Reliable Appraisal - Frisco Real Estate Appraiser

Marketing our Business'

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 07:26:22 -0700

Good morning everyone.... Like many it is becoming difficult to rely on the order uncertainty of AMC's. What are other avenues that you have found in your markets to be of value to your business? Divorce attorneys, etc?

Thanks!

-Meg

Marketing our Business'

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 07:25:02 -0700

Thanks!

-Meg

IVPI Impact

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:51:12 -0700

There are considerable changes being proposed for our industry... I do have a question I have not been able to solve for..... It is my understanding that appraisers will be required to join IVPI to receive orders in '09.

What does this mean for appraisal companies that have appraisers working for them? Will everyone be on their own under the new plan?

Your thoughts would be appreciated....

-Meg

My New Years Resolution

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 09:28:30 -0800

I hope each of you are enjoying the holiday! I want to thank each of you for participating in the Frisco Real Estate Community.

One of my new years resolution is to look for ways to enhance the membership and therefore the value of all those who chose to join the group.

Thanks...... an here is an early Happy New Years!

-Meg

City of Frisco's Population

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 09:22:13 -0800

I was browsing the City of Frisco website this morning and I found an update that I thought I would share with the AR group. This is certainly exciting ionformation for those in the Frisco real estate community!

The City of Frisco's population is 92,100 residents, as of January 1, 2007. The population of Frisco residents within Denton County is 30,581, and within Collin County is 61,519. *

The city of Frisco is estimated to reach its build-out population of approximately 280,000 by the year 2025.

* Information as found at: http://www.ci.frisco.tx.us/departments/Planning_Development/index.aspx?id=102

2008 Winter Games of Texas

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 09:10:20 -0800

I want to share a very exciting event for Frisco, the Winter Games of Texas. The objectives of Texas Amateur Athletic Federation, Incorporated are both charitable and educational.

It is not t too late to register to participate in the 2008 Winter Games of Texas. This multi-sport event will feature 15 different sports including: basketball, cheerleading, fencing, figure skating, flag football, gymnastics, ice hockey, judo, rock climbing, soccer, swimming, table tennis, volleyball and wrestling. Table tennis will be held January 12. Both table tennis and fencing will be taking place in the new Frisco Athletic Center. For more information, or to register an athlete, please visit the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF) website at http://www.taaf.com/ or call 877-GoFrisco.

Don't Be Alarmed

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:21:31 -0800

I read a news report today that early warning sirens will be be tested weekly beginning November 28 Through January 30.

"The Frisco Fire Department will begin sounding its Outdoor Warning Siren system every Wednesday at noon beginning November 28 through January 30. The weekly, audible tests are necessary to ensure the sirens are working properly and to help prepare for the 2008 severe weather season."

-Meg

Do Costs Always Equal Value?

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 08:44:11 -0800

As the real estate market takes a course correction homeowners are realizing that their home improvement costs are not always reflected in the value of their home.. Generally speaking, remodeling a kitchen or bathroom may bring the greatest return on a homeowners investment. However, some custom improvements can actually detract from the value. These are known as "over-improvements."

What advice can we share with our clients?

Understanding the profile of new buyers in the neighborhood
Understanding which improvements have the greatest influence on property value
Avoid over-improvement by sticking to what's standard in the neighborhood
Consult a real estate appraiser to predict the cost to value considerations

I am certain that you have had to deal with clients with unreasonable expectations when they understand that their improvement costs were not directly reflected in their listing and/or selling price..

-Meg

Christmas Tree Lighting

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 12:19:26 -0800

Just outside of the Starwood neighborhood is the beautfully designed Shops at Starwood. Please join the Frisco community in the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to be held on November 23rd at 6:30pm. It will prove to be a chance to meet local retailers and Frisco neighbors!

The Shops at Starwood is located at 6959 Lebanon Road, Frisco, TX.

http://www.theshopsatstarwood.com/

-Meg Stewart

Reliable Appraisal

Frisco, Texas

Kotta Sushi Lounge

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:16:44 -0800

Just outside of the Starwood neighborhood in the Shops Of Starwood is the Kotta Sushi lounge. I had the pleaseure to dine there twice since their grand opening. The customer service, atmosphere, and food is remarkable.

Whether business or pleasure it is a great place for a great sushi experience!

http://www.kottasushilounge.com/

Meg Stewart

Reliable Appraisal

Frisco, Texas

You Don't Have To Touch It To Feel It

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 20:15:05 -0700

Have you ever stood in front of two products in a grocery store fretting over features, promises, prices per ounce?? All in all making a 20-30 cent decision and then pop into a Starbucks and spend $4.29 on a White Mocha Frappuccino and not think anything of it? How can we so easily part with $4.29 and fret over 30 cents?

Studies show that consumers rationalize buying decisions on facts but make actual buying decisions based on emotions. It is believed that 20% of the decision to make a purchase is logical and 80% is emotional.

