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T h e To t a l H o m e E x p e r i e n c e A product of The Norman Transcript • 4.12.2014

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Saturday, April 12, 2014 2524 BOXWOOD AVENUE

NORTHEAST

OPEN houses

2217 DIANA DRIVE

OPEN SUN 2-5

From 24th NE & Robinson. South on NE 24th to Jackson. West to 23rd NE. North to Alameda Park Dr. West to Diana Drive.

BEAUTIFUL! NEW CONSTRUCTION! Open, bright & airy design. 3 bed; 2 bath; 2 car; Covered patio; Granite counters; Gas stove; Large pantry; Lot’s of storage space! New home warranty.

Hosted by: Todd Wiens 405-641-0447 WESTPOINT HOMES TODD@WESTPOINT-HOMES.COM 641-0447

2548 WEYMOUTH WAY

NORTHWEST 3000 LOCHINVER

OPEN SAT 10-6; SUN-WED 1-6

309 TURNBERRY DRIVE.

OPEN SUN 2-4

641-0447

North of Robinson on 12th Ave SE OR East of Rock Creek & 12th AVE SE to Bruckner; south to Central Parkway

OPEN SUN 2-5

BEAUTIFUL 4 BEDROOM HOME WITH BRAND NEW GRANITE; open Living spaces, large kitchen with 2 pantries; Stone corner Fireplace; Nice fenced lot big enough for kids to play. Easily walk to large city park; school; dog park; near shopping, Walmart; hospitals and churches; 5 minutes to I-35.

Hosted by Philip DILLARD GROUP PEGGYDARR.COM 405-642-0549

MUST SEE! 3 bedrooms/2 1/2 baths. Open concept! Study with built-in desk and bookshelves.

2 dining areas. Sprinkler system. Oversized 3 car garage. Corner lot! Side entry garage. Granite. Italian marble. Walk-in shower. Wood floors. Stainless steel appliances. Large backyard for a pool!

WESTPOINT HOMES TODD@WESTPOINT-HOMES.COM 641-0447

3004 ROLLING WOODS

3 BEDROOM, OFFICE, 2 BATH, GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD! Beautiful new slate entry, slate in the kitchen, dining and bathrooms. New carpet and fresh paint throughout. Stay cozy and warm next to the stunning slate laid fireplace. Surround sound hook-up avail. New roof in 2012. Fantastic deck/shed in the backyard. Come enjoy the community club house and the community pool during the hot summer!

Hosted by Mariah Kalhor & StephanieYoung Mariahkalhorrealtor@yahoo.com METRO BROKERS OF OKLAHOMA (405)308-0109 (405)255-9605

1601 CENTRAL PARKWAY

WESTPOINT HOMES’ SHOWCASE HOME IS A MUST SEE! WESTPOINT HOMES TODD@WESTPOINT-HOMES.COM

OPEN SAT 1-4

2111 BATES CT.

OPEN SUN 2-4

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

(Rock Creek and 12th Ave NE, east to Hallbrooke, south to Burning Tree, east to Bates Way to Bates Court.)

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, INC. WWW.DONCIES.COM 329-0256

LOADED, MINT CONDITION AND MOVE IN READY! Hand scraped knotty alder hardwood floors, granite in kitchen w/island, stainless steel appliances, gas cooktop, double ovens, great fixtures, large outdoor living w/ fireplace, cathedral ceiling in family room, barreled entry, coffered in kitchen and dome in master. Tankless water heater, very energy efficient (full spray foam insulation), post-tension foundation, sprinkler, misting, and security systems, storm shelter, large bonus room up w/1/2 bath. $349,999.

Hosted by Tray Holley @ 822-6060. #269878 DON CIES REAL ESTATE, INC. WWW.DONCIES.COM 329-0256

4512 FOUNTAIN VIEW

1316 NEWBURY DR.

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 Pantry, Granite Counters, Central Vacuum System, & Sprinklers. $668,900.

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

OPEN SUNDAY 2-4

From Robinson & 12th Ave. NE, Go North on 12th to Newbury then East to the property on the South side.

VERY IMPRESSIVE 3 bedroom, 2 ½ Bathrooms, 2 living, a remodeled kitchen with granite counters, & an 8 person storm shelter.

Hosted by Rhonda Cochrane 405.613.4283 DILLARD GROUP WWW.RHONDACOCHRANE.COM

SOUTHWEST 2510 ACACIA COURT

OPEN SUN 2-4

South from Lindsey on Berry Rd to Magnolia. Turn right on Magnolia to Acacia. Turn right to home

1309 BROAD ACRES

OPEN SUN 2-4

(I-35 and Robinson, go west to Broad Acres, north to property on right, 1309.)

BEAUTIFUL BROOKHAVEN HOME! Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, bar seating, casual and formal dining. Large living room, high ceilings, master downstairs, bonus room upstairs. Wine closet. All bedrooms large! Too many special features to mention. $339,000.

