Important People You Should Have When Buying a Home

The process of buying a home involves a lot of people.  There are many things to consider when buying a home because you want to be sure that your money is not misused and that the people you are working with have your best interests at heart. What makes investing in a home more complicated is figuring out who to select as your “team” that will aid you through the process.

When choosing the right group of people to assist you in a home-buying process, you have to know who will be in charge of each particular task and what the responsibilities of each member will be. Just like with a business team, each person is in charge of a key role and is responsible for making things happen. Without their full dedication, the home-building process can become longer and more complicated than necessary.

You must talk with different qualified lenders until you find one that can provide the financing you need, and then you must provide them with personal financial information, so you can determine the price range and loan amount that you can afford.

A real estate agent is often viewed as the captain of the ship and acts as the intermediary between you and the other party (seller or buyer). If you are a buyer, it is usually the seller who pays the agent at closing, not you. A real estate agent educates you on the properties you are viewing and oversees the offer and contract transactions.

Most buyers opt to have a real estate lawyer. They are responsible for checking and reviewing the contract before you invest in the property to be sure everything is properly disclosed and that there are no loopholes through which you can be taken advantage of. They check to be sure there are no items that could surprise you with unexpected financial liability later down the road. They also determine if there are any claims against the property that might need to be taken care of by the current owner before closing.

You should also have the property checked by a home inspector before buying it. They will evaluate the major systems in the home and explain to you the things that need to be repaired. This is especially important if there are major repairs that need to be done because you can often negotiate that the seller fix some of them before closing.

A property appraiser will ensure that the property is priced fairly and that you do not pay more for a property than what it is worth. This is very important to the financing process as well because banks and lenders will only finance properties based on their true value, not necessarily what you have offered to pay for the property.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

DIY Home Winterizing

Winter; the is the coldest season of the year is upon us, and with it comes freezing rain and snow that can cause damage to parts of your home. Most homes could save hundreds of dollars by simply preparing their homes for the harsh weather by winterizing, or prepping the home for winter. For those of us here in Oklahoma, we still have a few months of winter to go, so it definitely is NOT too late!

Here are some helpful tips to get your home ready to the upcoming winter:

1. Look around the perimeter of your home for things that you don’t want outside for a long period of time such as yard tools that have been left out. Disconnect the hoses and place them in the garage.
2.  Check the exterior of your house for cracks that let heat out, making it more difficult to keep your house warm. Fill the problem cracks with a generous amount of caulking. Smooth the caulking out with your finger or a tool, but make certain to seal the crack completely as you smooth out the caulking.
3. Buy a window insulating kit that includes heavy plastic that you can attach to the window from the inside with double sided tape. While they may not be very pretty, these kits serve as additional protection for a window or they can replace storm windows if you don’t have one.
4. Clean and fix rain gutters as the accumulated leaves will stop the water from moving smoothly causing ice dams that will damage your rain gutters. Make sure the gutters are all aligned and not leaking.
5.  Clean and seal your fireplaces both top and bottom; it is recommended to use plastic sheeting while you do so to avoid mess. Make sure that the top allows heavy rain or snow to fall off the sides to keep the heat from escaping out.
6. Insulate your home to save to save energy while winterizing your home. Insulate your pipes to keep them from freezing during cold weather. Keep your attic and crawlspace to prevent cold air from seeping into your living space during the winter. Choose good quality insulation for the best results and install the insulation according to the directions.
7. Follow these tips and rest easier knowing that while the weather outside may be frightful, inside is infinitely more delightful!

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

 

Construction of Edmond’s First Designated Bicycle Lanes Nears Completion

Bike lanes in the city can help maintain safety among those who plan to use their bikes in their daily commute. Recently, many people have been shifting to healthier and simpler lifestyle options, such as utilizing bikes as forms of transportation instead of vehicles. If bikes lanes are designated in public roads, there will be a safer lane for them to stay in traffic.

Edmond, Oklahoma is supporting the emergence of a greater and safer cyclist community by the construction of its first designated bicycle lanes in the city. The bicycle lanes will be located along the University Drive between Second Street and Chowning Avenue. The existing road has been reconstructed to accommodate a two-lane road, a center turn lane and two bikes lanes on the side of the road.

Based on the current status of the construction, the highly anticipated bicycle lanes will soon be serving cyclists in the city. Construction of the bike lanes are near its completion with little work left to be done on the striping and placement of signage.

Once construction is completed, the city will celebrate its newest thoroughfare in a city-wide cycling day, on which bikers will be encouraged to christen the new road.  The celebration will be held on Nov. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Edmond Diners Help Support Free Meals for the Elderly and Disabled

Elderly individuals and those who are bound to their home due to sickness, injury or other incapacity, have a difficult time attending to themselves each day especially without someone around to assist them. It is a huge challenge for them even to prepare their daily meals in their conditions. In turn, many elderly and disabled individuals who are homebound lack proper nourishment for their bodies.

