February Pending Home Sales Rise

February Pending Home Sales Rise

(Realtormag.com, Daily Real Estate News, March 28, 2011) Pending home sales increased in February but with notable regional variations, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator, rose 2.1 percent to 90.8, based on contracts signed in February, from 88.9 in January. The index is 8.2 percent below 98.9 recorded in February 2010. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months.

Lawrence Yun , NAR chief economist, says it’s important to look at the broader trend. “Month-to-month movements can be instructive, but in this uneven recovery it’s important to look at the longer term performance,” he said. “Pending home sales have trended up very nicely since bottoming out last June, even with periodic monthly declines. Contract activity is now 20 percent above the low point immediately following expiration of the home buyer tax credit.”

Yun notes there could have been some weather impact in the February data. “All of the regions saw gains except for the Northeast, where unusually bad winter weather may have curtailed some shopping and contract activity.”

The PHSI in the Northeast fell 10.9 percent to 65.5 in February and is 18.4 percent below a year ago. In the Midwest, the index rose 4.0 percent in February to 81.1 but is 15.9 percent below February 2010. Pending home sales in the South increased 2.7 percent to an index of 100.3 but are 5.3 percent below a year ago. In the West, the index rose 7.0 percent to 105.6 and is 0.6 percent higher than February 2010.

“We may not see notable gains in existing-home sales in the near term, but they’re expected to rise 5 to 10 percent this year with the economic recovery, job creation, and excellent affordability conditions providing confidence to buyers who’ve been on the sidelines,” Yun said.

Source: NAR

To read this original article, posted in Realtormag.com, "February Pending Home Sales Rise" click here.

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

Glass Mulch?

When we think of mulch, most of us probably think of wood mulch or possibly rubber mulch. There is a newer product on the market that is becoming popular and starting to catch on in Oklahoma, especially since it doesn't wash or blow away, and is great for the environment. Tulsa World published an article about Garden Glass of Oklahoma last fall that introduces glass mulch well. Consider something different for your garden and read on.

Glass mulch catching on in Oklahoma gardens
by Amanda Fite

Landscapers on the coasts are already hip to a trend that's new to Oklahoma: recycled glass chips that, among other things, make a good mulch.

It's real, it's definitely different, and it's about as "green" as it gets.

The mulch is made when recycled bottles are broken and tumbled to smooth out the edges.

"The pieces can be used for a variety of things, including landscaping," said Leigh Murray, owner of Garden Glass of Oklahoma.

The glass is available in four colors: brown, green, clear and mixed.

Chad Burden, who's made news with his eco-friendly home construction in midtown Tulsa, said he's been using the glass as mulch for a couple of months now. He chose the brown, which looks like rich, pigmented mulch.

"It seems to be working as well as my regular mulch," he said, "and it's prettier for sure."

Burden puts material underneath the glass to keep it from sinking into the dirt. Its weight keeps the mulch from floating away in an Oklahoma rainstorm.

Murray said the glass also doesn't fade or disintegrate, so there's no need to replace it every year.

"You don't have to keep doing it," Burden agreed. "No mulch and remulch."

According to Murray's website, the glass is also safe for kids and animals and is a natural deterrent to slugs.

But the garden glass isn't just for mulching. Gas fire pits and fireplaces
are another place to try the glass chips. (Natural wood fires burn a bit too hot.) It can also be used to:

* Accent driveways, walkways, garden paths, water features and fish ponds

* Create designs and patterns in your landscape

* Fill terrariums, aquariums, flower arrangements and birdbaths

However you use it, the glass definitely adds design flavor.

"It's a little bit funkier," Burden said. "After a rain, it looks beautiful. ... I hope it catches on here."

A 50-pound bag of the glass sells for $15 and covers about 8 square feet, Murray said. For more information, call 232-0210, or go to tulsaworld.com/gardenglass

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=41&articleid=20100904_17_D3_CUTLIN790454

To buy glass mulch in the Bixby, OK. area, contact Leigh Murray of Garden Glass of Oklahoma at 918-232-0210 or www.gardenglassofoklahoma.com.

Jenks, OK. and Owasso, OK. Luxury Homes For Sale

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

__________________________________________________

Luxury Home for Sale in Jenks, OK.

