Home Buying Basics

Buying a home can be an intimidating process, but with a little knowledge under your belt, you can better understand the process and become a stronger borrower. Here some things you should know before you buy. Obtain a pre-qualification from your lender: Before you begin house hunting, identify the prices you can afford with a reputable local bank. Obtaining a letter from them will help you become more knowledgeable about your future loan and make you a stronger borrower with bargaining position with the seller, showing them you are a serious buyer. Choose a Realtor: You want to find one … Continue reading...

Keep Your Home Purchase on Track

You’ve found your dream home. Make sure missteps don’t prevent a successful closing. 1. Be truthful on your mortgage application You may think fudging your income a little or omitting debts when applying for a mortgage will go unnoticed. Not true. Lenders have become more diligent in verifying information on mortgage applications. If you fib, expect to be found out and denied the loan you need to fund your home purchase. Plus, intentionally lying on a mortgage application is a crime. 2. Hold off on big purchases Lenders double-check buyers’ credit right before the closing to be sure their … Continue reading...

Oklahoma Housing Market Remains Ripe for Homebuyers

According to a recent article in The Oklahoman, now is one of the best times in recent history for first time homebuyers to purchase a new home. According to Glen Reynolds, Manager of Mortgage Lending at Arvest Bank, the record low interest rates and historically low home values, plus a growing economy, make this one of the best times ever for purchasing your own home. "The affordability of homes is reaching close to historical highs." says Reynolds. Even though home prices are on the rise this spring, they still have not reached pre-housing crash highs so there is still good value in homes, … Continue reading...

2012 Home Sales in Edmond Set Record

Wow, what a year. The last quarter of 2012 ended with a big bang, as Edmond home sales soared, breaking all records for not only the number of home sold in a year, but the average price of those homes. Our team was kept spinning for 2012 and we knew that OUR sales were great, but it is nice to also hear the market is booming and other Realtors were doing well also. The previous record year for total home sales in Edmond, Oklahoma was in 2007 right before the economic collapse when 3,739 homes were sold city wide for $875 million. Our lowest year in the past 10 years was in 2010 when we sold … Continue reading...

Edmond Home Sales Set Record for November

Once again the figures for home sales in Edmond show that we are having a record year for home sales - the best in Edmond since 2007. My good friend and colleague Brian Preston published his Preston Report for November and it shows home sales in Edmond were up over 40% for November 2012 versus November 2011. The figures show 300 closings in Edmond for November 2012 versus 213 for November 2011. Total sales through November were up over 18% year to date for 2012 over 2011, and has already surpassed our best year ever of 2007. As of the end of November, we have closed 3,752 homes year to … Continue reading...

Edmond Home Sales Up 8.2% for 2012

Edmond, Oklahoma home sales are up 8.2% so far through November 2012 versus 2011. According to the OKC Metro MLS, 3,207 homes were closed in Edmond through Dec 7, 2012 versus 2,861 through Dec 7, 2011. This is a very strong market since 2011 was also a good year. Our experience also reflects this. We are seeing homes selling for much closer to asking price than before, and more buyers in the market for fewer homes. Hence, prices are finally starting to rise ever so slightly from the past couple of years. New home starts are also up as builders see increased demand. The market right now … Continue reading...

Oklahoma County Down Payment Assistance

Do you make less than $86,100 annually?  Would you like to get into a $214,925 home with no money down and your closing costs paid?  If so, read on. The Oklahoma County Finance Authority will soon be rolling out a new $15,000,000 bond program to help home buyers in Oklahoma County stop renting and get into their own home. The program is expected to roll out around December 15 but has already been delayed once so that date is not yet firm. The program is designed to help home buyers with an income of less than $86,100 buy a home valued at up to $214,925. Unlike the past OKHFA bond programs, … Continue reading...

Easy to Fix Top Ten Items Found on an Oklahoma Home Inspection

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 that should be done by the homeowner prior to the inspection. 1) Garage door electronic eye attached too high You know those little electronic eye things on the side of your garage door rails that you have to jump over when you are trying to get out the garage door before it closes? Those are designed to protect kids (even those … Continue reading...

Preston Report April 2012

My friend and fellow Realtor Brian Preston once again produced his monthly Edmond home sale report.  This month Edmond home sales are up substantially once again, and home prices are on the rise.  I see this in current deals I am working.  Nice homes in Edmond are selling at or near list price, often within just a week or so.  As usual, some homes lag because of a variety of reasons - overpriced, poor location, disrepair - but for the most part a well maintained, quality home that is priced fairly with the local market will tend to sell quite quickly. Preston Report April 2012 … Continue reading...