Take It Easy in Your Tulsa, OK. Home!

Wouldn't you love to have someone turn on the lights at a moments notice? What about the home theater system or even the security system? No need. With home automation, you can control all of these things and more with a remote. All from the comfort of your favorite chair.

What exactly is home automation? Home automation involves using a remote control or another device to control multiple parts of your house, which can include: lighting, security, telephone, temperature, sprinklers, windows, and more. Home automation systems can even allow you to change the temperature of your home from a cell phone while you are away!

Can you afford to have a home automation system in your Tulsa, OK area home? Find out by contacting Keegan Beck of KMB Enterprises at 918-527-1031 or http://kmbenterprisesllc.com/

For home maintenance professionals in the Tulsa, OK area, visit www.tulsahomecare.com.

What Defines Tulsa, OK Luxury Home Construction?

All across the United States, luxury real estate construction usually has several common factors. A few of those common factors include: price, amenities, and material quality. When it comes to price, it is not uncommon to hear people ask "Where does the price for a Tulsa, Oklahoma luxury home begin?" Generally speaking, luxury homes in the Tulsa, Oklahoma and surrounding area begin at $500,000. Many real estate experts across the country will tell you that the price for the luxury real estate market in any area is based on the top 10 percent of home sales in the last year.

Another factor in luxury homes is the amenities. One thing that all luxury homes in Tulsa have are amenities. Amenities are different for everyone but all luxury homes have them. For some, it might be the location- near a waterfront. For others it could be a unique in-ground pool, high end appliances, expensive finishes, and lots of space.

Along the same line, when luxury homes are being constructed, higher quality materials are being used. On the exterior, you might find stucco or full brick or stone instead of partial brick or siding. In the interior of the home, as above, you will find high-end appliances, granite or marble appliances, extra space, and upgraded flooring- plush carpeting, solid hardwood flooring, or even marble. In today's market, many expect lots of energy efficient features and products as well.

With a luxury property in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area, there are many factors to consider to ensure that the investment will pay off, not only in comfort and expectations, but also in future value.

For all your Tulsa, OK luxury real estate needs, contact Gordon Shelton of the Tulsa Luxury Property Group of McGraw Realtors at 918-592-6000 or www.tulsaluxurypropertygroup.com.

Are Tulsa, OK Houses More Affordable?

Since the economy took a downturn, the real estate market, all across the U.S., has been hurting. The Tulsa, OK real estate market has done well when compared to many others across the United States, however, both the Tulsa, OK and U.S. markets are looking even better, statistics say. A recent article posted on RISMedia, "Housing Affordability Rises to Highest Level in Two Decades" states that in the U.S. "all new and existing homes sold in the fourth quarter of 2010 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,400". This is the most affordable homes have been since the first quarter of 2009. To read more, read the original article, "Housing Affordability Rises to Highest Level in Two Decades"

To buy or sell affordable Tulsa, OK real estate, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

What is a Title Company?

When buying or selling Tulsa, OK. real estate, you will encounter many different types of companies that, together, help you complete your real estate transaction. One of these companies is the title company. The title company will carefully examine the title or abstract on the property being purchased and gather information from buyers and sellers as well as all land and court records. They will verify that the information in it is correct, check for judgments or liens against the property, and correct any problems that arise. When closing comes, they will take care of any funds disbursements, transfer property ownership, and take care of title insurance.

For a reputable title company in the Tulsa, OK area, contact JJ Pierce, Closings of Tulsa, at 918-493-2241 or www.closingsoftulsa.com.

For all your Tulsa, OK. real estate needs, contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialists at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Tulsa Foreclosures

Visit us online at www.homeguidetulsa.com Darrylbaskin.Breport@blogger.Com, More foreclosures doesn't necessarily mean the Tulsa area real estate market is dismal.  In a recent interview with KJRH Channel 2, I explained that Tulsa has a healthy demand for homes in light of the financial turmoil.  For home buyers in Tulsa, this extra inventory of homes means a better selection and low interest rates mean a lower house payment.  But don't wait long to decide since demand for foreclosed homes in Tulsa is higher than many other cities and the best buys don't last long.  If you are interested in taking advantage of this unusual market opportunity, email or call us for more information. The Baskin Real Estate Specialists

The Baskin Real Estate Specialists, McGraw Realtors
10131 S. Yale Ave., Tulsa OK 74137 918-258-2600


Visit http://www.homeguidetulsa.com

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Jenks, OK. Luxury Home For Sale...