10726 S. Lakewood Ave.
The Gates at Forest Park

$4,200,000

6 Bedrooms
7 Full 4 Half Bathrooms
5 Car Garage

__________________________________________________

Luxury Home for Sale in Owasso, OK.
10001 N. Glen Ellen Dr.
Clearbrook Addition

$2,100,000

5 Bedrooms
6 Full 2 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage




For information on any of these Tulsa, OK area luxury homes or for all your Bixby, OK area real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

I Hate to Change My Air Filter!

OK, I really hate to change my air filters. First of all, I can never remember when to change them. Then, since my air filters are two different sizes, I have to run all over town to find them. It is amazing how many different air filter sizes there are. Then, when I find a store that sells the right size, there are too many choices! Surprisingly, there is one easy solution to all of these hassles.... Filters 4 Me.

First, check out their website at www.filters4me.com.
Next, measure your air filter.
Finally, enter all the appropriate information in their handy online application, including how often you want your filters delivered.

Filters 4 Me will then mail you a high quality filter at the right time! No more having to remember when to change the filter or where to get one.

For more information on air filters and how the Filters 4 Me program works, contact Rick Butefish at 918-292-8600 or visit www.filters4me.com.

Ways to Improve Your Vehicle's Fuel Economy

With gas prices increasing every week, it seems like just going to work and doing everyday necessary chores are costing way too much. As the gas budget gets tighter, seeking ways to increase fuel economy can be a very helpful and budget friendly idea. In an article posted by RIS Media, "10 Tips to Improve Your Vehicle’s Fuel Economy", author Jerry Hirsch gives some helpful tips to increase your vehicle's fuel economy. Read on for these helpful tips...

RISMEDIA, March 17, 2011—(MCT)—With the price of regular unleaded gasoline topping $4 a gallon, auto information websites TrueCar.com and AutomMD.com have come out with a simple guide to get more mileage from your vehicle.

1. Drive more smoothly: Be gentle with your gas pedal and your brakes. There’s no reason to speed up to a red light just to slam on the brakes. Aggressive driving will lower your gas mileage.

2. Slow down: Most vehicles get the best fuel efficiency at 45-55 miles per hour. Driving more than 60 mph can cut fuel efficiency 7-23%.

3. Reduce idling: Turn off your engine if you’re waiting for more than 20 seconds. Idling wastes more gas than turning off your engine and restarting it.

4. Use lower-grade fuel: Regular unleaded fuel won’t hurt most vehicles even if premium unleaded fuel is required. Unless your engine starts to knock or ping when using a lower-grade fuel, stick to regular.

5. Remove excess weight: An extra 100 pounds sitting in the trunk or back seat can reduce fuel economy as much as 2%.

6. Turn on the ventilator and turn off the air conditioning: The most efficient way to cool your car is with the air that comes in through your flow-through ventilator. Air conditioning or open windows make your vehicle less fuel-efficient (because of the drag). Driving fast with the windows open can burn more fuel than the air conditioner.

7. Replace or tighten the gas cap: Fuel evaporates through gas caps with broken or weak seals, potentially reducing your car’s gas mileage by 2%.

8. Keep the tires inflated: Tires that are improperly inflated have a higher rolling resistance, which reduces efficiency. Keeping tires at the proper pressure can improve gas mileage by as much as 3.3%.

9. Change the oil: Energy-conserving or synthetic motor oil can reduce engine friction, improving efficiency as much as 2%.

10. Replace the spark plugs: Misfiring spark plugs can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30%.

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

Types of Property Deeds...

There are many types of deeds for home ownership in Bixby, OK. but what are they and what do they mean for buyers and sellers?

The best type of deed is the General Warranty Deed. In a General Warranty Deed the seller warrants the title from statehood until the time the buyer takes title. This means that the owner of the property is guaranteeing the buyer that they are getting a clear title.

The next type of deed is the Special Warranty Deed. In a Special Warranty Deed there is more risk to the buyer and limits the amount of the warranty. This is a common type of deed when a bank takes title to a property. When this happens, the bank will only warrant the property for the time that they owned it and no time prior.

Another type of deed is the Quit Claim Deed. The Quit Claim Deed is usually between a divorcing husband and wife. One party is giving up any interest that they may have in the property to the other party.

