Dallas TX Area Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog postshttps://www.brentgermanyteam.com/blog/Copyright BrentGermanyTeam.com2022-09-19T08:10:41-07:00tag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:14653Why You Should Join a Real Estate Team<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/pexels-thirdman-8469937_2.jpg" width="1920" height="1280" />
Why You Should Join a Real Estate Team
One of the most important choices you must make as a newly-licensed agent is whether to work solo or alongside a team. There are benefits to both sides of this coin for new agents and even experienced ones. Keep reading to discover why you should consider joining a team as a new or experienced agent today.
Learn From and Network with Your Peers
For inexperienced agents, having mentorship is crucial to becoming familiar with the industry. You could always jump into the field solo, but being part of a team is a surefire way to gain industry knowledge and hands-on experience. With your team, you can expect regular training, sales meetings, additional support, and coaching. By working with a team leader and other members of your group, you will collaborate with your peers on a daily basis and learn from their experiences. Hearing about how other agents handled these situations and their success stories can help your personal development tremendously.
Quality Leads
Some teams have a robust lead generation system or a steady stream of referrals and repeat clients to get you off the ground running right away. If you are a newer agent with no marketing budget or have a limited network in the area, working with the supplied leads from your team will help you start selling homes more quickly. It can take up to 6 months for most new agents to get profitable in real estate!
Support and Tools
Many teams offer a closing coordinator to help you and your clients through the Contract to Close Process. They also give you access to a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool to help you manage your leads. You’ll have access to reach out to your fellow team members for help if you aren’t able to make it to a client appointment. Working with a team means you have each other's backs and are unanimously working toward one common objective.
Keeps You on Track
While working alone allows you more control of your time, it also gives you the chance to mismanage your time. Working with a team often means more structure to your daily schedule including team meetings and training as well as direction on time blocking and managing your day as an agent. You will be accountable to your team leader and teammates- which can push you to work harder and be more productive.
Experienced Agents
Established agents can benefit from being part of a team as well. A team can help an established agent increase productivity by providing support staff, leads, accountability, and help when an agent is sick or on vacation. Many agents feel they never got the right support either from their brokerage or team, and you can always brush up by joining an experienced and active team such as the Brent Germany Team to gain those skills to be a hyper-successful REALTOR®️.
Final Thoughts
Joining a real estate team can be an excellent opportunity for new and experienced agents alike. It allows you to benefit from the knowledge and experience of other agents while building your own career and business. With the right team, most agents will find themselves on the path to a successful career! If you are interested in joining a real estate team, <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">get in touch with us today</a>.
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Brent Germany Team is an award-winning team of expert real estate agents in the DFW metroplex. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, contact us for a free consultation. We stand ready to partner with you today.2022-09-19T07:30:00-07:002022-09-19T08:10:41-07:00Julia Baileytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:13909Options Fees vs Earnest Money: What's the Difference?<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4386431.jpg" width="2000" height="1333" />
Options Fees vs Earnest Money: What's the Difference?
Minute details of the real estate market can be confusing to both buyers and sellers alike. Real estate documents contain complicated jargon, making it difficult for even the most experienced buyer to understand. Before making an offer on a home, there are two up-front costs to be aware of: Options Fees and Earnest Money. Both are important pieces to remember when negotiating your contract. Keep reading to learn the difference between the two.
Option Fees
An option fee, or option money, is a non-refundable fee paid to the seller by the buyer within 72 hours of the agreement (also known as an execution). It is the fee paid to the sellers for agreeing to provide the right to terminate the contract without reason or cause for a given period of time. The amount of time provided for the “option period” is negotiated by you and your agent with the seller. The seller is being compensated for their time as they cannot accept additional offers during this period. The option period does not give you any other rights other than the option to terminate. The buyer is allowed to do their due diligence and inspect throughout the contract period. However, the option period provides a period of stronger negotiation, as the buyer could back out if the sellers do not come to an agreement with buyers regarding any number of possible changes that could be brought up. If the buyer does change their mind about the property, they can terminate the contract but will not get their fee back. If a buyer does not pay the option fee and elects to terminate, they must have cause for termination. You only are allowed the option period if the option fee is paid.
By utilizing an option fee, the buyer can determine if they want to proceed with their purchase without the stress of other offers and with little penalty if they do not decide to move forward. The buyer has the freedom to fully evaluate the condition of the home and the total costs associated with the move, including reviewing loan options with their lender. Consider striking a balance between taking the time needed to evaluate your decision and also finalizing the deal to give the seller the certainty they need. A shorter option period is usually going to be more attractive to a seller, no matter the cost as everyone's ultimate goal is to get you to closing on your new home! One piece that's great to remember is this fee is always going to be credited to your contract at closing. This is a recent change to Texas rules, so no matter what amount you pay, if you continue with the purchase of the home, you will see that money as a credit toward your purchase in the end. This is great news for buyers, especially in the recent crazy market!
Earnest Money
Earnest money is another upfront fee paid within 72 hours of contract acceptance and is known as a “good faith deposit”. Not only does it show a buyer's intent to proceed with the purchase of the home, but it also protects the seller in the event that the buyer backs out of the deal. Since a home is not available to contract on while it moves through the closing process (baring other specific situations we will discuss in later blogs!), the seller risks a financial hit if the deal falls through. The deposit is paid to a title or escrow company for holding and these funds are not released to the seller without express agreement from both parties. This only occurs at the termination of a contract. The amount of earnest money is negotiable and dependent on the circumstances of your offer. The generally accepted deposit is 1-3% of the home's purchase price but can be more or less depending on the needs of the buyers, and the requirements of the sellers. If the deal falls through due to the various contingencies negotiated in the contract, the buyer will likely get their earnest money refunded to them. The refunding of earnest money however IS NOT guaranteed. If you do not terminate with reason or cause (provided by those contingencies, after your option period ends) it is possible the seller demands release of the earnest money. But don’t let this scare you! Your choice to terminate should be discussed with your agent before you decide to move forward with it. They will advise you on the best way to proceed and are there to help protect you and your hard-earned money.
Final Thoughts
Choosing your option fees and earnest money is dependent on your unique situation and your budget. Keep this in mind when talking with your agent: While option fees are less expensive, they are also not refundable. The amount of time you are ‘purchasing’ is typically relative to the amount of option fee you put down, more time usually equals more money! Earnest money payments are more expensive but can apply to closing costs. Sellers tend to favor higher earnest money deposits because it can help ensure the deal doesn't fall through. Discuss your options with a trusted <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">real estate agent</a> to determine the path forward for you!
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Brent Germany Team is an award-winning team of expert real estate agents in the DFW metroplex. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, contact us for a free consultation. We stand ready to partner with you today.2022-07-28T12:01:00-07:002022-07-28T13:00:43-07:00Julia Baileytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:13589Why You Should Hire a Real Estate Agent <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Realtor_Handing_Keys.jpg" width="2250" height="1500" />
Why You Should Hire a Real Estate Agent
Whether you are looking to sell your home or are a first-time home buyer or seasoned investor, working with a real estate agent is a must. Working with an agent means your interests are properly represented. They will prepare you for every move in a competitive and unpredictable market where experience matters. This will likely be the biggest financial decision of your life and you will need an expert if you want to do it right. Here are our top reasons why you should consider hiring a Realtor® when selling or buying a home.
Has access to additional listings
Although you can start your home search <a href="http://www.brentgermanyteam.com">online</a>, through websites like Zillow or Redfin, your real estate agent has access to more listings not actively advertised or yet to be listed. Some properties are headed to market but won’t show on Zillow or Redfin until it’s actually available for everyone to see! If you're open to a non-traditional route to buying a home, consider purchasing an off-market home compared to one on the open market. Your agent will have access to these listings that you otherwise would not even be able to consider. Then you have other homes that are discretely sold due to personal reasons, for example, a divorce. Your Realtor® has access to all of this and more - as well as more detail on all your property options.
Acts as an expert guide
If anyone knows the local area best, it would be your real estate agent. Think of your agent not only as an expert on your local area but on the transaction side of the deal, too. Buying and selling a home requires various forms, disclosures, and other legal and financial documents to finalize the process. Your agent will help you avoid delays and costly mistakes by completing this paperwork and explaining the documents as you go along. This eliminates the need to hire a lawyer (at least in the State of Texas) as your title company lawyer will review the transaction and legality and certify everything.
Crafts a strong offer
Your real estate agent will provide insight to you on how to structure a clean and strong offer that will connect with the seller(s). In a competitive market, this is crucial to help you stand out against other buyers. Your agent could suggest that you obtain a pre-approval letter or proof of to strengthen your offer. Your agent will also do a comparative market analysis of similar homes in the area and walk you through what it all means to make an offer on a property. You don’t want to just guess at the purchase price. Even in the recent Covid buying spree, knowing a fair market value of the home can save so many problems down the line!
Suggests a strong marketing strategy when listing
Experienced agents will know the best strategies to market your home and have it sold quickly. Agents can advertise homes on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), social media, and other advertising channels (including their extensive business networks!). They will also suggest staging tips that will help potential buyers envision your property as their own. While it doesn’t seem like this would be necessary, properly preparing your home for sale could affect how much your home sells for and how long it takes to get that best offer. Remember to sell smart. Homes listed with a real estate agent typically result in the seller netting more money even after commissions are paid than a typical For Sale By Owner property!
Saves you time and hassle
Buying or selling a home can be a time-consuming process. Your real estate agent will work closely with you to ease your stress during the transition. They will be tirelessly working to find a home that fits your desired criteria or develop a marketing strategy to get your home sold quickly. Your agent will provide helpful insight along the way and always keep you informed- so you can focus on your move and save time.
Final thoughts
Working with an experienced real estate agent is crucial when buying or selling a home. Not only are they experts on the local area, but they can properly market your home given their local knowledge. Your agent is also an expert on the transactional side of the deal and can provide insight on how to craft a strong offer, negotiate a fair price, and navigate complicated paperwork- easing your stress and saving you time.
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Brent Germany Team is an award-winning team of expert real estate agents in the DFW metroplex. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, contact us for a free consultation. We stand ready to partner with you today.2022-07-01T08:57:00-07:002022-07-28T13:00:27-07:00Julia Baileytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:129993 Things You Must Know Before Buying a Home<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/1.jpg" width="2300" height="1535" />
Are you ready to start looking for your dream home? Buying a house is one of the most significant purchases you'll ever make. Keep reading to discover three things you must know before starting your home search.
Get Pre-Approved with a Local Lender
Shopping for a home is exciting and fun, but the process should start in a lender's office, not an open house. Most sellers expect buyers to have a pre-approval letter before making an offer. Sellers will also be more willing to negotiate with those who can prove they have financing. Getting pre-approved by a local lender is also important. When listing agents compare offers in a competitive market, they'll want to work with a lender they can easily contact. Local lenders are usually easier to reach compared to big box banks or online mortgage companies.
Know Your Market
Home inventory is shrinking, and homes are selling quicker than ever. Mortgage rates are also rising, pressuring homebuyers to move quickly to lock in the best rates. That being said, it's crucial to understand how compeitive the current housing market is. Be prepared to make a quick decision or expand your search radius. Also, be sure to determine what aspects of your home and future neighborhood are non-negotiable. What is most important to you about you future home? Is it living in a top school district? Or maybe the distance of your daily commute to work? Narrow down a list of what is most important to you in your future home, but be willing to compromise if needed.
Work with a Local Expert
Working with a <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/about/">local expert</a> that you trust is one of the most important things you can do. Research the agent you will be working with and check out reviews from past clients. Finding an experienced agent goes a long way to protect you as a buyer and help you write a clean, strong offer. Setting up a strategy session with your Realtor is crucial to getting the most insight into your local market and help keep the house hunting process short and stress-free.
Finding a home in today's market can be challenging but it's not impossible. Before getting started with your search, get pre-approved with a local lender to let sellers know you're serious about making a purchase. Research your local market, then create a list of what you're looking for in a home and neighborhood. Be prepared to make compromises if needed. Lastly, work with a local expert who can protect you as a buyer and help you find that perfect home.
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Brent Germany Team is an award-winning team of expert real estate agents in the DFW metroplex. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, contact us for a free consultation. We stand ready to partner with you today. 2022-05-17T10:12:00-07:002022-07-28T13:02:18-07:00Julia Baileytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:12807Pros and Cons of Buying a Pre-Existing Home vs New Construction <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/pexels-pixabay-534228.jpg" width="4928" height="3264" />
Among the many decisions homebuyers must make, deciding on buying versus building a home is one of the toughest decisions to make in today's market. Keep reading to discover the pros and cons of choosing a pre-existing home versus new construction to help you make the most informed decision.
Pre-Existing Homes: Pros and Cons
Pros
Established Neighborhood<br />Choosing a neighborhood that is already well-established is a top priority for many homebuyers, especially if they are particular about a location or school district. When you choose an existing home, you are also buying into the neighborhood and its surroundings.
Preferable Location<br />Most newly-constructed homes are built in more distant locations where there is available land for new development. If you want to live closer to a city or established area, choosing an existing home might be the best option.
Mature Trees & Plants<br />Thriving plants are more likely to exist in neighborhoods that are established compared to new construction. New lots are often bare or will take time to grow established foliage.
Add Value with Upgrades<br />Some homebuyers prefer a fixer-upper so they can personalize it and possibly increase its potential resale value with cosmetic upgrades.
Cons
Outdated Floor Plan<br />Older homes may have smaller closets, smaller windows, and a more closed-off, formal floor plan instead of an open living space, for example.
Budget for Big Repairs<br />Pre-existing homes have been lived in and repairs of varying degrees might be necessary. If choosing pre-existing, inspect the home thoroughly for any wear and tear that will need attention.
Less Personal Design<br />Remodeling to change the structure of an existing home can be complicated and expensive. You also cannot choose the finishes, fixtures, and other features of a pre-existing home.
Less Energy-Efficient<br />Older homes may include less-energy efficient appliances and heating and cooling systems. This could significantly increase your utility bills.
New Construction: Pros and Cons
Pros
Modern & Brand New<br />Newly-constructed homes are designed to appeal to today’s buyers, so you’re more likely to find a floor plan that fits your needs.
Customizable<br />Depending on who you choose to custom build your home, you may be able to customize finishes, fixtures, and other features to personalize the home before it's built. In some cases, you can choose the floors, appliances, cabinets, paint colors, and lighting fixtures.
Energy Efficient <br />New homes often have locks, thermostats, and other features that can be controlled with your smartphone. Many builders choose healthier materials, such as low-VOC paint and upgraded ventilation systems, for better indoor air quality.
Move-In Ready<br />After your home is built, it will be ready for move-in day. You will be the first person to be in the home and you won't have to worry about repairs.
Cons
Longer Timeline <br />Your timeline for moving is a big factor to consider when choosing. New builds typically take four to six months to complete, but sometimes longer. If you are needing to move immediately, new construction may not be for you.
Further Location<br />Many new homes are built in more distant locations. This could mean a longer commute or living further away from a city or amenities.
HOA Fees<br />Some homeowners prefer not to live within an HOA (Home Owners Association). It is important to consider that most newly-built homes are usually in an HOA.
If you want to discuss the best option for you, feel free to reach out to our team for more information on choosing between pre-existing and new construction.
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Brent Germany Team is an award-winning team of expert real estate agents in the DFW metroplex. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, contact us for a free consultation. We stand ready to partner with you today. 2022-04-28T12:59:00-07:002022-05-02T09:15:16-07:00Julia Baileytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:126918 Ways to Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Screen_Shot_2022-04-15_at_11.54.41_PM.png" width="976" height="650" />
With warmer weather and longer days, April is the perfect time to consider your home's curb appeal and find ways to make it stand out more. Your home's exterior is the first thing guests see after all, so why not invest in a few ways to boost its first impression? Keep reading to discover eight ways to up your home's curb appeal.
1. Add Greenery & Flowers
One of the most impactful ways to boost your home's curb appeal is to add some fresh greenery and flowers. Use plants to accentuate key visual points of your home, like windows and entryways. Experiment with the arrangement of your plants which can significantly change your home's overall appearance.
2. Take Care of Your Lawn
Taking care of your lawn is a big part of curb appeal. Regularly care for your lawn by mowing the grass, raking fallen leaves, and pulling weeds. Consider a sprinkler system to keep your lawn well-watered and prevent brown spots.
3. Repaint Your Front Door
Consider painting your front door to help it stand out rather than blend in. Painting a front door is an inexpensive project that can make a significant impact. Choose a bold color that will compliment your home's exterior rather than clash with it.
4. Power Wash Dirt & Grime
Power wash years of dirt and grime off your siding, porch, walkway, and driveway. If you don’t own a power washer, you can rent one from hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s.
5. Make Small Repairs
Take care of any small repairs, like ripped screens, burned-out bulbs, or chipped paint. Even tiny flaws can stand out against an otherwise put-together exterior, so it’s worth taking a day to fix them.
6. Makeover Your Mail Box
Swap an outdated mailbox for something more stylish. This will make a noticeable difference in your home's curb appeal. Prices will vary depending on the type of mailbox you want.
7. Clean Your Gutters
Clean gutters both inside and out, clearing out any debris inside, and making the outside of the gutters look as good as new.
8. Upgrade Your House Numbers
Update the look of your home by removing your old house numbers and replacing them with something more modern. Choose a font that aligns with the architecture of your home but that is also eye-catching.
Make your home stand out by utilizing these tips to help its curb appeal shine. With a few changes, your home can stand out and look its very best this spring.
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Brent Germany Team is an award-winning team of expert real estate agents in the DFW metroplex. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, contact us for a free consultation. We stand ready to partner with you today. 2022-04-15T22:00:00-07:002022-04-18T13:05:38-07:00Julia Baileytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:12397Your Spring Home Maintenance Checklist<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Blog_Post-_Spring_Maintenance_Checklist_Photo.png" width="1920" height="1080" />
Say goodbye to the cold, dreary days of winter and say hello to spring's bright sun and warm winds. With spring fastly approaching on March 20, it's about time to do some much-needed spring cleaning and maintenance around your home. Follow this checklist to target the areas of your home that need the most TLC!
1. Examine Roof Shingles
Winter storms can take a toll on your roof. Examine roof shingles to see if any were lost or damaged during winter. If your home has an older roof covering, you may want to start a budget for a replacement. The hot summer sun can damage roof shingles. Shingles that are cracked, buckled, loose, or are missing granules should be replaced before temperatures increase further.
2. Clean Gutters and Downspouts
After the frost has passed, ensure your gutters are clean and securely fastened. Clogged gutters can cause wood trim at the eaves to rot and improper drainage can lead to water in the basement or crawl space. Downspouts should also face away from the foundation of the home and be clear of debris.
3. Examine the Chimney
Examine the exterior of the chimney for signs of damage. Have the flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.
4. Inspect the Concrete
Freezing and thawing take a toll on concrete especially. Take a walk around your property to check for signs of damage on walkways, paths, and driveways. Inspect concrete slabs for signs of cracks or movement. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When weather permits, power-wash and then seal the concrete.
5. Service the AC Unit
Air-conditioning systems are usually not taken care of properly. Just because it's cool doesn't mean the AC is working efficiently. It's best to change the filters once each season and hire a professional to service the equipment before temperatures rise.
6. Check Power Equipment
Check your gas- and battery-powered lawn equipment to make sure it is ready for summer use. Clean equipment and sharp cutting blades will make yardwork easier.
7. Prevent Mosquitos
Walk around your property. If you see any area where water is standing, be sure to clear the area and maintain it regularly to prevent mosquitos from multiplying.
8. General Cleaning
Spring is the perfect time to clean areas of the house that often get neglected. Dust or vacuum chair rails, window casings, wall-mounted cabinets, blinds, and ceiling fans. Vacuum upholstered furniture and mattresses to remove dust, mites, and allergens to create a cleaner, and healthier, home. If you discover grease residue in the kitchen, consider washing cabinets, backsplashes, and walls with warm water and a mild detergent. Do the same in the bathroom, where soap residue and fluctuations in heat and humidity combine to create the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. While you’re cleaning tile, look for areas of worn or missing grout, as these may lead to more serious water damage if not repaired.
Getting your home prepared for the spring season is well worth the effort. With a clean and well-maintained home, you will be ready to tackle the warmer months ahead with confidence and ease.
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Brent Germany Team is an award-winning team of expert real estate agents in the DFW metroplex. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, contact us for a free consultation. We stand ready to partner with you today. 2022-03-17T14:06:00-07:002022-03-18T10:05:09-07:00Julia Baileytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:118575 Tips for Buying a Home in 2022<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/31_2A605E9D9D7240339D3165810257AA47_mls.png" width="1024" height="683" style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" />
With a chronic shortage of affordable and available homes, the nation's population is struggling to find housing options in today's marketplace. A severe lack of new construction is partially to blame for the acute shortage of available housing. Today's scale of underbuilding and rising demand for available homes has led to an imbalance of supply and demand. Towards the end of 2021, <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/once-in-a-generation-response-needed-to-address-housing-supply-crisis">the United States was short between 5.5 million and 6.8 million housing units</a>, according to the National Association of Realtors. This statistic factored in single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and rentals, too. With the housing market not budging any time soon, consider these 5 tips when purchasing a home in 2022:
1. Understand what you can afford
Firstly, it's important to understand what you can afford and can't afford when searching for a home. It's easy to fall in love with a gorgeous home you saw during your online search, but the question is- can you afford it? It's more important than ever to understand your budget and choose a new living space that is in your price range. Sticking to a budget doesn't mean you won't find a beautiful space- it just means you won't have to sacrifice in other areas of your life to accommodate housing costs. (Take a look at available homes in your desired area <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/communities/">here</a>.)
Consider these four factors before committing to your dream home: How much you have saved for a down payment; how much your household earns; what debt you carry; and your credit score. Your credit score will directly affect the interest rate of the loan you take out and it also impacts how much you can borrow. Once you have a good grasp of the factors that affect how much you can spend on your new home, it's time to get pre-approved for your loan.
2. Get pre-approved for your loan
Getting pre-approved for a loan allows you to know exactly how much you can afford for your monthly mortgage. Your lender will factor in your debt payments, income, and credit score, so you know precisely how much you will be spending on mortgage payments. Remember that you must get a true pre-approval letter from a lender after the information from your file has been verified. Pre-approval also lets homeowners know how serious you are about purchasing their home, giving you an edge when multiple offers are received on a particular property.
3. Decide what you're willing to compromise on
Unfortunately, crossing off everything on your wish list will be difficult. Consider creating a wish list of all the features and characteristics you would love your future home to have. From that list, determine what the absolute musts are. This will make it easier when you begin your home search, so you know what factors are non-negotiable for you.
4. Consider unique ways to purchase your first home
If you are wanting to purchase a home in a particular neighborhood, but can't afford it, get creative:
Consider buying a multi-unit property, where you live in one unit and rent out the others
Buy with a partner, friend, or family member
Build a multigenerational household to split mortgage costs
Buy an investment property that you rent out to others (which you can move into yourself, too)
5. Reach out to the professionals
If you have any questions about buying a home, <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">get in touch</a> with the Brent Germany Team. Our experienced team of real estate agents are eager to share their knowledge and expertise of today's market with you. It's important to educate yourself before buying a home, and what better way than consulting the experts.
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Brent Germany Team is an award-winning team of expert real estate agents in the DFW metroplex. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, contact us for a free consultation. We stand ready to partner with you today. 2022-02-08T14:40:00-07:002022-02-08T15:48:27-07:00Julia Baileytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:42782708 Pickwick Ln, Plano, TX 75093 | Plano Luxury Homes for Sale<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/pickwick-main.jpg" width="1024" height="682" alt="2708 Pickwick Ln, Plano, TX 75093 | Plano Luxury Homes for Sale" title="2708 Pickwick Ln, Plano, TX 75093 | Plano Luxury Homes for Sale" />
MLS# 13783678
Welcome to the lap of luxury, complete with your own private elevator! This Toll Brothers home has it all! Mother-in-law or teen suite adjacent to elevator can serve as second master. You will fall in love from the stamped concrete driveway to the two-story entry with hand-scraped hardwoods leading to the crown jewel - a remodeled chef’s kitchen with white granite, cultured marble backsplash, SS appliances. Owner spared no expense on the $40k kitchen renovation. Cozy family room with floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, huge media room and gameroom, study, oversized bedrooms and plantation shutters throughout, 3-car garage. Backyard has waterfall and luxury patio plumbed for outdoor grill and sink.
2708 Pickwick Ln - virtual tour of photos
2018-04-23T21:11:00-07:002018-04-23T21:30:03-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:42715520 Weatherby Ln, Plano | Amazing New Luxury Listing on GleneaglesAMAZING Bob Thompson custom home on fourth hole of prestigious Gleneagles Queens Course! This 4 bedroom, 3 full and 2 half bath, 4,587 square foot home has panoramic views and showcase golf course views from almost every room in the home with expansive windows throughout and soaring ceilings. Kitchen was just completely gutted and redesigned, nominated for national remodeling awards. Thermador appliances, six-burner gas stove, quartzite countertops. Refinished hardwood floors throughout, including upstairs. Huge secondary bedrooms and remodeled secondary baths. Gorgeous French doors open to outside veranda, pool, spa and backyard paradise. A little slice of heaven in West Plano!
5520 Weatherby ln - Matterport
5520 Weatherby - virtual tour of photos
2018-04-19T11:05:00-07:002018-04-19T11:29:02-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:3902Coming Soon to Frisco! 8420 Kingston Ln - $395,000Luxury living in the heart of Frisco! Quaint house has all the touches of a custom home, for a fraction of the price – upgrades galore. Beautiful iron staircase leads to chef’s kitchen with high-end appliances and extra beverage and wine drawers. Lavish finishes include top-of-the-line lighting fixtures, chandeliers and master bath fit for a king and queen. Extended back patio with pergola and custom outdoor lighting. Three bedrooms down plus gameroom, bedroom and bathroom up make this the perfect 1.5-story home with no wasted square footage, plus a bonus tandem three-car garage. Easy walking distance to elementary and middle schools and JR Newman Park. The feel of a French chateau in the middle of West Frisco!
2018-03-18T15:28:00-07:002018-03-19T19:23:53-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2784How to Protect Your Home During Extreme Cold Weather<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/images/winterizing-your-home.jpg" width="434" height="289" alt="How to Protect Your Home During Extreme Cold Weather" title="How to Protect Your Home During Extreme Cold Weather" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
It's that time of year again when freezing temperatures are upon us. When temperatures outside are dropping below normal, sometimes we are more concerned with keeping ourselves, our loved ones, and our pets warm and don't think much about steps we should be taking to protect our home against these freezing temperatures. The following are some steps that you can take to stay warmer and protect your home:
Keeping warm in your home
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/images/keeping-warm-in-your-home.jpg" width="434" height="243" alt="Keeping Warm in your Home" title="Keeping Warm in your Home" />
Before it begins getting cold, it's a good idea to have your furnace inspected. Make sure your HVAC company fully inspects the heat exchanger for cracks, installs new air filters, ensure your thermostats are working properly, and check that your home is hitting proper temperature differentials.
Inspect fireplaces, and chimneys before using, and have them cleaned if needed.
Keep drapes and blinds closed, except when windows are in direct sunlight.
Put up storm windows, or install sheet plastic window insulation kits on the inside of windows.
Cover or remove any window air conditioners.
Insulate electrical outlets and switches on exterior walls with foam seals available at home centers.
Caulk any cracks or holes on the outside of your house.
Repair or replace weather stripping and thresholds around doors and windows.
Run paddle ceiling fans on low in reverse (clockwise when looking up) to circulate warm air.
Put draft snakes on window sills, between window frames, and against doors.
If you heat with propane or fuel oil, make sure the tank is full.
If you heat with wood or coal, have plenty of fuel on hand.
How to protect the outside of your home
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/images/how-to-keep-warm-in-your-home.jpg" width="434" height="289" alt="how to protect the outside of your home" title="how to protect the outside of your home" />
Clean your gutters and downspouts before cold weather arrives to prevent ice from forming in them.
Spray an ice repellent solution on steps and walks before freezing weather arrives
Check antifreeze levels in cars. Add if needed, then run the engine to circulate the new antifreeze through the radiator and engine block.
Add freeze resistant windshield wiper fluid, and spay to circulate it in lines.
Check air pressure in tires, since cold weather causes the pressure to lower.
Bring in container plants, add mulch around plants, and cover plants that are prone to frost damage. Remove covering when temperatures warm above freezing.
Drain birdbaths and fountains
Gently sweep snow off plants and shrubs in an upward motion with a broom.
Use rock salt, sand, or clay based kitty litter on walks and drives (NOTE: Salt can damage grass and other plants).
Don’t overdo it when using a snow shovel.
Stay off your roof during freezing weather, but once the ice and snow have melted, inspect your roof for any damage
How to deal with frozen pipes
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/images/how-prevent-pipes-freezing-faucet.jpg" width="434" height="289" alt="How to Deal with Frozen Pipes" title="How to Deal with Frozen Pipes" />
Disconnect and drain garden hoses.
Cover outside faucets with insulating foam covers.
Turn off water to outside faucets, if available, and open valves on faucets to allow them to drain.
