Pescatore Avrit Team

Dallas ranks fifth among the top cities that are considered "recession-resistant" compared to many other cities in the United States.

Despite a global economic downturn, Texas paves the way alongside Oklahoma with several cities that are more likely to emerge from the economic downturn first according to a recent study by the Brookings Institution.

While the economy appears steady for Texas cities, the report does mention that even though Texas cities have managed to stay ahead of most hard hit recession cities, Texas based cities have not yet returned to a pre-recession state of employemnt or output.

TOP 10 Recession-Resistant cities:

1. San Antonio, TX

2. Oklahoma City, OK

3. Austin, TX

4. Houston, TX

5. Dallas, TX

6. McAllen, TX

7. Little Rock, AR

8. Baton Rouge, LA

9. Tulsa, OK

10. Omaha, NB

It is an encouraging report!! Keep in mind that our sales prices havent been hit nearly as hard as the rest of the country either. If your considering selling or buying a home, we would love to earn your business!!

Regards,

The Pescatore/Avrit Team

Do you know someone who has been thinking of buying their first home? How about someone who is ready to get back into home ownership after a three year period?

Jane and I have been working with a fabulous husband & wife lending team, David and Lisa Ann Lowe of W.R. Starkey. They're fantastic people and we've seen them work "miracles" for our clients. Recently we've had a buyer that needed to sell his house in order to buy with us. Lisa Ann and David took over a loan in the las minute in order to get his home sold and turned everything around in about 48 hours!

Here is some information from Lisa Ann about the new 90 Day Down Payment Assistance Program:

So if you, or someone you know, is looking to purchase a home have them give us a call to help them find it and David or Lisa Ann to finance it!

It's hard to believe that we're almost to the Fourth of July. Where oh where has the year gone?

On June 27thAllen will be one the first local city to celebrate our Nation's Birthday with it's all day spectacular Allen USA event. The festivities begin at noon on Saturday the 27th at Celebration Park, Allen's 106 acre community park. Since 1995 when Allen first started their largest event it's only grown larger and larger with an estimated 65,000 people attending the lively, fun event.

The best part of Allen USa, besides all the attractions, entertainment and the grand fireworks show, is that admission and parking are FREE! In our current economy, what's better than being able to enjoy an event like this for FREE?

With the expected crowds the City highly recommends using the free shuttle service from Allen High School to the event. If you want to park your car and walk to the event, you can park at Anderson Elementary or Story Elementary and walk to the event, although walking from Story will be a bit of a hike.

Gates Open at noon and the Kid Zone, Activity Zone and Food Court Vendors will open for business. Right now you can buy all inclusive wristbands for the Kid Zone inflatables and Kid Kraft Tent for just $20 at Joe Farmer Recreation Center or the Rodenbaugh Natatorium. If you purchase these wristbands on the day of the event it will cost you a little more, $25. or you could just pay for individual tickets at 50 cents apiece but most activities will cost you between 2-4 tickets.

Allen USA will provide two different stages for musical and entertainment acts throughout the day. On the Main stage you'll be able to listen to performances by Katrin, Cody Jinks, Shaylen and the Black Box Station, Moving Colors and the featured performers this year are Smashmouth on the main stage at 8:30.

At approxiametly 10pm the event will come to it's grand conclusion with a fantastic 30 minute fireworks show!

So if you're looking for free entertainment and a safe family friendly enviroment we highly suggest this great party. Our hats off to the City of Allen, the Parks and Rec department and all the sponsors who make this happen.

By now you should have received your annual tax valuation statement from you county appraisal district.

Where you shocked when you opened it? Some of our clients have seen in increase in their property values, one had their value go UP a whopping 8%!!!

In these tough economic times the counties are searching for any way they can to increase revenue and it may just come at your expense. But you can at least try to do something about it.

Below is a list of several counties appraisal district websites where you can find the forms necessary to file a protest of your appraised value.

Collin County Appraisal District www.collincad.org

Dallas County Appraisal District www.dallascad.org

Denton County Appraisal District www.dentoncad.org

Ellis County Appraisal District www.elliscad.org

Rockwall County Appraisal District www.rockwallcad.org

Tarrant County Appraisal District www.tad.org

You must file this form and have it postmarked no later than June 1st, just 16 days from now.

The first step is to start gathering evidence about your property, photos or statements that document structural problems the appraiser may have missed such as plumbing problems or foundation issues.

Then you'll want to get "comps" from a Realtor that is familiar with your neighborhood. This information will contain recent sales about properties that are similar to yours. Our client who saw that large increase should be able to fight his appraisal because of the three houses that sold in his neighborhood two of them were foreclosures, a sad fact in these times.

You may even want to spend a little extra money and hire a independent appraiser to value your home. This could bolster your case and allow you to ask the county appraiser how they came up with the higher value.

Lastly, remember that a county appraisal is purely factual and is governed by professional standards. This is not personal so don't be emotional in your protest, just state the facts as Joe Friday used to say on Dragnet.

If you need any help with obtaining your neighborhood comparables drop us an email. You can reach Terri at tprealtor@hotmail.com or Jane at javrit@msn.com

As always we're here to help you achieve your real estate goals, even if it's to fight your taxes!

This Saturday, May 2nd from 1-4pm, our team will be shining a spotlight on the Woodland Park neighborhood in Allen. This wonderful community consists of homes built by Grand Homes and Mercedes Homes and offers some of the best values in Allen.

It's proximity to Allen's Celebration Park, access to major thoughfares, wonderful schools and convenient shopping make Woodland Park a great place to live.

If you, or anyone you know, is looking for a family friendly neighborhood have them visit the Woodland Park Open House Weekend!

Our two listings include 802 Cascades, a gorgeous 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath 3 car garage home with so many upgrades and additions you won't believe it. The home sits on a tremendous lot next to a greenbelt, has a professionally added sunroom and sparkling pool! At 3640 square feet this home offers great space for an affordable price!

Our next house is located at 1003 Rushmore and is brand new on the market. This 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2 car home has 2513 square feet and a wonderful floorplan to suit anyone's needs. The home features beautiful hardwood flooring, a large open kitchen, updated paint, a great backyard and so many other extras.

So if you've got some time on Saturday why not drop in a view these two fantastic properties. We'd look forward to seeing you!