Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Events Tulsa 2012

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968

Tulsa is gearing up for our Martin Luther King festivities this weekend and the MLK Commemoration Society has planned a lot!

The theme for the 2012 MLK events is "All People, All Races, All Religions: The Dream Lives!"

Sunday evening January 15th begins with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk in Peace. The procession will form at 7th & Cincinnati and leave at 5:30pm for the Boston Avenue Methodist Church located at 13th & Boston. Shuttle service from the church to the beginning of the procession will be available.

The MLK Interfaith Commemorative Service will be hosted at Boston Avenue Methodist Church. This year's guest speaker will be Sister Jane Nesmith of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, located in Evansville, Indiana. “Keeping the Dream Alive” Award; and the 2012 winner of the MLK Oratorical Contest will recite the “I Have a Dream” speech. Nursery services will be available. The service will take place on Sunday, January 15, at 6:00 p.m.

When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

The parade on January 16th begins at 11:00am at Detroit and John Hope Franklin Boulevard. It will proceed east on John Hope to Greenwood Avenue and continue south through the Greenwood Business District to Archer, then west on Archer to Elgin.

The MLK Commemoration Society is a not-for-profit, tax deductible charitable organization. They have granted more than $100,000 in scholarships and awards to more than 3,000 students over the past 30 years. To support the MLK Commemoration Society programs, you can donate onlineor by check. Make your checks payable to: Dr. Martin Luther King Commemoration Society, Inc. P.O. Box 14025, Tulsa, OK 74159.

For additional information or questions, please contact Jackie Terry - MLK Event Coordinator at 918-492-9495.

See you at BAM on Sunday night and see you at the parade!!

Copyright 2011-2012 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Today yet another Tulsa home seller asked me if she should wait until after the winter months to put her home on the market. My answer is resoundingly "no!"

Many Tulsa home sellers will take their homes OFF the market during the holidays and wait until spring to re-list them. Many Tulsa home sellers spend the winter months preparing their home for sale and think that the best time to put their home on the market is during the spring months.

So, during the winter months, our inventory of Tulsa homes for sale is at its lowest, while buyers are still shopping. Marketing your Tulsa home for sale between December and March can mean a lower inventory and less competition.

Are winter months a good time to market your Tulsa home for sale?

Is real estate active in the winter months? Let me answer that from a personal prospective. I closed on three properties during Thanksgiving week and two properties in December. It's not yet mid-January and I am $97,500 shy of having ONE-MILLION dollars in production that will close by mid to late February. At least three prospective Buyers are signing up for a home search on my web site each week.

Why is real estate still active in the winter months? People still need to purchase in the winter months. They may be relocating to Tulsa or they may have just finally gotten their credit score where it needs to be. I wrote offers on two Tulsa homes for sale this week and both Buyers locked in at 4% interest rate.

Buyers perceive that there are better deals to be had on Tulsa home purchases during the winter months, they have more time to shop, AND they can't ignore the excellent interest rate to be had.

If you are a Tulsa home seller and choose to market your property during the winter months, feel free to share photos of your beautiful blooming spring azaleas with your Realtor - we can include that in our marketing materials. Same goes for your swimming pool - photos from last year can be displayed and included in our virtual tours.

Quick reminder that if snow DOES fall while your Tulsa home for sale is on the market, shovel your sidewalks and leave towels in your entry for prospective Buyers to clean their shoes. And if your home has not sold by spring, remind your Realtor to take new photos!

So, what are you waiting for? The winter months are an excellent time to market your Tulsa home for sale! Call me if you would like me to sell yours!

Copyright 2011-2012 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Sad week for bloggers in the real estate world

Most of you who know me well know that I love to blog and tweet, and it's been a really sad week for social media junkies in the real estate profession.

Active Rain staffer Kerrie Greenhalgh posted three days ago that Irene Kennedy, a NJ Realtor, died after her battle with cancer. Irene started blogging about the same time I did and gained readership quickly due to her enthusiasm and humor. I will always remember a comment she made on one of my first featured posts about the naming of my Facebook page and a bottle of Merlot Merot (you had to be there).

Today I found out that Clint Miller from Missoula, MT, died yesterday after his battle with cancer. Although Clint also blogged on ActiveRain, I saw more of him on Twitter - @therealclint. When my Twitter account was hacked a few years ago and I decided to start a new one, he helped me get the word out to regain shared followers.

