By Tom Branch, on November 6th, 2011 
Gina and I had VIP front-row seats for Guns and Roses at the Gexa Pavilion last night. If you have not had the VIP treatment, you need to check it out! Parking is located adjacent to the venue and the VIP entrance is through the Tuaca Chill Zone. The Zone is a private full-service bar with private restrooms. We enjoyed a couple of cocktails prior to the show.
The show was great. While they were late taking the stage (what else is new?), they played for 2 hours and 45 minutes ending with a huge finale of Paridise City. They covered many of their classic hits including Sweet Child of Mine, Nighttrain, and Knocking on Heavan’s Door.
After the show, VIP ticket holders can drop back into the Zone for a night cap and wait for the traffic to subside.
By Tom Branch, on November 1st, 2011 As usual my neighbors in Ridgeview Ranch go all-out for Halloween. It’s like living the Griswald Family Christmas at Halloween. That said, they do a great job and the neighborhood children love to come on our little cul-de-sac.
I recently purchased a 35mm low-light prime lens for my Nikon and thought a little night shooting would be a good test. All three photos were shot handheld without flash at F1.8. Click on the images for higher resolution versions.
 
If you like Halloween, you should see what they do for Christmas!
Photos: Copyright 2011 Tom Branch
By Tom Branch, on October 31st, 2011 
I answered an online question today. The writer was preparing to give a Texas property to his child and wanted to know if he should use a Quit Claim or Gift Deed.
While a Quit Claim Deed might get the property transferred, it will likely become problematic somewhere down the line when the child goes to sell the property. Texas title insurers usually will not accept a Quit Claim Deed. If the original owner cannot be found or has passed away, it can create title issues.
While I would suggest a Special Warranty Deed, it would be best to speak with a title company or attorney about this situation.
See our list of Dallas Fort Worth Title Companies.
Photo: Licensed from iStockPhoto
By Tom Branch, on October 30th, 2011 
Click Image for PDF Version
We met with Steve Vieregge, Community Sales Manager for The Preserve, on Friday to follow-up on the development.The Preserve is on-schedule and the builder should break ground on the model homes on lots 31 and 32 (block C) in November. If the winter weather cooperates, the models should be ready by April 2012.
They have already pre-sold a number of new homes and the first new residents should move into their homes in April as well.
We were also able to get better copies of the seven models being offered. The single-level models are Waterville, Merion, and the Sawgrass. While the basic plans are single-level, there is an option to add space on a second level. The two-level models are Muirfield, Turnberry, Pinehurst, and the Augusta.
Read more about The Preserve in Allen.
Image and floor plans used with permission.
New Home Rebate
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By Tom Branch, on October 30th, 2011 75025 in Plano Texas continues to see a steady rise in days on market and the months supply of available homes.
Days on Market:
Months Supply of Housing:
The National Association of REALTORS® considers a 6 month supply of housing to be a balanced market. Areas with supplies under 6 months are a seller’s market, and supplies over 6 months are a buyer’s market. So while both have continued to rise, the market remains relatively balanced.
The good news is that the sales price per square foot has risen considerably since January 2010 and is only slightly below January 2007.
Sales Price per Square Foot:
As we enter into the winter months (typically a slower sales period), I expect we will see these trends continue until early 2012. While mortgage interest rates remain at all-time lows and Plano has a stable economy, it appears that both conventional and investor buyers are taking a “wait and see” approach to home buying.
Data Source: NTREIS on October 30, 2011
By Tom Branch, on October 29th, 2011 
It’s that time of the year again! The record-breaking heat of the North Texas summer has given way to cooler fall temperatures. We’re all breathing a sigh of relief and enjoying the change of seasons.
The cooler fall temperatures will fade into winter. It’s not unusual for North Texas to experience freezing temperatures. While this might simply be an inconvenience to many of us, it can be a disaster if you have a vacant home.
If your vacant home is not heated, you really need to consider having the property winterized. The winterization process is relativity inexpensive (a couple of hundred dollars) and can save you thousands in damage and repairs that result from freezing pipes.
One local resource in the greater Dallas area is Kissee Inspections. Mark has winterized a number of vacant homes for us over the years and does quality work at reasonable prices. Mark is offering a Winterization Special. Click on the ad below for larger version.
Don’t wait until we have that inevitable cold snap as the few contractors who do this kind of work will be swamped.
Photo – Copyright 2011 Tom Branch
By Tom Branch, on October 27th, 2011 
Ashton Woods has begun pre-selling new construction homes in The Preserve in Allen. Base pricing starts at $292k for the Waterville (single-level 2020SF) to $395k for an Augusta (2-story 3606SF). Premium lots range from $5k to $40k.
The six models (both single-level and 2-level floorplans) being offered are Waterville, Merion, Sawgrass, Muirfield, Turnberry, Pinehurst and the Augusta. These homes have an extensive list of standard features. Energy efficient building includes 15 SEER HVAC, radiant barrier, and much more.
The builder expects the model and sales office to begin construction in November and to be open in the early part of 2012.
The Branch Team is offering $1000 towards buyer’s closing costs as a pre-sales incentive. Contact us for details.
Read more about The Preserve in Allen.
Photo: Copyright 2011 – Tom Branch
New Home Rebate
Purchase a new home through us and we'll help you with your closing costs! We'll give you a credit of 1.5% of the price of the home at closing to use towards your closing costs.
Click here for our New Home Rebates page.
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