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Plano Texas Real Estate Blog - Local Plano Real Estate.

Helping You Make Better Real Estate Decisions - Advice, Opinion, Trials, Tribulations of the Dallas Real Estate Market and Community Resource Guide * 24 Hour Real Estate *


Monday, 30 April 2007
About Texas Property Tax Cuts

Did you know that Texas homeowners pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation?  Yep!  It's true and that's why this is one of the first things we address with relocation clients.  Last year, the legislature succeeded in passing a comprehensive tax-reform package, but it is still confusing.  As a general rule you can figure about 2.25% on the total tax appraisal of your home.  You can write this off completely every year but you still have to pay it by the end of December or until February of the following year.  After that it is considered late and you will have penalties. Most of the property taxes go toward
public schools.

In most Texas school districts, the rate for the maintenance and operations portion of school property taxes went from $1.50 per $100 valuation to $1.33 last year.  Believe me every bit helps.  This year the rate will be cut to $1 per $100 valuation.  This only applies to the maintenance-operations side, any previous or future voter approved bond package can make your school property taxes higher.  Just when you thought you were getting a break.

So you won't be surprised that many local school boards are looking at the property tax reduction as an opportunity to pass large bond packages, thereby diminishing your property tax savings.  Just so you know as of May 12, 104 school districts throughout Texas have scheduled bond elections to access what has been called "free money" Gosh!  Can I get some of that!  The school boards see this as a swapping of the property tax reduction for new buildings and upgrades for local schools.  Just when you thought you might get a break!

Long story short, if you approve these bond packages you will see your property taxes go up! No "free money". You will pay for it either way.  Be aware of all bond packages before you vote, become educated and informed about all school  issues. My opinion is if you vote against the bond package the school boards will find their money elsewhere.  It pays to become an educated voter. The voter will decided what projects are worthwhile because you will pay for them in increased property taxes anyway. What happened to the extra $1 tax on cigarettes packs?  Maybe state gambling will get another boost.  Only time will tell, in the meantime, stay informed. See here for Dallas Tax Rates by City

 

Posted by: Terry Smith AT 02:04 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Friday, 27 April 2007
Preston Hollow vs Park Cities

Preston Hollow


What is the difference between living in Preston Hollow and living in the Park Cities?  Inquiring minds would like to know!  So here is brief run down of the pros and cons from a Realtor that has lived and works in these Tony neighborhoods. (I grew up here)

There are 3 huge differences between these two areas:

  1. Park Cities has an exemplary school system and always has, Preston Hollow is Dallas ISD but is located near all ivy league private schools.
  2. Park Cities has a population of around 33,000 total in a land mass that is 7 sq miles.  It's a bit crowded especially with the Texas SUV's.
  3. Preston Hollow is directly North of the Park Cities starting at Northwest highway and has huge lots and rolling terrain that is hard to find today.

The home appreciation in these neighborhoods has sky rocketed the past few years,
Park Cities, which is Highland Park and University Park has hovered around 12-25% the last 4 years, Preston Hollow has had nice appreciation too, similar to Park Cites but depends on street and exact location.  The biggest difference is that Highland Park and University Park are there own townships and are not Dallas, so you have your own highly secure police and fire department and own government. Zip codes here are 75205 and 75225.

Preston Hollow is Dallas and you can vote in all Dallas elections to save the city! Dallas does need your vote! Both areas are close to downtown and shopping, hospitals, entertainment etc.  Park Cities was developed back in the 1920's and 30's and a gentrification has been going on for years.  Preston Hollow was developed more in the 1950's etc. so the styles of homes are much different.  If you want land and space and want to pay for private schools, Preston Hollow is the way to go, If you want exemplary schools including  home to SMU, then Park Cites should be your choice.  Either way you can't go wrong it is just your personal preference.  There is a lot more to it then this but this is a good start if you are considering these areas. If you would like to know more insider scoop, I'm just an email away. 
Have a great weekend!

