How to Buy a Home From a Bixby, OK Builder

How Home Builderʼs Negotiate
This common question has some uncommon answers. Home builders in the Bixby, OK area - just like any other home seller - have their own agenda based upon the type of home they are building, their own personal philosophies of building new houses and the market forces which affect any home seller anywhere. Despite the exponential differences these variable can create, there are common practices which make buying a new home in Tulsa and the surrounding communities somewhat consistent between them.

How much should I offer on a brand new home?
Like any other home a buyer falls in love with, the reason the buyer likes the house is because it stood out as the best overall value of the houses that are available. This often means it is priced well to begin with. Therefore, while you may still be able to negotiate a better deal, donʼt be so eager to steal the property that you forget this important fact. Consider your second choice. Would you rather pay full price for your favorite or get a discount on your second favorite. An honest answer to this question will tell you if you are making a price decision based on negotiation pride or market value.

Home builders pay for workers.
Often, buyers think of home builder as “Big Corporate America,” “Big Oil,” “Real Estate Dynasties,” and such. While there are some legendary home builders with deep pockets, most are just small business people who have taken extraordinary risk to build a home. Even those well-funded builders have a bottom to their funds and have to manage their business efficiently. What you are hiring is a manager of the complex home building process. Negotiate a good deal but make sure you pay enough for the builder to be profitable or you could find your new dream home encumbered with contractor liens. This will quickly turn into a nightmare.

Interested in building a new home in Bixby, OK? Call Rick Oberlender of US Building Systems at 918-518-5913 or email him at usbs@att.net

For all your Bixby, OK area real estate needs contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors at918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Questions on the 2010 Oklahoma State Ballot #5

As Bixby residents, the upcoming election in November will be very important There are a record 11 questions on the Oklahoma State Ballot. As Bixby voters, it is important to be aware of each question on the ballot so that we can make well informed decisions. After all, these decisions will affect Bixby for years to come. So far we have given an overview of SQ 744, SQ 746, SQ 747 and SQ 748- 4 of 11 questions on the Oklahoma State Ballot for November 2010. Today, we will discuss the fifth and sixth of the eleven Oklahoma state questions- SQ 750 and SQ 751.

SQ 750: This measure amends a section of the State Constitution. This section deals with initiative petitions. It also deals with referendum petitions. It deals with how many signatures are required on such petitions. It changes that requirement.

"Initiative" is the right to propose laws and constitutional amendments. "Referendum" is the right to reject a law passed by the Legislature. The following voter signature requirements apply: 8% must sign to propose a law. 15% must sign to propose to change the State Constitution. 5% must sign to order a referendum. These percentages are based upon the State office receiving the most total votes at the last General Election. The measure changes this basis. The measure's basis uses every-other General Election. General Elections are held every two years. The Governor is on the ballot every four years. The measure's basis only uses General Elections with the Governor on the ballot. The President is on the ballot in intervening General Elections. The measure's basis does not use General Elections with the President on the ballot. More votes are usually cast at Presidential General Elections. Thus, the measure would generally have a lowering effect on the number of required signatures.

SQ 751: This measure amends the State Constitution. It adds anew Article to the Constitution. That Article deals with the State's official actions. It dictates the language to be used in taking official State action. It requires that official State actions be in English. Native American languages could also be used. When Federal law requires other languages could also be used.

These language requirements apply to the State's "official actions." The term "official actions" is not defined. The Legislature could pass laws determining the application of the language requirements. The Legislature would also pass laws implementing and enforcing the language requirements.

No lawsuit based on State law could be brought on the basis of a State agency's failure to use a language other than English. Nor could such a lawsuit be brought against political subdivisions of the State.

This information provided by "Do You Have the Answers?" by Sid Sperry published in Oklahoma Living Magazine.

For more information about SQ 750 or SQ 751 or any other question on November 2, 2010 ballot, visit the www.okpolicy.org website or visit www.ballotpedia.org.

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

Bixby, Oklahoma Eco-Friendly Landscaping

I always think about eco-friendly household cleaners, organic produce, and green flooring. Frankly though, I never thought about eco-friendly landscape, here in Bixby, Oklahoma. Here are a few easy ways to improve your environment through landscaping.

