LISTING OF THE WEEK
HOUSE PLAN
Restyled home
Cedarbrook
The Listing of the Week is a remodeled and restyled brick-and-frame home in the Casady Heights neighborhood near N Pennsylvania Avenue and W Britton Road.
The elegant simplicity of Craftsman-style homes tends to evoke a gentle nostalgia, and the Cedarbook is as evocative as they come.
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REAL ESTATE
Kenneth Harney
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THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012
Keys to curb appeal include inviting entryway, living color BY DYRINDA TYSON For The Oklahoman dyrinda@gmail.com
Bob and Nancy Baxendale drove by the house in Oklahoma City’s Crown Heights neighborhood, trying to look past the stark exterior and oddly out-of-place decorative wooden balls studding the eaves. “We drove by the house four or five times before we decided to come in, the curb appeal was so bad,” Nancy Baxendale said. “And when we did come in, the house had everything we wanted. It was just a matter of us coming inside and discovering that.” More rides on curb appeal than a pretty yard, especially when a home is about to go on the market. The key to curb appeal is the entryway, said HGTV host Sasha Andreev, who was in Oklahoma City last weekend for the OKC Home Show. “Improving (curb appeal) is all about creating focus on the entryway and making the welcoming nature of your home known. And that’s by bringing focus to the front doors.” It’s also important to tackle the “honey-do” items. Is the paint peeling? Are the window screens ripped? Tackle them right away, said Heather Davis, a Realtor with ChurchillBrown & Associates Realtors in Oklahoma City. “It’s one of the most important things you can do to a house.”
Clean it up “Even before you’re able to plant, a simple yard cleanup — as well as sort of taking a look at your house and seeing if the door can even be seen — is always a good start,” Andreev said. That’s also a good time to walk the property and
THE NATION’S HOUSING
New lendiing tool tried Bank of America is experimenting with a mortgage-to-lease plan. Borrowers are expected to deed back their homes to the bank and in exchange get multiyear lease terms at or slightly below the going market rent, and a chance to buy back the home. Page 3F
IN BRIEF
FLEXIBLE TRASH CAN LID
Cheyenne Tubby unloads hibiscus plants at TLC Nursery, 105 W Memorial. Color should be part of any effort to improve curb appeal of a house to be put on the market. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
see what needs to be done, Davis said. “Make sure nothing looks like it’s had deferred maintenance,” she said. “That really sends a message to buyers that you’re not taking care of the house.”
Last Lid is a flexible replacement lid for a trash can. The lid is an elasticized bonnet made of polyethylene fabric that fits cans in a variety of shapes and sizes. Cinching fasteners let you fit the lid snugly on the trash can, and a plastic zip tie keeps it attached to the handle so it won’t blow away. The Last Lid fits cans up to 32 gallons. It can be ordered at www.lastlid.com or (800) 210-8128. Two lids sell for $10.99 plus $5.99 shipping and handling.
Dig in For a quick fix, put a fresh layer of mulch in the front flower beds and move potted plants to strategic locations, Davis said. That’s the first piece of advice she gives sellers. “If you’re going to put your house on the market, SEE APPEAL , PAGE 2F
EMBRACING RANCH HOUSES
Impatiens are versatile. They grow in the sun or shade and offer lots of color through spring and summer until the first freeze. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
More twentysomethings to live alone Despite the recent economic downturn, which has caused more young adults to move back home until they can find solid jobs, the long-term trend is for more people in their 20s to live alone. That’s the finding of Eric Klinenberg, author of “Going Solo: The Extraordinary Rise and Surprising Appeal of Living Alone.” In an interview, the New York University sociologist drew on U.S. Census data to support his conclusions. “The fantasy of the collective housing situation has peaked. People living this way become disillusioned because there’s always one roommate who doesn’t pay the rent, who’s messy or who just sits on the sofa all the time,” Klinenberg said. Margaret Carbonell Smith, a certified financial planner who heads her own firm, said interest among young adults in homebuying has begun to revive recently due to a combination of factors that can make buying more appealing than renting in many areas. “It can be a really good time to buy a first home because prices are
Ellen James Martin SMART MOVES low and mortgage rates are also low,” said Smith, who’s affiliated with the Garrett Planning Network (www.garrettplanning network.com). Are you a young single planning to buy a home? If so, these few pointers could prove useful: I Set conservative borrowing limits. Among homeowners now facing foreclosure are many who used an adjustable-rate mortgage to finance their purchase. At the introductory “teaser rate,” they were comfortable handling the payments on their mortgage. But once their ARM adjusted upward, they were in trouble. Merrill Ottwein, a veteran real
estate broker who works with many young homebuyers, said past problems with ARMs often were the fault of lenders who failed to fully explain all the terms of the home loan. But in other cases, borrowers were to blame for overextending themselves. Either way, he said many homeowners might have avoided foreclosure had they simply taken a fixed-rate mortgage. Smith, the financial planner, cautioned all buyers, including young singles, against taking any mortgage (even a fixed-rate one) that feels uncomfortably large. “Before you talk to any lender, sit down and take a serious look at your cash flow. When you calculate your expenses, make sure you include all your upkeep costs for the house — including yardwork and painting,” she said. Also, don’t assume the costs of homeownership will remain a constant within your budget. “As a rule of thumb, I tell clients to expect a 3-percent annual increase in all their expenses except health care, which is rising about 8 percent a year,” Smith said. I Search for a property a
roommate might share. “Sharing the house you own with a roommate can be a very smart financial situation. This can help relieve a lot of pressure from your mortgage payments,” Ottwein said. Single homebuyers who want to keep open the option of having a roommate should make sure they choose a property with an extra bedroom and at least two bathrooms. I Screen properties for energy efficiency. To estimate the energy costs of any property you’re considering, Smith recommended you ask the current owners for copies of their utility bills — ideally going back two years or more. Be sure to factor in annual cost increases. Also, he recommended you ask your home inspector to assess the energy efficiency of any property you might buy. Have the inspector check for energy-efficient windows, as well as insulation throughout the home. To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com. UNIVERSAL UCLICK
Some people spurn older ranch houses. Others embrace their “Mad Men”esque allure. “Atomic Ranch: Midcentury Interiors” is for the latter. The book, by the creators of Atomic Ranch magazine, takes readers inside eight midcentury homes to showcase their interiors. Some were preserved or restored to their ’50s and ’60s appearance, while others were given more contemporary updates that still honor the homes’ original style. The book contains plenty of resources and guidance, so if you like something you see, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to replicate it in your own home. “Atomic Ranch: Midcentury Interiors” is written by Michelle Gringeri-Brown, with photos by Jim Brown. It’s published by Gibbs Smith and sells for $40 in hardcover. STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
INDEX Stone Permits
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REAL ESTATE
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
LEFT: Brian Pirtle works with bedding plants at TLC Nursery. PHOTOS BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Appeal: Liven up color schemes FROM PAGE 1F
you want it to have that color,” she said. “And more than that, you want it to look good in the exterior picture.” Just what goes in those pots depends on individual tastes. Popular annuals such as impatiens bloom in sun or shade throughout the spring and summer “through the first frost,” said Brian Pirtle, a horticulturist with TLC Florist and Greenhouses Inc., 105 W Memorial. Likewise, geraniums are popular, as well as the durable, colorful verbena. All work well both in containers or in the ground, Pirtle said. Last summer’s heat, though, has altered things, he said. “It’s changed a lot of people’s minds on what to plant,” he said. “You know, some things are more hardy and durable than others.” Hardy plants that are not “bangin-your-face pretty” are attracting a lot of interest, he said. Other hardy sun lovers include herbs such as lavender, which has scented blooms and leaves that can tickle the palate as well as the nose. Lavender requires good drainage, Pirtle said, but is not fussy otherwise. “They like it hot and dry. They don’t mind the heat,” he said.
Consider colors The Baxendales put the Crown Heights home on the market after less than a year, which made their exterior makeover all the more important. One of the first things they did after they moved in was remove the decorative balls from the eaves and replace them with can lights. Then they took a long hard look at the house itself. The first story featured reddishbrownish brick while the second story was shingled, and all the woodwork was white. “It was really in your face,” Nancy Baxendale said. After some study, they went with a sage green for the trim, helping soft-
Geraniums are among the most popular of annuals, offering blooms in a wide range of colors.
en the effect. They also hired a professional lawn company to trim up the yard. And they made the front entry more welcoming by hanging a planter and painting the front door a different color, she said, an orangish-brown to match the brick. “One of the most basic things people can do is literally changing the color of their front entryway and adding better lighting,” Andreev said. “It’s one of those things a lot of homes, especially if they’re dated, don’t have. Everything tends to be neutral with very small lighting fixtures, so everything gets blended in.” A homeowner doesn’t necessarily have to launch a full-scale paint job to liven up a color scheme, Andreev said. “Even if you have a neutral color, and you don’t have the money necessarily to repaint your whole house, changing the color of the trim and introducing a third color or an accent color into the scheme can really make it pop,” he said. A neutral-colored house with cream trim, for example, could take on a new life with a rich cherry red trim, he said. The red could then be
reflected in the window boxes or, even the window panes, if they can be painted. “And, of course, as it gets warmer, you can bring that accent color into the rest of the yard with various plants,” Andreev said. The extra effort paid off for the Baxendales — the Crown Heights home sold in just 11 days.
