Lori Cain - Tulsa Realty

Our skittish pup, Theo, is finding his way

Demetrius and I adopted Theodore (Theo) from the Collinsville shelter on Father’s Day this year. Hence his name, Theo – Demetrius’ middle name is Theodore, named after his father, Theodore. So, that makes our 4-legged family addition the third generation Theo.

The shelter didn’t know much about his background, but we assume he was abused. He shivered for weeks and would hide when friends came over.

He’s a blue heeler mix, which are generally friendly and smart dogs – so we’re just loving him until he understands that he’s safe here.

We started taking him to the Bark Park, and while he doesn’t play much with the other pups, he allows the people to pet him. We also discovered that he knows how to fetch and can run pretty darn fast.

Theo loves riding in the car, so I take him with me when I’m running errands or off to the grocery store. He is getting much more comfortable with our active lifestyle and loves hanging out with Mom & Dad.

It’s hard to imagine not having a pup in our home. If you’re considering adopting a pet, visit the Humane Society of Tulsa’s web site.

Funny thing about dogs - they love unconditionally. I have a pillow that is embroidered, "When I grow up, I want to be the person my dog believes I am."

About the author: Lori is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors, serving the greater Tulsa area. You can contact Lori at 918-852-5036 or visit her web site, LoriCain.com!

Pricing your home for sale – are you working WITH the internet?

We know that almost 90% of home buyers are searching on the internet, so if you’re selling your home, you are going to select a Listing Realtor who understands how home Buyers shop today.

You know that your home needs to be prominently displayed on multiple internet sites. You know that you want a significant number of photos of your home, a lengthy and detailed description of your homes' amenities and a virtual tour.

But, let’s not forget how the price you and your Realtor choose can make a difference as to your internet presence and exposure!

If your home is priced at $300,000, your home will come up when buyers search from $275,000 to $300,000. It will ALSO come up in buyer’s internet searches if they are searching from $300,000 to $325,000. By pricing your home at $300,000, you are DOUBLING the number of prospective Buyers who will view and consider your home. However, if you price your home at $299,900, your property will only come up in the first search of $300,000 maximum.

Pricing your home for sale – are you working WITH the internet?

When possible, price your home at what I call a “price point.” It’s NEVER a good idea to over-price your home, and neither of us want to leave money on the table. But, if you’re close to a price-point, go for it. If your home should be priced slightly above or slightly below $200,000, consider pricing it at $200,000. Do not price it at $199,900!

Choosing a Realtor who understand how Buyers search and shop on the internet is key. Call me today to learn more about the internet exposure I provide home sellers!

About the author: Lori Cain is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen serving the greater Tulsa area. Visit her web site or call 918-852-5036!

Get your GREEN on - recycling isn't enough! Some of us are newer to becoming green in our lifestyles, so I’m starting out with a few small suggestions. Easy stuff. I have recycled for years, but it’s time to step it up a notch.

Habits are hard to break and just as difficult to make. I am in the habit of taking my reusable shopping bags with me when I grocery shop. As long as I hang them on the door after I unload my groceries, it’s easy to remember to take them back to my car. When you’re in the check-out lane at the grocery and you are asked, “paper or plastic?” you can proudly produce your bags and respond, “neither – I brought my own!” Trust me – it will make you feel good.

After much nagging encouragement from my eco-responsible Dad, I am filling my reusable water bottle with filtered water from home and cutting back tremendously from purchasing bottled water. Although we recycle our water bottles, we just don’t know whether they’ve been stored or transported in heat and what may possibly leach from the plastic. So, yes, I will still grab a bottle of water from a convenience store when necessary, but for the most part, it’s easy to fill and carry your own bottle. Many are available today that are dishwasher-safe.

Now for the tough assignment. I shop online almost exclusively, yet retailers continue to send me printed catalogs. Usually I toss them in the trash wondering what marketing idiot thought to put me on a snail-mail list when I clearly shop online! Now, I am stacking up all the Harry and David catalogs, Williams-Sonoma, even Syracuse Cultural workers and taking time to CALL to be removed from their mailing list. It’s a time-consuming task, but almost as righteous as planting a tree yourself.

Get your GREEN on - recycling isn't enough!

