The Oklahoman Real Estate

FREAL ESTATESATURDAY, JULY 14, 2012 THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM

INDEX

Stone 4FPermits 7F

HOUSE PLAN

InvitingfrontNostalgic craftsmanstyling gives theLincolnshire awelcoming frontfacade. PAGE 6F

LISTING OF THE WEEK

Dallas-stylehomeThe Listing of the Week is atwo-story, brick home innortheast Edmond’s RedmontTrace addition.

PAGE 6F

LOBBYINGFOR EASIERCREDITTwo federal agen-cies are encouraginglenders to ease upon loan underwritingrestrictions that gobeyond what theagencies themselvesrequire for mortgageapprovals.

PAGE 3F

IN BRIEF

WATERCLEANER USESOZONETheLotusProcleaningsystempromisesto turnplain tapwaterinto a chemical-freecleaner and sanitizer.The system ox-ygenates water byadding an extraatom to oxygenmolecules, turningthe water into liq-uefied ozone. Thecompany says theresulting cleaner killsviruses and bacteriaand removes odors,stains, mold andmildew from anysurface. It worksmuch like oxygenchemical cleaners,but the liquid ozonereverts to water andoxygen after the jobis done, the compa-ny says. Lotus Pro’strigger spray systemhas an oxygenatingunit and a triggerspray bottle. A re-placeable filter car-tridge lasts aboutthree months. It canbe ordered for $200plus shipping fromwww.tersano.com or(877) 650-5525.

HOMESTYLEVERANDA BOOKFor 25 years, Veran-da magazine hasbeen taking readersinside some of theworld’s most eleganthomes. Now someof the best exam-ples are gathered ina new book, “TheHouses of Veranda.”The book, by Veran-da founder LisaNewsom, show-cases interiors ofhomes in a varietyof styles, decoratedby noted designers.It’s a virtual hometour of fine interiors.Newsom takes herreaders inside suchdiverse homes as acastle in Belgiumand an apartmenton Park Avenue.“The Houses ofVeranda” is publish-ed by Sterling Pub-lishing Co. and sellsfor $60 in hardcover.MCT INFORMATION SERVICES

KennethHarney

THE NATION’S HOUSING

For several months, a nurse andher accountant husband tried invain to sell their yellow stuccohouse in an upscale neighbor-hood. But it was only after theirreal estate agent began promotingthe home’s senior-friendly fea-tures — like its first-floor mastersuite — that the place finally sold.

After their agent’s change inmarketing strategy, the couplewere able to beat out rival sellers intheir community. Given the agingpopulation — coupled with ashortage of senior-friendly housesin many areas — the agent waswise to target the older-buyermarket, said Sid Davis, a real es-tate broker and author of “A Sur-vival Guide to Selling a Home.”

Granted, one-level apartment-style condos are widely availablein numerous communities. Butaccording to Davis, many seniorswho’ve spent their adult lives indetached suburban housing havean intense aversion to apartmentliving.

Dorcas Helfant, a real estatebroker and former president of theNational Association of Realtors(www.realtor.org), said some

seniors who try apartment livinglater reverse course, heading backto a traditional detached house.

Are you seeking to sell a de-tached house with features thatwould make it suitable for olderbuyers or people with disabilities?And do you and your listing agentbelieve such features are in highdemand among buyers in yourcommunity? If so, these pointersmight be helpful:

I Consider adapting yourhouse to make it more appealingto seniors.

To cater to the burgeoningsenior market, some sellers aretempted to renovate their housesto make them more user-friendly.For example, they might consideradding a first-floor master suite.But Davis said such a major in-

vestment is usually a mistake, un-less you intend to enjoy the im-provement for several years beforeyou move.

“Spending too much on a pre-sale basis is overkill. Normally youcan’t expect to get any more than60 percent back for a major addi-tion when you sell,” he said.

Still, there are less expensivesteps that could be justified bysellers who have the senior marketin mind. For example, you mightwish to replace shag carpet withlaminate flooring to make yourrooms easier to navigate by thosein wheelchairs.

Also, home sellers who are al-ready planning to redo a kitchenmight want to incorporate someeasy-to-use features such as lowkitchen cabinets and countertops,as well as wide doorways.

“Many people don’t wait untilthey have health problems or needa wheelchair to think about buy-ing a more accessible house. Oncethey hit their early 60s, they startpreparing for their future needs,”Davis said.

I Highlight your home’ssenior-friendly features to the

public.Any home placed on the Mul-

tiple Listing Service can be easilytagged by a listing agent to reflectits senior-friendly features. Be-cause of this, any agent searchingon behalf of senior buyers can do acomputer check that will locatenearly all the available one-levelhomes in a neighborhood, as wellas those with a first-floor mastersuite.

But Helfant said the listingagent for a senior-friendly housecan do more than just identify itsfeatures through the MLS. Askyour agent to highlight yourhome’s special features throughall forms of advertising, includingnewspapers, Internet and socialmedia.

“These days homebuyers of allages, including seniors, use manymeans to collect informationabout homes that interest them.In fact, by the time they drive upfor a visit to a property, they oftenknow more than the agent doesabout the house,” Helfant said.

To contact Ellen James Martin, email her [email protected].

UNIVERSAL UCLICK

Senior-friendly houses pull in big pricesEllenJamesMartin

SMARTMOVES

Earl Bourne’s familyroots run deep throughOklahoma’s history, backto the Land Run of 1889and the grandparents whomade the trek, who estab-lished a homestead — andwho later sold that home-stead to a certain HenryOverholser.

The Overholser Man-sion was built on the site,Bourne said. But part ofthe dairy his grandparentsestablished after sellingthe homestead still stands,somewhat worse for wear,tucked away among retailoutlets in eastern Okla-homa City. It’s on the Na-tional Register of Historic

Places.Maybe that fuels his fas-

cination with historicbuildings, a passion heshares with his sister SallyBourne Ferrell.

“I’m afraid my older sis-ter and I have this diseaseabout historic preserva-tion,” Bourne said. “But Ireally don’t know why wegot into it.”

Bourne spent 30 yearsrenovating a historic homewhile teaching at the Uni-versity of New Mexico inAlbuquerque, returningwhat had been divided intoapartments back to its for-mer glory and earning it aNational Register spot aswell. When he moved backto Oklahoma City in 2006,he bought a home datingto 1920.

His sister may have tak-en it a step further, though,swooping in to save adowntown frame homefrom death by Urban Re-newal.

“She took the roof andthe third floor off, moved it50-some miles to Chan-dler and reassembled it,”Bourne said.

The only catch? It gotcaught in the rain. “Someof the maple flooring justbowed up,” he said.

A more recent project, atidy red brick duplex-townhouse on N Gate-wood Avenue, just acrossNW 23 from OklahomaCity University, may rep-resent a different level ofaccomplishment. The

Family’s roots fuelinterest in history PRESERVATION | OKLAHOMA CITY PROJECT EARNS RECOGNITION

Earl Bourne shows the front of the townhouse duplex he restored at 2229-2231 N Gatewood Ave. The work earned a Citation of Merit fromthe State Historic Preservation Office of the Oklahoma Historical Society. PHOTOS BY PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND, THE OKLAHOMAN

Replacing black and white floor tiles was one of sev-eral improvements that Earl Bourne made in the 1946townhouse duplex at 2229-2231 N Gatewood Ave.

