Simmons Homes

We’ve done spring cleaning, redecorating, and gardening. Now it’s time to get your home ready for the summer! Don’t worry, this is doesn’t need to be overwhelming! Just a few things you can do to keep your home up to date, and your appliances running smooth.

Below are a few things you should do to prepare your home for summer.

Check your air conditioning units

A air conditioner is one of those modern day amenities that by the time they are not functioning correctly, it’s too late!  By this, we mean it is much more simple to conduct a couple of simple maintenance steps, then have your unit not work correctly in the summer heat.  If you have central air, things can get a little tricky. You may want to hire a professional for servicing.

If you have a window air unit, you need only remove and clean the filters. You’ll also want to ensure that you clean all ceiling fans and other fans. You can use a damp rag. If your fans are high, there are ceiling fan dusters you may purchase to assist you as well.

Fire Prevention

At the beginning of EACH season, if not more often, you should check your smoke detectors to ensure they are all working correctly. It’s also time to deep clean your dryer vents. While the normal removing of lint is important, many don’t realize the importance of regularly cleaning the lint-trap with a dryer vent brush. You can find these brushes at most home appliance stores.

Beautify your outdoor space

Since the weather is generally dryer in the summer, it is a great time to check your gutters. Clean out any leaves, needles and debris and leave gutters completely clear. Anytime you are using a ladder, be sure to follow safety steps to lower your risk of injury.

This is also a great time to do any touches needed on your siding and/or deck. Doing these things towards the beginning of the summer can minimize the need to do these repairs in the grueling heat of the later summer months.

Maintain yard/garden appliances

Because gas becomes stale after a month, be sure to empty out any leftover gas from your lawn mower. You can do this by running the tank until it’s dry; or using a siphon pump to transfer the old gas into a gas can **If you choose this method, be sure to dispose of old gas appropriately according to your local hazardous waste disposal guidelines.

Cutting your grass with sharper mower blades can also help minimize your need to water more often. You can tell if your blades are sharp enough by taking a look at the grass, after you’ve cut it. If the cut edges of the grass blades appear ragged, it is time to sharpen your blades. Your local hardware store can assist you with instructions on how to safely sharpen your specific appliance.

These are just few things you can take care of, to prepare your family for summer fun. Simmons Homes wants to make sure your family is safe, healthy, and happy not only during the summer, but all year round!

Redecorating for the spring? Don’t miss out on this opportunity for some awesome new décor! Vintage Market Days is coming to Tulsa this weekend! Vintage Market Days is an indoor/outdoor upscale market, focused on vintage items.

At the event, you can expect a wide array of original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, home décor, seasonal plantings, homemade pleasures, and even consumable yummies! multiple vendors. The event will run May 17-19, and is located at 408 N. Boulder Ave in downtown Tulsa.

Event Hours

Friday’s Early Buying Event* 6pm – 9pm
Saturday 9am – 6pm
Sunday 1pm – 4pm

*Have the first opportunity to find the treasure
you simply must have during the Early Buying Event

Admission

Friday’s Early Buying Event – $10
Saturday & Sunday – $5

Admission for children under 12 is free.
Cash only at the gate please.

Your ticket may be used all weekend.

Learn more about this event and buy tickets here.

Summer brings about lots of fun! Simmons wants to make sure you and your family are safe and enjoy your summer activities to the fullest. We’ve made a list of a few summer safety tips that can help protect you and your family from some of summers most common injuries.

Water Fun

Many take advantage of the summer months, to take a warm dip in the pool, or go fishing at the lake. These activities are great, when done safely. Be sure to use life jackets (especially for children) around large bodies of water.  One think many forget to do is check the weather for the location you will be enjoying. Sudden changes of weather can be dangerous to both you and your family.

Tetanus

When people think tetanus, they usually think “rusty nail”. It is important to know, however, that tetanus is also found in soil, dust and animal feces. It can form when bacteria enters the body via wounds. This is especially important to know if you’ve got children that love to play around and rough house outside during the summer months. While you may associate getting shots updated with going back to school, it may not be a bad idea to get them a little early.

