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Plano Texas Real Estate Blog - Local Plano Real Estate.
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Monday, 29 January 2007
Shop till you Drop!
  
When I first moved out here 15 years ago, my friend in the Park Cities
would say:
"I need to pack water cress sandwiches and martinis to come visit you, you are
so far out!" (I think I have used that before, if so , please excuse...)
It was only 15 minutes away, it is all perception. Now with the growth of the
Dallas Metro to 5 Million, Plano has changed and grown up to be quite the little
city of 250,000 strong. West Plano is approximately, 91,000 in population and
you want for nothing.
The west side which was developed last has built quite the shopping
reputation. Everyone knows that in Dallas we have as much shopping
sq ft as NYC. Within the past two years, I would say you do not have to go into
Dallas for anything except the Arts.
I will highlight a few venues that are all less than 5 minutes away if you live in
West Plano, zip codes 75093,75024.
The Shops of Willow Bend is a very high end shopping center, it located at
Park and the Tollway, It is anchored by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Ave, Macy's
& Dillard's. It is a new concept mall and resembles the arts and crafts movement
but with very modern conveniences. Specialty shops include, Escada, St. John,
Armani, just to name a few. The landscaping for the entire mall is done in native
Texas grasses and trees that are beautiful all year round. Maggiano's Italian
restaurant is right next door to the mall. (A throw back Sinatra moment)
A bit farther northeast at Parker & Preston is Lakeside Market, if you are
fortunate to live in Lakeside, this beautiful community of homes you can walk
to your own shopping center and restaurants. This includes Weirs furniture store
(always a deal to be had there), Smith & Hawkins, Sur La Table and more.
Neighborhood restaurants include Mignon's (Steak brassiere) in the French
tradition, and Red's Patio Grill which are divine hamburgers and where would
you be without Mi Cocina's Tex mex, all three of these finds have outdoor sitting
that looks out to one of the gorgeous lake of Lakeside. Kathleen's from the Park
Cities opened up here a couple years ago, don't forget the Italian Cream cake!
The newest and the most successful new venue is The Shops at Legacy,
a mini urban sprawl on Legacy drive which is playground to all the corporate
campuses, like EDS, Frito Lay, Cadbury Shwepps to name a few. Here you
will find a very high end mix of specialty retailing and restaurants combined with
the Angelika Theater and apartment and condos to live as well as work here.
Jaspers, Cru, Nicola's, Naan, Bob's Steak House, Martini Park, Fireside Pies,
Rob & Stuckey's furniture, Barbwire Western Wear and much more....this has
truly become the destination to go out for an evening and stay in Plano, either
walk home or a very short ride.
This just touches the tip, there is much much more! Shop till you drop, but
that will take a while! And if you must go to Dallas, check out the new Fashion
Center of the Southwest, NORTHPARK, there is not a better shopping mall
around that caters to the best shopping and stores available in the U.S. Check
Fashion at the Park beginning March 7th, it will be like a New York fashion week,
but with stores showing their spring collections down the run way!
comments
Friday, 26 January 2007
Tax Rates for Dallas & Other Cities
There have been quite a few searches on our site lately for
property tax information so I thought I would go ahead and post
tax rates for 2006, and this will be a total percentage to go by for
your home purchase. 2007 rates will post in Oct.
When you are relocating to Texas, we do not have a state or city
income tax, you might be saying "WHOOO-HEW", but we make
up for that in property taxes for your fabulous new home that you
purchase here. The tax deduction is good, but you still have
to come up with the money.
Most the taxes come from the school tax rate, our state government
is desperately trying to relieve the home owner of this burden, by
charging an extra tax on cigarettes, a $1 a pack, glad I don't smoke.
They possibly will also consider our sales tax going up from 8.25%.
I have to think about that one, it is already high...
So here is the list...
- Dallas - 2.61%
- Plano - 2.38%
- Frisco - 2.36%
- Highland Park - 2.14%
- University Park - 2.26%
- Southlake - 2.90%
- Flower Mound - 2.32%
- Carrollton - 2.87%
- Addision - 2.52%
- Colleyville - 2.57%
These rates vary from year to year, but these are accurate as of now.
You really need to evaluate the school systems here, there are very
many differences in the quality of education delivered, also you could
live in one city and have a different counties school system to attend.
Same goes for zip codes.
After you have lived in your home for one year you can file for
your homestead exemption and get an additional 7-10% per year.
Of course, there are other exemptions that apply if you qualify,
like over 65 and different kinds of disability, each county differs
on these exemptions. See links below for more cities.
see more city taxes in Dallas County
see more city taxes for Collin County
comments
Wednesday, 24 January 2007
10 to Questions Ask in House Hunting 101
A guide to searching for a home....