BY DYRINDA TYSONFor The [email protected]

SEE OVERHAUL , PAGE 2F

2F . SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2012 THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COMREAL ESTATE

duplex, built in 1946, drewa Citation of Merit thisyear from the State Histor-ic Preservation Office ofthe Oklahoma HistoricalSociety.

“This is the newesthouse I’ve ever owned,”Bourne said with a laugh.

The property was longneglected when he boughtit as investment propertyin 2010. The only way tomake it habitable was tooverhaul it from the insideout. Plumbing, heatingand cooling systems, wir-ing, interior trim — it allhad to go. Bourne wentthrough the preservationoffice to secure a mix ofstate and federal tax cred-its to help finance the pro-ject.

“It was absolutely es-sential,” he said. “If youfigure out a place finan-cially in the ballgame, youfigure what rental incomeyou can get off it and soforth.” Without the boostfrom the tax credits, itwould’ve been impossibleto get the costs downenough to make the duplexa viable rental proposition,he said.

Bourne worked closelywith historic preservationarchitect Harry Simms,who helped him navigatean exacting rehabilitationprocess that requiredscrutiny at practically ev-ery step. Simms, in turn,nominated Bourne for a ci-

tation, said MelvenaHeisch, deputy state his-toric preservation officer.The preservation officemakes a point of recogniz-ing rehabilitation projectsthat take the more arduousroute like Bourne’s did.

“The property ownercertainly has the option tonot pursue appropriate re-hab and just punt on taxcredits,” Heisch said.“They certainly have thatoption.”

Bourne finished up thework last fall. The duplexfeatures two apartments ofabout 1,400 square feeteach that mirror each oth-er in design. Each has ahalf-bath tucked underthe stairway plus a fullbath and two bedroomsupstairs. They share acommunal patio and grillout back as well as garagespace.

The tile work in bothkitchens look vintage, butit isn’t. Bourne had freshtile installed but made sureit looked like it belonged.“I like to stick to the era ofthe house,” he said.

Bourne’s property high-lights an important ele-ment in historic preserva-tion, Heisch said.

“Historic buildings areeverywhere and in everyneighborhood. All people,all ethnic groups, everybo-dy has a heritage in thisstate. It doesn’t have to bea mansion to be signifi-cant.”

LEFT: Living room fireplace in Earl Bourne’s restoredtownhouse duplex, built in 1946.

PHOTO BY PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND, THE OKLAHOMAN

Daikin inverter heat and air-conditioning unit in a living room of Earl Bourne’s restored townhouse duplex.

Overhaul: Townhouse latest projectFROM PAGE 1F

Earl Bourne works in the garden in front of thetownhouse duplex he is restoring and renting out at2229-2231 N Gatewood Ave.

PHOTOS BY PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND, THE OKLAHOMAN

An upstairs bathroom in the 1946 townhouse duplexhas a period pedestal sink. Entry with new floor tiles in the townhouse duplex.

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2012 . 3FREAL ESTATE

WASHINGTON — Twofederal agencies with far-reaching influence over themortgage market areworking on a problem thatcould affect the ability ofmany consumers to obtaina home loan: how to en-courage private lenders toease up on their under-writing restrictions that gobeyond what the agenciesthemselves require formortgage approvals.

The Federal Housing Fi-nance Agency, which over-sees giant investors FannieMae and Freddie Mac, andthe Federal Housing Ad-ministration, which runsthe low-down-paymentFHA program, are consid-ering steps they might taketo persuade lenders toopen the mortgage spigotsa little wider. Together,Fannie, Freddie and FHAaccount for 90 percent-plus of all home loan fund-ing. The focus of their lit-tle-publicized reform pro-jects: the “overlay” rulesmany lenders have adopt-ed that lump extra fees,larger down payments andhigher credit-score re-quirements onto homeloans than Fannie, Freddieor FHA actually require.

For example, Fannie andFreddie may accept FICOcredit scores of 660 to680, and FHA will approveapplications with scores aslow as 580. Yet lendersoriginating loans for themoften want to see scores100 points higher. Anotherexample: FHA recently in-augurated a “streamlinerefi” program designed to

encourage widespread re-financings for borrowerswith good payment histo-ries by offering low mort-gage insurance fees, no ap-praisals and no creditchecks.

Great idea, but lendershave clamped their ownmore stringent underwrit-ing restrictions on the pro-gram, frustrating consum-ers. Some banks requirefull appraisals, creditchecks and add-on fees.Other lenders have an-nounced that they are lim-iting eligibility for the pro-gram to customers they al-ready service, despite thefact that FHA allows bor-rowers to seek streamlinerefinancings from anyFHA-approved lender.

Why are lenders makingit tougher than necessaryfor creditworthy appli-cants to obtain a mort-gage? Tops on the list:They are practicing whatone prominent mortgageindustry consultant de-scribes as “defensive lend-ing.”

“Defensive lending isthe mortgage equivalent ofdefensive medicine,”where doctors run moretests than needed to re-duce litigation risk, saidBrian Chapelle, principal

at Potomac Partners inWashington, D.C. “Ratherthan more medical tests,mortgage lenders are add-ing underwriting require-ments and program re-strictions to avoid over-stepping a sometimes am-biguous line” that willtrigger penalties fromFannie, Freddie or FHA.

Even minor technicalinfractions in underwrit-ing or documentation cancause “buyback” demandsby Fannie or Freddie whenloans go into default, withcosts per loan for the lend-er sometimes soaring tohundreds of thousands ofdollars. Plus the JusticeDepartment is puttingpressure on major banks topay millions of dollars tosettle allegations of sys-temic flaws in their mort-gage practices — settle-ments the banks consentto not on the merits but toavoid protracted litigationand hits to their stockprices.

On top of this, banksand other originators areuncertain about upcoming

mortgage regulations thatstem from the Dodd-Frankfinancial reform law thatwill spell out the rules forfuture lending.

In a nutshell, Chapellesaid, government agenciesand Congress have fos-tered a play-it-ultra-safeenvironment, where thepressure is intense to lendonly on the most conser-vative terms, even if thatmeans turning down cred-itworthy applicants.

What to do? The twoagencies are mum aboutspecifics but are expectedto announce reformssometime in the comingweeks. Lenders, on theother hand, know precise-ly what they’d like to see.

Steve O’Connor, seniorvice president of the Mort-gage Bankers Association,says lenders want several

key changes in currentprocedures, includingclear, point-by-pointguidance on how theagencies will define rea-sonable grounds for buy-backs or indemnificationsgoing forward. Lenders al-so need assurance that af-ter an agreed-upon periodof time — say, 24 to 36months — they will not beblamed for deficient un-derwriting on a loan thatgoes belly up. Some mort-gage companies have beenconfronted with buybackdemands on loans that de-faulted for economic rea-sons after seven or eightyears of on-time pay-ments.

“That’s crazy,” O’Con-nor said.

