Tuesday, September 22, 2009

INTERIOR DESIGN vs. STAGING

When you are selling your home, it immediately becomes a product that buyers compare with all the other homes they look at. Preparing to have your home look its best is a very smart idea. However it is easy to spend time and money on things that may not help all that much, and could even have a detrimental effect. Hiring professional help to put your home’s best face forward is a relatively new phenomena.

Most Interior Designers think they can stage homes and most Staging Professionals think they can do Interior Design. There is some crossover, true, but the philosophies and purpose are very different. There is much more training, talent and skill needed to be an effective designer than most Staging Professionals possess. On the other hand, many designers don’t really understand the common sense or purpose behind Staging. When you are living in your home you usually want to express your individual tastes. You want it to look great, but you want it to be YOU! Enter the Interior Designer.

The objectives are different when you are staging your home for sale. You don’t want the prospective buyer to fall in love with your decor, or be green with envy over your art collection, or focused on your great black and white photography collection of your children and pets. You want them to be able to focus on the HOUSE! You want them to get a vision of how their things and their famliy could fit in it. You don’t have to pack up and move completely out leaving it empty, but almost every home needs a little editing. We all accumulate a lot of stuff and a little early packing is in order. Staging is not rocket science! Much of it is common sense. Much of this is realted to Clean Up...Clear Out...Fix In...Fix Out! If successfully accomplished, prospective buyers will be able to view your home at its best. Best because its good features will be discovered and enhanced and they can see and feel themselves living there. That usually means a faster sale and a better price!


Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

SUMMER'S END

When the hot weather breaks and the mail brings the notices for the kids’ school, it means many things. One of which is the realization that the time to complete outdoor home projects is running short. You don’t have to read the Little House series to know that the way people survived was by spending the summer getting ready for winter. The limiting problem is always paint. You can’t paint outside when it’s below 35F at night. Every outdoor project needs the protection of paint to make it through the winter intact, and that’s something we need to get done in September. When the weather gets that slight chill in it, there’s a real temptation to sit back and enjoy what is left of the summer. It’s our reward for getting through the bad weather of winter. September can be a beautiful month and there’s still time to enjoy it, and plenty of time to sit in the rocking chair. The cooler end of summer lasts a fair amount of time, so take advantage and finish off those nagging outdoor projects.


Tina & Mike Butler
918-740-1000

Friday, September 4, 2009

LABOR DAY WEEK-END IN TULSA

The Tulsa Drillers have big plans for Labor Day Weekend, as they celebrate what will be their last games of the regular season at Drillers Stadium. The team plans many special events for fans that to mark the end of nearly three decades of play at the Tulsa Fairgrounds. The Drillers will host a three-game series with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City Royals) that will run from Saturday, Sept. 5 through Monday, Sept. 7. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive special commemoratives Saturday and Monday. On Sunday night, the game is followed by what is being called the largest fireworks show in stadium history. On Monday night, after the final out, they will remove the bases, which will be taken using a limousine to a temporary location. The bases will be used in the opening game next season at Oneok Field, the Drillers' new downtown home that is under construction. Fans will participate in a countdown from 29 to mark the team's 29 seasons at Drillers Stadium. When the count reaches zero, the lights will be turned off. The Drillers are the AA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Next year, the Drillers will play at Oneok Field, a new downtown park under construction now in the Greenwood District. Tickets for all three games are now on sale at the stadium ticket office. Tickets are also available at TulsaDrillers.com or by calling 918-744-5901.

Source: NewsOn6.com

Have a safe & fun holiday week-end from The Butler Team!
Tina & Mike Butler
918-740-1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com


Monday, August 31, 2009

LEAST & MOST EXPENSIVE HOMES IN TULSA

Just for fun – and contrast – I found the cheapest home and the most expensive home in Tulsa. If you judge by price per square foot...check out this property selling for $7.31/SF and this property selling for $575.00/SF. Six bedrooms, seven full baths, three half baths, yet only a 2-car garage (interesting) on a gorgeous three and a half acres +/-. It's the most expensive by square foot and also on mere price at $10 million.

If you're shopping somewhere in between...give us a call!


Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000






Thursday, August 20, 2009

CURB APPEAL MATTERS

In real estate, as in other things, you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression. That first impression could mean the difference. Use the following suggestions to help ensure your property will be appealing to people shopping for a home or just driving through the neighborhood. These little things often make the biggest impression!

