Oklahoma is more than "OK" in our eyes! Tulsa is a city that boasts affordable new home prices, low interest rates, and a great tax rebate for first-time home buyers, also provides affordable new homes for sale within a city with a growing economy. With a double-digit job growth, it is no surprise that Tulsa real estate market conditions of 2009 were ranked among the healthiest housing markets and an appearance of recovery before many other real estate markets. Below is a list of just some of the great news that came out about Tulsa's growing economy and the real estate market in 2009.
Tulsa was ranked best Cost of Living and ranked 2ed for best Quality of Life by Business Facilities magazine's metro report; "Tulsa World"
Tulsa, Oklahoma was named as one of the Growing Cities with a median home price of $135,000. CNN Money; "Where the Growth Is - and Isn't"
Tulsa ranked 11th among the nation's top performers in a recently released home pricing forecast that indicated Tulsa real estate market will be among the top 13 performers in the nation this year. Tulsa World; "Tulsa Housing Market Predicted to Fare Well"
Tulsa ranked 7th strongest Metro Economics with home prices growing 2.5% in the second quarter compared to the same period a year before. BusinessWeek; "Forty Strongest US Metro Economies"
Oklahoma Ranks #1 in cost of living and 3ed highest in overall economy. Oklahoma is also the #23 in overall for doing business. CNBC; "Americas Top States For Business"
Builder Magazine recently named the top home builders for 2008 based on total closings for the year. Simmons Homes ranked in the top 100 at 98 - moving up the rankings 36 spots. In 2008, Simmons closed 278 homes, 80% of these homes where Energy Star certified!
We are extremely excited to break the top 100 for 2008 and look forward to more positive growth in 2009. The national homebuilding market has been struggling, but the Tulsa Oklahoma market is showing its long term stability and strength.
I have more good news! The new rankings for Building Giants were just released by Professional Builder and Simmons Homes came in at 201. This is up 69 spots from the 270 rank last year.
Other larger builders in Oklahoma, like Ideal Homes and Home Creations also moved up the list this year. While we would all like to attribute this to our solid business plans - I think that it is largely due to our strong and stable market. We all took a big jump while other builders, in less than strong economies, fell backwards.
Here at Simmons Homes, we strive to create a home that meets our customers’ needs and is relevant to the marketplace -but at the end of the day - we can't manipulate the need for housing. This is created by strong job growth and a robust economy. So, while we do pat ourselves on the back a little - we like to give most of the credit to our vibrant city.
GIANT 400 METHODOLOGY The list of the Giant 400 is based on a two-step process. First we identify the 400 largest builders based on the number of housing units closed in the previous year. (For 2008, the last --or 400th-- company listed as a result of this first sorting built 82 homes in 2007.) Then we sort those 400 builders by housing revenues. It is the housing revenue that determines the actual ranking number for those companies. This dual criteria of units and housing revenues, we feel, best defines the Giants of housing. The process does, however, eliminate some builders with revenues greater than the 400th Giant, but with fewer unit closings.
Rickey Hayes founded Retail Attractions in 2007 to provide a suite of services to the retail development world, including cities, developers, retailers, site selectors, economic development trusts and authorities. Communities and their citizens benefit when national retailers and restaurants, quality residential developments, and state of the art health care facilities choose to locate in their city. Developers and retailers benefit from choosing a location in a Retail Attractions client city because the process is smooth and efficient. Sites are pre-screened and quality market data made available.
Before starting Retail Attractions, Rickey served as the Economic Development Director for the City of Owasso, Oklahoma for six years. During that time, the city experienced tremendous growth in both commercial and residential investment. The city's sales tax base more than doubled. New commercial construction during his tenure totaled more than 4.2 million square feet with over a quarter of a billion dollars in total value. Since beginning Retail Attractions, LLC, our partner cities have seen another 1 million square feet of new retail development, along with the corresponding sales tax revenue that comes with new retail sales.
More great news for Tulsa! Forbes.com recently release its list of "Most Livable Cities" and coming in at #5 is our great city!
The article starts off with:
Looking to for a better way of life? Start your search with these places.
I just love all the positive news. We keep showing up on these lists year after year. What things do you think make Tulsa "livable"?
Here are the stats for Tulsa:
Metro Population: 910,000 Income Growth: 4.9% (No. 50 of 379) Cost of Living Index: 90.6 (No. 171 of 379) Culture Index: 72 (No. 105 of 379) Crime per 100,000: 4,462 (No. 250 of 379) Unemployment: 5.6% (No. 21 of 379)
I am proud to announce a new series we will be doing here on the blog called "Meet the Experts". I will be sitting down with local experts here in Tulsa and talking about information on home sales and the real estate market in Tulsa.
In our first series - I talk with Sam Rader, the owner Coldwell Banker here in Tulsa. He has been a powerful force in this industry for several years and has some great insights on our market.
The video below reviews the current Tulsa market and how it compares to the nation.
Great news for homebuyers - The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dips to 5.19%, according to a report from Bankrate.com, the lowest rate since 1956.
To put the plunge in mortgage rates into perspective, 30-year fixed home mortgage rates averaged 6.77% in late October. At that time, a $200,000 home loan would have meant a monthly payment of $1,299.86. Now, with the mortgage rates down at 5.19%, the monthly payment for the same loan would be $1,096.99. That works out to a savings of more than $200 per month.