FHA lenders, Chapellesaid, also want greaterfairness in the way they’re

treated when loans de-fault, including revisionsof lender monitoring stan-dards that evaluate thempoorly when they try toaccommodate borrowerswith lower credit scoresand other blemishes.

Bottom line: Lenderssay they could loosen up alittle on underwritingwhen federal agencies easetheir buyback demands.Since the two top agenciesare trying to figure how todo this, homebuyers mightsee slightly less punitive”overlay” fees and under-writing later in the year.

Don’t hold your breathbut it could happen, andjust might help you get ap-proved for a mortgage.

Ken Harney’s email address [email protected].

WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

Agencies urge lenders to ease restrictionsKennethHarney

THE NATION’S HOUSING

Lenders arepracticingwhat oneprominentmortgageindustryconsultantdescribes as“defensivelending.”

Summer is here, andwith it the high temper-atures and cranked airconditioning that some-times leads to power out-ages in certain areas.

A backup option to acostly gas-powered gener-ator is sitting in the drive-way: a car.

Power inverters on themarket connect to car bat-teries to keep home ap-pliances running. Just popthe hood, connect the in-verter directly to the bat-tery of a running car andthread the power cordfrom the inverter into thehouse. A refrigerator, tele-vision, lights or other de-vices that usually plug intoa wall outlet would insteadconnect to the inverterpower cord.

The inverter, similar insize to a hardcover book,converts direct current, orDC power, coming fromthe car battery into alter-nating current, or AC,used in most homes.

PowerBright, based inCoral Springs, Fla., makesinverters in a variety ofpower configurations. A900-watt version, costingabout $60, is strongenough to run a sumppump, freezer or refriger-ator, and it can handle thepeak power surge fromfirst plugging in a refriger-ator, Chief Executive GilHetzroni said. A 2,300-watt version, Hetzronisaid, can power many ap-pliances at the same time.

Power inverters workwith gas-powered cars aswell as electric vehicles,but Nissan Motor Co. andToyota Motor Corp. haveboth developed equipmentspecifically for electriccars.

The bidirectional elec-tric vehicle charger, whichNissan calls the Leaf toHome electricity supplysystem and Toyota dubsV2H for vehicle-to-homecharging system, can re-verse the flow of electricityfrom electric car to housein case of blackouts.

The chargers aren’t yetavailable in the U.S., butthey are being piloted inJapan. Nissan and its re-search partner GeneralElectric previewed the

system at a meeting of theSociety of Automotive En-gineers in April. In thatdemonstration, a NissanLeaf powered LED light-ing, a fan and a wine re-frigerator.

“We could’ve poweredmuch more, but the limi-tations were the booth,”said Matt Nielsen, princi-pal scientist in GeneralElectric’s electrical engi-neering division.

Most Leaf drivers returnto their homes with 12 kilo-watt-hours of charge leftin their vehicles, Nielsensaid, which is enough “topower quite a few circuitsin your home for a couple

hours.”“We all have to keep in

mind why blackouts hap-pen. Sometimes it’sweather. Other times,grids get stressed frompeople coming home andturning on their air condi-tioning and plasma TVsand ovens,” said Nielsen,who also demonstrated asystem called the Nucleushome energy manager. Itmonitors how much ener-gy a home is using and in-teracts with the Leaf tocharge at off-peak times,reducing the threat ofblackouts in the first place.

MCT INFORMATION SERVICES

Inverters bring powerfrom car to the homeBY SUSAN CARPENTERLos Angeles Times

When the power goes out a power inverter can beused to turn a car’s engine into electricity for homeappliances. Some models, such as this one fromPowerBright, can power large or multiple appliancesbut users must find one with the right output.

MCT PHOTO


If you’re looking for anoutdoor project this sum-mer that can add safetyand security while makingyour landscaping reallypop, look no further thanlow-voltage outdoor light-ing. Installing outdoorlights is fun, easy and af-fordable. It can makepathways safer to nego-tiate, and turn any back-yard into a welcoming eve-ning oasis.

What you’ll needThere are three basic

components to any exte-rior low-voltage lightingsystem: the lights, thetransformer and the cable.It’s important that all threebe selected to work together.

At the heart of the sys-tem is the transformer, al-so sometimes called apower pack. The transfor-mer is housed in a weath-erproof metal box, andconverts incoming 120-volt AC electrical currentdown to 12 volts AC. Thetransformer also typicallycontains a timer or a photocell, which is used to con-trol the on/off cycles.

Transformers are ratedin watts of output, whichis the total number ofwatts of lighting thatthey’re capable of hand-

ling. This is an importantnumber to know, becauseit’s going to tell you howmany lights of what typeyou can install on yoursystem.

There are thousands ofdifferent low-voltagelights, which use halogenbulbs with wattage ratingsfrom 4 up to 50 watts, tochoose from. There arespot lights, hanging lights,mushroom lights, decklights that can be built intosteps and decks, and evenwaterproof lights for usearound ponds and fountains.

Connecting it all to-gether is the cable. Low-voltage lighting cable ismade from stranded cop-per wire, protected on theoutside with a heavy insu-lation that’s weather-resistant and approved fordirect burial. Once again,you want to select the wirebased on the wattage oflighting you’ll be install-ing, and the length of wir-ing run. Low-voltage wire

is available in 16, 14 and 12gauges.

You can purchase every-thing you need as a kit,with a set of lights, a trans-former and a coil of wire.The good thing about do-ing it this way is thatyou’re ensured that every-thing is matched, and youdon’t have to do any calcu-lations. But you’re typical-ly going to be limited tojust those lights on thattransformer, and youwon’t be able to add anymore later on.

A better way to go is tofirst design a lighting lay-out for your yard, based onwhat you need. Look atsome examples of lights,see what you think you’dlike to put where, andmake a note of the differ-ent wattages. Add every-thing up, then factor in acertain percentage to allowfor future expansion ofyour system.

For example, perhapsyou do a layout for yourbackyard that includes 1015-watt lights, as well astwo 40-watt spotlights fora couple of larger trees.That’s a total of 230 watts.You have some ideas forexpanding your landscap-ing later, so you want tofactor in an additional 25percent, or about 58 watts.

The total is 288 watts, soyou’d want to select what-ever transformer is thenext size up from that,such as 300 watts.

The same thing wouldhold true for the cable.Based on your layout, youknow where the lights willbe installed, so you canmeasure how much cableyou need. By knowing thelength of the cable and thenumber of watts, you canselect the appropriate ca-ble to fit the system.

Installing the systemNow comes the fun

part! You can have yoursystem up and running injust a couple of hours, withno special skills and onlysome basic tools.

First, select a spot forthe transformer. Transfor-mers don’t have very longelectrical cords, so it willhave to be close to a GFCI-protected (ground-faultcircuit interrupter) outlet.If you’re installing it out-side, be sure to use a pro-tective cover over the plugand outlet to protect them.

The cable is attached tothe bottom of the transfor-mer. There are two screws,and it’s simply a matter ofstripping the insulation offthe cable to expose thewire, and attaching it tothe screws; complete in-structions will be includedwith the transformer.From the transformer, youcan begin laying out thewire in the general direc-tion of where your lightswill go, but don’t hookanything up yet.

