Tulsa, OK Real Estate Podcast with Jennie Wolek and The Wolek Group

What 1 Organization Is Doing to Address Childhood Hunger

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Thu, 7 Jun 2018 07:49:00 -0700

Today I am taking you behind the scenes at an amazing local organization: the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Today I am excited to bring you some important information about a great local organization: the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Eileen Bradshaw, the executive director of the Community Food Bank, joined me to explain a little bit about what they do. With approximately 450 partner programs, this organization helps to distribute food throughout the state. According to Eileen, about one in every four children goes to bed hungry at night. And, as we can all agree, this is unacceptable. “It’s part of our job just to make sure [these children] get what they need,” says Eileen. It was truly amazing to get a behind-the-scenes look at operations here at the Community Food Bank. Especially because at the time of my visit, they were preparing for “Summer Feeding.” The Summer Feeding program is one way that they are able to continue providing for kids who rely on school meals at other times of the year. On day one of this program, they fed an estimated 1,100 children.

Approximately one in every four children goes to bed hungry at night, so the work the Community Food Bank is doing is critical.

The workers at the Food Bank are also delegating more resources to their partner programs, as they know that their lines grow longer in the summer months, as well. So, with as much as this organization does for our community, how can we give back and help them make a difference? Well, for every dollar donated, the Food Bank is able to produce four meals. Obviously, financial gifts are always welcomed. Of course, volunteering your time and donating food are also great ways to help. So, if you want to get in touch with Eileen, you can give her a call at (918) 585-2800, or visit www.okfoodbank.org. And, as always, if you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Should You Get a Raised Garden Bed This Season?

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Wed, 23 May 2018 10:18:00 -0700

Is a raised bed the right solution for your garden? There are a few pros and cons you should consider before making that decision.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

It’s spring and that means it’s time to get our hands dirty in the garden. With that being said, today I’d like to discuss some pros and cons of a common gardening option: raised beds. One benefit of raised garden beds is simply that they’re nice to look at. Beyond that, raised beds also keep animals from getting to your garden. They also allow you to plant earlier, since the loose soil you fill the bed with will be warmer than the ground itself.

The decision as to whether a raised bed is right for you depends on your preferences and circumstances.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the downsides. First, they’re pricey. You’re going to have to invest in the bed, the materials, soil, and fertilizer to get started. Raised beds also aren’t as sustainable as simply planting your garden in the ground. Ultimately, the decision as to whether a raised bed is right for you depends on your preferences and circumstances. And if you’re unsure, my friends over at Grogg’s Green Barn can help you decide what gardening solutions may work best for you. As always, if you have any other questions for me or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Emergency Infant Services: Where Struggling Tulsa Families Can Find Help

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 11:03:00 -0700

Emergency Infant Services provides relief and support to families in Tulsa who are struggling financially. They do so with love and without judgment.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Today I’m coming to you live from the downtown office of Emergency Infant Services (EIS) here in Tulsa to tell you a little bit about this great organization and what they do for our community. Joining me is EIS Executive Director Bill Andoe. For the last 40 years, the mission of EIS has been to serve families who are experiencing financial hardship and have children under the age of five. They provide clothing, diapers, groceries, formula, and other essential needs these families have. All these families have to do is meet with an EIS interviewer to assess their needs so they can determine which services they can provide and which community services might be available to them—even if their children are over five. Aside from their downtown location, they also have a location on the east side of Tulsa and two satellite locations on the north and south sides of town. Right now they’re in the middle of a capital campaign, so a year from this summer, they’ll be moving to 11th and Denver. This move will help them provide more resources for families, centralize their warehouse, and stockpile more supplies.

Anyone is welcome at EIS.

One thing in particular I love to share about EIS is anyone is welcome there. They provide their services with love and without judgement—it’s one of their founding principles. According to Bill, they average about 18,000 visits per year, and they expect that number to reach 20,000 in the near future. To help carry the loan, they have church groups, school groups, and a number of other regular volunteers who help them on a weekly basis. “We’re in this because we want to help,” Bill says. “That’s what attracts employees and volunteers to EIS. We often talk about the people who come in—we talk about professionally mentioning them statistically as clients, but they’re really more than just clients. They’re members of our community. They go to our churches. We see them at public events. They’re Tulsans just like us. We’re here to help them.” EIS relies on the generosity of donors and the Tulsa community at large, so if you’d like to help them in their mission, they always welcome financial donations. They also accept diapers, wipes, car seats, strollers, and anything else a family with a young child might need. If you’d like to get in touch with EIS or you’d like more information on how to donate, you can visit their website at www.EISTulsa.org. As always, if you have any questions for me or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.

