LISTING OF THE WEEK
HOUSE PLAN
Traditional brick home
Simple look
The Listing of the Week is a traditional 1½-level brick home on a 1½-acre lot on a wooded cul-de-sac in Mustang’s Fawn Valley addition.
Looking at the Ambridge puts the viewer in mind of simpler times. More than anything, it’s probably the full front porch: If a porch swing suits your fancy, this is the place.
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REAL ESTATE
Kenneth Harney
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THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2011
YEAR’S HOUSING HIGHLIGHTS MIXED OBSTACLES WITH OPPORTUNITIES BY RICHARD MIZE Real Estate Editor richardmize@opubco.com
Homebuilding and home sales in 2009 were not for the faint of heart or those lacking intestinal fortitude. Builders, Realtors, buyers and sellers started the year a little shell-shocked from the Christmas Eve blizzard — and January was just as wild, wintry and woolly, with storm after storm that kept construction stalled and sales on ice into February. Builders eventually managed to recover from the lows of 2009, taking out 3,262 single-family construction permits through November — the most recent statistics available — a 7 percent increase compared with the first 11 months of 2009. In early 2010, a different kind of storm slammed the Multiple Listing Service, the list of houses for sale kept by the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors. Buyers stormed the MLS, and the streets, buying houses to beat a deadline for a deal of a lifetime: the federal government’s tax credits for first-timers and certain existing homeowners, which ended April 30. Maybe the tax credits merely sped up purchases that already were in people’s plans, as critics and others have grumbled. Regardless, the Realtors have credited those sped-up sales with buoying the market when it seemed nothing else would. With 2011starting out with genuine optimism — judging by the ring-ring-ringing of coin spent during the Christmas shopping season — home sales could pick up on their own in 2011 with an economy waking after a long recessionary winter’s nap. Of course, continued foreclosures, including a wall of defaults expected to accompany resetting adjustable-rate loans later this year and in 2012, could mug the recovery before it gets a good running start. But that’s next year. For now, here are some highlights from housing last year in the Oklahoma City area:
January
› The credit crisis hits home,
that is, the New American Home,
TAX LAW MIXED BAG The $858 billion federal tax bill recently signed into law by President Obama was a mixed bag for American homeowners, with elements of both the Grinch and Santa squeezed into the same bulging package. PAGE 6F
IN BRIEF
HANGERS HAVE A PLACE TO GO Volunteers with Ideal Homes of Norman put the finishing touches on a new home for the Brian and Audra Skaggs family during recording of ABC’s "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" near Slaughterville. Ideal Homes’ construction of the 2,800-square-foot house in 106 hours the first week of February was a big highlight of housing news in 2010 in the Oklahoma City area. PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN
Pedro Gomez and Adolfo Tavera fix a roof at 2040 Mattern Drive after the hailstorm May 16. PHOTO BY PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
the widely anticipated and much ballyhooed showcase of the annual International Builders Show held by the National Association of Home Builders. If the economy can loot the builders’ crown jewel, no builder could remain untouched by the credit freeze. Oklahoma City builders complain that tightfisted lenders are making it unnecessarily difficult for them to meet demand; bankers say it’s wise to scotch speculative con-
Bobbie Hartpence, a Realtor with Churchill-Brown & Associates, talks about the formal dining room of a house for sale at 13201 Turtle Pond Court. Home sales were strongest the first half of 2010 when the effects of federal tax credits for home buyers were still being felt. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
February
triest, iciest weather imaginable, builds a 2,800-square-foot ranch house for the Brian and Audra Skaggs family outside Slaughterville, northeast of Lexington — 35 miles south of downtown Oklahoma City. The new house replaced a moldy, ramshackle house unfit for little Jhett Skaggs, a toddler whose heart transplant at age
Ideal Homes in Norman, in 106 hours of the muddiest, win-
SEE YEAR, PAGE 2F
struction. Year-end statistics reflect what everybody is talking about: During the Great Recession, McMansions are out, cozy is in, and builders here are responding to the trend by building smaller and smarter.
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Right approach can sell home in bad condition For a couple of decades, a widow in her 70s lived alone in a stucco-sided Colonial in an upscale suburban neighborhood. Long plagued with health problems, she recently passed away, leaving the property to her banker son, who decided to sell immediately. From the outset, the banker’s real estate agent leveled with him about how much the house would fetch. Given its poor condition — with peeling paint, rotting windowsills and ancient appliances — it would have to be deeply discounted to find a buyer. Also, he would have to clear away the voluminous clutter his mother left behind. “She was living with a sea of clothing 2 feet deep in many rooms, along with endless old newspapers. Besides that, there were canned goods stacked on the kitchen countertops all the way to the ceiling. All that mess hid the home’s inherent beauty,” recalled Ashley Richardson, the
THE NATION’S HOUSING
Ellen James Martin SMART MOVES
agent hired to sell the property. Richardson, who’s affiliated with the Council of Residential Specialists (www.crs.com), helped the banker devise a plan to make the house marketready for a minimal cost. He hauled his mother’s clothing to Goodwill. The canned goods went to homeless shelters. Old newspapers and other throwaways were tossed. Still, the seller took the agent’s recommendation and priced the property 20 percent below the selling price for comparable neighborhood homes in good condition. At the right price, it sold in a week. “The young family who
bought the house loved that it was located in a friendly, tight-knit neighborhood with its own elementary school and swimming pool,” Richardson said. This story illustrates the need for a realistic approach when selling a property in poor condition. “Today’s buyers want both a great deal and a house that’s beautiful. So price is especially important if the property has problems and people have to compromise on their wish list,” Richardson said. Here are a few other pointers for those planning to sell a home in poor condition: Look to a seasoned agent for candid advice and guidance. Seek out a listing agent willing to serve as a project manager, said Eric Tyson, a personal finance expert and co-author of “House Selling for Dummies.” “Not all agents will give you unvarnished advice and direction on steps you
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should and shouldn’t take to get your house ready for market. But the right agent will spare you costly errors,” Tyson said. Richardson said a solid agent will also give you a realistic list of doable tasks. “For example, you wouldn’t want to put high-end cabinets into the kitchen of a house that’s in overall poor condition. But you might want to have your current cabinets repainted,” she said. As the first step in the agent-selection process, Richardson recommended you interview three candidates, asking each to critique your home and itemize cost- effective steps that would make it more saleable. Seek out help to declutter efficiently. Richardson said many longtime owners trying to sell a home in poor condition feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the tasks they face. De-cluttering is a daunting prospect for those with health
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problems, so she recommends asking family and friends to help. If no volunteers step forward, Richardson suggests that owners may wish to hire students or others looking for temporary, part-time work. “Take out a classified ad that asks for help ‘prepacking for a move.’ And be sure to check background references on any stranger coming into your house,” she said. Help buyers picture your home’s possibilities. “In these days of the Internet,” Richardson said, “most buyers want to preview a property online or they won’t even get to see it.” So besides clearing out your clutter, you’ll want to remove any outdated furnishings that make your home seem drab. In their place, your agent might lend you a few attractive pieces to make your place look better.
