Oklahoma Makes History

Oklahoma has made history by electing 19 year-old John Tyler Hammons to public office.  Just like any other American teenager, Hammons loves fast cars, rock music and video games.  But fiscal planning?  Well, apparently so.  Hammons is a freshman at the University of Oklahoma  and beat 70 year-old Hershel McBride for mayor of Muskogee , Oklahoma .  Muskogee is now the first city in the United States to be governed by a self proclaimed gamer.  So what’s his favorite game?  Halo 3.

 

While some think Hammons is too young for this position, many are confident in their new fresh-faced leader.  Hammons has recently turned his sights on cleaning up the town’s politics.  He’s locking down campaign finance reporting and establishing an independent ethics commission.  Hammons is sure the council will work with him on these issues because that’s what he campaigned on and he intends to keep pushing it.

   

Oklahoma residents are tired of the same old political games and are now backing their new man.  One resident went as far as to say “Hammons comes with less baggage and he doesn’t owe anyone anything.” 

 

I have to wonder, since Oklahoma City is less than 150 miles from this historical event, will it be the next city to elect such a young political figure?  Or maybe one of the smaller cities that surround Oklahoma City , like Edmond , Oklahoma ?

 

I guess we’ll all have to wait this one out and let time tell.

Old Fashion is Back

The latest reports from the National Association of Realtors® showed that 48 of the 149 metro areas studied have increased in value, one metro area remained steady with no signification change. Even some of the hardest hit areas are showing a signification increase in sales although prices are still declining due to overwhelming inventory.  

 

Reports show that 2007 was actually a stronger year than 2005 for Edmond real estate (2005/2006 were the benchmark years for real estate nationwide). The Edmond real estate market is balanced, which is a great market for both buyer and seller. Homes in the upper price ranges ($400K – $900K) are still sluggish.

 

There is also good news in the mortgage industry. Because of the credit crisis caused by the sub-prime loan sector, lenders became wary of making loans to anyone other than “A-1” borrowers.

 

But, times are changing. The Feds have lowered interest and a stimulus package has been signed. Currently interest rates are ranging between the 5.75% – 6% mark which is very similiar to the rates seen in the historically low year of 2003. Economists are interpreting this as a sign that lender confidence in the U.S. Real Estate market is still strong despite the recent past.

 

Mortgage brokers and banks are once again confident in borrowers’ abilities to purchase and keep true to their financial obligations.

 

When it comes to lending practices, old fashioned values are back. Lenders are once again requiring down payments. 3% (or less) loans are quickly disappearing. The PMI Group and Fannie Mae have announced that they will no longer back these types of loans. Stated-income loans are becoming extinct (now, they make lenders nervous). Some stated-income loans are still available but come with a price tag of high interest rates.

 

Old fashion lending practices have returned. Verification of employment and funds will be required. Lenders will continue to look at debt ratio. The all important credit rating may take second place to the ability to save. Your savings ability will play a large part in the loan qualifing process, along with being able to bring in at least 5% for a down payment. Lenders are willing to invest in you but be prepared for the new loan requirements which are just old fashioned lending practices.

School Bells Are Ringing

The school bells are getting ready to toll the end of another successful year here in Edmond, Oklahoma.
 
Why have I chosen Edmond education as my topic in this blog rather than at the beginning of the school year? The answer is simple.  I hold to a golden standard of real estate service. Traditionally, families in America make their relocation moves in the summer when the school year ends and before the new school year begins. As a service to those of you who are considering a move, I want to tell you about the excellent education your students would receive here in the Town of Edmond, Oklahoma.
 
Edmond is a small community and yet it offers more in educational opportunities than many larger cities.  It seems that all school districts say they are working towards excellence in the education of their students; but the “report cards” for many of these schools and their districts tell a different story.
 
I am proud to tell you that the Edmond Public School System is one of the best in the nation and our students test scores are proving it. Newsweek Magazine ranked all of the Edmond Public School System’s high schools among the top 1,000 high schools in the country. I believe the success of our high schools is proof of our educational system as students can not perform well in high school if they have not received a good educational foundation in their elementary and middle school years.
 
