Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Tulsa OK July 4th Fireworks and Family Fun Things To Do
Tulsa, OK has some great options this year when it comes to July 4th fireworks and family fun things to do in and around the area. Independence Day is a great time to get back to the basics and spend quality time with family and friends - whether it's in Tulsa, OK or anywhere in the USA.
I created an extensive blog about some of the top locations in Tulsa, OK to go to this year. You can check it out here:
July 4th Fireworks in Tulsa, OK
Whether it's bringing the blanket and sitting at the side of the Arkansas River, or watching the spectacular airshow prior to (what is claimed to be) the largest fireworks display in the State at Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, you're senses will be buzzing for days afterwards!
I wish you all a very blessed Independence Day!
I created an extensive blog about some of the top locations in Tulsa, OK to go to this year. You can check it out here:
Whether it's bringing the blanket and sitting at the side of the Arkansas River, or watching the spectacular airshow prior to (what is claimed to be) the largest fireworks display in the State at Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, you're senses will be buzzing for days afterwards!
I wish you all a very blessed Independence Day!
July 4th Fireworks in Boca Raton, FL
So it's that time of year again and you are frantically looking for the best place to go and celebrate this July 4th with the annual visual sensations being fulfilled by the fireworks display you take in around the Boca Raton, FL area...
If this is you, I just created a blog that describes the top places to hit this year in detail with links to the various sites for each venue.
Check it out here:
July 4th Fireworks in Boca Raton, FL
If this is you, I just created a blog that describes the top places to hit this year in detail with links to the various sites for each venue.
Check it out here:
July 4th Fireworks in Boca Raton, FL
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Time Management and Home-Based Businesses
If I had to name one aspect of owning and running a successful home-based business , it would be possessing excellent time management skills. For some, this may be the one thing that sets their home-based business apart from being a success and being a failure. Time Management Skills
The best advise I can give is to minimize your distractions and maximize on your focus. I find that having energetic music playing in the background also helps me pump out the work - give it a try!
Time Management Skills
Thankfully, there are solutions to any problem, including perhaps your lack of natural time management skills. Here are a few tactics and systems I have (and/or still) use to make my day more productive:
- At the end of your work day, make a list of projects needing to be completed tomorrow.
- From this list, allocate a timeframe that you anticipate each project to take - adding at least 15 minutes to be safe
- Another option would be to assign these tasks to your computer calendar (such as Microsoft Outlook's calendar) and have reminders pop up on your screen at each new project start time. Personally, I am what they call "old school", and am more apt to use my pen and notepad to make my daily plans...
- Let your answering machine do its job! If your phone is notorious for ringing off the hook, that's great, but don't allow it to override your planned timeline for getting your projects completed. Set some time in the morning and in the afternoon to listen to your messages and respond accordingly.
- Close your email program - you will be less likely to get distracted and off-course (unless of course you are able to ignore the emails streaming in and are using your email program's calendar for your timelines!).
- A great program that I have been using for the past 5 years is TraxTime by SpudCity. This program allows me to punch in and out for each client as I move through my day. It also allows me to keep a detailed record of what I am doing for each of my clients and I can send them an update at the end of each month or period of work they are scheduled to pay me for. You can download a free trial version of Traxtime here.
The best advise I can give is to minimize your distractions and maximize on your focus. I find that having energetic music playing in the background also helps me pump out the work - give it a try!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Virtual Assistant's Don't Just Work, They Work HARD!
Here's one of my latest blogs that I wrote for one of my Real Estate Clients from Tulsa, OK. Blogging is a popular task that many of my clients have me complete for them on a regular basis - it's a great way to gain organic traffic and increase visitors (and essentially leads) to your website. Contact me for information on how I can write for your blog starting today!
Top 8 Ways You Can Prevent Yourself from Getting a Mortgage Approval
When purchasing your Tulsa real estate, you will probably be amazed to know that the time from underwriting to closing has increased. What used to take less than three weeks is now taking in some cases two months. The need to keep your finances in order until the mortgage is approved is paramount.
