About McCurtain County, OK

My husband and I attended a social function over the week-end.

Just about every time that I was involved in a conversation, I heard that.

I've developed a standard response. "Real Estate is good." They look a bit surprised.

Then I go on to say, "It's a tad slow for those that are priced right and big disappointment for those that are over priced,

but we try not to take listings that are over priced. So for us, real estate is good. If you want to sell, ask me come look at your property and put the right price on it."

If you're selling, don't gamble and take a chance of losing serious buyers because you're overpriced. That's like playing a slot machine - hoping to hit the jack pot when the odds are against you.

This is too important.

For help with your real estate transactions in Southeast Oklahoma (McCurtain and Choctaw Counties), call me - Judi Barrett, Integrity Real Estate Services. 580-212-5946

Images courtesy of Microsoft clip art and the Morgue File

If you've been looking for a get-away in McCurtain County so that you can enjoy our great outdoors, fish at Broken Bow or Pine Creek Lakes, Hunt in the thousands of acres of public lands available for hunting - Look this one over. It's has a great setting, paved road. About 25 minutes to Broken Bow lake, and about 30 minutes to Pine Creek Lake. Property is about 2 1/2 miles from the Dallas - Ft Worth area, 3 1/2 hours from Tulsa. If you have property in McCurtain County or Choctaw County that you want to sell, call me. Judi Barrett, broker at Integrity Real Estate Services. 580-212-5946

I know, I know...I know it's not fair,

but you should have made your offer instead of hesitating!

There are those that are waiting for the price to get lower.

They have missed the fact that it was already priced at a good buy.

But the family that looked yesterday didn't miss that fact.

They made their offer and the sellers accepted it.

So some nice family, is going to be enjoying this country home in McCurtain County even though there are several people waiting, thinking they were going to buy it at some point.

Saying "IT'S MINE" over and over will not get the offer in front of the sellers.

Sorry, it doesn't work that way. See bottom of post to review how it does work.

Don't listen to those "tv commentators" about holding off on a purchase that you really want when you can afford it and it's a good buy.

They are just “common tators”. Not Genuine Real Estate Spuds.

To Review How It Works:

• Find a piece of land, home, building, lake lot, etc.
  

• Call the banker and get pre-approved for a loan if it’s not a cash purchase.

• Call me to go see the property.

• Tell me how much you want to offer and terms of the offer.

• I put it in writing and present it to the seller.

• The sellers either accept the offer or counter the offer with a price and terms that they will accept.

• Accept or counter their offer, etc. until

• There's a contract and very soon you have the property that you wanted.

Integrity Real Estate Services, Judi Barrett, Broker 580-212-5946

Images courtesy of Image Chef and Microsoft Clip Art.

Aren't those timer buttons on cameras wonderful??

We recently had two of our grandsons for the week-end and since all cameras now have timers, were able to get a snapshot with all of us in it.

We were ready for the fish to bite but the fish weren't asking for a vote.

They didn't much like what we offered them for lunch.

It was a great week-end anyway though!

Yes, America has it's problems but it's still where I want to be.

Hope everyone is having a good one this week-end.

Real Estate in Southeast Oklahoma

Integrity Real Estate Services

Judi Barrett, broker

580-212-5946

Visit Lake Raymond Gary Homes

Visit Raymond Gary Lake Website

Visit Choctaw County, Oklahoma

Home Buyers - What’s in YOUR Wallet??

If you are shopping for a home and haven’t been pre-approved for a loan from a reputable lender, it would be a good idea to go ahead and do that. It will make your shopping experience much more pleasurable and profitable.

There are some things though that I want you to think about and that list can be made from the cards that you carry in your wallet, and the bottom line that I’m trying to get to is NOT Capital One. Some of these may be a little bit of surprise to you.

• 1) No surprise here. I did mention a credit card company. If your wallet is credit card heavy and those balances match the weight, then you could have a problem. Credit card debt will be considered by your lender as an obligation that you have. This is a good time to pay those balances down.

• 2) Is there a health insurance card in your wallet? If you are un-insured or under insured and health problems arise, this could severely hinder your ability to pay your home loan payments. This is a risk that you are taking and should be taken into consideration by you, even if your lender doesn’t consider it in his/her number crunching.

• 3) Depending upon the automobile insurance laws in your state, the type of automobile that you drive that might have to be replaced in case of an accident, lawsuits that could come about, etc., #2 reasoning could be applied here to your auto. I would think that most states require a minimum coverage now that covers liability insurance so this one may not be a concern.

• 4) Is there a voter registration card in your wallet? Ad Valorem Taxes (Property Taxes) can be pretty hefty. If you’re going to be paying them, you should be at least voting on them. If you own property and you’re not a voter, you’re letting everyone have the say in determining how you are taxed on your new home without you even voicing your opinion on it. That means that folks that do NOT own property can have more effect on your tax rate than you do, like the renters next door to you who choose to rent instead of buy. If they vote and you don’t…..

• 5) Is there a library card in your wallet? Your local library should contain a wealth of information that you would find useful. The latest magazines that highlight what’s in style right now in homes along with great articles about every aspect of home buying. Pamphlets on tax credits for various aspects such as energy saving items in your new home. Go in and tell your librarian that you are home shopping and want good information to help you be an informed buyer. There is SO MUCH information available. If you do not have internet access, then you may be accessing the internet at the library and tapping into the endless supply of information there.

• 6) Is there any cash in your wallet along with an employee card? Cash in the wallet is not what I’m really talking about here. Do you have funds somewhere for a down payment and closing costs that you may incur as part of your home purchase? A means to make the payments is also absolutely necessary and I’m sure that there will be some laughter here that I would even feel it necessary to mention this, but you would be surprised…sometimes I encounter buyers that do not have a job – they may be drawing unemployment and believe that they will find a job eventually. I’m glad that they are looking ahead and are expecting good things, but it’s highly unlikely that a lender is going to approve someone for a home loan who is not employed whether for self or for someone else.

• 7) And last but not least, Is YOUR real estate agent’s card in your wallet? Having a real estate agent that is working to help you find just the right home can make your hunt much easier and much much better. They have the experience and knowledge that you may not have. They have the time, after all that’s what they do for a living. They know what’s available and walk you through every step.

If you’re considering selling property in either McCurtain County or Choctaw County, please give me a call. Let us go to work for you. Judi Barrett, broker, Integrity Real Estate Services… We work with properties from the Redland area east of Idabel to the Sawyer area, east of Hugo. 580-212-5946

Photo courtesy of morgue file.