Turn off sprinkler system and blow compressed air through the lines to drain them.
Close or cover foundation vents under house and windows to basements.
Close garage doors.
Insulate exposed pipes (both hot and cold) under house with foam pipe insulation.
Open cabinet doors under sinks.
Drip hot and cold faucets in kitchen and bath. Drip single control faucets with lever set in middle.
Set icemaker to make ice if the water line to it runs under the house.
Don’t forget to check on pipes to your washing machine in the laundry room
Locate water main cut-off valve, and have a cut-off key handy.
Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, electric heat tape, or a portable space heater to thaw frozen pipes that have not burst.
Keep the faucet open when thawing frozen pipes to allow water to begin flowing through it.
After the weather has warmed above freezing and any frozen pipes have thawed, turn off dripping faucets and monitor your water meter to check for unseen leaks.
How to Stay Safe in an Ice or Snow Storm
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/images/how-to-stay-safe-in-an-ice-or-snow-storm.jpg" width="434" height="289" alt="How to Stay safe in an Ice or Snow Storm" title="How to Stay safe in an Ice or Snow Storm" />
Stockpile nonperishable food and water.
Refill prescription medications in advance of storm.
Fill car with gas.
Charge cell phones.
Have flashlights, batteries, a weather radio, and a manual can opener on hand.
A portable generator can come in handy when the lights go out, but take precautions to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning when using.
Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and the batteries powering them are fresh
Have a working fire extinguisher on hand for emergencies
A chain saw can come in handy for removing broken limbs after an ice storm.
2017-12-28T13:01:00-07:002018-01-03T09:52:14-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2340Home Sellers To Do Checklist Infographic<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Infographics/Home-Seller-Checking.jpg" width="1627" height="13132" alt="The Ultimate Home Seller's To-Do Checklist & Infographic" title="The Ultimate Home Seller's To-Do Checklist & Infographic" />2017-10-17T21:37:00-07:002017-10-17T21:47:05-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:23347 Mistakes To Avoid When Selling A House<img width="845" height="443" title="Mistakes to avoid when selling your home" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="Mistakes to avoid when selling your home" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Mistakes-to-Avoid-when-Selling-Your-Home-1-846x443.jpg" />Lucky is the homeowner who has experience with selling a home. First-time sellers have a steep learning curve ahead of them and many obstacles on the road to a successful sale. Although common with first-time sellers, some of these obstacles aren't obvious.
1. Not Preparing the Home for Sale
"Dress your house for success," is probably the best advice for home sellers. Just as you wouldn't attempt to get top dollar for a car without cleaning the interior and detailing the exterior, so it goes with the sale of your home.
Cleaning the house is the first step because, face it, nobody will buy a dirty house. But, here's incentive for you to put on the rubber gloves and drag out the cleaning supplies: Clean houses sell quicker and for more money.
According to a recent survey, commissioned by one of the big real estate companies, a $402 investment in cleaning and decluttering a home realizes a 403 percent return on investment. That is a whopping $2,024 in your pocket at the closing table.
As impatient as you are to move on to the next phase of your life, it is vitally important to get the cleaning, painting, repairs and staging done before the house goes on the market.
2. Not Pricing the Home Realistically
The first few weeks that your house is in the local Multiple Listing Service database are known as the "honeymoon period." This is the time when it will get the most traffic. All the traffic in the world, however, won’t compensate for a too-high price.
Buyers aren't ignorant and neither are their real estate agents. They are well aware of current market values in the areas they are searching and will know that your home is overpriced. In the meantime, you've wasted the honeymoon period. By the time you lower the price, agents and buyers will think there is something wrong with the house.
3. Not Hiring a Real Estate Agent
Yes, you will pay a real estate fee when the home sells. The flip side to hiring an agent is going it alone. If this is your first time selling a home, that would be a huge mistake.
First, unless you are a lawyer, how will you know how to protect your interests during the process? How will you understand the contracts and which ones to use when? Then, consider the negotiating process. Without an agent to advise you or to negotiate for you, you may make costly mistakes.
Finally, a 2008 Stanford University study showed that "the use of a broker increases the probability of a sale during the first month on the market by nearly 25 percent." In other words, homes sold by owners remain on the market significantly longer than those sold by real estate agents.
4. Trying to Hide Problems
Full disclosure of everything you know about the property is not only the law, but it protects you as well.
Home sellers are legally required to disclose anything that affects the home's desirability or value. This doesn’t mean just the big stuff, but neighborhood nuisances such as the weekly parties the college kids next door hold or the yappy dog that keeps you up at night.
A buyer can sue you in a court of law when the defect is discovered if you didn't disclose it, in writing.
Remember, you are only required to disclose issues that you know about. There is no need to hire an inspector to learn if the house has defects you don’t know about. That is the buyer's responsibility.
5. Letting the Ducks Run Wild
Many first-time sellers are also purchasing another home. Trying to juggle two real estate transactions is challenging, and it's easy to let some of the details fall through the cracks. When that happens, though, you risk derailing either – or even both – of the transactions.
Line up all the stray ducks early in the process. Get your financing for the new home under way, and respond to the lender's requests in a timely fashion. Check your current mortgage for prepayment penalties. In the case of a short sale, determine if there is a second lender. This is important information for your real estate agent.
6. Being Inflexible
Buyers look at houses when it is convenient for them, not for you. Many look at homes after work or on weekends – busy times for most families. It's important to try to accommodate showings, even if it's inconvenient for you.
You never know, these may be the buyers who fall in love with the home. It's important to understand, and let your family understand, that, although the situation is uncomfortable, it's only temporary.
7. Not Checking With Your Homeowner’s Insurance Agent
There will hopefully be a lot of people coming through your house and wandering around the property. Find out if your insurance covers slips and falls or anything else that might happen to a buyer while touring your property.
Take the time to walk around the property to find any hazards that exist. Cover the pool during showings and remove pets.
With the right real estate agent you’ll avoid most of these mistakes, experience a smooth transaction, and soon be on the road to your new life.2017-10-10T21:34:00-07:002018-08-27T09:57:54-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2298Homes for Sale in Plano, TX - 3921 Kite Meadow Dr, Plano, TX 75074Come home to this beautiful oasis in desirable Plano neighborhood with gigantic yard and three-car garage. Backyard boasts sparking pool and spa with flagstone coping + huge yard for play. Entry includes soaring ceilings and spiral staircase leading to 3 oversized upstairs bedrooms and huge open gameroom, PLUS media room! Secluded master retreat downstairs plus large kitchen overlooking living area. Downstairs also houses a study with French doors and stacked formals with plenty of space for even a large family to gather and spread their wings. Just add your own updates and designer touches to this fantastic floorplan to make this house your home! House is partially owned by an estate and is being sold as is.
2017-09-05T18:49:00-07:002017-09-05T18:57:44-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2206Road to HomeownershipThe home-buying process is a long and complicated one. Even those who have purchased homes before may need guidance with some of the more convoluted steps. Our staff has boiled the process down as much as possible while still maintaining all the important parts and weren't able to get the total number of steps under 20!
The below graphic, "The Road to Homeownership," is designed to make the home-buying process easier for aspiring homeowners to understand. A more complete walk-through of the home-buying process can be found below the graphic.
<img width="800" height="2316" title="The Road to Homeownership" alt="The Road To Homeownership" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Infographics/home-buying-roadmap-800px.jpg" />2017-07-14T20:30:00-07:002018-02-07T23:49:27-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2172FRISCO APPROVES RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION OF 7.5%<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/frisco-tx-homes-for-sale-city-logo.png" width="268" height="143" alt="Frisco TX Homes for Sale" title="Frisco TX homes for Sale" />
Frisco homeowners will soon get a break on their property tax bill in the form of a ‘homestead exemption’ beginning in fiscal year 2018. <br /> <br />Tonight, the Frisco City Council unanimously voted to adopt a 7.5% residential homestead exemption.<br /> <br />The exemption translates to an average savings of $143.00 on a future property tax bill based on a .45 cent property tax rate and Frisco’s average home value, which was $391,923 in fiscal year 2017. Preliminary appraisal projections show Frisco’s average home value will increase by as much as 9% next year. Council may vote to raise or lower the exemption annually. <br /> <br />“We’ve heard our residents’ concerns over rising home values and the impact those values are having on home affordability,” said Mayor Jeff Cheney. “Our city has a history of being fiscally conservative and this is the most effective way to give Frisco homeowners immediate tax relief.”<br /> <br />In a memo to council, staff noted the ‘proactive approach’ will not compromise maintenance and operations and maintains adequate reserves. <br /> <br />“It will provide the high level of services residents expect,” noted Jennifer Hundt, Assistant Finance Director.<br /> <br />Staff estimates the exemption will affect city revenue by approximately $3.2 million dollars. Currently, the City of Frisco is in the early stages of its budget process. <br /> <br />Homeowners must have ‘homestead’ status to receive the exemption benefit. To qualify, you must:
Own the property on January 1;
Occupy property as principal residence on January 1;
Have not claimed a residential homestead exemption (neither you nor spouse) on any other property.
Homeowners who have ‘homestead’ status with their school district will automatically receive the city benefit. New applicants have until January 31, 2019 to file for the exemption with their respective county appraisal district. For more information, find the Collin County Appraisal District at <a href="http://www.collincad.org/">www.collincad.org</a> . In Denton County, go to <a href="http://www.dentoncad.com/">www.dentoncad.com</a>.
To see more great homes for sale in Frisco, TX, contact the Brent Germany Team today or click the link <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/frisco-tx-homes-for-sale/" title="Frisco TX homes for Sale">here</a>.2017-06-21T10:56:00-07:002017-06-21T11:06:42-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2081Homes for Sale in Allen, TX - 1437 Lampasas Dr, Allen, TX 75013<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/1437-Lampasas-Dr-Allen-TX-75013.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in Allen, TX - 1437 Lampasas Dr, Allen, TX 75013" class="img_box_center" />
Homes for Sale in Allen, TX
1437 Lampasas Dr<br /> Allen, TX 75013
When looking at homes for sale in Allen, TX or evaluating Allen real estate, there are, obviously, thousands of things to consider. Let’s look at specifics for 1437 Lampasas Dr, a part of the Twin Creeks subdivision.
Don't miss your opportunity town these amazing homes for sale in Allen, TX in the master planned community of the Twin Creeks. Completely updated gem in the heart of Plano. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths plus downstairs study with French doors, hardwood floors throughout, spacious updated kitchen with SS appliances and subway tile backsplash, built-in wine fridge, soaring entryway ceilings, double-sided gas fireplace, renovated secondary baths, oversized corner lot with sparkling pool and spa, covered patio and yard to spare
Allen ISD | Homes for Sale in Allen Independent School District
1437 Lampasas Dr is perfectly located in some of the best schools in the Allen Independent School District (Allen ISD) - more specifically Allen High School - are some of the best schools in the state of Texas and also one the football powerhouses. These amazing Homes for Sale in Allen, Texas are rarely rivaled for their academic excellence, but this home in particluar feeds into Evans Elementary, Lowery Middle School, and Allen High School.
The Brent Germany Team specializes in <a title="Homes for Sale in Allen, TX" href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/allen-tx-homes-for-sale/">Homes for Sale in Allen, TX</a>, so please feel out our contact form below to learn more about this property or search the Allen MLS for more homes in the area.2017-04-20T20:57:00-07:002017-04-24T11:15:24-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2076Homes for Sale in Frisco, TX - 12176 Terrazzo Ln, Frisco, TX 75035<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/12176-Terrazzo-Ln-Frisco-TX-75035.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in Frisco, TX - 12176 Terrazzo Ln, Frisco, TX 75035" class="img_box_center" />
Homes for Sale in Frisco, TX
12176 Terrazzo Ln<br /> Frisco, TX 75035
When looking at homes for sale in Frisco, TX or evaluating Frisco real estate, there are, obviously, thousands of things to consider. Let’s look at specifics for 12176 Terrazzo Ln, a part of the Dominion of Panther Creek subdivision.
Don't miss your opportunity town these amazing homes for sale in Frisco, TX in the master planned community of the Dominion at Panther Creek. This 5 bedroom, 4 bath, 3 car garage home has everything including a new roof and gutters to be installed before closing. This home is perfect for entertaining with it's back patio and kids with it sitting on over a third of an acre with a playset that will stay for your kids. The home has all new, gorgeous hardwoods downstairs, with updated bathrooms, and a remodeled kitchen. Don't forget about the extra game room and media room upstairs. This home comes with tons of privacy, room for a pool, and the community has plenty of amenities for the family.
Frisco ISD | Homes for Sale in Frisco Independent School District
12176 Terrazzo Ln is perfectly located in some of the best schools in the Frisco Independent School District (Frisco ISD) - more specifically Heritage High School - are some of the best schools in the state of Texas. These amazing Homes for Sale in Frisco, Texas are rarely rivaled for their academic excellence, but this home in particluar feeds into Tadlock Elementary, Maus Middle School, and Heritage High School.
The Brent Germany Team specializes in <a title="Homes for Sale in Frisco, TX" href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/frisco-tx-homes-for-sale/">Homes for Sale in Frisco, TX</a>, so please feel out our contact form below to learn more about this property or search the Frisco MLS for more homes in the area.2017-04-20T14:20:00-07:002017-04-20T14:37:11-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2075Homes for Sale in Plano, TX - 6104 Birkdale Dr. Plano, TX 75093<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/6104-Birkdale-Dr-Plano-TX-75039.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in Plano, TX - 6104 Birkdale Dr. Plano, TX 75093" class="img_box_center" />
Homes for Sale in Plano, TX
6104 Birkdale Dr.<br /> Plano, TX 75093
When looking at homes for sale in Plano, TX or evaluating Plano real estate, there are, obviously, thousands of things to consider. Let’s look at specifics for 6104 Birkdale Dr., a part of the Heather Glen Estates subdivision.
Absolutely gorgeous one-owner home on quiet cul de sac in the heart of West Plano. Completely updated, top to bottom. Soaring ceiling in main living area, crown moldings, hardwood flooring downstairs, travertine flooring in kitchen, SS appliances, double oven, two-sided fireplace connects two living areas (one open to kitchen), double staircase leads to gameroom and four large bedrooms up, master down, spa shower in master, all ancillary bathrooms updated, beautiful pool with flagstone coping and water feature. Don't miss this one! Plano has to offer amazing parks and some of the best schools in Texas that people looking for houses for sale in Plano or those investigating Plano real estate are interested in.
Plano ISD | Homes for Sale in Plano West Schools
6104 Birkdale Ln is perfectly located in West Plano because the Plano Independent School District (Plano ISD) - more specifically Plano West - are some of the best schools in the state of Texas. These amazing Homes for Sale in Plano, Texas are rarely rivaled for their academic excellence, but this home in particluar feeds into Barksdale Elementary, Renner Middle School, Shepton High School, and Plano West Senior High.
The Brent Germany Team specializes in <a title="Homes for Sale in Plano, TX" href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/plano-tx-homes-for-sale/">Homes for Sale in Plano, TX</a>, so please feel out our contact form below to learn more about this property or others like it.2017-04-20T09:35:00-07:002017-04-20T10:12:40-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2061Youth Sports in Frisco<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Youth-Sports-in-Frisco.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="Youth Sports in Frisco" class="img_box_center" />
It’s time for the kids.
<a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">The Brent Germany Team</a> is often asked by people looking to buy a home in Frisco, TX or investigating Frisco real estate options about sports and recreational opportunities in and around town, not for mom and dad but for the kids.
And if there is one thing Frisco loves — heck, the whole North Texas area — it’s sports . . . the professional teams, leagues and fitness for mom and dad, and youth sports for the kiddos.
As you’d imagine, there’s pretty much every youth sport played in Frisco — from the majors like football, baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, and hockey to the minors like swimming, wrestling, volleyball and martial arts.
In this post we help parents looking to buy a new house in Frisco or are contemplating real estate in Frisco with a basic understanding of the youth sports scene in town.
Facilities
The local schools, of course, offer a full range of boys and girls sports. The focus of this post, however, is on what else is out there for the kids to join. Frisco, you see, is home to some of the best youth sports facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which attracts not only residents but families throughout the Metroplex.
Here’s one other thing to know about youth sports in North Texas:
Athletics are so incredibly competitive for kids in the area that if Bobby or Susie have aspirations to move from the youth ranks into high school athletics and beyond, they pretty much have to play year around in summer leagues, on select teams, and (often) with additional coaching and instruction.
There is plenty of these opportunities in Frisco:
FieldHouseUSA
<a href="http://www.fieldhouseusa.com" target="_blank">FieldHouseUSA</a> is also known as the Frisco Indoor Sports Center (<a href="http://frisco.fieldhouseusa.com" target="_blank">Frisco website</a>) and is located just off the Dallas North Tollway, making it super convenient for families to access from Frisco and across North Texas. (Two other facilities are located in Grapevine to the west and Mansfield to the south.)
What’s different about FieldHouseUSA — and attractive to people looking to buy a home in Frisco or checking out Frisco’s real estate options — is that it’s a community based facility that specializes in leagues, events, and tournaments.
Year-round league play is available in basketball, soccer, volleyball, flag football, and futsal (an indoor version of soccer with five players a side). Individual participation and instruction is available in:
Performance training
All-sports camps
Baseball/softball
Boot camps
Cheerleading
Club volleyball
Skills training
Martial arts
Tumble
NTA Taekwondo
Recreational and Olympic-style Taekwondo also is offered in the FieldHouseUSA facility with a 10:1 ratio of students to teachers, guaranteeing the kiddos of more personalized instruction,
i9 Sports North Dallas
i9 Sports (<a href="http://https//www.i9sports.com" target="_blank">main website</a>) is a leading national youth sports organization, offering basketball, soccer, flag football, and T-Ball for kids ages 3 to 17.
Central Frisco facilities include Clark Middle School (basketball), Frisco-Central (flag football, soccer, baseball and multi sport), and Stonebriar Community Church (flag football, soccer, baseball, multi sport). Similar programs are offered in neighboring McKinney.
<a href="http://www.performanceindoortraining.com" target="_blank">Performance Indoor Training Camp</a> (<a href="http://www.performanceindoortraining.com/frisco/" target="_blank">Frisco</a>) The PIT+ Frisco is the largest indoor soccer facility in Texas. It offers elite soccer training and instruction by Peter Luccin Academy for indoor and outdoor players.
<a href="http://https//www.ymcadallas.org/locations/frisco/" target="_blank">Frisco YMCA</a>
Leagues and/or Instruction
League play is the foundation of youth sports in Frisco and is attractive to parents looking to buy a new home in Frisco or evaluating Frisco real estate opportunities because they not only get the kids involved they meet neighbors, other parents, and get involved themselves.
Here’s your reminder: Athletics are so incredibly competitive for kids that if they have aspirations to move from the youth ranks into high school athletics and beyond they pretty much have to play year around in summer leagues, on select teams, and (often) with additional coaching and instruction.
A few possibilities:
<a href="http://www.fbsa.org/sites/fbsa/home" target="_blank">Frisco Baseball/Softball</a>
Frisco Express — fast pitch girls softball (use link above).
<a href="http://https//ffl.light.sportspilot.com" target="_blank">Frisco Football League</a> (instructional league, all kids participate)
<a href="http://www.ntxunited.com/click.htm?iid=5739&pid=778&ct=listing&tp=0" target="_blank">NTX Knights Football Academy</a> (grades 2 through 6)
<a href="http://friscosoccer.org">Frisco Soccer Association</a>
Frisco Aquatics (<a href="http://texasfordaquatics.com">Texas Ford Aquatics</a>), <a href="http://https//www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?team=rectaaffasst">Frisco Amateur Summer Swim Team</a>, <a href="http://www.aroundtownkidsfrisco.com/click.htm?iid=5420&pid=778&ct=listing&tp=0">Sea Dragons</a> (competitive swimming)
Frisco Youth Volleyball League (<a href="http://www.friscoisd.org/ly/departments/communications/takehomesubmission/postings/8276150511.pdf" target="_blank">Frisco ISD</a>), <a href="http://www.lonestarvolleyball.net" target="_blank">LoneStar Volleyball Academy</a> (professional training), <a href="http://www.lonestarvolleyball.net" target="_blank">LoneStar Volleyball Club</a> (technical, tactical, physical training)
<a href="http://friscomiracleleague.org" target="_blank">The Miracle League of Frisco</a> (baseball organization for special needs children throughout North Texas)
<a href="http://www.usyouthsoccer.org" target="_blank">US Youth Soccer</a> (national organization to foster the development of young soccer players)
<a href="http://www.ntxsoccer.org" target="_blank">North Texas Soccer</a> (member of the U.S. Youth Soccer, U.S. Adult Soccer, U.S. Soccer Federation, and Federation Internationale de Football Association organizations)
<a href="http://texaspremieryouthsports.com" target="_blank">Texas Premier YouthSports</a> (curriculum-based training for youth sports)
Others
<a href="http://www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com/trampoline-park-locations/frisco-trampoline-park/" target="_blank">Urban Air Trampoline Park</a> — for something different, Frisco has its own indoor trampoline park
<a href="http://https//www.skyhawks.com/kids-sports/multi-sport/texas/frisco/75035/" target="_blank">Skyhawks</a> (multi-sport camps and clinics for kids in Frisco)
<a href="http://www.friscolacrosse.com" target="_blank">Frisco Lacrosse Association</a>
As prospective home buyers in Frisco or those curious about real estate options in Frisco quickly find out, the community has more than enough leagues and personalized instruction year around in every sport to keep the kids active, learning, and engaged — and the parents driving to games 50 weekends a year.2017-04-07T07:00:00-07:002017-04-13T16:19:30-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2060Recreational Athletics in Frisco<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Recreational-Athletics-in-Frisco.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="Recreational Athletics in Frisco" class="img_box_center" />
As amazing access as Frisco, TX residents have to professional sports in the Dallas area, they also have tremendous pickings for adult recreational and kids sports in town, which is of interest to those looking to buy a new home in Frisco or simply investigating Frisco real estate opportunities.
The Brent Germany Team is often asked about adult recreational and kids sports opportunities in Frisco — residents sure do love their games — so we’ve assembled a list of what’s out there for weekend warriors and their baseball-playing, soccer-playing, swimming, Tae Kwon Do-kicking kids.
This post focuses on the adults.
Adult Athletic Leagues
These are available through the Frisco parks and recreation department. There are other league opportunities available through clubs or membership businesses.
Softball
Softball leagues are offered three times a year — spring (late February to mid-May), summer (late May to mid-June), and fall (late August to early November.
The whole North Texas area is full of softball-playing fanatics and every bedroom community has softball fields and leagues. Some even boast huge softball/youth baseball complexes.
Flag Football
Flag football, that sport you used to play in grade school, is offered in the spring (late February to mid-May) and fall (late August to early November.
Kickball
Not to be confused with dodgeball, kickball is another sport you may have played in grade school. It even shows up as a recreational sport played at companies in the DFW area because it involves men and women playing the same game. Kickball is offered in the spring (late February to mid-May), summer (late May to mid-August), and fall (late August to early November).
Registration
Do be aware: Registration for leagues is team based, which may be an inconvenience for people who’ve just bought a new house in Frisco or who are planning on investing in Frisco real estate but don’t know anybody in town yet. However, that is temporary as teams are competitive but friendly and are always looking for players.
You can register for adult leagues and programs <a href="http://https//online.activecommunities.com/friscotexas/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp">here</a>.
Schedules, standings, and cancellations are <a href="http://www.teamsideline.com/frisco">here</a>.
More information on the City of Frisco Athletic Leagues is available from the Parks and Recreation department <a href="http://www.teamsideline.com/frisco">here</a>.
Other Activities
In addition to league play — and also of interest to people buying new home in Frisco or checking out Frisco real estate — are other sporting activities to do, including:
Aquatics
Aquatics, which includes group, certification programs, and private lessons, are available at the Indoor Aquatic Center and the Frisco Athletic Center.
Water aerobics info is <a href="http://www.friscofun.org/DocumentCenter/View/5589">here</a>.
Group Exercise
Group exercise includes more than 60 classes available before and after work, during a lunch break, or on the weekend at the Frisco Athletic Center. Classes and times are subject to change throughout the year. Info is available <a href="http://www.friscofun.org/DocumentCenter/View/5588">here</a>.
Fitness Programs
The number of fitness programs is staggering and will certainly be attractive to health-aware, fitness-conscious homebuyers looking to purchase a new house in Frisco or are checking out Frisco real estate. Interest offerings include:
Fit camps
Friday Night Fit Club
Morning fit clubs
TruView strength and conditioning fitness classes
Stroller Strides for mom seeking fitness
Tae Kwon Do
And what better way to stay involved than with community- and friend-based Fitness Challenges. These vary during the year but there is usually something go on, including challenges for pilates, boot camps, Zumba, stationary cycling, strength strengthening, and others. There are no excuses.
There are a number of fitness programs offered by small gyms and even personal trainers. A quick internet search will return plenty of options.
Personal Training
A program that may be of interest to new homebuyers in Frisco or those evaluating whether or not to purchase Frisco real estate is the availability of personal trainers and fitness/health coordinators. These professionals are available at the more expensive health clubs or via private lessons. They carry the same national certifications and education as those at health and fitness clubs but at a more reasonable cost. Profiles are <a href="http://www.friscofun.org/DocumentCenter/View/8229">here</a> and services and prices are <a href="http://www.friscofun.org/DocumentCenter/View/7736">here</a>.
Indoor Sports
Another attractive opportunity that may interest people looking to buy a new home in Frisco or invest in Frisco real estate is having a chance to bypass the Texas heat completely when playing recreational sports.
<a href="http://www.friscoindoorsports.com">The Frisco Indoor Sports</a> (FIS) center is just off the North Dallas Tollway and features two indoor turf fields for soccer, baseball training tunnels, and two multipurpose training areas for use by adults and youth.
Sports and Social
Frisco even boasts another unique recreational sports opportunity for residents not available in other communities — the <a href="http://https//lonestarssc.com">Lonestar Sports and Social Club</a>.
As the name states, it’s as much a social club as it is recreational sports and leagues. All of the soccer leagues are co-ed with an option to register as an individual or as a team — a very nice opportunity for some. Adult indoor and outdoor soccer league games are followed by a happy hour.
The offerings here are much more expansive and social than anywhere else in Frisco. Included is basketball, bowling, dodgeball, flag football, kickball, soccer, softball, tennis, ultimate frisbee, volleyball and, yes, wiffleball.
There are tournaments, company teams, social events, and something called Bar Wars. Now you can test your Corn Hole, Skee Ball, Giant Jenga, Ladder, Golf Darts, and “PONG” skills against your neighbor and the best Frisco has to offer.
One thing <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">The Brent Germany Team</a> tells homebuyers looking for a new house in Frisco or checking out Frisco real estate deals is they will NEVER be without something to do athletically, whether it’s watching the professional teams play or participating in recreational sports themselves.2017-04-06T07:00:00-07:002017-04-13T16:12:49-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2058Professional Sports in Frisco<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Professional-Sports-in-Frisco.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="Professional Sports in Frisco" class="img_box_center" />
If you are a sports fan or weekend warrior looking to buy a new home in Frisco, TX or just investigating Frisco’s real estate options, get out that No. 1 foam finger and softball mitt.
There are so many sports to attend and play year ‘round that the new lawn will never get mowed — at least by you. To help newcomers to the area, <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">The Brent Germany Team</a> has put together a few lists of sports to attend as a fan, to play as a weekend warrior, or to get the kids involved.
We’ll start with the professional teams and their ties to Frisco.
Professional Teams (Part 1)
One thing that’s a super sell for sports fans who are looking to purchase a new home in Frisco or who are contemplating Frisco real estate is the plethora of professional sports in North Texas.
Professional football and baseball are about 30 minute drives from Frisco to Arlington to the west and south, depending on time of day and traffic.
Professional basketball and hockey also are about 30 minute drives from Frisco to downtown Dallas to the south, again depending on time of day and traffic. What big city and its bedroom communities don’t have traffic?
Professional soccer is the most accessible sport to Frisco residents as the team plays its home games in the city.
Here’s the rundown:
The Dallas Cowboys
Widely recognized as America’s Team, the Cowboys are as storied of a franchise as any in American sports. Dallas, 5-3 in Super Bowl appearances, now plays in a billion-dollar spaceship of a stadium in Arlington, but that’s not all (read on).
The Texas Rangers
Once the laughing stock of the American League, the Rangers — who also play in Arlington, across the parking lot from the Cowboys — have played in two World Series within the past decade and are now perennial contenders to win the AL West and make baseball’s playoffs, but that’s not all (read on).
The Dallas Mavericks
Long ago the laughing stock of the National Basketball Association, the Mavericks under owner Mark Cuban won the NBA title in 2011 and are considered perennial playoff contenders as well, but that’s not all (read on).
The Dallas Stars
Transplanted from Minnesota, the former North Stars won the National Hockey League title in 1999 and, like the Cowboys, Rangers, and Mavericks, are considered a perennial playoff contender, but — you guessed it — that’s not all (read on).
