Oklahoma City Condo-Townhouse November 2010 Real Estate Market Update

Oklahoma City Condo-Townhouse November 2010 Real Estate Market Update

	Current	Monthly Change
Active Listings	175	-15
Under Contract	37	+2
Sold (October)	13	-9

• High list price: $635,000


• Low list price: $26,900


• Average list price: $131,695


• Median list price: $94,994

• High sales price/ft: $117.28


• Low sales price/ft: $33.75


• Average price/ft: $67.20


• Median price/ft: $65.18

• Average days-on-market: 72


• Median days-on-market: 47

Oklahoma City Condos For Sale

Oklahoma Condos For Sale – Recent Price Reductions

Oklahoma City Condos For Sale – New Listings

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/oklahoma-city-condo-townhouse-november-2010-r

New Home Sales Slip In October

After posting a strong September, the number of newly-built homes sold nationwide slipped in October.

Total units sold on an annual basis dropped by 25,000 from September; supplies of new homes climbed 0.7 months. Home supply is back to its rolling, 6-month average of 8.6 months.

Like everything else in real estate, however, the October's New Home Sales results varied by location.

For example, except for the South, each U.S. region posted a loss. In the South, there was a 3 percent gain. This is statistically significant because more new homes are sold in the South than in all other U.S. regions combined.

In October, the South accounted for 58 percent of all homes sold.

The dip in New Home Sales did not surprise Wall Street. New Home Sales is closely correlated to Housing Starts, and Housing Starts fell in July and August. Furthermore, it seems home builders expected the dip and are brushing it off.

In a poll taken 2 weeks ago, builders reported higher confidence in housing, and their respective prospects for the future. Home builder confidence is at its highest point since June.

For buyers in Edmond , the effects of New Home Sales data are unknown. In a normal environment, falling sales volume and rising home supplies would help shift negotiation leverage away from the seller and toward the buyer, resulting in lower sales prices.

However, in this market, the "sellers" (i.e. home builders) are more confident about housing, and that offsets a buyer's statistical edge.

With home prices stagnant and mortgage rates rising, therefore, the best "deals" may come between now and the New Year.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/new-home-sales-slip-in-october

How To Find Air-Leaking Windows And Seal Them

Preventative care will minimize your home repair costs and, at this time of year, it's a good idea to sweep your home's exterior for sign of air leaks and drafts around windows.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafty windows can account for 30% of a home's heat loss in winter so it's best to find them, and seal them.

In this 4-minute video from the DIY Network, you'll learn how to identify your home's leaky windows, and how to seal them with caulk. The job requires a little bit of elbow grease, but it's manageable for even the notice handyman.

Some of the tips include:

• How to use a lit candle to find windows that leak air
• How to remove existing caulk using caulk softener
• How to "push the bead" of caulk for proper application

The video concludes with a brief tutorial on setting your home's programmable thermostat so, when taken with the window caulking exercise, homeowners in Oklahoma City could stand to save a bundle on their winter heating bills.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/how-to-find-air-leaking-windows-and-seal-them

Fed Minutes Help Push Mortgage Rates To 4-Month High

The Federal Reserve released its November 2-3, 2010 meeting minutes Tuesday afternoon. Mortgage rates in Oklahoma have been on the move since.

The Fed Minutes is a comprehensive review of Federal Open Market Committee meetings; a detailed look at the debates and discussions that shape our country's monetary policy. The report is published 3 weeks to-the-day after the FOMC adjourns.

Fed Minutes add depth to the briefer, more well-known "statement" to the markets which is issued upon adjournment. As a comparison:

• The November 3 statement contained 497 words
• The November 3 meeting minutes contained 6,623 words

If the Fed Statement is the executive summary, the Fed Minutes is the novel. And, the extra words matter.

When the Federal Reserve publishes its minutes, it gives clues about the groups next policy-making steps. For example, in November's minutes, it's revealed that the Fed discussed setting inflation targets for the economy; holding occasional policy briefings for the press; and, working to set yields on instruments such as the 10-year Treasury note.

In addition, the Federal Reserve acknowledged a video conference hosted October 15, the second such "unannounced" meeting of the year. The other was May 9, 2010.

Bond markets have not taken kindly to the Fed Minutes. The minutes show a propensity toward Fed "action", most of which markets believe to be inflationary. Inflation leads to higher mortgage rates and that's exactly what we've seen.

As compared to Tuesday morning, mortgage applicants in Oklahoma City are finding conforming and FHA mortgage rates to be higher by as much as 0.375 percent. In "real life" terms, assuming a 30-year term, that's an extra $264 in annual mortgage payments per $100,000 borrowed.

