I will be hosting a Broker's Open House at my listings in the Cedar Ridge Addition. This open house is available to any real estate agent or broker in the marketplace, and will be used to showcase two Bedlam Homes under construction in the neighborhood. Drawings will be held for realtors who attend, and lunch is available.

The first home is at 22677 N. McArthur. It is a Brent Gibson designed French country style home. Approximately two weeks from completion, this home will be ready for a family to move right in.

The second home is at 6480 Katy Lane and is scheduled for completion in January. It is also a French country style home being build by Jason Johnson of Bedlam Homes.

Brrr! With the weather turning cold this week, it made me think about what is needed to prepare your home for the winter. The weather in Edmond can change drastically, from the high winds and warm temperatures a few days ago, to the freezing cold, ice and snow of January and February. Here are a few tips:

1. Check your fireplace and chimney before use. Chimney flues that have become lined with creosote are fire hazards.
   
2. Check the outside of your home for cracks around windows and doors, and for loose siding and trim. Caulk these to block the cold air from entering your home. Make sure your masonry and sidewalk cracks are sealed to prevent the damage that can be caused by the "freeze-thaw" process.
   
3. Disconnect all water hoses from your outside faucets and install faucet covers for insulation. Leaving hoses connected can prevent your pipes from draining, causing freeze damage inside your home and necessitating expensive repairs.
   
4. Clean your gutters of leaves and debris. Clogged gutters can cause a big problem when the snow starts to melt, possibly damaging your roof and walls.
   
5. Drain your birdbaths and cover them so they cannot fill with water and freeze.

For more information on preparing your home for the winter, go to Do It Yourself.com. Hope you are ready for the winter, it will be skiing time soon!

This year the Downtown Edmond Business Association is kicking off their Christmas season with a bang. There is plenty of parking and the downtown area is completely decorated for Christmas. You can park in a variety of areas either on Broadway or behind most any business. From there you can stroll to antique shops, art galleries, breakfast at Java Dave's, or browse at the many specialty clothing stores in Downtown Edmond.

I am often asked if a home buyer should attend the inspections for their new home. While it is not absolutely necessary, I highly recommend buyers attend this important event. This gives you the opportunity to get to know your home better and discuss issues with the home inspector. By attending the inspection, you'll gain a better understanding of exactly what you are getting so you are better prepared for your new home ownership.

The Oklahoma Association of Realtors reports that Edmond home sales for the 3rd quarter 2005 increased 12% over the same quarter 2004. The median price for a new home rose 4.46% from $202,802 in 2004 to $211,850 in 2005. Statewide, home sales were up 14%. Edmond had the highest median home price for the entire state in 2005, far surpassing $146,011 of greater Tulsa.

The strong housing market in Edmond is attributed to the local schools, strong local economy, improvement in the energy industry, and Edmond's reputation of a high quality lifestyle.