Buying a Home in Bixby: How Much Space Do You Need?

Whether you’re buying your first OK home or moving to a new home due to size or neighborhood constraints, there are a number of things you’ll want to think about before you even start your search. Location, age, style…these are all important considerations that will impact your home purchase.

However, no matter if you’re searching for condos in Bixby, luxury homes for sale in Broken Arrow, or more family-oriented real estate in Claremore, one of the biggest selling points will be size. How much home you buy will impact your ability to accommodate your family, your belongings, and your life, and square footage is often one of the best ways to maintain resale value. Many homebuyers in the Oklahoma region adhere to the adage that “bigger is better,” and the homes for sale in the market today reflect that.

How Much is Too Much?

Before you rush out and buy the biggest house you can afford, it’s a good idea to evaluate your housing situation and what your needs really are. By being creative with space and changing the way you look at value vs. square footage, you may discover that it is much more convenient – and cost-effective – to consider a smaller living space.

Square footage costs money. Not only are you going to pay more in your initial purchase price for a home that’s twice the size, but a bigger home tends to equal bigger money all around. From utilities, electricity, and regular maintenance to buying enough furniture to fill the space, there is a lot about a big house that requires your time and money. Also, many of these factors increase pretty rapidly the older your home gets (especially upkeep and heating), so that large historic Bixby house for sale might require your attention for decades to come.

You don’t want the biggest house on the block. If you have the biggest house in your neighborhood, chances are your home value will be affected – and not in a good way. People almost always prefer to live in the nicer Bixby real estate areas, and are willing to sacrifice things like square footage and luxury amenities to get there. A big or nice house in a less desirable area might not lend itself to better resale later.

You’d be surprised what a little organization can do. One of the best things about buying a new OK home is that you get a fresh start in the place you call home. You are handed a blank slate in which to fit your life, your furnishings, and all the items you’ve accumulated throughout the years. If you buy a smaller house with a better layout, you might be able to fit all your things with room to spare. If your new home doesn’t have that extra bedroom you’d been hoping to convert into a study, you might find that some built-in shelving and a cleverly placed room screen more than makes up for it. Homes in Europe tend to be half the size of their American counterparts, but clever organization and setup makes them seem much, much bigger.

Your new home in Bixby doesn’t have to be the biggest house in the neighborhood, and it doesn’t have to come with an impressive square footage tag in order to be a good investment. Many individuals have found that a cozy townhouse right in the middle of downtown brings a lot more opportunity than a four-story suburban home could never do, and many families are brought together by a big, open kitchen instead of a kitchen and formal dining area. Talk with Debbie Solano to learn more about finding a space that can be transformed into a home – no matter how big or small it is.

Check out our friends at Hat Team

Bixby Real Estate during the Holidays

Now is still a really good time for Real Estate in Bixby, Broken Arrow, Claremore Oklahoma areas. Buyers can, and do, get serious during this busy time of year. Lots of sellers take their homes off the market during the holidays, assuming no one will be buying at this time. But with serious buyers still out there and a lower inventory of homes, your home has a good chance of standing out. With fewer homes for sale, competition is decreased. There are good reasons to sell your home during the holidays.

Buyers are more serious during the holidays. Anyone shopping for a home during the holidays probably has to buy before a certain deadline. Therefore some buyers may be looking to relocate before the new year. Investors may also want to close before the end of the year for tax reasons. If you live near a university, students and staff may be looking for homes between academic sessions, and if you live near a military base, servicemen and women may be moving to the area. Work with me, Debbie Solano, your agent to target these motivated buyers. Buyers have more time to house-hunt. Buyers who are looking at this time during the holidays are serious about making a purchase. Some buyers purposely wait until their families are together for holiday vacations to start looking for a home. Homes show better in the winter. Decked out in lights and garland, homes often look their best during the holiday months. Take advantage of the Holidays and spruce up your homes to make them more festive. Deck the halls, but don’t go overboard, just enough to make your prospects feel at home and your home still looking spacious.

Home sellers can’t always take a holiday from keeping their house on the market. Instead, they should consider ways to turn the holidays to their advantage. By holding a holiday-themed open house – maybe instead of the traditional Sunday afternoon open house; your home could be open in the evening to take advantage of a festive holiday light display. Keep in mind to not block or cover up important selling features such as fireplace mantels, stairs, stained-glass windows. Tone down the size of tree. In place of a 10-foot tree, try decorating a table-top, four-foot version. Set a plate of cookies on the counter, next to festive paper napkins for guests. Giving house hunters a place to escape from the cold is another excellent way to get them inside your home.

The holidays are stressful enough without having to think about staging and open houses, so if you’re not truly motivated to sell, it’s probably best to wait a few months. But if you absolutely have to sell, don’t be discouraged. A good agent like myself can take the burden off of your shoulders, giving you more time to enjoy the season.

With these tips in mind, it is possible to enjoy the holidays and still successfully feature a home for sale on the real estate market. Now is still a good time as ever in the Bixby, Broken Arrow, Claremore Oklahoma areas.

