The Oklahoman's Real Estate section by OPUBCO Communications Group

LISTING OF THE WEEK

HOUSE PLAN

Large home

The Georgetown

The Listing of the Week is a large traditional home with a pool and four living areas on a cul de sac near NW 150 and Santa Fe Avenue. PAGE 4E

From the street, the home has the look of an expansive contemporary Georgian home. It’s all that, and more. PAGE 8E

REAL ESTATE

Paul Bianchina

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013

IMPROVING YOUR HOME

BUY DAD A COOL TOOL We all know there’s nothing a hardworking do-it-yourself dad would like more than a cool new tool on Father’s Day, so I’ve rounded up a few ideas to make your shopping trip a little easier. PAGE 4E

IN BRIEF

R&R Homes built this home at 1105 Dayton Lane in Moore’s Rock Creek addition for the Southwest Showcase of Homes, which continues with 29 new houses open free to the public from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. PHOTOS BY DAVID MCDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN

Moore project house featured in the Southwest Showcase BY TIM FALL For The Oklahoman trfall@gmail.com

MOORE — On May 20, R&R Homes was putting the final touches on its project home for the Southwest Showcase of Homes when co-founder Rocky Clark decided to take a break from the workday: He’d go with his wife, Phyllis, to lunch and then a matinee movie — at the Warren Theatre. “We saw about half of ‘The Great Gatsby,’ ” he said, “when they shut it down.” The theater took a big hit that day when what turned out to be an EF5 tornado wrecked Moore and part of south Oklahoma City. Moviegoers took refuge in the hallways. “We heard the roar and felt the vibrations,” as the twister passed, he said, and emerged in the quiet to find their car in the parking lot “totaled, but it started.” They threw jackets on

SCAN IT For a related video, scan the QR code below or go to NewsOK.com

Russell Clark of R&R Homes shows the kitchen island at the Moore Home Builders Association’s project house for the Showcase of Homes, at 1105 Dayton Lane in Moore.

the glass-covered seats and sped off to reunite with their family and see who else needed help. They were not the only builders touched by the May 20 storms — but their project home, one of two centerpieces for the Southwest Showcase of

Homes, was unscathed.

The show goes on The Southwest Showcase concludes this weekend with 29 new homes open free to the public from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The annual event is organized by the

Moore Home Builders Association and the Southwest Home Builders Association. Information and directions to the showcase homes are available at the two project houses. The Southwest association’s project home is by Huffman Construction at

3509 SW 126 Terrace in Oklahoma City’s Rockport addition, southeast of SW 119 and Portland Avenue. R&R Homes built the project home for the Moore association. It is a three-bedroom, 2 ½-bath home at 1105 Dayton Lane in the Rock Creek addition off SE 4 between Bryant Avenue and Sunnylane Road. Rocky Clark founded R&R Homes in 2000 with his son, Russell. The home is centered around a spacious kitchen with an oversized island and custom design elements — a polished-glass SEE SHOWECASE, PAGE 2E

Pointers for young homebuyers During the financial crisis, it was widely reported that many young Americans had lost interest in homeownership. They wanted a car and an iPhone, yes, yet were supposedly indifferent to the purchase of property. But fast-forward to 2013 and real estate specialists say people in their 20s and 30s never really lost their taste for homeownership. Or if they did, it was only fleeting. “The American dream of buying a home is alive and kicking. The yearning to own a place is in our collective DNA,” said Sid Davis, a veteran real estate broker and author of “A Survival Guide for Buying a Home.” He said first-time homebuyers are still influenced by the same motivations that led their parents and grandparents into homeownership. “People want a safe place to raise a family and a backyard where their kids can play. They want to be able to decorate and paint the house a color of their choice — without interference from a landlord,” Davis said. Here are a few pointers for nov-

Ellen James Martin SMART MOVES

ice homebuyers: I Focus on financial planning first. For young buyers making an entry-level income, questions often arise about how much they’re willing to spend on housing versus other financial priorities, said Leo Berard, charter president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (www.naeba.org). “It’s hard for people of all ages, but especially for young people, to balance their current desires for a great house with future plans that involve money, like traveling abroad or starting a family,” Berard said. Given the surge in foreclosures in the recent past, real estate agents and mortgage lenders are less likely than before to encourage buyers to max out their home

loan eligibility. And buyers of all ages fear the implications of taking on too much debt. Are you unsure how to go about conducting a financial analysis? In that case, you might benefit from a few hours spent with a trusted accountant or financial planner. One source of referrals for fee-only financial planners willing to work on an hourly basis is through the Garrett Financial Planning Network (www.garrettplanning network.com). I Look at property alternatives before picking a home. Realtors who work with firsttime buyers say that many — including those living in small apartments — are often so wowed by the first property they visit that they’re prone to making a hasty choice. But until they’ve considered alternatives in the same or nearby neighborhoods, Berard said it’s smart for them to keep their options open. The benefits of comparison shopping may seem obvious. Nevertheless, many homebuyers do less of it than do car buyers, Berard said.

I Do a comparative sales analysis before you bid. To price their properties correctly, it’s long been common practice for home sellers to rely on their listing agents for a review of recent sale prices in their neighborhood. But Davis said it’s an equally good idea for homebuyers to do a review of recent sales — ideally for deals that have closed in the past six months. “The more recent the sales data, the better,” he said. Are you seeking to buy in an area where few similar homes have sold lately? If so, you may need to rely on comparable sales of dissimilar homes in the same neighborhood. I Allow sufficient time for a professional home inspection. “As young buyers, you should be especially concerned that you’ve caught any defects that would be exceptionally costly to fix. If your inspector finds serious problems, you’ll need an escape hatch,” Berard said. To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com. UNIVERSAL UCLICK

GARDENING TIPS It’s easy to tell when something goes wrong in the garden. It’s not always easy to tell why. “Garden Rescue” can help. Author Jo Whittingham gives readers the knowledge they need to diagnose some common diseases and insect damage. She helps them understand what’s normal for a plant, explains some harmless oddities and provides guidance for getting the best results from a garden. When problems do arise, she walks readers through flow charts designed to help them pinpoint the cause and gives them advice on dealing with the issue. The book covers vegetables, fruits, tree, shrubs, perennials, bulbs and lawns, is published by DK Publishing and sells for $17.95 in softcover.

RESTORING CONCRETE

RustOleum has a new resurfacing product designed to revive aging decks and concrete surfaces. The product, Deck and Concrete Restore, is 10 times as thick as regular paint or stain. It’s meant for surfaces that are structurally sound but unattractive. The waterbased coating locks down splinters, fills cracks and hides other imperfections to create a more attractive, slip-resistant surface. It also protects against moisture and sun damage. The product is available at Lowe’s and Home Depot. The suggested retail price is $49.97 for a gallon. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES

INDEX Barry Stone Gardening Permits

3E 6E 6E

REAL ESTATE

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013

The outdoor fireplace makes the covered patio a real outdoor living area at R&R Homes’ project house for the Moore Home Builders Association as part of the Southwest Showcase of Homes. PHOTOS BY DAVID MCDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN

Showcase: Home escaped tornado

The master bath of R&R Homes project house has dual vanities, as shown in the reflection of the mirror of this one.

BUSINESS BUSINESS NEWS P.O. BOX 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125 Fax: (405) 475-3996 NewsOK.com HomesOK.com

FROM PAGE 1E

backsplash, cabinetry with an antiqued tea-stain finish — created by Russell Clark’s wife, Tabitha.

Custom details The same kinds of custom details are echoed in the master suite, with its granite-topped vanities, more glass tiles and Travertine flooring. A spa-inspired shower and a walkin closet large enough for a game of racquetball round out the master. Two kids’ bedrooms are in a half Jack-and-Jill layout — one has a door to the granite-and-tile finished bathroom they share; a separate door is open to the rest of the house. Both have ample closets. The living room gives a feeling of open, connected flow from the kitchen, its natural stone fireplace, substantial wood mantel and a custom built-in corner cabinet. The study, which looks out on the covered patio and outdoor fireplace, has an exposed-beam ceiling. Upstairs is a large bonus room — maybe a kid zone, could be a dad cave — complete with built-in cabinetry and kitchenette. The 2,395-square-foot

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

DON MECOY Business Editor (405) 475-3942, dmecoy@opubco.com

RICHARD MIZE Real Estate Editor (405) 475-3518, richardmize@opubco.com

HOMESOK.COM

Find real estate news on the Internet at HomesOK.com

FOR EDITORIAL INQUIRIES: Contact Richard Mize

JERRY WAGNER

Exposed beams give a rustic look to the study of the R&R Homes project house at 1105 Dayton Lane in Moore’s Rock Creek addition. The home and 28 others will be open free to the public from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

home is $284,900.

offered

Clark family business Russell Clark said he knew by about age 20 that he wanted to be a builder and that it’s been great growing the business with his father. But it wasn’t just by chance that Russell was drawn to home design and construction. For the Clarks, it’s all in the family. His maternal grandfa-

Front door of the Moore Home Builders Association’s project house.

ther, Durward Marical, “built most of Moore” in the mid-1900s, Russell said. His uncle, Dwight Clark, acts as superintendent for all R&R Homes projects. Sister-in-law Mandi Clark is their sales representative and has been with R&R since 2007. R&R Homes is developer of the Rock Creek addition, which after nine years and more than 500 home sites is in its final phase.