 

Posted by: Terry Womack AT 12:41 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Wednesday, 25 April 2007

Foreclosure? Resale? or New Home?
Foreclosure for sale

Of course, this would depend on what market you are in
Here in the Dallas area you have your pick on what you can buy. 
You still want to pick your location first, that should be the #1 criteria
for buying your home.  In Plano, you will find all three options in very
good locations and more coming on the market daily.  As long as the
floor plan and schools work than price should be your consideration
and what kind of opportunities present themselves.  A foreclosed sign
in a VERY nice neighborhood presents a great opportunity!

The past two months we have worked with 8 relocation clients
who have had to decide on what property to buy.  Remember you can
always paint and change carpet and appliances but a golf course view is
worth its weight in gold. Location, location, location are the keywords here.

Most foreclosures are REO properties, which stands for real estate
owned
.  These properties are either owned by a lending institution or bank.
They have their own set of rules and addemums to contracts, so make sure
you have an experienced Realtor that has done these before, and is an
excellent negotiator.  Also, pay to have an inspection it will decide whether
you want to buy the property or not.  Normally foreclosures will have some
repairs to do because the property most likely has not been maintained.
That depends on how long the property has been distressed.  You can
make very good money on these in the short term.  Just know your criteria
and pricing scenarios.

New Homes are abundant and some builders are making concessions
and some are not
, be prepared to walk if you don't get your way.  There is
just too much inventory to pick from and you can find another new home easily.
I always tell our clients to have at least 3 homes to choose from and do not fall
in love with a home until you close,  A lot can happened between an executed
contract and actually closing.  So if you have other options and you do in this
market you will never be disappointed. 

As far a resale homes you are going to have your pick here too
, just
make sure they are priced correctly and you won't go wrong.  A Realtor that
knows the neighborhoods can help you here.  It is a buyers market and despite
what you hear on the news about real estate the North Texas Market is ripe for
picking and buying whatever home you chose.  People buy and sell real estate
no matter what the market is doing.  Real Estate is just like the stock market it
is cyclical just like the stock market and goes up and down.  So buy when
prices are down and you will make money in the short term.

Posted by: Terry Smith AT 11:56 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Sunday, 22 April 2007
1ST Quarter 07 is in...

Home prices go up and down across the Dallas - Ft Worth Metro Area
,
as sales slump overall.  The market is off to a slower start than previous years. 
Around a dozen Dallas Areas saw declines in sales of pre-owned homes. 
Still some pricey close in neighborhoods bucked this trend.  Sales rose 29%
in North Dallas and 15% in the Park Cities against last year.
Overall home sales prices are flat and about 5% off from a year ago.

The busy season starts now and we have seen many relocating to the
area
and that activity remains as strong as ever.  Take a look at a few area
that we cover on this site for the 1st quarter review:
                                                 
                                        Sales   Change   Median$   Change  DOM $SQFT
  • Far North Dallas       284       +7%      $269,900      +2%        66    $115.
  • North Dallas            163        +1%      $645,000      +29%      81    $226.
  • Oak Lawn                 27        -7%       $378,000      +158%    67     $211.
  • Plano                      834       -9%        $217,500      +6%       59     $97.
  • Park Cities              188       +3%       $949,000      +15%      66    $335.
This is a snapshot but really doesn't tell the whole story, notice how all
the median prices are climbing despite some softer sales, Plano is the largest
area with around 250,000 in population, so sales are much greater volume. 
West Plano accounts for the high end real estate in Plano and inventories are
high, there are new builds and also foreclosures to deal with, believe me there is
plenty to look at.  You literally would have 25 to 50 homes to look at  in Plano
depending on your price point, it is a buyer's market.  In closer in areas there are
plenty of new homes that got caught up in the speculation and if you have a
million to spend you can probably make a good deal with certain builders in
prime locations.

Plano is 20 miles north of downtown and the trend continues to move
North with appreciation
and prices going up.  You can still get a great deal in
Plano and with the same high quality schools as the Park Cities. A Realtor is
really worth their weight in gold that know the markets and neighborhoods. 
Number are numbers, but you need to be in the market and doing the business
of real estate to know the true deals and areas to buy!  And I'm not just saying
that because that is what we do, we really want for you to make a great investment!

This market has all kinds of deals to be made and you need the
experience
of someone who has done foreclosures, short sales, investment
properties etc. as well as normal real estate transactions (I don't think any are
normal, BTW) ;-)
They are all negotiated differently and you need to be prepared so there are no
surprises.  Things just go better that way.