~ Keep the lawn mowed and the shrubs trimmed; remove dead plants.
~ Repair cracks in the foundation, chimney or walkways; resurface the driveway if needed.
~ Repaint window casings, shutters, or doors, as needed.
~ Store garbage, debris, lawn mowers, and hoses out of sight.
~ Keep the garage door closed.
~ Wash the windows.
~ Clean the home exterior, sidewalks, and pavement - it's incredible what a powerful pressure washer can do.
~ Make sure your front door & porch are clean.
~ Keep the pool immaculate.
~ Make sure the front door opens and shuts smoothly and the doorbell functions.


Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

Monday, August 17, 2009

TULSA'S FREE WI-FI HOTSPOTS

Ever wonder where the free wi-fi locations are in the Tulsa area? I stumbled on this site the other day, so thought I'd share the link. Enjoy!


The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

Sunday, August 2, 2009

NEGOTIATION vs. MAKING DEMANDS

It is still a buyers market, but there are still homes that sell very quickly and homes that get multiple offers. It has always been that way. Today's buyer is looking for a bargain but home sales are still negotiated. Negotiating is about give and take and back and forth. Often neither buyers or sellers are in a position to dictate the terms. Both buyers and sellers need to keep in mind that the party on the other side of the transaction is a person . . unless it is a bank. Buyers won't always get what they want, neither will the sellers. Buyers need to understand that it is possible to tick the sellers off and sometimes sellers do not have an unlimited amount of money and as amazing as it may seem sometimes sellers have more than one interested buyer. Negotiating is about back and forth, give and take. Negotiations can break down even in a buyers market if the buyer makes too many demands.


The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

10 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT

Here are 10 tips—most costing less than $25—that will keep you comfortable and cut the typical cooling bill by as much as half. What's needed to get the temperature to drop? Only a little time and a few changes in your routine.

Tip 1: Set the Dial Higher - If you have central air, set your thermostat above 78 degrees. You'll save 5 to 8 percent on cooling costs with each degree above that mark. When you leave home for more than one hour, set the thermostat to 85 or 90 degrees. Reset it upon your return, and the room will cool down in only 15 minutes. The system will use less energy during the cool-down period than if you had left it running at a lower setting while you were out.

Tip 2: Use a Fan - A fan, which costs two to five cents per hour to operate, will make a room feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler. Also, a fan works well in tandem with an air conditioner because the dehumidifying action of the air conditioner provides drier air that the fan can then move around. In frequently used rooms, install a ceiling fan (set it to spin counterclockwise in summer). You'll save the most money by running the fan only when you're in the room. A motion-detector switch (around $20), which turns the fan on when you enter a room and off when the room is empty, is a good addition. If nighttime temperatures drop into the 70s where you live, you might want to purchase a whole-house fan, which runs $300 to $600 installed. This type of unit goes in an upstairs ceiling, ideally in a central hall. When run at night with the windows open, the fan will pull cool air into the house as it vents hot air out through the attic.

Tip 3: Practice "Texas Cool" - The morning and evening routine that takes advantage of cool outdoor temperatures at night and keeps the heat at bay as much as possible during daylight hours. It's very simple to do: At night when the temperature drops, open windows and bring in cool air with window fans or a whole-house fan. As soon as the sun comes up or the air starts to heat up, shut the windows and shades and keep doors closed.

Tip 4: Use Sunblockers - As much as 20 percent of summer heat enters your home as sunlight shining through windows. To cut "solar gain," add curtains or blinds to rooms that get direct sun and draw them in daylight hours. With the shades drawn, a well-insulated house will gain only 1 degree per hour when outdoor temperatures are above 85 degrees. Pay special attention to west-facing rooms late in the day. Two exterior options are to install awnings or plant shade trees.

Tip 5: Install a Programmable Thermostat - A programmable thermostat lets you preset temperatures for different times of the day, so air-conditioning is working only when you are home. The least expensive thermostat models ($30) let you set four cycles that, unless manually overridden, repeat every day. Higher-priced models ($50 and up) allow you to create settings for each weekday and for each weekend day.

Tip 6: Cook Smart - Any appliance that generates heat adds to your cooling load. An oven baking cookies can easily raise the room temperature 10 degrees, which in turn jacks up overall cooling costs 2 to 5 percent. Save cooking (especially baking) for cooler hours, or cook outdoors on your grill. It is also a good idea to run the dishwasher and clothes dryer at night.

Tip 7: Get Cooler Lights - Incandescent bulbs don't contribute as much heat as unshaded windows, but they do add heat to a house and can raise the perceived temperature, sending you to the thermostat to seek relief. To reduce this hot-light effect and save lighting costs year-round, replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. They use about 75 percent less energy and emit 90 percent less heat.