Next, assemble yourlights. Depending on thetype and style of light, youmay have to install thebulb, attach a stake or dosome other type of as-sembly. Carefully followwhatever instructionscame with the light fix-ture. Also, when handlinghalogen bulbs use a cloth.The bulbs are sensitive tooils from your fingers.

Now place the lightswhere you want them, be-fore you finish running thecable. Check your layout,and rearrange things asneeded. When you’re hap-

py with everything, finishlaying out the cable on theground so that it followsthe shortest route fromlight to light.

Connecting the lights tothe cable is simply a matterof pinching the light’sconnector onto the cable.Place one-half of the con-nector on each side of thecable, and align the con-nector’s arms into theslots. The connector hastwo metal prongs that willpenetrate the insulationand make contact with thewire inside.

Using a pointed shovel,dig a 6-inch-deep trenchnext to the cable. Place thecable in the trench, butdon’t bury it yet. Plug thetransformer in, activatethe timer or cover the pho-tocell if necessary, andcheck each light to be sureit’s working. If every-thing’s OK, bury the cableand you’re all done!

Remodeling and repair questions? EmailPaul at [email protected]. Allproduct reviews are based on theauthor’s actual testing of free reviewsamples provided by the manufacturers.

INMAN NEWS

Here’s how to install low-voltage outdoor lightingPaulBianchina

HANDY @ HOME

DEAR BARRY: Whenwe purchased our home,the termite inspectorfound plumbing leaks un-der the bathroom. But thehome inspector did not in-spect under the buildingbecause there was wateron the ground, and he saidthis would be unsafe. Herecommended grounddrainage improvements toenable further inspection,but we went ahead with-out further inspection andbought the property.

That turned out to be amistake. Within days ofmoving in, we had a majorsewage backup in thebathrooms. It turns outthat we have rusted-outdrainpipes and lots ofroots in the main sewerline. We believe the sellersknew about these prob-lems but said nothing.What should we do?

NickDEAR NICK: If the pest

inspector found leakingunder the building, he wasnot deterred by water onthe ground. Perhaps thehome inspector was toosqueamish and shouldhave done the same.Groundwater in a crawlspace is an inconveniencefor an inspector, and noone except a small kid en-joys crawling in the mud.But it hardly qualifies as asignificant safety hazard.

On the other hand, if thewater on the ground wasfrom leaking sewage, theinspector was wise to stayout, and the pest inspectorprobably should have donethe same.

If the seller claims noknowledge of the problem,proving otherwise couldbe difficult, but it seemsunlikely that the plumbingproblems just occurred forthe first time. Sometimes aneighbor has knowledge ofpast plumbing problems.This is something to in-vestigate by askingaround.

You need to obtain a re-pair bid from a licensedplumbing contractor.Hopefully, the costs willnot be excessive. If repairsare expensive, you shouldget some legal advice re-garding seller liability.

DEAR BARRY: Thebuyer of our home wantsto do his own inspection.Our concern is that hewants to get up on the roof.Our home is very high offthe ground and the roofpitch is steep. He alsowants to climb into the at-tic. I’m concerned he mayfall and hurt himself ordamage something whilein the attic. We don’t wantto offend the buyer, but wehave a great concern.What do you advise?

Janette

DEAR JANETTE: Per-haps you could have thebuyer sign a liability waiv-er stipulating that he willhold you blameless in theevent that he is injuredduring his inspection andthat he will pay for any-thing that is accidentallybroken. To ensure that thiswould be binding, youshould obtain a legal formfrom a lawyer.

Another option is offer-ing to split the cost of a

professional home inspec-tion. When comparedwith the cost of an attor-ney, it might even be worthit to pay the entire inspec-tion fee.

That aside: If your buyerbelieves that he is qualifiedto perform the same eval-uation as a professionalhome inspector, he is na-ive. It takes years of full-time inspection work tobecome truly qualified as ahome inspector. If yourbuyer wants to experienceundisclosed defects afterthe close of escrow, heshould go ahead and do hisown inspection.

To write to Barry Stone, visit him on theweb at www.housedetective.com

ACTION COAST PUBLISHING

Standing water under houseprevented a full inspection

BarryStone

INSPECTOR’S IN THEHOUSE

5FSATURDAY, JULY 14, 2012THE OKLAHOMAN NEWSOK.COM


Nostalgic Craftsmanstyling gives the Lincoln-shire its comfortably wel-coming front facade.Smooth round columnsseated on stone veneerbases flank the gentlyarched entries, and iconicCraftsman windows facethe street. Shingle-tex-tured siding adds visualvariety on the upper level.

The units of this two-story duplex nearly mirroreach other, with the ex-ception of a second gablein unit B that results in aslightly differently shapedbedroom below it. Thus,the description of one unitwill apply to both.

A gentle down slopeleads into the garage,which is about a half-flightlower than the groundfloor. Secondary bed-rooms and their sharedbathroom sit above the ga-rage, where an extra-thickwall boosts the sound buf-fering.

From the driveway, ahalf-flight of stairs anglesup to the vaulted porch.Inside, a convenientpowder room is to the leftand a coat closet is deadahead. An opening on theright leads into a largevaulted room that com-prises the living and diningareas. An abundance ofnatural light spills into thespace through wide win-dows front and back.

Casual meals andsnacks can be served onthe raised eating bar thatbounds the kitchen anddining room. In warmweather, meals can moveonto the patio, through thedining room’s sliding glassdoors. Cabinets wraparound three sides of thekitchen, while countersline sections of all four.

Working at the kitchensink, you can keep an eyeon the backyard, patio,and dining room.

On the opposite side ofthe dining room, a pas-sageway leads to the Lin-

colnshire’s owners’ suite,plus a small utility room.In addition to a walk-incloset, the suite includes aprivate bathroom with adual vanity, shower, andlinen closet.

A review plan of the Lincolnshire,including floor plans, elevations, sectionand artist’s conception, can bepurchased for $25 by phone, mail oronline. Add $5 for shipping and handling.Associated Designs, 1100 Jacobs Drive,Eugene, OR, 97402.www.associateddesigns.com. (800)634-0123.

HOUSE PLAN

Styling offers welcoming front facade

The Listing of the Weekis a two-story, brick,Dallas-style home innortheast Edmond’s Red-mont Trace addition.

The 3,668-square-foothome at 920 StagmoorCircle has four bedrooms,4 ½ baths, two livingrooms, two dining roomsand an attached three-cargarage. The main livingroom has a fireplace andceiling fan. The upstairsfamily room has a built-inentertainment center andceiling fan. The kitchenhas a breakfast bar, eatingspace and a pantry. Themaster bedroom has a his-and-hers bath and ceiling

fan. Secondary bedroomshave full baths; two haveceiling fans; one has awalk-in closet and solartube.

The home has a stormshelter, open patio, securi-ty system and under-ground sprinkler system.

The home, built in2008, is listed for$550,000 with VictoriaCaldwell of RE/MAX As-sociates Realtors. For moreinformation, call 359-8700.

Nominations for Listing of the Weekare welcome. Send information onsingle-family homes to The Oklahoman,Richard Mize, P.O. Box 25125, OklahomaCity, OK 73125. Nominations may befaxed to 475-3996.

