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Plano ISD Bond Election and What it Will Cost You
2008-04-29 16:53:00
How Much Will Plano ISD Bond Program Cost ? Texas has some of the highest property taxes in the nation mainly because we have no state or city income tax. So big brother collects it in property taxes, you pay either way.... Last year the Texas Legislature lowered our property taxes considerably. In Plano rates went for 2.25% to 2.06%, that's a nice chuck of change for everyone. Most of you know that a large portion of your taxes go toward schools. If you read between the lines last year, when taxes were lowered all school districts were going to hold bond elections to make up for the difference. Plano ISD Bond Package So without fail came the Plano Proud bulletin to ask district voters to consider a $490 million bond proposal on May 10th. See the complete package here. How it Affects Plano Real Estate Taxes Will it raise my property taxes? How Much? Yes, it will raise your property taxes, according to the brochure no more than eight cents over the life of the bonds.  Sou...
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Coming Home and New Listings
2008-04-28 08:00:00
Coming Home and New Listings Photo by SKWomack Last week I was out of town and my sister took this photo on the way back home. Clear blue skies above all the nasty weather Texans have had this month.  It's always a good feeling to come home, especially when your back is sore from not being in a familiar bed. Looking out the window there's a certain peace knowing you're going home. Of course, Southwest is like home too because of their service, seems like everyone is always happy!  That's a good thing and so is the $39. online fare. So whether your coming back to your old diggs or looking for a new place to call home, here are the new listings for 75093.  There are 26 brand new listings hot off the MLS in a favorite neighborhood near you. Check it out here. New listings are posted for various Plano zip codes on Mondays so check back often for up to date real estate info and data. [where:75093, new listings]

Open Houses for Sunday
2008-04-26 17:58:00
Open Houses in 75093 - 4-27 Open houses for this week are in Hills at Prestonwood, Creeks of Willow Bend, Meadows of Willow Bend, Willow Bend West, Willow Bend Estates, Glenhollow Estates and Windhaven.  Times and location are available from the link with a brief description and photo.  All these properties are in excellent locations. Enjoy the tour! [where:75093, open houses]
More About: Open , Sunday

The Perfect Amaryllis
2008-04-26 08:33:00
Here's an Amaryllis that started out as 1 bulb, if the ground doesn't freeze in winter it can stay in the ground and the bulb multiplies - this one is two years old, must like it's home...it's had a lot of babies. Pretty picture for Saturday.
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Friday's Foreclosures - 75023 and 75025
2008-04-25 09:00:00
Foreclosures in Plano - 75023 and 75025 This week went fast..this weeks foreclosure list is for zip codes - 75025 and 75023. Subdivisions include: Independence Village Chase Oaks Village Cross Creek Estates of Forest Creek Whiffletree Ridgeview Ranch Many foreclosures are sold AS-IS, what this means is no repairs will be made to the property, make sure you include this into your budget and have an inspection to reveal other issues that could effect your purchase price. [where:75025,75023, foreclosures]
More About: Foreclosures

1st Quarter Real Estate Results for Plano
2008-04-22 22:50:00
More Plano Data Needless to say we get a lot of  blast emails on real estate marketing and truth be known I don't open that many, sound familiar?  Anyway, a couple days ago I received a great report on 1st quarter results for all of North Texas from Shannon at Chicago Title. Thanks, Shannon. Despite the double digit sale decreases all over the metro area, Plano stands out as one of the communities that is doing better than the rest. Take a look. Sales are down 11% and average sales price down just $4K, Days on market is reasonable (under 100 days) for $300K and under and that's what is selling in Plano.  Not unusual to only see good properties on the market less than 7 days. Congrats to those sellers! As you can see the inventory is lower or not that much greater than last year except for over $750K. With the inventories tighter seller's will see properties move quicker in prime locations. I'm posting a lot of data lately because that's what our clien...
More About: Estate , Real Estate , Results , Real

New Listings in 75093 - 4-21
2008-04-21 17:21:00
New Real Estate Listings in West Plano Every week Plano Homes and Land posts brand new listings for the past 7 days. There a 22 new properties this week in 75093.  Prices are from $169.5K to over 1 million. Neighborhoods include: Preston Ridge, Hills at Prestonwood, Glenhollow Estates, Glen Meadows, Stone Lake Estates, Parkbrooke, Castlemere, Windhaven, Lakeside on Preston and Willow Bend Polo. [where: 75093, plano, new listings]