If you're still rate shopping, consider getting locked today. As a result of the recent shift, mortgage rates are now at a 4-month high.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/fed-minutes-help-push-mortgage-rates-to-4-mon

Happy Thanksgiving

photo © 2007 David Goehring | more info (via: Wylio)

Wishing you all a great Thanksgiving Day!

Our plans today include a trip to Dallas to spend the day with relatives – and eat! Yesterday I spent the afternoon doing my cooking for today. Cajun cornbread dressing and giblet gravy and a cherry pie!

Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving holiday dates back to the foundation of our great country. For generations, families and friends have gathered together over a meal to give thanks and offer words of gratefulness.

We wanted to offer here our own words of thanksgiving.

To Our Clients

You’re the reason we do what we do. We appreciate your loyalty and friendship. Thank you for choosing to do business with us.

To Our Friends

The relationships we have built are priceless to us. You have enriched our lives.  Thank you for being a friend. May you experience a new found richness in your lives this holiday season.

To Our Friends Who Have Family In The Military

Words are inadequate to describe how we feel. I have ‘been there and done that’.  I feel I understand. You and your family members who serve in the military are in our thoughts and prayers. We wish you safety and blessings always but especially during the holiday season. Thank you for your service to our country.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/happy-thanksgiving

October Existing Home Sales : Buyers And Sellers In Balance

After two months of surging sales, home resales fell by 100,000 units last month to 4.4 million homes nationwide.

October's Existing Home Sales tally is slightly below the report's 6-month rolling average, according to the National Association of REALTORS® -- a time span which includes this year's $8,000 federal home buyer tax credit's tail end.

Housing statistics have been wildly inconsistent during that period.

For the future of Oklahoma City housing markets, though, it's encouraging that first-time and investment property buyers were both outnumbered by "move-up" buyers; buyers that have sold their respective homes in favor of larger ones. It's the move-up buyers that power housing.

In October, buyer profiles broke down as follows:

• First-time buyers : 32 percent of all buyers, unchanged from September
• Repeat home buyers : 49 percent of all buyers, down one tick from September
• Investors : 19 percent of all buyers, up one tick from September

As a point of comparison, first-timers represented 50 percent of all purchases in October 2009.

For Muirfield Village home buyers, October's Existing Home Sales report is neither weak nor strong. It signals that, with mortgage rates low and home affordability high, housing may be reaching some form of balance. Because -- although home sales are down -- home supplies are down, too.

We can infer that buyers outnumber sellers, but probably not by much. In most areas, negotiation leverage is still up for grabs.

At the current pace of sales, the complete housing stock would be depleted in 10.6 months.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/october-existing-home-sales-buyers-and-seller

Applying For A Mortgage Soon? Don't Open New Credit Cards On Black Friday.

Black Friday is 3 days away. It's the official start of the 2010 Holiday Shopping Season.

Sales are expected to top $111 billion this year and, already, businesses are vying for shoppers and their dollars. Newspaper circulars are getting larger, and in-store discounting is more prevalent.

But one discount that shoppers should think twice about is the popular "Open A Charge Card, Save 20%" promotion. The short-term savings may be tempting, but the long-term costs may be huge.

It's because of how credit scores work.

According to myFICO.com, "new credit" accounts for 85 out of 850 possible credit scoring points, with new credit defined by such traits as:

• Number of recently opened accounts


• Number of recent credit inquiries


• Time since recent credit inquiries


• Proportion of new accounts to all accounts

These traits are negatives against a FICO score so with each new, in-store credit card application, a person's credit score will fall. The fall will be especially pronounced for persons lacking credit "depth", or who have made a disproportionately large number of new credit applications recently.

For soon-to-be homeowners, or would-be refinancers in Edmond , credit scores are worth keeping high. This is because credit scores change the mortgage rates and/or loan fees for which an applicant is eligible.

As an illustration, assuming 20% equity on a $200,000 conforming loan:

• 740 FICO : No added loan costs


• 720 FICO : 0.250% increase in loan costs, or $500


• 700 FICO : 0.750% increase in loan costs, or $1,500


• 680 FICO : 1.500% increase in loan costs, or $3,000


• 660 FICO : 2.500% increase in loan costs, or $5,000

It's expensive to have a low credit score -- more expensive than the money saved by opening a card at the mall, anyway.

