The Brian and Kindra Show

On Episode 47 of The Brian and Kindra Show, they discussed home tours and the pros & cons of each type. A video tour is a pre-recorded video that someone shoots walking through the house, or a live video chat tour. A virtual tour is an in-depth tour that allows you to navigate through the property on your own. However, none of these options are to be confused with a slideshow, a set of photos that you scroll through. The virtual tour system Brian and Kindra use is called a Matterport. The Matterport system is very detailed.   The camera tech uses the highly sensitive camera to take scans every 6-8 feet around the perimeter of each room. These scans can take a while! If it is a large room, they may take shots from the center of the room, so you can view the room from better vantage points. Each scan takes approximately one minute to complete. Most virtual tours take a couple of hours, but larger homes can take four to five. Each scan point shows up on the virtual tour as a place you can view the room from. Virtual tours are very detailed. In the past, you could see the detail of the family portraits around the home, but now they are edited and blurred out so those personal details aren’t shared on the virtual tour. Because the virtual tour system is so efficient and clear, what is the need for a video tour? Brian says a live video tour can be very beneficial. This gives you, the viewer, the power to direct the tour and request to look at the specifics you are interested in. Otherwise, on a pre-recorded video you have to either watch the full tour, waiting for what you want, or scroll through and find the rooms of interest. Another benefit of the virtual tour system is that you can view the property from your home or wherever you have internet access. Especially in this time of COVID concerns, your home buying process doesn’t have to be delayed with quarantines.It is as important to prepare for a virtual tour than it is a showing. This might sound crazy, but in person you have much more creativity in your mind to see things from another angle. In a virtual tour you see things as face value. First thing to keep in mind is lighting. Open blinds and lamps will make a room brighter and more inviting. Second, storage is an issue in virtual tours. Typically, your cabinets are closed in a virtual tour because you can easily imagine how much space there is based on the number of doors. However, a pantry door should be opened so the tour can showcase that storage. If you have a cluttered pantry, it’s a good idea to remove some of the items until the tour is complete - making the pantry look bigger. In virtual tours, ALL doors have to be open. If anything is moved during the tour, it can throw off the images. Clutter is another issue with tours. You want to keep the home as minimalistic as possible, keeping the necessities and simple decorations. Brian and Kindra offer a “Home Ready” program that can help you get your house ready for showing. In person, tours give the seller opportunities to appeal to senses, like scent. However, in a virtual tour that isn’t an option. As a seller, you have to figure out how to make the home look homey through vision only. Virtual tours can help a buyer to eliminate a lot of home inventory from their interest list.  However, when you work with a Realtor, they are often able to learn what you like. Don’t be surprised if your agent suggests a house showing of a property that you previously rejected based solely on the virtual tour! Brian and Kindra hope these tips have been helpful to you. As always, if you have any questions or need help, please feel free to reach out to your local real estate professional.

On Episode 46 of The Brian and Kindra Show, they discussed different home insulation products and applications with Daniel of Pop & Sons Insulation, LLC. There are different types of insulation.  For example, if you are building a new structure, you have options on what type of material to use. Most commonly, fiberglass is used. The fiberglass insulation comes in two forms: Either a rolled out form or a short fiber material blown through 3 inch hoses. This is a much more modern method compared to the old days when they used newspapers to insulate walls! If you are in an existing structure and want to increase your insulation, your options are limited just a bit.  Frequently, a cellulose insulation is used which is actually still a newspaper product, but is treated with boric acid so that it doesn’t burn. This is commonly done in existing structures that didn’t get their walls insulated when the house was built. It’s a fine fiber that can maneuver around wires and boxes, whereas other materials are bulkier and don’t move as easily. The cellulose fiber is applied with a pressure blower, requiring drilled holes, 1 ¼ inches to 1 ½ inches wide, along the top and bottom of your walls. Holes are drilled at the top and bottom of your walls and between each stud. You might be thinking, WOW that’s a lot of holes to patch!  Yes, it is. However, you can do the cellulose application from the exterior of the home if you don't have brick. If you have lapwood or vinyl siding, they can work behind it to help avoid requiring as much repair after the installation. The quickest way to save your money and actually get your money back in insulation is to take care of your attic. The attic is where you lose most of your energy. You will know if you need to increase your insulation if you go to your attic and can see your ceiling joists. If you see insulation and are not able to see the joists, then there is at least 4-6 inches Of course, call a professional if you are worried. Fiberglass is used in attics because the product stacks well and doesn’t settle overtime. You don’t use cellulose in attics because it does settle. There is a disclaimer with cellulose products because the R factor does drop as it settles. If you have fiberglass insulation applied, you can go back 5 years later and it’s still 12-14 inches deep like it was when applied. The federal government guideline for insulation is an R38, but Daniel recommends an R42 for our region. An R-value is the measurement of the insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the number, the better it allows for temperature stabilization. There are a lot of varying factors that can play into the efficiency return of getting new insulation applied, but with good windows and a good HVAC unit you will very likely feel the difference of a well insulated home. If you walk into your house and turn the HVAC up/down, it should take 10-15 minutes to feel the difference, not an hour or more. Brian and Kindra hope these tips have been helpful to you. As always, if you have any questions or need help, please feel free to reach out to your local real estate professional.

On Episode 45 of The Brian and Kindra Show, they discussed home security and Vivint Smart Homes with Jeramie Johnson. First, Brian and Kindra discussed why a homeowner would want a security system.   Research shows that every 13 seconds a home burglary takes place, which ends up being 6,000 a day. Of course, living in a community like Woodward, these stats may seem elevated, but there are still petty crimes locally. One example, when people get trusting they tend to leave their vehicles unlocked. Thieves tend to target nicer neighborhoods where the residents might feel exempt to theft. More than just security systems, there are smart temperature detectors. They cover smoke, freezing temperatures, and heat. The freeze feature can notify you when your house drops below a certain temperature, so if you are on vacation and heating goes out you will know. Similarly, the heat feature can notice unusually hot temperatures from hot water heaters, fire, etc. There are also water sensors. These are set on/near the floor and will alert you that there is water flooding the room(s). The smoke detectors can be set to automatically call the fire department when they are set off, saving you time in that unexpected moment of panic. Another upside to home automation is the ability to control lamps, plug-ins, thermostats, etc. You can set timers on automated plug-ins so lamps will turn off/on when you aren’t home, or maybe set them so they are on when you return home. Thermostats will help you save electricity/money. You can control them via smart device and turn them off/on for your schedule. Home security systems can save you money on your insurance premium. A basic, bare bones Vivint system is $19.99. For Brian, who saves $12 a month on insurance for his system, the system practically pays for itself when he’s saving on insurance. Jeramie has seen insurance savings as high as 20%. It doesn’t hurt to shop and inquire with your insurance agent how much you could save with a home security/automation system. Although there is a tangible savings with insurance by having a system, the mental peace-of-mind to protect your family, fur babies, and self is more valuable. With home automation, there is the option for panic pendants. These can provide a range of 300 foot circumference of the house. If an elderly or disabled family member lives alone and falls or gets injured, they can push the pendant and it automatically alerts authorities. Otherwise, they may lay in the cold for hours or lay injured in home. This not only gives them the safety of knowing they are protected, but is settling to the family. One of newest add-ons that Jeramie likes is the Outdoor Camera Pro. It provides a crystal clear image with a wide view. Unlike other cameras, this one only detects people. Living in NW Oklahoma other cameras might detect tumbleweeds or stray animals, but with this one that isn’t the case. This minimizes the amount of clips it takes, reducing the storage consumption. It can also deter unwanted visitors with an alarm.Brian and Kindra hope these tips have been helpful to you. If you have any questions about home security or home automation, talk to your local Smart Home Pro specialist or real estate professional.

