Mortgage Rules Make it Harder to Qualify!

For some buyers, it will be more difficult to qualify for a loan for their new home. Why? Well, the mortgage market and the housing market have both changed a lot over the last couple of years. These changes have caused the rules for qualifying for a low-interest mortgage much more difficult.

In the past, many homeowners were passing on the fixed-rate mortgage and utilizing an adjustable rate mortgage. Bankrate says that for some homeowners, those not planning to stay in their home longer than 5 years, an adjustable rate mortgage was usually a good fit. For those that did plan on staying in their home for more than 5 years, a fixed rate mortgage was usually the right choice. With the changing economy and more difficult standards, however, things are changing.

Two of the new rules for mortgage qualification include:

• FICO scores must now be at least 740 in order to get the best rates, fees, and points.
• Homeowners using an FHA loan may now only spend 31% of their gross monthly income on their house payment, including principal, insurance, interest, taxes, and association fees.

Want a few tips to help improve your chances? First, check your FICO score regularly. If your score is lower than optimum, you can begin making changes to raise the score. If your score is already high, then you know you are doing the right things. Second, don't focus simply on interest rates when trying to get a loan. Remember that you have the option to pay discount points or change the type of loan. Third, always compare several different loan options to determine what the differences in cost really are. You can compare a loan with a higher interest rate with no points to a loan that is a lower rate but requires points to be paid. You can also compare your options with different companies. Finally, if you refinance your house after 5 years, don't get another 30 year loan. Get your loan amortized for the remaining period of your old loan.

To read the article from the Tulsa World, "Buyers Forced to Jump Through Hoops", visit this link.

To buy or sell your Wagoner, OK property, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

Take it Easy!

Wouldn't you love to have someone turn on the lights at a moments notice? What about the home theater system or even the security system? No need. With home automation, you can control all of these things and more with a remote. Take it easy from the comfort of your favorite chair.

What exactly is home automation? Home automation involves using a remote control or another device to control multiple parts of your house, which can include: lighting, security, telephone, temperature, sprinklers, windows, and more. Home automation systems can even allow you to change the temperature of your home from a cell phone while you are away!

Can you afford to have your Wagoner, OK area home installed with a home automation system? Find out by contacting Keegan Beck of KMB Enterprises at 918-527-1031, Keegan@KMBEnterprisesllc.com or www.kmbenterprisesllc.com

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

Preventing Water Damage!

Water damage and leaks can be anything from a minor irritation to a major problem. For some homeowners, the damage caused from water leaks may be covered under their homeowner's insurance policy. For others, the cost to repair these damages is out-of-pocket. No one likes to spends lots of money in repairs, therefore preventing damage is the best way help prevent those excess expenses.

1. Occasionally, check appliances that use water. Check for leaks around hoses, underneath for soft flooring and nearby for evidence of water leaks. When leaving the house, don't leave these appliances running. Disconnect or turn off the water to your washing machine before leaving the house for extended periods of time.
2. Check sinks, showers/tubs, and toilets for clogs and loose caulking. Also check for soft flooring or water nearby that might indicate a leak.
3. Check your water heater for rust and for wet spots on the floor.
4. Make sure your roof is in good condition, all soffits and vents allow for good air flow, there isn't any debris on the roof or guttering, and there is no evidence of bent, missing or damaged shingles.
5. During warmer weather, have your A/C unit serviced to ensure that it is in good working order.
6. Check all caulking and paint on the exterior of your house and around windows and doors.
7. Prevent water from sitting around the foundation of your home by filling low spots.
8. If you suspect a leak that you can't find, turn off all appliances (that use water), faucets and don't flush the toilet. Record your water meter reading at the beginning and ending of an hour. If the number has changed, a leak is possible.
9. Make sure everyone in the household knows where the water shut-off valve is in case of an emergency. Turning this off while away from home for vacation can also help to prevent damage from leaks.
   

Remember to keep the above tips in mind to help prevent water damage, however when water damage does occur consult with home maintenance professionals in the Wagoner, OK area.

If you have had water damage due to a disaster in the the Wagoner, OK area and need an estimate, contact Roger Fisher at 918-641-1111 or www.pcccr.com.

If you live in the Wagoner, OK area and need residential repair
(structural, plumbing, flooring), contact Jonathan Knapp of Royal Roofing at 918-621-1020 or www.residentialrepairinc.com.

For property drainage solutions and landscaping needs in the Wagoner, OK area, call Nathan Vaughn of Bluum Outdoor at 918-599-8500 or www.bluum.net.

For A/C service or for installation in the Wagoner, OK area, contact Stephen Taylor of Air Assurance at 918-258-HEAT or www.airassurance.com.