Do it right It doesn’t matter if homeowners hire help or do the work on their own, all that matters is the result. “If you’re going to do it, you really need to make sure it looks like it was done right,” Davis said. This means hiring painters, if necessary, or lawn professionals, whatever it takes to get the job done. Homeowners shouldn’t be afraid to seek out help, Davis said. “There are so many people in town who can fix anything, and you’d be surprised,” she said. “If they’re not handy themselves, it’s worth it to have some of these people come out of do these little things that are on your ‘honey-do’ list that you just never got done.”
Verbena are hardy and easy to grow. They make beautiful container plants because they trail over the sides, but they also make great ground cover. Lavender stands up to heat well and is easy to grow. Its scented blooms and leaves can be used in sachets or in cooking. PHOTOS BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Coleus thrives both in shade and sun, in pots or in the ground.
Phlox thrives in heat and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
REAL ESTATE
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012
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Renting tried in lieu of foreclosure Janie Cotton
Shawna Rhines
Title group hires two EDMOND — First American Title has added Janie Cotton and Shawna Rhines to its office at 1389 E 15th St. in Edmond. They have more than 40 years combined experience in escrow. Their background covers everything from residential, lender, builder and commercial.
WASHINGTON — If you’re seriously underwater and headed to foreclosure, what would you say if the lender suddenly offered you the chance to remain in your home as a tenant for an extended period plus have your mortgage debt wiped away? Would you say yes? Or would you instead conclude: Hey, why pay rent? It’s going to take the bank more than a year to complete the foreclosure and evict us, so why not just stay put and save some money? One of the country’s largest banks is about to find out which choice significant numbers of distressed owners make in response to a new foreclosure-avoidance plan it calls “mortgage-to-lease.” Bank of America is sending proposals later this month to upward of 1,000 customers in Arizona, New York and Nevada. If the reaction is positive, the program is likely to be expanded to other states, and could become a model for the biggest players in the mortgage market — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Here’s how it works:
The homeowners in the initial pilot tests all have been previously offered a variety of possible alternatives to foreclosure — loan modifications, forbearance on payments, short sales and “deeds-in-lieu,” where the borrower hands the property title back to the bank and moves out. But they either have not been able to qualify or have not responded to the bank’s proposals. They’re now essentially at the end of the line — there are no other standard lender remedies available to keep them out of foreclosure. In fact, most lenders are now speeding up the pace of foreclosures to get heavy loads of defaulted mortgages off their books. In the mortgage-tolease plan, borrowers are expected to deed back their homes to the bank and in exchange get multiyear lease terms at or slightly below the going market rent for their unit — provided they have monthly income to make the payments. There is no built-in guarantee that at the end of three years, they will have a shot at repurchasing their home.
Homebuilder offers refuge from loud, snoring spouse BY MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE INFORMATION SERVICES
LOS ANGELES — Baby boomers’ snoring has breathed life into the sales of mouth pieces, clips, strips, nose sprays and specialized mattresses. Now homebuilders have heard the roar. A so-called snore room is the latest offering from Del Webb, which builds communities for people 55 and older. Buyers whose marriages are plagued by a spouse who snorts, grunts and wheezes while he or she sleeps can opt for an adaptable bedroom plan marketed as the “owners retreat” at Sun City Shadow Hills in Indio, Calif. Designed for couples who start out in the same bed but end up apart because of ear-piercing snoring, insomnia or latenight TV viewing habits, this secondary bedroom is connected to the bathroom of the master bedroom. “A nice enclave that shares the master bathroom provides a civilized alternative to the family room sofa,” said Jacque Petroulakis, corporate communications spokeswoman for PulteGroup Inc., the parent company
of Del Webb. Many people “don’t like the idea of having totally separate rooms, but before this, didn’t have any other choice.” About a quarter of couples in the 55-and-older age group sleep apart to get a good night’s rest, according to PulteGroup, which got the data from a third party but also con-
ducted focus groups and interviews as it developed the bedroom plan. Among other new lifeeasing features the builder is offering are passthroughs from the closet to the laundry room. A door large enough to push a hamper through connects the two spaces.
Kenneth Harney THE NATION’S HOUSING
Bank of America representatives readily acknowledge that they are unsure how many homeowners will take them up on their offer. “This is an experiment — we just don’t know,” said Dave Steckel, the bank’s home retention strategy executive. It’s entirely possible, he concedes, that some owners will simply choose to proceed to foreclosure. The plan has clear benefits for Bank of America. Since foreclosures generally trigger deeper losses to lenders than deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure, the bank gets back troubled properties at lower costs. Since it intends to sell those houses to investment groups as rentals with existing, income-qualified tenants, the bank expects to obtain overall higher re-
turns than it would by selling them as vacant postforeclosure units. Though Bank of America has not discussed details of the plan with foreclosure-prevention and homeownership advocates, leaders of some groups had generally positive reactions to the core concept. “I’m glad to see the (lending) industry moving in this direction and away from their usual foreclosure, you’re gone, goodbye,” said Colleen Hernandez, president and chief executive of the nonprofit Homeownership Preservation Foundation, which runs a hotline and counseling service that assisted 200,000 consumers last year. Not only might a mortgage-to-lease approach keep families in their homes, she said, but it should help local neighborhoods by cutting down on the number of vacant, deteriorating properties that create blight and depress real estate values. Hernandez’s main concerns with mortgage-tolease concepts — she emphasized that she has not seen Bank of America’s
detailed version — is that they need to “offer an agreed-upon path back to homeownership” at the end of the lease period, and should provide counseling for borrowers in advance. Bank of America officials say their plan does not rule out repurchases but leaves it to the discretion of the investor. David Berenbaum, chief program officer for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a nonprofit umbrella group, called mortgage-to-lease “a very compelling idea,” but only if the lender “has exhausted every other option” to keep people in their houses. Where is this all headed and how fast? If Bank of America’s pilot projects go well, and consumers are enthusiastic, both of which are uncertain at this stage, look for mortgageto-lease to spread to other large lenders fast, and potentially become a new tool in the national foreclosure-avoidance effort. Ken Harney’s email address is kenharney@earthlink.net. WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP
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REAL ESTATE
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Bank of America starts foreclosure rental program BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mary Thorpe-Mease, left, and Margaret Thorpe Richards, stand in the front sun room where Patty Worthing, Mary’s mother, died after holding court with family and friends during her last days. Mary Thorpe-Mease grew up in the Minneapolis house, as did her mother, but it is now for sale. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES PHOTO
Selling family home brings end to an era BY BILL WARD
World War II, we had 13 people living in the house, and only one bathroom,” MINNEAPOLIS — Chris said Thorpe-Mease, 72. Smith grimaced as he sur- “One of my cousins called veyed the faded floral car- and said, ‘I can’t believe pet in his parents’ upstairs people are going to look at hall, then sidled past the our house,’ and it was nevsmall cross and family er her house, but she lived photos and into a corner there for a while. bedroom. He waved both “We had wedding rearms, semaphore-style, ceptions and celebrations toward the back window. after funerals and bap“Right across the roof tisms, just a lot of really and down over the porch, wonderful history. Last an easy exit,” he said, re- year we took a photo of calling frequent, furtive (nearly 50) members of the late-night forays from his extended family sitting on high school years. “And the front porch, our iconic out there was where my front steps. None of us can dad built a sweet tree fort. really believe we’re not goThat’s where I broke my ing to have those steps.” arm when I was 5 years Last year, 15 percent of old.” U.S. home sales involved Smith, who at 45 looks dwellings that had been in fit enough to bound across the same hands for more that roof again, is in a par- than 20 years, according to ticularly nostalgic mood the National Association these days. Like many of Realtors. A century ago, folks whose elderly parents several generations might no longer can take care of all be living in the same themselves, he’s faced house, so these transwith selling the house he actions were rarer. grew up in. Nowadays, the people “That house is the only who grew up in these context I really know my homes have the option of parents in,” he said of the “keeping it in the family” Edina, Minn., home his by purchasing the home folks built. “It’s tough to for themselves. But there think of somebody else can be geographical, emoliving there, and you can’t tional or even logistical go to the yard anymore.” barriers. Smith’s task is bitterBarb Fellman, of Bemidsweet because he’s trying ji, Minn., didn’t have that to sell a house that’s been option when her childin his family since he was hood home in Brooten, born, a house permeated Minn., went on the market with memories. He’s not last year. Other family alone. members made the deciThe quarter-century af- sion. “I was disappointed ter World War II saw an that I wasn’t consulted, unprecedented housing but it wouldn’t have boom. Many young cou- changed anything,” she ples who bought homes in said. “It was the right the 1940s and ’50s raised decision.” their families there, and Now that Fellman has didn’t move out until they no relatives in Brooten, she died or moved into said she felt “very sad to assisted-living facilities. not have a reason to go Mary Thorpe-Mease’s back to that town again.” 95-year-old mother died But she said she began takin September. Her south ing leave of the house years Minneapolis home had earlier, when her parents been a gathering place for still owned it. friends and extended fam“My old bedroom, you ily members for 68 years. personalize that when “At one point during you’re a teenager,” Fellman Star Tribune
said. “So it was harder for me when they changed that room into a guest room than when they physically moved out.” Fellman’s situation — having several family members involved in making a decision — is not uncommon. Margaret Thorpe Richards, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Burnet, has seen a pattern in handling several such scenarios. “There are typically one or two family members who are more tied to the house, whether it’s the oldest sibling or daughter or whoever took care of the ailing parent,” she said. “Everyone has a different timetable of when they come to grips with it. You just have to let it unfold.” In most cases, Richards said, the sellers are not in a “let’s just get this over with” mode. “It’s typically quite the opposite,” she said, “because it’s the last thing they have to hold onto. It’s letting go of a legacy.” MCT INFORMATION SERVICES
WASHINGTON — Bank of America has launched a pilot program that will let some homeowners at risk of foreclosure become renters and stay in their homes. Fewer than 1,000 borrowers in Arizona, Nevada and New York will be enrolled in the test program. Those selected will transfer the title of their homes back to Bank of America and have their mortgage debt forgiven. The homeowners can rent the homes for up to three years at or below their area’s market rental rate. The rental payments will be less than the borrowers’ mortgage payments, the bank said. And they will not have to pay property taxes or homeowner’s insurance.