<a href="http://https//www.fcdallas.com">FC Dallas</a>
A charter member of the Major Soccer League (MLS), FC Dallas began play in 1996 and is immensely popular at its Toyota Stadium home in Frisco. North Texas is considered the hotbed of youth soccer in Texas and FC Dallas plays a major advocate role for all soccer activities.
Professional Teams (Part 2)
Sure, anybody moving into the Frisco area most likely knows the Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks, Stars (and maybe FC Dallas) are the professional sports franchises, but few are aware how deep team ties are to Frisco, which benefit all residents.
The Dallas Cowboys
The <a href="http://www.dallascowboys.com">Cowboys</a> recently moved their World Headquarters and practice facility to a 91-acre development known as <a href="http://https//www.visitfrisco.com/sports/professional-sports-teams/dallas-cowboys/">The Star</a>. In addition to HQ, there’s a futuristic training complex, a 12,000-seat multi-use event venue (The Ford Center), and a wide range of mixed-use elements like dining, shopping, and hotel space available.
Naturally, living near the Cowboys’ HQ is a big draw for sports fans wanting to buy a home in Frisco or considering Frisco real estate. But there is more.
The Ford Center is also shared with the City of Frisco and the Frisco ISD, meaning if Junior makes a local high school football team he might play where the Cowboys practice or a daughter performs as a cheerleader or drill team member.
The Star also offers VIP Guided Tours, meaning Frisco residents can easily impress out of town guests by taking them the Cowboys’ War Room (where NFL drafts are planned), the Nike Star Walk (a collection of the 10 most significant milestones in Cowboys’ history, the Super Bowl Memorabilia & Station (a display of Super Bowl Trophies and rings from 1971, 1977, 1992, 1993, and 1995, and Grand Atrium.
The Texas Rangers
The Rangers’ <a href="http://frisco.roughriders.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t540">Double-A affiliate, the RoughRiders</a>, play games at the Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco. The RoughRiders are an absolute gem because most minor league teams are in cities far away from the parent club. Founded in 2003, the RoughRiders are close enough that the Rangers funnel much of their up and coming talent through the team and baseball fans have taken notice. Frisco has led attendance among all Double-A franchises for the past 12 seasons.
It’s no wonder. More than 140 minor leaguers have gone on to play in the majors, including All-Stars Chris Davis (now with Baltimore), Alvis Andrus, Adrian Gonzalez (Los Angeles Dodgers), Ian Kinsler (Detroit), Nelson Cruz (Seattle), and C.J. Wilson (L.A. Angels), in addition to current Rangers Rougned Odor, Nomar Mazara, and Derek Holland.
Any baseball fan who is considering buying a home in Frisco or purchasing Frisco real estate cannot go wrong by living so close to the RoughRiders.
The Dallas Mavericks
<a href="http://texas.dleague.nba.com">The Texas Legends</a> are the NBA’s D-League (Development League) affiliate team for the Mavericks. The Legends, formerly the Colorado 14ers, began playing at the Dr Pepper Arena in 2010-2011 and last year led the D-League in overall sales, sponsorship sales, and season ticket sales for the fourth consecutive year.
The Dallas Stars
Like the Cowboys, the Stars are headquartered in Frisco and practice at the Dr Pepper <a href="http://https//www.nhl.com/stars/starcenters">StarCenter</a>. Practice sessions are free and open to the public. The StarCenter also hosts multiple special events throughout the year including tournaments, development camps and youth hockey programs, even community skate nights and public rink access.
Other Events
In addition to the big league teams, Frisco also plays host to several annual sporting events, although these tend to change year to year.
Previous events included the Big 12 Gymnastics Championship and the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. The best way to see what is going on is to visit the <a href="http://https//www.visitfrisco.com/sports/calendar-of-events/">Frisco Sports Calendar of Events</a> page or <a href="http://https//www.visitfrisco.com/sports/frisco-is-sports/">Frisco IS Sports</a>.
Next Up
Just as impressive as the ties to professional sports teams in Frisco are the opportunities for weekend warriors (and their kids) to play a huge variety of sports themselves, yet another reason why people are looking to buy new homes in Frisco and are considering the myriad of real estate options in Frisco.2017-04-05T07:00:00-07:002017-04-13T16:01:33-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2057Restaurants in Frisco<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Restaurants-in-Frisco.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="Restaurants in Frisco" class="img_box_center" />
Another question I am asked by people looking to buy a new home in Frisco, TX or simply investigating the myriad of real estate options in Frisco is: “How are the restaurants in the area?”
Um, fantastic. But not in the way you might expect.
First, a little perspective. For those of us who have lived and worked in the Frisco (and Dallas) area for a long time, every few years there will be a report that exclaims (!) Dallas and the Dallas area has more restaurants per capita than any place in the U.S.
I decided to see if that’s true and, well, I have no idea. There’s a lot of information on the internet but it doesn’t make sense to me — <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">a real estate guy</a>, not a restauranteur.
This is what I did find: Dallas and surrounding communities have the fourth largest number of restaurants in the entire country behind New York/New Jersey (an astounding 46,000+), Chicago (30,000 +/-), and Los Angeles (20,000 +/-). Depending on the year and the health of the economy, the Dallas area boasts upwards of 14,000 restaurants — or, as one local news outlet put it, one restaurant for every 508 people.
To people wanting to buy a new home in Frisco, TX or considering Frisco real estate options, this is what’s interesting: Much of Dallas’ growth in the dining industry is actually attributed to real estate. When we see a trend in real estate like the rise of mixed-use developments, there is a corresponding uptick in restaurants to serve those developments, which includes commercial, retail, residential, and entertainment.
Frisco is the perfect example. So if you’re looking for a new home in Frisco or checking out Frisco real estate from the sofa, expect to find not only a large number of traditional fast food and chain restaurants but also new concepts, cuisine mashups, unexpected dining experiences, and all sorts of food/fun experiments. That’s what makes Frisco and Dallas-area dining so vibrant today.
In recent years Frisco has enjoyed the fruits of an astounding development known as the $5 Billion Mile — or $5 billion worth of new office, commercial, residential, and entertainment development along a one-mile stretch.
<a href="http://www.thestarinfrisco.com" target="_blank">The Star in Frisco</a> gets a lot of attention because, well, it’s the development spearheaded by Jerry Jones, owner of the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys. The Star features $1 billion in investment, including a multi-use indoor stadium (Ford Center) with 12,000 seats. It’s the Cowboys practice facility and also is available to the Frisco ISD as another football stadium). Naturally, retail — and lots of new restaurants — feed the locals and visitors.
<a href="http://friscostation.com" target="_blank">Frisco Station</a> is not as sexy as having the NFL’s Cowboys as the main tenant, but it’s a massive $1.7 billion development of office, medical, retail, entertainment — and restaurant (75,000 SF) — development. The Gate, a $700 million investment, adds another 75,000 SF of restaurant space.
Throw in Wade Park — a $2 billion mixed-use development — and the $5 Billion Mile adds up to 1.32 million SF of integrated retail, restaurant, and entertainment space.
While many people looking at homes for sale in Frisco or considering investments in Frisco real estate are older and more established home buyers, there is a growing number of 18- to 40-year-olds who are doing things differently. Big-car and large-home ownership are less important to a generation that spends a large percentage of its income on technology and “experiential” things like dining and eating out.
Many of these people are attracted to cities, whether large like Dallas or growing like Frisco, that provide mixed-use development and increased opportunities for entertainment and dining, particularly with the rise of chef-driven experiences and craft beer “brew pubs” becoming a major part of discretionary spending.
City planners and real estate developers are well aware that this age bracket will become one of the country’s biggest spending groups and eating out will be a regular indulgence, not once-a-week special as seen in previous generations.
In fact, some new developments are anchored not by a brand name retailer but by a restaurant or series of restaurants. One developer mentioned that restaurants used to make up 20 to 30 percent of a development. In some cases today, it’s more like 60 percent. Along with anchoring new developments, restaurants have increasingly taken on another role that has nothing to do with food: changing neighborhood dynamics.
The Uptown area in Dallas is a premier example of restaurants changing neighborhood dynamics. They are not just places to eat out but to gather for drinks, meals, ballgames, and other forms of entertainment. We don’t have mountains, beaches, and luscious forests in North Texas. We have restaurants (and shopping).
It’s a changing market out there. The millennials want new and different things. It used to be the community was built first and the amenities next. Now it’s the amenities first or at least in tandem with the community.
I tell home buyers looking at houses in Frisco or seriously evaluating their real estate options in Frisco that it’s a fast-growing area with a lot of diversity — younger and older, professional and upwardly mobile. They’re always going out.
Who goes home to eat lunch these days? On the way home they stop off for a happy hour drink or coffee with friends at any number of local, fun eateries. If they’re home and don’t feel like going out, restaurants are savvy enough today to prepare all sorts of meals (just burgers and fast food pizza) for delivery (or pickup on the way home).
So, in answer to the oft-asked question: There are plenty of restaurants of every conceivable cuisine in Frisco, neighboring Plano and McKinney, nearby Richardson and Far North Dallas, and a reasonably short drive away in Dallas and the Grapevine and Southlake area (to the west). Many of the restaurants really are fantastic — and changing.2017-03-24T07:00:00-07:002017-04-13T16:04:15-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:19753 Questions to Ask Before Buying Your Dream Home<img title="3 Questions to Ask Before Buying Your Dream Home" alt="3 Questions to Ask Before Buying Your Dream Home" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/3-questions-to-ask-before-buying-your-dream-home.jpg" height="410" width="750" />
If you are debating purchasing a home right now, you are probably getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family will have your best interest at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in the real estate market.
Ask yourself the following 3 questions to help determine if now is actually a good time for you to buy in today’s market.
1. Why am I buying a home in the first place?
This truly is the most important question to answer. Forget the finances for a minute. Why did you even begin to consider purchasing a home? For most, the reason has nothing to do with money.
For example, a recent survey by Braun showed that over 75% of parents say “their child’s education is an important part of the search for a new home.”
This survey supports a study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University which revealed that the four major reasons people buy a home have nothing to do with money. They are:
A good place to raise children and for them to get a good education
A place where you and your family feel safe
More space for you and your family
Control of that space
What does owning a home mean to you? What non-financial benefits will you and your family gain from owning a home? The answer to that question should be the biggest reason you decide to purchase or not.
2. Where are home values headed?
According to the latest Home Price Index from CoreLogic, home values are projected to increase by 5.3% over the next 12 months.
What does that mean to you?
Simply put, if you are planning on buying a home that costs $250,000 today, that same home will cost you an additional $13,250 if you wait until next year. Your down payment will need to be higher as well to account for the higher home price.
3. Where are mortgage interest rates headed?
A buyer must be concerned about more than just prices. The ‘long term cost’ of a home can be dramatically impacted by even a small increase in mortgage rates.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have all projected that mortgage interest rates will increase over the next twelve months as you can see in the chart below:
<a title="Mortgage Rate Projections | MyKCM" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/kcmmedia/2016/10/07153646/Mortgage-Rate-Projections-STM.jpg" rel="lightbox[39504]"><img class="img_box_center" alt="Mortgage Rate Projections" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Mortgage-Rate-Projections.jpg" height="1500" width="2000" /></a>
Bottom Line
Only you and your family will know for certain if now is the right time to purchase a home. Answering these questions will help you make that decision.2017-03-22T17:15:00-07:002017-03-23T16:19:08-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:1974Will Increasing Mortgage Rates Impact Home Prices?<img title="Increasing Mortgage Rates" class="img_box_center" alt="Increasing Mortgage Rates" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/increasing-mortgage-rates.jpg" height="410" width="750" />There are some who are calling for a decrease in home prices should mortgage interest rates begin to rise rapidly. Intuitively, this makes sense as the cost of a home is determined by the price of the home, plus the cost of financing that home. If mortgage interest rates increase, fewer people will be able to buy, and logic says prices will fall if demand decreases.
However, history shows us that this has not been the case the last four times mortgage interest rates dramatically increased.
Here is a graph showing what actually happened:
<img title="Dramatic Mortgage Rate Increases" class="img_box_center" alt="Dramatic Mortgage Rate Increases" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/dramatic-mortgage-rate-increases.jpg" height="1500" width="2000" />
Last week, in an article titled “<a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/housing-is-ready-to-move-beyond-lost-decade-1480457705">Higher Rates Don’t Mean Lower House Prices After All,</a>” the Wall Street Journal revealed that a recent study by John Burns Real Estate Consulting Inc. found that:
“[P]rices weren’t especially sensitive to rising rates, particularly in the presence of other positive economic factors, such as strong job growth, rising wages and improving consumer confidence.”
Last week’s jobs report was strong and the Conference Board just reported that the Consumer Confidence Index was back to pre-recession levels.
Bottom Line
We will have to wait and see what happens as we move forward, but a decrease in home prices should rates go up is anything but guaranteed.2017-03-21T09:15:00-07:002017-03-23T16:17:56-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:1973Is Getting a Home Mortgage Still Too Difficult?<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/getting-a-home-mortgage.jpg" alt="Getting a Home Mortgage" title="Getting a Home Mortgage" class="img_box_center" height="410" width="750" />
There is no doubt that mortgage credit availability is expanding, meaning it is easier to finance a home today than it was last year. However, the mortgage market is still much tighter than it was prior to the housing boom and bust experienced between 2003 - 2006.
The Housing Financing Policy Center at the Urban Institute just <a href="http://www.urban.org/urban-wire/overly-tight-credit-killed-11-million-mortgages-2015">released data</a> revealing two reasons for the current exceptionally high credit standards:
Additional restrictions lenders put on borrowing because of concerns that they will be forced to repurchase failed loans from the government-sponsored enterprises or Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
The concern about potential litigation for imperfect loans.
What has been the result of these concerns?
6.3 Million Less Mortgages
The Policy Center report went on to say:
“It was so hard to get a mortgage in 2015 that lenders failed to make about 1.1 million mortgages that they would have made if reasonable lending standards had been in place. From 2009 to 2014, lenders failed to make about 5.2 million mortgages thanks to overly tight credit. In total, lenders would have issued 6.3 million additional mortgages between 2009 and 2015 if lending standards had been more reasonable.”
In an <a href="http://www.dsnews.com/daily-dose/11-25-2016/opening-access-mortgage-credit">interview with DSNews</a>, Laurie Goodman and Alanna McCargo of the Policy Center further explained:
“Our Housing Credit Availability Index (HCAI)* measures the probability that mortgage borrowers will become delinquent on that mortgage for 90 or more days, which we refer to as the default risk. This measure indicates that the probability of default rose from 12 percent in 2001 to a peak of 16.5 percent at the end of 2005/beginning of 2006, before declining to the current level of 5 percent. Stated differently, lenders are currently taking less than half the credit risk they were taking in 2001, a period of reasonable credit standards.”
The cost to the economy if we’re writing fewer loans…
Goodman and McCargo put it best:
“…fewer households will become homeowners at exactly the point in the economic cycle when it is most advantageous to do so… [They] will continue to miss this wealth-building opportunity. The median family wealth for homeowners is $195,400, with their home the most valuable asset for most; the median family wealth for renters is $5,400… Fewer potential homebuyers means the housing market will continue to recover more slowly. At the same time, fewer buyers create a strain on other benefits to the economy which homebuying brings such as spending on home goods and an increase in construction jobs.”
Bottom Line
The housing market boom and bust caused many mortgage providers and lenders to tighten their lending standards in an effort not to repeat the recent past. This paired with many homebuyers disqualifying themselves before they even apply for a loan, due to the fear of rejection, has led to many households not yet becoming homeowners.
*The HCAI measures the percentage of home purchase loans that are likely to default—that is, go unpaid for more than 90 days past their due date. A lower HCAI indicates that lenders are unwilling to tolerate defaults and are imposing tighter lending standards, making it harder to get a loan. A higher HCAI indicates that lenders are willing to tolerate defaults and are taking more risks, making it easier to get a loan.2017-03-20T06:00:00-07:002017-03-23T16:13:12-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2012Shopping in Frisco<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Shopping-in-Frisco.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="Shopping in Frisco TX" class="img_box_center" />
Don’t laugh: Whenever prospective homebuyers contact me about Frisco, TX real estate or homes for sale in Frisco, the first question they ask me beyond the usual house stuff is “What’s the shopping like in Frisco?”
I’m not joking. Every part of the country has something it’s known for: mountains outside of Denver, beaches along the coasts in Florida, golf courses pretty much everywhere. Here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, particularly North Dallas and Frisco the quality of shopping and local eateries are big attractions in lieu of mountains and beaches.
So, when it comes to shopping, Frisco — and surrounding communities of McKinney, Allen, Grapevine and Southlake . . . heck, pretty much everywhere in the DFW area — has amazing shopping that’s not just spend, spend, spend. It’s enjoy, take your time, browse, have lunch (or dinner or coffee), maybe even catch a movie while you’re out. Shopping is an experience here, not just a necessity.
For people looking at homes for sale in Frisco, TX or are investigating Frisco real estate, <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">The Brent Germany Team</a> has produced a quick overview of shopping in Frisco (and surrounding areas).
Signature Shopping
For a “bedroom” community outside of Dallas, Frisco features one of the premier all-around shopping malls in the entire area — Stonebriar Centre — to rival NorthPark Center in Dallas and Galleria Dallas in North Dallas.
NorthPark and Galleria Dallas both feature high-end, luxury shopping, which is certainly attractive to prospective homebuyers considering new homes in Frisco or Frisco real estate. Both are about a 30-minute, easy-access drive from Frisco depending, of course, on traffic.
Stonebriar also features high-end, luxury shopping found at NorthPark and Galleria Dallas (Apple, Coach, Michael Kors, Lucky Brand, Nordstrom’s) but also has more everyday shopping that busy parents like to do with kids — maybe Claire’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, department stores like Dillard’s, Forever 21, and Vision Works.
Another shopping destination people from all over the Metroplex come to is IKEA. Maybe it’s because there is only one IKEA in the entire area, not like Apple Stores, Coach, or Nordstrom. I find it interesting, but when I tell people looking at houses for sale in Frisco or looking into Frisco real estate they inevitably remark, “Oh! There’s an IKEA nearby?”
I realize most high-end home buyers don’t furnish their houses with IKEA tables and chairs, but nearly everybody I talk with likes to poke around inside the giant IKEA store to find a lamp, shelf, cheap bed for a guest room. And who doesn’t like those Swedish meatballs?
Outdoor Shopping
I guess outdoor shopping and “outdoor shopping malls” are no longer trends — they seem to be in every Dallas-area community. The only thing that seems to vary between them is aesthetics and architectural style.
Despite the heat in the summer, Texas shoppers don’t like to be cooped up indoors all year, unless they’re “mall walking” for a little exercise.
The Centre at Preston Ridge offers the big stores you see driving along Texas highways — Best Buy, Bath & Body Works, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, and so many, many more. There are more than 100 stores and restaurants for those everyday needs.
The Shops at Starwood are similar to The Centre at Preston Ridge, albeit a bit more “premier.” The development, located just to the north of The Centre, is not as established as other Frisco shopping destinations, but it definitely has its own uniqueness and “ambiance.”
I’m going to include Downtown Shopping in Frisco as outdoor shopping even though some of the stores can be considered more boutique or specialized.
Like outdoor shopping malls, downtown shopping could be considered a trend in North Texas. In fact, bedroom communities and “small” towns like Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Richardson, and Grapevine (to the west) have developed extensive downtowns that feature unique shopping, restaurants, performing arts, even specialized events like seasonal music and art festivals.
Frisco actually has a history of being a shopping destination. In the city’s early years farmers, ranchers and “city folk” used to line Main Street with their produce and goods. Horses, wagons, and Model T cars were parked outside of shops like Curtsinger’s Drug Store, Sapp Brothers’ Café or the Frisco Beauty Shoppe. Today people just go to the Frisco Rotary Farmer’s Market.
Just west of Historic Downtown and across the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway tracks, is Frisco Square, yet even more shopping. Frisco Square is a pedestrian-friendly “urban” environment built along with Frisco City Hall and the Frisco Public Library. Frisco Square offers a variety of off-the-beaten-track restaurants like Pizzeria Testa, NOLA Grill, and @nerdvana.coffee+shop. Fun.
Outlet Shopping
Another “style” of shopping that may be attractive to people looking at new homes in Frisco, TX or evaluating Frisco real estate options is outlet.
It used to be that outlet shopping was truly outlet — out of season clothing and accessories, big discounts, and worth driving great distances for some serious bargain hunting. The factory outlet in San Marcos, south of Austin, was perhaps the premier outlet “mall” in all of Texas.
Developers, of course, caught up to the trend and began opening outlet malls either north or south of big cities like Dallas and Houston. Retailers caught on, too, and no longer just supply out-of-season product or “seconds.” The thrill of bargain hunting remains.
The <a href="http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/allen" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Allen Premium Outlets</a> is just one such outlet mall within easy driving distance of Frisco. Others nearby include Grapevine Mills (about 30 minutes away) and Grand Prairie Premium Outlets (about 45 minutes away). To be honest, though, there’s not much difference between what one outlet mall offers and another.
Summary
In the end, I can honestly tell prospective homebuyers looking at new houses in Frisco, TX or evaluating Frisco real estate that there are plenty, plenty, plenty of shopping options in Frisco — both in types of stores and the shopping experience itself. And I haven’t even touched what’s available in Dallas — about a 30 minute drive away — or in Fort Worth an hour or so to the west.
If there’s one thing North Texans like to do it is shopping, so if you’re looking at new homes in Frisco or evaluating your real estate options in Frisco you will not be disappointed.
2017-03-17T07:00:00-07:002017-04-11T07:22:15-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2013What Happens After Your Offer is Accepted?<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/What-Happens-After-Your-Offer-is-Accepted.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="What Happens After Your Offer is Accepted?" class="img_box_center" />
I don’t mean to be an alarmist. I just want you to know that, once you have a contract in hand to purchase a new home, there’s more to do to get the transaction closed.
Statistics from various organizations show that, for various reasons, anywhere from 10 to 25 percent of pending home sales don’t close. That sounds high to me, but failed closings do happen. Our work together — as home buyer and realtor — isn’t finished until the papers are signed and the keys are in your hands.
In this post The Brent Germany Team takes a look at what happens after your offer is accepted — and what can go wrong.
Errors in Processing Documents
One of the most common closing problems is an error in documents. These can be as simple as misspelled names, incorrect addresses, transposed numbers, or a missing page. No matter the reason, errors cause delays.
The Brent Germany Team recommends asking to see every piece of paperwork far in advance, if possible. By law, you will receive your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure forms three days before closing. Look at them immediately and carefully. If you don’t understand something, let us know. We are involved until the very end.
Mortgage Delays and Last-Minute Requests
In a hot real estate market, lenders are inundated with requests. Your file could easily fall to the bottom of a pile on an loan officer’s desk with more urgent loans to process. Lenders also ask for information at the last minute, and that can leave you scrambling and lead to closing delays.
I remind home buyers to find out early what documents, exactly, are needed to complete your file and write the loan in a timely manner. I also recommend that you simply “check in” several days before closing to make sure there are no issues and you have a good communication flow.
Earnest Money
<a href="http://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/earnest-money.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Earnest money</a> is used to protect the seller’s interests while they take the house off the market. Earnest money is your proof that you “earnestly” want to purchase the home.
Some realtors collect earnest money from you before they submit your offer. Others coordinate earnest money drop off once an offer is accepted. I remind home buyers to make sure earnest money is delivered on time and in the proper payment form, as specified in the contract submitted.
Property Inspections
Once a contract is executed and in hand, the clock starts immediately on the inspection period. The Brent Germany Team reminds home buyers of the exact dates set aside for the home inspection period. In some cases, you may need more than a standard inspection like structural, HVAC, pest, pool, and environmental (radon, mold). Make sure you have enough time to complete all the inspections.
Title Commitment
The title company handles this for you. It issues a title commitment that reviews the history of the property and discloses any liens that need to be resolved before closing. As an example, the seller may not have paid a contractor for the backyard fence or didn’t pay the right amount of property tax.
You need to insist on a clear, problem-free title before closing, something that the lender also will insist on. As soon as it’s available, look over the title review or have a member of The Brent Germany team do so. You can also ask an attorney for advice if you spot anything alarming.
Appraisal
Another timeline item. Once the inspection process clears, the lender will order a home appraisal to verify that the value of the property you are purchasing is worth the loan amount that you are asking for. Home buyers typically have 10 days to complete an appraisal once it is ordered. You — or a member of The Brent Germany Team — will follow through with the lender to make sure the appraisal is scheduled and on track to complete when needed.
Home Owners Insurance and Warranties
Lenders require you have a home owner’s insurance policy for the property you are purchasing. You may already have an insurance agent, so check with him or her once a contract has been accepted and start the process. You may need time to shop and choose an insurance provider and policy that works best for you.
Some sellers provide an “allowance” for buyers to purchase a home warranty. If you plan to buy a home warranty, make sure you have enough time to shop for the company and warranty that suits your needs.
Taking Care Of the “Little Things”
Don’t forget the final walkthrough: Its purpose is to verify that any agreed-on repairs have been completed and that the seller’s possessions have been moved out. Time has passed to negotiate any additional items, but if repairs have not been made then jump on it immediately. If clients want, I or a team member will accompany them on a walkthrough in case there are issues.
Schedule Closing: A Brent Germany Team member will work with you and all the parties involved to make sure a closing date and time work best for your schedule. We also try to avoid closing times — like Friday afternoons — that can be problematic if electronic fund transfers, for example, are delayed or do not arrive in time.
Turn On the Utilities: This will not mess up the closing, but it could delay moving into the home depending on your timetable. Make sure electric, water, and (these days) internet access is turned on or will be available when needed.
In the End
Like I said at the start, I don’t mean to be an alarmist. Some realtors disappear after a contract is signed to take care of other clients. I like to stay involved until the end because “stuff happens.”
To learn more about how to buy homes for sale in the DFW area, please <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">contact</a> Brent Germany at 214-926-3308 or email us directly at bgermany@kw.com.
2017-03-15T07:00:00-07:002017-04-11T07:37:48-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2014Typical Issues on a Home Inspection<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Typical-Issues-on-a-Home-Inspection.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="Typical Issues on a Home Inspection" class="img_box_center" />
If you are a first time home buyer, chances are you’ve never encountered a home inspection. They’re an interesting balance between really helpful information and too much information.
Here’s why they are important and, sometimes, a nuisance — like Aunt Betty who keeps showing up unannounced.
Home Inspections and Inspectors
Simply put, a home inspection is performed by a professional inspector, who visually inspects every aspect of the home you are considering purchasing — the structural integrity of the house, the mechanical systems, pretty much everything you can think of.
I tell clients that home inspections are an essential part of the buying process because you want to know what you are buying, making sure big ticket items are in working order:
• The air conditioner and heater are working properly.
• There are no hidden leaks in the plumbing and there’s no deterioration or incompatible materials used in the system.
• The major appliances work well.
• The roof is in good shape.
• There are no bulges, deflections, and other irregularities in the roof framing, exterior and interior wall framing, or cracks in the foundation.
And so on.
Home inspections average somewhere between 25 and 30 pages and document things you wouldn’t even think of. And that’s the rub: If an inspector finds anything major you — and your realtor — will negotiate repair or replacement. If an agreement isn’t made, you may drop your interest in the home or back out of the contract.
I’ll put it this way: You DO NOT want to find out a week after moving into the house the water heater isn’t working, the gas stove only has two burners igniting, and the shower pan in the second floor master bathroom is leaking.
What’s left — read on — will be a lot of little, pesky items that you — as the new home owner — will (one day) have to deal with. You can ask (insist even) that the sellers take care of whatever bothers you the most, but they often will refuse, leaving you to deal with them — like Aunt Betty.
The Brent Germany Team wants you to understand that home inspectors absolutely, positively will find things wrong with every home, even if it’s “new.” This is partly due to the nature of home inspections: You are paying about 10 cents a square foot — or $300 for a 3,000 square foot home — and an inspector spends three hours combing the house. You are not going to trust their professionalism and honesty if they don’t find anything wrong.
Home inspectors also take on a large amount of liability. If an inspector misses something significant like a water leak and the house floods because of that leak, guess who is getting sued? In an effort to be thorough (honest and trustworthy) they will note every issue found, even if it’s minor.
Here are a few issues found in nearly every home inspection. Don’t panic. Most are easy repairs new homeowners can do themselves. But be assured, they will be in an inspection report.
Issues Found in Every Home Inspection
Loose Nails on the Roof
Wear on a roof is readily apparent if it’s advanced due to age. From the seller’s perspective, this is not good and could keep him from selling the home or getting the asking price he seeks.
Sometimes the roof is in good shape, but there will be loose or missing nails — and it is reported in the inspection. This is nothing to stress about — a roofer or handyman can make this repair.
Window Screens Need Repair
If you look close enough around the house, you’ll notice screens are missing, they’re torn, or are bent and no longer fit the window correctly. To some buyers it’s not a big deal — they’re not worried about aesthetics or they never open the windows in Texas because it’s mostly hot. At any rate, screen damage is on a home inspection report.
