BUTLER TEAM

QR CODES...WHAT'S THE POINT?

2012-01-17T13:37:00.000-06:00

QR Code to The Butler Team's Website

Consumers want immediate access to what’s relevant

and QR codes are being used to make that possible.

If you’re not yet familiar with QR codes, they’re similar to the barcodes used by retailers to track inventory and price products at the point of sale. The key difference between the two is the amount of data they can hold or share.

Bar codes are linear one-dimensional codes and can only hold up to 20 numerical digits, whereas QR codes are two-dimensional (2D) matrix barcodes that can hold thousands of alphanumeric characters of information. Their ability to hold more information and their ease of use makes them practical for small businesses.

When you scan or read a QR code with your iPhone, Android or other camera-enabled Smartphone, you can link to digital content on the web; activate a number of phone functions including email, IM and SMS; and connect the mobile device to a web browser.

So...download a QR Code app & scan the symbol above & you'll immediately be taken to our real estate website!

TULSA AREA EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TIED FOR 5th BEST IN THE NATION!

2011-12-27T13:03:00.000-06:00

The Tulsa area's employment outlook for the first quarter of 2012 is tied for fifth best in the nation, according to the latest results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

Read more from this Tulsa World article HERE.

HOUSING STATS JULY 2011

2011-08-22T12:52:00.000-05:00

July 2011 has seen some improvements over last July! Closed listings are up 30% and Pending listings are up 24%! Average days on the market is only 60 days. Since 2007 it's stayed between 51 & 56. For additional stats and trends click here.

SHORT SALES: Buyers & Sellers Find Process Frustrating

2011-08-18T07:45:00.000-05:00

Short sales are among the most arduous real estate transactions, often taking six months or more to close -- if they get done at all.

They can be a life raft for distressed homeowners who owe more on their houses than what they're worth, but the experience depends on a variety of factors, such as the number of lenders involved and whether there's a hardship, mortgage insurance attached or whether the buyer has the patience to stay with the process. A short sale occurs when a lender agrees to accept less than what the homeowner owes. The transaction requires that the homeowner has a financial hardship.

Homes with more than one mortgage and mortgage insurance tend to take the longest. A growing reason short sale deals fall through or take longer is because of mortgage insurance purchased after the homeowner closes on the deal and the loan is later sold to other lenders and investors. Often, the bank holding the first mortgage isn't made aware that the second mortgage had been insured until the end of the process, even if both loans are with the same lender. If the mortgage insurance company doesn't sign off on the deal, the process starts over again.

These kinds of delays mean buyers walk away because of the time and frustration involved.

Pitfalls Abound

The federal government's program to streamline short sales -- know as the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program -- has yet to gain traction because it doesn't allow the lender to collect on the home's deficiency.

Many Realtors avoid short sales because they can be so difficult, including Michelle Chappell, an agent with Real Living John Burt Realty in Oxford. She sold a home this spring that took eight months to complete. "This was the last one I sold. I said no more. I won't do it," she said. "They are just heart-wrenching for these buyers." Chappell said the buyers looked at 80 houses before seeing "the one. Whatever bad could happen in this deal, happened," Chappell said. "I don't see any change in short sales. I don't understand that. There should be some kind of general process that everyone goes through. It just differs from bank to bank. It's almost as if they are throwing curves in there."

To read the full USA Today story by Greta Guest, click here.

6 REASONS TO REDUCE YOUR HOME PRICE

2011-07-28T09:18:00.000-05:00

Home not selling? That could happen for a number of reasons you can’t control, like a unique home layout or having one of the few homes in the neighborhood without a garage. There is one factor you can control: your home price.

While you’d like to get the best price for your home, consider six reasons to reduce your home price.

These six signs may be telling you it’s time to lower your price.

1. You’re drawing few lookers:

You get the most interest in your home right after you put it on the market because buyers want to catch a great new home before anybody else takes it. If your real estate agent reports there have been fewer buyers calling about and asking to tour your home than there have been for other homes in your area, that may be a sign buyers think it’s overpriced and are waiting for the price to fall before viewing it.

2. You’re drawing lots of lookers but have no offers:

If you’ve had 30 sets of potential buyers come through your home and not a single one has made an offer, something is off. What are other agents telling your agent about your home? An overly high price may be discouraging buyers from making an offer.

3. Your home’s been on the market longer than similar homes:

Ask your real estate agent about the average number of days it takes to sell a home in your market. If the answer is 30 and you’re pushing 45, your price may be affecting buyer interest. When a home sits on the market, buyers can begin to wonder if there’s something wrong with it, which can delay a sale even further. At least consider lowering your asking price.

4. You have a deadline:

If you’ve got to sell soon because of a job transfer or you’ve already purchased another home, it may be necessary to generate buyer interest by dropping your price so your home is a little lower priced than comparable homes in your area. Remember: It’s not how much money you need that determines the sale price of your home, it’s how much money a buyer is willing to spend.

5. You can’t make upgrades:

Maybe you’re plum out of cash and don’t have the funds to put fresh paint on the walls, clean the carpets, and add curb appeal. But the feedback your agent is reporting from buyers is that your home isn’t as well-appointed as similarly priced homes. When your home has been on the market longer than comparable homes in better condition, it’s time to accept that buyers expect to pay less for a home that doesn’t show as well as others.

6. The competition has changed:

If weeks go by with no offers, continue to check out the competition. What have comparable homes sold for and what’s still on the market? What new listings have been added since you listed your home for sale? If comparable home sales or new listings show your price is too steep, consider a price reduction.

Article by G.M.Filisko at http://www.houselogic.com/

FEELING THREATENED? How to Use Your Smartphone as a Weapon

2011-07-20T07:02:00.000-05:00

A smartphone isn't just for making phone calls. Learn about new mobile apps that can help keep you safe on the job

A range of mobile apps are available — some even designed specifically for real estate professionals — that can do everything from instantly alerting others when you’re feeling threatened to even automatically accessing your GPS coordinates to request help when you need it most. The apps offer discreet ways to call for help when faced in uncomfortable situations, whether encountering squatters in vacant residences, meeting with strangers in empty homes, or even open houses where you never know who will walk through that door next.

Real estate pro Michelle Jones, ABR, GRI, with Realty Austin in Austin, Texas, recently worked with a developer to create Real Alert, a safety mobile app for the iPhone and Android for real estate professionals. She created it after facing some uncomfortable client situations herself that made her begin to question her own safety more. Following recent news of an Iowa real estate agent who was killed at a model home and a San Antonio agent brutally attacked during a showing, Jones’ husband also became fearful of his wife going to showings alone at empty houses with clients she barely knew, and so they came up with the idea for a safety mobile app that would give them both more peace of mind.

