Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home Security System?

Choosing a home security system and its components is a big decision. You want a reliable company, good price, quality components, and most importantly, safety for your entire family. When choosing a home security system, consider these questions before making your final decision...

1. Do you want a wired system or a wireless one?
2. Do you want cameras or just sensors?
3. Do you want an alarm that sounds inside only or sounds outside as well?
4. Do you want an outside company to monitor the system?
5. Are you gong to install the system yourself or have a professional install it.
   
6. If using an outside company, what kind of reputation does the company have and are they highly recommended.
7. Do you want to be able to control your security system from you iPhone or Blackberry or another device when you aren't in the home?

Once you have considered these questions, you will likely have more questions.

For questions about security systems and installation in the Wagoner, OK area, contact Tory Tipp of TNT Security at 918-313-4074 or www.tntsecurityservices.com.

To find out about Wagoner, OK area security systems that can be controlled by your cell phone or through a home automation system, contact Keegan Beck of KMB Enterprises LLC at 918-527-1031 or www.kmbenterprisesllc.com.

Changing Your HVAC Filter the Easy Way!

Changing your air filter is an easy task, but I hear more and more people say that they forget and dread to change it. For an easy solution to the problem, check out www.filters4me.com and their filter subscription program.

How does the filter subscription program work? Simply go to their website and click to sign up. Follow the steps to enter all your information and your filters will arrive as often as you like. No more remembering when to change your filters. When they arrive, you know its time to change the filters. It's that easy! In addition, the filters you receive are top quality and will reduce allergens, dust, dander, smoke, and air contaminates in your home.

How Often Should I Change My Filter? On average, you should change your air filters every 60-90 days. If you hear your air filter whistling, then you have waited too long to change the filter. Not only will your filter not catch the dust and contaminates but it will cost you more money on energy costs.

Will Filters4me have the size I need? Yes. Filters4me can make any size filter. No more hunting down a difficult to find size.

If you have any other questions about the HVAC filter subscription program or want other information about the benefits of changing your air filter regularly, contact Rick Butefish of Filters4Me at 918-292-8600 or www.filters4me.com and watch the video below.

Preparing Your Home and Family for Spring!

Spring is here and with the great warm weather this week, we will see Spring come alive. With the great Spring weather, however, also come Spring storms. Preparing our home and family for Spring and for Spring storms is very important. Read on to find some information on preparing your home, family, and landscaping for Spring.

Preparing Your Home for Spring

1. Check your windows and doors to make sure they are caulked properly and that weather stripping is properly installed. Gaps in these areas can lead to pests, water, and energy leaks.
2. Have your A/C properly serviced to make sure that it is running properly and at its best. This will save your money and help keep you cool.
3. Get your house treated regularly for pests. The warm weather can drive them inside. Prevent this before it becomes a problem with regular pest control.
4. Check your smoke detectors to ensure that they work. Change the batteries if it has been one year since you have installed new batteries. Although this is not just a Spring problem, now is a good time to check it.
5. Play the inventory game. Let your kids help by taking pictures, a video, or simply making lists of all valuables, electronics, etc in your home and their serial number and other important information.

Preparing Your Landscape for Spring

1. If you are planning on adding new plants to your garden, get proper information about when to plant the species that you want.
2. Make sure that you don't have drainage issues around your property. If you find that water sits around the perimeter of your home or in areas around your property, have those issues solved before Spring storms come and make it impossible to repair quickly. Water that sits around your foundation can cause cracks and other foundation problems later. Don't assume it won't happen to your home. Foundation problems are more expensive to repair than drainage problems and will affect the resale ability of your home as well.
3. Weed around your plants now and add 3 inches of mulch to help keep the soil moist and weeds away.
4. Ensure that you have proper insurance coverage in the event that a disaster or a theft occur. Check the link for more information.
   

Preparing Your Family for Spring

1. Make sure that you have a fire escape plan, fire escape ladders, and tornado shelter in your home.
   
2. Practice your fire escape plan and what to do in the event of a tornado. Practice will help keep your children calm because they will know what to do.
3. Make sure your children are aware of what happens in a storm, tornado, etc. and what to do if they are away from the home. For example, know not to go under a bridge (in the overpass) during severe weather/tornado could save their life. Be prepared! Local TV weather station websites are great places to learn this life-saving information.

In the event that you have property damage from a Spring storm, contact home maintenance professionals to have repairs done.

For more information on these areas contact the following professionals:

Wagoner, OK Pest Control- Duane Montgomery, Montgomery Exterminating at 918-438-4885 or www.montgomeryexterminating.com.

Roofing Repair or Replacement in Wagoner, OK- Jonathon Knapp, Royal Roofing, 918-398-6500 or www.royalroofingllc.com.

Residential Repairs in Wagoner, OK- Jonathon Knapp, Residential Repairs, 918-621-1020, www.residentialrepairinc.com

A/C Service and Installation in the Wagoner, OK area- Stephen Taylor, Air Assurance, 258-COOL or www.airassurance.com.

Ensuring Proper Homeowners Insurance Coverage

For a homeowner, insurance is one of the most important steps we can take in order to protect our investment in the event of a disaster or theft. Whether purchasing, updating or just considering insurance, keep the following ideas and tips in mind to ensure that your property is properly insured.

1. Your insurance policy is actually a contract. As with any other contract or important document, take the time to read it. An insurance policy is not an exciting thing to read for most people, however, you may realize that your policy doesn't cover everything that you thought. Since it is a contract, realize that the insurance company will cover what they are required to in the contract and nothing more. If your contract doesn't cover it, you will be at a loss.
2. The value of your property that is listed on your insurance policy is not necessarily the appraised value of your property. Companies use different methods to find this value. Whatever method they use, find out what the maximum amount is that can be spent should your property need to be re-built. Some companies max out at 125% of the value.
3. Check your policy at least once every 4-6 years to ensure that your property is valued correctly and that the maximum coverage (from #2) is adequate to rebuild your property. Don't wait until a disaster happens to find out that you are under-insured.
4. Many homeowners are under-insured. Discuss this concern with your insurance agent and your Realtor. Your Realtor or a trusted home-builder can be a great source to ensure that the value on your policy is in line with the current costs to build a new home. Ask your Realtor for a current market value of your property and discuss with him and the builder what it would likely cost to rebuild. No figure is set in stone but you will end of with a better idea of the figure you need on your policy.
5. When selecting insurance keep two important factors in mind: the insurance company and the insurance agent. Make sure that you are not only getting a good value but that the company and the agent are reputable and knowledgeable. Don't settle for cheap insurance or an agent that is a family friend if you don't know enough about them. The right agent will help you get a good value, the right coverage, and a good insurance company.
   
6. If you have questions, talk to your insurance agent. They are the expert that you have chosen to help ensure that your investment is covered. Use their expertise in this area.
7. Check out these videos on limitations on your homeowners insurance policy and insurance coverage for expensive and unusual items. Simply click on the links or watch the videos below.
   

For more information about homeowners insurance coverage, contact Mike Tedford of Tedford Insurance at 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

To find out what your Wagoner, OK area home is worth, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

To discuss current Wagoner, OK area building prices or get a quote to build your new home, contact Rick Oberlender of US Building Systems at 918-518-5913 or usbs@att.net.

When are Add-on Fees on Your Closing Docs Illegal?

Last year 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.

Want a Realtor that won't overcharge? Contact Darryl Baskin of The Baskin Real Estate Specialists of McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com for your Wagoner, OK area real estate needs.

For questions about what fees should be on your HUD-1 document or to pre-qualify for a loan in the Wagoner, OK area contact Steve Currington of Currington Mortgage at 918-394-LOAN or www.curringtonmortgage.com.