In Case You Haven't Heard..........

2010 PARADE of HOMES AWARD WINNERS
The following homes were judged by unbiased building experts from outside of Tulsa, and received awards for being the best of the best within each price category for the 2010 Greater Tulsa Parade of Homes.

$120,000 – $159,999
First Place - Randall J. Schwers Homes, 1910 W. Canton Pl, Aspen Pond
Second Place - Capital Homes, 10708 N. 153rd E. Ave, Lake Valley
Third Place - Rausch Coleman Homes, 15011 E. Glenn St., Crossing at Glenpool
Best Merchandising - Randall J. Schwers Homes, 1910 W. Canton Pl, Aspen Pond
$160,000 – $199,999
First Place - Gibson Homes, 19133 E. 48th Pl. S., Stone Creek Farms Village
Second Place - Perry Hood Properties, 2715 W. Kingsport, Bentley Village
Third Place - Simmons Homes, 8651 E. 136th St. S., Southbridge
Best Merchandising - PMC Homes, 20511 E. 32nd St. S., Renaissance Park

$200,000 – $259,999
First Place - Tyner Homes, 5906 E. 138th St. N., Hollow Creek
Second Place - Sherwood Builders, 9308 N. 96th E. Ave, Lakes at Baily Ranch
Third Place - Banner Custom Homes, 4610 S. 177th E. Place, Stonegate
Best Merchandising - Tyner Homes, 5906 E. 138th St. N., Hollow Creek

$260,000 – $324,999
First Place - Celebrity Homes, 14207 S. Kingston Ave., Ridge @ South County
Second Place - Shaw Homes, 1507 E. New Orleans Pl., Seven Oaks
Third Place - Sterling Homes, 14190 S. Lakewood Ave., Ridge @ South County
Aspen Builders, 7312 E. Memphis St., Forest Ridge – Highlands
Best Merchandising - Celebrity Homes, 14207 S. Kingston Ave., Ridge @ South County

$325,000 – $399,999
First Place - Southern Homes, 16521 E. 47th Pl., Trinity Creek
Second Place - Smalygo Properties, 9506 N. 143rd Ct. E., Notthingham Hill
Third Place - Smalygo Properties, 8401 N. 72nd E. Ave., Crossing at 86th
Best Merchandising - Southern Homes, 16521 E. 47th Pl., Trinity Creek

$400,000 – $499,999
First Place - Green Homes, 6917 Hackberry Ridge, Stone Canyon - Settler's Creek
Second Place - Cobblestone Homes, 663 W. 79th St. S., StoneBrooke Estates
Third Place - Shaw Homes, 12617 S. 66th E. Ave, Seven Lakes
Best Merchandising - Green Homes, 6917 Hackberry Ridge, Stone Canyon - Settler's Creek

$500,000 – $624,999
First Place - IronWood Custom, 7147 Hidden Acre Trail, Stone Canyon - Tanglewood
Second Place - American Heartland, 6942 Hackberry Ridge, Stone Canyon - Settler's Creek
Third Place - Hall Homes, 9435 E. 106th S., Legends
Best Merchandising - IronWood Custom, 7147 Hidden Acre Trail, Stone Canyon - Tanglewood

$625,000 – $799,999
First Place - CedarRock Homes, 6990 Hidden Acre Trail, Stone Canyon - Tanglewood
Second Place - Castlerock Builders, 4200 S. Quinoa Ave., Berwick Fairways
KEO Construction, 4209 S. Quinoa Ave., Berwick Fairways
Third Place - Mike Harrison Custom Homes, 3803 E. 116th Pl. S, Wind River - Scissortail
Best Merchandising - Castlerock Builders, 4200 S. Quinoa Ave., Berwick Fairways

$800,000 & Above
First Place - Brian D. Wiggs Homes, 3727 S. Birmingham, Oakview Estates and
Eaglerock Resources, 3903 E. 115th Pl., Wind River - Sequoyah Hill
Second Place - Smithco Construction, 10620 S. Joplin Ave., Traditions
Third Place - Perfection Homes, 1630 E. 31st St., Andalusia
Best Merchandising - Brian D. Wiggs Homes, 3727 S. Birmingham, Oakview Estates
Best Subdivision – Stone Canyon
Certified Green Home Award
PMC Homes – 20511 E. 32nd St So., Renaissance Park

Does Parade of Homes have you wanting to build? Why not here, why not now??

