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Displaying blog entries 161-170 of 176

I Don’t Always Find a House I Like, but When I Do …..

by Christie Cannon

“Why is it….

By now we have all experienced it… House Today, Gone Tomorrow!  But why so fast?...  Sometimes the answer is obvious – the home is priced well, staged, well marketed, in a desirable area, low inventory, priced below FHA limits,… etc & thus moves quickly.   BUT what about that home that is 112 days on the market, you finally go look at it… make your offer & BOOM – multiple offers, or worse… the seller just accepted another offer!   That (my friends) is a whole other level of frustration… how odd that no-one bought it for all that time, until (seemingly) “we” get interested.  So why is it?

It is important to understand that often the very same market factors that “drove” you to that particular home are driving other buyers.  It isn’t hard to surmise that buyers are looking for the best home at the best price – but to see how that may play out in a home that seems more “market stale” than others, picture this same 112 “days on market” home for the last 100 days as having strong competition in surrounding homes. One with an award winning media room, one on a greenbelt, one almost new, one with massive updates, perhaps one a little less functionally obsolete, or maybe a few just priced less – all of these fall under contract, one after the other - until POOF, the 112 “days on market” house’s time has come. This isn’t to take away from the 112 “days on market” house, but simply to reflect that as competition falls off the market, simply due to scarcity of the inventory, the desirability of the 112 day home increases (this is especially true if new listings to the market continue to have price increases) - driving you & the other buyers towards the same home.

Even knowing this…. it still doesn’t make it feel any less like a conspiracy.

Stay "searching" my friends,

- Christie Cannon  -  469-951-9588  -  Christie@christiecannon.com

Tis the Season - for Protesting your Property Tax Value

by Christie Cannon

The season is almost upon us.... property tax protest season!  So what do you do when that envelope arrives & your value went sky high?  You do have the opportunity & option to contest/protest your tax value.  Despite what some may lead you to believe, it is not a terribly difficult process.

While counties do have variations, tax protests start about May 1st.  While most counties offer easy steps & explanations to the process, the how & why a value was derived still leaves many of us wondering.  

Once again Texas A&M's Real Estate Center  has come to the rescue in this month's Tierra Grande, offering a wonderful article on the detai ls of the Property Tax Protest & Appeal!

You can find the article on their website - http://recenter.tamu.edu/pdf/2062.pdf

Need help or have questions about the comps for your home (from Jan 1st time)? - please feel free to give me a call...

- Christie Cannon

North TX - interesting spots for interesting sports

by Christie Cannon

While the weather may not yet cooperate, for those more adventurous souls (or at least more youthful!), 2014 offers a great deal of new & interesting adventures!

Little Elm, TX -Hydrous Wake Parkhttp://www.hydrouswakeparks.com/ - a wake boarding park located in the heart of Little Elm, just off the Lake.

Frisco, TX - IFly World - http://www.iflyworld.com/ - indoor skydiving located in at the Stonebriar Mall complex.

Frisco, TX - Canyons Indoor Rock Climbing - http://www.canyonsclimbinggym.com/ - indoor rock climbing.

Frisco, TX - Pole Position Indoor Kart Racing -  http://www.polepositionraceway.com/ - release your inner Richard Petty!

McKinney, TX - Elevate Trampoline Park - http://elevatetp.com/ - trampoline dodgeball! - could it get any better?

To the many New Kids on the Block - Welcome to Texas!

by Christie Cannon

Chances are if you are not the new kid on your block, then your next door neighbor is....

In 2013 (measured July 2012 - July 2013), Texas led the nation in state-to-state migration edging out California by about 14% (about 2x the national rate)!  This is Texas' 8th year straight as the leader in population growth.   The US Census Bureau just released an estimate that 1.3 Million people moved here since 2010.  

While many factors likely played a role, it certainly doesn't help that Texas out performed the national in job creation by approximately 2:1! 

Many (if not most) home-buyers currently looking for houses have seen the effect of this growth, combined with the lingering effects of the past few years economies,resulting in very low inventory (much to home-builder's delight).  The tight inventory of pre-owned & new homes continue to drive & maintain prices above historical growth.

If the state's migration trend continues as predicted (even at a diminished rate) & we continue to see populations move from rural to urban & suburban areas, it is likely that all residents will feel the continued growth more & more in our daily lives as state & local leadership are faced with increased challenges from water usage & traffic.  Fortunately, may experts believe that between a stronger economy, stricter financing, & some very hard lessons's learned, Texas is not as likely to return to the boom-bust cycle we suffered in the 1980's.   

- Christie Cannon 

National Association of REALTORS - Existing Home Sales

by Christie Cannon

The NAR released their November numbers for existing home sales... (keep in mind, these numbers reflect October's Sales Reports)

 

Looking for some good "Ipad reading"?   - The Texas A&M Real Estate Center - I've said it before.... when these guys speak on TX Real Estate, even the "experts" listen!  Great info for any one interested in TX growth, economy, & housing projections from nationally recognized gurus. 

Here is their 2014 Economic & House Forecast (presented on 10/16/2013) - be sure to check out page 25 to see the Projected Growth by County!

2013 Real Estate is Booming - so, Why the Confidence?

by Christie Cannon

North TX Market - Home Sales up 29% - Foreclosures Down 10%

by Christie Cannon

A strengthening market and low financing costs have propped up home sales for the region.

According to the Real Estate Center, home sales for North Texas climbed 29 percent in October, the largest year-over-year sales increase of pre-owned homes in more than three years. Pending sales are also up 20 percent compared with a year ago, signaling a strong finish to the year.

The biggest year-over-year sales increases were found in North Dallas (79 percent), northeast Dallas (71 percent) and Far North Dallas and Coppell (59 percent).

You can read a related article by- Steve Brown - Real Estate Editor - DallasNews.com

For market statistics broken down by area, please try - www.DFWHomeTrends.com

 

Have Questions about your neighborhood or your home's value - please give me a call:

Christie Cannon - 469-951-9588  www.christiecannon.com

 

 

Stimulus Bill Affects Tax Credits for Energy Efficient Improvements

by Christie Cannon
 

How has the new Stimulus bill affected the tax credits for energy efficient home improvements?

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. The highlights are:

  • The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.
  • The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.
  • The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.
  • The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009–2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.
  • The $200 cap on windows has been removed

Additional Information & Specifcs can be found here.

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credits UPDATED - February 2009

by Christie Cannon
First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credits

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorizes a tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

  • The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only.
  • The tax credit does not have to be repaid.
  • The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
  • The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
  • Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.

 

Displaying blog entries 161-170 of 176

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Christie Cannon
Keller Williams Realty
5933 Preston Road #300
Frisco TX 75034
972-215-7747
Fax: 972-215-7748
Keller Williams Frisco - The Christie Cannon Team - http://www.christiecannon.com