Save $ When Selling Your Home

Getting to the closing table with your home sale can be very frustrating.  Sometimes, it just takes a little extra time because of an error.  Other times, both buyers and sellers learn that there are repairs needed to the home.  Although not every problem can be avoided, for sellers, having a pre-listing inspection performed can help alleviate some future problems.  You might find out that you need to hire a Broken Arrow area electrician or a  Broken Arrow area A/C Company to do some repairs, however, it could save you money and frustration in the long run.  For more information on how a pre-listing inspection can help you save money, visit the blog post, "Sellers, Save with a Pre-Inspection". 

What do Buyers Want?

When putting your home on the  market, or even simply remodeling with a possible future sale in mind, considering a buyers wants can be a very important decision.  "Home Features Buyers Love" is a recent blog post by Darryl Baskin with some quick information about what interior home features buyers really want, such as granite countertops.  Visit the link above for some more information on what to consider when thinking about buyers for your Broken Arrow home for sale. 

Importance of Title Insurance

If you are buying Broken Arrow area real estate for the first time,  the article "The Basics of Title Insurance"on  Broken Arrow area title insurance will help reduce the confusion of title insurance. Find out:

• What  is Title Insurance?
• Why is Title Insurance Important?
• What is a title opinion from a Broken Arrow attorney?
• The importance of proper Broken Arrow insurance coverage.

Reducing Summer Energy Costs

Summer is almost officially here and with it has come warm weather and increased energy costs.  Darryl Baskin, a Tulsa realtor, has provided some helpful energy savings information in an article "Easy Ways to Cut Summer Energy Costs".  The simple tips include: installing a programmable thermostat, planting shade trees, and shortening your shower times.

To read the entire article click the link above or talk to your  Broken Arrow area plumbing company, Broken Arrow electrician, or your Broken Arrow heating and cooling company for more ways to reduce your energy usage.

There are Bugs in Dust...

Believe it or not there are bugs in the dust in your Broken Arrow home.  According to the website, www.martinfrost.ws, "Eighty per cent of house dust is made of dead, human skin. We shed 5-10 grams a week and this is what dust mites like best for dinner."  In addition to Dust Mites in your home, Bed Bugs are also becoming more common.  To find out more about how to eliminate Bed Bugs and Dust Mites in your Broken Arrow home, visit www.darrylbaskin.com.

Preparing Your Family for Spring (part 3)

In two previous posts, we discussed:  Preparing Your Home for Spring and Preparing Your Landscape for Spring.  In this final part of the Prepare for Spring blog series, we will discuss Preparing Your Family for Spring.  Read on for some important safety tips.

• Make sure that you have a fire escape plan, fire escape ladders, and tornado shelter (or know the safest place to be in case of a tornado) 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 (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 weather safety information.
• Make sure you have done proper maintenance on your home and any necessary repairs to prevent water leaks, unsafe electrical wiring, leaking roofs, annual A/C service, etc.  This will help prevent further damage, should there be maintenance problems.
•  Go over your insurance policy with your Broken Arrow insurance agent.  Having proper insurance cover in case of a disaster is one way to ensure that you have prepared your family for Spring.

To read the first two parts of this blog series, "Prepare Your Home for Spring" and "Prepare Your Landscape for Spring" click here.

In the event that you have property damage from a Spring storm, contact Broken Arrow home maintenance professionals to have repairs done.

For more information contact the following professionals:

Broken Arrow Pest Control- Mother Natures Pest and Lawn, 918-362-2000, www.pestsecret.com

Roofing Repair Broken Arrow- Judy Smith, A-Best Roofing, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

A/C Service in Broken Arrow- Stephen Taylor, Air Assurance, 258-COOL or www.airassurance.com.