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Beautiful 1 Owner w/in Walking Distance to Elementary

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Looking for something to do tonight??

Parade of Homes

The Greater Tulsa Parade of Homes is the area's only new home showcase, with more than 150 homes on display from 70 of the areas top builing companies. Homes are located throughout metro Tulsa from Bartlesville to Coweta, and range in price from $100,000 to more than $1,000,000. Homes are open from 1 – 7 p.m. daily during the event as well as three extended hour events in featured subdivisions. The Official Guide will be for sale at all area QuikTrips beginning June 18. June 19-27, 2010. Homes are open daily from 1-7 p.m., and the event is FREE to the public.

Different Types of Realtor

Very Successful – They are well known, well respected, their reputation proceeds them. Life is good; the fruits of success run long and taste amazing. They have become legendary, business comes to them and they have always been able to get the listing, just by showing up. Great success also breeds mediocrity. Being hungry is the key to continued success, so sometimes what you are getting is someone who once worked hard at being creative, but now skips a few steps in the process, and sometimes misses the obvious opportunities for their client. They are well connected, they are constantly being wooed by vendors, and sometimes relationships effect decisions more than diligence.

Average – Even average success pays well in our business. They worked hard to get where they are at, and they are happy. Happiness breeds contempt and a Realtor who is content will never go “above and beyond”. They spend a lot of time becoming your buddy, because that is how they attempt to keep their clients. Dinners, drinks, golfing, gifts, all mask the fact, you have someone who is trying not to get fired.

Newcomers – They don’t know enough to help the client. This is a complicated business; failure rate is high because a Realtor must know a lot about everything to be an effective consultant. You must be tough and intelligent, and often those characteristics don’t go together. Quitting is easier than what you must go through to make it, and many will move on to something else.

And then you have the–

Obsessed – This can be someone who has had tremendous success, or a newcomer. Real Estate is their life. Looking over a contract and analyzing the language, and how to interpret it to the client, is common place. They understand how things work. They understand that meeting the needs of the client, is more than marketing a home; it’s marketing yourself, your company, and what is has to offer. They know that their job is to do whatever it takes to satisfy the client. Seeing beyond the surface and doing what others won’t, makes them stand out from the crowd. They won’t do “anything” to get the client, but they do everything to keep one. Their passion, creativity, and attention to detail, is something that is given to every client, whether it’s getting them or keeping them. They know what to say when and are very seldom caught off guard. . It is almost as if, this is what they were meant to do.

I AM OBESESSED, is your Realtor???

Talena M. Floyd
Chinowth & Cohen Realtors
"Make My Hometown, Your Hometown"
http://www.welcomehometulsa.com/
Talena@WelcomeHomeTulsa.com
(918) 361-3404

National REALTOR Open House weekend, scheduled for April 10-11

Homebuyers looking to take advantage of the extended and expanded First-time Home Buyer before it expires should leave the weekend of April 10-11 open and plan on attending the first annual National Open House weekend! The event is designed to increase consumer awareness of the benefits of buying a home, give sellers an opportunity to increase the exposure for their home for sale and increase awareness of the pending expiration of the Home Buyer Tax Credit on April 30

Hallow Marine 2009

I will be at the Oklahoma Aquarium next Wednesday, the 28th, handing out candy. Bring the kiddos by for Trick or Treating. BTW, I will be in full costume. It's the first time I've dressed up for Halloween as an adult. I'm trying to have fun with it....should be interesting.

Guess Who's Coming to Tulsa......

Smashburger Serves up Second Location in Tulsa

With the goal of becoming Tulsa's favorite burger place, Smashburger will open its second location in Tulsa, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009. Smashburger is a 'better burger' restaurant concept launched and funded with $15 million by private equity and concept. The second location is 10830 E. 71st Street near the Cinemark IMAX Theatre in the Woodland Park area of Tulsa.

