Why do people get so easily offended and why are they so quick to take things personal?  It can be perplexing.  When people hold grudges or let themselves get offended, it only hurts them.  Holding onto things and letting them fester is only toxic for the person holding onto it.  Some people feel if they hang onto it, that somehow this entitles them to some kind of pity or huge act of compensation.  If you begin little by little to feel you are owed something, you will spend your life thinking that way and you will always be unsatisfied and constantly feeling empty.  If we all kept track of the tragedies and life's sour moments that have happened to us, we would all be waiting for someone to make up for our losses, waiting for pay back is going to be a long disappointing road. Thats jus... 01/26/2009

When something doesn't go the way you planned or expected, are you the type of person who rapidly posts your own "DEAD END" sign? Or are you the kind of person who can still see something to draw from it?  Have you ever squeezed an orange for juice and even when you thought you had gotten everything you could out of it, there was still more to be squeezed..... When you go into a situation expecting a specific outcome, when that isn't the outcome that you get what is your reaction? Do you throw your hands up or just blow it off as a 'bust'?  Life can be quite a 'road trip'....whether its business or family or even the day-to-day, but when the unexpected or unplanned happens life goes from "Road Trip" to "Adventure".  I mean the SUV is loaded, you've got your map in hand, GPS is functioni... 01/22/2009

Although Tula 's housing market will drop at least 1.1% by the end of the year before it begins its recovery process, the city still tied with Houston for the Nation's sixth best performing housing market during a recession.  Yeah, Tulsa ! Because Tulsa has had a low home value growth since 2004, going from an average of $100,000 to $130,000, home values don't have nearly as far to fall when compared to housing markets that have skyrocketed over the past few years. Since the downfall of the housing market, renters have seen an increase of 7.4% in the rent they pay.  One bedroom units are now at $481.00 and two bedroom units are at $660.00.  Both are the highest prices Tulsa has ever seen. Typically rent only rises when the local economy is good and jobs are being added.  However, becaus... 01/21/2009

While his fortunes may have taken a dip one senses that he will bounce back for he has been down this road before. You see He has been a pauper, three times a millionaire, twice bankrupt as well as being a billionaire.However, he would not have been able to build any of his fortunes in the first place if it had not been for one thing. This is the secret to his success and it is something that anyone striving for success needs.To put things into perspective though, we need to go back in time to his upbringing. Bill Bartmann was one of eight children. His parents were uneducated and so could not command well-paying jobs. He describes having to move frequently and even, on occasion, being turned out of dwellings because they were deemed not fit for human habitation.He has been homeless and... 01/20/2009

Imagine you had a friend who had lost a hundred pounds in the course of a year, they worked out and ate right and took all the steps to move forward to getting healthy.  Then imagine after they reached their goal weight they decided to celebrate by buying a 100 lb bar bell, they bought special straps for the bar bell so they could carry it around on their back all day and everyday.  Sounds crazy doesn't it?  How many people actually do this with everything else in life, emotionally and mentally, business and personal? Who wants be one of those people? When you carry around dead weight, it makes every other task more challenging than what it should be.  Focusing mentally on anything productive is hard to do when your mind has things in the back trying to push their way forward.  Dead wei... 01/20/2009

It can be a challenge to stay positive when we are constantly reminded of things that could be or can go wrong.  Even watching tv can be a challenge with the media's perspective.  Some of the things we hear could potentially send some people into "panic overdrive".  It is wise to be prepared, but there is a huge difference between 'being prepared' and 'dwelling on the worst case scenario'. Our reactions can actually change a situation for better or worse.  When you dread something happening, you are thinking about it negatively and in a sense almost making it happen.  Its like when you fear it, you are experiencing the emotion you would have if it was actually happening, why go through all that when you don't have to.  Some people, at the first sign of possible bad weather, they are rea... 01/19/2009

