Saturday night I was awakened by a electrical snap in my bedroom.  The thunder immediately after made me realize that it was lightning and it was close.  I got out of bed quickly going through the house unplugging the expensive items... most were on a surge protector that made it easy to get many at a time, but before I made it through the kitchen I heard two outlets begin to sizzle and then one of the glowed briefly and let off a funny smell about the same time as the thunder clap.  Lightning had hit the tree beside my house, exploding a fence charger, knocking out my central heat and air, a ceiling fan, a TV, a router, and a cable modem.  As you can imagine, I am insured, but with any luck I will be able to re-coupe and still stay below my deductible.  You are probably asking yourself... 08/11/2008

Today I set out to begin reading a new book.  The book is called the Go-Giver.  Something about reading stimulates the mind, calms the spirit, and helps you re-focus.  The first of this book focuses on giving more in value than you take in payment.  As I think on how to apply this it occurs to me that value and product are not the same thing.  Product is something that you buy and sell.  Value is the something that you add to the transaction.  There have been a few people in my life that I have held as friends, but which passed on, truly leaving a void in the lives around them when they left.  We mourn when any friend departs, but I am talking about those that thinking of the world without them truly hurts still today when you stop and think of them.  These are people that truly added v... 08/08/2008

The land rush finally made it to Oklahoma!  As of Thursday, August 7, 2008, we are on the map - that being Localism.com. So welcome to our town! Take a moment to check out our pics, read some of our articles and check out Owasso.  In the days to come, I'll be adding neighborhoods and pics from around town.  For now, suffice it to say that Owasso is one of the cleanest and nices places you can live in the US. If you're looking to move to the Greater Tulsa area, be sure to give me a call!  I've got a dynamic team of four amazing people who can help you find that house you will want to call your home.  I'll be introducing the team to the world soon.  So stay tuned for more on that. In the meantime take note!  School starts next Wednesday.  To enroll, you MUST live within the Owasso fence l... 08/07/2008

The days of starting a career at one company and then retiring on a pension plan from that same company years later are gone.  I remember starting for a corporation that had both a 401k and a retirement.  I planned on being there until retirement and cashing in on both.  10 years, 4 company name changes, 2 ownership changes, and 1 company bankruptcy later; the retirement fund is gone and the I get a letter in the mail telling how the company was going to change the management of 1 of the two 401k's I had and letting me know how they would re-invest my money, including some purchase of their stock.   No thank you, I prefer to invest based on my personal needs.  In short, I don't think that the best intending company could possibly know the personal needs of every employee they have. Stat... 08/05/2008

Here in Oklahoma, we don't get awesome sunsets very often.  But sometimes it happens. This picture was taken on my Blackberry Sunday night.  I had been visiting with a client and had walked out to go to my van (in the pic) when we saw this spectacular sight.  Wow.  It was so pretty that he ran back into the house and grabbed his wife.  We just kind of stood there in the driveway for a long time watching the sun fade into the distance as the beams of light got more focused and then faded.  It was a perfect moment. You don't get very many perfect moments in real estate, but when they come they are sweet. Perfect moments I've enjoyed since going into real estate 1 1/2 years ago have included... Helping a single mom successfully sell her home after her husband passed away this year during ... 08/04/2008

This is the official logo of Owasso, OK.  Owasso is supposed to be an Indian word meaning end of the trail.  Owasso was at the end of the trail or a turn around point. As the story goes, the Owasso railroad station had been built by the Northern Pacific Railroad company and marked the end of the line that ran from Minneapolis to Oklahoma.  I don't know if that is true or not, but this is what most folks hold to be true. Owasso is a community of 26,552 according to Zipskinny.com. One of the features of our town is that Tulsa is only 10 minutes south.  Tulsa is much larger at just under 400,000 people (2000 census count).  That means everything you need can be found there IF we don't have it in Owasso.  Of course, with the internet and high gas prices, trips to Tulsa don't happen as much ... 08/02/2008

