The Oklahoman Real Estate by OPUBCO Communications Group

LISTING OF THE WEEK

HOUSE PLAN

Two-story Tudor

European charm

The Listing of the Week is a two-story Tudor Revival-style home with a pool on ½ acre in Oklahoma City’s historic Linwood Place neighborhood.

Brick veneer and classic keystone arches lend a European ambiance to the Landry.

PAGE 3F

REAL ESTATE

Kenneth Harney

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

TECHNOLOGY IS GAME-CHANGER FOR DESIGN OF MODERN HOMES

THE NATION’S HOUSING

Answering the call The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s home mortgage complaint and dispute resolution hotline is taking calls and helping borrowers. PAGE 6F

IN BRIEF

BED KEEPS PETS COOL

A counter-mounted television leaves no doubt: This kitchen, already built for gathering people, is ready to party. PHOTO PROVIDED BY A KAREN BLACK CO.

BY DYRINDA TYSON For The Oklahoman dyrinda@gmail.com

Raising a glass of seasonal cheer might be easier with a wine chiller close at hand. A built-in table stretches through the kitchen of a model home at 7320 White Hawk Drive in north Oklahoma City. The space comfortably seats eight, said builder Jeff Click, with everything in easy reach: wine chiller, refrigerator, extra plates and silverware. “It’s designed to be as formal as you want to make it, but also as informal and casual as breakfast,” he said. It’s a trend both builders and designers are seeing in homes — smaller footprints, more amenities and flexible, open floor plans that don’t waste an inch of precious space. In Click’s model home, the kitchen opens directly

into the great room, and windows across the back look out on a backyard that can also function as a gathering area. “Entertaining and social aspects of the design elements have become more important, particularly among younger buyers,” he said. Technology has changed the game in entertaining, replacing bulky televisions and stereos with more streamlined devices that take up less space and draw music and movies wirelessly through the Internet. “This is a design feature,” Click said of a flat-screen television mounted on a nearby wall. “The flat-screen display is part of the design element for this great room, and it doesn’t feel like a focal point of it.” The nearby theater room features a counter across the back where the family can share dinner. “And when you’re done, you

Homebuilder Jeff Click shows the entertainment room of his model home in the Silverhawk addition at NW 178 and Pennsylvania. PHOTO BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN

can leave the dishes up here and hop down there,” Click said, referring to a reconfigurable sofa featuring cushions that can be piled in different ways to accommodate guests.

The space also allows a party to split up without going separate ways, Click said. “Ladies can watch a movie out SEE HOMES, PAGE 2F

Tips for those who acquire extra homes After Jo Snyder Ritter became a widow, the last thing she expected was to fall in love again. But out of the blue she met a charming engineer who soon proposed. However, the happy union brought with it an unusual complication: Together, they had too many houses. Snyder Ritter, a real estate broker since 1977, owned a custom-built Cape Cod on a pond in a verdant setting, along with a vacation home near a golf course. Her new husband owned a split-level, plus a vacation home located on a scenic waterway. “Owning all that real estate felt overwhelming. We had to come up with a logical plan,” she recalled. To deal with the situation, Snyder Ritter and her new husband had a long talk, considering each property on its merits. She ruled out moving to his

Ellen James Martin SMART MOVES

split-level because it was too small to fit her treasured antiques. He ruled out moving to her Cape Cod because it was designed by her former husband, which felt awkward. And both wanted to let go of their vacation properties to simplify their lives. So in the end they sold all four homes. After selling the properties, she and her husband designed and built a large cottage overlooking a lake. “We absolutely made the right decision. We love this house,” said Snyder Ritter, who’s affiliated with the Council of Resi-

The K-9 Koolee gives you a totable way to keep your pooch cool in hot weather. The portable dog bed is cooled by nontoxic polymer packs and has a pop-up canopy to provide shade. Adding water to the reusable packs and refrigerating them in advance will maintain a cool surface for up to eight hours, the manufacturer said. The bed folds and has a handle and shoulder strap. The K-9 Koolee comes in two sizes, small/ medium for dogs up to 55 pounds and large for dogs 55 to 125 pounds. They sell for $169 and $189, respectively, at www.k9koolee.com.

dential specialists (www. crs.com). Snyder Ritter’s many years in real estate have convinced her that there’s no single right answer to the thorny housing questions that often arise after marriage. Nor is there one right answer for those who inherit a home and must decide whether to move into that property, to rent it out or to sell it. Have you found yourself with an extra home due to marriage or inheritance? If so, these pointers could prove helpful: I Think of retirement planning before you lock into a housing decision. James J. Casey, a certified financial planner, recommends that those who acquire an “extra house” through marriage or inheritance should consider their options in light of a holistic financial plan, including their need for re-

tirement savings. This is important at any age but especially if you’re a baby boomer approaching retirement age. If the home you’ve acquired is much larger than the place where you now reside, he urges you to take into account energy and upkeep. “Get down to one house as soon as possible, even if that means renting out the extra place for a while rather than selling it immediately,” he said. If you want to work with a financial planner to assist you in making the right decision, Casey suggests you to ask friends or relatives for names or contact a trusted accountant or attorney for referrals. I Don’t automatically reject the idea of changing neighborhoods. Will a coming marriage mean you’ll have more than one property in your

joint household? If so, would it be an option for you or your partner to change neighborhoods without taking on an excessively long commute? If so, you might wish to consider moving, said Dorcas Helfant, a real estate broker and former president of the National Association of Realtors (www. realtor.org). I Don’t rule out selling both your homes and buying another. Helfant encourages remarrying couples with two houses to let go of both homes and together purchase a place of their own, tather than struggling for comfort in a space with a history involving a partner’s previous relationship. “That could be the happiest outcome for everyone involved,” she says. To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com. UNIVERSAL UCLICK

DEHUMIDIFIER MAINTENANCE Q: How do you clean the water container of a dehumidifier? I empty the containers of my Amana dehumidifiers daily, but they still have a slimy buildup in the bottom. I tried scrubbing the bottom with a toilet brush, as the area is hard to move your hand around in. I tried pouring bleach into the container and scrubbing. A: Amana’s customer service department recommends spraying the inside of the container with a commercial mold and mildew remover and letting it sit for the time directed on the label before rinsing and drying. Filling the container with white vinegar and letting it sit overnight also might do the trick. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES

INDEX Handy Stone Permits

4F 5F 8F

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

REAL ESTATE

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

Left: An outdoor kitchen begs for guests. PHOTO PROVIDED BY A KAREN BLACK CO.