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To contact Ellen James Martin, e-mail her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com. UNIVERSAL UCLICK
The Hanger Hamper is a simple storage box designed to make it easier to collect wire clothes hangers for recycling. The triangular, collapsible box is sized for most standard hangers, so you can collect up to 100 of them and return them to a dry cleaner. The box can fit in the corner of a closet or laundry room and has strap handles for easy carrying. Most plastic hangers fit in it, too. The product sells for $9.95 plus shipping from Solutions, www.solutions.com or (877) 718-7901, or directly from Hanger Hamper at (888) 880-9205. You can see the color choices at www.hanger hamper-retail.com.
GROW FOOD IN YOUR HOUSE Imagine picking grapefruit in your sunroom for breakfast. Laurelynn G. Martin and Byron E. Martin, co-owners of Logee’s Tropical Plants, tell how to do it in “Growing Tasty Tropical Plants in Any Home, Anywhere.” The book profiles plants that produce both familiar foods such as bananas and coffee and less common fruits such as naranjilla and peanut butter fruit. The authors chose plants they say will produce a reasonably abundant crop when grown in containers and can be kept small enough through pruning to grow indoors. It suggests good plants for beginners, plants that produce crops with the best flavor and plants suited for greenhouses. The book is from Storey Publishing and sells for $18.95 in paperback. MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE INFORMATION SERVICES
INDEX Permits Stone Poole
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REAL ESTATE
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2011
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Repairs costly as inspector misses furnace crack DEAR BARRY: We bought our home several months ago, and our home inspector found no specific problems with the furnace. He said it was old and should be serviced by a heating company. When winter approached, we hired an HVAC contractor. He found a large crack in the heat exchanger, easily seen when the front cover was removed from the furnace. So now we need a few furnace, which will cost about $3,500. When we called our home inspector, he refused to take responsibility for the crack. Shouldn’t he be liable for missing this defect? Mark DEAR MARK: Home inspectors specifically disclaim heat exchangers in furnaces because cracks are often in locations where they cannot be seen without dismantling the
Barry Stone INSPECTOR’S IN THE HOUSE
furnace. Without this disclaimer, inspectors would be liable for defects they could not have seen. Unfortunately, some inspectors take this disclaimer too far, applying it to cracks that are readily visible to an inspector who takes the time to look. If the crack was visible without dismantling the furnace, the home inspector, in my opinion, should take responsibility for overlooking it. However, there are some variables that could influence this opinion. Your inspector advised you that the furnace was
old and should be professionally serviced. The time frame for this recommendation is critically important. If the inspector recommended that it be serviced, without specifying when, or if he advised having this done before winter, then his liability is substantial. However, if he recommended having it serviced before close of escrow, then you would be liable for having waited until winter. On the other hand, if the crack was plainly visible by merely removing the furnace cover panel, the home inspector is liable, regardless of disclaimers for heat exchangers because defects that are visible and accessible are generally considered to be within the scope of a home inspection. You should insist that the home inspector at least look at the crack before
disclaiming it. If he is unwilling to do so, some professional legal help may persuade him. DEAR BARRY: Our home is on city water, but it has an old well. Before we bought it, the seller said, “You don’t really want to hook up the old well.” When we asked why, he said, “You’ll find out.” At the time, this didn’t seem important, so we dismissed it and closed the deal. Three months later, we received notice from the Environmental Protection Agency that an old gasoline tank leaked into the well and we are required to do an environmental cleanup. What should we do? Mike DEAR MIKE: When a seller says, “You’ll find out,” rather than telling you the whole story, that answer is unacceptable. Your response should have
Year: Weather, economy played part FROM PAGE 1F
8 months captured the attention of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Ice damming returns for yet another encore despite its statistical rarity in Oklahoma. Snow on top of ice is too much; on-and-off-again melting causes ice to accumulate along roof edges and back up under shingles and flashing, causing roof leaks when it melts for good.
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March
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Statistics show builders are shaking off winter to start off 2010 strong, a pattern that holds all year.
April
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Metro-area Realtors join the National Association of Realtors in an all-out push to get potential buyers to attend open houses the weekend of April 9-11 in hopes of them signing contracts by the end of the month and the end of federal tax credits of up to $8,000 for first-timers and $6,500 for certain current homeowners. It adds to a rush already under way.
May
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Tornadoes damage houses across the metro area May 10. An unusually widespread and long-lasting hailstorm strafes the metro area May 16, leaving huge swaths with houses and businesses looking as if they were shelled. Flyby-night roofers descend before hailstone drifts can melt. Businesses by the end of the month see the silver lining of the massive hailstorm: hundreds of millions of dollars pouring into the economy from settled insurance claims to pay for new roofing and siding and labor. Industrial property brokers get a piece of the action, leasing warehouse and yard space to out of-town companies.