That is why the Edmond Mobile Meals are always ready to help! Started in 1974, Edmond Mobile Meals prepare and deliver nourishing, hot meals to people who are bound at home due to age and sickness. They provide meals to registered homebound elderly or disabled individuals for a temporary basis or an extended period of time depending on their need level. For 39 years, the non-profit organization has continued to support its advocacy of helping others find friendship, hope and security.

Now, Edmond residents can extend their help in supporting the continuation of Edmond Mobile Meals. For a limited time, those who plan to dine out at select restaurants will be helping the organization raise more money to provide more meals to more people.

On June 18, 2013, select participating restaurants will be giving a portion of their proceeds to the Mobile Meals each time a diner say that they are with Mobile Meals. Diners who want to help in this small way will only have to let the restaurant know that they are with Mobile Meals so part of their total meal cost will be donated to the organization.

Participating restaurants are as follows:

• Kang’s Sushi Bar & Bistro
• Hideaway Pizza
• Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler (all seven locations)
• Earl’s Rib Palace (Broadway Ext. & Memorial Rd.)
• Zarate’s Latin Mexican Grill
• Qdoba Mexican Grill (4-10 p.m.)
• The Garage (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Chick-fil-A, 33rd Street location (5-8 p.m.)
• Garbanzo
• Simply Falafel
• Jo’s Pizza
• Billy Sims

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Edmond’s Art in Public Places Program Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

It has been 10 years and Edmond, Oklahoma has been enjoying the benefits of having beautiful art and statues in selected areas around the city. Edmond’s Art in Public Places Program is now in its tenth-year of advocating to public enrichment through arts. Everyone in Edmond, as well as visitors to the city, relish in the lovely works of art found in parks and community areas throughout the city.

The Art in Public Places Program started in 2003. Since then, around one hundred thirty art pieces have been placed on display in public using mostly bronze statues. These works of art have offered not only beautification to the city but also have been a boon for economic development.

The program has lasted for ten years with the partnership of the city and private donors. The City of Edmond is allocating $30,000 each year for the funding of the project while private donors are giving their own share. In addition, donations from residents through their utility payments have also offered a major source of fund. Over $22,000 were collected for this fiscal year from the $2 donations that residents are giving along with their utility payments.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Using Your Dryer More Effectively

As much as you may not like constantly using your clothes dryer, there are times when you simply need to use it. Even thought they can use a large amount of energy at home, dryers also help make your life more convenient. So, the key is to use your dryer more effectively, so even when you do use it, you do it in a more efficient way.

Below are some tips:

• Maximize the load of your dryer, but do not to overfill it, as that can actually make it less efficient. Fill your dryer to its limit, so you can dry as many clothes as possible with less energy.  If the load is too full, however, don’t add more to it because the clothes won’t dry well, and you’ll end up having to use more energy and time to complete the cycle.
• Wash and dry similar types of clothes and separate different groups from each other.  It will be a lot faster to dry certain items if you combine all the lightweight fabrics and dry them at the same time. Tossing in different types together will only lengthen the drying process.
• Throw in a clean, dry towel to help dry your clothes faster. The towel can easily absorb the moisture from your clothes, and then you can just hang it somewhere to air dry after.
• Clean the lint filter regularly. A clean lint filter can allow the air to circulate properly inside your dryer, which will help your clothes more effectively. When your lint filter is dirty, residue tends to clog the airways, which reduces circulation in your dryer. It will also diminish the service life of your appliance.
• Choose a dryer with a moisture sensor. A moisture sensor will automatically shut down your dryer once the clothes are dry. It will reduce energy use and will also decrease possible wear and tear on your clothes.
• Schedule your drying time. This will reduce the constant use of your dryer and will give you control over your energy use. Try to schedule it once or twice each week, if possible, and during lower usage times of day.
• Keep your dryer in a warm room, so less energy is used. The cooler the place, the more energy your dryer has to use to heat things. Try to add a new load to the dryer as soon as you take the old one out, so you can make use of the remaining heat.
• Use alternative and free solutions for drying clothes. If you are not in rush to have your clothes dry, and if the weather is hot, hang your clothes outside instead. It can save a lot of energy over using your dryer.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Edmond Approves New Police Records Management System

To help police officers easily identify people who may pose a threat to society, a reliable police record system is important. That type of system manages  all of the police records, so it is easier and faster for police officers to locate the files they need.  However, in Edmond, the Police Records Management System is outdated and losing its functionality.