Open Houses for Sunday Plano, TX 75093
2008-04-20 03:47:00
Open Houses for Sunday 4-20 Excuse me, I'm a little late in posting the open houses for Sunday.  I usually post early Sat. morning but it was a busy real estate day today!  So without further delay here's the open house customer report for 75093. Info is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and if the weather is as pretty Sunday as it was today - it's perfect to start the hunt!  Enjoy. [where: 75093, plano, open houses]
More About: Open , Plano

Dallas Real Estate Monthly Indicators
2008-04-19 01:30:00
Latest Real Estate Activity Belonging to the Collin County Association of Realtors does have its benefits.  Each month around the 18th we receive info on month and year to date activity for each Dallas Area.  The side bar on the right has just been updated with the latest reports for areas we cover under Monthly Real Estate Indicators. Links are a PDF file. Reports include: closed sales, new listings, days on market and an RE overview.  Good Stuff! If you're buying or selling this will give you an excellent place to start for market data. [where: 75093, plano, dallas, real estate data]

Friday Foreclosures
2008-04-18 08:00:00
Foreclosures in 75093 and 75024 There are 22 properties to review this week. Neighborhoods include: Kings Ridge Stone Lake Estates Indian Creek Windhaven Cypress Creek Shoal Creek Greens of Gleneagles I post this list each week to hopefully help out the banks and lenders with properties they don't know what to do with.  With that being said, In this market foreclosures are frightening, it's difficult to make a deal and takes a long time. Always have a pre approval letter and know your comps, some are over priced - institutions trying to get more money than what the market will bear. (no pun intended) There is one property I've been watching on the Gleneagles golf course that's taken quite a price reduction and is close to being priced right... to be a good investment. As always, info deemed reliable but not guaranteed. [where: 75093,75024,foreclosures]  
More About: Foreclosures , Friday

Where are Plano Homes Prices Now Compared to Last Year?
2008-04-16 20:58:00
No Problem in Plano Pricing If you read or visit this blog you know I'm a freak about analytics.  This Altos chart shows West Plano real estate prices for the past year compared to the city of Plano as a whole. You can see all lines are pretty steady with a slight downward trend when all the financial markets went bear.  Take a look at each zip code: 75093 is on an upward trend, orange line. 75024 is steady, 2nd black line 75025, bottom blue line is following an upward trend as well. All of Plano, the third line that's black has been very consistent since last May. So, No fear, if you're ready to sell - this is a green light - prices are good to go in Plano. [where: 75093,75024,75025]
More About: Homes , Year , Prices

New Listings and New Lots for Sale
2008-04-14 16:25:00
New Listings and Lots! Every Monday new listings are posted for various West Plano neighborhoods. This week 75093 and 75024 are targeted: these 42 properties are brand new on the market. As a side note, Normandy Estates is a new sub division just North of Shoal Creek. Two lots have popped up on the MLS this past week.  The roads aren't in yet, but these primo lots are for sale by Peckham builders. It's Plano Schools and the two lots are waterfront views. Check the first two listings... The development will be one of last new home sites with coveted West Plano Schools. Normandy Estates is 75 acres of rolling terrain, lake views and spacious greenbelt. A luxury home development with all the amenities and privacy expected by you. It's gotten off to a slow start but it's the new premier development in West Plano. [where: 75093]
More About: For Sale , Sale

Open Houses for Sunday
2008-04-12 22:11:00
Open Houses for 75093 Time for Sunday 's Open House Tour! Link is a customer open house report from the MLS. All homes will be open this Sunday 4-13-08. Tour includes homes in: Indian Creek, Lakeside on Preston, Creeks of Willow Bend, Willow Bend Estates,Meadows at Willow Bend, Pebble Brook at Willow Bend and more... Brief home info with photo and times are on report. Enjoy the Tour! All info deemed reliable but not guaranteed. where: 75093]
More About: Open

More Weather Damage West Plano - Even EDS
2008-04-12 00:33:00
More Damage in West Plano News media that sirens didn't go off in Plano because there were no tornadoes, just straight line winds - there was more damage than trees snapping into - take a look... Kings Ridge roof damage - seems like if you were really low or really high you got hit. Even EDS... [where: 75093,75024]
More About: Weather