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June
› Mortgage interest rates under 5
percent spur a summertime refinancing boom. The state attorney general’s office investigates out-of-state roofing companies posing as Oklahoma companies to get business. Gov. Brad Henry on June 4 signs the Roofing Contractor Registration Act, which passed the Legislature in its closing days as the metro area dealt with swarms of questionable roofers. The law requires roofing companies to carry liability and workers’ compensation insurance and levies a $500 fine for failing to register.
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July
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Second-quarter statistics show that the tax credits combined with historically low interest rates worked their magic with a 9.6-percent increase in home sales compared with the second quarter of 2009; the average price eked out a 1.1-percent gain to $146,825, and the median price rose 5.7 percent to $113,021, according to the Oklahoma Association of Realtors. Quail Creek Golf & Country Club and the surrounding neighborhood observe their 50th anniversary since developer John W. “Jack” Johnston surprised everyone in 1960 by talking up grand plans for the multimillion-dollar clubhouse and hundreds of homes. Quail Creek is now 2 square miles bounded by Portland and May avenues, Hefner Road and Kilpatrick Turnpike.
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August
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The Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association starts talking up its “one of the first in the nation” iPhone app for the Parade of Homes.
The Skaggs family — Brian, his wife, Audra, their daughter Merit, then 5, and son, Jhett, then 3 — get ready to talk to reporters at their new home near Slaughterville in February. The home was on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” PHOTO BY STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
Social media erupt. Buzz ensues. Hot-and-dry weather brings insult to the injury of spring floods, burning up lawns and relegating discussions of “curb appeal” to the realm of philosophy. Fresh stats reveal a stale housing market, with sales plunging locally and nationally with tax credits gone but prices remaining firm.
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September
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The Southwest Showcase of Homes, Sept. 11-19, opens about 50 homes to the public, courtesy of the Southwest Home Builders Association and Moore Home Builders Association. Home sales statistics and The Oklahoman’s calculations show that despite the rush to get the tax credit, the local house inventory actually increased from a 5.5-month supply on Jan. 1 to a seven-month supply on Sept. 1 — because of a rush of sellers and builders to put houses on the market to meet the induced demand. The second annual Green Building Summit Sept. 29-30 at Metro Technology Center features Boston engineer Joseph Lstiburek, who declares that LEED certification — for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design — isn’t enough to make a “green” building energy efficient; it takes building performance, too.
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October
› The government starts enforcing
a new federal lead-based paint rule Oct. 1. A delay in implementation has given the handful of companies and schools able to provide new required training time to get up to speed. Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity moves from downtown to its new headquarters at 5005 S Interstate 35 Service Road. The Oct. 9-17 Parade of Homes, organized by the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association, opens
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several neighborhoods and 126 new houses to the public, and gets rave reviews for its iPhone app.
November
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The state Roofing Contractor Registration Act goes into effect Nov. 1, but the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, charged with administering it, says it will be Dec. 7 before it can start taking applications and the first of the year before rules and regulations are in place. The Oklahoman reports that after three years of declines, Oklahoma, Cleveland, Canadian, Logan, Lincoln, Grady and McClain counties ended October on pace to end the year with about as many foreclosure filings as in 2006, at the beginning of the national housing bust. The metropolitan statistical area has 7,015 foreclosure filings through October, compared with 7,082 the first 10 months of 2006, according to Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac.
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December
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Third-quarter statistics show home values in Oklahoma City firm and flat as the plains: Metro-area values ticked up 0.97 percent compared with the second quarter and 1.15 percent year over year, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency — that’s 10.93 percent over the past five years. The stats reflect purchases and refinancing. Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association, three years after selling its early-1960s-era headquarters at 625 NW Grand Blvd. to Chesapeake Energy Corp., and two years after starting to use office space at Gemini Builders at 3101 Tinker Diagonal in Del City, moves into its own new, green, 14,000-square-foot, two-building campus at 420 E Britton Road. The move comes just in the nick of time for the annual officer installation and Christmas gala Dec. 10.
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been, “What do you mean, I’ll find out? I want to know now what is wrong with the well.” Unfortunately, no one was there to advise you accordingly. The seller was apparently aware of the problem and chose to withhold the details. Failure to disclose
environmental contamination is a violation of law in most states. You should consult an attorney to learn what recourse is available to you under law. To write to Barry Stone, go to www.housedetective.com. ACCESS MEDIA GROUP
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Permits Oklahoma City Gardner Construction, 6001 S Air Depot Blvd., office, remodel, $1,750,000. Liberty Homes Inc., 4108 SE 89 Terrace, residence, erect, $1,000,000. The Villas Inc., 2323 NW 59, residence, erect, $1,000,000. Roadstar Holdings I LLC, 12121 Northwest Expressway, shell building, erect, $875,000. MS Consultants Inc., 7004 SW 3, restaurant, erect, $750,000. MS Consultants Inc., 7004 SW 3, restaurant, erect, $750,000. MS Consultants Inc., 7024 SW 3, restaurant, erect, $750,000. MS Consultants Inc., 7024 SW 3, restaurant, erect, $750,000. Savannah Builders LLC, 13308 Carriage Way, residence, erect, $505,000. Todd Ellis, 2305 SE 94, residence, erect, $400,000. Munsell (David) Inc., 11720 NW 111, residence, erect, $350,000. Home First Inc., 5021 SE 152 Court, residence, erect, $345,000. G.L. Cobbs & Co. LLC, 5400 NW 117, residence, erect, $325,000. Chet Walters Homes Inc., 17312 Parkgrove Drive, residence, erect, $240,000. J.W. Mashburn Development Inc., 2721 SW 141, residence, erect, $235,000. Remington Builders Inc., 9309 NW 133 Court, residence, erect, $234,000. Onpoint Construction, 7816 SW 85 Circle, residence, erect, $230,000. No name provided, 1201 NW 178, business, remodel, $212,000. Jason Powers Homes, 12813 NW 5, residence, erect, $210,000. Authentic Custom Homes LLC, 2713 NW 173 Terrace, residence, erect, $201,300. Kirk Brown Homes, 5609 NW 11, residence, erect, $200,000. Authentic Custom Homes LLC, 1601 NW 163, residence, erect, $172,000. League Custom Homes LLC, 604 Shamrock Cir-
cle, residence, erect, $170,000. Cedarland Homes LLC, 4720 SW 122, residence, erect, $149,900. St. Croix LLC, 1220 SW 85 Terrace, residence, erect, $145,000. St. Croix LLC, 8509 St. Michael Court, residence, erect, $145,000. Larry Toombs, 13904 Canterbury Drive, residence, erect, $140,000. Larry Toombs, 13908 Canterbury Drive, residence, erect, $140,000. Sun Properties LLC, 11729 SW 19, residence, erect, $140,000. McHughes Enterprises Inc., 4508 SW 122, residence, erect, $135,000. Ron Walters Homes LLC, 1725 NE 7, residence, erect, $130,000. Vintage Custom Homes LLC, 5105 SE 79, residence, erect, $130,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 18309 Carillo Road, residence, erect, $120,000. Home Creations, 10012 Squire Lane, residence, erect, $104,100. Alan Stuck Custom Homes, 14201 SE 44, residence, erect, $100,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 8409 SW 47 Circle, residence, erect, $100,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 4708 Caleb, residence, erect, $100,000. Home Creations, 19812 Adagio Lane, residence, erect, $91,500. No name provided, 13801 N Pennsylvania Ave., retail sales, remodel, $90,000. Home Creations, 19712 Adagio Lane, residence, erect, $85,600. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 1616 NW 144 Terrace, residence, erect, $80,000. No name provided, 13321 N Meridian Ave., medical clinic-office, remodel, $80,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 1609 NW 144 Terrace, residence, erect, $78,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 1613 NW 143, residence, erect, $68,000. Cornerstone Group LLC, 10612 SW 33 Terrace, residence, erect, $65,000.
