Quick Tips for Increased Security

Security is important to just about everyone. For commercial properties, however, it can be even more challenging at times. Whether you are an employee or business owner, keep these simple tips in mind to help ensure security for everyone.

• Always know your surroundings. If you have relocated your business or taken a new job, take a walk or drive around during the day and check out the area. Make a note of routes that might be safer to walk or drive. Also, make a mental note of normal parking routines and people that frequent the area.
• Get to know other business owners and employees. Find out where businesses are located and what's been going on in the area.
• Make sure that employees know what protocol is for working after hours or if the last one to leave. Always close doors and set the alarm.
  
• When going on vacation or a business trip, be prepared. Put lights on timers, cancel mail and newspaper delivery or arrange for it to be picked up. Make sure that employees are aware. Don't leave clues that you are away.
• Again, remember to set your security system!

To have a security system installed or monitored in your Tulsa, OK area business, contact Tory Tipp of TNT Security Services at 918-313-4074 or www.tntsecurityservices.com.

How New Lead-Based Paint Law Affects You!

There is a new lead-based paint law that has been issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. The new law, the Toxic Substance Control Act, requires that companies must be certified by the EPA and workers must also be certified to remove or do activities that might disturb lead-based paint. These activities usually include renovation, repair, and painting done in or near areas that have lead-based paint (properties that were built before 1978). This law comes with heavy penalties as well, up to $37,500 per violation, per day. Not only can the contractor be fined, but Realtors and Brokers can be fined as well. Read on for a little more information about lead-based paint.

Lead-based paint was used in construction prior to 1978. Lead can cause a multitude of health problems for both children and adults which include:

• reproductive problems
• high blood pressure
• hearing issues (children)
  
• nerve disorders
• memory and concentration problems
• muscle and joint paint
• headaches (especially in children)
• brain and nervous system damage (children)
• hyperactivity and other behavioral and learning problems (children)

Lead can enter our systems by putting things in our mouth that have lead on them, eatting dirt or paint chips that can contain lead. breathing in dust during renovations. For children, lead is especially dangerous because they often put everything in their mouths . their bodies absorb more lead, they are more sensitive to the effects of lead.


For more information about the new lead-based paint law or for lead-based paint removal from a certified contractor in the Tulsa, OK area, call Jonathon Knapp of Residential Repair at 918-621-1020 or www.residentialrepairinc.com.

For a complete article on the new lead-based paint law, visit www.darrylbaskin.com.

Things to Consider When Building!

When building a new property, there are so many decisions to make, from the location and builder, to which carpet and paint to choose. Keep these tips in mind when you decide to build.

• Location- Work with your Realtor when purchasing land and building to make sure that the location you desire will fit your budget as well as the style and size you want in your building. Don't find out after purchasing that you can't do what you want or that the market won't handle your specific plans.
• Building- Select your builder carefully! Ask for recommendations from your Realtor. After all, they work with builders everyday. Ask builders for referrals and contact them. Ask plenty of questions and don't be afraid to get more than one quote.
• Products- Once you have purchased land, selected a builder, and begun the building process, there will be many products to choose. Ask about your options and shop around in advance to make sure that you get what you want at the price you want. When selecting roofing products and styles- keep in mind your budget, style, and the weather in your area. Remember that by using certain materials, you can decrease your energy costs. When selecting flooring products- remember to check wear, stain resistance, and even product type (such as carpet, tile, or hardwood).
  
• Mortgage Options- Check with your mortgage company to find out what mortgage options are available to you. Make sure that you know the down-payment requirements for the option you choose.
  

Want more information? Contact these professionals for all your Tulsa, OK area maintenance needs and more:

Building in the Tulsa, OK area- Rick Oberlender of US Building Systems at 918-734-1293 or usbs@att.net

Tulsa, OK Mortgages- Steve Currington, Currington Mortgage at 918-810-0092 or www.curringtonmortgage.com.

Roofing in the Tulsa, OK. area- Judy Smith of A-Best Roofing at 918-587-1426 or www.abestroofing.com.

Flooring Products- Jim Ecrette at ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings at 918-252-7711 or www.prosourcefloors.com. Don't forget to ask for Darryl Baskin's pricing discount!

Full of Stuff?

Is your office or commercial space full of "stuff". Here are a few quick and easy tips and questions to help you get your business de-cluttered in no time.

• Sometimes it can be helpful to de-clutter before tackling any cleaning. Once you de-clutter there will be less stuff to clean and less stuff on counters, floors, and tables to move around.
• When de-cluttering, set out three boxes. One box is for things to keep, one is for things to donate, the last is for things to throw away. Consider these questions when deciding what to do with each item.

Do I need the item?
Will I ever use this item again?
When did I use it last time?
Has it got sentimental value?
If it needs repair, will the repairs be made?

• Be realistic when de-cluttering. If you are short of space or haven't used it in a while, throw it away or donate it.
  
• Don't take a lot of time when de-cluttering. Many times, the longer you spend on one item, the more likely you will convince yourself that you need to keep it. If you still find it difficult to decide, put in aside for later and come back to it.
  
• If you find there is something, especially large items, that you need to keep but don't have space for, put it in storage.
  

For more information about storage, moving, and packing for your Tulsa, OK business or for an estimate for storage or moving services, contact Mike Ellingson of Relocation LLC at 918-459-MOVE or www.relocationllc.net.

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

Getting Rid of Bad Tenants

As a landlord, what are your rights when you have problems with a bad tenant? A landlord can give notice to a tenant and after a certain notice time, can file a Forcible Entry and Detainer Action at the Tulsa County Courthouse. This can be done for many reasons: not paying rent, too many cars, pet issues and many more problems.

As a landlord, you do not have to have an attorney in order to do this. You can go to the courthouse and fill out the documents yourself. give notice to the parties in the situation, and then get a court date. When this has occurred, if the tenant has not vacated the property you may be able to obtain a Writ of Assistance so that the Sheriff can come out and assist you in removing the persons belonging from the property and enabling you to get in.

If you are having problems with bad tenants in the Tulsa, OK area and to make sure you understand the Landlord and Tenants Act, contact David Keesling of Richardson, Richardson, Boudreaux at 918-492-7674 or www.rrblawok.com. For additional information, watch the video featuring David Keesling and Darryl Baskin below.

*Make sure that you know the law in your state and contact an attorney in your area to ensure that you are following the law.

Local Company Cleans Oolagah-Talala Schools After Recent Meningitis Outbreak

PCC Cleaning and Restoration, a Tulsa-based company, was responsible for cleaning the Elementary School at Oolagah-Talala Schools after the recent Meningitis outbreak. PCC provided this service for free as a way to support the community. They say that the products they used kill 99.97% of all harmful bacteria that is in the air.

PCC Cleaning and Restoration provides fire, water, and disaster recovery and restoration services for homeowners and business owners in the Tulsa, OK area. For more information or to receive a quote, contact Roger Fisher at 918-641-1111 or www.pcccr.com.

Tulsa's Ambassador Hotel Helps Save Lives Across the World!

Tulsa's Ambassador Hotel has helped save thousands of lives all across the world through a program called Clean the World. Clean the World takes used hotel hand soap and using a recycling process, cleans and sterilizes the soap and packages it for shipment to countries all around the world where many die from common diseases such as pneumonia and acute respiratory infections. These diseases and infections cause approximately 17 percent of deaths in infants and children. It is estimated that 60 percent of these deaths can be prevented when children wash their hands with soap and water.

Thanks Ambassador Hotel and Clean the World!

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