Real Estate Information

In 2009, the US District Court ruled that add-on fees on the HUD-1 closing document could be against federal law. Commissions on the HUD-1 can be a flat fee, a percentage of sales price, or a combination but should not exceed the agreed upon commission in the listing brokers listing agreement. If the fee exceeds that agreed upon amount then HUD can determine if the services provided justify the additional charges. Unjustified charges are against the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act or RESPA and can be subject to penalties.

For Tulsa area Title and Escrow services, contact Karen Burnette of FirsTitle, 918-493-2241 or www.firstitle.com

For a Tulsa, OK area mortgage, contact Karen Heston of BOK Mortgage at 918-481-7353 or http://kheston-boklo.mortgagewebcenter.com

For all your Tulsa OK real estate needs, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Carbon Monoxide is something that many of us simply don't think about, yet it can be very dangerous. Carbon Monoxide is a gas that can be created when combustible fuel doesn't burn properly or when the exhaust is not properly vented. It can come from appliances, water heaters, exhaust from your car, blocked chimney flues and malfunctioning appliances that burn fuel. If you see black soot around vents, flues, filters or appliance burners, there may be carbon monoxide present. Also, if your Natural Gas flame is yellow instead of blue, it may be present.

Follow these preventative tips and keep this list of symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning on hand you suspect a problem in your Tulsa area home or business.

Preventive Tips:

• Make sure that chimney's are properly vented and the flue is not blocked. Cleaning the chimney regularly is also recommended as annual maintenance.
• Replace air filters regularly. If you find that it is hard to remember to change your air filter or have trouble locating one, contact Rick Butefish of www.Filters4me.com, 918-292-8600 about their easy air filter replacement program.
• Keep appliance air intake areas clear.
• Don't heat your business with a gas range or space heater.
• Keep your heating and air-conditioning system running properly and have regular maintenance scheduled. Call Stephen Taylor of Air Assurance at 918-258-HEAT or www.airassurance.com. to schedule a check of your Tulsa heating and a/c system.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector that is UL- approved and has an audible alarm.
• Don't use a grill or start a lawn mower, car or any fuel burning engine in a closed garage, inside a building, or in an enclosed area.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ear
• Fatigue
• Increased perspiration
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Headaches

If you think that you may be experiencing these symptoms due to carbon monoxide poisoning, leave the property and call 911.

For more information about:

air filter replacement in Tulsa OK- contact Rick Butefish, www.filters4me.com or 918-292-8600

heating and a/c repair and installation in Tulsa, OK.- contact Stephen Taylor, Air Assurance, 918-258-HEAT, 918-258-COOL or www.airassurance.com

A fire is not only destructive it can also leave you wondering "what do I do next"? First, contact your Tulsa area insurance company and inform them of the fire and gets things going from their side. Second, get all your important documents together, especially those that have survived the fire. If they didn't survive the fire, attempt to get another copy. Third, take inventory of what was and wasn't damaged in your Tulsa area home. Damaged property can be difficult and stressful to handle. Consider calling Tulsa area home maintenance professionals for help. Finally, ask plenty of questions. Your insurance agent and fire restoration specialists have handled situations like this before. Never be afraid to ask questions.

For help with Tulsa area fire restoration, call Roger Fisher of PCC Cleaning and Restoration at 918-641-1111 or www.pcccr.com.

For Tulsa, OK. area commercial insurance needs, contact Mike Tedford of Tedford Insurance, 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

For Tulsa area building and remodeling, contact Rick Oberlender of US Building Systems at 918-734-1293.

For all your Tulsa commercial real estate needs, contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialists at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Oklahoma weather is constantly changing and that changing weather can wreak havoc on our roof. Here are some simple signs that roofing damage may have occurred to your Tulsa area real estate and repairs may be needed:

1. Leaking in the attic after wind-driven rain or ice build-up.
2. Blistering or peeling interior or exterior paint.
3. Stains on interior ceilings or walls.
4. Mold or mildew growth.
5. Decaying roof shingles, sheathing, or siding.
6. Missing, cracked or curled shingles.
7. Dark looking areas on your roof.
8. Excessive energy costs.

For Tulsa area roofing repair, contact Judy Smith of A-Best Roofing at 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

For real estate in Tulsa, Oklahoma area, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Hardwood flooring is a popular option for many homeowners in the Tulsa area. When a good quality hardwood floor is installed properly and needed repairs are done well it provides a beautiful and durable flooring option. When repairs, refinishes, and installations are not done properly, however, or a bad product is purchased it can cause many problems. Here are some common problems with hardwood flooring and their causes:

• Buckling is usually caused when the flooring is not given proper time to acclimate, moisture testing is not done correctly, or it is not given proper room to expand.
• Creaking or squishy floors can be caused by incorrect floor preparation on both a concrete slab and a wood subfloor.
• Fading and color changes can occur simply due to exposure to light over time or from failing to install from different cartons. Since cartons of hardwood flooring can come from different lots it is important for the installer to use several different cartons at a time when installing the flooring in each area.
• Visible and Invisible defects can occur when using a poor quality hardwood floor. Although it can also occur with even the best of hardwood products, it is less likely when good quality hardwood products and good hardwood flooring installers and repair professionals are chosen.

To ensure that your hardwood floor looks beautiful for years to come, select a good quality floor, have it installed properly, and make sure all repairs are done correctly.

For new hardwood flooring options in Tulsa, call Jim Ecrette of ProSource Flooring at 918-252-7711 or www.prosourcefloors.com/tulsa and ask for Darryl Baskin's Wholesale Pricing.

