'Myrt' would make a mighty fine house flipper

Friend of mine here in Oklahoma City said his wife was getting groceries out of the car at their home and a woman — complete stranger — walked up and said she liked their house and wondered if it was for sale.

Well, no. But ...

It's a 1,000-square-foot house built in 1952. Two bedrooms. One bath. They've got three kids and a dog. It's a little cramped.

They paid about $70,000 for it in 2002 and the county has valued it now at about $110,000.

The woman checked out the house, and they're all talking.

Now, I reminded my friend of what happened to Deputy Barney Fife when he fell into an unexpected deal.

That sweet little old lady (the future "Grandma Walton”) who tried to sell him a car for his life savings turned out to be a car thief — name of Myrt. It was a big lemon. It had sawdust in the transmission and made for the weirdest scene involving a steering wheel ever in "Andy Griffith” or about any other show.

Of course, my friend is not nearly as gullible as Deputy Barney Fife. But swindlers try to swindle when times are good, bad and fair-to-middlin' — which is about the shape of housing now in Oklahoma City.

Nothing to see here

Is there a home sale slowdown in the Oklahoma City area?

Yes, some, but the market is alive and well, all in all.

Is there a slowdown in home building?

Little bit, but contrary to Oklahomans' experience, all booms do not end in busts, it turns out. Who knew?

Home values falling here?

Yes, a wee, wee bit month to month earlier this year, less than a percentage point, judging from average sale prices, and it's downright shocking to anyone used to regular increases.

But it's no big deal compared to what's going on in much of the rest of the country.

Page 1 of 2

1 2 Next