Incorporating Green Products into Your Tulsa Commercial Property

When building, remodeling, or replacing products in your commercial property, eco-friendly or green ideas can be very easy and often inexpensive to implement. Here are some easy ways to incorporate green products into your property:

• When building a new commercial space, face the widest part of the building to the north or south.
• Place doors and windows where you will receive good cross-ventilation.
• Ensure any attic space is well ventilated by using roof ridge vents, lighter colored roof materials, lots of insulation, and by placing A/C ducts in the attic to help absorb the heat.
• Install an energy-efficient and properly sized heating and A/C system, make sure that duct work is correctly sealed, and use a programmable thermostat.
• Utilize landscaping materials, plants and design that is appropriate for the climate and rainfall levels in your area.
• Use low-flow toilets and showerheads and energy-efficient appliances.
• Recyclable and renewable materials can be used for decking, siding, interior and exterior trim, and more.
• Choose flooring materials made out of concrete, bamboo, or recycled wood.
• Replace your air conditioning filter regularly to enhance the performance of your air conditioning system and to reduce pollutants.

For more ideas or estimates on incorporating green products and ideas into your commercial property, contact the professionals below:


Tulsa Commercial Roof Installation and Repair: A-Best Roofing, Judy Smith, 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com
Commercial Heating and Air Conditioning Installation and Repair in Tulsa: Air Assurance, contact Stephen Taylor at 918-258-HEAT or www.airassurance.com
Tulsa Building and Remodeling: US Building Systems, contact Rick Oberlender at usbs@att.net.
Air Conditioning Filters: Filters 4 Me, contact Rick Butefish at 292-8600, rick@filters4me.com, or visit their website at www.filters4me.com.
Tulsa Flooring Products: ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings, contact Jim Ecrette at 252-7711 or prosourcejim@tulsacoxmail.com (ask for Darryl Baskin’s preferred pricing).


To find energy-efficient, eco-friendly, or green commercial properties in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw realtors 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Termites, When Will You Get Them In Your Property?

I am sure that there are many who are saying that they have never had termites in or around their property. In Oklahoma, the saying goes that "it's not if you get termites, it's when you get termites". According to our friends at Montgomery Exterminating, termites "break down plant and wood material" by tunneling underground until they get to a source of that material, your property for example. One of the main problems with termite damage is that they eat from the inside out. When you finally see the damage, often you can end up with structural damage as a result. In addition to your property, they will eat furniture, paper, fences, cloth and books.

Did you know?

• Termites on earth outweigh humans on earth!
• Over 5 million homes have some type of termite damage.
• Termite damage is more common than storm, fire, and earthquake damage.
• Your insurance will not likely cover termite damage.

So, what do you do to prevent termites from damaging your property?

Montgomery Exterminating uses the Sentricon Colony Elimination System to kill the termite colony and prevent any further damage to your property. For more information on Tulsa, OK. commercial termite elimination or the Sentricon Colony Elimination System, contact Duane Montgomery, Montgomery Exterminating, 918-438-4885 or www.montgomeryexterminating.com.

Get Artsy with Your Commercial Landscaping!

Many of us have not heard of glass mulch. Glass mulch is becoming more popular for many reasons. First, it is very earth friendly. It is made from recycled glass, tumbled to ensure there are no sharp edges, and lasts forever in landscaping as mulch. Second, it can be laid out in a design using various colors for a more artistic flair in landscaping.

There are many uses for glass mulch when it comes to landscaping in commercial applications. You can use it as:

• landscaping mulch
• accent for driveway or pathways
• mixed into concrete for a terazzo tile effect
• used in non-skid or reflective paint
• used to create a beautiful design or business logo around your property
  

When you need a beautiful and sparkling effect for your commercial landscaping, remember to consider glass mulch.

For glass mulch for Tulsa, OK commercial uses. contact Leigh Murray, Garden Glass of Oklahoma, 918-232-0210 or www.gardenglassofoklahoma.com.

New Flood Insurance Rate Maps

Many property owners in the Tulsa, OK. area are finding out that they will soon be required to purchase flood insurance on their property due to changes in the flood insurance rate maps. There are areas that are being changed: some will now be required to purchase flood insurance on their property and others who may be able to drop the flood insurance on their property. These FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) changes take place in 2012.

If you have questions or wish to see what changes may have been made to your property, visit the resources below:

• www.riskmap6.com Once at this address, select Oklahoma and enter your county. Areas added to the flood plan will appear in red and areas removed from the floodplain appear in green.
• Contact Bill Robison at 918-596-9475 to view the hard copies of the maps or for questions.