• Reduce energy costs by planting deciduous shade trees. These trees will allow warmth in the winter and help reduce heat in the summer.
• Use evergreen trees to reduce cold wind in the Winter. Evergreens should be planted in an area that will block the wind during cold weather months.
• Add plants that are native to Oklahoma and will work with our weather patterns.
• Plan for irrigation, plants, and garden design that will save water.
• Consider solar powered landscaping lights.

There are many more ways to incorporate eco-friendly landscaping in Bixby, OK, contact Nathan Vaughn of Bluum Outdoor at 918-599-8500 or www.bluum.net.

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

New Price on South Tulsa Luxury Home!

Luxury Home for Sale in Jenks, OK- NEW PRICE!

Luxury Home for Sale in Jenks, OK.
The Gates at Forest Park

$3,999,000

6 Bedrooms
7 Full 4 Half Bathrooms
5 Car Garage

Never Before Has a Home of this Grandeur, Quality, Technology been Available! Magnificent Master Suite & 4 other Luxury en-suite, Apartment w/Elevator. Cinema, Gym, Sauna, Tennis Court, Pool/Spa. Rare Opportunity to Own One of Tulsa's Foremost Properties.


For information on this Jenks, OK luxury home or for all your luxury real estate needs in the Bixby, OK area, contact Kelly Howard of the Tulsa Luxury Property Group of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

What Not to Send with Your Bixby, OK Moving Company!

Packing and moving can be a lengthy and stressful process. Knowing what to pack should be simple, right? Not always! There are some items that should not be packed and sent with a moving company. Hazardous items are actually illegal for movers to transport. The following items should not be sent with your Bixby, OK area movers:

• Pant and paint thinners
• Ammunition and firearms
• Gas, Propane, or Oil
• Flammable or Explosive Materials
• Aerosols
• Acetone Products
• Stereo
• Matches
• Valuable items
• Pets

For a complete list of items that you shouldn't send with your Tulsa area moving company or for a quote to move your Bixby, OK. property, contact Mike Ellingson of Relocation LLC, at 918-455-6683 or www.relocationllc.net.

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

Oklahoma State Questions for November 2010- #4

As Bixby residents, the upcoming election in November will be very important There are a record 11 questions on the Oklahoma State Ballot. As Bixby voters, it is important to be aware of each question on the ballot so that we can make well informed decisions. After all, these decisions will affect Bixby for years to come. So far we have given an overview of SQ 744, SQ 746 and SQ 747- 3 of 11 questions on the Oklahoma State Ballot for November 2010. Today, we will discuss the forth of the eleven Oklahoma state questions- SQ 748.

SQ 748: This measure amends Sections 11A and 11B of Article 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution. These provisions deal with how the Legislature is divided into districts.

This process is know as apportionment. The Legislature must make an apportionment after each ten-year federal census. If the Legislature fails to act, an Apportionment Commission must do so. The measure changes the name of this Commission. It removes all three existing Commission members. It removes the Attorney General. It removes the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It also removes the State Treasurer.

The measure increases the number of members from three to seven. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate appoints one Democrat and one Republican. The Speaker of the House of Representatives appoints one Democrat and one Republican. The Governor appoints one Democrat and one Republican.

The measure provides that the Lieutenant Governor chairs the Commission and is a non-voting member. It requires orders of apportionment to be signed by at least four members of the Commission.

This information provided by "Do You Have the Answers?" by Sid Sperry published in Oklahoma Living Magazine.

For more information about SQ 748 or any other question on November 2, 2010 ballot, visit the www.okpolicy.org website or visit www.ballotpedia.org.

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

South Tulsa Area Homes For Sale!

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


___________________________________________________

New Construction in Bixby, OK!

14558 South Urbana Court
The Auberge in Bixby, OK.

$224,900

2 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Garage


____________________________________________



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

____________________________________________

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

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

$785,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Full 2 Half Bathrooms
3 Car Garage

For more information on residential real estate in the Bixby, Oklahoma area or for more information on these South Tulsa, OK area homes, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Foreclosed Bixby Homes Trouble Spots

Buying a Foreclosed Home in Bixby? Top Problem Areas to Look Out For

Today's real estate landscape in Bixby offers some great buys for savvy real estate consumers, especially when it comes to Bixby foreclosure properties. Unfortunately, even though there are already a large number of foreclosures on the market, analysts are predicting that yet another wave of distressed properties will crop up in the coming months.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, have consulted with many clients seeking to capitalize on a foreclosure purchase. We always advise them, however, to weigh the pros and cons. While a foreclosure could represent your best chance to get a great deal, make sure you educate yourself about the potential pitfalls of purchasing a distressed property in advance - and what correcting those pitfalls might cost. In most cases, it's not so much about what damage occurred but rather the source of the damage and how long before the problem was addressed.