The Listing of the Week is at 920 Stagmoor Circle inEdmond. PHOTO PROVIDED

Dallas-style homehas 4 bedrooms,a 3-car garage

LISTING OF THE WEEK

THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2012 . 7FREAL ESTATE

Oklahoma CityOklahoma City Public

Schools, 6708 S Santa FeAve., school, add-on,$6,600,104.

Smith & Pickel Con-struction, 515 Central ParkDrive, office, remodel,$2,000,000.

Howard & AssociatesInc. Architects, 2809 NMissouri Ave., church,erect, $1,700,000.

Concrete EnterprisesInc., 12201 N May Ave.,bank, remodel, $900,000.

Jeff Moore Homes LLC,5425 Mystic Place, resi-dence, erect, $650,000.

Hill’s Land & Construc-tion, 11708 Milano Road,residence, erect,$600,000.

PEC Enterprises Inc.,15310 N May Ave., office,erect, $584,000.

Coy League Homes Inc.,3829 NW 44, residence,erect, $520,000.

Wynn Construction CoInc., 7745 NW 94, shellbuilding, erect, $500,000.

Crabtree CustomHomes LLC, 7600 NW 133Place, residence, erect,$435,000.

Castle Custom HomesLLC, doing business asCastle Creek Homes, 8308NW 134 Terrace, resi-dence, erect, $390,000.

SAS Constructors, 1205NW 178, restaurant, re-model, $350,000.

Richmond SignatureHomes, 17409 ParkgroveDrive, residence, erect,$350,000.

Nextec Home LLC,15300 Wilford Way, resi-dence, erect, $300,000.

Nextec Home LLC, 15317Wilford Way, residence,complete, $300,000.

Wayne Griffiths Homes,5601 Hidden Fawn Circle,residence, erect,$300,000.

Bronco Steel Inc., 3415 SInterstate 35 Service Road,warehouse, erect,$275,000.

Stonewall Homes LLC,17224 S Midwest Blvd.,residence, erect,$269,000.

Dreamworks Construc-tion LLC, 9024 NW 147Terrace, residence, erect,$240,000.

Beacon Homes LLC,19125 Meadows CrossingDrive, residence, erect,$228,000.

League Custom HomesLLC, 8812 NW 110, erect,erect, $220,000.

American BuildingContractors & DevelopersLLC, 5616 CreekmoreDrive, residence, erect,$200,000.

Matt Wilson CustomHomes, 6500 NE 113, ca-bana-gazebo, erect,$200,000.

Authentic CustomHomes LLC, 8313 NW 141Circle, residence, erect,$185,000.

Authentic CustomHomes LLC, 8408 NW 143Terrace, residence, erect,$184,149.

American BuildingContractors & DevelopersLLC, 5709 CreekmoreDrive, residence, erect,$180,000.

Taber Built Homes LLC,3109 NW 163 Court, resi-dence, erect, $180,000.

JB Homes LLC, 113 Set-tlers Way, residence, erect,$176,400.

Bonadeo Building Co.,1508 NW 176, residence,erect, $175,000.

Savannah Builders LLC,11301 E Memorial Road,barn, erect, $175,000.

Savannah Builders LLC,11301 E Memorial Road,barn, erect, $175,000.

Michelle Morgan, 10101Southern Creek Drive,residence, erect, $175,000.

4 Corners ConstructionLLC, 14708 PepperwellOaks Drive, residence,erect, $170,000.

Marcus Bird, 3420 SE104, manufactured home,move-on, $170,000.

KD Custom Homes,6424 Bentley Drive, resi-dence, erect, $168,000.

KD Custom Homes,6401 Bentley Drive, resi-dence, erect, $168,000.

Dodson Custom HomesLLC, 3100 NW 181 Terrace,residence, erect, $165,600.

Dodson Custom HomesLLC, 18408 HaslemereLane, residence, erect,$156,000.

Diamond R Construc-tion Inc., 19400 LutheranRoad, residence, erect,$150,000.

Rose Creek CottagesConstruction LLC, 17116Trophy Drive, residence,erect, $150,000.

Ron Walters HomesLLC, 729 NW 26, resi-dence, remodel, $150,000.

Taber Built Homes LLC,2409 NW 155, residence,erect, $150,000.

M&D Homes LLC, 11733SW 24 Terrace, residence,erect, $150,000.

M&D Homes LLC, 2309Wayne Cutt Ave., resi-dence, erect, $140,000.

Structural Systems ofOKC, 2324 W MemorialRoad, retail sales, remodel,$135,000.

Dodson Custom HomesLLC, 18401 HaslemereLane, residence, erect,$134,560.

BNJ Builders LLC, 8500NW 23, school, remodel,$125,580.

American BuildingContractors & DevelopersLLC, 10924 SW 30, resi-dence, erect, $120,000.

American BuildingContractors & DevelopersLLC, 10928 SW 30, resi-dence, erect, $120,000.

American BuildingContractors & DevelopersLLC, 3305 Canton Trail,residence, erect,

$120,000.American Building

Contractors & DevelopersLLC, 3309 Canton Trail,residence, erect,$120,000.

Rausch ColemanHomes LLC, 2517 DemotteDrive, residence, erect,$109,000.

Rausch ColemanHomes LLC, 8700 SW 46Place, residence, erect,$100,000.

Rausch ColemanHomes LLC, 3116 SE 96,residence, erect,$100,000.

Rausch ColemanHomes LLC, 8524 SW 47Circle, residence, erect,$100,000.

Prime Development,7505 Meadow Lake Drive,residence, erect,$100,000.

Ideal Homes of NormanLP, 15240 Stillwind Drive,residence, erect, $74,000.

J&K Construction En-terprises LLC, 3025 LampPost Lane, residence, re-model, $67,000.

Durley & Associates,2504 NE 14, residence, re-model, $50,000.

Par Trust, 2729 SE 93,residence, fire restoration,$50,000.

AT&T Mobility, 722 NBroadway Ave., equip-ment, install, $50,000.

Fausto Cifuntes, 1800NW 16, restaurant, add-on, $49,000.

Pamela Ferencich, 9100S Luther Road, manufac-tured home, move-on,$46,000.

C4lLLC, 8111 NE 129, re-habilitation center, add-on, $40,000.

Graham (Greg) Inc.,5401 N Portland Ave.,medical clinic-office, re-model, $40,000.

Cleotilde Valenzuela,2512 SW Murray Drive,residence, add-on,$30,000.

Musiray and TaofikIdaye, 405 NW 85, resi-dence, fire restoration,

$30,000.Chuck Robinson Homes

Inc., 8201 BrookridgeDrive, accessory, erect,$25,000.

Trilink RestorationGroup LLC, 5808 N Me-ridian Place, residence,fire restoration, $20,000.

SWM & Sons Inc., 7417Plains Ave., residence,add-on, $18,165.

Scott Wheeler, 1012 SE42, manufactured home,move-on-mobile homepark, $16,000.

Mustard Seed, 501 SMustang Road, retail sales,remodel, $15,000.

Caston Construction,901 N Lincoln Blvd., of-fice, remodel, $15,000.

Dereck Richards, 8907Beck Drive, manufacturedhome, move-on-mobilehome park, $14,000.

