LISTING OF THE WEEK
HOUSE PLAN
Traditional house
Glen Eden
The Listing of the week is a traditional brick-and-frame house, loaded with extras and updates, in northwest Oklahoma City. PAGE 6E
This updated Craftsman home is well suited for construction in both rural and suburban settings. PAGE 8E
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THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
Orchestra League presents special trio of Show Houses
Kenneth Harney THE NATION’S HOUSING
ZERO-DOWN MORTGAGES WORKING
BY TIM FALL
Two prominent federally chartered credit unions have been quietly, successfully, carefully running zero-downpayment mortgage programs, despite the industry chorus to the contrary.
For The Oklahoman trfall@gmail.com
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Oklahoma City Orchestra League President Cindy Raby rose to the challenge of choosing the 2013 Symphony Show House by not only one-upping previous years’ projects — she went all out and two-upped her predecessors. This year’s show house is actually three show houses. Dubbed “The Trio at the Abbey,” the league will present its 40th annual fundraiser through May 19 to benefit the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and numerous music education programs throughout the community. The homes will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15 at the door as well as numerous retailers. See www.symphonyshow house.com/. As the board was undertaking its yearly search to identify an ideal show house, Raby said, a conversation was sparked with Fairview Farm developer Mark Gautreaux. Gautreaux suggested his addition within Fairview Farm, The Abbey. “But I told the committee they’d have to pick because I actually had three models there,” he said. “It turned out they loved the idea of three separate houses.” Dana Galiga, event cochair, agreed that the three-house proposal was intriguing from the beginning. “This is a great opportunity for the Symphony League,” she said, since it gave designers more than 11,000 total square feet of “clean slate” to showcase their work. Design committee chairman Kim Underwood said that the 2013 Show
IN BRIEF
REMODELING TIPS
The Oklahoma City Orchestra League presents “The Trio at the Abbey,” its 40th annual fundraiser. through May 19 to benefit the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and numerous music education programs throughout the community. This is one of three new homes in the event, at 1401 NW 158, in The Abbey section of the Fairview Farm addition. PHOTOS BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
House features 72 spaces highlighting the work of 38 designers. One home is traditional, one is contemporary and one is Italian. “There really is a style for everyone,” Raby said, noting the landscaped gardens of The Abbey. Even among the “whimsical” and “unusual” elements, she said, “There’s something for everyone to take back to their own home.” Visitors will be able to soak up inspiration at their own pace. This year’s “self-exploring” tour format does away with scheduled tours, allowing guests to venture through the design spaces at will. The Contemporary House, at 1501 NW 158, is the largest of the three at 4,590 square feet. SEE SHOW, PAGE 2E
Cindy Raby, president of the Oklahoma City Orchestra League, shows a bedroom at 1501 NW 158, one of three new homes in this year’s Symphony Show House fundraiser.
In selling houses, all the world’s a stage At just 450 square feet, the tiny condo was barely big enough for its 30-year-old owner. She’d originally picked the place for its proximity to tony shops, restaurants and a light-rail station. But as soon as she could afford a bigger unit in the same neighborhood, she called a real estate agent and put the petite condo up for sale. The condo was very reasonably priced, but after it languished on the market for four months without a single offer, the young woman rented it out for six months. Then once that lease ran out, she again vowed to sell the unit. On her second try, the woman’s listing agent contacted a company called Synergy Staging, one of a growing number of firms that specialize in making properties more appealing to buyers. “A well-staged property doesn’t reflect personal taste, which lets buyers picture themselves living there. That way the sellers can cast the largest possible net to attract the largest number of buyers,” said David Peterson, Synergy’s co-owner. Here are a few pointers for
Ellen James Martin SMART MOVES
homeowners seeking to sell an undersized property: I Realize that starter homes are in big demand now. To be sure, most Americans still favor spacious properties. But many purchasers, including firsttime buyers, must scale back their housing ambitions due to income limits. Meanwhile, he said “small looks beautiful” to an increasing number of baby boomers as they approach retirement age. “While some boomers are actually upsizing to accommodate visits from their grown kids and grandkids, many others are downsizing to save money for their elder years,” said Sid Davis, a real estate broker and the author of “A Survival Guide to Selling a Home.”
I Look into adding a second bathroom if your place has just one. Homebuyers are often highly resistant to the purchase of a property with just one bathroom. They want a second bathroom, if only for use by their guests. Because of this strong preference, Davis said a single-bathroom property can be tough to sell. He suggests that sellers consider adding a second bathroom before they put their property on the market, assuming they can do so for a modest price. I Plan your decor to make your small property seem larger. When the stagers from Synergy first visited the previously mentioned condo, they noticed the unusual melange of paint colors on the several walls. Once all the walls were repainted in a neutral tone, the owner was surprised how much larger the place looked. “The same is true of flooring. You don’t want different types of hardwood flooring in your place because that’s jarring,” Peterson said. I Don’t make the mistake of
selling your small home completely vacant. When they’re helping stage a vacant house, Peterson and his business partner, Nik Murrow, bring in enough furnishings to give the feeling of how a room would work if the buyers actually lived there. I Add in designer touches to give your small home luster. Because there’s less to see, those visiting a small home can spend more time examining the interior. That means more attention to details. Given such an intense focus, sellers of small places will want to ensure that little flaws are corrected. Also, they need to accessorize their place with attractive details. “It doesn’t cost a lot to upscale a small house. For example, you could repaint your kitchen cabinets pure white and add brushed nickel hardware or replace your dining room lighting fixture with a fresh one,” Peterson said. To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com. UNIVERSAL UCLICK
Mike Holmes’ new book helps homeowners remodel their kitchens and bathrooms from the inside out. Holmes, the builder known for righting construction wrongs on his HGTV shows “Holmes on Homes” and “Holmes Inspection,” brings his same do-it-right attitude to “Mike Holmes Kitchens & Bathrooms.” He preaches the importance of focusing first on the unseen parts of a renovation, the things that are under the surfaces or behind the walls. Holmes helps his readers plan a remodel that fits their needs and is built to last. “Mike Holmes Kitchens & Bathrooms” is published by Time Home Entertainment and sells for $21.95 in softcover.
