The Branch Team Blog

2009 School Ratings

The 2009 School Ratings have been released by the Texas Education Agency. Republic Title has compiled a list of school ratings by district for the 14 counties surrounding the DFW Metroplex. Click here to view the report.

Source: Republic Title - Stephanie Wilkicki

Not a Bridge to Nowhere, But One to Nowhere Fast

Main road Lewisville Lake toll bridge feeds into won't be widened from two lanes for years.

 
Photo Credit - NBCDFW.com

The buzz is building for the opening of the Lewisville Lake toll bridge, but not all of it is good.

The bridge is designed to shorten commutes by allowing drivers east-west access between Interstate 35 and the Dallas North Tollway.

But while the bridge will open in four days, Eldorado Parkway, the main road it will filter into, won't be widened for years. The street is still only two lanes and even narrows in some areas.

Little Elm resident Dorothy Brown said the traffic nightmares of today will be nothing compared to what will happen when the bridge opens...

Click here to read the entire story.

Source: Randy Mcillwain, NBC DFW

RE/MAX Balloon at the McKinney Red, White, and Boom Festival

We are excited to announce that the giant Red, White and Blue RE/MAX hot air balloon will be making an appearance this July 4th at the McKinney Red White and Boom Festival. The balloon will be appearing during the scheduled balloon glow which will begin at approximately 7pm.

For information regarding the event and scheduled activities you can visit their web site by clicking here.

Source: RE/MAX Texas

Plano Housing Corporation Offers Down Payment Assistance

The Plano Housing Corporation (PHC) has funds available to eligible buyers that can be used with conventional financing. To qualify for the program:

- The buyer must have sufficient credit and job history to qualify for a mortgage

- The buyer must be a first-time homebuyer (there are some exceptions)

- The buyer must complete the City of Plano's Homebuyer Education Seminar

- Each adult resident in the household must be a legal resident

- The buyer must intend to occupy the home as a primary residence

- The buyer must meet certain income guidelines

This program can be used to purchase any home in the city limits of Plano. Typically, a "soft second mortgage" will be filed. The soft second mortgage requires no payment by the buyer as long as the first mortgage remains current. The soft second mortgage goes away in 5-15 years depending on the amount of down payment assistance provided.

The Plano Housing Corporation has another program available until the end of the year that does not require a second mortgage, only a deed restriction. Again, this deed restriction expires in 5-15 years depending on the size of the down payment assistance.

For more information about this program, please contact us at 214.227.6626.

Source: Collin County Association of REALTORs(R)

Looking To Get Back Into Shape? Work Out With A Former Marine!

For those of you who made a New Year's resolution to get back into shape, I found an interesting business called Marines PT Boot Camp. The business is owned and operated by a former Marine. Marines PT Boot Camp claims to bring you an experience like no other! The same workouts used by the U.S. Marines to produce the finest fighting soldiers in the world, are now offered to you.

Marines PT Boot Camp is a Dallas Fitness Program based out of Reverchon Park in downtown. They currently offer a range of programs that will meet your fitness goals. The owner was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps that deployed on a Marine Expeditionary Unit to Albaina and Zaire rescuing Americans from our embassy. He then spent 3 years training hundreds of new Marine Recruits at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA. This is where he saw the impact and real results of the Marine Corps fitness program.

Now is the time to realize your fitness goals and live a more healthy fitness minded lifestyle. Are you ready? Call Darren Burch at 214-802-8245.

Property Tax Loans - A Fast Track to Foreclosure

We came across an article in the Dallas Morning News written by Kevin Krause exposing some of the problems with Property Tax Loans and some alternate solutions.

Click here to see the story in PDF format.

Property Tax Loans are relatively new in Texas. A homeowner with delinquent taxes can take out a loan from a Property Tax Loan Company. Property Tax Loan Companies pay the delinquent property taxes for the homeowner and then set up a payment plan. While this sounds like a good idea, most homeowners do not realize that the Property Tax Loan Company places a lien against the property and can foreclose if the homeowner fails to make the monthly payment.

There may also be other ways to solve the problem without taking out a property tax loan. Homeowners considering a Property Tax Loan should explore all options before making a decision.

* Story used with the author's permission

Broadway Pizza Opens in North Plano

Broadway Pizza, a family owned and operated business, opened a second location in North Plano on the northeast corner of McDermott and Independence. The family have been in the pizza business since 1985 and moved to the area in 1990. The original location is in the Plaza of the Americas in downtown Dallas.

Over the years all the small eat-in pizza places have transitioned to carry-out and delivery only. Broadway Pizza is reminiscent of a good old-fashioned pizza parlor. What sets this one apart is the level of service that's lost in many of the larger chains. If you're in the area, stop in and try Broadway Pizza.