David Carty, 2225 NW34, residence, fire restora-tion, $13,000.

Timberlake Construc-tion Co. Inc., 9800 NOklahoma Ave., canopy-carport, erect, $12,000.

Wynn Construction,7745 NW 94, office, re-model, $10,000.







Manir Khader, 2309 NPennsylvania Ave., retailsales, remodel, $10,000.

Freman Keeton, 2600SW 103, residence, add-on, $6,000.

Juan Lopez, 414 SE 16,residence, remodel,$6,000.

AC Reality 2 LLC, 2206NW 164, business, remod-el, $6,000.

No name provided, 11105NW 115, storm shelter, in-stall-storm shelter,$4,200.

No name provided,13904 Plantation Way,storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $4,150.

Flat Safe, 113 MaindaleDrive, storm shelter, in-stall-storm shelter,$4,100.

Kathy Davis, 3205 SW130 Place, storm shelter,install-storm shelter,$4,050.

J. Scott Fulkerson, 12112Wentworth Place, stormshelter, install-stormshelter, $4,000.

Janet Simpkins, 10516Evergreen Court, stormshelter, install-stormshelter, $3,975.

Timberlake Construc-tion Co. Inc., 9800 NOklahoma Ave., install,install, $3,600.

No name provided,16320 Morningside Drive,storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,500.

Darrell Ely, 8600 SW 58Circle, storm shelter, in-stall-storm shelter,$3,500.

Ronald Rueb, 11104 Ma-ple Grove, storm shelter,install-storm shelter,$3,500.

Tina and Lance Walker,12608 Arrowhead Drive,storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,500.

Ground Zero, 21205 SE119, storm shelter, remod-el, $3,500.

Sam Cholakathu Vargh-ese, 4104 Scissortail Drive,storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,450.

Flat Safe, 15108 GrandParke Drive, storm shelter,install-storm shelter,$3,400.

Don Hacker, 9204 La-kecrest Drive, storm shel-ter, install-storm shelter,

Building permits

SEE PERMITS, PAGE 8F

Double Wide REPO Like New$395mo. wac 405-577-2884

I BUY HOUSESAny condition. No cost to U

410-5700

I BUY & SELL HOUSES27 YRS EXP 650-7667

HOMESOFOKCINC.COM

We Buy Houses Fast Cash orPayments »» 405-412-7800 »»

Falcon Head Resort, 1bd 1ba,condo for sale,580-657-3959

Cabin north end Lake Eufaula,$26,950 call 405-206-6582

Cabin north end Lake Eufaula,$26,950 call 405-206-6582

Restaurant & Convenient StoreLAKE TENKILLER 918-261-5932

3928 E Reno $2000mo house & lg1500sf whse 601-5905 235-5028

160 Acres prime Farmland in NWNoble Cty, on Billings, blacktoproad. 2.5mi N of 412 Hwy, 80

acres is cultiavated; 80 acres pas-tures & trees, 2 ponds for quaildeer,pheasant hunting. Legal:

NW qtr of sec 29; township 23N;range 2Wof the IM Cty of Noble,

State of Ok. Price negotiable580-370-5104

Dream Ranch120 Acre Farm/Ranch Southern

Pottawatomie County, OK. 2 con-tiguous parcels, 1 hour south of

OKC. 2 homes, 2 hay barns,fenced / cross fenced for sheep,

cattle, horses. Improved grasses,2 wells, 2 ponds, rural water Prin-cipals only call 405*788*1718 and

leave message

1N to 10A, E. of OKC, pay out dn.before 1st pmt. starts, many areM/H ready over 400 choices, lg

trees, some with ponds,TERMS Milburn o/a 275-1695

paulmilburnacreages.com

PIEDMONT OPEN SUN 2-5Model home. New hms on 1/2

ac lots. From NW Expwy &Sara Rd go 4.5 mi N Cleaton &

Assoc 373-2494

"Must See" 4-14 Beautiful AcresGuthrie/Coyle area Price ReducedOwner Financing 405-273-5777

www.property4sale.comNow accepting major Credit Cards

OWNER FINANCING1-10 Acres Many LocationsCall for maps 405-273-5777

www.property4sale.com

Call for Maps! See why we sellmore acreages than anyone inOkla. E of OKC. o/a 275-1695

2 acres with 2100sq ft doublewide, Harrah/McLoud area,

$25,900 CASH ONLY. 301-6495

SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE160 Acre Farm Auction

Thur – July 19 – 10:14 a.m.West of Clinton, Oklahoma

Near Foss Lake & State Park160 Acres Offered in 5 TractsGREAT HUNTING POTENTIALDeer, Turkey, Quail & More!

Heard-Knight Auction580-323-6120 or 580-331-9156

www.heardknight.com

4005 Corbett-Like new 3/2/2Owner carry 5k down 2 yrs forbuyer to refinance 650-7667

www.homesofokcinc.com

OWNER FINANCING $2000 down4010 Pearl Way 3/1 $54,000

No Credit Ck 596-4599 410-8840

Bank Owned 3/2/1 w/30x50 shop.44ac $49.9k Realty Exp 414-8753

BY OWNER, MUST SELL AS ISApprx. 2,500sf, 3 bed, 2.5 bath,

2.5 acres, pool, Deer Creek Schls.1921ForestRd byappt4053598159

Bank Owned 3/2.5/2 blt 85 brick,$79,900 Realty Experts 414-8753

9420 NW 46, 1300 ft Log,5K dn 450 mo 650-7667

Updated Brick 3/1 extra parking,newer roof & ch/a, wood floors$80,000 Realty Experts 414-8753

1421 SW 64th Extra sharp 3bdbrick home, ch/a, carport, storm

shelter, 1100+ sf, nice area, freshpaint. All this only $64,900!

Fidelity RE 410-4300, 410-4200

2813 SW 60th Spacious 3bdhome w/2 liv areas, remodeled,fresh paint, new carpet & ceramictile, new counter tops. $64,750Fidelity RE 410-4300 410-4200

Owner carry 3912 S Agnew2bd 1ba Nice 5000 dn

430 mo. 650-7667

1818 SW 19. Needs work2 bd 11,000 Cash 650-7667

PRICE REDUCED 3/2/3 + offapprox 2320', storm shelt

$222,700 NEW EVERYTHING3bd 3ba approx 2169' on 1.06 ac

MOL, storm shelt $170,000GREAT home on 1.07 ac mol3/2/2 approx 1576' $149,00Carmen 833-0106 Cleaton &

Assoc 373-2494

» 3/2 /1 det., 1800 sq ft, fenced,421 N. Barker, El Reno $50,000.» 4/2.5 /2, 2300 sq ft, fenced,remod, 1208 S. Hoff, El Reno$120,000. 262-4204

PIEDMONT OPEN SUN 2-5Model home. New hms on 1/2

ac lots. From NW Expwy &Sara Rd go 4.5 mi N Cleaton &

Assoc 373-2494

AUCTION 160 ACRESAuction: Home/acreage

Sat. JULY 14,10 am10 mi N of Crescent onHwy 74, 1/2 mi W;75acres cultivated; pas-ture; deer;turkey;live

spring; home w/pool on10 acres;surface

only;10% down; possess-sion at closing

www.jkjauctions.comJKJ Real Estate580-233-9800

Special Gov't Program! OwnLand/Family land ZERO DOWN!

