Real Estate Information, Lawton Blog

Giving taxes a 3-day weekend

Monday, August 03, 2009

by Lawton Real Estate Group

Giving taxes a 3-day weekend

Most clothes under $100 will be tax-free

By JOSH ROUSE
STAFF WRITER
JROUSE @LAWTON -CONSTITUTION .COM

   Prepare to shop until you drop with no threat of sales tax this weekend at all local retailers.
   The Oklahoma Tax Commission is holding the state’s annual sales tax weekend from 12:01 a.m. Friday until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9. During that time, all essential clothing items under $100 will be sales tax exempt. Many local retailers hope the prospect of saving more than 8 cents on the dollar will add up to big sales during a sluggish economy.
   “With the economy being as slow as it is, we’re banking on people wanting to take advantage of all the savings they can get,” said JCPenney store manager Robert Moore. “Here in Lawton, we’ve got a larger population than we did last year, so that should equal more people coming out to shop.”
   Preparations have already been made for the impending sales tax weekend. Moore has been store manager of JCPenney for the previous two sales tax weekends in Oklahoma and has experience from similar weekends in Texas. This is the third year Oklahoma has done a sales tax holiday weekend and judging from Texas history, Moore hopes retailers will be in for a pleasant surprise.
   “In Texas, the first year was a big hit because it was something new,” he said. “The second year was a little down, but the third year’s numbers were up there with the first year. Last year in Oklahoma, sales were down a little, but all signs are pointing to a big year again.”
   Lower gas prices will no doubt affect people’s shopping habits, Moore said. People are paying more than a dollar a gallon less than they were last year. He said that should add up to bigger savings. Even though jobs are scarce, the local job economy is still strong and children are still going to need new clothes for school.
   “Hopefully, more people will have more money to spend on back to school clothing that they didn’t have last year,” Moore said. “We’re ready for those people.”
   JCPenney is holding its company-wide “Big Sale” on the same weekend as the tax free holiday. Moore said the store also has extended hours for early and late shoppers. His advice: come early to get the best savings.
   “The best time to come in and shop anywhere will be early in the morning or later in the evening,” Moore said. “People are going to rush between noon and 2 p.m. and it’s going to be packed.”
   Management at the Central Mall is also planning on a large volume of people coming through the doors between Friday and Sunday. Gary Morgan, operations manager, said the mall’s hours will be extended over the weekend in hopes of making the shopping experience more pleasant for customers.
   “We’re anticipating larger numbers and doing what we can to accommodate them,” Morgan said. “This is a good thing for Lawton and a good thing for the community. We hope more people decide to shop local this year.”
   The Central Mall will start its Cotton promotion this week as well. Customers who spend $150 or more on cotton items will receive a $20 gift card to any business in the mall. Combined with the extended operating hours, Morgan sees a lot of people doing their back-to-school clothes shopping early.
   “Every year this gets bigger and more people come in,” he said. “Perhaps they’re finally picking up on the fact Oklahoma is doing this and they want to take advantage. This looks to be the biggest year yet.”
   Jessica Glass, assistant store manager at Ross Dress for Less, said she wouldn’t be surprised to see people shopping for clothes for themselves, unrelated to back-to-school.
   “I think everyone is going to take advantage of the tax free shopping,” she said. “There’s no stipulation that you have to buy for your children. It’s a great thing for everyone looking to buy some new clothes.”
   Like other retailers, Glass is expecting a large turnout throughout the weekend. She doesn’t think there will be one popular item in demand this year. Most people are just going to try to grab what they can for as cheap as they can. But she thinks this will be a big weekend and will help ailing sales.
   “We’re definitely looking at a lot of people coming in over the three days,” she said. “It was a big thing last year and there’s no reason it couldn’t be bigger this year.”

JEFF DIXON/STAFF LaMeesha Jones helps Emyr Quinonas pick out a pair of pants at JCPenney in the Central Mall. Local retailers are expecting large crowds this weekend when most clothing items under $100 will be exempt from sales tax.

Area news

These guys are good!