It's funny how we develop relationships among bloggers and those who tweet. I dearly love several bloggers whom I've never met. One particular blogger in Barington Illinois and I have developed a friendship, and I can't imagine my life without her!

Another blogger (and my first AR subscriber) is TLW (The Lovely Wife) who is battling cancer and she was close to both Irene and Clint. What a horrible week this has been for her to see them both go.

When we blog, we give a lot of ourselves and are very transparent. It's easy to get to know each other and "connect" on so many different levels. Although I've never met any person I've mentioned in this post, I know or knew them all on some level. And I will miss both Irene and Clint.

As always, when a friend dies, it seems a natural reaction to assess your relationships - with self, with family, with God. I can't remember if I told my husband today that I love him, yet I love him more than anyone in the world. I know I kissed my pups several times today, but did I kiss them more than I scolded? Did I write more than "happy holidays" in the last Christmas card that I sent to a friend?

Death is part of life and I get that. I wish we would get MAD enough about our friends dying of cancer to DEMAND that our government do something to find CURES. You know that the pharmacutical lobbyists would rather that we didn't. FUND the scientists and researchers! NOW! If there's not enough social security for all of us, we'll figure that problem out later!!

Goodnight Irene, and goodbye Clint. My life is richer to have known you both.

Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Tulsa Realtors - what sets me apart from the crowd

Tulsa Realtors are competitors - we are all self-employed and compete against each other. However, we also work cooperatively to sell each other's listings.

Tulsa Realtors may compete for business, but we don't have to be adversaries - in fact, the better Tulsa Realtors work very hard at having good relationships and completing successful transactions together.

What sets me apart from a large number of Tulsa Realtors is my problem-solving capabilities and desire to see that all real estate transactions be successful for all parties involved. Even Buyers and Sellers can get along in a cooperative spirit and walk away from a fulfilled transaction with good feelings.

There are many Tulsa Realtors I admire. My client today brought along a friend who is listing her Tulsa home for sale with an associate of mine - she made a really great choice selecting Carrie to sell her home. My approach to real estate is truly a problem-solving process, which is something I think some Tulsa Realtors lack.

The contract I wrote tonight will not result in a commission check for several months, but it will relieve the Seller of double mortgage payments and put my Buyer in a beautiful home when her job relocates her to Tulsa in a few weeks.

It wasn't an ordinary contract, and we had to make adjustments to accommodate all parties, but it's a good SOLUTION for both Seller and Buyer.

Tulsa Realtors - what sets me apart from the crowd

When choosing among Tulsa Realtorsto represent you in your home sale or purchase, ask a little about their problem-solving skills and ability to think outside the box. Ask for specific examples of their problem-solving results.

After all, it's the RESULTS and SOLUTIONS you are concerned about, and all Tulsa Realtors should be questioned about their success and initiative in this area.

I'm happy to tell you about a few success stories of my own!

Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Sometimes you just have to offer a compromise in real estate negotiations - don't take it personal

When I sold my beloved and personal home in April 2010 - I was MORTIFIED at my first offer and couldn't sleep - AND was ready to strangle the Realtor who brought me the offer. The next morning I went to the office and vented about my crappy offer to my colleagues.

Precious Sue Ann looked me straight in the eyes and said, "You are complaining about a cash offer and you're only $15,000 apart? Lori, you KNOW better - go WORK that offer."

Yes, I had to hear that advice from a trusted co-worker - one who works beside me in the trenches on a daily basis.

So, I took MANY deep breaths and tried to review the offer as a REALTOR - not a home-owner and Seller who put so much love, blood, sweat and tears into my dream home. Like most Sellers, I had added what I paid for my HOME and added the cost of improvements I had made, although you can never put a price on the hours of love that went into landscaping.

After a calming down period, I called the Buyer's Realtor back and offered a counter, which the Buyer accepted. Here I was ready to REJECT his insulting offer and we wound up only a few thousand dollars below my list price by the end of the day.

Seriously, real estate is all about compromise, cool heads and non-emotional negotiations. Don't let your first knee-jerk reaction kill your deal - it's likely that your first offer is your best offer.

Remain calm and work it out, because you want to sell your home and someone wants to buy it. It can turn out to be a win-win situation.

I almost think every Realtor needs to sell a home that's close to their heart periodically - just to keep in touch with what our Tulsa home sellers go through. That experience taught me a valuable lesson, and I'm now more prone to offer options and compromises, which makes ME a better Realtor!

Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Lease-Purchase Option Explained for Tulsa Home Buyers & Sellers

Occasionally you will see a Tulsa home for sale advertised with a "lease/purchase" option available. For those unfamiliar with how a lease/purchase can work, here is an explanation.

There are several reasons why a home buyer may need to lease for a short time period before being able to purchase a Tulsa home for sale. The Buyer's Lender may require a certain period of time on a job before considering that income to be stable. The Buyer may need to clear up a few things to improve their credit score before qualifying to purchase a Tulsa home for sale, or they may need to wait until a bankruptcy is old enough to satisfy a Lender. Or a home buyer may just need more time to save up for a down-payment.

To be an attractive candidate for a lease-purchase, a home Buyer should speak to a LOCAL Lender. The Seller is going to need to know if your income is sufficient to purchase their Tulsa home for sale, and the Seller is going to want the Lender's opinion of when you will actually be able to complete a sales transaction.

If the Lender says that you need to complete items a, b and c before you can qualify to purchase, and that can be accomplished in a six-month time period, you could be considered a good candidate for a lease/purchase.

A lease/purchase is only going to be attractive to a Seller if the Buyer is going to be able to purchase their Tulsa home for sale in a specific amount of time. Some Sellers may not be willing to wait more than a six-month period while others may allow more time. Each situation needs to be examined individually.

Some things you can do to make your offer more attractive are to make a significant deposit that will be non-refundable should your ability to purchase fall through; yet credited towards a successful purchase. Remember, the Seller is going to discontinue marketing their Tulsa home for sale, so they need to be offered some guarantee that the Buyer will follow through in their ability to qualify for a loan.

Terms need to be negotiated for the lease in addition to negotiating terms for the sale. If all parties remain fair and are considerate of the risks each party is taking, a favorable agreement can be reached.

Buyers, please remember that speaking to a LOCAL Lender is your first step, and here are a few Tulsa Lenders I recommend:

Bank of Oklahoma, Phillip Morrow, 918-488-7147
Spirit Bank, Deidre Robinson, 918-746-7363
F & M Bank, Kyle Bradley, 918-748-7187
Elite Financial Services, Elizabeth Favell, 918-392-3485

A lease/purchase agreement can be a win-win solutionto both Tulsa home buyers and sellers. If this doesn't answer all your questions, please call me: 918-852-5036!

Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

July 2011 Tulsa Calendar of Events 

Tulsa Drillers vs Corpus Christi Hooks
Date: July 1-2, 2011
Time: 7:05 p.m. Location: ONEOK Field downtown - 201 N. Elgin Ave. Web: Http://tulsadrillers.com 7/1/2011 - 7:05 PM 7/2/2011 - 7:05 PM

Aha!
Date: through July 2, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm Location: Tulsa Performing Arts Center Web: www.tulsapac.com Aha! presents the combined talents of playwright, poet, lyricist and performer Michael Wright; poet, pianist, songwriter and performer Eli Wright; and artist and designer Hannah Wright for a performance of poetry, theatre and music accompanied by slides of original artwork. The performance is based on the concept of the artist's discovery of self ("Aha!") and others particularly within a family of artists where the children are quickly coming into very high levels of expression.

Evita
Date: through July 9, 2011
Time: July 1, 6-7, 9 at 8 p.m.; July 9 at 2 p.m. Location: Tulsa Performing Arts Center Web: www.tulsapac.com The story of Evita, told entirely through song and dance, follows the life of Argentina's infamous Eva Peron. It begins in 1934 and follows the young girl from her small hometown to Buenos Aires, where she uses her feminine power to climb the ladder of success, first as a model, then as an actress, and finally as the wife of General Juan Peron. When Peron is elected president, Eva becomes the most powerful woman in South America. At the end of her life she questions whether or not she took the right path. With more than 20 major awards to its credit including a Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Original Score, this production of the smash hit show promises to be the gem of LOOK's season.

Trouble in Tahiti
Date: through July 5, 2011
Time: July 3, 5 at 8 p.m. Location: Tulsa Performing Arts Center Web: www.tulsapac.com Written in 1952 between his biggest Broadway successes On the Town, Candide, and West Side Story - Leonard Bernstein's one-act opera unfolds as a bittersweet satire on a troubled marriage and the American dream.

