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Real Estate Market Leaders Reunite

Under new management and with the support of the top-producing agents in North America, StarPower continues its 20-year tradition of elevating the standard of care in the Tulsa real estate industry.

Tulsa, Oklahoma – December 10, 2009 – StarPower, the number-one brand in Tulsa real estate education, announced a transition of leadership to Alex Charfen, a leading trainer, author, coach, speaker and StarPower Star. The announcement was made at Star Advance the organization’s annual leadership meeting a The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada.

“StarPower will remain the most relevant, recognized leader in Tulsa real estate education,” Charfen said. “With the dedicated involvement of our StarPower Stars, the contributions to the advancement of the real estate industry and our success as an organization are assured.”

Founded by industry icon Howard Briton, StarPower is an organization focused on elevating the standard of care in theTulsa real estate industry. Each month a new StarPower Star is selected based upon achievements in sales, leadership, business acumen and a willingness to share the lessons of their success with others. This has helped StarPower Stars typically average more than $35 million in annual sales volume and more than 200 transactions per year. Less than 300 Tulsa real estate agents have achieved the distinction of StarPower Star, making it the most exclusive designation in the industry.

After news of the transition was presented at Star Advance, StarPower Star Paul Wheeler of Accent, Realtorsannounced support of the new management and strategic direction of the StarPower brand.

I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the future of StarPower, and to increase our positive impact upon the Tulsa real estate community,” Wheeler said.

“In the current economic climate, I have the opportunity to make a real difference in the personal and professional lives of countless Tulsa real estate professionals,” Wheeler added. “As a StarPower Star and leader in my market, there is a responsibility to share the lessons of my success with others. In this way, StarPower Stars are actively improving the industry we have chosen to be part of.”

On a monthly basis, StarPower Club members receive the strategies, tool, insights and perspectives that have helped StarPower Stars realize success. The StarPower Annual Conference, one of the best-attended conferences in the industry each year, will continue its presence on the Tulsa real estate calendar. Detail on the conference will be announced in the near future, Charfen said.

For more information, contact:

Paul Wheeler

Accent, Realtors

918-665-8559

www.accentrealtors.com

We offer assistance near you!
Tulsa Realtors
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Low Cost Headboard

When you stage a room as a bedroom, a headboard is always a good idea. It makes a big statement. Although they make a big impression, headboards can be very costly so, try to be creative and work with what you have.

  • For example, you can use a piece of art on top of the bed. It will look great, especially if it’s the same width as the bed itself.
  • Wallpaper is one of my favorites when it comes to staging a bedroom. Use it to create an accent wall (usually where the bed is located). That way, the entire wall becomes the headboard and it gives an amazing visual interest to the room.
  • If your bed is located under a window, try to use that window, include it in your design. Frame it with drapes or curtains so it looks wider.
  • If your bedroom is large enough, be creative and hang bookshelves on both side of the window. That will make a big statement in the room and it will become the main focus. Bookshelves on each side of the bed can be a great storage solution as well.
  • You can make a headboard that suits your style with almost nothing: plywood, batting, fabric, a few staples and you’re done!
  • A nice way to showcase your bed is to add a screen behind it. Again, use your imagination, think outside the box.
  • You can make a mirror framed with decorative molding. This is sure to bring the WOW factor to your house! But if this solution seems a little too bold, forget about the mirror and use fabric instead. This will be as delightful to look at!

For a symmetrical look (especially in the master bedroom), use two side lamps or two sconces. During an open house, with the lights on, your headboard will be showcased just like art in a gallery.

See…just a hint of imagination and Voilà!

Good luck!

Virginie Gill

Certified Staging Expert

Owner of Voilà Design

For a Realtor near you.
Tulsa Realtors
Broken Arrow Realtors
Bixby Realtors
Owasso Realtors
Skiatook Realtors

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From “Blah” To “Wow”! (Part 2)

Last week was about how to get your kitchen ready before the open house; this week, we will talk about the second most important room in your house: the bathroom.

This is a list of some tips you will need:

• Carpets, mats and toilet seat need to go. They simply don’t look clean and they are sometimes responsible for bad smells.

• “Let the sunshine in”. If there is a window in your bathroom, you need to pull up the blinds or shades and if you have any privacy issue, you might want to frost the glass with a film or with a can of paint.