Broken Arrow insurance- Tedford Insurance, 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

Broken Arrow Mortgage- Karen Heston, BOK, 918-230-9432 or kheston-boklo.mortgagewebcenter.com

Broken Arrow Electrical Service- Murray Electric, 918-835-9605 or www.murrayelectric.com

Broken Arrow Plumbing- Mullin Plumbing, 918-258-6636, www.mullinplumbing.com.

Preparing Your Landscape for Spring (part 2)

In a previous post, we discussed Preparing Your Home for Spring.  With Spring storms, winds, pests, and more, there are many ways to prepare for Spring in order to avoid damage, reduce costs, and simply reduce the stress should a disaster occur.  In this second part, read on to discover a few things to consider when preparing your landscaping 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. For a little sparkle or a greener alternative, consider Garden Glass Mulch.
• Remember to guard against termite damage and other pests.  The Sentricon HD Baiting System will eliminate the entire termite colony and prevent what could be thousands of dollars of damage to your property.  There are also many great treatments for fleas, ticks, mice, and flying insects. 

To read part 1 in the Prepare for Spring blog series, "Preparing Your Home for Spring", click here.

In the event that you have property damage from a Spring storm, contact Broken Arrow home maintenance professionals to have repairs done.

For more information contact the following professionals:

Broken Arrow Pest Control- Mother Natures Pest and Lawn, 918-362-2000, www.pestsecret.com


Broken Arrow Plumbing- Mullin Plumbing, 918-258-6636, www.mullinplumbing.com.

Glass Mulch in Broken Arrow- Garden Glass of Oklahoma, 918-232-0210 or www.gardenglassofoklahoma.com

For all your Broken Arrow Real Estate needs, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com. 

Preparing Your Home for Spring (Part 1)

Spring is here and with the great warm weather Spring is coming alive. With the great Spring weather, however, also come storms, storm damage, pests, allergies and so much more. Preparing our home and family for all that Spring brings is very important. Read on to find some information on preparing your home 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 a Broken Arrow Heating and A/C Company service your system to make sure that it is running properly and at its best. This will save you money and help keep you cool.
• Get your house treated regularly for pests. The warm weather can drive them inside. Prevent this before it becomes a problem with regular pest control from a Broken Arrow area pest control company.
• 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.
• Do home repairs now. With all the water and wind that storms bring, now is the time to check for and take care of any home repairs.
• Have Broken Arrow roofing professionals do a free roof check. Don't wait for a storm to find out that your roof is leaking.
• Talk to your Broken Arrow area insurance agent and do an annual insurance review. Make sure that you have more than adequate insurance coverage.
• With the many allergy problems that arise during Spring weather, replace your air filters with high quality air filters.

Now is also a great time to consider home additions, home automation, or flooring replacement.

In the event that you have property damage from a Spring storm, contact Broken Arrow home maintenance professionals to have repairs done.

For more information contact the following professionals:

Broken Arrow Pest Control- Mother Natures Pest and Lawn, 918-362-2000, www.pestsecret.com

Roofing Repair Broken Arrow- Judy Smith, A-Best Roofing, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

A/C Service in Broken Arrow- Stephen Taylor, Air Assurance, 258-COOL or www.airassurance.com.

Broken Arrow insurance- Tedford Insurance, 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

Broken Arrow Mortgage- Karen Heston, BOK, 918-230-9432 or kheston-boklo.mortgagewebcenter.com

Broken Arrow Electrical Service- Murray Electric, 918-835-9605 or www.murrayelectric.com

Broken Arrow Plumbing- Mullin Plumbing, 918-258-6636, www.mullinplumbing.com.

Broken Arrow Building Contractor- Rick Oberlender, US Building Systems, 918-734-1293 or tulsaconstructioncontractor.org.

Broken Arrow Restoration Services- Reset Restoration, 888-917-3738 or www.resetrestoration.com.

Home Automation System Installation in Broken Arrow- KMB Enterprises, 918-527-1031 or www.kmbenterprisesllc.com


High Quality A/C Filters- Filters 4 Me, www.filters4me.com


Flooring Companies in Broken Arrow- Jim Ecrette, ProSource Wholesale Floors, 918-252-7711 or www.prosourcefloors.com/tulsa

Property Deeds, Which One Do I Need?