The following eight ways of preventing the chance of losing your mortgage should be adhered to as closely as possible.
1) Do not make deposits to your personal bank account at random. And do not deposit different amounts all the time. Most people's accounts are used for direct deposit of their paycheck. They may deposit an amount from time to time but they do not constantly deposit different amounts. The only time a different amount may be deposited daily is if they own a small business. This would be under a business account and not your personal account.
2) Do not apply for or take a new credit card. The importance of keeping your credit in the same shape it was in when the underwriter got all of his information cannot be stressed enough.
3) Do not move money around from one account to another. By leaving the money in the accounts and just using one or the other, it does not look as if there is something untoward going on.
4) Do not make any big purchases. For example, purchasing a new car or signing a lease on a more expensive vehicle than what you have already should not be done. The purchase of a vehicle even if you need it should be postponed until after the mortgage is approved. If you have to rent a vehicle for transportation on a temporary basis, this would be the way to go rather than making a big purchase at the present.
5) Do not stop paying bills. Even if they are ones you are disputing, the non-payment of the bills could cause a problem with your credit. This could completely change things with the underwriters. If you want the Tulsa real estate you are trying to purchase you will need to keep everything the same as it was when the application was submitted.
6) Do not change jobs. Switching from a salaried position to a commission type job is an extremely bad thing to do. This is not the time to change the amount of money you are making.
7) Another huge mistake if you are still interested in purchasing Tulsa real estate would be to quit your job. Not only should you not quit but you should not change the type of work you are doing. Now is not the time to start a business either.
8) Do not deposit different amounts of money into your bank account at random times. The deposits that go in should be able to be accounted for when it comes to where they are from. For example, a weekly or bi-weekly amount from the same source every time is clearly a paycheck. This can be documented.
These rules may not be the easiest to follow but if you want the purchase of your Tulsa real estate to proceed you should try to stick to them. Underwriters like things to stay simple. The best way to keep everything going along smoothly until your mortgage is funded is to keep everything under control.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Real Estate Virtual Assistant presents 7 Eco-Friendly Tips to Sell Your Home
When you are getting your Tulsa (or any) real estate in top shape to show to prospective buyers you should use these eco-friendly tips. Not only will you be helping to conserve energy but you will show prospective buyers that you are an energy conscious homeowner. They will be interested in purchasing a home in which the previous owner has cut the energy costs by going 'green'.
* The first order of business is to get your home in the best showing shape possible. This will include packing up everything that you want to keep, getting rid of things you no longer want and making your home as uncluttered as possible. When people come in to view your Tulsa real estate they will be able to see their things there rather than seeing your personal decorating choices.
On many of the items you no longer want there are a variety of choices for recycling. There are always social service organizations that need items for their clients. Animal shelters have a need for towels, blankets and other useful items. Check with non-profits in your area and see where you can help by donating many of the items you do not want.
* Cleaning your home is another very important step. By using environmentally friendly cleaners you will be keeping your home free of pollutants that can cause allergic reactions. If you are using chemical cleaners, when prospective customers enter your home and the lingering scent of a chemical starts causing reactions such as sneezing and watery eyes, the person is going to want out of the home as quickly as possible. This is not conducive to selling your home.
* Another thing that many people do when putting their Tulsa real estate up for sale is to provide a brochure with pictures of different rooms, information about the neighborhood and contact information. The people who come to see the house can take one with them and this will help keep your home in their thoughts. The brochures can be printed on recycled paper with a notation on the back that says this and asks that they please recycle the brochure when they are finished with it.
* Plants are a great addition to any home and they clean the air that you breathe. A couple of plants placed strategically will make your home look more appealing. You do not have to go overboard but cascading ivy hanging in the kitchen adds a certain ambiance to your kitchen area. A tall palm or a similar plant looks very nice in the living area of the home.