Friday, July 10, 2009

by Lawton Real Estate Group

We had our new construction homes listed with another real estate firm for several months and they had very little showings and only held the homes open one or two times. We made the switch to United Country Lawton Real Estate Group and within 30 days we had 2 of the three homes under contract and they even got one of them closed in 11 days! When we made the switch we had 2 more homes being built and they even sold one of those before we even finished it with less than 40 days on the market.

They don’t say they will guarantee it, they just do it! They make things happen for their sellers and buyers; they help people find their freedom.

I suggest that if you want to get your home sold and with the greatest of ease, you give the people over at United County Lawton Real Estate Group a call today!

No one is better at helping you Find Your Freedom!

Summit Ridge Construction

Testimonials

They do it!

Friday, July 10, 2009

by Lawton Real Estate Group

Hello, this is Cameron University Men’s and Women’s head tennis coach James Helvey. Some Real Estate Professionals make a lot of Guarantees and promises they never keep. The guys over at United Country Lawton Real Estate Group bought my home so I could buy a home they had listed for sale.

They don’t say they will guarantee it, they just do it! They make things happen for their sellers and buyers; they help people find their freedom.

I suggest that if you want to get your home sold and with the greatest of ease, you give the people over at United County Lawton Real Estate Group a call today!

No one is better at helping you Find Your Freedom!

Testimonials

ADA school officially arrives at Fort Sill

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

by Lawton Real Estate Group

ADA school officially arrives at Fort Sill

BY MITCH MEADOR STAFF WRITER

MMEADOR @LAWTON -CONSTITUTION .COM

   The Air Defense Artillery (ADA) School is officially here, and so is its schoolhouse brigade.
   Fort Sill had a ceremony Tuesday to uncase the colors of the ADA, the ADA School and the 6th ADA Brigade, along with its three battalions.
   As part of the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg, commanding general of Fort Bliss, Texas, transferred his authority as chief of ADA and commandant of the ADA School to Brig. Gen. Roger F. Mathews. Mathews, who has begun moving into his new office in Snow Hall, will serve as the ADA counterpart of the Field Artillery School commandant, Brig. Gen. Ross E. Ridge, in the Fires Center of Excellence.
   Relocating the ADA School to Fort Sill as part of the Fires Center of Excellence was one of the recommendations made by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission in September 2005. Congress turned those recommendations into law effective Nov. 9, 2005, and implementation of BRAC is scheduled to be complete by September 2011, according to Fort Sill narrator John Beemer.
   “The movement of the (ADA) School and the 6th ADA Brigade to Fort Sill enhances the military value of Fort Sill, upholds the Army’s force structure plan and promotes Army transformation by co-locating institutional training on a single installation, facilitating force stabilization and engagement training,” Beemer said.
   “It’s a great crowd, and it’s nice to see so many guests here representing this historic event,” Bromberg said as he thanked Joanne Vangjel, wife of the Fort Sill commanding general, the City of Lawton and Mayor John Purcell for all they have done to receive the soldiers and families coming here from Fort Bliss.
   “The support from the Lawton community has absolutely been wonderful. I really can’t thank you enough for your support and your genuine concern for our families and our soldiers,” Bromberg said.
   The transfer of authority ceremony has been a long time coming, he said.
   “A change like this doesn’t happen overnight. It doesn’t happen easily. There are so many people who have been instrumental in getting this to where we are today,” said Bromberg.
   The Fort Bliss commander said he’s sorry to break Mathews’ heart, but the tough work is really just beginning.
   “The physical piece and the mental piece have been done in some regard, but you and your team now have a lot of work to do to take this opportunity and help build this Fires Center out for greater capability for our nation,” Bromberg said.
   He said this is a bittersweet day for many air defenders, who have trained at Fort Bliss for 41 years to be the “First to Fire” to protect their formations and their homeland, and to allow U.S. maneuver commanders the freedom to operate.
   “We’ll say goodbye to a lot of Air Defense history at Fort Bliss as we bring it up here to Fort Sill. And that’s OK. That’s part of change. Being in the Army means many of us are transient. As soldiers we don’t stay put very long before moving on to new units, new installations and new missions.
   “So to have a specific installation attached to our branch, we’ve always had a place to come back to … and now we just have to shift that new home here to Fort Sill,” Bromberg said.
   “Moving the branch doesn’t change the legacy of this great branch. The history of ADA will continue,” said Bromberg, noting the shared beginnings of ADA and FA, which also share a common mission.
   “We must remember, as we train side by side with the Fires Center of Excellence, that we build our Fires legacy for the future, and bring us to greater places,” he said. “We’re ready to go forward and bring this capability to the next generation.”
   Mathews, as he took the podium, said, “It’s a great day to be a soldier, and it’s a great day to be a Fort Sill soldier. ... Welcome to a new chapter in the history of Air Defense Artillery.”
   Mathews thanked all the soldiers who made the move possible, as well as the cities of El Paso and Lawton and the leadership of the two garrisons. It began some years ago with the Army’s vision of establishing centers of excellence.
   “Bringing us back together is not easy. It wasn’t easy, and it will continue to be tough work. It involves more than moving people and equipment. It involves changing the hearts and minds of folks,” he said.
   Mathews said Tuesday’s ceremony is a representation of the two branches’ future as they enter an exciting new era of finding out how they can complement each other.
   “This change comes at the right time. We are a nation at war, and we’re committed globally. We don’t have the luxury to focus all of our effort into one theater of operation. … The threats we face are complex, sophisticated, and demand that we remain constantly prepared. … It makes sense to gain efficiencies wherever we can do that, and wherever possible to integrate our capabilities for a larger effect,” Mathews said.
   “It’s my pledge to you here today to bring this warfighting capability to the front, and to continue the legacy of providing superb, highly trained, combat-ready soldiers in defense of our nation,” he said.
   “In closing, we hate to say goodbye, but it’s so great to say hello, and it’s great day to be a Fort Sill soldier. Hooah!”