Homes: Electronics now important FROM PAGE 1F

there while the guys watch a game in there,” he said. “You’re not disconnected.” When it comes to revamping entertainment spaces, designer Karen Black of A Karen Black Co. said modern electronics are a mixed blessing. “On one hand, it’s much easier cabinetwise to design around, but from the electronic standpoint, we usually have to pull in a professional now to make sure everything’s wired properly,” she said. “So the electronics are a big deal now. They were always a big deal, but it seems like they’re a bigger deal now than before.”

Looking past walls Some of Black’s work has her looking past the walls, though. Many homes look out on spectacular backyards. “We’re adding a lot more windows that look out into the backyard and allow that green space more into the house,” she said. In one recent case, her crew literally took out a fireplace, shifting it from a wall overlooking the yard to a different wall and installing French doors across the wall leading to the yard. The clients have lived in the house 10 years, she said, “and they say it feels like it’s been like this forever because it seems natural.” Now that the backyard is so accessible from the house, Black’s company is installing an outdoor kitchen and a covered outdoor lounge area with a television and a fireplace. “And I think it’s directly related to this bringing the outside in,” she said. The patio at Click’s model home is made for lounging as well, with artificial turf underfoot to give the area “more of a green feel instead of cold concrete.” It looks out on a combination fire-water feature that offers a spectacular light show after dark. “And that fireplace puts out quite a bit of heat, too,” he said. Dreary weather doesn’t necessarily have to chase the party back inside, either. Aside from outdoor fireplaces, homeowners can invest in portable heaters — often seen outside restaurants — to keep things warm. Black said her company installed heaters in the gables above a lounge area, and they are effective. “It can really be nice and toasty,” she said. Click said he warms his own grill area at home with an infrared heater. Portable versions can be set up wherever they’re needed, but he mounted one above his grill. “If you can install a TV, you can install one of these things,” he said.

The flat-screen television is a design feature but does not dominate the living room in the Jeff Click model home in the Silverhawk addition at NW 178 and Pennsylvania Avenue. PHOTO BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN

Left: A reconfigurable sofa has cushions that can be piled in different ways to accommodate different guests in the Jeff Click model home in the Silverhawk addition. PHOTO BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN

Right: A built-in table in the Jeff Click model home comfortably seats eight with wine chiller, refrigeratror, extra plates and silverware in easy reach. PHOTO BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN

REAL ESTATE

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

HOUSE PLAN

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

LISTING OF THE WEEK

Tudor Revival-style home offers space

The Listing of the Week is at 3141 NW 18.

Landry’s keystone arches offer European ambiance Brick veneer and classic keystone arches lend a European ambiance to the Landry. This home offers more than 3,300 square feet of indoor living space, plus three outdoor patios, and a three-car garage. A recreation room over the garage is the only living space on the second level, so the rest of this plan could easily be adapted for wheelchair accessibility. Ceilings are lofty, starting with the 12foot-high covered porch, foyer and dining room, to the foyer’s right. Both the foyer and the dining room flow into the even loftier vaulted living room. Light washes down into this large open space through skylights, and more spills in through a stack of wide windows. A long conversation bar rims the kitchen, which is otherwise open to the living room. Working at the kitchen sink, you can talk with people seated at that bar or in the living room, while keeping an eye

Lucius Foster, Jodie Foster’s estranged father, addresses his victims before being sentenced in Van Nuys, Calif., Dec. 9. AP PHOTO

Jodie Foster’s dad convicted in scheme LOS ANGELES — A judge has sentenced Jodie Foster’s estranged father to five years in a Los Angeles jail for bilking more than $100,000 from poor and elderly people in a homebuilding scheme. City attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan said Lucius Foster was sentenced Dec. 9, two days after he was convicted of 21 misdemeanor counts of grand theft. The 89-year-old Foster was convicted of taking $5,000 each from people for whom he promised to build affordable homes made from cargo containers. The units were never built, and prosecutors said he lied to clients. Lucius Foster told City News Service that he remains estranged from his daughter, a two-time Oscar winner. He is due back in court Feb. 23 for a restitution hearing.

on the nook, patios and backyard as well. Other kitchen amenities include Lazy Susan shelving, a work island with built-in cook top and two pantries. In the nook, a desk and shelves hide behind folding doors. Nearby are another deep storage room, a large utility room, a full bathroom and a guest suite with a walk-in closet. A door into the three-car garage is through the utility room at the end of the hall. On the opposite side of the Landry, the owners suite fills the rear and secondary bedrooms are up front. In addition to a luxurious bathroom with a spa tub and oversized shower, the suite has two large walk-in closets, one nearly twice the size of the other. A French door leads out onto a covered patio that could be private. A review plan of the Landry, 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.associateddesigns.com. (800) 634-0123.

The Listing of the Week is a two-story Tudor Revival-style home with a pool on half an acre in Oklahoma City’s historic Linwood Place neighborhood. The 5,188-square-foot home at 3141 NW 18 has five bedrooms, five baths, four living rooms, two dining rooms and an attached three-car garage. The formal living room and family room have fireplaces. The study has built-in bookcases, a wet bar and fireplace. The kitchen has been remodeled and has granite counters, eating space and a breakfast bar. The kitchen clubroom has a flagstone floor, fireplace and beamed ceiling. The master bedroom is on the lower level and has a walk-in closet, whirlpool

tub, Roma steam sauna/ shower and heated floor facing the courtyard. The home has a basement, Florida room, wine cellar, covered deck, open patio, kennel, storage area, security system and underground sprinkler system. The home, built in 1937,

PHOTO PROVIDED

is listed for $575,000 with Jane O’Toole of RE/MAX Preferred Properties. For more information, call 7514848 or 620-7543. Nominations for Listing of the Week are welcome. Send information on single-family homes to The Oklahoman, Richard Mize, P.O. Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Nominations may be faxed to 475-3996.