New and Repo homes avail.E-Z qualify by phone. Top dollarfor your TRADE in. $2,000 furnallowance with purchase. WAC

405-631-7600 405-834-8814

Cash 4 Clunkers!Guaranteed $5,000 for any tradetowards down pymt of new homeWAC 405-631-7600 405-834-8814

Abandoned D/W Repo set up on5 Acres!! Ready to move in. Freephone application 405-631-7600

REPO REPO REPO 4bd/3bth$648MO. wac 405-324-8000

NEW 3bd/2bth $1500 down,7.5% $281mo. 405-324-8010

Rent to Own: Nice 2 & 3bedMWC $350 & up 390-9777

GREAT Office Space. Various NWlocations, 300-6000sf 946-2516

7608 N Western. Retail/Officespace, 1200sf available 370-1077

K Office, K Warehouse. Varioussizes. 221 W Wilshire 842-7300

TOP LOCATION!Pd. wtr/garb. Near malls.Try Plaza East 341-4813

$200 off1st Mo Rent Selected UnitsLarge Townhomes & Apartments

• Washer, Dryers, pools• PC Schools, fireplaces

WILLIAMSBURG7301 NW 23rd 787-1620

$200 Off1st Mo Rent Selected units

2 & 3 bed TownhousesWasher/Dryers,

Fireplaces, P.C. SchoolsPARKLANE 721-5455

8100 N. MacArthur Blvd

$99 Special1 & 2 BD & Townhouses•City bus route/Shopping•Washer/Dryer hookups

Valencia Apts2221 N. Meridian 946-6548

Large 2bd $5751 month Free Casady 751-8088

Oakwood Apts5824 NW 34 & MacArthur 1bd1ba Apt $325/mo $175/dep U payElec only 409-7989 no section 8

The Plaza 1740 NW 17th 1bd 1ba,800sf, ch/a, wood floors, $550mo,$250 dep 409-7989 no sec 8

Furnished/Unfurnished. Bills Paid» Wkly/Mnthly. Wes Chase AptsElk Horn Apts, Hillcrest 370-1077

800 N. Meridian1 bed. All bills paid 946-9506

•ABC• Affordable,Bug free, Clean » 787-7212»

MAYFAIR Great loc! 1&2 bd W/Dhdwd flr quiet secure ¡ 947-5665

Newly Remodeled 1&2bedNo deposit for VA, seniors &

disability. 4708 SE 44th 677-2200

704 SE 31st 1bed 1 bath$425 PER MONTH 408-5836

$99 SPECIALLg 1bdr, stove, refrig., clean,

walk to shops. $345 mo. 632-9849

Furnished/Unfurnished. Bills Paid» Wkly/Mnthly. Wes Chase AptsElk Horn Apts, Hillcrest 370-1077

3320 SW 28th #A. Small efficien-cy. All bills paid $385mo 408-5836

$99 Move In Special!!! Large 1 &2Bdr, $345 to $420 mo. 632-9849

204 NE 16th 3bed 1bath$725 per month 408-5836

» Furnished » 1bd $330 + elec.2820 S Robinson 232-1549

Quiet NW Townhome, 1 bed +study, 1K bath, $550mo 748-3868

Casita Blanca 2614 NW 50th 2bd2ba 2car garage, 1200sf, $1300mo$1300 dep 409-7989 no sec 8

908 N Gardner 3bd 1O bathcorner fp, w/d hk ups water/garbag pd $550mo 408-5836

5533 Huddleston, Very nice, D.C.school 3/2/2 $850/mo 732-3411

525K SW 26 upstairs 1bd 1ba$350mo $175dep 700sf 409-7989

Bills PaidFurnished/Unfurnished

Weekly/Monthly 370-1077

4801 Dimple 3 bd, 2 liv, ch&a,fenced, NICE $625mo ¡ 476-5011

4 BED 2 BATH CENTRAL AIR.Section 8. No pets. 405-672-0877

4500 SE 78th 4/2/2, 1540sf $1250Home & Ranch Realty 794-7777

625 Firelane 3/2/2 $9951013 Apollo Cir 3/2/2 $9501064 Skyline 5/3/3 $239522655 Stherly Farm 3/2.5/5 $2395Express Realty 844-6101

www.expressrealtyok.com

15628 Darlington Lane 3bd 2ba2car garage $1675 mo, $1675 dep,1846sf 409-7989 no sec 8

3 bed, 1 bath, 2200sf, $900moCall Alex, 990-0488

3bd 1ba ch&a, fncd backyard, car-pet, Sec 8 ok $600+ $250dep OKCSchls, 1520 McDonald 733-0470

3bd, 1ba, din, laundry rm, storageshed, 4005 Parkwoods Ln, openSun 1-2, $625 + dep, 412-7014.

421 N Key Blvd 2/1 $525681-7272

1 mi E of Tinker, 3b 1b 2c, ch&a,$575+$400dep No pets 732-4351

3/1N /2 h/w flrs ch&a on acreage1300 N Douglas $750mo 872-1173

3 bd, 2ba, 2 car, 2 story, fp,fenced, great loc. near SE 4th &

Eastern. $950PMO and 1 yr lease.823-6856 M-S Broker/Owner

KAT Properties-Apt & Homes forrent. Scan this w/your phone app

Executive Home, The Greens,4400 Windsong Way, 3 liv, 2 din,3 bd, 2.5 ba, 2car, FP, 2700 sf, NoPets. $1,550 mo, » 405-755-6036

333 NW 89th Nice 3bd brick home1.5ba 1 car gar ch/a. Only $595!Fidelity RE 410-4300, 410-4200

616 NW 92nd 3bd 1ba $475681-7272

1 bd furn $375; 2bd trailer unfurn$395; refs req. $150dep 321-4773

944 SW 49th 3bd 2ba 1 car cornerlot, fridge, stove, washer/dryerhookups, includes DirecTV, only$695! Fidelity 410-4300, 410-4200

Moore Schls 1232 SW 93 Fencedcorner lot, 3bd, 2ba, 2car garage,FP $1,050 No Pets¡ 405-755-6036

RENT TO OWN: 1113 SW 55th3bd, 1.5ba, furn kitch, $700/mo +$700dep. Ready Aug 1st 641-5760

Rent to Own 4bd 3ba 2car K acre3000sf WH Sch $950mo 414-4004

2607 Shoreridge 3/2/1 $825207 Stanton 3/1/1 $695Express Realty 844-6101

www.expressrealtyok.com

3bd, 2ba, w/appls incl. + W&D,Edmond Schools, storage shed.No pets. 348-6240 or 623-1181

Rent to Own: Nice 2 & 3bedMWC $350 & up 390-9777

IMMACULATE 3bed 1.5bath 2 car,new hdwd flrs $990mo $1200dep1yr lse: 6401 S Villa; 2528 ElToro.

627-3791 » WE LOVE TFA


$3,395.Linda Maddoux, 12801

Fox Forest Circle, stormshelter, install-stormshelter, $3,395.

