Pack Away Kids' Tulsa Moving Blues

Buying a new Tulsa, Jenks, Broken Arrow, and Bixby home can be very exciting for adults, but it can evoke a whole lot of fear in children. Summer break is when many families decide to make a move since children are frequently on break. But regardless of the timing, it's helping children understand the reason for the move that will help pack away kids' moving blues.

Some 10 million school-age children move each year in America, according to Gabriel Davis, author of The Moving Book: A Kid's Survival Guide. She writes about tips and activities that give children a little extra attention to help them better handle a move.

Davis writes that giving kids something to focus on like a new activity that they'll be able to participate in, once they get to their new home, can help get them excited about the move.

Helping kids deal with a move has a lot to do with how parents handle the move says Life Coach, Brook Montagna of Mindful Life Coaching. She believes easing children's moving blues starts with first addressing whatever factors are causing stress in the parents' lives.

Have the Right Attitude

"Lots of times we'll focus on how difficult this is going to be for the children, but we forget to manage our own stress and that kind of filters down to the kids," says Montagna.

Parents should make sure that they are getting the rest they need and are taking good care of themselves so that they're able to be available to the kids. Montagna says sometimes kids are reacting to their parent's irritable attitudes rather than really being deeply affected by the move. Remember, be a role model for children so they can follow in your footsteps.

Announcing the Tulsa Home Move

Montagna recommends getting kids, who are old enough to understand, involved as soon as possible. "Start to talk about it in a really positive way and that's going to help the kids to have a positive picture in their minds of this move," says Montagna.

Parents can spend some time with kids making a collage or poster with brochures and photos of the new location and their new home to get kids eager to see it.

Reassuring Teens and Pre-Teens

Reassurance is critical for kids to help them with the moving process. Montagna says let the kids know that they will be able to stay in contact with their friends through e-mails, phone calls, letters and even having their friends come out to visit at their new home.

"Also, you may want to talk to them about some new privileges that they didn't have at their old home or new opportunities. They really need to see something positive. So you have to know your kids and really what it is that would motivate them and address that," explains Montagna.

Furniture and Room Decorations

"Even though you might be excited about changing their furniture, the younger child does better when some things remain the same," says Montagna. For at least a couple of months after the move, children under about age four should have their new room similar to their old room because it's comforting to them. Things such as the same bedding and bed should be used until they seem settled in and comfortably adjusted to the new home.

Montagna says that older kids should be allowed to participate in decorating their rooms by selecting colors and deciding furniture arrangement. "The more you involve them in those kinds of decisions and in the actual tasks of doing it, the better the move will go because then they really feel a part of it and it's exciting for them," explains Montagna.

Goodbye Old Tulsa Home

Montagna suggests buying the kids address books and having them fill them out with their friends. Also, preparing cards that have the kids' names and address on them and then giving them to the children to hand out is another way for them to talk with their friends about the move.

A goodbye to the old home can be very satisfying for kids. "Something light and simple where they say thank you and that they're grateful for the time spent there and that they are moving on, so that kids get a chance to say goodbye," says Montagna.

Hello New Tulsa Home

Then, once in the new home, a ritual or annual tradition to celebrate the home can help children welcome their new environment.

Try sending a postcard from your old location to your new one. Who better to welcome the kids than your own family?

Beating the Tulsa Sellers' Stress

Three things are certain in life: death, Tulsa taxes ... and undue stress caused by moving. And we're not just talking about packing and paperwork. Moving is an emotional process. If you're not calming down your nervous children, you're trying to reassure yourself that you bought the best house within your means and that your kids' new schools will measure up.

Depending upon your relationship with your Tulsa Realtor, you should be able to rely on him or her for more than just closing the deal. Your Realtor also should be able to calm your trepidations by giving you the support you need -- giving you the facts about that new school district, reassuring you that your jitters are perfectly normal, and giving you as much information about your new hometown as possible, increasing your familiarity with the previously unknown.