Jenks, OK. Luxury Home

10524 S. Gum St.
in Jenks, OK.
Estates of Stone Bluff

$2, 450,000

3 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
6 Car Garage

For more information on this Jenks, OK. Luxury Home or to buy or sell Tulsa, OK area real estate, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Things to Consider Before Building a Tulsa, OK. Home!

When building a new home in Tulsa, OK, there are so many decisions to make, from the location and builder to which carpet and paint to choose. Keep the following tips in mind before you decide to build a new home.

• Location- Work with your Realtor when purchasing land and building your home to make sure that the location you desire will fit your budget as well as the style and size you want in your home. Don't find out after purchasing that you can't do what you want or that the market will not handle your specific plans.
• Building- Select your builder carefully! Ask for recommendations from your Realtor, after all they work with builders everyday. Ask builders for referrals and contact them. Ask plenty of questions and don't be afraid to get more than one quote!
• Products- Once you have purchased land, selected a builder, and begun the building process, there will be many products to choose. Ask about your options and shop around in advance to make sure you get what you want at the price you want. When selecting roofing products and styles- keep in mind your budget, style of home, and the weather in your area. Remember that by adding ridge vents or using certain materials you can decrease your energy costs. When selecting flooring products- remember to check wear, stain resistance, and even product type (such as carpet, tile, or hardwood).
• Mortgage Options- Check with your mortgage banker to find out what mortgage options are available to you. For example, can you qualify for a VA or Rural Home Loan? Also, make sure you know your budget and how much down-payment you have. If you have less than 20% to put down, ask about loans that require less down-payment!

Want more information? Contact these professionals or visit www.tulsahomecare.com:

Home-Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma- Rick Oberlender of US Building Systems at 918-734-1293 or usbs@att.net.

To discuss a Tulsa Mortgage- Steve Currington, Currington Mortgage at 918-810-0092 or www.curringtonmortgage.com.

Roofing in the Tulsa, OK. Area- Judy Smith of A-Best Roofing at 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

Tulsa, OK Flooring Products: Jim Ecrette at ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings at 918-252-7711 or www.prosourcefloors.com/tulsa. Don't Forget to ask about Darryl Baskin's Wholesale Pricing!

For all your Tulsa, OK real estate needs, contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialists of McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Should You Renovate Before You LIst Your Tulsa, OK Home?

When listing your home for sale, there are so many things that are recommended before you list. Everything from cleaning and decluttering to painting and remodeling. It can be extremely overwhelming when considering what is most important. In an article posted by Dan Steward, "Pre-Sale Renovation: Home Seller Do’s and Don’ts", he discusses renovations that should and should not be done before you list your home. Dan talks about everything from Kitchen to Bathrooms, cabinetry and countertops to appliances Read on for these great tips:

RISMEDIA, January 25, 2011—You’ve probably seen those depressingly cheery home-themed TV shows: a couple needs to sell their house, they have an outdated kitchen, and a designer comes in and proceeds to convince them to renovate the kitchen into a stainless-steel-clad shrine to culinary greatness—for tens of thousands of dollars. In an ideal real estate market, that would add value, but in today’s market, expensive pre-sale renovations, for the most part, aren’t worth it. The numbers bear this out: In general, a home remodel will cost quite a bit more than you’ll get back when you sell; remodels done in 2010 will only recoup 60% of their price when the house is sold, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2010 Remodeling Cost vs. Value survey, done in partnership with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

Two of the areas that potential buyers are often most pressured to remodel before selling are the kitchen and bathroom. Here, we’ll tackle both of those rooms, and let you know what to do—and what to avoid—when considering a pre-sale renovation:

Kitchen
-Don’t put in expensive professional-grade cook’s appliances. You may choose a tricked-out, $10,000 Wolf stove, but the buyer may be a loyalist to Viking. Or, even worse, the potential buyer might be a take-out addict.

-Do, however, service the appliances you have, so that they work perfectly. And, if you have seriously outdated appliances that can be replaced for $1,000 or less (like swapping a dingy old fridge for a basic new one), that’s a good idea. Similarly, if there are any appliances that you lack, which most buyers consider essential, it makes sense to buy one (like a dishwasher—you can get a nice model for under $1,000).

-Don’t replace your cabinetry entirely—even if it’s a little outdated. It’s just too subjective. You might think sleek, white Scandinavian cabinets are the way to go, but you’ll be in a bind if your potential buyer prefers dark wood.