Friday Foreclosures
2008-04-11 16:09:00
Foreclosures in 75093 and 75024 There are 21 foreclosures properties on this weeks list. These properties are actually listed as foreclosures on the MLS by the seller type being identified a such - make no doubt about it.  These aren't all the foreclosures, but properties that are active as of today.  Some of these properties are in good shape, but always get an inspection to know for sure. All info is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Open houses for Sunday will be posted on Saturday. [where: 75093,75024]
More About: Foreclosures , Friday

Wicked Weather in North Texas
2008-04-10 21:44:00
West Plano Neighborhoods Hit Don't know exactly if it was a tornado, because luckily not any houses were damaged that I could see.  Sadly, many 100 year old trees were taken in two West Plano neighborhoods, Wolfe Creek and Shoal Creek. Above is Jeff and Lisa's tree that's going to be missed, no house damage but a mess to clean up, it took the root, concrete and all - looks like 100 mph winds to me. The storm hit around 3:00 A.M. this morning and woke up to no electricity, no wireless anywhere and no noise....so on to QT for coffee and this is what we found plus lots of comforting neighborhoods.  We're going to miss our trees! [where: 75093]
More About: Weather , North , Texas , Wicked

Real Estate Update and Plano Realities
2008-04-08 17:06:00
Real Estate Realities Yesterday the data came out for March as reported by Steve Brown, the journalist for the Dallas Morning News. He only reports the overall picture: Sales down 25% from a year ago.  When you think of what happened in March, the financial market meltdown and sub prime mortgage mess you would expect a decrease in sales. The market will reposition yet again. Now, all real estate really is local and Plano Sales are actually much better than many of our neighbors south. Here's a breakdown by MLS Area: Area      & nbsp;               ;  Sales             Pending     &nbs p; Months Supply Plano               ;      &nbs p;  -9%      &n bsp;    ...
More About: Real Estate , Update , Real

New Listings 75093 - 4-7
2008-04-07 18:20:00
What's New on the Market? Glad you asked... Here's your weekly list of new listings in 75093 that were entered the last 7 days on the MLS.  Only includes brand new listings, no re-lists here, that's when a home has been on the market too long and is given a new MLS number so it looks like a new listing but it's really not. Sometimes a price reduction has been taken.  It's a good thing for sellers and buyers need to be aware of it - affects days on market. These are all neighborhoods in 75093 from condos to mansions and all price ranges. The market has picked up so the lists are getting longer. And it's the time of year to move... All info is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. [where: 75093, new listings]
More About: Listings

Open Houses for Sunday 75093 - 4 -6
2008-04-06 01:14:00
Open Houses on Sunday 4-6 Well, the market is heating up, being that it's two months behind and that's a good sign for everyone. Lots of open houses on Sunday in 75093... Willow Bend, Pebble Brook, Hills of Indian Creek, Prestonwood Village, Glenhollow, Lakeside, Preston Lakes and more.. Take a look at the customer open house report from the MLS. for times and locations and enjoy the nice weekend! All info deemed reliable but never guaranteed, you know the drill. [where: 75093]
More About: Open

Friday Foreclosures
2008-04-04 18:26:00
Current Foreclosures for 75025 It's that time again, Friday Foreclosures. Every week we take a different zip code in Plano and list the most current foreclosures on the MLS. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Here's list for 75025 Foreclosures as of 4-4-08. If you want to know Dallas foreclosures we post that list on DallasHomesCenter. [where: 75025]

General Community Info About 75093
2008-04-02 07:00:00
Plano,  TX  75093 Community Info If you're moving to West Plano or already live here in 75093 then these are a few interesting stats to know. West Plano also includes 75024 which combined population is around 91,000.  It's a great community and almost totally built out. [where: 75093,75024]
More About: General

New Listings for 75093 and 75024
2008-03-31 20:39:00
New listings are going to be a regular posting at Plano Homes and Land. This weeks new listings are from the past 7 days - all brand new! No re-lists here. West Plano Zip codes featured are 75093 and 75024 and there are 46. I would say that our market is about two months behind, but it's starting to shows signs of good activity.  March stats should be much better. That will be posted later this week, stay tuned...
More About: Listings