REAL ESTATE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

Gift ideas offered for do-it-yourselfers Do you have some avid do-it-yourselfers on your holiday gift list this year? If so, here’s my annual roundup of suggestions for some interesting, good-quality tools worth considering. They’re listed in order of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. Black & Decker All-InOne Laser Level (Model BDL100AV, $29.97): This is a clever and useful little level that really works. It has two parts: a heavyduty suction cup; and a small level with a bubble, a light and a laser beam. The two are held together with a powerful magnet. The suction cup holds the unit securely to most surfaces, and a green light tells you when the unit is level (red light when it’s not). It projects a bright red laser line for leveling pictures, shelves or whatever. It includes two AA batteries. Craftsman Folding Clench Wrenches (Model 30879, $29.99): This clever, compact pair of wrenches covers a wide range of bolt sizes and types to tackle just about any type of project. Ratcheting, adjustable and collapsible, for the toolbox, glove compartment, RV, bike — anywhere. One 6-inch and one 8-inch wrench cover ¼ to 7⁄16 inch and 6 millimeters to 11 millimeters. Milwaukee 6-in-1 Combination Pliers (Model 48-22-3069, $32): A handy, professional-grade

Paul Bianchina HANDY @ HOME tool for anyone’s toolbox. These heavy-duty, needle-nose pliers feature a wire stripper, wire cutter, pliers, loop-maker and screw cutter for the common 6-32 and 8-32 screws, and a head designed for reaming metal pipe from ½ inch to 1 inch in diameter. Nonslip, spring-loaded, locking handles and forged alloy steel round out a wellmade tool. Craftsman NEXTEC G2 Drill/Driver (Model 30565, $79.99): A nice, compact, 12-volt lithium ion drill-driver at an affordable price. It features a two-speed gear box (trigger-controlled). There’s an 18-position clutch for proper torque settings to match the material and fastener. It has a comfortable, softgrip handle, built-in fuel gauge, keyless chuck, and LED work light. It includes a 12-volt battery, carrying case and quick charger. Skil Oscillating MultiTasker (Model 1400-02, $79.99): Oscillating tools have been on everyone’s wish list, and Skil has introduced a great kit for do-it-yourselfers at an affordable price. Designed for home projects and

light remodeling, the Multi-Tasker has a variable speed, 2-amp motor, integrated dust control, a soft-grip handle and a no-mar head. The kit comes with three blades; sanding pad and paper; case; and an adapter plate to fit other blades. Home Right Command Max HVLP Sprayer (Model C800766, $89): The Command Max offers the occasional user the opportunity to own a sprayer at an affordable price. Lightweight and easy to use, the Command Max is perfect for smaller projects such as spraying clear sealers, polyurethane, stain and varnish. Properly thinned, it can also be used to spray paint. It features an adjustable spray nozzle for different patterns, and adjustable material flow volume control. Skil Combo Router Kit (Model 1830, $109.99): For anyone who needs to add a router to an arsenal of tools, Skil has come up with an attractive combo kit at a great price. With a 2¼-horsepower motor and a ½-inch collet, this is a definite step up from most entry-level routers. The motor even has variable speed and soft start, usually only found on more expensive routers. You get a fixed base and a plunge base, both with micro-fine depth adjustments, quick-release clamps and soft-grip handles. You even get a case.

Werner Telescoping MultiLadder (Model MT-13, 13-foot, $119.99): If you have only one ladder around the house, this should be it. The Werner MultiLadder is a single stepladder that adjusts to different heights; is a stair ladder that can be adjusted to unequal lengths for stairs; converts to two stepladders; converts to an extension ladder; and splits into two scaffold bases for use with an optional plank. The operation is smooth and easy, and the ladder feels sturdy underfoot in all the different modes. It features a type 1A duty rating and a 300-pound load rating. Dremel Saw-Max (Model SM20-02, $129.99): This is an innovative new tool from Dremel with a ton of uses around the house. It’s basically a small but powerful worm-drive circular saw with interchangeable, 3-inch cutting wheels. Use it to cut wood, plastic, metal, tile, masonry and more. You can plunge cut, or flush cut for tasks such as fitting flooring under door jambs. It’s light and easy to handle, and cuts to ¾-inch deep. It includes four different cutting wheels, vacuum adapter and a hard case. Milwaukee M12 Cordless Ratchet (Model 2457-21, $149): Part of the Milwaukee family of compact 12-volt lithium ion tools, and perfect for anyone who needs the convenience of a powered

Short sales can often be slow process BY MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE INFORMATION SERVICES

Lori Purcell was sick of being a landlady and wanted to unload her twofamily house in Garfield, N.J. But she knew it would never sell for the $325,440 she had paid in 2004. A short sale solved her problem. Sharon Bell was looking for an affordable twofamily house in Rutherford, N.J. A short sale solved her problem, too. Short sales — in which a lender allows a distressed homeowner to sell for less than the amount owed on the mortgage — have become a large part of the housing landscape. And though they can still be drawn-out affairs, real estate agents and lawyers say that as short sales have become more common, the odds of having a smooth transaction are getting better. “The process has become easier over time, because we are more aware of what to expect and what needs to be done,” said Susan LeConte, of LeConte Realty in Hasbrouck Heights. She said short sales account for one in every four transactions in her office.

Process can be slow Still, buyers, sellers, real estate agents and lawyers have plenty of stories about short sales that are held up for months — or even years — for a wide variety of reasons (and sometimes for no apparent reason). Purcell, a legal assistant, said it took almost a year to complete the sale of her home. She had bought the home in 2004, living in one unit and renting out the other. But after she moved in with her fiance in Wayne, N.J., her tenants brought in extra people — and dogs — to live in the apartment. They were often late with the rent, and they broke the plumbing. Then a contractor punctured a water line. Purcell decided she was done with being a landlady and put the house on the market. She soon realized she wouldn’t be able to get nearly as much as she had paid, and she started negotiating with the bank for a short sale. Answers were

hard to come by. “You call an 800 number and speak to the customer service representatives who have no clue what is going on,” she said. “Every time I called, I got a different story.” She credits her real estate agent, Eileen Meehan of RE/MAX in Saddle River, N.J., with getting the deal done. “She just kept following up and following up,” Purcell said. The home sold for

$220,000 last fall — more than $100,000 less than Purcell had paid. “It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders once it finally went through,” she said.