READYBRIGHT SYSTEM A Solon, Ohio, company has developed an emergency home lighting system that uses wireless technology to turn on the lights automatically in a power outage. The heart of the Mr. Beams ReadyBright system is a control unit you keep plugged into an electrical outlet. The instant the power goes out, the battery-operated unit illuminates to become a flashlight. It also sends a wireless signal that turns on all the other ReadyBright lights in the home. The lights can be ordered at www.mrbeams.com. A starter house kit with one controller, one ceiling light and one path light costs $69.99 but is on sale for $59.99. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES
INDEX Permits Barry Stone
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SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Left: The kitchen has the look of a lodge at 15820 Chapel Ridge Road. PHOTOS BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
BUSINESS BUSINESS NEWS P.O. BOX 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125 Fax: (405) 475-3996 NewsOK.com HomesOK.com
Show: Abbey Cafe to serve lunch FROM PAGE 1E
The home’s formal dining room, serving as the welcome center for the event, has been transitioned into a “dining gallery,” hung with works from Dodson Galleries by artist Joy Richardson. Once inside, the home opens from a sunlightbathed kitchen as detailed by L&L Designs, into a “great room” where Mathis Brothers’ Angela Davidson has created an unexpected yet inviting family gathering place under wood beams and a vaulted ceiling. Possibly even more inviting is the basement, transformed by Neely Design Associates into an inhome cinema. The downstairs living space is rounded out with an adjacent wine cellar and kitchen and a modern, eclectic guest bedroom from S.C. Designs. Returning to the main floor, the master suite has been imagined by Meister Designs and Fabrics Unlimited, combining for a blend of contemporary and traditional that extends into the master bath and his and her walk-in closets, staged respectively by The Men’s Warehouse and Kokopelli. The Patio, accessed via both the master suite and the great room, is an outdoor living and entertaining space taken on by Amini’s Galleria. Both the “Traditional” and “Italian” houses offer similar gems waiting to be discovered. Like happening upon a stone cottage in southern Europe, visitors to the Italian house, 15820 Chapel Ridge Lane, are first greeted by a shaded courtyard, then a gracious foyer that opens into a stunning yet cozy 2,646-square-foot,
DON MECOY Business Editor (405) 475-3942, dmecoy@opubco.com
SCAN IT
RICHARD MIZE
To see a related video, scan the QR code below or go to NewsOK.com
Real Estate Editor (405) 475-3518, richardmize@opubco.com
Built-ins add loads of function to a large closet at 1501 NW 158.
Find real estate news on the Internet at HomesOK.com
FOR EDITORIAL INQUIRIES: Contact Richard Mize
JERRY WAGNER Assistant Classified Advertising Manager (405) 475-3475, jwagner@opubco.com
two-bedroom retreat with 17 different designs, from grand rooms to intimate spaces. The “Traditional” house, across the lane at 1401 NW 158, is the middle of the three layouts at 4,208 square feet. Yet another stunning entry invites guests into a foyer doubling here as a gallery and commanded by the curving staircase that leads to the second floor. Two bedrooms downstairs — one appointed here as a nursery, and the spacious master suite — are balanced with two more upstairs. A theater room completes the upstairs level. Raby said that visitors traditionally “make a day of it” when attending the Symphony Show House. The Abbey Cafe (located in the Contemporary house) will serve lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday lunch from noon to 2:30 p.m. Lunch, including drink, will be available for $12. The Boutique at The Abbey, located in the Traditional house, will offer jewelry, gifts, home decor and art for sale during show house hours. Designer Sales, in the Italian house, will make items featured in the rooms and outdoor spaces of each house available for purchase to visitors.
HOMESOK.COM
Wall art follows the stairway to the landing and second floor at 15820 Chapel Ridge Road.
A step-in shower is featured in this colorful bathroom at 1501 NW 158.
Comfort defines the eight-seat theater room at 1501 NW 158.
FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Contact Jerry Wagner
REAL ESTATE
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
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Some zero-down mortgage successes WASHINGTON — Who says lenders need to charge you a cash down payment when you take out a mortgage in this era of hyperstrict underwriting? Just about everybody: I The biggest sources of home loan money — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — won’t fund a loan without a down payment. Even then, if your down payment is less than 20 percent, they require private mortgage insurance. I Federal banking regulatory agencies have proposed — but have not yet finally adopted — a regulation requiring a 20-percent minimum down payment as the new standard for safe lending and best pricing. I Congressional critics complain that the Federal Housing Administration’s current 3.5-percent minimum is part of the reason the agency is now in financial hot water. They want 5 percent down at least. I Financial analysts and mortgage industry experts argue that requiring some amount of “skin in the game” is essential to provide borrowers a stake in the transaction. But hold on. Two prominent federally chartered credit unions beg to differ with this consensus opin-
Sales, profits surge at Horton BY MCT INFORMATION SERVICES
FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth-based homebuilder D.R. Horton said its fiscal second-quarter income more than doubled from a year ago as the nation’s homebuilding industry continued to recover. Sales orders grew 34 percent because the inventory of homes for sale is shrinking. For the first three months of 2013, Horton, which builds in the Oklahoma City area, said income increased 173 percent to $111 million, or 32 cents a diluted share, compared to $40.6 million, or 13 cents a diluted share, in the same period last year. Homebuilding revenue for the quarter was $1.39 billion, a 49-percent increase from the year-ago quarter. Horton closed sales on 5,643 homes from January through March, a 33-percent increase from a year ago. Sales order backlog increased 54 percent, to 9,553 homes from 6,189 homes at March 31, 2012. The value of the backlog increased 52 percent to $2 billion, the company said. “Demand for housing has strengthened,” CEO Donald Tomnitz told analysts in an earnings call. He called the quarter’s financial results “nothing short of phenomenal,” noting that it was the best second-quarter earnings since 2006. Low mortgage rates and a smaller inventory of existing homes listed for sale helped push Horton’s sales, he said. The company also has continued to see a strong sales pace in April, Tomnitz said. “The spring selling season is off to a strong start at D.R. Horton, with robust demand driving higher sales volumes and favorable pricing,” said Chairman Donald Horton. “We are in an excellent position to continue to meet increased sales demand and aggregate market share with 15,800 homes in inventory and 175,000 lots owned or controlled under option contracts, of which 58,000 lots are fully developed.” The average closing price of its homes in the quarter was $242,500, up 10 percent from a year ago.