7 Tips for Decluttering Your Home

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 12:02:00 -0700

Decluttering your home can feel overwhelming, but these seven steps will hopefully help you simplify the process before you sell your home.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Decluttering is so important in getting your home ready to sell as well as just cleaning up for spring. Whatever your motivation, thinning out your home is a great way to feel good. Today let’s go through the seven steps it takes to declutter your home. 1. Make sure the front of your home is welcoming and encourages buyers to come inside. First impressions are everything. Buyers are probably going to find your home online first, and then they might even drive around the neighborhood to check it out. You’ll want to clear out any dead leaves and put some fresh mulch down. Be sure that there are no mud daubers or bird’s nests in your eaves. Pretend you’re a buyer and walk up to your front porch. What would you think? 2. Take it one room at a time. Decluttering can be really overwhelming, so just start small. Thin out the things in your room and closet; think about what your room would look like in a photograph. What isn’t needed? Pictures will amplify those extra things on countertops and other areas. 3. Decide what furniture you really need in the home. To make your property look like a model home, get rid of extra furniture and end tables. 4. Clean off countertops. These are common places for us to pile things up, but kitchens are very important rooms to make a good impression with. Put your toaster, blender, and other similar appliances away in a cabinet, and clear away other extraneous papers and tidbits.

Think about what your room would look like in a photograph. What isn’t needed?

5. Clean your shower. When we come to preview your home, we’re going to pull back the shower curtain. Be sure the grout is clean and that tiles or paint aren’t peeling. Your shower will tell buyers a lot about how you take care of your home. 6. Take away your collectibles. It’s great that you care about and collect things that are dear to your heart, but that can become a distraction to buyers. Go ahead and box it up and put it away. 7. Declutter the garage and storage sheds. If there are things in there that you need to keep on hand, put them in boxes or storage bins that are neat and organized. All these things sound crazy, however, they make a lot of difference. A decluttered home will help you get the most money for your home in the shortest amount of time. If you need any help with decluttering your home or have other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be glad to help you however I can.

We Are Looking for Homes to Sell

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 11:03:00 -0700

Our market is short on listings. Do you have a home to sell for between $150,000 and $250,000?

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Spring has sprung for us here in the Tulsa market. We’re very busy this time of year, so I wanted to take a short minute to talk about our listing shortage. We need good, ready-to-move-in homes in the $150,000 to $250,000 price range. If you have a home that would match this criteria, please let us know so that we can help all of our buyers. We have more buyers than we have homes for sale that match their criteria.

We need good, ready-to-move-in homes in the $150,000 to $250,000 price range.

Another tool that we use is called “My Buyer Listings,” a website just for buyer listings. That means we’ve met with our buyers, we’ve qualified them, and they’re ready to go buy a home. They’re just not finding homes that match what they’re looking for. Be sure to check out our listings that we already have with buyers and let us know if this is the perfect time to put your home on the market in this price range. That way, you get to take advantage of the market by moving up—and that’s always a win. If you have a home in this price range that you’d consider selling or if you have any other questions, please reach out to us and let us know how we can help you.

Teaching Kids About Science and Teamwork Through Global Gardens

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 09:20:00 -0700

Maryann Donahue from Global Gardens is here today to share how this wonderful organization helps empower children in high-poverty areas of Tulsa.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Something that’s really important to us as a real estate team is giving back to our community, which is why we like to spotlight our local nonprofits that are doing great things in the Tulsa area. Today, I’m talking to Maryann Donahue from Global Gardens. Global Gardens was created by a teacher from Tulsa named Heather Oakley in 2007. Heather had a background in urban science education and peace education. She also had a bachelors degree in botany. She combined all of those things to create Global Gardens. The purpose of Global Gardens is to help fight the cycle of poverty and empower kids from high-poverty communities to be agents of change in their own lives and in their communities. When Heather came back to Tulsa in 2007, she started the first program at Eugene Field. She offered during and after-school programs. At that time, there was an empty lot next to Eugene Field that was bare, empty, and forgotten. She and that first group of students turned it into a beautiful, bountiful garden, and that’s what Global Gardens has done ever since. Since then, Global Gardens has added three more sites in addition to Eugene Field, including the one Maryann and I are filming from today. This field services Union Middle School and Union High School. There are two other elementary schools in the program as well: Rosa Parks Elementary and McAuliffe Elementary in East Tulsa.

The purpose of Global Gardens is to help fight the cycle of poverty and empower kids.

