Real Estate

Lindsey Bigelow & John Buchanan on Investment Properties [video]

Lindsey Bigelow Realtor and John Buchanan Insurance expert discuss insurance on investment properties.

For more expert advice please contact:

Lindsey Bigelow – 918-269-7652
John Buchanan – 918-693-8820

*For info on the Jim Stovall Speaking Event in Tulsa please contact John at 918-693-8820

Exclusive Offer: Job Loss Protection Program

We at the Jim Bigelow Group realize that times are hard and that many homeowners are facing layoffs. That is why we, with Coldwell Banker Select, are the only company in Oklahoma that are offering a Job Loss Protection Program, that will pay your mortgage for up to six months if you involuntarily lose your job. Below is the official press release that outlines the plan. If you have any questions regarding this program please email me at jim@jimbigelow.com.

August 3, 2009 :: Tulsa, OK- The Jim Bigelow Group, part of Coldwell Banker Select, , is the only company in Oklahoma offering the Rainy Day Foundation’s Homeowner Education and Loan Protection service (HELP), which is designed to assist homeowners with their mortgage in the event that they lose their employment. This mortgage protection program will enable homeowners to have security in an economically turbulent time. Coldwell Banker Select, specifically the Jim Bigelow Group, is the only company in Oklahoma offering this Job Loss Protection Program.

In the current economic environment many Americans are concerned with job stability and how they are going to make their mortgage payments if they lose their job. The unemployment coverage included in the Rainy Day Foundation’s HELP service assists in keeping homeowners current on their mortgage payments each month so homeowners can minimize their financial stress while they are looking for a job. The Mortgage Protection Program is designed to provide up to six months of mortgage payment if the borrower becomes involuntarily unemployed. The enrollment process is easy and can cover up to $1800 per month.

When asked about his enthusiasm for the program, Bigelow stated, “We want to ensure that the homeowners that buy with us are taken care of.”

About the Bigelow Group:
The Jim Bigelow Group is a leading Tulsa real estate group that serves the greater Tulsa metropolitan area. Their marketing ensures maximum exposure to the homes listed. For Tulsa home buyers, they will help you to locate exactly the home that fits all your criteria and needs.

Beautiful Listing on 1.6 Acres in Broken Arrow

This beautiful listing located in East Broken Arrow is perfect for a commuter who loves having land. Set on 1.6 acres this four bedroom house is located just 20 minutes from many popular Tulsa locations, such as downtown Tulsa and the Tulsa International Airport. With 2623 square feet and a three car garage this listing is perfect for a growing family. The upstairs is comprised solely of a spacious game room area, great for the kids to play in. One of the four bedrooms could easily be converted into an office space if needed.

Built in 2007 this house has the up to date features that you are looking for including zoned heat and air. The property itself is absolutely picturesque with mature trees lining the backend of the property, a large fenced in backyard, covered back patio and a separate dog run.

28603 E. 25th Place Broken Arrow, OK

This beautiful 2623 square foot house located on 1.6 acres in Broken Arrow is listed at $249,900. Built in 2007 it is up to date with beautiful granite counter tops in the kitchen. Complete with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, an upstairs game room, formal dining room and hardwood floors this house is a perfect home for a family.

New Listing at 720 S. Lakewood in Tulsa :: See The Video ::

Gorgeous Little Bungalow :: Listed at $59,000, this beautiful 2 bedroom bungalow has gorgeous natural hardwood floors throughout. The kitchen has unique wood counter tops and the bathroom has been recently updated. The large backyard is a wonderful addition to this property with mature trees and a covered patio. This bungalow is a great value and will be sure to go fast.

For more information please contact ::

Jim Bigelow
Realtor, CRS, ePro, GRI,SRES, CHMS
918-640-4657
jim@jimbigelow.com
www.jimbigelow.com

Potential Office and/or Restaurant Space in Sapulpa

Ever thought of opening your own restaurant? This 3 story, commercial space in Sapulpa would be a great investment opportunity. Boasting a 5000 square foot, space on the street level would be a great space to use for retail or a restaurant. The spacious, 5000 square foot office space located on the 2nd floor has extensive wood work, a reception area, 15 individual offices, 2 conference rooms including televisions and skylights, a kitchen, two and a half baths and a private street entrance. This space also includes a 5,000 square foot basement, accessible through the main level or back entrance, currently being used as mini storage.