On Episode 44 of The Brian and Kindra Show, they discussed the lifespan of various essential household items as well as some maintenance ideas for many of the items.  (Of course these lifespans are approximate.) Beginning with Window AC Unit, the lifespan is 10 years. However, central heat/air systems have a 15 year lifespan, but have lasted as long as 40 years and sometimes as low as 6. 15 years is average if you take care of the filters and provide proper maintenance. A good idea for filter maintenance is to get them automatically delivered from a subscription service, then you know when it’s time to change. The technology of newer central heating and air units is substantially different to older models. Speak with your local appliance dealer about what deals/offers they might have if you are needing a replacementGarage Doors typically last about 12 years.  They should be maintained by applying a lubricant on the rollers and hinges. Brian and Kindra discussed that it’s tricky to look at an average lifespan of a roof (25 years) and rely on that information in our region.  With the severe weather we encounter, the roof may be receiving more wear and tear than in another region.  Regardless, but sure to repair roofing damage after inclement weather to prevent further damage. Always check for missing shingles and/or vent caps. The average lifespan of siding depends on the material used.  For, example, aluminum siding has a life expectancy of 15 years, but will need to be repainted as it fades.  (about every 5 years)  Wood siding should last decade with proper care and maintenance and vinyl siding can last up to 40 years.  Vinyl siding in the Oklahoma heat may require more upkeep.  Pressure wash siding to prevent dirt build-up and mildew.In other episodes, we have discussed the deck and how to maintain it by keeping it sealed and also keeping up with minor repairs.  With proper maintenance your deck could last 35 years.  The average life expectancy for carpet is roughly ten years. Steam clean your carpet BEFORE it becomes visibly dirty. Dirt and sand are especially bad for carpet, because it cuts the fibers. Similar to air filters for AC, carpet collects dirt, dead skin cells, pet hair, etc. It’s just as important to clean the carpet routinely, because it can become an allergen. Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Keeping your faucets and fixtures clean of hard water residue can help to prevent clogs. The aerator in the faucet can also be disassembled and cleaned. Faucets and fixtures may need to be replaced roughly every 15 years. The technology on windows now vs 30 years ago is vastly different!  Windows can last up to 30 years!  Be sure to clean window tracks twice yearly to prevent build up. Brian and Kindra hope these tips have been helpful to you.  Having an idea of the life expectancy of some of the more costly home items can help a homeowner to save now and be more prepared when replacement time comes.  Proper maintenance of existing items can help when it’s time to sell too!  As always, if you have any questions or need help, please feel free to reach out to your local real estate professional.

On Episode 43 of The Brian and Kindra Show, they discussed the undesirable home features that put off home buyers. One of the greatest distractors when showing or viewing a home is clutter. When a home buyer is viewing a property, having clutter around detracts from the appeal of the property and draws the eye elsewhere. Simplify everything. Keep it clean and tidy. Next up, is a damp, moldy smell. Oftentimes basements smell musty. Be sure to keep air circulating via dehumidifier or fans. When home buyers smell dampness, they immediately think mold. This is also a problem with bathrooms. Bathrooms can smell damp or like mildew, which isn’t pleasant. Ventilation is a must!Dark rooms make a showing dreary. There are a variety of lightbulbs with different wattages and temperatures. In multi-bulb fixtures, make sure you have the same color of light throughout the fixture. Bright lights make a room warm and inviting. This is even more important in rooms that have minimal windows/exterior lighting. Cracking in the walls can create a huge concern for buyers and keep them from moving forward with an offer on your property. Although cracks aren’t always structural, they are off-putting to buyers. It’s important to pay attention to any crack, big or small. If you have a way to fix the little cracks indoors or outside on brick, there are ways to seal and rectify the issue. If the problem is structural, you should fix it and make sure it’s disclosed. Curb appeal is a term that is tossed about frequently because it is so important!  When buyers pull-up to a house, the first thing they see is the home exterior and yard. If the paint doesn’t match or it’s a strong color, it might detour buyers for no reason other than that. Plant shrubs and make the exterior of the property look good.  Overgrown gardens can be a negative to buyers as well.   Keep everything nice and trimmed so that it doesn’t look like a daunting task to maintain to the buyer. Landscaping can be very overwhelming to buyers! Also check to make sure your fencing is in good condition.  Garish (bright & showy) decorations can be a distraction to buyers in the same way that clutter can.  It can be a challenge for a buyer to visualize the items that they find ‘homey’ in your property if the decor is too loud.  Tame down anything overly eye-catching. You want the home buyers to focus on the property, not your decorations. Home odors can be very difficult to overcome. This is tricky as scents and smells are subjective. Make sure there aren’t any overwhelming scents, good or bad, in the house. Pet odors and strong food odors are often viewed negatively. Even strong essential oils or candles can be noted as unpleasant to some buyers.   Brian and Kindra hope these tips have been helpful to you. As always, if you have any questions or need help, please feel free to reach out to your local real estate professional.

