) $20-1mile funrun/dogwalk (with t-shirt) or 5-K (without t-shirt)
Chefs for the Cure – April 20, 2013
About the event:
Cancer Treatment Centers of America will host the annual Chefs for the Cure “taste-of” style event on Saturday, April 20. The evening provides a sampling of gourmet cuisine from local chefs. It will also include live music, wine, beer and cocktails with all proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tulsa affiliate.
Event details:
Time : 6 p.m.
Location : Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Web : http://www.komentulsa.org
Address: 10109 E. 79th St, Tulsa, OK
Days/Hours: Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m.
Artscape – April 28, 2013
About the event:
Please save the date for our annual special event fundraiser, ARTSCAPE. All funds raised support The Grief Center programs and counseling services. If you would like to be added to our mailing list for this event, please contact us at 587.1200 and ask for our Executive Director, Susan Bramsch.
Event details:
Time : 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Location : The Summit
Web : http://www.thegriefcenter.org
Address: 15 W 6th St # 2913
Days/Hours: 6 hours
Admission: $90/Individual, $175/Couple
This Tulsa, OK event information is brought to you by: Tom and Bev Herring – your real estate resource for Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities.
Tulsa, OK’s Best Real Estate Agents
Are you looking for the best real estate agents in Tulsa, OK? If so, you have come to the right place. Whether you are buying a Tulsa, OK home or listing your home, you want to use the best real estate agents in Tulsa that can handle all your real estate needs. You will also want an agent who will treat you as their top priority.
If you’re a Tulsa home buyer:
No matter if you are a first-time home buyer or you are a seasoned home buyer, we can help you find the right home, for the right price, in the right neighborhood, and the perfect home loan terms for your situation. As first-time homebuyer it can be somewhat scary to jump into the real estate buying world. However, right now is a great time to buy a home, before home prices get any higher.
Home prices are expected to rise across the country over the next 12 to 18 months. So, putting off your home purchase will only have you paying more for your dream home. We can help you make that first big step when buying your Tulsa, OK home. We can answer any questions you may have and help you search for that perfect home.
You are our number one priority and we want to make you feel confident and comfortable with your home purchase. If you are interested in buying an investment property, we can help you find the right property that will give you the most rate of return on your future. Upgrading or downsizing your home in Tulsa is easy too. We know all the Tulsa neighborhoods, school systems, communities and current real estate trends.
If you’re a Tulsa home seller:
If you have been putting off selling your Tulsa, OK home, we encourage you to put it on the market within the next 12 months. Home prices are expected to go up this year. However, with the amount of homes still on the market, if more are added to it, prices could again drop. Therefore, we keep a close eye on the current real estate market or the neighborhoods and communities in and around Tulsa, OK including Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, Keystone Lake, Berryhill, Sand Springs and Owasso.
Getting the sale price on your home right the first time is important. It can make or break the sale. We will be happy to show you how we list, stage, market and sell your Tulsa home in today’s real estate market. So, just give us a call and we can discuss your options.
When it comes to testimonials, anyone can put them on their website. No one would put a bad review in their testimonial section. However, you can trust that as your Tulsa, OK real estate agents and brokers, it is our passion to help you find the right Tulsa home or sell your Tulsa home.
Your goals and needs become our priority. We will listen to your needs, help you meet your goals, and answer all your questions to the best of our ability. Give us a call today and let’s see how we can put our skills to work for you.
Oklahoma Teens Changing Their Lives for the Better
Oklahoma Teens are changing their lives for the better. A recent study by the University of Oklahoma College of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control show how to make teen prosper by enabling them to run their own lives more like a business by establishing and increasing their assets. The study shows that this method helps to eliminate their liabilities and risk by keeping them safe and healthy. As it turns out, this study can be uses as a best-practices manual for teens, their families and their communities.
America has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the world; however, that can be changed according to the study. An asset called “school connectedness”, meaning female teenagers who feel accepted by their peers will feel safe and be treated fairly. It gives them a better chance to succeed in school. It will also mean that she will be less likely to get become a teen mom.