There are four basic types of property deeds: General Warranty Deed, Special Warranty Deed, Quit Claim Deed, Sheriffs Deed.

General Warranty Deed- seller warrants the title from statehood until the time the buyer takes title. In this case, the owner of the property is guaranteeing the buyer a clear title.

Special Warranty Deed- there is more risk to the buyer here and limits the amount of the warranty. This is a common type of deed when a bank takes title to a property.

Quit Claim Deed- seen when there is a divorce situation. One party is giving the other party the interest that they have in the property.

Sheriffs Deed- usually happens during a foreclosure when the property is sold and the deed is given to the new owner. High Risk because there are no warranties on the property.

For more information on Types of Oklahoma Property Deeds, visit www.darrylbaskin.com.

For a Broken Arrow area title inspection contact Karen Burnette of FirsTitle and Abstract Services at 918-493-2241 or www.firstitle.com.

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

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning...

Carbon Monoxide is something that many of us simply don't think about, yet it can be very dangerous. Carbon Monoxide is a gas that can be created when combustible fuel doesn't burn properly or when the exhaust is not properly vented. It can come from appliances, water heaters, exhaust from your car, blocked chimney flues and malfunctioning appliances that burn fuel. If you see black soot around vents, flues, filters or appliance burners, there may be carbon monoxide present. Also, if your Natural Gas flame is yellow instead of blue, it may be present.

Follow these preventative tips and keep this list of symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning on hand you suspect a problem in your Broken Arrow area home or business.

Preventive Tips:

• Make sure that chimney's are properly vented and the flue is not blocked. Cleaning the chimney regularly is also recommended as annual maintenance.
• Replace air filters regularly. If you find that it is hard to remember to change your air filter or have trouble locating one, contact Rick Butefish of www.Filters4me.com, 918-292-8600 about their easy air filter replacement program.
• Keep appliance air intake areas clear.
• Don't heat your business with a gas range or space heater.
• Keep your heating and air-conditioning system running properly and have regular maintenance scheduled. Call Stephen Taylor of Air Assurance at 918-258-HEAT or www.airassurance.com. to schedule a check of your Broken Arrow heating and a/c system.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector that is UL- approved and has an audible alarm.
• Don't use a grill or start a lawn mower, car or any fuel burning engine in a closed garage, inside a building, or in an enclosed area.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ear
• Fatigue
• Increased perspiration
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Headaches

If you think that you may be experiencing these symptoms due to carbon monoxide poisoning, leave the property and call 911.

For more information about:

air filter replacement in Broken Arrow, OK- contact Rick Butefish, www.filters4me.com or 918-292-8600

heating and a/c repair and installation in Broken Arrow, OK.- contact Stephen Taylor, Air Assurance, 918-258-HEAT, 918-258-COOL or www.airassurance.com

Understanding Your Insurance Company's Late Policy

Understanding your insurance company's late policy is very important. Failure to understand the late policy could result in the cancellation of your policy. When selecting an insurance company remember to understand your policy coverage and ask the following questions regarding the company's policy on payments:

• When does my payment have to be received in order to be on time?
  
• Does the payment need to be postmarked by a certain time?
  
• In what office does the payment need to be received?
  
• How do you issue a cancellation policy? Will it be a part of the bill or separate?
  
• Do you have a maximum # of late payments that are allowed before you cancel my insurance policy permanently?"

For all your Broken Arrow, OK. area insurance needs, contact Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance at 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

For all your Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area real estate needs, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

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. There are two types of bugs that you are likely to find in your bed: Bed Bugs and Dust Mites. 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.

