Wondering how the housing market is doing?
The "average" sales price of a home in Frisco as of September 2011 was $304,811 compared to $283,462 in September 2010.
The average days on the market as of September 2011 was 85, which is a two day increase compared to the same time last year.
As of September 2011, the inventory of homes was 940 compared to 1,421 the same time last year, wow, homes are selling!
Finally, as of September 2011, there was 3.9 months of inventory compared to 6.0 months the same time last year!
So as you can see, the housing market in the Frisco area is doing very well, so if it is that time to buy or sell, please call me TODAY at 214-872-0400 so we can discuss your real estate needs!
Thinking about becoming a HOMEOWNER? Think you can’t afford to a home? Worried about whether home-buying is a good INVESTMENT? Buying a home can be an intimidating process, but the first step is to ask yourself these questions: Do I want to own a home? Can I afford to own a home? Does owning a home make sense for me financially?
If you are still struggling with these questions, here are some facts that might help you take that first step towards becoming a homeowner.
Over the last ten years, the cost of rental housing in the U.S. has increased an average of 3.5% per year. If that trend continues, that means that an apartment or home renting for $1,000 per month will cost more than $1,300 a month in ten years. If you rent the same home for ten years, the total amount you would pay for rent will equal $140,777!None of that $140,777 is returned to you, either through savings or as an investment.
Homeownership, on the other hand, has tax advantages over renting a home, and those advantages can help you save money. For many homeowners, part of the monthly mortgage payment “comes back to you” in tax savings.
I ask that you please give me a call TODAY at 214-872-0400 or send me an e-mail and give me the opportunity to discuss how I can help you buy your home.
I sincerely thank you for your valuable time!
Michael L. Brownstead, GRI
Realtor®
Ebby Halliday Realtors® 8920 Coit Rd., Ste. 100Plano, TX75025
E-mail: michaelbrownstead@ebby.com
Phone: 214-872-0400
www.BrownsteadRealEstateGroupDFW.com
Today’s ever changing real estate industry has brought upon some very challenging questions from our clients. We as counselors, want to put forth the best, non-emotional advice that we can, in hopes that we can help our clients and their families navigate the rough waters of the short sale process.
The most prevalent question and one that continues to permeate the industry is:
“Why should a seller go through the short sale process rather than letting their house be foreclosed upon?”
While we cannot speak to every client circumstance, we can say one thing with complete conviction. In almost all instances in which a potential seller is contemplating whether they should short sell their house or let it go through the foreclosure process, a short sale is the better option. The following are examples to consider:
Example A- Short Sale
Mr. Smith owns a home in which he has a mortgage balance of $220,000 and a current market value of $150,000. Mr. Smith has elected to short sell his property. His Realtor successfully obtains a buyer who puts forth an offer price of $120,000 (80% current market value according to Realty Trac Foreclosure Report 5/26/2011). After reviewing the buyers offer and the financial hardship information from Mr. Smith, Mr Smith’s bank agrees to accept the short payoff of $120,000 which would leave a deficiency balance of $100,000.
The transaction closes and is final. Mr. Smith then pulls his credit report 30 days after the transaction takes place. On the report he notices that the mortgage trade line states “Mortgage debt was settled for less than full” and the balance on the mortgage is $0. Mr. Smith is now on the road to financial recovery.
Example B- Foreclosure
For the ease of illustration we will use the same value and mortgage debt amounts as in Example A. However, Mr. Smith has elected to forgo the short sale process and let the bank foreclose on the property. The bank holding his mortgage facilitates the proper legal procedures to foreclose on the property, all of which are costly. Mr. Smith is notified and his property foreclosed upon of which is taken back by the bank to sell as an REO.
Six months later, the bank finally sells Mr. Smith’s home only they sell it for $90,000 (60% of current market value according to Realty Trac Foreclosure report dated 5/26/2011). Remember, as a short sale, the home would have sold for $120,000 keeping the deficiency to $100,000. In addition to the deficiency now being $130,000, the bank has elected to add on legal costs of $15,000 and asset preservation costs of another $5000 for a total deficiency liability of $150,000. Mr. Smith pulls his credit report 30 days after being notified that the bank has sold his property and of his liability.
On the report he notices that the mortgage trade line states “Foreclosure” and the balance is $150,000. Because of Mr Smith’s choice to choose foreclosure vs. short sale his road to financial recovery has taken a major detour. He not only has a foreclosure on his credit report but now has a much larger deficiency balance in which the bank, in most cases, will report on his credit report as a balance owed.
The Best Option is Clear
While the financial and credit advantages are clear when choosing a short sale over a foreclosure, other advantages are sometimes overlooked. The most important of all of them is maintaining the seller’s dignity and peace of mind. We have heard too many stories of families having to leave their homes because of a Sheriff’s order or some other type of legal action. The short sale process alleviates this negative social impact. The process puts the control back in the seller’s hands so that they can get back on the road to financial recovery and start providing for their families. In the battle of the two evils, a short sale always wins!!!
Courtesy: via KCM Crew
Allen Demographics
Population Projections
Facts and Figures Guide
Census 2000 - Allen Demographic Profile
Driver's Licenses
Driver's licenses are obtained at the following locations:
McKinney
400 Powerhouse Street
214.733.5350
Plano
2109 W. Parker Rd., Suite 224
972.867.4221
Local Tax Information
Property Taxes
Central Appraisal District of Collin County
Post Offices:
304 W. Boyd Drive
800.ASK.USPS (800.275.8777); 972.390.7993
TTY Service - 877.889.2457 for hearing impaired
Business Hours:
Mon - Fri 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat 9 a.m. to Noon
Sun closed
Vehicle Registration
New Allen residents can register vehicles at either of the following Collin County registration offices:
Collin County Tax Assessor and Collector, Plano Office
920 E. Park, Suite 100
Plano, TX
972.881.3014
Collin County Administration Building
2300 Bloomdale Rd., Suite 2302
McKinney, TX
972.547.5014

Ruff Range Dog Park Grand Opening Celebration!
All dogs and their owners are invited by the City of Frisco, TX to the Grand Opening Celebration of the new "Ruff Range" Dog Park on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 2 p.m. There will be giveaways, "doggie bags," vendor booths and much more fun!
Parking for this event will be in the main parking lot of B.F. Phillips Community Park and shuttle buses will be available to transport dogs and their owners to the dog park. Shuttle buses will run from 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
For more information on this event, please call 972-292-6500.
The dog park is open from Sunrise to Sunset and will be closed Thursdays for maintenance.
Ruff Range Dog Park
Address: 3335 4th Army Memorial Drive, Frisco, TX
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