OK Jazz Summer Concert Series
Date: July 2, 10, 17, 24, 31
Location: OK Jazz Depot - 111 E. First St. Web: Web: http://www.okjazz.org/

The Light in the Piazza
Date: July 2 - 10, 2011
Time: July 2, 8 at 8 p.m.; July 3, 10 at 2 p.m. Location: Tulsa Performing Arts Center Web: www.tulsapac.com

Tulsa Drillers vs San Antonio Missions
Date: July 3 - 5, 2011
Time: 7:05 p.m. Location: ONEOK Field downtown, 201 N. Elgin Ave. Web: http://www.tulsadrillers.com 7/3/2011 - 7:05 PM 7/4/2011 - 7:05 PM 7/5/2011 - 7:05 PM

ONEOK FreedomFest 2011
Date: July 4, 2011
Location: RiverParks Tulsa's annual July 4th fireworks display, offering family-friendly activities, entertainment, food and beverage concessions. Fireworks will be shot from the 21st Street Bridge at approximately 9:30 pm. Address: 2100 South Jackson Avenue Web: http://www.riverparks.org/freedomfest.html

National Appaloosa Show
Date: July 4 - 16, 2011
Location: Expo Square Web: http://www.appaloosa.com/show/showing.htm The 64th National Appaloosa Horse Show and 2011 World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show will take place at the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex at Tulsa Expo Square on July 4-16, 2011.

The Molly Ringwalds
Date: July 7, 2011
Time: 7 p.m. Location: Osage Event Center, 951 W 36 St N Web: www.milliondollarelm.com 1980s British retro pop group plays everything from Madonna to Devo to The Smiths to Dexy's Midnight Runners to Journey. Dress up and have a great time. Ages 18 and over are welcome.

Pink Dirt Paradise
Date: July 7 - 8, 2011
Time: 7:30 pm Location: Tulsa Performing Arts Center Web: www.tulsapac.com Janet Rutland and Trailertown embrace the tradition of country music with the occasional raw edge of red dirt music. Pink dirt! Songs by artists like Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, and Johnny Cash as well as Roseanne Cash round out the eclectic mix of music in this nostalgic revue. Rutland's impressive vocal is matched by an all-star band led by popular keyboardist Steve Elmore.

Invisible People
Date: July 8 - 9, 2011
Time: 7:30 pm Location: Tulsa Performing Arts Center Web: www.tulsapac.com

Appassionata Duo in Concert
Date: July 9, 2011
Time: 7:30 pm Location: Tulsa Performing Arts Center Web: www.tulsapac.com Appassionata's debut performance at the PAC resulted in the first ever "screaming standing ovation" for the Brown Bag It concert series. Now, this provocative duo is back to perform pop and rock hits as you've never heard them before - on viola and harp. Listen as Tulsa Symphony musicians Jeff Cowen and Jill Wiebe put a new spin on the music of Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Queen, Journey, and more. From "Bohemian Rhapsody" to "Eleanor Rigby," Appassionata covers iconic tunes that have shaped the history of pop and rock music, as well as modern hits such as "Yellow" by Coldplay. Experience a unique evening with the region's only viola and harp duo as they perform today's hits with the elegance of classical instruments.

Better Than Ezra & Tonic
Date: July 9, 2011
Time: 7 p.m. Location: Osage Event Center Web: www.milliondollarelm.com 1990s popular alternative rock bands sing hit songs at a standing room only show for ages 18 and over.

Steely Dan - SOLD OUT!
Date: July 12, 2011
Time: 8:00 p.m. Location: Brady Theater Web: www.bradytheater.com

Tulsa Drillers vs Arkansas Travelers
Date: July 14 - 17, 2011
Time: 7:05 p.m. Location: ONEOK Field - 201 N. Elgin Ave. Web: Http://www.tulsadrillers.com 7/14/2011 - 7:05 PM 7/15/2011 - 7:05 PM 7/16/2011 - 7:05 PM 7/17/2011 - 7:05 PM

45th Annual Porter Peach Festival
Date: July 14, 15, 16
Web: http://www.porterpeachfestivals.com In addition to a 5K run, the three-day festival includes bands, a parade, arts & crafts - and lots of peaches!

SalsaFest
Date: July 15, 2011
Time: 5-10pm Location: Downtown, Centennial Park, 6th & Peoria Web: http://www.sustainabletulsa.org SalsaFest is a free outdoor festival where the main attraction is a salsa-making/...tasting contest. Local restaurants and home cooks are invited to compete and see if their salsa really is award-winning. Salsa contestants will use at least one Oklahoma-grown ingredient for the public and celebrity judges. There are three categories: Spicy, Traditional and Alternative. In additional to the salsa contest, SalsaFest will feature a chili pepper-eating contest, live Salsa music, Salsa dancing lessons, children's activities, local art booths and, this year's exciting new addition, a Chihuahua costume contest and race.