The neighborhood is literally across the street from neighborhoods destroyed by the tornado. Rock Creek lost only a fence. “We lucked out. It just weaved through us,” Mandi Clark said. Russell said that he hopes this year’s Southwest Showcase of Homes helps people who suffered damage or loss “to get back on track and move on with their lives.”

Custom detail work adorns the stairs in the Moore Home Builders Association’s project house, built by R&R Homes at 1105 Dayton Lane.

This upstairs space, complete with kitchenette and cabinetry, could be a kid zone or dad cave in the R&R Homes project house for the Southwest Showcase of Homes.

Assistant Classiﬁed Advertising Manager (405) 475-3475, jwagner@opubco.com

FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Contact Jerry Wagner

REAL ESTATE

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013

Capturing curb appeal through photographs Curb appeal has always been a key component of selling a home. A wellmanicured lawn, fresh paint on the front door and a clean exterior — from siding to windows to driveways and sidewalks — can immediately entice or repel a prospective buyer. Nowadays, with the majority of buyers shopping for homes online before ever stepping foot on a property, the trick for sellers is to capture that curb appeal through photographs. Jim Hughes, of Greenwell Realty and Property Management in Andover, Minn., recommends homeowners hire a professional photographer to help them capture their curb appeal to lure in buyers. “The quality of the photograph is almost as important as the curb appeal itself,” Hughes said. “We’ll see great pictures that are taken in dim light or from bad angles all the time and they’ll get dismissed just as quickly as those (homes)

Angie Hicks

LIVING SMART

that are not well prepared (in curb appeal). That first glimpse might be the only shot you’ll get at the buyer having interest in your home.” Once you get that prospective buyer on your property, how the home looks from the outside and immediately upon entering is key to drawing in or turning off a buyer, Hughes said. “You want to make darned sure your entryway is super clean,” Hughes said. “People should feel comfortable walking in your house in their (socks). The first impression is the main reason for that, but the second reason is they’re really looking for a critical reason to eliminate the house while their Real-

tor is (unlocking the door). At that time, the buyer’s senses are overwhelmed. They’re absorbing everything they see with a lot more detail than once they get inside.” Aside from general exterior maintenance — cleaning cobwebs, clearing the yard of any weeds, debris or decorative ornaments (think pink flamingos) — homeowners looking to sell should repair cracked windows or screens, fix small nuisances like a broken doorbell, and add fresh mulch or stones to garden beds. Cleaning asphalt roofs of black streaks, power washing siding and sidewalks, or sealcoating an asphalt driveway, can all enhance the appearance of the home. Adding a fresh coat of paint is another cost-effective way to freshen up a home, inside or out. If your home is older and in need of updates, kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms that generate the most return on your in-

Home needs wire repair DEAR BARRY: The home we just bought is 45 years old and has aluminum wiring for the outlets and lights. Our home inspector said this could be unsafe, so we hired an electrician. He attached short copper wires to all of the aluminum wire ends and fastened them with regular wire nuts. Our home inspector said the electrician should have used special connectors made for joining copper and aluminum wires. But the electrician assured us that the connections are very tight and will not be a problem. We want to be sure about this. Whom should we believe? Hank DEAR HANK: You have good reason to be concerned. Aluminum wire connections can pose fire hazards, and special connectors are needed when retrofitting them with copper ends. Aluminum wire was commonly used for 110volt circuits in homes from the late 1960s through the early 1970s. Its use came to an abrupt end when loose and improper connections became overheated and caused house fires. Fortunately, rewiring is not necessary to eliminate this problem. Aluminum wires can be safe and functional, but there is a tendency for the connections to become loose. The solution is to attach copper ends, known

Barry Stone INSPECTOR’S IN THE HOUSE

as “pigtails,” at all of the terminals on lights, outlets, switches, and other fixtures. But this retrofit must be done properly, with connectors that are specially designed and approved for joining these dissimilar metals. Common wire nuts do not meet this standard. The building department in your area may require a permit for this work. You should consult a building inspector to see what is required for the retrofitting of aluminum wires. Have an inspection to ensure that the pigtails are safe and in full compliance with applicable requirements. DEAR BARRY: We just purchased a 15-year-old home and have two concerns about the electrical system. First, we noticed that the wires in the attic are not protected. They just lie exposed on the framing. Is this OK, or should the wires be run in pipes? Also, the main service panel is located on the far side of the attached garage. Therefore, wires that go to the other end of the house have to run a long distance. Could these long

runs cause a loss of power? Sandy DEAR SANDY: The wiring in your attic is probably the type commonly known as “romex.” This typically consists of three or four wires contained in a plastic sheathing, usually white, black, or yellow. Romex wiring in an attic is acceptable in many areas of the U.S., if it is fastened to the framing in ways that comply with applicable safety standards. Some municipalities require wiring in protective piping, known as conduit, but running romex wires, rather than conduit wiring, through an attic complies with standards set forth in the National Electrical Code, provided that your local building department approves such use. As for the long run from the main panel to the far end of the house, significant voltage reductions can occur when wires extend for considerably long distances, such as between separate buildings. Wire runs extending from one end of your home to the other should not pose a problem in this regard. However, if there are symptoms that concern you, such as dimming lights, have the system checked by a licensed electrician. To write to Barry Stone, visit him on the web at www.housedetective.com. ACTION COAST PUBLISHING

Dallas home with Oswald link offered THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DALLAS — The Dallas rooming house where Lee Harvey Oswald lived in the weeks leading up to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy has gone on the market for $500,000. The house has been in Patricia Hall’s family since about 1942, but she’s decided it’s finally time to let it go. Oswald, the accused assassin of Kennedy, rented the small room on Oct. 14, 1963, from Hall’s grandmother, Gladys Johnson. Oswald briefly returned to the house on Nov. 22, 1963, about 30 minutes after Kennedy was fatally shot in downtown Dallas.

Hall said she’s been considering selling for years, but decided the time was right as this year marks the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination.

Patricia Hall poses in front of 1026 N Beckley Ave., her family’s boarding house where Lee Harvey Oswald lived for six weeks in 1963, in Dallas. AP PHOTO

Landscaping in the front of a house in the Lone Oak Ridge addition in Oklahoma City. THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE

vestment. Consider upgrading laminate countertops with quartz or granite; changing out old light fixtures or replacing brass fixtures with brushed nickel, said Robin Burrill, an interior designer and CEO of Curb Appeal Renovations in Keller, Texas. Before embarking on any remodeling project, though, it’s important to talk with your contractor and real estate agent to make sure the project makes sense, will generate the return you’re seeking and fits with the other ex-

isting properties in your neighborhood. “I think the most important facet is making sure whatever you do, that the remodel looks like it goes with the house,” Burrill said. “So many times, we’ll see people do a room addition or an outdoor living space and it doesn’t look like it goes with the home. A perfect example would be a patio cover. They’ll do a shed roof or a flat roof for a patio cover, whereas, if they had gone ahead and spent the money and went with (a style)

that fits that home, it would add so much to that curb appeal and to the value of the home.” Hiring a good real estate professional can help you decide the right projects to get the most out of your curb appeal. Hughes retains a professional home stager on staff to help prepare his clients homes for sale. “Good curb appeal is like having an auction to sell everything you own,” Hughes said. “If, on the day of the auction, you get a big rainstorm, you’re not going to get much money for your items because the audience will be smaller. Essentially, the same is true with curb appeal. If you do a good job on curb appeal, you’ll have more buyers that are interested. Though they might not make offers, you’ll have a larger audience of buyers.” Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie’s List, a resource for local consumer reviews on everything from home repair to health care. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013

