Year end reports and charts for the Denton County market area. These charts will depict True days on market, average sales prices and number of homes sold. I have used data from the last 4 years as 2008 was the year that the market took a downturn and we have been weathering a sluggish market ever since on the National level. These charts will compare 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and will show just how important it is for the consumer to seek a local real estate expert when trying to establish the marketability of their home or when buying a home. You will see that while the National News media paints such a gloom and doom picture to get viewers to watch their network, these charts will actually show that Denton is holding rather steady with just a few minor dips in the market data and some increases as well. Please follow the link to view the charts.

Then vote for Proposition 2 on November 8, 2011.  Proposition 2 saves taxpayer dollars on water projects needed by many communities. For example, it gives cities a lower-cost way to repair and replace water mains and to keep treatment plants from being overwhelmed.

August Market Data for homes sold in North Denton County from 2004 - August 2011. Click to view the chart.

Total homes sold in Hopkins County from 2004 thru August 2011

Drainage

Foundation - Your yard should slope away from the house. Landscape borders and flat work should not interfere with drainage.

Buying a home represents the most significant financial decision most people will ever make during their lifetime.  From a person’s first home, which often establishes the foundation for future home purchases, to the purchase of the home where they’ll spend their senior years, there are definite pitfalls to avoid and suggested steps to take to assist one in making the right decisions.

 One of the first mistakes people make is not getting pre-approved or pre-qualified by a bank or lending institution.  Sellers and their agents are often skeptical of a prospective buyer’s ability to obtain a mortgage loan when the buyer has not been pre-qualified.  When choosing between two comparable offers, or when contemplating countering a buyer’s offer, a seller will always look more favorably upon the pre-qualified buyer.

 Employing the services of a realtor makes great sense, since navigating through the home purchase process is both complex and fraught with financial dangers.  However, as the buyer, you should...

The Jones’ family found their dream home in North Texas and moved into it with all of the excitement and enthusiasm of a kid on Christmas morning.  After a long and hectic day of unpacking, they collapsed into bed anticipating a good night’s rest.  Unfortunately, they were shocked and dismayed when they began to hear the very obvious noise of trucks roaring along the interstate highway situated less than a half mile to the rear of their home.  Too late!

 This unfortunate situation exemplifies the need to focus on location when contemplating the purchase of a home.  A ten million dollar mansion isn’t worth a dime if it’s sitting next to a toxic waste dump.  This example is far-fetched and outrageous, but it makes the point that finding the right location is certainly as important as finding the right house.

 How do you investigate a potential neighborhood?  There are a number of factors and issues to be considered in your evaluation.  Some of them can be covered merely through visual observation; others will have to be explored with the assistance of community and government organizations.

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It has been said that moving and divorce are the two of the most stressful events a person or family can experience.  Divorce is a subject for another time. Let’s consider the event of moving and look at some ways to make your house hunting trip in North Texas less stressful and more effective.

 Location is the first factor to consider when planning a move.  If you have children, or are planning a family, you will want to know about the schools in the area.  How about shopping centers, medical facilities, recreational opportunities and of course how far will you be from your place of employment. 

 If you require public transportation, is there any within walking distance of your prospective new home.  What about the crime rate?  A check with the local law enforcement agency can either put your mind at ease or give you reason to look elsewhere. 

 And finally, try to assess the quality and character of the people who live in the area.  This is obviously difficult to do without interviewing...

A home warranty is not much different from a warranty you might have on your car, your computer or your home entertainment center.  A warranty on your home usually covers all of your home’s major mechanical systems, including hot tubs, pools, wells, septic tanks and all of your appliances.  Some policies even cover the roof of your home and almost anything else you’d like to include, as long as it’s specified in the policy. 

  Home warranties are obtainable for most any dwelling, including mobile homes, condominiums, town houses and manufactured homes.  They can be purchased by either the buyer or the seller; some sellers will include a home warranty policy to make purchasing their home more attractive.  Including a home warranty with the sale is an excellent idea, especially if the home is older and the systems and appliances are aging. 

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Ecommerce is rapidly expanding to the real estate market.  Sellers are looking to auction off down payments, lease agreements, or selling the home outright. Individual homeowners and real estate agents are turning to the Internet as an avenue for sales.  Buying your home online can be a risky venture.  On the flipside, there are some great deals out there.  If you decide to take this path, you should be aware of the challenges associated with buying a home site unseen.  The more educated you are, the better. First of all, the home could have major structural issues not evident in an online picture.  Pictures don’t always tell the whole story.  It has also become much easier to doctor photographs.  You have to consider the possibility that some sellers might not be as truthful as they should be.  After all, they are trying to sell the property, so the sales description is going to emphasize the positives and downplay the negatives.  Getting a fixer upper is one thing.  Living in a house that is structurally unsound is a completely different matter....