New Home Owners: Apply for Your Homestead Exemption - Save Money on Property Taxes

If you bought a house last year, it's time to make your New Year even better by Saving Money!!! 

That's right, save some money! Between January 1st - April 30th, you can apply for your Homestead Exemption! You might remember hearing about this exemption at your closing. The Homestead Exemption can help you save money on your property taxes by reducing the taxable value of your property! In order to qualify for the Residential Homestead Exemption, you must be occupying the property as your homestead on January 1st of the tax year in which the exemption is granted. 

The process of filing the Homestead Exemption is FREE and very easy - just visit the (see list below) where you can print off a form to fill out. It doesn't take much time at all. Be sure that when you apply for exemptions that the address on your Driver's License or ID Card matches the property on the application or your application/request will be denied.

***Beware ... there are "companies" out there that will solicit you and tell you that they'll file the exemption on your behalf and of course there'll be a charge for it! But remember that YOU can do it for FREE. If you ever have any questions as to the validity of one of these solicitations just give me a call.

In addition to the Homestead Exemption, you might also qualify for: Disabled Individual Exemption, Agricultural Land Exemption, Disabled Veteran Exemption and/or the Over 65 Exemption.

Have a blessed 2019 and don't forget...I'm never too busy for any of your referrals!

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Let me know if I can help you or your family/friends with any Real Estate needs. Please know that I am never too busy for you or your referral & I would honor the chance to earn the business!

If there's a neighborhood that you'd like more information on simply Email me EMAIL me or go to my Website to request a personal Home Search.   If you're thinking about Selling your home and would like to find out how much your home is worth in the current market, simply go to my Website to fill out the form. 

Woodbridge Home Just Listed - 6826 Country Club Dr, Sachse

Have you been considering Sachse, TX as a place to call home? 

Woodbridge Community is one of the best places to live within this amazing city! Woodbridge is a master-planned neighborhood with community Parks & Playgrounds, 5 Swimming Facilities, Ponds, Nature Trails AND the Woodbridge Golf Course. 

If Woodbridge sounds like the place for you, well look no further than this beautiful home that is Move In Ready! This charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath home boasts a bright Open Concept Kitchen and Living Space, a large backyard that gets morning sun & afternoon shade, and is in walking distance to 2 pools! 

In addition to being in the fabulous Woodbridge Community, this home is in Dallas County, so you will have lower property taxes AND it's in the Garland School District which means you get to choose your schools.

Call / Email me to make an appointment to see this amazingly fabulous house!

Let me know if I can help you or your family/friends with any Real Estate needs. If there's a neighborhood that you'd like more information on in Rowlett, Rockwall, Garland, Mesquite, Fate, Royse City, Wylie, Sachse, or Murphy, simply Email me or go to my Website to request a personal Home Search.   If you're thinking about Selling your home and would like to find out how much your home is worth in the current market, simply go to my Website to fill out the form.  Please know that I am never too busy for you or your referral & I would honor the chance to earn the business!

Home Inspections Are a MUST When Buying A Home!

Home Inspections ... should you have one??? YES you should most certainly have one! ~ Should you get a Home Inspections if the Seller already has one??? YES you should most certainly get one! ~ Should you get a Home Inspections if you're buying a New Build Home??? YES you should most certainly have one!

Home Inspections are, in my book, a MUST whether you're buying a New Build House or a Previously Owned House. You wouldn't buy a car without knowing it's history or how it runs! Inspections allow the buyer to receive factual information on the condition of the house. The Big 5 that really need to be examined by the Buyer are:

1. Foundation
2. Heating/Cooling System
3. Roof
4. Plumbing
5. Electrical

... and in Texas, let's add Termites or other Wood Destroying Insects.


Inspectors are extremely thorough with the inspection and will typically be at the home for 3+ hours checking EVERYTHING and then some ... so don't be surprised if your Inspection Report is close to 40 pages! Most will include pictures with special notes & diagrams, which is useful when conveying the items you wish to be repaired by the seller AND you can refer to it at a later date.