Some of us might also discover Bed Bugs. Exterminating Bedbugs can be a difficult task. If you don't treat them they will move through the walls into another persons apartment or condominium (if you have shared walls). These bugs can come from buying things 2nd hand, letting someone spend the night in your home, using someone else's moving equipment plus many other ways. Bed bugs need a blood host- people or animals. They will usually be within 15 feet of a blood host and it only takes them 5 minutes to travel that far. They can sense our carbon dioxide when we exhale. When the population starts to get big, they become a part of your clothing. If you are trying to get rid of bedbugs, wash clothes and everything you can, weekly. They will be in mattresses and many other things. If you start to get bites or look like you have a rash, you might have bedbugs. They look like a tick but are smaller.

I know you're probably saying "That's enough, tell me how to get rid of the nasty things!"

We can't completely get rid of dust mites, here are some ways to reduce dust and Dust Mites in your home:

• 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.

To treat for Bed Bugs treatments are completely different. We don't use heat, we use pesticides to treat for Bed Bugs. Treatments range from $500-1000.


For all your Broken Arrow pest control needs, contact Mother Natures, 918-362-2000 or www.pestsecret.com.

For more information about hardwood flooring options in the Broken Arrow, 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.

Insurance Claims...Prepare Ahead!

When homeowners file an insurance claim, many times, they find that insurance adjusters can't answer questions about their policy. That's because, often, insurance adjusters are sub-contracted by the insurance company and are not familiar with your specific policy. To help alleviate that problem, make sure that you ask plenty of questions about your policy before you purchase it. Find out what is covered and what isn't. Also, keep in mind that many policies stipulate that you have to file a lawsuit within 1 year of the claim or you will waive any right to do so. If there are problems with your claim, you may need to file a lawsuit before the year is up in order to make sure that your time doesn't run out and you are stuck with repairs that you can't pay for. To avoid being put into that position, work ahead, ask questions, and do your research.

For Broken Arrow Area Homeowners Insurance, contact Mike Tedford of Tedford Insurance at 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

For legal advice on insurance claims in Oklahoma, contact Paul Boudreaux of Richardson, Richardson, Boudreaux at 918-492-7674 or www.rrblawok.com.


For Broken Arrow Home Maintenance Professionals, visit www.tulsahomecare.com or talk to the professionals listed here:

Roofing Repairs in Broken Arrow, Judy Smith, A-Best Roofing, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com
Disaster Restoration in Broken Arrow, OK, Roger Fisher, PCC Cleaning & Restoration, 918-641-1111 or www.pcccr.com
Broken Arrow Electrical Repair, Larry Murray, Murray Electric, 918-557-3020 or www.murrayelectric.com
Broken Arrow Plumbing Repair, Markwayne Mullin, Mullin Plumbing, 918-258-6636 or www.mullinplumbing.com.
Heating and A/C Repair in Broken Arrow, Stephen Taylor, Air Assurance, 918-258-HEAT or www.airassurance.com.
Broken Arrow Area Building and Remodeling, Rick Oberlender, US Building Systems, 918-734-1293.

An Easy DIY Firepit..

With the cooler weather here, it is the perfect weather to enjoy a nice outdoor fire. For many, a cozy firepit is the ideal solution. Follow the steps below to add a great surround to a purchased or existing firepit! (The first 4 steps can be found at the following link http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/)

1. Find the right location, away from trees and building. Make sure the spot is level.
2. Place the screen on the ground to use as a guide to laying the blocks for the surround. (Lowe's recommends using OldCastle blocks.) *If you have a built in firepit or one that runs on natural gas, make sure you turn off the gas first!! If this is the case, you likely won't be able to move your firepit, check the height first to ensure that the blocks will work with your firepit.
   
3. Stack the blocks and make 3 layers (or more to ensure the appropriate height for your firepit).
4. Place your firepit into the ground.
5. If you have a Natural Gas firepit, for added sparkle, try using glass mulch, in your firepit.
   