“We’re meeting strangers on our job and often we’re alone,” says Jones. “This app can make people feel more secure and it makes you more aware of your surroundings. I’ve been in situations where I’ve been uncomfortable, but I wanted to call for help without alarming the other person. By carrying things that protect ourselves and becoming more aware of the dangers, we’ll be less prey and maybe even prevent more attacks from happening.”

Click here for more information on the 4 safety mobile apps you need to know about: Moby, Real Alert, Safe TREC, and IcePics.

Story written by Melissa Dittman Tracey at Realtor.org.

CREATING YOUR DREAM KITCHEN

2011-07-16T09:43:00.000-05:00

THE CLASSIC WORK TRIANGLE

Placing your sink, range and refrigerator in a convenient arrangement that fits in your space will naturally result in a "work triangle". Your job is to make that the best triangle possible. Here are some factors to consider:

•The length of the three sides added together should be less than 26 feet, with each side being 4-9 feet. This will give you a work area which is not too cramped, but not so large that you waste time and energy hiking from one place to another.

•Main traffic route should not pass through the triangle. Sometimes this is impossible to achieve, but redirecting traffic outside the triangle is much safer and more convenient for the cook.

•An island or peninsula should not interrupt the triangle. A "barrier island" between major work areas or appliances causes a lot of extra walking (and maybe bumped hips as you swing past the corners of the island on the way to somewhere else).

Kitchen floor plans

However the work triangle in kitchen remodeling is not the only concept...

There's more than one way to approach creating a floor plan for your new kitchen. The classic "work triangle" method dates from the 1950's and involves optimizing the triangle formed by the three main kitchen appliances - sink, range and refrigerator. Your job is to make sure the legs of the triangle are neither too long (too much walking) or too short (everything feels cramped and people get in each others way). Since the 1950's we've added many more possible appliances, and kitchens nowadays can have more than one of some types and more than one cook - so more recently the concept of "work centers" has come into use.

CONTEMPORARY PLANNING: Work Centers

Nowadays the work triangle is not always enough to describe how a kitchen will function. Adding appliances (extra sink, dishwasher(s), separate cooktop and oven(s), microwave oven, etc.) adds extra work stations which the simple triangle can't account for. Adding cooks to a single triangle is a recipe for tripping over each other. The concept used to solve these problems in design is that of work centers or zones. A work center groups everything needed to do a specific type of task into a single area. The three major ones are:

Food Prep Center

Near fridge, near sink (may have its own sink separate from the main cleanup sink), near trash and compost containers: needs counter space, knife storage, cutting boards, measuring and mixing utensils, small appliances such as food processor or blender, casseroles and baking dishes, flavorings, cookbook storage, graters.

Cooking Center

Range (stove) or cooktop and ventilation: oven may be located separately if it's not part of a range (possibly near the baking zone). If you cook using your microwave, you might include it in this zone (possibly mounted over the range), but if you mainly use it for heating up snacks it could be better located outside the main work triangle where non-cooks can access it without getting in the way. Close to the food prep center so that food can go directly from prep to cooking. If you do a lot of cooking involving large pots of water (pasta for 12, canning, etc) a faucet nearby can be very useful. Small cooking appliances like the toaster, toaster oven, convection oven, deep fryer etc might be located here or in a separate snack center. Storage for frypans, possibly saucepans, pot lids, cooking utensils, salt, pepper and spices (away from heat), oils, vinegars and other flavorings, oven mitts and gloves, fire extinguisher.

Cleanup Center

Main sink, dishwasher, garbage disposal, trash and compost bins, recycling bins, waste compactor; storage for cleaning materials, dishtowels, food storage containers and materials, paper towels, garbage bags, colanders and strainers, possibly everyday dishes and flatware (near dishwasher), possibly saucepans (near water source).

MOST EXPENSIVE HOME FOR SALE IN TULSA COUNTY

2011-07-10T07:26:00.000-05:00

Just for fun I researched the most expensive home currently listed in Tulsa County. If you judge by price per square foot this property is listed at $517.00/sq ft! 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 by the price of $9 million! If you'd like to take a look at the virtual tour click here.

No matter what price range you're house-hunting...give us a call!

WHAT DO YOU WANT IN A REAL ESTATE AGENT?

2011-07-06T10:35:00.000-05:00

1. Honesty and Credibility

Win them over with the truth! When Buyers & Sellers talk about honesty and credibility, it often comes with stories about past negative experiences with agents. They have expressed how hard it is to trust anyone in today’s real estate market, so it’s even more important for agents to communicate with honesty, even if less-than-favorable information.

2. Area Familiarity

Do your neighborhood homework! Buyers & Sellers place a high importance on finding an agent who not only sells homes in a specific neighborhood, but also knows that neighborhood well. They want an agent who knows all about the schools, local parks, safety, restaurants and even the secret gems the neighborhood has to offer.

3. Good Follow Through

You say it, you do it! There's frustration with agents who don’t do what they said. Email me, call me and send me the things you say you will. It seems like such a small thing to ask for. Do what you say, combine it with some honesty, and you’ll be an agent buyers feel comfortable working with.

4. Organization

Keep it in order. The average person spends roughly 150 hours per year searching for documents, electronic files, and other information. That’s equivalent to almost a month of work. Some studies put the number even higher—10% of work time. Think of the lost productivity, the aggravation, and the resulting discord. With a few tools and processes, you can reclaim the time you would have otherwise lost to disorganization.

5. Good Listener

Everyone is unique. Treat them like it! Buyers & Sellers want an agent to listen to them with a blank mind. Phrases such as “pigeon hole”, “judge”, “they aren’t listening”, “tell me what I want”…etc. are common with Buyers & Sellers that feel they are not being understood. They don’t want an agent to assume they need A just because they hear B. They want an agent who listens to what they want and will ask as many questions as required to really understand who they are and what they are looking for.

Mike & I would be happy to provide you with references from Buyers & Sellers that we have successfully helped attain their real estate goals.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

2011-07-04T07:46:00.000-05:00

Independence Day honors the birthday of the United States of America and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, and a reason to fly the American flag.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." ~ Ronald Reagan

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

SMALL IMPROVEMENTS THAT SELL

2011-06-28T07:30:00.004-05:00

Simple Improvements Can Go A Long Way Towards

Selling Your Home

With very little effort, you can transform an average house into an above-average property that is sure to get second looks from buyers. Follow these guidelines to make sure your property stands out above the rest:

Paint inside and out:

Fresh paint is the most cost-effective and profitable improvement you can make, even if your home doesn't need a new coat. Paint the interior walls a neutral color and the ceilings white to make rooms look bigger.