Once the Buyer and Seller agree on the repairs, it's important that those repairs are done by Licensed Professionals. Be sure to get the receipt from the Seller so you know who to contact if the issue occurs again and if a warranty was given, it can switched to your name.


Now, not only do you get to find out the condition of the property but you also get a chance to learn some great tips on how to fix the issues as well as tips on how to prevent issues. I personally learn something new every time I'm with a buyer for an Inspection! Here's a few that I have learned and often hear ...

• For people, an Apple a day may keep the Doctor away but for a House, watering the soil around your house keeps the Foundation Company away!

• Satellite Dishes screwed onto the roof often times aren't sealed properly or the seal wears away w time & allows rain to sweep through the screw holes. Easy Fix ... purchase Black Roof Tar from Lowe's/Home Depot & apply around the screws.

• All Outlets have a "master" & the others in circuit are "slaves" ... meaning that if 1 of the slave outlets isn't working simply Reset the Master outlet & wallah

• Acrobat Ants, which are not 1 of the 16 Wood Destroying Insects, can do as much damage as Carpenter Ants & it's important to have your house treated for them as well.

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Let me know if I can help you or your family/friends with any Real Estate needs. Please know that I am never too busy for you or your referral & I would honor the chance to earn the business!

If there's a neighborhood that you'd like more information on simply Email me EMAIL me or go to my Website to request a personal Home Search.   If you're thinking about Selling your home and would like to find out how much your home is worth in the current market, simply go to my Website to fill out the form. 

Lake Ray Hubbard Housing Market - May 2017

If you're wondering how the Housing Market is doing, you're not alone ... it's actually a question I get a lot! Ladies and Gentlemen, the summer Housing Market is in full swing and no matter where you live in the Dallas-Ft Worth Metroplex, the market is already better than last year!  

So what do I mean by that? Prices are steadily increasing and Houses are going to Contract quicker! This is likely due to the increase of business moving their headquarters here, thus bringing more Buyers. If you're contemplating SELLING your home, now really is a great time! As a BUYER, the Mortgage Rates are still relatively low and requirements are loosening up a bit.

Below are the Numbers of how the Housing Market was May for cities in the Lake Ray Hubbard and surrounding area.

Garland Housing Market stats: 

• 257 Homes Listed for Sale in May and 192 SOLD during May!
• The Median (mid-point) Sales Price for 

  Garland

  ,TX Homes for Sale was $186,750! 
• Average of 22 Days on market!
• Compared to 2016 that had a $170,000 Median Sales Price and 30 Days on market!

Rowlett & Sachse Housing Market stats:

• 171 Homes Listed for Sale in May and 121 SOLD during May!
• The Median (mid-point) Sales Price for Rowlett & Sachse,TX Homes for Sale was $239,000!  
• Average of 19 Days on market!
• Compared to 2016 that had a $224,250 Median Sales Price and 23 Days on market!

Rockwall Housing Market stats:   

• 322 Homes Listed for Sale in May and 203 SOLD during May!
• The Median (mid-point) Sales Price for Rockwall,TX Homes for Sale was $282,000! 
• Average of 39 Days on market!
• Compared to 2016 that had a $264,500 Median Sales Price and 33 Days on market!

Wylie Housing Market stats:   

• 172 Homes Listed for Sale in May and 129 SOLD during May!
• The Median (mid-point) Sales Price for Wylie,TX Homes for Sale was $273,200!  
• Average of 41 Days on market!
• Compared to 2016 that had a $265,000 Median Sales Price and 43 Days on market!

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Let me know if I can help you or your family/friends with any Real Estate needs. Please know that I am never too busy for you or your referral & I would honor the chance to earn the business!

If there's a neighborhood that you'd like more information on simply Email me or go to my Website to request a personal Home Search.   If you're thinking about Selling your home and would like to find out how much your home is worth in the current market, simply go to my Website to fill out the form. 