REAL ESTATE Shelly Cook, 8301 Cedar Crest Road, barn, erect, $60,000. William Morando, 7114 W Reno Ave., warehouse, remodel, $39,400. Glenening Family Trust, 1213 NW 107, residence, fire restoration, $30,000. Ramey Steel, 11720 Little Lane, storage, erect, $30,000. Tom Williams, 8719 Sowell Road, manufactured home, move-on, $30,000. Jerry D. Wagner, 13133 Linden, residence, erect, $25,000. Belfor USA, 2739 W Eubanks, residence, remodel, $24,000. J&J Building LLC, 2761 SW 46 Place, residence, add-on, $14,400. S&S Fabrications, 3601 W Memorial Road, restaurant, add-on, $11,000. S&S Fabrications, 5301 N Classen Blvd., restaurant, add-on, $11,000. S&S Fabrications, 104 W Interstate 240 Service Road, restaurant, add-on, $11,000. S&S Fabrications, 8445 N Rockwell Ave., restaurant, add-on, $11,000. No name provided, 1015 N Broadway Ave., office, remodel, $10,000. David Debord, 12409 SW 10, storage, move-onmobile home park, $10,000. Westpoint Group, 857 SW 119, retail sales, remodel, $8,000. Western Hills Baptist Church, 412 SW 43, day care center, remodel, $7,000. Kesa Delvalle, 622 SE 30, residence, remodel, $4,000. Derral G. Punneo, 2325 SW 101, residence, addon, $3,850. Richard and Mildred Lemon, 11801 S Choctaw
Road, storm shelter, install, $2,995. Allen Contracting, 2451 NW 164, temporary building, move-on, $2,500. Jose Aranda, 1017 SW 34, accessory, add-on, $1,002. Eulogio Ortega, 208 SW 44, business, supplement, $1,000. Eulogio Ortega, 208 SW 44, business, supplement, $1,000.
Demolitions K&M Dirt Services LLC, 320 SW 5, post office. Ray’s Trucking, 429 SE 52, residence. K&M Dirt Services LLC, 5700 S High Ave., warehouse. Kendall Concrete, 2813 S Youngs Blvd., house. M&M Wrecking Inc., 1212 SW 59, restaurant. Midwest Wrecking, 6709 Danish Drive, apartment. Midwest Wrecking, 1016 NW 67, office. Midwest Wrecking, 136 Dean A McGee Ave., parking garage. Midwest Wrecking, 6709 N Olie Ave., office. Midwest Wrecking, 1712
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2011 NE 11, demolition, porch. Midwest Wrecking, 1712 NE 11, demolition, carport. Midwest Wrecking, 1729 NE 11, demolition, garage.
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REAL ESTATE
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2011
New home sales increase 5.5 percent in November BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — More people purchased new homes in November, though not enough to signal better times are ahead for the battered housing industry. Sales of new homes rose 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 290,000 units, the Commerce Department reported. That’s less than half the rate that economists consider healthy. And the increase follows a dismal October sales pace that nearly matched the lowest level in 47 years. Economists believe it could take three years to get back to a more normal rate of 600,000 sales per year given a continued glut of unsold homes and falling prices. The median price for a home sold in November fell to $213,000, 2.7 percent lower than a year ago. Sluggish sales mean fewer jobs in the construction industry, which normally helps power economic recoveries. On average, each new home built creates the equivalent of three jobs for a year and generates about $90,000 in taxes, according to the National Association of Home Builders. High unemployment, tighter bank lending standards and uncertainty about home prices have kept people from buying
Rick Peskar measures stone before cementing it to a fireplace in a new home in Pepper Pike, Ohio. More people purchased new homes in November, but not enough to signal better times are ahead for the housing industry. AP PHOTO
homes. Government tax credits propped up sales earlier this year, but those credits expired in April. The National Association of Realtors reported that sales in the far larger market for previously owned homes rose to an annual rate of 4.68 million units in November. Still, economists expect 2010 will finish as the worst year since 1997. It could be two years or more, economists say, for enough buyers to return to bring sales of previously occupied homes back to the more healthy level of 6 million in sales annually. One major problem facing the entire housing market is the record number of foreclosed properties. Economists say a
large “shadow inventory” of such homes is waiting to come on the market as banks continue to clear out a huge backlog of properties they are in the process of taking back. The new-home sales report showed a downward revision to activity in October. That month was revised to a rate of 275,000. The all-time low of 274,000 units was hit in August. For November, newhome sales were down the most in the Northeast, a drop of 26.7 percent, followed by a decline of 13.2 percent in the Midwest. However, sales were up 37.3 percent in the West and 5.8 percent in the South.
