If you’ve been browsing our available homes section, you’ve likely noticed that our homes feature walk-in showers in the master bathroom. We’ve found that these walk-in, and often frameless showers are a hit with Tulsa area home buyers.

But, why should you prioritize finding a new home with a walk-in shower? Here are a few reasons.

Walk-in showers save space in your master bath

If you’ve lived in a home with a cramped or cluttered master bathroom, you know how frustrating that can be. In addition to fitting in more features and counter space, having a spacious master bath simply feels more relaxing and gives you room to move freely. Walk-in showers saves space by fitting into corners and they give the illusion of space thanks to their glass enclosures.

Walk-in showers are safer

A large portion of accidents in the home happen in the bathroom. The floors can be slick and often get wet, which makes a fall more likely. A walk-in shower reduces fall risks by simply living up to its name. Rather than having to step over a tub, or the lip on a traditional stall shower’s tray, you can walk in and out without the risk of tripping. The glass surrounding the shower is also helpful to allow more light in, and allow you to see the rest of the bathroom while you shower.

Walk-in showers are easy to maintain

Frameless showers have less hardware than a typical shower, which means there are fewer nooks and crannies to clean. Instead, you have easy to clean tempered glass panels, and a tiled floor that can be mopped along with the rest of your bathroom.

Walk-in showers are durable, and retain value

The typical pieces that wear out first on a shower are the hinges and seals. Walk-in showers minimize the potential for wear and tear, which means they last longer and retain their original look. In addition to keeping your home as beautiful as the day you bought it, walk-in showers also boost the value of your home. So, if you ever decide to sell your home, your master bathroom with the sleek walk-in shower will help bring in more buyers.

If you’re looking for a home with modern features like walk-in showers, granite counters, and patio fireplaces in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, or Bixby, browse through our available homes and call us today.

When you start looking for a new home, you likely have a few features in mind to look for. That might be a wood burning fireplace, large master bath, wood flooring, or lots of large windows and natural light. Whatever features are most valuable to you in a new home, it’s easy to be wowed by them when you see them and forget to adequately check the rest of what the home has to offer.

Here are a few important areas to check when house hunting. These can contain minute details that will give you a good idea of what shape the house is really in.

Windows

There’s a variety of things to check around the windows of a potential new home. First, look to see that there are enough windows for your liking. And, check that they’re located where you want them. You probably want at least a couple windows in the living room, but do you also want one in the study, or the kitchen and dining room, or bathroom? Next, inspect windows closely to see that the thermal seal is in good shape, the glass is intact, and they can all open and close securely. Particularly in older homes, windows may have been painted shut, or simply not been opened in years.

Attic

The attic isn’t always one of the stops on a typical realtor’s tour, but before you put in an offer, you’ll want to poke around up there. The first thing to look for is sunlight streaming in where it shouldn’t be. That can suggest roofing problems, or even hint at wildlife being able to enter the attic. While problems with the roof will likely show up on an inspection report, if you can spot them yourself, you can save yourself time and money. While you’re in the attic, look at how much insulation is installed. For wide ranging climates like Oklahoma’s, a lack of insulation can make for excessively cold winters.

Flooring

Many house hunters who have wood flooring on their ‘wants’ list don’t stop to inspect the flooring closer than that. But, whether you favor wood floors or carpeting, it’s important to look for stains, cracks, and signs of wear that could result in you replacing the flooring soon after closing. That might not be a deal breaker for buying the house, but it’s certainly something you’d like to budget for.

Neighborhood

The area around your home isn’t technically part of the house itself, but it is something that contributes to the home’s value. Not only should you feel comfortable in the neighborhood, but you should also feel confident that the area will continue to grow and improve in the near future. If there’s a quality school nearby, and hospitals, police or fire stations, grocery stores and other shopping, you’re probably in good shape. Checking the area’s crime statistics, which are available online, is also a good step to take. And, think about how the location will impact your day to day life. If it’s far away from your work, or makes you take a more difficult route, that may not be the home for you.

If you’re in the market for a new home in the Tulsa, Bixby, or Broken Arrow area, look through our inventory of recently built homes. Or, contact us to start the process of building your own custom home.