Check out our friends at Move 2 Baskingridge

The Hidden Costs of Refinancing in Bixby

When refinancing your Bixby house there are some hidden fees that many people don’t know about. 1. The application fee, which you will pay regardless of whether or not you’re denied. 2. Loan origination fee, the fee for processing and preparing the loan. 3. Inspection fee, some appraisers require you to get your house inspected first. 4. Attorney review and closing fee, you may be required to pay the attorney fee.

There are several other costs, before refinancing make sure you know what you will have to pay upfront. Read the contracts and ask questions. You don’t want to have any surprise charges.

The Linda Secrist Team is always a helpful ally to have. Their blogs have a lot of useful information. Check out their website Herriman Real Estate

Chapman-Richards blog has refinancing and other helpful tips when dealing with Our Sandy Real Estate

The Show Low, Pinetop AZ Homes For Sale are defiantly something to look at

Benefits of a Bixby Home Inspection

Although new tax breaks and great housing prices in Bixby, Broken Arrow and Claremore make buying a home easier and more cost-effective than ever before, it can still be a daunting task to undertake the path to home ownership. In addition to the stress of moving, you’re probably worrying about things like loan processing fees, down payments, mortgage options, and closing costs. Even with a financial advisor and a realtor at your side, these can add up to quite a bit of hard work!

However, almost every homeowner will tell you that these costs are definitely worth buying a OK house. Not only are you purchasing a place to call home, but you’re making a financial investment with potentially huge returns. That’s why you should always consider a home inspection before signing on that dotted line, even if the added expense isn’t one you’re looking forward to.

What is a Home Inspection?

Many people equate a home inspection with a home appraisal, and with good reason. At their core, the two processes are very similar: in both, a trained professional goes through the home and inspects it with the intent of informing all parties involved on making the smartest buying and selling decisions.

However, the similarities stop there. Home appraisals are done to give buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and financers a better idea of what the home is worth (based on “surface” things like square footage, number of rooms, and amenities like a fireplace or granite countertops). A home inspection, on the other hand, is all about informing buyers about the potential problems that lie underneath the surface.

For example, a home inspector will be able to answer the following questions:

• What is the condition of the plumbing and/or electrical system, and how easy is it to access in the event of a problem?

• What will be the realistic costs and challenges of heating or cooling the house?

• What is the state of the foundation, the roof, and other structural components?

• How many years of use will you be able to get out of the electrical/plumbing/heating systems?

• What are the potential safety hazards of the house (lead paint, radon, termites, asbestos, mold, etc.)?

What a Home Inspection Does for You

Although most home inspections cost the potential homebuyer hundreds of dollars up front, they typically end up saving homebuyers thousands of dollars in the end. When you get a home inspection, you can not only step away from a purchase that might not be right for you, but you can also require sellers to either “fix” the problems before you buy the home, or adjust the price in order to allow you to make the repairs.

Of course, there’s also the benefit of knowing that the home for sale in Bixby that you purchased is safe and comfortable. It can be difficult to know just what a house has in store for you until you’ve lived in it for a few months. A home inspection is the best way to take the house for a “test drive” before you make the investment. And with so many choices currently on the Oklahoma real estate market, you’re in a perfect position to make a smart, financially-sound choice for your entire family.

Check out our friends at Waikiki Reak Estate

Costly Contract Errors in Bixby

The last thing you need when buying a house in Bixby is more cost. Don’t make these costly home buying contract errors. Make sure the contract says exactly what you want it to say. Sometimes the language can mean something completely different from what you think it says. Make sure contingences are written in full sentences. That will lessen the confusion.

Give yourself time to get a loan, then you wont be rushed and are less likely to miss a vital part of the contract. Be specific about which items are staying in the house. Know the effective dates, the day you sign isn’t always the effective date. Make sure you know when that starts. Get everyone to sign, both spouses for your side and theirs.

Jeyan Stout knows about the contracts and she can provide you with help through every step of buying Our St Thomas Real Estate .

Mike Dunitz is familiar with contracts in California. His website Manhattan Beach Real Estate Now is full of helpful information.

Florida real estate is a great thing to have and Larry Halpin can help you buy Our Naples Real Estate

Kitchen updates that impact selling price in Bixby

Kitchens are very important to potential buyers in Bixby, the feel of a kitchen and make or break a sale. However, making a lot of updates can be expensive for the seller. Here are a few small and affordable changes that can have a huge impact on buyers.

Hang targeted lighting, having light over and island or work space brings the light down from the ceiling. Back splash accents, you don’t even have to redo the entire thing, but a small part perhaps in a different color to draw the eye. Painted cabinets, if they are already painted consider touching them up. These few small things can make a big different in the kitchen.

Dan Westbrook’s website has a lot of Medford Real Estate Info that you may find helpful when buying or selling a house.

If you’re looking for suggestions when buying Lakeside Realty Kenosha the Lakeside Agents can help!

