Tulsa, OK

Outgrown your starter home? NOW is the time to upgrade & here are three reasons why.

Okay, it’s time to sell your house.

You've outgrown that cute little starter home with two bedrooms and 1 bath that you bought after you got married and before you had two children. It’s time to pass that along to another young couple and find a larger home in a school district of your choice with a separate bathroom for the kiddos.

You may have heard that the Senate & House extended the 1st-time home buyer $8,000 tax credit. They ALSO added a $6,500 credit for home buyers who have lived in their current home at least five years – this is an effort to get the $200K-$300K inventory of homes moving.

Both have to have written contracts by April 30th and must close by June 30th.

I know that you’re nervous about trying to buy a home while selling yours at the same time. The thought of double mortgage payments scares me, so I know it scares you. Here is a post I’ve written about how best to buy and sell at the same time – it can be done!

Your home is likely to be purchased by a 1st-time buyer, so you really need to take advantage of this opportunity now that they’ve extended the deadline. Honestly, towards the end of the original deadline, the inventory of homes in 1st-time Buyers’ price range was getting scarce – in fact, prices were getting somewhat inflated, because buyers were panicking that they would not close in time. Now that the deadline is extended, I expect the frenzy to start up again.

The legislature added the $6,500 credit to existing home-owners needing to upgrade in an effort to stimulate the inventory of homes in the $200K-$300K range – something the 1st-time buyers couldn’t afford. There are a plethora of homes in that price range that have been on the market a while, so good deals are available.

So, you want to get your home ready to market to first-time buyers AND you can cash in on the $6,500 credit on your purchase. Rates are still low, and we have no clue how long that will last.

It’s time to make the move up NOW, because:

1. Your home will likely be purchased by a 1st-time buyer taking advantage of the stimulus extension;
2. You can cash in on the $6,500 credit since you’ve owned your current home for five+ years, and finally,
3. Rates are great.

So, what are you waiting for? The stars may not align like this again for several years.

Let’s get your home ready to put on the market and set up a search for your larger dream home.

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Bringing the Dream of Homeownership Within Reach (Source: National Association of Realtors)

As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed new legislation that:

• Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.

• Expands the credit to grant a $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between the date the bill is signed by President Obama and April 30, 2010.

Helpful links regarding the tax credits:

Basic explanation of the extension/expansion

Quick chart of features (pdf file format)

Form to amend taxes if you close in 2009

About the author: Lori Cain is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors, serving the greater Tulsa area. Please visit Lori's web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036!

Okay, I'm on an information search here folks. I saw this Paris Snow Cap Marshmallow tin in a garage of a home where we were doing an inspection recently. I don't know that I've ever heard of these snow cap marshmallows before, so I went out and did a Google search to see what I could learn. You know what I found out? NOTHING. Admitedly, I didn't search too long or too hard, but I swear, I didn't see anything on the first page or two of Google.

Now surely, someone out there knows something about Paris Snow Cap marshmallows, right? So, fill us in. What area of the country are these from? Where were they made? In Paris, France? Are Paris Snow Cap Marshmallows still made? If so, where can you get them?

For the record, there were no marshmallows in the snow cap tin!

Mayo Hotel Returns in Glory to Downtown Tulsa

What do President John F. Kennedy, Bob Hope, Charles Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, Charlie Chaplin and Mae West have to Tulsa, Oklahoma? They all stayed in the once famous and beautiful Tulsa Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa.

Built in 1925, the Mayo hotel was designed in the Chicago style and patterned after the Plaza Hotel in New York City. It was once Oklahoma's tallest building at 14 whopping floors tall! It originally had 600 rooms, ceiling fans in each room and the first running ice water which made the Mayo hotel a haven from summer heat and humidity of the 20's and 30's in Tulsa.

Downtown Tulsa wasn't a place that would attract visitors in recent years. While many Tulsans would report for work in the daytime, there was no real reason for them to hang around after hours. Sure, there was some nightlife, productions at the Performing Arts Center and occasional shows at the Brady, but dining options and were few and most people would scatter after work or their show. Downtown Tulsa could be a bit scary after hours.

All that changed when Mayor Kathy Taylor came into office. Under her leadership, the BOK center was built, the city of Tulsa purchased a new high rise office building for their offices and a new ballpark for the Tulsa Drillers is being built. These things, along with our new downtown Brownstone housing project have served to bring life back into the downtown Tulsa area.

Now, the Mayo hotel will be a part of the heartbeat of Tulsa once again. Reports say that there was an attempt to renovate the Mayo hotel in the early 1980's. But it wasn't successful and the building was left empty and missing many of its original fixtures and interior decor. The Mayo was then abandoned for 20 years and most felt it seemed certain that she would face the wrecking ball. But in June of 2001, the Snyder family bought the Mayo hotel for get this...only $250,000! They soon began renovation efforts, beginning on the lower floors, which quickly became a popular spot for parties, receptions and meetings. Even some of the high schools began booking their proms at the beautiful Mayo hotel.

In 2008, conversion of seven of the upper floors into 70 loft apartments began. According to the website rent.com, the apartments at the Mayo rent for between $940.00 and $2550.00, depending on size. Amenities include air conditioning, cable tv, ceiling fans, hardwood floors, high speed Internet, walk-in closets, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator and a washer and dryer in the unit. The apartments are as beautiful as the hotel suites, with dark-wood cabinets, granite counter tops and awesome views of the Tulsa skyline.