While you’re certainly aware that your roof plays a significant role, it’s likely not something you think about every day. Most homeowners can go months at a time without being concerned with the current state of their roof. Replacing a roof, however, is a significant investment and it’s helpful to have a few months to plan for it. That’s why it’s important to periodically check the health of your roof. When you do, here are a few things to check on.

Age of your roof

You don’t necessarily have to get the ladder out and climb onto your roof to start your investigation. Your first step will be to determine the age of the roof. Typically, you can expect a roof to last about 20 to 25 years, however there are additional factors to consider. The number of layers of shingles and the ventilation will also impact the lifespan. Also, if the latest work done on the roof only laid new roofing over older layers, you’ll likely need to replace the roof sooner than 20 years.

Appearance of your shingles

The state of your shingles have a big impact on how effective your roof is. While you’ll be able to spot some warning signs from the ground, it’s best to go up and taker a closer look. Curling or buckling is a common symptom of older shingles that need to be replaced. This will usually occur first on the side of your roof that receives the most direct sunlight. So, check that area first. If shingles there look good, your roof is probably still in good shape. But, it’s probably a good idea to check the rest of your roof for missing shingles that may have blown off in a storm.

Chimney flashing content

The flashing around your chimney is what keeps it from leaking. If it’s made up of roof cement or tar, it’s not likely to last as long as your roof. Eventually, you’ll want to replace it with a more permanent solution like sheet metal. Leaky chimney flashing is probably the most common roof issue, so it’s definitely something you should watch for. If you’re building a new home, request a high quality material be used for your chimney flashing.

Feel of your roof

Finally, when you’re walking on your roof, does it feel solid, or is there a spongy feel to it. This could almost be similar to walking on a trampoline. This is a sign of weakened underlying decking. This is usually caused by moisture. Your next step will be to head to the attic to check for moisture in your insulation, and if there is any daylight being allowed through the roof boards.

Replacing your roof is costly, but it’s a necessary investment.

If you’re ready for a new home, contact us at Perry Hood Properties. We have a number of available homes throughout Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Bixby, and can also start construction on your custom home.

When it’s time to move, there’s plenty to concern yourself with. With packing, hiring movers, cleaning, and the dozens of other small tasks that need to get finished before moving day, it’s easy to forget about something important. Often, what’s forgotten is proper protection against identity theft. During a move, you’re at your most vulnerable for identity theft due to the large amount of paperwork that includes your personal information, the need to sign up and transfer services, mail being delivered to your old address, and other factors. Here are three tips that can help you protect yourself during your move.

Don’t Overshare

Before moving day, you’ll need to set up utilities at your new home, contact your cable company and transfer service, and potentially a handful of similar chores. Be extremely cautious about giving out personal information during this process, however. If you already have an account with a company, you probably shouldn’t need to give them your social security number again. It’s also unwise to give your information to workmen who come to your home to perform service, or to leave paperwork with your information lying around. If you’re starting new online accounts, be sure to set strong passwords for each. If possible, use 2-factor authentication, which provides further protection from hacking. Finally, shred any paperwork you don’t need to move, and box up any other papers with your information in files in a single box. Don’t load that box on a moving truck. Instead, move it yourself.

Monitor Yourself

Proactive protection against identity theft is a good start, but even if you’re vigilant, it’s possible for someone to steal your identity. That’s why it’s also important to continuously monitor your credit score, bank accounts, and other online accounts for suspicious activity. You can even sign up for services that will notify you any time a transaction is made on your bank or credit card account. Catching these fraudulent activities early is important to prevent significant damage and quickly recoup your losses. If you haven’t already gone to paperless billing, doing so ahead of your move is a good idea. This way, your old address won’t mistakenly be sent bills that could allow criminals to steal your identity after your move.

Address Notification

Another vital way to prevent your mail from ending up in someone else’s hands is to be vigilant about address notification and mail forwarding. Your first priority should be to inform government agencies that are most likely to send correspondence including your personal information of your move. Ensure the DMV, IRS, and Social Security Administration are aware of your address change. Your bank should also be high on the priority list. Once you’ve directly notified these organizations, and any others you receive mail from regularly, you can use a mail forwarding service offered by the US Postal Service, and many others. These will forward mail for a few months and notify the senders of your new address, but don’t rely on them completely. That may not cover holiday or birthday cards sent by relatives, or other correspondence that’s sent less periodically. While these are less likely to include personal information, it could be a valuable piece for a criminal who knows what they’re doing.