Those who have received a letter with changes, may protest during the 90 day appeal process, which will end sometime in July 2011. To protest, contact Bill Robison at 918-596-9475 or brobison@cityoftulsa.org. Don't forget to include the following information: your name, contact information, property address or legal description, and why you feel there is an error.

When the maps become effective, those with a federally backed mortgage, will be required to purchase flood insurance in accordance with federal regulations. You may receive a cheaper rate if you purchase flood insurance before the new rates are effective. For more information on flood insurance visit: www.floodsmart.gov or www.cityoftulsa.org/city-services/floodcontrol/2012-floodmaps.aspx.

For all your Tulsa, OK. area insurance needs, contact Mike Tedford, Tedford Insurance at 918-299-2345 or www.tedfordinsurance.com.

To qualify for a Tulsa, OK. commercial mortgage or for questions regarding your Tulsa, OK. mortgage and the new flood rate maps, contact Karen Heston, BOK Mortgage, 918-230-9432 or http://kheston-boklo.mortgagewebcenter.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1

For all your Tulsa, OK. commercial real estate needs, contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Why Do I Need a Survey?

When you decide to build an addition or a new building, you will need a survey. A survey shows where the property lines are as well as any buildings, easements, driveways, or encroachments on the property such as a neighboring business' driveway. You might say, “I don’t need a survey, I have a plat map”. A plat map only shows the property boundaries, it doesn’t show easements or encroachments which can cause a problem with a legal title. A survey will ensure that anything you are building is not on someone else’s property or easement. It will also help if you have acreage and decide to sell some of it later.

For more information on Tulsa, OK. commercial land surveys, titles, and the closing process, contact JJ Pierce at Closings of Tulsa at 918-493-2241 or www.closingsoftulsa.com.

For commercial real estate in Tulsa, OK. contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

Easy Energy-Saving Ideas for Spring

Spring is finally upon us, which means things will be heating up in no time...including your electric bill.

In today's economy, it's important to reduce expenses wherever possible, especially those costs related to your home. As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, have seen how seemingly small steps in home maintenance can yield big results in terms of savings. Whenever working with clients, therefore, we make sure to point out the various ways they can save energy. Not only is it good for the environment, it's good for your household budget as well.

Here are some great energy-saving ideas to look at this spring:

Start at the top. Now is the perfect time to make sure your roof has adequate ventilation. As the weather gets increasingly warmer, heat builds up in your attic and good ventilation is critical to cutting cooling costs and protecting your shingles, as well.

Check your cooling system. An annual inspection is key to keeping your air conditioning system at peak performance. Early spring is the best time to call a local contractor to schedule a check-up. Make sure air conditioning units are free of obstructions inside and out. When embarking on spring clean up, be sure to trim bushes, and clear leaves and other debris away from your outdoor condenser.

Consider a furnace replacement. You may be using your furnace less as the weather warms up, but if it's an older model, now may be the time to take advantage of end-of-season sales to replace it with one that's more energy efficient.

Landscaping plays a part. Plant trees on the south and west side of your house to provide cooling shade.

These are just some of the ways to help reduce energy costs and also protect one of your greatest investments...your home. Please e-mail our team for more home ideas and be sure to pass this information on to your fellow homeowners as well.

Sincerely,

Darryl Baskin

For all your Tulsa, OK. commercial real estate needs, contact The Baskin Real Estate Specialists at McGraw Realtors at 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.

For Tulsa, OK. commercial heating and a/c service, contact Stephen Taylor of Air Assurance at 918-258-HEAT or www.airassurance.com.

For all your Tulsa, OK. commercial roofing needs, contact Judy Smith of A-Best Roofing at 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

For other ways to cut your Tulsa, OK. commercial electric bill and for all your Tulsa, OK. commercial electric installation and repair, contact Larry Murray of Murray Electric at 918-557-3020 or www.murrayelectric.com.

Flintco Honored for Work on The Summit Club

Flintco, a large commercial contractor headquartered here in Tulsa, OK, was recently honored for their work on The Summit Club of Tulsa. The Associated Builders and Contractors awarded Flintco the Eagle Aware for "Renovation- Less than $4 Million" (Tulsa World, 3-20-11, Flintco Honored for Summit Club Work). Congratulations Flintco!

"The Excellence in Construction awards program honors innovative and high-quality construction projects and safety programs. Winning projects were selected from entries submitted from across the nation and were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and cost."

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=46&articleid=20110320_46_E3_CUTLIN996909&archive=yes

The Summit Club is one of Tulsa's oldest premier member's only dining and social clubs. The Flintco project on The Summit Club is expected to be complete this month, April 2011.

Interested in commercial real estate in Tulsa? Contact Darryl Baskin, McGraw Realtors, 918-258-2600 or www.darrylbaskin.com.