That said, if you know you won't need your credit for a mortgage within the next 6 months, the risk of applying for in-store credit cards is likely small. But if you'll need your FICO soon, consider paying for your gifts full price.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/applying-for-a-mortgage-soon-dont-open-new-cr

Oklahoma City Historical Area November 2010 Real Estate Market Update

Oklahoma City Historical Area October 2010 Real Estate Market Update

The historical areas included in this report include: Crown Heights, Edgemere, Gatewood, Heritage Hills, Mesta Park, Crestwood and Linwood.

	Current	Monthly Change
Active Listings	87	-6
Under Contract	23	+9
Sold (Sept)	9	-6

• High list price: $1,750,000


• Low list price: $29,900


• Average list price: $238,185


• Median list price: $149,500

• High sales price/ft: $175.75


• Low sales price/ft: $34.86


• Average price/ft: $125.56


• Median price/ft: $134.32

• Average days-on-market: 46


• Median days-on-market: 14

Historical Area Homes For Sale

Historical Area Recent Price Reductions

Historical Area New Listings

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

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Home Safety Tip : How To Install And Test A Smoke Detector

According to the United States Fire Administration, in 2008, there were an estimated 378,200 in-home fires. Combined, these fires caused $8 billion in property damage and killed 2,600 people.

Unfortunately, many of affected homes did have smoke detectors installed, but the devices were faulty either because of dead batteries, or because the smoke detector had reached the end of its useful life.

This is why it's so important to test your home's smoke detectors at least once annually.

Here's how to test a smoke detector:

1. Ask a family member or friend to walk to the farthest point of the home from the detector.


2. Push and hold the testing button to activate the alarm. Usually, this takes 5 seconds.


3. Confirm with the family member or friend that the alarm was audible from his/her location.

And there's an additional step worth taking.

Just because the smoke detector's alarm works doesn't mean that the actual smoke detector works. For less than $15, therefore, you may want to buy a "smoke test" from Amazon to confirm whether your detector is faulty. The smoke test simulates a real fire so, if the detector fails to sound when it's tested, it's time to replace the entire smoke detector unit.

2,000 residential fires occur on Thanksgiving Day each year -- most of them related to cooking. Before Thursday, make sure your smoke detectors are working. You don't want your home to be Fire #2001.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/home-safety-tip-how-to-install-and-test-a-smo

Open House This Weekend, November 20th & 21st | Muirfield Village Edmond OK

Muirfield Village Open House Saturday November 20th & Sunday November 21st, 2010

You are cordially invited to the OKCHomeSellers Team weekend open house in Muirfield Village Edmond OK this Saturday and Sunday.

Time: 1:00 – 5:00

Three homes are open in Muirfield Village Saturday’s & Sunday’s from 1:00 to 5:00 along with a furnished model home. Muirfield Village is at NW 162nd and May Avenue, just behind the Paradigm AdvantEdge offices. Addresses are  16256, 16260, and 16316 Morningside Drive.

Location

View Muirfield Village Open House in a larger map

Muirfield Village Photos

Hosted this weekend by Bill Wilson.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/open-house-this-weekend-november-20th-amp-21s

Mortgage Rates Still Rising. Is This The End Of The Refi Boom?

Rock-bottom mortgage rates may be gone for good.  This week's Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows in numbers what Oklahoma rate shoppers have learned the hard way -- mortgage rates are spiking.

During the 7-day period ending November 18, the average 30-year, conforming fixed rate mortgage jumped to 4.39 percent, an increase of 0.22% from the week prior.

And it's not just rates that are soaring. The average number of points charged to consumers increased to 0.9 percent last week. For most of the year, that cost had been 0.7 percent.

One "point" is equal to 1 percent of your loan size.

With the sudden rise in mortgage rates, we have to question whether the Refi Boom is ending. Between April and early-November, conforming mortgage rates dropped more than a full percentage point and, during that time, a lot of Oklahoma City homeowners capitalized on the market. Refinance activity was strong; rates cut new lows each week.

Today, however, Wall Street sentiment is different. There's a growing concern for the future of the U.S. dollar, and that's making mortgage bonds less attractive to investors. As demand drops, so does the underlying bond's price which, in turn, causes mortgage rates to rise.

Buy-sell patterns like this are common. The speed at which they're changing is not.  Mortgage lenders can barely keep up with the volatility, issuing up to 4 separate rate sheets in a day.

Therefore, if you're shopping for mortgage rates, or wondering whether it's finally time to join the Refi Boom, the time to lock is now. Mortgage rates should remain volatile through the New Year, at least. At what level they'll be then, though, is anyone's guess.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/mortgage-rates-still-rising-is-this-the-end-o

Housing Starts Data Much Better Than The Headlines Would Have You Believe

Newspaper stories can be misleading sometimes -- especially with respect to real estate. We saw a terrific example of this Wednesday.

A "Housing Start" is a privately-owned home on which construction has started and, according to the Commerce Department's October 2010 data, Housing Starts data dropped by nearly 12 percent as compared to September.

The media jumped on the story, and its negative implications for the housing market overall.

A sampling of the headlines included:

• Housing Starts Plunge: Market's 'Pulse is Faint' (WSJ)
• Housing Starts Tumble (Reuters)
• Housing Starts Sink 11.7 Percent In October (NPR)

Although factually correct, the headlines are misleading. Yes, Housing Starts fell sharply in October, but if we strip out the volatile "5 or more units" portion of the data -- a grouping that includes apartment buildings and condominiums -- Housing Starts only fell 1 percent.

That's a big difference. Especially because most new construction buyers in Oklahoma City and around the country don't purchase entire condo buildings. They buy single-family residences.

As an illustration, 84% of October's Housing Starts were single-family homes. The remaining starts were multi-units.

This is why the headlines don't tell the whole story. The market that matters most to buyers -- the single-family market -- gets completely glossed over. The Housing Starts reading wasn't nearly as awful as the papers would have you believe. Furthermore, it's never mentioned that single-family Housing Permits climbed 1 percent last month, either.

According to the Census Bureau, 82% of homes start construction within 60 days of permit-issuance. Therefore, we can expect December's starts to be higher, too.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/housing-starts-data-much-better-than-the-head

Oklahoma City Short Sales and Foreclosures – 2010 Activity

photo © 2008 Jeff Turner | more info (via: Wylio)

At lunch today the subject of short sales and foreclosures in Oklahoma City came up. The question was what percentage of our sales are short sale or foreclosure properties.

So I ran the numbers.

This year (through October), 853 sales out of 12,971 in the Oklahoma City multilist were short sales or foreclosures. That works out to 6.6%. This is far lower than I’ve seen in other parts of the country.

Looking at the individual monthly sales, distressed homes ranged from 5% to 9% of the sales. The lower range occurred during the ‘good’ months of March through June. This coincides with the buying frenzy that occurred as the homebuyer tax credit expired. That leads me to speculate that we’ll probably see distressed property rates in the 8% to 10% range in the near future.

On the listings side, distressed properties make up 1.7% of the listings. Today there are 9,018 active properties on the multilist and 156 of those are distressed properties.

So, 1.7% of the listings account for 9% of the sales. That means they’re selling folks!

Signup for a free list of Oklahoma City short sale homes

Signup for a free list of Oklahoma City foreclosure homes

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/oklahoma-city-short-sales-and-foreclosures-20

The Village OK November 2010 Real Estate Market Update

The Village October 2010 Real Estate Market Update

	Current	Monthly Change
Active Listings	63	-8
Under Contract	22	+10
Sold (Sept)	3	-8

• High list price: $159,900


• Low list price: $69,900


• Average list price: $109,714


• Median list price: $111,200

• High sales price/ft: $92.34


• Low sales price/ft: $67.20


• Average price/ft: $76.28


• Median price/ft: $69.29

• Average days-on-market: 20


• Median days-on-market: 17

More Information On The Village

The Village Homes For Sale

The Village Recent Price Reductions

The Village New Listings

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/the-village-ok-november-2010-real-estate-mark

Homebuilders Expect A Surge In New Home Sales

Homebuilder confidence is higher for the third straight month this month.

According to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, a combination of shrinking new home inventory plus higher-quality foot traffic is boosting builder optimism.

November's confidence reading of 16 is the highest since June 2010. The Housing Market Index is now above its 3-year trendline, too.

The purpose of the Housing Market Index is to measure "the pulse of the single-family housing market". The survey is sent to home builders in Oklahoma and around the country, asking them to report on their business.

The survey is 3 questions:

1. How are market conditions today?


2. How do market conditions look 6 months from now?


3. How is the prospective traffic of new buyers for new homes?

Responses are then collected, and seasonally-weighted.

Of course, it's no surprise that builder confidence is rising. The sales of new homes spiked in September, and the jobs market is moving in the right direction. Additionally, low mortgage rates help to attract new buyers, too. Altogether, the outlook in the New Home market is as rosy as it's been in months.

The downside for new home buyers in Oklahoma City , though, is that, because of their optimism, builders may be unwilling to offer free upgrades or other discounts. Certainly not with sales are expected to return to "federal tax credit" levels, anyway.