Moving can be a stressful time, but when you work with experienced companies, your move can go smoothly and efficiently.

Start with a home built by Perry Hood Properties. Browse through our list of currently available homes, or contact us to start the building process on the custom home of your dreams!

There’s a long list of tasks you’ll need to finish in order to enjoy a stress-free move into your new home. While preparing for a move, however, many of us fail to make adequate plans for the tasks we’ll need to accomplish once we’re all moved in. Here are a few of the most important things to do once your move into a new home is complete.

Check boxes

It’s a good idea to have an inventory list of boxes that should have made the trip from your old residence to your new house. If you have one, check that all the boxes made it safely. Be sure to check that they’ve arrived in good condition and the contents have not been damaged. Once everything is unpacked, check the boxes again to make sure nothing has been overlooked, then you can begin recycling or giving away your boxes to get them out of the way.

Gather receipts

Moving can be an expensive process, but if you’re organized and in the right circumstances, you may be able to write-off some of your expenses on your next tax return. In order to do so, you’ll need to keep all the receipts related to your move, however. That means getting a receipt from your moving company, or for renting a truck, plus receipts for any packing materials you bought. If you rented a storage unit for short-term storage, you may be able to write that off as well. Immediately after your move, make sure all of these receipts are accounted for, and put them together in a safe place.

Register

If you’ve moved from out of state, you’ll have some registering to do in your new home. You’ll want to start by registering your vehicle and getting new tags and plates. While you’re at the DMV, you can also get your new driver’s license. You have a grace period to get this registration completed, but it’s a good idea to take care of it before you forget. In most places, you can register to vote in your new state at the same time.

Get your mail

Before moving, you probably set up mail forwarding through the post office. Once you’re in your new home, it’s a good idea to check with the post office again to ensure mail is being forwarded properly. This would also be a good time to change your address on any important accounts you have, which would include any company who sends you a monthly bill, your bank, magazine subscriptions, and your office.

Create emergency list

If you’ve just moved across town, you may still be able to use the same emergency contacts as before. But, if you’ve moved farther away, you may need to do a little research to compile a list of who to call for certain emergencies. Get the local number to the nearest police station, hospital, pharmacy, and veterinarian if you have pets. You can also ask around and gather phone numbers for trusted plumbers, electricians and other workmen who you may need to call if something in your new home breaks suddenly.

There’s plenty more to be done once you’ve moved into a new home, but these tasks will get you started on your to-do list.

If you’re moving in Tulsa, Broken Arrow or Bixby, contact us at Perry Hood Properties. We can build a house for you, or offer you a move-in ready, recently constructed home in the best neighborhoods in the area.

Everyone wants a full, lush lawn in time for warmer temperatures. There’s nothing better than being able to enjoy your lawn throughout the summer, but it can be difficult in Oklahoma’s climate to maintain a healthy lawn. And, it’s even more difficult to repair your lawn after years of neglect. Spring is the perfect time to get started with lawn care, however, so here are some tips to help you create the lawn of your dreams.

pH Level

If you’re just starting out with lawn care, testing the pH level of your soil is a good first step. Failing to do this could result in a lot of wasted effort planting in soil that’s inhospitable to plant growth. Typically, you’ll want the pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Ideally, you’ll want to adjust the pH in the fall, but you can still make an impact in the spring. To increase the pH level, try adding lime. To decrease it, try adding sulfur or peat moss. Both of these are quick, short-term fixes, however, and you’ll want to be sure other nutrients, like calcium and magnesium, are at proper levels also.

Fertilizer

You likely already know that adding fertilizer to your lawn helps grass and other plants grow. You may not know, however, that fertilizer also helps to reduce weeds. With these dual benefits, you can’t miss out on fertilizing this spring. It’s recommended you fertilize with an organic, low nitrogen fertilizer at least twice each year, and as many as four times. The fertilizer you use will likely have instructions on how to spread it properly, but it’s a good idea to aerate your lawn before doing so.

