Why Bixby is a Great Place to Live...

NEWS RELEASE

CENSUS COUNT CONFIRMS BIXBY’S STATUS AS A HIGH GROWTH COMMUNITY WITH A VERY POSITIVE DEMOGRAPHIC

The recently released 2010 Census counts contain some very interesting information, confirming the city of Bixby’s reputation as a very high growth community with a very positive demographic, says Trish Richey, the City of Bixby’s Economic Development Director. “These facts, along with our high quality of schools, status as a very safe community with a stable, progressive government, a strong chamber of commerce, and very attractive quality of life, continue to make Bixby a top choice for people and businesses looking to relocate to the Tulsa metro area, “ Richey said.

Citing data produced through last year’s decennial census process, combined with result of other research and analysis, Richey has assembled an impressive listing of facts and figures which help her and other City officials communicate to people who may not be familiar with our community why they should consider relocating their home or business to Bixby:

1. Bixby was one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Oklahoma this past decade, and second fastest growing in the Tulsa metro region, having grown by 57%

2. At just under 21,000 people, now the 20th largest city in the state, having moved up from 32^nd

3. Bixby has a very positive demographic, and features a very attractive quality of life. Its excellent school system is one of its a major attractions, along with its quality neighborhoods, friendly small town feel, with many community amenities, and significant commercial development potential, including along the Arkansas River

4. Our percentage of citizens holding B.S. degrees or higher is very high, (at 38%, more than 2/3rds higher than statewide average). Earlier this year, Bixby was pleased to become home to Southern Nazarene University’s new Northeast Oklahoma branch campus

5. Has the highest median home values in the Tulsa Metro Region (at $168,500, is 70% higher than the state as a whole)

6. Has the highest Per Capita Income in the Tulsa Metro Region, (at $34,004, is 51% higher than state as a whole)

7. And the growth continues! Last year, while most cities saw declines in # of building permits, Bixby’s grew by 22%, the highest growth rate of any city in the Tulsa metro region

8. Featuring a stable, progressive city government, Bixby has a very low crime rate – a recent report confirmed that Bixby was again the safest city in Oklahoma for communities its size

9. Bixby has a dynamic Chamber of Commerce which has experienced a very high growth rate. Recently recognized as one of the top 10 chambers its size in the nation.

10. Bixby’s new 100 acre Bentley youth sports park, just recognized for top design in the state by the Oklahoma Recreation Sports Society, connects to an extensive trails system

11. The new 4,500 seat Spirit Bank Event Center regularly hosts world-class entertainment and numerous events which attract visitors from throughout the region.

12. In 2009 CNN Money.com selected Bixby as one of its Best Places to Live in America, designating it one of America’s best small towns.

Bixby Mayor Ray Bowen, who himself can often be heard citing Bixby as “the best place in Oklahoma in which to live, play, and do business”, was recently recognized by the Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce as the 2010 Citizen of the Year for his leadership and non-stop efforts to promote the City he clearly loves. “Bixby is a wonderful community, with a rich heritage and strong future. Behind the great economic statistics, you’ll find simply the best character of people you’ll find anywhere, who make newcomers quickly feel at home here,” he said.

Bowen explained that Bixby’s high growth rate makes passage the City’s upcoming April 5^th $10 million General Obligation (G.O.) Bond issue particularly important for the community. “The four propositions which comprise our upcoming G.O. bond election are designed to address critical traffic safety, quality of life and public safety needs of our growing community. Like successful businesses, communities seeking to continue to progress need to continually reinvest in themselves,” Bowen said. “Fortunately, due to retiring of other bonds and growth-induced increase in our bond capacity, we are able to make these additional infrastructure improvements without raising taxes,” he added.

For more information on Bixby, OK. contact:

Trish Richey

Director Economic Development

E-mail: trichey@olp.net

www.choosebixby.com

www.bixby.com


To buy or sell real estate in Bixby, OK. contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Easy Energy-Saving Ideas for Spring

Spring is finally upon us, which means things will be heating up in no time...including your electric bill.