REAL ESTATE

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

A few great tool ideas for Father’s Day

Survey shows most popular types of houses BY ASSOCIATED DESIGNS

What do families want in their homes? It changes a little every year, but much greater differences evolve over the course of a decade. Results just in from Associated Designs’ 2013 Home from the Heart Survey show this to be true. Ten years ago, people yearned for larger homes. The 2,000 to 3,000square-foot home was the most popular. This year, 1,400 to 1,800 square feet rated the highest, perhaps reflecting the economic realities of the times. Style preferences have changed a great deal, as well. In 2003, the contem-

porary exterior came out on top, followed closely by the nostalgic countrystyle home. This year, ranch-style homes were the most preferred, indicating a major comeback for this old favorite. The Craftsman-style home ranked second with 21 percent, actually quite close to the 25 percent it rated in 2003. When it comes to floor plans, contemporary families appear to want more openness in their gathering spaces. Only 17 percent asked for formal living areas, down from about 50 percent 10 years ago. More than 90 percent asked that their kitchen be open to the family room, as opposed to less than 60 per-

cent back then. On the other hand, more than 90 percent now want the owners’ suite isolated from the secondary bedrooms, up from 70 percent in 2003. A high preference for its location on the main floor held steady over time. The desire for a wood stove or fireplace has dropped from 90 percent to about 75 percent. And it’s notable, but not surprising, that the desire for computer centers has shot up from around 45 percent to around 65 percent. Green building practices were barely talked about in 2003. Now, most families are considering including at least some of these options in their plans.

Mortgage insurers show improvement BY MORTGAGEDAILY.COM

New business continued to build at U.S. mortgage insurers, and another monthly improvement appears to be on the horizon. Members of the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America insured 46,393 home loans for $11.373 billion during April, according to fresh monthly operational data. April activity included around $4.9 billion in policies written by Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corp.,

$2.4 billion generated by Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp. and $4.1 billion in new business at Radian Guaranty Inc. Volume improved from March, when 40,893 mortgages were insured for $10.054 billion. Business was significantly better than the same month last year, when members reportedly wrote 30,575 policies for $7.109 billion. From January through April, there were 158,874 home loans insured for

$41.090 billion. Business has been better now for two months in a row, and a third consecutive improvement is likely based on the 49,018 applications received in April, up from 43,278 the previous month. A tiny uptick from the previous month left primary insurance defaults at 17,309 in April. A substantial improvement, however, was made from a year earlier, when defaults totaled 22,569. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES

LISTING OF THE WEEK The Listing of the Week is a large traditional home with a pool and four living areas on a cul de sac in the Brenton Hills addition near NW 150 and Santa Fe Avenue. The 4,444-square-foot home at 15252 Worthington Lane also has four bedrooms, 3½ baths, two dining areas and an attached three-car garage. The family room has a fireplace and ceiling fan. The study has a built-in bookcase and ceiling fan. The kitchen has a breakfast bar, eating space and island, with a club area overlooking the pool and back yard. The master bedroom has separate his-and-hers closets. Secondary bed-

The Listing of the Week is at 15252 Worthington Lane. PHOTO PROVIDED

rooms have walk-in closets and ceiling fans. The home has a theater room and game room, basketball court, security system and underground sprinkler system. The home, built in 2003, is listed for $415,000

with Nancy Kimberling of Prudential Alliance Realty. For more information, call 348-7910. 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.

We all know there’s nothing a hardworking do-it-yourself dad would like more than a cool new tool on Father’s Day, so I’ve rounded up a few ideas to make your shopping trip a little easier. They’re listed in order of the average price, and they’re all available at home centers, hardware stores, lumber yards and other retailers, as well as online. I Skil 360 Quick-Select 4V Screwdriver (Model 2356-01, $49.99): Ever heard Dad grumbling on a do-it-yourself project because he didn’t have the right screwdriver bit? Skil’s solved that problem with this palmsized lithium ion screwdriver with a revolving drum that holds 12 commonly used bits. Twist the drum, push the sliding Bit Shifter, and a Phillips, flat, square, torx, or other bit slides into the magnetic bit holder. Includes LED light, 12 bits, AC wall charger, and even a USB charger. I Black & Decker 7.5Amp, 14-Inch Electric String Trimmer (Model GH3000, $69.99): A powerful, lightweight string trimmer that does away with the hassles of gas and oil or recharging batteries. Single line, automatic feed spool eliminates bumping. Features a comfortable pivoting handle and an easy-release latch to switch between trimming and edging. Especially nice is the edging wheel, which supports the tool while you’re edging. I Craftsman 80pc Max Axess 1/4 & 3/8-inch Drive Socket Wrench Set (Model 32820, $71.99): A cleverly designed wrench set that combines the quick grab of a standard wrench with the superior reach of deep well sockets. Ratchets and sockets have a passthrough design for use with the longest of bolts — even all-thread. Includes sockets and bits to handle Torx, Hex, standard inch and metric fasteners. Includes 36 ¼-inch drive tools and 44 3/8-inch drive tools, all in a nice fitted case. I Bosch 12 Volt MAX Compact Radio (Model PB120, $99.99 without battery): Here’s a compact, ultraslim radio that’s perfect for the shop or backyard deck. Operates off Bosch’s 12V MAX lithium ion batteries (not included), or the included AC adapter, which conveniently stores onboard. AM/FM radio with presets, MP3 player connection, backlit display, bass and treble controls, integrated fuel gauge, and great high performance

Paul Bianchina

IMPROVING YOUR HOME

speakers. It’s all wrapped up in a rugged, shock-absorbing housing with a built-in antenna. I Porter-Cable 20V MAX Lithium 1/2-inch Drill/Driver Kit (Model PCCK600LB, $149): Dad’s always in the market for a new cordless drill, and here’s a pro-quality model from Porter-Cable that really meets his needs. 20 volt lithium ion power; two-speed gearbox (0400/0-1,600 RPM); ½-inch metal ratcheting chuck; fuel gauge; and LED work light — all in a compact, 3.5 pound package. Includes case, charger and two batteries. I Porter-Cable 20V MAX Lithium 1/4-inch Hex Impact Driver Kit (Model PCCK640LB, $149): If Dad already has a drill, consider an impact driver instead, for tough jobs like deck building. Another pro-quality tool that’s ideal for a variety of fastening applications, with a hightorque motor that provides 1,450 inch-pounds of torque and a high-performance transmission (0-2,900 RPM/0-3,000 BPM). 1/4-inch quickchange chuck, 20 volt lithium ion power, and just 3.2 pounds. Includes case, charger and two batteries. I Dewalt 12V/20V Charger Radio (Model DCR015, $179): Dad can get his music going and recharge his tool batteries at the same time

Dewalt 12V/20V Charger Radio

with this awesome Charger Radio from Dewalt. Features a 2-amp charger that recharges 12 and 20 volt MAX battery packs; an AM/FM radio with presets; auxiliary and USB ports for connection to your iPod and other portable digital audio devices; two AC power outlets and a cord wrap on the side for added convenience; and a USB port for device charging. And it’s all contained in a rugged roll cage to stand up to job site abuse. I SkilSaw Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw (Model Mag77LT, $219): This is the legendary Skil 77 Worm Drive saw that’s been the overwhelming choice of professionals for decades — but it’s just been reintroduced in a new version that’s a whopping 4 pounds lighter! Same 15amp power, and having used one for years I can assure you Dad will love it — especially with the lower weight. Cut-Ready depth of cut system for quick depth adjustment; soft-grip handle; integrated saw hook; and anti-snag lower guard. Positive stops at 0 and 45-degrees, with a 53degree bevel capacity. Includes 7 1⁄4” blade and multifunction wrench. Have a home repair or remodeling question for Paul? He can be reached by email at improvingyourhome@ykwc.net.