The current system used by the police is a 1998 system, and it needs to be replaced.  So, the City of Edmond is doing just that.  The City Council has already approved a new Police Records Management System for a cost of $922,768, and the New World Systems Inc. record management software suite is now what the police department will be using.

Though the new system is estimated to become fully operational by 2014, the city has already set the bid for the system to be easily moved to its new location at the new Public Safety Center and Ancillary Facility at 100 E. First St. According to city officials, the new system will be paid for by the Public Safety Center Capital Improvements Tax.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Lights of Awareness Featured at Integris Health Edmond

Holiday lights and bright Christmas trees are all around us this holiday season. They remind us of the joy and happiness that surround this time of year.  But, no matter how we celebrate and enjoy the holiday season, there are many people who may not be able to fully revel in the celebration because they are battling life-threatening illnesses like cancer.

To offer support and awareness for people who are suffering from cancer, Team Outdoor Lifestyle has partnered with Integris Health Edmond to showcase a well-lit group of Christmas trees at Integris Health Edmond.  Team Outdoor Lifestyle is a landscaping and creative outdoor lifestyle company that offers lawn care and maintenance, as well as other outdoor features. may be battling.

The light display will feature 42 trees lit with 300 strands of holiday lights, or 21,000 lights total. There will be nine different colors on each tree, with each olor representing a disease. AIDS will be red, breast cancer will be pink, lung cancer will be white, Leukemia will be orange, colon cancer will be royal blue, bladder cancer will be yellow, prostate cancer will be in light blue, and kidney cancer will be green.  Purple will represent general awareness.

Light displays will be available for viewing outside the Integris Health Edmond until January 31, 2013.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Common Home Security Mistakes to Avoid

Home security is important for keeping your family and property safe from thieves and intruders. When implemented properly, you can feel very secure, knowing that it will be extremely difficult for unwanted trespassers to enter.  However, there are still people who don’t prioritize their home security enough and therefore leave their houses more vulnerable to theft and unwanted intruders.
To increase the level of your home security and prevent situations of robbery or theft, avoid these common mistakes:

• Hiding keys in obvious places. You may want to hide a spare set of keys somewhere outside your house in case you lock yourself out, but be careful where you stash them because thieves are very familiar with that practice and therefore usually look for them. Hiding keys under a big rock or under your doormat is really common. If you need to hide a spare key, put it in a more challenging, unexpected location.  If you can put it on the other side of gate that you are able to access, that’s even better.
• Not fixing broken doors or windows. If you leave a full crack on your window, thieves can easily break through it. The same is true when you fail to fix your door hardware. Repair broken windows, doors, and other exterior openings as soon as possible.
• Leaving doors and windows unlocked. Needless to say, if you unlock your door or window, anybody can come inside. Make it a habit to lock your doors prior to going to bed or, even better, immediately after you come inside.  Check your garage door as well to be sure it is closed and locked.
• Turning off the lights when no one is in the house. If you and your family need to go away for a few days, don’t make it obvious that your house is empty. Having a dark house is a big signal to thieves. If you need to leave your home, even for a few hours, leave a light by a window on or put your lamps on automatic timers.
• Having an overgrown garden. One of the appeals of larger vegetation is that it makes your yard more private.  But, keep in mind that tall plants can also conceal lurking intruders. Keep your garden properly maintained and at a level that keeps you safe.

 

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Martin Park Nature Center Offers Sensory Events

People who are disabled often have a hard time adjusting to the physical challenges of the world and fully experiencing the environment around them.

Those who are blind are unable to enjoy the different colors of the changing fall leaves, while those who are hard of hearing cannot completely appreciate music and the sounds of nature.

To provide support to people with disabilities, Martin Park Nature Center is offering free sensory events to the public. These events give people the chance to experience the beauty of nature more fully, despite their physical or developmental challenges. The series of events will continue through February and is offered to all ages.

On December 15, a free session will be offered to the hearing-impaired, which will involve activities specifically designed for people with hearing disabilities. January 19 is scheduled for people with cognitive impairment, and February 16 will be an event for those who are sensitive to light, sound, or other environmental factors.

Martin Park Nature Center is one of Oklahoma City’s popular parks that offers many recreational features.  A wildlife sanctuary showcases a number of animal species like squirrels, foxes, reptiles, and deer. You can also find animals around the 144-acre nature park.

Three and a half miles of gentle hiking trails, as well as an education center that features a nature educational library, are additional features that can be enjoyed by families. The nature park also features the first observation bee hive in the city.
Martin Park Nature Center is located at 5000 West Memorial Road in Northwest Oklahoma City. The park is opened from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031