Seeding

If your lawn is in bad shape, you’ll want to start by selecting a new grass type that fits Oklahoma’s climate. Cool season grasses like rye or bluegrass likely aren’t a good fit. Instead, opt for warm season grasses like Bermuda, or St. Augustine, which will hold up to the summer’s heat and are drought tolerant. Whether you’re planting the entire lawn, or just patching some bare patches, you don’t need to bury the seeds. Simply press them down into the soil, which will help keep them moist until germination. Water the seeds at least twice per week, and water deeply to promote the growth of deep roots.

Mowing

The way you mow your lawn will also have a significant impact on its health and growth. It’s usually a good idea to let your lawn grow a little longer than usual after seeds first begin to germinate after the winter. But, don’t cut it down too far when it’s finally time for the first trim of the spring. Try to only cut down about 2-inches each time you mow. This likely means you’ll need to mow a couple times within a few days of each other at first. You’ll be trying to reach an ideal height of 2.5″ to 3″. This will allow the soil to retain moisture better, and cut down on weeds and pests. It gets hot fast and stays hot late in Oklahoma during the summer, but try to get your mowing done in the morning, or just before sunset for best results. Finally, don’t follow the same pattern each time you mow. Mixing it up helps your grass to grow upright and be stronger.

If you’re ready for a new lawn to take care of this year, contact us at Perry Hood Properties. We build homes throughout Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Bixby with healthy green lawns, and lots of great features and amenities inside. Browse through our list of move-in ready homes, or contact us to get started building your own custom home.

There are a number of benefits related to adding trees to your home’s landscape. In addition to the obvious environmental benefits of cleaner air, and a shadier yard, trees around your home also give it better curb appeal, increasing property values by as much as 20 percent, and can lower your energy bills. A well placed tree can even obscure a less attractive view, or dampen noise from neighbors or nearby streets. But, before you start to reap the benefits, it’s important to consider exactly what’s important to you, why you want to add trees to your yard, and what space you have available. Here’s a quick rundown of how to choose the right tree for your home.

Choosing the right tree

As you probably already know, there’s a dizzying number of different tree species available, and each offers something unique. Making the right decision for you goes well beyond the aesthetic. Consider the various benefits each type of tree offers, and decide which of those benefits is most important. If energy savings are high on your list, you’ll want a large, deciduous tree like an oak or maple. These trees will grown large enough to provide shade through the hottest parts of the year, while also allowing sunlight through in the winter when their leaves have fallen. If providing shade year round is important, you’re better off with an evergreen tree. Additionally, you’ll always want to consider what will be falling from your tree. Some species’ branches hold up better to wind and winter storms. Others produce messy flowers, seeds, or nuts. This can be very important if your tree will share space with a swimming pool, or a garden you want to keep tidy. And, of course, many trees are a problem for allergy sufferers.

Assessing your yard

The makeup of your yard will also play a significant part in choosing a tree. Obviously, the less space you have, the smaller your tree needs to be. But it’s not just the amount of ground space. You’ll also want to consider how tall the tree will get, how wide it’s limbs spread, and its root system. Power lines and other utility lines may run overhead, or underground and be vulnerable to certain trees. Some trees have deep roots that can even interfere with water lines, or your septic system. For others, the problem lies near the surface where roots can disrupt sidewalks or driveways, or just present a hazard in your yard. You’ll also want to consider how you’ll be keeping your tree watered, especially during the first summer of its life. Some trees will require more maintenance in this area, and wouldn’t be recommended if you don’t have an irrigation system.

Generally, trees can be planted at any time of the year, but it’s usually recommended to try to plant them by early spring, before their dormant period ends.

If you’re ready to move into a new home before planting trees, contact us at Perry Hood Properties. We build new homes in desirable neighborhoods throughout Tulsa, Bixby and Broken Arrow, and also offer many already constructed, move-in ready homes. 

Once you’ve found the house of your dreams, you can turn your attention to the actual moving process. For many of us, this can be a stressful, busy time. But, by planning effectively and taking a few precautions, you can experience a trouble free move. Here are a few tips for making the moving process to your new home as easy as possible.

