FATHER'S DAY

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

from the butler team

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

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

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

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

ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com