Keep your cool and your cash

With summer soon approaching it is time to prepare for the Oklahoma heat. Most home owners know to change your air conditioner filter on a regular basis but to really get the most out of your AC unit and save money, there are a number of energy saving tips that you should consider doing before you begin to use it for the season. Just as you pay your bill each month, change the filter each month, some manufactures may recommend changing filters less often, however in the spring and summer when allergens are in the air it is best to change them more frequently. Shade the area when the unit is housed. Air conditioners with proper shading can be up to 10 percent more efficient over a cooling season, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. A shaded area can have a significantly cooler temperature, preventing the AC unit from consuming extra energy to do its job of cooling the air. Be mindful of debris when manicuring your lawn. Opinions differ on the distance you should keep trees, shrubs, mulch and other materials from the unit. It is wise to keep a four to five foot space for proper air circulation. Clean the coils and casing with a hose. You will need to disconnect the power before spraying the unit, and for specific directions you may want to consult the manufacture. Once you have taken these season steps to keep cool, try a bit of self discipline and raise the temperature setting. If you become acclimated to a higher temperature early in the season you shouldn't suffer and the savings just by one degree can be dramatic, close to 8-9 percent. For a referral on a reputable repair or servicing company contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialists at info@darrylbaskin.com

Homebuyer “101” - Get the Facts! Workshop

Kick off National Home Ownership Month with

Home Ownership Tulsa (H.O.T.)
and its partners.

 

Central Library Saturday, June 2 w 9:00 a.m. - noon	Martin Regional Library – Spanish Session Saturday, June 30 w 9:00 a.m. - noon
Hardesty Regional Library Saturday, June 16 w 9:00 a.m. – noon

 

Do you wonder if you would be better off buying rather than renting a home? Do you ever wonder how expensive of a home you could realistically afford? Do you wish you could build up equity in a home?

If you dream of owning your own home, attend our seminar and you will learn the steps required to purchase a home, including how to qualify for first-time homebuyer benefits and programs. Learn how to access various city, county and state programs to cover most of the costs you will be faced with to purchase your first home. To help potential first-time homebuyers understand all aspects of the home-buying process, this informative, interactive workshop provides valuable instruction on all important pre-purchase decisions and how to qualify for a home loan.

Participants also may learn:

• What to expect throughout the loan process;
  
• How their credit scores will affect their mortgage interest rates and fees; and
  
• The meaning of common real estate terms
  

Participants can receive a FREE credit report analysis and one-on-one consultation with a H.O.T partner.

You will also earn credit toward your Housing Workshop Certificate, which may enable you to get up to $3,500 in down-payment assistance from a Community Housing Development Organization in your area.

Pre-registration is required. To register call 596- 1499 or visit our homepage at www.cityoftulsa.org/Community/HOT . For adults. Sponsored by the Home Ownership Tulsa partnership organizations.

Locations:     Central Library: Aaronson Auditorium Sat., June 2 and Plaza Rm.

Hardesty Regional: Redbud Auditorium Sat., June 16

Martin Regional: Plaza Room Sat., June 30^th. NOTE: This session may also have a call-in number at the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GTHCC) for registration.

Your Home: Keep It, Maintain it, & Decorate It

Hardesty Regional Library: Redbud Auditorium

Saturday, June 16 w Noon - 3:00 p.m.

Your home may be the largest investment of your life. This 3-in-1 workshop is geared for current or future homeowners.

 

Keeping it……..

 

The first part of this session addresses the foreclosure problem that is spreading across America. Any one of us can have hardship situations that create financial problems and cause us to get behind on our mortgage payments. This session provides resources on what to do if this situation arises and will give you valuable information on your rights as a homeowner. Let us guide you on what to do before losing your home and also
provide options and resources available to assist you.

 

 

Maintaining it…….

 

This session will give you the peace of mind you need as a homeowner regarding maintenance and repairs. You will learn simple, practical advice that can save you thousands of dollars.

 

Decorating it……..

 

Your home should be your sanctuary, not a place of stress. This session offers tips on decorating on a budget and enjoying the space you create without overspending. FUN ideas for making your house a home!

 

Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is required. Pre-registration is required. To register call 596- 1499 or visit our homepage at www.cityoftulsa.org/Community/HOT. For adults Sponsored by Home Ownership Tulsa partnership organizations.

Deleware Pointe Neighborhood Garage Sale

The Delaware Pointe Neighborhood Association held its annual neighborhood garage sale Saturday May 5th. In attendance was listing specialist, Dave Berry of The Baskin Real Estate Specialists. Dave shares, " being apart of local community events gives top real estate producers the perfect opportunity to listen and learn about the needs of home buyers and sellers first hand."
Preceding the garage sale was Delaware Pointe's second annual Dumpster Day, sponsored by Darryl Baskin. This allowed property owners the chance to dispose of items they were unable to donate or sale and was great timing for seasonal spring cleaning . Collaborative efforts of residents, property owners and community leaders to maintain the area is what makes Delaware Pointe such a desired south Tulsa neighborhood in the Jenks school district.
If you would like information on a Dumpster Day for your neighborhood contact the Baskin Real Estate Specialists at info@darrylbaskin.com

Meadow Gold Sign Finds a New Home

For years travelers of the Route 66 stretch through Tulsa at 11^th Street and Lewis, passed by the large historic Meadow Gold Dairy sign of porcelain and steel. The sign was removed from its original site and carefully stored until a new home could be found. Recently, approval was received to reconstruct the sign just east of Peoria at 11^th street- not more than a mile from the original location. The new location was donated by the landowner and will serve to maintain the look and historic value of Route 66. The new location will have a brick base for the sign and should be completed by the end of 2007.