The program, called “Mortgage to Lease,” uses an old but increasingly popular technique for lenders. It’s called a “deed in lieu of foreclosure.” It occurs when homeowners turn over the deed to their house to their lender because they can’t make the monthly payments. The technique was used during the Great Depression but fell out of favor after the 1930s. The trick will be to find homeowners who are struggling with bloated mortgage payments but who have enough steady income to safely make smaller rental payments. Foreclosures can be pricey and time-consuming for lenders, which have been seeking alternative ways to cut costs. The average foreclosure takes nearly
two years to complete, according to Florida-based Lender Processing Services, and costs nearly $78,000, according to a congressional estimate. Bank of America said it’s targeting homeowners who are at “considerable risk” of foreclosure; have high loan balances relative to their home’s value; have exhausted all loan modification programs; and have been delinquent on their mortgage payments for more than 60 days. Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America, the nation’s second-largest bank, said it will eventually sell the homes to investors. If successful, the program could be expanded to include real-estate investors who buy homes at risk of foreclosure and keep the homeowners as tenants.
A portrait of former President Gerald R. Ford hangs at one end of a primary walkway that runs from the main entrance to the formal dining room to the outdoor patio in the former home of Ford and first lady Betty Ford. The home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., has been sold. AP PHOTO
President Ford’s California home fetches $1.68 million BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — The Southern California desert home of former President Gerald R. Ford has been sold for nearly $1.7 million. Ford and former first lady Betty Ford lived in the Rancho Mirage five-
bedroom home for 30 years. The former president was 93 when he died in 2006 and Mrs. Ford was 93 when she died last July. The single-story home sits on 1.4 acres overlooking the 13th fairway at Thunderbird Country Club. HK Real Estate’s Nelda Linsk said the property
fetched $1.68 million, $24,000 less than the asking price, according to the Desert Sun of Palm Springs. The new owners are Los Angeles celebrity business manager John McIlwee and DreamWorks Animation executive Bill Damaschke.
REAL ESTATE
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012
Programmable thermostat cuts costs What if I told you it would be possible to slip an extra $180 in your pocket this year — and every year after that — and have a more comfortable home at the same time? That should be worth a trip to the home center, right? A savings of $180 a year is what the U.S. Department of Energy estimates the average homeowner can achieve by installing and maintaining the settings on a programmable thermostat. And the great thing is, once the settings are programmed in, you can forget about them, so your house stays more comfortable, day and night, all year long. Programmable thermostats are simple to understand. They control your home’s heating and cooling systems by adjusting them to specific preset temperatures at specific preset times. No more fiddling with temperatures or forgetting to turn the heat down when you go to bed or leave for work. Just set it and forget it.
Four modes Programmable thermostats have four time and temperature modes programmed in, and that’s what makes them so convenient and easy to use: I Wake: This mode is used to select the time you normally get up in the morning, and what temperature you want the house to be at that time. I Day: If you leave for work at a specific time,
normal temperature while you’re gone, and the thermostat will hold that indefinitely, regardless of the four cycles.
Four models
this setting will lower the heat to a specific temperature and hold it there while you’re away. For air conditioning, it will raise the temperature setting and hold it there. I Evening: This setting is for when you return from work in the evening, and the thermostat will bring the temperature in the house back up to a comfortable level (or, in the case of air conditioning, down) before you get home. I Sleep: Set this time for when you normally go to bed. The thermostat will set the temperature down (or up for AC) to whatever level you set and hold it there until the wake cycle kicks in again the following morning. In addition to these four basic modes, there are overrides. You can tell the thermostat to temporarily override the program and raise or lower the heat or the air conditioning until the next cycle starts, for those times when you’re home and you want it a little warmer or cooler. There’s also a “hold temperature” mode for use when you’re on vacation, so you can set a higher- or lower-than-
Sellers should be upfront on drainage issues DEAR BARRY: Our home is listed for sale, and we’re concerned about whether to disclose a former drainage problem. The property is in a 100year flood zone. We used to have flooding in our basement, but this was repaired over a year ago, and no water entered the basement during the last rainy season. Do we have to disclose this, and if so, what is the best way to spin it? Helen DEAR HELEN: Be careful how you approach this. When it comes to disclosure, to spin is to sin. The best thing is to tell it the way it is. Since the house is in a 100-year flood zone, one year without flooding is not conclusive. What matters is the scope and extent of the corrective work, whether it was done by qualified drainage specialists, and whether the work was permitted and signed off. Assuming that the drainage repairs were done with proper expertise and approval by the building department, full disclosure is still a wise and prudent posture for a seller, and here’s why. If any drainage problem occurs in the future, it would be better, in terms of liability, to have disclosed the history to the best of your understanding than to be accused of having withheld information about a preexisting condition. We live in a litigious society. When in doubt, disclose. DEAR BARRY: When we bought our home, the agent said it was 1,510 square feet. Now that we are selling, another agent said it seems smaller. He checked the appraisal from the time of our purchase. It says 1,408 square feet. He called a professional to measure the house again, and this time the result was 1,308 square feet. Why do these measurements keep changing, and how much will this size differ-
Barry Stone INSPECTOR’S IN THE HOUSE
ence affect the resale value of our home? Walter DEAR WALTER: It is possible that someone included the square footage of the garage when you purchased your home. But this is just a guess. The main issue is appraisal value and how this will be affected by the smaller square footage. Actually, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the home will probably have a greater effect on value than the square footage. To determine how the size difference will affect your resale price, a certified real estate appraiser should be consulted. Ask the appraiser for a “ballpark” estimate of the value difference between 1,510 square feet and 1,308 square feet in your neighborhood. DEAR BARRY: We bought our house six months ago, after having a inspection. After the first rains, we had water in our basement. Our home inspector had said nothing about this. Can we hold him liable for this oversight? Sara DEAR SARA: Whether your home inspector should have disclosed potential water intrusion in the basement depends on whether there was evidence of past flooding at the time of the inspection. Conditions that would indicate possible flooding include water stains, dry mud, a high water line or actual damage. You should call your home inspector and ask for a re-inspection of the basement. To write to Barry Stone, go to www. housedetective.com. ACTION COAST PUBLISHING
There are four basic types of programmable thermostats available, depending on the needs of your particular lifestyle: I Seven-day: The seven-day model allows you to program the four modes individually for each day of the week, and often with different settings within each of the modes. These models allow you the most flexibility and are the best choice if you work odd hours, multiple shifts, have children at home at different hours, or otherwise keep a schedule that’s not consistent. As you might imagine, 7-day thermostats are the most
complicated to program initially, and are typically the most expensive of the four types of thermostats. I 5-1-1-day: A 5-1-1 thermostat is for people who keep a pretty consistent schedule during the week but want some flexibility on the weekends. The thermostat can be set up for five days all the same, typically Monday through Friday, and then Saturday and Sunday can each be set up with individual programs. I 5-2-day: These thermostats provide for one set of program settings for the five weekdays, and a second set of program settings for the weekend. I 1-week: These thermostats are the least flexible, so consequently they’re the easiest to program and typically the least expensive to buy.
