Candi Munguia

You've probably heard that the $8,000 federal income tax credit for first time home buyers has expired as of April 30, 2010. Well, if you weren't able to take advantage of that tax credit, there is another tax credit available to first time home buyers in the state of Texas that may be even better!

You could potentially get a federal income tax credit through the Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate program of up to $2,000 each and every year that you own and occupy the property you purchase as a first time home buyer (cannot have owned a home in the last 3 years). If you were to stay in your new home for 10 years, for example, and received the maximum $2,000 tax credit each year, that would be $20,000 in tax credits (federal income tax refunds, or lower tax withholdings each paycheck) for you!!!

Several local and state housing agencies have Mortgage Credit Certificate programs available for properties located in the State of Texas.

Certain limitations on income and sales price apply. So, if you are thinking of buying a home in Denton, Flower Mound, or Lewisville, Texas, or the surrounding areas, contact Candi Munguia for more information on qualifying for this great incentive to help you realize the American dream of home ownership!

Attention Lewisville and Flower Mound Texas area home owners, including southern Denton County, northwestern Dallas County, and northeastern Tarrant County!

If you are thinking going "for sale by owner" (FSBO), please let me give you some reasons why you should choose me to assist you in selling your home instead.

First, I'll perform a needs analysis to help clarify the motivating reasons to sell, and determine your timetable. Together, we will come up with a pricing strategy to determine the best selling price given the current market conditions. I will prepare a "seller's net sheet" for you so that you can see the end results of the selling price.

Property preparation is important before your home goes on the market. I'll advise you on repairs and improvements that will expedite the sale of your home, and provide staging strategies. Your home will also be listed in the Realtors' Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which will be a part of a comprehensive marketing plan, with a timetable. I will provide a "for sale" sign and key lock box so that other Realtors may conveniently make appointments to show your home to prospective buyers.

Once offers are received, I'll help you evaluate the offers and negotiate counteroffers, and provide advice on final terms and conditions. Following that, I'll prepare a postcontract work list and advise you on repairs and vendor services as needed.

In preparation for closing, I will coordinate and supervise document preparation, and provide preclosing consulting to you. At closing time, I will review the closing documents and resolve any last minute items. After closing, I'll help coordinate the move and assist with any postclosing issues.

All this, and more (including my Texas-sized smile!), is what you can expect when you list your home for sale with me!

It's more than "just a sign in the yard." A lot more!!!

I just received an email from someone with some questions about relocating to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Here is part of my response, which I figured could be helpful to others contemplating a move!

Property taxes can vary quite a bit in the Dallas area, depending on what city and county the property is located in. Here are some websites where you can look up property tax information:

Dallas County: http://www.dallascad.org/
Tarrant County: http://www.tad.org/
Denton County: http://www.dentoncad.com/
Collin County: http://www.collincad.org/

I can also look up and provide you with property tax information for specified properties. You may already be aware that Texas does not have a state income tax. We do have a sales tax that varies slightly between communities - most in this area are at 8.25%.

Car insurance can also vary. I believe the rates in Dallas County may be a little higher than in neighboring Denton County, for example. You might try contacting some insurance agents in the area to see if they can provide you with a ballpark quote. Your age, vehicle you are driving, location, and the amount of coverage you are looking for will all factor in to your premium.

As for dogs, most areas do not have restrictions, unless the dog is considered a vicious breed.

Our area gets some snow maybe 2-3 times during the year. Parts of the Dallas area had some snow flakes just last week, but it just barely dusted the grass and quickly melted. Generally, the longest any snow would last on the ground here would be a couple of days. We do get some ice storms once or twice a winter, where the roads and bridges will ice over. Again, that generally doesn't last long. Our coldest "average" high and low temperatures during the winter is 54 and 34.

Weather-wise, we do get lots of sunshine throughout the year. Our spring and fall seasons normally have very pleasant temperatures. Our summers can get quite hot, with highs averaging around 95. Usually, our humidity is low, especially compared to areas closer to the Gulf of Mexico, like Houston.

And, we do have lots of super-friendly people here in Texas (many of whom have relocated from other areas as well)!

Feel free to check out the various reports and links I have available on my website. I look forward to working with you as your Realtor!

You've probably heard that the federal government has added a new tax credit for buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years (or who have owned a home for 5 consecutive years out of the past 8 years) of up to $6,500. To qualify, you must sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30.

It doesn't matter if the new home you purchase is more expensive or less expensive than your current home. You can still get the tax credit! There are income limits, but those limits are fairly high so most people will qualify (check with your tax advisor). Also, to qualify for the tax credit, your new home must be purchased for $800,000 or less.

The Lewisville-Flower Mound area has many great neighborhoods, and many of you have lived in your homes for at least 5 years. There are a lot of reasons why you might want to sell your current home and move into a new one. Maybe the kids have moved out, and now your home is just too big. Maybe your family is just beginning, or growing, and you need more space. Maybe you want to move to a location more convenient to your needs. Everyone has their own reasons, their own goals, their own needs. With this tax credit, which probably will not be extended or repeated, you have even more incentive to make that move!

Another great thing about the Lewisville and Flower Mound areas is that home values have remained strong. There hasn't been the big decline that many around the country have experienced. In fact, good homes in the Lewisville and Flower Mound areas are in high demand. With proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and the cities of Denton, Dallas, and Fort Worth, it's easy to see why the Lewisville/Flower Mound area is so attractive to home buyers. Not to mention the great shopping, restaurants, and the outdoor activities available, including Lewisville Lake and Grapevine Lake!

I'm here to provide a service for you in the most professional and cheerful way I can.

Call or email me to take advantage of this opportunity while you can - what a great chance to sell your current home and to find your new home! Ask me how I can save you even more by listing your current home with me, and using me to assist you in buying your new home. Don't delay on this one - be sure to allow yourself enough time for us to find a buyer for your existing home, and for us to find your new dream home!!!

You've probably heard that the federal government has added a new tax credit for buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years (or who have owned a home for 5 consecutive years out of the past 8 years) of up to $6,500. To qualify, you must sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30.

It doesn't matter if the new home you purchase is more expensive or less expensive than your current home. You can still get the tax credit! There are income limits, but those limits are fairly high so most people will qualify (check with your tax advisor). Also, to qualify for the tax credit, your new home must be purchased for $800,000 or less.

The Lewisville-Flower Mound area has many great neighborhoods, and many of you have lived in your homes for at least 5 years. There are a lot of reasons why you might want to sell your current home and move into a new one. Maybe the kids have moved out, and now your home is just too big. Maybe your family is just beginning, or growing, and you need more space. Maybe you want to move to a location more convenient to your needs. Everyone has their own reasons, their own goals, their own needs. With this tax credit, which probably will not be extended or repeated, you have even more incentive to make that move!

Another great thing about the Lewisville and Flower Mound areas is that home values have remained strong. There hasn't been the big decline that many around the country have experienced. In fact, good homes in the Lewisville and Flower Mound areas are in high demand. With proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and the cities of Denton, Dallas, and Fort Worth, it's easy to see why the Lewisville/Flower Mound area is so attractive to home buyers. Not to mention the great shopping, restaurants, and the outdoor activities available, including Lewisville Lake and Grapevine Lake!

I'm here to provide a service for you in the most professional and cheerful way I can.

Call or email me to take advantage of this opportunity while you can - what a great chance to sell your current home and to find your new home! Ask me how I can save you even more by listing your current home with me, and using me to assist you in buying your new home. Don't delay on this one - be sure to allow yourself enough time for us to find a buyer for your existing home, and for us to find your new dream home!!!