LISTING OF THE WEEK
The Listing of the Week is at 10224 Fawn Trail Road in Mustang.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Traditional Mustang home has ADA-compliant bed, bath The Listing of the Week is a traditional 1½-level brick house on a 1½ acre lot on a wooded cul-de-sac in Mustang’s Fawn Valley addition. The 3,051-square-foot house at 10224 Fawn Trail Road has four bedrooms, three baths, three living rooms, two dining areas and an attached three-car garage. The formal living room has a ceiling fan. The family room has a fireplace. The kitchen has an eating space, a breakfast bar and pantry. The master bedroom has a fireplace, walk-in closet and bath with tub and shower. One downstairs bedroom and
bath meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The home has solidsurface counters and crown moldings. The home has a concrete safe room, covered patio, a shop with concrete floor and attached shed, an underground sprinkler system and security system. Built in 1999, it is listed for $250,000 with Joe Pryor of Redbud Realty & Associates. For more information, call 590-2135. Nominations for Listing of the Week are welcome. Send information about single-family homes to The Oklahoman, Richard Mize, P.O. Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Nominations may be faxed to 475-3996.
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Residential sales associate joins Paradigm AdvantEdge Nathan Lowe has joined Paradigm AdvantEdge Real Estate, 16301 N May Ave., as a residential real estate sales associate. The Oklahoma City metro-area native attended Tabor College in Hill-
sboro, Kan., and studied secondary education. After college, he went into food sales and was a sales executive for Sara Lee for several years. He earned a real estate license five years ago.
REAL ESTATE
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
HOUSE PLAN
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2011
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Bristol Palin buys Arizona home for $172,000 BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MARICOPA, Ariz. — Bristol Palin has bought a fivebedroom home in Pinal County south of Phoenix. Paperwork shows the recent “Dancing With the Stars” diva and daughter of Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska, is the sole purchaser of the house in the town of Maricopa. She bought it for $172,000 from a North Dakota couple. It’s not clear whether Bristol Palin will be a seasonal visitor or permanent resident at the home, in a
development called Cobblestone Farms. According to real estate websites, the residence is a two-level, brown stucco house with a tile roof, a landscaped front and backyard, and access to a community pool. The Arizona Republic reported the 3,900square-foot home was built in 2006 and was bought for a little under $330,000 at the time. It has 2½ baths and a threecar garage. Bristol Palin, 20, closed on the home in early December, buying it from
Michael and Cynthia Smith, according to paperwork filed with the Pinal County Recorder’s Office. “I’m not sure why she wanted to buy that home, but we are real happy for her,” Michael Smith told The Republic. Bristol Palin came to the forefront during her mother’s 2008 vice presidential run when the Palin family announced that the then-17-year-old was pregnant. After the birth of her son, Bristol Palin spoke out as a teen pregnancy prevention advocate.
Bristol Palin
Simpler times come to mind with Ambridge Looking at the Ambridge reminds the viewer of simpler times. More than anything, it’s probably the full front porch, accented by slender wooden handrails and columns. If a porch swing suits your fancy, this is the place for it. The plan’s symmetrical design and central dormer also add to the Craftsman bungalow effect. But this midsize home is larger than it looks from the front. Indoor living space comes close to 1,800 square feet, not including the larger bonus room over the garage. Family gathering areas fill the main floor, circling around a central stairway. Parlor and dining room are on the right, family room and kitchen on the left. Storage closets, utilities and a small powder room are in the middle, easily accessed from every direction. Dining room and living room flow together, minimally bounded by slender wall sections that could be joined by an arch or exposed beam, if desired. The fireplace provides warmth and color.
An eating bar with overhead cabinets is all that separates the kitchen and family room. Working in the kitchen, you are never isolated. From here you can keep tabs on activities in the family room, front yard, covered patio and front porch. Sliding glass doors brighten the family room and lead to a covered patio. Upstairs, the Ambridge’s owners suite has two good-size walk-in closets and a private bathroom with dual vanities. The front bedroom is smaller but brighter than the second bedroom. Access to the large bonus room is through a hallway just past the bathroom, or via a second staircase entered through the garage. For a review plan, including scaled floor plans, elevations, section and artist’s conception, send $25 to Associated Designs, 1100 Jacobs Drive, Eugene, OR, 97402. Please specify the Ambridge 10-323 and include a return address when ordering. For more information, call (800) 634-0123.
