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How to Honor a Veteran Today and Everyday

by Christie Cannon

How to Honor a Veteran Today and Everyday

How to Honor a Veteran Today and Everyday | MyKCM

One hundred years ago, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we marked the end of the “war to end all wars.” That day, which was to be observed annually on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, became known as Armistice Day and then, later on, became Veterans Day.

But Veterans Day is not for veterans. They don’t serve for thanks or recognition. Veterans Day sets aside a day for those of us who haven’t worn the uniform to acknowledge those who have.

So today, we honor and remember.

If you ask a military family, ANY military family, how you can help them, they will respond without hesitation, “Make sure my service member is taken care of.”

If you ask a service member, ANY service member, how you can best honor them, they will respond without hesitation, “Take care of my family.”

Don’t know anyone who has served or is serving? More than likely, there are veterans in your midst. Each year, 260,000 military personnel relocate to new communities, and another 230,000 transition out of the military. In total, there are 22 million veterans among us in the world.

For those who relocate through a Permanent Change of Station (or PCS), it can be a pretty stressful time. There isn’t a lot of time to find a new place to live and the timeline is more accelerated for finding a place to call home.

MILLIE is an online community and digital marketplace that connects members of the military and their families with specialized knowledge and trusted resource providers to alleviate the stress of PCSing.

According to MILLIE“70% of active duty families live off the installation and in the surrounding communities.” Wondering what you can do to help make a recently PCSed family feel welcome?

A recent survey of military families revealed that,

“When respondents described the support they most appreciate, family, friends, and faith-based communities rose to the top. When they described the support they needed, they called for more networking, communication, and support groups.

Families said that when leaving service, they feel as though they do not fit into the civilian world. Forging partnerships between military and civilian support systems will encourage pathways of understanding.”

If you find out that your new neighbor may have been PCSed, make an effort to share what you know about your community, from the best pizza place to where you can get your oil changed.

If you know that the service member of the family is actively deployed, helping out with tasks like mowing the lawn or bringing over a home-cooked meal are small gestures that will go a long way towards welcoming this family into their new home.

Bottom Line

Today, we honor and remember those who have served for our country. Everyone always asks what they can do to help, sometimes the simplest answer is the best one.

More about MILLIE:

MILLIE is an online community and digital marketplace that connects members of the military and their families with specialized knowledge and trusted resource providers to alleviate the stress of PCS’ing. Check out MILLIE’s Installation Guidestheir network of Veteran and military spouse real estate agents, and MILLIE Scoutstheir on-demand task service comprised of military spouses.

 

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com
www.CannonTeamHomes.com

75% of Renters Have Been Misinformed

by Christie Cannon

75% of Renters Have Been Misinformed

75% of Renters Have Been Misinformed | MyKCM

Recently, multiple headlines have been written asserting that homeownership is less affordable today than at any other time in the last decade. Though the headlines are accurate, they lack context and lead too many Americans to believe that they can’t partake in a major part of the American Dream – owning a home.

In 2008, the housing market crashed and home values fell by as much as 60% in certain markets. This was the major trigger to the Great Recession we experienced from 2008 to 2010. To come back from that recession, mortgage interest rates were pushed down to levels that were never seen before.

For the last ten years, you could purchase a home at a dramatically discounted price and attain a mortgage at a historically low mortgage rate.

Affordability skyrocketed.

Now that home values have returned to where they should be, and mortgage rates are beginning to increase, it is less affordable to own a home than it was over the last ten years.

However, what is not being reported is that it is MORE AFFORDABLE to own a home today than at any other time since 1985 (when data was first collected on this point).

If you take out the years after the crash, affordability today is greater than it has been at almost any time in American history.

This has not been adequately reported which has led to many Americans believing that they cannot currently afford a home.

As an example, the latest edition of Freddie Mac’s Research: Profile of Today’s Renter reveals that 75% of renters now believe it is more affordable to rent than to own their own homes. This percentage is the highest ever recorded. The challenge is that this belief is incorrect. Study after study has proven that in today’s market, it is less expensive to own a home than it is to rent a home in the United States.

Thankfully, some are starting to see this situation and accurately report on it. The National Association of Realtors, in their 2019 Housing Forecast, mentions this concern:

“While the U.S. is experiencing historically normal levels of affordability, potential buyers may be staying out of the market because of perceived problems with affordability.”

Bottom Line

If you are one of the many renters who would like to own their own homes, let’s get together to find out if homeownership is affordable for you right now.