They have all four modes, but use the same time and temperature settings for all seven days of the week. They’re a great choice if you’re retired, or for anyone who’s home most of the time.
Cost and installation Programmable thermostats are available in lowvoltage and line-voltage models, and range in price from around $35 to more than $300. In addition to the features described above, there are other bells and whistles, including wireless operation, exterior temperature connections, dirtyfilter warnings, low-battery warnings and more. Many of these thermostats are designed for do-it-yourself installation, with clear instructions and only basic tool requirements. Most re-
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Paul Bianchina HANDY @ HOME
quire that you simply remove wires from the existing thermostat and reconnect them to the new thermostat. However, some of the more sophisticated thermostats can have multiple wire connections and complicated settings, and require professional installation. If you have any questions or concerns, discuss them with the dealer where you buy the thermostat or with a licensed HVAC contractor before beginning the installation. Send remodeling and repair questions to Paul Bianchina at paulbianchina@ inman.com. All product reviews are based on the author’s actual testing of free review samples provided by the manufacturers. INMAN NEWS
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THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Symphony Show House coordinators Debbie Minter, left, and Polly Worthington look at an upstairs apartment in back yard of 440 NW 15.
This home at 440 NW 15 is being transformed into Jazz Age Manor as this year’s Symphony Show House. PHOTOS BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
Crews help turn four-story house into Jazz Age Manor BY DYRINDA TYSON For The Oklahoman dyrinda@gmail.com
Hustle and bustle around one Heritage Hills home means only one thing: The Jazz Age shall soon dawn again. Designers and construction crews are working long hours turning the 10,000-square-foot house at 440 NW 15 from stately English-style home into the Jazz Age Manor as the Oklahoma City Orchestra League’s 2012 Symphony Show House. It will be open May 1 for private parties and will open to the public May 520. Proceeds benefit educational programs for the Orchestra League and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic’s music education programs. “Just watching the transformation — that’s just another exciting time,” said Debbie Minter, this year’s symphony house co-chairman. “That’s where a lot of people get really excited and can’t wait to see the finished product.” The four-story house was built in 1925 and features Tudor Revival-style touches, intricate brickwork, a steeply sloped roofline and arched doorways. Arched entryways look out over the enclosed front yard. The home has six bedrooms, six full baths and three half-baths. Three of the four floors plus a garage apartment will be open to the public. Dr. Marvin and Sandra Peyton lived there for 28 years, and they decided to donate use of the space to the Orchestra League last
fall as they were settling into their newer, smaller quarters in Edmond. Minter said Sandra Peyton was keeping an eye on the work. “She’s very supportive of the designers and their creative ideas,” Minter said. “And she’s really giving them creative freedom but still trying to maintain the integrity of the home.” But the hustle and bustle are only part of the story, she said. “There’s so much more going on behind the scenes. It literally takes hundreds of volunteers to put this project together from construction workers that stay there every day in two different shifts to make sure they get everything done, plus we protect the home 24/7 with someone being there.” Designers involved with the Jazz Age Manor are: AAA Landscaping (David Couch), 11811N Western Ave.; Amini’s Galleria (Rosanna Gies), 6627 Northwest Expressway; Bob Mills Furniture (Katt
Daggs), 3600 W Reno Ave.; Caroline Romano Designs (Caroline Romano), 3004 Thornridge Road; Carolyn Sandusky Interiors (Carolyn Sandusky), 3001 Cactus Drive, Edmond; Carte’s Interiors (Crystal Carte), 507 S Coltrane, Suite C, Edmond; Cindy Raby Interiors (Cindy Raby), 12405 Crystal Gardens Drive; Classic Home Interior (Sharon Thompson), 9450 N May Ave. Also, Classic Silks & Accessories Inc. (Gary Thompson), 9450 N May Ave.; Dodson Galleries (Ben Dodson), 6420 N Western; Fancy Like That! (Angel Peck), Edmond; Gold N Design (Nora Johnson), 737 Martina Lane, Edmond; Keven Carl, (Keven Carl), Norman; Meister Designs Inc. (Andrea Meister), 4600 Briar Forest Court, Edmond; Marble Designs Inc. (Denise Kerstine), 400 NE 150; Mathis Brothers (Angela Davidson), 3434 W Reno Ave.; Mister Robert (Steve Calloway), 109 E Main St.,
Norman; Norwalk Furniture (Ryan Johnson), 12100-D N May Ave.; Off The Wall Interiors (Ronette Wallace), 525 Evergreen St., Edmond. Also, Olde World Finishes (Joannie Wooder), 2119 Riverwalk Drive, No. 306, Moore; Paint Inspirations Inc. (Deb Johnson), 5600 NW 103 Place; Rampaige Designs (Paige Lammerts Brown), 1509 Guilford Lane, Nichols Hills; Room to Dream (Debbie Francis and Dian Sill) in Northpark Mall, 12100 N May Ave.; SC Design (SaDawna Coburn), 11900 N Santa Fe Ave.; Susan Tiffin Interiors LLC (Susan Tiffin), 4465 Aaron Way, Cashion; The Enchanted Cottage (Patti Williams), 745 NW 32 Place, Newcastle; Traditions Fine Furniture and Design (J. Mark Taylor), 3337 S Boulevard, Edmond; University of Central Oklahoma Interior Design (Keith Falcon), Edmond; Urban Kitchens (Jo Meacham), 3515 N Classen Blvd.
THE OKLAHOMAN
NEWSOK.COM
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012
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SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012
REAL ESTATE
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
LISTING OF THE WEEK
HOUSE PLAN
Elegant styling evokes nostalgia The elegant simplicity of Craftsman-style homes tends to evoke a gentle nostalgia, and the Cedarbook is as evocative as they come. Iconic Craftsman windows sparkle on all sides, and tapered columns sit on stone veneer bases that highlight the front facade of this updated bungalow. Entering, you step onto an airlock porch with a coat closet. Double doors open into the entry. A powder room is to the left, off a short hallway that leads to the owners’ suite and den/office. Square columns flank the passageway that flows into the naturally bright great room. Another set of columns marks the opening to the dining room and kitchen. Bookcases fill the walls on both sides of a fireplace on the room’s opposite side. Transoms crown the parade of wide windows that line the rear of both the great room and the dining room. One set opens onto the deck. A work island with a prep sink sits at the juncture of the kitchen and dining room, as does a built-in dinette with benches on each side. Both can double as buffet service counters for the dining room. A door to the covered deck is on the right. This deck is open to an uncovered deck that spans the entire rear. Pocket doors in the kitchen conceal a large utility room. Its exterior door opens to a sheltered walkway that links the house to the three-car garage. In the owners’ suite,
The Listing of the Week is at W 1622 Britton Road. The 1,370-square-foot home has three bedrooms, two baths, one living room, one dining room and an attached single-car garage. PHOTO PROVIDED
Remodeled home has travertine countertops
closets fill the walls on both sides of a TV space, and double doors lead out onto the rear deck. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a large loft
with a fireplace are upstairs in the Cedarbrook, along with a spacious bonus room. A review plan of the Cedarbrook 10-561,
including floor plans, elevations, section and artist’s conception, can be purchased for $25 by phone, mail or online. Add $5 for shipping and handling. Associated Designs, 1100 Jacobs Drive, Eugene, OR, 97402. www.associated designs.com. (800) 634-0123.
The Listing of the Week is a remodeled and restyled brick-and-frame home in the Casady Heights neighborhood near N Pennsylvania Avenue and W Britton Road. The 1,370-square-foot home at 1622 W Britton Road has three bedrooms, two baths, one living room, one dining room and an attached single-car garage. The living room has a built-in bookcase, ceiling fan and cast-iron wood-burning fireplace. The kitchen has imported travertine counters, stainless-steel appliances and slate tile floors and back-
splash. Both baths have been updated with tile and fixtures. The home has refinished wood floors. Improvements include heating and air conditioning, siding, roof and gutters. The home, built in 1950, is listed for $125,000 with Lisa Mollman of Century 21 Gold Castle Realty. For more information, call 210-8736 or 840-2106. Nominations for Listing of the Week are welcome. Send information on single-family homes to The Oklahoman, Richard Mize, P.O. Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Nominations may be faxed to 475-3996.
