Plano, TX

Following are the latest market data reports for Plano TX

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When we talk about green building materials, we mean that they are eco-friendly, designed to not create a negative impact on the environment. Lots of people think that green building materials only do things such as conserve energy or are recyclable, or are made from recycled raw material, but that is only a small part of it. Green building materials also help to reduce maintenance costs over the total life of the structure; they help to improve the health of the people living and using the building, and they also lower the costs you have to bear when making renovations to the building.

The Importance of Green Building Materials

Several of the key factors in green building materials are: do they emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)? Do they need VOCs for maintenance and/or cleaning? These are chemicals such as paint thinner, dry cleaning solvents, formaldehyde etc. Many building materials have these chemicals in them. Over time, they vaporize into the air. If they can then get into areas inhabited by people, sickness can be the result. Also, if the building material needs VOCs for routine cleaning, that will put still more of them into the atmosphere. Many of these volatile organic compounds are also greenhouse gases. Given the current state of the environment, we don’t need to be putting any more of them into the air!

What to Look for

Overall, green building materials should have five features. First, resource efficiency; that is, they’re made from recycled materials, or materials that are natural, plentiful or renewable. The manufacturing process should also be efficient, and the materials available locally; that way nothing is wasted in transportation. Then the material should be durable, so that it lasts a long time, and also be able to be re-used/recycled.

Next is the issue of indoor air quality. Green building materials are designed to insure that the air quality inside is as good as possible, to insure the best possible health of the people who live in/use the building. Then there’s energy efficiency. Green materials help to reduce energy consumption in buildings. Along with that is water conservation; these materials also help to reduce the building’s water consumption.

West Plano Homes, Condos & Townhomes:

Includes the Following Zip Codes: (75024,75093)

Get Free online access to Hundreds of West Plano Foreclosure, Bank Owned & REO Townhomes and Single Family Homes. Once you tell your friends and family you live in West Plano, be prepared to start hearing the whispers behind your back. West Plano is by far one of the most desirable locations in the entire Dallas Metroplex. So desirable that many Neighboring Zip Codes of Dallas, jumped ship to be in Collin County and Plano ISD. West Plano is really on 2 zip codes 75093 which starts right at Plano Pkwy and Preston Area, up to the Ultra Exclusive Willow Bend Area up to Parker Road. Once you hit Spring Creek you skip into the next West Plano zip code 75024 which is home to one of the most successful mixed use commercial developments in the United States "Shops at Legacy". West Plano runs right along the Eastern Border of the Dallas North Tollway from Plano Parkway all the way up to 121! Beyond bragging rights Plano West is one of the most sought after Schools in the State!

Go to West Plano Homes for Sale copy and paste http://bit.ly/OOAJE

Once you have decided to sell your house there are some steps you need to take to make sure you sell your house in these sticky economic times. You will want to know what it is worth; so call in an appraiser to assess your property, or a few realtors, and ask them to look it over. Keep in mind, what it is worth is not necessarily what you will get for it. That’s business, I’m afraid – your house is worth what someone will pay for it. You have to take into account the state of the economy, how your community is growing (or contracting), what interest rates banks are charging, and the condition of your home.

Once you settle on a price, start advertising. You need to decide if you want to use a realtor, or sell your home yourself. These days, with BuyOwner, and web-based home sales, you can try staging a house for sale yourself, without a broker. Each way has their own pluses and minuses; so it is up to you which to use.

Preparing your Home

Selling your home like a pro involves a lot more than just putting up signs and waiting for the potential buyers to show up. First impressions are important. You want your home to look as good as possible. So, clean up the yard, repair any bare patches of sod, clean out any flowerbeds etc. If your house is in need of a paint job, you may want to invest in that. This may cost some money, but think of it as a business investment. You don’t want people to cringe at their first look at your home. It takes work to sell your home like a pro.

Next is the interior. Clean your house and arrange the furniture to make it look nice. That may mean removing some things to make your home seem less cluttered, or painting or fixing things, but it’s well worth it. The two most important rooms in the house are the kitchen and bathroom; work at making them look nice. That may mean changing a sink or painting some cabinets, but the investment can pay big dividends in the end.

So, cast aside sentimentality. Selling your home like a pro is a business and it takes time, effort and money.

Hombuyer Tax Credit Program by Federal Government Has Been Extended and Expanded!

More good news for the Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano and North Texas real estate market. President Obama just signed a bill into law extending and expanding the homebuyer tax credit program.

The homebuyer tax credit program now includes existing homeowners who are purchasing a replacement home. To be considered a tax credit qualified move-up home buyer you must have owned and occupied the same home for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years. The federal tax credit for repeat homebuyers goes up to a maximum amount of $6,500.

For first-time homebuyers, the federal tax credit goes up to a maximum amount of $8,000.

The property to be purchased needs to be under contract by April 30, 2010 and closed by June 30, 2010.

In addition, there are some income limit tests that must be met in order to qualify.

For frequently asked questions about the homebuyer tax credit program, please visit:

http://federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

Also, please check with your tax advisor to see if you qualify for the first-time or repeat homebuyer federal tax credit.

For all of you existing homeowners who are ready for a change of scenery, now is a great time to purchase a home in Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano and other North Texas cities. Home prices are very affordable, the selection of homes is good and the government is giving a federal tax credit to boot.

To view all of my other Blog posts about Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Plano, please click www.AllAboutNorthTexas.com

Also, be sure to visit my Website www.RobertLerner.com for more information about North Texas.

To search the MLS inventory of Allen homes for sale, Frisco homes for sale, McKinney homes for sale, Plano homes for sale and other North Texas cities, please click www.NTxHomesUpdate.com

If you have any questions about Allen, Frisco, McKinney or Plano homes and real estate, then please contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Robert Lerner, CRS

RE/MAX Hall of Fame

Full-time Realtor since 1993

RE/MAX Premier Properties I

Email: Robert@RobertLerner.com

Blog: www.AllAboutNorthTexas.com

Website: www.RobertLerner.com

MLS Search: www.NTxHomesUpdate.com

Phone: 972-979-0662

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