Office Space For Rent Payout dn pmt before 1st pmt starts. Your opportunity to own land, 40 areas, E, NE, SE of OKC 1N A. Milburn o/a 275-1695 terms Call for Maps! See why we sell more acreages than anyone in Okla. E of OKC. o/a 275-1695
Farms, Ranches For Sale, Okla. 308
FSBO: 4008 acres in western Oklahoma in both Beckham & Greer Counties. Approx. 10 mi SW of Sayre, OK. Hay stack Creek and other creeks run through the property. Big trees, good hunting, good cow operation, corrals, ponds. Price Reduced. 806-2487224 or 806-676-6503 or night 806-354-0253 RENT TO OWN OkCity-212 NE 15 3bd 1ba Prague-3bd 1.5ba House on 1.62acres Harrah-Fixer Upper Mobile home on 5acres Prague-Fixer Upper Mobile home on 20 acres Call for maps & locations Easy Approval 405-273-5777 www.property4sale.com 1N to 10A, E. of OKC, pay out dn. before 1st pmt. starts, many are M/H ready over 400 choices, lg trees, some with ponds, TERMS Milburn o/a 275-1695 paulmilburnacreages.com
HUNTING LAND/HOME Crescent area; 560 acres highly improved land,approx 40 min to OKC/Edmond,live water, creek,ponds,ideal hunting,4 bdrm home,2 lrg metal sheds, office, wildlife hatchery,pens wildlife, jkjauctions.com JKJ REAL ESTATE 580-233-9800 By Owner-320 acres, Ellis Co. Tower blinds, feeders, food plots, etc. $1000/acre 405-627-1734
Homes For Sale
309.9
BANK OWNED 2/2/2, 2 liv, brick, ch/a, .33 acre, $49.9K Arlene CB 414-8753
BANK OWNED 2/2/2 shop, brick, 1826sf, .6 acres $104.9kArlene CB 414-8753
PIEDMONT 1 ac MOL corner lot in Eastwind Estates choose bld $42,000. Marian 850-7654 Cleaton & Assoc 373-2494
BANK OWNED 4/2 1550sf 24x32 shop, .68 acres, brk, $34,900Arlene CB 414-8753
OWNER FINANCING 1-28 Acres Many Locations Call for maps 405-273-5777 www.property4sale.com
BANK OWNED like new 3/2/2 built 06, 1456sf, $129.9kArlene CB 414-8753
165 acres with 3600 sq ft brick home, Noble, $3800 /acre must sell 872-5457
Price reduced $10,000 for quick sale 414 Poppy Lane extra nice 3bd 2ba 2car ch/a excellent cond Only $104,900 Fidelity RE 410-4200, 692-1661
4225 N Libby rock hm w/new a/c & heat, gar door opener xtr parking 2bd 1ba nice yd $65,000. Marian 850-7654 Cleaton & Assoc 373-2494
JUST COMPLETED 3/2.5/3 on 1/2 ac MOL huge kit w/granite open flrplan lots of stg. $190,900. Marian 850-7654 Cleaton & Assoc 373-2494 NEW HOME on 1 ac MOL 4/3/3 lrg master, huge utility rm loads of stg approx 2500' $265,000. Marian 850-7654 Cleaton & Assoc 373-2494
3 BDR BRICK HOME W/SHOP on 2.39 +/ACRES - JONES, OK ESTATE AUCTION Friday, Jan. 14th, 10 AM 14270 Teresa Dr. Jones, OK Additional info: LippardAuctions.com 580-237-7174
GREAT Space OFFICE Various NW locations MOVE IN SPECIALS 300-6000sf 946-2516
1, 2 & 3-Room Offices $175 & up ‘ 50th & N Lincoln area 235-8080
DO NOT Call Unless… Foreclosure/Behind Paymt Overleveraged/Repairs Call/Web 800-Sell-Now.com
1 & 2 BEDROOMS, QUIET! Covered Parking Great Schools! 732-1122 $200 OFF RENT 1 & 2 bedrooms. Spring Tree Apartments. 405-737-8172.
$99 move in special Lg 1bd quiet, clean, coin lndry on site, pool $365mo 794-5595
$200.00 off
Williamsburg 7301 NW 23rd
405-815-7245
MOVE IN SPECIAL $199
Heard of a SHORT SALE? SELL YOUR HOUSE TODAY! Foreclosure/behind Pymts 340-9879/HouseKings.com
1-2-3 Bed available. 1 Bed deposit $150. 2 & 3 Bed deposit $200. 1st month rent $199. Call Village On The Lake at 721-5744 for rates.
I BUY & SELL HOUSES 27 YRS EXP 650-7667 HOMESOFOKCINC.COM
REPO REPO REPO 3bd. Vinyl Sided/ Shingle/2x6 walls Free del/set, Financing available @$335mo. 405-787-4035 Land/Home For Christmas We have homes on land ready NOW! Call today 405-787-5004 YEAR END CLEARANCE Free 60” HDTV w/ stock purchase 405-470-1330 THCOK.COM DW on Acreage, 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2350 sq ft, 2 car garage ¡ 405-412-6236
Brand New
16x80 3bd 2ba 631-3609 New, used & repos starting at $3000 301-2454 517-5000 10 acres 2400sf 4x2 SE of City 301-2454 517-5000 Repo doublewides. $20K dn. Owner carry 517-5000
Commercial RE Established Business For Sale
¡ Individual's 1 room ¡ ¡ Efficiency, furnished ¡ $92/wk No pets 672-0877
Investment Property For Sale
CANTERBURY GARDEN MOVE IN SPECIAL Big 2 Bedroom w/ample storage, ch&a, sec. 8 ok, $495. Broker 677-9116 www.hoppishomes.com $149 FIRST MONTH 17 Floorplans, U Pick Kids and Dog Friendly Mention this ad 416-5259 WILSHIRE VILLAGE
Est. Consignment Store in Norman $29,900 Serious inq. only 405-815-7332
ROSEWOOD MANOR
$1 FIRST MONTH Your choice of 1 Beds ALL BILLS PAID 2 Beds also 293-3693 DREXEL ON THE PARK
405-348-4065
2, 3 & 4 bedrooms Starting at $599/month OFHA & OCHA accepted.
AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING 55 & OLDER 1Bed Apts Call Today!
Bank owned 18 units $350K, 4 plex near OCU $169K - 6 units hrdwd flr $225K, Income Property $200K 12% CAP, $1 MM earns $10,000 per month, Seabrooke Rlty 409-7779
LARGE EFFICIENCY APT All Bills Paid. Near UCO RAJ 202-0176
Business Property For Rent
MOVE IN NOW! Pd. water/garbage Quiet. Try Plaza East•341-4813
Moore: 2216 N Pole Rd. 3000sf office space w/ 1250sf bay ‘‘ 794-6914
1BED ALL BILLS PAID $500MO 405-397-9075 Best Realty
Duplexes, 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car, some new, some gated, call Rick, 405-830-3789.
Houses for rent
Quiet Casady!