“We serve over 1,800 kids every week in this program,” says Maryann. “We’re helping about 2,500 people a year.” Global Gardens uses gardening as a vehicle for empowerment. They also use gardening to teach science and how to be peaceful. “In the during-school program, they have a class garden. They get to decide what to plant, and they have a harvest party at the end of the year,” says Maryann. “They do all of that together. It’s very intentional.” These programs teach science that addresses state science standards while also teaching teamwork. The students don’t have many opportunities outside of Global Gardens to do hands-on, real-world things and have to do them as a team. We really believe that Global Gardens is doing a great thing. How can you help? Go to Global-Gardens.org to make an online donation. All of their funding is raised from community donations; they don’t have state contracts or charge fees. Maryann says that Global Gardens hopes to add a fifth site at Jackson Elementary School in North Tulsa by 2019. This has been in the works for a while, so please consider helping them reach their goal. I would like to thank Maryann for taking the time to talk to me today. You can learn more details about Global Gardens at Global-Gardens.org. If you have any real estate questions or know another local nonprofit you think we should spotlight, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

How Can Cleansing Rain Help You Clean and Organize Your Home?

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 11:19:00 -0800

Today, I want to talk about Cleansing Rain, which is an incredible home cleaning business here in our town.To learn more about the business and how it began, I spoke with the owner, Lacie Partney.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Today, I want to talk about an incredible home cleaning business here in our town: Cleansing Rain. When I asked how she got the idea to begin her business, owner Lacie Partney told me she wasn’t always such a neat and organized person. According to Lacie, it all began when she returned to Tulsa after two years on the mission field. At that point in time, she was searching for something to do. Since then, she’s found cleaning homes to be very fulfilling. She says it really helps her build relationships. On top of that, Lacie herself makes all of the natural cleaning products she uses.

From your attic to your junk drawer, Lacie is happy to help anyone declutter.

This is just one of the things that help her stand out from other cleaning companies in town. She also loves to help people get more organized. From your attic to your junk drawer, Lacie is happy to help anyone declutter. But, it doesn’t stop there. Once she helps her clients declutter their spaces, Lacie also helps them develop an organizational system that can be implemented into their specific lifestyle. One thing Lacie highly recommends is to make use of vertical space. Instead of buying new furniture that takes up floor space, she suggests that people try to utilize their walls for storage, instead. To learn more about Lacie and her business, you can visit her website at www.CleansingRain918.com. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

How John Carter Bathrooms Can Help You

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 11:03:00 -0800

John Carter from John Carter Bathrooms is here today to answer a few questions about his business and some of the latest trends in bathroom remodels.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Today, I’m here with John Carter from John Carter Bathrooms. John has graciously agreed to answer some questions about his business. How did you get into this business? It started way back. I’m from Namibia and my father did remodeling. He taught me everything I know. I learned everything from scratch and got to love remodeling, which made me decide to make it a business. I moved to the United States a couple of years ago and got a job like everybody else. Then I realized that I wouldn’t be able to work on my dreams, so I decided to start a remodeling business. I can do kitchens, bathrooms, and even build homes, but I wanted to focus on something special, so I learned how to specialize in bathrooms. I love your story and that you are doing something you are passionate about, which is important to me as well. What makes you stand out from the competition? There are a couple of things that make us different. First, we complete all projects on time and on budget. It is a top priority for us to work around your schedule and your finances. Second, all of our projects are designed to fit your size and your style. We don’t ask you to cut corners on the perfect remodel. Finally, we are the most available and we provide daily progress reports on what’s done, so you’re never left wondering what we did all day.

You will get daily progress reports so you know exactly how much work has been done.

What’s a new style or trend that you have noticed lately? In kitchens, soapstone has been popular lately. We’ve been using it in bathrooms for a little bit. People do want to use quartz for their surfaces these days. There are a lot of new materials out there. People like wooden countertops as well. For bathrooms, people stick to light, neutral colors. Those will last a long time. Back in the 80s, people made pink, green, and purple bathrooms. That doesn’t work. My job is to come into somebody’s home and put something in there with tile that will last. Technology has improved with tile and cement, so we can build up bathrooms that are mold-free and 100% waterproof, which is great. How can someone get in touch with you about a remodel or to ask any questions? My phone number is 918-574-4610 or look at my website, JohnCarterBathrooms.com. You can enter your information and get a free 3-D model of what your bathroom could look like at no cost to you. Thank you to John for answering my questions. As always, if you have any real estate questions, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

What Does Luxe Furniture and Design Have to Offer?

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 09:36:00 -0800

Today I’m here with Tamara Noel, owner of Luxe Furniture and Design, to discuss the products and services her company provides.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Today I’m here with Tamara Noel, owner of Luxe Furniture and Design, and I’m so excited for her to share with you all the great things they have here at Luxe. Along with beautiful furniture and decor, Luxe also offers a great design service that’s complimentary with purchase. When you shop there, you get to work with a qualified, educated, and talented interior designer to help you every step of the way. They’re not just salespeople who are knowledgeable about all the products Luxe offers; they are honestly legitimate design experts. The designers went to school to learn the skill and have spent their entire career honing the craft. They love what they do, and they’re very good at it. When somebody walks through the door with a need, what does the process of helping them look like? It could be anything from one of the designers helping the client navigate the store to identify their wants and needs to schedule a house call where someone isn’t quite sure what they’re looking for or they have a larger project they don’t know how to start.