For information on where to purchase glass mulch in Broken Arrow, visit www.gardenglassofoklahoma.com

For information on buying and selling your Broken Arrow area home, visit www.homeguidetulsa.com.

When You Move, Don't Pack These!!

Packing and moving can be a lengthy and stressful process. Knowing what to pack is simple, right? Not always! There are some items that should not be packed when you are using a moving company. Hazardous items are actually illegal for movers to transport. The following items should not be sent in the moving van:

• 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 Broken Arrow moving companies can’t move or to move your Broken Arrow area property, contact Mike, Relocation LLC, at 918-455-6683 or www.relocationllc.net.

For junk removal services in Broken Arrow, contact David Tittle, I-Haul, 918-261-4008 or www.ihaulusa.com.

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

Protecting Your Property From Fire...

Fire can be a devastating event. It damages everything in its path and can cause serious injury and death. To help protect your family and property from fire, read on.

• Be prepared ahead of time! Being prepared is probably the most important step of all. This step involves many things. First, make sure you have Oklahoma homeowner's insurance in the event of a fire. Second, have a fire escape plan with all the necessary items such as escape ladders, fire extinguisher, smoke detectors etc. Third, practice your fire escape plan. If you have children, this is especially important. Take time to discuss what to do in the event of a fire and practice this at all hours of the day and night. Don't take for granted that they know what to do.
• Avoid unnecessary risk! Cigarettes, fire places, and appliances are common causes of fires in the home. To avoid these risks, make sure that all cigarettes are put out before going to bed or if you are sleepy. Consider putting them in a glass of water to be safe. Make sure that fires in your fireplace are completely out. If you use it often, install a screen and glass door for extra safety. Finally, avoid putting appliances near furniture. Appliances and heaters placed near furniture can often overheat and cause a fire to start. When a fire starts from any one of the items above, they often start very slowly and smolder for a long time before actually catching fire and being detected.
• Test your smoke alarm! It is very important to test your smoke alarm often to ensure that it is working properly. Also, replace the battery at least once per year, even if it appears to be working. If your smoke alarm seems to go off regularly when there is not a problem, such as during cooking, consider moving it a few feet away. If your smoke alarm is 10 years old, replace it.
• Keep Emergency Numbers on Hand! Keep emergency numbers near all phones in case of fire or emergency.
• No matter how much we prepare, we can't completely prevent fires in our home. should a fire occur, remember to call your insurance agent and Bixby area home maintenance professionals to take care of any damage and ensure insurance coverage of repairs.

Contact these professionals for questions or quotes:

Homeowners Insurance Coverage in Broken Arrow, OK- Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance, 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.
Roofing Repairs in the Broken Arrow, OK area- Judy Smith, Abest Roofing, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.
Fire Damage and Restoration in the Broken Arrow area- Roger Fisher, PCC Cleaning and Restoration, 918-641-1111 or www.pcccr.com.
Broken Arrow, OK. Electrical Repair- Larry Murray, Murray Electric, 918-835-9605 or www.murrayelectric.com
Plumbing Repair in the Broken Arrow, OK. area- Mullin Plumbing, 918-258-6636 or www.mullinplumbing.com
Junk Removal in Broken Arrow- David, I-Haul USA at www.ihaulusa.com or david@ihaulusa.com

Tips for a Less-Stressful Closing!

Buying and Selling a home can be a stressful process, but when the closing process doesn't happen smoothly, it can add even more stress. Here are a few tips to help the closing process happen without a few of the most common glitches. First, listen to the professionals. If your real estate agent or mortgage broker gives you suggestions for the closing and moving process, heed their advice. They see problems regularly and can help you avoid some of the most common problems. Second, sellers, pack and move out of the house as early in the day, or even the night before, as possible and schedule closing for the afternoon. For buyers, schedule the final walk through earlier in the day as well. This added time should help with any unplanned delays. Third, consider adding a little extra expense to your budget in case there is a delay in closing and storage or hotel costs are needed or you need to hire a professional for an unexpected home repair. Finally, ask for a final settlement statement a day or two in advance of closing so that last minute surprises are kept to a minimum.