The Lawn Mower

Lawn mowers are a normal part of spring and summer, but can actually be quite harmful when not operated properly. David Bishal, of the Bloomberg School has identified a few safety tips to avoid injury by lawn mower.

• Wear goggles, long pants and closed-toe shoes with soles that offer good traction.

• Clear the yard of debris before mowing.

• Wear protective gloves when servicing the mower or changing blades.

• Never service the mower while it is running.

• Do not carry passengers on riding mowers or tow anyone behind the mower.

• Do not allow children younger than 16 to operate a riding mower.

• Store lawn mowers in an area that has minimal traffic and that children cannot access

Lightening

Summer can bring nice weather, but can also bring about storms as well. Lightening can be frightening, and potentially damaging to your home. It is a good idea to know the precautions you can take to protect your home. MSN has a great article that identifies ways to prepare your home, should lightning strike.

Ladders

Summer is a great time to catch up on some of the outdoor home shores, some of which may require the use of a ladder. There are few things to keep in mind, in order to protect yourself while using a ladder.

-Never step on the top of the ladder

-Don’t lean on the side while working. Instead, keep your body centered at all times.

-Be sure the ground is firm and level beneath the ladder

-Be sure your ladder has slip resistant feet and steps

Spring is here! And what better way to kick it off then by ramping up your garden. Not all of us were naturally born with a green thumb, but…there’s hope! The Tulsa Garden Center’s annual event is coming up THIS WEEKEND!!! April 12-13^th, they will be holding the SpringFest Garden Market and Festival 2013 at 2435 Peoria from 9am -4pm.

This event features plant sales, arts, craft vendors, and lawn items.  There was also be food and fun for the ENTIRE family. If gardening hasn’t been your thing in the past, the Tulsa Garden Center will be happy to help you get your project started.

Be sure to bring the little ones! This even offers a Children’s area with many children’s activites, vendors selling various arts and crafts projects for your home and garden, and even a food concession

You will also have the opportunity to visit the Linneaus Teaching Gardens afterwards! This is a state-of-the art demonstration garden in Woodward Park offering an array of ideas for the home gardner.

For more information about this event visit The Tulsa Garden Center’s Website.

Spring is here, and many find this the perfect time of year to clean house. Your home is meant to be a place for you to relieve stress and decompress at the end of the day. Is your home feeling fresh and breezy?? If not, below are a few tips to help you out.

Organization is key

The change of a season is always a great reminder to get rid of clutter. Winter, especially, can bring lots of clutter into the home. If you are like most you say “If only I had the time!” Worry not. This does not need to be an entire weekend event. In fact, setting aside just 10 minutes each day to pick a room in your house and reduce clutter will prove to be a stress free way to tackle the task. If you’re open to suggestions, Martha Stewart has some GREAT IDEAS for organizing your home.

Add some green to your environment

Plants are a great way to reduce stress. It is actually proven that plants help to reduce blood pressure! If you missed out on the “green thumb” gene, worry not. There are plenty of very easy, low maintenance plants that are quite manageable. Check with your local greenery for recommendations on these plants targeted for your specific region.

Switch it up a bit

Inexpensive light dimmer switches and the use of lamps can help you switch from bright lightening to a more serene dim light at the end of the day when it’s time to wind down. This helps your body to jump into relaxation mode and unwind at the end of the day.

Freshen up a bit

It’s a proven fact that different aromas effect your body in different ways. Be sure to fill your house with an aroma that is both warm, inviting, and relaxing. While the smell should fit your preference, it’s a nice idea to choose something that isn’t to harsh or overwhelming to the senses for those that you live with, or who visit your home. Many times, if a sent is too strong it can have the exact opposite effect of soothing you!

With spring cleaning often comes spring redecorating. If you missed out on the interior designer gene, this can seem like a stressful task. Worry not! We’ve done our research, in order to bring you a few styling tips for 2013! According to Ilyce Glink of CBS News,  color trends are playing a HUGE part in decorating this spring. Ilyce outlines the best colors, per room We’ve provided you with a break down below.