Posted by: Terry Smith AT 02:16 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Saturday, 21 April 2007
Daisey Grace Hunkered down

This precious little thing is one of my friends new child! She is just a hoot
and always very busy.  This Westie puppy likes to take baths believe it or
not! This past week she took a dip in the toliet! I am trying to get a photo of
that one.  Anyone else ever heard of a Westie that loves water?

Posted by: Terry Smith AT 10:32 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Friday, 20 April 2007
Plano School Profile

Besides looking for your dream home, most of you want to know about the schools of the community.  Here is a nifty chart to show you the current ratings and enrollment numbers since 2000
in Plano ISD.  Each school has their own rating beside the district as a whole. This file will tell you a
rating of any particular school in the DFW Metro Area. If you would like more info on schools in the
Dallas area click here. New ratings come out in September.

Plano School Profile


Posted by: Terry Smith AT 04:25 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Thursday, 19 April 2007
West Plano Village - New Development Coming Soon and Eatzi's too

Eatzi's Markert & Bakery

 
If you are familiar with Dallas you know that West Village in Uptown has been a very successful venue with restaurants and boutique shops.  Today in the business section of the Dallas Morning news, West Plano Village has been announced as a mixed use project.  It will be located at the busy intersection at Parker and the Tollway, connecting the Cinemark Tinseltown theaters with this new retail buzz.

For those of you that aren't familiar with Eatzi's,  it is a chef prepared concept, high end fine restaurant quality food to go!  It will be another urban concept in suburbia like the successful Shops at Legacy.  The first phase and Eatzi's will debut in 2009. The development will include, shops, restaurants, apartments and office space.

West Plano Village
and Eatzi's Market and Bakery will be the newest urban edge in West Plano and we welcome them with open arms. It just keeps getting better all the time!


comments

Posted by: Terry Smith AT 11:23 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Updated Real Estate Search Tool on Plano Homes and Land

The search tool on Plano Homes and Land has just been upgraded by
MLS finder.
  It now includes an extra security feature so you will not get spam,
you know that junk!

So if you decide to save a search for yourself, please know you are
protected here.
  Also, if a listing has a virtual tour it will now download when
you view details of a property, just click the spinning circle. You will also be able
to view any still photos that are downloaded from the MLS, right under the main photo.

What makes our home search different is we have defined drill downs for
specific neighborhoods of West Plano
and also broad searches of zip codes
75093, 75024, 75025. You can search by location or property type.
Click below to see...

Single Family Homes in West Plano Condos/Townhomes in West Plano Gated Homes in West Plano Golf Homes in West Plano New Homes and development in West Plano
Willow Bend Homes for sale Prestonwood Homes for sale Lakeside on Preston homes for sale Shoal Creek Homes for sale West Plano Real Estate and homes for sale 

You can also sort order any search in ascending or descending order by
these parameters:

  • price
  • city
  • property type
  • sq. ft.
  • MLS#
  • zip code
  • date listed
Once you decide to view details of a particular property under tools you can:

Real Estate Search Tools

At Plano Homes and Land we want to make your search is easier, safe
and secure.
  This blog site is updated frequently and you will find the latest
search tools available here for your viewing pleasure. You will also find the
newest listings here first before the national search sites because we download
hourly from the local MLS. 
Happy Searching on your terms! More updates coming soon...

comments

Posted by: AT 01:00 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Monday, 16 April 2007
Collin County Growth - it gets interesting
Collin County City Map

Collin County is home to 18 cities, if the trend continues during the next 20 years, it will be home to almost 1.5 million people. Who knew!  15 years ago West Plano was just developing and was still a small country town of rolling terrain and new development, now it is a vibrant exurb with family values and is a quick jaunt to downtown.  Here are some numbers to ponder from the North Central Texas Council of Governments on population changes from Jan. 2006 to Jan. 2007.

