Home Value

Jim Bigelow & John Bucanan on Roof Insurance [Video]

In this video Jim Bigelow & John Bucanan talk about the importance of roof replacement Insurance. Check back every week for more real estate and insurance insight from Jim Bigelow & John Bucanan.

Remodeling your home? Get Insurance Advice First

Are you thinking about remodeling your home to increase its value? Check out this video where John and I talk about how to go about insurance for your new additions. Learn about replacement costs to avoid losing coverage on your home. If you have any questions about whether you have the proper coverage email me at jim@jimbigelow.com or John at john.buchanan@countryfinancial.com.

7 Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Digital Camera

 

 Looking for a new digital camera to capture your listings from their very best angles? Consider these key features.

 1. Compact or digital SLR? Compacts have a self-contained lens and can slip into a pocket or purse. They offer point and shoot simplicity for $300 or less. With bigger digital single-lens reflex cameras, you can use your choice of lenses. They’re for serious shooters who want more options and creative control and who are willing to pay $500 or more to start building a system.

 2. How many megapixels? A camera with an image sensor of 3 megapixels or more is plenty for photos destined for the Web or brochures. You don’t need a larger sensor unless you plan to produce poster-sized prints.

 3. Does it have a wide-angle lens? This should be a key consideration. For real estate, a wide-angle lens—28mm or less—is what you need to capture a whole room or the exterior of a home in a single image. Look for a lens that minimizes distortion.

 4. What’s the zoom? The more powerful the better. Optical zoom is what the camera can actually see and capture; digital zoom is a software function and isn’t quite as sharp. For compact cameras, look for 4X or better. For DSLRs, you can find lenses that give you both wide angles and closeups as you zoom in and out.

 5. Do I need extra flash? If you plan on shooting a lot of interiors, you’ll want more than the built-in flash. Look for a camera with a hot shoe, which connects and synchronizes an auxiliary flash unit with the camera.

 6. How big is the screen? Using a compact camera, you’ll rely on the LCD screen to frame some shots, review pictures, and perform basic image editing. Consider both the size—ideally 2.5 inches or larger—and the brightness of the screen.

 7. Can I shoot video? Look for the ability to record video at 30 frames per second. Optics are also important; some lenses’  zoom doesn’t work when you use movie mode.

 

Jim Bigelow    Bigelow Group  Realtors  918-640-4657

www.jimbigelow.com                jim@jimbigelow.com

Coldwell Banker Select

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

 

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

A New Garden

A New Garden Creating your own garden from the very beginning can be an exciting project. However, if you think that you will have the last say as to what happens nature may disagree with you. To maintain your sanity you will need to work in harmony with nature. Planning and preparation will make all the difference in the success of your garden. It’s easy to dig up some soil and throw some plants in the ground. It is another thing altogether to create a healthy, vibrant garden. What to Grow? First you need to consider the location of your garden and the kinds of plants that can grow under the existing conditions. There are three main factors that influence what can grow in a given location; sunlight, soil composition and soil moisture. While you can somewhat manipulate soil composition and moisture, you certainly can not influence the sunlight. You will need to have a good idea of the amount of sunlight that will reach the garden. Don’t forget to take into account those areas of the garden that are partially or fully shaded, such as spots on the north side of a building or under a large tree. You will need the appropriate plants in the appropriate areas. Soil You will need to determine the composition of the soil in your garden. An ideal garden soil is made up of 40% sand, 40% silt and 20% clay. There are several easy ways to determine the make up of your soil. One to try is to put a couple cups of your soil in a large jar that is half filled with water. Stir up the solution until all of the soil is in suspension. Let it settle over night and the next day you should see three layers of soil; sand, then silt then clay at the top. You can then tell the rough percentage of each type. Improving soil conditions Adding organic matter is the best way to improve the composition of your soil. If the soil is sandy or silty add a combination of topsoil and peat moss (always moisten peat moss before adding it to your soil.) If there is too much clay, add the peat moss with some sand. You can also try using compost in replacement of peat moss, and be sure to never add sand directly to your soil. Sand should only be added in combination with organic matter. Moisture Of course soil moisture is dependent on the climate of your area, but there can still be variations in your yard. If you are at the bottom of a hill, for example, your garden may stay wet for long periods. It’s best (and easiest) to use plants that like a lot of water. On the other hand, if the area is very dry, it may be tougher than you think to compensate by frequent watering. Choosing plants that are happy in dry climates will make your life much simpler. The bottom line is that although you can compensate somewhat for your existing garden conditions, it can be a lot more rewarding to work with the natural conditions. Planting the appropriate plants for the given environment will save you time, money and pain.   Sincerely,   Jim Bigelow