If your were to ask me what a Realtor® is suppose to do first for
a client in the house hunting process, I would say ask a lot of questions
first, then start the search. (yes, I do baby sit, occasionally)
Of course, you need to feel comfortable with whoever you have hired
as your house hunting expert because in reality you will be spending
quite a bit of time together, and revealing yourself to this professional,
and make sure you have a professional or be prepared to walk....
As a REALTOR®, I am a problem solver, that is to take the criteria you
have given me and find you the perfect house! There is a lot more to
it than that, but that is the role I play. Believe me, I will leave no stone
unturned.
Here is a list of questions that you should contemplate to help
your REALTOR® before you go out physically looking for your new digs.
- Have you ever bought or sold a home before? Where and how long?
- Do you have a home to sell first, before you make a purchase?
- How soon do you need to be in your new home?
- What parts of the city/area are you familiar with?
- What parts of the city/area are you most interested in living?
- Do you know others that live in the area?
- Would you prefer to see a resale, new home or both?
- What price range have you considered?
- What payment range have you considered?
- Have you arranged for financing yet?
You might ask WHY these questions are important to you in finding a home?
Because it will save you time and money. Below are why you should answer
the above questions for yourselves and whoever you chose to work with, even if
you think it is none of their business. (It will be fine if you find the right person to
help) :)
- Are you experienced with the process or a first time home buyer.
- Some are lucky enough to buy first, then sell, depends on your personal preference.
- Time line is critical.
- Discover knowledge of an area.
- Target area of interest.
- Family or friends that you might or might not want to be by.
- Availability and location.
- Moving up or moving down - does pricing fit area.
- Does your payment meet the price range?
- Get pre-qualified or pre-approved and you will know what you can buy.
Of course, there are many more questions to consider for your home,
like: do you want traditional, contemporary, French country, Tudor, open floor
plan, cozy feel, sq ft. schools, bedrooms, baths, amenities, highways, big yard,
day care and on and on, but these questions are where you should start for your
hassle free home search and if you need help or advice from a friendly neighbor,
look no further.
comments
Monday, 22 January 2007
What it is like to live in North Dallas and Preston Hollow...
I was raised in North Dallas and this whole area is going
through a gentrification. These neighborhoods were developed
in the 1950's just north of Northwest Highway and the Park
Cites. The neighborhoods border 635/LBJ to the north and are
bordered east and west by the Dallas Tollway and North Central
Expressway.
What makes this area so desirable is its closeness to town and
the large lots and trees. There is a wide mix of families, young and
retirement age that live here. It is a great well rounded community.
It is really an extension of the Park Cities lifestyle. Shopping and
conveniences are the same.
What has drawn young families is the proximity to several
private schools, St. Mark's, St. Alcuin Montessori, Hockaday
(Melinda Gates Alumni) Jesuit,Ursuline and Episcopal. Although
this is Dallas Independent school system, some of these schools are
recognized in the district and have strong parental involvement.
Many of the smaller homes are being torn down in these areas,
they are typical one story ranch on large lots, typically 80x160.
This comes at a price, tear downs are about 400K for the lot and new
homes are $1-$2 million. There is a nice mix of traditional and
contemporary new homes being built.
Preston Hollow is the neighborhood directly north of University
Park and lots here can be as much as $700K with large live Oak trees
that the new home can be built around. New homes are typically
4000-6000 sq. ft. Prices here are comparable to Park Cities, however
you do not get the exemplary school district, but you do get a bigger
lot, there are always trade offs and the land is what always appreciates,
not the dwelling. Click here to see Preston Hollow Listings.
North Dallas population is about 30,000, so you do get a small town
neighborhood feel, open spaces and trees, many dog walkers and joggers.
It is not a tight or closed in as the Park Cites, with a similar population
on much less land mass. Click here to see North Dallas Listings.
North Dallas neighborhoods are safe and many have neighborhood
crime watch associations beside the Dallas police department. You
get a small town feeling that is close to town and the privacy that
you deserve and all within minutes of downtown Dallas.
All the listings are directly from our MLS and are very current, let us know
if your would like more info on these areas or subscribe to this blog for local
community content that is updated frequently.
comments
Thursday, 18 January 2007
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve - Plano, TX
When you think of Texas, what do you think of besides cowboys,
boots, horses and trucks? Do you think it is flat? Yes-Dallas is basically flat!
Did you know that on the Dallas TV series from the 80's that old J.R. Ewing's
estate was in Plano, TX? Yes -That is a bit of trivia for you.
Actually, when you venture farther west of the concrete and center of
Dallas, you will find great views, rolling terrain and lots of native Texas trees at
the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano.