Hosted by Whitney Spears @ 312-7185. #269567 DON CIES REAL ESTATE, INC. WWW.DONCIES.COM 329-0256

PERFECT FAMILY OR FIRST TIME BUYER HOME... or investment property for parents of OU students! New roof and exterior paint. 4 large bedrooms/2.5 baths provide room for everyone! Includes washer/dryer/refrigerator. Classic Norman neighborhood close to OU. Huge living area with gas fireplace.

Hosted by Terry Erhardt 405-206-4276 ERHARDT GROUP AT CROSSLAND REAL ESTATE ERHARDTGROUP.COM

OPEN SUN 2-4

East on Robinson, North (left) on N Porter, East (right) on Weymouth Way, South (right) on Weymouth Way

NEW PRICE! 4bed/2.5 bath home located close to OU. Home is 2340 sq ft mol with two living areas, large kitchen and patio that has been enclosed and vented to heat and air/ two zones in home. New condensers will be installed prior to closing. Come view this property that is located on a quite cul de sac - property has its own well and sprinkler system.

See you Sunday or call Bobbi to view - 405-245-3694 VAWTER REAL ESTATE VAWTERREALESTATE.COM 405-245-3694

OPEN SUN 2-4

From Lindsey and McGee, S. on McGee, E, on Smoking Oak, left on Greenbriar, right on Cypress, left on Spruce, right on Boxwood.

MAYSVILLE 806 1ST ST. COME BY AND MAKE OFFER 1 1/2 lots, beautiful land, 3 Bedroom, brick home,1,150 sq ft., garage, storm shelter, PLUS FURNISHED, washer, dryer, stove, fenced backyard, satellite, wood flooring, concrete patio. $56,000K or make offer.

OKC 17209 VITORIA DRIVE

OPEN SUN 2-4

From Indian Hills, North on 48th NW (Santa Fe) left on SW 172nd, right on Vitoria Drive.

BRIGHT THREE BEDROOM, TWO BATH HOME IN TALAVERA with storm shelter. Tall ceilings and fireplace in living room. Wood floors, upstairs bonus room, lots of storage, large covered patio and shed.

Hosted by Erin Williford 405-413-0772 VAWTER REAL ESTATE VAWTERREALESTATE.COM

FOR MORE INFO CALL ANGELA WILLIAMS 366-3587 awilliams@normantranscript.com

Reach over 35,000 prospective buyers with Norman Homes’ “Open Houses”

Saturday, April 12, 2014

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HOME DECORATING FOR MASS APPEAL: CHOICES YOU MAKE MAY AFFECT YOUR HOME SALE Written by Phoebe Chongchua for Realty Times

One of the advantages of owning your own home is the ability to decorate it and make structural changes the way you like. However, when it comes time to list and sell that same home, those changes may help or hurt you depending on what you have done to the house.

When it comes to homes listed for sale, being unique can be both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing if what makes the home unique is appealing to most. For instance, the only lot with a larger than normal backyard.

It's a curse, if the home is unique because of its outrageous color, or incredibly small storage space.

If, for example, a two bedroom home was remodeled to remove a closet and make the room a den or study, this could negatively impact the home because it will appear to many buyers that while

the room can be used for sleeping, it's not practical because it lacks a closet.

Many buyers will see this as a flaw. While they might appreciate space for a den or office, it's better to not remove the closet because then when it comes time to sell it, the den can be shown as both - an office or a bedroom.

Wood floors offer a timeless appeal to the masses.Yes, some may not prefer wooden floors but, generally speaking, most buyers will appreciate them. They also know that they can easily cover up the wood with their own area rugs to keep the home cozier-appearing in winter months. Wood floors, kept in good condition, can create an anti-aging look.

Over the decades they hold their appeal.

Slightly worn furniture. I don't mean worn as in the baby threw up on the sofa.

Rather, I'm referring to pieces of furniture

that have slight imperfections. These imperfections can actually enhance the furniture. Instead of being seen as an eyesore, this style, sometimes called "distressed",is often coveted and more easily assimilated into current decor because any slight imperfections are perceived as "the way the piece was meant to be" rather than a flaw.

When you buy something that must be kept precisely perfect like new in order for it to look good, think of a white rug.You're in for a difficult road to keep it in its original pristine condition. Chances are that rug will be tossed out in the nottoo-distant future. However, it sure looks good in the model home pictures where no one is walking on it!

Custom-designed, built-in furniture that's meant for a specific piece of technology such as a computer or a

TV can limit your home and its appeal.

During the period in which the TV actually fits in the built-in cabinet, it may have mass appeal. However, because we are in rapidly changing technological times, the danger is that your beautiful custom built-in furniture may not fit future TVs. As technology evolves, things like TVs change drastically. Remember, how big a space you needed just a few years ago for a television set? Today, flat screens are the norm but eventually we might simply beam our TV screen onto an empty wall from our mobile device.