The help of a designer can make all the difference.

Our designers make complimentary house calls out to your home. They’ll do all the measuring, look at your paint colors, work with what pieces you already have, give guidance on space planning, give direction for new pieces, and more. It could be something as simple as window treatments, but whatever it is, the help of a designer can make all the difference. We do a lot in stages. It may just be planning for the big picture—doing a few changes now and a little bit more down the road to ultimately get the look that you want. What are you seeing in terms of design trends? Clean lines are still key here in Tulsa. It’s becoming a transitional market, but neutrals are still very popular, and a lot of the taupes of years past are coming back. Adding in a little bit of fun with texture or a pop of color is a good way to brighten up your space. How can people get in touch with you? You can find us in our showroom at 9922 Riverside Parkway in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the King’s Landing Shopping Center. You can also visit our website www.luxetulsa.com, give us a call at (918) 459-8950, or like us on Facebook. As always, if you need anything in terms of real estate from the Wolek Group, please feel free to reach out to us. Have a great day!

Will I See You at the Toyland Ball in January?

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 10:10:00 -0800

The mission of The Parent Child Center of Tulsa is to prevent child abuse and neglect through education, treatment, and advocacy.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Today I’m excited to be joined by special guest Carey Baker. I had the opportunity to ask Carey some questions about her involvement with The Parent Child Center of Tulsa. Her and her husband, Brett Baker, are Co-chairs for Toyland Ball 2018. The Toyland Ball, held every January, is The Parent Child Center of Tulsa’s annual signature fundraising event. This black tie gala featuring a whimsical theme offers an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, with a live auction. I caught up with Carey at the Toyland Ball Stock the Bar Party where attendees bring a bottle of wine valued at $50 or more to be auctioned off at the Toyland Ball 2018 in January. In past years, the wine auctioned off at the event in January has raised between $8,000 and $10,000 for The Parent Child Center of Tulsa. That is just the money raised from auctioning the wine. There are other items that are auctioned off that raise even more money for the cause. For those of you who may not know, the mission of The Parent Child Center of Tulsa is to prevent child abuse and neglect through education, treatment, and advocacy. People who have been victims of abuse or neglect are given education and counseling so that they are able to end the cycle. Many people only know what they’ve been taught, so The Parent Child Center of Tulsa aims to reverse this. If you’re interested in attending, the Toyland Ball auction will take place on January 20th, 2018 at the Cox Business Center. For tickets, visit www.ParentChildCenter.org. You can also become a patron sponsor by donating $1,000 for two people. At the event, there will be raffles, an auction, and a live band. Also, all of the proceeds go directly to the counseling funds for The Parent Child Center of Tulsa.
We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Real Estate Isn't the Only Business Where Teamwork Matters

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Wed, 6 Dec 2017 11:40:00 -0800

Today I’m joined by a special guest, Teresa Brockwell from Farmers Insurance, to talk about her experience in the business.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Today I’m joined by a special guest: Teresa Brockwell from Farmers Insurance. Teresa entered the world of insurance 19 years ago when one of her close friends at the University of Oklahoma suggested she start an internship at a life insurance company. After that point, Teresa moved on to become the recruiter of agents for her now district manager. It is the same talent Teresa used as a recruiter to help build her current business. Like the Wolek Group, Teresa’s business works with a team-oriented approach. Teresa cites the quality professionals she works with as the reason her team is set apart from other insurance teams that are out there. Hard work, trustworthiness, kindness, and a willingness to go above and beyond are all core values that Teresa and her team believe in. All of these values help things go more smoothly for Teresa’s clients.

Clients are now realizing the value of having a personal agent to review their coverage.

With as much time as Teresa has spent in insurance, she has seen a few key changes in the business over the years. One of the changes her team has seen is the shift away from online agents. This is a great thing, as clients are now realizing the value of having a personal agent to review their coverage. Teresa says this is one of the most rewarding parts of what she does. She told me that it’s nice knowing her clients are well taken care of. If you have any questions or would like more information from Teresa, you can call her at (918) 496-1800 or contact her by email at TBrockwell@Farmersagent.com. Also, if you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call at (918) 712-2252 or send me an email at info@TheWolekGroup.com.