New lights:

Replace outdated fixtures. This inexpensive improvement can update old decor that might have discouraged buyers.

New flooring:

Install new carpet, linoleum, or tile, and refurbish hardwood floors if needed. Choose a neutral color for new carpeting. New flooring will increase the market value of your home, while shabby floors can kill a sale.

Planted landscape:

Attractive front and back yards boost the value of any property. Mow the lawn, trim shrubs, and plant new bedding flowers. Clean up perennial beds. Plant some trees if the yard is barren, especially in the front parkway. Sweep the patio or deck and decorate with potted plants and flowers.

Completed repairs:

Before listing your home for sale, make all minor repairs and catch up on maintenance. If you've deferred maintenance, get a professional home inspection. If the inspection reveals problems, make the repairs before listing the home. If you don't, the buyer will probably discount the offer price for more than the cost of repairs or replacement.

A clean garage:

If you use your garage for storage, clean it out and rent a storage space. Paint the interior white. If your garage is unfinished, install wallboard or build storage shelves on the back wall. A clean garage will help solidify a buyer's impression of a home in move-in condition.

(MSN.com article.)

HOW'S REAL ESTATE?

2011-06-25T08:26:00.000-05:00

Mike & I are asked this question almost daily. Most of the national media that we hear has everyone a little nervous about the value of their homes. The good news is that Tulsa's real estate market has fared this recession fairly well. Especially if you consider the hard hit areas of California, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona.

Ten years ago a Tulsa area home owner could typically count on 3% appreciate per year on their home value and that's not been the case for about the last 5 years. In those years, we've seen some years of 0% appreciate to a slight negative in some areas and price ranges. There have also been some lucky areas that have had slight increases. Everyone's situation is unique, in that, it depends on how good of a deal you got when you purchased your home; what improvements have you made (and at what cost); how the neighborhood is selling; and do the properties on your street help or hurt you. It's always good advice to be the smaller or less valued home in an area with larger and more expensive homes around you. That gives you a better opportunity to appreciate in value.

I will add that it is still a Buyer's Market due to there being so much competition on the market and the low interest rates. But there are Buyer's in the market...that's the good news! Sellers have to put their best foot forward, be priced competitively, and obviously use an experienced realtor! (I have the number of a good one!)

Feel free to call Mike or I if you have questions about buying or selling a home. We frequently meet with homeowners and provide a Market Analysis of their area and at no cost.

Tina 918-740-1000 Mike 918-645-9669

2011 REAL TRENDS GATHERING OF EAGLES

2011-06-23T08:51:00.000-05:00

Sheryl Chinowth, CEO/Broker Owner Chinowth & Cohen Realtors, was recently a guest speaker at the exclusive 2011 REAL Trends Gathering of Eagles conference. The conference is held annually and this year's event attracted over 200 principals and CEOs from the nation’s 500 largest residential real estate brokerage firms plus senior management of the nation’s largest real estate franchise organizations.

Chinowth participated in the Billionaires meeting discussing how she managed significant growth in the tough markets of 2007-2010. Consistently Chinowth & Cohen Realtors experiences yearly increases in size and sales volume since opening in 2004. The company was recently named 70th in size in the nation for Independent Real Estate Brokerages by Real Trends in 2010. “Our company’s growth through the challenging real estate market has been a result of carefully selecting and working with the most elite Realtors. We strive to educate and motivate our Realtors to be the best they can be, “said Sheryl Chinowth, CEO of Chinowth & Cohen Realtors. “Sharing our company’s vision and strategies to a group of established industry leaders was an honor. I wanted to impart to the audience the hard work and spirit our Associates bring to work every day in order to grow their business and contribute to the success of Chinowth & Cohen Realtors.

“While there are new challenges that appear each year, among the largest issues facing leaders throughout the real estate industry is where to keep the focus. This year’s conference was focused on understanding more of the basics of the business than in years’ past; business models, new incremental revenue opportunities and the reality that housing consumers need professional assistance more than ever. Leaders need to stay focused on how to reach out and touch more customers with more assistance. The 2011 Gathering of Eagles will go down as the year that housing started to turn the corner and those in attendance were able to see where to focus their efforts to take advantage of the market,” said Steve Murray, editor of REAL Trends.

Chinowth & Cohen Realtors is a full service real estate company specializing in residential and commercial real estate. Founded in 2004, by Sheryl Chinowth and Lee Cohen, the firm has over 350 Associates in six offices. The offices are located in Bartlesville, Broken Arrow, South Tulsa, Midtown Tulsa, Sand Springs and Owasso.

Mike & I are proud to say we're been with the company since it was founded in 2004 and count Lee & Sheryl as dear friends. It's been quite a ride to watch the company grow from a group of 18 to over 350 associates!

BIXBY'S GREEN CORN FESTIVAL

2011-06-20T14:40:00.003-05:00

Green Corn Festival

June 23-25, 2011

Charley Young Park in Downtown Bixby

The Green Corn Festival is a kick back to the good old fashioned family oriented picnics. The annual festival (held on the 4th Thursday, Friday and Saturday of June) features great music, arts and crafts, food, bingo, carnival and great games and contests for the young and young at heart. A talent show to highlight area youth is held on Friday at the Community Center and the annual Green Corn Parade entertains the masses on Saturday morning.

The Festival is held in downtown Bixby, south and east of 151st and Memorial. Charley Young Park is the site of the Gazebo stage, and games, surrounded by food and crafts booths. Just a hop and skip over is the Youth Stage and Carnival. Cool off during the heat of the day by joining in a few rounds of bingo in the building at the corner of Charley Young Park.

What could be more traditional than an afternoon or evening in the bright summer sun, with lemonade to sip, an array of crafts and gifts to purchase, music to enjoy listening to, with your friends all around? Only a ride on the ferris wheel as the sun sets and the sounds of carnival music drift up in the evening air…

(Information From Bixby Optimist website)

HOW TO IMPROVE CURB APPEAL

2011-06-14T07:30:00.003-05:00

Home Selling Advice to Help You Attract Potential Buyers

A large percentage of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on its curb appeal—the view they see when they drive by or arrive for a showing. You can help make sure they want to come inside your house by spending some time working on the its exterior appearance.