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR 
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com
www.CannonTeamHomes.com

The Difference an Hour Will Make This Fall

by Christie Cannon

The Difference an Hour Will Make This Fall 

The Difference an Hour Will Make This Fall [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Every Hour in the US Housing Market: 

  • 596 Homes Sell
  • 278 Homes Regain Positive Equity
  • Median Home Values Go Up $1.20

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com
www.CannonTeamHomes.com

Buying a Home Can Be Scary… Until You Know the Facts

by Christie Cannon

Buying a Home Can Be Scary… Until You Know the Facts 

Buying a Home Can Be Scary... Until You Know the Facts [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights:

Many potential homebuyers believe that they need a 20% down payment and a 780 FICO® score to qualify to buy a home which stops many of them from even trying! Here are some facts:

  • 72% of buyers who purchased homes this year have put down less than 20%.
  • 76.4% of loan applications were approved last month.
  • The average credit score of approved loans was 727 in September.

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com
www.CannonTeamHomes.com

The District Concert Series - 3 Day Event

by Christie Cannon

The District Concert Series - 3 Day Event

This is the final weekend of the District Concert Series and we are going out with a bang! Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend come out and enjoy the food, music & fun! The concerts take place at the all new Restaurant District at The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, TX.

 

Friday, October 26th: Desparado, An Eagles Tribute Band from 7:00-9:00pm - Texas’ best Eagles tribute band based in Dallas, Texas, performing high-profile shows in and around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The five members are dedicated to reproducing the Eagles experience, with attention to every sound, every solo, and most especially the incredible harmonized vocals that make the Eagles one of America's greatest bands of all time.

 

Saturday, October 27th: Texas Flood, A Premier Blues Band from 7:00-9:00pm - Texas Flood has become one of the premier blues bands in all of North Texas. Evolving from the original tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Texas Flood pays tribute to the legends as well as the future of the blues through their own music and style. With an in-your-face show and raw high energy playing Tommy Katona takes the listener on a journey through the blues.

 

Sunday, October 28th: Two great shows are lined up for Sunday! Due to the inclement weather that cancelled shows on October 12th, we have a fun filled day lined up with back to back shows.
   2:00-4:00pm - Texas Bluesmen: Blues Brothers Tribute Band
   5:00-7:00pm - Swan Song: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin
*A Chicago Police Car and the Bluesmobile will be on site for fun photo ops!

 

 

Admission is free and food, beer & wine are available for purchase. The weather is supposed to be beautiful so come on out and enjoy this great event! We will have some fun giveaways and will be available to answer any questions you may have, so come say hello! We can't wait to see you there!

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR 
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com
www.CannonTeamHomes.com

Is the Increase in Inventory a Bullish or Bearish Sign for Real Estate?

Is the Increase in Inventory a Bullish or Bearish Sign for Real Estate? | MyKCM

In a recent article, National Housing Inventory Crisis Reaches Inflection Pointrealtor.com reported that:

  1. New listings jumped 8% year-over-year nationally, the largest increase since 2013
  2. Total listings in the 45 largest markets are now up 6% on average over last year

This increase in housing inventory has sparked two different reactions. Some are saying this is the first sign of a potential collapse while others are saying it is a welcomed reprieve from the lack of inventory that has stalled the market recently. As Zelman & Associates reported in a recent ‘Z Report’:

“With the rate of home price appreciation starting to decelerate alongside the uptick in inventory, we expect significant debate whether this is a bullish or bearish sign.”

Is this a sign the market might crash?

There are those who look at the increase in inventory as a sign that we are returning to the market we saw last decade. However, a closer look shows that we are nowhere near the levels of inventory we reached before the crash in 2008.

A normal market would have about 6-months inventory, but the latest Existing Home Sales Report issued by the National Association of Realtors revealed that:

“Unsold inventory is at a 4.3-month supply at the current sales pace up from 4.1 months a year ago.”

A decade ago, prices began to rapidly depreciate in June 2007. At that time, we had a 9.1-month supply (more than double what it is today) and inventory kept rising until it hit a peak of 11.1 months in April of 2008.

With the current levels of buyer demand, any such increase in months supply is highly unlikely. As Danielle Hale, realtor.com’s Chief Economist explains:

 “After years of record-breaking inventory declines, September’s almost flat inventory signals a big change in the real estate market. Would-be buyers who had been waiting for a bigger selection of homes for sale may finally see more listings materialize. But don’t expect the level to jump dramatically.

Plenty of buyers in the market are scooping up homes as soon as they’re listed, which will keep national increases relatively small for the time being.”

What will be the result of the increase in inventory?

The increase in inventory will allow many families who had been unable to find a home to finally become homeowners. Again, we quote from the ‘Z Report’:

“In our view, the short-term narrative will probably be confusing, but more sustainable growth and affordability will likely be the end result.”

Bottom Line

If you are either a first-time or second-time buyer who has given up, let’s get together discuss the inventory available in our market.

