Real people, professional agents, local expertise.
Includes: Arcadia, Bethany, Blanchard, Choctaw, Deer Creek, Edmond, Guthrie, Harrah, Jones, Luther, Midwest City, Moore, Mustang, Newcastle, Nicoma Park, Norman, Oklahoma City, Piedmont, Tuttle, Warr Acres, and Yukon As Oklahomans prepared for the start of a new school year, the housing market saw the tiniest decrease in activity in August compared to July. This tends […]
Your settlement statements serves as your final accounting of all the costs associated with your home purchase. It is a standard form produced by the US Government Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You will want to save this statement for future reference and provide a copy to your tax accountant in the year you close […]
Not necessarily. Oklahoma has a lot of clay in the soil, and it is common for the soil to shift during extreme weather, especially our hot summers. This shifting over time can cause foundations to shift, resulting in cracks. In addition, or high winds can cause walls to shift and crack even if the foundation […]
As a busy metro area Realtor, we attend a lot of home inspections with our home buyers. During these inspections we invariably see the same repair items over and over. Here are the top ten items we typically see at a home inspection. These are usually quite easy fixes. 1) Garage door electronic eye mounted […]
There are usually only two times when purchasing a home that you will deal with escrow – funds being held by a third party. Once during closing, and then each month when you make your real estate mortgage payment. Closing Escrow When you make an offer on a home, you will write an earnest money […]
As an experienced real estate agent, I must confirm that I have seen people lose the house of their dreams because they hesitated just one day. Yes, just one measly day. I hate that this market demands that buyers make decisions so quickly, but it is my job to let you know what the market […]
Home Search Begins on the Internet Most home buyers today begin their search for a new home on the Internet. But which site do you use? Sites such as Trulia, Zillow and Craigslist are common places new buyers go for information, but unfortunately those listing are typically stale and are not the most up-to-date. By […]
When you are ready to make an offer on a house, the home seller will want to know whether you are pre-approved for a loan. Why? They want to have confidence in the fact that if they accept your offer, you are able to follow through and actually purchase the home. Without a pre-approval letter, […]
For most home buyers, the most intimidating part of purchasing a home is applying for the mortgage. It is a complex subject with a lot of different options, each of which can cost you a great deal of money over the long term. It is important to understand the basics of what mortgages are and […]
You are tired of paying rent, but can you actually afford to buy your first home? Coming up with a down payment is a big hurdle for any home buyer, and an especially tall mountain to climb for a first time home buyer. Ideally you want to come up with a 20% down payment, but […]
Financial considerations and preparations are central to any home purchase. In addition to helping you make better decisions about what you can afford in a home, a buyer who already has financing in place is in a better negotiating position when it’s time to make an offer to a seller. Getting a jump on your […]
Buying a home has long been a tradition in America. The primary reason has been to build equity, although the pride of ownership is a powerful factor in purchasing your home. The housing crisis of 2008 had a sobering effect on many homebuyers, although the effects in Oklahoma were not nearly as painful as those […]
Looking for a new home can be an emotional time. It is exciting to visit a variety of homes to find one that fits your lifestyle and budget. Yet it can also be a stressful time for inexperienced buyers. In my experience, the more familiar a buyer is with the home buying process, the less […]
PMI Basics When getting a conventional loan, if your downpayment is less than 20% most lender will require you to pay for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). This is in order to protect the lender from losses in case you can no longer make payments and default on the loan. PMI is then used to reimburse […]
Oklahoma has always been “Indian Country”. With America’s highest concentration of Native Americans, Oklahoma is home to 35 different tribes. Well over 1/4 of the people now living in Oklahoma have some type of Indian heritage. Because of this high concentration of Native American’s, the HUD section 184K loan is an attractive, yet little known program available […]
Just as their are a variety of home sales and price ranges in central Oklahoma, there are nearly as many ways to finance a home. Figuring out what type of loan works best for you can be complex and require some research, but a good lender – and I know several – can help you […]
In addition to shopping for a house, you will also be shopping for a mortgage – unless you pay cash for your home, which not many of us can do. Finding the right lender can save you money and stress. Here are a few tips on finding a lender and mortgage that fits your needs. […]
Purchasing a home is typically the most expensive investment most people make. It is a big decision fraught with legal paperwork. A poor home choice can cost you big time – a house with hidden problems, paying more than you need to, problems with resale value later. Below are 5 common mistakes inexperienced home buyers […]
At the beginning of your home search, you most likely obtained a “pre-approval” letter for a home loan. The “PRE” is an important part – you have not yet received a final approval for the loan. You’ll have more hurdles to clear before a lender legally commits to funding your home loan. Some buyers (who […]
A home inspector is your best friend during the home buying process. Even if you find a great deal on a house in your ideal neighborhood, you should hire a home inspector to take a second look.