Kenneth Harney THE NATION’S HOUSING
ion. They have quietly been running what they consider to be successful, carefully administered zero-down-payment programs for borrowers for much of the past two years, and are seeing almost no defaults or foreclosures. The giant Navy Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in the country with 4 million members, offers a zero-down option for qualified home purchasers coast to coast with no mortgage insurance. On top of that, it allows “seller concessions” — contributions by sellers of homes to defray buyers’ closing costs — as high as 6 percent of the home price. The maximum loan amount is $1 million, but typical loans are around $200,000. The program is targeted especially at firsttime purchasers since they often are short on downpayment cash but may otherwise be creditworthy. Navy Federal said it has
closed $740 million of these zero-down mortgages in the last 12 months alone. The credit union retains all loans in its investment portfolio and services them on its own. As you might guess, there are some key qualifications: You have to be a member of the credit union or an immediate relative of a member. Members include all branches of the military, active and retired, along with defenserelated contractors. The credit union estimates the total potential reach of eligibility nationwide is 12 million people. You need to pass underwriting muster in terms of income and reserves, and you need moderately good — not perfect — credit scores. Delinquencies on the program to date: well under 1 percent, according to Katie Miller, vice president for mortgage products. Meanwhile, NASA Federal Credit Union has started marketing its own version of zero down. It is currently restricting loans to qualified members buying homes in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area but could expand to other areas depending on local housing market conditions. Maximum loan amount is $650,000. Sell-
Navy Federal said it has closed $740 million zerodown mortgages in the last 12 months. The credit union retains all loans in its investment portfolio and services them on its own.
er concessions are capped at 3 percent. Underwriting is rigorous and preferred FICO credit scores start in the mid-700s. Delinquencies over the past year and a half: zero, according to Bill White, NASA Federal’s vice president for real estate lending. Foreclosures: zero. So what’s the significance of these two programs for the debates under way on Capitol Hill
and among banking regulators on the subject? Should the government mandate 20 percent down for everybody? 10 percent? Should zero down ever be permissible? Tom Lawler, head of Lawler Economic and Housing Consulting LLC, said that as a general matter, “Zero down payment is just bad public policy.” Frank Nothaft, chief economist for giant investor
Freddie Mac, maintains that “the more equity cash up front you have, the better” the loan is likely to perform. Both Lawler and Nothaft agree, however, that with strict underwriting at application combined with intensive servicing — getting in touch with borrowers at the first hint of trouble and working with them — zerodown loans can perform well in healthy housing markets. The Department of Veterans Affairs has offered zero-down loans for years yet has a lower default rate than FHA, which requires 3.5 percent. Though the Navy Federal and NASA Federal programs are relatively young, their minimal delinquencies to date could have an important message for regulators: The size of the down payment is just one piece of the puzzle. Smart underwriting and hair-trigger servicing that intervenes with solutions when borrowers hit rough patches may be just as important. Or more. Ken Harney’s email address is kenharney@earthlink.net. WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP
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THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Fifty shades of gray: Break from neutrals BY MARY BETH BRECKENRIDGE Akron Beacon Journal
AKRON, Ohio — Gray, you tempter. You’ve stirred our passion. You’ve inflamed our desire. We want you everywhere. In the bedroom. In the bathroom. In — gasp! — the kitchen. We are held captive by your silken charms, helpless in your grasp. Oh, wait. You didn’t think we were talking about the protagonist of that steamy novel hidden on countless Kindles, did you? Heavens, no. This is about gray, small g. The color. We can’t get enough of it — all 50 shades or so. Gray has shown a dramatic increase in popularity since 2010 and particularly in the past year, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association. In fact, the color is used in 55 percent of the kitchens and 56 percent of the bathrooms decorated by the designers who make up the group’s membership. It’s a grown-up hue that lends a sophistication consumers crave, the association said. Gray is more than just a mixture of black and white, said Sonu Mathew, an interior designer who works on the color team that curates the palette for paint maker Benjamin Moore & Co. Gray can have undertones of red, blue, green or purple, which she said makes it “very complex,” even mysterious. That characteristic makes
Robin Brechbuhler, owner of Brechbuhler Design, stands inside a living room interior she designed using gray tones in Jackson Township, Ohio. MCT PHOTOS
gray work well with many colors, Mathew said. Gray gives the eye a chance to rest, she explained, so we can appreciate the other colors in the room more. Interior designer Amy Douglass believes gray’s ability to play well with others — even other neutrals such as creams, tans and white — is a large part of its popularity. It’s similar to black in that regard but not as stark, said Douglass, owner and senior designer at the Interior Design Studio in Medina, Ohio. “It’s just a little softer,” she said. “It’s not as dramatic as black and white.” Douglass has paired gray with yellow and white in a sunroom, and she’s now using a bluish gray in a kitchen she’s designing. It
Landscaping, gardening tips offered on website FROM WIRE REPORTS
WASHINGTON — Spring is under way and it’s time to get outdoors and reconnect with nature. Gardening enthusiasts who want to deepen the shade of their green thumb can find helpful information and how-tos at the Landscaping and Gardening section of HouseLogic.com, a website for homeowners from the National Association of Realtors. “HouseLogic.com has all the tips, advice and inspiration you need to make your garden really stand out this year,” said Pamela Geurds Kabati, senior vice president of communications and HouseLogic spokesman. “Whether your gardening plans are as simple as pulling weeds and raking leaves or as large-scale as a complete overhaul of your backyard, HouseLogic.com offers valuable insights on how to make it happen.” According to the 2013 “Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report,” gardening and landscaping efforts pay off; curb appeal projects are rated among the most valuable home improvement projects. A pleasing exterior with wellgroomed shrubbery make a home stand out. Visitors to HouseLogic.com will find ideas for beautifying their yard in articles such as “5 Awesomely Easy Landscaping Projects.” Users can also check out “10 Must Have Landscape Tools” for help planning their projects. Another article explores the benefits of spending time outdoors and “Gardening as a Cure for Depression.” HouseLogic also helps homeowners avoid landscaping pitfalls with resources such as “11 Trees You Should Never Plant in Your Yard.” SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
Funk moves to Paradigm Carol Funk, with 36 years of experience selling real estate in Oklahoma City, has moved to Paradigm AdvantEdge’s south Office at 1530 SW 119. She studied communications at Oklahoma City Community College and was a bookkeeper at the Oklahoma National Stock Yards before going into real estate. She is licensed as a broker and holds the Graduate Realtor Institute professional designation.
Carol Funk
Issleib joins Paradigm Clayton Issleib has joined Paradigm AdvantEdge Real Estate at its north office at 16301N May Ave. and is selling residential real estate. A native of Austin Texas, he moved to the Oklahoma City area two years ago. Previously, he worked as a law assistant for Henricksen & Henricksen Lawyers Inc. in Oklahoma City. He also is an abstract artist and has paintings on exhibit at the Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western Ave.
Clayton Issleib
Paradigm adds two associates Paradigm AdvantEdge Real Estate has added two residential real estate sales associates at its west office at 13100 Colony Pointe. I Kelli Stuck, who is an Oklahoma native, has been selling real estate in the metro area for the past
three years. I Michael David is a graduate of Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Previously, he was an executive team leader for a national retail chain.
works well with the slate on the room’s fireplace and the maple of its cabinets, she said, as well as the gold, tan and rust in the adjacent great room. North Canton, Ohio, designer Robin Brechbuhler incorporated gray liberally in a Jackson Township, Ohio, home she decorated for Elizabeth Hoover, chair of the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation and great-granddaughter of Hoover Co. founder W.H. “Boss” Hoover. Brechbuhler said the color choice was inspired in part by the metal of a couple of vintage Hoover vacuum cleaners displayed in the home. The neutral palette throughout the house blends grays with beiges and browns, a quiet background for bursts of color.