Owasso is one of those cities out there in America where life is good!  If you are moving to Oklahoma, you should consider moving to Owasso, a suburb of Tulsa.  Here's a few reasons why... 1.  Owasso is a planned growth community.  From housing to shopping to hosptials, we've been on a growth track for the last 20 years. 2.  Crime is very low, in spite of the continued growth.  For a look at crime stats, click here. 3.  Housing prices continue to be very affordable.  The median price of a home is $143,397 (2007).  Here's some sample housing prices and sizes.   $125-160K: 1500 sq.ft. home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a 2 car garage on a normal lot.   $160-199K: 2000 sq.ft. home with 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a 2-3 car garage on a normal city lot or on a 1/2 acre or acre lot ... 07/30/2008

Well, for an insurance agency, May storms bring..... well, friends.  Shortly after the storms started I started getting questions from friends about how they should handle their property damage issues.  Many of these had never let me put in a quote for their business, so I was taken back a little. After thinking it through I decided that I couldn't be more flattered.  When it came to watching only the penny, they were scared to rock the boat convinced they had fully shopped the whole market and had the best deal. But when it came to needing someone that they could trust they came to me.  And better yet, now they know that it's not only the money, it is having something behind that premium you pay. Don't be sore if you friends don't all come flocking to your business immediately, they ha... 07/29/2008

With school beginning on August 13th, it is time to shift from summer back to school calendars.  Here's a few tips to help you get ready for a great school year! For school supplies, make sure you visit Wal-Mart, Target, Office Depot or other similar stores.  That's where you'll be able to pick up your school supplies list.  And of course, you can get your supplies there too. For a school year calendar, click here. If you plan to enroll your child or children in the Owasso schools, make sure you read this... Initial enrollment for students new to Owasso Public Schools takes place at the Central Enrollment Center, located at 202 E. Broadway, Owasso, OK in the Student Services Center.  *Acceptable forms of Verification of Residence are:  CURRENT, original full-page electric, gas, or wate... 07/29/2008

When I "hung" my license with a company, I chose McGraw realtors because I knew there simply isn't a better company in Northeastern Oklahoma.  McGraw realtors is one of the oldest and locally owned real estate companies in Oklahoma.  Joe McGraw is a gentleman who believes that customer service is the most important player in any transaction.  We have more offices than any other company in the greater Tulsa area, more agents and we list and sell more real estate annually per dollar than any other company period.  You don't list and sell more real estate than others if you aren't any good at what you do.  And we're very good at what we do!  So, if you're ready to buy or sell, be sure you go with the best!  McGraw Realtors! 07/28/2008

Bob Haywood | McGraw Realtors | 918-272-7272 8830 North 143rd East Ave, Owasso, OK Beautiful home in Owasso, OK! Kitchen features granite countertops & stainless appliances. Bonus room upstairs. Office can be 4th bedroom. Ful 4BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $187,000 Year Built 2004 Sq Footage 2,136 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 8,040 sqft HOA/Maint $260 per month DESCRIPTION Don't miss this beautiful one owner home located in Owasso, OK. It features granite countertops and stainless appliances in the kitchen, a split bedroom plan and a bonus room upstairs. The office can be used as a 4th bedroom. Neighborhood amenities include a pool, park, small lake and sidewalks. Close to shopping and schools, this home is beautiful! see additio... 07/25/2008

06/17/2008

I have a nice couple who I'm working with right now who are going to be my buyers as soon as they sell their home.  They're selling their home as a For Sale By Owner because they don't have enough equity in it to list it with a realtor. Last night I took them to see a great new listing I have (generated from Active Rain by the way - more on that later).  After we took the tour, I asked them how the sale of their property was going.  "Pretty okay," was their answer. Hmmm, at this point I have a decision to make.  Do I help them by giving them some tips or not?  I know many realtors who wouldn't help at all because they didn't list their house with a realtor.  I'm more of the philosophy that we're all here to help one another and that what goes around comes around.  So I visited with them... 06/17/2008

"That showing time is too early for us.  If you'll come at 12:30, that will work fine. Thank you!" This was the message I got from a seller in our area tonight on my cell phone.  I had called him earlier and had a left a message about showing his home tomorrow morning around 9:30.  I know that can be early on a Saturday, but we've got to start early as that's when my buyers are available. I haven't called this seller back yet (too late tonight), but when I do, there are a few things I'd like to tell him.  See if some of these resonate with you. First, do you really want to sell your house?  Because if you do, asking a real estate professional to wait 3 hours later to show your house isn't going to get it sold.  Not in today's market.  When showing, we are usually on tight schedules.  Co... 06/13/2008

