Norman Homes, March 1, 2014

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A product of The Norman Transcript • 2.22.2014

Saturday, March 1, 2014

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KEEPING YOUR HOME SAFE WHILE YOU’RE AWAY Written by Realty Times Staff Total home security means that you won’t have to worry while you’re away. A few simple actions and some high-tech additions will give you peace of mind whether you’re at your office or on a Caribbean cruise. You can keep track of your home from around the world and make sure there are no surprises waiting for you when you get back.

DON’T ADVERTISE YOUR STUFF Home burglars usually walk or drive through neighborhoods first to find those homes worth breaking into, notes Lifehacker. Don’t make your home a tempting target. Don’t leave trash or boxes on the curb before you leave.

A cardboard box for an HDTV on the curb for trash pick up says “there is something worth stealing inside this house.”

DON’T ADVERTISE YOU’RE AWAY If you are leaving on vacation,

make the house look lived in. Burglars watching the neighborhood will be interested in a house with newspapers scattered in the front yard. Stop the paper delivery or ask a neighbor to pick them up for you. Have them look for flyers left on the door or porch and remove them.

Stop your mail, have the neighbor pick it up, or at the very least, use a locking mailbox to prevent someone from taking a quick peek. The most secure mail delivery is through a mail slot in your front door, if that’s allowed in your neighborhood, says Arizona Central.

Close blinds and curtains but use lights on timers to make the house look occupied, suggests MSN Real Estate.

A radio or TV on a timer creates the illusion that someone is home. Anything that can make your home look occupied will deter a burglar and make them move on to another house.

PROTECTION FROM FUTURE LOSS Some burglars may not be as interested in jewelry and TVs as they are in your personal financial information.

Credit card and bank statements left on a desk or kitchen counter can be used in identify fraud. Days after you return home, you may find that someone has cleared out your bank account or filled up your credit card with charges.

This is especially important regarding the safety of your children’s identities. This group has seen an increase of identity theft incidents.

Companies such as LifeLock have created seminars and classroom guides to help you understand this risk to your children and how to prevent it in the future.

HIGH-TECH HOME PROTECTION While the “no-tech” solutions to home security—like door and window

locks, and barking dogs—are still effective, many realtor sites are saying that more consumers are becoming interested in the smart home concept.

This high-tech approach to home security allows you to control and monitor areas of your home remotely.

Lock and unlock doors and windows remotely. Check on the status of your security system with mobile apps or with your laptop. Motion detectors and security cameras can send you text messages or emails, should someone trigger them. Watch your home remotely on security cameras. Keep tabs on pets.

Watch the swimming pool and hot tub.

Upgrade your home to include the latest in fingerprint lock technology.

Compact fingerprint recognition units are available from electronics sites like NewEgg to protect your home computer equipment and other electronics. This technology is also being built into door locks for your home.

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Saturday, March 1, 2014 Pantry, Granite Counters, Central Vacuum System, & Sprinklers. $668,900.

Call Carol Lindley @ 401-0246. #267464 DON CIES REAL ESTATE WWW.DONCIES.COM 329-0256

OPEN houses

4132 MOOREGATE CIR

OPEN SAT 2-4

(From 36th and Tecumseh Road to Carrington, West on Carrington to Moorgate Circle. Home sits on the Southwest corner)

CURB APPEAL. Stunning home on corner lot. Well laid out 3 bed 2.5 bath, 3 car garage (tandem).

Split plan with a second living, currently used as a study, would make a great formal dining. Upgrades abound, oil rubbed bronze fixtures, quartz counters, built-in appliances, wood and tile flooring. Well lanscaped lot with custom brick shrub beds and full sprinkler system. Extra large 3 car tandem garage with built-in storm shelter.

Hosted by Steve Morren, Broker ABR, CRB, CRS, GRI, SRES STERLING REAL ESTATE STEVEMORREN.COM 250.3000

NORTHEAST 1318 SUNSET

OPEN SUN 2-4

West Main Avenue to Wylie, south on Wylie to Sunset, east on Sunset to home

THIS HOME, BUILT IN 1954 IS A REAL TREASURE! Completely remodeled with refinished hardwood floors, granite countertops, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, new windows, doors, bathroom vanity, roof, and fixtures. It has new heat and air (Bedrooms: 3, Full Baths: 2, Half Baths: 0) $169,500 Hosted by: Grady Carter (405)474-2905 METRO BROKERS OF OKLAHOMA WWW.METROBROKERSOK.COM

SOUTHEAST 4313 SPYGLASS 3000 LOCHINVER

OPEN MON-FRI 12-5

Hwy 9 east to 12th Ave SE, south to Cobblestone Creek Dr, north to Spyglass.

NORTHWEST OPEN SAT 10-5; SUN-WED 1-5

WESTPOINT HOMES’ SHOWCASE HOME IS A MUST SEE! As your walk thru this open design and see the colors you will have a warm, at home feel. This 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath home has special features such as a study with beautiful bookshelves and wood flooring, a mudroom, decorative tile work and so much more.

WESTPOINT HOMES todd@westpoint-homes.com 641-0447

THIS WONDERFUL HOME IS IN THE WORKS. Another quality home by Skyridge. Still time to choose your own fixture, interior finishes, colors and flooring. Plus has entertainment room on second floor. $249,000 Call Mahnaz Partou @ 979-7462 #259455 DON CIES REAL ESTATE WWW.DONCIES.COM 329-0256

116 HORIZON VIEW CT.

OPEN SAT 2-4

East from Alameda & 24th Ave SE, right on Ridge Lake, curve around to Horizon View Ct, turn left towards the cul-de-sac.

