Metro Oklahoma City Is Spread Out, But Buyers Coming Back Into Inner City For Schools, Say Realtors
by Blanche Evans
Metro Oklahoma City is 650 square miles, which is a lot of sprawl, but recent changes in the city's school systems is attracting buyers back to the center, say local Realtors. "The Oklahoma City metro area is surrounded by many small suburban communities such as Edmond, Deer Creek, Piedmont, Yukon, Mustang, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, Del City, Arcadia, Guthrie and many more," explains The Nevius Team. "All of these areas are an easy commute to Oklahoma City. This area has many sleepy little towns that give you that small hometown feeling. The Oklahoma City area is a great place to live, work, shop and send your children to school. We have the best of all worlds and this is simply a great place to live!" The Nevius Team advises, "Prices per square foot vary greatly depending on the area and the amenities included for that area. Interest rates are still in very, very good shape for buying or selling a home. When you look for real estate advice, be sure to consult with a top agent in your area. Our best advice is always to seek the counsel of a trusted real estate advisor when it is time for you to consider your options for buying or selling a home." Say Realtors on The Planer Team, "As Oklahoma City continues to draw people from other state with are low cost of living, we'll see sellers getting fair and slightly above market prices." "Good News! Oklahoma City almost doubled in appreciation last year from the year before," says Realtor Joe Pryor. "Since the early 1970's, the portion of Oklahoma City that is in the Oklahoma City School district, has been less prone to have sales drop off at the first of the year since the trend has been to move secondary school age children out of the area into suburban systems. This year has marked a change in that trend. It has been recently reported that sales have increased because of improvements in inner city schools, and that this market increase has positively affected homes in the OKC School Districts." Pryor continues, "Recent sales figures show an increase, especially in homes priced below the $150,000 mark. Why has this happened? In 2001, Oklahoma City residents voted a temporary sales tax, called MAPS for Kids. This included money to revitalize old buildings, add 80 new school buses, restructure administration, help retain quality teachers, improve security, and build new schools. Because of this and the commitment of the community, improvement in test scores have posted 8 to 12 percent gains in reading, science, and math for this 3-year period. And because many neighborhoods in Oklahoma City have homes that can be purchased for less per square foot than outlining areas, the current trend is for bargains to be had in Oklahoma City proper. Recent appreciation trends have been consistent with the 26 percent overall appreciation in the last five years." |