Foggy Windows
Speaking of windows, if you look even closer you may notice “foggy windows.” This is due to double-paned glass, which is filled with inert gasses (mostly argon) to insulate the windows and house. The gasses are sealed between the panes, but over the years the seals wear, break down, and are impacted by the elements, allowing moisture to enter the space between the panes. It’s rarely at the top of homeowner repair lists, so don’t be surprised by foggy windows.
Wood Rot
While inspectors look closely at windows, they also look carefully at exterior doors, framing, thresholds, garage door framing. Chances are good they will find rot, particularly near the ground. It’s best for homeowners to take care of the most obvious rot, but they can hope buyers won’t notice — but inspectors will.
Sealing and Caulking
Windows and doors. One thing they have in common is caulk seals, used to keep the weather — hot or cold, depending on the season — out of your house. Additionally, caulk is used in bathrooms around sinks, shows, bathtubs, and toilets, as well as in the kitchen. Caulk is everywhere and unless it was just replaced it will be aged, yellowing, cracked, even mildewy — and inspectors will find it.
The Bathroom Exhaust Fan Vents Into the Attic
Modern code states that venting to the attic will cause moisture from the bathroom shower to collect in the attic and could cause wood rot of raw framing. For some reason, this shows up on inspection reports even today with modern codes. Citing it for older houses, I understand. But today? Just so you know.
Lack of HVAC Service
Even with a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, what homeowner really wants to spent the money to have the HVAC system serviced twice annually? Inspectors will note anything and everything “out of whack” with the air conditioner — dirty filters, not cooling down fast enough, torn ductwork, the drip pan needs cleaning. HVAC issues will be noted, but that’s a good thing because air conditioning in Texas is important and costly to replace or repair.
Smoke Detectors Not Up to Code
Smoke detectors are now required by the State of Texas to be installed in every room. For a brand spanking new house, that’s not a problem. For a lot of other homes, you can demand the seller take care of the missing smoke detectors — and most likely they will respond with the cheapest of the cheap. Or, you can go to a home improvement center and buy a slightly better detector with smoke and carbon monoxide features built in and be done with it. Your call.
GFCI Outlets Not Up to Code
Chances are the <a href="https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/GFCI" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GFCI</a> outlets — those electrical outlets in bathrooms and kitchens with the little red button you have to reset if the breaker trips because there’s too much moisture nearby — will not be up to current building code. Inspectors will note every one.
Soil Height Around the Foundation
Here’s another odd one almost always reported by inspectors. The soil around the foundation will not be the correct height — whatever that number is. Whether it’s two inches or ten, it will be on the inspection report.
Broken Sprinkler Heads
It would be nice if homeowners actually replace broken sprinkler heads before listing. It’s a nice attention-to-detail item that signals to buyers that the home is cared for, but chances are there is at least one or a few they were unaware of. The inspector will find ‘em. Guaranteed.
Beyond the Inspector
While a trained and certified home inspector can handle all aspects of home inspections, some home buyers I’ve worked with prefer to follow up with specific professionals for an even deeper assessment, including:
• The Structural Engineer: A door doesn’t close or there is a crack on a wall? There could be harder-to-spot foundation issues.
• The Pest Inspector: Soft wood, wood shavings, or sounds in a wall? Termites and other pests — largely unseen — could be causing serious structural damage.
• The Landscape Expert: A wet yard? Could be poor drainage.
• The Toxic Substance Inspector: Is it an older home? Check for asbestos, lead, mold, or radon.
• The Geotechnical Inspector: Is the home on a hillside or in a flood-prone area? Make sure foundation, retaining walls, and other structures are solid or they could be damaged.
• The Arborist: Is the home surrounded by mature trees? Tree roots and canopies can damage the driveway, foundation, and roof.
• The Chimney Sweep: Does the home have a chimney? Is it clear? Or cluttered with debris and even dead animals?
• The Pool Guy: Does the home have a pool? What condition is the equipment in, including pump and filter? How’s the structural integrity of the decking and pool surface?
In Summary
Home inspections are needed and an important part of the home-buying process. You want to contract an attention-to-detail professional inspector because, in the end, the findings and report are designed to protect you and your sizable investment. But don’t sweat the little things that inevitably are reported. Make note. You can take care of many of them yourself.
To learn more about how to buy homes for sale in the DFW area, please <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">contact</a> Brent Germany at 214-926-3308 or email us directly at bgermany@kw.com.2017-03-13T07:00:00-07:002017-04-11T07:43:07-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2015What Do You Need to Buy a House?<img width="720" height="480" class="img_box_center" alt="What Do You Need to Buy a House?" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/What-Do-You-Need-to-Buy-a-House.jpg" />
There’s so much information about real estate on the internet these days that it’s easy for first-time home buyers to become confused and drown in viewpoints and opinions.
The Brent Germany Team strives to keep answers simple, whether we’re having a conversation in the office or at a coffee shop, whether we’re answering an email or text message.
We’re asked all the time: “What do you need to buy a house?” Instead of inundating potential buyers with an exhaustive, detailed list of A to Z answers, we prefer to start with an overview or the major steps required for most home purchases.
Pre-Approval for Mortgage Loan
Once you decide to purchase a new home, the first step to take is acquiring the money to actually buy it, which means getting a mortgage. There are hundreds of mortgage lenders in the Dallas area, and The Brent Germany Team can recommend ones our clients have had success with and speak highly of. Or you can ask family, friends, or business associates for recommendations.
A good mortgage lender will explain the process, help you understand borrowing terms and options, and make the experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. Essentially, the lender will run a credit check, ask questions about your current financial situation, and determine eligibility based on these answers.
Find out what ratios lenders are using to determine if you quality for a loan. “28 and 36” are the most commonly used ratios — 28 percent of your gross income (before taxes) must cover your intended housing expenses. Monthly payments on outstanding debts, when combined with housing expenses, must not exceed 36 percent of gross income.
The end result is a pre-approval letter to share with your realtor, home builders, and realtors who represent sellers. The letter informs everybody that you are able to purchase a home within the price range recommended by the lender.
One mistake first-time homebuyers make is getting pre-qualified instead of pre-approved. There is a difference. Pre-approval means the lender is prepared to give you a loan after evaluating your financial information. Pre-qualified means that the lender is estimating what you could borrow but that doesn’t mean you will get a loan.
Arrange Earnest Money
Earnest money is like a deposit that says to the seller you are interested in purchasing the property — and earnestly so. In many states earnest money is 1 percent of the purchase price, although it can vary. If all goes well and you reach closing, that money is credited back to you. If you terminate the contract within the inspection or loan deadlines, the earnest money will be returned. However, if you are past the dates, it’s much harder to get the money back.
Do be aware of those deadlines and what the earnest money expectations are by the seller. Some sellers play “hard ball” and refuse to return earnest money if a contract falls through. Earnest money is usually held by title companies or listing agents, not by the sellers.
Down Payments
When you talk with mortgage lenders about pre-approval, they will tell you the money needed for a down payment. Some loan types, like <a href="http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VA</a> or <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/mortgages/usda-loan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">USDA</a> loans, do not require a down payment. Check with your loan officer to see if you are eligible for these type of loans.
The most common down payments required are between 3 and 5 percent of the purchase price. Some lenders may require up to 10 percent, sometimes as high as 20.
In any case, be aware of your options and what down payment is required.
Hiring a Home Inspector
When you have found a home to purchase and you’ve “put a contract” on it, you will need to hire a home inspector within a specified period — usually seven to 10 days. This is an important step because you want to make sure there are no major issues with the home — from structural integrity, to mechanical systems working as expected, to broken sprinkler heads.
The average cost for an inspection depends on the purchase price — typically around $300 for a 3,000-square-foot home, more for larger properties.
Do be aware: The Brent Germany Team has worked with buyers who look to augment the home inspection with specialty inspections from structural engineers, environmental inspectors, and swimming pool specialists. While not required, additional inspections will give you a peace of mind and answer any specific questions or concerns you have. If you want multiple inspections, make sure additional time is written into the Inspection Deadline.
Closing Costs
There are many more costs associated with buying a home than just the purchase price. There are realtor fees to negotiate and pay. When you purchase a home with a mortgage, there are mortgage company fees. These can run anywhere from 1 to 5 percent of the loan amount. Make sure you talk to your loan officer and are aware of closing costs.
Some buyers negotiate with sellers, via their respective agents, for closing cost assistance. This option is dependent upon market conditions and the demand for homes in that price range. If homes are selling quickly, sellers rarely agree to offer money toward your closing costs.
In Summary
Buying a home isn’t like buying a new TV that you can take back to the home entertainment store if you have buyer’s remorse. Because of this, The Brent Germany Team recommends researching the home buying process as much as you can and to do your homework. Don’t rush things or cut corners and don’t move forward until all the pieces are in place.
To learn more about how to buy homes for sale in the Dallas area, please <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">contact</a> Brent Germany at 214-926-3308 or email us directly at bgermany@kw.com.2017-03-10T08:00:00-07:002018-02-07T22:32:57-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2016The Pros and Cons of Renting Versus Buying a Home<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Renting-Versus-Buying-a-Home.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="The Pros and Cons of Renting Versus Buying a Home" class="img_box_center" />
It’s one of the great, simple debates in real estate. Nothing like the state of the industry, what’s next for MLS, or emerging business models due to the internet. It’s just:
What are the pros and cons of renting versus buying a home?
Is it better to rent?
Is it better to buy?
The Brent Germany Team has answered these questions many times over the years. I always respond that there are many factors that go into this decision, including:
• Financial situation
• Employment circumstances
• Lifestyle preferences
• Relationship status
To help you along, here are some of the top pros and cons and associated costs for renting or buying a home based on The Brent Germany Team’s experience.
The Pros of Renting
No Responsibility for Maintenance or Repairs
Every home, no matter who owns it, requires maintenance and repairs over time. Ignore them and they get worse. When you rent, repairs are the responsibility of the landlord or management company (this also can be a con, by the way). If you have a good landlord, your maintenance worries are minimal.
No Property Taxes
A very enticing reason to rent. Property taxes are the second highest cost of home ownership for most people — next to the mortgage payment, of course. Home owners insurance, by the way, is a close third and is often overlooked by new home buyers when working up a budget.
Paying no property taxes as a reason to rent is widely debated, however. If it’s not you, the renter, paying the property taxes it’s the landlord, who is passing on the cost of the tax (and insurance) to the tenant, who is inadvertently paying taxes (and insurance), just not directly.
Moving is Easier
This is the chief reason for many people to rent. You are free to move as soon as the lease expires. There’s no house to sell. This appeals to people who are unsure how long they may be living in an area, who move from city to city or state to state often, or who want to “try” a neighborhood or location before making a large financial commitment.
No Exposure to Real Estate Market Conditions
Home values fluctuate due to changing economic conditions and can decline over time. As a renter, it’s not your concern — it’s the landlord’s.
Credit Requirements are Less Stringent
Landlords require prospective renters to undergo a credit check, and the application is either approved or denied based to credit score and history. As long as there are no bankruptcies or judgments, landlords are likely to rent to you.
Some Utilities may be Included
Multi-unit building owners or owners of smaller units like duplexes and single-family homes may cover some, or even all, of the utilities, including electric, water and sometimes non-essentials like cable TV or internet service.
“Throw Away” Costs
These are additional expenses as a homeowner renters most likely will not have to pay:
• Trash pickup
• Water and sewer service
• Pest control
• Tree trimming
• Pool cleaning (if applicable)
The Cons of Renting
Who is the Landlord?
Is he or she (or the company) easy to work with? Are they responsive and fair? This may not be an issue for little things like painting and lawn maintenance, but when it comes to replacing an air conditioner or appliances it’s not always so easy. Search Google for reviews of property management companies, and there usually is a long list of complaints that it took days, weeks, months to fix issues with rental properties.
Lease Deadline
Many leases are structured for a year — and with good (or not so good) reason (see below). Once a lease is up, there is no certainty that you will be able to renew for a variety of reasons: the landlord may sell the property, the landlord’s circumstances change (maybe family or friends want to move in), or he decides to raise the rent. The future is always uncertain when you rent. That may be troublesome for some people, less so for others.
Rent Increases
The biggest reason people find it difficult to rent is summed up in this old phrase: “My rent is going up.” Rents nationwide continue to rise. This makes it hard to plan future finances when you’re not sure what rent payments will be after the lease expires. Landlords can raise rents as high as they want, and if you disagree, well, adios! Time to find a new place to live. Rent hikes make tenants feel insecure and unsettled.
No Equity
This is an age-old reason (for some people) not to rent: Every rent payment goes to the landlord and you have nothing to show for it in terms of equity (ownership). Rent costs more in the long run. Imagine renting a home for five or 10 years. The person who pays down a mortgage is going to have equity built up after those five or 10 years but the person who rents has none.
No Federal Tax Benefits
Homeowners deduct property taxes and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/mortgage-interest-credit-at-a-glance" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">mortgage interest</a> on federal income tax returns. Renters are not eligible.
Costs of Renting
Renting does not require a costly purchase but there are expenses, including:
• Security deposit
• First month’s rent
• Non-refundable deposits
• Monthly rent (obviously)
• Pet rent
• Renter’s insurance
• Utilities (this varies)
• Laundry (if not included)
The Pros of Buying
Equity!
When you buy a home a portion of the monthly payment goes to paying off your mortgage loan. Not so much at first but the longer you live in the home, the more equity (ownership) you build. As the price of the home appreciates, the mortgage is reduced and equity rises.
You can use that equity to move into a larger or nicer home, refinance, take out some cash for remodeling projects, or live it alone.
No Payment Hikes!
This sort of depends on whether taxes are built into your mortgage payment. If so, your mortgage will fluctuate a little (or a lot) depending on local taxes. But, in general, when people agree to mortgage terms chances are they will have a fixed rate, meaning mortgage payments will not increase over the life of the loan. That security is comforting for many homeowners.
The House is Yours!
You can do with it what you want. Bright red walls — no problem. Tear out the countertops and change the fixtures — go ahead. It’s your home. (When you rent, depending on the landlord, you’re not allowed to paint, change fixtures, or remodel.) Having freedom to do what you want is one of the greatest benefits of homeownership.
The Cons of Buying
Feeding the Repair and Maintenance Monster
Yes, it’s an awesome feeling that, when you buy, the house is yours and you can do with it what you want. But . . . and this is a big BUT . . . it costs you (not the landlord) to maintain the property and make the needed repairs.
I often tell home buyers that a house, while it seems an inanimate structure, is alive and breathing. Stuff ages. Things break. Repairs are needed. Just like people.
The Brent Germany Team reminds potential homebuyers to think about the cost of home ownership beyond the mortgage payment. Homeowners insurance, which you are required to have, typically will help with the most costly issues like roof repairs and other major damages (depending on the policy), but the rest is up to you — landscaping, installing or fixing ceiling fans, replacing garbage disposers or air conditioners and furnaces.
Money Needed for Down Payment
When you buy a home mortgage companies require you to put down money as a down payment, typically between 3 to 5 percent, although in some cases it can go much higher. I recommend talking with a mortgage lender — even if you don’t need one right away — to know your options.
The Cost of Selling
Unless your home is in pristine tip-top shape — updated, repairs made, perfect-o — there will be a cost to selling your home. Making those repairs and updates to prepare the house for a quick sale are not cheap. Without proper preparation and planning selling a home can be stressful.
Costs of Buying and Owning a Home
Here are some costs to think about when buying a home:
• Earnest money is required if you’re serious about buying a property.
• Down payment is required, usually a percentage of the home’s purchase price.
• Home appraisal
• Home inspection
• Property taxes
• First year’s homeowners insurance
• Other closing costs
• Loan payments (obviously)
• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• Private mortgage insurance
• Utilities
• Maintenance and repairs
• Furnishing
• Improvement projects
The End: In My Opinion
Both renting and buying a home have their advantages and disadvantages. Like I said at the start, it comes down to larger issues like your financial, employment, lifestyle, and relationship situations.
If you think you’re going to be in a city for a while — and you (and your spouse) share similar lifestyle goals . . . like living in a neighborhood, fixing up a house to make it your own . . . then buying a home is a no brainer.
But, if you’re unsure of your employment situation or your lifestyle is more nomadic and spontaneous — better yet, if you’re not sure you want the added responsibility and cost of maintaining a home — then renting is the way to go.
In any event, I’ve found that it never hurts to talk to family, friends, neighbors, business associates along the spectrum about what they like and dislike when it comes to renting or owning.
To learn more about how to buy homes for sale in the DFW area, please <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">contact</a> Brent Germany at 214-926-3308 or email us directly at bgermany@kw.com.2017-03-08T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T07:49:18-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2017The Home Buying Process from Start to Finish<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/The-Home-Buying-Process-from-Start-to-Finish.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="The Home Buying Process from Start to Finish" class="img_box_center" />
Whether it’s your first or third time, buying a new home is exciting — and stressful. There’s that extra room and bigger back yard to dream about . . . and the search for the ideal place, getting a mortgage, filling out forms, and all the paperwork.
Helping people navigate the buying process, from start to finish, is one of the things I absolutely love about being a realtor. It can be fun, it can be tricky, but in the end there’s popping the champagne cork — clients buying their first house or moving into their dream home.
Over the years of buying (and selling) homes for clients throughout the Dallas area, The Brent Germany Team has assembled a start-to-finish list of things for new home buyers (and those who need a refresher) to consider when buying a home.
#1 Is It Time?
To buy that first home?
To buyer a bigger house or move into a new neighborhood or part of town?
Only you (and your spouse or family) can answer that. And in today’s crazy Dallas-area real estate market, it’s not an easy question to answer — housing prices are up, availability of homes that interest you may not be easy to find, and there’s always mortgages and financing to consider.
My advice is: If you have an inkling, even a tiny notion that you want to buy that first home or upsize or downsize the house you’re in, it’s never too early to familiarize yourself with the process.
#2 Finding that Perfect Home — Online
So you think it’s time to buy. Or nearing the time to buy. It never hurts to start looking. Finding the right house, in the right location, with everything you desire, for the right price, takes time.
In the not so distant past, potential home buyers would drive through neighborhoods looking for homes for sale or check the local newspaper. While that still happens today, nearly everybody searches for homes via the internet, saving time, gas money driving around, and wear and tear on the car.
But here’s something you probably didn’t know about real estate on the internet. There are the national sites like trulia.com, zillow.com, and realtor.com, and there are local real estate sites.
Which ones are better for you?
Most clients say Trulia, Zillow, or Realtor.com, but that’s not always the case. Here’s why:
• Local realtor websites, like the one at The Brent Germany Team, have a direct MLS (Multiple Listing Service) feed, meaning that local sites are updated as frequently as every 15 minutes with new properties and status updates.
• The national portals are “syndication” sites and do not have direct local feeds. As national sites, Trulia, Zillow, and Realtor.com try to keep up with every listing and every change throughout the country, which explains why clients often complain that information is often outdated.
So, yes, I am a biased local realtor, but I have good reason.
Finding the right local real estate site to use, however, can be challenging. Many local realtors do not have the financial resources or extreme technical know-how to put together a slick, functional, easy to use website. BUT, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
This is what is important to The Brent Germany Team when it comes to local real estate websites — or pretty much any website these days:
• A site must be well designed. That doesn’t mean it has to have all the fancy bells and whistles. Well designed means it’s pleasant to look at, fairly easy to use, and you enjoy browsing the site to look at the newest listings.
• A site must play well on ALL platforms — desktop and laptop browsers are a given. But these days a majority of “web surfing” is done on connected mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. If a local realtor website doesn’t work well on an iPhone or Android device, that’s trouble.
• A site must present organized, easy-to-find information with powerful search. And it helps if it allows potential buyers to save favorite listings and other information as they do their research.
• One last thing: A good site needs to be updated frequently with new content — stale listings are of no value. And as a bonus, if the realtor provides value-add information like, maybe an article on the home buying process from start to finish, then that’s even better.
#3 Contact a Local Realtor
By now you’ve decided to buy a new home and you’ve started the search — driving around neighborhoods and online — and it’s time to contact a local realtor.
The Brent Germany Team wrote recently on what a realtor representing you really means, but it’s always worth repeating. In brief, a local realtor knows the market and can help you decide what part of “town” is best for you — Uptown or the West Village, Plano or Frisco, Southlake or Colleyville. Additionally, realtors are trained to know the innermost workings of the real estate process — contracts, amendments, addendum, inspections, negotiations, contingencies, comparisons, trends, HOAs, and so on.
Best of all, when you’re interested in looking at homes, local realtors representing buyers work with realtors representing sellers to learn about the property, schedule in-home visits, and shuttle information back and forth so you don’t have to.
#4 Talk to a Lender for a Home Mortgage
As you are looking at and evaluating possible homes, it’s time to zero in on finding a lender and a home mortgage. For first-time buyers, this process can be intimidating but it doesn’t have to be scary.
How can the mortgage process run smoothly? I recommend these steps:
• To cut through some of the research forest, ask your realtor for a listing of mortgage professionals he or she has worked with in the past.
• The Brent Germany Team spends nearly every day working with clients trying to get home loans and mortgages. We’ve worked with all sorts of lenders and generally know who the better lenders are and who gets closings done on time.
• Make sure you do your job. Lenders will ask for all sorts of information and documentation during the loan application process, including private info. The lenders are doing their best to get you the loan quickly, but they can’t do their job effectively if you’re late delivering requested information or its incomplete.
• If you choose not to go through your realtor to find a lender, ask friends, neighbors, or close work associates for recommendations.
• To familiarize you with the kind of information lenders require here’s a basic list: credit reports, outstanding debt like credit cards; auto, jewelry, furniture, and school loans. Lenders often use the phrase “debt to income ratio,” which means how much of what you make is spent by current, outstanding debt.
• The 43 percent debt-to-income ratio is generally used by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as a guideline for approving mortgages.
• It’s best to put down 20 percent of the home’s asking price to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can cost an extra $50 to $100 per month in mortgage.
#5 Finding the Right Home
Based on years of working with home buyers, here are some observations and thoughts that might help you with finding the right home:
• Take notes on paper, your phone, or tablet.
• To help clients, I take official <a href="http://www.mls.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MLS</a> listing sheets with me for every home they’ve visited. Homes start to run together — locations, layouts, colors, you name it — if you don’t take notes.
• Better yet, use your camera phone to take photos or videos as you tour a home. Like taking notes, it helps you to remember what you’ve seen.
• Make a “wants” list and a “wish” list. Decide what’s most important from these, which become the “must have” list.
#6 Making an Offer and the Option Period
Once you find the right home, it’s time to make an offer, also known as “placing a contract” on the house. This entails:
• Realtors are trained in contract negotiations and contracts to make sure offers are correct, with no errors, to protect you and your interests.
• Once you submit an offer to the seller (usually via the seller’s realtor) you enter a period known as the “option period.” In Texas the option period is a specific number of days written into the contract to give you, the buyer, a chance to do any inspections you want on the home while still allowing you to “walk away” for any reason.
• In order to have a valid option period, home buyers have to give the seller something called “consideration” or “option money” as it’s known in Texas. Option money is paid directly to the seller and is non-refundable. If you walk away for any reason during the option period, you lose the option money — an amount that is negotiable and is usually based on the asking price of the home. Option monies are credited to the purchase price of the home at the closing.
• The Brent Germany Team always recommend that home buyers have an inspection during the option period. With the report in hand, talk with your realtor about what is negotiable and what you might ask the sellers to repair. Talk to your agent about any problems found in the home inspection.
• Behind the scenes, your lender will be doing two things on your behalf. First: The lender will order a survey from a professional surveyor to take measurements and boundaries of the home and land. The lender wants to make sure there are no easements or encroachments like a neighbor building a fence onto your property. This is for your protection and the lender’s. Second: The lender will order an appraisal to let the bank know its current value in today’s market. Again, the lender is doing this for everybody’s protection, making sure you are paying fair market value and that the lender is loaning money for fair market value.
#7 Closing Time
The day has arrived and it’s time to go to the title company for closing. Allow an hour for the process, which is as long as it takes to sign and notarize all the documents. And, believe me, there are lots and lots of documents to sign.
Do note that you may not receive the keys to the home until the loan has “funded.”
Funded or funding means that the lender actually sends the funds to the title company for disbursement to the seller, the title company, real estate brokers involved in the transaction, and prorated taxes.
Do note that funding is done by wire transfer. Texas is in the Central time zone. Wire funds work on Eastern time so the funding for our day ends at 4 p.m. (5 p.m. Eastern). If a home does not fund prior to 4 p.m. it will not be completed until the next day — and keys to the new homeowner will be delayed.
A tip The Brent Germany Team gives is to avoid closings on Fridays. Lenders and title companies do not work on the weekends. Funds are not wired on the weekends, either. If there is an issue during closing, it will not be straightened out until Monday at the earliest.
To learn more about how to buy homes for sale in the DFW area, please <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">contact</a> Brent Germany at 214-926-3308 or email us directly at bgermany@kw.com.2017-03-06T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T07:56:33-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2018Things NOT To Do When Selling Your Home<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Things-NOT-To-Do-When-Selling-Your-Frisco-TX-Home.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="Things NOT To Do When Selling Your Home" />
I’m going to get straight to the point: When thinking about what NOT to do when selling your home, this tops the list:
#1
Do not think, in today’s day and age, that you don’t have to change anything in the house prior to selling because it’s better to let the buyer do whatever he or she wants to do to the house. It’s not.
I’m not sure where this belief same from. Maybe it’s a holdover from the pre-cable TV and pre-internet days. But it’s an outdated way of looking at selling one’s home. Let me give you an example.
A couple of years ago <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">The Brent Germany Team</a> had a client with a lovely two-story home — I’ll spare you the details. Suffice to say, there were a few things that needed attention. One: the carpets needed replacement. Two: the shower stall in the master bathroom needed replacement.
The owners thought the housing market was so hot their house had to sell no matter what. They chose to offer a generous allowance for new flooring and the shower stall, which would have allowed the buyers to install much higher quality materials. They reasoned: “It’s better to choose what you want.”
What happened?
Not a thing. People who walked through the house, said they loved its layout and location, but no offers were made because no one wanted to do the work required to replace flooring and a shower stall. One lady told me, “I don’t even want to call a contractor.”
In today’s real estate market, buyers want turnkey properties where they buy, move in, and everything is done. No need to shop for flooring or call a contractor.
After the homeowners took their house off the market, the husband labeled what just happened as the “HGTV Effect”, which is actually kind of fitting. There are so many home-buying shows, home-selling shows, and shows about decorating, DIY, renovation, and real estate that expectations have changed. They want Move-In Ready.
With that thought in mind The Brent Germany Team has assembled a list of things NOT to do when selling your house. In no specific order:
Mistake: Getting Emotionally Involved
Start here because this sets the tone. Selling your home is an emotional experience, which can lead to making poor decisions like the ones noted above. Think like a businessperson, not as a homeowner. Selling a house is a transaction. You need to be calculating, not sentimental.
Mistake: Setting an Unrealistic Price
Another outdated real estate adage is this: Price your home high, come down if you have to. Unless we’re in a housing bubble, overpriced homes do not sell well. Work with your realtor to set the right asking price from the start.
Mistake: Expecting To Get Your Asking Price
Along the same line, expecting to get your asking price is also unrealistic. The Brent Germany Team has worked with a lot of smart buyers who are informed and negotiate well. If you want to complete the sale, you have to play along and expect some give-and-take.
Mistake: Not Preparing Your Home for Sale
This is where I sound like a broken record. Preparing your home is obvious. But people still “under-prepare” houses by not deep cleaning, fixing what needs to be fixed, and trying to cut corners.
Big mistake.
Mistake: Hiding Significant Problems
That said, it’s often time consuming and costly to properly prepare a home for sale, which leads sellers to rationalize, cut corners and, in some instances, hide significant problems hoping they’ll slip by unnoticed.
Another mistake.
Any problem with a house for sale will be uncovered during the buyer’s inspection, so there’s no point to hiding it. Fix the problem ahead of time if you can. If not, come clean and work out some other option with the buyer.
One way to avoid surprises is for the seller to have the house inspected before listing to learn what need to be fixed, repaired, replaced, or improved. That way they can plan how to get everything done time-wise and pay for it.
Mistake: Leaving Gutters Full of Debris
I include smaller items like this to remind people that paying attention to details is important and can help sell a house. Leaving leaves, branches, and nasty debris in the gutters gives the impression that you do not care about the condition of the home or that you have failed to maintain it. Not good.
Mistake: Leave Sprinkler System Broken
Along the same line: fix a broken sprinkler system. As long as the system works and pumps water to all the stations, that’s good. If the sprinkler heads are broken and spitting water onto the street, that’s bad. Again, you don’t want to give the impression that the house is poorly maintained.
Mistake: Leaving Your Personal Paint Colors on the Walls
I’ve talked about this before, but it’s worth repeating. Don’t leave those funky colors on the living room and bedroom walls. Neutral tones like tans and cool grays sell homes, not reds, purples, and pinks. You want to appeal to as many buyers as possible.
Just a side note: You don’t have to repaint using expensive platinum-grade paint. Contractor grade from a quality manufacturer works fine.
Mistake: Leaving Poop in the Backyard
Buyers love backyards and always, always, always spend time in your backyard during a home visit. They envisioning where their grill will go or how they will arrange their outdoor furniture. The last thing you want is for them to walk around the yard . . . and step in dog poop.