Home purchases can easily be the single biggest purchase for a consumer. As realtor's do you have a litmus test to determine if your prospective client is a rational or emotional buyer?

If so do you deploy different strategies to:

Help your prospective client "feel good" about you representing them?
Deliver emotional value to get them to their final decision on home buying?

Perhaps we can share our thoughts, ideas, and experiences...

-Meg

Innovative Teen Justice Program to Hold Court in Frisco

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:20:51 -0700

I learned today that Collin County's Teen Court will open for business in Frisco this month. This program ia a countywide, peer-based justice program for area teenagers. The inaugural session was on Oct. 18, 2007, at Justice of the Peace Mike Yarbrough's Precinct 4 courtroom.

Teen Court is a judicial system with adult supervision that allows teenagers who are charged with Class-C misdemeanors to be prosecuted, defended, and sentenced by kids their own age.

In its first year of operations, more than 300 teenagers went through the program, which boasts an 88-percent success rate for defendants. When a teenager completes Teen Court successfully, their case is dismissed, fines are waived and officials remove charges from their juvenile records.

Teen Court officials estimate that the Frisco Municipal Court could refer as many as 500 cases to the program in the coming year. With community service playing a big part of probation requirements in the program, Teen Court could help generate some 9,000 hours of community service for the city.

In its first year of operations, program coordinator Justin P. Nichols noted that more than 90% of parents whose kids who went through Teen Court approved of the program, and would recommend it to other parents whose children get in minor legal trouble. This could prove to be very rewarding for Frisco!

For more information on Teen Court, visit the program's web pages on the Collin County website, or email teencourt@collincountytx.gov.

Late Night Ordinance Suspended in Frisco

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:33:54 -0700

I learned today that the City of Frisco's 'Late Night Hours' ordinance has been
suspended until Frisco voters have a chance to decide whether alcohol
should be served until 2 a.m.

On October 16, the Frisco City Council voted 4 to 3 against repealing the
'Late Night Hours' ordinance approved August 22, 2007.

For more information, you can contact City Secretary Nan Parker at 972-292-5010 or
nparker@friscotexas.gov

Family Night at Solaré

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:17:22 -0700

Just outside the gates of Starwood on 10/25/2007 !!

Enjoy a family night with Jeff, a local magician. Jeff will be performing on Thursdays. Come out with your family for a great time. Solare is located in the Kroger Shopping Center at Lebannon and Legacy.

Location:
Solaré Spa and Café
4851 Legacy Dr., Ste 606
Frisco, TX 75034

http://www.solarespa.com/index.php

Pumpkins on the Prairie in Frisco

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:13:35 -0700

Grace Avenue United Methodist Church has an annual pumpkin patch known as Pumpkins on the Prairie. The event takes place on their church grounds located at 3521 Main Street in Frisco, Texas from October 7, 2007 through October 30, 2007.

The Pumpkin patch hours are Monday through Friday from 1:00pm until dark, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am until dark.

The patch includes many exciting events. You can enjoy hay rides, a walk through the hay maze, crafts, bounce houses, games, photo ops, and family fun!

In addition to the fun, pumpkins, gourds, dried corn and bails of hay are available for purchase.

Location:
Grace Avenue United Methodist Church
3521 Main Street
Frisco, TX

Lake Kiowa Lodge Goes WiFi

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:32:30 -0700

As a proud Lake Kiowa resident I thought I would share exciting news! The Lake Kiowa Lodge has always been a great place to go. But now it is also an Internet Hot Spot. The entire Lodge is now Wi-Fi (802.11G) enabled, courtesy of the Computer Club, which donated the equipment and set it up.

That means any PC that has Wi-Fi capability (‘B' or ‘G', most new laptops have this option) will have access to a high-speed Internet connection.

We now have the ability to surf and enjoy great food and company!

-Meg

Newsweek Recognizes AR Blog

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 16:49:35 -0700

I am excited to share a rather unique AR experience.

A few weeks ago I posted on Active Rain that we have decided that it is the right time in life to downsize our home. The post was simply called We Are Downsizing

A few days later I received a phone call from a writer at Newsweek! The writer explained that she has received an assignment from her editor to write an article on families who are downsizing. After she received the assignment the writer told me she imediately went and searched the words Downsizing and Dallas. Google offered her my Active Rain Blog!

My fiance and I had a very enjoyable conversation with the writer. The blog I posted , but unfortunately not AR was mentioned in an article written in Newsweek.com called The Latte Era Grands Down None of this would have been possible with-out the Active Rain Blog and the ability to attract Google!

Rally for the Cure - Lake Kiowa

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 11:19:52 -0700

As a proud homeowner at Lake Kiowa I want to share the tremndous support of the Lake Kiowa Womens Golf Association. (WGA) This October the ladies raised of $75,000 for the Rally for the Cure!