This Time, I’m the One Who’s Buying

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Tue, 5 Dec 2017 07:51:00 -0800

I’m on the hunt for an investment property in the TU/Midtown area. These kinds of properties are hard to find, so I’d love your help.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Usually, I’m the one helping buyers. Today though, I’m the one who’s buying. I’m looking to buy an investment property around the TU/Midtown area for anywhere up to $125,000. I would love one that has three bedrooms, but I’d be fine with two bedrooms as well. One or 1.5 bathrooms would be ideal. Midtown is a great place to live, so these kinds of properties are hard to find. If you’re thinking about selling your home and don’t have it on the market yet, I would love to talk to you and see if I could be your buyer.

I would love to talk to you and see if I could be your buyer.

If you know of anyone else making a move from or selling an investment property that’s already being leased in that area, don’t hesitate to send them my way. If you have any questions, just give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call at (918) 712-2252 or send me an email at info@TheWolekGroup.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Holiday Gift Ideas and More with Candra at Saks

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 07:26:00 -0800

Looking for some great holiday gift ideas? Look no further than Saks Fifth Avenue Tulsa.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

I’m back again to highlight another great business here in town. We’re getting into the holiday spirit today at Saks Fifth Avenue. Candra Monck joined me to discuss holiday gift ideas, style advisors, and some fun events they have coming up at the store. First, let’s take a look at some great holiday gift ideas, all of which are available in the store:

Artis makeup brushes. Not only is this set of brushes gorgeous, they are light and easy to use as well.
Dyson hairdryer. This is a brand new product from Dyson. They have taken their air circulation and noise-canceling technology to the hairdryer market.
Chanel skin regeneration set.

If you have somebody on your list that’s a little bit harder to buy for, Candra recommends giving one of their style advisors a call. They know the ins and outs of everything that the store carries. Candra even uses these advisors herself.

Keep an eye out for all of their upcoming events on their Facebook page.

There are a ton of great events coming up at Saks Fifth Avenue Tulsa. They include visits from national makeup artists, spa days, complimentary makeovers, makeup lessons, and more. The best way to contact them is through their Facebook page, which they are constantly updating with events, deals, and more. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call at (918) 706-9845 or send me an email at Info@TheWolekGroup.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Let Us Help You Find Your Dream Home

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 09:26:00 -0800

If you’ve struggled to find your dream home by searching on your own, we have a proactive solution that may be the answer you need: buyer listings.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Today I wanted to tell you about our buyer listings. We’ve had many buying clients who have either exhausted the market because they just can’t find what they’re looking for, or they aren’t ready to move right this minute. We have come up with a plan to proactively search for listings for our buying clients. We call this our buyer listings. Just like we do for sellers, when we gather all the information on the property and market it on the MLS, our websites, and social media, we do the same thing for our buyer clients. We have a website set up specifically to host all of these properties for our buyers, and we definitely push those listings out to our social media avenues and networks as well.

It’s kind of like a dating game but for a home.

It’s kind of like a dating game but for a home. We are so excited to help match you up with a great home you’d be interested to move to. Even if you’re just starting to think about the buyer search or you’ve been searching online with no luck, go ahead and get with us. We’ll have a consultation where we talk about all your wants and dreams and get you set up on our website so we can help you find your perfect home. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call at (918) 712-2252 or send me an email at info@TheWolekGroup.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Will I See You at the Toyland Ball in January?

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 08:50:00 -0700

Many people only know what they’ve been taught, so the Parent Child Center aims to reverse this.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Today I’m excited to be joined by special guest Carey Baker, who is the committee chairperson for the Toyland Ball. I had the opportunity to hear a little bit from Carey about the Toyland Ball Stock the Bar party. Attendees brought bottles of wine valued at $50 or more to be auctioned off in January. Money raised from this auction, between $8,000 and $10,000, goes to the Parent Child Center. For those of you who may not know, the mission of the Parent Child Center is to end child abuse and neglect. People who have been victims of abuse or neglect are given education and counseling so that they are able to end the cycle. Many people only know what they’ve been taught, so the Parent Child Center aims to reverse this.

Many people only know what they’ve been taught, so the Parent Child Center aims to reverse this.

If you’re interested in attending, the Toyland Ball auction will take place on January 20th, 2018 at the Cox Business Center. For tickets, visit www.ParentChildCenter.org. You can also become a patron sponsor by donating $1,000 for two people. At the event, there will be raffles, an auction, and a live band. Also, all of the proceeds go directly to the counseling funds for the Parent Child Center. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Grogg’s Green Barn Is Unique to Tulsa

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 09:26:00 -0700

We’re out at Grogg’s Green Barn today with owner Carla Grogg. She’s going to talk to us a bit about what they do.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Today I’m happy to be joined by Carla Grogg of Grogg’s Green Barn. This place is so cool, so I wanted to talk a little bit with Carla about all the things that are going on here. Carla and her husband started Grogg’s Green Barn seven years ago. As far as I know, this business is the only one of its kind in Tulsa. Carla and her husband started Grogg’s Green Barn, an all-sustainable organic nursery, after a few of their family members were affected by cancer, causing them to take their own health more seriously. Grogg’s Green Barn carries all kinds of perennials, trees, shrubs, and more. Additionally, they have quite a selection of edibles, like berry bushes, fruit trees, vegetables, and herbs. They also have a ton of great pollination plants, which are becoming more and more important as bee and butterfly populations continue to dwindle.