For more information on the closing process or if you are in need of Broken Arrow area closing services, contact JJ Pierce, FirsTitle, 918-493-2241 or www.firstitle.com

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

For all your Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area real estate needs, contact, Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Eco-Friendly Oklahoma Landscaping

I always think about eco-friendly household cleaners, organic produce, and green flooring. Another way to be more eco-friendly, however, is to consider eco-friendly landscape. Here are some 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 your area.
• Plan for irrigation, plants, and garden design that will save water.
• Consider solar powered landscaping lights.
• Remember that there are many eco-friendly choices for mulch today. Among them are rubber mulch and garden glass. Products such as garden glass never need to be replaced and look beautiful as well.
  

For more information on Garden Glass, and the many uses for glass mulch in Oklahoma, contact Leigh Murray of Garden Glass of Oklahoma at 918-232-0210 or www.gardenglassofoklahoma.com

Incorporating Green Products into Your Broken Arrow Home

When building, remodeling, or replacing products in your home, eco-friendly or green ideas can be very easy and often inexpensive to implement. Here are some easy ways to incorporate green products into your home:

• When building a new home, face the widest part to the north or south.
• Place doors and windows where you will receive good cross-ventilation.
• Ensure your attic space is well ventilated by using roof ridge vents, lighter colored roof materials, lots of insulation, and by placing A/C ducts in the attic to help absorb the heat.
• Install an energy-efficient and properly sized heating and A/C system for your home, make sure that duct work is correctly sealed, and use a programmable thermostat.
• Utilize landscaping materials, plants and design that is appropriate for the climate and rainfall levels in your area.
• Use low-flow toilets and showerheads and energy-efficient appliances.
• Recyclable and renewable materials can be used for decking, siding, interior and exterior trim, and more.
• Choose flooring materials made out of concrete, bamboo, or recycled wood.
• Replace your air conditioning filter regularly to enhance the performance of your air conditioning system and to reduce pollutants in your home.

For more ideas or estimates on incorporating green products and ideas into your home, contact the professionals below:

Broken Arrow Roof Installation and Repair: A-Best Roofing, Judy Smith, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com
Heating and Air Conditioning Installation and Repair in Broken Arrow: Air Assurance, contact Stephen Taylor at 918-258-HEAT or www.airassurance.com
Broken Arrow Building and Remodeling: US Building Systems, contact Rick Oberlender at usbs@att.net.
Air Conditioning Filters: Filters 4 Me, contact Rick Butefish at 292-8600, rick@filters4me.com, or visit their website at www.filters4me.com.
Broken Arrow Flooring Products: ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings, contact Jim Ecrette at 252-7711 or prosourcejim@tulsacoxmail.com (ask for Darryl Baskin’s preferred pricing).


To find energy-efficient, eco-friendly, or green homes in the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw realtors 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

12 Million Home Automation Systems to Be Installed by 2016

Although Home Automation Systems are popular in many Broken Arrow homes today, they are forecasted to drastically increase by 2016. According to ABI research, "Shipments of home automation systems will total about 1.8 million worldwide this year. But according to ABI Research, that number is set to rise sharply soon, exceeding 12 million in 2016. These figures are contained in a new home automation study from the firm, which confirms its previous forecasts."

ABI believes that the sharp increase in system installations will be a result of new technology. In addition to new technology, innovation such as the new Google Android@Home could make it easier to control and access home automation systems from devices such as smartphones.


For more information, visit the article, " 'No New Wire' technologies to drive home automation market to 12 million systems in 2016, says ABI Research" by Julien Happich.

For Broken Arrow, OK. home automation system installation, contact Keegan Beck of KMB Enterprises LLC at 918-527-1031 or www.kmbenterprisesllc.com.

To buy a Broken Arrow home contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com