There are about 4.4 miles of winding smooth paved walking paths, but
also the off road bike trails (About 2.2 miles) provide a challenge for a more
vigorous workout. You will also find natural zones:
- Biofilter
- Riparian Forest
- Upland Forest
- Blackland Prairie
This really is one place to take your friends and family to enjoy the great
outdoors. It is calming and relaxing respite from the madness of the city. You
will find natural untouched surroundings of meadows and habitats for birds and
wildlife. The preserve is connected through a series of paths and bridges and
there are several pavilion areas (with facilities) that can be reserved for private parties.
Your four legged buddies will love it too, not only is it a great place to relax,
exercise, blow off some steam and socialize with friends, you will meet the best
of breeds getting their exercise and walking their owners daily. (The big dogs
really do lead!)
Other amenities include creeks, observation tower, playground for the
kids, grills, picnic tables, shelters and much more. It is also located in walking
distance from these Plano neighborhoods.
Great place to start the day with a jog or leisurely walk for those of us that
don't run...or end the day with a barbecue and fire blazing sunset. You have got
to love this quite refuge only minutes away from the hectic pace of city life.
.
see map 6701 W. Parker, 75093
comments
Tuesday, 16 January 2007
Would You Buy a Home on the Internet?
Yes or NO! Maybe....only if....
Well, two years ago we had a buyer from California contact us
from one of our listings on REALTOR.com. She was the single mother
in her late twenties, with the 2 year old. She was going to relocate and
start the new life in Plano. She was looking for around 225K to 250K, she
had money from the divorce settlement. She wanted Plano because of
the excellent schools and proximity to Dallas.We did some qualifying
and asked her when she would be coming to look? Did not get a straight
answer out of that one. Our listing was in zip code 75023, which is in
central Plano.
The next day she contacted us again and said she was also looking
for a pool and a friend told here she had to live in zip code 75024.
She was always in such a hurry to get answers and that was the zip
code she had to have. Most people want to explore different areas if
they are not from here so they make the best decision.
The third day she called back in a whirlwind, saying that she found
a home on the internet, in 75024, one of the zip codes, with a pool and
had already placed a contract on it.
Whew! that was fast - I looked up the house which was on a corner
of a busy street, had a pool without a pool fence and was priced too high.
She did not use a REALTOR® and knew she had to buy it before someone
else beat her out! I am sure the listing agent that acted in dual agency
was pleased, no representation for this young lady.
I often think about her and if she put a pool fence up for 2 year old,
and if she regrets not looking at a market she knew nothing about, relying
on a friends information and buying site unseen and thinking that this market
was like California!
It's not and never has been, the internet is a great place to start the
process, but you still need to physically visit and shop a market and find a
trusted adviser to show you the town, you aren't buying a candy bar, homes
are often shown to be what they are not! Heads up!
comments
Friday, 12 January 2007
What is Active Rain? What is My House Key?
Have you heard of them? here is the answer,
Active Rain is a socializing Real Estate Network of REALTORS®,
agents, mortgage brokers, home stagers and Real Estate technology vendors
that are blogging there way through the portals of the world. It is a
convergence of ideas and information about all processes of the real estate
transaction and the way that technology is changing our world on how we shop
for a home, REALTOR®, Mortgage Broker and other services. And it does
not stop there, not only will you find 13,000 members that have joined and
blog regularly about their business, you will find tips, information and local
information on much of the country.
This community is based out of Seattle, WA and is only 7 months old,
thank you creators of active rain, for giving us an active site for our voices
to be heard, it is also for you! With all the new real estate tech companies
trying to make a buck this one is addressing the needs of the consumer,
(I do not like that word) which is all of us! Watch for their new site
called localism, in its beta form now, it will capture more local information
from active rain and tell you about different professionals and communities
you would like to research.
Which brings me to this, PlanoHomesandLand.com is a local site and
blog about real estate listings and community guide to help you around
the area. It specially focuses on West Plano,TX, zip codes 75093,75024 & 75025.
There are listing drill downs by neighborhood so you can just click and see what
is on the market in a particular area, like Willow Bend. Also, the real estate tool
page is constantly updated with the latest advances in real estate technology,
and it is coming fast. Everything will help buyers and sellers and REALTORS®
become more efficient. This site also has drill downs (active listings by
neighborhood) for other Dallas areas such as Uptown, Park Cities, Preston Holllow,
Frisco to name a few. You do not have to input your search, just go to your
neighborhood and "click" and all active listings with photos, detail will appear.
Easy.
There is another site that we participate in which I love and this is
MyHouseKey.org , get the org, it is not for profit, it has just been birthed so it
is in its beta form, but it is pure blog strictly about local communities and their
nuances, from all over the country, check it out. Just a reminder beta has glitches...
great creators of this site also, the soldiers of transparency in the real estate
community. This transparency, which I call truthfulness, is about how the real
estate process works now and how technology is changing the playing field by
bringing more information to all of us directly. My House Key will truly be
about community and local information for you that is hard to find now. All great
marketing tools for selling or buying a home that we use.