• Tile and grout MUST be spotless; so clean, clean and clean again! If the grout is old, it might be discolored in some places. No need to worry, I have a quick fix for that! Go to your hardware store and ask for a “grout pen”, this thing is magic! But remember, it’s just for touch ups; if you need to re-grout everything, do it. It will pay off in the end.

Buyers are looking for a spa-like bathroom, the kind of bathroom where they will be able to relax after a long day at work.

• Accessorizing is the key to a well-staged bathroom:

  1. Buy a couple of fresh fluffy bath and hand towels.
  2. A candle or two displayed on the shelves, tub or vanity will create a relaxing atmosphere.
  3. You need a clean shower curtain, but try not to get anything too overwhelming for the space. A nice neutral with a simple pattern will do the job.

• Also, clear out the clutter; it will distract buyers. Again, less is more in this case; especially in one of the smallest spaces in the house.

And for the last touch, add freshly-cut, colorful flowers in a simple glass vase and Voilà, your bathroom is ready to impress potential buyers!

Staging tips of the week:
If you have a mirror without a frame in your bathroom, don’t replace it. Just work with it. Did you know that you could buy molding at the hardware store and ask them to cut it to size? Then, apply some heavy duty glue and you got yourself a custom-framed mirror for a fraction of the cost!

Good luck!
Virginie Gill, Certified Staging Expert
Owner of Voila Design

For a Realtor near you.
Tulsa Realtors
Broken Arrow Realtors
Bixby Realtors
Owasso Realtors
Skiatook Realtors

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Real Estate News

CNN is saying the housing market could get a lot worse because of another wave of foreclosures set to hit the Tulsa real estate market. An avalanche of subprime mortgages are set to hit the market in the next 18 to 24 months.

As these mortgages reset to a higher interest rate along with higher unemployment, it is likely to cause a surge in mortgages going to default. Currently in the U.S., one in ten homes is either in foreclosure or behind in payments. The new numbers could be even more staggering.

Economists warn this could cause housing prices to decline up to 20% more before the market rebounds. Currently losses from the housing bust totaled $3.6 trillion at the end of 2008. Lawrence Yun the chief economist with the National Association of Realtors® estimates losses will likely approach $5 trillion by the time the crisis ends.

If you are facing a financial hardship with either decreased income, higher expenses or job loss, call me. Foreclosuredoesn’t have to be your only option. I recently became a Certified Distressed Property Expert, or CDPE, and can help you or anyone you know avoid foreclosure by using a short sale. We can negotiate with the lender to take a reduced payment, pay our commissions, and avoid the damage of a foreclosure on your credit score.

I know the Tulsa Real Estate market and job markets are tough out there. Let us help you or your friends if they are struggling.

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Paul Wheeler’s Tulsa, OK Real Estate Update

Tulsa Real Estate Update- I’m getting a lot of questions about what’s happening in the market and wanted to give a brief overview of what I’m seeing out there. Currently, our pool of Tulsa home buyers is much smaller than it has been in the past and our listing inventory is fairly high. Five years ago, we had about 4000 homes on the market and this last winter we topped 8000. It’s the old law of supply and demand and we are in a strong buyers market which means theTulsa home buyers have more choices and this will tend to put a little downward pressure on prices. I still believe we not in a terrible selling market, just different and changing monthly. Everything is relative though and we are so much better off than the rest of the country. As far as the buyer market goes, I’ve never seen a better buyers market in my 17 years in the business.

So, is it a good time to put your Tulsa home on the market? I still think the answer is yes if you need to move.  This isn’t the market where you will make a million dollars on your Tulsa home sale, but you won’t need to give it away either. Our average market time is still only 28 days on the market for everything we are selling and our list to sales price ratio is right at 98%. If you do the right things, which are marketing aggressively, staging aggressively and pricing competitively, then you will still sell and sell quickly. Call me if you have any questions, we would love to help you in selling your Tulsa homes, Broken Arrow homes, Bixby homes, Owasso homes and Skiatook homes.

Warmest Wishes!

Paul Wheeler
Owner/ Broker
The Paul Wheeler Team at Accent Realtors
Your Best Friends In Real Estate!
4625 S. Harvard, Suite 100
Tulsa, OK 74135
(O) 918.665-8559 (F) 918.665.2442
www.AccentRealtors.com