Linda Grossman's Blog

6,124 SQ. FT. of COUNTRY ELEGANCE at it's FINEST!

Linda Grossman (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:21:01 -0700

Only 15 Minutes From McKinney Shopping & Restaurants!

78 Hackberry Road | Van Alstyne, TX 75495

Approximately 23 acres with classic 1920's barn, 3 acre stocked lake & custom playhouse with water, heat & air! Stunning features include: extensive use of classic hand scraped solid oak floors, exquisite leaded glass doors with & leaded glass transoms, large open kitchen w subzero built-in refrigerator and granite. Master suite is conveniently connected by French doors to the handsome study. Master bath is luxurious with extensive travertine and inviting oversized walk-in shower. Large corner jetted tub, spacious walk-in closet and dual sink cabinets. Study, luxurious master suite & guest bedroom suite on main level. Upper level offers 3 bedrooms, two of which are oversized! One bedroom with completely private study and full bath could be a second master suite. A huge gameroom with beautiful custom entertainment unit plus a useable loft area overlooks the greatroom below! Incredible full wrap-around wide covered porches for great outdoor entertaining & views of property.

Click here for more details, photos and a virtual tour: 78hackberry.com/

QR Codes Link The Offline World With the Online World!

Linda Grossman (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:11:05 -0700

The Linda Grossman Team is excited to announce that we are adding the ability to link our signs and printed materials to our online marketing efforts by using QR Codes. These codes are a simple and popular way to connect the offline world with the online world. It was recently reported by the National Association of Realtors that 89% of home buyers are searching for a homes online. We can now engage these same potential buyers on all of our flyers, ads, business cards and signs. To read the codes all you need is one of the many free QR Reader apps available for your smartphone. You aim your phone at one of our codes and it will instantly read it and take you directly to all of the property’s online information with photos, virtual tours and more.

For example: if you already have a QR App aim your phone at either of the QR codes below and you will instantly see how it can take you to all of the online information you need without having to spend hours searching with Google or one of the many real estate sites.

Click here for more information about the FREE apps available for iPhone and Droid phones.

Click here to watch a short informative video on how the QR Codes work in real estate.

McKinney Climbs National Safest City Rankings....UP 15 SPOTS!

Linda Grossman (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:10:10 -0800

According to the CQ Press 2010 Safest Cities Report, McKinney is among the safest cities in the country. McKinney climbed to the 51st safest city in the country, up 15 spots from last year. “We have worked extremely hard day in and day out to make McKinney an even safer place to live, work and play despite challenges like a down economy and continued rapid growth. Our officers and detectives work hard at deterring and investigating crime, and this report shows their dedication really pays off,” said Police Chief Doug Kowalski. Overall, of all cities with a population of more than 75,000 McKinney was ranked 51st of the 400 cities across the country measured. The crime rate rankings of the cities and metropolitan areas are calculated using six crime categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. These categories have been used for determining city crime rate ratings since 1999. The rankings include all cities of at least 75,000 residents that reported crime data to the FBI in the categories noted for calendar year 2009. “The McKinney Police Department attributes much of our success to great working partnerships with our City Council and the citizens and businesses of McKinney,” said Kowalski.

It’s Time To Think Outside Of The Box. . .And Spend Inside The Box Right Here In Our Community!

Linda Grossman (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:45:31 -0700

We all know that job growth is key to move this economy along . . .Frisco just announced Premier Studios a one billion dollar project is coming to Frisco. Founder, President and CEO Jerry Roy said the project will create more than 450 jobs, pending additional negotiations, and will cost $700 million to develop. The land under contract is northwest of the Dallas North Tollway and Warren Pkwy., just north of Hall Office Park. . . . And more announcements are on the way . . .Texas is the place for employers from an economic standpoint looking at Texas as an employer and an employee. Real Estate continued much of the same from last month. Good news is the number of residential properties put on the market in August was up only 2% in McKinney and down 4% in Frisco. Our basic inventory levels in our area are fairly good year over year. Total closed sales once again were down in total volume. . . .indicating fewer buyers out there in the “new market” . . .McKinney down 25% and Frisco down 38% yet median and average sales prices looked good . . .we are seeing movement on the mid to upper price ranges. I attended the Keller Williams Real Estate Summit this past week and had the opportunity to listen to Ted Jones of Stewart Title. . www.blog.stewart.com and although his outlook nationwide looked very grim to say the least . . . .he emphasized that THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A NATIONAL REAL ESTATE MARKET OR ECONOMY OR COMMUNITY . . . .with that said right now we need to focus on our local community. . Think outside of the box .and spend inside the box right here in our community!. . . McKinney was named as one of the top 5 places to live and let’s keep it that way

Frisco And McKinney Remain The Top Places To Live In The US!

Linda Grossman (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:19:17 -0700

"The American", A Journal for the American Enterprise Institute, did a study on American migration and population growth during the economic growth years 2003-2007 and then during the recession years 2007-2009. What they found is that Texas is arguably the nations' most sustained and serious economic success story. We have the lowest unemployment of the ten largest states and very high domestic inflow (people moving from other states to Texas)!

In 2008 to 2009, Texas had 18% of the nation's population growth and by far the highest domestic inflow of any state . . . 143,423 people moved from other states to TEXAS! Take a look at this Texaplex video to see why so many people are interested in Texas and the DFW area.