A gray ceiling tops off this half bathroom in a home, decorated by interior designer Robin Brechbuhler, in Jackson Township, Ohio.
In a sitting area off the kitchen, for example, pillows in cream, orange and rust brighten a dark gray sectional. Gray grass cloth panels break up the dark taupe wall in the media room, and a wall covering made from chips of gray ceramic and glass makes one of the bathrooms sparkle. Brechbuhler loves the way gray sets off the colors of the antique Hoover displays around the house. “It’s a wonderful neutral,” she said. “It’s sort of taken the place of beige.” Akron interior designer Cynthia J. Hoffman Hoffman particularly likes the way gray makes bright colors stand out. She
Gray tones in a shower stall play off the wallpaper in a bathroom decorated by interior designer Robin Brechbuhler in Jackson Township, Ohio.
showcased one client’s vibrant artwork by using a gray hardwood floor, gray carpeting and a black sofa to form a backdrop, and then brought pops of color into the room by choosing dining chairs in different hues pulled from the art. Mathew said gray can also be used successfully in a monochromatic palette, but the trick to pulling that off is contrast. Incorporate lighter and darker shades of gray “so your eye can move around the room,” she said. No matter what color you love, there’s a gray you can use with it, Mathew said. You don’t have to abandon your color scheme and start from scratch just to be in fashion. It’s more important that you love your colors, she said. Lust after them, even. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Permits Oklahoma City ADG Inc., 101 E Main, hotel-motel, erect, $18,000,000. Cmswillowbrook, 4000 E Britton Road, manufacturing, add-on, $7,500,000. Callison LLC, 1741 Belle Isle Blvd., retail sales, remodel, $2,000,000. Community Health Centers Inc., 12716 NE 36, medical clinic-office, addon, $1,300,000. Poff (Doug) Homes, 2624 Guilford Lane, residence, erect, $1,050,000. Clyde Riggs Construction, 525 Central Park Drive, recreation center, remodel, $800,000. David Bryan Homes LLC, 15408 Kestral Lake Drive, residence, erect, $600,000. J.R. Bowers Jr. Construction Co. Inc., 13008 Rohan Court, residence, erect, $550,000. Smith & Pickel, 1110 N Lee Ave., medical clinicoffice, remodel, $450,000. Caliber Homes LLC, 13816 SW 89, residence, erect, $425,000. RBA Architect, 4335 NW 50, retail sales, remodel, $400,000. Richmond Signature Homes, 1524 NW 174 Circle, residence, erect, $356,000. Timber Craft Homes LLC, 17713 Griffin Cove Court, residence, erect, $340,625. Steve Purvis, 15532 Valley Drive, residence, erect, $315,000. CH 4 Quality Homes LLC, 2621 SW 137, residence, erect, $300,000. Lowe-Co LLC, 5025 Gaillardia Corporate Place, medical clinic-office, remodel, $300,000. Richmond Signature Homes, 1536 NW 174 Circle, residence, erect, $285,000. Hollingsworth Homes LLC, 2601 N Richland Road, residence, erect, $280,000. Justice Homes Inc., 15209 Daybright Drive, residence, erect, $253,000. Taber Built Homes LLC, 14000 Drakes Way, residence, erect, $244,000. Taber Built Homes LLC, 9804 NW 138 Terrace, residence, erect, $240,000. Jason Powers Homes Inc., 720 Kearny Lane, residence, erect, $235,000. Jason Powers Homes Inc., 8821 NW 110, residence, erect, $235,000. Ron Walters Homes LLC, 10805 NW 34, residence, erect, $230,000. Taber Built Homes LLC, 13924 Drakes Way, residence, erect, $230,000. Flintco Inc., 3300 Northwest Expressway, hospital, remodel, $225,000. Ron Walters Homes LLC, 10921 NW 36 Terrace, residence, erect, $220,000. Neal McGee Homes Inc., 16125 James Thomas Court, residence, erect, $218,914. 4 Corners Construction LLC, 9917 Artena Court, residence, erect, $213,000. Craftsmanship Homes Inc., 13636 SE 95, residence, erect, $200,000. Taber Built Homes LLC, 10804 NW 36 Terrace, residence, erect, $200,000. Taber Built Homes LLC, 13928 Drakes Way, residence, erect, $200,000. Huelskamp (Tommy) LLC, 724 Abilene Way, residence, erect, $200,000. Huelskamp Luxury Homes, 725 Dusty Trail, residence, erect, $200,000. Struble Construction, 11601 W Stanley Draper Drive, boarding housedormitory, add-on, $190,000. Affinity Homes LLC, 404 SW 175 Terrace, residence, erect, $185,000. Vintage Custom Homes LLC, 309 SW 175 Terrace, residence, erect, $150,000. Tom Abel Custom Homes LLC, 5304 Bent Creek Drive, residence, erect, $140,000. D.R. Horton, 4200 NE 119, residence, erect, $138,158. Sooner Traditions LLC, 2209 NW 159 Terrace, residence, erect, $135,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 2409 SW 141, residence, erect, $132,000. D.R. Horton, 11809 Charleston Way, residence, erect, $131,646. Westpoint Homes, 6012 NW 151, residence, erect,
$130,000. Westpoint Homes, 6008 NW 151, residence, erect, $130,000. Westpoint Homes, 6100 NW 151, residence, erect, $130,000. Westpoint Homes, 6209 NW 156, residence, erect, $130,000. R&R Homes LLC, 10733 SW 34 Terrace, residence, erect, $126,000. Havrilla-Goranson PC, 4832 Richmond Square, office, add-on, $125,000. Jason Powers Homes Inc., 11325 Treemont Lane, residence, erect, $120,000. Home Creations, 11200 NW 99, residence, erect, $117,800. Vintage Custom Homes LLC, 3808 St. Augustine, residence, erect, $115,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 11417 SW 25, residence, erect, $109,000. Home Creations, 3017 NW 181, residence, erect, $108,100. Home Creations, 3020 NW 181, residence, erect, $104,500. Home Creations, 3024 NW 181, residence, erect, $103,100. Sooner Traditions LLC, 15920 Cantera Creek Drive, residence, erect, $102,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 14133 Paddle Wheel Place, residence, erect, $101,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 4601 Hunter Blvd., residence, erect, $100,000. Rausch Coleman Homes LLC, 2412 NW 194, residence, erect, $100,000. Structural Systems of Oklahoma, 10600 W Reno Ave., supplement, supplement, $100,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 18525 Agua Drive, residence, erect, $99,000. Laynie Snyder, 5850 N Classen Blvd., business, remodel, $90,000. Home Creations, 12705 Heritage Oaks Drive, residence, erect, $86,000. Fred Abdul, 7320 NW 115, residence, erect, $85,000. Home Creations, 12709 Heritage Oaks Drive, residence, erect, $84,000. Central Oklahoma Habitat For Humanity, 508 SE 26, residence, erect, $80,000. Central Oklahoma Habitat For Humanity, 700 SE 25, residence, erect, $80,000. Central Oklahoma Habitat For Humanity, 609 SE 26, residence, erect, $80,000. Central Oklahoma Habitat For Humanity, 8525 Durland Way, residence, erect, $80,000. Home Creations, 12701 Heritage Oaks Drive, residence, erect, $79,100. Salazar Roofing & Construction Inc., 11232 NW 106, residence, erect, $75,000. Westpoint Homes, 6116 NW 158, residence, erect, $70,000. Westpoint Homes, 15921 Positano Drive, residence, erect, $70,000. Westpoint Homes, 15925 Positano Drive, residence, erect, $70,000. Poff (Doug) Homes, 8201 NW 125, accessory, erect, $60,000. McMichael Homes, 3001 SW 26, residence, erect, $55,000. Poff (Doug) Homes, 2624 Guilford Lane, cabana-gazebo, erect, $53,000. LA Building Co. Inc., 3044 NW 160, residence, add-on, $45,000. Daren Tepe, 13417 Tahoe Drive, accessory, erect, $40,000. Patio Rooms & More of OKC Inc., doing business as Better Living Patio, 8201 Curtis Terrace, residence, add-on, $35,500. Metro Mark Properties Inc., doing business as Kent Hoffman Construction, 12108 Brookhollow Road, residence, remodel, $33,500. Graystone Properties of OKC, 3819 SW 23, manufactured home, move-onmobile home park, $30,000. Graystone Properties of OKC, 3725 SW 23, manufactured home, move-onmobile home park, $30,000. Lynn Hicks, 10301 Laramie Road, accessory, erect, $21,000. Callahan Steel Buildings (Curt), 13101 N Douglas Blvd., accessory, erect, $20,000. Mosco Construction, 10601 S Western Ave., retail sales, erect, $17,000. Poff (Doug) Homes, 2624 Guilford Lane, acces-