3103 TARA LANE

OPEN SUN 2-4

3 BEDROOM 2.5 BATH HOME! Study, bonus room, 3 car garage, large backyard, $333,600 WESTPOINT HOMES TODD@WESTPOINT-HOMES.COM

3004 ROLLING WOODS

641-0447

OPEN SAT & SUN 2-5

(From Rock Creek Rd. and NW 48th, go east to Las Colinas Addition and north to Rolling Woods.)

NEW CONSTRUCTION!!

With Majestic Fine Homes your family’s new home will have some amazing features: granite countertops, custom built cabinets, all the outside walls are 2x6, wood floors in dining room, living room, entry, and hallway. Tandem 3 car garage, custom lighting kitchen island, high ceilings, 3 bedroom + study that could be a 4th bedroom. Also pre-wired for surround sound. New home with breathtaking valley views. $423,000.

Call Mahnaz Partou @ 979-7462. #268412 DON CIES REAL ESTATE WWW.DONCIES.COM 329-0256

4512 FOUNTAIN VIEW

OPEN SAT & SUN 2-4

(Tecumseh and NW 48th, south to Fountain View Drive, east to property.)

EXTRAORDINARY NEW BUILD BY CUSTOM BUILDERS OF OKLAHOMA! 4 Beds, 2 down and 2 up. Great Room, Formal Dining, Study, Bonus Room, Media Room. Outdoor living with Wood Burning Fireplace & Kitchen, 4 Car Insulated Garage, Storm Shelter. Features include: Architectural Designed Ceilings, Wrought Iron Staircase & Front Door, Plank Wood Floor, Custom Built Wood Cabinetry, SS Gas Range/Convection Oven, Electric Oven, Refrigerate, Whole House Audio, Butler’s

DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS WELL MAINTAINED WESTPOINT HELENA BEAUTY! Spacious master bedroom with ensuite master bath. Huge master closet that you’ll need more stuff to fill it up! Super-sized bedrooms that could be a 2nd master.

Handsome study with built-ins & stylish wood floors. Cabinets for days in island kitchen overlooking the living room with fireplace & attractive wood flooring. Extensive crown moulding & thoughtful appointments make this house an inviting home!

Hosted by Pam Thompson pam@vawterrealestate.com\ VAWTER REAL ESTATE 405-250-847

FOR MORE INFO CALL ANGELA WILLIAMS 405-366-3556 awilliams@normantranscript.com

REAL ESTATE INVESTING FOR BEGINNERS On the heels of a recession that saw home values drop, many would-be investors have shied away from buying investment properties. But real estate has historically remained a sound investment, boasting a long-term appreciation rate that makes it a worthwhile investment for those who can withstand temporary setbacks in housing prices and hold on to their properties over the long haul.

But investors are often nervous as they look for their first properties. Uncertainty about housing prices aside, investing in real estate also is risky, and first-time investors need to be comfortable with such risk in order to make the most of their investments. The following are a few things potential real estate investors should consider as they decide if investing in real estate is right for them.

PERSONAL ABILITY Real estate investors typically have tenants, and those tenants inevitably have needs. Investors who have experience as contractors may not find it difficult to renovate a property and make it more attractive to tenants, nor are they likely to be inconvenienced when minor issues on the property need to be addressed. Investors with no such experience will need to hire contractors to do the work for them, cutting into potential profits down the road. In addition, investors who don’t have the ability and/ or the time to address minor issues like a clogged drain or a drafty window on their own will need to hire a property management firm to tend to such needs. Such firms are effective, but also expensive, further cutting into your profits.

Even those investors with contracting experience may have little or no knowledge of how the leasing process works, forcing them to rely on a real estate firm to write

up leases and ensure all leases stay current. This, too, can cut into an investor’s profits. Investors who don’t bring any relevant expertise to the table can still make a profit from their real estate investments, but those profits likely won’t be as significant when outside companies must be hired to ensure the property is in good shape and all necessary documents are in order and up-to-date.

TIME Real estate is often a time-consuming investment.

Tenants pay good money to live in attractive rental properties, and those tenants will have a host of needs that must be met. Investors must be sure they have the time to address their tenants’ concerns, especially investors with no plans to hire property management firms. Potential investors who already have full plates at work and at home may not be able to devote the time necessary to make the most of their real estate investments, and therefore might be better off finding another way to invest their money.

Time also must be considered when considering profits. Real estate is not the type of investment that turns a profit overnight. Even investors who are looking to invest in an up-andcoming neighborhood must be prepared to hold onto their properties for at least a few years, if not much longer, to maximize their investments. Though real estate is a sound investment, it is not a get rich quick type of investment, so investors looking to make a quick buck should consider alternatives before buying investment properties.

SIZE First-time real estate investors might be wise to choose a smaller

property for their initial investment. Larger properties can be overwhelming to manage, and investors often rely on property management firms to tend to these properties.

Such firms charge more to manage bigger properties, which can eat into investors’ finances. Veteran investors can handle such overhead costs, but first-timers might find themselves caught off guard upon realizing the gravity of their financial commitment. A good rule of thumb for firsttime investors is to stick to smaller properties, only moving on to larger buildings once they are fully comfortable with all that comes with investing in real estate.

COSTS The cost of a real estate investment goes beyond the purchase price of the home. In addition to the mortgage on the property, investors must pay the taxes and insurance on the property, as well as any costs associated with maintaining and managing the property. Certain tax breaks are available to real estate investors depending on where they live. For example, in the United States, taxes on the profits when a property is sold may be deferred if those profits are immediately rolled into another property (such a deferment is only available to those investors who arrange this exchange prior to selling the initial property). Potential investors need to consider all of these costs, and might want to hire a real estate lawyer to help them make the most of their investments and any profits they yield. But even hiring an attorney is an additional cost investors must consider before investing.