It is my belief that this is one of the largest golf outing for such a special cause. Makes me proud to be a Lake Kiowan!

Starwood's Stewarts Crossing Yard of the Month!

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 11:09:17 -0700

As a proud resident of Starwood, located in Frisco, Teas. I want to announce the winners of the October, 2007 Yard of the Month. Congratualtions to Kelly & William Flynn who live on Van Horn Lane in Stewarts Crossing.

Congratulations Flynn Family on helping to make the Starwood community beautifulbb!!

-Meg Stewart, Reliable Appraisal

Can be seen on:

http://www.starwoodhoa.com/pages/yard_of_the_month.aspx

We Are Downsizing!

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 10:05:16 -0700

Well, we have made the decision to downsize! It is the right time in life! I thought I would use Active Rain to share our listing...

Listing ID # 10703417
Price: $999,900
Bedrooms: 4 BR
Baths: 4 full BA 1 1/2 BA
5025 Sq. Ft.
Year Built: 2001

Property Type: Resale Home
Architecture: TRADITIONAL
Location: Frisco, TX

OVERSIZED LOT WITH INCREDIBLE
VIEWS OF FRISCO & THE LAKES IN STARWOOD! This Stunning Reynolds Signature custom home offers exquisite finish out in every room. Travertine flooring, hand-scraped wood on stairs, professionally faux painted, paneled study with dome ceiling. Tanning room, Media room, central vac and gourmet kitchen with every amenity. Long flat driveway and front circle drive. Patio courtyard with built-in grill & fireplace. Inviting pool and spa. Offered at $999,900

Offered by Michelle Campbell of Keller Williams-Frisco Stars

As seen in...
Homes & Land of North Dallas/Collin & Denton County, Vol. 04, Issue 07, Page 58.

Frisco Fire Safety Town

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 09:39:04 -0700

As a proud resident of Frisco, Texas I invite you to learn more about the Frisco Fire Safety Town. The Fire Safety Town is a very unique way to interactively teach children overall safety.

The Fire Safety Town includes scaled homes that are built by the same homebuilders who build Frisco area homes. Children can learn overall safety around homes and businesses. There are even working traffic signals, railroad crossing and a toll booth to help children with their learning experience!

I invite you to learn more at:

http://www.friscotexas.gov/safetytown/index.aspx?id=4012

Meg Stewart

Reliable Appraisal

Starwood's Chamberlyn Yard of the Month

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 07:45:02 -0700

The Boxer Family of Chamberlyne Drive are the proud recipients of the

September, 2007 Yard of the Month. The marvelous landscaping adds depth to their beautiful home. Congratulations Boxer family.

As seen on: http://www.starwoodhoa.com/pages/yard_of_the_month.aspx

I am a proud resident of Starwood and firends of the boxers. Their home has one of the best front elevations in Starwood.

-Meg

Starwood's Quail Run III Yard of the Month

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 07:41:32 -0700

The August 2007 Yard of the Month is awarded to David Foley and Lauren Kennedy who live on Canvas Back in Quail Run III. With the beautiful array of shrubs, trees, bushes, and flowers, this was an easy choice. The shrubs are so well manucured that they appear to be yard sculptures. Congratulations David and Lauren.

As seen on: http://www.starwoodhoa.com/pages/yard_of_the_month.aspx

I am a proud resident of Starwood..

-Meg

Starwood's Quail Run II Yard of the Month

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 07:37:53 -0700

Nick Carbone of Mallard Trace in Quail Run II is the July 2007 Yard of the Month winner!! Mr. Carbone's yard was chosen because of the meticulous manner in which the yard is maintained. All plants, shrubs, and trees are trimmed to perfection. The grass is well manicured and groomed like a golf course! The summer flowers are in full bloom and add to the beauty of the property. Congratulations Nick Carbone!

As seen on; http://www.starwoodhoa.com/pages/yard_of_the_month.aspx

I am a proud resident of Starwood!

-Meg

The Juice has to be Worth the Squeeze

Meg Stewart ~ Appraiser ~ Frisco, Texas (Reliable Appraisal) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:26:50 -0700

Many of us work proudly everyday to over-serve our clients.

Providing great customer service is one of the best assurances to maintaining our most prized clients.

Marketing and selling our services to new clients is the life-blood of our sustainability in this industry. The easiest sale is to a prospective client who is dissatisfied with their current service provider.....

However, the hardest sell are to those prospective clients who needs are in fact being met.

We have to be cognoscente to the fact that "The Juice Has to BE Worth the Squeeze" as we present our services to prospective clients who are "for the most part" happy with their current provider. Sometimes the pain of change is perceived to hurt a little more than the pain of staying in a marginal relationship.

I believe in order to make the juice worth the squeeze, and encourage change, we need to be crystal clear on the 3-5 key points of differences we offer to prospective clients. Better said, how will they benefit from the change?

I would be most interested in your thoughts or experiences....

-Meg