REAL ESTATE sory, erect, $16,000. JNC Transport, 7901 S Council Road, manufactured home, move-onmobile home park, $15,000. Dowell Construction, 425 NW 18, residence, addon, $15,000. City of Oklahoma City, 420 W Main, office, remodel, $15,000. CLS Group, 4341 S Nebraska Ave., tower-antenna, install, $15,000. CLS Group, 12330 NW 122, tower-antenna, install, $15,000. Sprint, 3545 NW 58, tower-antenna, install, $15,000. Sprint, 5929 N May Ave., tower-antenna, install, $15,000. MJH Properties LLC, 337 W Wilshire Blvd., business, remodel, $10,000. Dolex Dollar Express Inc., 4900 NW 23, business, remodel, $8,800. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 15025 Madder Drive, residence, remodel, $8,000. Antonio Lucio, 307 N Tuttle, accessory, erect, $6,000. Steven L. Frazier, 7220 NW 102, residence, addon, $5,300. Sodexo, 700 SE 13, office, supplement, $5,000. Trinity Group Architects, 4400 S Shields Blvd., restaurant, remodel, $5,000. Bilal Ahmad, 15304 Grayson Drive, accessory, erect, $4,500. Janet Leeper, 10012 Devore Drive, storm shelter, remodel, $4,500. Evonnda Fields, 5524 Ventura Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,425. Kristi Mathena, 12605 NW 7, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,300. C&G Properties, 9910 W Reno Ave., warehouse, install storm shelter, $4,300. James Long, 11036 Coachmans Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,250. Sharon Huey, 5804 NW 160, storm shelter, remodel, $4,250. Thai Lam, 3625 SW 123 Court, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,100. Lawn Master Outdoor Living LLC, 1810 Bentham Court, canopy-carport, add-on, $4,000. Dan Swinehart, 2904 SE 96, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $4,000. Matthew Wilkinson, 5633 N Pennsylvania Ave., business, remodel, $4,000. Linda Gonzales, 11705 Copper Trails Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,995. Jennifer Stephenson, 5113 NW 163, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,900. Alex Miller, 4805 Rocky Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,650. Alva Reyes, 1101 NW 181, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,600. Brent Ophus, 7425 SW 105, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,600. Thunderground Storm Shelters, 8325 NW 106, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,600. Dan and Oz Taylor, 1509 NW 186, storm shelter, in-
stall-storm shelter, $3,600. David Copeland, 9109 NW 82, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,600. Denton H. Riddle, 9021 NW 99, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,600. Donald Tutt, 9805 Trafalgar Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,600. Ernest Wayne Ashcraft, 5908 N Billen Ave., storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,600. Hassan Ghobity, 12104 Sylvester Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,600. Kevin Smith, 2709 Lysander Place, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,600. Michael and Salena Whitten, 4119 NW 48, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,600. Robert and Sheri Townsend, 10016 Hidden Hollow Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,600. Robert Webb, 13328 SW 4 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,600. Christopher White, 18213 Bur Oak Drive, storm shelter, install — storm shelter, $3,500. Mario Nevarez, 11220 NW 97, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,500. Brandon Shearer, 3924 Taylor Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,450. Brett Herzog, 10609 SW 35, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,400. Kendell Ayers, 10665 NW 107, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,400. James Sidwell, 5529 Lanceshire Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,395. Neelam A. Patel, 2916 SW 139, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,300. Shawn Hoffman, 721 Conestoga Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,300. No name provided, 16301 Scotland Way, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,300. Nashona Ragland, 8720 Pikes Peak Road, storm shelter, add-on, $3,250. Michael Dulin, 16424 Grace Anne Court, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,200. Ricky McCullough, 5024 SE 47, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,100. Terry Winston, 9816 S Morgan Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,098. Carolyn Johnson, 13316 SW 4 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,095. Andrea Williams, 9100 NW 83, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Chris Martin, 13113 Springcreek Circle, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Elizabeth Myers, 849 Golden Pond Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. James Stricker, 1001 Cimarron Creek Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shel-
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
ter, $3,000. Jerry and Margaret Meier, 1651 SW 86, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Kyle Clow, 12217 Fox Hill Way, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,000. Lee Spivey, 4904 NW 163, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,000. Randall Tipton, 5109 SE 79, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,000. Robert K. Johnson, 6813 NW 131, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Ronald Staton, 9308 S Indiana Ave., residence, remodel, $3,000. Steve Ritchey, 625 Ellsworth Ave., storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Kevin Vivona, 3817 Spyglass Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Omar Torres, 2508 Busheywood Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Precision Shelters, 1521 NW 172, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Thunderground Storm Shelters, 2920 SW 126, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,900. J.D. Phillips, 5416 NW 119 Terrace, storage, installstorm shelter, $2,900. Jose Joykatty, 13101 Box Canyon Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,900. Joe Roberts Construction, 8300 Heather Glen Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,900. D.J. Slater, 12029 NW 136 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,875. Jerid Patterson, 13001 Callie Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,875. Kerri Lee, 3004 SW 132 Place, storm shelter, remodel, $2,800. Scott Parker, 15616 Summit Parke Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,800. Kelly Dragus, 2701 NW 173, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,795. Smart Shelters, 1220 SW 129, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,795. F5 Storm Shelter, 3108
