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 Broken Arrow, OK. real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

2011 Trends in Home Automation

Home automation is an increasingly popular feature of many luxury homes today. Home automation can include many things from heating and air, lighting, security, television, home theater, and much more. Connectedhometechnology.com discusses trends in home automation for 2011 in an article ."Home Technology Trends for 2011" Read on for this year's home automation trends to implement in your Broken Arrow, OK. home.

Technology trends in the home for 2011:

3D and web enabled television sales will increase with the introduction of 3D programming

Current initiatives are being set up by the government to ensure newly built and renovated homes will have a 6 star rating from May 2011, which will mean there will be an even greater focus on home based technology systems that can save on power and water usage. Urban Intelligence has already received a lot of interest at the moment, because people want to save on their energy bills and are mindful of their carbon footprint.

There will be further integration of the iPad and smart phones in home technology systems. Users of iPads and smart phones will have the ability to control lighting, AV equipment and other features in the home all via touch-screen technology, which are user-friendly and less bulky than earlier models.

Further development and upgrades of security in the home. For example, biometric fingerprint technology and surveillance systems.

More people will be looking to ‘future proof’ their homes, by upgrading wiring and cabling systems to ensure their homes are ready to accommodate advancements in technology. For example, with the national plans to roll out broadband and connect internet to our homes via fiber optic cables, homes will need to be equipped to facilitate this development.

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

For your Broken Arrow, OK. home guide, visit www.homeguidetulsa.com: Look for current homes for sale, find helpful information for your home, find your home's value, get information for buyers and sellers, and much more.

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

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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

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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 Broken Arrow, 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 Broken Arrow, OK. real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

What do I do after a fire in my Tulsa, OK. home?

A fire in your Broken Arrow, OK. home is not only destructive it can also leave you wondering "what do I do next"? Keep these 3 easy steps in mind should you suffer damage from a fire. First, contact your insurance company and inform them of the fire and gets things going from their side. Second, get all your important documents together , especially those that have survived the fire. If they didn't survive the fire, attempt to get another copy. Third, take inventory of what was and wasn't damaged. Damaged property can be difficult and stressful to handle, so call the professionals.

The experts at PCC Cleaning and Restoration can help with fire and water restoration and even mold damage. For more information on Broken Arrow, OK. fire and water restoration, mold damage, or helpful tips after this type of damage to your property call Roger Fisher at 918-641-1111 or visit their website at www.pcccr.com.

For Broken Arrow, OK insurance coverage, contact Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance, 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

For Broken Arrow, OK. building and remodeling, contact Rick Oberlender, US Building Systems, 918-734-1293 or usbs@att.net.

For all your Broken Arrow, OK. wholesale floorcovering needs, contact Jim Ecrette at ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings, at 918-252-7711 or www.prosourcefloors.com/tulsa. Don't forget to ask for Darryl Baskin's wholesale pricing.

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

Moving With Pets

Moving can be very stressful for the homeowners and can be just as stressful on their pets. Here are some tips that can make that transition easier on you and your pet. First, keep your pet's routine as normal as possible during the packing and moving process. Second, if possible, have a friend or boarding service watch him. If not possible, avoid giving him food or water an hour or two before your trip. Third, if he will be traveling in a pet carrier, make sure there is room for him to stand up and turn around and plenty of ventilation for him to breathe. Remember to use newspaper or other absorbent material in the bottom of the carrier, in case he has an accident. Finally, remember his favorite toy!

For more moving tips or questions or to get a quote to move your Broken Arrow, OK. home or business, contact Mike Ellingson at 918-459-6683 or visit www.relocationllc.net

For all your real estate needs in the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area contact 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

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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
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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 Broken Arrow, 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 Broken Arrow, 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 Broken Arrow, OK. area real estate.

For more information on Broken Arrow, OK real estate prices or to buy or sell Broken Arrow, 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?"

Horse Ranch for Sale in South Tulsa Area...

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 Broken Arrow, 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 Broken Arrow, 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 Broken Arrow, OK. real estate, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Broken Arrow, 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 Broken Arrow, 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

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

$169,900

3 Bedrooms
2 Full 1 Half Bathrooms
2 Car Attached Garage
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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 Broken Arrow, OK area Condo or to find condominiums for sale in Broken Arrow, 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
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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
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For more information on any of these Tulsa, OK area luxury homes for sale or to buy or sell real estate in the Broken Arrow, OK area, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.