When you're thinking about making a move, the first steps in the home buying process are:

• Deciding where you would like to live
• Considering how much money you would like to spend
• Thinking about what type of home you would like
• Deciding when you want to make your move

As a local real estate professional, I can help you along the way with all of these decisions, including finding the perfect neighborhood for your needs. Here are three of my favorite tips to see if an area or a particular area is right for you:

1. Check out the basic stats. Crime data, both the volume of crime and the types of crime, and school performance data are important when thinking about what's best for your family. 2. See what the neighbors are doing. Get a sense of local activities, and see if it looks like a place with frequent block-parties or if people may keep more to themselves. 3. Learn the traffic patterns. Find out if there are frequent jams, or if a nearby farmers' market limits road access during weekends.

For an in-depth consultation on home buying and today's market place, please call me today at 214-282-5564 cell.

Before you begin viewing properties, make a list of "must haves". consider location, style,age and amenities. Don't view to many houses in one day. When you find a property you like, visit it at different times of the day. walk or drive past a property before going inside. Don't be put off by interior decoration -it can be changed. Establish what's included in the sale-land,furniture,appliances,etc. Ask why the sellers are moving. Determine the annual property taxes. Ask how much utility bills cost each month.

1. Despite years of dedicated efforts by the city, we've yet to screw up the Trinity River so badly that it can't eventually become something really cool. 2. Craft coffee, urban farming, urban parks, cycling -- it's like living in Portland in the '90s without having to time-travel. 3. So far, the good Baptists among us have helped beat back semi-annual efforts to place a casino downtown. There's never yet been built a casino that doesn't shout sadness and tackiness. 4. Corruption at our City Hall is pretty easy to expose and generally involves fairly small amounts of theft, so it's more entertaining than chilling. Continue reading ...

The Grand Opening of Preserve in
Allen is right around the corner!  

 This brand new community, featuring 104 lakefront and lakeview home sites, will begin reserving lots for potential home buyers.

The Preserve in Allen will be
located west of I-75 on McDermott Drive and adjacent to Twin Creeks. 
There will be 7 floor plans, 3 of which, will be 1-story floor plans with an
optional game room.  Ranging from 2,000 square feet to 4,000 square feet,
the starting price is $300,000.  Homeowner Association Fees will be
around $500 annually.

Residents of this subdivision will benefit from a hiking/biking trail
A lake with a fountain, 300 trees 11 acres
of open space. 

The zoning of this community
falls within Allen Independent School District, with Exemplary Rated Mary
Evans Elementary, Ereckson Middle School and Allen High School. 

Don't miss your chance to
find your gemstone in a prime location!!!

Today's Market Trends for Forest Creek North * Median Listing Price: $316,200 -0.01% Median Listing Price/Sq Ft: $100.00 -0.01% Total Listings: 110 -0.11% Total Listings Previous Months: September August 124 Continue reading ...