Super Suite
Date: July 15 - 17, 2011
Time: 8pm and 2pm Location: Tulsa PAC Web: www.porticodanstheatre.org Portico Dans Theatre, a division of Oklahoma Performing Arts, Inc. will be debuting their second full length dance extravaganza "SUPER SUITE", July 15-17, 2011 which will be performed at the Tulsa PAC as part of the Summerstage Festival 2011.

Tokyo in Tulsa
Date: July 15 - 17, 2011
Location: Tulsa Convention Center Web: http://tokyointulsa.com/ Tokyo In Tulsa is a Japanese and Pop Culture convention centered on Japanese Animation. We also showcase music, creative art and writing, gaming (both video and table top) and fashion. Join us for a full weekend of nonstop fun.

New Kids on the Block - Backstreet Boys
Date: July 17, 2011
Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: BOK Center - 200 S. Denver Web: www.bokcenter.com

Def Leppard with special guest, Heart
Date: July 19, 2011
Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: BOK Center - 200 S. Denver Web: http://www.bokcenter.com

Third Tuesday Jazz at Gilcrease
July 19, 2011
Time: 5: 30 PM - 7: 30 PM Gilcrease Museum - Tulsa $8; free to members. Call 596-2758 or visit www.gilcrease.org. Devre Jackson and Steven Schrag Trio

2011 PHBA Youth World Championship/World Championship Horse Shows
Date: July 19 - 30, 2011
Location: Expo Square Web: www.palominohba.com Expo Square will be the setting for the Palomino Horse Breeders of America's main event July 19-30 when they host the Youth World Championship and PHBA World Championship Horse Shows.

Tulsa Drillers vs Arkansas Travelers
Date: July 22 - 25, 2011
Time: 7:05 p.m. Location: ONEOK Field - 201 N. Elgin Ave. Web: http://www.tulsadrillers.com 7/22/2011 - 7:05 PM 7/23/2011 - 7:05 PM 7/24/2011 - 7:05 PM 7/25/2011 - 7:05 PM

Antiques Roadshow
Date: July 23, 2011
Location: Tulsa Convention Center Web: www.tulsaconvention.com ROADSHOW's 2011 Tour features a series of local events at which top appraisers offer the public free evaluations of antiques and collectibles - revealing the often surprising history and value of these items. Admission to ANTIQUES ROADSHOW events is free, but tickets are required and must be obtained in advance.

Home & Garden Expo of Oklahoma
Date: July 29-31
Location: Tulsa Fairgrounds, QT Center Web: http://www.event1planning.com/?showid=274

Wild Brew
Date: Saturday, July 30
Time: 5-8:00 pm Location: Expo Square Web: http://www.wildbrew.org/

Tulsa Shock
Location: BOK Center - 200 S. Denver Web: http://www.wnba.com/shock

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The Drunkard (and The Oleo) The longest running play in America!
Dates: every Saturday night
Location: Spotlight Theater, 1381 Riverside Drive Time: 7:15 pm Curtain time: 7:30pm. Sing-a-long time starts at 7:15pm. Come see the show and be part of the fun of an evening of "Tulsa's best family entertainment!" Come and be a part of the show! Come and boo and hiss the Villain, cheer and applaud the hero. Sing-a-long with tunes of a bygone era. You may laugh, you may cry, but you will have a great time. Tulsa Spotlighters, Inc. is a non-profit charitable endeavor. We present the old fashioned melodrama "The Drunkard" and "The Olio" every Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Web site: http://www.spotlighttheater.org. Contact: For reservations call 587-5030.

Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Tulsa Realtors - Is your Tulsa Realtor a "top producer" and does that matter to you?

The Tulsa Business Journal, Volume 21, No. 13, dated June 20, 2011 listed the top Tulsa area real estate agents in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area for the year 2010. Of 3,500 Tulsa Realtors licensed, only 218 agents did over 2 million in production.

On the list of Tulsa Realtors, I made the TOP 100 - with over 4 million in production!