Real Estate is always local....and you can get the big overall picture from main
stream media, (which is a big opinion anyway) but get the real stories from these
sources and check back often because there are more and more stories everyday!
What you get here is first hand knowledge from professionals that are actually in
the trenches everyday actually doing real estate and services for a living, so
you are getting current information right from the source.
And you might find a friend or two!
comments
Tuesday, 09 January 2007
MLS Market Summary for Dallas Neighborhoods
Today in the Dallas Morning News on the front page of the business section is the title.
Dallas - FW housing sales fall 5%, big bold and only part of the picture, compared to the rest of the nation where in some areas 30-40% declines are looming. We should feel lucky we are in a normal, healthy, not an out of control market. We are a state to watch for 2007, high growth potential and people are moving here...look closely at year to date numbers below.
Overall North Texas Market:
Dec 06 for Single Family: Sales down 5% from year ago, Dollar volume down 4% from year ago, Average price up 2% from a year ago.
YTD for Single Family: Sales up 3% from year ago, Dollar Volume up 7% from year ago, Average price up 3% from year ago. Pending Sales are up 6% from year ago, New listings up 6% from year ago & Active listings up 7% from year ago.
Year-to Date Sales Closed by Area for: December 2006 - Single Family - Part I
Far North Dallas- north of LBJ
Sales up 1% from year ago, Dollar volume up 8% from year ago, Average price up 7% from year ago.
North Dallas-south of LBJ (Preston hollow)
Sales down 12% from year ago, Dollar volume flat from year ago, Average price up 13% from year ago.
Park Cities Area
Sales down 8% from year ago, Dollar volume up 8% from year ago, Average price up 17% from year ago.
Plano Area
Sales down 5% from year ago, Dollar volume down 5% from year ago, Average price flat from year ago.
Lakewood-M Street Area
Sales down 2% from year ago, Dollar volume up 6% from year ago, Average price up 8% year ago.
Uptown-Oak lawn- Condos & Townhomes
Sales up 4% from year ago, Dollar volume up 6% year ago, Average price up 2% year ago.
Year-to Date Sales Closed by Area for: December 2006 - Single Family - Part II
Far North Dallas- north of LBJ
Price per sq ft up 4% from year ago, Sold to list price flat from year ago, Days on market 7% from year ago.
North Dallas-south of LBJ (Preston hollow)
Price per sq ft up 11% from year ago, Sold to list price up 1% from year ago, Days on market down 9% from year ago.
Park Cities Area
Price per sq ft up 13% from year ago, Sold to list price flat from year ago, Days on market up 2% from year ago.
Plano Area
Price per sq ft up 2% from year ago, Sold to list price flat from year ago, Days on market down 6% from year ago.
Lakewood-M Street Area
Price per sq ft up 5% from year ago, Sold to list price flat from year ago, Days on market down 2% from year ago.
Uptown-Oak lawn- Condos & Townhomes
Price per sq ft up 5% from year ago, Sold to list price flat from year ago, Days on market down 5% from year ago.
Year-to Date Sales Closed by Area for: December 2006 - Single Family - Part III
Far North Dallas- north of LBJ
Pending sales flat from year ago, New listings flat from year ago, Active listings up 3% from year ago,
Months Inventory up 2% year ago.
North Dallas-south of LBJ (Preston hollow)
Pending sales down 9% from year ago, New listings up 3% from year ago, Active listings up 6% from year ago, Months Inventory up 21% year ago.
Park Cities Area
Pending sales down 8% from year ago, New listings up 5% from year ago, Active listings up 12% from year ago, Months Inventory up 21% year ago.
Plano Area
Pending sales down 3% from year ago, New listings up 3% from year ago, Active listings down 4% from year ago, Months Inventory up 1% year ago.
Lakewood-M Street Area
Pending sales down 4% from year ago, New listings flat from year ago, Active listings down 3% from year ago, Months Inventory up 5% year ago.
Uptown-Oak lawn- Condos & Townhomes
Pending sales down 12% from year ago, New listings up 10% from year ago, Active listings up 17% from year ago, Months Inventory up 12% year ago.
My take on this is although sales units are down prices are holding and areas in demand have a lot of new building inventory that is sitting and needs to move, overall inventory levels are still lower than two years ago. Most declines are in homes priced under $150K. Pending homes sales are running 6% ahead of last year. January and February are slower months, but inventory is good to pick from. Interesting to note that homes $1 million and more sales are up 18% from a year ago with a 14.9 Months Inventory. We are adjusting here but far better off then other parts of the country.