Lenders often blamed Purcell’s story is echoed by many who say lenders are slow to act on shortsale offers. “I’m waiting for the bank — they just don’t give you an answer,” said Nicole Idler, of Friedberg Proper-

ties in Tenafly, N.J., who has been working for two years with a seller trying for a short sale. As the process dragged on, the market has been sliding, so she had to cut the asking price from $349,000 to $299,000. “It’s a very long, tedious, frustrating process,” Idler said. The delays aren’t always caused by the lenders. Sometimes sellers delay sending the required documents or change their mind.

3 ⁄8-inch ratchet. It’s powerful, with 250 RPM and 35 foot-pounds of torque. There’s a compact head design for tight spaces, onboard LED light and battery power levels, variable speed metal trigger and reinforced steel housing for durability. It includes a case, battery and 30-minute charger. Ridgid TwinBlade Saw (Model R3250, $149.95): This heavy-duty little brute from Ridgid uses twin 5-inch blades spinning in opposite directions, coupled to a powerful 10-amp motor. It’ll cut through just about anything, including stainless steel, galvanized iron, wood, copper, steel, aluminum, rebar and more — both forward and backward. It has a compact design and comfortable grips for use even in confined areas, and has a wax port for use with wax sticks. It includes blades and a case. Ridgid 18-Volt Compact Drill/Driver (Model R86008K, $179): Prograde cordless drill/drivers are always a great gift for the do-it-yourselfer, and Ridgid has a great one here. Featuring a compact size with a slide-in, flatbottom 18-volt lithium ion battery with fuel gauge, it

has 455 inch-pounds of torque and two speed ranges (0-450 and 0-1,650 RPM). It has a textured, nonslip grip, 24-position clutch, ½-inch keyless chuck and an LED light that can be triggered independently. It includes a belt hook and handy auxiliary handle. Complete kit with fast charger, two batteries and soft case. Dealt 20-Volt MAX Compact Drill/Driver (Model DCD780C2, $219): Looking for more power in a compact package? Dealt delivers with its new pro-grade 20-volt MAX lithium ion drill/ driver. It’s loaded with features, including two speed ranges (0-600 and 0-2,000 RPM); ½-inch keyless chuck; 16-position clutch; LED light; flatbottom, slide-on battery; and a soft, contoured grip. It’s all packed into a compact body that weighs only 3.4 pounds and is just 7½ inches long for easy access in tight spaces. It includes a complete kit with two batteries, fast charger, belt hook and hard case. Remodeling and repair questions? Email 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

REAL ESTATE

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Senior ‘villages’ take care of their own BY SUZANNE BOHAN Contra Costa Times

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — When Bob and Lynn Forthman joined Ashby Village in July 2010, they never figured they’d need its services so soon. The virtual “village” in Berkeley, Calif., is one of 65 nationwide, with 120 more in the works. The volunteer-driven networks are meant to help seniors continue living in their homes by delivering a multitude of services they no longer can do for themselves and to help them stay engaged through social events. What started with the first village in 2001in Boston has become a fast-growing phenomenon that could fill a critical gap as baby boomers age and longevity increases. By 2050, demographers project that one in five Americans will be 65 or older, part of a “silver tsunami.” “I think this is going to be the way of the future,” said Berdeen Coven, a psychologist leading the drive to launch the Silicon Valley Village, expected to open by June. “There just aren’t going to be enough private facilities for people to age in, and we have to get together and help each other out as we live longer.” Members pay yearly dues, ranging from $35 to more than $900, with half offering discounted rates, according to a nationwide survey by University of CaliforniaBerkeley researchers. In exchange, members are a phone call away from such free services as driving, gardening, computer help, home repairs, shopping and other day-to-day needs. Village volunteers also help members sell homes that have become too large and move to smaller dwellings. A screened list of vendors such as plumbers and electricians offer discounted rates. A month after the Forthmans joined, a driver ran a red light in West Berkeley, smashing into Lynn Forthman as she drove to her haircut appointment. The driver fled and was never caught, but the 86-year-old woman had five shattered ribs. “I called Ashby Village and asked, ‘Could you people be of any help?’ ” Bob Forthman said. “They said, ‘Of course we

could.’ ” A geriatric social worker from Ashby Village warned Bob Forthman against transferring his wife from the hospital to a nursing home with a poor reputation and helped him resist pressure to release her until she was transferred to a better facility. After Lynn Forthman returned home, she received discounted in-home care from an organization referred by Ashby Village. “It’s kind of like an insurance policy,” said Bob Forthman, who retired as a professor in 1996 from what’s now called California State University-East Bay. “They were there when I needed them.” Most villages have one or two full-time staff members and a cadre of volunteers from fellow members to high school students. Ashby Village launched in 2010 with $80,000 in dues and donations from charter members and now has 170 members. It hopes to double that number, said Andy Gaines, executive director. Ninetyfive percent of its members renewed this year, paying $750 individually or $1,200 per household. The villages serve a population falling between a wide gap in care for aging Americans. Medicaid covers nursing homes and some in-home care for the poorest, and the wealthy can afford costly assistedliving facilities or hired help. “But for people who are middle-class or upper middle-class, there was a hole,” Gaines said. A UC-Berkeley researcher is heading a three-year evaluation, funded by the Archstone Foundation, to determine the qualities most likely to ensure the longterm viability of the nonprofit villages. “It’s too early to draw any conclusions, except that villages seem to be doing pretty well,” said Andrew Scharlach, director of UC-Berkeley’s Center for Advanced Study of Aging Services. The numbers of villages nationwide are “growing exponentially,” he said. Only a few have failed, Scharlach said, and that was due to either lack of capital or lack of leadership and paid staff. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES

Paul Axelrod, a volunteer at Ashby Village, a seniors neighborhood and facility, fixes a light at the home of Joan Strand in Berkeley, Calif. MCT PHOTO

Asbestos disclosure kills sale of house DEAR BARRY: When we bought our house, our home inspector found a list of “normal” problems but said nothing about asbestos. Now we are selling, and the buyers’ home inspector reported “possible” asbestos in all of our heating ducts. The buyers were so alarmed by this that they canceled their purchase offer. So now we are waiting for a lab report to see if we do have asbestos. The fact that our home inspector said nothing about asbestos is a puzzle to us because all of it is visible. If the material is found to contain asbestos, is there any action we can take against our home inspec-

