Trey Bowden, of Edmond Sun fame, recently asked me for a short list of the most important exterior details to emphasize when prepping a home for sale. While I’m a firm believer that every little details counts, here are what I’d call the big 3.

As my family, friends and clients know all too well, I’m heavy into the new age of business. Social media is transforming the way we all connect and interact, and as a result, my real estate business is ‘just a bit’ different from my competitors’.  In fact, almost 100% of my company’s income this year has resulted directly from my online business.

Interestingly enough, it’s not just real estate that’s experiencing a paradigm shift. I personally know insurance agents, college professors, doctors, website designers, state representatives, home builders, attorneys, and church leaders (and so many others) who have incorporated facebook, myspace, twitter, linkedin, and other social media platforms into their day-to-day operations.

This is no fad, and the growth is not slowing down, as Paula Burkes of the Oklahoman highlighted over the weekend. While my input on the topic was cut short in this write-up, I’m certainly not short on my belief that this is more than just a ‘quirky little toy for the kids.’

Several months back I heard someone declare that down-payment assistance programs were dead and we’d never see them again.  Well, apparently, that someone was wrong.

As of the end of this month, there will be about $31M available to first-time home buyers in Oklahoma in the form of special bond money, at 5.83%, and down-payment assistance up to 3.5% of purchase price.

Some are even calling it a modern-day land run. I guess that comparison can be easily drawn, as we’re seeing an already amazing offering (historically-low interest rates, an $8K tax credit, and a market leaning in favor of the buyers) made even better with the availability of this program.

So, if you’re a renter, there may never be a better time to jump into the world of home ownership. For more details on this program, just call or email us, and we’ll help you get the ball rolling.

In annual fashion, Edmond, Oklahoma City, and the majority of the rest of the state have been blanketed with ice over the past couple of days and, as Richard Mize pointed out in his column this morning, it’s affecting more than just the rush-hour commute.

Read the entire story to see quotes from Jeff Click, myself, and Brent Conway.

Who says that things have slowed on the Edmond Real Estate scene?

Richard Mize finished up my thoughts well over a week ago, and I’m just now getting time to post it here.  I guess you could say I’m happy that my outlook is proving true so far… Enjoy!

I was recently asked by the Oklahoman about my outlook for the Edmond real estate market in 2009… Let’s call it optimistic.

The fact is, our local market has been strong and stable, and has only recently begun experiencing a softening, a decline, whatever you choose to call it.

Unless you live in a cave, you’ve undoubtedly heard that overall home sales in the Oklahoma City Metro area were down 30% in November, as compared to the same month a year before.  Did you also hear that sales in December were only down 17% compared to 2007?  There’s that rollercoaster!

I’d planned to post all the stats several weeks ago, but I’ve been so busy taking care of buyers who recognize an opportunity when they see it, that I just haven’t had the time.  Don’t buy into the rumors and miss out on a great opportunity to get more for your money!

[where: Edmond, OK]

It’s funny how things turn out some days.  Monday afternoon, I was sitting at the closing table with a young professional couple who’d qualified for a 4.5% fixed-rate on a new 30-year mortgage.  As most of you know, I like to keep everyone up-to-date on the where, when & how of my day, via Twitter, so I sent out a ‘tweet’ that read:

Sitting @ the closing table with buyers locked in @ 4.5 percent. Who’da thunk it?

Little did I know that would stir up such a conversation over on facebook, and furthermore, open the door to a little Q&A time with Oklahoman Real Estate Editor, Richard Mize.

His writeup summarizes what I’ve been experiencing in the Central Oklahoma real estate market lately, and it’s always nice to put in my two cents.

[where: Edmond, OK]