Protect Your 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 Tulsa, OK Area emergency numbers near all phones in case of fire or emergency. A great place to check is the local phone book.
  
• 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.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

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.

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 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 Wagoner, OK- contact Rick Butefish, www.filters4me.com or 918-292-8600

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

What Exactly Is Oklahoma Title Insurance?

Title insurance protects your claim of ownership of your property. When you buy Oklahoma real estate, you count on the paperwork being properly reviewed. You should get a "title opinion" from an attorney. That does not, however, provide you any insurance that the attorney did not make an error or that someone later does not come back and claim an error was made (regardless who is right or wrong.) It is simply the opinion of the attorney you hired.

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. If you are concerned about problems that might arise after you purchase the property, talk to your title company and ask about appropriate insurance.
  
• 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 - that 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 Wagoner, OK, contact Ann Rollins, at Closings of Tulsa, 918-493-2241 or www.closingsoftulsa.com.

Have Wagoner, OK area title problems? and have legal problems as a result of your title or lack of title insurance, contact Chuck Richardson of Richardson, Richardson, Boudreaux at 918-663-5070 or www.richardsonlawfirmpc.com.

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

Protecting Your Valuables

Most of us have something in our home that we consider valuable. For some that may be jewelry or furs for others firearms or antiques. Here are some ways that we can keep those items protected and decrease the chances that they are stolen.

• Put small items in a safety deposit box or fireproof safe. If using a safe, consider securing it to the floor.
• Make sure all your doors and windows are properly secure.
• Keep the exterior of your home well lit with motion sensor lighting.
• Pretend you are a burglar and try to find areas around your home that you could get in. When you have a list, make sure those areas are completely secure.
• Don’t hide items in obvious locations.
• Install a security system that is monitored at all times.
• Don’t open the door to strangers and check ID for delivery, emergency, repair persons.
• Always plan for the worst. Although we hope that we will never experience a break in at our home, always make sure that your Wagoner, OK. homeowner's insurance is more than adequate to cover loss due to a burglary.
  

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

For homeowner's insurance coverage for your Wagoner, OK home, contact Mike Tedford of Tedford Insurance at 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

Tame that Angry Beast!

Buying and selling your Wagoner, OK home can be a very frustrating experience. At times, you might even find yourself so irritated that you feel like you have become an angry beast. Whether your real estate woes have precipitated the anger or simply everyday stresses, read on to help tame that angry beast.

• Write in a journal. When you find yourself getting angry over that seller or buyer that simply won't budge, consider writing in a journal. For some people, this is the perfect way to release the tension and anger without causing harm to your health, your relationships, or yourself.
• Find a stress reliever. Relieving stress can be done in many ways. Some very popular and productive ways include exercising, doing a project, or working around the house. You might find that taking a drive or simply deep breathing works well for you. Experiment, whatever you find that works for you, remember to do it often.

• Take an adult time out. Probably all of us have heard of time out when it comes to kids. but very few of us take a time out ourselves. When you begin to get angry over that real estate problem, take a time out. You may need to take a break from whatever is causing the anger and give yourself a few minutes before you continue with it.
• Change your thinking. Sometimes we make the situation worse because we assume something. If your real estate agent says something that offends you or does something that makes you mad, think the best of them. It is likely that they didn't intend it to come across that way. If you have the courage, ask them about it. It is probably just a misunderstanding.

Remember that anger and stress can bring on a multitude problems including relationship issues, high blood pressure, heart attacks and much more. Before allowing anger over a real estate problem get the best of you, ask yourself if it is worth it.

For all your Wagoner, OK. real estate needs, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhoward.com.

School Time!

It's back to school time again.  Whether you are a high school student, college student or parent, read on for some tips on how to make that college application sail right through.

Start with a plan!
You can't plan early enough when it comes to college.  Many of the best universities require that you have a high GPA and are well rounded in academics, sports, music, school clubs, and community service. In order to ensure that you have the requirements, you need to know which schools you want to attend.  Once you have your list, do your research!  Know what is required at each school.  Don't forget your school guidance counselor.  They can help you understand all the rules and requirements and give you great suggestions on which courses and clubs will help you achieve your goal.  In addition, remember to take the proper school entrance exam.