The Bedroom

Redecorating the bedroom should be at the very top of your priority list. This is a place where you are going to spend A LOT of time, and time here is usually meant for relaxing and restoring yourself for the next day. It’s important your atmosphere is conductive of this. Light blues and greens help to accomplish this.

The Master Bathroom

Flowing with the feeling of renewal and rejuvenation from the bedroom, emerald is a great color to incorporate into your master bathroom.

Kitchen

The kitchen should bring out the “pizazz” in your home!! Don’t be afraid to go bright with it! Yellow is a great color to make your kitchen pop. If the idea of an entirely yellow kitchen seems like a bit much to you, feel free to experiment with an accent wall instead.

Family Room

Another room that should “pop” is the family room. This is usually the room where your family will spend most of their time together, so it should SCREAM comfort and fun with a nice warm homely feel in the background. Splashes of  Red, Orange, or even Green can help accomplish this!

Keep in mind, paint isn’t the only way to switch up a room. If you’d like to incorporate some new colors into your living place, without going all out with the paint, stick to accent rugs and decorations that bring out these colors. This is an easy way to experiment with color while leaving the option for change in the future.

Simmons also welcomes you to visit our Design Studio for color ideas and more for your new custom built home!

If you’re feeling stressed these holidays, you’re not alone. The end of the year is, arguably, one of the most stressful times of the year. If you’re feeling the pressure, you need not worry. While we can’t do much about the stress outside of your home, Simmons Homes would like to make coming home to your private oasis as relaxing and stress free as possible.

Follow these tips to make home more relaxing:

Create the aroma

Use your sense of smell to put you in your happy place. Oils, incense, plug ins and candles are a great way to help you unwind after a long day of work. Keep the scents in your home light and airy. Fragrances that are too harsh can have the opposite effect of relaxation, and may be counterproductive.

Make time (and space) for You

Having a designated space in your home that allows you to relax and unwind is a great way to decompress.  This can be as big as a den, or as small as a corner in your bedroom. The most important thing is that this space is kept tidy, work free, and provides a quite space for you to clear your mind.

Empty the bedroom

Okay, don’t LITERALLY begin emptying out your bedroom BUT make it just that….a bedroom. Removing televisions, clutter, and items from your “living space” can help make your bedroom more relaxing. This, in turn, leads to a better nights rest. Also, consider the color of your bedroom walls and linen. Cool, calming shades can help reduce stress. You may also find that you’ll feel much better after ditching that old mattress, and getting one that provides the type of comfort and support your body craves.

REDUCE CLUTTER

Last, but certainly not least, do not allow clutter to consume any space in your home. Specifically your living area, bedroom, and kitchen. This is a quick, and sure fire way to raise your stress levels instantly. With all the hustle and bustle of life, your home should be at least one safe haven where you can seek peace, comfort and serenity.

Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner, first time homeowner, or College grad moving out on your own for the first time; there are a few essentials that every person should have in their home. Simmons Homes wants to make sure you don’t find yourself in a bind, and missing these things. These things may also be great to consider as holiday gifts and/or house warming gifts for friends and loved ones. Take a few moments to review these items, and take note of things you may need to stock up on!

A Plunger

While this may not be the first thing you think of purchasing when moving into your home, it’s definitely something that should rank high on your list! It’s much better to have one of these handy when needed, then to not have one in the event that things get…..messy.

A Hammer and Nails

These essentials will come in handy right of the bat, when you’re ready to begin decorating your new home. Once your finished, keep them in a place that is easily accessible, as you never know when the need for them will arise.

Dedicated Brooms and dustpans

Likely, common sense led you to add a broom and dustpan set to the shopping list for your new home. But what about outside your home? It’s a good idea to have one broom and dustpan for indoors AS WELL AS an additional set for yard work, porch, patio and/or deck sweeping.

