Michele Hanigan - REALTOR® Dallas & Plano Real Estate (214)738-5555

Tips on Buying in a Tight Market

There is no doubt this is a different home buying market in Dallas, Tx, (as well as across America), than just a few years ago. Increase your chances of getting your dream house instead of losing it to another buyer, with these easy secret tips.

• Get preapproved for a mortgage. You’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and make your offer more desirable to the seller. If you need assistance in locating a reputable lender, let me know and I can help you find a lender in Dallas, Tx.

• Stay in close touch with your real estate sales associate to find out first about new listings that come on the market. And be ready to go see a house as soon as it goes on the market.

• Scout out new listings yourself. Look at Internet sites, newspaper ads, and drive by the neighborhood frequently. Maybe you’ll see a brand-new “for sale” sign before anyone else.

• Be ready to make a decision. Spend lots of time in advance deciding what you must have so you won’t be unsure when you have the chance to make an offer.

• Bid competitively. You may not want to start out offering the absolute highest price you can afford, but don’t try to go too low to get a deal. In a tight market, you’ll lose out.

• Keep contingencies to a minimum. Restrictions such as needing to sell your home before you move or wanting to delay the closing until a certain date can make your offer unappealing. In a tight market, you’ll probably be able to sell your house rapidly. Or talk to your lender about getting a bridge loan to cover both mortgages for a short period.

• Don’t get caught in a buying frenzy. Just because there’s competition doesn’t mean you should just buy anything. And even though you want to make your offer attractive, don’t neglect inspections that help ensure that your house is sound.

Hopefully these tips will come in handy to those who are looking for houses for sale in Dallas, Tx.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood

Here are some helpful tips for homebuyers to locate their perfect home in the neighborhood of their choice.

The neighborhood you choose can have a big impact on your lifestyle—safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their part.

• Make a list of the activities—movies, health club, church—you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re considering to engaging in your most common activities.

• Check out the school district. The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, also consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Even if you don’t have children, a house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future.

• Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type—burglaries, armed robberies—and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?

• Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local city economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don’t necessarily diminish value, but they do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months?

• See if you’ll make money. Ask a local REALTOR® or call the local REALTOR® association to get information about price appreciation trends in the neighborhood. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good an investment your home will be. A REALTOR® or the government planning agency also may be able to tell you about planned developments or other changes in the neighborhood—like a new school or highway—that might affect value.

• See for yourself. Once you’ve narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, go there, and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with people working or playing outside. Are they friendly? Are their children to play with your family?

I hope these free tips for finding the perfect neighborhood in Dallas, Tx are of some help. If you'd like to add ideas to this blog, please feel free to post your comments. :)

July 4: Flower Mound's Annual Independence Day Celebration

What: The annual Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza is an all day free family event at Bakersfield Park. It starts with a parade at 11 a.m. at LISD admin building. Gates open at 7 p.m. with concessions, kid's activities including a bounce house, giant slide, obstacle course, rock wall and face painting. Grand Funk Railroad will play from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.

When: Fireworks Monday July 4, 2011 at 9:30 p.m.

Where: Bakersfield Park, 1201 Duncan Lane, Flower Mound, TX

Don't bring: No glass, alcohol, or tobacco products may be brought to the park.

Additional information: 972-874-7275.

Children's Parade: 11 a.m. Timbercreek Elementary, 1900 Timber Creek Road. Lineup begins at 10:30 a.m.

July 4: City of Bedford 4thFest

What: An Independence Day Celebration with an Circus twist. 4th FEST Big Top Celebration includes a free concert, InflataFUN Zone, a variety of circus family fun FREE activities, festival-style culinary delights and of course, the spectacular fireworks extravaganza.

When: Monday, July 4, 2011 from Noon to 11 p.m.

Where: 2801 Forest Ridge Road, Bedford Boys Ranch Park, Bedford, TX

Parking: There is no on-site parking. Parking and shuttle service for $4 per person will be offered at Pennington Field, 1501 Central Drive. The last shuttle TO the Boys Ranch Park will leave Pennington Field at 9:30 p.m.

Bring: Lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and non-alcoholic beverages.

July 4: Lake Grapevine's 28th July 4th Extravaganza

What: 28th Annual Fireworks Extravaganza. Be prepared to be astonished by the fireworks spectacular, which can be viewed from any lakeside location as well as several other spots throughout Grapevine. Admission is free at most viewing locations. Some parks along Lake Grapevine may charge a minimal admission fee.