Incorporating Green Ideas Into Your Home

When building, remodeling or replacing things in your home, eco-friendly or greeen ideas can be very easy and often inexpensive to implement. Here are some easy ways to incorporate green products into your property:

• When building a new home, face the widest part of the building to the north or the south.
• Place doors and windows where you will receive good cross-ventilation.
• Ensure any attic space is well ventilated by using roof ridge vents, lighter colored roofing materials, lots of insulation, and by placing A/C ducts in the attic to absorb the heat.
• Install an energy-efficient and properly sized heating and A/C system, make sure that duct work is correctly sealed, and use a programmable thermostat.
• Utilize landscaping materials, plants and design that are appropriate for the climate and rainfall levels in your area.
• Use low-flow toilets and shower heads and energy-efficient appliances.
• Recyclable and renewable materials can be used for decking, siding, trim and more.
• Choose green flooring materials such as concrete, bamboo, or recycled wood.
• Replace your air-conditioning filter regularly to enhance the performance of your air conditioning system and to reduce pollutants.

For more ideas or estimates on incorporating green products and ideas into your Wagoner, OK area home, contact the professionals below:

Roofing: Royal Roofing, Johnathon Knapp at 918-398-6500 or www.royalroofingllc.com.
Landscaping Design: Bluum Outdoor, Nathan at 918-599-8500, Nathan@bluum.net, or www.bluum.net.
Heating and Air Conditioning: Air Assurance, Stephen Taylor at 98-258-COOL or staylor@airassurance.com.
Building and Remodeling: US Building Systems, Rick Oberlender at 918-518-5913 or usbs@att.net.
Air Conditioning Filters: Filter 4 Me, Rick Butefish at 918-292-8600, rick@filters4me.com, or www.filters4me.com.
Flooring Products: ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings, Jim Ecrette at 918-252-7711 or prosourcejim@tulsacoxmail.com (make sure you ask for Darryl Baskin's preferred pricing).

To find energy-efficient, eco-friendly, or green properties in the Wagoner, Oklahoma area contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Easy Ways to Go Green with Your Roof and Save Some Money Too!

Whether you are repairing or replacing an existing roof or are building a new home in the Wagoner, OK area, there are some very easy ways to go green with your roof and save some money too! You can go green just by thinking about these two things:

1. Heat conduction and the color of the roof. Lighter colored roofing shingles conduct less heat and therefore keep your energy costs down. There are even energy star rated roofing products on the market today. We call them cool colored. There is a cool colored shingle called "Weathered Wood" meant to look like weathered wood shingles. When you are replacing your roof or selecting shingles for your new home, consider carefully the color of the shingles and remember to check out the energy star rated shingles.
   
2. Insulation and the ventilation. When it comes down to it, the most important thing to save on energy costs is the insulation and ventilation. You need proper ventilation and great insulation. Soffit vents need to be installed every 4 feet. You also need plenty of exhaust vents. Finally, make sure the insulation isn't covering up the soffit vents. These little things make a huge difference when making sure that energy costs are kept at their minimum.
   

To find out more on saving money or going green with your Wagoner, OK area roof call Judy Smith of A-Best Roofing at 918-587-1426 or visit www.abestroofing.com.

New Area Code

By  now, probably most everyone in the 918 area has heard that we will be getting a new area code.  It will no longer be simply 918.  Now we will be adding area code 539.  The hardest part for most of us will be getting adjusted to using a 10 digit phone number every time we call.  To ensure that we are all ready for the new area code and 10 digit calling, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has set up a practice period before the 10 digit calling is required.  Keep these dates in mind:

• July 7, 2010- You should have received a notice in the mail with dates and information about the new area code.
• August 7, 2010-  "Permissive Calling Period Begins"-  you can call using 7 or 10 digits.
• March 5, 2011- "Permissive Calling Period Ends"-  you will now be required to use the 10 digit number.
• April 1, 2011-  New 539 area codes will be available.  You can also request a 918 area code phone number if one is available.
• Spring 2012- 918 area code phone numbers are expected to run out.
  

The same long distance rules will apply for the 539 area code.  Simply put, if you can call a 918 area code now without long distance, you will be able to call 918 or 539 without long distance.  If you pay long distance to call 918, then you will also pay for the 539 area code

CASA- Court Appointed Special Advocates

Court Appointed Special Advocates give children in the custody of the State a voice in court. Many children who have been removed from their homes are thrust into a system of attorney's, case workers, Foster homes, judges, and a host of other representatives. CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge to speak for a child in the "system" to give the child a voice in the courtroom. As a Foster parent for twenty children over the past 13 years and an adoptive parent to seven children, I have witnessed first-hand the need for CASA in the lives of these children.

Your support of CASA whether financially, by spreading the word to your friends, or by volunteering to represent a child, will make a lasting difference in their future. Find out more about CASA here.