REAL ESTATE

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013

FHA interest rule comes under fire From left, Elyse Penley, Bedford, Texas; Jared Cope, Bakersfield, Calif.; Megan White and Krystal McKinney, Keller, Texas, pull a shelving unit from a destroyed home on May 27 in Moore. PHOTO BY KT KING, THE OKLAHOMAN

Relief groups bring food, prayer to tornado victims BY ANNYSA JOHNSON Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MOORE — Jeff Akin walks through this suburban neighborhood of twisted and flattened homes, handing out sandwiches and water from a Styrofoam cooler. He invites those he meets down to a nearby church where they can find meals and clothes and tetanus shots, and he offers his prayers. “God bless you people,” he calls out to the families and workers clearing debris left by the tornado that ripped through this swath of Oklahoma, killing 24 people and causing as much as $2 billion in damage on May 20. “I can’t believe this; I’m almost in tears,” Akin said as he surveyed the often unrecognizable mounds of fallen bricks and splintered wood that stretches for blocks. “I’m just so grateful that I could be here.” Akin arrived in Moore last week with a team of volunteers from Feed My Sheep, part of an ambitious disaster relief ministry at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wis., that grew out of its volunteer efforts in the years after Hurricane Katrina wrecked the Gulf Coast in 2005. Partnering with other faith-based groups, such as the international relief agency Samaritan’s Purse and Virginia-based Mercy Chefs, Elmbrook has dispatched first responders and food workers to disaster sites around the country since then. And nearly 20 volunteers headed to Oklahoma City in separate teams. “It’s just one of those things that kind of evolved over the years,” said the Rev. Michael Murphy, an associate pastor at the Elmbrook, Wisconsin’s largest church with about 7,000 worshippers on a weekend. “When you’re a large church, you’re able to respond in unique ways because you have so many people with a variety of expertise. But that’s for the glory of God. Not the glory of Elmbrook.” Volunteers with Feed My Sheep, the first Elmbrook crew to arrive in Moore, teamed with Mercy Chefs to feed families, volunteers and others working to rebuild the community. The larger team will help homeowners sift through the rubble of their homes. “It’s great to work alongside people who really have a heart for this,” said Feed My Sheep founder Dave Van Abel, who likes to call his ministry “catering for God.” “Feed My Sheep is more than just putting food down in front of people. It’s about meeting their needs.” In Moore, that is underway on the grounds of Southgate Baptist Church, where Pastor Doug Brewer welcomed a vast assortment of relief workers, from nurses staffing a health tent to clean up crews and FEMA personnel, even massage therapists who donated their services to relieve the aches born of the often 16hour shifts. Throughout the day, gifts of food, clothing and household items arrived by

the van loads at the church’s community center, where they were stacked and made available for families in need. Fueling this massive operation are hundreds of volunteers from around the country who are feeding nearby residents and corps of relief workers. “You just want to help. That’s what it’s all about,” said Gail Moses, of New Berlin, Wis., a Feed My Sheep volunteer who has traveled with Elmbrook for missions in Biloxi, Miss., and Joplin, Mo. “Jesus tells us to love one another, and you show your love by what you’re doing,” she said. “Dave is always telling us, ‘Just love on the people.’ ” Many in Moore, shaken by the destruction and deaths, said they were grateful for the kindness. “It’s been awesome the way people have taken care of us,” said a tearful Kimberly Flanagan, who survived the wreckage of her home, only to face the cries of distress from nearby Plaza Towers Elementary School, where seven children died. “I’ve never heard or seen anything like it in my life. And when I went out on that front porch, I could hear those babies crying and hollering at the school,” said Flanagan, trembling as she spoke.

Plenty of compassion It is that spirit of compassion and hope that inspired Van Abel of Feed My Sheep and R. Gary LeBlanc of Mercy Chefs to found their respective organizations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Van Abel, of West Allis, Wis, had gone to the Gulf Coast with a relief team from Elmbrook when he stumbled onto God’s Katrina Kitchen, a makeshift operation run by a guy from Kentucky with a charcoal grill that was feeding 3,000 people a day. When he returned home, Van Abel quit his job with Aramark and headed back to Mississippi, where he would work the next five months. A New Orleans native whose daughter lost her home to Katrina, LeBlanc had also come to help, through Operation Blessing, a relief organization founded by his father-in-

law, televangelist Pat Robertson. LeBlanc met Van Abel at God’s Katrina Kitchen. A managing partner of three Hilton Hotels in Chesapeake, Va., LeBlanc shared his vision of staffing emergency kitchens that could be dispatched at a moment’s notice in disasters. “I said great, how do I join?” recalled Van Abel. “And he said you just did.” Since then, the men have collaborated on relief efforts around the country.

Love and food If love and food are essential to life, there was a lot of it going on inside the cramped quarters of Mercy Chefs’ mobile kitchen set up on the grounds at Southgate Baptist. Volunteers, including Akin, scooped heaping spoonfuls of cheesy egg strata and slabs of sausage into boxes, then passed the boxes through the open window to Karen Moses — Gail’s daughter — and John O’Malley. They added fruit and utensils and stacked the boxes for pickup or delivery. “We had our first cheesy meal today; the Wisconsin contingent has taken over the kitchen,” said Van Abel, trading a steaming tray of strata for Akin’s now empty tin. The work wanes, but hardly ever stops. There is always cleanup, and the next meal to prepare. Not everybody is a kitchen worker. Jim Burns, a semi-retired electrician, often works on the mechanicals that keep the mobile kitchen operating. “I’m the busy fixer,” said Burns, working on the generator after the kitchen temporarily lost power. After the morning rush, Akin hitched a ride with a couple of local volunteers to distribute meals in the surrounding neighborhoods. Despite the damage, there are signs of hope and even humor. An American flag whips in the wind amid the debris of a flattened home. A banner announcing “The Party’s Here!” stretches in front of another. Homeowners count their blessings, saying “it could have been worse,” or “thank God, we have our children.” MCT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

WASHINGTON — Pressured by consumer protection regulators, the Federal Housing Administration is expected to end one of its most controversial practices: charging borrowers interest on their home mortgages for weeks after they’ve paid off the entire principal balance. Though FHA officials declined to discuss the matter, the agency will have to eliminate its longstanding policy of collecting a full month’s worth of interest — hundreds of dollars extra in many cases — even when borrowers terminate their loans earlier. For instance, if you pay off your FHA loan on July 3 in order to buy a new house with a conventional mortgage, FHA currently will demand interest charges on your mortgage through July 31, collecting it out of the settlement proceeds. But under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s “qualified mortgage” rules, charging interest after a principal balance payoff “is the functional equivalent of a prepayment penalty,” according to the bureau. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which created the bureau, prohibits prepayment penalties on “qualified mortgages,” that is, residential loans that incorporate key consumer safeguards and are underwritten to limit risks for lenders and borrowers alike. Qualified mortgages are expected to become the gold standard for home loans in the coming years, and will offer the lowest rates and best terms available in the marketplace. The Dodd-Frank law designates the bureau as the federal government’s drafter of rules spelling out what constitutes a qualified mortgage. Among major players in

Kenneth Harney THE NATION’S HOUSING

the mortgage field, FHA is the only one that requires full-month interest payoffs. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Department of Veterans Affairs all stop collecting interest on the day of payoff. For more than a decade, FHA’s practice has drawn congressional and real estate trade-group criticism, most recently from Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., who sponsored legislation during the last Congress that would have banned it. The National Association of Realtors also has been a vocal critic, and has launched multiple efforts in recent years to persuade the agency to abandon its policy, all to no avail. The realty group estimated that during one year alone, 2003, FHA collected more than half a billion dollars ($587 million) in “excess interest fees.” With today’s lower interest rates, the sums involved most likely would be lower, although FHA’s loan portfolio and market share have increased. Cardin, who typically is a strong supporter of the housing agency, complained in a statement introducing his legislation that “this is an issue of fairness. Homeowners should not have to pay interest on loans that they have fully repaid.” FHA’s policy has had the side effect of encouraging many borrowers to seek to pay off their loans as close as possible to the final days in the month to avoid the hefty interest penalties. However, when mort-

gage lenders, title companies and settlement firms are busy — as they’ve been lately — it’s often not possible to schedule an endof-the-month settlement, causing some refinancers and sellers to pay more at the closing than they expected. Those extra payouts, in turn, can be shocks to unwary sellers and refinancers who have modest incomes and resources, as many FHA borrowers do. In its final qualified mortgage regulation, which goes into effect next January, the consumer bureau said that it had “consulted extensively” with FHA about its interest charging practices, and has agreed to allow the housing agency additional time — as much as a year extra — to implement the necessary changes. FHA is now drafting a formal regulatory proposal aimed at bringing the agency into full compliance. At the end of that process, FHA presumably will collect interest only through the date of actual payoff of a mortgage, rather than the full month. That should be welcome news to critics who say FHA’s recent series of increases in monthly mortgage insurance premiums and its June 3 revocation of new borrowers’ rights to cancel premiums at any time during their loan terms are driving moderate-income borrowers away from the agency and making homebuying less affordable. The takeaway here: Until FHA changes its policy, try to schedule any early payoff or closing on a refinancing as late in the month as possible to avoid punitive interest charges. Ken Harney’s email address is kenharney@earthlink.net. WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