In a stable market like ours - we are able to take advantage of these low rates for a once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunity. Don't miss out!
More good news. I received the Zillow Buzz email today with the subject "Home Values in Tulsa increased 1.0%"
I love seeing more good news about Tulsa. Also, we have recently seen an increase in home shoppers. We had a great month in January and looks like February is going to finish strong as well. Most of my builder connections across the nation are seeing the same increase. Very positive signs.
Below is the content of the email with links.
Real Estate Market Trends in Tulsa According to the latest Zillow Real Estate Market Reports, home values in Tulsa increased 1.0% in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. Nationally, home values decreased -11.6% during this same period.
You’ve heard so many doom and gloom stories about the national housing market. Home values are plummeting. Owners can’t sell their homes. And if they do, buyers are having difficulty securing a mortgage.
Now, Oklahoma, are you ready for some good news?
Tulsa is outpacing most of America with home values holding steadier in this city than the rest of the country, which have lived up (or down) to the grim predictions of plummeting recession impact. Forbes magazine published the results of a survey of the housing market that determined that Tulsa demonstrated the sixth best performing home market during the current economic downturn. While property values in California and Florida have dropped by as much as 50 percent since the bubble burst in 2004, Tulsa holds steady with just a 1.1 percent drop, according to the study conducted by Economy.com. That means that your investment is hanging on in the toughest of times. In an area that is used to weathering some serious storms — like tornadoes — we know what it means to remain standing against tough challenges.
Congratulations, Tulsa! We’re proving that life is AOK in OK. But we already knew that, right? We’re showing the rest of the United States that here in America’s heartland is a smart investment.
If you’re thinking about buying a new home, this report presents yet another plus. With the housing values holding steady in this challenging economy, you can safely purchase your home with the confidence that your investment will ride out this temporary storm and give you the future security you have come to expect from real estate investment. And, with mortgage rates at a 50-year low, you can truly get more house for less money!
From my perspective as a homebuilder, I’ve watched housing markets shift here and there, but Tulsa has never felt the sharp sting that nips at these other areas. Tulsa, and all of Oklahoma, for that matter, is as recession-proof as any place in the country, including an unemployment rate that also falls below the national norm. This is a great place to call home!
We are continuing to move forward with the development of new communities, to build homes for the people who are discovering the benefit of “living OKâ€.
In past years, it was hard not to wish for the 20 percent growth in housing like other states. But now, we need to recognize the blessing of living in an area that has been barely tainted by an epidemic that has infected most of the country over the past few years. In my business, I am truly blessed to be a part of the dreams of people who wish for only the simple comfort of hearth and home. Thank you to all of the customers and real estate partners of Simmons Homes. Together, we have made Tulsa a true oasis in the storm.
We are keeping a history of all the cool projects we have done in the past like Extreme Makeover and Operation Faith on our Flickr account. Stop over an experience some of the excitement.
The Adventures of the Greater Tulsa Home & Garden Show!
The 59th Greater Tulsa Home & Garden Showâ„¢, presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa.
· This year’s Greater Tulsa Home & Garden will be an adventure for the whole family. It’s the LARGEST and OLDEST Home & Garden Show in the region, with multiple special features and more than 450 exhibitors – it is THE home improvement event of the year and one that you don’t want to miss!
· The Show will feature a traveling King Tut exhibit showcasing more than 250 museum quality replica artifacts. The exhibit is coming to Tulsa direct from Egypt, and this will be the first time this type of exhibit has ever been displayed in Oklahoma. The exhibit will be displayed on the lower level of the Show.
· This year, the Show will also include a SECOND feature; a giant freestanding structure made entirely from ordinary playing cards will be constructed in the center of the upper level. The structure will be made by world-famous Cardstacker, Bryan Berg, the current Guinness world-record holder for the largest tower of cards. The Egyptian-themed structure will contain more than 300 decks of playing cards, or approximately 15,000 cards. Construction will begin on Friday, and be ongoing throughout the Show, with completion scheduled for Sunday, March 15.
What: The 59th Annual Greater Tulsa Home & Garden Showâ„¢ --“The Adventures of the 2009 Greater Tulsa Home & Garden Showâ€--presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa and sponsored by Andersen Windows. A Tulsa tradition since 1949!
When: March 12-15, 2009
On-site Child Care will be provided by Playtime Plus during Show hours.
Where: QuikTrip Center at Expo Square, Tulsa County Fairgrounds
Cost: Adults - $8, Seniors - $7, Children under 12 - Free with paid adult
$1.00 off coupon available in Official Guide.
Who: This is a show the entire family will enjoy.
For more information: The Official Guide for the Home & Garden Show will be available in the Tulsa World on March 11, and on sale at all area QuikTrip locations from March 11-15.
Oklahoma is more than "OK" in our eyes! Tulsa is a city that boasts affordable new home prices, low interest rates, and a great tax rebate for first-time home buyers, also provides affordable new homes for sale within a city with a growing economy. With a double-digit job growth, it is no surprise that Tulsa real estate market conditions of 2009 were ranked among the healthiest housing markets and an appearance of recovery before many other real estate markets. Below is a list of just some of the great news that came out about Tulsa's growing economy and the real estate market in 2009. 