Reserve time for yourself and your family. It's an insurance policy for your sanity and continued happiness. Stress is sneaky. It can eat away at us during what are supposed to be the happiest of times, because after all, any major change in life is stressful. If it's suppressed, it can wreak havoc both emotionally and physically and spread throughout the family. And there's nothing worse than moving a grumpy family across the country. For family unity's sake, keep in mind the following stress-relieving measures:

1. Remember that it's perfectly normal to feel unsure of your decision right now. Instead of becoming overwhelmed with "what ifs" and dread, reframe your decision as a prime opportunity to begin your lives in a new environment. Look forward to the adventure that lies ahead of you.

2. Keep an emergency fund in case you run into any unexpected costs. One example: If your buyer comes forward after a home inspection is completed and requests some repairs prior to move-in, you'll be prepared. It's up to you how many you accommodate, but at least you won't be caught unaware.

3. Anticipate and prepare for the initial expenses you'll face upon your Oklahoma move-in. Resign yourself to the fact that during the Tulsa, Jenks, Broken Arrow, Bixby moving process, you're going to feel as if you're holding your wallet upside down, and everyone -- movers, contractors, buyer, etc. -- is sitting underneath, catching the flying dollar bills. Keep in mind that this is an investment for the good of your family, and that these costs are a one-time inevitability.

4. Remind yourself of why you're moving in the first place. Whether or not you had some degree of control over your decision to move will affect your outlook, but move you must. Round up as much information as you can about your new Tulsa, Jenks, Broken Arrow, Bixby hometown. Use the resources of this site. What kinds of cultural offerings does the Tulsa town/city offer? What are its landmarks and natural attractions? Research some possible day trips you might take with the family once you're settled.

5. Envision your new home. Remind yourself of the home's primary selling points. Will you have more space? More closets? A large backyard and/or swimming pool? Where will you place the furniture? What does your new street look like? Try to picture yourself and your family fully adapted to your new home.

6. Have a little fun. Take the family out to a grand old Tulsa dinner, to a movie or a picnic -- anything that gets all of you out of the house and away from boxes, paperwork, emotions and all of those pre-move concerns. Like misery, stress often loves company, so enjoy your family time together and remember that this stress won't last forever. Regardless of what you're feeling now, the move will happen and everything will eventually fall into place.

Scrambling To Sell Your Tulsa Home This Year?

As Tulsa interest rates begin to creep upward as we move into fall, many are scrambling to buy as soon as they can. That's good news for sellers, some of whom may be scurrying to get their houses on the market before interest rates head higher.

The National Association of Realtors reports that April's sales activity was 15.1 percent above the 5.77-million unit pace in April 2003 and was just 0.6 percent shy of the all-time high of 6.68 million posted in September of last year.

David Lereah, NAR's chief economist, had predicted May would finish strong, too.

"Given the favorable economic backdrop and strong sales momentum, a big number was expected for April home sales and it's likely we'll see another big month in May," he said. "Part of what we're seeing now is 'fence-jumping' from people wanting to buy a home before interest rates move higher. Even with an additional rise in recent weeks, the good news is that mortgage interest rates now appear to be leveling-out in the 6.3 percent range."

For Tulsa, Jenks, Broken Arrow, Bixby sellers, the push for buyers to act quickly may trigger the urgency to put your house on the market -- perhaps sooner than you originally planned. If you fall into that category, you'll want to make sure your house shows well in order to attract the best offers possible. Some of the things you should do include:

·  Make a great first impression. Known as curb appeal, that first look a potential buyer has of your house will have a huge impact. On sunny summer days, you'll want your lawn, shrubs and flowers looking their best. That means keeping your lawn and greenery manicured and planting some annuals for some instant color. Keep the walkway and doorway clear. And make sure your door is clean. Consider a fresh coat of paint.

·  Hire a professional to inspect your air conditioner to make sure it's working as it should. Nothing would be worse than your unit going out on a scorching day when would-be buyers are touring the house. And be sure to turn it on when you know potential buyers will be looking.

·  Spruce up your back yard. The back yard has evolved into one of the most important rooms of the house, especially in warmer climates. Buyers will be attracted to back areas that have a nice deck or patio area with plenty of space for dining, grilling, and entertaining. And if you have a section of your yard that is child-friendly -- perhaps with a swing set, sandbox or play area -- play it up as much as possible.

