The fith in the Oklahoma City first time homebuyers guide will deal with the type of inspections we have in the purchase of your home, the whole house inspection and the pest inspection. We will talk about what they look for, what they can cite as repairs, as well as how they are licensed and how you choose them. 02/25/2011

I was going to load a new video about Oklahoma first time home buyers but two recent webinars sponsored by CDPE about changesd in the HAFA program, the Department of the treasury enforcement on short sale fraud, and new marketing and disclosure requirements from The Federal Trade Commission about how wemarket as well as not charging clients upfront fees is very important. Fines for violations at $16,000 per occurence should get any REALTORS® attention doing short sales. 02/25/2011

In this video for Oklahoma City first time homebuyers I want to tackle the issue of closing cost. We will deal with what you have to pay, what the seller has to pay and that middle area of whether we ask the seller to pay out negotiable cost. The question is first, who really pays these cost? The second question is which is better, you paying it or the seller paying it. 02/24/2011

As we continue the Oklahoma City first time homebuyers guide I will discuss our first meeting where we discuss your goals, and where I can get an idea of your situation, and make sure that what you are about to do with your first time home purchase top avoid some fiancial pitfalls by overextending yourself, and not understanding that your first home is the initial investment to build your future on, and the equity builds toward your next home, and that if high debt obligations exist at the outset, that we have a cushion that can help you reduce debt like credit cards and build a great financial future. 02/24/2011

This is the second of evleven videos for Oklahoma City first time homebuyers. In the first video I took you from the first meeting to the contract acceptance, now in this video we take you from contract to closing and occupancy. The later videos will detail specific actions that are needed to be explored in greater depth. Even though this is for our Oklahoma City first time homebuyers, much can be applied anywhere. However, state laws vary in how we represent you, how closing is handled, and other differences so please consult someone in your state for how things are done there. I also just figured out a reason to do a 12th video so expect more in the future. Please call us to handle all your real estate needs in Greater oklahoma City by calling 405-590-2135 or email me at joe@joepryor.... 02/22/2011

This is the first of eleven videos I am doing on educating first time Oklahoma City homebuyers about what they should know going into the process. It is important that we educate sometime who is doing this for the first time to help them avoid mistakes that are preventable. If that first home experience is good we can set the stage for their second home to be affordable and allow them to look forward to it while putting them into something that is fiancially sound and at a minimum risk. The first two videos are overviews from the first meeting to the closing table and the rest will go into the specifics that reqwuire more time and detail to explore. Our team loves working with first time homebuyers in Oklahoma City and we welcome you to email or call us at joe@joepryor.com or 405-590-21... 02/22/2011

Many area Oklahoma City students depend on school days so they can get a healthy nourishing meal. Nutritious food is very important for focusing and doing well during the school day. With so many snow days throughout this winter, many kids went without a healthy breakfast or lunch, something they have come to depend on while attending school. Many children even went without their Friday food surplus to help get them through the weekend. When reflecting on the many snowstorms and the many more children without snacks or food, local food banks made a very important decision. The Food For Kids Program would receive their school food deliveries for children prior to a snow closing day. Schools were also encouraged to allow children to take home extra for their siblings that may not yet be i... 02/18/2011

Quail Creek February 2011 Real Estate Market Update Current Monthly Change Active Listings 45 +2 Under Contract 8 -2 Sold (January) 3 -3 High list price: $874,900 Low list price: $81,000 Average list price: $303,730 Median list price: $249,000 High sales price/ft: $84.91 Low sales price/ft: $63.97 Average price/ft: $74.98 Median price/ft: $76.05 Average days-on-market: 50 Median days-on-market: 43 Quail Creek Information Quail Creek Homes For Sale Quail Creek Recent Price Reductions Quail Creek New ListingsOriginally posted on okchomesellers.com 02/16/2011

Another great video highlighting what it's like to live in Oklahoma City, from the perspective of someone transplanted from the East Cost; Medical science professional and runner Scott Plafker discusses his relocation to Oklahoma City from a coastal perspective: safe and clean neighborhoods with easy commutes, beautiful green spaces and a high quality of living.**Originally posted on the ShowMeOKC Real Estate Blog, where you’ll find out more about Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, and beyond. 02/16/2011

This video deals with a new program for investors in Oklahoma City real estate who want to buy rental homes and only have to have a 700 credit score. This is for new homes to be built, typically rented before closing, and is great for serious investors who have at least 4 mortgages, and don't want to deal with Fannie Mae requirements, and also the limit of 10 total mortgages. If you want more information please email me at joe@joepryor.com. 02/15/2011

After making her singing debut at an early age, Norman native Sarah Sellers will show her talent on American Idol!Sellers was part of the Oklahoma Kids Performing Group at the age of five. She also went on to join the choir at both West Mid High, and Norman High school.After performing in many musicals and plays while attending the University of Oklahoma, she also decided to take private voice lessons to enhance her career. At the age of 19, Sarah had her first audtion for American Idol, as well as a possible record deal in Nashville. When neither singing opportunity panned out, she put singing on the back burner.Sellers found a job and got married, but still had a passion for music. At this time she decided to start a blog, Sarah's Musical Kitchen. This would allow her to share with th... 02/14/2011

Oklahoma City real estate fortunately did not participate in the bubble and susequent burt of it that started in 2007. In 2005 we were just into a recovery mode and did little subprime lending and no fluff. Tha t doesn't mean we were unaffected because all of us were. However, we did not lose value overall and as a state had only 7% of our mortgages underwater, the lowest in the united States. However, last year saw a mini-bubble caused by the $8000 tax credit, and the ill advised second one saw a frenzy of buying at a low inventory time, and low buying at the later high inventory time. Oklahoma City which is normally a linear market pattern saw some zig zags in values. Starting ion November however, pending sales were over last year, invenotry levels shrunk 15%, and foreclosures were a... 02/12/2011