Chris and Jeni Milam,7516 NW 131, storm shelter,install-storm shelter,$3,350.

Derek Ebert, 724 NW139, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,300.

Robert and Angie Horn,10304 NW 39, storm shel-ter, install-storm shelter,$3,200.

A. Duane Chenoweth,2816 SW 111, storm shelter,install-storm shelter,$3,200.

Charles Wende, 5804NW 103, storm shelter, in-stall-storm shelter,$3,000.

Don B. Jones, 6916 NW100, residence, remodel,$3,000.

Evelyn Reding, 5008 SAnderson Road, manufac-tured home, move-on-mobile home park,$3,000.

Jerry Wingfield, 14113Corso Strada, storm shel-ter, remodel, $3,000.

Kevin Ragan, 6425 NW134, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000.

Perry Bryan, 3101 AerieDrive, storm shelter, in-stall-storm shelter,$3,000.

Pete and Joan Maschi-no, 608 Vickery Ave.,storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $3,000.

Ground Zero, 300 SW174, storm shelter, remod-el, $3,000.

Brenda and DennisDodson, 1304 SW 109Place, storm shelter, in-stall-storm shelter,$2,995.

Brett Rose, 8121 EagleCircle, storm shelter, in-stall-storm shelter,$2,995.

Nchelsey Earwood, 2232NW 197, storm shelter, in-stall-storm shelter,$2,995.

Robert Brown, 3112 EaglePass Lane, storm shelter,install-storm shelter,$2,995.

Shirley Qureshi, 16317Old Olive Way, storm shel-ter, install-storm shelter,$2,995.

Tai-Wei Yu, 15209 MistyPark Drive, storm shelter,install-storm shelter,$2,995.

Vikki Walters, 2208 NW159 Terrace, storm shelter,install-storm shelter,$2,995.

Ground Zero, 7512 NW130, storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,995.

Kim Jameson, 2228 SW137 Place, storm shelter,install-storm shelter,$2,905.

Kim Jameson, 11808Volterra Way, storm shel-ter, install-storm shelter,$2,905.

Brent Thornton, 5431NW 132, residence, install-storm shelter, $2,800.

Ground Zero, 7924Maehs Lane, storm shel-ter, remodel, $2,800.

Christina Shay, 1700NW 194 Circle, stormshelter, install-stormshelter, $2,795.

Alloy Building Co., 1617NE 50, canopy-carport,erect, $2,500.

Ideal Homes of NormanLP, 305 Durkee Road,storm shelter, install-storm shelter, $2,300.

Oscar Hidrogo, 2232 SW39, accessory, erect,$2,000.

Keith Knott, 928 West-chester Drive, canopy-carport, erect, $1,000.

Omar Atayde, 1724 NW8, canopy-carport, add-on, $1,000.

Malcolm Hall, 45 NE 27,pet-animal service, re-model, $1,000.

DemolitionJonathan Greeson,

3400 S Harvey Ave., resi-dence.

Justin Stewart, 2708 SKlein Ave., garage.

Midwest Wrecking,2800 N Santa Fe Ave.,warehouse.

Midwest Wrecking,3228 NE 15, residence.

Midwest Wrecking,8301 N Midwest Blvd.,residence.

Midwest Wrecking, 1139NE 7, single-family resi-dence.

Midwest Wrecking, 1NE36.

PermitsFROM PAGE 7F

For many of us, springcleaning includes washingwinter dirt and debris offwindows and windowscreens. Paying extra at-tention to screens now canend up saving homeown-ers money, as well as en-suring better views andkeeping out bugs.

Here’s the lowdown onscreens and screen care:

Cleaning is keyThe average home has 12

to 15 window screens, usu-ally made of aluminum orfiberglass with a vinylcoating. Experts recom-mend washing them twicea year, but at least once inthe spring to rid them ofwinter grime.

“We’ve had the rain andthe snow all winter and thedirt builds up on them,”said Scott Walker, presi-dent and owner of Screen-mobile, a mobile windowand door screening com-pany with close to 100 lo-cations throughout thecountry. “If you think ofthem as a filter, youwouldn’t want to breatheall the dust and the dirtthat builds up.”

The easiest way to startis by marking screens soyou’ll remember whichwindow they fit, said Col-leen Maiura, a spokeswo-man with Lowe’s HomeImprovement stores. Youcan use a marker or a smallpiece of tape that’s strongenough not to be washedaway by the garden hose.She suggests a cleaningsolution of 1 cup ammonia,3 cups of water and a squirtof dish detergent.

Lay the screens on a flatsurface, thoroughly wetthem with a hose and use asquirt bottle to apply thecleaning mix. Leave it onfor about 10 minutes, use asoft-bristled brush to re-move stubborn grime,then rinse. Don’t scrubaluminum screens toohard; you could dent them.

Maiura suggests shakingscreens to remove excesswater. If you’ve got fiber-glass ones, gently snapthem with a towel to sendwater drops flying and pre-vent hard water stains.

If you pay someone towash your windows, it’s agood idea to inspect the

screens beforehand. Thatway you won’t blame wash-ers for tears already there.

Repairs for a reasonThe point of having

window screens is to letyou open up your home tofresh air while keepingbugs and debris out. Ripsand tears in the mesh, orbent screen frames, defeatthat purpose.

Walker said you can dosome minor repairs onyour own. Inexpensivepatch kits available athome improvement storesinclude small pieces ofmesh that grab aroundholes and close them up.Pieces of household tapecan cover up tiny tears.Neither option is attrac-tive, Walker adds, but theycan serve as quick fixes inotherwise good screens.

Homeowners can at-tempt to fix slight bends inaluminum screens, butshould know that theframe may crack under thestress.

Spring or summercleaning is also the time torepaint wooden screenframes if needed. Paintinghelps seal the wood andkeep it from warping.

Preventing damageChildren and pets can be

especially tough onscreens and screen doorsbecause sometimes theyjust don’t see them. Con-sider using decorativestickers to remind themthat a screen is there. Petscreens can be mounted onsliding screen doors foreasy access for pets thatenjoy the outdoors.

For those who mighthave used an elbow to keepa swinging screen doorfrom closing too quickly,

there’s a better option thatwon’t cost you a repair.Check the top of your doorfor a piston mechanismthat you can turn and in-crease the pressure, tomake the door close moreslowly.

To keep window screensand doors sliding smooth-ly, Walker suggests skip-ping oil-based lubricantssuch as WD-40 and in-

stead using a silicone-based lubricant, such asfurniture polish.

If you have the storagespace, cleaning screens inthe fall and then storingthem away during thewinter can extend theirlife, experts say.

Replace as neededIf a screen has large or

multiple holes, or if its

frame is bent or broken,it’s time for a new one.

“Our rule of thumb isthat if the frame. doesn’tseal up against the win-dow, then the bugs cancome around there, soyou’d need to replace it,”Walker said.

Fiberglass screens,which have a vinyl coating,will begin to show whitestrands.

Cleaning up meshes: tips on screen careBY AMY LORENTZENFor The Associated Press

A dog leans against apet-resistant “PetScreen,” a product of-fered by Phifer WireProducts. AP PHOTO