REAL ESTATE

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013

Permits Oklahoma City Omni Construction LLC, 12400 S Sunnylane Road, manufacturing, erect, $1,800,000. Ada Architects Inc., 300 NE 36, retail sales, remodel, $1,500,000. Oklahoma City G2k Development LLC, 900 SE 15, retail sales, erect, $750,000. New Generation Homes LLC, 13800 Cascata Strada, residence, erect, $450,000. Landmark Fine Homes LP, 4500 Horizon Blvd., residence, erect, $345,000. Rader Building Co. Inc., 325 NW 155, residence, erect, $325,000. Landmark Fine Homes LP, 18513 Feliz Drive, residence, erect, $280,000. R&R Homes LLC, 11429 NW 132 Terrace, residence, erect, $280,000. R&R Homes LLC, 11425 NW 132 Terrace, residence, erect, $280,000. St. Lawrence Custom Homes, 9125 SW 36, residence, erect, $280,000. Willa Construction Co. Inc., 3200 SW 138, residence, erect, $270,000. J.W. Mashburn Development Inc., 3109 SW 137, residence, erect, $250,000. Sun Properties LLC, 1520 NW 173 Terrace, residence, erect, $250,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., shell building, erect, $250,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., shell building, erect, $250,000. J.W. Mashburn Development Inc., 3120 SW 138, residence, erect, $240,000. ADF Homes LLC, 9032 NW 84 Terrace, residence, erect, $230,000. Ripple Creek Homes LLC, 313 NW 155, residence, erect, $230,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 18512 Feliz Drive, residence, erect, $226,000. League Custom Homes LLC, 8816 NW 109, residence, erect, $200,000. McHughes Enterprises Inc., doing business as Mallard Construction, 4900 SW 120 Place, residence, erect, $200,000. Waffle House Inc., 1150 S Meridian Ave., restaurant, remodel, $200,000. Silvergate Construction Inc., 1608 Westchester Drive, residence, remodel, $200,000. Southwest Builders, 5921Lytle Drive, residence, add-on, $197,000. Mashburn Faires Homes LLC, 9508 Shallow Lake Court, residence, erect, $192,800. Vesta Homes Inc., 12017 Williamson Farms Blvd., residence, erect, $189,000. Vesta Homes Inc., 4920 SW 120 Terrace, residence, erect, $189,000. Affinity Homes LLC, 317 SW 175 Terrace, residence, erect, $180,000. Wolf Creek Property Development LLC, 14100 Savannah River Way, residence, erect, $178,000. Brass Brick Platinum Series Homes LLC, 3305 NW 163, residence, erect, $177,000. Mark and Amber Davidson, 15005 Garr Place, residence, erect, $175,000. Vesta Homes Inc., 4913 SW 121 Place, residence, erect, $160,000. Mashburn Faires Homes LLC, 404 SW 170 Terrace, residence, erect, $155,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $151,875. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $151,875. Mashburn Faires Homes LLC, 236 SW 169, residence, erect, $151,000. Affinity Homes LLC, 17508 Murcielago Court, residence, erect, $150,000. Cutter Homes, 2401 Coles Creek Lane, residence, erect, $150,000.

Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 18440 Las Meninas Drive, residence, erect, $145,000. King’s Crown Homes Inc., 36 SE 87, residence, erect, $140,000. King’s Crown Homes Inc., 32 SE 87, residence, erect, $140,000. King’s Crown Homes Inc., 28 SE 87, residence, erect, $140,000. Westpoint Developers LLC, doing business as Westpoint Homes, 6209 NW 157, residence, erect, $130,000. Landmark Fine Homes LP, 9500 SW 27, residence, erect, $125,000. Landmark Fine Homes LP, 9500 SW 28, residence, erect, $125,000. Landmark Fine Homes LP, 13301 SW 2 Terrace, residence, erect, $125,000. Landmark Fine Homes LP, 13305 SW 2 Terrace, residence, erect, $125,000. Silvergate Construction Inc., 2512 NW 68, restaurant, remodel, $125,000. Home Creations, 16413 Friar Court, residence, erect, $123,000. American Building Contractors & Developers LLC, 12128 SW 12, residence, erect, $120,000. American Building Contractors & Developers LLC, 12120 SW 12, residence, erect, $120,000. American Building Contractors & Developers LLC, 12116 SW 13, residence, erect, $120,000. American Building Contractors & Developers LLC, 12136 SW 12, residence, erect, $120,000. Home Creations, 11304 NW 100, residence, erect, $118,900. Home Creations, 16101 Capulet Drive, residence, erect, $108,900. Vintage Custom Homes LLC, 10724 SW 36, residence, erect, $106,000. Monarch Construction Co. LLC, 3417 Sardis Way, residence, erect, $100,000. Monarch Construction Co. LLC, 10921SW 33 , residence, erect, $100,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 18708 Casero Drive, residence, erect, $98,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $89,250. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $89,250. Steve Breed Construction Co. Inc., 3817 Regatta Road, residence, fire restoration, $85,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $76,500. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $76,500. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $76,500. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $76,500. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $70,500. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $70,500. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $63,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., warehouse, erect, $63,000. Tara Co. LLC, 9620 Pole Road, storage, erect, $60,000. Forrest Park Estates, 5004 S Eastern Ave., manufactured home, moveon-mobile home park, $56,000. Frank Nees Contracting LLC, 17500 Chatham Hills Road, residence, remodel, $54,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., storage, erect, $45,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., stor-

Kitchen design workshops set for Saturdays in June Designer Jo Meacham will present kitchen design workshops from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays in June at Urban Kitchens, 3515 Classen Blvd. “For all those people wanting to remodel their homes, kitchens, or bathrooms. Learn how to gain the most value for home improvements. Maximize investment dollars,”

Meacham said. Reserve a spot by phone or email: 702-7747; jo@urbankitchensok.com. I June 8: General discussion. I June 15: What Is Your Kitchen Style? I June 22: General discussion. I June 29: The Remodeling Process.

age, erect, $45,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., storage, erect, $42,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., storage, erect, $42,000. D&L Contractors LLC, 2224 NW 23, restaurant, remodel, $40,000. Forest Park Estates, 4800 Foster Road, manufactured home, move-onmobile home park, $38,000. Forest Park Estates, 4800 Foster Road, manufactured home, move-onmobile home park, $38,000. Home First Inc., 15401 Coral Creek Lane, accessory, erect, $30,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., office, remodel, $30,000. Garland Mills, 1528 SW 46, residence, fire restoration, $28,000. Jesus Violeta, 3616 Wimberley Creek Drive, accessory, erect, $27,000. Value Added Properties, 2215 NW 39, retail sales, remodel, $26,000. Callahan Steel Buildings (Curt), 11648 Marbella Drive, accessory, erect, $25,000. R&D 2 LLC, 13801 Quail Pointe Drive, restaurant, remodel, $25,000. Daniel Swanner, 10312 S Rockwell Ave., accessory, erect, $22,000. Forest Park Estates, 4800 Foster Road, manufactured home, move-onmobile home park, $20,000. Randy Jones, 12400 SE 73, accessory, erect, $20,000. Wayne P. Rakett, 12825 NW 106, accessory, erect, $20,000. Larry Battison, 8700 Northwest Expressway, automotive sales, install, $20,000. No name provided, 3003 N May Ave., business, remodel, $20,000. Lucy Rahn, 4800 Foster Road, manufactured home, move-on-mobile home park, $19,000. Robert F. and Jamie J. Adamson, 15500 Country Edge Drive, residence, remodel, $15,000. The Brown Group, 6813 N May Ave., business, remodel, $15,000. Mark Miller, 3209 NW 16, residence, remodel, $12,000. Tarlton Corp., 1741 Belle Isle Blvd., temporary building, move-on, $10,125. 4 Corners Construction LLC, 10017 Volare Drive, accessory, erect, $10,000. Storage Oklahoma LLC, 15100 S Western Ave., office, remodel, $10,000. Amanda Knight, 15513 Hickory Bend Lane, storm shelter, erect, $8,000. Bronco Steel Co., 1700 S Morgan Road, retail sales, remodel, $8,000. Aaron Ritchie, 116 S Willowood Drive, storm shelter, erect, $5,500.

Demolitions City of Oklahoma City, 4700 W Memorial Road, single-family residence. Kendall Concrete, 3301 N McKinley Ave., garage. Magdaleno Morales, 32 SE 37, shed. Midwest Wrecking, 2114 NW 39, apartments.