Tip 8: Snug Up the Ducts - Leaky ducts can cut into air-conditioning efficiency. Ductwork must be balanced between the supply and return sides of the system in order for it to work safely and efficiently, so making a repair in one section can cause a problem in another. Leak-prone areas include the return plenum; where branch ducts meet the trunk line; and where ducts attach to outlets. Also, insulate ducts that run through a hot attic. It's wise to leave these type of repairs to a HVAC pro. While the contractor is on site checking your ducts, have him tune up the air-conditioning unit by cleaning filters, unplugging coils, unblocking drains and lubing the fan.

Tip 9: Seal Air Leaks - The places where cold air infiltrates in winter are routes for hot air in summer. And what's worse, hot air is often accompanied by high humidity, making you even more uncomfortable. Armed with a flashlight, exterior-rated silicone caulk and a couple cans of expanding foam insulation, hunt down and seal all leaks. Concentrate on the attic, basement and crawl space; pay close attention to anything that passes through a ceiling or wall, such as ductwork, electrical or plumbing conduits and kitchen and bath vents. Other common leaky spots are around windows and doors. If you can rattle a window, it's leaking. Seal it with weather stripping.

Tip 10: Defeat Attic Heat - The temperature in your attic can reach 150 degrees on a hot summer day, a situation that if left unchecked can drive up cooling costs by as much as 40 percent. If your attic has less than R-22 insulation — 7 inches of fiberglass or rock wool, or 6 inches of cellulose — you should add more. (The U.S. Department of Energy says most homes should have between R-22 and R-49 insulation in the attic. To check what's right for your region, go to the Department of Energy website.) Also make sure your attic is ventilated. Gable vents can lower attic temperatures about 10 degrees; a ridge-and-soffit ventilation system will reduce attic temperature to around 100 degrees. When reroofing, consider using white or pale-gray shingles instead of dark ones. These keep the attic cooler than dark shingles.

Source: ThisOldHouse.com


The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

Saturday, July 11, 2009

5 COMMON FIRST TIME HOME BUYER MISTAKES

1. They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal.

2. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.

3. They don’t find the right agent who’s willing to help them through the homebuying process.

4. They don’t do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller.

5. They don’t think about resale BEFORE they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years.

If you're a first time buyer or a buyer that's not been in the market for several years, please do the research to find a realtor and lender that will watch out for your best interests. It cost a buyer nothing to have a realtor working for them. The commission typically comes from the Seller, especially if it's a listed property. Mike and Tina are always available to answer your questions and address concerns.



The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
918-740-1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

Friday, July 10, 2009

VACATIONS - WE RECOMMEND THEM!

Anyone that knows Mike & I, know that we plan our year around vacations. We just got back from a few days away and had a great time. Since the kids were little bitty, we've taken some great family vacations and have made memories that we'll never forget. We always encourage our friends to get out of town...go with the kids and plan a trip without the kids. You don't have to spend a lot of money, that's really not what it's about. It's time away, to relax, to enjoy, to communicate, to laugh, to plan, to live. You'll be amazed at what it will do for your attitude and your relationships. Have a wonderful and safe summer!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

CHOOSING THE BEST LENDER

You're shopping for a mortgage and you're overwhelmed with the choices. How do you choose? The first factor most people consider is the interest rate and other costs, but that's only the beginning. You'll also want to think about the lenders themselves, not simply the numbers they're tossing your way. Here are five steps to follow when determining which lender is right for you:

1. Compare fees as well as interest rates. Comparing loans based on their annual percentage rate (APR) is a good place to start, but it's not enough. In the case of a mortgage, to get a more accurate breakdown of costs, ask the various lenders for a formal "good faith estimate" of all the fees you'll incur with your loan -- this is a standard form lenders must provide you that is more detailed than the overview you'll get with an offer. You're not just comparing numbers here: determine how honest and upfront you feel the lender is being, and don't use a lender that you feel is evading your questions.
2. Consider your individual circumstances. Bigger lenders aren't necessarily better than smaller ones, especially if you have unusual circumstances. For example, some lenders specialize in loans for people with poor credit, while others may have more options for those with small down payments. If you have special borrowing needs, look for a lender with experience working with people in similar situations.
3. Look at the range of loan types available. There are more loan options available than ever before, so take advantage of all that choice. Look for a lender who offers a wide variety of loan types, from conventional fixed-rate and adjustable-rate to newer ones such as hybrid ARMs and option ARMs. Your lender should be able to match you with a mortgage that's right for your financial situation and risk tolerance.
4. Evaluate the level of customer service. When you're comparing offers, ask each lender about their policy regarding locking in their quoted rates and see whether there is a fee. You're looking for flexibility and responsiveness. And also note how well they listen to you. If you ask for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, they ought to present that as an option, not push you toward something different. If you're not getting good service from a lender who is competing for your business, you're not likely to get it after you've agreed to work with them.
5. Check out the lender's reputation. Word of mouth is important in every business, including the loan market. If you've never worked with a particular lender, you'll want to find out the opinion of people who have.


