Why Are Real Estate Surveys Necessary?

For some, real estate surveys seem like a waste of time and money. Many people would simply say "I can tell where my property line is, there's a fence!" In some cases, a fence may be the boundary of a property, but you can't always use a fence to determine property lines. Many times a fence has inadvertently been put in the wrong place. A real estate survey not only shows where the property lines are, but also any buildings, easements, driveways, or encroachments on the property such as a neighbor’s driveway. You might say, “I don’t need a survey, I have a plat map”. A plat map only shows the property boundaries, it doesn’t show easements or encroachments which can cause a problem with a legal title. A real estate survey will ensure that anything you are building is not on someone else’s property or easement. In addition to determining property lines, encroachments, and easements, a survey is also used to help determine drainage, setbacks, and even help with proper planning.

For more information on land surveys, titles, and the Wagoner, OK area closing process, contact JJ Pierce at Closings of Tulsa at 918-493-2241 or www.closingsoftulsa.com.

If you are interested in building a new home or addition in the Wagoner, OK area, contact Rick Oberlender of US Building Systems at 918-518-5913 or usbs@att.net.

If you have a dispute over your Wagoner, Oklahoma property line, contact Chuck Richardson of Richardson, Richardson, Boudreaux at 918-633-5070 or www.rrblawok.com

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

Post Winter Home Inspection

Winter has come and gone and Spring is here. April's showers bring May flowers, but the rains may also bring other things too. Pest Problems! Moisture is one of the main ingredients needed for many pest invasions, such as termites or carpenter ants around your home. Post-winter exterior home inspections (and subsequent home repairs) become very important in the early Spring to help prevent these and other possible invaders throughout the Summer months ahead. What should you look for when inspecting for areas vulnerable to pests? Keep this list in mind.

• Broken downspouts and gutters- are they in need of repair?
  
• Ice dam areas that causes moisture and rotting wood to your roof- can they be repaired?
  
• Missing roof tiles or shingles- are they replaced/repaired?
  
• Misplaced splash blocks or misdirected or turned over splash blocks- are they righted?
  
• Leaking hose bibs
• Are there areas around your home that hold water ? Is there proper grading and drainage around your home to remove water?
• Is there any structural wood-to-soil contact, creating a pathway for termites?
• Firewood stacked and stored against the home's perimeter- can it be moved away or stored off of the ground?
• Any vegetation touching the structure- is it trimmed back?
• Gaps around utility conduit openings- are they sealed?
• Screening on vents to the outside of the home- are they in place?
• Screens on windows- are they ripped or compromised in any way?
• Door sweeps and weather stripping on doors- are they secure and in place?
• Is the lighting around the home conducive to pests? Do you need yellow light bulbs that attract fewer insect pests, and thus spiders?
• Do you have chimney caps and are they in place to exclude large animals like raccoons?
• Louvers and venting in attic- are they secure/not compromised?
• Is your siding intact?
• Are your eaves intact?

Does this list just seem like too much to check for? Don't have the time?

For a thorough inspection to help prevent a pest invasion in your Wagoner, OK home or to have your Wagoner, OK home treated for pests, contact Duane Montgomery of Montgomery Exterminating at 918-438-4885 or www.montgomeryexterminating.com.

For roofing installation, repairs and inspections in the Wagoner, OK area, contact Judy Smith, A-Best Roofing at 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

For all your Wagoner, OK area landscaping needs, contact Nathan Vaughn of Bluum Outdoor at 918-599-8500 or www.bluum.net.

Negative Equity in Oklahoma

Did you know that Oklahoma ranks #1 in states with the least number of homeowners with negative equity in their home. It wasn't too long ago that many people were getting 2nd and 3rd mortgages on their property. This means that they have negative equity. This can be a problem for many reasons, but is especially difficult when you want to sell your property. When you have negative equity many homeowners can't sell their property unless they have cash on hand to pay the overage. When this happens, homeowners shouldn't expect their property to sell for what they have into it. It will only sell for what it is worth. That may be more than what is owed or less than what is owed.

When you go looking for a property remember to find an experienced agent to help you make a wise decision. A good Realtor will show you homes you like but also comparable properties. This enables you to see what properties in that price range look like. Without a knowledgeable and experienced Realtor you might find that you have negative equity as soon as you buy a home.

For all your Wagoner OK mortgage needs and for questions about negative equity in Oklahoma, contact Steve Currington of Currington Mortgage at 918-394-5626 or www.curringtonmortgage.com

To avoid negative equity in your next Wagoner, OK area home purchase, contact Darryl Baskin, The Baskin Real Estate Specialists of McGraw at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.