Dallas Real Estate- Remodeling Investment

Are you thinking of remodeling your home? Consider the return on your investment before remodeling. Not all remodeling projects yield the same return in increasing your home’s value.

Updating your kitchen and baths is your best remodeling investment, returning a nearly dollar-for-dollar increase in home resale value. An updated kitchen and bathrooms make your home that much more attractive to potential buyers when you do decide to sell.

By contrast, converting a basement into a family room (if you're are has basements) or adding outdoor recreation facilities, such as a swimming pool or sport court, yield the lowest return on your investment.

Sometimes the cumulative effect of several smaller projects can yield a higher resale value than one or two larger ones. Smaller projects tend to be more cosmetic--new paint, doors, or windows. Larger projects that upgrade or add living space may cost more, but almost always add less resale value for the dollars spent, like converting space over the garage to a media room.

Whatever you do, be careful of over-improving for your neighborhood. Remodeling that significantly improves your property over neighboring homes won't return as much when it comes time to sell. People don't just buy a house, they're buying a neighborhood as well.

If you have any questions or you'd like additional information, please don't hesitate to call or email me. Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!

Dallas Real Estate- Minimize Stress in Moving

For most people, moving to a new residence is a stressful event. Here are some things you can do to minimize tension and worry when you sell your home:

* Choose a real estate agent (REALTOR®) who communicates clearly and frequently, keeping you up to speed on every step of the process.

* Price your home accurately for market conditions. Homes that sell quickly leave their sellers wondering if they set the price too low, while sellers whose homes sit on the market unsold wonder if they'll ever find a buyer.

* Decide whether you want to move yourself or have professional movers handle the job. If you hire a moving company, make sure to book well in advance.

* Think about cleaning services. After everything is packed and moved is a great time to have someone come in and clean.

* Arrange at least two weeks in advance to have utilities and phone service disconnected at your old house and reconnected in your new home on the move-in date.

Please let me know if I can answer any questions or provide additional information. Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!

Dallas Real Estate- Moving Day

Most buyers and sellers consider moving day a real hassle. Here are some things you can do to make it more manageable:

* Cut back on your possessions as you pack. Make separate areas for items to be discarded, sold, or donated to charity.
* Label all boxes and color-code them by room, whether you pack yourself or have help. Otherwise, you'll never remember what's in each box.
* Have the outside door locks on your new home changed and the garage door opener reprogrammed.
* Get referrals from your doctors, dentists, and veterinarians for new providers near your new home. Take your files with you instead of waiting for them to be sent.
* Pack a “first night” box that contains everything you'll need for the first night in your new home. Include bedding, cookware, utensils, toiletries, and anything else you can't do without before you are unpacked.

If you'd like additional tips or suggestions, please don't hesitate to call or email me. Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!

Dallas Real Estate- Internet Marketing

Have you wondered what it would take to sell your home for the highest price, in the shortest amount of time, and with a minimum of inconvenience?

Besides accurate pricing and an effective marketing campaign, posting your home on the Internet can make a huge difference. The Internet has largely replaced newspapers as the advertising medium of choice for real estate listings.

Why? Posting listings online costs almost nothing, information can be changed or updated almost instantly, listings can be screened by price or area, and the information is available to prospective buyers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

According to a recent survey, almost 88% of all buyers use the Internet to search for a new home. They like the ability to see pictures and obtain additional information. Plus, buyers who search on the Web spend an average of $22,600 more for their new home than other buyers. To accomplish my goal of selling your home for the best price in the least amount of time, let’s use one of the most effective marketing techniques--the Internet.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email me if you would like additional information.

Dallas Real Estate- Tech Savvy Realtor

When you choose a real estate agent, you’re selecting someone to represent you in one of the largest financial transactions you may ever undertake.

As the Internet continues to simplify the way people research buying and selling homes, there are many good reasons to choose a REALTOR® who can harness the power of technology to provide you with exceptional service, including:

· Sending up-to-date information by email for you to review at your convenience.
· Providing you with an online home evaluation to stay on top of current market value.
· Emailing new home listings to you as soon as desirable properties hit the market.
· Delivering e-newsletters to keep you informed about market trends and other important matters.
· Showcasing your home on the Web, over 20 websites, to help you sell it for top dollar.

Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling or simply want to stay informed about the real estate market, using new technology helps me consistently provide you with timely information and outstanding service.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email me if I can help you.

Dallas Real Estate- Pricing is Key

According to a recent report, nearly 82% of potential buyers use the Internet to refine their home search. Broker Web sites let buyers browse by house size, style, area, and price.

Because many buyers look only at those homes within their price range, it's important to accurately price your home for the market. The higher a home's price above market, the fewer the number of interested buyers, and the longer it will take to sell.

The key to selling your home quickly at the greatest return is to price it at market value right from the start. A fairly priced home will capitalize on the flurry of buyer interest a home enjoys during its first few weeks on the market. Plus, you're wanting to SELL your house, not just LIST your house, right?

Please don't hesitate to call or email me if I can answer your questions or help with additional information.

Dallas Real Estate- Showing Your House

I have found from experience that the activity during the first two weeks a home is on the market tends to predict how long it will take to sell. Potential buyers eagerly jump on new homes on the market.

I am an ASP, Accredited Staging Professional. This means that I've taken the classes to become certified in better helping my sellers STAGE® their homes in order to help them sell faster and for higher dollar.

Here are some “STAGING®” tips you might find helpful:

* Keep your home in “show shape.” Make sure that beds are made, dishes are in the dishwasher or put away, everything is picked up, and the kitchen and bathrooms sparkle. Let your counter space show, so put things away.

* Decorate with fresh flowers. Many home sellers use potted flowering plants that last much longer than cut flowers. Place them inside and out. They really add cheer!

* Turn on lights; replace all burned-out bulbs. Open blinds and draperies. Let the natural light in.

* Confine pets and keep them out of sight when possible. They can be distracting, and some people have allergies.

* Create a relaxed atmosphere with soft background music. Do not think the music in the family room needs to be heard in the back of the house if you don't have speakers in the various rooms. Loud music is distracting.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to call or email me.

Dallas Real Estate- First Impressions

As you prepare your home for the market, one thing to keep in mind is that you have only one chance to make a first impression. It is absolutely vital that prospective buyers form a good impression of your home--beginning the moment they drive up.

You can help create that good first impression by presenting potential buyers with a well-cared-for yard including a mowed lawn. Your front door and porch should be clean and neat, preferably freshly painted.

These first, important encounters create a positive impression that carries through to the rest of your home. An inviting atmosphere implies that your house has been well maintained and taken care of. Homes that convey pride of ownership frequently receive the best offers.

If your home appears disheveled or uncared for, prospective buyers may quickly conclude it's been neglected and is in need of repairs. Such a negative impression can result in a less-than-generous offer--or possibly no offer at all.

Try viewing your home through a potential buyer's eyes. Would YOU buy your home? What changes would you make?

I'll offer additional suggestions and tips from time to time. Please contact me by email or phone if I can be of further assistance.

Facts to Know about TEXAS

Below is a list of Facts about Texas. Some you'll know and remember them from elementary school. Others, you might look at them and think, where did they come up with that?!

And if you're relocating here to Texas, these are some things you should know about your future new home!!

Name: From "Tejas", Indian word meaning "friendly"
Capital: Austin
Motto: Friendship
Bird: Mockingbird
Tree: Pecan (how do you pronounce this word?)
Flower: Bluebonnet
Gem: Topaz (I did not know this)
Stone: Petrified Palmwood (huh?)
Dish: Chili
Song: "Texas, Our Texas"
Insect: Monarch Butterfly (I would have thought mosquito!!)
Fabric/fiber: Cotton
Dance: Square Dance
Fruit: Texas Red Grapefruit (I had no idea!)
Fish: Gualalupe Bass
Large Mammal: Longhorn (duh!)
Small Mammal: 9-Branded Armadillo
Plant: Prickly Pear Cactus (do pears grow on this or is it shaped like a pear like the Bradford Pear Tree?)
Reptile: Horned Lizard
Vegetable: Sweet Onion (to go in the Chili above!)

Texas Association of Realtors License Plate

They finally arrived!! Check out my new Texas Association of REALTORS® license plates. They look "fake" as they're so different. I'm going to definitely have to watch the way I drive now.... not that I'm a bad drive, because I'm a great driver, but I'm the type of driver that has somewhere to go, and I like to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible!