On Episode 42 of The Brian and Kindra Show, they discussed the structure of the Keller Williams Realty Elite Woodward office and shared some insight on real estate associates including the process to become a broker.   In the Keller Williams Realty Elite office, Brian is the Managing Branch Broker. KW is a branch of an OKC office. This doesn’t mean that Brian and Coldwell Banker Advanced Real Estate Centre sold-out, but that they have ceased relationship with the Coldwell Banker Franchise in order to join the Keller Williams Franchise.  This means the associates have the resources available from the other branches and from many other KW Franchisees. First, you achieve a provisional license, then a sales associate license within the first year, then a brokers associate license after 2 years of business. The majority of the realtors in the Woodward KW office are broker associates, which means they have their broker license and could start their own company if they wanted. Kindra is an associate broker, which she desired because it provides more education in the real estate industry. What does a real estate associate do? They are licensed to carry-out real estate transactions in the State of Oklahoma. This includes marketing a house, writing contracts, negotiating the transaction, showing the property, etc. These actions are all incorporated in the real estate license, which you are required to have to do any of the previous actions listed.  You can be fined by the State of Oklahoma if you facilitate the selling of anyone’s house besides your own or by offering any of the services required for a licensed agent.  (Please note, you CAN sell your own home!!)  Why would you want to use a realtor to sell your home? For the same reason you don’t change your own car oil or rebuild your transmission. Yes, you can watch YouTube and figure it out, but it’ll take more time to figure out and risk rather than taking it to the professional to get it done. Also, it can be costly if you err on a large transaction - the result could lead to devastating financial loss. The common misconception for how the office is structured at KW is everyone works for Brian; however, that is not the case. Brian and Kindra are a team.  Brian also employs and has the support of an office manager and a receptionist. The other nine real estate associates in the office are independent associates, but they operate under the brokerage Keller Williams Realty Elite. They don’t work for Brian, they just operate under his brokerage license and they are their own boss. They establish their own connections, income, and hours. They also cover their own expenses, such as business cards, licensing fees and advertising. Essentially, each associate is their own business inside the KW building. A problem they have ran into recently is someone will say to Brian, “Hey! We are buying a house from you!”, but in actuality, they are using an associate from the office thinking that they are an extension of Brian. Yes, Brian is the branch broker, but he is two people: 1) branch broker-providing some management at his branch, 2) agent. If you are working with an associate in the office, that is who your primary contact is and who will be assisting you, not necessarily Brian and Kindra. Yes, they all work closely together and will help each other, but if you start with an agent it’s best to be upfront with them that you want their services. Similarly, if you go to an open house and are approached by the agent there, you should be upfront with them that you already have an agent. There are never any hard feelings with this, it will save everyone time when you are open and honest if you have an agent. This is important because if the agent doesn’t write the contract, they don’t get paid. Most realtors don’t get paid until the transaction closes, so they are working for free until then. That is why it’s best to pick a real estate agent early in the proc