Eco-friendly Landscaping

I always think about eco-friendly household cleaners, organic produce, and green flooring. Frankly though, I never thought about eco-friendly landscape. Here are some easy ways to improve your environment through landscaping.

1. Reduce energy costs by planting deciduous shade trees. These trees will allow warmth in the winter and help reduce heat in the summer.
2. Use evergreen trees to reduce cold wind in the Winter. Evergreens should be planted in an area that will block the wind during cold weather months.
3. Add plants that are native to your area.
4. Plan for irrigation, plants, and garden design that will save water.
5. Consider solar powered landscaping lights.

There are many more ways to incorporate eco-friendly landscaping, contact Nathan Vaughn of Bluum Outdoor at 918-599-8500 or www.bluum.net.

Protecting Your Home and Family From Fire!

Fire can be a devastating event. It damages everything in its path and can cause serious injury and death. To help protect your family and home from fire, read on.

• Be prepared ahead of time! Being prepared is probably the most important step of all. This step involves many things. First, make sure you have homeowner's insurance in the event of a fire. Second, have a fire escape plan with all the necessary items such as escape ladders, fire extinguisher, smoke detectors etc. Third, practice your fire escape plan. If you have children, this is especially important. Take time to discuss what to do in the event of a fire and practice this at all hours of the day and night. Don't take for granted that they know what to do.
• Avoid unnecessary risk! Cigarettes, fire places, and appliances are common causes of fires in the home. To avoid these risks, make sure that all cigarettes are put out before going to bed or if you are sleepy. Consider putting them in a glass of water to be safe. Make sure that fires in your fireplace are completely out. If you use it often, install a screen and glass door for extra safety. Finally, avoid putting appliances near furniture. Appliances and heaters placed near furniture can often overheat and cause a fire to start. When a fire starts from any one of the items above, they often start very slowly and smolder for a long time before actually catching fire and being detected.
• Test your smoke alarm! It is very important to test your smoke alarm often to ensure that it is working properly. Also replace the battery at least once per year, even if it appears to be working. If your smoke alarm seems to go off regularly when there is not a problem, such as during cooking, consider moving it a few feet away. If your smoke alarm is 10 years old, replace it.
  
• Keep Emergency Numbers on Hand! Keep emergency numbers near all phones in case of fire or emergency.

No matter how much we prepare, we can't completely prevent fires in our home. should a fire occur, remember to call your homeowners insurance agent and home maintenance professionals to take care of any damage and ensure insurance coverage of repairs.

Contact these professionals for questions or quotes:

• Homeowners Insurance Coverage in Wagoner, OK- Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance, 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

• Roofing Repairs in the Wagoner, OK area- Judy Smith, Abest Roofing, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

• Fire Damage and Restoration in the Wagoner, OK area- Roger Fisher, PCC Cleaning and Restoration, 918-641-1111 or www.pcccr.com.

Protecting Your Home and Family From Fire!

Fire can be a devastating event. It damages everything in its path and can cause serious injury and death. To help protect your family and home from fire, read on.

• Be prepared ahead of time! Being prepared is probably the most important step of all. This step involves many things. First, make sure you have homeowner's insurance in the event of a fire. Second, have a fire escape plan with all the necessary items such as escape ladders, fire extinguisher, smoke detectors etc. Third, practice your fire escape plan. If you have children, this is especially important. Take time to discuss what to do in the event of a fire and practice this at all hours of the day and night. Don't take for granted that they know what to do.
• Avoid unnecessary risk! Cigarettes, fire places, and appliances are common causes of fires in the home. To avoid these risks, make sure that all cigarettes are put out before going to bed or if you are sleepy. Consider putting them in a glass of water to be safe. Make sure that fires in your fireplace are completely out. If you use it often, install a screen and glass door for extra safety. Finally, avoid putting appliances near furniture. Appliances and heaters placed near furniture can often overheat and cause a fire to start. When a fire starts from any one of the items above, they often start very slowly and smolder for a long time before actually catching fire and being detected.
• Test your smoke alarm! It is very important to test your smoke alarm often to ensure that it is working properly. Also replace the battery at least once per year, even if it appears to be working. If your smoke alarm seems to go off regularly when there is not a problem, such as during cooking, consider moving it a few feet away. If your smoke alarm is 10 years old, replace it.
  
• Keep Emergency Numbers on Hand! Keep emergency numbers near all phones in case of fire or emergency.

No matter how much we prepare, we can't completely prevent fires in our home. should a fire occur, remember to call your homeowners insurance agent and home maintenance professionals to take care of any damage and ensure insurance coverage of repairs.

Contact these professionals for questions or quotes:

• Homeowners Insurance Coverage in Bixby, OK- Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance, 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

• Roofing Repairs in the Bixby, OK area- Judy Smith, Abest Roofing, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

• Fire Damage and Restoration in the Bixby, OK area- Roger Fisher, PCC Cleaning and Restoration, 918-641-1111 or www.pcccr.com.

Security System 101

What is involved in security system installation and what should I expect from a good security company? Read on for a quick overview.

1. The first step in security system installation begins beforehand. A good company will consider all your needs to ensure that your family and property are completely secure.
2. You should receive a clear detailed estimate of what is being done and when it will be complete. Ask the company to include exactly what is being installed.
3. You should always ask what steps are taken in the hiring process. In other words, are background checks being performed on employees that will be installing and servicing your property?
4. Ensure that the company is licensed.
5. A good company will guarantee their work and the equipment installed.
6. Always make sure that the system has a battery back-up.
7. Read all the fine print in the contract!

To have a security system installed in the Wagoner, OK area or for questions, contact Tory Tipp of TNT Security at 918-313-4074 or torytipp@yahoo.com.

For other home maintenance professionals in the Wagoner, OK area, visit www.tulsahomecare.com.

Construction Increases Nationwide!

The construction industry seems to be looking up. According to Realtor Magazine, January new home construction was up 2.8 percent to 591,000 from 575,000 in December. The building industry hopes that this is an indication that recovery has started.

Want to build a new home in the Wagoner, OK area? Contact Rick Oberlender of US Building Systems at 918-518-5913 or usbs@att.net.

For all your real estate needs in the Wagoner, OK area, contact Darryl Baskin of McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Construction Increases Nationwide!

The construction industry seems to be looking up. According to Realtor Magazine, January new home construction was up 2.8 percent to 591,000 from 575,000 in December. The building industry hopes that this is an indication that recovery has started.

Want to build a new home in the Wagoner, OK area? Contact Rick Oberlender of US Building Systems at 918-518-5913 or usbs@att.net.

For all your real estate needs in the Broken Arrow, OK area, contact Darryl Baskin of McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Home Buyer's Tax Credit

It's almost tax time again. With so many home buyers wanting to claim the tax credit this tax season, what papers are required? According to Realtor Magazine, the Internal Revenue Service is still requiring that taxpayers fill out Form 5405, however they have changed the requirements for the HUD-1 settlement document signatures. In areas, on the settlement statement, where it is uncommon for both the buyer and seller to sign, the IRS is not requiring both signatures as long as the document meets all local laws.

For repeat home buyers claiming the credit, proof must be given that they have lived in the previous home for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years.

If you live in the Wagoner, OK area, get more information on the home buyer tax credit and find out if you are eligible, contact Karen Heston of BOK Mortgage at 918-230-9432 or visit her website here.

To buy a home in the Wagoner, OK area before the tax credit expires, contact Darryl Baskin of McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.