2007 Designer Showcase

2202 South Madison Avenue is the site of the 2007 Designer Showcase benefit ting the Foundation for Tulsa Schools. The event continues until May 20th. The event showcases Tulsa's best designers in a home of distinction. This Mediterranean villa built in 1928 was once owned by James Flanangan who was the vice president of Sinclair oil. Often called "The Million Dollar Bungalow" because it is smaller than the neighboring homes but commands respect for its captivating style and architectural appointments. Located in Sunset Park addition, many surrounding homes are considered mansion of the oil era including the Skelly Mansion just a block away. The house features a gardening room, card room, wet bar, quarters and a dining room fit to entertain royalty. This historic home is truly worth your time for a visit as is the benefit to the Tulsa Public Schools Foundation.

Click here for more information on purchasing this property. Darryl Baskin is associated with McGraw Realtors. 918-258-2600

Providence Hills in Bixby, OK

The neighborhood of Providence Hills in Bixby, OK offers residents a list of amenities like no other neighborhood in a similar price range. A neighborhood pool, club house, basketball court, splash park, playground and fishing dock are all available to home owners in the quiet country neighborhood. The houses are located in the Bixby Public School district and prices start in the $160's. Custom homes can be built in the area while lots last.

For more information on homes for sale in the Bixby area, contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialists at 258-2600 or search online here. Tulsa County neighborhood information can be found here.

Time to Watch for Ants

Ants are swarming and some can damage your home. On The Future of Real Estate we spoke with Tom Massengale with Mother Natures Exterminators about the calls they have received from Tulsa area homeowners about the sudden appearance of ants. While termites are generally the insect associated with home damage, carpenter ants can be equally dangerous. The best part about finding carpenter ants, Tom says, is they are cheaper to exterminate than termites so you want to be sure your are clear on which type of insect you have. Normal ants are not a threat to you home other than being a nuisance.

Mother Natures Exterminators can be reached at 918-362-2000.

Tulsa Represented at CyberStar Conference

Tulsa Oklahoma Realtors were represented at the CyberStar real estate conference in San Antonio Texas by Darryl Baskin of McGraw Realtors. Baskin, a member of the network of real estate agents, attends the annual event to gather the latest tips and tricks for the application of technology in the real estate business. "It is what keeps us the leaders in the Tulsa real estate market and gives us the edge to give our home sellers the advantage in selling their homes. I never like to miss this event" Baskin Says. The Cyberstar group was founded by Allen Hainge, a national real estate speaker who teaches technology concepts to real estate professionals round the country.

Pictured: Allen Hainge and Darryl Baskin

Preserving Tulsa's History

Speaking at the Developing Tulsa Conference at the OSU Tulsa campus, Amanda Decort emphasized the value of Tulsa’s deep-rooted history from oil mansions, Art Deco styling, WPA projects and Route 66 history. Promoting the development and preservation, Decort said developers can receive up to 40% of their development costs back upon completion of the project. This makes preserving the historical value of a structure a feasible goal from a financial aspect since much development can be squelched by costly preservation restrictions. The National Register and HP Zoning Overlay are two important tools used to govern areas which qualify as historic landmarks or historic districts. Areas such as Lortondale, Maple Ridge and other historic areas.

The National Register of Historic Places does not impose an restrictions on use, sale or maintenance of your building. Instead, it is an honor to have your building listed. It is HP zoning that provides restrictions which are often sought by property owners to preserve the value of their investments. Studies indicate that Historic Preservation Zoning areas appreciate at a faster rate than non Historic Preservation zoned districts. Design review includes what is called a certificate of appropriateness which is a review process to insure that the alterations made to a property remain in accordance to the architectural design of the era. If you are purchaser or developer in a historic district, the first step obtain your HP permit and follow by obtaining your building permit. Forms and additional information is available at www.tulsapreservationcommission.org

May 19^th is Citywide Preservation Celebration. Nominate someone you know for their contribution to Tulsa’s historic preservation. Tulsa will also be the home of 2008 National Preservation Conference. More information will be posted here as details are available.

Infill Building Increases In Tulsa Neighborhoods

Phil Marshall, mid-town Tulsa building specialists, says the key to successful infill building is to get along with the neighbors. Infill building is building within an established neighborhood – sometimes a tear down of an existing house and sometimes building a home on a lot which was new built on before. The neighbors adjacent to infill building did not purchase their home under the auspices of construction taking place next door as would be the case with most home buyers who purchase a new home in a newly developing neighborhood. “Letting a neighbor understand you really do care about their inconvenience during your construction helps reduce the irritation which often develops between neighbors and a builder,” says Marshall. Water discharges from new elevations is just one example of the challenges that infill building can present and becomes a critical part of planning and permitting for an infill builder.

Marshall says he is pleased to see the increase in the number of infill builders from four or five just a few years ago to over 20 today. This trend shows the demand to live in the city of Tulsa and the need for homes in Tulsa while outlying communities such as Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby and Owasso also grow and prosper.

Home Ownership Tulsa Holds Free Seminars

Throughout the month of June at various Tulsa City/County Libraries, Home Ownership Tulsa (HOT) will host free workshops for homebuyers. Home Ownership Tulsa is a special department of Mayor Kathy Taylor's office of Working in Neighborhoods and functions to encourage home ownership in the Tulsa County area. "Many home buyers are eager to own a home but simply need some direction. The task often seems daunting and complicated but is really quite simple," says Floyd McNair of The Baskin Real Estate Specialists.

Home Ownership Tulsa also provides assistance to home buyers for closing costs and downpayment. Find out more about the programs offered by calling 918-596-1500 or contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialist's home buyer hotline at 918-258-2600 or info@darrylbaskin.com