Barry Stone INSPECTOR’S IN THE HOUSE

tor or the sellers now that four years have passed? Brigit DEAR BRIGIT: Many home inspectors ignore asbestos issues because environmental hazards are outside the scope of a home inspection. In fact, asbestos is usually disclaimed in home inspection contracts and reports. Some inspectors point out the presence of suspect

materials as a courtesy and recommend further evaluation by an asbestos specialist. In this respect, the recent inspector provided more detailed disclosure than the one you hired four years ago, but you probably won’t be able to hold your inspector liable. Two types of asbestos are typically found on or in forced-air heating ducts. In homes built before 1973 or ’74, the insulation on the outer surfaces of the ducts could contain asbestos. The material appears as grayish cardboard, often with a shiny foil veneer. It is not regarded as a significant health hazard because it is not friable and because it is not exposed to

the air stream within the ducts. However, if the material is damaged, loose or detached, removal by an asbestos abatement contractor is recommended. (Note: The term “friable” refers to asbestos that is in a crumbly condition, able to be crushed with hand pressure and therefore able to release particles into the air.) The other type of asbestos often found in air ducts is over-spray of acoustic ceiling texture, commonly known as “cottage cheese ceiling.” If this material is observed in the ducts, it may or may not contain asbestos and therefore warrants testing at an asbestos lab. If the

lab result is positive, the material should be removed by a qualified professional because it is in the air stream of the heating system. If the lab report for the suspect material in your home is negative, the report can be shown to future buyers to assure them that the materials in question do not contain asbestos. DEAR BARRY: Our basement has a window well for emergency escape, and we want to build a deck on that side of the house. We don’t want to compromise the egress but would like to have as much deck space as possible. Are there any regulations that would prevent us from

building the deck over this window well? Brian DEAR BRIAN: It would be wise to frame the deck around the window well to maintain the emergency escape path. If you prefer to build the deck over the window well, there should be an openable hatch that can be lifted to enable emergency escape. However, if the window well provides egress from a bedroom, then the window also serves as a required source for natural light and ventilation. In that case, it should not be covered. To write to Barry Stone, go to www. housedetective.com. ACTION COAST PUBLISHING

REAL ESTATE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

Mortgage complaint window is now open WASHINGTON — Got a beef with your mortgage lender? Is your bank unresponsive when you complain that your escrow account is fouled up and making your monthly payments needlessly high? Did your loan officer bait-and-switch you into a more costly home loan than you originally were promised? Or worse yet: Did your home loan servicer ignore you when you told him you’ve had an unexpected drop in income and needed a modification to avoid missing payments? If any of these situations sound familiar, here’s a heads-up about the newest and leastpublicized source of federal help: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s home mortgage complaint and dispute resolution hotline. Never heard of it? That’s not surprising since it only went live Dec. 1 and the CFPB hasn’t said much about it, preferring to ease

Kenneth Harney THE NATION’S HOUSING

into the potential snake pit of mortgage issues that American consumers have with their lenders rather than get overwhelmed. The complaint hotline is accessible online at the CFPB’s website (www. consumerfinance.gov), by toll-free phone between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Central — (855) 411-CFPB — as well as by regular mail and fax. The bureau was created by last year’s Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation and is supposed to look out for your interests in banking, financial products, home loans and all other forms of consumer credit. Its mortgage complaint service is an extension of the agency’s existing hotline for credit card-related disputes and

inquiries, which began July 21. So far, according to the bureau, the card hotline has handled 5,074 complaints. Of this total, it referred 84 percent directly to the credit card issuers — mainly big banks — for resolution. Some complaints came with incomplete information or were referred to other agencies for action. About 74 percent of all complaints were subsequently reported back from banks as resolved, and 71 percent of total resolutions were not disputed by the consumers who lodged the original complaints. Just under 13 percent of all credit card complainants reported that they were not satisfied with the card issuer’s actions. The credit card complaint service is likely to provide a template for the agency’s approach to mortgage problems, which are expected to be more voluminous. When a borrower submits a formal

complaint to the bureau, complete with account numbers and other key identifiers, the information will be sent immediately to the lender or mortgage servicer named in the complaint using a secure web portal. The lender must then review the information, contact the customer if needed and determine what action to take to resolve the matter. Next, the lender is supposed to report its action, if any, to the bureau, which sends it on to the borrower for review. Throughout the process, according to the CFPB, borrowers “can log onto the (agency’s) secure ‘consumer portal’ or call the toll-free number to receive updates, provide additional information, and review responses” from the lender. If the dispute focuses on what is primarily a matter of state regulation or is beyond the purview of the CFPB, the dispute may be referred to other

agencies. Similarly, if the dispute points to fraud or identity theft, the bureau is likely to refer it to either a federal or a state law enforcement authority. For the time being, the CFPB is referring all complaints involving small banks or their subsidiaries that have less than $10 billion in assets to other agencies. In the mortgage field, however, the vast majority of loan originations and servicing is controlled by the top 10 largest banks or their subsidiaries, which means that a high percentage of the complaints received will likely be handled by the CFPB. How is this going to work in practice? Though consumer groups are optimistic, and the CFPB said it’s staffed up and ready to go, some mortgage industry leaders worry that the agency could be taking on more than it can realistically handle, and raising borrower expectations that can’t be met.