Here are the top 10 signs that may indicate trouble in a Bixby foreclosed home:

1. Unheated house in winter months. If the home has been properly winterized, there's no need for heat. But if the home has not been properly winterized, pipes will burst and cause water damage.
2. Missing sinks, toilets and other fixtures. Make sure they've been properly removed and not ripped from walls and floors.
3. Peeling, bubbling and discolored paint; swelling in walls or ceilings (especially around kitchens and bathrooms), or a musty odor all indicate water damage and, potentially, the presence of moisture and mold.
4. Fungus growth inside cabinets, behind drawers and built-ins. Fungus could mean that there has been water damage. Since water falls down, look for the source above the mold.
5. Blocked drains or pipes will cause future problems and may have already created sewage backups.
6. Black cobwebs, greasy gray residue on walls and/or a strong oily odor. This could point to potential soot damage or a malfunctioning furnace.
7. An older home with extensive renovations. Check with the city for pulled permits in order to get remolding details. If asbestos is present and has been disturbed, be sure it's been remediated by a certified specialist.
8. Excessive painting of every nook, cranny, door and floor may mean that the seller is covering up mold.
9. Discolored subflooring. From the basement, check the subflooring above for stains and small holes, both caused by mold.
10. Air quality. The air quality within a home tells a lot about the home's condition. Be sure to include air and surface testing in your home inspection. It's a few hundred dollars well spent.

There are indeed many great opportunities in the Bixby market, but proper education and preparation are essential to making the right investment. Please e-mail our team for further information and be sure to forward this article to others who might be considering a foreclosure purchase.

Interested in buying a Bixby foreclosed property? Contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialists at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Stop your Tulsa foreclosure! Visit www.stopmytulsaforeclosure.com.

For all your Bixby, OK area Heating and A/C Repair and Installation, contact Stephen Taylor of Air Assurance at 918-258-HEAT or 918-258-COOL or www.airassurance.com.

South Tulsa Luxury Homes for Sale!

Some of South Tulsa's Finest Luxury Homes for Sale...

New Construction in Gated Luxury Neighborhood!

12204 South 68th East Avenue
Woodmere Addition in Bixby, Oklahoma
$935,000

5 Bedrooms
4 Full 1 Half Baths
4 Car Garage
_________________________________

European Designed Home in Gated Community!

6010 East 117th Street
River Oaks Addition in Bixby, Oklahoma
$2,500,000

5 Bedrooms
5 Full 2 Half Bathrooms
4 Car Garage

________________________________

Magnificent Gated Estate!

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 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

Oklahoma State Questions #3

So far we have given an overview of SQ 744 and SQ 746- 2 of 11 questions on the Oklahoma State Ballot for November 2010. Today, we will discuss the third of the eleven Oklahoma state questions- SQ 747.

SQ 747: This measure amends Sections 4 and 23 of Article 6 and Section 15 of Article 9 of the State Constitution. It limits the ability of voters to re-elect statewide elected officers by limiting how many years those officers can serve.

It limits the number of years a person may serve in each statewide elected office. Service as Governor is limited to eight years. Service as Attorney General is limited to eight years. Service as Treasurer is limited to eight years. Service as Commissioner of Labor is limited to eight years. Service as Auditor and Inspector is limited to eight years. Service as Superintendent of Public Instruction is limited to eight years. Service as a Corporation Commissioner is limited to twelve years.

Service for less than a full term would not count against the limit on service. Years of service need not be consecutive for the limits to apply.

Officers serving when this measure is paused can complete their terms. All such serving officers, except the Governor, can also serve an additional eight or 12 years.

This information provided by "Do You Have the Answers?" by Sid Sperry published in Oklahoma Living Magazine.

For more information about SQ 747 or any other question on November 2, 2010 ballot, visit the www.okpolicy.org website or visit www.ballotpedia.org.