When: July 4, 2011 at 9:30 p.m.

Where: Grapevine Lake

July 4: Red, White & Lewisville Fireworks Display

What: Red White & Lewisville Fireworks Display. The spectacular fireworks show will start shortly after dark at approximately 9:30 p.m. The best viewing opportunities will be on the South side of Vista Ridge Mall and along the 121 Bypass.

When: July 4, 2011 at 9:30 p.m.

Where: Around Vista Ridge Mall area

Additional information: 972-219-3401.

July 4: Fort Worth's Fourth

When: July 4, 2011. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m.

4:35 p.m. Fort Worth Cats game begins.

5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Jet Ski Shows

Fireworks Showtime: 9:30 p.m.

Where: On the Trinity River bank behind LaGrave Field on North Main Street

What: Free live music and family activities. Vendors will offer food, cold drinks, beer and ice cream. Water and watermelon will be provided. Live country music from 92.1. Fort Worth’s Fourth guests can watch the game from levee lawn seats for $5 per person.

Parking: Parking is available at LaGrave Field for $5 as well as free on-street parking west of North Main Street.

Don't bring: Alcoholic beverages. Vendors will sell beer. Picnic baskets welcome.

July 4: Arlington Highlands July 4th Celebration

What: Arlington Highlands July 4th Celebration. Bring the whole family for an evening of fun and festivities at the Arlington Highlands July 4th Celebration with live entertainment by Hard Day's Night. Free face painting and Sno-Cones from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. (First 2,000 Sno-Cones are free. They are $1 afterwards).

When: Monday, July 4, 2011 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fireworks Extravaganza begins at 9:30 p.m.

Where: Arlington Highlands, 4000 Retail Connection Way, Arlington, TX 76108

Don't bring: alcoholic beverages.

July 4: The 39th Annual 4th of July Fireworks / Denton Kiwanis Club

What: Don't miss the 39th Annual 4th of July Fireworks show sponsored by the Denton Kiwanis Club. Admission is free; gates open at 5:30 p.m. with activities for the entire family including bounce houses for the kids, concessions and live music.

When: Monday, July 4, 2011. The fireworks show will begin at dusk.

Where: University of North Texas Fouts Field, Denton, TX.

July 4: Fair Park Fourth

What: The event will include free admission to the park with food, music, fun and fireworks at the Fair.

When: Opens at 4:30 p.m.

Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Live radio simulcast on 98.7 K-LUV.

Dallas Wind Symphony concert at 8:30 p.m.

Concessions on sale at 6 p.m.

Dancing Water Shows in Fair Park's Esplanade throughout the day

Where: Fair Park, Dallas

July 4: Red, White and Boom McKinney

10 a.m. Hometown Parade

5 p.m. Car Show

7 p.m. to 9:30 Family, food and fun at the McKinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch

8 p.m to 9:30 p.m. Concert with former American Idol stars Michael Sarver, Gina Glocksen, David Hernandez, Lakisha Jones

9:45 p.m. Fireworks

Alcohol is not allowed.

City of Plano

What: The Independence Day celebration starts with a patriotic concert on Sunday, July 3. On Monday, July 4, enjoy the morning parade, afternoon concert and evening fireworks. Professional fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. with the All-American Fourth Fireworks.

Where: Share a blanket and picnic basket on the hillside just above Plano’s largest park, Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, east of U.S. 75 on Spring Creek Parkway. Parking is available at Plano Centre, Collin College and First United Methodist Church Plano. Listen to the fireworks simulcast music on KLAK 97.5 FM from home or in the park.

July 4: Fort Worth Symphony's "Old Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic"

What: The Fort Worth Symphony presents Concerts in the Garden with an "Old Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic." It's an evening filled with patriotic songs, heart-pounding marches, and one of the best fireworks displays in the area.

When: July 4, 2011 at 8 p.m.

Where: Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107

Rowlett's The Flags of Freedom: A Project Honoring Our Military Heros

Quefest 2011 has been moved to Labor Day Weekend but you can take part in The Flags of Freedom: A Project Honoring Our Military Heros. You can order a 3x4 plaque placed on a flag pole in honor of your military loved one. The plaque will include their name, military branch and a personal message from you. The Rowlett Exchange Club will display the Flags of Freedom at local elementary schools and other venues on Patriotic Holidays during the year.

Additional information: 214-364-1632

I hope everyone has a safe and happy July 4th celebrations while watching fireworks with their loved ones. :)

Source: About.com