Jim Bigelow Group   Jim Bigelow   Email Jim   Phone:   (918)481-8357   Cell:   (918)640-4657   Fax:   (918)481-8360

Visit our website at http://www.jimbigelow.com/

Replacement Cost Vs Actual Cash Value Insurance

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

John Buchanan Jr.
Country Insurance & Financial Services
918-693-8820

Oklahoma Fires Claims

Jim Bigelow Bigelow Group Realtors 918-640-4657

www.jimbigelow.com jim@jimbigelow.com

Coldwell Banker Select

John Buchanan Jr.

Country Insurance & Financial Services

918-693-8820

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what type of mortgage works best for you

Step 1: Figure out what type of mortgage works best for you

I have forever advised sticking with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, and paying extra on the principal every month to pay it down more quickly. Yes, the rate will be slightly higher than a 15-year mortgage.

A 15-year mortgage comes with lower rates and slightly higher monthly payments that will save you a fortune in interest if you plan to stay in your home. But if you want flexibility, you can get the same advantage by making extra principal payments on a 30-year loan.

Step 2: Understand fees, costs

While most people focus on the interest rate, your true cost must include all fees and charges. When comparing deals, you’ll need to make sure you’re comparing all the costs. Some brokers proclaim there are “no closing costs.” But you can be sure they’re not working for nothing!

Instead, they’ve rolled these costs — appraisals, title search and legal fees — into the interest rate you’re paying. So a loan with a 6.25 percent fixed rate and no closing costs might not be as attractive as a loan at a lower rate with modest closing costs. A lender should give you a “good-faith” estimate of all costs.

You can pay “points” upfront to lower the interest rate. Each point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount. So on a $100,000 loan, one point is equivalent to $1,000. If you pay “points” to get a discount on your interest rate, that amount may be tax deductible. Given today’s volatile mortgage market, it’s probably not advisable to pay points to reduce your rate. If you decide to refinance at a lower rate in the future, you’ll have “wasted” the money you paid for the points on your old loan.

Step 3. Start your search

The radio advertisements are coming back — promising easy deals, no costs and low rates. But how will you know you’re getting a good deal if you don’t do some comparison shopping? That’s easier than ever today with online tools.

Just remember that every Web site makes money in some way by getting credit for your business. Some want you to register so mortgage brokers can contact you. Others are a source of “leads” for just one mortgage company. You’ll probably have to give some personal information to get a quote. But don’t give out your Social Security number until you are ready to make a deal.

Beware of online mortgage rates and services.  When making one of the biggest investments in your life you want to consider a local lender where you can meet them face to face.

Step 4: Get it in writing!

You should get  a “good-faith” estimate of all costs and fees. It’s a little late to reiterate this advice, but if you’re thinking of getting an adjustable rate mortgage, ask for a written example of how high the monthly payment could go, and when, if interest rates escalate in the future! If you have any questions, get the answers in writing. And if you’re doing a re-fi, check the wording of your original loan to make sure you are not subject to penalties for prepayment. As always, if you’re in doubt, consult an attorney who specializes in real estate law.

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

Easy Spring Cleaning

Easy Spring CleaningIf you don’t have time for a huge ordeal, here are some tips from the Good Housekeeping Institute on how to tackle the important stuff. Behind the big stuff This is a great time to move the beds, sofas and other heavy furniture that you typically don’t bother with. Going one side at a time, pull the item away from the wall. Clean behind it and use the appropriate attachment on your vacuum to get the floor and baseboards. Push it back in, and pull out the other side to do the same.Get no-streak windows Definitely consider getting a microfiber cloth. They are relatively inexpensive and significantly cut down on elbow grease. Plus they are lint free and leave no streaks. Tackle the bathroom Invest in a cleaning tool with a pivoting head and extendable handle. Use disposable cloths to get behind toilets, shower walls, tubs and more. Don’t forget to get rid of old cosmetics etc. from the medicine cabinet. Get the nooks and crannies With the brush attachment on your vacuum, get the dust on window sills, door frames, heating vents and other often-forgotten-about places. Window Exteriors Get a squeegee for windows, it’s worth the investment. Top to Bottom Clean your areas starting at the top and working to the bottom.          Sincerely, Jim Bigelow

Jim Bigelow Group   Jim Bigelow Email Jim   Phone: (918)481-8357 Cell: (918)640-4657 Fax: (918)481-8360

Visit our website at http://www.jimbigelow.com/

 

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