See the FULL Listing and more pictures on the Bigelow Group website HERE (Video Below)

Details

Address: 15 N Main Street
Type: Commercial
Style: 3 Story
Bathrooms: 2 “half baths 2nd floor”
Basement: Yes, Full “currently used as storage”
Size: 15,000 sq. ft. “5000 sq ft per floor” Lot
Type: Rectangular MLS®: 907023

More Bigelow Group Listing HERE

5 Ways to Master Social Networking

 

Get the most benefit from these tools by following these basic rules:

 Be authentic. Your profile is the first thing people will see when they visit your page. Be truthful about who you are and what you do. Details are a good thing. Calling yourself a “real estate expert” isn’t as informative as “20 years specializing in urban condos.” Providing nuggets about your life outside of work (everyone loves to see photos) adds a human element to who you are, and that builds relationships.

 Be an observer. Spend time researching Facebook groups, fan pages, and events related to your niche. How do they communicate with their members? How does the administrator facilitate meetings? How active are the discussion boards and wall posts? After joining Twitter, follow key people related to your interest. Observe the types of information they provide and how they engage with their followers.

 Be a giver, not a taker. Share information with your network—without expecting something in return. Post a link to a great article or video, and provide insightful comments on links that other people post. Take time to build a relationship with people in your network. The more resources you provide, the more trust you build and the more potential clients you create.

 Be a sleuth. Sign up at TweetBeep.com to get e-mail alerts when keywords related to you or your business appear in a Twitter message, or “tweet.”

 Be organized. Use Facebook lists to group your contacts—coworkers, high school friends, neighbors, past clients, and so on. You can create lists by clicking on the “Friends” link on the top of your profile page, and then clicking on “Make a New List” on the left side of the screen. This makes communications easier as you grow a large network of friends. Create similar groupings with your Twitter contacts; check out the application called TweetDeck (click on “Apps” at the bottom of the Twitter home page) and TwitterGroups.

 Source: Blagica Bottigliero is a social media specialist in the consumer brands group of public relations firm Edelman. She is the founder of GalsGuide.com and an Emmy winner for her work with NBC5 Chicago Street Team.

Jim Bigelow    Bigelow Group  Realtors  918-640-4657

www.jimbigelow.com                jim@jimbigelow.com

Coldwell Banker Select

Appraiser Checklist

 

Here are some of the factors that appraisers Joni L. Herndon of Real Property Analysts/Gulf Coast in Tampa, Fla., and John A. Hillas of Hulbert & Associates Inc. in Modesto, Calif., say they consider when determining value.

 Incentives and concessions. Most of today’s buyers expect to pay the lowest possible price and still get some extras. Sellers and home builders are offering money toward closing costs, remodeling and decorating, upgrades, and association dues. The price set initially may not be the final price once concessions are factored out. Appraisers care about that final number.

 Closing date. Forget what comparable neighborhood houses sold for a few months back. Appraisers want prices from the most recently closed transactions. “If a sale was more than 45 days ago, even 35, the price may be irrelevant,” Hillas says.

 Condition and curb appeal. Appraisers typically find several properties with similar interior and exterior features to determine value. When markets are healthy, blemishes matter less, but when markets soften, problems—a dated kitchen or barren lawn—can reduce prices and deter buyers. “The difference in value is not just the repair costs but the time and hassle to make them. It’s better for sellers to do work in advance,” Hillas says.

 Foreclosures. Appraisers technically shouldn’t consider neighborhood foreclosures when valuing a home, since foreclosures don’t meet the Appraisal Institute’s definition of a property reasonably exposed in a competitive market, says Herndon. “But when several neighborhood homes are abandoned, it’s hard not to caution sellers that this is a troubling trend and may affect home values,” she says.

 Changing demographics. If a house is in an up-and-coming area, the value can be expected to rise. A location that’s perceived as safe also may help attract the increasing number of single female buyers.