Thank you everyone who helped with the choice of "BUYIN".

What do you think?

Dallas Texas- 2006 Year End Home Sales

The report for the end of the year finally came out... or it's that I just checked my mail at my office and it was there.

These numbers are for 2006 DFW "Single Family Home" sale, which means it does NOT include condos, but it DOES include townhomes.

Number of Sales: 92,452 which is a 3% increase over last year

Average Price: $194,125 which is a 3% increase over last year

Median Price: $148,000 which is a 2% increase over last year

Active Listings: 44,389 which is a 7% increase over last year

Our average prices are still significally below the national average. And with a median price much lower than the average price, that shows you that many more homes are being sold in the lower-end price range than the higher end.

Texas- Home Sales Set Record for 2006

According to the Associated Press and NAR, Texas had a record year in 2006 whereas the rest of the nation didn't, for the most part.

NAR reported only 6.5 million units were sold in 2006 which was down 8.4% compared to 2005 sales. They also stated that 40% of sales in 2005 were to investors or second-home buyers. Once the market switched in several areas, those investors backed out and have, therefore, decreased sales overall.

Texas sold almost 290,000 homes in 2006 which was the higher amount sold to date.

Even with sales declines across the country in many high-dollar areas, the median sales price was $222,000 compared to $219,600 in 2005.

As I tell all my clients, you can't listen to the national news to see what's going on in our area. We have had tremendous activity where others have not. If more people would look at the facts and not depend on information in other areas, the Dallas area could see even more growth!!

If you're looking to move or invest in the Dallas area, give me a call/email!!

Texas- Tax Free Weekend Change

This is great news!

I'm not sure this happens in other states, but Texas has a TAX FREE weekend in August every year. Each year, they modify what is on the list. The original list was for clothes and school supplies to help parents save some money for the upcoming school year.

There was also a restriction that each item was only tax free up to the first $100. That meant, no tax free on designer $150 jeans!

Well, it was just reported yesterday that they're thinking about making more changes. The most recent change that might effect this coming August '07, is appliances!! How appliances really relate to going back to school, I don't know, but I guess some people could use the help to buy a big ticket item, save the tax, and then wash all the brand new clothes they just bought. This would also go towards refrigerators, and we all know those college students moving into the dorms could use a mini-fridge!

Overall, I think adding appliances to the list is a good thing. If you think it's good too, since this is not final yet, you might want to send an email to the state!

Wylie TX Home for Sale $135,000

This floorplan is very open and in move-in ready condition! 3 Beds, 2 Baths, 2 Car Garage, Built in 2002. The Kitchen and Nook have laminate wood floors, decorative lighting, upgraded counters, & walk-in pantry. The Master Bath has new tile floors, double sinks, linen closet, and large walk-in closet. The Backyard is HUGE with an extended patio! Rooms are split for privacy. 2" Blinds. Surround Sound in Family Room. Brick, Wood Burning Fireplace. Remote Ceiling Fans. Immaculate condition!!


Click here for the Virtual Tour.

McKinney TX Home For Sale $219,900

What a great floorplan! Versatile with either 4 Living or 3 Living and a Study with Double French doors. Massive Gameroom approx 23 x 19 with full bath! The Kitchen has an abundance of 42'Cherry Cabs & Counter space, Built-in Desk, Dry Bar with glass front cabinets, and walk-in Pantry. Tile and Carpet upgraded throughout. The Master is split from the others and has double Vanities, Jetted Tub, Separate Shower, and walk-in closet with built-in shelves. The Corner lot makes for a larger backyard. It also has an extended patio, great for entertaining! 2" Blinds, Covered Porch with columns, Surround Sound, Gas Log Fireplace, Full size separate Utility Room... so much more. This house is Immaculate so make your appointment today!!


Click here for the Visual Tour.

Dallas Real Estate- My Personal Message

Recently, I was in Chicago for a video shoot for a company. At the end of the interview, they allowed me to make a personal commercial. I had to quickly think of something to say that didn't sound stupid or scripted. It took me a couple of minutes, but then I remembered my Mission Statement that I have on my website and my Blog profile, and then it was easy. I've been using the same statement for almost 7 years now, so I had it down pretty well.

Watch my Personal Commerical here!!