real estate: Pool Homes in Allen Texas - 12/20/13 12:46 AM
While it is the middle of winter in North Texas, spring usually comes early. With the warmer spring temperatures, we find buyers searching for Allen Texas homes for sale with pools.
Homes with pools in Allen Texas are common and are found at a variety of price-points. Most pools are made of gunite but we do see vinyl-lined pools from time-to-time. We prefer gunite pools as they tend to hold up better over time. Older pools tend to use chlorine to sanitize the water but saline is becoming popular. Saline pools require less maintenance and the plaster covering the gunite tends … (1 comments)

real estate: Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Boat Dock in Sight! - 12/18/13 12:01 AM
Homes for Sale with Boat Docks in the DFW Metroplex
We recently were talking to a couple relocating to the Dallas Forth Worth Metroplex. They wanted to live on a lake but were surprised to find that many of our local lakes do not allow boat docks or lifts.
Most of our lakes were built and are maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and the land surrounding these lakes are also owned by the government. While many homes are lake-front and have access to the water, the COE does not allow docks or lifts to be built. A few … (3 comments)

real estate: Homes for Sale in Plano Texas with Wine Cellars - 12/16/13 10:23 PM
We’ve been watching an interesting trend over the past few years—wine has become very popular. While fine wines have always been popular among the well-to-do, recent trends show that it is now popular with all economic groups.
Not surprisingly, an entire industry has evolved to cater to those new wine connoisseurs. Browse any store or online specialty shops and you’ll find all kinds of things for sale. Corkscrews, glasses, decanters, napkins, coolers, racks—the list seems endless.
That trend is now influencing Plano Texas housing--wine cellars. Although we do see the occasional wine cellar under the home, most of them are spaces … (1 comments)

real estate: 48 Hours, 33 Showings, 7 Offers - The North Dallas Market is Hot - 03/10/13 10:12 PM

The North Dallas Market is Hot! The Branch Team listed the property at 11901 Shoal Creek in Frisco Texas on Friday evening. In the first 48 hours we had 33 showings and 7 offers. This continues to confirm that properly prepared, staged, photographed, and right-priced homes are flying off the market. With inventories and interest rates at record lows, this is the optimum time to sell your home.
Our marketing plan includes 2 hours of professional staging, professional photography, and over 30 years of team experience selling real estate.
Click here for a FREE market evaluation of your home's value.
… (5 comments)

real estate: Lakes of Prosper Texas - 03/08/13 10:44 PM

The Lakes of Prosper is located in the small, quaint North Texas town of Prosper. Just north of Highway 380 off the Dallas North Tollway, Lakes of Prosper provides the comforts of a small town, but with easy access to all the Big City has to offer. With quiet streets, parks, water features and lots of open space, Lakes of Prosper presents the ideal living environment.

With a beautiful selection of home options by Highland Homes, beautifully landscaped common areas, and resort-style amenities including community pool with kid’s spray park and pavilion, playground and athletic fields, Lakes of Prosper … (1 comments)

real estate: Golf Course Homes in McKinney Texas - 01/06/13 11:52 PM

If you're a golf enthusiast, McKinney Texas is a great place to look for a golf course home!
McKinney is home to eight golf courses including Stonebridge Ranch (two courses--one private by Peter Dye and the other public), TPC Craig Ranch (designed by Tom Weiskopf), The Eldorado Country Club (designed by Gary Roger Baird), The Golf Club at McKinney (designed by Lyndy Lindsey), Oak Hollow Golf Course, Hank Haney Golf Ranch at Westridge, and the Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club (an over 55 community).
Click here to see all golf course homes in McKinney Texas.
Contact us at 214-227-6626 … (1 comments)

real estate: 629 Mossycup Oak Plano Texas Home For Sale - 11/03/12 11:20 PM

4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 3554 Square Feet Per Tax | 4 Living | 2 Dining
Well-kept one-owner home in the golf community of Chase Oaks. Great curb appeal with lush landscaping and flagstone.

You’re greeted with extensive hardwood flooring and a beautiful spiral staircase.

The updated island kitchen has granite counters, gas cook top, breakfast bar, and stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliances.