 Economic clouds. If there’s an oversupply of comparable homes for sale, or if the local job market is suffering, buyers may be hesitant to invest. Hillas advises setting prices aggressively from the get-go.

 Chemistry. It’s hard to account for those times when buyers fall in love with a house, despite a high price, poor condition, or tough economy. “Emotional attachment is a factor that can’t be predicted,” says Herndon. Hillas agrees, “It’s what makes it harder to appraise homes versus commercial buildings, where buyers care more about the bottom line.”

 

Jim Bigelow    Bigelow Group  Realtors  918-640-4657

www.jimbigelow.com                jim@jimbigelow.com

Coldwell Banker Select

 

7 Steps for Removing Mold From Listings

 

What Is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus made up of tiny microscopic organisms that can grow practically anywhere, such as on ceiling tiles, wallpaper, wood, paints, carpet, and insulation. It multiplies via spores and shows itself in a variety of colors, from greens to browns to pinks, grays, blacks, and yellows. The most common mold growth area in the house is the bathroom, since mold grows on moist materials.

If you spot mold in one of your listings, you’ll first want to size up the problem, and then create a plan for safe and complete removal.

If the mold is found in a small area, less than 10 square feet, removal can be a do-it-yourself project. Here’s how:

1. Wear a face mask, goggles, and rubber gloves. Don’t touch mold with bare skin.

2. Seal off the area to prevent the tiny spores from spreading to other parts of the house during the removal process. Open the windows and cover heat registers and ventilation ducts.

3. Wash the affected hard surface areas with a mild detergent solution, such as laundry detergent and warm water. As an added step, wipe the area with a solution of a quarter-cup bleach and one quart of water. (Warning: Do not mix ammonia and bleach; the fumes can be toxic.)

4. Dry the surface completely. Use fans and dehumidifiers or natural ventilation.

5. Apply a borate-based detergent solution. Don’t rinse. This will help prevent the mold from growing again. (Look for “borate” listed on the ingredient labels of laundry or dishwasher detergent.)

6. Don’t take shortcuts. Never paint or caulk over moldy surfaces. The paint will peel and the mold will resurface.

7. Call a professional. Just when you think you finally won the battle against mold, you might see dormant spores reappear or even spread to clean areas of the house, particularly if proper removal procedures weren’t taken. You may need to call a mold remediation company to resolve the problem.

Sources: The Truth About Mold (Dearborn, 2008) by Susan C. Cooper and Mike Buettner; EPA; Washington State Department of Health

Jim Bigelow    Bigelow Group  Realtors  918-640-4657

www.jimbigelow.com                jim@jimbigelow.com

Coldwell Banker Select

 

Meet The Jim Bigelow Group

Jim Bigelow Team Videos

Meet Jim Bigelow

Meet Lindsey Bigelow

Meet Coleman White

Meet Barbara Boyd

Meet Kristin Winton

Recession Job Hunt

Recession Job Hunt

Competition for Jobs in a Slow Economy

Veterans discharging from the Armed Services meet new challenges. Job Fair lines are getting longer as unemployment rates climb. Don’t panic/plan to adapt and succeed.

Be versatile, mobile, and plan to go where the jobs are. It’s likely you have full or partial paid move coming, courtesy of Uncle Sam. If you are willing to relocate, and a prospective employer does not have to pay moving expenses; you have become a hot commodity.

Read the papers and explore companies own websites. Focus on new contracts or a company product. This gives you an in, while others are on their way out. Take part time work if it is available, seasonable or temporary. Any of these can help you pay the bills, and possibly get you an audience with the decision makers once the economy revives.

To succeed at a Job Fair, prepare before hand on the position you want. Be prepared to tell a prospective employer how you will mesh with his organization and what skills you will bring to a position.

Research the company for specific openings the employer is looking to fill. Don’t waste time handing out resumes that don’t relate your skills for the job. The goal of job hunting is to get a second interview.

Follow up, get a business card and don’t call, a hand written thank you note, referring to the Job Fair makes you more noticeable. Send a fresh resume on nice paper, and always send a cover letter with every resume.