787-1620 WHY RENT WHEN YOU CAN OWN? Easy financing. No credit needed. Yukon Schools
» MOVE IN SPECIAL » LARGE 1, 2 & 3 BEDS Rockwell Arms, 787-1423 2 BD$525
First Month’s Rent LARGE TOWNHOMES & APARTMENTS • Washer, Dryers, pools • PC Schools, fireplaces
I BUY HOUSES Any condition. No cost to U 495-5100
800 N. Meridian: 1bd, all bills paid & weekly rates available. 946-9506
405-478-3260
Putnam Heights Plaza 1 bed, ch/a, Dishwasher 1830 NW 39th 524-5907 MAYFAIR 1 & 2 bds, shops secure nghbrhd livg. wash dryr hrdwd flrs 947-5665 ’ $300 Deposit & 1st Month FREE - 1 & 2bds Sunrise Cove 943-0907
751-8088
•ABC• Affordable, Bug free, Clean » 787-7212»
$99 SPECIAL Lg 1bdr, stove, refrig., clean, walk to shops. $325 mo. 632-9849 $99 Move In Special!!! Lg 1 and 2 Bdr, $325 to $395 mo. 632-9849 Clean 1 bed Furnished Apt. You pay electric. 2328 SW 28th, 685-8278
Yukon
438
»»»»»»»»»»»»» » Yukon All Bills Paid » » 1 bd From $495 Move» » 2 bd From $595 In» » 3 bd From $695 Today» » Open7days/wk354-5855 » »»»»»»»»»»»»
Condominiums, Townhouses For Rent 441 ON GREENBELT! beautiful view. Lrg LR & DR w/office. Eat in kitchen. Lrg 2beds upstairs & large back deck $900 mo. 691-3155 »» 872-9864 1 bed, 1 bath Nantucket Cottage, no pets/smoking, $695, 405-850-7777 Quiet NW Townhome, 1 bed + study, 1K bath $500 mo ‘ 748-3868
OLDETOWNE 2 bed, 2 bath, 2 miles to Tinker, 769-7177.
Model Open 10-4 New Luxury Duplex 13516 Brandon Place 3/2/2, fp, Deer Creek Schls, near Mercy842-7300
1321 Beachwood Drive 3/1.5/2 $675 681-7272
1755 Tim Holt Dr Sharp 2bd home, carport on K acre, only $575 Fidelity410-4200, 692-1661
933CrabtreeCove3/1/1 $595 9100 Jennifer Pl 3/1/1$475 3605WoodsideDr3/1/1 $475 681-7272 3 bed, 2 bath 1 car, ch&a, W/D hkups, Mid-Del Schls, Sec 8 Ok 417-3333 Nice 3/1/1 new paint & carpet. $595 mo $500dep. 630-0649
13125 Moccassin 3bd 2ba 2car Eastlake Estates, fireplace, ch/a, large yard, Westmoore Schls $995 mo. Fidelity RE 410-4200, 692-1661 Rent, Rent to Own605-5477 2bd from $395-595 3bd from $450-895 4bd from $595-995 housesforrentofokc.com
9701 Devore 3/2/2 $925 3213 Orlando 3/1.5/2 $975 2612 NW 57 4/1.5 $795 8344 NW 113 Tr 3/2/2 $975 8300 NW 10 3/1.5/2 $700 Express Realty 844-6101 www.expressrealtyok.com 1811 N. Gatewood large 2bd duplex with formal dining, ch/a, fridge, stove, washer & dryer hookup, garage. Water & garbage paid. Only $550. Fidelity RE 410-4200, 692-1661 Rent, Rent to Own605-5477 2bd from $395-595 3bd from $450-895 4bd from $595-995 housesforrentofokc.com 3529 NW 21st Sharp 3bd home, ch/a, excellent condition. Only $650. Fidelity RE 410-4200, 692-1661 332 NW 81st 4bd 1.5ba 1car brick ch/a $750 mo, Sec 8 ok Fidelity RE 410-4200, 692-1661 Elegant 3BR Executive Home. Marble, granite. Rare, never rented, 2300sf $1645 255-4300 1313 NW 104th Terrace 3/1/2 $650 mo, $500 dep TMS Prop 348-0720 1033 Hoyt 3/1/1 3232 NW 28th 2/1 681-7272
$575 $475
3750 N Geraldine 2 bed, 1 bath, stove, no sec. 8 $475mo » 755-1316
4 br, 1.5 ba, ch&a, carpet stockade, 1705 City Ave $800+$800dep 691-4528
2 bd/2ba lg liv/din ch&a $825, $600 dep. 1517 N. Bradley 501-2426
13100 Springcreek 3/2/3 1800sf, fp $1300+dep Home&RanchRlty 794-7777
3817 NW 52nd, 3 bd, 1ba 1 car, newly remodeled, $750/$500 dep, 831-8577
535 Hillcrest Lane, 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car, ch&a, Mustang Schools, $1050 month, $900 deposit, 405-262-0179.