  • 32,000 New county residents in 2006
  • 88 New residents per day in 2006
  • 102 New residents per day added in 2005
  • 7,850 New residents in McKinney
  • 7,650 New residents in Dallas
  • 50% Undeveloped part of Collin County

The 5 big cities in Collin County and their growth rates are:

  • Frisco 8.80%
  • Allen 7.89%
  • McKinney 7.54%
  • Wylie 7.27%
  • Plano 1.23%

Plano is the first city north of Far North Dallas and so development happened there first and goes North.  Frisco is the next very exciting city to happen and the same people that developed Plano are doing Frisco, interesting side bar is in developing Plano they learned what worked and didn't and are making Frisco a state of the art community.  Watch for an exemplary school system, new housing developments and world renown shopping and entertainment centers. For those of you that don't know, the city of McKinney is the government seat of Collin County, that is where you pay property taxes, serve jury duty and pay traffic tickets. Check the post written couple of weeks ago on why you need to move to Collin County , it is also the wealthiest county in Texas.  Lots and lots of land to be developed here and you can still get 1 acre plus lots far north and east of Plano.

A few small cities over 1,000 that have experienced growth this past year are:
Note: These cities are still rural and forming their infrastructure.

  • Anna 16.30%
  • Fairview 21.43% - excellent schools
  • Celina 10.71%
  • Lavon 24.00%
  • Lucas 15.91%
  • Melissa 20.69%
  • Murphy 10.18%
  • Princeton 12.09%
  • Prosper 15.24%

All this is an indication of the migration to Collin County as well as Dallas. Housing is more affordable in Collin County and with excellent schools in place.  It is wise to buy real estate in Collin County because you are going to have greater appreciation yet to come if you buy right and get in now.  If you are considering relocating to the Metroplex, just let us know and we can answer any questions you might have and arrange your tour of the area, whenever you are ready.  You still get big sky country out here with plenty of land and space to roam with all the modern amenities you need and want.  "Come on down.... neighbor you'll like it here".

comments
Posted by: Terry Smith AT 07:32 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Friday, 13 April 2007
8 Tips to Live Green in Plano
Live green in Plano
Wednesday is trash pick up in our neighborhood, every other Wednesday the city of Plano collects recycles in a separate large container that sits next to the trash.  Occasionally, if you put the wrong thing in the recycle bin they will leave the item next to the receptacle and tape a note telling you why they did not take it. Then you need to figure out what to do with it...

This past Wednesday there was another kind of note placed on the container of every recycle bin in Plano, a campaign on living green in Plano. So instead of mailing this informative brochure and calendar of events, which probably would have gotten thrown out as junk mail, the city taped letter and brochure on every recycle container in Plano, knowing that it would get the full attention it needed.

Introducing live green in Plano,  is a city campaign realizing that every little thing we do every day has a big impact on the environment.  This brochure provides simple tips and information on how to live a greener life for the environment without making sacrifices.  A few simple suggestions are:
  • Add one new item to your recycling bin that you haven't recycled before, like junk mail, steel cans or plastic bottles.
  • Shorten you shower by 1 minute. If everyone in Plano did this for one month, it would save 15 million gallons of water. (now, I don't think you are going to time yourself in the shower but I think if we just go faster is good, also we have been under water restrictions for over a year now and this would help tremendously)
  • Switch to green power (like wind or solar).  You can do this through your current electric provider or one that has renewable plans.
  • Set your automatic sprinkler system to MANUAL.  Water infrequently  and deep, try 30 minutes a zone twice a week, your lawn only needs 1 inch a week.  Did you know in Plano that over 50% of our water use goes to outdoor watering?
  • Use native drought tolerant plants. There are many new grasses that love our hot weather and look lovely in our gently wind.
  • Use compost to improve your soil and reduce your need for watering.  Your yard trimmings are recycled to produce pure Texas compost and mulch products.
  • Set you water heater to 120 degrees F.  You will save about 8% in energy costs by doing this!
  • Maintain your vehicle. Properly inflated tires and a well tuned engine will save gas and prevent excessive emissions.
The People of Plano and its city offer many services that work toward a greener Plano. One service that is available that you might not know about is Plano's appliance recycling program. So instead of paying Sears or Best Buy a $100. or more to tote off your dead appliance, the city of Plano will pick it up at your curb on a designated day for FREE.  Check out live green in plano for more information and the EXPO 2007 on Saturday May 5 at  the Plano Centre.  A day to educate and inform you on how to make a contribution to living green in Plano or any other city in the world.  Another reason why Plano is a great place to live. Green up!

 comments

Posted by: Terry Smith AT 09:28 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
MLS Market Summary for Dallas Neighborhoods - Mar. 07 Results

In March, pre-owned single family homes were down 7% from same month last year, there are 11% more pre owned homes on the market than a year early which accounts for a  7 1/2 month supply.  Besides pre owned homes builders new starts are down 35% for the first quarter and purchases for new homes were down 7% from a year ago.

