Winding Creek Estates in Frisco Texas is a community you won't think twice about moving to. If you love enjoying what the outdoors has to offer, this community may just be for you. Rarely will you find a new home community with such an established landscape.

Homes start in the $250's and are offered by two high quality builders, Coventry and K. Hovnanian. Both builders are standard features considered upgrades in many other communities as well as semi-customizable floorplans.

READY FOR IMMEDIATE MOVE-IN

This spacious home has all the elements of style and functionality your family deserves. Upon entering, you will be stunned by the spiral staircase and hand scraped wood floors. The kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The master bath is equipped with his and hers hi-lo vanities, a separate tub, and spacious shower. Entertain with ease in the state of the art media room. This home is a must see!

READY FOR IMMEDIATE MOVE-IN

Beautiful newly completed home.  Hard to find single story home, with beautiful finish out. Handscraped hardwood floors in entry and study. Granite Counter tops, built-in stainless steel appliances, including double oven. Rear covered patio, three car garage and many upgrades.

READY FOR IMMEDIATE MOVE -IN

This beautiful home has all the elements of fine living. Once inside, you are greeted by fabulous nail down hardwood floors. This leads you into the kitchen which is adorned with luxurious maple cabinets, granite countertops and durable stainless steel appliances. After a long day, the upstairs loft is perfect for relaxing in the game room or watching a movie with the family. This very popular 1.5 story home is in demand and wont last long.

Want to build? There are plenty of lots still to choose from.

Still not sure if this is the right community for you? Contact me directly. I'll be happy to help you find your perfect new home community! Click the link below to get started searching the DFW Metroplex for New Home Construction Communities with available homesites.

One of the most exciting provisions of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. The credit was expanded as part of the most recent economic stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009). The credit is designed to encourage first time home buyers to go ahead and make the leap to purchase their first homes. Combine this tax credit with the fact that home prices and interest rates are at historical lows, and it is indeed an ideal time for many first-time homebuyers to purchase a home!

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• A first time home buyer is defined as someone who has not owned a home in the last three years.
• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
• You cannot purchase the home from a related party like a spouse, direct ancestor, or direct lineal descendent (child or grandchild);  however, you can still qualify for the credit if you purchase a property siblings, nephews, nieces, and others.
• If you are married, both spouses must be first-time home buyers. If more than one unmarried individual is buying the property, the credit can be split up among all the individuals that qualify. However, the total credit taken cannot exceed $7,500 for homes purchased in 2008 and $8,000 for homes purchased in 2009.

For Homes Purchased Between April 9, 2008 and December 31,2008:

• The credit amounts to 10% of the purchase price of the home not to exceed $7,500.
• The tax credit works like an interest free loan and must be repaid over a 15 year period.

For Homes Purchased Between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009:

• The tax credit amounts to 10% of the purchase price of the home not to exceed $8,000.
• The tax credit does not need to be paid back if you continue living in the home as your primary residence for 3 years without selling it.

How does a tax credit work?

A tax credit is a special provision that reduces income tax liability on a dollar for dollar basis. When filing a tax return, you must include income items, deduction items and the number of exemptions, among other things, to figure your total tax liability. For example, if your total tax liability for the year is $8,000 and you qualify for the full $8,000 tax credit, this credit would wipe out all of the tax due. If your employer already deducted the $8,000 from your pay checks throughout the year, you would receive a tax refund of $8,000. If you owe less than $8,000 in taxes for the year, you are still eligible for the full $8,000 credit when you file your tax returns. In that case, the IRS will write you a check for the difference between $8,000 and your actual tax bill.

If you or someone you know may know qualifies for the first-time homebuyer tax credits or interested in finding out about other recent updates in the mortgage and real estate markets, please give me a call (972) 824-2088 or email leigh@leighbates.com.

To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Service, we recommend that you consult with a properly licensed legal, tax and investment advisors for specific advice pertaining to your individual situation.

Grand Homes has ONLY 2 inventory homes left and the prices are incredible!

