That breeze you feel coming in off Lake Ray Hubbard is the sigh of relief from recent home buyers and sellers. It is no doubt that 2015 will be remembered as one of the hottest real estate markets in North Texas. Single-family residential properties are continuing to sell at record levels. In Garland alone there were 214 houses sold in June which was the highest total for a month over the last five years. In Rowlett, sales are still brisk in Continue Reading
Signs You Are Ready to Sell
The Dallas Fort Worth area offers a great place to live, with work opportunities, endless things to do for entertainment, a vibrant and diverse culture, and lots of places to go for fun on the water. It’s no wonder so many people have chosen to call this area home. You may live here for any number of reasons, but what if you’re stuck in a home you don’t want to be in, or have outgrown your home, or want to be closer to the lake, or have thought Continue Reading
Do You Really Need a Real Estate Agent?
Many people don't really understand what a professional real estate agent brings to the table, and wonder if they really need one. However, when it comes to making such a large purchase, having a professional on your team can be of great benefit, both if you are selling your home or buying your first one. A professional real estate agent will guide you through the home buying process, saving unnecessary stress and providing information you Continue Reading
My Thoughts on Buying or Selling A Home in Garland, Rowlett, or Rockwall
It's hard to believe that August is almost behind us. School is starting and yes, real estate demand has continued to be strong. Following are my thoughts as well as some facts on the current residential real estate market in the Garland, Rowlett, and Rockwall areas as we move into September. If you have a real estate question I could help you with, please feel free to call me at (214) 642-1375 or click here to Continue Reading
Follow the Data to Find Your Way Home
Is this the right time to buy? Is this the right time to sell? Well, there is this adage, follow the data to find your way home. Each month, The Research Division of the National Association of REALTORS receives data on existing home sales (single-family, condos, and co-ops) from the local associations and multiple listing services nationwide. The data reveals that the total existing-home sales for June 2015 increased 3.2 percent. Sales Continue Reading
Politics, Religion, and Real Estate
We all know there are two topics you should not bring up at a dinner party or barbecue in Texas: religion and politics. Those topics can make for a toxic conversation. Fortunately, I'm hoping those rules don't apply here to mortgage financing or real estate, especially Rockwall, Garland, and Rowlett real estate. In the book, Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate, the authors researched how people's behaviors in these two Continue Reading
Ensuring a Positive Home Sale
Selling your home comes with its own rules, strategies and emotions, just as buying a new home does. With the steady market in the Garland, Rowlett and Rockwall areas, it’s tempting to sell your home now if you’ve even been thinking about it. Here are a few ways to avoid having seller’s remorse and have the best sales experience when selling your home. Don’t Overlook Your Pricing Strategy You might have mixed emotions when selling your home, Continue Reading
5 Things Sellers Need to Sell
There are a lot of selling points that are commonly used when you list a home. The usual things typically pointed out are the number of bedrooms, how many bathrooms, the age of the appliances, the square feet, if it has a fenced yard, and the like. These are all features that buyers want to know about of course, but these are features that every seller will point out. However, there might be features about your house that you need to let buyers Continue Reading
What’s in a Street Name?
Have you ever wondered how your street got its name? Or if the name even matters? Your street name can be as unique as your home. For many it's just an afterthought, and 'Street,' Drive,' or 'Court' all mean the same, it's only the house that matters right? Wrong. Your street name can actually say a lot about the immediate area as well as the homes located on the street. The value of a home is tied to several things, such as the build quality Continue Reading
When Exactly Should I List My Home?
Did you know that according to NTREIS (North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Inc.), home sales in the DFW area reach their peak in the month of July? For much of the rest of the country that peak occurs in June. According to Zillow Talk, in the last week of June alone, national residential real estate transactions are 40 percent higher than average throughout the year. In colder climates, the peak comes a bit later in the spring. March, Continue Reading
Real Estate Tax Breaks Sometimes Overlooked
Whether you’re buying a home in the Garland, Rowlett or Rockwall areas, there are a few, sometimes overlooked tax breaks for homeowners that could help you save some money when filing your income taxes. A tax code of 73,954 pages means that sometimes people miss the important stuff, the items that could save them money. A few of these items are tax breaks related to real estate you own. I’ve listed a few below. Be sure to bring them up to your Continue Reading
What Is A Title Insurance Policy? Is It Important?
When buying that dream home in the Garland, Rowlett, or Rockwall areas, one of the last things you are likely to think about is the title policy. However let’s look at why your lender requires you to purchase a title policy or why it makes sense to purchase a title policy if you are paying cash. What is title insurance and why do you need it? Title insurance is an insurance policy that is designed to protect the lien holder (mortgage company) Continue Reading
What to Evaluate When Making A Purchase Offer
The window of opportunity for purchasing a new home in the Garland, Rowlett, and Rockwall areas is prime. Interest rates are now at 19-month all-time lows. However, area listing inventory and sales trends over the last several months make it more important than ever that you have the best negotiating position with your purchase offer. So if you are considering purchasing that dream home in the Garland, Rowlett, and Rockwall areas, following are Continue Reading
Do I Really Need A Real Estate Agent?
[sws_grey_box box_size="90%"] The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, investment and/or real estate advice. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, we do not make any representations as to its accuracy or completeness and as a result, there is no guarantee it is without errors. [/sws_grey_box] Continue Reading
Have Area Home Prices Hit Their Peak?
It appears the run-up in Dallas area home prices, in particular Garland, Rowlett, and Rockwall might have hit their peak, at least for the time being. The median sales price in Garland hit a 3-year high in July of $137,000 which appears for now to be it's plateau. Since July, the median sales price has declined -$4,500 to $132,500. Rowlett and Rockwall also hit 3-year highs in May and June respectively. Wylie seems to be the exception for now. Continue Reading