It's called "Let's make a Deal!" - Deal or No Deal!  It is a buyers market.  There are certain neighborhoods that buck the trend and that is always the case in any market. Here are the area numbers below to see where some good opportunities might be.

The Market is still adjusting from 2006.  The Dallas Market is healthy and many companies are relocating here so new people coming in should be able to find some very good buys at this point in time.

Overall North Texas Market:

March 07 for Single Family:  Sales down 7% from year ago, Dollar volume down -1% from year ago, Average price up 6% from a year ago.

Month-to Date Sales Closed by Area for: March 2007- Single Family- Part I

Far North Dallas- north of LBJ
Sales up 21% from year ago, Dollar volume up 23% from year ago, Average price up 2% from year ago.

North Dallas-south of LBJ (Preston hollow)
Sales down 15% from year ago, Dollar volume up 8% from year ago, Average price up 27% from year ago.

Park Cities Area
Sales up 14% from year ago, Dollar volume up 11% from year ago, Average price down 3% 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 9% from year ago, Average price up 11% year ago.

Uptown-Oak lawn- Condos & Town homes
Sales up 9% from year ago, Dollar volume up 23% year ago, Average price up 13% year ago.

Year-to Date Sales Closed by Area for: March 2007 - Single Family - Part II

Far North Dallas- north of LBJ
Price per sq ft up 2% from year ago, Sold to list price down 1% from year ago, Days on market down 13% from year ago.

North Dallas-south of LBJ (Preston hollow)
Price per sq ft up 10% from year ago, Sold to list price down 1% from year ago, Days on market up 25% from year ago.

Park Cities Area
Price per sq ft up 10% from year ago, Sold to list price flat from year ago, Days on market up 8% from year ago.

Plano Area
Price per sq ft up 1% from year ago, Sold to list price flat from year ago, Days on market down 2% from year ago.

Lakewood-M Street Area
Price per sq ft up 5% from year ago, Sold to list price up 1% from year ago, Days on market up 7% from year ago.

Uptown-Oak lawn- Condos & Town homes
Price per sq ft up 5% from year ago, Sold to list price flat from year ago, Days on market up 19% from year ago.

Year-to Date Sales Closed by Area for: March 2007-Single Family-Part III

Far North Dallas- north of LBJ
Pending sales up 8% from year ago, New listings down 1% from year ago, Active listings down 4% from year ago, Months Inventory down 7% year ago.

North Dallas-south of LBJ (Preston hollow)
Pending sales down 2% from year ago, New listings down 6% from year ago, Active listings up 4% from year ago, Months Inventory up 14% year ago.

Park Cities Area
Pending sales up 20% from year ago, New listings up 20% from year ago, Active listings up 25% from year ago, Months Inventory up 33% year ago.

Plano Area
Pending sales down 9% from year ago, New listings up 3% from year ago, Active listings up 11% from year ago, Months Inventory up 18% year ago.

Lakewood-M Street Area
Pending sales up 7% from year ago, New listings up 5% from year ago, Active listings up 3% from year ago, Months Inventory up 7% year ago.

Uptown-Oak lawn- Condos & Town homes
Pending sales down 10% from year ago, New listings up 8% from year ago, Active listings up 10% from year ago, Months Inventory up 6% year ago.

A word about average dollar per sq ft as of Mar.07-these are in general and vary by neighborhood.

Far North Dallas - $115
North Dallas - $226
Park Cities - $335
Plano - $97
Lakewood - $132
Oak lawn Condo-Town homes - $188

My Take, most inventories are up and this does not account for new home inventory. Park Cities is bucking all trends and will because of location and exemplary schools.  Be careful because the build out of the Park Cities has left the very worst lots that are available left, don't pay too much!  Also, inventory of 1M + New homes in Preston Hollow are crying for new owners, depending on the builder and inventory scenario you might be able to make a sweet deal.  Good homes that are priced well in good locations sell fast.