Then that custom-built TV storage may simply be in the way.

Keep your decorating and remodeling to timeless styles and you'll increase your home's mass appeal among buyers.

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Saturday, April 12, 2014

THE THREE BIGGEST TURN-ONS FOR BUYERS Written by Blanche Evans for Realty Times

As a seller, you have a lot more control in pleasing buyers than you think. If you start the selling process by learning what buyers really want, you can prepare your home to come as close to their dreams as possible.

Here are the five biggest turn-ons for homebuyers and what you can do to please buyers.

Curb Appeal You only get one chance to make a first impression. Your home should sell to the buyer from the curb. That's how important curb appeal is.Your buyer should be so impressed, so charmed, so delighted that they want to leap out of the car and run inside.

How do you create curb appeal? Show attention to detail. Your home has to be prettier, cleaner and in better condition than its neighbors.

Start with sweeping the drive, walkway, and porch or entry of dirt and debris. Get rid of leggy bushes, wilted flowers and broken tree limbs. Plant fresh flowers in the front garden or in containers at the entry.

Power-wash the exterior and hand-wash the windows. Touch up paint around the windows, if needed. Paint the front door a fresh, modern color.

Replace the door hardware and porch sconces.

Space The number one reason why people buy homes is to have more room. Whether they're moving from an apartment or moving up from the home they have, they want to have plenty of space to do the things they enjoy.

If you have a large home, you're golden, but

that doesn't mean you've got it made.You can ruin a buyer's first impression with too much clutter, so make sure to keep your home picked up so your buyer can see your home's features clearly and easily.

What if you don't have a lot of space? Plan to do some storing and staging. Rent a storage unit and put away all out of season clothes, toys, and home decorations and accessories. Clean off all tables and countertops so you have only the minimum of things your need to operate your home. Empty closets of anything that is "stored" and move it to the storage unit.

The small expense you'll pay in storage fees you'll more than make back from your buyer's offer.

Updates There's a reason why first-time buyers and singles tend to buy older homes - they're more affordable than buying new. So unless your buyer is a building contractor, chances are they want a home that's as updated as possible.

You may not be interested in putting in a new kitchen in order to sell your home, but you can do a few things to make buyers happy. Replace the most dated features - countertops, cabinet pulls, or appliances.

Bathrooms are so personal that they can easily turn buyers off. Invest in new towels, bathmats and a shower curtain. Throw out slimey soaps and limp ragged bath sponges. Replace with liquid shower and bath products.You can take all the new stuff with you to the next home.

Painting is expected by buyers, but don't repaint the same colors that you chose 10 years ago. Pick an updated neutral like a warm grey instead of beige.

Be sure to choose a color that will complement the architecture and flooring in your home.

Keep in mind that the typical home purchased in 2013 was 1,860 square feet and built in 1996, so homebuyers aren't expecting your home to be a mansion, nor do they expect it to be new, but they do expect to see pride of ownership. The more tweaks, updates and repairs that you perform, the more confident your buyers will be that they're choosing the right home.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

CLEANING TIPS THAT EVERY HOMEOWNER SHOULD KNOW Written by Sophie Andersen for Realty Times

Cleaning Dust The right vacuum cleaner can help you with cleaning and maintaining the health of your family members. Regular maintenance will keep the amount of dust, mites, and bacteria at a minimum, and help preserve your floors and carpets.

How often do you vacuum?

If you live in a crowded house make sure you vacuum at least twice a week. The frequency also depends on the terrain around the house and pets, if you have any. Most vacuum cleaners come with various add-ons and extra gear for cleaning specific surfaces.

By changing the direction of your vacuuming motions on surfaces such as carpets you clean more dust and dirt and maintain the carpet's durability.

Cleaning for Pet Owners Most people who have pets consider them a part of their family. They are lovable and cute, but unfortunately, they can't really clean up after themselves.

Hairs that come of dogs and cats are charged with static electricity, which makes it stick to various surfaces. In order to remove hairs from wooden furniture use a soft cotton rag or a microfiber rag sprayed with antistatic atomizer or a cleaning solution for furniture polish. The atomizer will remove static electricity and make the cleaning easier. It will also lower the chances of hairs attaching themselves to surfaces again.

If you want to remove hairs from sheets and padded surfaces, all you need to do is put on some rubber gloves and gently moist them. Then, sweep

the surface you want to clean with your hand and the hairs will stick to the glove.

Other Useful Tips You can use sodium bicarbonate to clean your bathtub. Make an equal mix of sodium bicarbonate, scale solution, and add a touch of lemon juice. Let it stay on the tub for 30 minutes and then wash it out.

You can clean your TV screen or PC monitor with a coffee filter. Rags usually leave little fibers on your screen when you try to clean them, but with coffee filters, this won't happen.

Here's a great way to clean your drains. Mix half a cup of salt with hot water and pour it down the drain you want to clean, it will work like magic.

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