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SW 105 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,699. Duane Angles, 5201 SE 82, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,695. Leah Kasenrum, 18332 Tambor Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,695. Matthew Mohr, 701 Westglen Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,695. Bruce Johnson, 7917 NW 14, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,600. Carlos Evans, 16212 Scissortail Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. Chris Jackson, 11901 Ridgedale Circle, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. Christopher McLain, 5109 SW 126 Place, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. Chuck Hodges, 4112 Cherry Hill Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. Dan Hensley, 14800 SE 78, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,600. Douglas Drain, 1041 Pruitt Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. George Foster, 14009 Smithurst Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. Holly Wroblewski, 15813 Prairie Run Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. J.D. Old, 2509 SW 120 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. James Jones, 14008 Harvest Circle, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. James Morris, 12353 SW 3, storm shelter, modular, $2,600. Jerry and Carol Gravlee, 11904 Stonehedge Ave., storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,600. John Bowden, 900 SW 126, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,600. Micah Gustin, 2408 Northwood Lane, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. Alloy Building, 1521 SW SEE PERMITS, PAGE 6E
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REAL ESTATE
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
Drilling holes requires right bits Drilling holes is a fact of life for many do-it-yourself projects, and everyone has a collection of drill bits in the toolbox that will handle most common small-hole drilling tasks. But what happens when you need to make some large holes (generally considered anything over 1 1⁄8 inches in diameter) for anything from plumbing pipes to recessed light fixtures? Those types of holes take different bits, so let’s take a look at what you need and the proper way to use them.
Self-feed bits A self-feeding bit has a screw tip on the end that helps pull the bit through the wood, so it takes less effort to drill the hole. The bit creates the hole with cutters on the outside edge, as well as inner cutting blades. These types of bits are great for drilling holes in wood studs or floors for plumbing supply lines and larger-diameter drain and vent pipes. For good performance, it’s important that you keep a sharp edge on the bit, but embedded nails or staples in the wood can easily damage the cutting edge and the feed screw, dramatically reducing the bit’s life. So you might want to consider Milwaukee’s SwitchBlade bits, which come with replaceable cutting blades and
Permits FROM PAGE 5E
61 Terrace, canopy-carport, add-on, $2,600. Alloy Building Co., 133 S Brentwood Drive, canopycarport, add-on, $2,600. Nichols Choffel, 7324 NW 114, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. Shaine D’Angelo, 16416 Old Oak Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. Sharon Arganbright, 3800 Millers Creek Lane, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,600. Steve Johas, 16409 Old Oak Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. Vernon Lutz, 3105 Aerie Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,600. Kristine Nguyen, 11821 SW 4, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,550. Aaron Soward, 4701 NW 154, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,500. Clyde Minor, 19601 SE 65, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,500.
Paul Bianchina HANDY @ HOME
feed screws. Another type of selffeed bit is the ship auger. Ship auger bits are long and fairly aggressive, and are ideal for boring long holes for such applications as running pipes or wires between floors, or through stacked wooden studs. They’re designed with a self-feeding screw tip to pull through wood, and hardened cutting edges that cut through hidden nails and staples.
Hole saws As you get into larger holes, such as those over about 3 inches in diameter, self-feed bits become prohibitively expensive. At that point, the common alternative is to use a multitooth hole saw, also sometimes called a hole cutter. Hole saws are available in several diameters, usually up to about 7 inches. For use, they require an arbor, which has a lock nut and a replaceable center pilot bit. Typically, one arbor will interchange with a variety of different hole saws. A hole saw is guided by Jon and Julie Brooks, 12000 NW 7, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,500. Leah and Jerry Scoles, 1116 SW 130, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,500. Juan Anguiano, 1212 NW 99, canopy-carport, addon, $2,000. Supreme Bright Bricktown LLC, 101E Main, storage, erect, $1,000.
Demolitions Stillwaters LLC, 22 NE 2, residence. Midwest Wrecking, 217 SW 7. Midwest Wrecking, 701S Robinson Ave., residential. RC Trucking, 7900 N Midwest Blvd., singlefamily residence. Deidre Brown, 1629 NE 15, garage. M&M Concrete & Wrecking Inc., 1449 NE 8, residential. M&M Concrete & Wrecking Inc., 1809 Wickliffe Ave., residence. M&M Wrecking Inc., 4300 Casper Drive, singlefamily residence. Kevin Panther, 1216 SW 39, accessory garage. Midwest Wrecking, 2624 Guilford Lane, residence.
the small pilot bit in the center, and cuts only around the outer edge of the saw. After cutting the hole, you’re left with a disk of material — called a plug — remaining inside the saw. Better hole saws, like those from Milwaukee, Bosch and Lenox, have specially designed slots that make plug removal easy. With hole saws, you have a wide range of choices, depending on the type of material you’re cutting. For example, Milwaukee offers the BigHawg, with three carbide teeth on the outer rim that cuts extremely fast in wood. On the other hand, they have a Continuous Grit Edge hole saw that’s specifically for cutting smooth holes for recessed light fixtures in drywall, acoustic tiles, and wood. If you’re installing ceramic tile, opt for one of Milwaukee’s carbide-grit, multitooth hole saws, or Bosch’s carbide-tipped MultiConstruction hole saws.
Forstener bits A Forstener bit has a sharp outer cutting edge and an inner chisel-like cutter, along with a triangular spur tip. It excels at cutting flat-bottomed holes, as well as drilling holes that partially overlap each other. It also drills very well at an angle, and at the edge of a board.
While the typical drill bit is guided by its point, a Forstener bit is guided by the outer cutting edge, so it’s best used in a drill press rather than a hand-held drill. Forsteners are available up to about 2 1⁄8 inches in diameter, and are excellent for woodworking projects. You can find a lot of imported Forsteners at cheap prices, but you get what you pay for. Instead, look for a high-quality bit like Freud’s Diablo line, which features a hardened steel body, double-ground serrated edges, and a spur design that resists “walking” on the material.