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

Most plants thriving on abundant moisture What a wild weather ride we Oklahomans have endured the past couple of weeks. We have experienced monster tornadoes, high winds, hail, recordsetting rains in central Oklahoma and are still enduring a terrible persistent drought in the west from Altus to Woodward to Guymon. As long as your plants were not flooded and held under water for a sustained length of time where the plant roots and leaves were not able to get sufficient oxygen, most plants have really been enjoying this moisture from the sky and our moderate temperatures. Our plants have been growing rapidly, are showing vibrant green color and have been branching and flowering nicely. We are seeing some fungus problems on lawns and flowers with all this moisture. That is a problem we have rarely seen in Oklahoma the past couple of years in our long, grinding drought. If you have blackspot on roses, mildew on roses or crape myrtle; mold, rust or rotting on other plants you can try to run them a little drier, improve air circulation or visit your local nurseryman to select a fungicide to help you get your problem under control. We have also experienced a lot of wind damage to our trees and shrubs. Remove the damaged branches as soon as possi-

Rodd Moesel GARDENING

ble. Make a fresh clean cut where branches are dangling or hanging or torn off. The trees and shrubs will attempt to grow new shoots and branches to start to replace those that were lost. This damage gives you an opportunity to rebalance the tree or shrub and direct and shape the new shoots and branches where you want them. Use sharp tools to get clean cuts and consider using tree wound dressing to protect and seal the open wounds after your tree surgery. The moderate temperatures and moisture are extending the planting season dramatically compared to the extreme heat and drought of the past two years. We have great conditions to still plant annuals for summer and fall color, perennials for enjoyment year after year and new trees and shrubs to be the foundation of your landscaping. This is a good time to plant Bermuda grass seed, sprigs or sod. You can still enjoy your own veggie garden by planting tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, pumpkins and watermelons.

Central Oklahoma has been blessed with so many regular rains we’ve hardly had to water yet this season. That will change sometime soon so remember to check your plants regularly and begin watering when needed. New plantings will need water more often than established plantings and container gardens and hanging baskets will need water more often than ground beds. This is the season to mulch your flower beds to reduce watering by half, to keep soil temperatures from overheating and to reduce weed pressure. Apply 1 to 3 inches of cottonseed hulls, pecan hulls, pine straw, cocoa hulls or bark mulches of cypress, aromatic cedar, pacific Grade A cedar, fir, oak and pine in your choice of particle sizes. We had a fairly mild winter so we are starting to see lots of insect pressure. Visit your nurseryman with samples of your insect problems to get help finding the best organic or chemical remedy for your problem. Many plants are flowering, fruiting and putting on a show. Get outside and enjoy what the flora of central Oklahoma looks like when water has been applied. Rodd Moesel serves on the Oklahoma Horticulture Industries Council and the Oklahoma State University agriculture dean’s advisory committee. He is a former president of the Oklahoma Greenhouse Growers. Email garden and landscape questions to rmoesel@americanplant.com.

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

REAL ESTATE

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013

No toy box: Barbie’s Dreamhouse goes life-size BY MIRIAM VALVERDE Sun Sentinel

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Days of Malibu living are long gone for Barbie. The iconic doll has moved to Florida and is inviting people to step into her lifesize dream house, the first one now open worldwide. Barbie The Dreamhouse Experience, a 10,000square-foot building with an “endless closet,” elevators, a kitchen, bedroom and everything pink, is now open at Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise, Fla. The life-size house is already drawing squeals of joy from little girls who’ve toured Barbie’s happy world, and enthusiasm from lifelong fans like Lynn Mulvaney-Japes, 51. “It’s a big deal,” said Mulvaney-Japes, a member of a Barbie collector

club. “In fact, we all want to go work there.” The Lauderhill, Fla., resident said she has more than 3,000 Barbie dolls in a room in her house devoted exclusively to the fashionista and multicareer role model. MulvaneyJapes planned to visit Barbie’s own house, along with other members of the Fashion Queen Doll Club. “We are really excited about the opening here in Florida, and hope that this new destination gives tourists a reason to visit and residents a reason to return,” said LeAnne Hackman, Barbie Global Experiences Licensing director at Mattel. The house was a twoyears-in-the-making project for Mattel and EMS Entertainment, an Austria-based company helping design and build the

Patrons leave a life-size house, "Barbie The Dreamhouse Experience," at Sunrise, Fla. MCT PHOTOS

project. “Making sure children and parents actually feel like they are in the Dreamhouse has always been our goal,” said Christoph Rahofer, president of EMS. “We wanted this to be an immersive experience that visitors would never for-

get.” One day recently, groups of girls ran around the house, frequently jumping with excitement and often pointing and screaming, “Oh my God, did you see this?!” Several walls throughout the house are lined

with Barbie dolls, and among the interactive features are buttons, which, once pressed, can either make flowers rise, Barbie’s dog walk out of his doghouse, or a pink dolphin pop-up from a toilet seat. Visitors also can get glammed up by Barbie staff, walk down a runway and strike a pose. “It was really cool,” Elizabeth Torres, 11, said after the fashion show. “We saw the whole house, the big closet; it was really awesome.” Not everyone was impressed. Some parents were upset because some staff members were giving tours without looking up from scripts, and interactive computer screens had glitches along with other technical difficulties. Mattel said the hiccups would be a top priority to correct.

Sean McGowan, a toy industry analyst, said Barbie’s new house will likely serve as an experimental project for the company to determine whether it can replicate the concept with its other brands. “I think what a lot of consumer companies are coming to realize is that there’s an opportunity to make the retail experience more immersive,” said McGowan, of New Yorkbased research firm Needham & Co. “If it can be done in a way that doesn’t cost much, then it becomes an effective way of extending their brand.” The Dreamhouse tour, however, is probably a type of venture that won’t draw frequent visitors, because after a while the experience will just become repetitive, McGowan said. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013

REAL ESTATE

HOUSE PLAN

Vaulted great room is home’s secret From the street, the Georgetown has the look of an expansive contemporary Georgian home. It’s all that, and more. The inner secret, barely hinted at by its central roof lines, is the vaulted hexagonal great room at its heart. Inside, six openbeamed, pie-shaped segments rise to unite at a lofty central apex. This soaring ceiling shelters the living room, dining area, kitchen, a mini-bathroom, and about half of the vaulted entry. The kitchen is fully open to the larger space above its two raised peninsular eating bars. The bathroom, of course, is fully enclosed. The entry is separated, but linked by openings to the kitchen and the larger space. A sliding door can close off the kitchen, when that’s desired. The great room is awash in natural light. Stacked multipane sections of glass crown the tall windows that fill most of the three rear walls. Above that, in the central section, even more light washes in through a symmetrical set of multipane, triangular glass segments. This echoes the similarly shaped glassy triangles crowning the front entry. At the rear of the Georgetown, two sets of double doors access a vaulted and covered patio that is flanked and supported by bold, rounded columns. A long section of uncovered patio extends across the rear to the left of the covered area. In the front, wide wings reach out from the left and right of the hexagonal core, giving a courtyard

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

Fannie Mae offers options for loans of tornado victims FROM STAFF REPORTS

Fannie Mae has reminded servicers of the home loans it insures of options for homeowners affected by natural disasters in the wake of Oklahoma tornadoes. Under Fannie Mae’s guidelines for single-family mortgages, servicers may grant an initial period of forbearance to any borrower they believe has been affected by the tornado. Additional forbearance is available with approval from Fannie Mae. Within 90 days, servicers are expected to establish contact with homeowners who have been affected and determine if additional assistance is necessary, such as a loan modification. In addition, Fannie Mae guidelines authorize servicers to delay foreclosure sales and other legal proceedings in areas affected by the tornado. “Our servicers are required to offer assistance to homeowners who have been affected by a natural disaster,” said Leslie Peeler, senior vice president, National Servicing Organization, Fannie Mae. “We know that many people have had their lives impacted ... and our thoughts and prayers are with them.” Under Fannie Mae’s disaster relief guidelines, a servicer may temporarily suspend or reduce a homeowner’s mortgage payments if the servicer believes a natural disaster has adversely affected the value or habitability of the home or if the natural disaster has impacted the homeowner’s ability to make payments on the mortgage. Since a storm or other disaster may make it difficult to reach homeowners, Fannie Mae allows servicers to grant this relief even if they cannot contact the impacted homeowner immediately. Borrowers should contact their mortgage servicer to pursue assistance. In addition, homeowners can contact Fannie Mae through one of 12 Mortgage Help Centers across the country. Go to http://knowyouroptions.com/ help or call (800) 732-6643.

Tran joins Prudential Alliance

feel to the spaces they embrace on both sides of the vaulted porte cochere and entry. Inside, the left wing comprises the luxurious owners’ suite and den-of-

fice. Secondary bedrooms, a utility room and a twocar garage with built-in storage cabinets fill out the right wing.

A review plan of the Georgetown 10-576, 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.