* If you are going to put refreshments out for prospective buyers, why not make them a healthy choice? Instead of bottled water or soda, an interesting pitcher with fruit décor holding filtered water and lemon and lime slices on the side will make a great refreshment.
* Refreshments can also include cookies or crackers. Real estate agents suggest cookies because the smell of fresh baked cookies is one of the most pleasant smells. However, instead of expending the energy (yours and your oven's) to bake cookies all day long, you may want to check into some of the scents available that can make your home smell as if you have been baking. There are many choices for freshening up your home including organic candles and plug-in scents. They do not use but a trickle of electricity - much less than turning the oven on.
* Last but not least, let prospective buyers know that your home is energy efficient. Whatever you have done to help conserve whether it is changing light bulbs or installing solar panels, the prospective buyer should know that you are making your home more cost-efficient.
* The first order of business is to get your home in the best showing shape possible. This will include packing up everything that you want to keep, getting rid of things you no longer want and making your home as uncluttered as possible. When people come in to view your Tulsa real estate they will be able to see their things there rather than seeing your personal decorating choices.
On many of the items you no longer want there are a variety of choices for recycling. There are always social service organizations that need items for their clients. Animal shelters have a need for towels, blankets and other useful items. Check with non-profits in your area and see where you can help by donating many of the items you do not want.
* Cleaning your home is another very important step. By using environmentally friendly cleaners you will be keeping your home free of pollutants that can cause allergic reactions. If you are using chemical cleaners, when prospective customers enter your home and the lingering scent of a chemical starts causing reactions such as sneezing and watery eyes, the person is going to want out of the home as quickly as possible. This is not conducive to selling your home.
* Another thing that many people do when putting their Tulsa real estate up for sale is to provide a brochure with pictures of different rooms, information about the neighborhood and contact information. The people who come to see the house can take one with them and this will help keep your home in their thoughts. The brochures can be printed on recycled paper with a notation on the back that says this and asks that they please recycle the brochure when they are finished with it.
* Plants are a great addition to any home and they clean the air that you breathe. A couple of plants placed strategically will make your home look more appealing. You do not have to go overboard but cascading ivy hanging in the kitchen adds a certain ambiance to your kitchen area. A tall palm or a similar plant looks very nice in the living area of the home.
* If you are going to put refreshments out for prospective buyers, why not make them a healthy choice? Instead of bottled water or soda, an interesting pitcher with fruit décor holding filtered water and lemon and lime slices on the side will make a great refreshment.
* Refreshments can also include cookies or crackers. Real estate agents suggest cookies because the smell of fresh baked cookies is one of the most pleasant smells. However, instead of expending the energy (yours and your oven's) to bake cookies all day long, you may want to check into some of the scents available that can make your home smell as if you have been baking. There are many choices for freshening up your home including organic candles and plug-in scents. They do not use but a trickle of electricity - much less than turning the oven on.
* Last but not least, let prospective buyers know that your home is energy efficient. Whatever you have done to help conserve whether it is changing light bulbs or installing solar panels, the prospective buyer should know that you are making your home more cost-efficient.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Real Estate Virtual Assistant announces: Top of the Charts, Tulsa, OK Real Estate is Move-In Ready!
My Real Estate client that I have been working with since November 2006, brought to my attention this great news surrounding the nomination Tulsa OK got on one of Relocate-America's Top 100 lists. Please see below the post I created surrounding this information:
The renowned online research team at Relocate-America, has just announced it's "America's Top 100 Places to Live 2009" and Tulsa, OK hit the #1 spot!
Per Relocate-America's online description, this Top 100 list is nominated by each city's residents as "a great place to live", marked by information gathered about the neighborhoods, beauty of the area, school performance, recreational activities and economic growth. To be #1 on this list is definitely something to rave about!