Also, look for anything else Fido has torn up . . . ripped window screens, seriously scratched door frames, and holes in the yard. These are simple things to repair.
Mistake: Leaving Toys Scattered Around the House
Buyers will not “look past things” like toys scattered around the house — even if they have kids themselves. An inability to keep kid’s toys neat and put away says something about a homeowner’s care for the house and can hurt the sale of the home.
Remember: Buyers judge the overall appearance of your home, and that includes messes . . . scattered toys, poop in the backyard, soggy leaves in the gutters.
Mistake: Being Stingy on Electricity
This may not seem like much but it is especially relevant in Texas. Nobody wants to come out of the hot summer heat into a lukewarm or even hot house. It makes for an unpleasant first experience and buyers will wonder if the air conditioner needs replacement. They won’t stay long either if it’s uncomfortable.
The Brent Germany Team suggest sellers keep the thermostat at a brisk 70 degrees, maybe even a tad cooler, while the home is listed.
Mistake: Leaving Family Pictures Hanging on the Wall
This is another popular mistake. No matter how cute the kids are and how good looking the family is, buyers will spend more time looking at them than at the house. Remember: People are buying a lifestyle. Don’t distract them. They want to envision their pictures and their stuff in your home.
Mistake: Keeping Worn Furniture
Having worn furniture in the house, even if it’s sentimental, also detracts from the viewing/buying experience. Nobody will think that ragged old chair looks as good as you do. Store it or get rid of it.
Mistake: Hoping Your Roof is OK
The Brent Germany Team recommends having a roofer inspect your current roof to see if there has been any hail damage (which happens a lot in North Texas) or if there is any other wear and tear that could be problematic. If there is, it will show up on the inspection report.
Most roofing companies provide free estimates. If you want a second opinion, have your insurance company send out a professional adjuster. If the repairs are minimal, take care of them when you can. If not, you might be eligible for an insurance claim.
Mistake: Overlooking the Little Things Like Lighting
Another reminder: Pay attention to the little things like broken or burned out light bulbs and dingy lighting. Proper lighting is an important element in successfully staging a home for sale.
Replace lights with new bulbs. Or purchase new lighting. Improved lighting makes a home “pop.”
Mistake: Skimping on Listing Photos
Because of today’s technology, your listing will end up in many more places than it used to — websites, real estate portals, blogs, dedicated real estate sites like zillow.com and trulia.com, and on social media like Facebook and Instagram. Good photos are essential to making your house look fantastic, inviting, and a place people want to visit.
Good photos should be crisp, well lit, intelligently composed and cropped, and tell a story.
Mistake: Making a Bad First Impression
It’s a cliche: You can’t judge a book by its cover. Unfortunately for home sellers, you can judge a house by its cover — the first impression at the curb.
How does your house look to people driving by? Is the grass mowed? Are there weeds in the yard? Is there fresh mulch and seasonal flowers in the beds? Are the bushes, shrubs, and trees trimmed and neat?
Curb appeal matters and it’s the first chance you have to make a good impression, which leads them to call your realtor for an appointment and gets them into the home.
Mistake: Not Accommodating Potential Buyers
I know it’s an inconvenience to have your home up for sale. It always seems like someone wants to view the house at the most inconvenient time and you need to vamoose, all the while making sure the carpets are swept, the dishes are out of the sink, and the kids’ toys are picked up.
As much as possible, don’t make it difficult for people to view your home. Accommodate potential buyers as best you can.
Mistake: Losing a Sale Over Something Silly
When you get to the appointment, home viewing, and offer part of the selling process, don’t lose a sale over something silly. By that I mean minor details or requests. If the buyer wants you to leave the TV mounted on the wall in the living room because he doesn’t want to repair the wall when you move, consider doing it. People ask for all sorts of crazy things — they want to keep the curtains or they like the lamp you bought at an antique store. Unless it’s an heirloom, you can probably find another one — but you may not find a buyer at the price you want.2017-02-22T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T08:00:56-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:201911 Step Home Selling Process<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/11-Step-Home-Selling-Process-Frisco-TX-Real-Estate.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="11 Step Home Selling Process" class="img_box_center" />
Everybody has their process. Designers. Engineers. School teachers. Realtors are no different when it comes to selling a home. There is a process to follow.
The number of steps vary from realtor to realtor, but The Brent Germany Team has found over the years that sellers can generally can expect:
#1A: Finding a Realtor (something to consider)
Ideally this is the starting point.
But, before you find a realtor, I’d like to interject this: If you think you want to sell the house in the near future, don’t wait to find a realtor to get started.
Here’s why: There are plenty of articles on the web — including ones from The Brent Germany Team (<a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/blog/20-steps-take-listing-your-frisco-tx-home-sale/">here</a>) — detailing what homeowners can do to prepare their houses for sale. Preparation is a big step in the selling process and, depending on what needs to be done, may take some time (and money) to complete.
Why not start preparing as soon as you can — even if you don’t have a realtor?
#1B: Finding a Realtor
If preparing your home for sale is not a daunting issue and you don’t need extra time, then plow ahead and find a realtor you are comfortable working with. He or she will certainly advise you on what needs to be done to prepare your home for sale.
Now how to do you find me?
How do you find a realtor you like and can work with?
Most people find a realtor through referrals from friends or neighbors, but you don’t have to take the first one you come across. Take some time to research. Drive around neighborhoods. Who are the agents selling the houses? Look at their websites. Read about them. Give them a call and meet for coffee or lunch.
The first meeting with a realtor can be informal. You want to check out their vibe, so to speak, and talk. Ask questions. See if you like the first impression. Finding a realtor you are comfortable with and can see yourself working closely with is important because you will be talking a lot during the selling process.
#2: Review “Comps” and Starting Thinking Price
If you find a realtor you want to meet, great. Chances are he or she has prepared a CMA (Competitive Market Analysis) for you. This is essential. A CMA gives you a list of similar properties that have sold in your area and at what price.
(If you don’t agree with the comps, you can always pay for an appraisal.) Either way, these give you solid numbers for what home buyers have paid for similar properties — and these numbers determine your home’s market value.
I pull comps, if at all possible, before meeting with clients for the first time because it gives us common ground to start talking about your house, location, and price.
#3: Sign a Listing Agreement
Next on home selling list is signing with a listing agreement, which makes the realtor or team you are considering the official listing agent.
When considering signing a listing agreement, make sure you discuss the following:
How much they charge or the commission rate. This is often negotiable.
The length of the listing period. This can range from three months to six, even a year.
How they plan to market your home.
How you will work with each other along the way.
Once listing agent details are worked out, there is some paperwork to sign and review.
#4: Preparing Your Home for Sale
As I said in #1A above, ideally you’ve been preparing your home for sale before meeting with prospective realtors. The Brent Germany Team has produced an extensive list of critical steps to take before placing your home on the market (find it here). Depending on what needs to be done, preparation may take just a week or two to complete or months.
I cannot overstate how important it is to properly prepare a home for sale. It can be the difference between a quick sale — for your maximum asking price — or a drawn-out or unsuccessful listing.
If this preparation is underway, then it’s time to fine tune and take care of niggling issues.
Also at this time, realtors will advise you on how to stage your home for upcoming appointments. If you don’t have the time to handle this, or it’s too much, there are professional “stagers” who will script each room with accessories, furniture placement, and so on.
#5A: Marketing Your Home
Your home is cleaned and de-cluttered. Repairs have been made. Stuff that needs to be replaced is replaced. The rooms are staged. Now it’s time to have the house photographed from top to bottom, side to side, inside and out.
I tell homeowners this is the way of life now when selling a home: Buyers research houses 24/7 — at home on the sofa on a laptop or on-the-go with smartphones and tablets before they decide to visit. Technology has sped up everything.
Now, you can provide the photos or your agent can take them. These can range in quality from — not very good to serviceable to awesome. It all depends on how much you and your agent know about digital photography or videography.
Consider:
Composition. This includes lighting, angles, framing, time of day, what to highlight, what not to show, and a whole lot more.
Production. This includes editing and cropping images not only for dramatic effect but, on a more practical front, for image size, file size, and upload/download speeds. You don’t want a photo gallery to take forever to load in a browser or smartphone app.
The Brent Germany team recommends not shortchanging your home or hampering your marketing efforts with crummy photography. We provide real estate specialized photography as part of a listing package, including really cool drone videos, if needed.
#5B: Trickle Down Marketing
The Brent Germany Team, like all realtors in the area, use the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as the main database for homes for sale. Once your home gets listed in the MLS, we use our website syndication software to blast your listing out to every website in our MLS market, including different brokers and agents, and also out to the national players like realtor.com, trulia.com, and zillow.com.
While photography, noted above, is important it just feeds the MLS monster. The most important part of real estate marketing is getting the right content into the MLS and make sure it goes where it needs to go —onto real estate company sites, national portals, and curated directories.
In today’s connected digital world, know that MLS is not the only way to market a home for sale. We provide social media marketing as well, including targeted Facebook ads, the use of Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, and blogs — any tool that increase your exposure and “digital footprint.”
And in this age of “high tech” we “low tech” by actually picking up the phone and calling people. We phone the “major players” at other brokerages and offices in the your listing area. We present the listing throughout The Brent Germany Team to reach more than 500 agents who may have buyers.
In a “high tech”/“low tech” example we also utilize software that provides us with contact information for residents in your direct neighborhood and to let them know about the home for sale and invite them to the initial open house. You would be surprised to know how many neighbors want friends and family to move into the area.
The goal is to get your home in front of the most people possible, through the most venues or sites available (on every platform) so people can view your home anytime, anywhere.
#6: Schedule Showings
Now it’s time to start showing your home.
Your agent will begin taking calls and scheduling appointments through a centralized showing service platform. Once you confirm an appointment, everything goes into motion.
An agent for the potential buyer will show up at your home and, most likely, access it by using electronic or punch code lock boxes that are easily installed on the front door. You will not be at home.
Afterwards, The Brent Germany Team is like other realtors. We will get as much feedback from the buyer’s agent as possible, both praiseworthy and constructive. We use this information to determine if there is a need for changes to your home or marketing strategy.
#7: Negotiate Offers and Agree on Terms
If everything goes well your realtor will receive an offer. In a hot housing market, this may be on the same day of the showing. Or you could receive several offers that same day.
In any case, when offers arrive you will get with your realtor to carefully consider all details, including price, how much due diligence and earnest money is being offered, closing date, and so on. Once you agree on terms you will need to formally accept and sign the offer.
#8: Accepting a Final Offer
In a perfect world, buyers and sellers agree to terms quickly and the process continues without interruption. Often times, however, there’s a bit of negotiation to be done.
Negotiations come for any number of reasons — the buyer wants the seller to replace aging air conditioners or wants the homeowners to leave behind a wall-mounted TV in the family room.
In a negotiation you are rejecting the initial offer and proposing a new one based on comments received, like (for example): No, you will not replace the air conditioners. OK, you’ll leave behind the giant wall-mounted TV. Here’s the new offer.
Once you and your realtor agree on terms, an official offer will need to be drawn up for both parties to sign. Once signed you are Under Contract.
#9: The Due Diligence Period
Being Under Contract is great, but the transition is not complete. The buyer will arrange for inspections, work to secure financing, and have their lender order an appraisal to determine how much they will lend.
Attorneys will examine the title and all other paperwork.
This is a time for patience.
#10: Final Walk Through
Once due diligence has passed the next-to-last step of the process is conducting a walk through. This is often done the day before closing. The buyer will go through your home to make sure all the agreed-upon repairs from inspections were made, no damage has been done to the home in the moving-out process, and to have one last look before the big day.
#11: Closing
At closing you will be signing all paperwork via a closing attorney, usually at his or her office and in a different room or at another time than the buyers.
Once all the paperwork is signed, the attorney will arrange to have the new deed recorded. It’s official. You’ve sold your home.
2017-02-21T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T08:04:54-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:20207 Reasons Listing with a Realtor Beats FSBO<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/7-Reasons-Listing-with-a-Frisco-TX-Realtor-Beats-FSBO.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="7 Reasons Listing with a Realtor Beats FSBO" class="img_box_center" />
With all the resources available on the internet and the real estate smartphone apps for on-the-go access, I understand why people would want to be their own realtors. For Sale by Owner — or FSBO — is easier than ever. Or is it?
Not surprisingly, <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">Brent Germany Team</a> members are hearing that homeowners who are considering selling their houses are looking at FSBO not to just save the commission fees but because “it looks so easy” with all of the real estate apps and resources available these days.
Whenever people ask me about FSBOs, I like to “peel away the onion” with them and look deeper at the relationship between realtors and FSBOs. There are so many more benefits working with a realtor and greater risk when going the FSBO route.
#1: Realtors Usually Sell Homes Faster than FSBOS
There are many reasons for this, but I’m only going to look at a few.
Experience: Many realtors have years of experience working with homeowners and homebuyers. We know our way around the entire process — selling, buying, marketing, pricing, inspections, appraisals, negotiation. We are nimble, can react quickly, and know how to get to information, people, and solutions much quicker than FSBOers because we’ve been there, done that.
Resources: The Brent Germany Team has better access to real estate resources than most FSBOers. Not only that, we know the ins and outs of using specific tools, what the data we dig up means, and how to use what we find. Again, this allows us to sell homes faster than most FSBOers, who are slowed by not knowing how to use the resources or, in some cases, even what they are.
Network Hounds: Another element to selling homes faster than FSBOers is that realtors, by our very nature, are network hounds. We’ve been building our own unique networks of real estate professionals and support from the day we received our licenses. What is the reach of the FSBOer?
#2: Realtors Sell Homes for More Money than FBSOers
I’m going to be honest here. This is a highly contentious point within the real estate industry. Some studies contend that FSBO can sell a home for at least 13 percent more than a realtor.
In some cases, maybe that’s true, especially when you consider that saving commission fees adds to the “profit.” But this is not the norm, especially when you consider the style of home you are selling — is it a $500,000 two-story-with-a-pool-and-three-car-garage home or an $85,000 single-story-two-bedroom home in a remote part of town?
I want sellers to understand good agents go beyond placing a home on the market using the basic MLS platform, which many FSBOers do. The Brent Germany Team is a team that not only lists your home but works 24/7 to market it.
As I said earlier, top realtors have spent years networking with other brokers and that means they can get your home in front of more people faster through their networks alone. Some studies even show that more than 50 percent of home sales are cooperative, meaning the buyer is brought in by another real estate professional — often as a result of networking.
Here is one other thing to think about: real estate professional means more than just realtors. The Brent Germany Team works with photographers and videographers to create high quality images and high definition videos for our web sites or for use elsewhere. These are super important today. You must have great photos and maybe even video walk throughs. We also work with social media experts who know Facebook and Instagram and real estate sites such as Trulia.com, Zillow.com, realtor.com. FSBOers are usually left on their own to take the pictures, edit them, and upload to various sites, which can be pretty time consuming.
#3: Realtors Provide Best Practice Opinions
Yeah, realtors can be an opinionated, heady group of professionals — and this is what you want. We give people unbiased opinions and tell them what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t work when it’s time to sell their homes. These opinions are best practices learned over years of working closely with buyers and sellers. Again, FSBOs are left on their own — or to conduct internet searches — to figure it all out.
#4: Realtors Save Time
I’ve met very few homeowners who don’t want to sell their homes:
A. As fast as possible
B. For the most money possible
The Brent Germany Team has found most people underestimate the time it takes to prepare, market, show, and negotiate a deal. Think of it this way:
Can you answer your phone 24/7 when your home is listed?
Can you leave work to show the house with an hour’s notice?
Do you have the time to answer the same questions over and over?
Do you have the time to respond quickly to emails and texts because today’s communication is immediate?
Do you have the time to take pictures or videos of the house and its amenities?
Do you have time to edit the pictures and videos and upload them to all the web and social media sites you have to use?
#5: Realtors Don’t Waste Your Time
Here is another thing to consider. The Brent Germany Team will not show your home to just anybody. Realtors know how to weed out serious buyers from those who are window shopping.
We recommend, as do many other realtors, that you become pre-qualified for a mortgage to ensure that you can meet the seller’s asking price. From a seller’s point of view, anybody who requests an appointment to see your home is “vetted” and interested.
FSBOers are hard-pressed to know if a buyer is legitimate or not. He or she may have no intention of buying your home and may want to look inside for all kinds of reasons — from seeing how you’ve staged it (they might be selling a house themselves) to “casing the joint” to discover what kind of electronics and prescription medications are inside. It happens.
#6: Realtors are a Buffer
One thing I learned quickly after become a real estate agent: never hover. If I represent a seller, I don’t stalk people walking through the home. I’m aware and present to answer questions, if need be. I give people their space. The same applies to representing a buyer: I’m with them, I can answer questions, but I stay out of the way.
FSBOers are in an awkward position. They can’t just leave their home unattended. They need to be available to answer questions, at least. But studies have shown that buyers don’t like to be “watched” and prefer to wander through a home unencumbered so they are comfortable can say what they want to say. If the seller is with them, studies have shown that buyers will not honestly communicate their true feelings.
#7: Realtors Stand With Their Clients
When it comes time to get serious, home sellers are not left on their own like FSBOers. Realtors negotiate a great number of things for clients without them having to be present like:
Price
Repairs
Contingencies
Timelines
Dealing with unexpected issues like appliances that are not fixtures in the home, or mounted TVs, or outdoor furniture.
The End
Technology certainly has made it “easier” to sell one’s home by owner rather than engaging a realtor. But just because you have convenient tools doesn’t mean that you have the know-how to do it, especially by yourself. Working with a realtor you’re never alone.2017-02-20T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T08:08:11-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:202120 Steps to Take Before Listing Your Home for Sale<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/20-Steps-to-Take-Before-Listing-Your-Frisco-TX-Home-for-Sale.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="20 Steps to Take Before Listing Your Home for Sale" class="img_box_center" />
I talk with people every day who want to sell their homes. And always, without fail, I’m asked what they need to do before putting their house on the market.
It’s a great question because, for the most part, they just want to sell the house and don’t realize how much more work it will be than buying one.
In order to help people understand this, the Brent Germany real estate team collected what it considers critical steps to take before listing a home for sale.
Sale Preparation
#1: Find a Realtor
Before climbing too far down the rabbit hole of making repairs and spending money, find a realtor who has:
A demonstrable record selling homes not only in Dallas but in the area of the listing. He or she will know the ins and outs of the location and what buyers are looking for.
A support team of other realtors and real estate professionals. This is important because you want a realtor who has access to resources that will give you a competitive edge to sell your home as quickly and for as much money as possible, which is everybody’s goal.
An easy-going personality. This is important because, as I’ve said, selling a home is a lot of work and can be exhausting — physically and emotionally. You want to be comfortable working with the realtor you choose because you’ll be working closely for as long as it takes to prepare and sell your home.
#2: Set the Right Price
This is critical and a reason why you want to work with a realtor in the first place.
Why? A lot of people tell the Brent Germany team they expect their home will list as high as it can to start because “we can always come down” in price.
Sometimes this strategy works. Sometimes it backfires. It can fail because buyers may stay away, thinking the price is too high. Right or wrong, they may assume you are not really serious about selling or you’re unwilling to negotiate. This approach actually can be a recipe for a slower sale.
Also, setting the price more in line with the average sales price in the neighborhood can actually draw out multiple buyers creating a bidding war for your home.
Cleaning
Nobody disputes the need to clean their house before putting it on the market, but how they go about it varies greatly.
Here’s a trick the Brent Germany Team uses. We tell sellers to put themselves in the shoes of somebody walking through their house. What do you see? What stands out? What bugs you? Then ask yourself, “Is the house ready for prime time?” Be honest. If you are too close to your stuff or decorating style, ask a friend or neighbor to help.
This is important to remember: A clean house gives the impression that the property has been well maintained, cared for and easy to move into.
#3: Clean Every Surface
Yes, this is obvious. But I want you to think about places you don’t consider a “surface” like the inside of the fireplace or the top and sides of ceiling fan blades, where dust and dirt collects. Don’t just wipe down the appliances; polish them to a shine. Wash the windows. And so on. Take your magnets off your refrigerator, hide your coffee pots and toothbrushes. Less is more.
#4: Hire a Professional Cleaning Service
If this cleaning is too much or you don’t have enough time, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to do a “deep clean.” It’s money well spent.
#5: Don’t Forget the Odors
Ever notice how a neighbor’s house smells when you walk into it? Well, your home probably has a unique smell, too, but you’re used to it and don’t notice.
Your realtor, or a friend or neighbor, can help with this. Find any “smells” that may detract from selling your home. These can be something as simple as:
Making sure all the garage is out of the house
Making sure the garbage in the cans outside is not smelling up the place
Making sure the cat litter box (if you have a cat) is clean with fresh litter and out of sight
Making sure the back yard is free of dog poop (if you have a dog) because not everybody looking to buy a house likes animals
Organization
Next to a clean home, perhaps the next most important step to take before listing your home is organizing it.
#6: Remove Personal Decorations
Some sellers I tell this to are insulted. What’s wrong with a few family photos?
Remember: There will be all kinds of people walking through your home. You want to appeal to as many types as you can. To do this create a neutral environment by removing items that reflect your personal choices and lifestyle.
These include pictures of the family, any religious, political, or professional artifacts, even your choice of alcoholic beverage. The Brent Germany Team has found that buyers have a hard time emotionally attaching themselves to a home when a seller’s lifestyle choices are in their face.
#7: Clear the Clutter
You want buyers focusing on how awesome your home is, not on how messy it looks. Put away or get rid of anything that detracts from a potential buyer’s attention.
#8: Keep the Decor Simple
Help buyers imagine their stuff in your space. Get rid of art or other decor that may turn off people with different tastes. A classic landscape painting is probably fine. But <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kiss_(Klimt)" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Kiss</a>? Maybe not.
#9: Get Rid of Bulky Furniture
I’m not an interior decorator, but when selling a house it’s best that the furniture should fit the scale of the room. Put into storage or get rid of oversized or extra items, especially if they interrupt the traffic flow through the home.
#10: Organize Closets
Storage space is a huge selling point. Everybody who walks through a home will open closets and look inside in every room. If the closets are stuffed and wildly disorganized, buyers may think there is not enough storage for their stuff.
I recommend investing in boxes, dividers, and anything that will make your stuff more organized.
#11: Organize the Garage
What is true inside the house applies to the garage, which collect overflow items to the point people cannot park their cars. Do your best to clear the clutter out of the garage so buyers can envision their stuff inside or parking their cars.
#12: Get a Storage Unit
This facilitates organization because you have a place to move stuff you want to keep but don’t need while your house is up for sale. The Brent Germany Team has many clients arrange for portable storage units; they fill them up on their own schedule and, when full, they are taken away and out of sight.
Remember: Vacant houses, or nearly vacant houses, show much better than ones stuff with personal items, extra furniture, and clutter.
Repairs or Replacement
This is the most difficult category for home sellers to consider because they don’t know what repairs to make first and where they should spend their repair budgets.
#13: Hire a Home Inspector
Based on experience, your realtor will help prioritize repairs or replacements. Another good source is to hire a home inspector before the buyer does.
The home-buying process loosely usually goes like this: People walk through your house, like what they see, and have their realtor make a bid on their behalf. You accept or reject. If you accept, a sales contract is executed and the buyer will hire an inspector to the home from top to bottom, inside-out. Issues will come up — from minor repairs to major replacements — and these could ultimately impact the sale of your house.
The Brent Germany Team encourages sellers to beat buyers to the punch by paying for an inspection up front. That way you will learn about issues and can prioritize repair or replacement before they become a problem.
#14: Replace Outdated Fixtures
It’s an easy, not terribly expensive fix that may have a big impact. If you have brass door handles or brass chandeliers, for example, replace them. They make your home look dated. If you have dingy or cracked light switch and electrical covers, replace them. They look sloppy.
#15: Shampoo and/or Replace Carpets
Carpets show more damage — dirt, stains and smells — than almost any other part of the home. A house with worn, dirty carpets is much, much, much harder to sell for top dollar.
And here is something that the Brent Germany Team has noticed lately: Buyers increasingly are influenced by home and makeover shows on HGTV (among others) and don’t want to mess with repairs like replacing carpets. They want a home “move in ready.”
#16: Don’t Touch-up but Re-Paint
A generalization: There are two types of homeowners — those who like bold-colored walls and those who don’t. If you like purple, red, or lime green walls and want to sell your home quickly, repaint with neutral colors like tans, grays, or off-whites.
Don’t take it personally. As I’ve said, you want to appeal to as many types of people as possible and having neutral walls is a good way to do it.
If you’ve recently painted the inside of your home, look for places where you can touch up nail holes, cover up hand prints from the kids, get rid of furniture scuff marks.
Don’t forget about the outside of the house, either. Paint exposed wood, facia boards, trim, even mailbox posts, fences, or sheds.
#17: Freshen Up Landscaping
This is not a repair, but it requires spending money to “fix” or “improve” your home prior to selling. Some realtors consider landscaping your “biggest bang for the buck,” and I agree.
The fastest way to freshen landscaping is by adding new mulch. Plant colorful, seasonal flowers to improve that ever important “curb appeal.” And don’t forget to trim overgrown plants, trees, bushes.
Attention to Detail
Lastly, here are a few other things to consider when selling your home:
#18: Give Each Room a Purpose
The spare room that is the office, guest room, or “dumping ground” won’t help sell the house unless you show buyers how they can use it themselves. Pick a use like guest room or office and stage it that way.
#19: “Lived In” Vignettes
Along the same line of thinking, help buyers see themselves in your home by adding deliberate “lived in” vignettes that showcase how a room or an area can be used. The living room as a relaxing conversation area. Add a tray with a coffee cup and a book next to an oversized chair in a large spare room becomes a reading nook. You get the idea.
#20: Remove Evidence of Pets and/or Kids
It sounds cruel, but your home will sell quicker and for top dollar when you appear to every possible buyer — and that includes those without pets or kids.
If your home smells like animals . . . If your home is cluttered with toys everywhere . . . you may lose a buyer or two or three. Statistically, pet odors and homes ravaged by kids are two of the most common reasons homes stay on the market for long periods of time.
The End
We at the <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">Brent Germany Team</a> hope that these steps won’t intimidate you when selling your home but rather prepares you for some of the work ahead. After all, our goals are the same: to sell your house as quickly as possible and for top dollar.
2017-02-17T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T08:10:29-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2022What Does Having a Realtor Represent You Really Mean?<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/What-Does-Having-a-Frisco-TX-Realtor-Represent-You-Really-Mean.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="What Does Having a Realtor Represent You Really Mean?" class="img_box_center" />
I get this question a lot: What does a realtor do? It depends, I say, if you are selling a house or buying one. If you are selling we do this, this, and this. If you are buying, we do that, that, and that.
The common thread that runs through a realtor’s life is his or her relationship with you, the buyer or seller. We represent you when it comes to real estate transactions and it’s something we at <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/dallas-area-realtors/">The Brent Germany Team</a> take very, very seriously.
But what does “represent” mean? How does it differ from what a realtor does?
I’m focusing on representation because these are overarching traits and characteristics that I want you aware of. These are things that make great real estate agents.
So here goes.
#1: A Good Realtor Listens and Understands
I am your advocate. By that I mean that, yes, of course, I listen to your needs, wants, and goals. I walk in your shoes. But I also walk in mine. The thing is I walk with you, side by side, through the entire process — a process that is intimidating for most people.
Every client is different, just like every home is. Some people want to list their house “as is.” Others need advice on how to stage or what repairs to make. Still others may have special requirements like the company they work for is moving the family ASAP.
When buyers tell me their circumstances, often times I have to dig deeper to understand what they’re really telling me. Someone once said that’s understanding “unexpressed needs” because they don’t express something because they’re unaware of it themselves.
Here’s an example: A wife wants to move and thinks everything is good to go but the husband seems wary, although he supports this wife.
It turns out the husband thinks A, B, and C need to be fixed first and D, E, and F need to be replaced before the house can go on the market. The wife said all along the layout is great, it’s a hot real estate market, so the house will sell. The husband isn’t so sure. In the end, the realtor sided with the wife but the husband ultimately was correct because the house didn’t sell.
When realtors represent you, they are your advocates. And that means standing up for what will achieve your goal of selling a house quickly and for the most money.
#2: A Good Realtor Anticipates
By this I mean, The Brent Germany Team uses its knowledge and skills not only in real estate but in dealing with people and understanding human behavior.
We try to predict problems ahead of time and take care of them so they don’t impact you.
We try to simplify the process of buying a new home by anticipating your needs, the market, your competition, how people and other realtors will react when they walk into your home.
Most of our work is behind the scenes. You’ll never see us researching, coordinating, communicating, and planning — but you will see or hear the results when we meet or talk.
We also “shield” you from any internal drama and believe me there can be a lot of drama in real estate — inspections, taut negotiations, mortgage and title issues, disagreements. This does not mean we keep information from you. Rather, we as your your representatives are a calm, steadying hand focused on a successful sale.