It's difficult to look at our own house in the same way that potential home buyers do, because when we become accustomed to the way something looks and functions, we can't see its faults. Decide right now to stop thinking of the property as a home. It's a house—a commodity you want to sell for the highest dollar possible.

Curb Appeal Exercise:

The next time you come home, stop across the street or far enough down the driveway to get a good view of the house and its surroundings.

1.What is your first impression of the house and yard area?

2.What are the best exterior features of the house or lot? How can you enhance them?

3.What are the worst exterior features of the house or lot? How can you minimize or improve them?

Park where a potential buyer would and walk towards the house, looking around you as if it were your first visit. Is the approach clean and tidy? What could you do to make it more attractive?

Take photos of the home's exterior. If you have a digital camera, view the color versions first, then remove the color and look at it in black and white, because it's easier to see problems when color isn't around to affect our senses.

Make a list of the problem areas you discovered. Tackle clean up and repair chores first, then put some time into projects that make the grounds more attractive.

FIXED MORTGAGE RATES HIT NEW LOWS FOR 2011

2011-05-21T20:28:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK (AP) - Fixed mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest point of the year, offering incentive for homeowners to save money by refinancing their loans. Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year loan fell to 4.61 percent. That's down from 4.63 percent and the lowest level since mid-December. The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage, a popular refinance option, slipped to 3.80 percent from 3.82 percent. That marked the lowest point since late November.

Low rates haven't been enough to jumpstart the weak housing market. Fewer people bought previously occupied homes in April, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. Sales fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.05 million units, far below the 6 million homes a year that economists consider a healthy market.

However, the number of borrowers looking to refinance is now at the highest level since the second week of December, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Refinance activity has increased 33 percent over the last five weeks, mirroring the steady decline in rates.

MAYFEST May 19-22

2011-05-17T08:44:00.000-05:00

Mayfest is an outdoor tribute to the arts and music that is a family-oriented event created to promote a broader knowledge of and appreciation for arts and humanities among serious, as well as casual art lovers. Tulsa International Mayfest, in cooperation with the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa, is once again making plans to stage Tulsa's renowned spring festival of the arts. Mayfest 2011 will be May 19-22. Attracting over 350,000 people, Mayfest will feature an array of multi-disciplined arts from dance, music and visual arts. Always one of the major highlights of spring, Mayfest 2010 will be planned to encompass some of the very best in both the exhibit and performance areas. Mayfest offers some of the best local, regional, and national entertainment in Tulsa. Multiple styles of music are represented including Rock & Roll, Classical, Jazz, Pop, Country, and many more. The Creative Culture Courtyard brings together a taste of New York City street performance art with a touch of Venice beach vibes. This year presents Jascha on his recycled drum set, Cherokee Story Teller Robert Lewis, Pow Wow Dancers, Drum Circle, Body Art, Chalk art, Interactive Dance Performances(tango, salsa and swing) and DJ sets from 9-11pm on Friday and Saturday night. The Creative Courtyard hours are Thursday 7-11pm, Friday 7-11pm and Saturday 1-11pm.

Click for MAYFEST website.

TO RAISE OR NOT TO RAISE?

2011-05-02T07:09:00.000-05:00

Water Heaters with Sealed Combustion Chambers

To raise when installed in a garage or not to raise?

Newly Designed Water Heaters Flame Vapor Ignition Resistant Units (FVIR)

To meet the American National Standards Institute’s new standard for gas water heaters, a new water heater has been introduced to the market. The objective is to reduce the potential of fire or explosion from flammable vapors ignited by gas water heaters. When you remove the inspection shield, a device called an arrestor plate is now installed at the combustion chamber. The arrestor plate will allow flammable vapor along with the combustible air to be pulled through and ignited. But the plate keeps the flame from passing back through to the atmosphere. Another safety feature is a temperature sensor that recognizes the event and shuts off the burner as well.

As of April 29, 2011 the majority of the cities in the Tulsa metro are do not require water heaters with sealed combustion chambers to be raised. Should this become an issue on one of your home inspections you should call the city building inspector of the city the home is located in and ask him. Most of the time you will get his voice mail as they normally leave their office around 8:30 am and don't come back until after 4:00 pm. Leave a message and they are very good about returning your call.

Information from Cravens Home Inspection Service newsletter.

MORTGAGE HISTORY LESSON

2011-04-21T09:58:00.000-05:00

Chinowth & Cohen's CEO Sheryl Chinowth wrote an wonderful article for the Tulsa World's Viewpoint section about the housing market still needing federal support.

"The mortgage industry's lax underwriting requirements allowed for less-secure mortgages, and the focus became the up-front profits of selling these pooled mortgages. Through securitization, the loan originators were separated from the risk of the loans they were writing. All of this played a large part in the mortgage banking crisis and led to the takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, an action that was described by former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson as "one of the most sweeping interventions in private financial markets in decades. Why is all of this so important? Housing creates jobs. Housing accounts for more than 15 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, or $2 trillion. For every 1,000 home sales this year over last, about 500 new jobs are added to the economy. And jobs are critical to the nation's recovery."

To read the entire article CLICK HERE.

NEW WHITE HAWK LISTING!

2011-04-17T09:26:00.000-05:00

Gorgeous Home in White Hawk Golf Community 5/4/4.5 Stunning Views to Outdoor Living!

Exceptional home with character and style featuring 5 bedrooms (2 down including master), has been completely updated, views to charming outdoor living area including stone fireplace, pergola, trickling stream, Koi pond, paver walkways, & exceptional landscaping with outdoor lighting. The home has a 3 car side entry attached garage PLUS a 1 1/2 detached garage/workshop 22x24 with heat, 220 wiring, stairs to 2nd story storage, security, & full brick. All on 1/3 acre +/- with mature trees.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL OBEO TOUR

FINDING A NEW HOME

2011-04-09T21:25:00.000-05:00

Most buyers like to start their search for a new home online, before they ever schedule time with a realtor. The majority of buyers that we work with, whether ready to purchase immediately or sometime in the future, appreciate the automatic MLS search that we set up for them. It's as easy as telling us area, price, "must haves", and email address. Once we set the search up, it will email all of the active listings within the preferences you have given us. Then each night the search will run again and send you any new properties that have come on the market. Buyers love it!! Feel free to email us the information above to ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com and we'll get you going!

If you prefer to navigate the search yourself, go to http://www.tinabutler.com/ and click on Property Search on the left side of the screen and you're in the driver's seat!

