Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home Security System?

Choosing a home security system and its components is a big decision. You want a reliable company, good price, quality components, and most importantly, safety for your entire family. When choosing a home security system, consider these questions before making your final decision...

1. Do you want a wired system or a wireless one?
2. Do you want cameras or just sensors?
3. Do you want an alarm that sounds inside only or sounds outside as well?
4. Do you want an outside company to monitor the system?
5. Are you gong to install the system yourself or have a professional install it.
   
6. If using an outside company, what kind of reputation does the company have and are they highly recommended.
7. Do you want to be able to control your security system from you iPhone or Blackberry or another device when you aren't in the home?

Once you have considered these questions, you will likely have more questions.

For questions about security systems and installation in the Broken Arrow, OK area, contact Tory Tipp of TNT Security at 918-313-4074 or www.tntsecurityservices.com.

To find out about Broken Arrow, OK area security systems that can be controlled by your cell phone or through a home automation system, contact Keegan Beck of KMB Enterprises LLC at 918-527-1031 or www.kmbenterprisesllc.com.

Get Rid of Bad Tenants

As a landlord, what are your rights when you have problems with a bad tenant? A landlord can give notice to a tenant and after a certain notice time, can file a Forcible Entry and Detainer Action at the Tulsa County Courthouse. This can be done for many reasons: not paying rent, too many cars, pet issues and many more problems.

As a landlord, you do not have to have an attorney in order to do this. You can go to the courthouse and fill out the documents yourself. give notice to the parties in the situation, and then get a court date. When this has occurred, if the tenant has not vacated the property you may be able to obtain a Writ of Assistance so that the Sheriff can come out and assist you in removing the persons property from the house and enabling you to get into the property.

If you are having problems with bad tenants in the Broken Arrow, OK area and to make sure you understand the Landlord and Tenants Act, contact David Keesling of Richardson, Richardson, Boudreaux at 918-492-7674 or www.rrblawok.com. For additional information, watch the video featuring David Keesling and Darryl Baskin below.

*Make sure that you know the law in your state and contact an attorney in your area to ensure that you are following the law.

Preparing Your Home and Family for Spring!

Spring is here and with the great warm weather this week, 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

1. 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.
2. Have your A/C properly serviced to make sure that it is running properly and at its best. This will save your money and help keep you cool.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

1. If you are planning on adding new plants to your garden, get proper information about when to plant the species that you want.
2. 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.
3. Weed around your plants now and add 3 inches of mulch to help keep the soil moist and weeds away.
4. Ensure that you have proper insurance coverage in the event that a disaster or a theft occur. Check the link for more information.
   

Preparing Your Family for Spring

1. Make sure that you have a fire escape plan, fire escape ladders, and tornado shelter in your home.
   
2. 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.
3. 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 home maintenance professionals to have repairs done.

For more information on these areas contact the following professionals:

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

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

Landscaping Design, Drainage Issues in Broken Arrow, OK- Nathan Vaughn, Bluum Outdoor, 918-599-8500 or www.bluum.net.

When are Add-on Fees on Your Closing Docs Illegal?

Last year the US District Court ruled that add-on fees on the HUD-1 closing document could be against federal law. Commissions on the HUD-1 can be a flat fee, a percentage of sales price, or a combination but should not exceed the agreed upon commission in the listing brokers listing agreement. If the fee exceeds that agreed upon amount then HUD can determine if the services provided justify the additional charges. Unjustified charges are against the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act or RESPA and can be subject to penalties.

Want a Realtor that won't overcharge? Contact Darryl Baskin of The Baskin Real Estate Specialists of McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com for your Broken Arrow, OK area real estate needs.

For questions about what fees should be on your HUD-1 document or to pre-qualify for a loan in the Broken Arrow, OK area contact Steve Currington of Currington Mortgage at 918-394-LOAN or www.curringtonmortgage.com.

Habitat for Humanity 11th Annual Dream Builder's Gala

Paul Kent addresses the largest group of attendees at the annual fundraising event. Tulsa's Habitat for Humanity chapter will see 12 new homeowners this spring. Habitat is not a hand-out but rather a hand-up. Owners work hard to earn their new home in this self-perpetuating program which gives people in sub-standard housing an opportunity to better their lives through the support and stucture Habitat for Humanity offers.

Residential Real Estate Statistics for Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, Tulsa, Bixby, and Union Public Schools

The following reports have been pcreated by Tom Allen, appraiser and reflect the trends in Residential real estate absorption rates in the Tulsa Oklahoma area including  Broken  Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, Bixby, and the Union Public School District.   It reflects an increasing length of market time based on the available inventory of single-family homes and the rate at which they are selling. On my radio program, The Future of Real Estate on KRMG,  I have been reporting that sales have been eclipsing the increase in inventory which would create a shortened market time. This latest data shows a  different story. Discussions with Mr. Allen Center around seasonal trends and the series of bad winter snowstorms and the Tulsa Oklahoma area which seemed to put a damper on sales. Regardless of the excuses, the numbers are the facts. Mr. Allen was recently a guest on my radio program and I was taken aback when he answered that  months of available inventory for homes in the Tulsa area were increasing. Rest assured, I will be discussing the latest data as it is available. Subscribe to The Baskin Report online and listen live at www.KRMG.com  Saturdays at noon central.

Darryl Baskin
The Baskin Real Estate Specialists
at McGraw Realtors

Serving Northeastern Oklahoma since 1989
www.darrylbaskin.com
www.baskincommercial.com
Member, TulsaLuxuryPropertyGroup.com
Recognized by Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate
A Recognized Allen Hainge CyberStar and Howard Brinton Star Power Star

 

 

 

 

Months supply of Inventory is calculated using the # of properties that sold PENDING during the

month.  NAR's caluation reflects the # of properties that CLOSED escrow during the month