Reasons to Buy a Tulsa, OK home in 2011!

In a recent article posted in Realtormag, Michele Lerner gives 5 reasons why you should buy a home in 2011. They include:

▪ Mortgage rates will stay low. Even with rates climbing — maybe to as high as 6 percent by 2012 — they are still well below where they have been historically.
▪ Tax cuts could help. Extending the tax cuts could encourage a more rapid recovery for the economy.
▪ Americans want to be home owners. A recent Fannie Mae survey showed that Americans still believe a home is a safe and desirable investment.
▪ Builders are about to begin building. Home builders have been sitting on the sidelines. This year, they think pent-up demand will create an appetite for new homes.
▪ Homes are shrinking. Homes are getting smaller, which has made them more affordable.
Source: Investopedia, Michele Lerner (12/24/2010)

If you are considering buying or selling a Tulsa, OK home, now really is a great time! Contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com to find out more.

Are There Bugs in Your Bed?

Okay. I know you are probably saying "Bugs in my bed? There are no bugs in my bed!" Actually, there are. Dust Mites are microscopic bugs that eat dead skin cells that are shed from humans and animals. They can be found in lots of places, but are especially prevalent on mattresses, frequently used furniture, and carpeted areas. Humans slough off 1/3 (or 10 grams) of dead skin a week and cats and dogs produce even more. More than 100,000 can be on your mattress and in one square yard of carpeting. Many of us can actually be allergic to dust mites and their feces, which is a large component of dust. Okay, I know you're probably saying "That's enough, tell me how to get rid of the nasty things!"

Although we can't completely get rid of dust mites, here are some ways to reduce dust and Dust Mites in our homes:

• Cover your mattress with a plastic cover or mattress cover made exclusively for reducing dust mites.
• Use Hardwood Flooring instead of carpeting since it is easier to reduce and clean dust from hard surfaces.
• Clean regularly. Wash your sheets and blankets at least once every two weeks and clean areas where they are likely to be every week.
• Reduce fabrics on your furniture by purchasing leather furniture, which is less inviting to Dust Mites.
• Use quality air filters and replace them often in order to reduce dust and allergens in your home.

For more information about hardwood flooring in Tulsa, OK. area, contact Jim Ecrette of ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings at 918-252-7711 or www.prosourcefloors.com/tulsa. (Don't forget to ask for Darryl Baskin's flooring discount!)

To purchase quality air filters contact Rick Butefish of Filters 4 Me at 918-292-8600 or www.filters4me.com.

For Tulsa, OK pest control needs, contact Duane Montgomery, Montgomery Exterminating at 918-438-4885 or www.montgomeryexterminating.com.

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

Your Rights and Responsibilities During a Move.

When you or a moving company moves your household goods over the interstate, there are certain rights and responsibilities that you and the moving company have, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Although moving companies are not required to provide an estimate, you may ask for one. If you request a binding estimate, and the mover is willing to provide one, he has the right to charge you for a detailed estimate. A binding estimate must clearly describe all moving, shipping or other services provided. With a binding estimate, you are not required to pay more than the amount on the estimate, however, should anything change or need to be added, that is not clearly on the estimate, the charges may change. To ensure that the binding estimate is effective, it must be in writing and a copy must have been available to you before you move.

Every mover is required by law to prepare a bill of lading for any shipment it transports. The bill of lading is the contract between you and the mover. The information that is listed on the bill of lading is required to be the same as that on the order for service, which is required as well. You must be provided with a copy of the bill of lading before the mover loads your furniture. You have the responsibility to read the bill of lading before you accept it.

As a customer, if the moving company doesn’t write an inventory of everything in the shipment, you should do one yourself. As part of the inventory, list the condition of all items. Companies that create an inventory will usually ask you to sign each page to ensure that everything is correct. If you disagree with anything, make a note on the inventory and initial it. You should receive a copy of this inventory. At the time of delivery, check the inventory to verify that everything was delivered in the same condition in which it was picked up.

In Oklahoma, new regulations were set in 2009 requiring most companies to carry insurance. Make sure that you are well informed, however. Don't just take the companies word for it. Verify the information they give you and ask for copies of proper documents. Check the following link for more information on regulations affecting your move

For more information or an estimate for Tulsa, OK moving services, contact Mike Ellingson at Relocation LLC at 918-459-6683 or www.relcationllc.net.

Need a place to move? For Tulsa, OK area real estate needs, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Reators, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Just for Fun....Which Celebrity Would Make the Best Neighbor?

Many of us have dreamed of becoming rich and famous, so to speak; however, have you considered which celebrity would make the best neighbor? In Tulsa, OK real estate you could find many local celebrities that would make a best neighbor choice. When considering national and international celebrities, however, what do Americans think? Zillow, a real estate website, conducted it's fourth annual Zillow Celebrity Neighbor Survey. Who is it that Americans would most like as a celebrity neighbor and who would they least like as a celebrity neighbor? Read on to find out:

Most Desirable Neighbors for 2011
Sandra Bullock – 26%
Sarah Palin – 10%
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia DeRossi – 9%
The Obamas – 8%
Conan O’Brien – 7%
Lady Gaga – 3%
Katy Perry and Russell Brand – 2%
Justin Bieber – 1%
Other – 7%
None of the above – 27%

Worst Neighbors of 2010
The Jersey Shore Cast – 26%
The Obamas – 15%
Sarah Palin – 13%
Kanye West – 11%
Mel Gibson – 10%
Charlie Sheen – 8%
LeBron James – 3%
Mark Zuckerberg – 1%
Other – 1%
None of the above – 13%

For more information on the Zillow Celebrity Neighbor Survey, visit www.rismedia.com to read their original article.

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