The handsome two-story library has a wall of bookshelves and stairs leading to the spacious master suite and oversized sitting area.

Huge master suite with separate sitting room. Master bath has a … (2 comments)

real estate: Are Hip Pocket Listings Really A Good Thing? - 09/17/12 10:50 PM
I read a blog posted on Candy’s Dirt this morning titled, “Newest Status Symbol: Our House Sold Before Going on the Market. Hip Pocket Sales and Why Brokers Love Them” In this blog, Candy talks about the growing trend for brokers to hold new listings off the market and then sell them to their own clients.
She goes on to write, “The proliferation of Hip Pocket sales is really good for Realtors, because they are back cutting deals again and doing what they do best: network. Also, it’s good for the brokers, especially if they can get both sides of the … (89 comments)

real estate: Is There Really a 3.8 Percent Home Sales Tax in 2013? - 08/02/12 02:03 AM
This question continues to arrive in my email box with a number of clients concerned that the new healthcare legislation imposes a 3.8 percent transfer tax on all homes sold after 2013.
According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR),
"The 3.8% tax is imposed ONLY on those with more than $200,000 of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) ($250,000 on a joint return). The tax applies to investment income, defined as interest, dividends, capital gains and net rents. These items are all included in an individual's AGI. A formula will determine what portion, if any, of these types of investment income would … (3 comments)

real estate: Frisco TX Home For Sale 4609 Poppy Hills - 07/23/12 10:50 AM

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1828 Square Feet per Tax | Built in 2000
Fabulous single-level in The Villages of Lake Brook Farms. Great drive-up appeal with lush landscaping. Inside you will find fresh paint, recent carpet, undated fixtures, blinds, designer colors and so clean! Master suite with jetted tub, separate shower and walk-in closet. Energy efficient with R49 insulation, radiant barrier, and new ductwork. Backyard has lots of trees and covered deck that is perfect for entertaining. Easy access to SRT.

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Virtual Tour

Click here for more information, status, and current pricing.
Click … (6 comments)

real estate: Ridgeview Ranch in Plano Texas - 06/28/12 10:47 PM

Nestled among the rolling hills and expansive greenbelts of Plano, Texas; Ridgeview Ranch residents experience the feeling of resort community living with the convenience of big city life. A master-planned community of 870 homes, Ridgeview Ranch provides an abundance of recreational opportunities for residents of any age including two pools and playgrounds, a tennis court, workout facility, basketball goal, picnic areas and easy access to the 18-hole championship golf course at the Ridgeview Ranch Golf Club.
School-age residents attend Exemplary rated schools in the highly-regarded Frisco Independent School District including Anderson and Taylor Elementary Schools, Fowler and Vandeventer Middle Schools, … (2 comments)

real estate: Castle Hills Lewisville Texas - 06/23/12 10:33 PM

Castle Hills is a majestic 2,500-acre master-planned golf course community, located in North Dallas, west of the Tollway and Park Blvd., near Carrollton, west of Plano. Convenient to major employers, shopping, recreation, and entertainment, Castle Hills is one of the premier residential golf communities in North Texas.
In addition to an ideal location, Castle Hills has unrivaled amenities and a small-town feel. The Castle Hills Golf Club is home to the 18-hole, Jay Morrish-designed course and club with dining, pro shop, meeting rooms and teaching academy. Throughout Castle Hills, there are parks, lakes, a hike-and-bike trail and community centers with … (0 comments)

real estate: RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs Ranked 15 in DFW - 04/06/12 11:27 PM