David H. Stevens, president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association, said in an interview that while he has found the CFPB to be “fairly thoughtful” in its approach to lending and disclosure issues to date, he is “concerned that they are moving too quickly too soon.” If they are not properly equipped to handle large volumes of emails and calls, the service could be “an investigatory black hole” where complaints are filed but not addressed quickly or adequately, and it could be “a net negative” for borrowers who have genuine problems, he said. Since the agency is expected to report on the initial months’ results sometime early in 2012, Stevens and consumers should have answers fairly soon. Meanwhile, if you’ve got a legitimate complaint, give the hotline a shot. Ken Harney’s email address is kenharney@earthlink.net. WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

Tightening credit stymies home building, association says FROM WIRE REPORTS

The commercial banks relied on by homebuilders and developers to finance their projects continued to hold tight reins on acquisition, development and construction loans in the third quarter, according to the most recent quarterly survey by the National Association of Home Builders’ Economics and Housing Policy Group. “Restoring the flow of credit to housing is critical for the industry to rebound, provide jobs and boost the economy,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen, a

homebuilder from Reno, Nev. More than half of the singlefamily builders and developers surveyed indicated they had decided to put any new construction or land activity on hold until the financing climate improves, which has repercussions for the economy. Production remains stymied even in markets with low supplies of new homes because builders cannot get credit to start new homes, according to the builders trade group. “There can be no economic recovery without a housing recovery,” Nielsen said. “While NAHB’s Improving Market In-

dex shows several housing markets around the nation are slowly starting to mend, a full-fledged revival will not take hold until we resolve the ongoing credit problems for homebuilders.” Of the minority of builders who sought loans in the third quarter, few saw improvement in the lending climate over the previous quarter and a significant share saw conditions continue to deteriorate. Forty-eight percent of those polled said they had looked for financing for single-family construction in the third quarter. Only 8 percent said the avail-

ability of financing for singlefamily projects was getting better (compared to the previous quarter), 61 percent said it was unchanged and 31 percent reported it had worsened. Survey respondents who indicated that lenders were clamping down further on credit availability in the third quarter noted several ways in which the tightening was occurring: I 77 percent said lenders were reducing the amount they were willing to lend. I 75 percent reported seeing the allowable loan-to-value ratio being lowered.

I 66 percent found lenders who were not making any new real estate loans. I 63 percent said they encountered lenders who were requiring personal guarantees or collateral not related to the project. Lenders most often told builders they were tightening on loans because the regulators were forcing them to do so. Sixtyeight percent of those surveyed said they were given this reason for restrictions on new loans, and 52 percent heard it was the reason for tightening on outstanding loans.

REAL ESTATE

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Wary first-timers hold back home market BY DEREK KRAVITZ

changing the way they look at homeownership,” McCue said. First-timers usually account for up to half of all sales. Over the past year, they’ve accounted for only about a third.

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — This should be a great time to buy a first home. Prices, nationally, have sunk to 2002 levels. Sellers are waiting anxiously as homes languish on the market. Mortgage rates are their lowest ever. Yet the most likely first-time homeowners, especially young professionals and couples starting families, won’t buy these days. Or they can’t. Or they already did, during the housing boom. And their absence helps explain why the housing industry is still depressed. The obstacles range from higher down payments to heavy debt from credit cards and student loans. But even many of those who could afford to buy no longer see it as a wise investment. Prices have sunk 15 percent in three years. “I’ve looked for a home, but the places we can afford with the money we have are not that great,” said Seth Herter, 23, a store manager in suburban St. Louis. The proportion of U.S. households that own homes is at 65.1 percent, its lowest point since 1996, according to the Census Bureau. That marks a shift after nearly two decades in which homeownership grew before

Lending standards

Seth Herter stands in the front window of his rented two-bedroom home in Richmond Heights, Mo. AP PHOTO

peaking at 70 percent during the housing boom.

Fewer buyers The housing bubble lured so many young buyers that it reduced the pool of potential firsttimers to below-normal levels. That’s contributed to the decline

in new buyers in recent years. In 2005, at the height of the boom, about 2.8 million firsttimers bought homes, according to the National Association of Realtors. By contrast, for each of the four years preceding the boom, the number of first-timers averaged fewer than 2 million.

Still, the bigger factors are the struggling economy, shaky job security, tougher credit rules and lack of cash to put down, said Dan McCue, research manager at Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. “The obstacles facing firsttime buyers are big, and it’s

A big reason is tougher lending standards. Lenders are demanding more money up front. In 2002, the median down payment for a single-family home in nine major U.S. cities was 4 percent, according to real estate website Zillow.com. Today, it’s 22 percent. And one-third of households have credit scores too low to qualify for a mortgage. The median required credit score from FICO Inc., the industry leader in credit ratings, has risen from 720 in 2007, when the market went bust, to 760 today. When the economy eventually strengthens, the housing market will, too. More people will be hired. Confidence will rise. Down payments won’t be so hard to produce. The question is whether firsttime buyers will then start flowing into the housing market. That will depend mainly on whether they think prices will rise, said Mark Vitner, senior U.S. economist at Wells Fargo. “It’s a guessing game as to when things will turn around,” Vitner said.

Low appraisals kill home sales, construction loans FROM WIRE REPORTS

Almost one out of three builders nationally surveyed reported losing signed sales contracts the previous six months because appraisals on their homes were less than the contract sales price, according to the National Association of Home Builders. “The inappropriate use of distressed and foreclosed sales as compara-

Homes For Sale

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830 NW 113th St. 2bd, 2ba, fncd, stv, fridg, carport $550 + $400dep. Sec. 8 ok, No pets 748-6129 Lakeside Community 3bd, 2ba TH, 2 car gar, FP, full size W/D from $850 721-0404

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811 E Pointe Ct. Lane. 3b 2b 2c $1095mo no pets. Jedi Realty 745-5855

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2817 Indian Creek Blvd 2bd 1.5 ba $750mo 748-8520 RedbudRealEstate.com

Large 4 bed off Santa Fe, gated, comm pool/rec center, $1600/mo, 440-2095.

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3/2/2, 1400sf mol, ch/a, 308 Cherryvale Rd $950 mo, $950 dep 370-1077

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home prices appearing to have ended or be coming to an end in most parts of the country, resolving the appraisal and credit crunch issues remains a top priority for the association. The builders’ latest Improving Markets Index has shown modest signs of improvement in scattered housing markets where employment is gaining and distressed properties are not as numerous.