In today's economy, it's important to reduce expenses wherever possible, especially those costs related to your home. As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, have seen how seemingly small steps in home maintenance can yield big results in terms of savings. Whenever working with clients, therefore, we make sure to point out the various ways they can save energy. Not only is it good for the environment, it's good for your household budget as well.

Here are some great energy-saving ideas to look at this spring:

Start at the top. Now is the perfect time to make sure your roof has adequate ventilation. As the weather gets increasingly warmer, heat builds up in your attic and good ventilation is critical to cutting cooling costs and protecting your shingles, as well.

Check your cooling system. An annual inspection is key to keeping your air conditioning system at peak performance. Early spring is the best time to call a local contractor to schedule a check-up. Make sure air conditioning units are free of obstructions inside and out. When embarking on spring clean up, be sure to trim bushes, and clear leaves and other debris away from your outdoor condenser.

Consider a furnace replacement. You may be using your furnace less as the weather warms up, but if it's an older model, now may be the time to take advantage of end-of-season sales to replace it with one that's more energy efficient.

Landscaping plays a part. Plant trees on the south and west side of your house to provide cooling shade.

These are just some of the ways to help reduce energy costs and also protect one of your greatest investments...your home. Please e-mail our team for more home ideas and be sure to pass this information on to your fellow homeowners as well.

Sincerely,

Darryl Baskin

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

For Tulsa, OK. heating and a/c service, contact Stephen Taylor of Air Assurance at 918-258-HEAT or www.airassurance.com.

For all your Tulsa, OK. roofing needs, contact Judy Smith of A-Best Roofing at 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

For other ways to cut your Tulsa, OK. electric bill and for all your Tulsa, OK. electric installation and repair, contact Larry Murray of Murray Electric at 918-557-3020 or www.murrayelectric.com.

Increasing Your Tulsa, OK. Home's Value...

How do you increase your Tulsa, OK. home value? How do you avoid decreasing your Tulsa, OK. home value? These questions are things that many homeowners ask, especially when placing their home on the market for sale. In a recent blog post by Melissa Tracey on Styled, Staged, and Sold by Realtor Magazine, "Real Estate Math: What Can Increase and Decrease a Home's Value", Melissa discusses some ideas presented by New York brokers.

These New York brokers suggest the following:

WHAT CAN DECREASE A PROPERTY’S VALUE

• Chipped plaster or broken bathroom tiles: Knock $500 to $5,000 off an offer
• Dirty rugs: Subtract $5,000
• Clutter: Subtract 5 to 15 percent from sales price

WHAT CAN INCREASE A PROPERTY’S VALUE

• Fresh towels and throw pillows (estimated cost: $700): Add $25,000 to sales price
• New lights (cost: $2,000 replacing lighting fixtures and $250 for a professional lighting designers expertise): Add $32,500
• Professional paint job (estimated cost: $10,000): Add $50,000 to the sales price
• Replacing cabinets (estimated cost: $20,000 on new kitchen cabinets and paint): Add $107,000

Keep in mind that the prices given above are based on New York rents and are higher than they would be in Tulsa, OK. real estate. The ideas above indicate, however, that there are relatively inexpensive and easy things that can be done in a home to increase the value and sales price.

To read the entire article, "Real Estate Math: What Can Increase and Decrease a Home's Value", visit the link.

For more information on Tulsa, OK. home value or to buy or sell Tulsa, OK. real estate, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

South Tulsa Luxury Homes for Sale...

Exquisite Custom Luxury Home in Bixby, OK.

15080 S. Columbia Ave.
The Estates of Posey Creek Farms in Bixby, OK.

$1,250,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Full 2 Half Bathrooms
4 Living Areas
3 Car Garage
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Gorgeous Horse Ranch for Sale in Mounds, OK!

19983 S. Sheridan Rd
Mounds, OK. with 80 Acres

$2,699,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Full, 2 Half Bathrooms
5 Living Areas
3 Car Garage
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For more information on any of these Tulsa, OK area luxury 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.