The Dallas Business Journal released the 2011 Top Residential Real Estate Brokerage List on March 23, 2012. RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs ranked number 15 in 2011 with 1134 closed sides and over $270 million in sales.
RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs agents averaged 14.9 sides and $3.55 million in sales volume per agent. Among the national brands in the Metroplex, RE/MAX agents outproduce all other brands by a 3 to 1 margin.
Source: Dallas Business Journal; March 23-29, 2012; Page 14Originally posted at http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2012/04/07/remax-dallas-suburbs-ranked-15-in-dfw/
… (1 comments)

real estate: McKinney TX Home For Sale 7809 Shasta - 04/04/12 04:21 AM

4 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 2 Car Garage | 2235 SF/Tax
Great single-level Lennar home shows like a model! 2 living and 2 dining areas. Large kitchen with loads of cabinet space and black appliances opens to breakfast nook and family room with wood-burning gas-starter fireplace. Formal dining room with chair rails. Master suite has garden tub, dual sinks, separate shower, and a walk-in closet. 4th bedroom split away could be office. Open patio and pool-sized back yard is perfect for entertaining. Click here for more details, photos, virtual tour, status, and pricing on this McKinney TX Townhome For … (0 comments)

real estate: Thinking About Selling? This May Be The Time! - 02/26/12 10:17 AM

The past couple of months have been crazy! Homes that are in good condition, show ready, and priced right are flying off the greater Dallas market. It's almost like the good old days. Two of our recent listings had multiple offers within a week of going on the market and several of our buyers had to pay list or above in order to secure a contract. The buyer's market in north Dallas area is over in the under $200k price range.
There's been a lot of speculation as to the reasons but many first-time home buyers have been sitting on … (6 comments)

real estate: Real Estate is Not eBay! - 01/25/12 01:38 PM

There is an alarming trend among many buyers of real estate these days. We're seeing more and more people who want to "place bids" rather than to "make offers" on a home.
Real estate is not eBay. While some real estate is sold in an auction format, the vast majority of sales are not. I realize that in some markets buyers are in full control given the volume of short sales and foreclosures, but in many places the markets are balanced and in some places there are seller's markets.
In the north Dallas suburbs, there is a severe shortage of … (37 comments)

real estate: Allen TX Home For Sale 1631 Wood Creek - 11/30/11 10:12 PM

This 4 bedroom, 3 and 1 half bath, 3186 square foot, Highland home is ready for new owners. Lots of space including a study, formal dining and game room. Located in Reid Farm, this home offers easy access to shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. Click on any of the photos for a larger view.

Imagine yourself cooking or entertaining in the gourmet island kitchen. All of the upper cabinets has glass doors for an elegant look. The island also hosts a breakfast bar. Lots of storage space!

The large family room has built-ins and a wood burning fireplace. The … (2 comments)

real estate: Isn’t This a Bad Time to List? - 11/25/11 01:39 PM

I bumped into a couple I know today. They know we’re Plano real estate agents and asked about listing their home. They were struggling with the timing. Do they list now or wait until the spring?
Traditional thinking is that the March-April timeframe is the best time to list a home. Since there are lots of buyers out looking, it’s a good time to be listed. While I agree with the basic thought, off-season listing can be more effective.
While there are not as many buyers out looking this time of year, the inventory of homes also drops dramatically. Sellers … (7 comments)

real estate: Ridgeview Ranch Market Report August 2011 - 09/04/11 02:59 AM

Ridgeview Ranch is a master planned golf course development of about 885 homes located in the heart of north Plano. The community consists of four distinct communities – The Villages at Ridgeview Ranch, The Estates of Ridgeview Ranch, The Manors at Ridgeview Ranch, and Ridgeview Ranch West. Community amenities include two pools, a fitness center, playgrounds, parks, and the Ridgeview Ranch Golf Course. The original homebuider for the development was Centex Homes.
August 2011 Statistics: Status:
Active – 14
Contingent – 1
Under Option – 2
Pending Sales – 3
Sold – 2

Solds
Average sales price per square … (1 comments)

real estate: Basic Real Estate Investing Terminology - 08/13/11 12:22 AM

With real estate leasing going strong in many parts of the nation, you may be considering getting into Real Estate Investing. In this blog, I’ll describe some of the basic terminology.
All examples will be based upon a $100,000 purchase price, $1,000 a month rent, $300 a month operating expenses, and a $450 a month mortgage.
Gross Rent Multiplier
GRM is used to describe a ratio between the cost of a property and the anticipated rental rate. It calculated by dividing the purchase price of the property by the monthly rent. In our example, we would use $100,000 / 1,000 … (7 comments)