Pack

The first step for moving is to pack up everything you’re taking with you from your current home. This can be a long process, especially if you have kids’ rooms to pack up in addition to your own things. That’s why it’s important to start early. Even if you’re still house hunting, don’t be afraid to begin boxing up some of the items you rarely use. This process may also help you find items you can donate and giveaway, which gives you fewer items you need to pack. Be sure to use sturdy boxes with sealed lids, and keep each box under 50 pounds. Also, as you pack, label the boxes so it will be easier to unpack at your new home. Be sure your packing is completely finished by moving day, so it doesn’t slow down the actual moving process.

Prepare

Before you or your movers actually get started, it’s important that you know where everything will go, and how it will fit. You certainly don’t want to plan for a large piece of furniture to go in one room, only to find out while you’re holding it that it won’t fit through the door. So, take measurements of doorways, hallways, and other areas. Then, sketch out an idea of where each piece of furniture will go. This will make the move more efficient, as you can even label each box and piece of furniture with its intended destination. This also helps you prepare if special considerations need to be made, like if you need to lift something up to a balcony or be moved through a window.

Communicate

Once you’ve done the legwork, be sure you communicate all of your findings to anyone who is helping you move. Organize the items to be moved together so movers can clearly see what needs to be moved in each room. Even if everything is going, it can be easy to miss boxes or items if they’re left in closets, or away from everything else. It’s also important to tell the driver of the moving truck about the situation at your new residence. Can they easily park in the driveway, or will they need to park in the street? Will it be difficult driving down certain streets in your new neighborhood? The idea is to help them avoid any surprises, which will help protect all of your possessions on the truck. If there are new floors, fresh paint, or other areas of your new home you’re concerned about, don’t be shy about telling your movers that. They may have solutions like alternative methods for moving heavy items that won’t scratch your floors.

Simplify

You can help the whole process along by eliminating significant risks. Don’t rely on movers to handle expensive jewelry, important papers, weapons, paints, or chemicals. These, and anything fragile that you’re concerned about, can either be packed up ahead of time and taken to the new house yourself, or set aside and brought over in your own car. If the refrigerator is being moved, be sure it’s empty, and the freezer thawed, before movers arrive. And, for any items that have been hung on walls that you’ll be taking, remove them yourself and pack them away like the rest of your items. If there’s anything that you’ve forgotten to pack, don’t try to throw it in as you’re moving. Instead, put it with your fragile items and move it yourself. Whether you’re using professional movers or friends and family, people make mistakes. So, eliminate as many risks as possible to keep your items safe.

If you haven’t quite found the house for you and your family yet, call us at Perry Hood Properties. We build high quality homes in Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Bixby, and also have a number of already constructed, move in ready homes for you to consider.

Whether you’re a first time home buyer, or have been through the process before, there’s an art to house hunting. Some specific strategy and planning is needed in order to find the home you want, in your price range, and do it in an efficient amount of time. Included here are some unique tips for home buyers searching for their next home. These likely include ideas you wouldn’t think are important, but can save you time and help make your house hunting experience simpler and much less stressful.

• Make a day of it

First and foremost, understand that looking at houses will always take longer than you expect. Don’t schedule time to go look at a few houses in the morning, and plan to meet friends for lunch. You may be finished by then, but to do so you may feel the need to rush through some houses and have to come back again later. Or, you may find a house you really like, spend most of your time there, and then want to make an offer. That could be a couple hours or more on that one house. So, block out an entire day and be ready for the process to take as long as you need it to.

• Eat and drink smart

You may not consider your meal choices to have an impact on your home buying experience, but they absolutely could. You’ll probably want to eat before going to look at houses so you don’t have to cut your tour short because of hunger pangs. As far as drinks go, it’s probably best to avoid them for the most part. Many house hunters will take a drink with them as they walk through houses. That could become an issue if you suddenly need to use the facilities. Think about it. The houses you’re looking at are likely either still being lived in, or are empty and likely not stocked up on essentials. Either way, it’s not an ideal situation. If you need to, plan a quick pit stop in the middle of your tour, then resume hunting.

• Slip on shoes

This is another strange sounding tip, but it can make a big difference. Many of the homes you visit will have carpet, and some may specifically ask you to remove your shoes. If you visit more than one of these homes, you’ll be thankful you don’t have to tie and untie your shoes at each one. Some realtors provide the slip-on booties that go over your shoes, but those can be slippery. Your best option is to walk through in bare feet, or in your socks.