STEPHEN ROBERTSON/STAFF Maj. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg, commanding general of Fort Bliss, Texas, comments on the significance of Tuesday’s transfer of authority ceremony making Brig. Gen. Roger F. Mathews chief of the Air Defense Artillery (ADA) branch and commandant of the ADA School.

MATHEWS

STEPHEN ROBERTSON/STAFF The colors of one of the Air Defense Artillery (ADA) units arriving here with the new ADA School are uncased at a transfer of authority ceremony held at Fort Sill on Tuesday.

United Country Ranked #1 in Real Estate and #19 Overall Best Franchise by Dunn and Bradstreet's AllBusiness.com

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

by Lawton Real Estate Group

Incredible recognition from Dunn and Bradstreet.

United Country Real Estate has received the top ranking of all real estate franchises and number nineteen overall of ALL global franchise companies. This is the second time in as many years that United Country Real Estate has been recognized in the “Top 1%” of all franchise systems (the first coming from the Wall Street Journal’s survey) and the first time that we have soundly led all other real estate franchise brands (none of our competitors made the top 140).

Here is what they had to say after their independent survey of all global franchise organizations:

Why This Company Makes Our AllStar List

As the fallout from the nation's housing crash continues, it's no wonder United Country Auction Services, a division of United Country Real Estate, has experienced exceptional success in a rough economy. While selling a house through traditional means can take nine months or more, auctions can sell properties in as little as 45 to 60 days.

Although this growth is not solely attributable to homes in foreclosure, residential real estate auctions have grown 46.6 percent nationally during the past five years. In addition, at the end of last year, United Country Auctions aligned with Colliers International to provide accelerated transaction services to commercial real estate clients. With the number of commercial real estate properties needing to be sold likely increasing in the coming year, this new alliance means increased growth.

With over 80 years in business, United Country Real Estate has cornered the smaller real estate markets. The company's well-known name in the real estate industry and its expanding market reach with commercial properties have earned United Country Real Estate a high spot in this year's AllBusiness AllStar list.