Open Houses for Sunday in 75093 -3-30
2008-03-29 14:54:00
Open Houses for Sunday Open houses are back! Don't know if you'll need an umbrella, but here's your customer open house list for 75093. Activity has picked up this month and sellers should or will be seeing more showings on their homes. Information is from the MLS with basic data about the property and times of open houses. Have a great weekend! [where: 75093]
More About: Open

Friday Foreclosures
2008-03-28 16:55:00
Foreclosures in Plano - 75093 Well, it's Friday and for the time being we do foreclosure lists for different Plano zip codes to help all the lenders out and get some sold, hopefully. This is your virtual bus tour and you can find the most current properties on the market.  So, we don't serve snacks or anything like that.  It's self-serve.  But if you have questions, just ask. Here's the current foreclosure tour for this week. As Always, this list is from the MLS and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. [where: 75093]
More About: Foreclosures

New Listings for 75093
2008-03-27 15:49:00
New Listings this week for 75093 Want to know what's new out there? Here's a list of new properties that have just come on the market the past 7 days in zip code 75093. New listings have the most activity during the first 5 weeks of showing. Often these properties will sell quickly if they are better than the competition and priced correctly.  Take a look... Friday's foreclosures and open houses will be posted on Friday. [where: 75093]

Living in Argyle
2008-03-26 20:06:00
Argyle by way of Plano, Acreage Lifestyle When you relocate to an area you know nothing about - it's good to investigate the surrounding communities to find what your looking for.  For example, you may contact us about Plano, but end up somewhere else. Above is a photo of a property we previewed in Argyle yesterday. It's Northwest of Plano about 30 minutes off the I35 corridor.  If you want country living with acreage, horses and the ranch lifestyle, this could be it. There are many gentleman ranches and a laid back attitude to enjoy.  Along with wide open spaces and plenty of longhorn cattle, it's really Texan. [where: 76226]
More About: Living

Plug for Plano - Live Green Event
2008-03-25 08:00:00
Live Green in Plano Expo Plano started this family event last year and continues the Live Green Expo On April 12th - from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Plano Centre. It helps us make informed decisions and take action to be more healthy with less impact on the environment! Sounds like something every North Texan could use... And best of all it's free.  Many exhibits, products, new services etc. etc. Lots of stuff on music, art, food (now you're talking) and activities for youth and children.  Check this link for more info.  it's all about protecting the environment, sustaining our neighborhoods and educating everyone. Go Plano! [where: 75093,75024,75025]
More About: Event , Live , Plug

Plano Data Year to Date
2008-03-24 17:13:00
Market Data for Plano Year to Date Hope you had a nice holiday!   Here's a year to date update for Plano in Collin and Denton counties. This shows the current market as it is now, Take a look below: New listings are down 12% from a year ago, as well as sales -18%, But by the time the numbers are adjusted for February - meaning all sales report that should come down to 9-10%.  Notice average price has come down 4%, not too bad... and list price received at sale is lower at 93.8%.  That means sellers are making more concessions to sell.  Days on market is 80 up form 71. The monthly indicators have all been updated on right side bar for other cities in the metro area. It's a one page PDF file in a graphic format.  Info is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and is from the MLS.  Good info to know, if you're thinking of buying or selling. [where: 75093,75024,75025]

Happy Easter!
2008-03-23 11:04:00
More Healing Powers... Happy Easter to you and your family from Plano Homes and Land!

Santuario de Chimayo
2008-03-22 15:45:00
The Healing Powers of Chimayo I usually post Open Houses for Sunday, but because of the Easter Holiday there aren't any that come up in the MLS.  So, here's an Easter Open House from our trip to New Mexico last year.   The photo is Santuario de Chimayo that was built in 1816.  It's a massive adobe chapel that's known for a 6 foot crucifix and healing the sick.  In the chapel there's a small room that has a hole with fine red dirt and a small garden shovel. I'm not kidding, people come from all over to rub in the dirt for it's healing miracles. You can't take photos in the church but it's worth the visit, about an hour out of Santa Fe on some scenic winding roads. The grounds are magnificent and a shrine to many, these crosses are lit at night with tiny white lights and are a site to behold.  It's a poor, rural community with a very rich history. And good local Mexican food too. [where: 75093]