Source is from North Texas Real Estate Information Systems. (MLS)
Information is reliable, but not guaranteed

comments

Posted by: Terry Smith AT 12:16 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Monday, 09 April 2007
Too Many Vacant Houses
Vacant House

Now is the time the real estate market starts to get very active
, with taxes almost out of the way, you can start thinking about relocating, moving and getting the kids into new schools. The past several weeks I have been in many homes in all price points, there seems to be more than usual vacant houses on the market.

They have been clean properties with some updates and prime locations.  Most of these are not foreclosures but relo companies that need to move the property.  This is fantastic opportunity to buy a great home that is ready to be moved into immediately.  Usually, a relo company is good to negotiate with because they are not in the real estate business and they want to get the property sold, however they take a bit longer to deal with because you have to talk to several people that have to make the decisions about the property and they don't work weekends. (bankers hours- ya know)

Just make sure you get with a Realtor that knows the neighborhood and pricing value of homes, this is critical. There seems to be a lot of unrealistic pricing lately.  You need to really get into the comparables, backwards and forward and inside and out and be sure to look at the county tax records  to know what your looking at as far as property taxes and assessed value.

The other vacant houses on the market are foreclosures and they are usually not too pretty.  Some of these are priced too high as well and lately because of the foreclosure rate being so high, the lender or banks want their money back too.  Be prepared for hard negotiating between all parties and have your pre-approval letter in hand before you even submit a contract. This is very good advice to purchase any home and more than likely if you get in a bidding war you will be one up on the competition to make a better deal and get the house under contract.  Vacant properties- take your pick, relo's or foreclosures, they are ripe for buying.

Watch here for a post (next day or two) on the March sales figures and year to date info for your house hunting pleasure.

comments

Posted by: Terry Smith AT 03:27 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, 05 April 2007
How could you help us with our house hunt?

OK,  your moving.....and you know where and have a time line.  So,  Who do you get to help you with your real estate purchase and what can they do for you?

That is such a basic question and so important to us as Realtors.  You definitely want someone that is caring and will listen to you and knows the market inside and out.  These days with all the information out there it is sometimes over whelming to digest, you really need a neighborhood expert.  Besides that, you need a Realtor that will and can spend the necessary time with you on your house hunt.  We all know that when you start the process of home buying or selling anything can happen and you want representation that knows the market and how to solve problems quickly and efficiently.

The answer to this question is not easy because everyone is unique and has different criteria.  Let me tell you how we can help you with the process.

First of all, we have been doing business on the internet since 2002 and love you, the internet client.  When someone contacts us through our website it is generally through email first or a direct phone call, depending how urgent the matter is. For example, you find out today that you are visiting on tomorrow, Whew! that was quick. As a husband and wife team we can accommodate most schedules with a couple days notice, preferably a week or two out would be great.

After we email a few times back and forth or chat on the phone, (whatever you prefer) we will email you a personal relocation packet with info and links that will accommodate your needs. You will also be set up with your own personal website of homes based on your criteria. You can pick your favorites, possibilities or reject - it keeps everything in one place.  When you decide when you are coming we will then plan your tour.  The first time that we meet we can pick you up or meet wherever you like.  If you are not familiar with the area we can give you a chauffeured tour in our big black Texas SUV, The Yukon XL - plenty of room for you and the kids.  You will get a insiders tour of the city and neighborhoods and first hand info on the real estate market in Dallas. If time allows we can even do lunch, take all necessary breaks etc. (we have done this many times and love doing it, lets just say we know the drill)

During our tour, then we can narrow down neighborhoods and then go see houses you have selected. Depending how long you stay you might find a house to buy or go back home and think about it.  If you decide on the way home or on the plane,  that you want to buy something you saw and can't live without, just let us know and we will send you the contract electronically and get you your new home, just like that.  (we will explain everything you are signing, don't worry)

Also, while you are back home,  we are out previewing homes and let you know if that perfect one becomes available even when you are miles away
. That's what we do, I can even send you a video tour if there aren't enough photos or bad virtual tour to look at.  I will say that our MLS system here is state of the art and we know how to use it to help you find your next home with ease.  Then after you find your home we will help schedule your move, utilities and all the other hassles that go along with relocation. 