The Mayo hotel proudly opened for business in September of 2009. According to the Tulsa World, there is a Celebrity Suite that is available for $1500 per night. This obviously is target at entertainers who come to Tulsa to perform at the Performing Arts Center, the Brady Theater or the BOK Arena. Regular rooms begin at $150.00 per night.

Today the Mayo hotel features somewhat of an industrial decor. For example, the dining room features exposed air-ducts and a bar made out of salvaged metal from the hotel's original water tank.

For the best pictures of the grand Mayo hotel click here.

If you're looking for a great place to visit, but you've never been to Tulsa, consider coming to visit us. And be sure to tour or stay at the beautiful Mayo hotel. You'll love our beautiful and thriving downtown area, our easy to navigate city and some of the friendliest people in America!

This information is provided by Bob Haywood, long time resident of Tulsa Oklahoma and Realtor with McGraw Realtors. For information on the Tulsa housing market, the Mayo hotel or other features of our wonderful city, contact Bob at 918-272-7272 or visit www.BobHaywood.com.

Creek Stickball Park of the midtown Tulsa Riverview Neighborhood Association

My neighborhood, the Riverview Neighborhood Association, is home to a recent Oklahoma Centennial project, a sculpture in Creek Stickball Park. Located at 18th & Cheyenne in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the sculpture features three Native American youths playing stickball – a traditional game with ceremonial significance in the Native American Culture.

The statue in Creek Stickball Park was made possible through a $250,000 donation from the Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration Commission. Besides the sculpture, this provided park amenities including wrought iron fencing, new sidewalks, landscaping, irrigation and benches.

Dedicated in December 2008, the park is located directly across the street from the Creek Council Oak Park. The sculpture in the Stickball Park was created by Talala-based sculptor Sandra Van Zandt. Her work is detailed and magnificent – please drop by to enjoy our new beautiful park.

Creek Stickball Park of the midtown Tulsa Riverview Neighborhood Association

A-ne-jo-di, or Stickball, is a Creek game played around a
single 5-10 meter pole, topped with a
brightly painted animal skull, and a blue painted ring 60 cm toward the top. Points are scored by hitting the pole
above the blue ring, or better yet, hitting the skull atop the pole with a small ball. The players use sticks
that resemble a smaller version of ones used in LaCrosse. Games are played to four points.

Visit Lori's blog for more information about the Riverview Neighborhood and its many parks, mansion & hidden treasures.

About the author: Lori Cain is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors, serving the greater Tulsa area, including midtown Tulsa, Owasso, Jenks, Sand Springs and Broken Arrow. Please visit Lori’s web site, www.LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.

Visit Lori's blog to learn more about Tulsa's neighborhoods, community, events and real estate!

Our Alley Herb Garden in the Riverview Association, midtown Tulsa

Our home is in the Riverview Neighborhood association, right next to the beautiful Arkansas River in Tulsa and just slightly south of downtown. My 55 year-old husband has lived in this home his entire life, and we couldn’t imagine living anywhere else!

Our beautiful Spanish-style home at 19th & Cheyenne was built in 1915, and is within half a block of Riverside Drive and less than a block from Veteran’s Park. We are within walking distance of many restaurants, our organic grocer, Grindstaff Cleaners and Mrs. DeHaven’s flower shop – all much older than my husband.

We proudly display a bronze plaque on our front porch pillars stating that we are in the Historic Beuna Vista Park district of Riverview and have been place on the national register of historic places by the United States Department of the Interior – platted 1908.

There is always much hustle and bustle around our home. Veteran’s Park is a wonderful spot for concerts and community events. Many 5K runs begin literally in our front or back yard, winding down Riverside Drive and ending at Veteran’s Park. Sometimes, we just need to open the windows to enjoy concert music, and we often see friends walking their dogs or riding their bikes down the river trails.

Rich in history and architecture, our neighborhood is very tight knit. Thankfully, our neighborhood association is active and vibrant. It’s not quiet here. We are at the cross-roads of the 21st Street Bridge and Riverside Drive, so during 5:00 traffic, there may be fire engines blaring, going both directions.

We have many historical parks and mansions within our neighborhood, but our best kept secret is our alley herb garden.

Our Alley Herb Garden in the Riverview Association, midtown Tulsa

Behind our house are several office buildings . . . the Mental Health Association, an apartment building, and a building that houses attorneys and architects. And by one of those buildings in our alley is the most amazing herb garden – filled with rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme and lavender.

I took these photos today (November), so all you can really see are the impressive rosemary bushes. One of the building tenants started the herb garden years ago, and he’s particular about sharing his basil in the summer months. But everything else is free to anyone who makes the discovery and wants to clip some herbs.

I love urban living and I love that we HAVE an alley. Who would have thought to garden in the alley?

Read more about our amazing neighborhood and do bring your clippers to get your own rosemary, should you come to visit!

About the author: Lori Cain is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors, serving the greater Tulsa area and specializing in historic neighborhoods in midtown Tulsa.

Visit Lori’s web site or call 918-852-5036.