EDMOND — Mary Tran has joined Prudential Alliance Realty’s office at 3434 S Boulevard in Edmond as a residential real estate sales agent. She has eight years of experience in the Oklahoma City real estate market. The Yukon native is fluent in Vietnamese.

Mary Tran

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

REAL ESTATE

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013

Outdoor kitchens are starting to heat up BY SUSAN M. SELASKY Detroit Free Press

DETROIT — The unofficial grilling season is underway, and one of the hottest trends is bringing the kitchen outdoors, literally. Once thought only practical in warmer climates, outdoor kitchens are heating up even in Michigan. Makers of high-end grills and outdoor appliances — distributors, landscape companies and homebuilders — have seen this trend grow. Built-in grills that spew out more than 50,000 BTUs and cost $7,000 and up. Outdoor-ready pizza ovens for $12,000. Dishwashers that cost $4,000. Outdoor kitchens, even in Michigan, are trendy and part of the planning stages of some new construction. Trevarrow, an Auburn Hills, Mich.-based distributor of Wolf and SubZero appliances including ones for outdoors, has seen double-digit growth in its outdoor appliances business.

One of the hottest trends in home design is bringing the kitchen outdoors to make grilling more than just for burgers. This model home in Oakland Township, Mich., features an outdoor kitchen area with pizza oven. MCT PHOTOS

“We are seeing them become more popular,” said Don Cooper, Trevarrow’s corporate sales manager. “What was once thought of done only in warmer climates, like Arizona, ideally you can get eight to nine months out of it here

Treed Fenced 5.16 acres 2bd 2ba mobile home, storm cellar, 1700sf shop $65,000 Rlty Exp 414-8753

(in Michigan).” Cooper said it’s easy to deal with the winter cold with outdoor heaters. Russ Faulk, vice president of design and marketing for Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, said outdoor kitchens “are more

IMMACULATE 3/2.5/3 + office on .50 ac MOL $209,900 Lisa 919-5717 Cleaton & Assoc 373-2494

4612 SE 20 2 bd. 15,000 eq and take over payment of 258 mo for 10 yrs. ••• 417-2176

rivaling the indoor kitchen than they used to.” The company specializes in outdoor cooking and entertaining. It has a manufacturing facility in Kalamazoo, and its headquarters are in Chicago. “We are the upper end of the upper end,” Faulk said. “Our average outdoor kitchen order is in the $30,000-$50,000 range in the appliances and cabinetry.” Faulk said the outdoor pizza oven is the top seller. Outdoor kitchens can include cooking areas with refrigerators and ice makers designed and built for outdoor use that cost several thousand dollars each. There also are shiny builtin stainless-steel kitchen sinks and even dishwashers. They’re all designed to be weather-resistant. “It’s been growing for the last five-six years,” said Dominick Tringali, staff architect for Moceri, a custom homebuilder. “We are seeing more of those kinds of spaces.” What you spend depends on what you want or

need. Builders and designers peg pricing from $15,000 to upward of $50,000, depending on size, materials and appliances. The Hearth, Patio and

2-INVESTMENT HOME OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

$200 off first month

AUCTION

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2 BRAND NEW BRICK HOMES 3/2/2 721 & 811 W. Highland $140k's Tecumseh 405-206-8551

920 Holoway Like new 3 bd 2ba 2 car home. Call Brenna-Agent 201-5287 www.homesofokcinc.com

7 Acres & 5bd 4ba 7600sf, 3 fp, built 2005. 3800sf attached gar w/room for indoor tennis court, huge shop. Minutes from Norman $399,000 Realty Experts 414-8753

112 Kimberling. Like new 3 bd 2 ba 2 car home. 799-5531-Agent www.homesofokcinc.com

2 BRAND NEW BRICK HOMES 3/2/2 721 & 811 W. Highland $140k's Tecumseh 405-206-8551

PIEDMONT OPEN SUN 2-5 Model home. New hms on 1/2 ac lots. From NW Expwy & Sara Rd go 4.5 mi N Cleaton & Assoc 373-2494

$139,000 2 story duplex, 130 W Hayes. Each unit has 2 bed, 2 bath, ch&a, w/d, frig, private yards. Rented for $1300. Pics on zillo. 405-321-5393

PUBLIC AUCTION

170 acres - Lindsay, OK

fenced, 5 ponds, live creek, good hunting. 405-830-1473 PIEDMONT OPEN SUN 2-5 Model home. New hms on 1/2 ac lots. From NW Expwy & Sara Rd go 4.5 mi N Cleaton & Assoc 373-2494 CASHION ACREAGES 6 AC MOL w/trees & creek great bld site. Owner fin may be avail $25,000 Lisa 919-5717 Cleaton & Assoc 373-2494 1N to 10A E of OKC, pay out dn. 100's choices, many M/H ready TERMS Milburn o/a 275-1695 www.paulmilburnacreages.com »» Park like setting 38Acres» » 2 water wells, pond, live creek, lrg trees, many beautiful building sites, Owner »» 405-426-5566 155 Ac. Cogar area. Secluded 4bd house, new cntrl ht & air, wooded fenced, hunting. $2000 per acre. 405-381-2617 or 405-409-3804

428 Ac DEWEY COUNTY LAND. 136 Ac Under Circle Irrigation. OAKWOOD, OKLAHOMA. SAT, JUNE 8, 2013, 10:00 AM. AUCTION LOCATION: From Oakwood, OK, 2.5 miles east on Highway 270 & 3. Seller Mr & Mrs Steve Jackson. Auctioneer/ Real Estate Broker/MSA Jerry Evans & Associates. 580-886-3494 or 580-886-4040. www.evanslandauctions.com FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS FREE Downpayment Assistance Available to Buy Your Home! NO Closing Costs - Save $1000's Call for FREE list of 2-4bd homes Patrick w/Allied 405-740-6616 FOR SALE BY OWNER 4201 N. W. 14 3bed, 1.75ba, 2 Car Garage, $85,000 405-850-6087 OPEN 2-4 PM, 4104 NW 31st St, 4/3/2L/2D/2C, large lot, $139,900 Bill @ Bateman Co., 324-2022. Bank Owned 3/2/2 1574sf cha brk pc schls $79,900 RltyExp414-8753

Beautiful 10 Acre Tracts

New homes only ¡ Moore Schools 405-570-7774

20 acres, home, shop, barn, pond, motivated seller, 426-5566 Co.

160 acres, Caddo County, W of Hinton, some of the best deer hunting in OK, $1850 per acre, Coffee Auction & Real Estate, owner/agent, 405-542-3646. 420ac sm cabin, 65% wooded, E of Holdenville $389K 405-386-6629

Must Sell ¡ Open House S/S 1-5 3/2/2 in extra nice SW OKC area. Total remodel, looks like new. Spacious rooms. 2509 SW 93rd $137,600 405-604-5407 740-5556 Open Sun, 2-4, 10120 Southridge Terr, by owner, 2181 sf, 3 bd, 2 ba, 2 car, 2 liv, loft office w/spiral stairs, 2 fp, upgrades, $140K. Bank Owned 3/3.5/2, Moore Schls community pool, pond, 2 liv, 2 din, 3016sf, N acre, large master, $210,000 Realty Exprts 414-8753 OPEN SUN 2-4 3140 SW 128th St LOVELY Home on large corner lot, 3 bd, 2 ba, hottub, $139,500, 1576 sf » » 249-2013

3bd, 1.5ba on 5 ac w/ shop near Wellston. $110,000 405-476-0141

VALENCIA APTS APTS/TOWNHOUSES 2221 N Meridian $99 Special 946-6548

We Buy Houses

928-1400 Cash Offer - We Pay More

I BUY HOUSES

410-5700

Any condition. No cost to U

I BUY & SELL HOUSES 27 YRS EXP 650-7667 HOMESOFOKCINC.COM

Lake Eufaula, Duchess Creek area, 3 bd, 2 ba, great kitchen, office space, living room w/ FP, 1400 sf, total electric, energy efficient, insulated concrete, backup electrical syst. Great View! Boat dock. ¡‘¡ 918-689-9129

Owner Finance, SW 29th & Shields, 3 Bd, $395/mo. 940-632-8168.