REAL ESTATE
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Permits Oklahoma City Boynton Williams & Associates, 8201 SW 44, school, remodel, $7,500,000. TAParchitecture, 133 NW 122, warehouse, add-on, $1,430,000. Trinity Group Architects, 2315 S Western Ave., bank, erect, $1,100,000. Deck Works Construction LLC, 10916 Abbeywood, residence, erect, $650,000. Kinser Construction, 4343 Beacon Drive, warehouse, addon, $600,000. Smith & Pickel Construction, 3501 NW 63, office, remodel, $400,000. Davenport Homes LLC, 1420 NW 187, residence, erect, $375,000. Justice Homes Inc., 13105 Rustic Ridge Ave., residence, erect, $362,500. Manchester Green Homes LLC, 1500 NW 187, residence, erect, $343,600. Red Rock Homes LLC, 14604 Exmoor Circle, residence, erect, $325,000. Aaron Tatum Custom Homes LLC, 5204 NW 117, residence, erect, $305,000. Eric Cheatham Construction Co., 13216 NW 4, residence, erect, $305,000. Chad Hemphill Construction LLC, 9040 NW 147 Terrace, residence, erect, $300,000. Home Creations, 9333 S Eastern Ave., office-warehouse, remodel, $300,000. Silvergate Construction, 516 W California Ave., office, remodel, $250,000. Shawn Forth Custom Homes, 19200 Garden Creek Lane, residence, erect, $240,000. Samples (Mark) Homes LLC, 16105 Stillmeadows Drive, residence, erect, $225,000. Terry Covey Custom Homes, 9116 NW 83, residence, erect, $225,000. Willa Construction Co. Inc., 7525 SW 104, residence, erect, $215,000. Manchester Elite Homes LLC, 14617 Exmoor Circle, residence, erect, $213,250. 4 Corners Construction LLC, 9900 Stefano Circle, residence, erect, $210,000. Manchester Elite Homes LLC, 8721 NW 157 Place, residence, erect, $208,750. Stacey Witter & Associates, 3300 NW 56, medical clinic-office, remodel, $200,000. The RLA Co. Inc., 8900 NW 71, rehabilitation center, erect, $200,000. Andrew Eason, 9201 Conners Way, residence, erect, $186,000. American Building Contractors
MWC
317
OWNER FINANCING $2000 down No Credit Ck 522 E Douglas Dr. $49K ¡596-4599‘ 410-8840¡
Moore
318
909 SE 15th updated 3bd, 2ba, lrg cov patio $102,500 Marian Cleaton & Assoc 373-2494
Acreage For Sale
Immaculate 4/2/3, blt 2008 granite, SS appls$168,000 Realty Experts 414-8753
302
Real Estate Auction Okarche, OK 27 acres MOL w/ home, barns & arena. See section 342 in today's paper for more info. United Country Hendron & Assoc. 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 OWNER FINANCING 1-10 Acres Many Locations Call for maps 405-273-5777 www.property4sale.com
Close in Noble, 10 wooded acres, well & septic 405-226-2015 PIEDMONT OPEN SUN 2-5 Model home. New hms on 1/2 ac lots. From NW Expwy & Sara Rd go 4.5 miNCleaton&Assoc373-2494 Great location for Horse People! 10 ac, 5.5 mi E of I-35. Roping arena, pond, barns, 3bd/2ba home, Co 405-226-2015/590-4367. Call for Maps! See why we sell more acreages than anyone in Okla. E of OKC. o/a 275-1695 10 acre family friendly horse farm in Norman. Priced right. 250-9486 5A 18mi SW OKC 6mi S Tuttle $28,900 $900dn $264 mo Trees, K pond745-5889
RE for sale Edmond
314
18305 English Oak Lane, 3BR 2.5BA 2car, 1926sf. Complete remodel by interior decorator. $164,500 405-410-8873
Mustang
319
9329 SW 25th St. Westbrooke Estates Like New 4bd/3ba/3car with in-ground pool, Mustang schls Come See!!! Jackson & Assoc. 261-0128
Norman
322
BANK OWNED 3/1.5/2 brk new crpt, roof, tile, paint, appls, counters &cha $84.9k Realty Experts 414-8753
OKC Northwest
324
OPEN HOUSE 2-4 8416 Aspen Hills Dr. 3bed, 2ba, 1455 sq ft $122,500. 405-245-0401 Updated Brick 3/1 carport & extra prkng, roof 2011, ch/a, wood floors $84,000 Realty Experts 414-8753 OPEN 2-4 4108 NW 34th St. 2/2/2 wood fire, fncd, covered patio $102,500 Bateman Co. 324-2022
& Developers LLC, 8516 SW 57, residence, erect, $180,000. Hartley Homes Inc., 5520 SE 57, residence, erect, $180,000. Sun Contracting LLC, 7 SW 175 Terrace, residence, erect, $180,000. D.R. Horton, 4105 NE 119, residence, erect, $173,600. McDermott Construction Co LLC, 9100 Scarlet Blvd., residence, erect, $165,000. McDermott Construction Co LLC, 9112 NW 90 Circle, residence, erect, $160,000. Vintage Custom Homes LLC, 16100 SE 84, residence, erect, $160,000. D.R. Horton, 11933 Whitney Way, residence, erect, $150,250. Oklahoma Hi-Tech Inc., 1320 Pickford Lane, residence, fire restoration, $150,000. SWM & Sons Inc., 3900 Newburg Drive, residence, erect, $148,015. Cutter Homes, 2405 Wayne Cutt Ave., residence, erect, $145,000. Fync Trust, 6601 S Cimarron Road, residence, erect, $140,000. Westpoint Homes, 6101 NW 151 Terrace, residence, erect, $130,000. Dodson Custom Homes LLC, 2240 NW 195, residence, erect, $124,800. David Ledbetter, 9 NW 9, restaurant, add-on, $120,000. D.R. Horton, 2220 NW 193, residence, erect, $113,800. Home Creations, 9904 SW 36, residence, erect, $112,900. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 515 Hutton Road, residence, erect, $111,000. Home Creations, 3200 Morgan Creek Road, residence, erect, $110,000. Harbor Homes, 413 SW 171, residence, erect, $110,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 9613 Lauren Drive, residence, erect, $109,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 9625 Lauren Drive, residence, erect, $109,000. D.R. Horton, 5912 NW 161, residence, erect, $107,100. Home Creations, 16005 Sonador Drive, residence, erect, $105,800. Home Creations, 12508 Edison Drive, residence, erect, $104,300. Elliott Cousins LP, 3 E Main, office, remodel, $101,920. Home Creations, 19624 Vivace Drive, residence, erect, $101,700. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 8505 SW 48, residence, erect, $100,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 8500 SW 48, residence, erect, $100,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 8417 SW 48, residence, erect, $100,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 8412 SW 48, residence, erect,
Suburban, NW
(El Reno, Guthrie, Cashion, Deer Creek,
Etc.)
332
Real Estate Auction Okarche, OK 27 acres MOL w/ home, barns & arena. See section 342 in today's paper for more info. United Country Hendron & Assoc.
Suburban, SW
(Minco, Union City, 334 Etc.) Minco, brick, 3/2/2, sunroom, 40'x40' barn/shop 4N a. $198K. 405-812-4392
Open Houses 334.2 PIEDMONT OPEN SUN 2-5 Model home. New hms on 1/2 ac lots. From NW Expwy & Sara Rd go 4.5 miNCleaton&Assoc373-2494
Industrial Property
336
PUBLIC AUCTION Thurs April 12, 2012 10am 160 Acres SW/4 Sec. 33-9-11 Caddo co Exec. Hunting Property & Stock Farm Lots of Deer Hogs www.tillmansauction.com 405-542-3837 Tillman Auction 15A, deer, turkey, 1 hr E of OKC, financing, owner/agent, 405-275-5673.
Mobile Homes, Manufactured Houses 339
326
Double Your Tax Refund!! Double your money or use your land/family land for ZERO down. New & Repo Homes. $2500 Furniture package w/new purchase. Free phone app. WAC 405-631-7600
2813 SW 60 Completely remodeled 3bd 1.5ba ch/a brick home 2 living areas. Call for details!! $68,000 Fidelity410-4300, 692-1661
Cash 4 Clunkers!! Trade your used home in for a new home with Zero Down! Get up to $25,000 for your used home. WAC 405-631-7600
OKC Southwest
3bd/2ba/2c 1431sf recent updates. 3705 Summerwind Ave. $97K 410-8482
Piedmont
327
2.6 ac horse ready 1103 Meadowlark 4bd 3ba lrg barn/ shop $195,000 COLONY POINTE 3bd 2.5ba approx 2200' $175,000 Marian Cleaton & Assoc 373-2494
312 S. Carney Carney, OK 3bd/2bth Mobile Home on large lot Woodlake Properties 273-5777 SALE By Owner, 99 Fleetwood 16x76 MH, 3 BR, 2 BA, in Granada Village MH Park, OKC. $16,000. 405-823-8606 Abandoned D/W Repo set up on 5 Acres!! Ready to move in. Free phone application 405-631-7600
Mobile Homes, Manufactured Houses 339 $325/mo. New 2bd w/deck Financing avail. FREE phone app. 405-324-8000 3bed $3k-$5k down = UR approved to OWN 405-577-2884 Huge 4 Bed. REPO $629/mo. wac 405-324-8000 Rent to Own: Nice 2&3bd MWC $350&up 390-9777
Real Estate Auctions
342
Real Estate Auction Thurs, April 12th, 2PM 16735 N. Evans Rd. Okarche, OK 27 acres MOL, borders nice lake, 6,000+ sf uniquely designed 2-story home. 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, shop, approx. 10,000 sf 2-story shop/barn as well as a 40x50 brick/stone constructed barn w/ stalls, a 160'x350' arena w/ chutes & turnback alley. OPEN HOUSES: Sun April 1st 2-4pm & Fri April 6th 4-6pm United Country Hendron & Associates www.unitedcountry.com /jayok Call Leroy, 918-695-0808, Joseph, 918-638-6293 or Virginia, 918-637-9143
Real Estate Notices
345
Owner carry with down. Nice homes & fixers. 417-2176. www.homesofokcinc.com
$100,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 4800 Hunter Blvd., residence, erect, $100,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 4804 Hunter Blvd., residence, erect, $100,000. Home Creations, 11105 NW 6 Terrace, residence, erect, $90,000. Central Precast, 15220 N May Ave., automotive repair-wash, add-on, $90,000. Home Creations, 2404 NW 196 Terrace, residence, erect, $84,400. Rhonda Ainsworth, 10617 Daryl Drive, residence, add-on, $84,000. Home Creations, 11109 NW 6 Terrace, residence, erect, $83,200. Home Creations Inc., 19812 Sonatina Drive, residence, erect, $78,300. Home Creations, 2328 NW 197, residence, erect, $77,800. Home Creations, 19805 Vista Ave., residence, erect, $77,800. Benchmark Homes of Central OK LLC, 601 NW 39, residence, remodel, $75,000. EST Inc., 500 NW 6, parking, install, $75,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 14419 Moon Daisy Drive, residence, erect, $70,000. Batliner Paper, 320 N McCormick Ave., office-warehouse, remodel, $68,000. Temple Design & Construction, 1501 E Wilshire Blvd., residence, add-on, $60,000. Arthur D. Sanders Trust, 5701 S Western Ave., business, remodel, $55,000. Tim Hughes Custom Homes LLC, 5101 Wisteria Drive, cabanagazebo, erect, $46,400. Deidra Johnson, 24 NW 144 Circle, recreation center, remodel, $40,000. Florida Construction, 2321 Makaila Way, residence, erect, $40,000. Florida Construction, 11729 SW 20, residence, erect, $40,000. Cornice Unlimited, 10400 S Western Ave., business, remodel, $32,500. Salomen Ponce, 1331 SW 56, residence, add-on, $30,000. Ruben Lopez, 9009 NW 10, manufactured home, move-onmobile home park, $20,000. Michael Montgomery, 2800 NW 63, restaurant, remodel, $18,000. Eric Cheatham Construction Co, 12504 Lapis Lane, residence, erect, $17,000. Steve Westfall, 2209 W Interstate 240 Service Road, retail sales, remodel, $16,000. City of Oklahoma City, 20 S Mickey Mantle Drive, restaurant, remodel, $16,000. Billy Martin, 20111 SE 129, accessory, erect, $15,000.
Commercial RE Commercial Property For Sale Four Commercial Car Washes For Sale Located in Lindsay, Pauls Valley and Davis, Oklahoma. 30 day offering. Inquire at carwash@ lindsayamerica.com for details
Business Property For Rent 360 PRIME RETAIL LOCATION I-35 frontage, showroom, offices, warehouse 10,800sf ¡ 8801 S. I-35 Dale or Mike, 631-4447
Office Space For Rent
363
MESTA PARK offices. Work near your home! 1000, 2000 & 3000 RSF, located @ N. Shartel & NW 17th St. Lagree Assoc. Call Carl Amend 405-879-1171 cell 405-535-7980 Gorgeous 2132 sq ft Office and nice 960 sq ft office available at Castlerock Business Plaza in Mustang, OK. Call 580-243-0624 7608 N Western Ave Retail/Office space, up to 2200sf avail, 370-1077 GREAT Office Space Various NW locations 300-6000sf 946-2516
Warehouse Space For Rent 363.5 K Office, K Warehouse for lease. Various sizes. 221 W Wilshire 842-7300
I BUY HOUSES Any condition. No cost to U 410-5700
Real Estate Wanted
MWC
424
Free Month Rent! 1&2bd QUIET! Covered Parking Great Schools! 732-1122 » Free Rent 'til May » 1 & 2 bedrooms. Spring Tree Apartments. 405-737-8172
OKC Northeast
430
Freshly Renovated 2 & 3 bed apts. Sec 8 ok. Now Acc. 1 bd vchr for 2bd. Call 475-9984 for info.
OKC Northwest
431
Apartments Edmond
422
TOP LOCATION! Pd. wtr/garb. Near malls. Try Plaza East 341-4813
Oakwood Apts 5824 NW 34 1bd 1ba 800sf, $350 mo $175 dep, all electric 409-7989 no Section 8 Furnished/Unfurnished Bills Paid » Wkly/Monthly Wes Chase Apts, Elk Horn Apts, Hillcrest 370-1077 MAYFAIR Great location! 1/2 bd W/D hdwd flr quiet secure ngbrhood ¡947-5665 •ABC• Affordable, Bug free, Clean » 787-7212» 800 N. Meridian 1bd All bills paid 946-9506
OKC Northwest
453
PC Schls, no sec 8, 3/2/2 1600' 6418 Galaxie Dr. Appt only $875 843-5853
OKC Southwest
433
1st Mo Rent Selected Units LARGE TOWNHOMES & APARTMENTS • Washer, Dryers, pools • PC Schools, fireplaces
Furnished/Unfurnished Bills Paid » Wkly/Monthly Wes Chase Apts, Elk Horn Apts, Hillcrest 370-1077
7301 NW 23rd
» $295-360 »
WILLIAMSBURG
787-1620 FREE RENT TIL MAY Newlyremodeled1,2&3beds, Putnam Green, 405-721-2210
1 Month Free!
2bd $575 Casady751-8088 $9 APP FEE $199 FIRST MO Rent Live Large, Live Here 416-5259 TUSCANY VILLAGE
+elec. Furnished Efficiency 2820 S Robinson 232-1549 $99 Move In Special!!! Lg 1 and 2 Bdr, $345 to $420 mo. 632-9849
Yukon
438
»»»»»»»»»»»»» » Bills Paid 354-5855 » » 1 bd From $550 Move» » 2 bd From $650 In» » 3 bd From $740 Today» » Call for Specials » »»»»»»»»»»»»
Edmond
444
MWC
446
Extra Clean 2bd/1ba, ctrl heat, fncd yd 556 Babb $550+ $400dep 741-0117
OKC Northwest
453
1712 N Gatewood, small 2bd garage apt, $295, water and garbage paid Fidelity410-4300, 692-1661
2827 NW 20 1bed 1ba duplex 800sf $575/mo $375 deposit 409-7989 no sec 8, no pet, no smoking
Briargate 1718 N Indiana 1bd, 1ba, 800 sf, wood floors, all elect, $550 mo, $250dp 409-7989 no sec8
912 N Gardner 3bd 1.75 bath, fireplace, w/d hookup water paid $550mo »» 408-5836
468
2bd 2ba ch&a $600mo 3bd 1ba ch&a $600mo Sec 8, 354-7413/642-3847
Tuttle/ Newcastle
9317 NE 14th 3/1.5/1 $575 Free List 681-7272
459
Cottage Park
Yukon
460
Nice 3/2/2 & 1.5/2/2 No sec 8. Hollyrock Ct comm pool $875-$950mo $500 dep. Maria 618-0563 Duplexes, 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car, some new, some gated, call Rick, 405-830-3789.
Garage Apartments
Nice, all bills pd, 1 bd, liv, stove/frig, remod, H/W floors, 1941K NW 15th, $585 + dep, 301-5979.
Hotels/Motels 462
RE for rent Del City
465.5
Nice 2bd 1ba 1c ch&a. Good location Sec 8 ok. $575mo »»» 681-4894 4016 Thomas Ave 2/1 $495 Free List 681-7272
Edmond
Moore
469
FOR RENT - 3BR, 1.5BA. $750/month, $750 dep. 794-3210, call after 5
Newalla
471
3bd 1.5ba 2car 1300sf, 1.6 acres $850 mo+ Dep Home&RanchRlty 794-7777
OKC Northwest
475
14421 N Penn 2/2.5 $850 6018PlumThckt4/3.5/2$1995 11729SndncMtn3/2/2 $1495 2601 NW 35 3/1/1 $675 4210Washington3/2/2$1200 6704 NW 124 3/2/2 $1095 Express Realty 844-6101 www.expressrealtyok.com KAT Properties-Apt & Homes for rent. Scan this with your phone app
466
712 Scott 3/1.5/2 $895 18300 Tambor 3/2/2 $1095 18112CalleWay3/2/2 $1250 108 Kimberly 4/2/2 $1250 Express Realty 844-6101 www.expressrealtyok.com 4 bed, 2 bath, 3 car, approx 2200 sf, $1800 mo, Call Alex, 990-0488.
OKC Southeast
Br 3bd, 1ba, CH&A, fencd ex lg lr, WH Shcls. 629 Hunters Hill $650. 789-6689 Summerfield, 4521 Dove Tree Lane, 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car, fireplace, wood floor, new carpet, 720-7075 or 659-0441. 3232 Brushcreek, in Quail Creek on the golf course, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2 car, 1 FP, $1875 mo, $1500 dep. ¡ 831-0825 12709 Arrowhead Lane 3bd 3 bath, den, double car garage, new flooring New Carpet! 2734 Sq. ft. $2500 mo » 408-5836 7032 Stony Creek, 3/2/2 fp, fenced, NO Pets $975mo $900dep, Move in mid May TMS Prop 348-0720 8424 NW 91 St. 3/2/2 all appl, newly remod, $900 +dep. No Sec 8. 301-4695 3926 NW 13th 1bd 1ba house $600mo $300 dep 800sf 409-7989 no sec 8 3 bed, 1 bath, 1 car gar. $550mo, $500dep. (405) 220-6118, ask for Tony 1719 NW 1st 1/1 $350 Free List 681-7272
476
128 SE 23rd 3bd 1ba lrg storage $495mo 408-5836
OKC Southwest
477
8409 Wakefield, spacious 2bd 2 full bath, 1 car garage, ch/a, walk in closets, Westmoore Schls, fridge, stove, washer, dryer $700 mo, Fidelity RE 410-4300, 692-1661 637 SW 46th nice 2bd home, well kept area, ch/a, detached garage, $550 mo. Fidelity RE 410-4300, 692-1661 Remodeled, 3bed, 1bath, Nice, $700 + deposit 340-4030 or 410-2519 2837 SW 82nd 3/1/1 $725 Free List 681-7272
Norman
473
Cotton Wood Ridge Condo 2bd 1.5ba 900sf Amazing must see, fireplace, ch/a, New Stove & Dishwasher, Stackable Washer/Dryer $750/month $600deposit 409-7989 No Sec 8 2029 Elmhurst nice 3bd brick home 2car garage ch/a, fresh paint $850mo Fidelity410-4300, 692-1661
Yukon
461
Furnished/Unfurnished Weekly/Monthly 370-1077
222 Barrett 2/1/1 kit appls new carpet! $675mo No pets, No Sec 8 341-0368
MWC
3320 SW 28th B Small eff. duplex. $385mo ALL BILLS PAID 408-5836
Bills Paid
Duplexes
466
3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car, approx 1700 sf, $1200 mo, Call Alex, 990-0488.
2 bed, appls, CH&A, No Section 8, $600. 324 E. Jarman. 830-4695
$200 off
OKC Southwest
SEE PERMITS, PAGE 10F
455
3bd 2ba 2car fncd back yard 425 NE 21st Newcastle No sec 8 $1400 Maria 618-0563
804 NW 21st Mesta Park 2bed 1ba 1000sf $675mo $300dep dishwasher free laundry 409-7989 no sec 8
Vacation Property For Sale 347
Edmond
431
$99 SPECIAL Lg 1bdr, stove, refrig., clean, walk to shops. $345 mo. 632-9849
495-2000
Florence 429 NW 11th Midtown Studio, Granite Counters, CHA, Free Laundry $675mo $400dep 409-7989 No sec 8
I BUY & SELL HOUSES 27 YRS EXP 650-7667 HOMESOFOKCINC.COM
OKC Northwest
3037 North Rockwell
CAVE CREEK ON ROCKWELL
9F
Michael Robertson, 1708 NW 193 Circle, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,995. Nathan Blais, 17624 Iron Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,995. Rick and Teresa Berg, 16509 Moorgate Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,995. Steven Icks, 3001 Oakbriar Drive, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,995. Carlo Jaictin, 11801 Dunbar Court, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,900. Charlie and Sandy Brown, 17 SW 103, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,900. Edward Wilkinson, 925 Pruitt Drive, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,900. Larry Guttridge, 7605 Wegner Way, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,900. Ray Hobbs, 7345 Bobwhite Trail, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,900. Ruben Garcia, 14213 Harli Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,900. Stephen Wallace, 13528 Red Cedar Drive, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,900. Marcus Mears, 7309 NE 101, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,895. Vortech Storm Shelters, 4415 Ruby Ave., storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,500. Debbie Stewart, 7520 NW 132, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,400. No name provided, 18800 Shilstone Way, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,400. Colby Payne, 10925 SW 30 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,395. Lindsey Smith, 18500 Mesa Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,395. Brian Holt, 1404 NW 171, residence, install-storm shelter, $3,300. Cathy Francis, 11008 Shoreside Drive, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,300. Guruprajad Manjunath, 324 NW 145 Court, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,300. Mark Cavin, 8315 Woodchuck Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,300. Charles Rooks, 3372 NW 172 Terrace, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,250. Elliott Ross, 6501 NW 150, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,200. Gary and Allison Broxterman, 6804 Milrace Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,200. Jonathan and Princess Ester, 16224 Dustin Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,200. Michael Morton, 8513 NW 105, storm shelter, install-storm shel-
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$100 Off
1st Mo Rent 1&2 Bedrooms Furnished & Unfurnished NEWLY REMODELED GATED COMMUNITY
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David Brunette, 1300 SW 116 Place, storage, erect, $15,000. Ronald and Rhonda Childs, 14709 Sable , storage, erect, $13,400. Complete Home Rentals, 1116 NW 10, duplex, fire restoration, $12,000. Complete Home Rentals, 1118 NW 10, duplex, fire restoration, $12,000. Adam Branscum, 5840 N Classen Blvd., retail sales, remodel, $12,000. David Edmondson, 19720 SE 72, accessory, erect, $10,690. Hollis Hall, 9009 NW 10, manufactured home, move-on-mobile home park, $10,000. Efrain Valdez, 2817 SW 46 Terrace, residence, add-on, $8,000. Robert Evans, 7001 NW 128 Terrace, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $7,000. Radius Design & Construction LLC, 9101 S Pennsylvania Ave., retail sales, remodel, $7,000. No name provided, 117 SW 62, residence, add-on, $6,500. Leticia Lopez, 332 SW 31, residence, remodel, $5,000. William Martz, 5109 NW 20, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $5,000. Brock Corcoran, 8500 NW 114, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,595. Vortech Storm Shelters, 904 Tulip Drive, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $4,575. Vortech Storm Shelters, 10129 Dale Lane, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $4,575. Ken and Julie Larcher, 4004 Hunterfield Ave., residence, remodel, $4,300. No name provided, 11301 Shady Glen Road, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $4,300. No name provided, 113 SW 148, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,300. Daniel G. Richards, 4633 NW 159, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,050. Charles and Leslie Te, 5805 N Billen Ave., storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $4,000. Christopher W. Smith, 2721 SE 93, residence, install-storm shelter, $4,000. Marilyn Frazier Trust, 6812 Chelsey Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,000. Scott Ermis, 4332 NW 164 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,000. James Rankin, 11504 S Ross Ave., storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,000. Desiree Herring, 2317 SW 137, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,995. Emily McPherson, 4721 NW 74, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,995. Kenneth Austin, 9609 Eagle Hill Drive, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,995.
