Everything changes when you start a family. Safety, affordability, and proximity to good schools become major considerations in choosing a home. If you are considering a place in Oklahoma, take a closer look at Colbert, as it’s truly one of the best places to live in Bryan County.

There is so much more to Colbert aside from its legendary ferry history. For people who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, Colbert is the place to go. This quiet town is considered as one of the best places to raise kids on this side of the country. It is composed of small neighborhoods where after a few days you start to feel everyone knows everyone.

Upon spending just a few days in Colbert, you can feel the strong sense of community identity and pride.  This town makes a good base for couples, solo adventurers, and especially families (with young kids) who want a close-knit community along with a variety of events and activities, including concerts, special events, nearby attractions, and of course, great schools.

In fact Niche.com ranked the Colbert Middle School in the top 11% of standout middle schools in the region, and its teachers in top 24% best in Oklahoma. It is one of the top schools in this area, along with Westward Elementary School.

Students, in general, have an average of 85% proficiency in Reading and Math. And who says there’s no such thing as free lunch? In Colbert High School, both students and teachers receive breakfast and lunch meals for free. The same is true for many other public schools in Colbert.

Are you into the outdoors? Picnics, swimming, boating, fishing, and more…there are plenty of outdoor activities here that will easily lure the kids’ attention away from gadgets and computer screens.

Colbert is located near the Red River and Lake Texoma, and is abundant in wildlife and scenic landmarks. It may not have the big, noisy attractions like of a modern city, but kids in Colbert learn to appreciate the sights and sounds of Mother Nature.  

Colbert also has a very low crime rate, so that is one less thing for parents to worry about. It is generally safe to play around the neighborhoods and make new friends instantly. 

When it comes to affordability, median home values in Colbert, OK are less than 50% of the national average, which means more space and rooms for the whole family. Thinking of a 3 to 4 bedroom home for less than $100K? There are a lot of homes within that price range here. 

To top it off, the cost of living in Colbert, OK, is also low, giving families a better quality of life than in more popular cities. In fact, it is 18% lower than the U.S. average according to Sperling’s Best Places website. Job growth is positive, with job opportunities increasing at 3.31% in recent years.

Being able to afford a comfortable lifestyle makes Colbert, OK one of the best places I can think of to raise kids. The positive vibes, exceptional livability, peace and security, and affordability are some of the factors that make Colbert, OK such a rich find. 

Now is a good time to buy a house while people are just discovering this hidden treasure in Bryan County. Get more square footage for your money. Let us help you find your dream home in Colbert, OK. Send us an email or call 580-877-SOLD today to get started. 

If You Had To Read One More Article About Common Mistakes To Avoid When Buying A Home – Well, This Would Be The One.

Buying a home is a complicated process that involves many steps. Fortunately, there are many ways for you to save time and money.  By following a few simple home-buying steps outlined in this article, you can minimize the stress load and avoid any costly mistakes to ensure a smooth home buying experience.

Mistake #1 - Deciding to forgo using a realtor or real estate agent. 

Now I know that might sound a bit bias, but consider the fact that Realtors often protect home buyers from being taken advantage by requiring full and complete disclosure.  Plus, buyers can rest assure that they will have access to the most up-to-date information concerning the home and the surrounding neighborhood.

Mistake #2 - Searching for a home that's out of your price range.

It's easy to set a price range that you believe you can afford and start looking at homes right away. However, this approach often leads to heartache and frustration. Imagine finding the perfect home, only to learn that you're unable to secure financing. You can avoid this let down by getting preapproved for a mortgage before starting your home search. This will ensure that you don't begin your search by looking at homes that are a bit outside of your financial capabilities.

Mistake #3 - Overspending on a home.

There are many factors that influence how much you can spend on a home. Just because you're approved for a loan of a certain amount, doesn't mean you should begin your search at the top of the budget or comfort zone. You also should calculate closing costs, relocation costs, insurance costs, and all your other related-expenses before you put down an offer. These costs are significant and often overlooked, but it's important that you consider all the costs you'll end up paying when you buy a home.