1236 NE 48th 3bed 1bath 2 living 2car $725 681-7272
2414 SE 45th 3bd 2ba 2car, brick, ch/a, Sec 8 ok, corner lot $695 mo Fidelity 410-4200 692-1661 2525 SE 45th 3bd 1ba gar converted to liv $550 681-7272 4 bed, 2bath 1car ch&a, section 8 ok $750deposit 387-2199 or 370-1060
1616 SW 68th 3/1/1$695 600 SW 49th 2/1/1 $575 1217 SW 50 2/1/1 $550 1100 SW 38 2/1/1 $475 3009 SW 20th 2/1 $450 936 SW 35th 2/1 $395 2401 SW 43rd #7 1bd apt, total elect, water paid $325 681-7272 605K SW 34th 1bd home, ch/a, fridge, stove, washer/dryer hkp, water & garbage paid $375 mo. Fidelity RE 410-4200, 692-1661 New Rivendell Exec Home 408-4168 Luxury indoor pool & spa Fully equip'd media & wrkout rooms $5100/mo Openhouseok.com Rent, Rent to Own605-5477 2bd from $395-595 3bd from $450-895 4bd from $595-995 housesforrentofokc.com Nice 3 bd, 1 ba, 1 car, lrg fncd yd w/ deck No pets No Sec 8. $675 +$675dep 222-7101 2534 SW 57 St Rent To Own/Lease: 2/2 Townhome, W/D hkup, A/C, $500/mo 919-6827 2bd, fenced yard, 1 car gar. $550mo, $300dep. 2608 SW 27th 631-5695
Elegant 3BR Exec Home Park-like yard on creek, cul-de-sac, never rented, 1900sf, $1375 255-4300 343 SE 49th spacious 2bd home, ch/a, large corner lot, completely fenced $550 mo Fidelity RE 410-4200, 692-1661 Rent, Rent to Own605-5477 2bd from $395-595 3bd from $450-895 4bd from $595-995 housesforrentofokc.com
Russell's Mobile Home Park 405-677-5219 2or3bd Special 1st mo K price + dep. Or 6 mo lease, get 7th mo Free $ FREE RENT 1ST MO $ 2BR $350+, 3BR $450+, MWC NO PETS 427-0627
6F
REAL ESTATE
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2011
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Elizabeth Edwards’ store shows design passion CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Elizabeth Edwards’ legacy includes her passion for design. Last month, I was visiting my daughter in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina when on Dec. 7 Elizabeth Edwards died. The love and support she was shown by the folks of North Carolina upon her passing, for her good deeds, many charitable contributions, her work as an attorney and her public battle with breast cancer, were heartwarming. Many said they admired her because she refused to be the victim of breast cancer and infidelity after her husband, former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, admitted to having an affair that
Left: The late Elizabeth Edwards started the Red Window, a furniture shop in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Mi-Ling Stone Poole
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MI-LING STONE POOLE
ASK MI-LING resulted in a child. As a resident of Chapel Hill and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Elizabeth Edwards gave back to the community and was touted as the force behind her husband’s political career. What I didn’t know about her was that she had a passion for design, and in 2009 she opened a furniture store called the Red Window in Chapel Hill as a tribute to her late mother’s
shop, the Red Door, a thrift store she started in 1950 while on the Marine base where they lived in Japan. Edwards’ shop, at 400 W Rosemary St., focuses
on high-end furniture found at a deal and passed down to the customer. The store carries Highland House, Capel, British Traditions and Chelsea
House, among others. Before leaving North Carolina, I headed over to the 700-square-foot shop to buy something for my home, but it was open by appointment only. The windows were full of comfortable sofas and interesting tables, chairs and other accessories. Red drapes framed one window. A note was posted stating new hours of operation. Just a few days before my visit, reporters had been camped out at the Red Window. Edwards made sure her home was
fully decorated for the holidays even though she was nearing the end of her life. Although she will be missed, she left behind a legacy to her and her mother at the Red Window. And during the next few months her shop will continue to bring comfort to the community of Chapel Hill and a reminder of her passion for living to her family and friends. For more information about Red Window, go to www.redwindow.net. Now go out and create your own unique comfort zone! Mi-Ling Stone Poole is the author of “Ask Mi-Ling! When You Want the Truth About Decorating.” You can listen to her radio show, “Mi-Ling’s Comfort Zone,” from noon to 1 p.m. Sundays on KTOK-AM 1000. If you have a decorating dilemma, e-mail Mi-Ling at www.Mi-Ling.com.
New federal tax law mixed bag for homeowners WASHINGTON — The $858 bil- popular tax credits for energylion federal tax bill signed into efficient remodeling from the law by President Barack Obama current 30 percent of an imon Dec. 17 was a mixed provement’s bag for American cost ($1,500 homeowners, with maximum elements of both the Kenneth per taxpayer) Grinch and Santa to just a 10 Harney squeezed into the percent same bulging package. credit with a The goodies for se$500 maxilect groups were well- THE NATION’S HOUSING mum for expublicized — unempenditures ployment benefits extension, on insulation materials, exterior payroll tax cuts, continuation of windows and storm doors, skythe Bush income tax rates and fa- lights and metal and asphalt vorable estate tax treatment for roofs that resist heat gain. The bill also clamped new dolwealthy people, among others. The bill even pushed back the lar-specific limits on key imexpiration date for the tax de- provements that previously had ductibility of mortgage insur- been eligible for 30-percent ance premiums for another year. credits. These include a $150 tax But other provisions in the bill credit limit on the costs of enercould be bad news for home- gy-efficient natural gas, propane owners interested in remodeling and oil furnaces, and water boilprojects to conserve energy next ers, plus a $300 credit limit on the year. The legislation slashed the costs of central air-conditioning
systems, electric heat pump water heaters, biomass stoves for heating or water heating, electric heat pumps, and natural gas and propane water heaters. The legislation also limits allowable tax credits available for energy-efficient windows installed during 2011 to a total of $200 — down from the previous $1,500. On top of this, it prohibits taxpayers who have taken total tax credits in past years exceeding $500 from claiming any additional credits on energyconservation projects they undertake in the coming year. The net effect of all this, according to homebuilding and remodeling experts, will be to severely diminish consumers’ interest in energy-efficient home improvements. Donna Shirey, chairman of the Remodelers Council of the National Association of Home Builders and president of a contracting firm in
the Seattle area, said the gutting of energy-efficiency credits “is a big step backward. It’s bad for the environment, bad for consumers, and of course bad for jobs in our industry.” David Merrick, president of Merrick Design and Build in Kensington, Md., and government affairs chairman of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, said the expired $1,500 credit was “opening people’s eyes to energy-conserving features they could incorporate” into home improvement projects that they might have previously ignored. The credit, he said, has provided incentives for homeowners to ask about the long-term savings they could achieve by upgrading insulation, installing new high-efficiency windows and the like. Now, with a $500 credit maximum, Merrick said, “I doubt
that many people will see things that way. They’ll just go back to remodeling their bathroom or kitchen” and be less willing to spend extra money on energysaving improvements as part of the project. The Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based coalition of business, government, environmental and consumer groups that lobbied unsuccessfully for retention of the credits as they were, said the forthcoming cutbacks in the homeowner credit program will be a loss felt far beyond the remodeling industry. The outlook for restoration of the credits in the new Congress? Call it lights out. There’s virtually no chance of another big tax bill supporting energy-efficiency improvements moving ahead on Capitol Hill in the near future. Ken Harney’s e-mail address is kenharney@earthlink.net. WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP