Cynthia's Chat

You'll be seeing more of this slogan in the coming weeks.  Good thing you're in Oklahoma.....Good thing you're in Edmond.

And it IS a good thing!  Good things are happening in Oklahoma.  The national economic news is doom and gloom.  But here in Oklahoma, we have positive news.  And so your local Board or Realtors is getting the word out!

The Oklahoma Association of Realtors has hired a professional research company to chart the home sales in Oklahoma versus the national average.  I think you will like what you see. 

See the Edmond charts here.

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce (www.okcchamber.com) lists 10 reasons Oklahoma City is a vibrant center for commerce and culture.

1. Forbes.com ranks Oklahoma City as number ONE in overall income growth nationally.
   
   
2. SECOND largest continental U.S. City in terms of geographical size.
   
   
3. Public and private capital investment in Oklahoma City's urban core since 1995 exceeds THREE billion dollars.
   
   
4. Forbes.com ranks Oklahoma City as FOURTH best in terms of low cost of doing business.
   
   
5. Southern Living Magazine ranks downtown Oklahoma City as one of FIVE best downtowns in the south.
   
   
6. MSN.com ranks Oklahoma City as the SIXTH most drivable city in the U.S.
   
   
7. The number of households in the Oklahoma City MSA increased SEVEN percent from 424,764 in 2000 to 454,702 in 2006.
   
   
8. The Center for Applied Economic Research ranks Oklahoma County as the EIGHTH fastest growing county in the U.S. in terms of per capita income -- up 15.3% from 2005 to 2006.
   
   
9. According to the U.S. Census, Oklahoma City ranked NINTH in terms of inner city retail job growth.
   
   
10. Shopping Centers Today named Oklahoma City as one of TEN cities in the U.S. that are "most promising to retail developers."

Source: www.okcchamber.org

Aren't you glad you're in Oklahoma?

I thought this topic was timely since every time I drive by a lawn and garden store, the parking lot is packed.  Seems like everone has spring gardening one their minds.

I've asked a friend, Richard LeBlanc, who owns Yard and Garden Services. to give some timely gardening tips.  The following is his response:

YARD & GARDEN SERVICES

Plant, Shrub, Bush & Tree Installation - Full Garden Maintenance

Pruning-Trimming-Hand Weeding-Mulching-Lawn Seeding

Complete lawn service.

"We do more than mow"

R. & S. LeBlanc    Tel:  405-570-1146

email:  curbappeal@gardener.com

Thank you so much, Richard and Sue.  I need to check for those darn seed ticks!  Friends, post your specific yard and garden questions here and we will ask Richard to respond.

Much Love,

Cynthia

I am sure every Seller has this thought when making the decision to sell his/her home.

And sometimes this is a quick and easy way to get the transaction done for the most return on your investment.

But sometimes it isn't.  Here is my Top 10 list of why you should employ a Realtor to handle your Real Estate Transaction.

#10    Having a Realtor list and show your home or represent you as a buyer takes your personal emotion out of the picture.  You are presented with facts and options.  Your wishes are then conveyed to the other party.  You may be mad as heck or tickled pink - both emotions can color the other parties dealings with you.  But your wishes are conveyed without this emotion.

#9    Realtors know the market and can most accurately price your home with knowledge of market conditions at the time you are wanting to sell.  A County appraiser's assessment is once a year and is not based on all the amenities your home offers. 

#8   Realtors have the responsibility of showing your home when it is most convenient to the buyers.  The perfect buyer for your home may only be able to look while you are at work or out of town.  Selling is a numbers game.  The more people who look, the more likely you are of getting the highest possible price for your home.

#7    In most cases, the cost of advertising is carried by the Realtor.  Advertising includes print advertising and internet advertising.  Most savvy Realtors already have a traffic-bearing website. Most buyers today look to the internet first when considering an home. Other types of print advertising includes mailouts and posters.

#6    Realtors with years of experience can look at your home with an unbiased eye and help you stage your home to draw the buyer's eye to the amenities rather than the flaws.

#5    Most buyers who look at your home with a Realtor are prescreened.  We determine that they are legitimate buyers and prequalify their ability to purchase your home before ever allowing them to look at the home.

#4    The use of an MLS lockbox provides the security of knowing who each person is who accesses the lockbox.  Technology has come a long way since I first started in the business.  Now we can plug in the lockbox number and have a detailed record of everyone who showed the home and what time the keybox was opened.  No one, who has not been given permission to open your home, will do so without the knowledge of the listing Realtor.

#3   The Board of Realtor contracts have been designed specifically for Oklahoma Real Estate law and are designed to protect both parties in the transaction.  Real Estate contracts purchased at an office supply many times leaves one party or the other vulnerable.

#2    After the home is under contract, I monitor the transaction from inspections to the closing at the title company.  I have an extensive referral network and have experience dealing with the different entities that have their hands on your transaction through it's journey to closing.

And the NUMBER ONE REASON (drum roll please) to employ a Realtor to assist you in the transaction is because of our Errors and Omissions insurance. 

I am charged by my company a fee for E&O insurance for every transaction. 

Errors and Omissions Insurance protects my company from claims if a client holds me responsible for errors, or the failure of my work to perform as promised in the contract.

Coverage includes legal defense costs - no matter how baseless the allegations. Errors and Omission will pay for any resulting judgments against me, including court costs, up to the coverage limits on the policy. 

The coverage limit is quite hefty - as is my copayment.  But as a homeowner considering selling your home yourself, you have to ask yourself, how you will handle any litigation arising from a claim against you resulting from any errors -real or assumed - that you may make during the course of the transaction.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Aren't you just enjoying watching spring burst out?  The Redbuds are stunning and day by day I enjoy watching the emerging spring renewal.