Therefore, if you're in the market for a new home, or expect to be "buying new" in early-2011, you may want to move up your time-frame. Not only are low mortgage rates not likely to last, but neither are low home prices.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/homebuilders-expect-a-surge-in-new-home-sales

Quail Creek (Oklahoma City OK) November 2010 Real Estate Market Update

Quail Creek October 2010 Real Estate Market Update

	Current	Monthly Change
Active Listings	54	-1
Under Contract	5	-6
Sold (Sept)	7	+2

 

• High list price: $649,000
• Low list price: $89,000
• Average list price: $294,998
• Median list price: $262,375

• High sales price/ft: $161.11
• Low sales price/ft: $67.05
• Average price/ft: $101.47
• Median price/ft: $92.71

• Average days-on-market: 99
• Median days-on-market: 104

Quail Creek Homes For Sale

Quail Creek Recent Price Reductions

Quail Creek New Listings

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/quail-creek-oklahoma-city-ok-november-2010-re

Mortgage Rates Spike On Strong Retail Sales Data. Could 4 Percent Rates Be Done?

If consumer spending is a key to economic recovery, the nation is on its way.

Monday, the Census Bureau released national Retail Sales figures for October and, for the second straight month, the data surged past expectation. Last month's retail figures jumped 1.2 percent -- the largest monthly jump since March -- as total sales receipts climbed to a 2-year high.

Consumer confidence is rising, too. Though still below the long-term trend, confidence in the future up-ticked in October.

The current confidence reading is now double the low-point from February 2009.

It's no surprise that both Retail Sales and Consumer Confidence are higher. They correlate in a common-sense-type manner. When consumers are more confident in the economy, they're more likely to spend their money. This, in turn, leads to more purchases and rising retail receipts.

Unfortunately, for home buyers and rate shoppers in Oklahoma City , it also leads to rising mortgage rates.

Because consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of the economy, spending growth leads to economic growth. But it's been a lack of growth that's kept mortgage rates this low.

When the growth starts, the low rates end. It's why mortgage rates have added as much as 1/2 percent over the past 10 days. Consider the recent "good news":

• Retail Sales made a 2-year high in October


• Existing and New Home Sales showed big improvement in September


• Jobs growth returned in October

The days of 4 percent, 30-year fixed rate mortgages may be nearing its end.  If you're still floating a mortgage rate or thinking of buying or refinancing, consider the impact of rising rates on your budget.

The time to act may be sooner than you had planned.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/mortgage-rates-spike-on-strong-retail-sales-d

How To Protect Your Home From The Influenza Virus

The 2010-2011 Flu Season has started and the Center for Disease Control expects that the H1N1 influenza virus (i.e "Swine Flu") will play a large role in Oklahoma City and worldwide, as in 2009-2010. Last year, the virus reached pandemic status -- the first time that's happened in 40 years.

In public places, avoiding "germy" places can be difficult. But within your home, you can easily create germ-free spaces. This 4-minute interview from NBC's The Today Show teaches about the flu virus, and how to protect yourself.

A few of the cleanliness tips shared include:

• Flu virus can live for up to 8 hours on a household surface
• Computer keyboards carry 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat
• Make sure your cleaning tools (i.e. sponges, mops) are, themselves, clean

The video also shares tips for keeping a cleaner, safer home, plus facts on the influenza virus.

Stay clean, stay healthy, and consider vaccinations. The flu virus hospitalizes 200,000 people each year.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/how-to-protect-your-home-from-the-influenza-v

Oak Tree (Edmond OK) October 2010 Real Estate Market Update

Oak Tree October 2010 Real Estate Market Update

	Current	Monthly Change
Active Listings	34	-4
Under Contract	3	-1
Sold (Sept)	2	-1

 

• High list price: $1,199,000
• Low list price: $299,900
• Average list price: $517,374
• Median list price: $482,000

Oak Tree Homes For Sale

Oak Tree Recent Price Reductions

Oak Tree New Listings

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/oak-tree-edmond-ok-october-2010-real-estate-m

Oklahoma City Condos/Townhouses For Sale | New Listings

[idx-listings linkid="107622"]

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/oklahoma-city-condostownhouses-for-sale-new-l

Valencia (Edmond OK) October 2010 Real Estate Market Report

Valencia October 2010 Real Estate Market Update

	Current	Monthly Change
Active Listings	38	+3
Under Contract	9	-2
Sold (Sept)	8	+1

 

• High list price: $328,919
• Low list price: $126,025
• Average list price: $185,303
• Median list price: $178,189

Valencia Homes For Sale

Valencia Recent Price Reductions

Valencia New Listings

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/valencia-edmond-ok-october-2010-real-estate-m

Rose Creek (Edmond OK) October 2010 Real Estate Market Report

Rose Creek October 2010 Real Estate Market Update

	Current	Monthly Change
Active Listings	22	-1
Under Contract	2	-3
Sold (Sept)	5	+5