Furnished/Unfurnished. Bills Paid » Wkly/Mnthly. Wes Chase Apts Elk Horn Apts, Hillcrest, 370-1077

3 bed, 2 bath, 1 study, 2 car, rent $1500 month, Call Alex 990-0488

1bed All Bills Paid 946-9506 MAYFAIR Great loc! 1&2 bd W/D hdwd flr quiet secure ¡ 947-5665 •ABC• Affordable, Bug free, Clean » 787-7212»

» $99 Special »

Large 1 & 2 beds. Stove, refrig, 3 SW OKC Locations $345-420mo No Sec 8 632-9849

Beautiful 3 bd, 1.5 ba, $800+ dep, Sec. 8 Welcome, $100 Move-In Special, 2708 Lyon Dr, 204-4308 229 NE 16th, Nice 4bd, 2ba Must See! $1000mo ¡ 405-436-4648

6006 N. Penn 2/2 $850 2622 Featherstone 3/2/2 $1095 9922 Hef. Village 2/2/2 $950 6820 NW 30 3/2/2 $1050 Express Realty 844-6101 www.expressrealtyok.com

Furnished, laundry, security $430 & up 2820 S Robinson 232-1549

1721 NW 1st 1bd duplex 1ba $365 2116K NW 11th 1bd 1ba $395 681-7272

Furnished/Unfurnished. Bills Paid » Wkly/Mnthly. Wes Chase Apts Elk Horn Apts, Hillcrest, 370-1077

Windsor Hills Garden Home gated luxury 2/2/2 $1100 Lse 789-8632

3324 SE 57 Nice 3 bd 2 ba 2 car $775 mo. ••• 732-3411 » 4909 Creekwood Dr. 3 bd, 1 ba, 2 car, ch&a, nice $580 476-5011 6309 S. Byers ‘ 3 bed, 1 bath $600mo + $400dep. 405-631-8220 5533 S. Huddleston Nice 3 bd 2 ba 2 car CH/A $850 mo. 732-3411

GREAT Office Space. Various NW locations, 300-6000sf 946-2516

Special Gov't Program! Own land/family land ZERO down. New and Repo homes. No Land? We have a home program for you. Don't prejudge, E-Z qualify by phone. $1000 furniture package with purchase. WAC 631-7600 HOUSE & LRG WAREHOUSE 3928 E Reno $1500mo 601-5905 »»» 235-5028

Newly Remodeled Town Home 2720 SW 74th 2bed 1.5 ba $525 & dep No pets or S8. (405)702-5004 http://ads.newsok.com/bppm

1406 Youngs newly built 2/1 $465 3709 SW 41st 3bd 1ba $475 Free List ¡ 681-7272

Hot Springs Village, AR Furnished 3br twnhs. $900/mo. Furnished 2br twnhs. $550/mo +utils, sec dep. No smoking/pets! 501-226-5279

2925 SW 60th 3/1K $750MO $500 DEP sec 8 ok. 324-2611

Lrg 2bd, 1ba NW; PC Schls; great storage; W/D; 1st flr; $675/mo + $400dep. No Sec 8/pets. 550-0170

2, 3 & 4 bed houses & mobile homes » 733-8688

11500 N May, 1 bed, 1 bath, FP, W/D, No pets. $525 ¡ 721-1164

4 bed double wide on 1.3 acres, fp, new carpet, good neighbors, 7 mi from Yukon, 3 mi from I-40, Banner schools 1-8 grades, widower wants to move on, $80,000, 405-308-7523 or 354-1419.

3/2/2 formal din, living w/fp, fncd yard, wood floors,updated kitchen TMS Prop 348-0720 tms4rent.com

1012 (1 story) & 1014 (2 story) Chowning, 2/1/1, near UCO, $700+dep. 285-0305 or 823-6550

1722 Riviera Ln. 2/2/2 $950 Express Realty 844-6101 www.expressrealtyok.com 3/2/2, fireplace, no pets, 4836 Rocky Rd $950+$500dep 826-6720

ALL BILLS PD furnished Efficiency off NE Kelly $485mo 427-7566 904 Ease Drive, 2 bed, $400 mo, $400 dep, 427-6798 or 427-6796

3/2 Bath Singlewide $6500 plus delivery 405-631-7600

Rent to Own: Nice 2 & 3bed MWC $350 & up 390-9777

Large 2bed $600 + dep $100 Move In Special 706 NE 25th 204-4308

Rent to Own: Nice 2 & 3bed MWC $350 & up 390-9777

7004 Woodlake Dr spacious 1200+sf 2bd duplex 2 full bath 1car gar, ch/a, fireplace, covered patio, water & garbage paid $850 mo, $400 dep Fidelity 410-4200

Beautiful 2500 sf Home in Jackson Parish, LA. $119,000 Completely furnished. Please call 318-614-7090 for details & pics. MONTEREY TN 3165sf Open floor plan 3/3/2 FP on 5.13Acr privacy pond, creek & mount views. 2800' basement $349,900 931-265-1551

3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car garage, ch&a, 1,500 sf mol, $1095/$1000, 308 Cherryvale Rd, 405-370-1077 906 W Gemini Road, 3/2/2, ch&a, 1600 + sq ft, new paint, fenced yard, $1195, 405-613-3426.

Hair salon in Quail Springs Mall for sale, 405-315-1659.

PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP! Enjoy a NEW home in a quiet, safe neighborhood 2-5 bed open floor plan. Flexible financing, low down, www.thcmobilehomes.com 405-787-5004

Rent to Own: Copperlake gated community, 1800sf condo, $1600/ mo. w/$400 applied towards purchase. Call Bill at 602-292-0519

5944 NW 40th-Large 1 & 2bed, $345 to $445 mo, stove, fridge, covered prkng. No Sec 8 470-3535

Amazing Floor Plan Repo 32x80 PALM HARBOR 4bed + office, fireplace. Free delivery in OK. 405-204-4333

2004 Gulfstream mobile home, 32' tongue to bumper, converted for travel/camping with holding tanks, good cond, $8250, 405-6641724, if no answer 405-485-2271.

Also Harrah & Jones, 3/2/2, new paint, 3 Avail Now. $700 & $850 + dep. 454-2314 or 664-3751

800 N Meridian

READY NOW!! 0 down for storm victims 3 bed w/ shed, Own in 7yrs for $650mo. 405-324-8000

Call for Maps! See why we sell more acreages than anyone in Okla. E of OKC. o/a 275-1695

’ $399 Move In Special!

Pool Laundry, Community room! Housing assistance accepted. 1, 2 & 3 BEDS ’ 7 5 5 - 0 3 0 0

LippardAuctions.com 580-237-7174

Abandoned D/W set up on 4.5 acres! Brick skirting & storm shelter. Ready to move in. Call for pre approval 405-631-7600

Nice 5 Acre Wooded Tracts on S. Harrah Rd. Owner/Finance. Owner/Broker 823-6856

787-1620

All Bills Paid » Eff & 1bd

Home On 3ac + 2 Lots = 9ac MOL www.10601CoyoteCircle.com : )

Bills Paid

Furnished/Unfurnished Weekly/Monthly 370-1077

7301 NW 23

PARKLANE 2&3 BD TOWNHOMES 8100 N MACARTHUR BLVD $200 OFF 1ST MO. 721-5455

SAT JUNE 8th 1 PM 15414 N Oak Dr. Choctaw, Ok

MCT INFORMATION SERVICES

WILLIAMSBURG

5± ACRES * NICE BRICK HOME 2 SHOP BUILDINGS 1935 CHEVY * VISIBLE GAS PUMPS * 2 POST LIFT

¡‘¡‘¡ AUCTION¡‘¡‘¡ 160 acres offered in 4 tracts Lexington, OK‘ Fri, 6/21-4pm assiter.com ‘ 806-655-3900

FSBO 3bd 2ba 1100sf custom blt in '07 Deer Creek Sch. Open floor plan. backs to Greenbelt. Many upgrades $132,500. 405-373-1212

LARGE TOWNHOMES & APARTMENTS • Washer, Dryers, pools • PC Schools, fireplaces

Barbecue Association puts outdoor rooms in the leisure lifestyle category and says it’s a $6.2 billion industry.

By Penn Sq. clean, modern 2 Bd, 1.5 Ba, Appliances, no-smoke or pets, some bills paid. secluded $845/mo + deposit. 866-440-5354

MOVE IN NOW!

Pd. water/garbage Quiet. Try Plaza East • 341-4813

Duplex for rent, 3/2/2, 100 N MacArthur, Sherwood Estates, $950 mo, $750 dep, 370-1077.

We can handle all your residential property management needs » Since 1962 » Home & Ranch Realty 794-7777

*** Brand New *** Red Cedar Village

Seniors 62+ Income Restrictions Apply $299.00 Move In Special 1st Month’s Rent due 7/1/13 (405) 395-4801 TTY 1-800-722-0353 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

10E

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013

THE OKLAHOMAN

NEWSOK.COM