The final type of deed is the Sheriffs Deed. The Sheriffs Deed occurs when a foreclosure happens, the property goes to a sale and the Sheriff presents a deed to the new owner. This is a high risk situation because there are no warranties on the property. It is being sold or presented "as-is".

For more information about types of property deeds in Bixby, OK. or to have your title inspected in the Tulsa, OK area, contact Ann Rollins of Closings of Tulsa, 918-493-2241 or www.closingsoftulsa.com.

For all your Tulsa mortgage needs, contact Steve Currington of Currington Mortgage at 918-394-5626 or www.curringtonmortgage.com.

For Bixby, OK real estate needs, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Prepare Your Bixby, OK. Home and Family For Spring...

Spring is here and with the great warm weather, we will see Spring come alive. With the great Spring weather, however, also come Spring storms. Preparing our home and family for Spring and for Spring storms is very important. Read on to find some information on preparing your home, family, and landscaping for Spring.

Preparing Your Home for Spring

• Check your windows and doors to make sure they are caulked properly and that weather stripping is properly installed. Gaps in these areas can lead to pests, water, and energy leaks.
• Have your A/C serviced to make sure that it is running properly and at its best. This will save your money and help keep you cool.
• Have pest control treatments done on your Bixby, OK. home regularly. The warm weather can drive pests inside. Prevent this before it becomes a problem with regular pest control.
• Check your smoke detectors to ensure that they work. Change the batteries if it has been one year since you have installed new batteries. Although this is not just a Spring problem, now is a good time to check it.
• Play the inventory game. Let your kids help by taking pictures, a video, or simply making lists of all valuables, electronics, etc in your home and their serial number and other important information.

Preparing Your Landscape for Spring

• If you are planning on adding new plants to your garden, get proper information about when to plant the species that you want.
• Make sure that you don't have drainage issues around your property. If you find that water sits around the perimeter of your home or in areas around your property, have those issues solved before Spring storms come and make it impossible to repair quickly. Water that sits around your foundation can cause cracks and other foundation problems later. Don't assume it won't happen to your home. Foundation problems are more expensive to repair than drainage problems and will affect the resale ability of your home as well.
• Weed around your plants now and add 3 inches of mulch to help keep the soil moist and weeds away.
• Ensure that you have proper insurance coverage on your Bixby, OK. home in the event that a disaster or a theft occur. Check the link for more information.

Preparing Your Family for Spring

• Make sure that you have a fire escape plan, fire escape ladders, and tornado shelter in your home.
• Practice your fire escape plan and what to do in the event of a tornado. Practice will help keep your children calm because they will know what to do.
• Make sure your children are aware of what happens in a storm, tornado, etc. and what to do if they are away from the home. For example, know not to go under a bridge (in the overpass) during severe weather/tornado could save their life. Be prepared! Local TV weather station websites are great places to learn this life-saving information.
• In the event that you have property damage from a Spring storm, contact Bixby home maintenance professionals to have repairs done.

For more information on these areas contact the following professionals:

Bixby, OK Pest Control- Duane Montgomery, Montgomery Exterminating at 918-438-4885 or www.montgomeryexterminating.com.

Roofing Repair or Replacement in Bixby, OK- Judy Smith, A-Best Roofing, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

A/C Service and Installation in the Bixby, OK area- Stephen Taylor, Air Assurance, 258-COOL or www.airassurance.com.

Bixby, OK. Insurance Coverage- Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance, 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

Bixby, OK. Real Estate- Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

South Tulsa, OK. Homes for Sale...

Jenks, OK Luxury Home for Sale

720 W. 108th St. in Jenks
Aberdeen Falls Addition

$1,695,000

5 Bedrooms
5 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage

_________________________________

New Construction in Bixby, OK!

12204 South 68th East Avenue
Woodmere Addition in Bixby, Oklahoma
$899,900

5 Bedrooms
4 Full 1 Half Baths
4 Car Garage
_________________________________

Magnificent Gated Estate in Jenks, OK!

777 West 106th Street
The Estates at Stone Bluff in Jenks, Oklahoma
$2,999,000

5 Bedrooms
7 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
3 Car Garage


For more information on any of these South Tulsa, Oklahoma area luxury homes or to buy or sell your home in the Bixby, Oklahoma area, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com

The Rich Buy Real Estate Now Despite...