Rowlett TX, Why You Should Make it YOUR HOME

WOW ~ Rowlett, TX, The City on the Lake & on the Move, was named "2015 America's Top Small City to Move To" by MOVOTO ... again!!!

 

It really is no surprise that Rowlett TX, a Northern suburbs of Dallas that is surrounded by ~30 miles of Shoreline, was named the #1 "Top Small City to Move to"! As a matter of fact, SafeWise deemed Rowlett TX as 1 of the 50 "Safest Places to live in Texas" ... and the neighboring cities of Murphy, Wylie & Sachse made the list as well!!! Not to mention, in 2010, Money Magazine named Rowlett TX #24 in the "100 Best Places to Live in America"! AND for the past many years, Rowlett TX has received the "Playful City" award from KaBoom which awards cities across America that have local policies/programs in place that support and increase play opportunities for children! 

Rowlett TX is just a hop, skip & a jump from Downtown Dallas (~20 miles) and since the completion of the Eastern extension of the George Bush Toll Way & the DART Light Rail Blue Line Extension, Rowlett TX is literally minutes from everything!

Rowlett has seen great growth and has still been able to hold on to their small town feel which really brings a sense of Community to it's residents. There's always Events or Activities to do ~ just check out what Rowlett has to offer!  In addition, parents/children have a choice as to what school they want to attend within the Garland 

ISD, which has numerous 

Recognized & Exemplary schools! 

Another big draw to Rowlett TX is the reasonable Home Prices that are quite a bit lower than near by towns like Murphy, Frisco or Plano. And let's not forget that in Rowlett TX, you can even live On the Lake and have YOUR very own Private Boat Dock! 

If you want your Cake & Eat it too ... meaning a Progressive Town that is near a major Metroplex but has a Down Home Feeling & has been Nationally & on a State level recognized as a great place to live, then Rowlett TX is the city for you! 

 

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Let me know if I can help you or your family/friends with any Real Estate needs. 

If there's a neighborhood that you'd like more information on in Rowlett, Rockwall, Garland, Mesquite, Fate, Royse City, Wylie, Sachse, or Murphy, simply Email me or go to my Website to request a personal Home Search.   If you're thinking about Selling your home and would like to find out how much your home is worth in the current market, simply go to my Website to fill out the form.

Please know that I am never too busy for you or your referral & I would honor the chance to earn the business!

Living in Rowlett ... What's Not to LOVE?!!?

Wow the City of Rowlett has so many activities to offer their residence!!! 

Did you know that Rowlett has ... 

• 5 Community Parks that have Covered Pavillions
• it's own WATER PARK, the "Wet Zone"
• a Community Center with Full size Basketball Courts, Raquetball Courts, a Weight Room and Indoor Track, and Fitness Classes
• Athletic Classes/Sport Teams for Toddlers all the way to Seniors Citizens
• Art & Educational Classes ... like Pottery, Glass Fussion & SAT Prep
• Community Events that are FREE ... like Touch a Truck, Kids Fishing Day, Easter Egg Hunt & even a Cardboard Boat Regatta 
• and a Golf Course, "Waterview Golf Club"

           
To see all of the details about these activities or facilities, click here to go to the City of Rowlett Parks & Recreation 2016 Spring Newsletter.


Just another fabulous reason I LOVE living in Rowlett, the City on the Lake & on the Move! 

Let me know if I can help you or your family/friends with any Real Estate needs. 

If there's a neighborhood that you'd like more information on in Rowlett, Rockwall, Garland, Mesquite, Fate, Royse City, Wylie, Sachse, or Murphy, simply Email me or go to my Website to request a personal Home Search.   If you're thinking about Selling your home and would like to find out how much your home is worth in the current market, simply go to my Website to fill out the form.  

Please know that I am never too busy for you or your referral & I would honor the chance to earn the business!

What Making an EXTRA Mortgage Payment Can Do For You

It's TAX time & as I was getting all our Tax Documents together for our annual meeting with our accountant, jamming to my 90's rock, I kept thinking of all that we will do with our REFUND ... hmmm ... a beach vacation where we can sip on pina coladas all day, or having a "pamper me" day or 2, or a weekend in Napa visiting all the fabulous wineries ... WHAT?! A girl can dream!

But just as I was finishing, I was shocked at my new idea of what we really NEED to do with our refund. I hope you're sitting down for this one because it's a shocker! 

  Wait for it   ... 

SEND AN EXTRA MORTGAGE PAYMENT 

I know ... I told you it was a shocker! 

Okay so I hear you! WHY send in an extra mortgage payment instead of going on a fab vacay? It's simple, by just sending in 1 extra Mortgage Payment, which by the way goes directly to the principal,

• We'll be able to pay it off sooner ... at least 4 or more years early!

• It also greatly reduces the amount of interest we'll have to pay ... by the $10+ thousands (which is more than any tax return i'll be getting)! and it

• Builds up more equity in the house ... which increases our credit rating! and / or amount we get if we sell.

After talking with 1 of my preferred Mortgage Lenders, Mason Whitehead with Churchill Mortgage, he told me that it's an absolute money saver! BUT ... he did tell me to be sure to write on the check    memo line "Extra Payment for Principal" and to put a note in the  envelope stating the same thing. If not, the banks will think  we're just making an early partial payment for next month and won't apply it to the principal balance of our loan. Eeeek - I don't want them to think that!

So now, with fingers crossed that we get a refund, I'm dreaming about all the fabulous things we can do with the $10+ thousands we'll be saving ... hmmm  ...  a Beach Vacation on a Private Island where we can sip on pina coladas all day, or having a "pamper me" day every week, or a week in Napa visiting all the fabulous wineries collecting wine for our new wine cellar ... WHAT?! A girl can dream! :) 

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Let me know if I can help you or your family/friends with any Real Estate needs. Please know that I am never too busy for you or your referral & I would honor the chance to earn the business!

If there's a neighborhood that you'd like more information on in Rowlett, Rockwall, Garland, Mesquite, Fate, Royse City, Wylie, Sachse, or Murphy, simply Email me or go to my Website to request a personal Home Search.   If you're thinking about Selling your home and would like to find out how much your home is worth in the current market, simply go to my Website to fill out the form.

2016 Projected Housing Market

Here's a good read from the Washington Post to see what the Real Estate Market is looking like for 2016. 


2016 Projected Housing Market


Let me know if you have any questions or would like more information on Buying or Selling. Please know that I'm never to busy for YOU or YOUR referrals!

Housing Trend eNewsletter - Dec 2015

December 2015 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter

Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.

The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau and Realtor.org reports, videos, key market indicators and real estate sales statistics, a video message by a nationally recognized economist, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, plus local neighborhood information and more. Please click here to view the December 2015 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter.

If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the Home Evaluator link for a free evaluation report.

For Sale - A Texas Castle Just for You in Wylie TX, 1209 Braddock Way

Yes, you can literally be the King & Queen of your Castle!!! There's a Texas Castle just for you in Wylie TX that's for Sale! 

This stunning Custom Home in Braddock Place, is nestled in the vibrant town of Wylie. Braddock Place offers the spacious feel of rural living, while still providing the big city conveniences. With unparalleled schools in the Wylie ISD, appealing retail and restaurants (Homegoods, TJMaxx, Target, Lowes, Super Kroger, Home Depot, Chiloso, Starbucks, etc.), great parks and community activities, the Braddock Place Community is a Dream, and 1209 Braddock Way is your DREAM HOME!

Braddock Place, Wylie TX - Beautiful Homes on Half Acre Lots

Nestled in the vibrant town of Wylie, Braddock Place offers the spacious feel of rural living, while still providing the big city conveniences. Braddock Place is a master-planned community with neighborhoods featuring beautiful homes that are on large 1/2 acre homesites for Pre Existing homes & 1/4 acre on New Build homes, a newly completed Community Pool and a short walk to Watkins Elementary, that is just outside of the community. 