 

 

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com
www.CannonTeamHomes.com

Don't Miss It! The District Concert Series This Weekend

by Christie Cannon

Don't Miss It! The District Concert Series This Weekend

Rain or Shine The District Concert Series is taking place this weekend! Come on out and enjoy the fun-filled FREE event taking place from 7:00-9:00pm at The Shops at Willow Bend. This weekend promises to be a blast with the sounds of Journey & Fleetwood Mac gracing the stage.

 

Friday, October 19th: Escape: A Journey Tribute Band that consists of veteran musicians who bring a dynamic, high-energy presentation to every show. Their goal is to get people off their chairs to sing along and dance to the music. Journey's music is very much a positive message and their show is all about having a fun time for everyone attending! Food trucks on site will be Jenny Lynn's BBQ & Kona Ice. DUE TO WEATHER THIS NIGHT WILL BE HELD INSIDE GRAND COURT ON THE LOWER LEVEL AND FOOD TRUCKS WILL BE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE FOOD COURT ENTRANCE

 

Saturday, October 20th: Forever Mac: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band brings a never ending variety of song arrangements, spanning more than four decades of tours and performances complete with beautiful harmonies and signature instrumental tones. Food trucks on site will be The Dock & Kona Ice.

 

Admission is free and food, beer & wine are available for purchase. Check out the The Shops at Willow Bend website for updates on cancellations due to inclement weather. We will have some fun giveaways and will be available to answer any questions you may have, so come say hello! We can't wait to see you there!

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com
www.CannonTeamHomes.com

 

5 Tips for Starting Your Home Search

by Christie Cannon

5 Tips for Starting Your Home Search

5 Tips for Starting Your Home Search | MyKCM

In today’s real estate market, with low inventory dominating the conversation in many areas of the country, it can often be frustrating to be a first-time homebuyer if you aren’t prepared.

In a recent realtor.com article entitled, “How to Find Your Dream Home—Without Losing Your Mind,” the author highlights some steps that first-time homebuyers can take to help carry their excitement of buying a home throughout the whole process.

1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before You Start Your Search

One way to show you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgagebefore starting your search. Even if you are in a market that is not as competitive, understanding your budget will give you the confidence of knowing whether or not your dream home is within your reach.

This step will also help you narrow your search based on your budget and won’t leave you disappointed if the home you tour, and love, ends up being outside your budget!

2. Know the Difference Between Your ‘Must-Haves’ and ‘Would-Like-To-Haves’

Do you really need that farmhouse sink in the kitchen to be happy with your home choice? Would a two-car garage be a convenience or a necessity? Could the ‘man cave’ of your dreams be a future renovation project instead of a make-or-break right now?

Before you start your search, list all the features of a home you would like and then qualify them as ‘must-haves’, ‘should-haves’, or ‘absolute-wish list’ items. This will help keep you focused on what’s most important.

3. Research and Choose a Neighborhood You Want to Live In

Every neighborhood has its own charm. Before you commit to a home based solely on the house itself, the article suggests test-driving the area. Make sure that the area meets your needs for “amenities, commute, school district, etc. and then spend a weekend exploring before you commit.”

4. Pick a House Style You Love and Stick to It

Evaluate your family’s needs and settle on a style of home that would best serve those needs. Just because you’ve narrowed your search to a zip code, doesn’t mean that you need to tour every listing in that zip code.

An example from the article says, “if you have several younger kids and don’t want your bedroom on a different level, steer clear of Cape Cod–style homes, which typically feature two or more bedrooms on the upper level and the master on the main.”

5. Document Your Home Visits

Once you start touring homes, the features of each individual home will start to blur together. The article suggests keeping your camera handy and documenting what you love and don’t love about each property you visit. They even go as far as to suggest snapping a photo of the ‘for sale’ sign on the way into the property to help keep the listings divided in your photo gallery.

Making notes on the listing sheet as you tour the property will also help you remember what the photos mean, or what you were feeling while touring the home.

Bottom Line

In a high-paced, competitive environment, any advantage you can give yourself will help you on your path to buying your dream home.

 

 

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com
www.CannonTeamHomes.com

Pumpkin Patches, Festivals, Hay Rides and More!

by Christie Cannon

Pumpkin patches, festivals, hay rides and more! We rounded up some of the best Halloween events in the area just for you! 

ALLEN
BACH & BROOMSTICKS
Sat, October 20 12-4pm
Watters Creek
Crafts, balloon art, face painting, pumpkin decorating, hayrides

FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL
Sat, October 27 4:30-7:30pm
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church
Pumpkin painting, face painting, crafts, games

HOWL-O-WEEN BARKIN' BASH

Sun, October 28 1:30-3:30pm
Bethany Lakes Park
Contests, games, raffles & more!
 

ANNA
ANNA HARVEST FEST

Sat, October 27 12-6pm
Slayter Creek Park
Costume contest, pumpkin decorating contest, live music
 

CELINA
TRICK OR TREAT THE SQUARE
Wed, October 31 4-6pm
Main Street

 

FRISCO
FRISCOVANIA
Sat., October 27 3-8pm
Toyota Stadium
Carnival, fortune teller, games, food trucks, live music, runway show, special performances

FALL FESTIVAL
Sat, October 27 11am-1pm
Dr Pepper Ballpark
Costume Contest, petting zoo, pumpkin painting, face painting

FAMILY FUN FEST
Sun, October 28 4-8pm
Elevate Life Church
Carnival games, petting zoo, cakewalk, hay ride

 

LEWISVILLE
ROCKTOBER HALLOWEEN BASH!
Tue, October 30 5-9pm
Wayne Ferguson Plaza
Trick or treating, kids activities, La Freak performance

 

LITTLE ELM
PUMPKIN HOLLOW - *Cancelled due to weather
October 18-20
Little Elm Park
Haunted trail & hayride, pumpkin trail, games

 

MCKINNEY
GHOSTWALK
Chestnut Street
Check website for times
Walk through downtown, hauntings tours, paranormal experience 

HALLOWEEN AT THE HEARD
Sat, Oct 20 6-10pm
Heard Natural Science Museum
Movie, trick or treating along dinosaurs

SCARE ON THE SQUARE
Wed, October 31 4-7pm
Historic Downtown McKinney
Costume contest, pumpkin races, family friendly event

 

PLANO
PLANO FAMILY EXPO
Sun, October 21 10am-4pm
Plano Event Center
Trick or treat, live shows, haunted house
 
BOO BASH
Thur, October 25 5-8pm
Muehlenbeck Recreation Center
Carnival games & trick or treating
 
HAUNTED FAMILY CAMPOUT
Sat, October 27 3:30pm-10am Sun
Oak Point Park Nature & Retreat Center
Outdoor games, night hike, tent decorating
 
Crayola Experience
Activities, scavenger hunt, zombie crafts, live show
 

PROSPER
PROSPER PUMPKINFEST
Sat, October 20 4:00pm
Frontier Park
Costume contest, pumpkin patch, activities

 

THE COLONY
FAMILY FRIGHT NIGHT
Sat, October 20 4pm-9am
Stewart Creek Park
Campout, haunted trail, costume contest, scary movie, hayride

HAUNTED SHADOWS LAKE TRAIL
Near Blue Sky Sports Center
Check website for times
Walk the dark trail through the woods, self-guided journey along Lake Lewisville

 

WYLIE
BOO ON BALLARD
Thur, October 25 6-8pm
Historic Downtown Wylie
Costume contest, trick or treating, activities

 

PUMPKIN PATCHES
PUMPKIN PATCH & FALL FESTIVAL, Allen
PUMPKINS ON THE PRAIRIE, Frisco
PRESTON TRAIL FARMS, Gunter
STORYBOOK RANCH PUMPKIN PATCH, McKinney
FLOWER MOUND PUMPKIN PATCH, Flower Mound

 

It's a great time of year to live in North Texas. No matter where you live, there is sure to be a fun-filled family-friendly Halloween event nearby!  

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com
www.CannonTeamHomes.com

Friday & Saturday - The District Concert Series

by Christie Cannon

Friday & Saturday - The District Concert Series 

Come on out tonight & tomorrow and take in the sights & sounds at the all new District at The Shops at Willow Bend!  The fun-filled FREE concert series will take place from 7:00-9:00pm on the main stage at the all new restaurant District, a destination dining area at the The Shops at Willow Bend with up to seven chef driven restaurants. This weekend you can rock out to to the tunes of Led Zeppelin & P!NK!

 

Friday, October 12: Swan Song, the Premier Led Zeppelin Tribute band of Texas. Swan Song is the longest-running Led Zeppelin tribute band in the southern United States. Established in 1999, the Dallas-Fort Worth based project brings back all of Led Zeppelin's majesty and magic with amazing accuracy.

 

Saturday, October 13: Just Like P!NK: The Ultimate P!NK Experience, will put on an amazing show. Their motivation stems from an honest admiration, dedication and emotional attachment to P!NK and her music. They strive to exquisitely capture and embody the true essence of P!NK's spirit through live performance, as only true fans could.

 

Pick up delicious takeout and picnic on the patio or take in the festivities from the new restaurants' outdoor dining tables.  Get a roll-up picnic blanket with takeout from one of the new restaurants in The District - KnifeMexican Bar CompanyTerra MediterraneanWhistle Britches or Ascension, while supplies last!

 

Come pop by our tent, say hello & grab some free giveaways. We are also available to answer any questions you may have! We can't wait to see you there!

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com
www.CannonTeamHomes.com

 

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Photo of Christie Cannon Real Estate
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