By Tom Branch, on February 23rd, 2014  2012 and 2013 were great years for the real estate market. We saw a solid recovery with increasing sales prices and a reduction in inventory sitting on the market. So here we are in the spring of 2014. We have lots of buyers looking for homes but few homes for sale. In some price ranges, homes going on the market are selling in hours.
I spent the past few weeks working with a first-time buyer looking for a home between $150k and $180k in Allen, Plano, McKinney, and Frisco. He made offers above list price on 3 different homes only to have the seller accept an even higher offer. It reached the point that we had to be out on the first day a home came on the market and make the offer that day. The good news is he is now under contract on a home.
If you are buying a home, you have to move fast and you have to make good, solid offers. The days of “low-balling” are over. “High-balling” is the new norm in the greater Dallas area.
If you are thinking about selling your home, there has not been a better time in the past 5 years. In this market you can get top dollar and sell in the shortest amount of time. Visit www.collinhousevalues.com for a quick online valuation of your home.
Contact us at 214-227-6626 if you have any questions or need additional information.
Photos: Licensed from iStockPhoto
By Gina Branch, on January 27th, 2014  At a recent awards banquet at Southfork Ranch, the Collin County Association of REALTORs® named Tom Branch as the 2013 REALTOR® of the Year.
The REALTOR® of the Year is the highest and most coveted award that can be bestowed by one’s peers.
This award is based on the outstanding contributions of a REALTOR® to the Collin County Association of REALTORS®, the Texas Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. The recipient must demonstrate what is called “REALTOR® Spirit”, which is embodied by faithfulness to the principles of the REALTOR® organization, professionalism, and the Code of Ethics.
Tom was also sworn in during the ceremony as a returning member of the 2014-2015 Board of Directors.
By Tom Branch, on September 13th, 2013  The Branch Team recently re-launched CollinHouseValues.com.
CollinHouseValues now offers completely automated valuations of properties. Simply input an address, ZIP Code, and an email address and the system will calculate a value based upon recent sales in the immediate area.
If you need a more detailed analysis, one can be requested. Detailed valuations are done by hand and will usually be delivered via email within 24 hours.
Home values are estimated values based upon comparable sales and the results are not an appraisal of the property.
By Tom Branch, on January 22nd, 2013 
Is this a good time to sell our home? This is a question we get quite often. Local data have indicated a Sellers Market since January 2012.
I just received the results of survey conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) that shows that the trend is actually nationwide.
According to the NAR report, “Demand continued to expand faster than supply. The Buyer Traffic Index rose to 56 from 36 in the same period last year, while the Seller Traffic Index barely moved, ending at 38 from 37 last year. REALTORS® reported numerous cases of multibidding resulting in “properties selling above the list/asking price” or “distressed sales selling close to market price.”
In our local market, 2012 was a great year for sellers. Home sales outpaced home listings by almost 10 to 1 and we don’t see that letting up in 2013. We have many sellers waiting for the “spring sales season” to list their homes.
If you want to get your home sold, get on the market as early as possible to take advantage of the lack of inventory!
Click here for more information on selling your North Texas home.
Click here to request a Market Analysis of your North Texas home.
Contact us at 214-227-6626 if you have any questions.
Graph: Copyright 2013 National Association of REALTORs® | Base Photo: Licensed from Buffini and Company
By Tom Branch, on January 17th, 2013 
“You know, we would really like to find a home on water.”
We hear these words quite often as people move into the north Dallas area. While there are many homes on water, the prices are considerably higher.
Why? Water is scarce in Texas.
Many of our lakes were built by the Army Corps of Engineers and while these lakes are available for recreational use, the Corps owns much of the land adjacent to the lakes and they do not allow homes on the water. In those places where they do allow access, land prices are quite high driving up the price of waterfront homes.
Many Waterfront homes in the urban and suburban areas are built on smaller, private lakes or running creeks. Most of the lakes are too small to allow docks or motorized watercraft.
If you’re willing to live in the more rural areas, lake homes and lots can be found at affordable prices.
Click here to view all waterfront homes for sale in the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area.
Click here to view all waterfront homes for sale in north Texas.
Contact us at 214-227-6626 if you have any questions about lake-front or other homes in the north Dallas suburbs.
Photo: Copyright 2011 – Imaged2Sell
By Tom Branch, on January 11th, 2013  Media rooms have become the rage in North Texas over the past few years. According to TheaterAdvice.com, “A media room is a dedicated room in the home in which a Home Theater is installed and enjoyed. You can do anything from a modest system with above average results for around $5000 installed to a sky is the limit scenario on both level of equipment and custom craftsmanship making the room anything you can dream of. Even for a fairly modest budget you can easily exceed anything you will see and hear in a Movie Theater without the crowd and people texting during your movie.”
Click here to see all homes for sale in Collin County with Media Rooms.
Contact us at 214-227-6626 for more information or to schedule a showing on homes inthe greater north Dallas area.
Photo: Licensed from Shoot2Sell
By Tom Branch, on December 31st, 2012  Mention Dallas to someone not from Texas and they see oil wells and horses. Much of the stereotype comes from watching JR Ewing in the television series, Dallas. Most of the greater Dallas area is like any other suburban area in the country with homes on smaller lots and not an oil well or horse in sight.
The good news for people looking for horse-friendly homes is that there are plenty of homes in the North Dallas area where you can enjoy your horses. While there are a few in Plano, the vast majority of horse-friendly homes are located along the out edges of the North Dallas area.
While there are plenty of older homes, you’ll find a fair-share of new construction in areas allowing horses. The North Dallas area truly has something for every type of home buyer!
Click here to see Horse Friendly Homes For Sale in Collin County Texas.
Contact us at 214-227-6626 if you have any questions or want to set up a time to view homes in the area.
Photo: Licensed from iStockPhoto
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