·  Make your windows sparkle. Make sure your windows are nice and clean, especially if you live in a sunny region that doesn't get much summer rain.

·  Keep your walls light. If you're thinking about touching up the paint on your walls before you put your home on the market, keep the colors neutral and light. A light yellow or beige will make the room feel cooler than darker hues, like brick red or dark taupe.

·  Let the light in. Open blinds and curtains so plenty of light illuminates the home's interior.

·  Keep the pool clean. If you have a pool or spa, make sure it's clean. If you have a fence, make sure locks and latches are working properly.

House Hunting: Don't Overlook a Tulsa Home's Potential

Home shopping. For first-time Tulsa homebuyers it's an exciting, albeit nerve-wracking, experience. If you're like others in the market for their first home, you probably have in mind exactly how your soon-to-be home will look.

But it's important not to fall into the bad decorating, dingy walls, and dirt-bare back yard equals bad-home trap. If you don't see past the hideous wallpaper, funky light fixtures, and avocado green carpeting, you may miss out on a home with great potential.

And, if you're looking for a home in a seller's market where homes are being snatched up as soon as they go on the market, you'll come to realize you can't be choosy if you want to make a competitive offer.

One of the first things to do is to get pre-qualified for a loan and determine the maximum you can afford to offer for a house. Don't look at homes that are asking for more than 5 percent above your maximum, otherwise you'll be setting yourself up for disappointment if you find the perfect - but outside your budget - home.

So what to do?

The floor plan of your Tulsa, Jenks, Broken Arrow home is extremely important. If a floor plan isn't quite to your liking, consider rearranging it or adding on. If you're looking at an existing home and will need to remodel or expand to suit your needs, the estimated cost of renovation should play a role in how much you offer.

Also, consider the features of a home:

·  Walls. While walls are one of the easiest things to remedy, they also make a huge first impression. If the walls need to be painted, are covered in wallpaper, or are painted a color you find distasteful, picture them crisp and clean in the color of your choice - that's how they could look after you paint them.

·  Floors. Like walls, carpet or floor surfaces that are old or outdated can be easily replaced. You could even ask for a carpet allowance in your bid, especially if you're in a buyer's market.

·  View. Things like old, ugly -even dirty - windows and window treatments can make a view appear less desirable. Those things can be improved, so unless the only view you have is of your neighbor's clunker on the side of the house, don't get hung up on what is surely a fixable view.

·  Landscaping. Your best bet is a moderately landscaped yard because you can always improve landscaping without spending too much. Worst case, even if you're looking at dirt, landscaping is one of the more feasible projects to tackle. Plus you get to design it however you'd like if you're starting from scratch.

·  Closets and garages. You can never have too much storage space, which is why so many newer homes have three-car garages. But if you encounter a converted garage that is now a bedroom or storage room, don't give up. Converted garages can almost always go back to their original purpose without much cost or labor.

·  Kitchen. The most popular room in the house, many homeowners want their kitchen to be large and have modern appliances. Don't let color schemes from the '70s detract you, because there's nothing like a fresh coat (or two) of paint to make a kitchen your own. Plus, if you like the rest of the house enough to make an offer, you can give the kitchen a minor spruce-up with some new appliances, or a major overhaul complete with new countertops, cabinets, and flooring.

·  The exterior. If the home you're looking at doesn't have good curb appeal, try to picture it with a fresh coat of paint and spruced-up landscaping.

·  Pools. If you want a pool, buy a home with a pool already built in. The cost of adding a pool starts around $25,000, and paying to add one later will never yield a dollar-for-dollar return on investment. The cost of repairing a pool is less than putting one in, so if you're looking at a home with an old pool that looks like it's in bad shape, it's still a better bet than putting one in later.

When making an offer on your new home, bear in mind the things that you can't live without, as well as your budget. Also, be sure you hire a professional home inspector to inspect the house. If the home's systems are in good working order and the house has everything you want except a minor item or two, make an offer accordingly.

Most importantly, keep in mind that unless you're building your dream home from scratch, you'll probably never find the perfect home. But seeing past a previous owner's bad decorating choices to the core of the home and its potential for livability will yield you the home you've always wanted. It may take some work, but hey - it's