Texas is a big market Amy Lippincott can help you get started buying or selling

Unclutter Your Bixby Home and Get It Ready to Sell

It is very important to make a great first impression to the potential buyers of your home. Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it’s not luck that makes that happen. It’s careful planning and knowing how to efficiently unclutter your home that will excite buyers. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an appealing and marketable home.

Get rid of those items that have been sitting around for years without being used or even handled. This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it. Buyers and real estate agents should see your house in its best condition from the very first day it’s on the market.

Here are a few approaches to take to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don’t want buyers scratching their heads and saying, “What is this room used for?”

Another way to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell is to make those minor repairs and best of all, make the house sparkle! Only do one room, or even one small area, at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Your best friend is the trash bag; when in doubt, throw it out. Many find it easier to use boxes to sort items, so you don’t have to find a home for everything as you unclutter. Most important, be quick and decisive when sorting. Tell yourself:

  • If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
  • Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
  • Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

If you are getting your house ready to sell in the Bixby, Broken Arrow, Claremore Oklahoma areas, then take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas where you can unclutter your home and let myself, Debbie Solano, your agent help you to get your house ready to sell.

Check out our friend at Miller and Clark

Buying a Historic Home in Bixby Oklahoma

For many people living in or moving to OK, the best real estate purchase is one that combines the comfort of home with a piece of history. Buying a historic home in Bixby, Broken Arrow or Claremore is fairly common in today’s market, thanks to an incredible real estate climate and one of the most dynamic historic districts in the state.

However, if you’re simply looking at the intricate architecture and are thinking how great it would be to own a piece of the city’s history, you might want to take a step back and consider all the work involved in becoming a historic home owner.

Home Quality

The most important consideration for purchasing a historic home in Bixby is the quality of the house. Whether you’re looking at a bungalow or a mansion, you have to remember that time is rarely kind to real estate.

In addition to outdated materials (like plaster instead of drywall or lead pipes) and difficult-to-work-with architectural styles, you have to consider the costs of restoring the house with authenticity in mind. Many materials are no longer available or can be costly if you want to maintain the historic integrity of your home. The same is true of the availability and cost of craftsman qualified to work with your particular home.

Oklahoma Housing Regulations

Many historic homes are overseen by governing bodies that regulate what you can and can’t do to your own home. If you’re in the market to purchase a historic home, make sure you know who you will have to go through to get the right permits for renovation, or if you’ll need to register and pay a fee to get your home listed as an authentic historic site. You might also want to note what kind of tourist interest you will get from having a historically-listed site.

Financial Investments

Fortunately, not everything about owning a Bixby historic home is hard work! Historic homes, when restored with authenticity, safety, and modern comfort in mind, are an incredible financial investment. Many people are willing to pay top dollar for homes that are in perfect shape or that have a keen attention to detail.

Many local governments also offer tax credits and tax freezes for those who maintain a certain level of quality in their registered historic homes. This means that a historic home can be a great investment, as well as a beautiful piece of architecture.

Finding and Buying Your Historic Home

When refurbished to contain all the modern amenities today’s families need and enjoy, a historic home can become a showpiece – both for your own visitors as well as those interested in the history of Bixby, Claremore and Broken Arrow. As with all real estate purchases, however, this one should be made after much consideration and under the guidance of your trusted agent.

Check our our friends at Gulf Shoes Alabama Homes

Tips for Saving at Closing Time in Bixby

Saving at closing time in Bixby can be essential to many buyers. Make sure you shop around before settling with a mortgage lender. Know which fees are the broker’s fees and which are third party. You want to understand everything you can about the mortgage and the closing costs you’ll face. Third party fees are harder to negotiate so you’ll want to know which and how much those fees are before hand. Also don’t forget to shop for hazard insurance, compare offers for homeowners insurance the same way to you for your mortgage. Realtors can also answer any questions you have.

Closing costs on a Breckenridge Luxury Homes for Sale can be a little confusing. Ask Mary Brooks for help.

Chris Miller and William Barrow know a lot about closing costs on Our Bainbridge Homes.

Bob Hay’s Pocono Real Estate Blog have a lot of good information about the area and closing on real estate.

Is Buying New in Bixby a Good Idea?

The decision to buy new or a well established house in Bixby can be a difficult one to make. There are many pros and cons for each option. New up-to-date features in new communities houses are definitely enticing to potential buyers, however is paying more upfront worth those features? Newer homes are harder to appraise and the price is far less negotiable than established homes. Talking with realtors who know the area and have an idea of the prices of houses and how much updates cost can help you in making your decision. If a well established home needs a lot of work, it may cost you more than a new home. Be sure to consider both before deciding which house to buy. Buying a home is stressfull enough, look for help where you can.

The Browning Group Realtors have helped many buyers make the tough decision of whether to guy new or old homes.

Lynda Jeffers has a unique area but is none-the-less if very familiar with New vs Old. Her site can help you with your Portland Condo Loft Search

Kevin Jensen has help many people in the state of Utah with this decision. He has helped many people Buy Sandy Homes