 

• High list price: $1,259,000
• Low list price: $370,00
• Average list price: $656,581
• Median list price: $642,450

Rose Creek Homes For Sale

Recent Price Reductions In Rose Creek

New Listings In Rose Creek

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/rose-creek-edmond-ok-october-2010-real-estate

Rose Creek Homes For Sale | Recent Price Reductions

[idx-listings linkid="108899"]

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/rose-creek-homes-for-sale-recent-price-reduct

Rose Creek Homes For Sale | New Listings

[idx-listings linkid="108898"]

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/rose-creek-homes-for-sale-new-listings

Open House Sunday November 14th 2010 | 16304 Morningside Dr Edmond OK

Muirfield Village Open House

You are cordially invited to the OKCHomeSellers Team open house Sunday, November 14th, 2010 at 16304 Morningside Drive Edmond OK in the Muirfield Village addition.

Time: 1:00 — 5:00

This is the original model home in Muirfield Village. It has all the bells and whistles including hickory wood floors, granite, sand textured walls, and stone fireplaces.  There is a barrel wood ceiling in the entry and old rustic wood beams in the living room.  There’s a theater room upstairs, downstairs includes an awesome study and large master suite.  The home is 4,500 square feet with 4 beds and 4½ baths. There’s a great courtyard with outdoor fireplace. The home is listed at $750,000.

Location

View 16304 Morningside Drive Edmond OK Muirfield Village in a larger map

Hosted by David Franke

Muirfield Village Homes For Sale

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/open-house-sunday-november-14th-2010-16304-mo

Open House Sunday November 14th 2010 | 3009 Hackberry Oklahoma City OK

Quail Creek Open House

You are cordially invited to the OKCHomeSellers Team open house Sunday, November 14th, 2010 at 3009 Hackberry Oklahoma City OK in the Quail Creek addition.

Time: 2:00 — 4:00

Location

View 3009 Hackberry Oklahoma City OK 73120 Quail Creek in a larger map

Photos of 3009 Hackberry Oklahoma City OK

 

Lovely Quail Creek home. Large and on one level. Three large living areas. 2 fireplaces. Completely remodeled kitchen. Large game room, TV & theater chairs stay! Parquet wood flooring. Large master suite. Lap pool in back yard. .4 acre wooded lot.

Hosted by LaDonna West.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/open-house-sunday-november-14th-2010-3009-hac

Open House Saturday & Sunday November 13 & 14 2010 | Muirfield Village Edmond OK

Muirfield Village Open House Saturday November 13th & Sunday November 14th, 2010

You are cordially invited to the OKCHomeSellers Team weekend open house in Muirfield Village Edmond OK this Saturday and Sunday.

Time: 1:00 – 5:00

Three homes are open in Muirfield Village Saturday’s & Sunday’s from 1:00 to 5:00 along with a furnished model home. Muirfield Village is at NW 162nd and May Avenue, just behind the Paradigm AdvantEdge offices. Addresses are  16256, 16260, and 16316 Morningside Drive.

Location

View Muirfield Village Open House in a larger map

Muirfield Village Photos

 

Hosted this weekend by Bill Wilson.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/open-house-saturday-amp-sunday-november-13-am

October 2010 : 5 States Account For Half Of The Nation's Foreclosure Activity

According to October data from foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac, foreclosure filings topped 300,000 for the 20th straight month last month as 1 in every 389 U.S. homes received a foreclosure filing.

The generic term "foreclosure filing" is defined to include default notices, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessions. Versus the month prior, filings fell 4 percent, and as compared to October 2009, filings were essentially the same.

As usual, foreclosure density varied by region last month, with just 5 states accounting for close to half of the nation's repossessed homes.

• California : 14.8 percent of all bank repossessions
• Florida : 14.4 percent of all bank repossessions
• Michigan : 7.3 percent of all bank repossessions
• Texas : 6.6 percent of all bank repossessions
• Arizona : 6.0 percent of all bank repossessions

The other 45 states accounted for the remaining half.

It reminds us that, like everything else in real estate, foreclosures are local.

For today's Edmond home buyers, though, foreclosures represent an interesting opportunity.

Homes bought in various stages of foreclosure are often less expensive than other, non-foreclosure homes and it's one of the reasons why distressed home sales now represent 35 percent of all home resales. But don't confuse less expensive for less costly. Foreclosed homes may also be in various stages of disrepair. Getting them into living condition can be expensive.

Your best real estate "deal", therefore, may be that non-distressed home that's in sound, move-in ready condition.

If you're buying foreclosures -- or even just thinking about it -- make sure you talk with a real estate agent first. Buying distressed property is different from the "typical" home purchase. You'll want somebody experienced in your corner.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/october-2010-5-states-account-for-half-of-the

Veterans Day 2010 | Thank You

photo © 2008 Beverly | more info (via: Wylio)

Today is the day to thank veterans. I reflected on this this morning, trying to decide who I specifically would like to thank. I settled on Merlyn Dethlefsen. I met Major Dethlefsen in 1969 at Vance Air Force Base as I entered pilot training. Major Dethlefsen was easily recognizable. If you saw him in his flight suit, the first thing you noticed was his patch that said ‘North Vietnam 100 Missions F-105.’ If you saw him in his dress uniform the first thing you noticed was the Congressional Medal of Honor around his neck.

How cool is that? It made a huge impression on me as a new Air Force officer and pilot trainee. And I’m sure it impressed most of the students that came through Vance in those years. I had wanted to fly since a kid, but I didn’t give a lot of thought to what I’d like to fly until I got to Vance and got to be around some fighter pilots like Major Dethlefsen.

Most people don’t really understand what it took to earn a 100 mission patch. Many, many fell short. Not because they couldn’t hack it, but because they were shot down and killed or became a POW. As an example, a friend of mine that flew 105’s in Vietnam, said that when he arrived the squadron had 24 planes. By the time he left, 20 of those original planes had been shot down.

To earn the Medal of Honor was even more rare. The Air Force awarded 13 MOH’s during Vietnam. Four of those were fighter pilots and two of the four were awarded the medal for actions while a POW. So to have met Merlyn Dethlefsen while in pilot training was a rare treat, and a major influence on my military aviation career.

Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen

Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen (June 29, 1934 – December 14, 1987) was a United States Air Force officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

He was flying F-105’s out of Takhli RTAFB on March10, 1967 as a part of a 72 plane strike package to the Thai Nguyen iron and steel works near Hanoi North Vietnam.

Medal of Honor Citation

Maj. Dethlefsen was 1 of a flight of F-105 aircraft engaged in a fire suppression mission designed to destroy a key antiaircraft defensive complex containing surface-to-air missiles (SAM), an exceptionally heavy concentration of antiaircraft artillery, and other automatic weapons. The defensive network was situated to dominate the approach and provide protection to an important North Vietnam industrial center that was scheduled to be attacked by fighter bombers immediately after the strike by Maj. Dethlefsen's flight. In the initial attack on the defensive complex the lead aircraft was crippled, and Maj. Dethlefsen's aircraft was extensively damaged by the intense enemy fire. Realizing that the success of the impending fighter bomber attack on the center now depended on his ability to effectively suppress the defensive fire, Maj. Dethlefsen ignored the enemy's overwhelming firepower and the damage to his aircraft and pressed his attack. Despite a continuing hail of antiaircraft fire, deadly surface-to-air missiles, and counterattacks by MIG interceptors, Maj. Dethlefsen flew repeated close range strikes to silence the enemy defensive positions with bombs and cannon fire. His action in rendering ineffective the defensive SAM and antiaircraft artillery sites enabled the ensuing fighter bombers to strike successfully the important industrial target without loss or damage to their aircraft, thereby appreciably reducing the enemy's ability to provide essential war material. Maj. Dethlefsen's consummate skill and selfless dedication to this significant mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

^{Thank you Merlyn Dethlefsen…}

---

Well, to lighten it up a little, this got me thinking about thud pilots and the Dick Jonas song ‘Thud Pilot.’ Click the button below to play…

 

Do you want to read more about these kind of folks? Here’s a list of several good ones I’ve recently read.

• 100 Missions North: A Fighter Pilot’s Story of the Vietnam War
• American Patriot: The Life and Wars of Colonel Bud Day
• Bury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and the Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail
• Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds
• Here There are Tigers: The Secret Air War in Laos, 1968-1969
• Naked in Da Dang: A Forward Air Controller in Vietnam
• Rupert Red Two: A Fighter Pilot’s Life From Thunderbolts to Thunderchiefs
• Scrappy: Memoir of a U.S. Fighter Pilot in Korea and Vietnam
• Surviving Hell: A POW’s Journey
• Thud Ridge
• War For the Hell of It

Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/veterans-day-2010-thank-you

How Close Do You Live To America's Largest Landfills?

The 1937 opening of the Fresno Municipal Sanitary Landfill marked the birth of the modern landfill.

Today, transporting and burying garbage is a $50 billion annual business with an estimated 3,000 landfills in operation across the country, plus an additional 10,000 municipal "dump" sites.