You need to come down and check this place out.

Just this year, Grogg’s has added another component to their business. They are transitioning part of their facility to be a new dining facility: The Reserve at Grogg’s Green Barn. They will use their own produce as well as meat and dairy from other local farmers to prepare delicious meals from Chef Matt Owen. You can RSVP to the next dinner right here on their site. I highly recommend that you come down here and check out Grogg’s Green Barn. To learn more about what they do, head on over to their website. If you have any questions, you can give Carla a call at (918) 994-4222. If you have any real estate questions or needs, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We’re always here to help.

How Should You Handle a Low Offer?

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 11:29:00 -0700

When you encounter an offer that is lower than asking price, it’s common to negotiate. Do not take the low offer personally.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Today, I’m going to give my two cents on a topic that keeps coming up in our business. I know if you’ve watched my videos in the past, I say the same things over and over again. That just because we sell lots and lots of houses and we get to help lots and lots of people. We have a lot of experience with this. I am still primarily the listing agent for our team, so I mostly work with sellers. I receive offers from agents that are working with buyers, and so many times these offers come in lower than the listing price, and sometimes with other concessions built in, such as closing costs and warranties. I will admit that sometimes, I’m a little shocked at some of the offers we get. Then I remember that in a buyer’s mind, they are doing the best that they can for their family. Of course they want to make a lower offer, because they feel like it’s their job to negotiate. Well, as an agent, that’s also part of our job: to best prepare our clients and to explain the market to them. When we receive these lower offers or offers that have different contingencies built in, it’s our job to settle the client (the seller) and explain to them that these are expected—low offers like these are the norm.

I will admit that sometimes, I’m a little shocked at some of the offers we get.

I’ll admit it: I forget that you guys don’t do this every day like I do. I do need to slow down and understand where you’re coming from, because as a seller, you are working to get your best deal and to put the most money in your pocket. That is my goal for you, too. However, I do know that I’m studying the market all the time and monitoring the average list-to-sales price of the MLS, how we can put the most money in your pocket and at the same time, get your home sold. An offer early on may be a little lower than you were planning on, and yet, if it doesn’t sell, how much longer will you have it? Remember that the process of selling is a negotiation. Please do not ever reject an offer; you have to do a little bit of negotiating to show that you want to sell your house. The buyer is working to get their best number, and you’re working to get your best number, so sometimes you have to get together in the middle somewhere. That’s our goal: to get you the most money, and for the buyers to get the best deal. At the same time, we have to work together to achieve your real estate dreams. Let me know if this was helpful to you, and if you have any questions, give me call! I'd love to speak with you.

How Can DISC Help You Help Others?

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 08:22:00 -0700

We use the DISC personality profile to help us in our business and personal lives. Here’s what DISC stands for.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Did you know that you can use behavioral assessments and analyses not only in your business, but in your personal life as well? When you can observe behaviors in your friends, family, coworkers, clients, etc., you know better how to adapt and relate to who they are and understand how to help them. We use the DISC personality profile to accomplish these things. What does DISC stand for, though? The D stands for “driver,” “dominant,” or “doer.” These people are the CEOs and trial attorneys of the world. These people come in, get stuff done, and don’t allow anyone to waste their time. The I stands for “influencer.” These people are motivated and typically work through other people. They’re sometimes referred to as “the life of the party” or “a social butterfly.” This isn’t always the case, but they’re definitely not shy in group settings.

You can tell a lot about people by how they act in groups and how they work through challenges in their life.

The S stands for “steady,” “stable,” or “secure.” This personality represents the majority of the population. These people don’t like change. They’re the schoolteachers of the world. They’re all about love—when you walk into their home, you’ll see family pictures everywhere because that’s important to them. It should be important to all of us, but it’s especially evident in them. Finally, the C stands for “compliant.” These people are the accountants and engineers of society. They love following the rules and checking off tasks. Sometimes, they’re hesitant to move forward until they have all the answers. All of us have each of these different behaviors inside of us—they just show up differently for each person. Some people are more slanted toward one behavior, while others are a blend of each. D and C personalities are task-motivated, while I and S personalities are more relationship oriented. You tell a lot about people by how they act in groups and how they work through challenges in their life. If you have any questions about DISC or how you can use behavioral assessments to better your life and the lives of those around you, feel free to get in touch with me. I’d be happy to talk with you.

How Can You Take Advantage of Our Shifting Market?

