Wendy Montoya, Associate Broker REALTOR® Waco, TX Real Estate, 254-315-4906

What can you buy in the Waco Texas area for $500,000 or more?

In the Waco MLS, there are 33 homes currently for sale between the listed prices of $500,000 and $1,795,000.

Of those 33:

11 are listed between $500,000 and $599,999

11 are listed between $600,000 and $699,999

8 are listed between $700,000 and $999,999

3 are listed above 1 million

So what can you get in the Waco area at these price points? A wide variety of homes with greatly different age ranges and locations. From West to Lake Limestone to McGregor, to China Spring, to Woodway, to Robinson, to Crawford to some of the most exclusive and beautiful listings right in the City of Waco.

In fact the highest priced listing is located in the City of Waco on over 2 acres with gorgeous lake views. It is over 6000 sq ft and was built in 2004.

At $500,000 you can get a horse lovers dream out in West with about 9 acres and over 3500 sq ft. Complete with barn, tack room and pipe fencing. Built in 1999.

You can get a lot for your money here in the Waco area with a variety of choices. And really in most areas of Texas. If you are looking to buy in Waco or nearby at any price point, or need to Sell Your Waco area Home, feel free to contact me for more information. I am glad to help.

* Please note that this information was gathered on July 4, 2009 from the Waco MLS. Listings are changing constantly, so this information is very fluid. For the most current information, please contact me. This information cannot be guaranteed. Use at your own risk.

In Mid June, I wrote a Waco Market Report:

And more Waco Residential Market News...

At that time, we were on pace to nearly meet or exceed last year's June figures. Now that we've passed the end of June, It looks like we fell a little short of what I thought may happen. But not by much. In fact, at last count we were at 219 sales for June. Not too shabby.

Not only that, median sales prices are still up compared to last year. Last year through March of this year we saw declines in median price, but beginning in April, that median price has steadily increased.

Here are the numbers*:

219 Residential Sales for June 09

226 Residential Sales for June 08

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128,000 Median Sold Price for June 09

116,800 Median Sold Price for June 08

What I really like about what I am seeing these past few months is that sold prices are exceding those of last year and have even increased month by month the past few months. Will this continue after the busy season and after the $8000 tax credit expires? Time will tell. I think as always, Waco is a pretty solid market with all things considered and I like what I am seeing overall.

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*Market numbers were gathered from both the Waco MLS on July 28th, 2009 and TAMU Real Estate Center Online. This information is deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Use at your own risk.

Did you know that there may be money waiting for you in Waco, the State of Texas or any other State? Money that is rightfully yours that you may have somehow overlooked.

This is about getting that money to the rightful owner. I found unclaimed property in my name in one State. It was left over from an old Stock I used to have. Sometimes, you may not have gotten your utility refund or something of the sort. Somewhere along the line, you may have missed getting your money from something.

But to find out if you have any money that is unclaimed in Waco, visit the City of Waco's Site to see if your name is on the list and follow the instructions on how to make your claim. There are also links to State sites where you can look for anything unclaimed elsewhere in the US.

http://www.waco-texas.com/city_depts/budget_finance/unclaimedproperty.htm

In our economy, every little bit helps. You owe it to yourself to simply check these sites to see if your money needs to be re-connected with YOU.

This information is deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Use at your own risk.

Each August in Texas we have a Sales Tax Holiday that's helps us all to save a bit of money just before school starts up.

Not everything is tax free on this weekend, but most clothing, shoes, backpacks under the price of $100 are included. And this year, they are adding to those items many school supplies such as pens and crayons.

For a full list of tax exempt items and more information on this holiday, visit the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts web site:

http://www.window.state.tx.us/news2009/090624-taxholiday.html

This year's holiday will take place August 21-23

So mark your calendars, save your money and shop to save in August!

This information is deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Use at your own risk.

I'm sure that many or most of you have heard the same old things, time and time again about how to prepare your home for sale. But there are still a few things that I see repeatedly in many homes that really take away from the actual beauty and essence of the home.

Some of the top turn offs that I see so often can be so simply fixed:

Cluttered Kitchen Counters-you want your kitchen to look as though it has plenty of counter space. It's one of the most important parts of the house. All of those gadgets and small appliances may be nice looking, but they give the impression that there is no space in the kitchen. A huge turnoff. Just put them away and maybe just leave a couple of key beautiful pieces out to warm up the space.

Magnets on and things on top of Refrigerator-Oh this is such a no brainer. Your kitchen immediately looks fresher and cleaner without all those magnets and things on your fridge. It's so simple to take all of this down, but it can make a place look horrible if you leave them up. I am so surprised at all of the homes I visit that don't do this simple step.

Soaps, Scrubbers, Toothbrushes, etc on Counter Tops-pretty much this is a rule of thumb throughout the house. All of that stuff is useful, but looks very dirty and tacky. Buy some bins or baskets and store your things under the sink or somewhere else. Again, you can place a couple of key pieces for warmth. You will be surprised how much this spruces a place up when you clean it up.

There are tons of other things that need to be done in order to prepare your home for sale, just don't overlook these few simple items. They can make a world of difference.

Related Articles:

Cleanliness is Subjective, and Dirty Doesn't Sell a Home

This information is deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Use at your own risk.