An important piece of the buying-puzzle is to contact a lender to begin the pre-approval process. We've worked with David Ransdell with Capital Mortgage for about 8 years and highly recommend his team. The office number is (918) 481-8810.

Also feel free to give Mike or I a call if you have ANY questions about the home buying process! We love selling homes!

LANDSCAPING TO SELL YOUR HOME

2011-03-29T12:57:00.000-05:00

Don't let your yard sabotage your home sale!

Will your landscaping pull in buyers or make them drive on by? Outdated or extreme styles, high-maintenance features and invasive or overgrown foliage can kill interest.

For homemaker Sue Wildrick, it was the koi ponds that killed the deal. While the house she and her husband looked at in Denver last winter had its appeal, its elaborately bricked-in backyard and large network of fish ponds seemed like too much work. "It was a little overwhelming," Wildrick says. And it provided little room for the family to play games or throw a ball to their dog. "We would have probably had to take some of that stuff out."

These days, elaborate patios, outdated or high-maintenance landscaping and invasive plants and trees can kill buyer interest in a home almost as quickly as an outdated kitchen or orange shag carpeting, according to landscaping experts and real-estate agents. Landscaping often makes the difference between a prospective buyer getting out of the car for a closer look at the house and simply driving on by.

Good landscaping can provide more bang for your buck than almost any other home improvement -- provided it's done right. Buyers today expect landscaping that's easy to take care of and water-wise, and offers benefits like shade or privacy.

Here's a look at the top landscaping turnoffs for buyers and what homeowners can do to make sure their landscaping efforts enhance, rather than detract from the value of their home.

1. Your Father's Landscaping - Rounded junipers, squared-off boxwood and holly bushes, and topiary shrubs scream that the house is a throwback to the 1960s and '70s, agents say. People now want their landscaping to look natural, with more native plants and interesting, varied foliage. Big pine trees and other evergreens planted decades ago also can be a turnoff to buyers. These trees can get too big and must be continually hacked off at the top (a bad look) or taken out entirely to avoid roofs and power lines.

2. Gnomes Gone Wild - It should go without saying, but put the lawn ornaments away. Other buyers may not share your love of lawn globes, gnomes and plastic deer.

3. High-Maintenance Yards - While many buyers fancy themselves green-thumb gardeners, few want to invest serious time in pruning, spraying, mowing and fertilizing. Beds of non-disease-resistant plants such as hybrid tea roses can eat up a buyer's weekends with pruning and applying fungicide. An agent in St. Louis, remembers one property he showed with an elaborate English country garden that dominated the backyard. A key inside the house mapped out the names of all of the manicured shrubs, roses and gardenias, as well as the contents of the adjoining vegetable garden. "People were just mesmerized," Rhoads says. "For a minute they would say 'I've always wanted a place like this.' Then they started talking about it and said this must take a long time to maintain every week." The house stayed on the market for quite a while specifically because of the rigors of its landscaping.

4. Over-The-Top Outdoor Living Spaces - The line between the indoors and outdoors has been blurring in recent years, with more homeowners building elaborate outdoor living spaces complete with fireplaces, kitchens, outdoor showers and custom stone work. In many parts of the country, these areas are a big selling point, making the house seem larger. But when the work gets too ornate or extensive, it can sometimes detract from the value of a home -- especially in colder climates. Homeowners who put in these improvements should not expect to recoup their total investment at resale. One man's $80,000 outdoor kitchen may only be worth an extra $30,000 to another.

5. Bad Seeds - Some plants send up a red flag with many knowledgeable buyers because they are so invasive. High on the list are ficus trees, especially those planted too close to a driveway, house or patio. The fast-growing, shallow roots of the ficus crack pavement and can wreak havoc on foundations. Similarly, ivy and other vines can proliferate too quickly, posing a danger to other plants, as well as to windows and roofs. They also can attract bugs to the house.

6. Too Much Green? - Many people are asking for smaller expanses of grass so they spend less time pushing the lawn mower and running the sprinkler. By sorting plants according to water need you waste less water and homeowners can spend less time wielding the hose. But, he notes, that doesn't mean buyers are ready to give up color.

Maintain whatever landscaping you have. Overgrown hedges, dying flowers and leggy bushes send the message that the inside of the house is ill-kept, as well. Maintenance is key to maintaining your value.

By Melinda Fulmer of MSN Real Estate

TERMITES - Don't Ignore The Signs

2011-03-20T19:35:00.000-05:00

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.

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.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION DUE MARCH 15th

2011-03-12T07:43:00.000-06:00

Homestead Exemption is an exemption of $1,000 of the assessed valuation. This can be a savings of $75 to $125 depending on which area of the county you are located . You must be the homeowner who resides in the property on January 1. The deed must be executed on or before January 1 and filed with the County Clerks Office on or before February 1. You must be a resident of Oklahoma. If you have been granted a homestead exemption and continue to occupy the homestead property you shall not be required to re-apply for homestead exemption. You may apply for Homestead Exemption with the Oklahoma City County Assessors Office. Their office is located at 320 Robert S. Kerr, Rm 315, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Applications for homestead exemption are now available for downloading. Application is due March 15th to qualify for the exemption in the current year.

TULSA EMPLOYMENT

2011-03-09T14:53:00.000-06:00

The second-quarter employment outlook for the Tulsa metro area is tied for second best in the nation, according to results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

Of those companies interviewed, 22 percent said they plan to hire more employees, while 2 percent expect to cut staff. Another 73 percent expect to maintain their current staff levels, and 3 percent are unsure of their hiring plans. That report for the April-to-June period is even more upbeat than the first quarter, when the Tulsa area's hiring outlook was tied for fourth best in the nation. For the rest of the March 8, 2011 Tulsa World story read here.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME IS HERE

2011-03-07T17:41:00.000-06:00

THIS SUNDAY ~ MARCH 13th

SPRING FORWARD

Read about the history of Daylight Savings Time.

World Clock for current local times around the world.

A MUST READ FOR SELLERS (A little long but worth it!)

2011-03-04T13:13:00.000-06:00

6 THINGS THAT TURN HOME BUYERS OFF

(and what Sellers can do to prevent it!)

Here are 6 big-time homebuyer turn-offs that make buyers cringe at the thought of your home, and action steps you can take to prevent your home from being an offender. (Article from Truila.)