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and even to call performing loans. “Major reforms in appraisal practices and oversight are needed to ensure that appraisals accurately reflect true market values and don’t contribute to price volatility or harm aspiring homeowners and move-up buyers,” Nielsen said. “We will continue to work with all stakeholders in this debate to find solutions.” With the decline in

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and unreasonable, but it perpetuates the cycle of declining home values, drives more homeowners underwater, harms local economic activity and acts as an obstacle to the recovery of the housing market,” Nielsen said. Falling appraised values for land and subdivisions under development have led some financial institutions to stop lending to developers and builders, to demand additional equity

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with new houses getting appraised at less than the cost of construction. According to the survey, 60 percent of respondents reported they were experiencing appraisals coming in below their contract sales price. Of those reporting that they had encountered below-contract appraisals, 53 percent said the appraisal amount was actually less than the cost of building the home. “This is not only unfair

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TOWNHOUSE 627 NW 5th, Rooms with bath. Quiet, Clean, near Bricktown, $120 weekly, $420 monthly. 235-7292

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Permits Bill Gumerson & Associates, 12201 N Western Ave., day care center, add-on, $4,200,000. J2K2 LLC, 9000 S Pennsylvania Ave., retail sales, erect, $3,800,000. Fuller Miller Construction, 5209 SW 23, manufacturing, erect, $2,900,000. Malarkey Roofing, 3400 S Council Road, manufacturing, add-on, $1,800,000. Fuller Miller Construction, 5209 SW 23, office, erect, $930,000. Kinser Construction Co., 2000 SE 15, warehouse, erect, $900,000. Watermark Homes LLC, 1509 SW 113 Place, residence, erect, $475,000. Lingo Construction Services, 123 Robert S Kerr Ave., office, remodel, $463,620. Lingo Construction Services, 123 Robert S Kerr Ave., office, remodel, $463,620. Remington Builders Inc., 13600 Keswick Lane, residence, erect, $270,000. Remington Builders Inc., 13528 Keswick Lane, residence, erect, $270,000. Taber Built Homes LLC, 16208 Josiah Place, residence, erect, $250,000. Jeff Click Homes LLC, 17404 White Hawk Drive, residence, erect, $217,000. Remington Builders Inc., 13604 Keswick Lane, residence, erect, $210,000. Bill’s Pavement and Maintenance, 7001 S Bryant Ave., parking, install, $200,000. Biltrite Construction LLC, 16109 Scissortail Drive, residence, erect, $200,000. Oxford Homes LLC, 6012 NW 156, residence, erect, $200,000. Joe Trotter, 12100 N Bryant Ave., residence, erect, $200,000. 4 Corners Construction LLC, 14301 Willow Reed Drive, residence, erect, $197,700. Harvest Homes Properties LLC, 213 SW 174, residence, erect, $195,000. Red Door Custom Homes LLC, 7809 SW 87 Circle, residence, erect, $195,000. Authentic Custom Homes LLC, 8325 NW 143 Terrace, residence, erect, $194,000. Red Door Custom Homes LLC, 12501 Lexington Drive, residence, erect, $193,000. Authentic Custom

Homes LLC, 2200 NW 195, residence, erect, $190,000. Taber Built Homes LLC, 15220 Western Vista Drive, residence, erect, $190,000. Taber Built Homes LLC, 19217 Butterfly Blvd., residence, erect, $190,000. Stone Creek Homes Ltd., 4901 SW 126, residence, erect, $188,000. Stone Creek Homes Ltd., 4905 SW 126, residence, erect, $184,000. Stone Creek Homes Ltd., 4821 SW 126, residence, erect, $183,000. Aaron Tatum Custom Homes LLC, 17300 Prado Drive, residence, erect, $181,000. Stone Creek Homes Ltd., 4813 SW 126, residence, erect, $180,000. Sun Properties LLC, 1416 NW 172, residence, erect, $180,000. Taber Built Homes LLC, 15509 Cardinal Nest Drive, residence, erect, $180,000. Debbie Gregory Homes, 9013 NW 84 Terrace, residence, erect, $175,000. Debbie Gregory Homes, 9025 NW 84 Terrace, residence, erect, $175,000. TSM Development, 3020 NW 16, retail sales, modular, $163,000. Biltrite Construction, 12617 Lexington Drive, residence, erect, $160,000. D.R. Horton, 2305 NW 155, residence, erect, $148,500. 2K Country Homes LLC, 9221 Conners Way, residence, erect, $145,000. Home Creations, 9901 SW 36, residence, erect, $144,600. Sharper Image Homes LLC, 18125 Haslemere Lane, residence, erect, $140,000. D.R. Horton, 11008 SW 40, residence, erect, $138,400. Design Development Service, doing business as: Elite Quality Homes, 12513 Olivine Terrace, residence, erect, $137,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 300 Partridge Run Road, residence, erect, $133,000. Tom Abel Custom Homes LLC, 9101 Lolly Lane, residence, erect, $125,000. Tom Abel Custom Homes LLC, 9109 Lolly Lane, residence, erect, $125,000. Tom Abel Custom Homes LLC, 9113 Lolly Lane, residence, erect, $125,000. Home Creations, 18221

REAL ESTATE Groveton Blvd., residence, erect, $119,400. Harbor Homes, 17100 Serrano Drive, residence, erect, $110,000. Home Creations, 2341 NW 196, residence, complete, $102,100. Home Creations, 18225 Groveton Blvd., residence, erect, $101,700. Home Creations, 2349 NW 196, residence, erect, $101,100. SF&R Realty, 4021 NW 3, office-warehouse, remodel, $100,000. Sooner Traditions LLC, 2232 NW 159 Terrace, residence, erect, $100,000. Harper Ward, 2300 Belleview Terrace, residence, add-on, $100,000. D.R. Horton, 7617 Meadow Lake Drive, residence, erect, $98,200. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 13312 SW 4, residence, erect, $92,000. Home Creations, 15812 Crane Way, residence, erect, $90,500. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 16124 Raindust Drive, residence, erect, $90,000. T.J. Campbell Construction, 3801 S Post Road, parking, install, $90,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 9501 SW 26, residence, erect, $85,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 14517 Moon Daisy Drive, residence, erect, $81,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 2809 NW 186 Terrace, residence, erect, $79,000. Ideal Homes of Norman LP, 9545 SW 27, residence, erect, $76,000. Stantec Architecture, 130 W Britton Road, restaurant, remodel, $60,000. Thomas A. O’Brien, 10620 NW 103 Place, accessory, erect, $45,000. Sarratt Construction, 11344 Thomas Ave., residence, add-on, $41,600. Sam Gresham, 1415 NW 21, residence, erect, $40,000. Universal Homes, 1417 Regatta Drive, manufactured home, move-onmobile home park, $35,900. A&P Enterprises LLC, 2001 S MacArthur Blvd., manufactured home, move-on-mobile home park, $30,000. J.E. Dunn Construction Co., 13313 N Meridian Ave., medical clinic-office, remodel, $30,000. B.E. Silsby, 4200 Margaret Ave., residence, erect, $30,000. Showmart Transportation Inc., 3308 SE 89, manufactured home, move-on-mobile home park, $25,000. Steve Thurmond, 12516 SE 104, residence, erect, $20,000.

