Ultra Modern Reservoir Hill House For Sale

[Patrick]

I have enjoyed reading about Reservoir Hill in this thread.  My wife and I are looking for a bit bigger home than our current ranch style in midtown (~1,500 sq ft) and expect to buy something in the next 6-9 months.  She liked Reservoir Hill when I took her up there this summer to look around.  I still think it would take some convincing to get her to move to "north Tulsa".

Hometown - I see the three homes currently for sale on the Hill that you have mentioned:

Spanish Revival - http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2225-N-Elwood-Ave-Tulsa-OK-74106/22149447_zpid/
Ultra Modern - http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/230-W-Victoria-St-Tulsa-OK-74106/22149774_zpid/
Million Dollar View - http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/260-W-Victoria-St-Tulsa-OK-74106/22149431_zpid/

Is the bad remodeling you speak of re: the Spanish Revival house the bathroom addition above the garage?  I love the size of the lot but wouldn't know one thing about returning it to its proper glory.  I can't tell whether it has a view of downtown Tulsa.  I love the Ultra Modern but it pushes our budget.

[Hometown]

Patrick, I didn't attend the open house but I think it's the addition you referred to.  I'm checking with my neighbor who went and looked and will tell you if it is anything else other than that.  The Spanish Revival is my favorite of the homes currently available.  $200,000 is a bargain.

I'm not sure that the remodeling needs to be removed.  Maybe someone with an eye for design could doctor and fix.

The Seller is a local Judge.  The house is on one of the better blocks here.  There is also a home with peacocks on that block.  It's wonderful to wake up and find a family of peacocks sitting on your garage roof.  Anyway, be forwarned that this is the closest knit, friendliest neighborhood I've ever lived in.  Within the first week of moving in all of our immediate neighbors had stopped by to introduce themselves.  The annual neighborhood party is set for next week and is always well attended.  There is also an annual picnic and a longstanding neighborhood association.  There are only 60 some odd homes in the association and all are on the way up or at the top of the Hill.  Neighbors run the gamut from business owners to professionals to oil men, a librarian, a retired American Airlines mechanic and an unemployed legal secretary -- that's me. 

Tell your wife there are a lot of well-off women up here.  This morning I saw a blonde who just sold her downtown restaurant jog by with a redhead architect's wife.  Another woman that just built and moved into her new home on the top drives a new luxury car and has survived life in North Tulsa for three weeks now. 

Your wife could walk out the front door and be at Miss Jackson's in 10 minutes.

Good luck Patrick and let me know how it works out.

Conan, the Honn home was dubbed "High Croft II" by its previous owners.

[Hometown]

Update on Spanish Revival home remodeling issue:  My neighbor says, "There is a bath/laundry room addition over the garage.  You go through the bedroom closet to access the br."  So access to the bath through the closet is the issue.  Sounds like it could be gussied up and made right if you spend some money.

Re views:  Originally all the homes here had views but now that we have mature trees and fences some views have been eclipsed.  I would "guess" that you have good views of downtown from the second story of the Spanish Revival home.

[Patrick]

What a detailed report!  Thanks Hometown, I am going to drive up there this weekend and poke around.  I haven't visited since this summer so I need to get my bearings again.  I did tell a friend about the other house for sale (~$150k w/ views) and he stopped by to look at it yesterday.  Perhaps he is interested.

The neighborhood dynamic sounds great.  Our current neighborhood is wonderful and very close to a park, but most of the residents are elderly so we don't do too many things together.  Everyone is friendly though.

[rdj]

The seller of the ultra modern recently purchased four lots just to the east of the home they sold.  One has a home that is vacant and falling down the other three are empty.  I understand after they sold their house they moved to a home near Ranch Acres.  Does anyone happen to know them?  I'm very curious what their plans are as these empty lots are caddy corner to mine.  I know the name, but didn't want to just throw it out on the board.

[Patrick]

The seller of the ultra modern recently purchased four lots just to the east of the home they sold.  One has a home that is vacant and falling down the other three are empty.  I understand after they sold their house they moved to a home near Ranch Acres.  Does anyone happen to know them?  I'm very curious what their plans are as these empty lots are caddy corner to mine.  I know the name, but didn't want to just throw it out on the board.

The namesake of the website from the first post (http://www.davidclarkdesign.com/house/) is listed as a grantor of the property in the sale this past December, according to a Tulsa County property records search.

[AngieB]

The seller of the ultra modern recently purchased four lots just to the east of the home they sold.  One has a home that is vacant and falling down the other three are empty.  I understand after they sold their house they moved to a home near Ranch Acres.  Does anyone happen to know them?  I'm very curious what their plans are as these empty lots are caddy corner to mine.  I know the name, but didn't want to just throw it out on the board.

I know the owners, but it's none of my business what their plans are...and I wouldn't be so presumptuous to ask.

[rdj]

I know the owners, but it's none of my business what their plans are...and I wouldn't be so presumptuous to ask.

And then there is that.  Which is why I didn't put there name on the board, even though I know it.  I know multiple people that know them, but haven't taken the step to ask for an introduction.  Was just curious if anyone else might know and be willing to share even if it was via PM.

[roadhunter]

Update on Spanish Revival home remodeling issue:  My neighbor says, "There is a bath/laundry room addition over the garage.  You go through the bedroom closet to access the br."  So access to the bath through the closet is the issue.  Sounds like it could be gussied up and made right if you spend some money.

Re views:  Originally all the homes here had views but now that we have mature trees and fences some views have been eclipsed.  I would "guess" that you have good views of downtown from the second story of the Spanish Revival home.

The Spanish Revival home doesn't have a decent view, even from the 2nd story.  I'm buying it anyway.  My wife absolutely loves the upstairs laundry room.  It's the basement that really needs work, and I'm sure we'll also have to put a roof on it before closing.  Looks like I'm going to be neighbors with some of you soon.  We may even have the pool up and running for Memorial Day, but it's going to be close.   FYI, my wife used to live in the house the "redhead architect's wife" lives in now : -)  We're really looking forward to being in a more eclectic neighborhood, and I appreciate that people aren't willing to share everything they know about their neighbors on here.

[rdj]

Great story on fellow Reservoir Hill residents:

Tulsa World:  Couple produces eco-friendly wine

http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectID=39&articleID=20110522_39_D1_CUTLIN209760

[Ronnie Lowe]

The Spanish Revival home doesn't have a decent view, even from the 2nd story.  I'm buying it anyway.  My wife absolutely loves the upstairs laundry room.  It's the basement that really needs work, and I'm sure we'll also have to put a roof on it before closing.  Looks like I'm going to be neighbors with some of you soon.  We may even have the pool up and running for Memorial Day, but it's going to be close.   FYI, my wife used to live in the house the "redhead architect's wife" lives in now : -)  We're really looking forward to being in a more eclectic neighborhood, and I appreciate that people aren't willing to share everything they know about their neighbors on here.

I had heard from a neighbor that you were purchasing the house.  It is a lovely house.  Congratulations.  The list price was a steal.  According to another neighbor that grew up on The Hill in the '50s, every property had a view before we had all these mature trees.  I think a HOA policy encouraging the protection of views is in order but Tulsans and Reservoir Hill residents generally don't really get the view thing.  

[roadhunter]

Thanks, Ronnie.  We closed on Tuesday, and will be moving in over the next 3-4 weeks.  It's amazing how news travels up there : -)  Where we are now (Southern Hills area) people don't even know their neighbors' names.  We've been here 4 years and never met the people next door.  We're very much looking forward to becoming part of a real community.  If you see my white Tacoma with a camper shell on it in the driveway, stop by and say "hi"!

-John

[Majestic]

I have enjoyed reading the posts on here about Reservoir Hill. I was not familiar with the area. We have looked at the house that is for sale on W. Victoria St and like it.  I am wondering if anybody has any feedback about this house because it concerns me it has been on the market for so long. Otherwise does anyone know anything about any other properties in the area that may be available and I am not seeing on realty sites. Hope to hear something from someone.

[Conan71]

I have enjoyed reading the posts on here about Reservoir Hill. I was not familiar with the area. We have looked at the house that is for sale on W. Victoria St and like it.  I am wondering if anybody has any feedback about this house because it concerns me it has been on the market for so long. Otherwise does anyone know anything about any other properties in the area that may be available and I am not seeing on realty sites. Hope to hear something from someone.

In this market, you can assume one of three or four things for a slow-mover: overpriced, major structural issues, mold and/or water damage, or some sort of title or insurance issue (like a flat top or wood shake roof) which makes it hard to finance.

Have you physically been to the property or just looked at it on the listing broker's web site?  I'd think you could probably answer a lot of your own concerns with a site visit or two.  Best of luck on your search.  Reservoir Hill is a very cool area and certainly one I'd consider if I were in the market for something different in this market.

[rdj]

I have enjoyed reading the posts on here about Reservoir Hill. I was not familiar with the area. We have looked at the house that is for sale on W. Victoria St and like it.  I am wondering if anybody has any feedback about this house because it concerns me it has been on the market for so long. Otherwise does anyone know anything about any other properties in the area that may be available and I am not seeing on realty sites. Hope to hear something from someone.

I assume you mean the red home that overhangs the southwest of the Hill.  I don't know anything about the house that isn't on the listing.  As a resident just a few blocks over, I would assert the house has been on the market for a while for three reasons.  First, houses are just sitting longer (especially in this price range and size, there are 429 houses between $100 & 150k in the TPS district with only 295 closing in the last six months for an 8.7 mo supply) and financing continues to be an issue for some buyers.  Second, the house is a tweener for this area, it's not big enough for a family (only 2 bd) that might make the leap to the Hill yet it's not updated enough for the single person or childless couple that would be interested in a home of this size.  Third, is general perception of the area, which is just that, perception.

My personal opinion is the home will make a great buy for someone.  At $135k it's not a huge chunk of cash (especially at a 4-4.5% mortgage rate) and with another $10-20K in upgrades it could transform into a very cool mid-century-ish ranch style home.