Educating people - both buyers and sellers - is extremely important in today’s real estate market.  So many people do not understand broker relationships, the real estate contract, lending option or the closing process.  We at Lakeshore Realty know the importance of helping to educate our customers and clients.  Therefore, we have started a monthly FREE educational/informational seminar for the general public on real estate related subjects.

We will begin tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 12th at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Eufaula Lakeshore Realty office (4 miles east of Eufaula on Highway 9).  Our guest speaker will be Gayla Major, Mortgage Loan Officer for Arvest Bank in McAlester.  Gayla will be talking about HUD Section 184 which is an Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program specifically for Native Americans.  With Section 184 financing you can get into a home with a low down payment and no mortgage insurance.  If you are American Indian and a member of a Federally recognized tribe, this program may be just the thing you are looking for.

During the seminar Gayla will answer questions including:  1) Why a loan program specific to Native Americans exists; 2) How Section 184 works and 3) Who is eligible for a Section 184 loan.

All interested persons are invited and encouraged to attend.  You can call the Eufaula Lakeshore Realty office for more information at:  918-452-3184

I encourage all buyers to get a home inspection.  With a home inspection buyers can collect more detailed information on the property they are considering in in order to make a more informed decision.  However, most people think only of a general home and termite inspection when they think about what to look for.  A lot of people do not think about other types of inspections such as environmental and structural inspections.  As a REALTOR in a rural lake area, I believe it is important to consider a septic system inspection and if a property includes a dock - a dock inspection.  I know of people who have closed on their properties only to begin having septic system problems and then having to put in an aerobic septic system which is about double the cost of a traditional septic system.  Likewise, people buying property which includes a boat dock and have no knowledge of docks or boat lifts, would be wise to get these structures inspected prior to closing.  Dock repairs can be quite costly.  Be informed and know the specifics of the property you are planning on buying.  It could save you a lot of money down the road.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, nine out of ten buyers use a REALTOR in their search for a home.  88% of people use a REALTOR to sell their home. And, in 2006, people who used a REALTOR to help them sell their home received an average of 32% more than for sale by owners.  These two facts alone are reason enough to call or e-mail Eufaula Lakeshore Realty.  It is a good thing, too if you are in Oklahoma where the price of homes continued to rise last year while many places in the United States went down.  In Oklahoma, the value of homes were up 4.88% according to the Oklahoma Association of Realtors.

All of this to say, it is good to be living in Oklahoma and if you are in the market for a home or to sell a home - choose a REALTOR to help you.  Call or email Eufaula Lakeshore Realty and let us help you meet your real estate needs.

 REALTORS are committed to a Code of Ethics that makes our services high quality and professional.  We can help sellers prepare their homes for sale, provide a comprehensive market analysis; offer suggestions getting your home ready to sell; walk you through the legalities of selling your home, familiarize you with the paper work; help screen potential buyers by making sure they are pre-qualified; and assisting you through the closing process.  We are knowledgeable of the communities around Lake Eufaula, can assist with home inspections, home warranties and neighborhood questions.

We have the expertise in marketing your property as sellers and the ability and resources to search through hundreds of properties if you are a buyer through the local Multiple Listing Service.  We have the contacts with potential buyers and sellers and other REALTORS to assist you selling your home or finding the right one in a timely manner.

We take the time to do things right.  We help you prepare your home, market your home and make sure the “i’s” are dotted and the “t’s” are crossed.  Buying or selling a home is one of your biggest investments in life.  Don’t go it alone - be protected and represented by calling a REALTOR today!  Call Karen at Eufaula Lakeshore Realty - 918-605-7405 or email Karen@KarenWeldin.com