The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
918.740.1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com
http://www.tulsa4u.com/

Saturday, July 4, 2009

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Have a Safe & Happy 4th of July!

God Bless America!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

FATHER'S DAY


HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!
from the butler team

Sunday, June 14, 2009

IS IT TIME TO DECLUTTER?

Over time our homes, especially if they are smaller homes, have a tendency to accumulate and collect all kinds of treasures, gems and keepsakes...otherwise referred to as "junk". Now we all know that one person's trash is another person's treasures, but our homes can only hold so much "treasure!!!" I have listed below several ways of going about the process of decluttering or decontamination, whichever term applies. Of course, this process will not be done in one day, after all it took years to make it this way. Start slow and take the time needed to follow through. You will find that decluttering is not as hard as you thought it would be.

1. Cupboards - Go through all your kitchen cupboards, one at a time of course, and you will be amazed at what you find that can be thrown out.
2. Bedroom Closets - The saying goes, "If you haven't worn it in a year, get rid of it." I am not sure I agree with that statement totally, but it is a good guideline to follow. I am always amazed at the clothes I get rid of (and how many I still have) when I clean out my closets!
3. Bookcases - We've all hung on to books for years that we knew we'd never use again. It's time to let go of your 1980 College Algebra book! Also, go through knickknacks, papers, magazines, or anything else filling up those bookcases.
4. Kids Room - This is something that needs to be done about twice a year. Go through their clothes, toys, video games, etc and out goes anything they are no longer interested in or doesn't fit.
5. Bathroom - We know how cluttered and overflowing those vanities and medicine chests can get. Go through all those goodies and if it has hardened, softened or changed color, get rid of it!
6. Linen Closet - Towels, sheets, curtains, etc, are also things that need to be periodically sorted and tossed.
7. Under Your Bed - This part of the decluttering can be quite scary. Proceed with caution and always have a weapon, such as broom, vacuum cleaner or bug spray with you! Who the heck knows what you will find under there, but I can bet a lot of it can go.
8. Organize - There are so many great products these days. Get some inexpensive plastic boxes and neatly store all your items that are not in display or not used daily.
9. Throw Out the Old - One thing you must absolutely remember when decluttering is you have to THROW AWAY the NOT USED or WANTED. Do not just take everything out and rearrange!
10. Everything in its Place - Once you have everything decluttered and organized, get everyone to keep everything in its place and your home will remain organized and clutter free forever! Yea, right - nice dream, but decluttering and organizing can give you a sense of control and achievement. This might not mean much to some folks, but think a moment...if you can get control over this part of your life, maybe taking control of the big things will not be so hard!

The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com


Thursday, June 11, 2009

A REFERRAL THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

I was retelling this story to a young agent that I'm in a transaction with and decided it was one of those uplifting stories that's worth repeating. The chain of events begain with a casual friend of ours referring their friends to us...we'll call them The Parents. After meeting with them, I learned their single adult daughter had been diagnosed with cancer during the early stage of being pregnant. She refused to be treated for the cancer until the baby was born. The baby boy was born healthy and The Daughter immediately went into aggressive treatment. Unfortunately the delay, then the agressive treatment, took a toll on her body. It left her on oxygen, in a wheelchair, and numerous serious health issues, at times close to death. She already had a young son, plus the newborn son. Here's where I came into this heart wrenching story. The Parents wanted to sell their home and The Daughter's home, then build a wheelchair accessable home for their combined families. Like a well divised plan (by God) The Daughter's home sold first, we began construction, then The Parents home sold in time for them to close on the new one. Myself and the builder felt alot of satisfaction on accomplishing these results. However, Someone wasn't exactly through with the story.

A few years later I get a call from The Daughter. I didn't recognize her voice, because by the time I had met her years before she couldn't speak much due to the oxygen. As soon as she said her name, I knew who she was and was wondering what's up? She informed me that she wanted to by a house and had seen a cute 2-story home that I had listed. WHAT!? Wanting to buy a 2-story house, when she'd been in a wheelchair the last time I had seen her! The Daughter filled me in on how her health had turned around, she was back to her old self, and ready to be on her own again! She did buy my listing and move in with her 2 sons.

THEN, about 18 months later, The Daughter calls me again. "Tina...I need to sell the house (big gulp on my end) and buy a bigger one. I'm getting married!" Well alrighty then! These are the calls I like to get! We got her home sold and found them a new construction home that was perfect for their new family.

I guess the moral of the story is that you never know where a simple referral is going to take you. Yes, to date I've had 6 transactions from this one family, but that's not what comes to mind when I think about them...it's their story. It's the miracle. It's getting to play a part in a happy ending.




The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

Friday, June 5, 2009

FSBO - For Sale By Owner

Selling your own home might sound like a good idea at first, but many sellers quickly realize they’ve gotten in over their heads or may have sold their home for much less than they would have had they worked with a Realtor®. The 2008 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found that two-thirds of "For Sale By Owner" sellers found some aspect of the home sale to be difficult. Twelve percent of sellers who knew the buyer thought that getting the price right was the hardest task. Among FSBO sellers who didn’t know the buyer, 16 percent found it difficult to sell within the time planned, 15 percent found fixing up the home arduous, and 12 percent found it difficult to get the price right.

Not as easy as it looks…
Did you know 25 percent of FSBO sellers took no action to market their home and 72 percent didn’t offer incentives to attract buyers? Talk to a Realtor® about other missteps FSBO sellers risk when attempting to go it alone.


The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

FRONT PORCH ADDS TO CURB APPEAL

Front porches conjure up images of enjoying warm summer days, drinking lemonade, and relaxing with family and friends. A porch makes any home seem more inviting to guests, and lends an extra punch of curb appeal that’s sure to be noticed by passersby. Front Porches and porticos can dramatically improve the curb appeal of your home. An expansive front porch adds more livable space for entertaining and relaxation. Porches are making a big comeback, with more screened-in, side, and rear porches featured in traditional and contemporary homes. Offering as much of an emotional element as practical, a front porch is more and more part of the home because it enhances curb appeal, expands living space, transforms quality of life and impacts the value of the home. Homeowners want deeper, wider, and bigger porches than ever before. For real porch enthusiasts, visit Front Porch Ideas & More.

The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000

Friday, April 17, 2009

GOODBYE TO OKLAHOMA ESTATE TAX

Any resident of the State of Oklahoma who dies on or after January 1, 2010 will not leave an estate burdened by the Oklahoma estate tax lien. After several years of legislative orchestration toward a total phase-out of the tax, the finale of the Oklahoma estate tax is to be played on December 31, 2009! This holds the potential to greatly decrease the time necessary to close a transaction which involves real estate owned by the estate or trust of a decendent.

No longer will it be necessary to wait until the inventory of the estate of the decedent is formally accounted to the Oklahoma Tax Commission so that a release or exemption of the Oklahoma estate tax lien may be obtained. Where title to real estate is held by a surviving joint tenant or a private revocable trust, not only may the necessity for the probate or the administration of the decedent's estate be avoided, the extra time and expense of securing the tax release will also be spared the surviving property owner or successor trustee.

The above information was obtained from Jack Holloway's, attorney with Holloway & Managhan, e-newsletter in April, 2009. Always seek the advise of an attorney for estate planning.

The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
918.740.1000



Saturday, April 11, 2009

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy Easter From The Butler Team!
Here's a great site for some Easter Holiday fun with your family. CLICK HERE for unique Easter egg decorations, recipes, crafts, egg hunt tips, party ideas, games, and activities for children.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

TERMITES - Don't Ignore The Signs

Termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year. They primarily feed on wood, but also damage paper, books, insulation, and drywall. While buildings may become infested at any time, termites are of particular importance when buying or selling a home since a termite inspection/infestation report is normally a condition of sale. Besides the monetary impact, thousands of winged termites emerging inside one's home are an emotionally trying experience — not to mention the thought of termites silently feasting on one's largest investment. Termites are found in every state in the US. Hawaii has the highest concentration of infestation and Georgia tops the list in the continental US. It has been said that there are two types of homes in the US "Those with termites and those that will have them." and "It's not if you have termites, it's when you'll have termites."

Why are infestations often discovered during March - May? Spring typically is when large numbers of winged termites, known as "swarmers," emerge inside homes. In nature, termites swarm to disperse and start new colonies. Triggered by warmer temperatures and rainfall, the winged termites emerge from the colony and fly into the air. The swarmers then drop to the ground, shed their wings, pair off with a mate, and attempt to begin new colonies in the soil. Few swarmers emerging outdoors survive to start new colonies. Swarmers emerging indoors are incapable of eating wood, seldom survive, and are best removed with a vacuum. They do, however, indicate that an infestation is present.

Other signs of infestation are earthen (mud) tubes (shown right) extending over foundation walls, support piers, sill plates, floor joists, etc. The mud tubes are typically about the diameter of a pencil, but sometimes can be thicker. Termites construct these tubes for shelter as they travel between their underground colonies and the structure. To help determine if an infestation is active, the tubes may be broken open and checked for the presence of small, creamy-white worker termites. If a tube happens to be vacant, it does not necessarily mean that the infestation is inactive; termites often abandon sections of tube while foraging elsewhere in the structure.

Termite-damaged wood is usually hollowed out along the grain, with bits of dried mud or soil lining the feeding galleries. Wood damaged by moisture or other types of insects (e.g., carpenter ants) will not have this appearance. Occasionally termites bore tiny holes through plaster or drywall, accompanied by bits of soil around the margin. Rippled or sunken traces behind wall coverings can also be indicative of termites tunneling underneath.

Oftentimes there will be no visible indication that the home is infested. Termites are cryptic creatures and infestations can go undetected for years, hidden behind walls, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions. Termite feeding and damage can even progress undetected in wood that is exposed because the outer surface is usually left intact.

Ridding a home of termites requires special skills. A knowledge of building construction is needed to identify the critical areas where termites are likely to enter. Many of these potential points of entry are hidden and difficult to access. Termite control also utilizes specialized equipment such as masonry drills, pumps, large-capacity tanks, and soil treatment rods. A typical treatment may involve hundreds of gallons of a liquid pesticide injected into the ground alongside the foundation, beneath concrete slabs, and within foundation walls. Termite treatment is a job for professionals.

The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
918.740.1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

SHORT SALE vs. FORECLOSURE

I find that I have to explain the difference between a short sale and a foreclosure rather often. In the MLS the homes that are on the market and are short sales will have words like "subject to lender approval" in the public comments. These homes are not bank owned.

What is a short sale? It is when the bank agrees to accept less money than what is owed on the home. The sellers still own the home, but the offer is subject to the lenders approval. The home owner also has to approve the offer.

What is a foreclosure? It is a bank owned home. The owners did not pay their mortgage, and the bank went through the foreclosure process and now owns the home.

When a seller lists a home they agree to a certain price for it and put it on the MLS. In the case of a short sale, the seller has agreed to a certain price and put the home on the market. When an offer comes in, it is subject to bank approval. The "loss mitigation" department at the bank has to get a price opinion on the property and then who ever is in charge of the file has to get approval before the offer can be accepted. That means that the price you see on the MLS may not be what the bank will accept. We don't know what the bank will accept. The person who has the file usually has a few hundred other files on his or her desk, and it is just a file. Buyers can wait over 30 days for any kind of an answer. Sometimes with the short sales the home is listed for one price, but the bank has not agreed on that price. Sometimes they list it for a low price and collect offers over a period of months. Usually the buyers give up long before they have that yes or no answer, and sometimes the home is foreclosed on while we are all waiting for the answer.

With foreclosures buying them isn't always easy, but it isn't as hard as buying a short sale. A foreclosed home is already owned by the bank. Each transaction has been far more work than buying a home from an individual seller, but they frequently get worked out and go to closing.

If you have any questions about either process, give us a call for more information.
The Butler Team - 918.740.1000
Tina & Mike Butler

Thursday, March 12, 2009

THE PRICING GAME

It has never been easy to price a home, and these days it's more difficult than ever. Buyers see everything on the market as being over priced and rarely offer full price. They are tuned in to all the negative ecomonic news and assume Sellers are anxious to sell. If a home is priced at or slightly under market value it will attract buyers and have showings, but offers on it will be for less than the asking price by at least $10K on the average priced home. It isn't a good strategy to price a home at $10K over market value to help sellers get their bottom line. Homes that are over priced by any amount do not get many, if any, showings. Without any showings there are no offers and the homes sits on the market month after month.

Market times are a little longer than they used to be, BUT homes are being sold every day! The homes that sell are those that are properly priced. An experienced realtor will spend a lot of time going over comparable solds in the area to suggest a realistic list and sell price. The good news is that once an offer comes in it can be negotiated up. Buyers seldom make their very best offer on the first round and they will negotiate. I like to think of low ball offers as "opportunities." The value of a home is what a Buyer will pay for it and it is Buyers that dictates the value of real estate, not the Seller. Sellers have to be ready to play the pricing game and realtors have to be willing to go that extra mile to recommend a price that is low enough so that Buyers will see the home, but high enough that when an offer comes in it is possible to negotiate it up to an acceptable amount.


The Butler Team (918) 740-1000
Tina & Mike Butler
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com
http://www.tulsa4u.com/



Wednesday, March 4, 2009

BIXBY - THE PLACE TO LIVE!

Our thriving community is one of the fastest growing cities in Oklahoma! Why are people choosing to move here?

Quality of Life: Make one visit to Bixby and you'll see why it's one of the fastest growing communities. A great quality of life, excellent public education system, one of the lowest crime rates in the Tulsa metro area, and convenient access to metropolitan amenities. Area natives and those new to our community have discovered a diversity of beautiful neighborhoods carved into the rolling green landscape. Residents enjoy raising their family where business owners know your name, and neighbors come together in times of need and celebration. Bixby offers the quality of both single-family residential and multi-family residential dwellings. The cost of new homes range from $150,000 to over $1,500,000.

Perfect Balance: Bixby is close to everything attractive about a metropolitan area, while still maintaining a hometown feel. No matter who we ask, the 'small town' feel along with the beauty of the landscape is one of the top things that our citizens love about Bixby. It's a wonderful place to raise your family and also a great environment for business...large or small!

Leadership: Behind the scenes and in front, you will find a strong contingency of individuals that BELIEVE in Bixby and have a strong vision of making Bixby the premier community in Oklahoma.

We've put together a page on our website that highlights Bixby's parks, festivals, Spirit Bank Event Center, Bentley Park Sports Complex & more. Click here to learn more about the community we live, work, and play in!


The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com
Bixby4u.com


Wednesday, February 25, 2009

TULSA FREE WIFI MAP

Ever wonder where the free wifi locations are in the Tulsa area? I stumbled on this map the other day, so thought I'd share the link.
TULSA FREE WIFI HOTSPOTS
Of course if you're looking for a real estate professional, we're ready to go when you are!
TULSA4U.COM
The Butler Team (918) 740-1000
Mike & Tina Butler

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

GETTING YOUR HOME MARKET READY

Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Sound good? Well, it's not luck that makes that happen. It's careful planning and knowing how to spruce up your home that will send the home buyers scurrying for their checkbooks. Here's a few tips on how to make your home more appealing:

1.
De-Clutter! People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it. If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away? Pack up those knickknacks. Clean off everything on kitchen counters. Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use. Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.
2. Disassociate Yourself With Your Home. Say to yourself "This is not my home; it is a house - a product to be sold." Make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours. Don't look backwards - look toward the future!
3. De-Personalize. Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers have trouble seeing past personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, not asking "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?"
4. Rearrange Bedroom Closets & Kitchen Cabinets. Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if they see everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well.
5. Rent a Storage Unit. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty of room to move around.
6. Remove/Replace Favorite Items. If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, they won't want it. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.
7. Make Minor Repairs. Replace cracked floor or counter tiles. Patch holes in walls. Fix leaky faucets. Fix doors that don't close properly and drawers that jam. Replace any damaged wood on the exterior. Replace burned-out light bulbs. Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you've customized your colors. Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "The Orange House."
8. Make the House Sparkle! Wash windows. Clean the cobwebs. Re-caulk tubs and showers. Clean out the refrigerator. Vacuum daily. Replace worn rugs. Hang fresh towels. Replace air filters and clean returns. Clean light switch plates and door knobs. Clean carpets. Odors are a no-no.
9. Check Curb Appeal. Keep the sidewalks cleared. Mow the lawn. Paint faded trim. Plant flowers for color. Trim bushes. Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.
10. Scrutinize. Go outside and look at your home from the street. Will it appeal to a buyer? Stand at the front door. Do you want to go inside? Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your home will look to a buyer.

As always, we're here to help and can meet with you to do a walk through of your home with helpful suggestions. Our market is competitive and the more you can do to make your home stand out, the quicker you'll be moving into your new home!


Tina & Mike Butler
(918)740-1000
http://www.tulsa4u.com/
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com








Thursday, February 12, 2009

WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH?

Are you wondering what your home is worth in today's market? We realize you're being bombarded with troubling news about the US economy. Mike and I are finding that much of our time is being spent encouraging our clients that Tulsa's market is NOT all doom and gloom! We have two free options for you to get answers, with no obligation!

#1 Go to our Virtual Market Analysis to input your information and receive a quick analysis of your neighborhood.

#2 For an extensive analysis prepared by a real estate professional, contact The Butler Team at ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com and we'll do the work for you. Again it's free and no obligation!

Have a Blessed Day!
Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000

http://www.tulsa4u.com/

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

FUNNY STORY ANY HOMEOWNER CAN APPRECIATE

I stumbled on a funny newspaper article that I've kept since 1996, the first year I got my real estate license. I think any homeowner can appreciate Dave Barry's recount about his home-buying experience.

Enjoy!
Tina Butler
The Butler Team

"I had a hilarious joke that I was going to start this column with, but I can’t find it. I can’t find anything. We just moved into a new old house, and all our possessions, including dirty underwear and dust balls the size of adult cocker spaniels have been carefully wrapped in paper and put inside cardboard boxes that were taped securely shut by professional movers (motto: “Just TRY To Find Your Remote Control?”).

The one thing I CAN find is incomprehensible legal documents relating to the purchase of the house. We have bales of those. We don’t have room to store them all. We’re thinking of holding a yard sale with a sign that says: “Incomprehensible legal documents – never read by owners!”

We got these documents at the real-estate closing ceremony, where our lawyer and the lawyer for the seller apparently had a side bet to see who could get his clients to sign their names the most times. I’m pretty sure that at one point in there we signed some kind of tariff agreement with Belgium.

We’ve actually been signing documents for a couple of months, dating back to when we made our first offer on the house, and our real-estate agent had us sign an official warning from the state of Florida informing us that, if we purchased this house, we should not eat the paint. Really! We also signed a state document concerning radon gas, but I can’t remember much about that one, except that radon gas is colorless and odorless and the state of Florida wanted us as home-buyers, to be nervous about it. (For some reason, the state of Florida did NOT warn us that if we, as homeowners, step on the end of a rake, the handle might jump up and whack us in the eye.)

Because of the radon gas danger I’m trying not to breathe too much as I open boxes, hunting for food. I have no idea which of these boxes the food is in, and even if I find it, I’m sure each individual Triscuit will be wrapped by professional movers in a sheet of paper the size of a soccer field. The reason I’m concerned about nourishment is that I want to be strong for when the workmen tell us how much they’re going to charge us for crawling under the house. This is necessary because we bought an older home, constructed in the early 1900’s, when electricity did not go as fast as it does today. Back in those days, the typical house required only about one electrical volt, which would mosey at a sedate pace from room to room on wires that were handmade out of beeswax.

So our electrical system needs to be upgraded, which means that workmen have to crawl under the house, which is something that I personally would not do for Bill Gates’ entire net worth. This is South Florida, which proudly bills itself as “The Big Hairy Irate Spider Capital Of The Nation.” There are established spider families that have been living under this house for many generations. I suspect that at various sites under the house there are large wads of spider webbing, shaped vaguely like workmen, left over from previous attempts to upgrade the electrical system.

On top of this, I have no idea how electricity works, or what it should reasonably cost to get more of it. So the workmen can pretty much write their own ticket. They can say, “OK, Mr. Barry, to get the correct wattage so your house won’t burn to the ground every time you use the toaster, we’re going to have to replace your volt, plus we have to install a complete new set of amperes, plus you really should change the filter on your radon gas generator, for a total of $2,973.64 for labor and parts plus the standard $117 million for crawling under the house.”

Saturday, January 31, 2009

IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE

There are no quick fixes for improving your credit score. But you can raise your score over time by demonstrating that you consistently manage your finances responsibly. Any of the following tips can help you to improve your credit score:

1. Pay your bills on time. This is the best way to improve your score, and it's never too late to start. Even if you've had serious delinquencies in the past, those will count less over time if you keep paying your bills on time.
2. Keep credit card balances low. High outstanding debt can pull down your score. Don't go maxing out your credit cards all the time.
3. Check your credit report for accuracy. It's possible that there may be inaccurate information on your credit report that can be easily cleared up (see How To Fix Credit Report Inaccuracies). If this proves to be the case, then you should contact one of the three credit reporting agencies-TransUnion, Experian or Equifax.
4. Pay off debt rather than moving it around. Consolidating your credit card debt onto one card or spreading it over multiple cards will not improve your score in the long run. The most effective way to improve your score is by simply paying down the amount you owe.
5. Keep your credit cards - but manage them responsibly. In general, having credit cards and installment loans that you pay on time will raise your score. Someone who has no credit cards tends to have a lower score than someone who has managed credit cards responsibly.
6. Don't open multiple accounts too quickly, especially if you have a short credit history. Opening too many accounts in too short of a time period can look risky because you are taking on a lot of possible debt. New accounts will also lower the average age of your existing accounts, something that your FICO score also considers.
7. Don't open new credit card accounts you don't need. This approach could backfire and actually lower your score.
8. Don't close an account to remove it from your record. It's a myth that closing an account removes it from your credit report. This is untrue-even closed accounts remain on your report, possibly for an indefinite period of time and may still be factored into the score. In fact, closing accounts can sometimes hurt your score unless you also pay down your debt at the same time.
9. Shop for a loan within a short, focused period of time. FICO scores distinguish between a search for a single loan and a search for many new credit lines, based in part on the length of time over which recent requests for credit occur. If you shop for a number of loans over too long a time period, it can count against you.

The Butler Team
Tina & Mike Butler
(918) 740-1000

(Article taken from Yahoo! Real Estate - How To Guide: Buying & Selling)