You can read the full story at this URL:
http://newsblaze.com/story/2009081905020500002.bw/topstory.html

For more info on the Smashburger & their Menu click below:
http://www.smashburger.com/
http://www.smashburger.com/menu_oklahoma.php

IRS Warns: Don’t Take $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit If You’re Not Eligible

It was bound to happen. With $8,000 in free cash available to first-time home buyers, somebody had to take advantage of the situation. Follow the link to a very interesting MoneyWatch.com article. If you ARE eligible, or would like more info on how you can benefit from the tax credit, or just need up to date info about the Tulsa Real Estate Market, please contact me. Time is running out!!!

Talena M. Floyd
Chinowth & Cohen Realtors
"Make My Hometown, Your Hometown"
www.WelcomeHomeTulsa.com
Talena@WelcomeHomeTulsa.com

(918) 361-3404

Oops......we did it again!!

For the 3rd year in a row Chinowth & Cohen Realtors was voted Best of the Best Real Estate Company 2009 by the readers of Oklahoma Magazine. This list features outstanding people and places that make Oklahoma a fantastic place to live!“We are so proud of our Associates,” said Sheryl Chinowth, CEO of Chinowth & Cohen Realtors. “They are the cream of the crop, and deserve all the recognition. We hire the Best of the Best, and I can promise when you use a Chinowth & Cohen Associate they are the best trained and most knowledgeable Associate you can find.”Chinowth & Cohen Realtors has 4 offices throughout the Tulsa area specializing in Tulsa real estate as well as residential real estate in the surrounding communities of Jenks, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bixby, Glenpool, Claremore and Skiatook.We're excited to once again be named the Best of the Best for 2009! It's a great honor and thrill when your clients and friends take time to acknowledge the work you do. And, you can count on Chinowth & Cohen Realtors to maintain the highest level of customer service and ethics to our homeowners and buyers!

2009 Parade of Homes Tour

Parade of Homes

Saturday, June 20 - Sunday, June 28, 2009

- What -

2009 Greater Tulsa Parade of Homes(TM)

Presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa, and sponsored by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

- When -

Saturday, June 20 - Sunday, June 28Homes open 1 to 7 p.m. daily

- Where -

The Parade includes 150 homes in Bartlesville, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Claremore, Collinsville, Coweta, Glenpool, Jenks, Kiefer, Owasso, Pryor, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Skiatook and Tulsa. A complete guide of homes will be available in the Friday, June 19 at participating QuikTrip locations.

- Who -

Those in the market for a new home or improvements for an existing home will want to shop 150 of the area’s most beautiful homes for features, floor plans and decorating ideas.

- Cost -

Free - Look for the Official Parade of Homes sign in the yard!

- Events within the Parade -

Tuesday, June 23, Twilight Tour, Forest Ridge in Broken Arrow, 6 to 9 p.m.;Thursday, June 25, Twilight Tour, Stone Canyon in Owasso, 6 to 9 p.m.;Saturday, June 27, Early Bird Tour, StoneBrooke in Tulsa, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

- Participating Subdivisions -

Broken Arrow - Forest Ridge and RushbrookeJenks - Carlisle at Yorktown and Brook at Stone BluffOwasso - Stone Canyon Tulsa - Riverview Park Estates and StoneBrooke

- Highlights of the Parade of Homes -

- Free advice from homebuilders and real estate professionals on achieving the dream of owning or building a new home.- A wide range of home styles, prices and locations.- The latest materials and technology in today’s new homes.- Ideas on floor plans to fit your family and lifestyle.