Want to buy Tulsa real estate? Contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Those who have had a catastrophe know how much work it is to find receipts and locate and remember all the items in your home. To prevent this problem should a catastrophe occur, here is a fun idea for the whole family. First, prepare an insurance inventory list. Think of all your electronic items, valuables, antiques, and anything else you want to list. Second, get a video camera and turn your insurance inventory list into a game for the whole family. Video everything from your sock drawers (let your kids count them) to your new TV. This will not only help teach your kids the importance of serial numbers on electronic items, but can also help your young kids with their counting skills. Finally, place the video in a safe place. A safety deposit box or fireproof safe are great locations. In the event of a fire or another catastrophe, this video will be of tremendous help. Have fun!

For Tulsa area insurance quotes or questions, contact Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance at 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com

For Tulsa real estate needs, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Had fire, wind, or water damage? For disaster restoration services in Tulsa, OK. contact PCC Cleaning and Restoration at 918-641-1111 or www.pcccr.com

Choosing a moving company is a big decision. Not only for your finances, but also for your home and peace of mind. When it comes time to make the big move, keep these things in mind...

• Don't wait until the last minute or you might get stuck with a bad company or a high price.
• When calling a mover, make sure that you have the following information at hand: a list of items to move, moving date, where you are moving from and the destination, and approximate value of the items you are moving.
• Make sure the company is licensed. If the company is not licensed, think twice!
• Check their record with the Better Business Bureau and ask for references.
• Ask around. A company that has been around for a while, will likely have a reputation.
• Ensure that they have insurance adequate to cover the value of your property. Also, ask questions about what items are covered. For instance, many times, boxes that you pack yourself are not covered.

After asking lots of questions and selecting the right moving company, you can have peace of mind knowing that your property is in good hands!

For a quote to move your Tulsa, OK. area home, contact Mike at Relocation LLC at 918-459-6683 or www.relocationllc.net.

Want to move to the Tulsa, OK area? Contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialist of McGraw at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Although there are many questions that home buyers have when getting a home loan, there are some basic questions that are always important.

How much downpayment do I need to buy a house? If you are a veteran or buying in a rural area you can get 100% financing and seller can pay closing costs. If you are Native American you may be eligible for a Hud 184 loan. This loan requires as low as a 1.25% downpayment, depending on the amount of the loan. FHA requires a 3.5% downpayment, Conventional a 5% downpayment, and Investment loans a 20% downpayment.

What are Points/Origination Fees? Point and Origination Fees are additional fees paid at closing to lower your interest rate. 1 point is $1000.

How do I find out exactly what my closing costs, fees, and other things are when I am comparing mortgage companies and their rates? Ask for a Good Faith Estimate. Look at fee lines 800-900. Compare the rate, points/origination fee, and other items within that range.

What constitutes a rural development loan? It is all based on the population of an area. Owasso and Glenpool are still rural and are eligible for a rural development loan. The USDA Rural Development website can give you more information about an area you are interested in.

How do Mortgage Bankers get paid? My commission is based on the volume I produce. The more I produce the higher percentage I make.

Whether you are a first-time home buyer or have purchased before, no question is stupid. Remember that rules and regulations change and some requirements and information from your previous mortgage may not be the same. Always ask first rather than be sorry later.

If you have questions about a Tulsa, OK. mortgage, contact Karen Heston at BOK Mortgage, 918-230-9432 or http://kheston-boklo.mortgagewebcenter.com

Understanding your insurance company's late policy is very important. Failure to understand the late policy could result in the cancellation of your policy. When selecting an insurance company remember to understand your policy coverage and ask the following questions regarding the company's policy on payments:

• When does my payment have to be received in order to be on time?
• Does the payment need to be postmarked by a certain time?
• In what office does the payment need to be received?
• How do you issue a cancellation policy? Will it be a part of the bill or separate?
• Do you have a maximum # of late payments that are allowed before you cancel my insurance policy permanently?"

For all your Tulsa, OK. insurance needs, contact Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance at 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

For all your Tulsa, Oklahoma real estate needs, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Title insurance protects your claim of ownership of your property. When you buy Tulsa area real estate, you count on the paperwork being properly reviewed. One of the important parts of a mortgage transaction is the Title Opinion. When you get a "title opinion" from an attorney, that "title opinion" is simply the opinion of the attorney you hired. It is important however, it does not provide any insurance against errors made by the attorney or insurance against a later claim of error in the title. This is where Title Insurance comes into play.

If you purchase title insurance and someone later questioned your ownership of the property, the title insurance company would be required to come defend your title.

A few things to note:

• Title insurance only covers the period of time before your purchase of the property. It does not cover from the time you purchase and beyond.
• Sometimes "exceptions" can be listed in your title policy. These would be things that were known when the policy was written such as, your driveway or storage building being on the neighbor's property.
• Title problems are often called "clouds" which mean your ownership is not completely clear - someone could raise questions about it. Even if your ownership would not be lost, it can be expensive to remove the "cloud" on your title.
• Title issues can arise from forgeries, improper paperwork filing at the courthouse, incorrectly completed forms, deaths and bankruptcies, lawsuits between other parties, and many other unknown circumstances.

For more information about title insurance in Tulsa, OK, contact Karen Burnette, at FirsTitle, 918-493-2241 or www.firstitle.com.

Having Tulsa, OK. Title Problems? Contact Chuck Richardson of Richardson, Richardson, Boudreaux at 918-663-5070 or www.rrblawok.com.

For all your Tulsa, OK. area real estate needs, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.