Knowing that four days a week, for six hours a day, they will be helping first-grade students from Arthur Elementary School, helps many Oklahoma City elderly stay healthy. The Foster Grandparents Program allows those aged 60 and older and in decent health to work with children with spelling, reading, or any assignment the young child may have. The grandparent must also commit to at least 15 hours a week. Many find themselves volunteering for the program because they are just plain bored at home, doing the same thing day to day. Working with the children gives them a sense of accomplishment, and makes them feel loved. This is stronger than any medicine that can be prescribed, said one elderly volunteer. The memories both students and volunteers are taking with them are cherished ones. Ei... 02/11/2011

With all of the changes that have taken place in Downtown Oklahoma City over the past decade, not to mention the past 70 years, it's easy to let your imagination lead you down the path of wondering what it was like before our time. That's why I enjoy articles, pictures, videos, and memorabilia that document those times. One such example is this cool little piece that Steve Lackmeyer of NewsOK.com put together, showing a few pictures of what Automobile Alley was like back in the 40s & 50s. **Originally posted on the ShowMeOKC Real Estate Blog, where you’ll find out more about Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, and beyond. 02/08/2011

First-time homebuyers in Cleveland County may be able to cash in on a mortgage at a fixed rate of 4.95% with three percent down-payment assistance. The assistance will come in as a second mortgage loan, provided at 0 percent interest, and forgiven over five years. The program, sponsored by the United States Department of Treasury and government-sponsored enterprises, was put in place to help those with low to moderate incomes obtain a home. Up to $10,000,000 will be offered to qualified buyers who have not owned a home before or have not had an interest in one in the past three years. Other stipulations may be put into place, and it is important to know these loans are on a first-come, first-served basis. Consumers who feel they qualify are encouraged to act fast! The new homeowners wil... 02/07/2011

There were 824 Oklahoma City real estate sales in the MLS in January 2010 which compares to 746 in January 2010. That’s a 9½% increase. Hopefully things are looking up! You can also visit highs and lows from 2010 and 2009. Most Expensive Home Sale – Oklahoma City Real Estate January 2011 $2,450,000  $352.92/sf. 6910 Avondale in Nichols Hills.  6,942 square feet with 4 bedrooms, 5 full baths plus 2 half baths and 4 living areas. A rare newer house with a spectacular pool on one of the best streets in Nichols Hills.  No carpet - All walnut and maple floors. Rich moldings, iron work, 3 cast stone fireplaces, a sound system throughout, & the finest in electronics make this property an easy choice. Excellent design with walk-in safe room, upstairs rec room, study, 2 adjoining living spaces d... 02/06/2011

During the depression era, many native Oklahomans found themselves fleeing to California to find work in the orchards to make money. Today, it is just the opposite. Eastward Ho! Oklahoma Is the Relocation Destination. A study from the IRS shows the number of people moving to Oklahoma from California outnumbered those Oklahomans moving to California! City officials are not surprised by this phenomena; studies show that the population in Oklahoma has increased 1.2 percent in the past five years and 1.7 percent from 2009 to 2010. The fact that Oklahoma's unemployment rate is below the national average is what is drawing people to our area. Beth Schmidt, Marketing Director for the Commerce Department, says, "The American dream is possible here, especially when it comes to homeownership." To... 02/04/2011

Becoming a Godparent led an Oklahoma City man into the world of music for children. When it came time to decide on the perfect gift for the newborn, diapers and onesies seemed too unoriginal. That is why he decided to give their goddaughter the gift of music. Brendan Parker wrote one song for the child, which led to another and another. The songs are based on daily concerns of children, along with helping them learn about things they may encounter. Children loved the songs and so did the parents, which led Brendan to keep writing and singing. Before long he had an entire album, "Spaghetti Eddie! And Other Children's Songs." Known as Spaghetti Eddie, Parker works for a medical equipment company and also performs some adult music from time to time. Now he's famous in the Oklahoma City are... 01/31/2011

When we help investors build wealth through investing in real estate we always start with the numbers because this is what matters to an investor. In a previous video I spoke about the return on investment that measures long term wealth accumulation, and gives you an annualized internal rate of return. Unlike ROI which makes assumptions about how the market will look much later, this is the immediate snapshot analysis of the return of your investment that gives you the first year's return based on how much of your money comes back in relation to your total money put in and also versus the total purchase price.2017 Update: The investment market in Oklahoma City for real estate cash flow has improved dramtically and now we are a lead city for consistent returns. For more information plea... 01/31/2011

Oklahoma City Real Estate 2010 Highs and Lows One of the more popular posts I began last year was a look through the Oklahoma City MultiList (MLS) and see the highs and lows for the year. Here are the results… MOST EXPENSIVE HOME - Oklahoma City Real Estate $2,399,000 23050 N Western. This is down nearly a million dollars from 2009, perhaps a sign of the economy! This beautiful 6,700 square foot home sits on 40 acres and was built in 1995. Storybook setting with balconies & porches that overlook manicured grounds with stocked pond & fountain. Amazing outdoor living with fireplace and full kitchen just off pool area. Huge master with sitting area, cathedral ceiling & floor to ceiling stone fireplace. Incredible barn with living quarters. Totally remodeled with blown out kitchen and desig... 01/31/2011