Mike Neal, President and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber, spoke highly of this finding too, stating that "our diversified industries, quality of life and cost of living" are what has made Tulsa, OK stay well above the competition nationwide.
Other star-studed accolades have been noted in recent days, in particular, Forbes magazine listed Tulsa as one of the best places in the nation to find a job. Ranking at #2 within the mid-sized cities category, the metro area took its honorary position in the financial magazine's "Best Cities for Job Growth" and also ranked 10th among all cities.
Living within the Tulsa, OK real estate area, has been a favored choice for many over the years, and with all these top nominations, it's easy to see why! Tulsa was also identified as the fifth best city to ride out the recession in the nation, per a study conducted by Forbes.com. It seems as though not only is the area full of positive places, but also teeming with happiness too!
Oklahoma City, OK, and Jenks, OK, also made Relocate-America's Top 100 Places to Live list this year. Tulsa was also on the list last year at position #5.
When it comes to the cost of Tulsa, OK real estate, the Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors stated that as of February 2009, the median price of a home was $125,000. Unlike the two coasts, home prices in Tulsa do not witness spikes and valleys (or craters as in some CA and FL home values!), but see more of a consistent even pace; Tulsa has actually seen an increase in home values over the past year or so.
In other noteworthy news, Bob Ball, the chamber's economic research manager, noted that "the cost of doing business in the Tulsa metropolitan area is nearly 14 percent below the U.S. average, and its cost of living is 11 percent below the U.S. average".
It's not surprising why more and more people choose Tulsa, OK real estate as their new place to call home every day. Come see for yourself!
* RelocateAmerica is a leading provider of quality online resources and real estate expertise to relocating consumers. Since 1997, they have been dedicated to providing real estate consumers with valuable information and resources to make well-informed real estate decisions.
The renowned online research team at Relocate-America, has just announced it's "America's Top 100 Places to Live 2009" and Tulsa, OK hit the #1 spot!
Per Relocate-America's online description, this Top 100 list is nominated by each city's residents as "a great place to live", marked by information gathered about the neighborhoods, beauty of the area, school performance, recreational activities and economic growth. To be #1 on this list is definitely something to rave about!
Mike Neal, President and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber, spoke highly of this finding too, stating that "our diversified industries, quality of life and cost of living" are what has made Tulsa, OK stay well above the competition nationwide.
Other star-studed accolades have been noted in recent days, in particular, Forbes magazine listed Tulsa as one of the best places in the nation to find a job. Ranking at #2 within the mid-sized cities category, the metro area took its honorary position in the financial magazine's "Best Cities for Job Growth" and also ranked 10th among all cities.
Living within the Tulsa, OK real estate area, has been a favored choice for many over the years, and with all these top nominations, it's easy to see why! Tulsa was also identified as the fifth best city to ride out the recession in the nation, per a study conducted by Forbes.com. It seems as though not only is the area full of positive places, but also teeming with happiness too!
Oklahoma City, OK, and Jenks, OK, also made Relocate-America's Top 100 Places to Live list this year. Tulsa was also on the list last year at position #5.
When it comes to the cost of Tulsa, OK real estate, the Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors stated that as of February 2009, the median price of a home was $125,000. Unlike the two coasts, home prices in Tulsa do not witness spikes and valleys (or craters as in some CA and FL home values!), but see more of a consistent even pace; Tulsa has actually seen an increase in home values over the past year or so.
In other noteworthy news, Bob Ball, the chamber's economic research manager, noted that "the cost of doing business in the Tulsa metropolitan area is nearly 14 percent below the U.S. average, and its cost of living is 11 percent below the U.S. average".
It's not surprising why more and more people choose Tulsa, OK real estate as their new place to call home every day. Come see for yourself!
* RelocateAmerica is a leading provider of quality online resources and real estate expertise to relocating consumers. Since 1997, they have been dedicated to providing real estate consumers with valuable information and resources to make well-informed real estate decisions.
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