Kristyn Grewell Edmond, OK Homes Oklahoma Relocation Services

The January 2008 statistics for the Edmond real estate market are now available. In Edmond, Oklahoma during January 2008 there were a total of 196 properties sold with a total sales volume of $52,043,856. These properties had an average sales price of $265,529 and were on the market for an average of 101 days. The average interest rate buyers received in January 2008 was 6.05%. How does that compare with last year? In January 2007 212 properties were sold with a total sales volume of $43,616,462. Those properties had an average sales price of $205,738 and were on the market for an average of 89 days. The average interest rate buyers received in January of 2007 was 6.07%.


From this data you can see that while properties in Edmond are in fact taking a bit longer to sell (about 12 days on average), the average sales price has gone UP by almost $60,000.

NOTE: This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors, Inc., or its Multiple Listing Service. Neither the Association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. (Areas 111 thru 114)

• Star 1 Healthy Lifestyles: the goal is to encourage and promote physical activity throughout neighborhoods with group biking, hiking and running.
  
• Star 2 Healthy Community: ensures that homeowner associations are providing the basics like; meetings, newsletters, maintaining and publishing a budget, participating in the 5 Star Challenge as a committee, hosting social events and more.
  
• Star 3 Community Involvement: the goal is to encourage neighborhood involvement in projects outside the neighborhood like; Libertyfest, supporting non-profits, street cleanup, and more.
  
• Star 4 Beautification: making the neighborhood attractive and improving curb appeal throughout.
  
• Star 5 Safety & Security: homeowner associations should host a minimum of one safety program for the neighborhood a year like; neighborhood watch, National Night Out, and more.

Why should it matter if your neighborhood is a 5 Star Neighborhood or not? Imagine there are two homes for sale equal in all ways. Both are in nice, attractive neighborhoods. But one home is in a neighborhood with 5 Star status. Which home has more perceived value to you? Ask the president of your HOA if they have heard about this exciting opportunity for Edmond neighborhoods.

1. What Edmond neighborhoods do you like?
   
2. Are there certain schools you would like to be near?
   
3. How close do you need to be to public transportation?
   
4. Do you need easy access to I-35 or turnpike?
   
5. Do you prefer to be close to shopping centers or on the outskirts of Edmond?
   
6. What architectural style do you prefer?
   
7. Do you like/want 2 stories or1?
   
8. How old of a home would you consider?
   
9. Are you willing to do repairs or renovations?
   
10. Are there any special needs your new home must meet?
    
11. Do you need a fence for pets?

Once you answer these questions your Realtor will be better prepared to search for the Edmond home you are looking for. Check back next Friday for week 2 in the Ultimate Home Buying Guide to Edmond Home Buying when we will discuss the advantages of financial pre-qualification.

If you are like many Oklahoma home buyers, you are have been searching for homes in a price range based on a pre-approval from a lender. Maybe like many Oklahoma home buyers you have a pre-approval letter from a lender on your desk at home so you will be ready to go once you find your dream home. It's like your "Golden Ticket" proving you can have the house you desire. But how much do you know about the company that has provided the pre-approval for you?

Did you know that in the last year and a half more than 200 US lending operations have IMPLODED? To say a lending operation has imploded does not mean that they have stopped doing business. It means that the company may have filed bankruptcy, been acquired, or temprarily stopped operations. Is the company that provided your "Golden Ticket" pre-approval letter one of these 200+ companies?

Before you continue your search for Oklahoma Real Estate with Golden Ticket in hand, check out the list of Imploded Lenders here. A lender should be selected for their reputation in the industry, not the amount they will lend to you. For a selection of recommended Oklahoma lenders, click here.