That would be the great news about Texas . . . . But to top it off FOUR of Collin County's five largest cities (Frisco, Plano, Allen, & McKinney) are now nationally ranked in the TOP 100 Wealthiest Cities, IN THE USA. McKinney is Ranked #7 regionally and #85 nationally! Frisco is ranked #2 regionally and #27 nationally. Way to go Texas and way to go McKinney and Frisco

McKinney Is Home To One Of The Nation’s Largest And Most Well-Established Master-Planned Communities: Stonebridge Ranch

Linda Grossman (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:36:57 -0700

Located on over 5,000 acres, with 1,200 acres preserved as open space, Stonebridge Ranch is the largest Master Planned Community in North Texas. The population at build out is projected to be 30-35,000 residents. The community includes six parks, 830 acres of golf courses, lakes, ponds, sailing, fishing and 8,000+ single family homes, 1700 multifamily units, 280 acres of retail, and 270 acres of office space.

Stonebridge Ranch is one of the nation's most recognized master-planned communities. Since it's opening in 1988, it has grown to a balanced mix of residential, retail, and office uses with multiple amenities, and a wide array of exemplary rated educational choices, and a variety of worship opportunities.

Today, Stonebridge Ranch is a community with 68 distinctive villages with homes ranging from the $160's to over $2 million, and a diverse population of young families, empty nesters, retirees and singles. There is no place like it in the Metroplex.

Click here to read more about McKinney's diverse housing options.

McKinney: Unique by Nature, Green By Design

Linda Grossman (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:32:15 -0700

McKinney businesses, residents, schools and city government aren't simply following a trend toward green living and sustainable development - they are leading the way.

Businesses with operations in McKinney have led the environmentally sustainable development movement in McKinney by building offices using green building techniques and meeting stringent platinum standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification.

In 2006 , McKinney welcomed one of the nation's first privately developed LEED certified platinum office buildings,. Built by a subsidiary of a Netherlands firm, Wereldhave, the McKinney Green Building is a $11.4 million structure that recycles rainwater and has carpeting made from old soft drink bottles.

McKinney is also home to one of the nation's two green Walmart Supercenters, as well as the Pat Lobb Toyota dealership - the first automotive dealership in the nation to earn LEED certification.

The McKinney Economic Development Corporation has continued to encourage green development by launching the Coalition for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology, or CREST, to develop ways to make the city a leader in sustainable technology.

McKinney leaders have embraced green initiatives, recently hiring the city's first Green Program Manager, heading the Office of Environmental Stewardship (OES) for the city. She quickly formed the city Green Team to help develop mcKinney's Sustainabilty Strategic Plan (SSP). The team of 30 city staff members provides a forum to explore the green initiatives currently under way and those that city staff would like to consider incorporating in the future.

Click here to read more about how McKinney is leading the way for a greener world.

McKinney’s Historical Courthouse Is Now A Home For Arts And Culture

Linda Grossman (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:47:43 -0800

McKinney's arts scene is as unique as the rest of the community. Art galleries downtown, new theater groups, a recently renovated performing arts center and city-funded grants dedicated to enhancing the cultural arts in McKinney are all signs of a vibrant, growing art environment.

The McKinney Community Development Corporation and the city joined efforts in a $9 million project to transform the courthouse into the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC), a cultural center for both McKinney and greater Collin County.

In 2006, the 23,000-square-foot center opened with the 427-seat Courtroom Theater, Encore Wire Conference Room, Ruschhaupt Reception Hall, Noble Hall small auditorium, an art gallery, working artist studios a catering prep area and executive suites for lease.

Click here to learn more at DiscoverMcKinneyTexas.com

Downtown McKinney: McKinney’s Heart and History

Linda Grossman (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:36:26 -0800

For more than 160 years, Historic Downtown McKinney has been the hub of the community. Now after years of reinvention and a recent renovation, it's still a thriving center of activity.

The city recently invested $2.2 million to update the downtown area, adding landscaping and lighting, building benches, widening sidewalks and increasing parting.

The mix of residential and commercial tenants continues to grow, with more than 120 businesses like clothing stores, art galleries, specialty gift shops antique shops, law firms, wineries and restaurants calling historic downtown McKinney home. Many downtown eateries now offer patio dining thanks to the upgrades. And outdoor dining is a great option on nights before a show at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, housed in the square's historic courthouse.

Thousands of McKinney residents and visitors flock to downtown for annual events such as Scare on the Square for Halloween, Oktoberfest, the Krew of Barkus Mardi Gras dog parade and the annual 29 -year favorite Dickens of a Christmas.

Click here to learn more at DiscoverMcKinneyTexas.com

McKinney’s Courses Offer World-Class Golfing Opportunities

Linda Grossman (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:52:43 -0700

With a population of just over 121,000 McKinney is a community of extraordinary golfing opportunities with five major golf courses and/or country clubs including TPC golf course at Craig Ranch, Eldorado Country Club and Stonebridge Ranch Country Club. In McKinney, there is an open invitation to embrace the outdoors with an abundance of hiking and biking trails, baseball diamonds, softball fields, lakes, and parks.

READ MORE ABOUT McKINNEY AT: DiscoverMcKinney.com

www.LindaGrossman.com

McKinney Named As One of Top Ten Fastest Growing Cities In USA

Linda Grossman (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:22:54 -0700

As a REALTOR® and long time resident of Stonebridge Ranch in McKinney, and as a McKinney Market Specialist, I have both a business perspective and a personal viewpoint as to what makes McKinney standout as one of the best cities in the USA. Recently, CNNMoney.com released a list of the "10 Fastest Growing Cities" in the country and McKinney was included in that list. In fact, McKinney had the highest rate of growth of any since 2000, more than doubling in size. In the August 2008 issue of Money Magazine, McKinney was picked as one of the top 15 small cities in the country as "one of the best places to live."

Click here for more informtion about McKinney, TX

214.642.8514

www.LindaGrossman.com

grossman@kw.com

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