#3: A Good Realtor Safeguards
Being represented by a realtor means that your overall interests are protected. Here’s an example that happens a lot:
A couple tells me they have a certain price range, but they get swept up in the euphoria of looking at homes — it can be a lot of fun dreaming — and they start edging up to higher priced homes to the point they’re out of their comfort zone. I could encourage you to buy that more expensive house — it’s more commission of me — but ultimately it may not be best option for you in the end. Good, caring realtors keep their clients focused.
Another way realtors represent you is offering a peace-of-mind safeguard. A lot of personal information is required in real estate transactions. We protect your information, only communicating details to third parties that you want known.
Another reassurance is that we are there to step in if problems or conflicts arise and quick resolution is needed.
#4: A Good Realtor is Knowledgeable
This translates to not only being smart but being quick on our feet, being resourceful, and being one or two or five steps ahead of everybody else.
The Brent Germany Team sells homes throughout the Dallas area. We not only know about comps and prices, but we are aware of the shifts and trends in real estate throughout the Dallas area, the region, and the country.
We interpret statistics and bring context and analysis to you so it’s easier to understand what’s going on and why. You want any advantage you can get when selling a home or making an offer to buy one.
Representing is also about steering — not to the best or worst school districts or the areas with the best crime statistics, for example. That’s actually a no-no as the <a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/fair-housing-act-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Federal Fair Housing Act</a> prohibits realtors from “steering” clients to or away from specifics using criteria like schools and crime stats. But I can direct you to solutions and answers using The Brent Germany Team’s extensive network of industry professionals, creatives, builders, contractors, and anybody else who can help with the sale or purchase of a home.
#5: A Good Realtor is Your Intermediary
I don’t think many of my clients even realize this, but a part of representing you — that walking with you side by side throughout the entire process — is I am your mediator.
I am your buffer. You can sit back and relax or go to work and not worry what’s going on behind the scene. Let me and The Brent Germany Team deal with the stress of scheduling, delivering information, negotiating bids, haggling, and dealing.
We are also your prognosticators. Based on years of collective experience, The Brent Germany Team knows how scenarios develop based on your unique circumstances. We prepare you for whatever may arise and help predict how other parties may respond to your bids or requests.
The End
In the end, representation by a realtor is more than following a step-by-step process or ticking off boxes on a todo list. Representation means having the traits and characteristics to successfully guide you through a transaction so you can meet your goals quickly, cost effectively, and with minimal hassle.2017-02-16T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T08:14:03-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2023Frisco Real Estate | Navigating a Hot Housing Market<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Frisco-real-estate-Navigating-a-Hot-Housing-Market.jpg" width="1200" height="779" alt="Frisco Real Estate Navigating a Hot Housing Market" class="img_box_center" />
Navigating a Hot Housing Market
To say that the Dallas-Fort Worth housing market is hot is an understatement. It’s standing-on-the-surface-of-the-sun hot. Over the past five years, DFW housing prices have risen an astounding 43.3 percent.
In this post we look at navigating a hot housing market, particularly for people searching for homes for sale in Frisco, TX or trying to understand the Frisco real estate market, not to mention understand what’s going on in surrounding communities.
But first, let’s look at the numbers and why the DFW market, including Frisco real estate, is so crazy hot.
DFW Real Estate Numbers
As one area real estate analyst has said, “It is stunning to see this kind of growth.” The 43.3 percent growth in North Texas home prices has never happened before.
Another milestone to note: North Texas preowned home sales topped 100,000 (101,529 actually) for the first time ever in 2016.
The gains occurred even with home prices rising to record highs. The median price of homes sold in the DFW area in December reached $232,000 — up 10 percent from 2015. Median sales prices are more than 50 percent ahead of where they were during the most recent recession.
The years of escalating home prices is a reason why North Texas wasn't ranked in the Top 10 of U.S. Metropolitan areas to watch in Realtor.com's 2017 Housing Forecast. Instead, the region ranked No. 48 out of 100 with home prices expected to increase 4.13 percent and sales growth at 5.09 percent into 2017.
With such strong housing demand in the DFW area, analysts are not looking for a cool down anytime soon, which in and of itself could cause problems.
DFW is a market where home-cost increases are getting too far ahead of income and other economic factors. It’s the biggest concern for the area housing market in 2017.
Another issue is that the pace of growth is also outstretching the infrastructure in Dallas and surrounding communities — a consideration for people looking for houses for sale in Frisco, TX and sifting through Frisco real estate. Frisco used to be a sleepy bedroom suburb but is now chockablock full of development and its aftereffects.
The Dallas area is falling out of the ranks of being an affordable growth market, which makes navigating a hot housing market even more important — and potentially perilous.
Navigating a Hot Housing Market
One of the first things for people looking for homes for sale in Frisco, TX and evaluating Frisco real estate is to determine if, in fact, the area and surrounding communities in Dallas-Fort Worth are considered a “hot housing market.” The numbers above certainly say so.
The easiest rule of thumb to figure out whether a housing market is hot is to look at months of unsold inventory currently on the market. Generally speaking, an inventory level of four to six months is considered balanced between buyers and sellers. Less than that is considered a seller’s market; more than that favors buyers.
Once determined the market is hot, consider whether it’s “overheated.” <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">Real estate experts</a> use a lot of criteria to understand this. One home buyer-friendly method is using Zillow’s “breakeven horizon,” which calculates how long you need to live in a home to make it less expensive than renting based on the costs of buying and renting and historical appreciation.
If you’re looking for a new home in Frisco, TX or evaluating the Frisco real estate market — and it’s certainly as hot there as it is through the rest of the Dallas-Fort Worth area — here are some tips to consider:
• Figure out the most you can afford and bid accordingly.
• Get pre-approved for a mortgage, which is not the same thing as pre-qualification. Pre-approval from a lender is a strong indicator of your ability to obtain financing for that home you love in Frisco. Without that assurance, sellers may discard your bid.
• Get a good real estate agent, someone who knows the area and market and who will work diligently. You want someone who hears about listings as soon as (or before) they hit the market. A good agent also knows how to make your offer stand out. Agents have a track record of winning more than half of their offers.
• Window shop and get the “lay of the land” to see what’s available before you get serious. Scan favorite real estate websites. Check out a listing on a real estate app while you and your spouse are driving around a neighborhood. Tour open houses. Get the feel of the game about to be played. But don’t fall in love at first sight.
• Get a pre-inspection once you find a house in Frisco you like or even form an idea of Frisco real estate you want to take a closer look at. A full inspection or even a cursory evaluation can reveal problems that would steer you away from buying or, at a minimum, impact your offer price and negotiation strategy. In a hot market, the seller is unlikely to agree to fix minor problems.
• Consider waiving mortgage contingencies. In hot markets sellers often discard offers that are contingent on the buyer’s ability to obtain financing or having to sell their home first. Just be careful. Buyers run the risk of losing a deposit or earnest money if they waive a contingency and their financing falls through. Work closely with an agent. Maybe even a lawyer.
• Decide ahead of time where you can compromise. Paint, finishes, architectural styles, appliances are all important, but are they your deal-breakers? These are easily changeable, updatable, fixable, but it’s hard to change a floor plan or location. If you don’t mind living on a busy street or with a smaller lot, you could get a great deal you otherwise would not be able to afford.
• Offer a quick closing. Some sellers are in a hurry. Find out what the standard closing time is and see if you can put in an offer that would close more quickly. It could be the tiebreaker you need. Sellers might even accept a slightly lower offer to get the deal one quickly.
• Cash is king. If you can swing it, make a cash offer.
• Be patient. The typical homebuyer in 2015 searched for 10 weeks and looked at 10 homes, according to the <a href="https://www.nar.realtor" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Association of Realtors</a>. In a hot market, a buyer might make 10 offers before winning one. Be open to extending the search into the fall or winter, where there is less competition.
While in a hot market, it may look like the sellers are setting the bar, but in reality it’s the buyers who are doing the bar-setting. Buyers are more educated, mobile, and prepared and are not afraid to push back against sellers.2017-01-24T08:00:00-07:002017-04-12T06:20:14-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2024Frisco Real Estate | Grand Park<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Frisco-real-estate-Grand-Park.jpg" width="1200" height="770" alt="Frisco Real Estate Grand Park" class="img_box_center" />
Grand Park and the Canals at Grand Park
Anybody looking for homes for sale in Frisco, TX will undoubtably come across three developments of note — The Canals at Grand Park, Grand Park, and Park West (Frisco Parks and Rec Master Plan). What makes these worth considering over other Frisco real estate options?
The temptation is to say “planning,” but there are many master planned communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to choose from. A better choice is “diversity.” Not economic or ethnic diversity. This is more “diversity of thought” that separates The Canals at Grand Park, Grand Park, and Park West from other developments and gives families looking for new homes in Frisco or evaluating Frisco real estate differentiating options to consider.
Basic Overview
<a href="http://www.thecanals.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Canals at Grand Park</a>, Park West, and Grand Park are all in various stages of development, with Grand Park having been delayed while Frisco received a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit for Stewart Creek.
Grand Park
<a href="http://www.ci.frisco.tx.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/Grand-Park-38" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grand Park</a> is a future 350-acre centerpiece park with a festival green area, a children’s play area, and a retail and office component west of the lake.
The Canals at Grand Park
The Canals at Grand Park is a 152-acre diverse development with 16.2 acres of open space. Part of its diversity includes the type of housing included in the development. Of the 1,974 units total there are:
• Manor homes: 43 (from the $550s, 2,500 - 4,800 Sq. Ft., builder: Drees Homes)
• Estate homes: 73 (from the $600’s, 4,000 - 5,500+ Sq. Ft., builder: Southgate Homes)
• Town homes: 235 (from the $300s, 1,700-2,500 Sq. Ft., builder: CB Jeni Homes)
• Flats (see below): 949
• Village homes (see below): 84
• Senior living (see below): 495
Park West
Park West is 34 acres with 435 units total, including 115 single-family homes and 320 apartment units. The development also includes restaurant space with patios backing to a large water feet — about 30,000 square feet.
Together, the projects are designed around open space and water features and are attractive to families searching for new homes in Frisco, TX or contemplating Frisco real estate because of the diversity of housing types: multifamily apartments, flats, town homes, small and large single-family homes, and senior living.
During the planning phase, developers came up with the idea of incorporating housing for multiple generations in one development, which they believed was lacking in Frisco.
Larger homes on larger lots are aimed at families, while smaller town homes may appeal to empty nesters, young adults without children, and seniors.
The senior living component, <a href="http://www.watermerefrisco.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Watermere at Frisco</a>, is attractive to families searching homes for sale in Frisco, TX and examining Frisco real estate options because a multigenerational community makes it much easier to keep relatives close by, if needed.
In essence, no matter what stages of life a family finds itself in, there is a diversity of <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">housing options</a> to choose from in a single, planned community that’s integrated with appropriately-designed amenities.
Architectural Styles
Diversity also means a dizzying array of architectural styles. The Canals at Grand Park is not intended to look “cookie cutter,” which is often the case of many new home developments in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Families looking for homes for sale in Frisco, TX and sizing up Frisco real estate options can choose from:
• Victorian Revival: influenced by the Gothic Revival, Folk Victorian, Stick and Queen Anne Victorian homes in the Texas Hill Country; features steeply pitched roofs, elegant gables and wrap-around porches with ornamental railings.
• European Romantic: begins with Medieval Renaissance architecture and a bit of Tudor styling (16th and 17th centuries); features steeply pitched gables, arched doorways, intricate patterns of brick and stone, and multi-paned windows.
• French Eclectic: is just that — a home with a fanciful French accent, including symmetrical and asymmetrical forms, steeply sloped hipped roofs, flared eaves, multi-paned windows, and Juliette “balconettes.”
• Classical Revival: is a study of Classical Greek and Roman structures with elegant columns, pediments, symmetry, proportion and composition and represent simplicity, dignity, monumentality and purity of design.
• Craftsman: early 20th Century homes from the arts and crafts movement that celebrate clean lines, natural materials, balanced composition and inviting front porches.
• Prairie Style: uniquely American architectural style (think Frank Lloyd Wright) with strong horizontal lines, low-pitched roofs, wide overhanging eaves and open and airy floor plans.
• Texana Farmhouse: blends the simplicity of Folk Victorian and the sensibility of east Texas and Louisiana vernacular home; features steeply pitched gables, Texas limestone and clean lines.
• Mediterranean: reflects the relaxed lifestyle found in villas along the coasts of Italy, Spain, and France, with red tiled roofs, courtyards, archways, columns and large great rooms.
• Gulf Coastal: is a mix of cultural influences, including Spanish, French, Dutch and Caribbean with gables, shutters, spacious open floor plans and porches.
• Modern: has elements of modernist 1900s architecture and a splash of 21st century smart design with clean lines, open concepts and simple design.
• Ecodwell: utilize natural materials, glass elements and design to bring nature into the home with expansive views, environmentally responsive building, open floor plans, and sustainable and green features that elevate the modern approach.
Urban Living
The developments also offer a variety of town homes and flats for the true urban living experience, which is increasingly popular among young professionals looking at new homes in Frisco, TX or checking into Frisco’s varied real estate options.
The Kathryn offers studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and town home floor plans, including vaulted ceilings, modern lighting and comfortable up-to-date layouts. Select the space that fits one’s lifestyle.
Features that may be attractive to young professionals and small families looking at homes for sale in Frisco, TX and evaluating Frisco real estate include an overwhelming sense of community throughout the development. Community and entertainment features and amenities include:
• Relaxing library
• Communal coffee bar and lounge
• Conference Room
• Bike and pedestrian friendly community
• Electric car charging stations
• Access to Founders Hall community center
• Dine-in gourmet islands
Senior Living
Frisco, being the vibrant up-and-coming city it is, is attracting not only families from all over Texas and the U.S. but also phenomenal development beginning in the early 2000s (Frisco schools, Frisco Superdrome, Frisco Sports Complex, Dr Pepper Ballpark, Dr Pepper StarCenter, Toyota Stadium, Stonebriar Centre) to today’s $5 Billion Mile mega developments (The Star in Frisco, The Gate, Wade Park, and Frisco Station).
With development comes people looking to buy new homes in Frisco, TX or evaluating Frisco real estate options to see what works best for their families, which increasingly includes not just mom and dad and the kids but also an aging relative or two.
This is where The Watermere at Frisco Retirement Living comes into play. The Watermere allows families to pursue senior living on their terms — mom and dad and the kids live in a major or estate home, grandma and grandpa live in a senior community that offers everything from social opportunities to specialized assisted care, memory care, and senior health and rehabilitation services. These are readily available, but residents only pay for what they want and use, not for availability.
Mobility
Lastly, diversity in The Canals at Grand Park, Park West, and Grand Park is also defined by “mobility.” The communities are designed with:
• An interconnected street grid network that disperses traffic and ease walking
• A grid network that makes it easy and safe to walk between goods and services
• Walkable communities expand transportation options by making pedestrian activity actually possible (Texas cities are not known for their walk-friendly environments)
• Streetscapes are designed to better serve not only pedestrians but runners, bicyclists, transit riders
These include pedestrian-scaled lighting, well-marked crossings, protection from the elements, direct connections to destinations in a relatively compact area, facilities with benches, attractive places to gather or rest such as plazas and visually interesting elements to enjoy along the way.2017-01-17T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T08:22:53-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2025Frisco Real Estate | Winter Listings<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/Frisco-TX-real-estate-winter-listings.jpg" width="1200" height="649" alt="Frisco Real Estate Winter Listings" class="img_box_center" />
Pros and Cons to Winter Home Listings
There are many pros and cons to winter home listings. Take the plusses and minuses and rip ‘em up because everything is changing.
Recent studies have shown that real estate does not hibernate from December 21 through March 20 — better known as winter — because house hunters are smarter, more informed, and better equipped to do business 24/7, 365, not just during spring and summer when conventional wisdom says it’s the best time to buy and sell homes.
In fact, in strong local housing markets such as Dallas-Fort Worth, the likelihood of selling a home within 180 days is highest when listed during the winter months compared with another season.
<a href="https://www.redfin.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Redfin</a>, a real estate website, conducted a two-year study and found that February is “the best month to list, with an average of 66 percent of the homes listed selling within 90 days.” Redfin researchers found that in 19 major markets, including cold-weather cities, “home sellers were better off listing their homes in the winter than during any other season.”
Winter, surprisingly, can be an advantageous time to list, shop, negotiate, and buy homes. Go figure. In this post we look at a few pros and cons of winter home listings with an eye on what’s influencing rear-round real estate activity.
It starts with technology.
Technology’s Influence
Say you’re looking at homes for sale in Frisco, TX or evaluating Frisco real estate options. In the not-so-distant past:
• You would drive around Frisco neighborhoods looking for homes for sale, jot down an address and agent’s phone number from the For Sale sign, and give him or her a call.
• Chances are you see fewer homes for sale in the winter because, until recently, that’s the way it has always been done. Families buy houses and want to move in the spring and summer with as little disruption to the kids’ school schedule as possible.
• You would scour the Homes for Sale ads in the local newspaper and, again, probably find fewer home listings to check out in the winter than in the summer.
• You would enlist the help of a real estate agent to do the legwork. The broker may have a harder time finding the perfect home because, well, there are fewer active listings to choose from as people are waiting to list in the spring and summer.
Nowadays, the scenario goes something like this:
• You are in a Frisco neighborhood you like or you come upon a house in Frisco that catches your attention. It does not matter what time of year it is because the house is listed and you have immediate access to information about it — the neighborhood, school district, pretty much anything you need to know.
• You check the listing from your car parked down the street using a smart phone or tablet connected to the internet. A mobile web browser or one of the dozens of sophisticated real estate apps return as much information about the home as a real estate agent has using the MLS listings.
• Maybe you’re out of the area or out of state and your company is relocating to Frisco. You’re at home searching the internet for homes for sale in Frisco, TX or you’re getting the lay of the land for Frisco real estate by searching Google. Again, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is. If you need to find a home in December, January, or February, the information is readily available. Google doesn’t have office hours. Google doesn't care if it's 20 degrees outside or a pleasant 80.
• In fact, technology facilitates the entire process. If you are curious about comparative prices for similar homes in Frisco, done. There it is. If you want to see what the house looks like in the summer, done. Technology provides photo galleries, clickable floor plans, and video clips. There are apps to check credit scores and connect to lenders to see if you qualify for home loans and, if so, for how much.
Technology doesn’t mean you can do without a <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">knowledgeable real estate agent</a> when looking for houses for sale in Frisco, TX or in investigating Frisco real estate. A trusted agent is just as valuable now as he or she was before the advent of realtor.com or the Trulia or Zillow apps.
It just means that houses that are priced right and prepared properly for show (best bet: work with that real estate agent to hit these milestones) and the house will sell any time of year because people are at homes year-round. In fact, studies have shown that shoppers active during the winter months are “serious buyers” and are “window shopping” less than they do in the spring and summer.
Here is a look at some of the top pros and cons for winter home listings.
Pros
Inventory.
Some sellers pull their unsold homes off the market in the winter hoping for better results in the spring, which reduces the inventory of active listings. Yet studies are showing that those houses on the market in January and February are actually ahead of the pack come April (see next). This is especially true for people looking at homes for sale in Frisco, TX and evaluating Frisco real estate because, unlike northern cities, North Texas winters are, overall, relatively mild and conducive for buying and selling homes.
Jump Start.
The Redfin study showed that February is a good month for sales — 66 percent of homes listed in the second month sell within 90 days. Since the official spring selling season does not start until after March 20, this statistic indicates an early start can put sellers ahead of the pack in terms of home views and offers made.
Less Competition.
Real estate studies note that inventory and competition is 36 percent lighter during the winter. Studies also show there is a 24.2 percent increase in demand in the colder months, partly due to the fact that people are looking at houses, home prices, and the real estate market year-round thanks to Google, Trulia, Zillow, and others.
Interest Rates.
Another advantage to listing houses in the winter is mortgage interest rates are said to often increase by at least two percent as the year progresses.
Convenience.
Working people often take more time off during the holiday — the week of Thanksgiving, the week before or in between Christmas and New Year — and spend more time looking at houses for sale.
Breathing Room.
The cold weather is not as much of an issue for people looking at homes for sale in Frisco, TX or investigating Frisco real estate as it is for families living “up north.” Even so, it can get biter cold in North Texas and that may slow interest in a property. This gives people “breathing room” or more time to check with a lender, to look at other homes for sale in the area, and to make a more informed decision without the pressure of a bidding war from other interested parties.
Year-round Process.
Relocation is actually a year-round process with January being the biggest month for relocation. People need to find homes and they are using technology to facilitate no matter the temperature outside.
Smoother Transactions.
While the start of the winter is often chaotic, it settles down after the New Year. It’s the quiet before the storm, so to speak. Real estate transactions tend to run more smoothly in the winter when realtors, lenders, and title companies are not as busy.
In theory, a deal for a new home in Frisco, TX or a Frisco real estate purchase will have more of their attention than it would in the spring and summer when everybody is scrambling. With fewer active listings, agents have more time to dedicate to marketing properties, conducting open houses, and spending more money on print, online, or direct mail advertising.
Curb Appeal.
Curb appeal is everything, no matter the time of year. Winter offers different opportunities to showcase one’s home as long as it's appropriately prepared. Seasonal lights and decorations tend to shift focus away from the lack of lush green lawns and blossoming flowers. Fireplaces, blankets on couches, and fragrant mulling spices create a warm, welcoming environment.
Cons
Of course, winter listings are not without issue.
The Holidays.
Selling a home during winter months can be a hassle. It's challenging to keep a house perfectly ready for an open house when there are holiday parties, get-together, gift exchanges, and family visits from November through New Years.
People are focused on the holidays, they tend to spend more money during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years and are reluctant to spend more.
The Elements.
The elements can hinder winter house listings. The cold is not a huge problem for families looking for homes for sale in Frisco, TX or investigating Frisco real estate, but it still gets cold and overcast, even icy and rainy at times, in North Texas and that may slow or disrupt activities. Also, winter is NOT the time for large scale remodels of any kind, which may be needed to update a home and prepare it for sale.
Shorter Days.
Without Daylight Savings, winter days are shorter and people have less time to look for new homes in Frisco, TX or search Frisco real estate offerings in person because it gets dark earlier.
Price Impact.
Listing a home in the winter can impact a home’s price. In non-housing markets, more inventory means lower prices; less inventory means higher prices. But the housing market is different: In the summer, when more homes are listed, the prices are the highest; in the winter, when there is less inventory, the prices are often lower.
There is a perception, rightly or wrongly, that a home for sale in the winter means the seller is desperate to sell and the buyer may lowball or try to negotiate a much lower price. Sellers may have to reduce asking prices.
Possible Delays.
Business often slows around the holidays, and house listings are not immune as people take time off and offices are closed early. It's possible deals cannot be completed before the end of the year or are delayed until after New Year.
Less Curb Appeal.
Let’s face it, homes often look bleak during the winter — cold, less colorful, less attractive from the street. This works against selling a home but, with the proper amount of planning and execution, this negative can be overcome.
In Summary
It's often believed that winter home listings are not a good idea, but that's outdated thinking. Real estate is 24/7, 365 and it doesn't matter if it's cold or hot outside, as long as the home is appropriately prepared and staged for the season and priced right.2017-01-10T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T08:25:57-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2026Homes for Sale in Frisco, TX<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/homes-for-sale-Frisco-TX.jpg" width="1200" height="800" alt="Homes for Sale in Frisco TX" class="img_box_center" />
Frisco’s Real Estate Boom and The $5 Billion Mile
Anybody looking for homes for sale in Frisco, TX or simply evaluating Frisco real estate even 10 years ago will be amazed by what’s happened to this no-longer-sleepy bedroom community.
Just 15 years ago Frisco’s population was roughly 33,000. Frisco was a small town that hardly anybody paid attention to while driving in and around far north Dallas communities of Plano, Richardson, McKinney, Allen, and others to the west.
Now, that once-sleepy nondescript town of Frisco has grown by more than 300 percent to nearly 160,000 people and is a major attraction for families looking for <a href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/contact/">new homes in Frisco</a> and companies investing in Frisco real estate.
The latest lure and draw for people looking for houses for sale in Frisco and businesses investigating Frisco real estate opportunities is the city’s $5 Billion Mile.
Perhaps unlike any other one-mile stretch anywhere in the United States, Frisco has attracted more than $5 billion in capital investment, either under construction or announced, within a one-mile stretch of road along the Dallas North Tollway from Warren Parkway North to Lebanon Road.
This is a real estate boom unseen in at least a generation. In fact, the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region is so hot that PricewaterhouseCoopers and <a href="http://uli.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ULI</a> put DFW at the top of the “Top 20 Markets to Watch” in their 2016 Emerging Trends in RealEstate report.
What’s attractive to developers and investors, corporations, businesses, small businesses and people examining homes for sale in Frisco, TX are yields to investors, the area’s general economic strength from occupancies and job growth as well as continued cultural, educational improvements, and infrastructure improvements like new tollways and expansion of the light rail system.
How did Frisco — that farming and railroad community named after the St. Louis, San Francisco Railroad — get to the $5 Billion Mile mark?
Quick View at Frisco Real Estate
Frisco’s first Master Plan was adopted in 1982 and has been continually updated. Part of that plan was to build Frisco into a bedroom community as a way to draw corporations down the road.
This commitment to building a stellar bedroom community, attracting people looking for new homes and curious about Frisco real estate opportunities, really began to kick in in the late 1990s and development followed.
Here are several draws that attract families looking for houses for sale in Frisco:
• Schools. The Frisco Independent School District has played a huge role in attracting families to Far North Dallas. The small school model adopted by the school district has made the city a preferred location for families looking at Frisco real estate. In fact, a tax increment financing plan (Zone No. 1) started in 1997 as a partnership between The City of Frisco, Collin County, the Frisco ISD, and the Collin County Community College District has helped build the following:
• Frisco Superdrome — a 100,000 square foot, $4 million specially-designed 250-meter outdoor wood bicycle racing track that’s a part of the United States Olympic training centers and open to the public (during specified hours).
• Frisco Sports Complex (Warren Sports Complex) — a 105.5-acre parks and recreation development near Eldorado Parkway and North Central Road that features baseball/softball, basketball, bike trails, football field, sand volleyball, soccer fields, tennis courts, walking trails, a stocked fishing pond, as well as concession facilities, picnic areas and a pavilion, BBQ grilling.
• Dr Pepper Ballpark — home to the Frisco RoughRiders, the Class AA minor league baseball team of Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers, who happen to make their home down the road (State Highway 121) in Arlington, TX.
• Dr Pepper StarCenter — the headquarters and practice facility for the National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars and North Texas’ premier youth hockey facility and ice arena.
• Toyota Stadium (formerly Pizza Hut Park and Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Complex) — now houses Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas franchise, Frisco ISD football, and other sporting events.
Obviously these and two premier retail shopping centers — Stonebriar Centre and IKEA — are big attractions for families looking at new homes for sale in Frisco, TX or evaluating Frisco real estate and fit into the Frisco big picture, which now includes the $5 Billion Mile.
The $5 Billion Mile
The impact of the $5 Billion Mile investment and development is staggering, not only for families looking for homes for sale in Frisco, TX but also businesses wanting to relocate and small businesses seeking to support the bigger fish.
Here is a quick look at the developments that make up the $5 Billion Mile:
The Star in Frisco
The flagship development, The Star in Frisco, naturally gets the most attention because, well, it’s the development spearheaded by Jerry Jones, owner of the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys who, for years, has been investing in Frisco real estate for both residential and commercial interests.
Imagine searching homes for sale in Frisco or examining Frisco real estate and knowing that around-the-corner neighbors are the Dallas Cowboys, still America’s Team. A few quick facts about The Star:
• Cost: $1 billion
• Size: 91-acres (five acres serve as the Cowboys Word Headquarters and are privately developed)
• Multi-use indoor stadium (Ford Center) with 12,000 seats (Cowboys practice facility also available to the Frisco ISD as another football stadium)
• Coming to The Star: Cowboys Fit, Fans United, Dee Lincoln Prime, Next Step Dance, among others
Frisco Station
Perhaps not as sexy as having the NFL’s Cowboys in the neighborhood is the Frisco Station, a massive development of office, medical, retail, restaurant, and hospitality space.
• Cost: $1.7 billion
• Size: 242 acres developed by Rudman Partnership, Hillwood Properties, and VanTrust Real Estate. Includes:
• Office space: 6 million square feet
• Medical office: 990,000 square feet of medical office
• Retail: 200,000 square feet of retail
• Restaurants: 75,000 square feet of restaurants
• Hotel: 200 rooms
• Residential: 2,400 multifamily units
The Gate
Interestingly, The Gate’s developers — Invest Group Overseas (a Dubai-based group making its first investments in the United States) — were the first to actually announce developing in Frisco. It’s now under construction (info).
Cost: $700 million
Size: 41-acres
Luxury condo buildings: two 10-story
Office space: four million square feet
Boutique hotel rooms: 250
Multi-family units: 2,400
Single family units: 73
Retail space: 122,000 SF
Restaurants: 75,000 SF
Medical offices: 415,000 SF
Wade Park
Last but certainly not least is Wade Park, a massive $2 billion mixed-use development by Thomas Land Development that’s on the southeast corner of the Dallas North Tollway and Lebanon Road.