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


Click the links below to read about one of the other State Question Blog Posts:
SQ 744
SQ 746

Tulsa OK Area Luxury Homes for Sale

Exceptional Luxury Estate!

10001 N. Glen Ellen Drive
Clear Brook Subdivision in
Owasso, Oklahoma

$2,100,000

5 Bedrooms
6 Full 2 Half Baths
4 Car Garage

Exceptional Luxury Estate Features All the Finest Details. Hardwoods, Beams, Travertine Marble, Gorgeous Moldings, Granite, & Chateau Cabinetry Thru-out. Culinary Kitchen, Office, Wine, Hobby & Media Room. Master Suite w/Spa Bath, Laundry & Exercise Rm.

Grandeur!

10726 S. Lakewood Ave.
The Gates at Forest Park Addition in
Tulsa, Oklahoma

$4,200,000

6 Bedrooms
7 Full 4 Half Baths
5 Car Garage

Never Before Has a Home of this Grandeur, Quality, and Technology been Available! 6 Bedrooms, Magnificent Master Suite & 4 other Luxury en-suite, Apartment w/Elevator. Cinema, Gym, Sauna, Tennis Court, Pool/Spa. Rare Opportunity to Own One of Tulsa's Foremost Properties.

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

Oklahoma State Questions on the Upcoming November Ballot

Last week we gave an overview of SQ 744- 1 of 11 questions on the Oklahoma State Ballot for November 2010. Today, we will discuss the second of the eleven Oklahoma state questions- SQ 746.

SQ 746: This measure amends statutes relating to voting requirements. It requires that each person appearing to vote present a document proving their identity.

The document must meet the following requirements: It must have the name and photograph of the voter. It must have been issued by the federal state or tribal government. It must have an expiration date that is after the date of the election. No expiration date would be required on certain identity cards issued to persons 65 years of age and older.

In lieu of such document, voters could present voter identification cards issued by the County Election Board.

A person who cannot or does not present the required identification may sign a sworn statement and cast a provisional ballot. Swearing to a false statement would be felony.

Those proof-of-identity requirements also apply to in-person absentee voting. If adopted by the people, the measure would become effective July 1, 2011.

This information taken from "Do You Have the Answers?" by Sid Sperry published in Oklahoma Living Magazine.

For more information about SQ 746 or any other question on November 2, 2010 ballot, visit the www.okpolicy.org website.

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

SQ 744 To read about SQ 744 click on the link to the left.

Ten great reasons to live in Tulsa, OK

Tulsa, OK is corporate headquarters to QuikTrip Convenience Stores which has recently opened several Gen5 concept stores in the Tulsa metro area. The new concept features ten selections of freshly brewed tea and various uncarbonated fountain drinks (shown here) in addition to the usual soft drink line-up and an attended food counter.  QT is recognized as one of America's top employers.  It is truly a feature Tulsans miss when they travel to less fortunate  locations not selected as a QT market.

Homes for sale in Tulsa, OK and surrounding communities www.darrylbaskin.com
Relocate your business to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Find commercial properties for sale at www.baskincommercial.com

Posted via email from The Baskin Report

Mayor Dewey Bartlett State of the City Address for Tulsa, OK

Mayor Bartlett addressed business leaders at the annual State of the City address in Tulsa, OK. Bartlett expressed optimism for Tulsa as the city has endured significant changes and prepared itself for substantial future growth thanks to solid long-term decisions.

The recent comprehensive study on government operations and efficiency by KPMG has identified additional areas for efficiency.  Tulsa, OK  is one of only a handful of cities across the nation to take this monumental step. Bartlett was also positive about cleanup efforts for Tulsa's blighted neighborhoods.   His presentation continued by reinforcing Tulsa's worldwide role in engergy development and alternative sources beyond the historic oil production.

Elected officials and business leaders from Tulsa County including Mike and Mark Tedford of Tedford Insurance,  Darryl Baskin of McGraw Realtors, and Tom Kudirka of Tornado Studios were in attendance.

Posted via email from The Baskin Report

Condo's For Sale in the Tulsa OK Area

Tulsa, Oklahoma Area 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 buy or sell your Tulsa, OK area Condo or to find condominiums for sale in the Bixby area, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com