With unparalleled schools in the Wylie ISD, appealing retail and restaurants (Homegoods, TJMaxx, Target, Lowes, Super Kroger, Home Depot, Chiloso, Starbucks, etc.), great parks and community activities, the Braddock Place community is a dream.  Braddock Place is in Collin County which has a favorable tax rate and is also within a quick drive of both Lake Ray Hubbard and Lake Lavon, not to mention Firewheel Mall with it's many restaurants, shops & movie theatre!  




Give me a call to tour a Stunning House in this ideal neighborhood!

Wylie - The Hidden Gem of Dallas Metro Plex

Are you looking for an area that's close to the Working Corridors of Dallas, Frisco, Allen, or Plano but still offers new builds at affordable prices?  Wylie is, hands down "that" place!  DFW is growing at a crazy rate, it's the 3rd fasted growing metroplex in the Country and has been growing by over 100,000 people a year for the last 2 years.  These numbers are only expected to increase as Toyota, State Farm Insurance and other companies move their headquarters to the DFW Metro-Plex in the next couple of years.  Many suburbs , like Frisco & McKinney, have already experienced so much growth that modest houses are selling for a crippling premium. Wylie on the other hand is prime ... offering great homes at affordable, not blown up prices.

Wylie is  the hidden gem of the DFW Metro-Plex.  Not only is it closer to downtown, uptown and North Dallas, it also offers the best combination of cozy hometown feel & spacious new developments.   With one of the best School Districts (Wylie ISD) in the metroplex and gorgeous neighborhoods of brick and stone homes, like Braddock Place, more and more families are moving to the area.  The quick access afforded by both the Tollway and Hwy 78, as well as the organized City Planning, make it an easy place to live.

Few people just how many perks Wylie has to offer, from fishing and camping on Lake Lavon, to golf courses, rock climbing at the rec center, hiking the trails, celebrations held in the picturesque old town center, and so much more.  Let me show you around, meet some of your future neighbors and discover why Wylie is one of the best suburbs around!

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Let me know if I can help you or your family/friends with any Real Estate needs. Please know that I am never too busy for you or your referral & I would honor the chance to earn the business!

If there's a neighborhood that you'd like more information on in Rowlett, Rockwall, Garland, Mesquite, Fate, Royse City, Wylie, Sachse, or Murphy, simply Email me or go to my Website to request a personal Home Search.   If you're thinking about Selling your home and would like to find out how much your home is worth in the current market, simply go to my Website to fill out the form.

Spring Around Lake Ray Hubbard

Goodbye Snow & Ice ... HELLO SPRING!!!  

Are you as ready for Spring as I am?!? One of the reasons is because the Lake Ray Hubbard communities ROCK for outdoor lovers & GARDNERS in particular. 

Did you know the City of Rowlett is currently offering free mulch to residents? and The City of Mesquite offers free mulch AND compost to their residents! 

Speaking of the City of Mesquite, they have one of the best Organic Nurseries in the Dallas Metro-plex, Ron's Organic Dynamic.


Meanwhile, the City of Rowlett is home to the famous Covington’s Nursery which draws patrons from as far as Tyler, TX due to their superior quality and great service for over 40 years! 

The City of Rockwall offers The Discovery Gardens, an educational garden operated under the collaborative effort of the Rockwall Master Gardeners Association and the Rockwall ISD Ag Department.

 
Whether you’re an active Gardener or just an admirer of nature, the communities around Lake Ray Hubbard offer a wealth of resources.  Look around, and find a place to dig in!  (Pun intended)

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Let me know if I can help you or your family/friends with any Real Estate needs. Please know that I am never too busy for you or your referral & I would honor the chance to earn the business!

If there's a neighborhood that you'd like more information on in Rowlett, Heath, Rockwall, Garland, Mesquite, Fate, Royse City, Wylie, Sachse, or Murphy, simply Email me or go to my Website to request a personal Home Search.   If you're thinking about Selling your home and would like to find out how much your home is worth in the current market, simply go to my Website to fill out the form.