Overall rents increased 7.4 percent, according to a survey by CB Richard Ellis/Oklahoma. Average rates now range from $481 for a one-bedroom unit to $660 for a two-bedroom, two-bath unit — the highest levels ever seen in Tulsa. David Forrest, the author of the report, said rents typically rise when the local economy is doing well and adding jobs, though last year's frustrations in home buying and home construction contributed by leading more people to rent. "The apartments have benefited from the expense of the single-family market," he said. However, he noted most of the year's growth occurred during the first nine months. After that, the recession kicked in and rent increases slowed to a crawl, Forrest said. The bad economic news affected occupancy as well, as the year-end total of 92... 01/17/2009

Never Go Out Without Lipstick -- You Might Just Run across a News Reporter Here I was minding my own business walking my dogs this morning along Riverside Drive in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I noticed all the stakes and flags in the ground at I-44 and Riverside along with a bunch of heavy equipment.  So I told my boys, Obed and Tucker, that if we did not stroll along Skelly Drive there today, we might not be able to do it tomorrow or next week because they will be building a big wall there soon. So we wandered eastward toward Peoria.  There were lots of trucks and heavy equipment where there has heretofore been none. Then we noticed the people -- well dressed people in long wool dress coats and workers with vests and jackets with the words Sherwood stamped across the back.  One gentleman was spe... 01/16/2009

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 no... 01/16/2009

Whether we are the direct blame for an outcome or just involved in the result, there is an opportunity for excuse or reason.  Reason is a rational motive for a belief or action but an excuse is a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise.  The key word in the definition for reason would be "rational"...in the definition for excuse it would be "defense".  Reasoning is thinking that is coherent and logical, and an excuse is a poor example.  Remember when we were kids and mom would say "don't give me that excuse" or "stop making excuses".  If we take a detour off the path and make a mistake, just own up, take responsibility, it makes the recovery go smoother. If someone does us wrong, we don't really want to hear excuses, do we? We can be understanding and let pe... 01/16/2009

I am pretty sure everyone has had an experience where they had something, maybe it was a relationship or buying a new car or new home, where we thought "this is it, this is great", realizing later that maybe it was truly great but not as great as something GREATER.  What if we went ahead and strived for something "greater" from the beginning?  THINK BIG!! THINK BETTER!!  We, as humans, can sometimes be emotionally lead, (not all of us, all the time) but we have quick knee-jerk reactions to the things that make us happy, in that moment.  When we are making decisions we should always be keeping in mind, "what do I have once the newness has worn off?", "just because this is great, is there something greater for me?", "is this exactly what I want?".  I know not everyone will grab this conce... 01/15/2009

Contrary to what you might have heard, there is no shortage of mortgage money in this country! In fact, there is probably more money available now, than at any time in the history of the world. A simple estimate would be more than a TRILLION DOLLARS is waiting for people to use to purchase new homes by either FNMA, FHLMC, FHA, VA, not to mention the almost endless supply of private money worldwide. What has taken place is the almost free ride in lending is over. Borrowers now need to have down payments and be employed. Yes, you have to be able to pay back the money you borrow. You can't go out and buy ten or fifteen "Primary Residences" and just provide a copy of a lease signed by your brother in law so you can go purchase house number sixteen. You also have to have some kind of history... 01/15/2009

My Furry Valentine -- A Silent Auction Benefitting StreetCats, Inc. is Scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2009 I just received an invitation to attend a dessert tasting and silent auction benefitting StreetCats, Inc., a non-profit organization located on East 60th Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma on the northeast corner of 61st and Sheridan behind Charlie's Chicken and across from the Farm Shopping Center. The event is called My Furry Valentine and will feature luscious sweets and "purr"fect gifts.  All proceeds will benefit homeless kitties awaiting adoption in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The stated mission of StreetCats, Inc. is:  StreetCats, Inc. believes that all cats deserve a home. We wish to reduce the population of unwanted cats by maintaining a spay and neuter program for feral cats and by shelte... 01/14/2009

We all know there are a lot of ways to show respect to those around us. For example; be polite, hold the door, don't interrupt....you know, all the guidelines that mom and dad and grandparents try to instill, but there are ways to show respect that aren't as obvious (to some).  It is a common understanding that everyone has different lifestyles.  You could walk into a neighbors house and they probably keep the tupperware in a different cabinet than you do or the lunch meat is in a different drawer in the fridge.  One person may not mind tackling piles of clothes just to find the couch, when another person may want all the fringe on the throw rug straightened out so they can relax. Some people bring their home enviroment to work.  In some of cases, that isn't necessarily a bad thing, you... 01/14/2009

The City of Tulsa is looking for ways to bring people together in the Evans-Fintube industrial area near downtown.  And designers brought in by a grant the city won are already bringing their ideas forward to transform the Evans-Fintube industrial area into a signature gathering place for arts and culture.  Designers gathered in City Hall to discuss the proposed area that borders U.S. 75, Interstate 244, and Oklahoma State University .  Transforming the area into an arts and culture section will be challenging, but it can be done.  Many residents think it's the perfect site for gathering. The city currently owns 20 acres of the 40-acre industrial area.  There are two large industrial buildings that are very unique in architectural design.  Their condition is poor at the moment.  However... 01/14/2009

How to Make Ribbon Bows for Birthday Presents or Christmas Gifts.  Make these bows now in assorted sizes and they will be ready in every color and size when the occasion arises throughout the year.   Now you won't have to run to Miss Jackson's at Utica Square just to get the wonderful bows that come with expensive gift wrapping.  Nor will you be frustrated that the big bag of bows from Walmart contains only bows that are two inches across. Yes, you can now make "ginormous" bows.  (I learned that word last week while showing property.  Yes, we are busy in Tulsa.  Our Tulsa real estate market is really hopping right now.  But I digress.  "Ginormous" applies to both closets and holiday bows.) Watch the entire video and you will understand how to make "ginormous" bows and teenie weenie bows... 01/07/2009

This will be one sweet December with many great holiday events in Tulsa , Oklahoma .  The Tulsa Performing Arts Center's holiday-themed shows will take center stage with everything from free concerts to traditional Christmas caroles.  Sweet December Events: December 11-23 - Catch the most beloved productions of all time, A Christmas Carole.  In tune with the Christmas Carole production, the set will feature authentic Victorian parlors and shops.  There will be a large cast of adults and children to add to the joy of the tale. December 12-20 - To balance the sweetness, the ATC will present the one-man show The Santaland Diaries.  The play is of a humorist elf and his adventures as a Macy's department store elf.  This production is for mature audiences, but never-the-less a great producti... 12/10/2008

There are a couple facts about living in the Tulsa area.  It get's cold and we have critters and insects.  You put the two together and the critters and insects start to move in to the house where it is nice and warm.  Be prepared for the cold weather to come, if you haven't already sprayed your home for insects and spiders, do it NOW!  The insect spray that you buy at Lowe's or Home Depot isn't potent enough, from my experience.  You can go to a place called Lesco 918-665-6811, its at 10825 E. 55th Pl.  There you can purchase a product that the professionals use, just follow directions and you will be on your way to protecting your home from invading insects and spiders.  It works! While at Lesco, you can pick up sticky mice traps, not saying you have mice but you can never be too safe... 12/08/2008

While many areas around the country have seen a drop in home values, Tulsa , Oklahoma has stayed the same.  Home values didn't raise one single dollar over the last year, but in today's real estate market, it's good news not to see a drop in home values. Homes that have been able to hold their value over this past year have been an amazing accomplishment.  Most areas around the nation have seen a 9.7% drop in home values.  Many people will agree that Tulsa is very healthy when compared to the rest of the country. Although you can find a handful of other communities faring well, just about all of them can be found in the Midwest .  Tulsa 's home sales are also doing better than the rest of the nation.  But, home sales in Tulsa are down 1.7%.  Compared to the nation's 3.3% drop, that's no... 12/02/2008

                                         October 2008    October 2007    revised Sept 2008 Listings Processed                        1,944             1,004              1,942 Year-to-Date                               20,942          21,576              18,998 For Sale Last Day of Month            6,509           6,629                6,468 MSI +                                            8.2              6.6                    6.4 Monthly Inventory                         8,412           8,723                8,572 Pending Contracts                          792             1,004                1,003 Residential Closings                       972             1,088                1,058 Year-to-Date                                10,057         11,361               9,085 Average Sales Pric... 12/02/2008