1. Stalker-ish sellers. I know you think you’re being helpful, walking the buyer through your home and pointing out the wagon-wheel light fixture you made with your own two hands, the custom mural of a stingray you paid top dollar to have painted across your living room wall and the way the sounds of happy schoolchildren running across the front yard of your corner lot to get to the school in the next block lifts your spirits. However, the buyers might be trying really hard to ignore, minimize or figure out how to undo the very features of your home you hold dear. They also may want or need to have personal space and conversations with their mate or their agent while they’re viewing your home - you being there, especially walking right alongside them while they’re in your home, prevents them from being comfortable about doing this, or discussing all the things they would change if the home were theirs. In my experience, the more nitpicky a buyer gets about a house and the more detailed their list of things they would change, the more serious they are about considering making an offer on this place.

What’s a Seller to do? Back off. Let your home be shown vacant, or leave the house when people come to see it. If you need to be there, at least walk outside or go sit at the coffee shop down the way while prospective buyers view your home. If the buyers have questions, their people will contact your people.

2. Shabby, dirty, crowded and/or smelly houses. You already know this one. Yet, buyers constantly marvel. The buyers who come to see your home are making the decision whether to choose your home for the biggest purchase they’ve ever made during the worst economic conditions most of them have ever experienced. Your job is to get your home noticed – favorably – above the sea of other homes on the market, many of which are priced very, very low.

What’s a Seller to do? Other than listing your home at a competitive price, the only tool within your control for differentiating your home from all the foreclosures and short sales is to show it in tip-top shape. Pre-pack your place up, getting rid of as many of your personal effects as possible. Do not show it without it being completely cleaned up: no laundry or dishes piled up, countertops freshly washed, smelly dogs & litter boxes cleaned and/or out of the house.

3. Irrational seller expectations (i.e., overpricing). Buying a house on today’s market is hard work! On top of all the research and analysis about the market and situating their own lives to be sure they’ll be able to afford the place for 5, 7, 10 years - or longer, buyers have to work overtime to separate the real estate wheat from the chaff, get educated about short sales and foreclosures and often put in many, many offers before they get even a single one accepted. The last thing they want to add to their task lists is trying to argue a seller out of unreasonable expectations or pricing. And, in fact, there are so many other homes on the market, buyers don’t have to do this. When they see a home whose seller is clearly clueless about their home’s value and has priced it sky-high, most often they won’t bother even looking at it. If they love it, they’ll wait for it to sit on the market for awhile, hoping the market will “educate you” into desperation, priming the pump for a later, lowball offer.

What’s a Seller to do? Get real. Get out there and look at the other properties that are for sale in your area and price range. If your home has much less curb appeal or space or is much less upgraded than the house across the way, don’t list it at the same price and expect it to sell. If you owe more than your home is realistically worth, you may need to reexamine whether you really want or need to sell, or consider a short sale, if you simply have to sell. Don’t be tempted into testing your market with an obviously too-high price, unless you’re prepared to have your home lag on the market and get lowball offers.

4. Feeling misled. Here’s the deal. You will never trick someone into buying your home. If the listing pics are photo-edited within an inch of their lives. If your neighborhood is described as funky and vibrant, as code for the fact that your house is under the train tracks and you live in between a wrecking yard and a biker bar, prospects will figure this out. If the detailed information about your home, neighborhood or even transactional position (e.g., short sale status, seller financing, etc.) is misrepresented, the sheer misrepresentation will turn otherwise interested buyers off. If you authorize your agent to “verbally approve” the buyer’s offer, don’t go back the next day demanding an extra $5,000. In cases where the buyer feels misled, whether or not that was your intention, running through the buyer’s mind is this question: If they can’t trust you to be honest about this, how can they trust you to be honest about everything else?

What’s a Seller to do? Buyers rely on sellers to be upfront and honest – so be both. If your home has features or aspects that are often perceived negatively, your home’s listing probably shouldn’t lead with them, but neither should you go out of your way to slant or skew or spin the facts which will be obvious to anyone who visits your home.

5. New yet ugly home improvements. Many a buyer has walked into a house that has clearly been remodeled and upgraded in anticipation of the sale, only to have their heart sink with the further realization that the brand-spanking-new kitchen features a countertop made, not of granite, but brand-new, pink tiles with a kitty cat in the middle of each one. Or the pristine, just-installed floors feature carpet in a creamy shade of blue – the buyer’s least favorite color. New home improvements that run totally counter to a buyer’s aesthetics are a big turn-off, because in today’s era of Conspicuous Frugality, buyers just can’t cotton to ripping out expensive, brand new, perfectly functioning things just on the basis of style – especially since they’ll feel like they paid for these things in the price of the home.

What’s a Seller to do? Check in with a local broker or agent before you make a big investment in a pre-sale remodel. They can give you a reality check about the likely return on your investment, and help you prioritize about which projects to do (or not). Instead of spending $40,000 on a new, less-than-attractive kitchen, they might encourage you to update appliances, have the cabinets painted and spend a few grand on your curb appeal. Many times, they will also help you do the work of selecting neutral finishes that will work for the largest possible range of buyer tastes.

6. Crazy listing photos (or no photos at all). We’ve seen listing photos that have dumpsters parked in front of the house, piles of laundry all over the hardwood floors touted in the listing description, and once, even the family dog doing his or her business in the lovely green front yard. Listing pictures that have put your home in anything but its best, accurate light are a very quick way to ensure that you turn off a huge number of buyers from even coming to see your house! The only bigger buyer turn-off than these bizarre listing pics are listings that have no photos at all; most buyers on today’s market see a listing with no pictures and click right on past it, without giving the place a second glance.

What’s a Seller to do? Check your home’s listing on-line and make sure that the pics represent your home well. If not, ask your agent to grab some new shots (and say pretty please, pretty please!).

30-YEAR RATES BACK BELOW 5%

2011-02-26T17:29:00.000-06:00

Mortgage rates were on the decline this week, a welcome sign for potential home buyers or those looking to refinance. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 4.95 percent this week, down from 5 percent the week prior, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage market survey. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 5.05 percent. The 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage also dropped for the week, averaging 4.22 percent, down from last week’s 4.27 percent. The 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage dropped slightly to 3.8 percent, compared to 3.87 percent the previous week.

“Low mortgage rates and home prices are sustaining affordability in the housing market,” says Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. The National Association of REALTORS® reported earlier this week that existing home sales rose for the third consecutive month in January and were at the strongest pace in eight months.
Source: “30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Eases Just Below 5 Percent,” Freddie Mac (Feb. 24, 2011)

KITCHEN TRENDS

2011-02-25T19:28:00.000-06:00

American Home Shield warranty company just published a Top 10 New Kitchen Trends popular in 2010. (Click picture to see article.) I am definitely starting to see the trend going toward contemporary design. Personally I've never loved it...but it's growing on me!