Subway, Dunkin', 7-Eleven Rank Among Top Franchises
AllBusiness AllStar Franchise ranks the top 300 franchise companies.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – According to AllBusiness.com, more than 650,000 small businesses will start up within the next year alone, many of which will be franchises. For this reason, the online media and e-commerce company launched its first ranking of the top 300 franchises.
Here are the top 10 franchises according to AllBusiness:
Subway: The company's high profile also helped it rank #8 in Web visibility, a measure of brand awareness.
Dunkin' Donuts: The company also came in at #10 for longevity, #12 for system size, #27 for growth and #37 for Web visibility.
Choice Hotels International: With 60 years in business, Choice Hotels is ranked #2 overall in the ranking for longevity, as well as #2 in Web visibility.
7-Eleven: 7-Eleven ranks high in several categories, but most notably in growth, where it ranked #2 overall.
Jazzercise: Jazzercise has kept going strong since the company was founded nearly 40 years ago.
Jani-King: With over 12,000 franchises worldwide, Jani-King's impressive ranking of #3 in system size helped propel it to its spot near the top of the list.
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar: Founded in 1982, the company nearly doubled its number of units between 2007 and 2008, propelling it to a rank of #6 in the growth category and #68 in system size.
Hampton Inn/Hampton Inn & Suites: Franchisees are benefiting from the mid-priced hotels' appeal to business travel buyers who are looking for more cost-effective places to stay.
Smoothie King: The company added 70 stores last year, giving it a strong ranking of #51 in growth and #83 in system size.
Denny's: The company is #23 on the list in terms of longevity; it's been in business since 1953 and franchising for 46 years.
19. United Country Real Estate
As the fallout from the nation's housing crash continues, it's no wonder United Country Auction Services, a division of United Country Real Estate, has experienced exceptional success in a rough economy. While selling a house through traditional means can take nine months or more, auctions...

Franchise Directory
Explore hundreds of top franchise opportunities
See More Franchises: Real Estate Brokerages
United Country Real Estate
Real estate brokerage and auction business located primarily in rural areas
Overview

Cost & Financing
In the words of United Country Real Estate, “We’re the only national real estate franchise system specializing in properties in America’s small cities, towns, and recreational areas.” The company handles country homes, historic, horse, mountain, waterfront, and retirement properties, farms/ranches, recreational land, and small businesses. According to United Country, affiliates benefit from nationwide advertising of their listings and an average of more than 75 corporate-generated, no-fee buyer leads per week. Affiliates also have access to training, marketing tools, and technology, including a shared network of more than 700 local office Web sites, a proprietary buyer database of more than 300,000 buyers, computer software, and back office technology support.
Why This Company Makes Our AllStar List
As the fallout from the nation's housing crash continues, it's no wonder United Country Auction Services, a division of United Country Real Estate, has experienced exceptional success in a rough economy. While selling a house through traditional means can take nine months or more, auctions can sell properties in as little as 45 to 60 days.

Although this growth is not solely attributable to homes in foreclosure, residential real estate auctions have grown 46.6 percent nationally during the past five years. In addition, at the end of last year, United Country Auctions aligned with Colliers International to provide accelerated transaction services to commercial real estate clients. With the number of commercial real estate properties needing to be sold likely increasing in the coming year, this new alliance means increased growth.

With over 80 years in business, United Country Real Estate has cornered the smaller real estate markets. The company's well-known name in the real estate industry and its expanding market reach with commercial properties have earned United Country Real Estate a high spot in this year's AllBusiness AllStar list.

AllStar Franchise
AllStar Rank: 19 See All AllStar Franchises
United Country Real Estate
2820 Northwest Barry Road
Kansas City, MO 64154
800-444-5044
Fast Facts
Year established1925
Franchising since1997
Can be run from home?No
Number of employees needed3 - 20
Multiple units must be purchased in U.S.No
% of franchisees who own multiple units10%
Absentee ownership allowed?Yes

Expanding in These Locations
Worldwide, Central America, United States

United Country

Lawton Fort Sill Named the “Official Best City in Oklahoma 2009”

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

by Lawton Real Estate Group

The Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce announced that Lawton Fort Sill has been named the “Official Best City in Oklahoma 2009” by the “Official Best Of” television company.

Lawton Fort Sill is the “Official Best City in Oklahoma 2009” and will be featured in the “Official Best of Oklahoma” TV special. This half hour travel show airs June 27, 2009 at noon on KWTV Channel 9 in Oklahoma City. This recognition closely follows the Business Week magazine endorsement of Lawton Fort Sill being the “Best Place to Raise Kids in Oklahoma”.