Cost: $2 billion
Size: 175 acres
Announced anchors: Whole Foods, iPic Theater, Pinstripes, Hotel ZaZa.
Retail: 600,000 square feet
Office: 6,000,000 square feet
Hotels: 500 + rooms
Residential: 1,300 units
Landham Hotel Tower, another luxury hotel (set to open in early 2018), includes 25 floors of luxury hotel rooms, 25,000 square feet of meeting space, a rooftop pool desk, and 10 floors of residential homes.
$5 Billion Mile Adds Up To
The collection of development projects, if built as announced, will bring the following to Frisco:
• 12.1 million square feet of high-end office space
• 1.32 million square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space
• 490,000 square feet of medical office space 820 hotel rooms within multiple hotels 3,700 apartment homes
• Two, 10-story luxury condo towers or villas
• A 12,000-seat indoor multi-use facility at the Dallas Cowboys headquarters
This once sleepy bedroom community is now wide awake and attracting lots of attention — from families looking at new homes or homes for sale in Frisco to large and small companies evaluating Frisco real estate options for relocation or expansion.
Hard to believe the city is only 71 square miles — with 60 percent under development.2017-01-03T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T08:29:23-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2028Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 6400 LaSalle Ln. McKinney, TX 75070<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/6400-LaSalle-Ln-McKinney-TX-75070.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 6400 LaSalle Ln. McKinney, TX 75070" class="img_box_center" />
Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX
6400 LaSalle Ln.
McKinney, TX 75070
When looking at homes for sale in McKinney, TX or evaluating McKinney real estate, there are, obviously, thousands of things to consider. Let’s look at specifics for 6400 LaSalle Ln., a part of the Live Oak Village.
6400 LaSalle Ln. is in the heart of McKinney and, by being so close to W. Eldorado Parkway (a major east-west thoroughfare through the city), the residence is not only close to some of the “big things” McKinney has to offer like Stonebridge Ranch Country Club but also the “everyday” parks, schools, and businesses that people looking for houses for sale in McKinney or investigating McKinney real estate are interested in.
Here’s a brief “walk around” the immediate area for 6400 LaSalle Ln., including:
• Serenity Park, a 16.7-acre neighborhood park that has one first-come-first-serve picnic shelter, a barrier-free play structure, hike and bike trail, two baseball/softball backstops, a pond with a fishing pier, and open space for soccer or football practice.
• The park is also next to Wolford Elementary and Evans Middle Schools, although 6400 LaSalle Ln. is served by Dowell Middle School. The high school is McKinney. Nonetheless, Wolford, Evans, Dowell, and McKinney are all part of the McKinney Independent School District that has 26 of 27 campuses ranked “exemplary” or recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
• Other schools of interest in the area, which may be of interest to people looking at homes for sale in McKinney or looking into McKinney real estate are Merryhill Preschool and Wonderland Montessori Academy. Merryhill has been a part of the local community since 2008 and is fully accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Wonderland includes AMI/AMS (Association Montessori International/American Montessori Society) certified teachers.
• Further south are a couple of similar schools: The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development and a second montessori — Heartland Academy.
• Once school is done for the day, Texas Best Gymnastics is close by for those extra curricular activities, including gymnastics, tumbling, preschool and after school programs.
• Just across Eldorado Parkway is the Tom Allen Jr. Park, McKinney City-Gabe Nesbitt, McKinney Skate Park, McKinney Tennis Center, the John and Judy Gay Public Library, all contained in the Gabe Nesbitt Community Park.
• Always convenient to have nearby is Market Street, a specialty grocery store, and a neighborhood Irish pub, in this case DeLaney’s.
To give people looking at homes for sale in McKinney or evaluating McKinney luxury real estate, here’s some context and perspective about the area and things to do in McKinney:
McKinney Facts
• McKinney was named the #1 Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine in 2014 for cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000. Money editors and writers examine data about employment, schools, crime and safety, houses for sale in McKinney and real estate diversity, and overall quality of life when determining the rankings.
• McKinney ranked No. 14, then No. 5, and No. 2 in the every-other-year rankings before assuming the No. 1 position, so McKinney’s growth has certainly taken off in the past decade and has caught the interest of people outside the area looking for new homes in McKinney.
• As far as homes for sale in McKinney and McKinney’s overall real estate picture, the city ranked in the Best Cities for Homeownership in 2014, according to NerdWallet.
McKinney’s Population Growth
Residents don’t often realize that there are more than 7 million people living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which includes McKinney’s 161,000 (2016 estimate), making it the largest metroplex in the south and the seventh biggest in the U.S.
McKinney’s growth has exploded over the past 20 years.
• 1990 census: total population was 21,283 (15,302 18 years old and above)
• 2000 census: total population was 54,369 (37,542 18 years old and above)
• 2010 census: total population was 131,117 (89,211 18 years old and above)
• Population estimate as of January 1, 2016 is 161,905.
• Weather Facts
• The average temperature is: 65.7 degrees F.
• The annual average high temperature is: 96 degrees.
• The annual average low temperature is: 33 degrees.
• The annual average precipitation is 33.2 inches.
• The annual average snowfall is 2.7 inches.
Health Facts
• Total hospital beds in McKinney: 403.
• Total medical doctors in McKinney: 1,320.
• Hospitals: Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, Medical Center of McKinney, Methodist McKinney Hospital.
Recreation Facts
• Parks: 42
• Area Lakes: 1
• Country Clubs: 3
• Health Centers: 3
• Public Golf Courses: 3
• (Non-movie) Theaters: 1
• Tennis Courts: 13
• Bed & Breakfasts: 4
• Hotel & Motel Rooms: 1,086
• Libraries: 3
Education Facts
• Elementary Schools: 20 (11,544 enrollment)
• Middle/Jr. High School: 5 (5,738)
• High School: 3 (7,414)
• Alternative Schools: 3 (73)
• Private Schools: 4 (1,207)
• Collin College: 52,000
• Vocational Programs and State Industrial Job Training available.
McKinney’s History
• The area now called Collin County was settled by pioneers offered free land by colonizers like William S. Peters, who was hired by the state of Texas to introduce settlers into the area.
• Collin County was named for Collin McKinney who was a pioneer and land surveyor who helped draft and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico in 1836.
• Once the Houston and Texas Central Railroad was built in 1872, commerce moved in and out of McKinney to grow the city, including cotton (The Texas Cotton Mill Company was a major manufacturer of denim, the fabric of choice by many Texans). Other crops included corn, wheat, and oats.
• The original Collin County Courthouse is now the centerpiece in the development of the Downtown McKinney Commercial Historic District and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It now is known as the McKinney Performing Arts Center at the Historic Collin County Courthouse.
Other McKinney Home: <a title="Homes for Sale McKinney, TX" href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/blog/homes-sale-mckinney-tx-6300-avalon-woods-dr-mckinney-tx-75070/">Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 6300 Avalon Woods Dr. McKinney, TX 75070</a>2016-12-30T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T13:49:28-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2029Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 6300 Avalon Woods Dr. McKinney, TX 75070<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/6300-Avalon-Woods-Dr-McKinney-TX-75070.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 6300 Avalon Woods Dr. McKinney, TX 75070" class="img_box_center" />
Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX
6300 Avalon Woods Dr.
McKinney, TX 75070
When looking at homes for sale in McKinney, TX or evaluating McKinney real estate, there are, obviously, thousands of things to consider. Let’s look at specifics for 6300 Avalon Woods Dr., a part of the Kings Lake in Stonebridge Ranch mega subdivision.
6300 Avalon Woods Dr. is definitely characterized as luxury real estate in McKinney and will catch the eye of any family looking at homes for sale in McKinney. It, literally, is in the heart of McKinney luxury real estate.
Where to start? Just outside the front door is:
• WB Finney Park, a small 13.3-acre park that’s neighborhoody and next to Glen Oaks Elementary. It has a first-come-first-serve picnic shelter with electric, two play structures, swings, two baseball/softball backstops, hike and bike trails, and two open turn areas for soccer.
• Glen Oaks, Dowell Middle School, and McKinney Boyd are a part of the McKinney Independent School District that has 26 of 27 campuses ranked “exemplary” or recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
• Also within walking distance is Stonebridge Lake and Wildwood Lake. Lake Normandy (such a big name for a small lake) and Lake Crescent are on the grounds of the expansive, lush Stonebridge Country Club.
• Stonebridge Country Club, a Club Corp. property that features two distinctive clubhouses and award-winning golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and more. Avid Golfer magazine noted that Stonebridge Country Club is a Best Country Club/Mid-Priced category and a Best Value, which will certainly attract the attention of people looking at McKinney, TX homes for sale and evaluating luxury real estate in McKinney.
• To the west of Stonebridge is another unique, i.e., different, golf facility is the WestRidge Golf Course, a place that promotes “Where Fun Happens” more so than the more serious, fancy country club experience.
• South of 6300 Avalon Woods Dr., pretty much at the other end of the expansive Stonebridge Country Club property, is the Tom Allen Jr. Park, McKinney City-Gabe Nesbitt, McKinney Skate Park, McKinney Tennis Center, the John and Judy Gay Public Library, all contained in the Gabe Nesbitt Community Park.
• In between the Stonebridge clubhouses is the Adratica Women’s Health facility.
• Also in the area is the Methodist McKinney Hospital, a joint venture partnership between local physicians, the Methodist Health System, and NeuHealth, a management partner for comprehensive healthcare and regulatory services.
That’s just in the immediate area. This entire area of luxury homes in McKinney is one of THE most up-and-coming areas in the entire DFW metroplex, fueled in part by Highway 121 and the Sam Rayburn Parkway.
To give people looking at homes for sale in McKinney or evaluating McKinney luxury real estate, here’s some context and perspective about the area and things to do in McKinney:
McKinney Facts
• McKinney was named the #1 Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine in 2014 for cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000. Money editors and writers examine data about employment, schools, crime and safety, houses for sale in McKinney and real estate diversity, and overall quality of life when determining the rankings.
• McKinney ranked No. 14, then No. 5, and No. 2 in the every-other-year rankings before assuming the No. 1 position, so McKinney’s growth has certainly taken off in the past decade and has caught the interest of people outside the area looking for new homes in McKinney.
• As far as homes for sale in McKinney and McKinney’s overall real estate picture, the city ranked in the Best Cities for Homeownership in 2014, according to NerdWallet.
McKinney’s Population Growth
Residents don’t often realize that there are more than 7 million people living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which includes McKinney’s 161,000 (2016 estimate), making it the largest metroplex in the south and the seventh biggest in the U.S.
McKinney’s growth has exploded over the past 20 years.
• 1990 census: total population was 21,283 (15,302 18 years old and above)
• 2000 census: total population was 54,369 (37,542 18 years old and above)
• 2010 census: total population was 131,117 (89,211 18 years old and above)
• Population estimate as of January 1, 2016 is 161,905.
How does McKinney compare with neighboring communities Plano, Allen, and Frisco?
McKinney has shown steady, consistent growth — not meteoric like Frisco, but not slowing, either. McKinney’s population increased 155 percent from 1990 to 2010 and 141 percent from 2000 to 2010.
The neighboring communities:
• Plano (and Richardson) are two of the oldest, most population dense suburbs just north and east of Dallas. Plano boasted 128,713 residents in 1990, to 220,030 (72 percent increase) in 2010, to 259,841 in 2010 (17 percent increase). (Plano was the ninth largest incorporated place in Texas in 2010.)
• Allen, just north of Plano, boasted 18,309 in 1990, to 43,554 (137 percent increase) in 2000, to 84,246 (93 percent increase but down from the previous census) in 2010.
• Frisco, directly north of downtown Dallas and just slightly west of Plano, Allen, and McKinney, is by far the fastest-growing northern suburb of Dallas, with 6,141 residents in 1990, to 22,714 (449 percent increase) in 2000, to 116,989 (247 percent increase) in 2010.
Things to Do in McKinney
Main Street
Ah, Main Street. Every city has got one. McKinney’s Main Street is its Historic Downtown District, which serves as the retail, dining, entertainment, and business destination. Attractions include:
• Chestnut Square Historic Park: It brings history to life with Living History Days, a Farmers’ Market, Prairie Adventure Camps, an annual Ice Cream Crank Off, a Ghost Walk, and Holiday Home Tour. It’s a popular destination for couples getting married.
• McKinney Performing Arts Center: This used to be the old Collin County Courthouse, now renovated so residents, visitors, and guests considering buying a home for sale in McKinney or looking into McKinney real estate can enjoy plays, musicals, concerts, comedy acts, and other performing arts.
• Heard-Craig Center for the Arts: Heard-Craig is a now-historic home built in 1900, which still contains original furnishings, art collections, and Heard family memorabilia. It, too, is a favorite place for wedding receptions, small performances, and quarterly teas.
Annual Events
With a Main Street and a Historic Downtown Area come annual events, and McKinney offers residents, visitors, and those looking for new homes in McKinney or are evaluating McKinney real estate options plenty of things participate in, including:
Krewe of Barkus Dog Parade (Sunday before Mardi Gras): It’s a parade, costume contest, and more, modeled after the Mystic Krewe of Barkus in New Orleans, establishes to help abused and abandoned canines.
Arts in Bloom (second Saturday in April): More than 150 local and regional artists showcase their art in store fronts throughout downtown, representing every mix and medium.
Bike the Bricks (Friday of Memorial Day weekend): Neighboring communities have bicycle “rallies” but few feature hard core competition. Bike the Bricks is a closed course bike race through downtown that includes interval races and a $25,000 purse. Oh, yeah, there’s a lot of food and drink, too, for those who cheer from the sidelines.
Second Saturdays (monthly): There is a famous, epic flea market called First Monday, far, far east of Dallas and McKinney. Playing off the idea of a monthly event but much, much closer to home is Second Saturdays — an evening when residents, visitors, and those considering McKinney real estate gather to enjoy art music, and culture downtown.
Oktoberfest (last weekend in September): Who doesn’t like a good Oktoberfest? Certainly folks in the DFW area. McKinney is no different as it offers German food, drink, music, costumes, dancing, and activities. Yeah, and the beer is pretty amazing.
Scare on the Square (Halloween): It started small but has grown to hundreds of trick-or-treaters meandering, safely, from shop to shop downtown collecting candy and sweets in costume.
Home for the Holidays . . . a McKinney Christmas: Forget the crowded shopping malls at the holiday. Start off Thanksgiving weekend with horse drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, and then shopping more than 100 boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, bookstores, and apparel and gift stores for that perfect gift.
Other McKinney Home: <a title="Homes for Sale McKinney, TX" href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/blog/homes-sale-mckinney-tx-421-twin-knoll-dr-mckinney-tx-75071/">Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 421 Twin Knoll Dr. McKinney, TX 75071</a>2016-12-28T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T13:51:49-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2030Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 421 Twin Knoll Dr. McKinney, TX 75071<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/421-Twin-Knoll-Dr-McKinney-TX-75071.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 421 Twin Knoll Dr. McKinney, TX 75071" class="img_box_center" />
Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX
421 Twin Knoll Dr.
McKinney, TX 75071
When looking at homes for sale in McKinney, TX or when evaluating McKinney real estate, there are, obviously, thousands of things to consider. Let’s look at specifics for 421 Twin Knoll Dr., part of the Trinity Heights subdivision.
421 Twin Knoll Dr. is located just east of U.S. 75 (North Central Expressway), a major north-south thoroughfare from downtown Dallas.
One thing attractive about homes in McKinney, TX is that they’re in a great location — just out of reach from the congestion and hustle and bustle of the nation’s ninth largest city and third biggest in Texas. The 13-county Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex boasts nearly 7 million people, making it the seventh largest metro area in the country (source).
And yet, there is McKinney, on the northeast edge, still close enough to Dallas and a freeway ride away from Arlington (home of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers), the DFW Airport, and Fort Worth itself. Being on the “outskirts,” people looking for houses for sale in McKinney will notice something many of the other communities don’t have:
Space. Nature. Greenery. A slightly less chaotic lifestyle. This is what defines 421 Twin Knoll Dr.
A few specifics:
• Just down N. McDonald Street to the south is the Oak Hollow Golf Course and North Park, one of the 48 parks and sports complexes that makes McKinney “Unique by Nature” (more on this below). North Park itself is 15 acres with a playground, two lighted softball/baseball fields, and home to the Juanita Maxfield Aquatic Center.
• The Maxfield Aquatic Center features an outdoor seasonal pool, floating amenities, diving board, swim lessons, pubic swim, family swim, and deep water exercise classes. Maxfield. Not all the houses for sale in McKinney have built-in swimming pools, so living down the road from an aquatic center in the hot Texas summer is the next best thing — maybe even better when once considers not having to maintain the pool.
• Another park that’s close to 421 Twin Knoll Dr. is Erwin Park, home to one of the best mountain bike trails in North Texas and a favorite of the Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association. Erwin Park is 212 acres of rolling hills, open spaces, greenery, and a few wicked drops for those interesting in mountain bikes. It includes seven miles of bike trails, three picnic pavilions, restrooms, campfire sites, and playgrounds. And one never knows when an emu will jog by. Seriously.
• Naomi Press Elementary School is just to the northwest of 421 Twin Knoll Dr., near yet another park — Inspiration Park. Johnson is the middle school and McKinney North the high school. Together, Press, Johnson, and McKinney North are part of the McKinney Independent School District that has 26 of 27 campuses ranked “exemplary” or recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
• 421 Twin Knoll Dr. isn’t far from many governmental buildings and operations, including the Texas Department of Driver License (never a fun place to go not so bad when close by), the Collin County Sheriff’s Department, the 30th District Court, the Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector office (where one can conveniently renew car tags in person), and the North Texas Job Corps.
• Another nearby place of interest — for those looking for homes for sale in McKinney who happen to enjoy a craft beer — is the Franconia Brewing Company, specializing in true Bavarian brew.
Back to “Unique by Nature”
What does this motto “Unique by Nature” mean? Why should it matter to anybody looking for homes for sale in McKinney or evaluating real estate in McKinney?
To set the stage, a few facts about McKinney itself:
• McKinney was named the #1 Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine in 2014 for cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000. Money editors and writers examine data about employment, schools, crime and safety, houses for sale in McKinney and real estate diversity, and overall quality of life when determining the rankings.
• McKinney ranked No. 14, then No. 5, and No. 2 in the every-other-year rankings before assuming the No. 1 position, so McKinney’s growth has certainly taken off in the past decades and has caught interest of people outside the area looking for new homes in McKinney.
• As far as homes for sale in McKinney and McKinney real estate, the city ranked in the Best Cities for Homeownership in 2014 according to NerdWallet.
Weather Facts
• The average temperature is: 65.7 degrees F.
• The annual average high temperature is: 96 degrees.
• The annual average low temperature is: 33 degrees.
• The annual average precipitation is 33.2 inches.
• The annual average snowfall is 2.7 inches.
Health Facts
• Total hospital beds in McKinney: 403.
• Total medical doctors in McKinney: 1,320.
• Hospitals: Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, Medical Center of McKinney, Methodist McKinney Hospital.
Recreation Facts
• Parks: 42
• Area Lakes: 1
• Country Clubs: 3
• Health Centers: 3
• Public Golf Courses: 3
• (Non-movie) Theaters: 1
• Tennis Courts: 13
• Bed & Breakfasts: 4
• Hotel & Motel Rooms: 1,086
• Libraries: 3
Education Facts
• Elementary Schools: 20 (11,544 enrollment)
• Middle/Jr. High School: 5 (5,738)
• High School: 3 (7,414)
• Alternative Schools: 3 (73)
• Private Schools: 4 (1,207)
• Collin College: 52,000
• Vocational Programs and State Industrial Job Training available.
Now, “Unique by Nature.”
Unique by Nature Separates McKinney
While McKinney is just 30 miles north of Dallas, further than Plano, Allen, and Frisco, the city is more picturesque and just beyond the metropolitan sprawl that has overtaken Plano, Allen, and Frisco like kudzu.
In fact, McKinney rebranded itself with the motto “Unique by Nature” to address McKinney’s natural assets — the rolling hills, parks, streams, and lakes are much more abundant than in places like Plano, Allen, and Frisco.
Figuring into that uniqueness — and of interest to people looking at homes for sale and real estate in McKinney — is the city’s housing diversity — from Victorian homes, to “starter” homes, and “Texas-style five bedrooms.”
“Unique by Nature” also refers to McKinney’s cultural diversity, beginning with farming and cotton and textile production to today’s most modern of industries — technology and medical.
Nearly every “bedroom community” in the Dallas-Fort Worth area makes similar claims of being “true Texas” in today’s modern day Texas landscape, but few communities can back up such claims like McKinney with its natural assets and lineage to the Texas Declaration of Independence.
So, when considering a home such as 421 Twin Knoll Dr. — being so close to a country club and two outdoor havens like North Park and Erwin Park — “Unique by Nature” truly comes into play for those looking at homes for sale in McKinney and evaluating McKinney real estate options.
Other McKinney Home: <a title="Homes for Sale McKinney, TX" href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/blog/homes-sale-mckinney-tx-5132-evergreen-dr-mckinney-tx-75070/">Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 5132 Evergreen Dr. McKinney, TX 75070</a>2016-12-26T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T13:54:09-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2031Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 5132 Evergreen Dr. McKinney, TX 75070<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/5132-Evergreen-Dr-McKinney-TX-75070.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 5132 Evergreen Dr. McKinney, TX 75070" class="img_box_center" />
Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX
5132 Evergreen Dr.
McKinney, TX 75070
When looking at homes for sale in McKinney, TX or evaluating McKinney real estate, there are, obviously, thousands of things to consider. Let’s look at specifics for 5132 Evergreen Dr., a part of the Eldorado Heights subdivision.
5132 Evergreen Dr. sits in a fertile area of McKinney — near the junction of U.S. 75 (North Central Expressway) and Highway 121, or the Sam Rayburn Parkway, a convenient east-west thoroughfare that’s THE freeway of Far North Dallas. It connects McKinney, Allen, Frisco, and Plano residents with Lewisville, Flower Mound, Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, Colleyville, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Heck, follow this yellow brick road all the way to Arlington to watch the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers play.
A few things that characterize 5132 Evergreen Dr. is:
• Starting close to home, Winniford Park is a 16-acre, quaint neighborhood park that has a first-come-first serve picnic shelter, a barrier-free play structure, a multi-purpose court, two-and-a-half-acre ponds with fishing, hike and bike trails, and an open turf for athletics.
• Just to the north is E.A. Randles Park, a 30-acre neighborhood park at Johnson Elementary. It, too, has a first-come-first serve picnic shelter, a barrier-free play structure, swings, a baseball/softball backstop on on athletic field, multi-purpose courts, open turf areas for soccer, and a hike and bike trail.
• Johnson Elementary, Evans Middle School, and McKinney High School a part of the McKinney Independent School District that has 26 of 27 campuses ranked “exemplary” or recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
5132 Evergreen Dr. is also right smack in the middle of many luxury homes for sale in McKinney and with location comes amenities, including:
• To the north is the Stonebridge Country Club, a Club Corp. property that features two distinctive clubhouses and award-winning golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and more. Avid Golfer magazine noted that Stonebridge Country Club is a Best Country Club/Mid-Priced category and a Best Value, which will certainly attract the attention of people looking at McKinney, TX homes for sale and evaluating luxury real estate in McKinney.
• To the north east is the Eldorado Country Club, which features a luscious, sprawling 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, fitness club, and dining.
• Just around the corner from Eldorado is the Towne Lake Recreation Area, a 108-acre park that is across from McKinney High School. Town Lake features two picnic shelters with electrical outlets, two sand volleyball courts, nine horseshoe pitches, two barrier-free play structures, a fishing pier, paddle boats and dock, a 1.2 mile hike and bike trail. Oh, yeah, there’s a 22-acre lake with two fountains and an 18-hole disk golf course.
• If this isn’t enough, next to Towne Lake is the Wilson Creek Softball and Baseball Complex, which features six fields, bullpens, dugouts, restrooms, screens, and is open year-round.
• A bit further down the road is the Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex — and youth soccer is a big deal in North Texas. Parents looking for houses for sale in McKinney and investigating McKinney real estate with kids who play soccer are often surprised to find a 96-acres complex with five lit regulation-size soccer fields and fields for lacrosse, cricket and football. The complex also features a hike and bike trail, concession stands, restrooms, picnic shelters, a spa (water) pad to keep the little kids amused, an amphitheater, and wheelchair accessibility.
• A bit further away to the south and west is the infamous Tournament Players Club at Craig Ranch, a premier Texas private club “built for the pros, played by you.” Craig Ranch features 233 acres of countryside within a gated wellness and lifestyle community. Opened in 2004, the TPC at Craig Ranch has been named one of the 10 best golf courses in Texas by Golf Digest (2011) and is one of only two courses in the DFW area certified as an Audubon Cooperative System. Oh, yeah, the par-72, 7,438-yard course was designed by golfing legend Tom Weiskopf.
• While technically not in McKinney, but just south of 5132 Evergreen Dr. are the Allen Premium Outlets, a popular outlet mall that features everything from Coach, to Michael Kors, to Nike and Under Armour.
To give people looking at homes for sale in McKinney or evaluating McKinney real estate, here’s some context and perspective about the area:
McKinney Facts and Figures
• McKinney was named the #1 Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine in 2014 for cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000. Money editors and writers examine data about employment, schools, crime and safety, houses for sale in McKinney and real estate diversity, and overall quality of life when determining the rankings.
• McKinney ranked No. 14, then No. 5, and No. 2 in the every-other-year rankings before assuming the No. 1 position, so McKinney’s growth has certainly taken off in the past decade and has caught the interest of people outside the area looking for new homes in McKinney.
• As far as homes for sale in McKinney and McKinney’s overall real estate picture, the city ranked in the Best Cities for Homeownership in 2014, according to NerdWallet.
McKinney’s Population Growth
McKinney’s growth has exploded over the past 20 years.
• 1990 census: total population was 21,283 (15,302 18 years old and above)
• 2000 census: total population was 54,369 (37,542 18 years old and above)
• 2010 census: total population was 131,117 (89,211 18 years old and above)
• Population estimate as of January 1, 2016 is 161,905.
Area Facts
• • Weather Facts
• The average temperature is: 65.7 degrees F.
• The annual average high temperature is: 96 degrees.
• The annual average low temperature is: 33 degrees.
• The annual average precipitation is 33.2 inches.
• The annual average snowfall is 2.7 inches.
Health Facts
• Total hospital beds in McKinney: 403.
• Total medical doctors in McKinney: 1,320.
• Hospitals: Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, Medical Center of McKinney, Methodist McKinney Hospital.
Recreation Facts
• Parks: 42
• Area Lakes: 1
• Country Clubs: 3
• Health Centers: 3
• Public Golf Courses: 3
• (Non-movie) Theaters: 1
• Tennis Courts: 13
• Bed & Breakfasts: 4
• Hotel & Motel Rooms: 1,086
• Libraries: 3
Education Facts
• Elementary Schools: 20 (11,544 enrollment)
• Middle/Jr. High School: 5 (5,738)
• High School: 3 (7,414)
• Alternative Schools: 3 (73)
• Private Schools: 4 (1,207)
• Collin College: 52,000
• Vocational Programs and State Industrial Job Training available.
Other McKinney Home: <a title="Homes for Sale McKinney, TX" href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/blog/homes-sale-mckinney-tx-3508-elk-run-rd-mckinney-tx-75070/">Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 3508 Elk Run Rd. McKinney, TX 75070</a>2016-12-23T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T13:56:21-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2032Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 3508 Elk Run Rd. McKinney, TX 75070<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/3508-Elk-Run-Rd-McKinney-TX-75070.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 3508 Elk Run Rd. McKinney, TX 75070" class="img_box_center" />
Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX
3508 Elk Run Rd.
McKinney, TX 75070
When looking at homes for sale in McKinney, TX or evaluating McKinney real estate, there are, obviously, thousands of things to consider. Let’s look at specifics for 3508 Elk Run Rd., a part of the The Bluffs of Winding Creek subdivision.
First, think about this: bluffs and winding creek. 3508 Elk Run road is definitely luxury real estate in McKinney because there are bluffs! And a winding creek!
3508 Elk Run Rd. sits in between some of the most picturesque parts of McKinney. To wit:
• A few blocks due west is the Stonebridge Country Club, a Club Corp. property that features two distinctive clubhouses and award-winning golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and more. Avid Golfer magazine noted that Stonebridge Country Club is a Best Country Club/Mid-Priced category and a Best Value, which will certainly attract the attention of people looking at McKinney, TX homes for sale and evaluating luxury real estate in McKinney.
• Also in the Stonebridge Country Club area is Saddlebrook Lake and the WB Finney Park, small, neighborhoody, but still green, recreational, and enjoyable.
• Due east is the Eldorado Country Club, which features a luscious, sprawling 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, fitness club, and dining.
• Just around the corner from Eldorado is the Towne Lake Recreation Area, a 108-acre park that is across from McKinney High School. Town Lake features two picnic shelters with electrical outlets, two sand volleyball courts, nine horseshoe pitches, two barrier-free play structures, a fishing pier, paddle boats and dock, a 1.2 mile hike and bike trail. Oh, yeah, there’s a 22-acre lake with two fountains and an 18-hole disk golf course.