"SOMEONE" NEEDS TO STEP IT UP ON THE BLOG!

2011-02-25T06:57:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe it's been October since I've put anything on our blog! I am going to do my best to do better!!! I started this blog to provide helpful information on a wide range of real estate topics and want to continue with that process.

We are asked on a daily basis "How is real estate?" Our answer "It's good...not great...but good!" Many parts of the country are so much worse than we are in Oklahoma. We did not benefit from huge appreciations over the past several years, so our correction has been much less severe.

Give us a call if you're considering selling a home or purchasing one this year and we can give you some good information to help you make the decision. We work with a fantastic lender, if you need a referral.

ART IN THE SQUARE

2010-10-01T17:24:00.000-05:00

ART IN THE SQUARE at Utica Square

Saturday, October 2, 2010, 10am-5pm

Beautiful Utica Square is the backdrop for over 90 local artists as they showcase their work. As you stroll down the tree-lined sidewalks, you can admire the different mediums of art ranging from watercolors, stained glass, pottery, sculpture, and woodturning. And if you see something that inspires you, stop and chat with the artist. Each artist is on hand to answer any questions you may have. This free event celebrates art and the art of shopping. Click here for more information.

MORTGAGE RATES DROP TO RECORD LOW

2010-08-06T11:18:00.000-05:00

According to a Tulsa World article this week, Mortgage rates are again at an all time low. With the biggest savings on a 15 year fixed rate loans, that are running less than 4 percent! Rates haven't been this low in decades. For those who can qualify, it's the chance to pay off a home in half the time while saving tens of thousands of dollars — if not more. For the full article click here.

NEW LEAD PAINT REGULATIONS ON HOMES BUILT PRIOR TO 1978

2010-04-22T07:31:00.000-05:00

Contractors Scramble To Get Training Mandated By New Lead Paint Rules

By ROBERT EVATT World Staff Writer Published: 4/20/2010 6:39 PM

Owners of older homes planning renovations might have a hard time finding workers because many contractors are scrambling to comply with a new EPA rule on lead paint. The problem is that not enough trainers are available to certify all the contractors for the new Environmental Protection Agency regulations, said Ken Saltink, president of the Remodelers Council of the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa and head of All American Remodel. The new rules go into effect Thursday.

The new regulations stipulate that every home, child-care facility and school built before 1978 be tested for lead paint by a certified contractor before renovations are performed, including painting, plumbing, and window and electrical work. If a building tests positive for lead, contractors must seal off the area and clean it with vacuum equipment while wearing safety suits.

Scott Burnett, president of Burnett Windows and Siding, said all 10 of his installers have been trained and are ready to tackle any older home, but preparations have cost the company $4,000 in training and an additional $4,000 for equipment. “We’ve invested a lot of money in the training and the equipment,” he said. “But the benefit of that is customer confidence in us.” Burnett said he doesn’t charge for the testing, which involves scraping the paint with a knife and swabbing a chemical that reacts to lead. The process takes 30 minutes for an average house. But removing the lead could be costly to customers. Burnett said his company hasn’t set a price yet, though other window companies nationwide are charging $50 to $125 per window.

Saltink said the National Association of Home Builders has estimated that lead removal can add $800 to $1,500 to the cost of a renovation.

In addition to the fines and the work necessary for certification, Saltink said potential legal liability could further discourage contractors from working on older homes. “If we do something in a person’s home and their children test positive for lead, we could be held liable for doctors and lawyers fees,” he said.

Studies indicate lead poisoning can cause a drop in IQ, learning problems and aggressiveness in children, as well as memory loss and mood shifts in adults. Although the new regulations cover all pre-1978 homes, Burnett said lead paint might be found in only a few of them. “Not very many of these homes seem to have lead paint,” he said. “In Tulsa, it seems to be less than what you’d think. We’ve only found one so far.”

PROUD TO BE WITH CHINOWTH & COHEN, REALTORS

2010-04-17T16:00:00.000-05:00

In a time when other companies are scaling back, Chinowth & Cohen Realtors is pleased to announce the opening of two additional offices in Sand Springs and Bartlesville, Oklahoma. This expansion brings the total number of real estate offices to 6 in Northeastern Oklahoma and over 360 Associates full time and referral. CEO of Chinowth & Cohen Realtors Sheryl Chinowth says, “Our market share is growing, and we’re taking advantage of this opportunity to expand. So many of our competitors are cutting back and closing doors. We’ve had six straight years of growth since the company opened its doors. Now is the optimum time to increase our presence.” Chinowth & Cohen Realtors has experienced a 30% increase in market share year to date as opposed to last year. For the last 12 months, Chinowth & Cohen Realtors experienced a 21.47% increase which was against the overall market trends.

SUMMER'S 5TH NIGHT AT UTICA SQUARE

2010-04-10T19:35:00.000-05:00

Looking for something fun to do this summer. Check out Summer's Fifth Night at Utica Square. Live music, every Thursday, all summer long. Utica Square's summer concert series serves up everything from jazz to rock to country. There's something different every Thursday and best of all, it's free! Pack a picnic or dine at one of their great restaurants as you unwind to your favorite local bands. Put on your dancing shoes, catch up with family and friends and win great prizes like Utica Square gift certificates and merchandise from Utica Square merchants. Celebrate summer every Thursday at Utica Square, 7 - 9 p.m. Click here for more information and the 2010 Concert Series.

NATIONAL OPEN HOUSE WEEK-END

2010-03-31T14:33:00.000-05:00

It’s the perfect weekend to shop. For many people, now really is a good time to buy a home. Inventory is high, prices are down and mortgage rates are near 50-year lows. And right now, first-time buyers can qualify for up to $8,000 and current homeowners for as much as $6,500, but contracts must be in place by April 30, 2010, so get out and start shopping!

READING UP ON REAL ESTATE

2010-03-28T15:23:00.000-05:00

Some first time home buyers really do their home work. They read books, and the news and learn as much as they can about the home buying process. Some even watch television shows about buying a home. There are plenty of books about getting rich in real estate and of course all you have to do is "follow these simple steps", and plenty of books about how to buy a home.

I don't think much of most of the books that I have seen, but if I didn't know anything about the home buying process I would consider reading one to get started. That is what I did when I had my first child, I bought a how to book.