LISTING OF THE WEEK
The Listing of the Week is at 1913 NW 174. PHOTO PROVIDED
General safety
I Always make sure your bits are sharp. I If your bit is more than 8 inches long, don’t exceed 600 rpm of drilling speed. I If your drill has an auxiliary side handle, use it. I Always wear eye protection, and don’t wear long sleeves that can get caught in the bit. I Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific bit or hole saw you’re using, and the specific material you’re working with. Remodeling and repair questions? E-mail Paul 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
The Listing of the week is a traditional brick-andframe house, loaded with extras and updates, in the Copper Creek addition. The 1,935-square-foot home at 1913 NW 174 has four bedrooms, two baths, one living room, one dining area and an attached two-car garage. The family room has a fireplace and ceiling fan. The kitchen has a breakfast bar, island and pantry. The master bedroom has a ceiling fan and bath with shower and double vanities.
The home has an open floor plan, premium carpet, custom light fixtures, designer paint, cable in every room, new exterior paint, updated landscaping and comes with two wall-mounted TVs. The home, built in 2002, is listed for $174,900 with Rick Austin of WCC Realty. For more information, call 863-3800. Nominations for Listing of the Week are welcome. Send a copy of the MLS information sheet on a single-family home 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
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
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Home buyer is afraid of gas appliances DEAR BARRY: As a first-time homebuyer, I’m worried about gas appliances. All the houses I’ve looked at have gas stoves, gas water heaters and gas furnaces. The house I’m renting has allelectric appliances. I’ve heard lots of horror stories about safety problems with natural gas, everything from fires to explosions. Are gas appliances safe, or should I stick with electrical ones? Andrew DEAR ANDREW: Every manmade device has its hazards. Gas appliances can burn you up or blow you up. Electrical appliances can shock you or electrocute you, and cars can crash into trees or run off the edge of a cliff. Each has its benefits and can be
Barry Stone INSPECTOR’S IN THE HOUSE
safe when the risks are properly managed. If you buy a home with gas appliances, there are two precautions to keep in mind: First, you should hire a qualified home inspector to evaluate the general condition and operability of the water heater, furnace, kitchen range, fireplace, etc. A competent inspector will evaluate numerous safety-related aspects of these fixtures, including fire clearances, combustion air supply, ex-
haust venting, gas connections, flame patterns, fixture damage, and much more. Second, the gas company should perform a routine safety inspection of all gas-burning fixtures before you close escrow. Aside from the conditions that would be reported by a home inspector, the gas company will ensure proper adjustment of the burners and will test for carbon monoxide. A gas company inspection is advised not only when you purchase a home, but as an annual check-up for ongoing home safety. Finally, make sure there are carbon monoxide alarms near all bedroom entrances, with at least one alarm on each level of the home. This is among
An added advantage with gas appliances is that they are more economical to use than electrical fixtures. With gas, your overall utility costs should be lower. the items that should be checked by your home inspector. Follow these procedures, and the gas fixtures in your home should be safe, functional and trouble-free. An added advantage with gas appliances is that they are more economical to use than electrical fixtures. With gas, your overall utility costs should be lower. DEAR BARRY: My home has a problem with
the forced-air heater. When you turn off the thermostat, the air continues to blow for several minutes before turning off. Is this a problem? If so, should I call a heating contractor or the gas company? Sheila DEAR SHEILA: It is normal for a forced-air heating system to continue blowing after the thermostat is turned off. In fact, if the blower turns off immediately, that is a prob-
lem that warrants attention by a heating contractor. Basically, here is how your furnace works. When you turn on the thermostat, the burner ignites, but the blower does not begin to operate until the interior of the furnace becomes sufficiently heated — usually about 150 degrees. When the thermostat is turned off, the flame is extinguished, but the blower stays on until the inside of the furnace is sufficiently cooled. This helps to prolong the useful life of the combustion chamber, also known as the heat exchanger. To write to Barry Stone, visit him on the web at www.housedetective.com. ACCESS COAST PUBLISHING
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SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
REAL ESTATE
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
HOUSE PLAN
Be organized, Updated Craftsman home versatile careful for yard sale success
The Glen Eden is an updated Craftsman home that’s well suited for construction in both rural and suburban settings. Eyecatching design elements include multiple gables, shake-textured siding, varied window treatments, and stone-veneer encrusted tapered entry columns capped by welcoming lights. Its metal roof is more durable than most other roofing materials, while offering above-average protection from windblown wildfire sparks. This will be most appreciated for homes built as vacation lodges or ranch homes in country settings where fire danger is of greater concern. Most rooms have loads of windows and have vaulted ceilings, so the house seems much more spacious than its 1,500plus square feet. At the top of the porch steps, a set of French double doors opens into a vaulted screened porch. It spans the front and wraps around to the left, where it segues into a hallway leading to a vaulted home office with a private entrance near a mini-bathroom. A good-sized closet fills half of one wall. From the screened porch, two sets of double doors open into the great room. Flames in the fireplace at its rear provide a warm, inviting focal point on chilly days and dark nights. Stacked shelves flank the fireplace. The room’s apex runs down the center of the room, lining up perfectly with the center of the fireplace. Walls slope down to the left and right.
BY ALAN J. HEAVENS The Philadelphia Inquirer
Another set of double doors open into the vaulted kitchen off the screened porch. Counters and builtins wrap around three sides, while the space they surround is roomy enough
for a large family-size table. Ceilings slope down rearward in the Glen Eden’s vaulted back bedrooms. A bathroom and a laundry room are nearby.
A review plan of the Glen Eden 50-017, 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.