Companies who are hiring include: Banfield, Farmers Insurance, Gentiva Health Services, ITT Corp, M.A.R.S. International, Pricewaters, Service Master, 7-11, and Quik-Trip. Pick the positions you want, and refine your efforts accordingly, or find a company that looks like the right fit, learning all you can, and fine tuning your approach.

As a military retiree, dedicated to the military personnel and their families, I urge you to contact Coleman White@Jimbigelow.com for all your real estate needs.

Coleman White 918-760-1317

coleman@jimbigelow.com www.jimbigelow.com

Jim Bigelow Bigelow Group Realtors 918-640-4657

www.jimbigelow.com jim@jimbigelow.com

Coldwell Banker Select

10 Things Every Remodeling Contract SHOULD Include.

10 Things Every Remodeling Contract SHOULD Include.

1.       The contractor’s name, address, Phone number, and license number.

2.       Details on what the contractors will and will not do.

3.       A list of materials for the project in your contract. This includes information about the size, color, model, brand name and product.

4.       The approximate start date and completion date.

5.       All required plans. Study them carefully for accuracy. Insist that you approve them and that they are identified in your written contract before work begins.

6.       Written notice of your right to, without penalty, cancel a contract within three business days.

7.       Financial terms, spelled out in a way that you understand. This includes the total price, payment schedule, and any cancellation penalty.

8.       A Binding arbitration clause, which you’ll need in the event a disagreement occurs. Arbitration may enable you to resolve disputes without costly litigation.            

9.       Everything you’ve requested. Consider the scope of the project and make sure all items you’ve requested are included. If you do not see a specific item in the contract, consider it not included. NEVER sign an incomplete contract.

10.   A warranty covering materials and workmanship for a minimum of one year. The warranty must be identified as either “full” or “limited”. The name and address of the party who will honor the warranty (contractor, or manufacturer) must be identified. Make sure the time period for the warranty is specified.

Jim Bigelow    Bigelow Group  Realtors  918-640-4657

www.jimbigelow.com                jim@jimbigelow.com

Coldwell Banker Select

What is a Rural Development Mortgage?

What is a Rural Development Mortgage?

Rural Development or also known as USDA Mortgage is a conventional mortgage that offers 100% financing. It can be used for the purchase of a new or existing single-family dwelling. Home must be owner occupied. Mortgage insurance is prohibited. No down payment required. 30 year loan term, fixed interest rate. USDA has a one time 2.0% guarantee fee, which is financed into the mortgage. USDA does not limit seller/builder contributions, however if in excess of 6% they will require an appraisal review.
Eligible Areas:
USDA loans can be made in rural areas, which in clued open country and communities up to 10,000 population, plus communities that are not a part of a Metropolitan Statistical Area with populations up to 20,000. To find out if a property is eligible you can visit http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do
Applicant Qualifications:
Minimum 620 credit score. USDA mortgages have household income requirements and cannot exceed the moderate-income level. Contact a local lender to find out the counties median income.
For Example: Tulsa County
1 person = income cannot exceed $40,300
2 person = $46,100
3 person = $51,800
4 person = $57.600
5 person= $62,200

Property Characteristics:
Property must be contiguous to and have direct access to a hard surfaced or all-weather road; gravel is ok. The site value cannot exceed 30% of value. Generally 10 acres is the maximum acreage allowed. If property has an in-ground swimming pool a waiver is required from Rural Development and the swimming pool cannot be included in value of the property.

For more information about Rural Development contact Heather Jobe at First Mortgage 918-496-2241. You can also visit the Rural Development website at www.usda.gov

Heather Jobe / Mortgage Loan Officer
First Mortgage Company 918-496-2241
918-698-8939 hjobe@firstmortgageco.com

Jim Bigelow Bigelow Group Realtors 918-640-4657
www.jimbigelow.com jim@jimbigelow.com
Coldwell Banker Select