We are happy and healthy here, Come on down!
comments
Sunday, 07 January 2007
The Heart of West Plano
What a name... Plano, TX, I seriously had to think about if
I wanted to live here 15 years ago because of the name Plain-O!
It is kind of like when you look for a home, clients always note the street
name to see if it works for them and if they can live with it and more important
on it! Anyway, Plano got it name way back because it was on a flat plain,
miles of land for farming and cattle and so Plano was born.
The west side of Plano was developed in the 1980's and has just
recently been built out. What is interesting about the west side is that
west of the tollway the topography changes and it is more like Texas hill
country. There are actually hills, creeks, a nature preserve and many
beautiful old trees that have weathered many a North Texas electrical storms.
(and yes there is also, horses, cows & Texas longhorns)
This is the home of zip codes 75093 & 75024. Around 91,000 proud.
If you are traveling north up the Dallas Tollway, between Plano Parkway
and Spring Creek Parkway you are in the heart of West Plano, see map. If
you exit on Park and take a right you will find yourself home in Willow Bend
& Gleneagles Country Club, a 18 hole beautiful golf course surrounded by
luxurious custom homes. Willow Bend, back in the 80's actually was an
active Polo field, thus Willow Bend has an equestrian spirit to it, like Willow
Bend Polo Estates. You will also find the communities of Lakeside, Old Shepard,
Place, Gleneagles, Windhaven and Castlemere to name a few.
If you turn left on Plano Parkway from the tollway you will dog leg
around to another 18 hole golf course community called the Hills at Prestonwood
and Hills of Indian Creek. Head north on Midway and you will hit the prestigious
Shoal Creek neighborhood that is built on the best and most beautiful land
in West Plano. Many other upscale communities such as Cypress Point,
Glen Hollow Estates & Wolf Creek line the Midway Corridor just to name
a few more.
So if you are a golf fiend, you have truly found your new home,
Gleneagles and Prestonwood are only a few miles apart. Besides golf,
the schools are excellent, shopping & dining is nearby at Shops at Legacy
and Shops at Willow Bend. Presbyterian and Baylor are just two of the
excellent medical facilities close by. The Legacy Corporate Campus that
is home to many national corporations. This makes Plano an upscale
community, only 20 miles north from downtown Dallas, that is truly divine!
Real Estate is also divine, you get a lot for your money, twice as much
as Dallas proper.
When considering the Dallas area for your relocation, Plano deserves your
careful consideration, based on being:
- centrally located - close to airports - major highways
- beautiful topography
- golf
- shopping & dining
- excellent schools
- parks
- top notch medical facilities & spas
- real estate is a good appreciating value
If only the name weren't so plain. Here's to Plano! Cheers!
comments
Saturday, 06 January 2007
December 2006 Stats for Zip Code 75093
see this link for breakdowns by West Plano neighborhood
| ACT - 240 Properties Found |
|
Square Feet
|
Bedrooms |
Full Baths |
Half Baths |
List Price |
Price per Square Foot |
Days on Market |
| Min |
1633
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
$154,900
|
$75
|
1
|
| Avg |
4171
|
4
|
3
|
0
|
$774,983
|
$185
|
90
|
| Max |
12232
|
7
|
7
|
3
|
$7,900,000
|
$645
|
466
|
| EXP - 27 Properties Found |
|
Square Feet
|
Bedrooms |
Full Baths |
Half Baths |
List Price |
Price per Square Foot |
Days on Market |
| Min |
1886
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
$164,900
|
$67
|
51
|
| Avg |
4454
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
$995,925
|
$223
|
208
|
| Max |
12428
|
7
|
7
|
3
|
$5,900,000
|
$474
|
1047
|
| SLD - 43 Properties Found |
|
Square Feet
|
Bedrooms |
Full Baths |
Half Baths |
List Price |
Sale Price |
Price per Square Foot |
Days on Market |
| Min |
1244
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
$124,900
|
$118,450
|
$62
|
0
|
| Avg |
3591
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
$516,315
|
$493,741
|
$137
|
73
|
| Max |
7984
|
6
|
6
|
2
|
$2,175,000
|
$1,985,000
|
$290
|
242
|
| PND - 21 Properties Found |
|
Square Feet
|
Bedrooms |
Full Baths |
Half Baths |
List Price |
Price per Square Foot |
Days on Market |
| Min |
1706
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
$142,000
|
$53
|
4
|
| Avg |
3578
|
4
|
3
|
0
|
$541,399
|
$151
|
76
|
| Max |
5887
|
5
|
5
|
2
|
$1,850,000
|
$368
|
329
|
| OPT - 12 Properties Found |
|
Square Feet
|
Bedrooms |
Full Baths |
Half Baths |
List Price |
Price per Square Foot |
Days on Market |
| Min |
1820
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
$159,900
|
$79
|
33
|
| Avg |
3697
|
4
|
3
|
0
|
$524,125
|
$141
|
101
|
| Max |
6421
|
6
|
5
|
1
|
$1,674,900
|
$260
|
163
|
Wednesday, 03 January 2007
Easy Moving...