Don't Miss Out!!! Call Me For More Info

U.S. FHA to apply $8,000 credit to home buying costs

Fri May 29, 11:01 am ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Federal Housing Administration will allow the new $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit to be applied directly toward home purchase costs when using an FHA-insured mortgage, the Department of Housing and Urban Development said on Friday.
The plan to "monetize" the tax credit up-front is aimed at more quickly stabilizing the housing market, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said in a statement.
But in detailed rules, the FHA will still require home buyers to provide a minimum 3.5 percent downpayment from other sources.
The $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers was created as a part of the Obama administration's $787 billion stimulus plan. Some private lenders already were allowing buyers to apply the credits directly toward purchase costs through special financing schemes.
With the FHA following in a similar vein, a significant portion of the first-time homebuyer market will have up-front access to the credits instead of waiting until tax returns are filed.
"What we're doing today will not only help these families to purchase their first home but will present an enormous benefit for communities struggling to deal with an oversupply of housing," Donovan said in a statement
FHA-insured loans, which largely have replaced the subprime mortgage market, now accounts for about 25 percent of new mortgages, senior HUD officials said, versus about 2 percent of the market two years ago. At this pace, the agency will insure some 2.2 million mortgages this year.
The National Association of Home Builders estimates that the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit will stimulate 160,000 home sales across the United States -- 101,000 purchases from first-time buyers and another 59,000 purchases by existing homeowners who sold dwellings to first-time buyers.

DID YOU KNOW???

Sony played this at their executive meeting this year.......


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY

Only 4 Months Left to Earn $7500 From Your Rich Uncle!!!

Have you been looking for a home? Thinking about it? It is your first home (or have you not owned a home in 3 years)?STOP! Stop looking & considering. Start FINDING one.If you are a first time homebuyer, you must close on the purchase of your first home by the end of June* to earn a $7500 tax credit. Note that this is a CREDIT not a deduction. If you are expecting a refund, it will increase your refund by the amount of your credit. If you will owe taxes on your 1040, your taxes will be reduced by the amount of the credit and you will receive a refund if due. Before I continue, as with any tax advice here or from any source that is not your trusted professional, you should review this with your trusted professional to apply to your situation.First time home buyers (and those that have not owned a home in the last 3 years) can claim a tax credit of 10% of the purchase price of their primary residence. The maximum credit is $7500 and there are income limitations on who can claim.EXTRA GOOD NEWS - Already buy your first home? Did you buy it after April 9, 2008? You can claim this credit also!MORE EXTRA GOOD NEWS - If you buy your home in time to claim this credit, you can use the credit on your 2008 taxes even though your purchase may be in 2009! This will get the money in your hands sooner!The catch? (Isn't there always one from Uncle Sam?) You have to pay this credit back - over 15 years. However, you don't have to start paying it back until 2 years after your claim year. The payback is done every year on your 1040, so you can adjust your withholding to take an extra $10/week if you think that may pose a problem when you file. If you sell your home before then and make a profit (above all costs to sell), you have to pay back the amount you still owe on your claim. There are other payback forgiveness provisions, but that again is where your trusted professional should step in to advise you. He needs to earn his money, too.At worst case, this is a 15-year, interest-free loan. At best case, this can help you redecorate and set up your new home the way you want it!If you have not yet begun working with a Realtor, let me know. I will be invaluable in your search efforts and advise you properly on the selection of and offer for your new home.*So, why only 4 months left if the clock stops at the end of June? Because you must CLOSE your purchase by then. It generally takes 30 days from offer to close. Give me a call and let's get started! (918) 361-3404 or Talena@WelcomeHomeTulsa.com

It's a Good Thing You're in Tulsa!!!

Check out this article from the Tulsa World. Don't believe the hype of the national media. Here in Tulsa we are in a, virtual, bubble. Our market has remained stable over the years, and will continue to remain stable. Tulsa has ability to ride out recession

What's Your Resolution?

Like so many, I too, resolved to get in better shape this year. Each year January 1st marks the beginning of healthy diet and exercise for so many, yet within weeks we're back to fast food and too busy to exercise. Well, let's change that! This year Tulsa's own Mayor, Kathy Taylor, is challenging Tulsan's to get fit one mile at a time. Go to www.tulsamillionmiles.com, you can log your miles and share your stories. They can even convert your miles to calories burned, so you can track your own weight loss goals.

Let Me Introduce Myself

Hello Everyone,


My name is Talena Floyd, and I am a Full-Time Associate with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors. My family and I came to Tulsa from St. Louis, MO in 2007. I had long loved the city of Tulsa before ever moving here. There is no better place to raise a family! Please check my Blog often, http://www.welcomhometulsa.blogspot.com/, for Everything Tulsa, and scroll to the bottom of the page to view pics of my current listings. The city of Tulsa has welcomed my family with open arms, and I would love to do the same for you.