With the coming of spring, thoughts turn to yard sales — those events in which one set of Americans buys the stuff another set no longer wants for more or less than the retail price. Other than some buying tips — make sure you have enough room to store your new acquisitions, and confirm that your spouse is on board with it — I have nothing to say about hosting. I Time it right. Many neighborhoods schedule an annual date for all homes and neighbors to participate and will promote the date on your behalf. Some say a weekend around the first or 15th of the Kristina Clark and month is most profitable, Robert Ortiz make but if you’re competing with signs for their yard the town fair, live entertain- sale in Norman. ment will trump your todTHE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE dler’s toys. I Stage for a sale. Plan the layout of your merchandise with the customers in mind and think about how you like to shop. Staging similar items together, like children’s toys on a small table or electronic items near an outlet for testing, will help bargain hunters home in quickly on items they want. I Organize for safe shopping. As rummage shopping trips are often family outings, make sure outdoor and garage items are secured out of children’s reach and cords are tied up to reduce tripping hazards. I Be inviting but cautious. Greeting guests as they arrive offers a chance to quickly evaluate whom you’re letting near your home and valuables. Be available for any questions they might have about the merchandise, and allow customers to test or examine goods before purchasing to assess their quality. Always monitor shoppers and keep an eye on higher-priced items, especially when they’re placed near the road. I Monitor your money. With all of the bargaining and movement during a sale, cash can get lost in the shuffle, especially if you are conducting a group sale with neighbors or friends. Theft at garage sales is a common worry, so take precautions by counting and separating your quarters and bills before shoppers arrive. Secure the money in a safe and convenient place. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES
REAL ESTATE
THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
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Recycling, even floors, gives materials new life BY KATHLEEN LYNN The Record
HACKENSACK, N.J. — Builder Jeremy Teicher bought a century-old house in Englewood, N.J., intending to replace it with a new home. But instead of just demolishing the old house, he had it dismantled, so the pine floors, beadboard ceiling, solid oak doors and other features could be reused or recycled. “It’s good for the environment, and we believe it’s the right thing to do,” said Teicher, a principal with the Englewood construction company Build Within Reach. Like Teicher, a growing number of builders, architects and homeowners are looking for ways to recycle building materials, even though it’s generally easier and faster to just haul everything to a landfill. The environmental benefits are obvious, since the U.S. Green Building Council says millions and millions of tons of construction and demolition debris are dumped. But saving these old building elements can also make economic sense, because they can be resold, donated or reused to save the cost of buying new items. To dismantle the old Englewood house, Teicher hired a crew from a Baltimore nonprofit, Humanim. Interviewed at the house recently, Chris Posko, an operations manager for Humanim, said that 80 to 85 percent of
Kevin Henderson, left, and Harvey Burrell remove the floor of an Englewood, N.J., home that was being replaced. The "deconstruction" approach allowed the lumber to be donated to Habitat for Humanity and reused. MCT PHOTO
a home can typically be saved. “There’s value in everything,” Posko said. “To be able to get over 1,000 square feet of heart pine flooring (from the Englewood house) is beautiful.” Part of Humanim’s mission is to hire and train the unemployed to do the deconstruction and build their own work record. Posko said demolishing a typical house costs $15,000 to $20,000, while deconstructing the same house takes more time, and might run $25,000 to $30,000. But the materials are donated, providing a charitable
Brick 3/1.5/1 1000 sf, ch&a $89K owner fin 1113 Berwyck 833-3540 BUNDLE! 5 Duplexes, 1898sf ea, 2bd Moore Schls $449,500 Offers Considered Realty Exp 414-8753
deduction. That deduction covered the extra cost in the Englewood job, Teicher said. Humanim donates building materials to Habitat for Humanity, the home-building charity, which sells used furniture, building materials, carpets, appliances and more in its ReStores. The ReStores have three missions: to raise money for Habitat, provide affordable items for the community and reduce the amount of waste dumped in landfills. The ReStore in Wayne, N.J., raises money for Paterson, N.J.,
Habitat. It contains a wide assortment of products, including kitchen cabinets, appliances, furniture, carpet remnants, lamps, hardware, piles of tiles — everything, including the kitchen sink. All are at least 50 percent off retail price, and furniture prices are cut the longer an item stays in the store. For example, a maple dresser that’s now $75 will drop to $60 after 30 days, and $38 after 90 days. The donations come from businesses, estate sales, downsizing homeowners and people renovating kitchens or baths, according to ReStore Director Lucia Fitzgerald. “If they take the cabinets and fixtures out carefully, we can reuse them,” Fitzgerald said. Appliances are in great demand: “We can’t keep appliances in stock. They fly out of here. Same thing with good-quality cabinets.” Although the store’s only been open about a year, Fitzgerald estimates it has kept 17 tons of stuff out of landfills. About threequarters of the shoppers are homeowners, many of them surprisingly affluent, according to a poll the store did. “Everybody loves a bargain,” Fitzgerald said. “We have treasure hunters. We have dealers; they paint the furniture and sell it. Good old furniture can be refinished multiple times. It’s a sin to have it go away. This kind of old-growth wood — you’re not going to see it again.”
One recent morning, Mildred Balmer of Paterson, N.J., was shopping with her three grandchildren, looking for furniture, including a bunk bed. The store helps “people who are not able to buy new,” she said. “I don’t think it’s right to put good stuff in the Dumpster when someone can use it.” Reusing materials can help developers and architects achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Kurt Vierheilig of DMR Architects in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., reused wood from two old barges half-sunk in the Hackensack River for three buildings at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s River Barge Park in Carlstadt. “The wood was longleaf yellow pine, which you can’t even get these days,” Vierheilig said. Reusing the old wood, he said, supported the commission’s goal of “environmental stewardship and sustainability.” As for the Englewood house, previous owner Yaffa Regosin said she was glad to see its materials being reused, because she and her husband had put a lot of effort into renovating the house. “I was pleased,” said Regosin, a real estate agent with Miron Properties in Tenafly, “because I felt like all the hard work was not going into the garbage.”
Furnished/Unfurnished. Bills Paid » Wkly/Mnthly. Wes Chase Apts Elk Horn Apts, Hillcrest, 370-1077
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410-5700
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’ 2 Bed specials! Be entered into a 42” flat screen tv drawing. Pool Laundry, Comm. rm! Housing assistance accepted. 755-0300 VALENCIA APTS APTS/TOWNHOUSES 2221 N Meridian $99 Special 946-6548 PARKLANE 2&3 BD TOWNHOMES 8100 N MACARTHUR BLVD $200 OFF 1ST MO. 721-5455
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800 N Meridian
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$595
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MCT INFORMATION SERVICES
Bills Paid
Furnished/Unfurnished Weekly/Monthly 370-1077
914 Crown 3/2/2 $950 1615 Tenbears 3/2/2 $1095 701 E 26 3/2/2 $995 Express Realty 844-6101 www.expressrealtyok.com 3 bd, 2 ba, 2 car, approx 1500 sf, ch&a, 2224 Red Elm Dr, between Broadway & Bryant S of Memorial, $1145/mo-$1145/dep 370-1077 3 bd, 2 ba, 2 car, close to UCO, $1100/mo, Call 990-0488.
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2317 Cedarbrook 3bd 1ba $925 901 NW 22nd 3bd 1.5ba 1car $850 681-7272
1304 NE 8th, 1 bed, 1 bath, ch&a, W/D hkup, 2345 NE 22nd, 4 bed, 3212 NE 12th, 3 bed, Sec 8 okay, 405-248-4079. $650rent/$400dep (405) 326-0516 1635 NE 50th St. 3bed, 1ba.
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Rent to Own: Nice 2 & 3bed MWC $350 & up 390-9777
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Red Cedar Village
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