Having moved many times in my life especially when I was young, I can
empathize with families having to take their children away from their
hometown, schools and friends so here is a an article that could help
you with your transition in relocating to a new city and state. This is
another frequently requested report on our website that I would like to share.
Moving from one house to another is seldom easy and fun for adults, and
it can be especially troubling for the children. But if parents deal with
their children's concerns and needs thoughtfully, much of that distress
and discomfort can be avoided. Children see moves differently than their
parents do, and they benefit much less from the change in their
comfortable routines, or so it seems at the time. Most often, a change in
houses or communities heralds an important step forward for the adult
members of the family. The family moves because Daddy or Mommy has a great
new job or a promotion in reward for years of hard work.
They move because financial success has allowed the purchase of a
bigger and nicer house in a more costly neighborhood. They move because
they can finally afford private bedrooms for each child and perhaps a pool in the
back yard. In recent times, mobile and hard striving people typically live
in a house for about four years and then move on as their careers or
fortunes allow. That short time span is only a small percentage of the
life-to-date for a 30 or 40 year old, but the same four years is half the
life-time of an 8 year old, and it includes almost all the years he or she
can remember. To a parent, this house may be only the place they have
lived recently. They think of it as a way station on the road of life. To
kids, however, it may be the only home they have ever really known. This
is their house, the place they feel safe and comfortable and thoroughly at
home. A house is much more than a roof and walls to a child. It is the
center of his or her world. A move threatens to take that sphere away and
leave something totally strange in it's place.
The familiar friends, schools, shops and theaters, the streets, trees and
parks - all will no longer exist for them.
Everything soon will be strange, and they will live in someone else's
world.
The impact of a move on a typical child starts about the time he or she
first hears that Daddy has accepted a promotion, and often continues for
about a year, until the new house becomes home, and memories of the
previous place fade. It's not usually necessary to announce this big
change to children immediately, although they must hear about it from you
before someone else breaks the news. Most teenagers see themselves as
adult members of the family, and will probably feel they have been left
out if they don't hear everything from the first day. But it is probably
not a good idea to tell toddlers and preschoolers until they have to know.
There is no point in making them worry far in advance. Be sure to announce
the move in a totally positive way.
You might say how proud you are that Daddy's company has chosen
him out of many other employees to manage a new office in Plano.
Talk about what a beautiful city Plano, TX is, how good the schools, are and
how nice the people are. Tell truthful but very positive stories about how nice
the new house will be. Ask them what the favorite things are in their lives now,
and then try to make them happen in the new home. If the new home is too
far away to allow a visit by the entire family after it has been selected,
show the children pictures of it from every angle.
Taking photos, video tours, podcasts are tools of the trade today,
camera phones and emailing photos are an easy thing to do, a good Realtor
should be able to this this for you! Show this to your children so they become
involved in the process.
Emphasize the positive views and be sure to include pictures of each
child's new room. Try to name the house with some romantic description
like "Willow Bend" for the big trees and the sloping lawn.
Sugar coating will help, but since children can quickly see the negative
sides of most situations, every parent must plan to deal with their
children's worries, fears and sorrows. The children will lose friends they
may have known all their lives. They will leave behind their sports teams,
their clubs, and their dancing teachers.
They will have to start over in a new place, making friends, becoming
accepted and fitting into different groups. Younger children need
protection from fear of the unknown.
Listen carefully to their concerns, and respond quickly to their
apprehensions. It would be normal, for instance, for a young child to
worry that his or her toy box and shelf of stuffed animals might be left
behind.
Find those anxieties and correct them.
Probably the best tactic is to get the children actively involved in the
whole process. Don't just promise to let them decorate their own rooms,
for example. Take them to the paint store and let them bring home color
swatches. Shop for bed spreads and towels and carpets. They must leave old
friends behind, so find ways to make that parting almost pleasant. Plan a
going-away party and let them invite their own guests. Take pictures of
everyone and make a photo album. If a child is old enough, send him or her
out with a digital camera and the assignment to photograph the
views they will want to remember. Some relationships will be extremely
difficult to break and these will demand careful, thoughtful, personalized
planning by both parents. How, for instance, do you move a 17-year-old
1,000 miles from her steady boyfriend?
Expect that your children may be even more distressed after the
move than they were before it. The new house will not be beautiful the
night after the moving van leaves, or for months after. The furniture won't fit
the rooms.