567 Walker Dr Newcastle Brand New 1 & 2 beds for active seniors 62 and above. MOVE IN BY MAR 31ST FOR ONLY $99! LIMITED AVAILABILITY (Income restrictions do apply) ''Equal Housing Opportunity'' Handicap Accessible 877-250-2332, Ext 150
ALL BILLS PAID $239 - 1st Mo 1 Beds Quiet, Park, Pool 293-3693 DREXEL ON THE PARK
346
Lake Front Fully Furn. Cedar Lake. Summer or Winter fun! Woodburning stove, Boat, Private Dock. Updated Cabin. Less than 1hr from OKC. Pictures and info @ www.OHAIRART.com $64,500. Call 921-9203
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012
482
Immaculate 3bed 2 ba master suite, gated, 1550sf 11024 SW 6th $1100mo. » 3bd 2ba new inside. Extra nice 310 VonElm Ave $800mo» 641-2098
Mobile Home Rentals 483 Rent to Own: Nice 2&3bd MWC $350&up 390-9777
Rental Services
487
PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES SINCE 1982 Mgmt » Leasing » Sales Spectrum Management 848-9400 usespectrum.com
Rooms For Rent
489
SW OKC house to share, $400 includs utilities, no smoking, 918-231-4787
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REAL ESTATE
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012
Permits FROM PAGE 9F
ter, $3,200. Nina Butler, 1300 NW 194, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,200. Stan Moss, 15540 Azalea Ave., storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,200. No name provided, 4609 NW 153 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,200. No name provided, 8325 NW 128 Circle, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,200. David Ishihara, 8512 Shady Ridge Road, storage, erect, $3,168. Mike Self, 8612 NW 111, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,100. Raymond W. Stoddard, 3213 Morgan Creek Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,100. Alloy Building Co., 1433 SW 61, canopy-carport, add-on, $3,000. Andrew Terry, 2820 SW 91, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,000. Brad Sanders, 2501Rookhaven Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Brian Chenault, 3209 Orchard Ave., storage, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Charles and Rosie Bullard, 5301 Ryan Court, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Clayton Thompson, 5904 SE 88, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. E. Eric Cheatham, 600 Old Home Place, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Elowee M. Seymour, 4024 NW 58, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Jodie Ford, 3261 SW 99, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Josh Brown, 14120 Kysela Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Ken Kleinenbroich, 8000 NW 128 Circle, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Rodney Collier, 2745 Busheywood Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Teresa J. Porter, 1208 SW 128, residence, remodel, $3,000. Thomas E. Wood, 11508 S Ross Ave., residence, remodel, $3,000. Van Barber, 4836 NW 62 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. William Dozier, 2808 SW 109, storage, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Zacarias Montoya, 108 N Allen, accessory, erect, $3,000. No name provided, 525 NW 27, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. No name provided, 14924 SE 78, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. No name provided, 14701 S Broadway Ave., storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Alan Carpenter, 15312
Meadow Vista Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Douglas Wade, 11828 S Douglas Ave., storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Lisa Pilar Macias, 12000 Flower Wood Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Mark and Nancy Nitta, 7905 NW 83, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Michael and Melodie Arnold, 2704 SW 141, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. No name provided, 11908 Rosemeade Court, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Rhonda and Ron Childs, 14709 Sable, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Ryan Ives, 3005 SW 136, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Susan Estes, 4405 St George Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. No name provided, 14517 Brasswood Blvd., storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. No name provided, 10912 SW 30 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Jeff Hendrix, 9008 NW 148 Place, install-storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Grant Gaines, 13129 Savage, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,950. Cheryl Burton, 6500 N Shawnee Ave., storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,900. Christopher and Frances Heck, 4705 Millstone Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,900. Edward Winkler, 13109 Lorien Way, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,900. James Goodnight, 10324 Exter Ave., storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,900. Jessica Savic, 2224 NW 25, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,900. Jim Cathey, 2625 NW 183, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,900. Sara Blehm, 1608 NW 185, storage, install-storm shelter, $2,900. William Gray, 12012 Cantle Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,900. No name provided, 4101 NW 62, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,825. Codie Phelps, 12125 SW 8, storm shelter, install-torm shelter, $2,800. Emery Vanover, 1629 SW 87, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,800. Jeff Burks, 6701 NW 123, residence, install-storm shelter, $2,800. Rich Wu, 4900 NW 155, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,800. Sheppard & Sons, 13216 NW 1, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,800. No name provided, 816 NW 194 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,800. Marleka Munn, 4001 SE 89 Terrace, storm shelter,
install-storm shelter, $2,800. No name provided, 15937 Petaluma Place, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,799. Angiang Zhou, 2809 SE 95, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,795. Brian McArthur, 15213 Turtle Lake Place, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,795. Tyrone and Ester Gray, 3105 SW 68, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,720. Bryan Carey, 18101 Viento Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,700. Storm Shelter Plus, 2608 SE 36, residence, installstorm shelter, $2,700. Storm Shelter Plus, 2704 SE 51, storm shelter, modular, $2,700. No name provided, 8437 SW 39, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,700. David Nester, 14016 Hunter Jackson Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,570. William Thompson, 11801 Jed Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,570. Kathleen Amour, 6628 Woodridge Ave., storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,500. Malcolm Devoe, 18921 Sunrise Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,500. Richard McKinney, 1105 NW 140 Terrace, accessory, erect, $2,500. Michael and Sandra Ransome, 15129 SW 79, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,470. Roger Thompson, 15624 SE 95, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,380. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 505 Firefork Ave., storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,300. Rebecca Beasley, 3201 Sahoma Trail, installstorm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,200. Kirsten Smedley, 6100 NW 152, storm shelter, erect, $2,100. Yanhao Xie Huang, 17900 Scarlet Oak Lane, storage, erect, $2,000. Edmy Barraza, 315 SW 43, canopy-carport, add-on, $1,500. John Riemer, 2816 SE 45, canopy-carport, add-on, $1,300. Standlee Bennet, 924 NW 18, canopy-carport, install, $1,020. Edgar Calvan, 1116 Carter Drive, storage, erect, $1,000.
Demolitions Midwest Wrecking, 5709 NW 32, single-family residence. Midwest Wrecking, 124 SE 43, single-family residence. Midwest Wrecking, 5132 Gaines, single-family residence. Midwest Wrecking, 500 NW 89, single-family residence. James Cooksey, 1704 NE 50, garage. Roy White, 3061 NE 15, storage. Kendall Concrete, 3133 SW 25, house. Kendall Concrete, 830 NE 4, residence.
U.S. new-home sales fell again BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Sales of U.S. new homes fell in February for the second straight month, a reminder that the depressed housing market remains weak despite some improvement. The Commerce Department said that new-home sales dropped 1.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 313,000 homes. Sales have fallen nearly 7 percent since December. While a mild winter and three months of strong job growth have lifted resales, those conditions haven’t benefited the new-home market. The current pace is less than half the 700,000 that economists consider to be healthy. There were some positive signs in the report. The government revised December’s sales figures up to show an annual rate of 336,000, the best sales pace in a year. And the median sales price for new homes
surged in February more than 8 percent, to $233,700. That’s the highest median price since June and could suggest builders are anticipating
more sales in the months to come. Still, economists caution that the housing market is a long way from fully recovering.
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Analyzing four keys to mortgage modification Q: My dad passed away four years ago, and my mom was scraping by working at a department store until recently, when she had to stop due to an illness. Although my mother has good credit, we have been unable to refinance or lower her mortgage payment. It makes no sense because we keep hearing about all of the programs out there to help people. But it seems that there is nothing for someone who needs it the most. A: Don’t be so sure. There are many programs out there that can help reduce your loan payments. It comes down to four factors: math, persistence, luck and realistic expectations. By math, I mean that your income, bills, home value and mortgage must fit into one of your lender’s programs. As for persistence, many people get turned down two or three times before they get approved, so if you stop trying you’ll never get the relief you’re seeking. There is an element of luck involved in all of this. Did you happen to get a bank representative who will go the extra mile to help you, or the one who is in the middle of a divorce
Gary M. Singer REAL ESTATE LAW
and hates his job? Finally, it’s important to have realistic expectations. I have seen many people turn down a terrific loan modification offer from the bank to wait it out for some magical solution that’s never going to happen. You need to get an idea of what type of relief that you may qualify for, and see if that relief will work for you. For example, if you earn $700 a month in Social Security as your only form of income and you are trying to modify a $300,000 mortgage, it is highly unlikely that you are going to be offered a solution because the math just doesn’t work. If you earn $200,000 a year and are trying to modify your $190,000 mortgage, it’s doubtful that your lender is going to see things your way. Q: Our mortgage is underwater, and we would like to move out of the immediate area. I need some good advice. I’m re-
luctant to just pick up the phone and call anyone because I don’t want to become a victim of a scam. Do I call a law firm? A real estate agent? A loan modification company? Who? A: Call a lawyer experienced in dealing with struggling homeowners. He or she will help you figure out a strategy that may involve a short sale or a loan modification. Each person’s situation is unique, and each situation should be dealt with individually. Do some Internet research to find out about lawyers in your area and then choose two or three to interview. Ask questions such as: How many cases have you handled similar to mine? Do you have any special training or certifications related to real estate law?Think about your goals. Attorneys are, by training, goal-oriented people, so tell the attorney about your goals so he or she can craft a custom plan that works for you. Bring reasonable expectations and a willingness to listen. Gary M. Singer is a Florida attorney and board-certified as an expert in real estate law by the Florida Bar. Send him questions online at http://sunsent.nl/mR20t7 or follow him on Twitter@GarySingerLaw. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES