500 High-Skill Jobs Coming to Sherman

More companies are deciding that North Texas is the place to be! Apple recently announced that it has awarded Finisar, an optical communication components manufacturer, $390 million from its Advanced Manufacturing Fund.  Finisar is expected to create 500 high-skill jobs, including engineers, technicians and maintenance teams right here in North Texas.

Finisar will transform a shuttered, 700,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Sherman, Texas, into a high-tech facility developing VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser) chips. VCSEL technology is used to power Apple product features such as Face ID, Animoji, portrait mode selfies and proximity-sensing capabilities. One hundred percent of the VCSELs Apple buys from Finisar will be made in Texas. The hiring process has already begun and the Sherman plant is scheduled to start shipping out products by late 2018.

The City of Sherman has been investing significantly in improved infrastructure and amenities, creating an unparalleled quality of life for its citizens. One more reason DFW is one of the fastest growing areas in the US!

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
469-951-9588
www.ChristieCannon.com
 

The DFW area literally lights up and twinkles as the holidays draw near.  Everywhere from Dallas to Frisco to the Ft. Worth Stockyards light up in spectacular displays.  With looks of excitement on children's faces, the sound of carolers singing familiar tunes, the taste of sweet holiday favorites and the smell of Christmas pine flooding the area, you can't help but get into the holiday spirit.  We have compiled a list of our favorite spots to view holiday lights in the DFW area.  Make the rounds and find your family's next holiday tradition!

•         Frisco Square - Drawing over 750,000 visitors annually, Frisco Square offers North TX largest choreographed light display!  Boasting snow flurries every 15 minutes, ice skating, inner tubing snow slide, horse drawn carriage rides, light & music shows, trackless train rides & even a parachuting Santa - this place has it all!  Going on now through Dec 31st!
•         Deerfield, Plano - Running from December 1st - 30th, this quintessential Plano neighborhood is jammed packed with gorgeous homes competing for the best, funniest & most traditional displays.  Check out their website for best routes & carriage ride info!
•        Vitruvian Lights in Addison - Wander through Vitruvian Park’s 12 Acres and view over 550 illuminated trees wrapped in 1.5 million sparkling LED lights.  Enjoy free live music in the park, food trucks & free pictures with Santa!     
•         Highland Park & Highland Park Village - What can I say?  Gorgeous architecture complemented by professional Christmas lighting.  Spanning about 20 blocks, this is the perfect time to splurge on a horse drawn carriage ride.
•         Enchant Christmas - A world of Christmas wonder awaits you in Arlington at Globe Life Park! Surrounded by millions of dazzling lights, experience the world’s largest Christmas light maze, ice skating, Santa’s palace, live entertainment & a Christmas marketplace.
•         12 Days of Christmas - The Dallas Arboretum plays host to this elaborate exhibition featuring 25ft Victorian style gazebos filled with costumed characters, whimsical animals & music made famous the beloved Christmas carol.
•         Prairie Lights - Growing larger each year, this Grand Prairie display is located in Lynn Creek Park and has become a destination in its own right.  Offering a 2-mile path of lights, a snow maze, holiday lighted walk-through forest, holiday village, & more.  Be sure to check out their website as there are costs for this one!
•        Interlochen in Arlington - This year marks the 42nd Anniversary of one of the largest drive-thru Christmas light displays in North TX.
•        Tour of Lights in Farmers Branch - A drive thru animated display of over 500,000 twinkling lights. Located in the Farmers Branch Historical park with a variety of different scenes & themes.
•        Texas Motor Speedway - Supporting Toys for Tots, this huge display boasts a drive-thru display & Santa's Village.  Be sure to check out the website for pricing!
•        ICE & the Gaylord Texan Resort - Ice skating, gingerbread house building, sled riding, Santa photos, Holiday village, light displays, 2+ million pounds of ice, what do they not have?

Have some ideas & comments that will help our list?  We would love to hear from you! 

Thank you & we wish you a very Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday Season!

How do I get really know a neighborhood when searching for a house?

DISCOVERING The NEIGHBORHOOD

There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you. Think about the location in terms of commute time to work, distance from leisure-time activities, and proximity to shopping, schools or any other places you frequent. You may think of others factors that are important to you. Please take some time to write them down and share them with us.  We are delighted to point in the direction of resource to help ensure that you are as well informed as possible before you consider your home purchase.

Scout out the Neighborhood!

• It is important that you scout the neighborhood in person – everyone’s taste is unique.  Make sure the community matches your needs and lifestyle.
• Talk to people who live there.  Ask us if we may have past clients in the area, often they are happy to share their knowledge and experience.
• Drive through the entire area at different times of the day, during the week, and on weekends.
• Look carefully at how well other homes in the area are being maintained—are they painted; are the yards well cared for; are parked cars in good condition?
• Consider attending any upcoming community or HOA event!

Neighborhood Factors to Consider

• Look for things such as access to major thoroughfares, highways, and shopping.
• Consider recreating your work drive during similar commute times.
• Listen for noise created by commerce, roads, railways, public areas, schools, etc.
• Travel through the community on weekends and after school hours.
• Check with local civic, police, fire, and school officials to find information about the area.  Police Public  Information Officers can be a great resource.
• Research environmental topics such as soil and water quality, as well as floodplain implications.
• Study traffic patterns around the area at different times of the day and measure drive time from the area to work.
• Is the neighborhood near parks, places of religious worship, recreation centers, shopping, theaters, restaurants, public transportation, schools, etc.?  Consider where you spend your time, outside of your home.
• Does the neighborhood have a Homeowner’s Association?  If so, how much is it and what does that add to my monthly payment.  

What must a Buyer Know in Multiple Offer Situations? 

If you walk in a home and instantly fall in love with it, the odds are pretty high you aren’t the only one. (Click HERE for Why!) Welcome to multiple offers. The best thing you can do is make an offer as soon as you are comfortable and make it good.

Buyers often pass over making an offer for the simply the fear of being in multiple offers. Don’t let your fear get in the way!  Don’t assume that you may not have a chance; get your offer in. There is always a chance that your offer may just be what the sellers are looking for.  Likewise, very often we see buyers & agents get overly discouraged in a competitive market and fail to submit their offer based on a false assumption of multiple offers. 

Should a property receive multiple offers, the seller will likely request a highest and best with a deadline for submission.  However, a seller is not required to do so!  It is not uncommon for a seller’s needs to be met by one particular offer (a stand out offer) and they don’t request highest & best - they simply try and work with the offer the best suits their needs.  Remember, there is more to the offer than price alone.  If you can offer the seller flexibility with the closing date, or perhaps allowing the seller to stay in the home for a few days after closing, you may just win the day.

First discuss your strategy with your agent, and understand your options.  Be frank in your desire for a particular house; this way, your strategy can support your needs.  Second ask yourself what this home is worth to you and what you are willing to lose it over.  Simply put, there is a price that keeps the house attractive, and a price where "losing" the offer is acceptable.  Lastly, ask your lender about your options to make sure the home & strategy remain affordable in your set budget.

Something to remember, in Texas, a seller is not required to disclose if they have more than one offer!  And there are times when a seller may feel requesting a "highest & best" offer is not in their best interest.  That is why you may want to put out your best offer forward, if it is a home you truly want.  When you put your best offer forward, you know that should the seller select another offer, it was at terms or a price greater that you were willing to pay. 

If you end up in a multiple offer scenario, we can help you create a strategy that you feel will put you in the best position to meet your goals.  The most important thing to remember, do not get discouraged!  The answer is always “No”, if you don’t make the offer!

Christie Cannon  REALTOR

The Christie Cannon Team

Keller Williams Realty Frisco 

469.951.9588: Mobile

972.215.7747: Office

www.christiecannon.com

Voted as one of the BEST Realtors in D Magazine for 2010-2016

Voted as a Five Star Professional 2012-2016 Texas Monthly Magazine

Name among America's Best Real Estate Agents by Real Trends Magazine

Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

#1 Keller Williams Agent 2011-2015

Top 100 Agents in the Nation / KW

4783 Preston Rd #300 Frisco TX 75034

Why am I affiliated with Keller Williams Realty? - Christie Cannon | Keller Williams Frisco

My affiliation with the fastest growing and largest Real Estate company in the world is no accident!  With my business partner and husband holding an independent Broker’s license, and given my long experience in real estate – the opportunity to be affiliated with any number of brokerages and companies is available.

I wanted to affiliate my real estate services, and The Christie Cannon Team, with a company whose values closely match my own, a company that offered exceptional tools for their agents to in-turn provide an exceptional home-buying and home-selling experience to each client, and a company that actually listened to suggestions from its agents.  That is why we choose to be affiliated with Keller Williams Realty.

Here is the belief system at Keller Williams Realty, simple, clear, effective, and powerful:

– WI4C2TS –

Win Win or no deal

Integrity to do the right thing

Customer always comes first

Commitment in all things

Communication seek first to understand

Creativity ideas before results

Teamwork together we achieve more

Trust starts with honesty

Success results through people

It is a belief system, mission, vision, and set of values that mimic our own.  We are proud to be part of this culture and commitment to excellence.  We are proud to be part of company that focuses not on only on service, but on selfless-ness. Keller Williams Realty is company that understands, and has been recognized, for understanding that the culture of a company is every bit as important as its economic model.

With a business belief system this well-defined, I am assured that my past and current customers always come first. It’s Keller Williams Realty’s & The Christie Cannon Team’s commitment to you.

Christie Cannon  REALTOR

The Christie Cannon Team

Keller Williams Realty Frisco 

469.951.9588: Mobile

972.215.7747: Office

www.christiecannon.com

Voted as one of the BEST Realtors in D Magazine for 2010-2016

Voted as a Five Star Professional 2012-2016 Texas Monthly Magazine

Name among America's Best Real Estate Agents by Real Trends Magazine

Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

#1 Keller Williams Agent 2011-2015

Top 100 Agents in the Nation / KW

The Christie Cannon Team | Keller Williams Frisco TX | www.christiecannon.com

4783 Preston Rd #300 Frisco TX

More Staging Tips to Help You Sell Faster and for More Money, from Christie Cannon | Keller Williams Frisco Tx

Buyers love built-in bookshelves. There’s a fine line between filling them with clutter and staging them to sell. The trick is to arrange neutral items in clusters. Make sure that no single accessory stands out too much. That way, you’ll show off your attractive built-ins, and not your personal belongings.

Curb appeal is vital to attracting buyers. First, with two tones of paint, add a faux finish to any corner keystones. Next, bring out the color of walkway pavers using a stone sealer and finally, plant flowers in bloom.

Staging rooms to show off their true potential is essential when selling your home. Clear out clutter or other personal items that will distract buyers. Paint the walls a neutral tine, and furnish the space to show off how functional it is.

Let the sun shine in. Buyers love light and airy living rooms, but dark and dingy isn’t on their list. Open up your window shades to let some light in. Cheat some sunshine with a light-colored paint and lots of artificial lighting. You can never have too many lamps.

Unpleasant pet odors won’t win over buyers. We all love our pets, but unpleasant pet odors can make a negative first impression. Be sure to get rid of old carpet than can trap offensive smells. Replace it with fresh new carpet in a neutral color. Plus, if you paint the walls to match, your living room will look bigger.  If that doesn't do the trick, consider an Ozone Treatment!

Storage space sells! Potential buyers love homes that have lots of storage space. Since they will open your closets, it’s a good idea to clear out unnecessary clutter, and organize your shelves to show off how much storage you really have. Plus, it gives you a chance to start packing, as you will definitely be moving once buyers see all that closet space.

Create a nice flow in your rooms. Buyers are attracted to homes that have a good flow. You can create circulation by replacing square or rectangular dining tables with round ones. Cutting the corners adds room to this maneuver and creates a spinoff effect that adds flow to your home – cash flow, that is. 

Pack up unnecessary items. An overpacked room is a red-flag to buyers that a home lacks storage.  Clear the way for buyers to see your space and square-footage. Consider a short term storage unity or even the garage.

CHRISTIE CANNON  REALTOR

The Christie Cannon Team

Keller Williams Frisco

469-951-9588: Mobile

4783 Preston Rd #300, Frisco, TX 75034