Edmond is also home to the University of Central Oklahoma, the oldest institution of higher learning in Oklahoma. The University was established in 1890 and the first class met in 1891. Before long, the school had become recognized for its education program. Since its humble beginnings, as a Normal School, the University has graduated over 50,000 teachers.
 
Today, the University is highly rated, not only for its Master of Education program, it is also ranked in the top 20 for its Physics Department.  The UCO Debaters Team is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best. Many of the University’s Departments and Programs are recognized nationwide for their excellence.
 
The old school year is ending and the new school year is being planned.  This is the time for you to consider moving to a place where your student can achieve excellence in his/her education; reaching his/her full potential.
 
Now is the time for you to consider investing in Edmond, Oklahoma real estate; interest rates are down, homes are very affordable,  the job growth is excellent and expected to continue in that vein. If you live in Oklahoma or are considering a move to Oklahoma, you could not do better than making your choice Edmond, Oklahoma.

 

We’re #1…

…but those of us in who live in Oklahoma, we  already knew that.

 

In my blog “National Trends Don’t Tell The Oklahoma Story”, I told you that if you were listening to the national news, you would not be hearing the real Oklahoma Story about Oklahoma’s real estate market. According to Forbes.com that blog was right on target.

 

Forbes.com has named Oklahoma City as the #1 most recession resistant city in the nation. All of the reasons and factors involved in that determination were the same ones I gave you in my previous blog (for the full story click here).

 

Forbes.com has confirmed that Oklahoma has one of the strongest real estate markets in the nation with some of the most reasonably priced housing in the country. The cost of living in general is also one of the lowest nationally.

 

Our economy is also one of the strongest with steady growth since 1998. Currently the jog growth rate in Oklahoma is 1.6% (Oklahoma State University Economic Report 2008) and unemployment is not only down in our state but has fallen almost a full percent in the last year (U.S. Department of Labor).

 

Now, with all that data, I don’t think I need to add anything else. If you have been considering a move but didn’t know where to move to, I think I just gave you the answer. To live in the best community in Oklahoma, you definitely want to move to Edmond.

It’s A 3 Day Weekend in Edmond Oklahoma

No, there is no national, state or city holiday; but there is the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival which begins tomorrow (May 2^nd) and will continue through Sunday.

 

The Downtown Edmond Arts Festival is well recognized as one of Oklahoma ’s finest events. In the year 2003, The Oklahoma Governor’s Tourism Conference awarded the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival its coveted and esteemed Red Bud Award. The Downtown Edmond Arts Festival is nationally recognized as one of the finest festivals in the nation.

 

The Downtown Edmond Arts Festival has something for every one. Art lovers, of course, will enjoy the exhibits of over 100 artists.. The “shop-til-you-drop” visitor will be able to shop the works of art and the retail shops located in downtown Edmond . Food lovers will be able to sample everything from Indian tacos to Kettle Corn. Children will be able to enjoy pony rides, face painting, a giant slide and more at the children’s activity center located in the Festival Market Place.

 

Over 140 artist from all over the nation submitted samples of their work in hopes of being selected as one of the artist privileged to participate and display their art at the Festival. The Downtown Edmond Arts Festival features every type of artist expression including paintings, photographs, sculptures, yard art, pottery, wearable art, metal works, glass works, furniture and whatever else a creative mind can think of.

 

Bob Palmer, who is an art professor at the University of Central Oklahoma , will be painting a mural on the Weather’s TV Building throughout the event. Palmer’s art students will be doing some murals of their own on the alley walls of designated downtown buildings.

 

The festival’s official T-shirt will feature Bob Palmer’s original design of an Asian Lily. If you like to wear your art, you will have to hurry because only 130 shirts will be available for sale and at the astonishing price of only $12.   They are sure to go fast.

 

Be sure to stop by the Hospitality Booth and purchase a raffle ticket. The winner will receive a large basket filled with gifts and prizes worth more than $750. All proceeds from the raffle will benefit Pepper’s Ranch (a boy’s home for neglected and abused boys ).

Admission to the 29^th edition of the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival is free, so there is no reason to miss it. Hours are Friday, 10am-8pm and from 11am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information about the festival and entertainment: www.downtownedmondok.com.

To view a Festival Commercial just click here