The curtains won't be up, and every spot on the floor will be covered
with half-unpacked cartons. The children won't know anyone at school and,
if you move during the summer, they may have little opportunity to meet
anyone their age. You may be faced with many more problems in your new
community that they will, but remember that you can handle them more
easily than they can. They will need your help, and you should plan to
give them the support they need. After the move, if they don't have a cell
phone give each of them a phone card allowance so they can keep in touch
with the people back home who matter the most to them. Buy a stack of
picture postcards that show positive views of your new community, and
encourage them to write good news messages to the friends and relatives they
left behind. To make new friends, make sure the children don't vegetate in
front of the television. Get them outside, where neighbors pass by. Have
them pass out fliers to do baby-sitting or car washing. Encourage them to
participate in as many school activities as they can handle. Get them on
sports teams and into clubs. If they and you aren't making new friends
fast enough, throw a housewarming party for yourselves and invite all the
adults and children on the block. If serious emotional or attitude
problems arise, however, help is usually available and probably should be
sought. Ask a teacher for help. Consider professional counseling. Don't
let a serious problem slide. Remember that the newness will wear off. New
friends will become old friends and best friends.
This new house may become the family homestead your grandchildren
will visit every holiday season. There will be discomforts and adjustments
but in the long run, everything will work out fine. The challenge of having to make
new friends and get along with people in a new city or even a new culture will
prepare everyone for becoming a better and more understanding person.
Your trusted adviser and Realtor should have many ways to help you and your
family adjust during this hectic time. If you you like to know more about this topic
please email your request.
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Monday, 01 January 2007
Guide to your Hassle-Free Home Purchase
We offer several reports on our websites that buyers can request,
I thought I would go ahead and post the one that is most requested
to help anyone that is thinking about buying a home this year
and get you started on How to buy a house Right!
HOW THIS POST CAN HELP YOU
Buying a home can seem like a frightening prospect. Whether it's your
first home or your fifth, so much is at stake; your savings, your credit
rating, and your financial freedom. It's difficult to find the courage to
sign on the dotted line even if you want that home very, very badly.
Not to mention the time involved and the actual moving itself and effects
it will have on your family.
How do you determine whether the purchase of a home makes sense?
What's the easiest way to examine the whole picture from emotions to
economics?
We suggest that you read this entire report before you go house hunting.
You'll learn how to separate wants from true needs. You'll discover how to
prepare a game plan for your real estate venture, how to research
effectively, choose wisely, finance appropriately, and survive the whole
procedure with little stress. Sounds to good to be true? The whole Real Estate
process is a business and when the right steps are followed happiness prevails.
Here we go...
SEVEN STEPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Establish your needs and your wants. (have to have vs wish list)
2. Determine how much you can afford. (keep wiggle room in this)
3. Get pre-qualified or pre-approved by a lender. (Huge time saver)
4. Find a good real estate agent to help you. (Trusted Adviser)
5. Find a home that meets your needs. (Determine neighborhood)
6. Make an offer to buy a home. (Determine correct value of home)
7. Save as much as you can on the purchase. (knowledge & negotiation's)
STEP ONE: ESTABLISH YOUR NEEDS AND WANTS
Begin your search for a perfect home by making a careful assessment of the
kind of home you need and want. We recommend that you write it down. Take
time, right now, to be as specific as you can about your particular
requirements. First, make a list of "necessities" in your home. Next, list
the features that you "desire".
STEP TWO: DETERMINE HOW MUCH YOU CAN AFFORD
Set up a budget for yourself. Decide how much you can really afford to
invest and be comfortable with, for your monthly house payment. Be
realistic. Most lenders suggest that your payments be no more than 28
percent of your total monthly income. Don't forget to include taxes and
insurance if you plan to escrow. Many brokers can give your good faith estimates
and a REALTOR can give you closing costs on a particular property before you even
put an offer in.
STEP THREE: GET PRE-QUALIFIED OR PRE-APPROVED BY A LENDER
You can save yourself time and heartache by meeting with a lender before
you start your search for a home. A lender can let you know what specific
loan programs would be best for you. He can also help you understand what
it takes to qualify for the loan that you want. By taking a look at your
financial situation and looking at your credit history, a lender can
usually give you a good idea if you can qualify for the loan amount that
you want. Many lenders call this 'Pre-Qualifying A Buyer'.
You should talk to 3 lenders, your bank if you have a good relationship and mortgage
brokers. Watch out for hidden fees from online lenders! Know what your credit score is
before you contact a lender.
To be absolutely certain that you can be approved for a loan, you may want
to ask to be "pre-approved". In the approval process, all of your
documentation is completed and submitted to an underwriter. The
pre-approval that you will receive is an actual loan commitment from a
lender - your guarantee of loan approval. (You might be able to get a better deal
because of this factor.)
STEP FOUR: FIND A GOOD REAL ESTATE AGENT TO HELP YOU
You can learn a lot about an agent by just letting him/her talk to you
about how he/she helps his/her buyers. Within a few minutes, you will
probably be able to determine if this agent's style is in line with yours.
The most important part of this relationship is trust. You must be honest
with all factors in the process for there to be NO SURPRISES!
Ask as many questions as you can up front. Finding a good agent will save
you huge amounts of time, effort, and frustration. Remember, a "buyer's
agent" is working for YOU! and save you $$$ with product knowledge and
expertise.
STEP FIVE: FIND A HOME THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS
Five tips for successful house hunting:
1. Keep an organized record of all your research data. Write down comments
about the homes that you see. Keep track of your likes and dislikes.
2. Make sure that your agent is aware of your time schedule and your
expectations. Do you like to look at one or two homes in a session? Four?
Eight? Discuss all of this with your agent.
3. Tell your agent about any homes that perk your interest and those you'd
like to know more about. Include those homes you discover as you explore
the area yourself or those you see advertised in the newspaper.
4. If you want to spend time driving around looking at homes for yourself,
ask your agent for a list of drive-by homes which you can consider first
from the outside. Your agent can than make appointments to show you the
interior of those that appeal to you.
5. Express your likes and dislikes to your agent after you see a home.
Honest communication is essential. Some buyers are shy and hesitant to
tell an agent what they really think of a house. They think the agent may
take it personally. Remember, the homes don't belong to the agent! You
must be straight forward about your likes and dislikes to enable the agent
to do the best job for you.
STEP SIX: MAKE AN OFFER TO BUY A HOME
Your real estate agent can help you make an offer to buy the home that you
select. It is important decide prior to viewing homes whether your agent
will represent you or the seller. Some agents work only for the seller. In
this case the agent may not be able to advise you in making a fair offer.
By looking at homes selling in the area and the length of time is takes to
sell, you should be able to get a good idea of value. Only a "buyer's
agent" can give you all the information necessary to make an intelligent
offer in your best interests.
STEP SEVEN: SAVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ON YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT
There are only two major investments to consider when buying a home. These
are the initial investment (including down payment and closing costs) and
the monthly payment (including principle, interest, taxes, and insurance).
Here are some ways to save on your initial investment:
1. Choose a low down payment loan. You do not necessarily have to put 20
percent, or even 10 percent, down. You can put 5 percent, or even 3
percent, down on some loans. Ask whether or nor your loan includes
"private mortgage insurance" or FMI.
2. As part of your offer, ask the seller to pay some of your closing
costs. Sellers are usually allowed to contribute to a buyer's closing
costs. In many cases this is a negotiable item.
3. Shop around for your home insurance. A little shopping can save you a
significant amount of money.
4. You can deduct money paid for discount points from your gross income
before computing your tax, which would effectively reduce the cost to you.
Always check with your CPA to find out specific guidelines in your area.
Keep your monthly payments low
1. Get a loan with no monthly mortgage insurance premiums. You may be able
to reduce or eliminate them by paying a little more at closing. By putting
20 percent or more down, you can eliminate them entirely.
2. Choose an Adjustable Rate Mortgage. ARMs can be up to 3 percent lower
than fixed rates.
Remember that interest payments on a primary residential mortgage are
fully deductible in most circumstances. Your property taxes may also be
deductible. Tax rates definitely favor homeowners.
Now that you have read this long post, it is time to go out and find the
home of your dreams. Make sure that you cover all steps listed here in the
proper order so your home buying experience will be hassle-free. Feel free
to bookmark this page for future reference or email to someone that could
benefit from this information and Happy New Year!
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Housing Information Overload?
I Hear You!
Take a look at the monthly housing breakdown for Feb. 2013 for insight into the current real estate market. Every month new information will be posted as a trusted souce for excellent advice. Any questions about local real estate in Plano? Just ask us for expert advice.
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J.W. & Terry Smith
Common name, Uncommon service
Licensed Broker - Owner, TX Realtors®
Smith & Smith Realty
info(at)planohomesandland.com
| Real Estate Forms and Consumer Info | |
Property Tax Rates 2013
Plano 2.17%
Dallas 2.66%
Frisco 2.18%
Sales Tax 8.25%
Property Website
Just Listed! 3225 Oak Hollow, Plano, 75093 -MLS 11927773 - Hills at Prestonwood, Plano Schools, Hard to find 5 bdrm,4.1 bath, 4589 sq ft, .45 acre lot, pool & spa-Updated, Lux Spa Master Bath & Outdoor Livng Area--$629K, See more info on this property. Call or text for private showing, 214.415.9829
Should Texas Home Sale Prices be Disclosed?
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