According to a recent blog post, If Prices Are Falling, Why Are the Rich Buying?, by the KCM Crew, real estate prices are predicted to continue to drop, however, the rich are buying homes now! The KCM crew says that "DataQuick Information Systems reported last week that sales on homes $1 million or more rose 18.6% last year after four consecutive years of decline. This is at the same time that sales outside of this price point actually fell 2.8%." So, why are the rich buying now, instead of waiting? The KCM crew say that "They realize that the COST of real estate is a much more important than its PRICE. With the government attempting to make massive changes to the residential lending business, the wealthy know financing a home may never be better. They realize it is time to buy. They can purchase a million dollar+ home for a rate lower than at almost any time in history."

Although some may still say that they would wait for lower real estate prices in the Bixby, OK area, that can be a gamble. We know that rates will not remain at these historically low rates forever. Higher rates can mean that you pay more for the interest in a lower priced home than you might for a higher priced home with today's low rates. Once you add all that extra interest up, you could actually end up paying more for your Bixby, OK. area real estate.

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

Check out the following link to read the entire blog post from the KCM Crew, "If Prices Are Falling, Why Are the Rich Buying?"

Bixby, OK. Horse Ranch For Sale...

Bixby, OK. Horse Ranch Front View

Bixby, OK. Horse Ranch Aerial View

3511 East 181 Street
Bixby, OK. Horse Ranch

$1,906,000

4 Bedrooms
5 Full, 1 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage
RV Barn
4 Stall Horse Barn

For more information on this exquisite horse ranch in the South Tulsa area or to buy or sell Bixby, OK. real estate contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.


Bixby, OK. Horse Ranch Kitchen

Bixby, OK. Horse Ranch Living Room

Americans Wealth Has Increased!

According to a recent article posted on Realtormag.com, "Americans Feel a Little More Rich", Americans are making more money. In the last quarter of 2010, Americans wealth increased by 3.8%. In addition, household net worth increased the last quarter of 2010, even though real estate holding dropped by 1.6%. Interested in reading more? Read the article, "Americans Feel a Little More Rich" here.

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

Beautiful Home for Sale in the Tulsa, OK. Area

Charming Old World Home in Jenks, OK!

6338 East 111th Place
Woodfield Village in Tulsa, OK.

$325,000

3 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Garage


For more information on this beautiful Jenks, OK. home for sale or to buy or sell Bixby, OK. real estate, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Bixby, OK. Homes Are More Affordable Than Ever!

According to an article in RealtorMag, 30 Year Mortgage Rates Hold Steady This Week, homes are more affordable than ever! Rates are under 5% this week and are even lower than the same time last year. Read the article below, 30 Year Mortgage Rates Hold Steady This Week, for more information.

Mortgage rates continued to hold steady below 5 percent this week, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage market survey.

"Interest rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have averaged at or below 5 percent in every week but one this year, contributing to record home affordability,” says Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

Here are how rates fared for the week:

- 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.88 percent, up just slightly from last week’s 4.87 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year mortgage rate averaged 4.95 percent.

- 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.15 percent, holding at the same as last week’s average. Last year at this time, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 4.32 percent.

- 5-year adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 3.73 percent this week, up slightly from last week’s 3.72 percent. A year ago at this time, the 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 4.05 percent.

"Mortgage rates held steady amid a strong employment report,” Nothaft says. The private sector added 222,000 jobs in February--the most since March 2006. The unemployment rate also fell to its lowest share since April 2009 at 8.9 percent.

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

Condo's For Sale in the Tulsa, OK. Area

Tulsa, Oklahoma Condominiums for Sale

Enjoy the View from these Charming Spacious Condo's just Steps Away from the River Parks. Downtown and major interstates are only minutes away.

3731 South Riverside Drive
Tower Court Condo's in Tulsa, OK.

$172,900

3 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Attached Garage

______________________

3727 South Riverside Drive
Tower Court Condo's in Tulsa, OK.

$169,900

3 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Attached Garage
________________________

3729 South Riverside Drive
Tower Court Condo's in Tulsa, OK.

$169,900

3 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Attached Garage


To sell your Bixby, OK area Condo or to find condominiums for sale in Bixby, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 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
__________________________________

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
_____________________________________


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