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 14:31:00 -0700

Our market is shifting, but if you’re a home seller, it’s still an ideal time to put your home on the market as long as you price it correctly.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Our market is starting to shift, so what does that mean for you? We’re at the end of the summer rush and the kids are back in school. Typically during this time of year, our market experiences a slight downturn before encountering another uptick in early fall. This is a seasonal trend that happens every year—the real estate market always works in cycles, after all. We don’t know what’s going to happen beyond this cycle, but I do know there are buyers and sellers in the market all the time looking to make a move. I also know from years of experience that it’s always about price. This means if you’re a seller, it’s still an ideal time to sell—you just have to price your home correctly. This will give you your best chance at attracting a buyer early on, getting the most money in your pocket, and moving onto where you want to go. Pricing right from the start is everything, and we call this “pricing ahead of the market.” When we get together and examine the numbers, we analyze what’s happened with sales in the recent past and what’s happening currently with your competition.

Real estate is a contest—are you going to win?

Real estate is a contest—are you going to win? Are you going to be the No. 1 or No. 2 house buyers have to choose from in your area? Buyers buy homes that offer the most value. Do you have all the nice amenities, updates, and features that the other homes you’re competing with have? If not, you need to offset that by offering a better price. You have only one opportunity, and that’s early on in the listing period. That’s where you’ll see the most amount of activity, and that’s when you need to capture a buyer. Whether you’re thinking about selling or buying a house in our market, we’d love to help you out. Just give me a call or send me an email and I’d be happy to speak with you.

Why You Shouldn't Fear the Shift in Our Market

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:29:00 -0700

As we start to see our local market trend away from the seller’s market we’ve been enjoying, it’s more important than ever to stay educated about what’s going on locally.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

We are seeing a shift in our market. I know that some people might have a little fear about that word, but we are always seeing shifts in this market throughout the year. As real estate agents, we are always prepared for these types of shifts. Based on the last few months, we’re seeing a bit of a change in the market. You’ve heard me talk about home sales above $200,000 slowing down. Homes in the $100,000 to $200,000 price range which have been selling within days over the last few months have also seen a slowdown in sales as well. We have put great homes on the market in the last month in the $150,000 to $185,000 price range that I thought for sure would be easy sellers, and they haven’t sold as quickly as we thought. If you’re a consumer, just know that the market is always changing. You should always pay attention to what’s happening locally, and pay less attention to what’s happening on a national scale. There are other markets in different parts of the country that aren’t seeing the same type of shift that we’re seeing locally.

Based on the last few months, we’re seeing a bit of a change in the market.

Here at the Wolek Group, we make sure to pay attention to those local trends and statistics. All the Keller Williams agents in town do their best to ensure that we’re sharing the same message to the consumers. We want to be open and honest about what’s going on, especially now that we’re starting to move away from the seller’s market we’ve been enjoying for quite awhile. Make sure that you’re choosing an agent that is really researching the market and understands what’s going on in your neighborhood. As a final note, I wanted to assure you that homes still are selling, so don’t be afraid of the market if you’re looking to dive in. Just make sure to be educated on what’s going on.

If you have any questions or need anything at all, give me a call. I’m happy to help!

Great Day Moving Makes Moving Stress Free

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 13:18:00 -0700

The moving and real estate industries have a lot in common. I recently spoke with Julie Woolslayer about some tips and tricks of the moving process.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

I was recently joined by Julie Woolslayer of Great Day Moving, who you may remember from past conversations we’ve had. She and her husband have a great business that I’ve used personally and also that I’ve referred to multiple clients. The moving industry is very much related to the business of real estate, so I wanted to give Julie the chance to present some tips and tricks for moving. First of all, Julie recommends that you should always start early in the process. If you think you’re moving, decluttering will help you for a number of reasons. Not only does it prepare a home for showing but it also makes it easier on you when it comes time to move your belongings. Get as much help as you can from friends and family members when you undertake the task of organizing and decluttering your home. One tip that Julie recommended on the matter was to read the book “It’s All Too Much” by Peter Walsh. It’s full of great tips on how to organize and get rid of items in your home. You may even want to enlist the help of professional organizers. The bottom line is that there is a lot of help available—you just need to get motivated and get started.

There is a lot of help available—you just need to get motivated and get started.

This process is especially helpful for sellers who are downsizing. Julie and her team are more than happy to talk to people undergoing the downsizing process in order to assess what kind of help will be most useful to them. She also mentioned Settled In—a company she’s worked with in the past that helps clients decide what to take and what to leave in a move. Julie also has a plan for people who are unable to move into their new home right away but need to move their items out of their old home. In situations like these, Great Day Moving partners with another Tulsa business: Premier Logistics. Premier Logistics has trucks and trailers available for rent, which Great Day Moving then loads and stores at their 24-hour secured lot for as long as the seller might need. Then, once it is time to move, Great Day Moving brings the truck on site to the new home and unloads it as they would during any other moving process. Overall, Julie works hard to offer moving solutions. In fact, if you call and tell our scheduler Kelsey that you saw this video, you can save $75 off on any move over two hours. If you’d like to reach out to Julie you can contact her by calling (918) 877-1971 or by visiting GreatDayMoving.com. If I can answer any other questions or you’d like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you, soon.

I Want to Help Shift Your Mindset

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 09:46:00 -0700

There was a point in time where I was going through the motions in life. Once I stopped doing that, I found my true passion.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Back when I was in my teens and early twenties, I was floating through life. I was getting by on average and had never really pushed myself.

Looking back, the defining moments in my life and career were when I finally truly enjoyed what I was doing. Once I got into classes in school that I was passionate about, I started making better grades. Once I found a career that clicked with me and I was passionate about, that’s when I really started on the path to becoming who I am today.

I don’t want today’s young people to make the same mistakes I did, so I’m offering a special class to help them out. This class is ideally for anyone aged 18 to 24, but it’s open to all applicants up to age 30.

I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did.

It’s not a real estate or business class; it’s a mindset class and a life changing class. I’m passionate about teaching it and I can’t wait for the opportunity to help you or someone you know head down the path you are supposed to be on.

If you or someone you know is interested in taking this class, you can register here. If you have any questions in the meantime, you can always give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Interested in a Career in Real Estate?

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:41:00 -0700

Our workload is growing and we need our team to grow too. Are you or someone you know interested in working for a team like ours?

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

Team building is today's hot topic because our buyer division is exploding and we need help. I wanted to reach out to see if you know anyone who has been in the real estate business for a couple years but not finding the success they're looking for, or they're looking to hook up with a great team. Our buyer specialist needs help showing our houses to buyers, so we're looking for a showing agent.

We're looking to add a team member who can take care of the fun part of real estate transactions.

As a showing agent, you'll get to do the fun part of real estate: opening doors for clients and helping them check out homes.

We're looking to build our team with a member who has been looking to get into real estate or has their license already. If you or someone you know fits the bill, reach out to us so we can connect! We'd love your help.

Just give us a call or send us an email soon. I look forward to hearing from you!

Have You Downloaded Our Homekeepr App?

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Tue, 23 May 2017 13:22:00 -0700

Our Homekeepr app is a must-have for homeowners. These are just a few of the features it has.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

If you’re a homeowner and you haven’t already, you need to download our Homekeepr app. It’s got so many different uses, but I wanted to highlight some of its best features today.

One is maintenance reminders for your home. Whether you need to have your furnace filter changed or it's time to clean out your gutters, this app will remind you at regular intervals to do those things. There are so many things that we can forget to do around the house, but this app stays on top of things for you.

Another awesome feature is our directory. Within it, you’ll find all of our preferred service providers. These are people we have vetted, people we have worked with, and people we trust to give you fair prices and great customer service. All of their contact information is located right here within the app.

Our directory is full of reputable, vetted service providers.

Finally, it can be stressful trying to keep or remember where you put certain receipts, manuals, and home improvement plans. If your phone has a camera, you can just take a picture of these documents and save them right in the app. You can then access the documents from any device or desktop.

If you’re a small business owner or service provider who’s interested in being one of our partners, give us a call or send us an email today.

If you have any other questions for us or you’re looking to buy or sell in Tulsa anytime soon, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.

What Is the Market Telling Us?

jwolek@kw.com (Jennie Wolek) — Fri, 5 May 2017 12:23:00 -0700

The market will always have a message if you listen hard enough. The message of our market right now is that summer is here and buyers don’t have many homes to choose from.

Looking to sell your Tulsa area home? Get a free home value report
Looking to buy a Tulsa area home? Click here to browse Tulsa homes for sale

I wanted to take a quick moment to share with you the message of the market. Right now in Tulsa, we are seeing a shortage of active listings. This is the seasonal market where lots of buyers are going to be hopping in the market to purchase a home in mid-to-late May, when school is getting out. This is perfect timing for a lot of buyers because it gives them the entire summer to get settled into their new home before school starts again.

If you are thinking about making a move at all this summer season, give us a call now. We would love to help set you up for success with a buyer consultation where we can discuss the market, pricing strategies, and get a leg up on any repairs or pre-inspections that should be performed in order to maximize your sale price.

Buyers are on the market now looking for homes to buy.

We also offer all of our buyers a free staging consultation as part of our services. Staged homes simply sell faster and we have the numbers to prove it. Let’s start a conversation now. Our supply is short and you could take advantage of it.

If you have any questions for us or you want to get started with the home buying or selling process, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.