The problem with the books is that real estate is local. The laws and contracts are regulated on the state level. General business practices are not the same in each market either. The books are pretty generic and they try to cover situations that most Oklahomans will never encounter while at the same time missing important parts of the process in this state.

There is a great guide for Oklahoman home buyers that's free and on the internet, published by the Oklahoman Real Estate Commission. It may not be a literary master piece or have the drama of the television shows about buying a home, but it is packed full of useful information about buying a home in Oklahoma. Find it here.

TULSA AREA HOME STARTS UP

2010-03-20T14:15:00.000-05:00

The March 20, 2010 Tulsa World had an article intitled "Home Starts Accelerating." It stated that the year-to-date total for the Tulsa area is 9% more than at the same time in 2009. Home Construction picked up speed in February and has built a sizable lead over the first two months of 2009. The year-to-date now stands at 340 over the 312 for the first two months of 2009. Gary Soderstrom, president of the Home Builders Assoc. of Greater Tulsa, attributed much of the increase to the home buyer tax credit. To read the entire article (click here.)

CLOCKS FORWARD THIS SUNDAY

2010-03-10T08:18:00.000-06:00

Well, it's only Wednesday, but let's remind one and all: Clocks "spring" forward early Sunday morning. And as fire officials would remind you, it's an excellant opportunity to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. While there will be more daylight in the evening, beware of the kids waiting for buses in the dark morning hours for the next few weeks.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

2010-01-09T08:19:00.000-06:00

Winter Weather: Indoor Safety Highlights

Use fireplace, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space.
Never use a charcoal or gas grill indoors—the fumes are deadly.
Never leave lit candles unattended.
Keep as much heat as possible inside your home.
Check the temperature in your home often during severely cold weather.
Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously.
Eat well-balanced meals to help you stay warmer.

Winter Weather: Outdoor Safety Highlights

Dress warmly and stay dry.
Wear a hat, scarf, and mittens.
Avoid frostbite.
If you have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and work slowly.
Avoid walking on ice or getting wet.
Notify friends and family where you will be before you go hiking, camping, or skiing.
Avoid traveling on ice-covered roads, overpasses, and bridges if at all possible.
If you are stranded, it is safest to stay in your car.

Information from the CDC online resource for Emergency Preparedness & Response.

THANK YOU FOR 2009!

2010-01-08T07:48:00.000-06:00

Mike and I would like to thank all of our clients for making 2009 a great year! With all the economic talk, we were a little nervous that it was going to be a tough year. BUT God blessed and the calls came in and we are so thankful. Also a big thank you to everyone that referred business to us. The majority of our transactions this year was due to friends and family sending their friends and family to us. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts! We're looking forward to another great year in 2010! Happy New Year from the Butlers!

INTERIOR DESIGN vs. STAGING

2009-09-22T07:09:00.000-05:00

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

ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

SUMMER'S END

2009-09-09T14:00:00.000-05:00

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

ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

LABOR DAY WEEK-END IN TULSA

2009-09-04T15:17:00.001-05:00

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

LEAST & MOST EXPENSIVE HOMES IN TULSA

2009-08-31T18:14:00.000-05:00

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

ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

CURB APPEAL MATTERS

2009-08-20T09:31:00.000-05:00

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

TULSA'S FREE WI-FI HOTSPOTS

2009-08-17T20:01:00.001-05:00

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

NEGOTIATION vs. MAKING DEMANDS

2009-08-02T06:55:00.000-05:00

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

ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

10 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT

2009-07-14T12:40:00.000-05:00

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

5 COMMON FIRST TIME HOME BUYER MISTAKES

2009-07-11T12:55:00.000-05:00

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

VACATIONS - WE RECOMMEND THEM!

2009-07-10T14:33:00.001-05:00

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!

CHOOSING THE BEST LENDER

2009-07-05T07:09:00.001-05:00

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/

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

2009-07-04T20:48:00.001-05:00

Have a Safe & Happy 4th of July!

God Bless America!

FATHER'S DAY

2009-06-21T08:18:00.000-05:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

from the butler team

IS IT TIME TO DECLUTTER?

2009-06-14T14:47:00.000-05:00

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

2009-06-11T06:36:00.000-05:00

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

2009-06-05T06:24:00.000-05:00

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

2009-06-02T07:39:00.000-05:00

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

GOODBYE TO OKLAHOMA ESTATE TAX

2009-04-17T10:50:00.000-05:00

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

ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

HAPPY EASTER!

2009-04-11T05:52:00.001-05:00

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.

TERMITES - Don't Ignore The Signs

2009-04-08T07:59:00.000-05:00

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.

The Butler Team

Tina & Mike Butler
918.740.1000
ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

SHORT SALE vs. FORECLOSURE

2009-03-24T09:58:00.001-05:00

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

ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

www.Tulsa4u.com

THE PRICING GAME

2009-03-12T09:54:00.000-05:00

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/

BIXBY - THE PLACE TO LIVE!

2009-03-04T17:03:00.000-06:00

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

TULSA FREE WIFI MAP

2009-02-25T11:13:00.001-06:00

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

GETTING YOUR HOME MARKET READY

2009-02-17T06:55:00.000-06:00

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

WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH?

2009-02-12T06:54:00.000-06:00

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/

FUNNY STORY ANY HOMEOWNER CAN APPRECIATE

2009-02-04T08:27:00.000-06:00

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

www.tulsa4u.com

ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

"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.”

IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE

2009-01-31T09:36:00.000-06:00

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

ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

www.tulsa4u.com

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

2009-01-30T08:43:00.000-06:00

Want To Buy A House?

If this one's not your style...we

have plenty for you to choose from!

Check out: www.tulsa4u.com

You'll have the freedom to run your own search or you can contact The Butler Team and we'll set it up for you. Spring is just around the corner and new properties are coming on the market daily. Now's the perfect time to begin watching the market, even if your purchase is in the future.

Mike & Tina Butler (918) 740-1000

ButlerTeam@cctulsa.com

SERIOUSLY?!?

2009-01-24T09:02:00.000-06:00

That's probably what you're saying to yourself when you stumbled on the fact that The Butler Team is blogging! I've been sitting here thinking "What do I have to share...that's worth reading?" Well after 13 years of selling real estate in the Tulsa market...surely there's something I've learned!

However, we need some rules:

#1 Don't correct my spelling!
#2 Don't critique my grammar!
#3 Don't publicly mock me when we see each other!

Other than that, we're off to a great start.

Seriously...I would like to use this venue to share information that I've discovered in this real estate journey. My next entry will give you the low down on Mike & I and a little history to the madness!