{"id":21873,"date":"2021-02-18T09:25:31","date_gmt":"2021-02-18T17:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=21873"},"modified":"2026-03-25T08:32:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T15:32:55","slug":"buyer-buy-house-in-oklahoma-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-house-in-oklahoma-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Settle Down on the Modern Frontier: How to Buy a House in Oklahoma City"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cOoooooklahoma where the wind comes sweepin\u2019 down the plain.\u201d You knew that was coming, right?! Now that that\u2019s out of the way, if you\u2019re craving a place where \u201cauthentic Western heritage meets thriving modern metropolis,\u201d<\/a> then look no further than Oklahoma City, Oklahoma \u2014 a town that was literally born in a day<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Teeming with Western culture and a modern art scene, OKC is the place to be. With 14 distinct districts in the downtown area, there is something for everyone, from the aspiring cowpoke to families in search of adventure. And the suburbs offer a range of living \u2014 from city scapes to country acreage.<\/p>\n

Buying a house in Oklahoma City isn\u2019t without its challenges, however. As part of Tornado Alley, Oklahoma sees an average of 62 tornadoes a year<\/a>, with a record 146 seen in 2019<\/a>. Cycles of high rain followed by drought can cause foundation problems.<\/p>\n

With the knowledge of where to go and what to do, we\u2019ve created the ultimate resource for moving to OKC. We picked the brains of\u00a0 top-selling agents and industry professionals to get to you the inside scoop on the market, the districts, and the neighborhoods. Armed with this definitive guide to buying the right house in Oklahoma City, you\u2019ll enter this modern frontier<\/a> with confidence and buying power.<\/p>\n

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(Source: Justin Bennett \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lay of the land<\/h2>\n

Where you choose to buy a house in Oklahoma City, as in other cities, is greatly dependent on your budget. In Nichols Hill, the median home price is over $700,000<\/a>. But The Village, less than a mile away, has homes priced closer to $125,000<\/a>. If your budget falls in between these two, Edmond\u2019s median home price is a little over $225,000<\/a> \u2014 which is closer to the median price in OKC overall.<\/p>\n

Home styles in the downtown areas of Oklahoma City vary widely, depending on the specific neighborhood<\/a>. Neighborhoods such as Classen North Highlands and Classen Ten Penn have historic homes \u2014 many of which have been renovated \u2014 ranging from $50,000 to $400,000. If you\u2019re looking for an eclectic mix, architectural styles in the sought-after Crown Heights neighborhood include Colonial and Tudor Revivals and span all the way to Minimal and Art Deco, priced between $300,000 and $800,000.<\/p>\n

To find newer construction, you\u2019ll have to move to a suburb of the city, such as Edmond or Moore. But even those are beginning to get crowded and more and more people are moving further out to areas like Choctaw, where you can find some acreage.<\/p>\n

Things to be on the lookout for<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re looking to buy a house in Oklahoma City, there are a few unique issues you\u2019ll need to keep an eye out for. But if you go in with eyes wide open, you\u2019ll likely find the gem you\u2019ve been dreaming of.<\/p>\n

Check the roof<\/h3>\n

Because of its location in Tornado Alley, OKC sees a lot of strong winds, rain, and sometimes hail. These conditions, understandably, can lead to high wear and tear on roofs. When you\u2019re checking out potential houses, make sure to take a peek at the roof<\/a>. Missing or damaged shingles and discoloration on the ceiling are both signs that the roof may have some issues.<\/p>\n

Water damage is also a possibility if the roof has been in need of repairs for a while, so checking nooks and crannies for mold or mildew will help you get a good sense of how much work will need to be done on the roof.<\/p>\n

One way to help ensure you\u2019re purchasing a house free of leaks is to hire a home inspector that is a Certified Residential Thermographer. Steve Bennett, a certified master inspector and certified residential thermographer, and owner of Redbud Property Inspections<\/a>, uses a thermal camera that looks for temperature to catch any leaks that may not be visible. When he scans the ceilings and walls, he says \u201ca wet surface will show up as colder than a dry surface, and sometimes you\u2019ll find an anomaly like blue circles that shouldn\u2019t be there.\u201d Such a discovery could point to a roof leak or a leak from a shower pan or plumbing.<\/p>\n

Foundation and drain line issues<\/h3>\n

The weather in OKC has the tendency to go from periods of high rain to periods of drought. Tom Hall<\/a>, a top OKC real estate agent with 16 years of experience and over 230 transactions, points out that \u201cin a drought that red clay\u2019s going to shrink up, and it’s going to pull away from the foundation and then in a heavy monsoon area, it’s going to impact and push up against the house.\u201d This also leads to cracked drain pipes and is the reason that most homes don\u2019t include a basement.<\/p>\n

Sagging floors, doors and windows that don\u2019t open or shut smoothly, and cracks are all signs that the foundation will need work. Foundation repairs are costly, ranging from $1,700 to $3,700<\/a>, but, luckily, this is generally a cost taken on by the seller. Even so, it\u2019s still something to be on the lookout for.<\/p>\n

When you do buy a house in Oklahoma City, Hall says \u201cyou\u2019ll need to make sure your home is properly water maintenanced,\u201d and you have \u201cgutters and sprinkler systems keeping an accurate and consistent soil moisture,\u201d to help prevent future foundation issues.<\/p>\n

Termites<\/h3>\n

According to Hall, in Oklahoma City, \u201cany house has had or will have termites.\u201d<\/p>\n

Termite inspections are required, but they must be conducted by a licensed termite inspector<\/a>. Some home inspectors do double duty as termite inspectors, but others don\u2019t, so do your research.<\/p>\n

