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
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.
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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 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.
By Tom Branch, on October 23rd, 2011 
Looking for a townhome in the heart of North Plano? Take a look at The Enclaves at Willow Crest. Located just east of 121 and the Tollway, this community of upscale townhomes has easy access to major roads, shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and sporting events.
CB JENI Homes, the exclusive builder, has several buildings under construction. Floor plans range from 1,633 to 2,300-plus square feet of living space. Build pricing ranges from the $180s to the $230s and completed homes with extensive upgrades range from the low to mid-$200s.
Wendi Leigh with CB JENI Homes is a pleasure to work with and really goes that extra mile to satisfy her clients.
Read more about The Enclaves at Willow Crest.
View Townhomes For Sale in The Enclaves at Willow Crest.
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.
By Tom Branch, on October 22nd, 2011 
Sightings of coyotes and bobcats are quite common in Ridgeview Ranch. A sighting of a healthy coyote/bobcat does not constitute a threat to people and as long as their behavior is apparently normal, there is no reason for an Animal Services Officer to respond. Contrary to what many believe, these animals do not live only in rural environments. Many have adapted to survive in urban settings and there are coyotes in nearly every major city across the United States. In fact, there is a coyote pack that has been extensively studied for years that live in downtown Chicago.
These small predators may appear to be a threat but in reality they pose very little danger to people. In recorded history, there has never been a reported attack on a person by a bobcat or coyote in Plano. Throughout the entire state of Texas, there has never been an instance of a coyote or bobcat killing a person. By comparison, domesticated dogs and cats injure more than 600 people each year in Plano alone, and dogs are responsible for an average of over one death per year in Texas.
If you have a coyote sighting in your neighborhood:
Do:
• Do keep small dogs and cats inside at night.
• Do keep the covers secured on your trash receptacles.
• Do keep your dog and cat on a leash (as required by city ordinance).
• Do report the coyote/bobcat sighting to the DFW Wildlife Coalition (972-234-9453).
• Do try to consider that they were here first.
Don’t:
• Do not feed your pets on the back porch.
• Do not walk your small dog in wooded areas.
• Do not approach, chase, make noises at, chunk rocks or otherwise taunt a wandering coyote.
• Do not approach a coyote if it appears trapped, injured, or sick. Contact Animal Services immediately at (972) 769-4360.
• Do not ever try to touch a coyote.
Homeowners actually benefit from the presence of coyotes and bobcats because their predation keeps the populations of rabbit, rats, and mice under control and prevents infestations that occur in homes and businesses when vermin reproduce unchecked.
Source: City of Plano | Photo: Licensed from iStockPhoto
By Tom Branch, on October 19th, 2011 
Vote For Proposition 2 to Make Sure Texas Has Enough Affordable, Clean Water for Our Future.
The population of Texas is projected to double over the coming decades, yet our water systems are deteriorating and can’t keep up. If we don’t do anything, experts agree we won’t have enough water to meet our needs.
Proposition 2 will save taxpayer dollars on water projects in the greater Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex and allow our water supplies to keep pace with demand.
Listen to the podcast at TexasRealEstate.com
Don’t Let Texas Run Out of Water. Vote FOR Proposition 2 on November 8th.
Photo: Licensed from iStockPhoto
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