A recent article by Forbes detailed the nation's 10 largest landfills, collectively profiling the structures as technology-driven, environmentally-responsible, and mostly odor-free.

The 10 largest landfills, according to Forbes:

1. Apex Regional (Las Vegas, NV)


2. Puente Hills (Whittier, CA)


3. Newton County Landfill Partnership (Brook, IN)


4. Okeechobee (Okeechobee, FL)


5. Atlantic Waste (Waverly, VA)


6. Rumpke Sanitary (Colerain Township, OH)


7. Pine Tree Acres (Lenox, MI)


8. El Sobrante (Corona, CA)


9. Veolia Orchard Hills (Davis Junction, IL)


10. Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site (Aurora, CO)

Landfill sites are often "hidden"; blended in to their surroundings. Because of this, when you're shopping for a home, you may not know just how close you're buying to an landfill or dump.

Therefore, be sure to ask your real estate agent about it, and consider following up with the county to learn what materials can be safely disposed at the local site.

Oklahoma City Landfills

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/how-close-do-you-live-to-americas-largest-lan

Oklahoma County Courthouse | Oklahoma City Historical Postcards

From my Oklahoma City postcard collection…

First, I would be remiss if I did not point out the writers’ comment. “Living here (Oklahoma City) sure tempts us.” It’s nice to see someone from so long ago recognized the benefits of living here.

The 1957 Worlds Fair she spoke of was the 50 year anniversary of statehood along with the opening of our State Fair Park.

By the way, the actual postcard postage rate in 1956 was 2¢!

I have no idea why they would have sent a postcard of the Oklahoma County Courthouse.

And here’s how the courthouse looks today…

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/oklahoma-county-courthouse-oklahoma-city-hist

Open House Sunday November 7, 2010 | 16304 Morningside Dr Edmond OK

Muirfield Village Open House

You are cordially invited to the OKCHomeSellers Team open house Sunday, November 7th, 2010 at 16304 Morningside Drive Edmond OK in the Muirfield Village addition.

Time: 1:00 — 5:00

This is the original model home in Muirfield Village. It has all the bells and whistles including hickory wood floors, granite, sand textured walls, and stone fireplaces.  There is a barrel wood ceiling in the entry and old rustic wood beams in the living room.  There’s a theater room upstairs, downstairs includes an awesome study and large master suite.  The home is 4,500 square feet with 4 beds and 4½ baths. There’s a great courtyard with outdoor fireplace. The home is listed at $750,000.

Location

View 16304 Morningside Drive Edmond OK Muirfield Village in a larger map

Hosted by David Franke

Muirfield Village Homes For Sale

[idx-listings linkid="100050"]

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/open-house-sunday-november-7-2010-16304-morni

Open House Sunday November 7th 2010 | 3009 Hackberry Oklahoma City OK

Quail Creek Open House

You are cordially invited to the OKCHomeSellers Team open house Sunday, November 7th, 2010 at 3009 Hackberry Oklahoma City OK in the Quail Creek addition.

Time: 2:00 — 4:00

Location

View 3009 Hackberry Oklahoma City OK 73120 Quail Creek in a larger map

Photos of 3009 Hackberry Oklahoma City OK

 

Lovely Quail Creek home. Large and on one level. Three large living areas. 2 fireplaces. Completely remodeled kitchen. Large game room, TV & theater chairs stay! Parquet wood flooring. Large master suite. Lap pool in back yard. .4 acre wooded lot.

Hosted by Bob Clark.

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/open-house-sunday-november-7th-2010-3009-hack

Open House This Weekend November 6 & 7 2010 | Muirfield Village Edmond OK

Muirfield Village Open House Saturday November 6th & Sunday November 7th, 2010

You are cordially invited to the OKCHomeSellers Team weekend open house in Muirfield Village Edmond OK this Saturday and Sunday.

Time: 1:00 – 5:00

Three homes are open in Muirfield Village Saturday’s & Sunday’s from 1:00 to 5:00 along with a furnished model home. Muirfield Village is at NW 162nd and May Avenue, just behind the Paradigm AdvantEdge offices. Addresses are  16256, 16260, and 16316 Morningside Drive.

Location

View Muirfield Village Open House in a larger map

Muirfield Village Photos

Hosted this weekend by Charlene Wilson.

Muirfield Village Homes For Sale

[idx-listings linkid="100050"]

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Originally posted at Oklahoma City Real Estate Blog

Submitted by OKCHomeSeller's Posterous via email from http://okchomeseller.posterous.com/open-house-this-weekend-november-6-amp-7-2010