The data from the Oklahoma study shows strong connections between 17 different assets and how well teen girls are surviving or did survive their teen years in school. They were divided into family, individual and community levels. They wanted to see how strong families, the individual and the communities were. By doing so, it helped show if teens in positive environments fared better than ones in less positive ones. It also helped set examples of how to put them in a more positive environment and keep them there.
The old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”, has turned out to be true from what this study shows. However, making teens accountable for their actions with positive reinforcement helps too. Strong families and communities are our youth’s best advocates. Therefore, we have found a list of helpful youth programs in the Tulsa, OK area.
Youth programs in Tulsa OK:
Youth at Heart – They help shape the lives of Tulsa’s teens youth by supporting their hopes and dreams. They provide education, recreation and social development for Tulsa’s after school children.
North Tulsa Youth Program – They help identify at-risk teens that are prone to falling in the wrong crowds. They match them with mentors and support them in building protective skills while finding alternatives to their environment.
Summer Youth Programs – Self expression through art is essential for the overall health of teens. Therefore, over 1,800 youth participate in the Artists in the Park program each summer.
This Oklahoma youth information is brought to you by: Tom and Bev Herring – your real estate resource for Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities.
Spring Forward in Tulsa, OK with Great Events
It’s time to spring forward in Tulsa, OK with many great community events going on around town. There’s a few things that will be happening through the month of March 2013 like time changing on March 10th and spring break for students the week of March 18-21. Along with that, we have found several community events that are great for the whole family to enjoy. So, whether you are visiting Tulsa, OK or live in Tulsa, check out these events and get ready to have fun.
Things to see and do in Tulsa, OK during March 2013:
Crossroads Golden Gala – There will be a dual set performance by Grady Nichols, a nationally acclaimed jazz artist. A wonderful and tasty meal will also be presented by Just Catering by Orr. The gala will go to help adults diagnosed with a mental illness. The Crossroads Clubhouse actually helps them find meaningful employment, education, social interaction, housing and wellness. To buy tickets visit www.crosroadsok.org or call 918-749-2141.
Date: March 7, 2013
Time: 6pm to 9pm
Location: IDL Ballroom
Price: $50 per person
The Greater Tulsa Home & Garden Show – This is Oklahoma’s largest and longest running home and garden show that features products and trades of over 450 exhibitors. Come out for a one stop shopping experience for all your home and garden needs.
Dates: March 7 – 10, 2013
Time: March 7th 5pm to 9pm, March 8th 10am to 9pm, March 9th 10am to 9pm, March 10th 11am to 6pm.
Location: Expo Square @ QuikTrip Center
Price: $8 for adults, kids under 12 are FREE
Made in Oklahoma Craft Fair – Crafts, food and lots of fun.
Dates: March 9th and 10th, 2013
Time: 9am to 5pm
Location: Persimmon Hollow Village at 6927 S 115th E Ave, Broken Arrow, OK
Price: FREE
Easter Bunny Arrival via Carriage and Hot Air Balloon Fun – Come see the Easter Bunny arrive via Carriage and Hot Air Balloon Fun. There will also be characters from the Wizard of Oz for Easter fun.
Date: March 9th
Time: 1:30pm
Location: Tulsa Promenade Mall at 4107 S Yale Ave.
Price: FREE
Tulsa Auto Show – The Tulsa Auto Show will surely amaze this year with cars featuring hands free parallel parking and automated driving assistants, plus hundreds of this year’s most amazing technology and newest vehicles.
Dates: March 14th – 17th, 2013
Time: All Day
Location: Tulsa Expo Center
Price: $8
R.K. Gun Show – A great reputation for bringing high quality guns and 20 years of excellence. Don’t miss this year’s gun show as it increases in quality and size.
Date: March 16th and 17th, 2013
Time: 9am to 5pm
Location: Expo Square, Exchange Center
Price: $12 for adults, $4 for kids 6-12, kids under 6 FREE
This event information is brought to you by: Tom and Bev Herring – your real estate resource for Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities.
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Contact Information
Tom & Bev Herring Bev, GRI, CRS
Tom, Broker Associate, ePro
Tulsa, OK 74133
Business: (918) 712-4405
Fax: (918) 712-4333