The old adage is that in any occupation, 20% do 80% of the work. In this case, it appears that among Tulsa Realtors, approximately 6% do the majority of production. Only individual Tulsa Realtors with over 2 million in production were listed in this publication. Also listed were teams of Tulsa Realtors and their corresponding production numbers.

Tulsa Realtors - Is your Tulsa Realtor a "top producer" and does that matter to you?

With each year of experience and each transaction, Tulsa Realtors learn and grow. When choosing among Tulsa Realtors to represent you in the sale or purchase of a home, choose one with proven results and a competitive edge.

Congratulations to all Tulsa Realtors who were recognized in this publication! We are competitors, but more importantly, we are colleagues in a challenging but rewarding profession. Tulsa Realtors put their clients first, but still foster professional relationships among each other to promote successful transactions.

And to the Tulsa Realtors who did NOT make the list - keep trying - the sky is truly your limit!

Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Going to the Big Easy - New Orleans Mini-Vacation

Demetrius and I don't vacation much, but we're headed to the Big Easy for a conference mixed with a little site-seeing and a lot of food. We prefer to take mini-vacations because we're both workaholics and don't like leaving our pups for long. So three full days and two half-days in New Orleans should do the trick. Demetrius has been to New Orleans several times - before and after Katrina - so he has fabulous stops scheduled for us.

We are actually going to a cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking - we will watch them prepare shrimp and artichoke soup, crawfish etouffee and pralines - and are promised generous tastings plus Abita beer. I would prefer to don an apron and cook with the Cajun chefs, but observing is all our time will allow.

Dinners out include restaurants Jacques-Imo's and K Paul's Louisiana Kitchen. Breakfasts are planned at Brennan's and The Old Coffee Pot Restaurant.

We are planning a walking tour of the French Quarter Jackson Square - since I've never been to New Orleans, I'll be toting my camera and updating you on my blog.

While Deme is attending his conference for the American Library Association, I will be enjoying facials and massages and extras at the Atlantis Spa - three hours of pampering scheduled. They promise to start my day with mimosa and provide wine or champagne during the many services - looks like I'll take a cab to and from the hotel!

Going to the Big Easy - New Orleans Mini-Vacation

So, a mini-vacation with my amazing husband and my first visit to the Big Easy. I love the way they talk in Louisiana, and I'm sure they'll appreciate my southern "Okie" accent.

When I think of New Orleans, I of course think of Mardi Gras, decadent food, historic buildings and flamboyant times. If you've never been to the Big Easy, follow my blog and I'll share our fun!

Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

FSBOs - How to work with Realtors when selling your Tulsa home for sale

Those home sellers who choose to sell their Tulsa home for sale as "For Sale By Owner" are referred to as "FSBOs." It's not meant to sound demeaning in any way - just an acronym we use in the biz.

I just completed a transaction representing the buyer with a FSBO and am waiting to close on another this week. Out of a dozen closed transactions this year, two have been with a FSBO, so don't think for a minute that we snub you for trying to sell your Tulsa home for sale on your own.

Please understand that you are choosing NOT to pay for Realtor representation in the transaction of your Tulsa home for sale. You may agree to pay my selling commission, but you're not paying a Listing Realtor to represent you - so you're getting me to do the work of two Realtors. I really don't mind, because if your Tulsa home for sale is the one my Buyers fell in love with, I want this transaction to go through smoothly.

Ask me all the questions you need - I'm happy to explain the repair cap or any aspect of the real estate sales contract and explain your obligations in order to legally convey title on your Tulsa home for sale. I'm happy to prepare a "Net to Seller" for you so that you will understand what charges you will incur when selling your Tulsa home for sale. If you don't have resources or contacts to assist you with required home repairs, I'm happy to share my vendor list with you.

FSBOs - How to work with Realtors when selling your Tulsa home for sale

I'll introduce you to my closers at my title company who will bring your abstract up to date and ensure that your Tulsa home for sale is free of liens. I'll keep you updated and informed throughout the process, making sure you understand the details and timelines of the contract.

In return, I ask that you communicate with me on a professional level. It is not appropriate to call me at all hours when a question pops into your head. It is okay to ask me or my Buyers to deviate from the agreed-upon contract ONCE, but if the answer to moving the closing date up is "no," please don't ask me an additional twelve times.

There is a lot to be said for clean contracts and following the contract rigidly. Assisting the Seller while representing the Buyer is not impossible, but will be easier if we communicate professionally and adhere to the contract for your Tulsa home for sale that we all signed.

Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain