Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Owning a $1 million home is no longer considered a luxury in America

Rising home prices and increased demand for high-end real estate has effectively raised the threshold of luxury

Garland TX Neighborhoods - Oakridge

Oakridge is a neighborhood built around a country club and golf course

If you would like to see the current listings and sales in this neighborhood Click Here

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for December - Garland TX

Sales in Garland just keep on keeping on. Up 9% in December compared to the same time last year. The average sales price rose 16% while the median sales price climbed 13%. Pending sales really took a jump coming in at a 21% increase. New listings saw 24% rise while the active listings were up 41%. While these numbers look good for the supply, they just reflect how low the inventory was last December. The months of inventory really tell the story. It's at 1.1 months. 6 months id considered a balanced market so you can see how we are really tilted to the sellers side.

Sales: 196

Average Sales Price: $218,074

Median Sales Price: $195,000

Pending Sales: 160

New Listings: 149

Active Listings: 192

Months of Inventory: 1.1

Information provided by the Real Estate Center

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

The Little Kitchen Detail That Makes a Big Difference

This is a post about a part of your kitchen that you may not have even known existed.

D-FW can house Amazon's thousands of HQ2 workers without stressing the market...

D-FW has an edge when it comes to housing affordability compared with other cities vying for the Amazon prize.

Carrollton/Farmers Branch Neighborhoods - Quail Creek North

If you would like to see the current listings and solds in this neighborhood Click Here

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for December - Carrollton/Farmers Branch

Sales were off by 11% in the Carrollton/Farmers Branch area in December compared to last December. However, Pending sales were up 8% so it looks like there was some delay in some closings. The average sales price was flat but the median sales price increased 5%. New listings rose 28 but the active listings declined 19%. The months of inventory dropped to 0.9 months. Not good news if you are a buyer.

Sales: 159

Average Sales Price: $295,667

Median Sales Price: $270,000

Pending Sales: 116

New Listings: 115

Active Listings: 137

Months of Inventory: 0.9

Information provided by The Real Estate Center

Monday, January 29, 2018

Freddie Mac: Mortgage rates hit highest level since March 2017

The climb continues

All-White Kitchens on the Way Out?

7 Design Ideas to Make Yours Look Timeless

Existing Home Sales Dip in December

What does that mean for 2018?

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Home Staging Ideas for the Kitchen to Make Buyers Bite

To make sure this critical area is perfectly poised to woo buyers, try these home staging ideas for your kitchen and get some offers cooking.

Do You Need A Home Inspection?

In this article, we'll delve into what a home inspection can reveal and whether it's worth the investment.

Optimize Your Home for Happiness:

4 Mood-Boosting Tricks to Turn Things Around

The Features You Find in New Homes Today

The Walk-In Closet Is the New Outdoor Kitchen

Saturday, January 27, 2018

How emotions affect your decision to buy a house

Research shows our emotions drive us more than we think when it’s time to make a purchase – even one as expensive as a house.

The Parent Trap: 4 Home-Buying Mistakes People Make for Their Kids

Making real estate decisions solely for the sake of your kids can be a recipe for regret that can actually undermine your family's happiness.

Home Improvements That Don't Add Resale Value

(Image credit: Lauren Kolyn)

Sorry, But These Home Improvements Just Don't Pay Off

Friday, January 26, 2018

How to Choose the Right Dining Table for Your Home

Keep it simple and sturdy.

Ranking Home Renovation Resale Values

The average payback for 20 of the most common remodeling projects declined year-over-year

Shopping for Mortgage Rates

If buying a home might be the largest single investment you ever make, the mortgage you need to finance it will probably be the biggest debt you ever assume.

US home construction tumbled 8.2 percent in December

Builders ended 2017 by slowing down their construction of single-family houses.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Frisco Neighborhoods - Christie Ranch

If you would like to see the current listings and solds in this neighborhood Click Here

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for December - Frisco TX

No slowdown in Frisco in December. Sales were up 22%. The average sale price rose 8% while the median sales price was also up 8%. Pending sales saw an 11% increase. Looks good for next months sales. The new listings dropped 4% but the number of active listings jumped 20%. this number reflects a smaller inventory last year. The months of Inventory stands at 2.2 months. 6 months is considered a balanced market. We are defiantly no balanced!

Sales: 350

Average Sales Price: $481,851

Median Sales Price: $415,000

Pending Sales: 241

New Listings: 219

Active Listings: 730

Months of Inventory: 2.2

Information provided by The Real Estate Center

Frisco to develop park bigger than Dallas' Fair Park

Plans to build a city park with sports fields that, if developed, would be bigger than Dallas' Fair Park.

9 Things You Need To Know About Homeowners' Associations

Homeowners' associations can be your best friend when they prevent your neighbor from painting her house neon pink, but your worst enemy when they expect you to perform expensive maintenance on your home that you don't think is necessary or impose rules that you find too restrictive.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

McKinney Neighborhoods - Heatherwood

If you would like to see the current listings and solds in this neighborhood Click Here

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for December - McKinney TX

Sales were strong in McKinney in December! Up 16%. The average sales price increased 8% and the median sales price climber 5%. Pending sales jumped 26% compared to last December. This certainly will mean a good January report. The number of new listings rose 26% while the active listings were up a whopping 65%. I know these numbers look good if you are a buyer, but they in reality just reflect how low the inventory was last December. The months of inventory is only at 2.6 months. With 6 months considered a balanced market, we are still way over to the seller's side.

Sales: 253

Average Sales Price: $359,974

Median Sales Price: $325,220

Pending Sales: 199

New Listings: 177

Active Listings: 587

Months of Inventory: 2.6

Information provided by The Real Estate Center

5 Things That Truly Don't Matter When You Buy Your First House

Here are five issues that shouldn’t factor into choosing a home:

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Allen Neighborhoods - Stacy Ridge Estates

If you would like to see the current listings and sales in this neighborhood Click Here

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for December - Allen TX

Sales in Allen for December were only up 1% but the pending sales saw a 17% increase. We have seen this trend in several of the norther suburbs. Just some normal gyrations in the market. The average sales price rose 9% while the median sales price climbed 6%. The number of new listings fell 10% as compared to last December. The active listings were up 10%. The months of inventory remains very low standing at 1.2 months. It's difficult for buyers!

Sales: 128

Average Sales Price: $373,392

Median Sales Price: $313,330

Pending Sales: 90

New Listings: $70

Active Listings: $148

Months of Inventory: 1.2

Information provided by The Real Estate Center

These Are the 2018 Kitchen Design Trends to Watch

Even remodels that are way beyond your budget can inspire smaller-scale and DIY changes at home.

Monday, January 22, 2018

Remodeling 101: Butcher Block Countertops

Are butcher block countertops the right material for you and your kitchen? Read our butcher block counter primer to find out.

Texas Homeowner? Don’t Miss the Opportunity for Savings

It’s the beginning of another new year, and we want to remind you that Texas law includes the Homestead Exemption, which allows a partial exemption from local property taxes for your primary residence.

Home prices are set to soar in 2018

Low supply and high demand are fueling the gains and neither of those is expected to ease up anytime soon.

Sunday, January 21, 2018

7 Gadgets from ‘The Jetsons’ That Have Become a Reality

From robotic maids to video chatting, here’s a look at how the future predicted by "The Jetsons" has become the present and how you can get in on it today.

How does Dallas stack up among Amazon HQ2 finalists?...

How does Dallas, home to 7.2 million people, measure up among the top 20? We look at some of the qualities that may leave North Texas out of the running and some qualities where the area has an advantage.

The New Tile Trend: Customized Layouts

(Image credit: Cle Tile)

With so much fun and amazing tile on the market these days, it's easier than ever to create dynamic and pattern-packed spaces.

Saturday, January 20, 2018

6 Ways To Easily Update And Upgrade Your Bedroom

It happens. You look around one day and think, "When did my bedroom get so blah?"

5 Tips to Renovate Your Bathroom and Increase Property Value at the Same Time

One reliable way to increase the value of your home is through a considered bathroom remodel

What a Government Shutdown Means for REALTORS® and you

The information is based on NAR staff review of agency contingency plans for the current shutdown and past experience with previous shutdowns and near-shutdowns.

10 Home Renovations That Offer the Best (and Worst) Return on Investment

Remodeling may be a labor of love, but it's also an investment that can seriously boost the value of your home. Only by how much?

Friday, January 19, 2018

Long-term mortgage rates rise: 30-year hits 4.04%

Inflation is firming ... This means upward pressure on long-term rates

Ignore the bad housing starts number. Builder optimism and buyer demand are high

Some will blame the weather. Others will claim the figures are too volatile month to month.

U.S. housing starts down sharply on drop in single-family units

U.S. homebuilding fell more than expected in December, recording its biggest drop in just over a year,

Thursday, January 18, 2018

For Sale 4501 Crowley, Plano

For more information on this property click here

Plano Neighborhoods - Creeks of Willow Bend

If you would like to see the current listings and solds in this neighborhood Click Here

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for December - Plano TX

December saw a 5% drop in sales as compared to last December. However, Pending sales rose 16% so it looks like some closings were just delayed. The average sales price rose 1% as did the median sales price. The number of new listings increased 5%. Active listings declined 1%. The months of inventory can in at 1.4 months. 6 months is considered a balanced market. Plano is in the sellers camp.

Sales: 262

Average Sales Price: $380,148

Median Sales Price: $339,950

Pending Sales: 210

New Listings: 173

Active Listings: 419

Months of Inventory: 1.4

Information provided by The Real Estate Center

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Why Banks Do Not Lend On Certain Loans That Appear Conservative

There are numerous reasons banks avoid making loans that, in general, one would think have a high likelihood of being paying back.

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for December - Lake Highlands/NE Dallas

December was a good months for home sales in the Lake Highlands area. Sales were up 23%. The average sales price climbed 18% while the median sales price rose 9%. Pending sales were flat so we will have to wait and see what January brings in the way of sales. The number of new listings declined 41% taking the active listings down 8%. The months of inventory dropped to 1.5 months, Not good news if you are a buyer.

Sales: 65

Average Sales Price: $409,115

Median Sales Price: 367,450

Pending Sales: 44

New Listings: 35

Active Listings: 98

Months of Inventory: 1.5

Information provided by The Real Estate Center

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Richardson Neighborhoods - Cottonwood Creek Estates

If you would like to see the current listings and solds in this neighborhood Click Here

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for December - Richardson TX

Sales in December were up 8%. The average sales price rose 11% while the median sales price climbed 7%. Pending sales saw a 16$ increase. The number of new listings came in up 33%. The active listings were up a whopping 52%. This number is misleading. It simply reflects how few listings were on the market last December. The months of inventory stands at 1.1 months. this is very low and makes it difficult for buyers to find a home. If you are looking to sell, it's a great time for you.

Sales: 100

Average Sales Price: $295,667

Median Sales Price: $289,000

Pending Sales: 67

New Listings: 64

Active Listings: 108

Months of Inventory: 1.1

Information provided by The Real Estate Center