Mortgage-refinancing program set to launch BY MARY SHANKLIN The Orlando Sentinel

ORLANDO, Fla. — Matt Hamilton has dutifully paid the loan on his Maitland, Fla., house and a nearby rental condo, but until now he could not refinance them to obtain more-affordable interest rates because the properties are financially underwater. “It’s been difficult because I’m so far in the hole that no one wants to refinance me,” said Hamilton, a product developer for Longwood-based Onlinelabels.com. “But if you look at my payment history, I am a safe risk.” Hamilton and many other homeowners with “underwater” mortgages now can apply for a new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac refinance program geared for pretty much everyone who owes more on a home than it’s worth — including landlords and second-home owners. The federal government’s previous foreclosure-prevention efforts, such as the Home Affordable Modification Program, lowered the interest

rates on mortgages of homeowners at risk of foreclosure because they had lost income. But the new Home Affordable Refinance Program is seen as a possible game-changer even for homeowners who are underwater but who have stayed employed and continue making their payments. Homeowners who have missed mortgage payments in the past six months need not apply. And not all the details — such as loan limits — have been disclosed yet. But this is one of the first refinance programs that doesn’t require an appraisal to determine the value of the house. “It’s a reward for the responsible borrower who swallowed a bitter pill but still kept moving,” said Travis BeMent, mortgageloan originator for Home Loans Today of Orlando. “There are a lot of people out there ready to pounce on this.” Many underwater mortgages were extended to homeowners at the peak of the market in 2006-07, when sales prices were higher than what they are

today and when interest rates ranged from 5.7 percent to 6.5 percent, according to the Orlando Regional Realtor Association. Interest rates on a 30-year mortgage now can be had for less than 4 percent. One cautionary note about HARP: Interest rates could change by the time a qualified property owner’s refinancing application is processed, BeMent said. Fannie and Freddie are not expected to have the ability to process the new loans until as late as next March. But HARP, he noted, also offers a break to homeowners who want to refinance for 15 or 20 years instead of 30 years. To qualify, an owner must have a mortgage backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and will likely need a credit score of at least 620. MCT INFORMATION SERVICES

Wylie Joe’s, 210 E Sheridan Ave., club-tavern, remodel, $20,000. Hollingsworth Enterprises, 9216 SW 30 Terrace, residence, erect, $16,000. Jenny Springall, 2751 Northwest Expressway, business, remodel, $15,000. Associated Builders Group Inc., 301 N MacArthur Blvd., warehouse, add-on, $14,500. Connelly Paving Co., 3733 NW 10, parking, install, $14,000. Robby and Paula Harris, 9300 Summerset Lane, accessory, erect, $13,400. Welcome Home, 1113 Life Style Lane, manufactured home, move-on, $12,000. Welcome Home, 9517 NW 11, manufactured home, move-on, $12,000. Welcome Home, 9616 NW 12 Place, manufactured home, move-on, $12,000. Welcome Home, 1125 Life Style Lane, manufactured home, move-on, $12,000. Empire Inc., 11020 Oakleaf Lane, residence, add-on, $7,000. Leah and Sean Strickland, 8800 Lakehurst Drive, residence, remodel, $6,000. Theresa Touchet, 12301 SE 119, manufactured home, move-on, $6,000. Matt and Charity Mayhew, 1635 NW 164 Circle, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $4,595. Randell L. and Carol E. Cook, 11812 Marbella Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,595. Max Showalter, 12801 Lorien Way, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,500.

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM Amy Catlege, 212 SW 173, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $4,295. Timothy Farar, 6009 NW 152, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,200. Jim Neuberger, 5025 Barnsteeple Court, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,150. Kenny and Leahanne Janway, 2225 SW 96, storm shelter, install, $4,000. Philip Snell, 4708 SE 81, storage, erect, $3,700. Howard and Harlene Reeves, 8308 NW 119, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,675. Curtis Stark, 501 SE 44, manufactured home, move-on-mobile home park, $3,500. Kris Foote, 925 SE 62, business, remodel, $3,500. Shaun M. Jackson, 6304 N Drexel Blvd., storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,400. Michael Smith, 15216 Burning Spring Road, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,395. Linda Reed, 613 NW 172, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $3,300. Bryce Baumann, 11205 Thorn Ridge Road, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,200. Brian Baldwin, 5400 SE 81 Terrace, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,195. 4 Corners Construction LLC, 10025 Velletri Ave., accessory, erect, $3,000. Ashley Lambert, 12425 SW 4, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Perry D. Laffoon, 304 Azalea Hill Drive, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000. Silvia Lopez, 3025 SW 41, storm shelter, install-

storm shelter, $3,000. Michael Bradley, 700 NW 160, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Steven A. Erdley, 9625 SW 30, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995. Southwest Builders, 2205 Amber Road, residence, relocate, $2,800. Jim Jensen, 1201 NW 183, residence, installstorm shelter, $2,800. Te Anh Ngo, 12600 Redstone Court, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,795. Thomas Medlin, 13317 Mayberry Place, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,795. Jeff and Heather Pickard, 19508 Yearling Way, storm shelter, installstorm shelter, $2,700. Tam Ha, 917 SW 126, storm shelter, install, $2,650. Taber Built Homes, 2425 NW 155, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,500. James Dennetry, 11105 S Ross Ave., storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,200. Alloy Building Co., 401 NW 46 Terrace, canopycarport, add-on, $2,100.

Demolitions David Allred Construction Inc., 2412 SW 104, entry. K&M Wrecking LLC, 1738 Linwood Blvd., retail. L&S Demolition, 1730 NE 16, single-family residence. Midwest Wrecking, 1156 NW 58, demolition, single-family residence. Total Demolition Services LLC, 532 N Pennsylvania Ave., vacant slab. Juan Montes, 2325 S St. Clair Ave., house.