So if you have decided to move and ready to start your search,  just let us know when you would like your tour and the personal service that goes with it!  Happy Hunting...

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Posted by: Terry Smith AT 02:19 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Wednesday, 04 April 2007
Yesterday's Storm Alert
Every year around this time, North Texas has some strange weather, as you might know we are in tornado alley but I have never seen one as long as I have lived here, and that is a looong time.  April through May is our rainy season and boy, do we need it.  Here are a few pics from yesterday's storm alert.  These pictures were taken around 6:30 PM at the Shops at Legacy in West Plano, at the same time just 12 miles east they had torrential rain and 3 inch size hail and nothing where we were just these interesting skies, so glad I was on the west side.  Anyway, these are typical photos of storm skies in North Texas. Just so you know, the weather alert systems are excellent and you have plenty of time to get where you need to be. Photos by Susan Womack

Texas Storm Clouds



Hole in One

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Posted by: Terry Smith AT 05:13 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Tuesday, 03 April 2007
West Plano New Home, Condo and Town Home Development

Creeks of Willow Bend

You know Everybody Wants New!  Brand New!  A new home that nobody has ever lived in or messed up.  Lately, we have had a lot of interest in new development in West Plano and on search requests.  So, I am going to list these wonderful new communities for you to gander. Plano was technically all built out a few years ago, (so your appreciation will start ticking up in older homes because of prime locations.) There are pros and cons to buying new vs resale.

When you drive around you still see large acres of roaming horses, farm land and commercial properties for sale.  Recently, some of the property has been rezoned for residential in some of the most desirable locations, so here is your list of new development in West Plano, zip codes 75093,75024, 75025.

  1. Preston Lakes - Toll Brothers and Hovnanian Home builders -$450,000 and up.

  2. Town homes at Shops at Legacy - Hovnanian - Phase 1 is resale and Phase 2 is brand new - $350,000 and up.

  3. Kingsgate -Gated Acreage Community - Lots start at $750,000 and homes from $1,500,000 and up.

  4. Deerfield North - Monterey Homes luxury builders -  $480,000 and up.

  5. Willow Bend Park - Hawkins Wellwood quality builders - Town home European style community with lush gardens - $600,000 to $1,000,000.

  6. Kings Ridge - large community at different price points - $350,000 to $800,000 - plus zero lot line community available - many custom builders and including quality from Shaddock.

  7. Avignon at Windhaven - several custom builders - $550,000 and up.

  8. Creeks at Willow Bend - this community started in 1999 so homes are fairly new with recent completion in 2006, across from Lakeside. $750,000 and up.

  9. Spring Creek Residential - in planning stages by Hawkins Wellwood, just north of Shoal Creek.  $500,000 and up. Has not broken ground - close to tollway and Legacy.
These areas are still being developed and there are many spec homes to look at or you can custom build.  Make sure you use a Realtor to help so you can make the best deal possible, builders tend to price a bit high.  Also, some of these areas within the developments are not a good buy or investment, for certain reasons that I can't say here, so make sure you get the advice from a neighborhood expert on the trends and pricing for a particular area and remember you can always find all the current inventory of new development in West Plano here at Planohomesandland.com.  You can have brand new in West Plano with all the latest amenities and quality builders to chose from or you can have homes built not to long ago in the 1990's that are still an excellent value.

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Posted by: Terry Smith AT 03:10 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Monday, 02 April 2007
2501 Prestonwood Drive

This is one of those rare opportunities that you don't come by too often.  It has always been difficult to find very large yards in West Plano with a pool.  This lovely home is on a cul de sac private lot in the golf course community of The Hills at Prestonwood.  Take a look see at some of these photos and tour and see if this could be your home, or a friends or family member, you never know, so I'm putting it out there.  Square footage is around 3500 sq ft. 4 bed-3.5 bath - 3 car garage. $409,000 - This lot will appreciate nicely as an investment to live in.


Pool and gardens







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Posted by: Terry Smith AT 03:15 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
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