One of the big topics that’s coming up at about every meeting I’ve attended lately is the upcoming vote on whether to extend the current one-cent sales tax to keep the MAPS projects going.

IMO, you’d be hard pressed to point to any negatives from the MAPS projects that have already been carried out. Our city and the surrounding areas have benefited greatly and our city’s on the radar of other metro areas like never before. We’re being used as THE example of what a city can do when everyone comes together for the greater good, so why in the world anyone would want to vote against MAPS 3 is beyond me!

What say you?

More props for the OKC area economy came shining through earlier this week as the labor department released the latest unemployment numbers:

The Oklahoma City metro area’s September jobless rate of 5.9 percent was the lowest in the nation for large cities with a population of 1 million or more

Get your comfortable walking shoes out, cuz right now is when the historic homes junkies among us get to walk their legs off! Take your pick:

• The Heritage Hills Historic Home & Garden Tour today and Sunday
• The Nichols Hills Kitchen Tour on Sunday
• The Gatewood Historic District Home & Garden Tour on Nov. 1
• The Linwood Place Historic Home Tour Nov. 8

Thanks to the first-time home buyer tax credit, first-timers everywhere are clamoring to get their closing date set before the November 30th deadline. As a first-time home buyer, the buying process was a big enough stressor for me, but actually filing for the credit can seem almost as confusing as understanding all those closing documents. Have no fear, It’s actually a pretty simple process and should only require about an hour of your time. You can choose to file for the tax credit on your 2009 taxes, or you can amend your 2008 taxes and get your refund a little faster, here’s how:

First, fill out form 5405.

Don’t let all the tax jargon and instructions fool you, read the instructions carefully. There’s not much clarity on what to send in with the 5405 Form, so I’ll break it down for you.

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When you’re prepping your home for sale, it’s usually the little things that make all the difference. Concentrate especially on your kitchen and bathrooms to impress your would-be buyers.

Money Magazine recently published a series of “Best fast fixes to get your house sold” worth checking out.

Thinking of making some improvements to your home?

Making the right ones might yield you some big savings on Uncle Sam’s dime.

Truth is, going green is a matter of the heart for some, but for most, it’s a matter of the wallet.

Whether you’re going green, or getting green, you might be wondering what rebates and tax credits are currently available?

Each time I witness a fire, flood, or any other devastation to property, it gets me thinking about my insurance coverage, and with the high-profile media coverage of yesterdays (and today’s) fire at the Enclave at Covell Village, I would guess there are many more folks thinking about the same thing.

Thankfully, this complex is under construction and unoccupied, but the fire could have easily spread into the adjoining neighborhood, as well as the neighborhoods and middle school north of it, thanks to the 30mph+ winds. Now would be a great time to call your insurance agent and review your policies to make sure you have adequate coverage because, as we all know too well, these things happen without notice and have the potential to turn your life upside-down without the proper coverage in place.

Whether the predictions are from local folks with a great understanding of the central Oklahoma market, or national folks with an in-depth understanding of things happening across the US, the fact is, today’s roller-coaster that is the real estate business has most of us playing a bit of a guessing game.

• How will the expiration of the Tax Credit affect the economic recovery?
• Has housing hit bottom and/or has recovery truly begun?
• Is now the right time for me to buy/sell?

All valid questions indeed, and chances are good that you’ll get a different answer from each person you ask. Additionally, the answer to the third question is unique to only you. With that in mind, let’s look at what we do know, according to the latest OKC metro area real estate statistics:

• The number of homes closed last month (Sept 09) was up from both a monthly and annual comparison.
• The average home price is down in comparison to last year, but the median sales price is up over last year.
• The average listing is selling faster this year than last, and the inventory levels are much healthier.

What exactly does it all mean? That’s where the interpretation comes into play, but overall things still look pretty stable and positive here locally.

I believe we’re seeing a more balanced market, but many sellers haven’t realized that yet, which means there are plenty of ‘deals’ out there right now. Will that help balance out the downside of the expiration of the Tax Credit, if it is allowed to expire?

Several of our buyer clients who’ve purchased a home the past few months qualify for the Home Buyer Tax Credit, so it just seems natural to make the 5405 form readily available for you all.

Please be sure you consult your tax adviser if you’re not completely sure about your qualifications or how to file for this credit.

The local appeal of Oklahoma City just keeps getting more and more attention these days. Recently, CNNMoney.com ranked Oklahoma City as the #1 Best Place to Launch a Small Business.

An interesting tie-in story is about the Biomedical startups in OKC.

“When I thought of Oklahoma,” the 52-year-old entrepreneur recalls, “I thought of cowboys and Indians.” Two decades and two startups later, he sees his adopted home as a different kind of pioneer state: a place where young, ambitious companies can grow and thrive.

That cowboys and Indians impression of OKC may be the only thing holding some people back, but the smart ones have overcome it and are thriving as a result!