• As if this isn’t enough, next to Towne Lake is the Wilson Creek Softball and Baseball Complex, which features six fields, bullpens, dugouts, restrooms, screens, and is open year-round.
• Also nearby (slightly northwest of U.S. 75( is the Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex — and youth soccer is a big deal in North Texas. Parents looking for houses for sale in McKinney and investigating McKinney real estate with kids who play soccer are often surprised to find a 96-acres complex with five lit regulation-size soccer fields and fields for lacrosse, cricket and football. The complex also features a hike and bike trail, concession stands, restrooms, picnic shelters, a spa (water) pad to keep the little kids amused, an amphitheater, and wheelchair accessibility.
• A bit further away to the south and west is the infamous Tournament Players Club at Craig Ranch, a premier Texas private club “built for the pros, played by you.” Craig Ranch features 233 acres of countryside within a gated wellness and lifestyle community. Opened in 2004, the TPC at Craig Ranch has been named one of the 10 best golf courses in Texas by Golf Digest (2011) and is one of only two courses in the DFW area certified as an Audubon Cooperative System. Oh, yeah, the par-72, 7,438-yard course was designed by golfing legend Tom Weiskopf.
• Aside from rolling hills and winding creeks, 3508 Elk Run Rd. is not far from the McKinney Marketplace, a newer retail center with an eclectic variety of shops and services.
3508 Elk Run Rd. and The Bluffs of Winding Creek is not an area to sit and hang out. People who are looking at new homes in McKinney, TX and are investigating luxury real estate in McKinney are active and on the go.
To give people looking at homes for sale in McKinney or evaluating McKinney real estate, here’s some context and perspective about the area, followed by a few things to do:
McKinney Facts and Figures
• McKinney was named the #1 Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine in 2014 for cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000. Money editors and writers examine data about employment, schools, crime and safety, houses for sale in McKinney and real estate diversity, and overall quality of life when determining the rankings.
• McKinney ranked No. 14, then No. 5, and No. 2 in the every-other-year rankings before assuming the No. 1 position, so McKinney’s growth has certainly taken off in the past decade and has caught the interest of people outside the area looking for new homes in McKinney.
• As far as homes for sale in McKinney and McKinney’s overall real estate picture, the city ranked in the Best Cities for Homeownership in 2014, according to NerdWallet.
McKinney’s Population Growth
McKinney’s growth has exploded over the past 20 years.
• 1990 census: total population was 21,283 (15,302 18 years old and above)
• 2000 census: total population was 54,369 (37,542 18 years old and above)
• 2010 census: total population was 131,117 (89,211 18 years old and above)
• Population estimate as of January 1, 2016 is 161,905.
How does McKinney compare with neighboring communities Plano, Allen, and Frisco?
McKinney has shown steady, consistent growth — not meteoric like Frisco, but not slowing, either. McKinney’s population increased 155 percent from 1990 to 2010 and 141 percent from 2000 to 2010.
The neighboring communities:
• Plano (and Richardson) are two of the oldest, most population dense suburbs just north and east of Dallas. Plano boasted 128,713 residents in 1990, to 220,030 (72 percent increase) in 2010, to 259,841 in 2010 (17 percent increase). (Plano was the ninth largest incorporated place in Texas in 2010.)
• Allen, just north of Plano, boasted 18,309 in 1990, to 43,554 (137 percent increase) in 2000, to 84,246 (93 percent increase but down from the previous census) in 2010.
• Frisco, directly north of downtown Dallas and just slightly west of Plano, Allen, and McKinney, is by far the fastest-growing northern suburb of Dallas, with 6,141 residents in 1990, to 22,714 (449 percent increase) in 2000, to 116,989 (247 percent increase) in 2010.
Things to Do in McKinney
Main Street
Ah, Main Street. Every city has got one. McKinney’s Main Street is its Historic Downtown District, which serves as the retail, dining, entertainment, and business destination. Attractions include:
• Chestnut Square Historic Park: It brings history to life with Living History Days, a Farmers’ Market, Prairie Adventure Camps, an annual Ice Cream Crank Off, a Ghost Walk, and Holiday Home Tour. It’s a popular destination for couples getting married.
• McKinney Performing Arts Center: This used to be the old Collin County Courthouse, now renovated so residents, visitors, and guests considering buying a home for sale in McKinney or looking into McKinney real estate can enjoy plays, musicals, concerts, comedy acts, and other performing arts.
• Heard-Craig Center for the Arts: Heard-Craig is a now-historic home built in 1900, which still contains original furnishings, art collections, and Heard family memorabilia. It, too, is a favorite place for wedding receptions, small performances, and quarterly teas.
Annual Events
With a Main Street and a Historic Downtown Area come annual events, and McKinney offers residents, visitors, and those looking for new homes in McKinney or are evaluating McKinney real estate options plenty of things participate in, including:
Krewe of Barkus Dog Parade (Sunday before Mardi Gras): It’s a parade, costume contest, and more, modeled after the Mystic Krewe of Barkus in New Orleans, establishes to help abused and abandoned canines.
Arts in Bloom (second Saturday in April): More than 150 local and regional artists showcase their art in store fronts throughout downtown, representing every mix and medium.
Bike the Bricks (Friday of Memorial Day weekend): Neighboring communities have bicycle “rallies” but few feature hard core competition. Bike the Bricks is a closed course bike race through downtown that includes interval races and a $25,000 purse. Oh, yeah, there’s a lot of food and drink, too, for those who cheer from the sidelines.
Second Saturdays (monthly): There is a famous, epic flea market called First Monday, far, far east of Dallas and McKinney. Playing off the idea of a monthly event but much, much closer to home is Second Saturdays — an evening when residents, visitors, and those considering McKinney real estate gather to enjoy art music, and culture downtown.
Oktoberfest (last weekend in September): Who doesn’t like a good Oktoberfest? Certainly folks in the DFW area. McKinney is no different as it offers German food, drink, music, costumes, dancing, and activities. Yeah, and the beer is pretty amazing.
Scare on the Square (Halloween): It started small but has grown to hundreds of trick-or-treaters meandering, safely, from shop to shop downtown collecting candy and sweets in costume.
Home for the Holidays . . . a McKinney Christmas: Forget the crowded shopping malls at the holiday. Start off Thanksgiving weekend with horse drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, and then shopping more than 100 boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, bookstores, and apparel and gift stores for that perfect gift.
Other McKinney Home: <a title="Homes for Sale McKinney, TX" href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/blog/homes-sale-mckinney-tx-3312-drip-rock-dr-mckinney-tx-75070/">Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 3312 Drip Rock Dr. McKinney, TX 75070</a>2016-12-21T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T13:58:30-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2033Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 3312 Drip Rock Dr. McKinney, TX 75070<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/3312-Drip-Rock-Dr-McKinney-TX-75070-1.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 3312 Drip Rock Dr. McKinney, TX Front" class="img_box_center" />
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/3312-Drip-Rock-Dr-McKinney-TX-75070-2.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 3312 Drip Rock Dr. McKinney, TX Back" class="img_box_center" />
Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX
3312 Drip Rock Dr.
McKinney, TX 75070
When looking at homes for sale in McKinney, TX or evaluating McKinney real estate, there are, obviously, thousands of things to consider. Let’s look at specifics for 3312 Drip Rock Dr., a part of the Cascades Manor subdivision.
3312 Drip Rock Dr. is definitely characterized as luxury real estate in McKinney and will catch the eye of any family looking at homes for sale in McKinney. Just take a look around:
• 3312 Drip Rock Dr. is located just north of Highway 121, parts of which are also the Sam Rayburn Tollway. It is THE or IT thoroughfare for communities north of Dallas, including Allen, Frisco, and McKinney as it connects them to destinations east, including Lewisville, Flower Mound, Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, Colleyville, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Heck, follow this yellow brick road all the way to Arlington to watch the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers play.
• For families looking at homes for sale in McKinney or are investigating luxury real estate in McKinney, look no further. Just to the south is the Tournament Players Club at Craig Ranch, a premier Texas private club “built for the pros, played by you.” Craig Ranch features 233 acres of countryside within a gated wellness and lifestyle community. Opened in 2004, the TPC at Craig Ranch has been named one of the 10 best golf courses in Texas by Golf Digest (2011) and is one of only two courses in the DFW area certified as an Audubon Cooperative System. Oh, yeah, the par-72, 7,438-yard course was designed by golfing legend Tom Weiskopf.
• If that’s too much, just to the north of 3312 Drip Rock Dr. is the Stonebridge Country Club, a Club Corp. property that features two distinctive clubhouses and award-winning golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and more. Avid Golfer magazine noted that Stonebridge Country Club is a Best Country Club/Mid-Priced category and a Best Value, which will certainly attract the attention of people looking at McKinney, TX homes for sale and evaluating luxury real estate in McKinney.
• And if that’s not enough golf and family fun, just across the McKinney-Allen “border” south of TPC at Craig Ranch is The Golf Club at Twin Creeks. It’s one of the only Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Courses in the region.
• Now, albeit a bit further away to the west (but a quick hop, skip, and jump via the Sam Rayburn Tollway) is the Dr Pepper Ballpark, the Stonebriar Centre, IKEA, and the Dallas Parkway, a major north-south thoroughfare that delivers one into the heart of North Dallas dining and shopping. The Dr Pepper Ballpark is home to the Frisco Rough Riders, the Double A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Stonebriar is a higher-end shopping destination for the communities of Far North Dallas.
• Closer to home and of interest to families interested in homes for sale in McKinney and real estate in McKinney is the Tom Allen Jr. Park, McKinney City-Gabe Nesbitt, McKinney Skate Park, McKinney Tennis Center, the John and Judy Gay Public Library, all contained in the Gabe Nesbitt Community Park.
• Oh, yeah, almost forgot: 3312 Drip Rock Dr. is served by Comstock Elementary School, Scoggins Middle School, and Independence High School, which are all part of the Frisco Independent School District. Frisco and McKinney are neighbors.
Whew. That’s a lot of luxury real estate in McKinney and the surrounding area. This entire area is one of THE most up-and-coming areas in the entire DFW metroplex, fueled in part by Highway 121 and the Sam Rayburn Parkway.
To give people looking at homes for sale in McKinney or evaluating McKinney real estate, here’s some context and perspective about the area:
McKinney Facts and Figures
• McKinney was named the #1 Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine in 2014 for cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000. Money editors and writers examine data about employment, schools, crime and safety, houses for sale in McKinney and real estate diversity, and overall quality of life when determining the rankings.
• McKinney ranked No. 14, then No. 5, and No. 2 in the every-other-year rankings before assuming the No. 1 position, so McKinney’s growth has certainly taken off in the past decade and has caught the interest of people outside the area looking for new homes in McKinney.
• As far as homes for sale in McKinney and McKinney’s overall real estate picture, the city ranked in the Best Cities for Homeownership in 2014, according to NerdWallet.
Weather Facts
• The average temperature is: 65.7 degrees F.
• The annual average high temperature is: 96 degrees.
• The annual average low temperature is: 33 degrees.
• The annual average precipitation is 33.2 inches.
• The annual average snowfall is 2.7 inches.
Health Facts
• Total hospital beds in McKinney: 403.
• Total medical doctors in McKinney: 1,320.
• Hospitals: Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, Medical Center of McKinney, Methodist McKinney Hospital.
Recreation Facts
• Parks: 42
• Area Lakes: 1
• Country Clubs: 3
• Health Centers: 3
• Public Golf Courses: 3
• (Non-movie) Theaters: 1
• Tennis Courts: 13
• Bed & Breakfasts: 4
• Hotel & Motel Rooms: 1,086
• Libraries: 3
Education Facts
• Elementary Schools: 20 (11,544 enrollment)
• Middle/Jr. High School: 5 (5,738)
• High School: 3 (7,414)
• Alternative Schools: 3 (73)
• Private Schools: 4 (1,207)
• Collin College: 52,000
• Vocational Programs and State Industrial Job Training available.
McKinney’s Population Growth
Residents don’t often realize that there are more than 7 million people living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which includes McKinney’s 161,000 (2016 estimate), making it the largest metroplex in the south and the seventh biggest in the U.S.
McKinney’s growth has exploded over the past 20 years.
• 1990 census: total population was 21,283 (15,302 18 years old and above)
• 2000 census: total population was 54,369 (37,542 18 years old and above)
• 2010 census: total population was 131,117 (89,211 18 years old and above)
• Population estimate as of January 1, 2016 is 161,905.
How does McKinney compare with neighboring communities Plano, Allen, and Frisco?
McKinney has shown steady, consistent growth — not meteoric like Frisco, but not slowing, either. McKinney’s population increased 155 percent from 1990 to 2010 and 141 percent from 2000 to 2010.
The neighboring communities:
• Plano (and Richardson) are two of the oldest, most population dense suburbs just north and east of Dallas. Plano boasted 128,713 residents in 1990, to 220,030 (72 percent increase) in 2010, to 259,841 in 2010 (17 percent increase). (Plano was the ninth largest incorporated place in Texas in 2010.)
• Allen, just north of Plano, boasted 18,309 in 1990, to 43,554 (137 percent increase) in 2000, to 84,246 (93 percent increase but down from the previous census) in 2010.
• Frisco, directly north of downtown Dallas and just slightly west of Plano, Allen, and McKinney, is by far the fastest-growing northern suburb of Dallas, with 6,141 residents in 1990, to 22,714 (449 percent increase) in 2000, to 116,989 (247 percent increase) in 2010.
Other McKinney Home: <a title="Homes for Sale McKinney, TX" href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/blog/homes-sale-mckinney-tx-2920-hidden-forest-dr-mckinney-tx-75070/">Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 2920 Hidden Forest Dr. McKinney, TX 75070</a>2016-12-19T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T14:02:12-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2034Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 2920 Hidden Forest Dr. McKinney, TX 75070<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/2920-Hidden-Forest-Dr-McKinney-TX-75070.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 2920 Hidden Forest Dr. McKinney, TX 75070" class="img_box_center" />
Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX
2920 Hidden Forest Dr.
McKinney, TX 75070
When looking at homes for sale in McKinney, TX or evaluating McKinney real estate, there are, obviously, thousands of things to consider. Let’s look at specifics for 2920 Hidden Forest Dr., a part of the Hidden Forest subdivision.
2920 Hidden Forest Dr. is nestled in the southern part of McKinney, which may be attractive to some people looking for new homes in McKinney or investigating McKinney real estate because is close to the junction of U.S. 75 (North Central Expressway), the area’s major north-south freeway) and U.S. 399 or the Sam Rayburn Tollway, which provides superior access to the west and the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.
What characterizes 2920 Hidden Forest Dr. is access, including:
• Just to the north is the sprawling Eldorado Country Club, which features a luscious 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, fitness club, and dining.
• Just south of Eldorado is the Valley Creek Park, a humble 5-acre neighborhood park at Valley Creek Elementary. It has one first-come-first serve shelter, a barrier-free play structure, two baseball/softball backstops on athletic fields. There’s also an open turf area for soccer or football practice.
• Valley Creek Elementary School, Faubion, and McKinney High School are close by and are a part of the McKinney Independent School District that has 26 of 27 campuses ranked “exemplary” or recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
• A bit further north and east of U.S. 75 is the Wilson Creek Softball and Baseball Complex, which features six fields, bullpens, dugouts, restrooms, screens, and is open year-round.
• Just to the north is the Towne Lake Recreation Area, a 108-acre park that is across from McKinney High School. Towne Lake certainly will be of interest to those looking for homes for sale in McKinney or are looking into McKinney real estate.
• Town Lake features two picnic shelters with electrical outlets, two sand volleyball courts, nine horseshoe pitches, two barrier-free play structures, a fishing pier, paddle boats and dock, a 1.2 mile hike and bike trail. Oh, yeah, there’s a 22-acre lake with two fountains and an 18-hole disk golf course.
• Medical Center of McKinney is just to the south and east of U.S. 75. Medical City is recognized as an advanced trauma center (Level III), the first hospital in McKinney and northern Collin County to receive the designation. In addition to the 24/7 emergency department, Medical Center also features cardiovascular, orthopedic, neuroscience, and labor and delivery services.
• There is, of course, the usual retail stores, home improvement centers, and restaurants in the immediate area but a few worth noting because they’re not immediately found throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex are: Trader Joe’s, Belk, Stein Mart, a favorite for cost-saving shopping.
• To the east, a straight shot down W. Eldorado Parkway, is the McKinney National Airport (TKI), a full-service, general aviation resource that caters to business and personal aviation in North Texas.
• Lastly, as an FYI, a Social Security Administration office is nearby.
To provide context and perspective for those looking at homes in McKinney, TX and McKinney’s real estate options, here are a few facts and figures about the city and region:
McKinney Facts and Figures
• McKinney was named the #1 Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine in 2014 for cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000. Money editors and writers examine data about employment, schools, crime and safety, houses for sale in McKinney and real estate diversity, and overall quality of life when determining the rankings.
• McKinney ranked No. 14, then No. 5, and No. 2 in the every-other-year rankings before assuming the No. 1 position, so McKinney’s growth has certainly taken off in the past decade and has caught the interest of people outside the area looking for new homes in McKinney.
• As far as homes for sale in McKinney and McKinney’s overall real estate picture, the city ranked in the Best Cities for Homeownership in 2014, according to NerdWallet.
Weather Facts
• The average temperature is: 65.7 degrees F.
• The annual average high temperature is: 96 degrees.
• The annual average low temperature is: 33 degrees.
• The annual average precipitation is 33.2 inches.
• The annual average snowfall is 2.7 inches.
Health Facts
• Total hospital beds in McKinney: 403.
• Total medical doctors in McKinney: 1,320.
• Hospitals: Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, Medical Center of McKinney, Methodist McKinney Hospital.
Recreation Facts
• Parks: 42
• Area Lakes: 1
• Country Clubs: 3
• Health Centers: 3
• Public Golf Courses: 3
• (Non-movie) Theaters: 1
• Tennis Courts: 13
• Bed & Breakfasts: 4
• Hotel & Motel Rooms: 1,086
• Libraries: 3
Education Facts
• Elementary Schools: 20 (11,544 enrollment)
• Middle/Jr. High School: 5 (5,738)
• High School: 3 (7,414)
• Alternative Schools: 3 (73)
• Private Schools: 4 (1,207)
• Collin College: 52,000
• Vocational Programs and State Industrial Job Training available.
Because of 2920 Hidden Forest’s location in the southern part of McKinney and its great access to all parts McKinney, there are plenty of nearby things to do. A sampling includes:
Things to Do in McKinney
Main Street
Ah, Main Street. Every city has got one. McKinney’s Main Street is its Historic Downtown District, which serves as the retail, dining, entertainment, and business destination. Attractions include:
• Chestnut Square Historic Park: It brings history to life with Living History Days, a Farmers’ Market, Prairie Adventure Camps, an annual Ice Cream Crank Off, a Ghost Walk, and Holiday Home Tour. It’s a popular destination for couples getting married.
• McKinney Performing Arts Center: This used to be the old Collin County Courthouse, now renovated so residents, visitors, and guests considering buying a home for sale in McKinney or looking into McKinney real estate can enjoy plays, musicals, concerts, comedy acts, and other performing arts.
• Heard-Craig Center for the Arts: Heard-Craig is a now-historic home built in 1900, which still contains original furnishings, art collections, and Heard family memorabilia. It, too, is a favorite place for wedding receptions, small performances, and quarterly teas.
Annual Events
With a Main Street and a Historic Downtown Area come annual events, and McKinney offers residents, visitors, and those looking for new homes in McKinney or are evaluating McKinney real estate options plenty of things participate in, including:
Krewe of Barkus Dog Parade (Sunday before Mardi Gras): It’s a parade, costume contest, and more, modeled after the Mystic Krewe of Barkus in New Orleans, establishes to help abused and abandoned canines.
Arts in Bloom (second Saturday in April): More than 150 local and regional artists showcase their art in store fronts throughout downtown, representing every mix and medium.
Bike the Bricks (Friday of Memorial Day weekend): Neighboring communities have bicycle “rallies” but few feature hard core competition. Bike the Bricks is a closed course bike race through downtown that includes interval races and a $25,000 purse. Oh, yeah, there’s a lot of food and drink, too, for those who cheer from the sidelines.
Second Saturdays (monthly): There is a famous, epic flea market called First Monday, far, far east of Dallas and McKinney. Playing off the idea of a monthly event but much, much closer to home is Second Saturdays — an evening when residents, visitors, and those considering McKinney real estate gather to enjoy art music, and culture downtown.
Oktoberfest (last weekend in September): Who doesn’t like a good Oktoberfest? Certainly folks in the DFW area. McKinney is no different as it offers German food, drink, music, costumes, dancing, and activities. Yeah, and the beer is pretty amazing.
Scare on the Square (Halloween): It started small but has grown to hundreds of trick-or-treaters meandering, safely, from shop to shop downtown collecting candy and sweets in costume.
Home for the Holidays . . . a McKinney Christmas: Forget the crowded shopping malls at the holiday. Start off Thanksgiving weekend with horse drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, and then shopping more than 100 boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, bookstores, and apparel and gift stores for that perfect gift.
Other McKinney Home: <a title="Homes for Sale McKinney, TX" href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/blog/homes-sale-mckinney-tx-2536-slalom-dr-mckinney-tx-75071/">Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 2536 Slalom Dr. McKinney, TX 75071</a>2016-12-16T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T14:04:24-07:00Brent Germanytag:brentgermanyteam.com,2012-09-20:2035Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 2536 Slalom Dr. McKinney, TX 75071<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/638/image/2536-Slalom-Dr-McKinney-TX-75071.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 2536 Slalom Dr. McKinney, TX 75071" class="img_box_center" />
Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX
2536 Slalom Dr.
McKinney, TX 75071
When looking at homes for sale in McKinney, TX or evaluating McKinney real estate, there are, obviously, thousands of things to consider. Let’s look at specifics for 2536 Slalom Dr., a part of the Summit View Lake subdivision.
What stands out about 2536 Slalom Dr. is that the residence is pretty much right smack in the middle of McKinney, which may be attractive to some people looking at new homes in McKinney or investigating McKinney real estate. The residence is north of U.S. 380, a major east-west thoroughfare that defines the northern part of the city. U.S. 75 (North Central Expressway), the major north-south freeway, borders to the east and Texas 2478 (N. Custer Rd.), a lesser-traveled north-south road, frames the western edge.
What also characterizes 2536 Slalom Dr. is what is nearby, including:
• Summit View Lake is nearly across the street, easily within walking distance, and is somewhat of a neighborhood-only, small, recreational lake. It’s not a part of McKinney’s extensive parks and recreation, and it’s not listed as an official Texas lake, so it’s more like a private playground with no overcrowding.
• If outdoor recreation is important to someone looking at houses for sale in McKinney or evaluating McKinney real estate, one of the best overall parks in North Texas is just up the road to the northeast. Erwin Park is home to one of the best mountain bike trails in the region and a favorite of the Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association. The park is 212 acres of rolling hills, open spaces, greenery, and a few wicked drops for those interesting in mountain biking. It includes seven miles of bike trails, three picnic pavilions, restrooms, campfire sites, and playgrounds. And one never knows when an emu will jog by. Seriously.
• If Junior gets a little rambunctious at Summit View Lake or Erwin Park, fear not. The BaylorScott & White Medical Center is just down the road. A part of the enormous BaylorScott & White healthcare system in North Texas, the hospital was built in 2012 to meet the specific needs of McKinney residents and surrounding communities. Already the facility has expanded by adding more beds and doubled its existing space.
• Centrally located in the northern part of McKinney, 2536 Slalom isn’t far from John A. Baker Elementary School, Rogers Middle School, or Prosper High School. These schools are part of the Prosper Independent School District.
• The Collin College campus is nearby as well. Total enrollment for Collin College campuses has topped 50,000 students since every year since 2010. The school has a stellar reputation for preparing students with college prerequisites before they head off to other area colleges like the University of Texas at Dallas, Southern Methodist University, the University of Dallas, and others.
• If interested in doing something a little different, 2536 Slalom Dr. is not far from Third Monday Trade Days, the oldest and largest monthly trade days/flea market in North Texas. Third Monday traces its roots back to a county-wide market that began in the 1870s. More than 450 vendors offer everything you can imagine.
Being in this part of the city, residents certainly feel McKinney’s “roots” like the Third Monday Trade Days. Often people looking for McKinney homes for sale or investigating McKinney real estate options don’t know much about the city other than it’s north of Dallas. To provide perspective and context, here are some helpful facts and historical information:
McKinney Facts and Figures
• McKinney was named the #1 Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine in 2014 for cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000. Money editors and writers examine data about employment, schools, crime and safety, houses for sale in McKinney and real estate diversity, and overall quality of life when determining the rankings.
• McKinney ranked No. 14, then No. 5, and No. 2 in the every-other-year rankings before assuming the No. 1 position, so McKinney’s growth has certainly taken off in the past decade and has caught the interest of people outside the area looking for new homes in McKinney.
• As far as homes for sale in McKinney and McKinney’s overall real estate picture, the city ranked in the Best Cities for Homeownership in 2014, according to NerdWallet.
Weather Facts
• The average temperature is: 65.7 degrees F.
• The annual average high temperature is: 96 degrees.
• The annual average low temperature is: 33 degrees.
• The annual average precipitation is 33.2 inches.
• The annual average snowfall is 2.7 inches.
Health Facts
• Total hospital beds in McKinney: 403.
• Total medical doctors in McKinney: 1,320.
• Hospitals: Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, Medical Center of McKinney, Methodist McKinney Hospital.
Recreation Facts
• Parks: 42
• Area Lakes: 1
• Country Clubs: 3
• Health Centers: 3
• Public Golf Courses: 3
• (Non-movie) Theaters: 1
• Tennis Courts: 13
• Bed & Breakfasts: 4
• Hotel & Motel Rooms: 1,086
• Libraries: 3
Education Facts
• Elementary Schools: 20 (11,544 enrollment)
• Middle/Jr. High School: 5 (5,738)
• High School: 3 (7,414)
• Alternative Schools: 3 (73)
• Private Schools: 4 (1,207)
• Collin College: 52,000
• Vocational Programs and State Industrial Job Training available.
McKinney’s History
• The area now called Collin County was settled by pioneers offered free land by colonizers like William S. Peters, who was hired by the state of Texas to introduce settlers into the area.
• Collin County was named for Collin McKinney who was a pioneer and land surveyor who helped draft and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico in 1836.
• Once the Houston and Texas Central Railroad was built in 1872, commerce moved in and out of McKinney to grow the city, including cotton (The Texas Cotton Mill Company was a major manufacturer of denim, the fabric of choice by many Texans). Other crops included corn, wheat, and oats.
• The original Collin County Courthouse is now the centerpiece in the development of the Downtown McKinney Commercial Historic District and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It now is known as the McKinney Performing Arts Center at the Historic Collin County Courthouse.
McKinney’s Population Growth
Residents don’t often realize that there are more than 7 million people living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which includes McKinney’s 161,000 (2016 estimate), making it the largest metroplex in the south and the seventh biggest in the U.S.
McKinney’s growth has exploded over the past 20 years.
• 1990 census: total population was 21,283 (15,302 18 years old and above)
• 2000 census: total population was 54,369 (37,542 18 years old and above)
• 2010 census: total population was 131,117 (89,211 18 years old and above)
• Population estimate as of January 1, 2016 is 161,905.
How does McKinney compare with neighboring communities Plano, Allen, and Frisco?
McKinney has shown steady, consistent growth — not meteoric like Frisco, but not slowing, either. McKinney’s population increased 155 percent from 1990 to 2010 and 141 percent from 2000 to 2010.
The neighboring communities:
• Plano (and Richardson) are two of the oldest, most population dense suburbs just north and east of Dallas. Plano boasted 128,713 residents in 1990, to 220,030 (72 percent increase) in 2010, to 259,841 in 2010 (17 percent increase). (Plano was the ninth largest incorporated place in Texas in 2010.)
• Allen, just north of Plano, boasted 18,309 in 1990, to 43,554 (137 percent increase) in 2000, to 84,246 (93 percent increase but down from the previous census) in 2010.
• Frisco, directly north of downtown Dallas and just slightly west of Plano, Allen, and McKinney, is by far the fastest-growing northern suburb of Dallas, with 6,141 residents in 1990, to 22,714 (449 percent increase) in 2000, to 116,989 (247 percent increase) in 2010.
Despite the steady growth of the past 20 years, McKinney remains a relatively “small” to medium-sized city that’s attractive to people looking for new homes because of easy access north, south, east and west and what’s needed to raise a family is right at hand.
Other McKinney Home: <a title="Homes for Sale McKinney, TX" href="https://www.brentgermanyteam.com/blog/homes-sale-mckinney-tx-2404-barranca-way-mckinney-tx-75069/">Homes for Sale in McKinney, TX - 2404 Barranca Way McKinney, TX 75069</a>2016-12-14T08:00:00-07:002017-04-11T21:42:45-07:00Brent Germany