A Handy Screwdriver

Don’t fret over which screwdriver to purchase, and purchasing a fancy tool set initially. In fact, one screwdriver is all you really need. You purchase a four-in-one screwdriver for about $5 at most hardware stores that will provide you with the versatility you need for most of quick fixes around the house.

A Flashlight, Candles, and Matches

These items should always be fully stocked in your emergency kit. Keep this kit in a place that is easy to access, should you encounter bad whether or power outages. While a flashlight, candles and matches are the essentials; you may also want to consider a battery operated radio and extra batteries as well.

A Drill

A drill can be a bit more expensive than the other items on the list, so if you can’t afford to run and pick one up on day one in your new home, don’t fret. It may be a good investment to consider in the future however. While you can generally get the job done with a screwdriver and other more simple tools, a drill can save you a lot of time and energy in the long run.

We have it good in Tulsa!

We’ve heard it on the news, the radio, and read about it the newspaper so it isn’t any secret that a portion of America is looking for employment.  The unemployment rate in the United States has decreased to 8.1 percent in August of 2012. While this is an improvement from a few years prior, it still leaves many searching for a means to bring income into their home.

What does this mean for young people? A short supply in jobs usually means that it’s that much harder for young people to get their foot in the door at an entry-level job. Because there are more people, usually more qualified, all aiming at the same positions, the stakes have been raised much higher.

This can be frustrating. It also leaves homebuyers to put even more research into their quest to find a home that is perfect for their families. Luckily, for homebuyers searching for a new home in Tulsa, their worries of job shortages can be put to rest!

In an article recently released from the Fiscal Times, Tulsa, Oklahoma was rated the Second best city in America for Young People to find jobs!

This article boasts:

• Tulsa reported an unemployment rate of only 4.5 percent for people ages 25-34 years of age.
• Tulsa added over 10,000 jobs in 2011 alone, with 4,000 of these jobs paying salaries of $50,000 a year or more!!!

If the low home-ownership cost didn’t get you amped about living in Tulsa, this news should certainly get you excited.

When it comes to buying a home or investing in real estate, the first thing that any expert will tell you is that in order to play, you need a credit score that is satisfactory. Home builders creating the fabulous new homes in Tulsa are interested in working with buyers whose credit  meets standards. When your credit is good, real estate opportunities are much more likely to come your way.

We’ve all heard the stories in the media of homebuyers being set up with a mortgage they were unable to maintain. It is important to not only get the home you love, but also obtain a price that doesn’t give you the blues. By getting your credit score in line, you are sending the message that you are a responsible individual, thereby making yourself more attractive to loan officers.

Improving your credit score is a good idea for more than just your short-term goal of getting into a new home. It’s a fact that having strong credit is essential to getting a good deal where your mortgage is concerned. Even beyond the initial buying phase, banks and other lenders are more likely to give great rates to people with good credit, as opposed to those with shakier scores.

To begin enhancing your credit score, you first need to examine where you stand. Round up your credit reports from the three main credit bureaus: Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax. This process can be done cost-free and is very important if you are going to have a good, honest idea of how your credit score shapes up. Double check your credit reports against each other and make sure that everything is accurate and makes sense to you. This is also a great way to make sure that there are no traces of identity theft or misinformation attached to your name.

With these reports in hand, you can start correcting any imperfections by paying debts you may have forgotten about. There will be some things that are not possible to fix, so make sure that you are currently staying on top of all of your bills and finances. Getting those payments in on time is the most important thing you can focus on in terms of your credit score.

Make sure to keep an eye on how much you are charging to your credit cards each month so that when the time comes to pay, you are able to do so without any delay or moving around of funds. Try to keep your line of credit steady for a while, as new credit accounts bring down the sterling quality of your score.

Though fixing your existing credit problems is not an overnight endeavor, there are steps that you can take today to put yourself in a much better position going forward. By fixing up your credit score, you are putting yourself in a great position to approach homebuilders who can lead you to the new homes Tulsa has in store. For more information about how to begin this process, visit www.simmonshomes.com.