LANDSCAPING TIPS That Wow Buyers

LANDSCAPING TIPS That Wow Buyers
1. Use decorative Architectural elements like a new mailbox, planted window boxes, and a low fence wrapped in vines to catch attention particularly during winter months when few plants are blooming. Colors should complement the landscape and home. Just don’t overdo it, Too much can seem like tacky lawn ornaments.
2. Add splashes of color with every changing season. A landscape should provide a new display of color, textures and fragrances. It is best to use one or two and repeat them. Example: white iceberg roses that bloom in spring, summer and fall as a backdrop, in front , a contrasting punch or purple salvia or lavender that will flower at the same time, as an accent a crape myrtle tree that provides changing leaf colors in fall and interesting branches during the winter.
3. Let them hear the water. The sound of water appeals to buyers, and you shouldn’t just reserve this for backyards. A small fountain accent with rocks provides a pleasant gurgling sound, blocks street noise and is affordable.
4. Maintain a perfect lawn. A very green lawn demonstrates tender loving care, so be sure your home doesn’t have brown spots. Some rocks, pebbles, boulders, drought tolerant plants and ornamental grasses will generate more kudos, especially in drought areas.
5. Light up the outside. Good illumination allows buyers to see the home at night and adds drama. Sellers should use low voltage lights to highlight branches of specimen trees, a front door, walk, and corners of the home. But less is better. The yard should not resemble an airport runway.
6. Size Trees and shrubs to scale. These should be planted in the right scale for the house so that they don’t block windows, doors, and other architectural features on the homes façade. A large two story home can handle a redwood, Chinese Pistache, sycamore or scarlet oak, but a single story cottage is better paired with a flowering cherry, crabapple or eastern redbud. Too many trees cast too much shadow and cause potential buyers to worry about maintenance and costs.

Jim Bigelow Bigelow Group Realtors 918-640-4657
www.jimbigelow.com jim@jimbigelow.com
Coldwell Banker Select

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Veterans Administration rejects veterans transfer rights in it’s final rule. The Post (9/11 GI Bill) removed some restrictions on current service members sharing educational benefits with family members, but reject requests for the same transfer rights given to veterans. VA officials said they could not allow veterans to share benefits with family members, because transfer rights are, by law, limited to people who are in the service on August 1, 2009, when the new GI Bill Program begins.

Also rejected was living stipends for people using the new GI Bill for distance learning and rules for veterans suffering traumatic brain injuries that would provide them full payment even if they are not full time students.

Veterans who plan to attend colleges or universities the rules revise procedures that reduce tuition under a matching fund program.

The new GI Bill Program features monthly benefits that cover the cost of tuition and fees at a four year public college or university, plus a $1,000 annual book allowance, and a monthly stipend for renting a two bedroom town house in the same zip code as the college campus.

The VA is responsible for payment of benefits tuition directly to the school, but the stipend is paid to the student, and the Defense Department is responsible for setting rules for how current service members will be able to share earned benefits with a spouse or children.

The VA final rules involve the transfer of benefits. Some benefits can be transferred to a spouse or children, along with basic benefits. When benefits are transferred, a spousal divorce, or a child’s marriage will not terminate benefits, although a service member can reduce or rescind the transfer of benefits at any time or any reason.

Veteran’s educational benefits are not marital property that can be divided in a property settlement after divorce. Living stipends will not be paid to the spouse of an active duty service member, and will not be paid to a service member using the GI Bill while still in service.

Reduced tuition can be offered to people attending a university of medicine, but not to law students. Reduced tuition has to be guaranteed for a full academic year. One new feature of this Post 9/11 Bill is the Yellow Ribbon Program in which the VA will match dollar for dollar reduction in tuition at private institutions. VA hopes to have a list of institutions offering Yellow Ribbon Program reduced tuition later this year.

As a military retiree, dedicated to the military personnel and their families, I urge you to contact Coleman White@Jimbigelow.com for all your real estate needs.

Coleman White 918-760-1317

coleman@jimbigelow.com www.jimbigelow.com

Jim Bigelow Bigelow Group Realtors 918-640-4657

www.jimbigelow.com jim@jimbigelow.com

Coldwell Banker Select

Maintenance & Home Insurance

Maintenance & Home Insurance

Oklahoma Bond Money is Back!!

Oklahoma Bond Money is Back!!
Owning a home is a goal for most families. More often families face the obstacle of lack of funds for down payment and closing costs. Oklahoma Bond Money is available statewide and offers down payment and closing cost assistance. The state has Targeted Areas and Non-Targeted Areas designated by the U.S. Department of Treasury in Washington, D.C. using census statistics. Mortgage loans made in Non-Targeted Areas require the borrower be a first-time homebuyer. A first-time homebuyer cannot have any home ownership interest in his primary residence for the last three years. Mortgage loans made in Targeted Areas do not have first-time homebuyer requirements.
Oklahoma Bond is issuing funds starting 4/28/09 at 10:00 A.M. Oklahoma Bond works in conjunction with the following type of mortgages, FHA, VA, Rural Development and HUD-184.
Oklahoma Bond money offers up to 3.5% of down payment/ closing cost assistance. This could mean first time homebuyers could walk in with little money down and have the dream of homeownership.
$31,000,000 has been issued to the state of Oklahoma and it can be used in ANY county in the state of Oklahoma.
There are a few requirements for bond money:
1. You must be a first time homebuyer. (A first time homebuyer is someone who has not owned property in the last 3 years) Your lender will require last 3 years of tax returns to prove you have not owned property.
2. Minimum credit score must be 620 or above.
3. There are income restrictions. A borrower must not exceed $57,600 for 1-2 person family and $66,240 for 3 + family. Income is calculated off gross income vs. net income.
4. Interest rate is set by the Oklahoma Bond and has been issued at 5.83%. This rate is 30 year fixed mortgage and it cannot be bought down lower.
5. You must work with a lender who is approved to work with Bond Money.
6. Maximum sales price for new construction or an existing home is $189,682.
You must occupy the purchased home as a primary residence. You must purchase a home no later than 8/14/09. Funds are limited so they could run out of funds prior to 8/14/09. If you have been thinking about buying a home…. now is the time. This program is allowed to be used and get up to $8,000 tax credit.
For more information you can visit www.ohfa.org or contact Heather Jobe at First Mortgage Company at 496-2241 x 230.

Heather Jobe / Mortgage Loan Officer
First Mortgage Company 918-496-2241
918-698-8939 hjobe@firstmortgageco.com

Jim Bigelow Bigelow Group Realtors 918-640-4657
www.jimbigelow.com jim@jimbigelow.com
Coldwell Banker Select

American Recovery/Reinvestment Act of 2008

American Recovery/Reinvestment Act of 2008

First time home buyers purchasing any kind of home, new or resale are eligible for the tax credit. To qualify a home purchase must occur on or after January 1, 2009 and December 2009. The purchase date is when closing occurs, and the title to the property transfers to the new home owner.

For married tax payers, this law test the home ownership of the buyer and his/her spouse. For example: if you have not owned a home in the last three years, but your spouse owned a principal residence, neither you or your spouse qualifies for the tax credit.

However, unmarried joint purchasers can allocate the credit amount to any buyer who qualifies as a first time home buyer.

Ownership of a vacation home or rental property does not qualify as a first time home buyer.

The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000 dollars.

The income limits for single tax payers is $75,000 and the limit for married tax payers is $150,000 filing a joint return.

This tax credit does not have to be repaid. You claim the tax credit on your Federal Income Tax return. Home buyers should complete IRS Form 5405 to determine their tax credit amount, and claim this amount on line 69 of their 1040 income tax return. No other forms or applications are required, and no approval is necessary.

Any home that will be used as a principal residence will qualify for the credit. The tax credit is refundable, which involves the government sending the tax payer a check for a portion or maybe all of the refundable tax credit.

For qualified veterans 100 percent financing is available through VA Guaranteed Loan Program. Veterans with 100 percent disabilities, certified by the Veterans Administration as service connected are eligible for property exempt status in the State of Oklahoma.

As a military retiree, dedicated to the military personnel and their families, I urge you to contact Coleman White@Jimbigelow.com for all your real estate needs.

Coleman White 918-760-1317

coleman@jimbigelow.com www.jimbigelow.com

Jim Bigelow Bigelow Group Realtors 918-640-4657

www.jimbigelow.com jim@jimbigelow.com

Coldwell Banker Select

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