2335 Jaguar

Reduced to $279,900

• 3810 sqft
• 4 Bedrooms
• 3.5 Baths
• 4 Living areas (Gameroom & Media Room)
• Energy Star Rated

This home offers hardwood floors, wrought iron spindle staircase, gourmet kitchen including granite countertops, large Butler's pantry or office space off of kitchen, gas fireplace with granite surround, double stacked crown moulding in entry and formal dining room. Downstairs study, low E windows, 14 SEER HVAC system, CAT 5 wiring, security system and fully sodded yard with sprinkler system. A great home at an even better price! Ready to move, bring your bags, this one is ready!

2259 Kittyhawk Drive

Reduced to $269,900

•  3293 sqft
•  5 Bedrooms
•  4 Baths
•  3 Living Areas (Gameroom & Media Room)
•  Energy Star Rated

This home offers great drive up appeal with its stone facade. Inside are beautiful hardwood flooring, double stacked crown moulding in entry and formal dining room, gas fireplace with granite surround, gourmet kitchen including granite countertops and downstairs master bedroom. Additional features: Low E windows, 14 SEER HVAC system, CAT 5 wiring,  security system and fully sodded yard with sprinkler system. Another great home at an even better price!

Interested in more information about Christie Ranch or Grand Home Communities?

Contact me directly at (972) 824-2088

Announced this morning, George Strait, Reba McEntire will headline along with Blake Shelton and Julianne at the June 6th Opening Event. The New Cowboy Stadium has been slated to open by June, let's just hope it's very early June!

Of course most North Texas residents have eagerly been anticipating an inside glimpse of this massive venue, the largest stadium in the NFL. Not only will it seat 80,000 people it will have the tallest glass retractable doors in the world opening in just 17 minutes. The field is 50 feet below ground level, and it is tall enough to hold the Statue of Liberty. Another world record breaker is the massive video board suspended 110 feet over the center of the field. It will run from 20 yard line to 20 yard line, and 50 feet tall - ok , so YES, everything is really bigger in Texas!

I have to admit that een I can't wait to be inside this place, but I don't think it will be for he George & Reba concert. I'll wait for the Boys to play or the TX/OU game, or the Cotton Bowl. Maybe 'll just hold out for he 2011 Superbowl. Afterall, I might have to save that long to afford my seat!

posted by Leigh Bates

We see it every day... homeowners losing their homes. It might be from loss of job, death of a family member, medical issues, divorce or just plain irresponsibility. When faced with this situation, regardless of the reason, homeowners tend to isolate themselves from others and especially their lender and creditors. But wait...

There are people that are willing to help and most likely you do have options. All of which are better than marking your credit history with a foreclosure. It is important to know that the lender does not want to foreclose on the home. And today, more than ever before, they are willing to work with the homeowner to resolve the situation and avoid foreclosure. This doesn't mean it is easy though, if you find yourself in this situation, it is in your best interest to hire a professional.

Some potential options:

1. Refinance
2. Loan Modification
3. Repayment/Forbearance
4. Filing Bankruptcy
5. Selling the home
6. Deed in lieu

As a Realtor, I have been contracted by a company called Titanium Solutions. Titanium works with many of the major lenders,  Countrywide, Chase, Saxon, to name a few. Their intentions are to make contact with these homeowners that have become severely delinquent, and explain their options to them. Many times they are offering a loan modification to them to start. 

But... making contact becomes the hardest part. The homeowners assume we are attempting to collect money. I guess in a sense we are, but the truth is, we understand the unfortunate situation and we want to reverse this cycle.

My intentions are to either help you with the loan modification process so that you can remain in your home, or list your home for sale. Whether we have to sell it short or not, I care about our local neighborhoods, and I want to retain the values.

Our fees are almost always absorbed by the lender, so if you find yourself in this situation, please call us to find out your options. Your information is confidential. (972) 824-2088 or email leigh@thetrinitygroup.org.

posted by Leigh Bates