The “Official Best of” television company research department investigated the top 12 attractions in the state of Oklahoma and based their selection of Lawton Fort Sill on positive independent reviews and outstanding visitor testimonials.
“We are impressed with Lawton Fort Sill’s events and cultural attraction, its military component, location and livability,” expresses Caralea Page, Associate Producer for the “Official Best Of” television company.

KTUL News Channel 8 Tulsa is also featuring Lawton Fort Sill in a summer series called “Affordable Adventures” which is a series of four stories about the fun opportunities to experience in our region (air date to be determined). KSWO Channel 7 Lawton has also expressed interest in covering the “Official Best City in Oklahoma 2009” story plus other positive national attention the Lawton Fort Sill community is receiving.

Dana Davis, President and CEO of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber stated, “This confirms the positive efforts of the City of Lawton and our Tourism Department in marketing Lawton as an outstanding place to live and visit. We are tremendously pleased with Lawton Fort Sill being selected as the “2009 Official Best City in Oklahoma”.

After the television special airs on June 27, a two-minute segment is available via streaming video on the www.OfficialBestOf.com website.

Today's real estate market offers a truly unique opportunity to buy! Make sure you are doing your part to spread the word about what a great time it is to buy in Lawton - Fort Sill right now!

Area news

Lawton Fort Sill Market Snapshot June 15, 2009

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

by Lawton Real Estate Group

Today's real estate market offers a truly unique opportunity to buy! Make sure you are doing your part to spread the word about what a great time it is to buy in Lawton - Fort Sill right now!

The goal of the Market Snapshot is to educate you on our current market conditions and should help all the bankers see where the good and soft markets are as well as help the builders get a solid look at what is going on and make their business plans as educated as possible.

If you know of anyone that would benefit from this snapshot please let me know and I will add them to the mailing list. Remember that this information is obtained from Paragon MLS and deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to give us a call! We are here to help! If you have any questions about selling your home or buying your next home, please contact us, we are here to help!

P.S. Don't forget that United Country Lawton Real Estate Group and Stallings Auction are here for all your real estate needs! National marketing, Local expertise!

			*Market Snapshot for Lawton Fort Sill and Surrounding Area*

	Active Listings	Actual New Const	Pendings	Expireds Last 6 Months	Solds Last 6 Months	Sold / Month	Months of Invent.	Average Sold Price	List to Sales Price Ratio	Days on Market
0 - 49,999	94	0	67	29	156	25.8	3.6	$ 29,302.00	87.2%	105
50,000 - 99,999	305	0	105	148	180	30	10.2	$ 77,051.00	97.0%	116
100,000 - 149,999	215	19	89	68	167	27.8	7.7	$ 123,825.00	98.2%	123
150,000 - 199,999	182	45	61	60	112	18.7	9.7	$ 174,908.00	98.8%	131
200,000 - 249,999	101	10	34	13	56	9.3	10.9	$ 222,075.00	97.8%	141
250,000 - 299,999	44	14	18	28	30	5	8.8	$ 270,475.00	99.1%	142
300,000 - 349,999	28	11	4	7	12	2	14	$ 320,570.00	96.3%	154
350,000 - 399,999	15	6	1	1	5	0.8	18.8	$ 371,920.00	98.9%	136
400,000 - 449,999	3	0	0	1	2	0.3	10	$ 414,000.00	97.6%	154
450,000 - 499,999	3	1	0	2	2	0.3	10	$ 467,500.00	97.9%	151
500 +	6	0	2	0	1	0.2	30	$ 550,000.00	86.0%	243
Market Totals	996	106	381	357	723	120.5	8.3	$ 120,739.00	97.4%	122
4 Wks Prior	1033	125	366	373	703	117.2	8.8	$ 118,139.00	97.3%	128

Market Snapshot

Should I Buy a Home Now?

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

by United Country

I'm often asked if this is a good time to buy a home. Some clients are concerned that home prices may fall further than they have already. They are assuming that the best course of action is to wait for the bottom in the market and then buy. The problem with this approach is that you don't know where the bottom is until you see it in the rear view mirror, meaning until you've missed it!

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have gone up in the last six months, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, if home prices come down a little further but interest rates go up, it could cost you even more to service a mortgage on an identical home!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates and low home prices, rather than to hope for a further break in prices in the future.

Please give me a call if I can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.