Hello again.  I thought that I would pop in and share some thoughts.  In business our ongoing desire is to make our customers; or that prospect we have happy.  We are ever striving to do it through "the best price" or " the best product" or the "best advertising".  We all want the be the best, and that is great because that is what our country is built on.  But as I write this I am thinking of another component, a lesson I learned from my family. As my three children grow, I am continually looking for the "new" "best ever" thing to bring them joy and build lasting memories.  It goes from the baseball glove and ball (which have now somehow completely disappeared), to the fishing pole (which my son reminds me continually of the danger of fish hooks).  Next we move on to the motorcycle, wh... 06/06/2008

Well, here goes my first attempt at a blog.  Today I want to talk about relations and what they mean to each of us.  Growing up in a small town, now living in a thriving growing town, I am struck by two stark differences between the two.  First is the amazing difference in the ability you have to create a thriving business.  The success of our friends and neighbors always brings amazing opportunities for those that surround them.  The old adage "Love your neighbor as yourself" carries more water than most people seem to realize.  But enough of that for now.  The second thing that stands out is the ability for people in need to fall through the cracks.  It is easier than ever in a booming community to get lost when you need something.  But it doesn't have to be this way.  This last weeke... 05/22/2008

Here in my little part of Oklahoma, you just never know what a day of showing houses might hold in store for you.  For example:  One day this past winter, I had taken my 4 wheel drive jeep out with a client "just to be safe."Good thing as we found ourselves on a unplowed snow covered road, sliding all over the place in four wheel drive in order to get to the house she wanted to see.  The funny thing was that, until we got to that neighborhood, there was little to no snow on the roads!Today's adventure started in Owasso.  That would be the city area.  Nice roads.  Dry roads.  Traffic.  Stop signs.  Stoplights.  "Normal."Then we headed over to Skiatook.  Skiatook and Owasso have one thing in common.  They both have the city roads and they both have the country roads.  Only Skiatook tends ... 05/08/2008

OOOOKKKKLAAAHHHHOMAAAAA, where the wind goes sweepin through plain!Oklahoma is a great place to live.  We have a low cost of living and it isn't crowded!  You know why?  It's WINDY HERE!  Below are pics of a three story hotel that was under construction here in Owasso.  Thursday night/Friday morning we had strong storms come marching through our area.  We didn't have any tornadoes here in our city, but we had some awesome straight winds.  So awesome in fact, they blew the hotel down!                  Random thoughts...If the Indians actually lived in Oklahoma territory, how did they keep their Tee Pee's from becomming big kites?Next time you plan to stay in a hotel that is less than 4 floors high, you may want to reconsider and stay elsewhere!I wonder who the inspector was on the projec... 05/03/2008

                                           The Young TeamDon and Carolyn are native Oklahomans, both raised and educated in Tulsa, as well as their 5 children.   Together they have over 28 years in the real estate business with a vast knowledge of the area.  Don holds a broker associate and Carolyn a sales associate's license.  Honesty and integrity is number one with us.We know how to match your dreams to the right home and understand that choosing the right real estate professional is a very personal decision.  As full time realtors, assessing your needs and providing you with the skill and tools needed to achieve your needs is our top priority.Commitment to our clients is to provide customer satisfaction exceeding your expectations with the utmost professionalism.  The best interest ... 09/10/2007

Got a call to go show one of my listings this past week.  That's always good, so I set up the appointment.  When the day arrived, I headed out a bit early in order to be there when the potential buyers arrived. This particual property is in the country, but only minutes from the city.  It sits up on a hill.  You can see the downtown skyline area of the major city to our south from the front-door.  It's an amazing view. I hadn't been to the house for several days.  When I pulled up I noticed that the guy doing some repair work had been there, but thought nothing of it. Soon the buyers arrived and we started the tour.  This house has an amazing 24x30 two story shop, so I always start there.  Guys love that shop.  Once we got in the house, I noticed it was fairly warm, so I turned on the a... 07/08/2007