Mistake #4 - Not getting a home inspection.

A home inspection isn't required, so some home buyers think they'll be okay without one. Unfortunately, without getting a home inspection before buying a home, there's no leverage to negotiate the problems that ultimately will arise with your home. Even newer homes might have problems that you need to address. Get a home inspection and take note of any immediate or future problems, so that the home seller can address issues before you move in.

Mistake #5 - Not working with a realtor (Oops, did I already say that?)

Well, allow me to reiterate that point, so there is no confusion here.  If you're buying or selling a home, you should always work with a realtor. The right realtor will negotiate on your behalf, explain disclosures and inspection reports, guide you on selecting the right home for your family, and help you out whenever you have questions about the home buying process. In addition to receiving these benefits, the seller pays the realtor fee, so you don't have to worry about the expense of using a real estate professional.  Now, how's that for a peace of mind?!

Although there's an infinite number of mistakes that home buyers can make during the buying process, these four (Yes, despite my reluctance, I have to count mistakes #1 and #5 as one) are some of the most significant.

Start your search by speaking with a competent and knowledgeable real estate agent that can help you take the necessary precautions to avoid wasting time and/or incurring unexpected expenses when buying a home.  If you have any questions or just plain curious about the buying process in Durant, OK, we would be glad to help - give us a call or send us an email today.

If you or a family member is a military veteran or active military member, then you’re able to purchase a home using a VA loan for as little as $0 down. Veterans Affairs mortgages are loans issued by private lenders and backed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which makes them more secure and flexible to lenders. If you’re looking for a way to purchase a home without needing a down payment or even excellent credit, then you should consider a VA loan. You’re even able to refinance your existing mortgage using a VA loan if your family is eligible for it, which can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage. Here’s why VA loans are perfect for military families, and what makes VA loans uniquely different than traditional home loans?

Why Are VA Loans More Important Now Than Ever Before?

Returning home from active service, especially when you’ve been injured or have a disability is incredibly difficult. After the housing market collapse in 2008, lenders tightened their lending standards, which made it more difficult for active military families and veterans to receive a traditional mortgage. VA loans give service members a way to enter the housing market when it was at its most difficult to meet stringent credit and down payment requirements.

In addition to giving service members and their families the ability to purchase a house with no-money down, or to refinance at better rates, using a VA loan also comes with many other benefits. Here are some great reasons why you should apply for a VA loan instead of a traditional loan if you qualify.

A Few Benefits of VA Loans

With traditional loans, you’re required to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI) whenever you’ve put less than 20% down on a home. With a VA loan, because it’s guaranteed by the federal government, your family does not need to purchase PMI. If you default on your loan, the lender is protected from any loss, making VA loans among the safest mortgage types available. This is also one of the reasons why private lenders can offer better terms for VA loans than they do on traditional loans.

You can purchase a home in Durant, OK, for up to $424,100 without a down payment. If you live outside of Durant and find a home that’s a bit more expensive, there’s also a chance that you can exceed that limit without putting down any money on your home. Either way, your family will save the typical 20% down payment, and there’s a good chance that you’ll pay very little, if anything at all, in closing costs.

Most homebuyers who can qualify for a VA loan don’t end up paying a penny in closing costs. Even the agent’s fees are limited with a VA loan and paid for by the seller in most cases.

So, what’s the catch?

VA mortgages, just like all other mortgages require that the buyer understands all the details. There are also “funding fees,” which can be as low as 0% depending on your financial situation and whether you’re a veteran with service-connected disabilities. It can be as high as 2.15% for first time home buyers, or 3.3% for repeat buyers. This fee goes directly to the VA to keep the mortgage program going and can be rolled into your mortgage payments so that you don’t have to pay a lump payment as a home buyer.

If you’re curious about whether your family qualifies for a VA loan in Durant, OK, give me a call! There's quite a bit of information you must know and understand before applying for a VA loan, and it can be a daunting process to do everything by yourself.

Give me a call to work with a professional real estate agent who understands the ins and outs of the housing market, and see how I can make both the home-buying and home-selling process easy for you and your family!