-Do invest in cabinet refacing if your cabinets are extremely outdated. Many refacing companies will give your cabinets a fresh façade for well under $2,000, and it’s a good investment in creating a positive impression of the room without doing a pricey knock-down.

-Don’t go granite crazy. Or marble. Or etched-Murano-glass-accented tile. Spending thousands of dollars on a new countertop and backsplash is downright dangerous, as there are so many different options these days, it’s impossible to find one that will please most people.

-Do hire a professional cleaning company to come in and make what you have sparkle. While this won’t magically make your tile look magazine-spread-worthy, it will certainly make it look a lot better, as discoloration from age often makes tile look even worse.

Bathroom
-Don’t do expensive tub/shower repairs or replacements. Just like with the big-ticket kitchen fixes, this is a matter of taste. If you put in a round jetted tub, what if the buyer wants square? And is an amethyst-crystal steam shower really something everyone will love?

-Do replace dated bath and shower fixtures; this can be done generally quite inexpensively. For instance, if you have a 30-year-old, tiny showerhead, replacing it with a large, rainwater-style model will lend a subtle spa-like quality without costing a lot.

-Don’t replace your smallish vanity with a new, built-in model. A lot of remodelers emphasize the intrinsically relaxing qualities of having all your toiletries, towels and even reading material beautifully organized in one big unit made of high-end wood, marble and chrome. And it is certainly beautiful. But it’s also a risky choice, and a matter of taste.

-Do freshen up the vanity area. Invest in a big mirror and put bright lights over it. And a few hundred dollars spent on a nice faucet is well worth it, as, like the showerhead, it’s a true basic—and updating the basics, in most homes and markets, is all you should be focusing on.

Other tips for redoing your kitchen and bathroom frugally

Kitchen:
-Declutter your counters. A disorganized kitchen is a buyer-deterrent. Clean up the counters and pare down countertop items to the essentials—toaster, microwave, coffee pot and not much more than that.

-Keep your pantry and cabinetry clutter-free too. You don’t have to alphabetize your cereals—just know that potential buyers will probably open those cabinets, so they won’t want a ladle falling out on their head.

-Give your kitchen table or breakfast bar some life. It’s simple—placemats, a colorful vase or two and a tasteful flower arrangement will reinforce the idea that the kitchen is the heart of the home.

Bathroom:
-If you want to add a little life to the wall, try a simple, straight-lined wood or stainless-steel floating shelf with a few candles on it. It’s an elegant, boutique-hotel touch that doesn’t cost much.

-Toss down a colorful floor mat. Bathrooms are often devoid of color; this is a great way to add that color, and a little warmth.

-Again, clear clutter. Even your beauty essentials shouldn’t be on the counter if you’re in the open house stage.

To buy or sell Tulsa, OK real estate, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Tulsa, OK Area Homes For Sale...

Bixby, OK Luxury Home for Sale!

10824 S. 93 E. Ave.
Bixby, OK. in The Legends Addition
$725,000

5 Bedrooms
5 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
5 Living Areas
3 Car Garage

________________________________


Updated Owasso, OK Home!

11607 E. 84 Ct. N.
Three Lakes Village in Owasso, OK.

$99,500

3 Bedrooms
1 Full, 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Garage
_____________________________________

Exquisite Luxury Home for Sale in Jenks, OK.

10808 South New Haven Avenue
Belmont Addition in Jenks, Oklahoma

$1,895,000

4 Bedrooms
4 Full 2 Half Bathrooms
4 Living Areas
4 Car Garage

For more information on any of these Tulsa, OK area homes for sale or to buy or sell real estate in the Tulsa, OK area, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Gorgeous Bixby, OK Luxury Home For Sale...

Gorgeous Luxury Estate on Over 1/2 Acre in Bixby, OK.

11707 South Fulton Avenue
Forest Hills Estates in Bixby, OK.

$725,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Full 2 Half Bathrooms
3 Car Garage

For more information on this Bixby, OK luxury home for sale or to buy or sell your Tulsa, OK area home contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Recycle, Don't Trash, Your Old Electronics

The technology in computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices is improving at such a fast rate that by the time we get used to the new one, there is an improved one on the market. When we purchase a new electronic device, what do we do with the old one? Often, we just throw them away. The problem with this is that there are "toxic heavy metal components like lead, cadmium, beryllium, and mercury that can pollute the environment" (RISMedia, 2-5-11).

Knowing that these toxic metals can pollute the environment, what can we do with our old electronics? Donate or recycle old electronics. Recycling old electronics in the Tulsa, OK area is easy. Organizations like Goodwill, take these donations, sell what they can and recycle those that they can't sell. The money they make off these items helps with job training and employment. Other organizations such as Cell Phones for Soldiers, March of Dimes, Keep America Beautiful and Call To Protect also take used cell phones.

To read the full article, "Around the Home: Get Rid of Electronic Waste the Right Way" by Terri Bennett click the link.

To buy or sell Tulsa, OK real estate, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Tulsa, OK. Area Homes for Sale

Sapulpa, OK Home for Sale

602 Cross Timbers Blvd.
The Lakes at Cross Timbers
$339,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
3 Car Garage

Broken Arrow, OK. Home for Sale

1705 S. Juniper Ave.
Village Park
$165,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
2 Car Garage

Jenks, OK. Luxury Estate for Sale

11425 S. Louisville Pl.
The Estates of Waterstone
$2,850,000

6 Bedrooms
6 Full 2 Half Bathrooms
7 Car Garage

For more information on these Tulsa, OK Area Homes for Sale or to buy or sell Tulsa, OK real estate, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com

Keeping Your Tulsa, OK Home Secure While On Vacation

With all the snow and cold weather, many of us are thinking of leaving our Tulsa, OK home for a a nice warm vacation. Whether you plan on vacationing soon or waiting until later in the year, you will find some excellent information in the article, "10 Tips to Protect Your Home while Away on Vacation" by Kelly O'Ryan. This article give handy tips that will help to keep your home secure, your utility bills down, and your mind at ease. Read on for these great tips:

RISMEDIA, February 11, 2011—With school vacations approaching, many lucky families are planning trips to cure their winter blues. Here are some important things to remember if you leave your home for several days.

1. Turn down your thermostat, but don’t shut it off. You shouldn’t set your thermostat any lower than 55 degrees in order to protect your pipes from freezing.

2. Arrange for snow removal in your absence in case there’s a storm while you are away. Massachusetts law requires residents to clear their own sidewalks and walkways six hours after a storm takes place and you’re not off the hook if you are out of town.

3. Make sure to hold the mail and newspaper. If you can’t have someone pick it up every day, it’s a sure giveaway that nobody’s home and can be a green light for burglars.

4. If possible, leave a key with someone you trust, preferably a neighbor and have them keep an eye on your home while you’re gone. Make sure to offer returning the favor and thank them with a gift when you return.

5. Unplug all electronics that don’t need to used like the television, coffee maker, and home computers.

6. Lower the temperature on your water heater.

7. If you can, leave a car in the driveway and use timers to turn on outdoor and indoor lights to give the impression that someone is home. Leaving the porch light on the entire time you’re gone is a bad idea. If you don’t have a timed light, you can leave an interior light on for the duration of your trip as long as you can’t easily notice it during the day.

8. As excited as you may be to go on vacation, avoid advertising it over Facebook and Twitter. Also, keep this in mind while posting updates from your cell phone on vacation.

9. If you have access to one, place all your valuables in a safe or safe deposit box.

10. Remember, if your house is on the market, you can ask your REALTOR® to stop by and check in. While you’re on vacation, it’s a great time for showings because you won’t have schedule conflicts.

If you follow these tips the next time you are out of town, you will most likely protect your house and your peace of mind.

For Tulsa, OK real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Luxury Homes For Sale in the Tulsa, OK Area

Gated and Secluded Luxury Estate in Bixby, OK

1724 East 151 Street
in Bixby, OK.

$2,675,000

5 Bedrooms
6.5 Bathrooms
4 Car Garage

________________________________________

Elegant Luxury Home For Sale in Bixby, OK.

13420 S. Lewis Ave.
$999,000

13420 South Lewis Avenue in Bixby, OK
The Estates of Hampton Hills Addition

5 Bedrooms
5 Full, 1 Half Bathrooms
3 Car Garage

__________________________________

Secluded Owasso, OK Luxury Home For Sale

15601 East 82nd Street North
in Owasso, OK.

$1,900,000

4 Bedrooms
4 Full, 2 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage

For more information on these Luxury Tulsa,OK Area Homes for Sale or for all your Tulsa, OK real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com