When Demetrius and I remodeled our kitchen, we converted our entire house to energy-efficient light bulbs. We may have to take out a second-mortgage when it's time to replace them, as it was not an inexpensive endeavor. There's lots of good information on the internet about the newer bulbs available - here's a good "green" light bulb buying guide.

Are you doing a few simple things to be more green? Driving the speed limit or taking the bus on ozone-alert days? We can’t fix all that we’ve broken in one day, but we can darn sure start taking steps in the right direction!

It's my privilege as a Realtor to make suggestions to my clients when purchasing appliances or replacing a hot water heater. Why not replace those wood windows with energy-efficient vinyl windows or ditch that 25 year-old hot water heater and buy a tankless water heater? Here's a good site to assist you in making more green purchasing decisions,

While you're at it -- look into the tax credits available for purchasing energy-efficient home improvements!

About the author: Lori is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors, servicing the greater Tulsa area. Visit Lori at her web site or call 918-852-5036.

What I love about Tulsa!

Those who know me well know that I have an amazing husband, love dogs, sell Tulsa real estate, am a great cook and political activist.

You can pretty much be happily married anywhere, cook anywhere, walk dogs anywhere – but, I can’t imagine selling real estate anywhere other than Tulsa. We have the most impressive historical districts in midtown Tulsa and beautiful communities throughout our city and neighboring suburbs.

I’ve lived in four cities – the one in which I was born, one in which I attended high school, one in which I attended college – then Tulsa – couldn’t wait to get here.

You can get anywhere in Tulsa in fifteen minutes. It helps, of course, that we have no speed limit on Riverside Drive. (smile)

We run into someone we know everywhere we go – parks, concerts, runs, and festivals. Tulsa is a large city, but a small community – you will see your friends driving down the freeway.

Tulsa is very proud of our parks – and we have over one hundred parks. Truly rich in community spirit, Tulsa offers something for lovers of ballet, opera, theater, concerts, plays, shopping, museums, dining and more. Tulsa is one of America's ten top showcase cities for art deco architecture and the historical buildings downtown will simply amaze you.

We are revitalizing many older and historical neighborhoods, and we take great pride in supporting our local businesses. You’ll find many Farmer’s Markets and you’ll surely want to visit popular spots along Route 66.

What I love about Tulsa!

I married my true love in Tulsa, and we Greek-danced at 4th & Boston in front of the Atlas Life building that beautiful day.

Come visit Tulsa – you’ll feel like you’ve always lived here!

About the author: Lori is a residential Realtor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, specializing in historical midtown homes. Please call for an appointment if you are interested in buying or selling a home in Tulsa! 918-852-5036. Web: www.LoriCain.com

What I love about Tulsa!

Those who know me well know that I have an amazing husband, love dogs, sell Tulsa real estate, am a great cook and political activist.

You can pretty much be happily married anywhere, cook anywhere, walk dogs anywhere – but, I can’t imagine selling real estate anywhere other than Tulsa. We have the most impressive historical districts in midtown Tulsa and beautiful communities throughout our city and neighboring suburbs.

I’ve lived in four cities – the one in which I was born, one in which I attended high school, one in which I attended college – then Tulsa – couldn’t wait to get here.

You can get anywhere in Tulsa in fifteen minutes. It helps, of course, that we have no speed limit on Riverside Drive. (smile)

We run into someone we know everywhere we go – parks, concerts, runs, and festivals. Tulsa is a large city, but a small community – you will see your friends driving down the freeway.

Tulsa is very proud of our parks – and we have over one hundred parks. Truly rich in community spirit, Tulsa offers something for lovers of ballet, opera, theater, concerts, plays, shopping, museums, dining and more. Tulsa is one of America's ten top showcase cities for art deco architecture and the historical buildings downtown will simply amaze you.

We are revitalizing many older and historical neighborhoods, and we take great pride in supporting our local businesses. You’ll find many Farmer’s Markets and you’ll surely want to visit popular spots along Route 66.

What I love about Tulsa!

I married my true love in Tulsa, and we Greek-danced at 4th & Boston in front of the Atlas Life building that beautiful day.

Come visit Tulsa – you’ll feel like you’ve always lived here!

About the author: Lori is a residential Realtor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, specializing in historical midtown homes. Please call for an appointment if you are interested in buying or selling a home in Tulsa! 918-852-5036. Web: www.LoriCain.com