Competition Counts...
Don't think that you have to be the perfect student in order to get into a top school.   Be a competitor.  Do the best you can in every class but also remember not to take it too easy.  Take an honors class or a class that is more challenging and do your best in it. Also, begin to focus your course and extracurricular activities on an area that you love and in a field that you want to major.  It is often better to do one thing really well than to do many things halfheartedly.  Oh, and don't forget to take your SAT exam.


Finish with a Bang.
For High School Seniors, it is easy to let things slide a bit.  Don't lose focus and intensity!  You are almost there but it is important not to let the excitement of graduation get you off course.  Now is the time to focus on your essay and finals.  Make sure your essay is well written and on topic.  Don't wait to the last minute!  Start your essay early so that you have plenty of time to read and edit. 

When applying to schools, make sure you select more than one.  There will probably be your dream school, but it is important to also apply to several others as well.  Make sure that you are accepted and can complete your education.  If your top choice doesn't accept you, don't give up hope.    Consider enrolling in one of the colleges that did accept you and work toward the goal of transferring to your dream school in a year or two. And, if your dream school said no, ask them why!  Knowing this information can help you work toward a successful transfer later.



To buy or sell a home in the Wagoner, OK area, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.

What to Consider When Buying a Home

Thanks to the perfect storm of low prices, attractive inventory, and affordable interest rates, this continues to be a lucrative time to invest in a home, whether it be a first home, a move-up home, or a second home.

Choosing a home is no easy process, however, and many factors must be carefully weighed before making your selection. As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, advise our clients to pay careful attention to a few details in particular when considering a home—these important details will significantly impact your long-term happiness in the home as well as the home’s appreciation over time. So, as you begin to consider properties in our neighborhood, here are a few issues to think about that may help you find exactly the right home for you and your family:

Type of home: One-story or two, single-family, duplex or condo? How will paying homeowner dues affect your overall buying power? Will a swimming pool be a bonus or a hindrance? Making these decisions in advance will help you focus on the right types of home to look at.

New or existing: A new home is all shiny and clean, but will carry with it some hefty initial costs such as landscaping and window coverings. An existing home will have many of these things, but repairs or renovations that may need to be made will also impact your budget.

Features: Weigh the costs of gas vs. electric heating and cooling, and the possible need for fencing. How important is a fireplace? Does the home have enough bedrooms and bathrooms to support your family in the coming years?

Ease of maintenance: What is the condition of the roof? The appliances? Will you have to paint the interior or exterior and/or replace the carpeting? Be sure to factor in such costs in your budget and your negotiations.

Location: Do you want to be in the city or in the country? Nearer to libraries, parks and entertainment or set among tall trees and lakes? What about the need for public transportation? Nearby hospitals and schools?

Crime rate and public schools: Check with local enforcement and local residents to get a feeling for statistics and quality. We can also provide you with up-to-date statistics on this information.

Economic stability: Whether an area is growing or not can affect its future property value—as will the economic stability of the area.

Property tax: Examine the annual amount of real estate taxes and other assessments levied in the neighborhoods you are considering.

We can help find the answers to the above concerns as well as provide more suggestions on what to look for in a new home—just e-mail our team. Also, please pass this article onto others who may benefit from this information.

To buy or sell your Wagoner, OK area home, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

For all your Wagoner, OK area roofing needs, contact Jonathon Knapp of Royal Roofing at 918-398-6500 or www.rrcok.com.

For all your Wagoner, OK area home maintenance needs and more, visit www.tulsahomemaintenance.com.

US Cell Phone Emergency Numbers

Some of you may have received various emails claiming that you can dial *112 or *77 (among others) from your cell phone in any state to contact the highway patrol or police. According to snopes.com, that is incorrect. Dialing 911 is the only official emergency number in the United States. There are, however, other helpful emergency numbers that you can dial from a cell phone to reach highway patrol to report accidents and other highway problems. Check out the numbers for Oklahoma and neighboring states:

• Oklahoma, dial *55
• Texas, dial *DPS or 911
• Louisiana, dial *LSP
• Arkansas, dial 501-296-1860 or 911
• Missouri, dial *55
• Kansas, dial *HP or *KTA
• Colorado, dial *CSP, *DUI, or 911
• New Mexico, dial 505-827-9301

For a complete list of emergency numbers by state, visit one of these websites: 911dispatch or ou.edu. Of course, it can be confusing trying to remember which number works in which state, especially if you are just traveling through. Therefore, it is easiest to simply dial 911.

To buy or sell real estate in the Wagoner, OK area, contact Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.