Expect some issues<\/h3>\n

Bennett says that the biggest surprise for buyers is that nearly every home, even a new home, has issues that will come up during the inspection process<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes we\u2019ll do an inspection on a brand new home, and we\u2019ll have a list of 20 items that need to be addressed,\u201d he says. \u201cNew homes have problems. Old homes have more, but new homes aren\u2019t perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Going into the home inspection knowing that there will likely be some issues to address will help you manage your expectations and eliminate some of the surprise factor.<\/p>\n

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(Source: Raychel Sanner \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Districts<\/h2>\n

Oklahoma City boasts 14 distinct districts, each with their own vibe. From steaks to art to adventure, there is something for everyone in this diverse mix. <\/b>And though they may call to mind the districts of \u201cThe Hunger Games,\u201d these districts are full of fun and excitement (and no one needs to volunteer as tribute to get in on the action). Let\u2019s take a peek at a few!<\/p>\n

Stockyards City<\/h3>\n

When you move to OKC, head straight to Stockyards City where you can take in a live cattle auction at the Oklahoma National Stockyards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But first, you need to dress the part. Stop into Langston\u2019s Western Wear<\/a> to choose your chaps. Step into a new pair of boots at Little Joe\u2019s Boots<\/a>, and pick up a hat at Shorty\u2019s Caboy Hattery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Keep the cowboy party going by finishing off the night at Cattleman\u2019s Steakhouse<\/a>. They\u2019ve been featured on both \u201cDiners, Drive Ins, and Dives\u201d and \u201cMan vs. Food,\u201d along with being included in the book \u201c1,000 Places to See Before You Die.\u201d It\u2019s a can\u2019t-miss staple of Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n

Paseo Arts District<\/h3>\n

Whether you are an artist, an art art lover, or just enjoy a lively outing, the Paseo Arts District<\/a> is the place to go if you want to do OKC like a local. Teeming with local restaurants and bars, this district features 20 studios, many of which are attached to galleries.<\/p>\n

During First Fridays on the Paseo<\/a> each month \u2014 winter months included \u2014 you can poke into galleries, enjoy street entertainment, and grab a bite at a food truck.<\/p>\n

Bricktown<\/h3>\n

Home of Michael Murphy\u2019s Dueling Pianos<\/a>, Bricktown has a lively nightlife. If you\u2019re not in the mood to watch piano players duke it out on stage, you can check out the Bricktown Comedy Club<\/a>, or grab a drink at a local bar.<\/p>\n

For the non-night owls, Bricktown also has a water taxi that allows you to take in the sites, along with a narrated tour by the taxi staff. You can also visit the American Banjo Museum<\/a> and Painted Door gift boutique<\/a>. If you want to thrill your inner child (or actual children), check out Brickopolis<\/a> for laser tag, mini golf, and arcade games.<\/p>\n

Bricktown real estate can be hard to come by, but if you\u2019re set on the area, you\u2019ll likely be looking at condos in historic buildings.<\/p>\n

The area is also just a short walk from Deep Deuce<\/a>, a district where you can explore the area that led Oklahoma city in jazz music and African-American culture in the \u201920s and \u201930s.<\/p>\n

Tinker Air Force Base<\/h3>\n

Tinker Air Force Base is located just east of Oklahoma City. It employs over 26,000 military personnel and civilians, making it the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma<\/a>. This base \u201cdrives 50% of the overall real estate economy in Oklahoma,\u201d says Hall.<\/p>\n

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(Source: Gerson Repreza \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Time to go house hunting!<\/h2>\n

Whether you\u2019re into the downtown scene or looking for some acreage, OKC has a place for you to call home.<\/p>\n

Top neighborhoods<\/h3>\n

Edmond<\/h4>\n

Edmond is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in OKC, but its desirability means that it’s quickly getting crowded. Many military personnel are directed to Edmond when they move to the area because of its great school districts<\/a> and many conveniences, with more than 75 shops <\/a>and businesses to cater to your needs. But, as a result, it is becoming more compact and dense.<\/p>\n

Nichols Hills<\/h4>\n

Nichols Hills is the \u201cBeverly Hills of Oklahoma,\u201d according to Hall. With home prices over $700,000, this area is great for those with large budgets. With a Trader Joe\u2019s, Orangetheory Fitness<\/a>, Organic Squeeze<\/a> juice and smoothie bar, and unique restaurants like The Hutch<\/a>, serving rustic-inspired dining creations plus an extensive wine list and classic spirits, you won\u2019t have to go far to find everything you need.<\/p>\n

Moore<\/h4>\n

With highly rated schools<\/a> and a median home price a little over $140,000<\/a>, Moore is a great place for families to settle down. But more than just a place to put down some roots, Moore also offers exciting outings like axe throwing at Twisted Axes Throw House<\/a> and the Moore Escape Rooms<\/a>. A wide range of restaurants<\/a> help to make Moore an ideal place to live, work, and play.<\/p>\n

Choctaw<\/h4>\n

As people crave more space and open areas, they are increasingly moving to areas like Choctaw, where they can purchase a home with a few acres of land. With a commute between 30 and 40 minutes to the city, this area will allow you to enjoy the best of both worlds.<\/p>\n

Ready to buy a house in Oklahoma City? Use a top agent to get the best deal<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re ready to buy a house in Oklahoma City, finding a top agent<\/a> is the key to getting the best deal. Not only will they have the best scoop on the neighborhoods, but they have the negotiation skills to get you the best deal.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to interview agents to make sure you find the right agent for you<\/a>. Ask questions to ensure that \u201cyou\u2019re hiring somebody that has experience or the leadership or a track record that can show proven results,\u201d says Hall.<\/p>\n

Some questions to ask prospective agents include:<\/p>\n