About McKinney's Stonebridge Ranch

Summer is approaching and for Stonebridge Ranch residents that means it's time to update their photo ID cards for access to the Beach Club and Swimming Pool areas.

You can update your ID cards from April 28th - August 13th on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Remember:

1. Each resident must have a Stonebridge Ranch photo ID or other form of ID that includes a current photo and Stonebridge Ranch address, such as a valid Texas Drivers License card as proof of residency. ID cards for growing children are replaced with new photos on an "as needed" basis.

2. Lost or Replacement cards are availabe at a cost of $5.00 each.

3. Temporary cards can be issued for $2.00 each.

4. Renewal stickers are no longer required.

10 Ways to Save Time, Money & Energy in Landscaping, author Neil Sperry speaks in Stonebridge Ranch, McKinney TX

Hear Neil Sperry, live and in person, at Stonebridge United Methodist Church, Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Sperry will be speaking on "10 Ways To Save Time, Money, and Energy in Landscaping." The lecture is free and everyone from the community is welcome and encouraged to attend! Stonebridge UMC will give an opportunity to donate to their Spiritual Landscape Initiative with an offering at the end of the evening.

As a longtime gardening lover, I have been a Neil Sperry fan for many, many years. I bought his hefty book, Texas Gardening, way back in my 20s, and have referred to it over and over again during the past couple decades. Sperry is one of the most experienced gardening talk show hosts in the country and thousands of devotees follow his show on WBAP radio on Saturdays and Sundays.

SUMC is part of McKinney's Crepe Myrtle Trailsand has already planted 92 crepe myrtle trees in several planned gardens along Stonebridge Drive and Coronado. The church will plant a total of 200 crepe myrtle trees by the time the project is completed. Mr. Sperry has generously donated his time Wednesday evening in support of this unique community initiative.

Stonebridge UMC is located at 1800 S. Stonebridge Drive, between Virginia and Eldorado. If you have any questions about the event, give me a call!

By the way . . . Do you know of someone who might like this featured backyard? This home is for sale near McKinney's Historic Downtown Square! Contact me and I'll tell you all about it!

You may be interested in the following articles:

How Collin County Sellers Maximize Curb Appeal

Orchid Show and Sale for Gardeners in McKinney, Allen, North Dallas

Media in Dallas/Fort Worth is calling it "The Superbowl Storm"...

My kids call it: FUUUUNNNNN!!!! And the reason there was NO SCHOOL so far for the month of February!

So we took to the #1 snow sledding spot in McKinney...the Hill in Adriatica at Stonebridge Ranch. There's just something about a bunch of Texans gathering around a snowy hill with our makeshift cold weather "gear" and "sleds".

Sleds? We don't need no stinkin' sleds...

My boys grabbed two empty storage bins (the kind you can slide under a bed) and they worked PERFECTLY! My oldest also brought a skateboard he found a few months ago that had no wheels. I always questioned why he kept it. Well...he showed ME! Perfect snowboard!! And, my youngest fit himself in an oversized Halloween candy bowl. It didn't work that well..but it didn't matter. He was ready to go back home and grab some hot cocoa in front of the fire. I didn't blame him. I actually prefer the Texas heat to our Texas "Blizzards"!

Knowing well in advance that I would obtain a listing in January, I went out in September and took a nice lush green photo of the property. I felt it would bring nice attention to the gorgeous yard and landscaping. I also felt that it would make it "Pop or Standout" among the other listings with brown yards, bare trees.

Two questions arose with my MLS photograph .. did it make the listing appear that it had been on the market for a long time (out of season photo)? Was it deceitful to use this photograph with green grass in this season? I answered to both ..

• No, on the impression of a lengthy listing as the days on market were readily available on MLS for the agents to view. Also homeowners often have great pictures of their homes that are taken at a more seasonal flattering time and are often used by agents.
• It is only deceitful if I was trying to cover up something like photo-shopping out a huge water tower behind the home or unsightly power lines or transformer in the distance. This was a photograph that was not enhanced.

As listing agents we are called upon to be creative in our marketing and responsible for presenting the home in its most enticing manner. Simple thoughtful use of proper photography to present a home is not only good marketing but a responsibility of a listing agent. This includes thoughtful pictures on the interior that have good lighting, staged pictures (clean off the refrigerator magnets & counters, etc.). If a simple task as good pictures gives the viewer that wonderful first impression, why not take advantage of every opportunity to sale the home?

Was it deceitful ... no it was just good marketing!

Stonebridge Ranch Neighborhoods -- Wildwood Crossing Market Report

A Year in Review -- 2010!

It was a quiet year for residents of beautiful Wildwood Crossing. About half of the homes in this small neighborhood line the 8th and 9th fairways of Stonebridge Ranch Country Club's golf course. Several other homes are situated along the edge of one of the private lakes in the master-planned community, in culdesacs, or within walking distance to the park and Glen Oaks Elementary school -- one of the best in the country! Builders for this neighborhood were Darling, Highland and Goodman.

In 2010, four homes were put on the market. Two of the homes were on the market for 4.5 to 5.5 months before their listings were canceled or expired.

The two sales in Wildwood for 2010 were:

1012 Goldenrod Court -- situated on one of the culdesacs and sold in January.

6013 Wildwood Drive -- along the golf course and sold in May.

Average price per square foot for the two sales was $97.58. Simple price per square foot is not an accurate assessment of a home's value. The market value of homes depends on many factors including condition, location, features and what buyers are willing pay to name just a few.

If you'd like more specific information about the sales in this or any other neighborhood in the area, contact me and I will gladly answer any questions you might have!