By Tom Branch, on September 30th, 2011 
If you’ve driven along McDermott Road, west of US75, you may have noticed that Allen’s Fire Station Number 5 is just about completed. Station 5 is the fourth substation and was approved by the city’s voters in the 2007 Capital Improvement Bond Election. Construction began in 2010.
A highlight of the building will be reclaimed fire ladders twisted into a sculpture for the public and firefighters to enjoy. The ladders are in the shape of a flame by Artist Christopher Fennell.
On his website Fennell says, “The materials I use have been cast out by society, for example: demolished barns, broken bicycles and downed trees. I transform these objects into dynamic pieces and connect them into recognizable shapes of waves, tornados and pillars of fire.”
The station is expected to open in the Fall of 2011.
Photo – Copyright 2011 Imaged2Sell
By Tom Branch, on September 30th, 2011 
Maybe Washington is finally getting the idea. Ben Bernanke recently said, “Historic low rates cannot solve the problem” and “strong housing policies to help the housing market recover are needed to advance a tepid U.S. economy.”
Given the current lending environment, many potential buyers either cannot or will not commit to purchasing a home. There are also thousands of investors waiting on the sidelines with deep pockets of cash to invest. There are simply too way obstacles and economic concerns.
Last year’s Federal Tax Credits spurred activity for a few months but it quickly tapered off as the deadline passed. I heard a speaker this week calling for capital gains and rental income to be tax-free for 10 years to encourage investors to come into the market and help absorb the excess inventory.
This idea has real merit. These investors do not need loans and have the resources to rehab properties so we get real cash into the economy. Further, there is a real need for quality rental properties. Rather than a tax credit that costs the taxpayers money, let’s eliminate or reduce taxes on rental income for a fixed period of time. This would encourage investing in income producing (rental) properties, increase the supply of rental properties, and reduce the inventory of properties on the market.
Housing can help lead the way out if we create an environment that encourages private sector investment.
By Tom Branch, on September 25th, 2011 
August 2011 Statistics:
Status:
Active – 56
Contingent – 4
Kick Out – 1
Under Option – 2
Pending Sales – 0
Sold – 13
Solds:
Average sales price per square foot – $113.37
Average Days on Market – 48 Days
August was a relatively slow month for real estate in the north Dallas area in general. With daily temperatures over 100 degrees, people were not out looking at homes. What the numbers do show is that homes that show well and are priced right continue to sell in any market.
See all Homes for Sale in Twin Creeks Allen Texas.
Source: NTREIS on September 25,2011
By Tom Branch, on September 25th, 2011 
If you’ve driven by the project in the past few weeks, you will have noted that it has really taken shape. The roads are in and the land along McDermott Road has been leveled opening up the view.
We spoke to Toni Petty with Ashton Woods on Saturday to get an update on the progress being made. They expect to have approval from the City of Allen to begin building by the first week of November. The model home should begin about mid-November and be ready by early January 2012.
We have copies of the floorplans, but they have not yet been released to the public. We will post them as soon as the builder approves the public release.
Pre-sales should begin in November as planned but a sales location has not yet been finalized.
We’ll post more on The Preserve in Allen as it becomes available.
Read more about The Preserve in Allen.
Photo: Copyright 2011 – Tom Branch
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By Susan L. Johnson, on September 22nd, 2011 
Hi. My name is Gracie and I am 6 years young. My Mom wanted me to write this since she felt it would be best described from a “GREYT” prospective.
My Mom adopted me in February of 2009. She told me she always loved the regal stance and peaceful demeanor of the greyhounds she had met. Unfortunately Mom had to say goodbye to two previous hounds (Basenji’s) at the same time due to age and illness. It broke her heart and she was so very sad. They were rescues too.
While her heart healed she began to consider fulfilling her dream of having a greyhound. She searched greyhound rescue groups for hours every night…and decided to look seriously at Greyhound Adoption League of Texas. She read lots and lots of athlete ads and looked at the pictures to consider a happy match on paper and in the soul of a greyhound.
My Mom first picked me to go visit at my Foster Mommy’s house, Lisa B. She even cut out my pictures and taped them up to look at every day until we met. She wanted to be sure she could make me happy and we would be a good match.
It was love at first sight. She took me home, let me keep my name of Gracie and stayed in touch with the Foster Mommy so she would know everything was good. Foster Mommy even came and had a visit! I showed her all my new toys, my couch, my doggie beds, etc. I have even been to a Rehab/Nursing Home to visit the patients there. They loved me and after about two hours, I had to go home and take a nap. I love people so much and never meet a stranger. I love my Mom and she loves me too.
We are special together! I hope you liked my story. “ROO!”
By Tom Branch, on September 22nd, 2011 
4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 2682 SF/Tax
Handing over the keys is one of the best parts of working with home buyers. It’s the culmination of weeks or months of work. We work hard to make sure each client has a great buying experience.
“We were out-of-town Buyers with no local contacts and picked The Branch Team after a computer search. From the first time I spoke with Tom I had the utmost confidence in his capabilities and knowledge of current market conditions. Over the course of the Looking / Buying phases he demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and represented our interests very conscientiously. He has tremendous contacts and local contractors that we have taken advantage of and have recommended that our daughter select Tom to represent her when she becomes a Seller.”
See all Homes for Sale in Allen TX.
Looking to purchase a home? Contact us and we can set up a time for a no-hassle consultation.
By Tom Branch, on September 18th, 2011 
We’ve been through a long drought in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Yesterday we received the first substantial rain since May. While the cooler temperatures and the rain are a welcome sight for many of us, the fire ants hate it!
The ants will be looking to relocate their nests to higher and drier ground. Within a few hours of the rain beginning, the ants will pack up and start moving. The ants are more than happy to move in with you!
Homeowners should walk around their homes and look for any mounds or trails along their foundations. These mounds or trails are easily treated with insecticide purchased from your local Lowe’s, Home Depot, or your favorite home supply store.
We encourage homeowners to inspect their foundations every time they mow the lawn looking for fire ant mounds, carpenter ant trails, and termite tubes. While fire ants are just annoying, carpenter ants and termites can do severe structural damage to homes in a relatively short period of time. They also require professional treatment.
Looking for professional help? View our list of Dallas Pest Control Professionals.
Just say “no” to unwanted house guests!
Photo Licensed from iStockPhoto
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