• Examine everything

You may think you’re being polite by not snooping through drawers, cabinets and closets when visiting a home that’s still being lived in, but you’re actually missing out on an opportunity. If you like the rest of the house, make sure you’ll also like the storage available. That means going into the garage, opening drawers and cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms, and looking around in closets. You’d hate to put an offer on a home, then find out later that the closet space is lacking, or that drawers or cabinets are much more shallow than you thought.

• Don’t be too critical

Finally, remember that you’ll need to negotiate with the owner of the house at some point if you plan to buy. Those negotiations become much more difficult if they hear you trashing their home, decor or other elements during your walkthrough. You never know when the owner of the home will be within earshot, so keep it clean while you’re in the home, then discuss with your spouse and realtor when you leave if there’s something you’d like to avoid in future houses.

If you’re ready for a new home, start your search at Perry Hood Properties. We have an assortment of available, move-in ready homes in Tulsa, Bixby and Broken Arrow. Or, we can start construction on a new custom home just for you using our variety of floor plans.

Contact us today by calling 918-250-2663.

After you’ve lived in your home for awhile, there’s a need to update to bring decorating styles up to date, or just for a fresh look. That can be done by painting walls, adding furniture, or decorative pieces, or sometimes just by rearranging. But, if your budget doesn’t cover the cost to update your entire home, you’ll need to prioritize what comes first and find some cost-effective ways to refresh your home’s interior. Here are a few tips to help you do just that.

Update the living room

For most of us, the living room gets a lot of traffic. It may be the most used room in the house, or just behind the kitchen. It’s also where guests will likely spend the majority of their time. So, investing in the design of your living room will be a worthwhile endeavor. This could mean a complete overhaul, or just adding and removing a couple key pieces. Your walls are always a good starting place. If it’s been more than three years since you’ve painted, changing the color or just repainting with a fresh coat of the same color is a good option. You’d be surprised how much different a room can look just by freshening up the paint so it looks its brightest again. Be careful about your choices, however. Wilder, or more personalized design choices will go out of style faster and often make your home more difficult to sell. The same idea goes for furniture, although obviously it’s not a concern when selling your home. Some styles are timeless, while others will quickly be out of style and require another update. Your lowest cost option would be to simply remove some things from your living room to make it more open and less cluttered. If you have lots of pictures hung on walls, knick knacks or artifacts on shelves and too much furniture for the space, removing some of it could make a significant difference.

Kitchen refresh

As mentioned, your kitchen is another high traffic area. If you do a lot of cooking or baking, it’s also a room you’ll find yourself in quite a bit, which means it’s worth it to update it. If you don’t currently spend much time in the kitchen, creating a more modern look for it could make it more inviting for you. A new paint job is a good start in the kitchen too, but you’ll also want to assess the shape of your appliances. Replacing refrigerators, ovens, stoves and dishwashers can be a bit pricey up front, but with more efficient models available, you could actually pay significantly less each month in energy costs. Depending on the age and look of your appliances, replacing them could also immediately invigorate your kitchen’s look. Consider stainless steel appliances to give your kitchen the modern look. If you can, new counters or a new backsplash can also have a profound impact and make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

Restyling your bedroom

Taking a critical eye to your bedroom can help you create a more relaxing, personal space for you to start and end your day. Unlike other areas of your home, your room gives you an opportunity to fully express your personal style with paint colors and wall hangings. You’ll still want to consider what decoration has the chance to last, and what will quickly be out of style. This is for the sake of your own budget so you aren’t wanting to refresh the look again in a matter of months. Thinking about how you use your bedroom typically will help inform your design decisions. If you only spend time in your room to sleep, you’ll want to be sure to create a tranquil, relaxing space. But, if you watch TV, exercise, read, or commit time to other hobbies, you’ll want to incorporate that into the design as well. And, if you have a master bathroom attached to your bedroom, consider creating a look that can be replicated and adapted for the bathroom too.

If you decide that you’re ready for a new home to decorate, contact us at Perry Hood Properties. We have a variety of floor plans and availability in some of the most popular neighborhoods in Tulsa, Bixby and Broken Arrow to help you create your next home, or have available homes that are move-in ready.