By Tom Branch, on March 20th, 2011  Click for Larger View 3 Bedrooms | 2.1 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 2351 SF/Tax
Garland TX Home For Sale – Wow! Nicely updated home close to Firewheel Mall and Turnpike. Open floorplan with soaring ceilings, lots of windows and designer colors. Gourmet kitchen with granite counters and backsplash. Formal dining area with built-ins. Updated baths. Updates include 13 SEER HVAC, hot water heater, foundation repair, appliances, carpet, fixtures, ceiling fans, 2-inch wood blinds, and door hardware. Covered patio for entertaining and large storage shed.
Garland Texas Home For Sale for Current Pricing, Details, Photos, and Virtual Tour.
Source: NTREIS
By Tom Branch, on March 19th, 2011 Another short sale closed! The sellers avoided foreclosure, the buyers purchased a nice home at a discount, and the lender did not have the losses involved with a foreclosure.
Many people feel that the nation’s economy rises and falls with the housing market. While this is often true, we believe the current housing crisis is a direct result of the economic downturn and massive job loss across the nation.
In the Short Sale community, the vast majority of homeowners did not get a bad loan or buy more house than they could afford; they’re just good, hardworking Americans who fell on bad times.
All indicators point to Short Sales being on the real estate horizon for the foreseeable future, at least through 2012, and maybe longer. Industry experts see another wave of distressed homeowners surfacing when the once popular Pay Option Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) begin to adjust in the coming months.
These mortgages allowed the borrower to essentially “pick a payment” that fit their budget in order to get into the house they wanted to purchase. These loans have the potential to negatively amortize and the rate will adjust upward – it’s just a matter of time. Pay Option ARMs were widely used in California and will begin adjusting soon.
We encourage homeowners across the United States to get educated on the options available should they become financially distressed. Short Sales are a great tool, providing relief to all parties.
Just remember to choose a REALTOR® with a proven Short Sale track record to negotiate on your behalf. Making the right choice can mean the world of difference to your financial future.
By Tom Branch, on March 19th, 2011 
Susan L. Johnson with The Branch Team – RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.
According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures. For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction. REALTORS® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.
“As leading advocates for homeownership, REALTORS® believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale results,” said 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan, “Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community, as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a REALTOR® who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases.”
The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help REALTORS® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves.
By Tom Branch, on March 17th, 2011  Click for Larger Version RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs is once again in the top 25 real estate brokerages in North Texas based on closed transactions in 2010.
Our office moved from 20th place in 2009 (1,038 transactions closed) to 14th place in 2010 (1,241 transactions closed). We noted that 68% of the brokerages on the list had a decrease in the number of transactions closed between 2009 and 2010.
We compiled the data by brand in the chart above. We’re pleased that RE/MAX® brokerages have the highest production per agent at 13.3 transactions per agent than any other brand in the Top 25. RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs agents closed 15.51 transactions per agent–the second highest in the Top 25 (another RE/MAX® brokerage was number 1).
Source: Dallas Business Journal – March 4, 2011
By Tom Branch, on March 17th, 2011 I was out showing one of my short sale listings in Little Elm, Texas this evening. After showing the property, I did my usual walk-around to check on the property. As I looked at the front of the house, my eyes drifted to the roof of the neighboring property. It took me a few minutes to digest what I was seeing. It appeared that the chimney flue for the gas hot water heater was missing!
 It had either been removed or had dropped into the attic. Either way it is a highly dangerous situation. Gas furnaces and hot water heaters produce carbon monoxide (among other things) and the flue usually vents the exhaust gases into the air outside of the home. In this case the gases were being vented into the attic of the home.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.”
I attempted to contact the homeowner but nobody was home. I wound up leaving a handwritten note on the front door letting them know about the danger.
It’s a good idea to inspect the outside of your home on a frequent basis. You can often find problems in their early stages. I usually look for termite tubes and fire ant mounds around the foundation line. I also check out the roof for missing or damaged shingles. I’ve added missing flues to my checklist.
Photo ©2011 – Imaged2Sell
By Susan L. Johnson, on March 16th, 2011 
Some clients of mine recently listed their home in the suburbs to move closer to their workplace. After diligent research and communication on the overall best approach, their current home was listed and our first contract was executed within 18 days. By planning a realistic market analysis in our approach for list price and strategic marketing avenues, we were set for a successful sale. Thankfully we had already started our search for their next home in advance.
Moving in closer to the hub of the city, my clients were still longing for the perfect home and a still quiet atmosphere of community. After looking at several homes, we went to view a property listed on MLS without any posting of pictures. My gut feeling told me from the description that this might be “the one”. Although it was an older property, the upgrades and description of the property sounded perfect. Upon viewing the home located in the city on a larger lot, naturistic in terrain coupled with a unique and dynamic floor plan. Halfway through the home…..they knew this was “the one”.
We wrote a slightly over list price offer to be sure of getting this unique property that my clients were eager to call home. Upon submitting the offer, we were informed another contract was in first position. Somewhat disheartened, we requested the offer remain in place as a backup offer. With positive energy and positive thoughts……………….we received a phone call a few days later telling us we were now in first position under contract. Needless to say, we were elated!
So from inception of this journey, we were able to list a home, get an offer in 18 days, and close on a dream home in a little over two weeks. What’s the moral of this story? Dreams can come true regardless of external circumstances of the economy. It’s in a mindset and a belief system. When you have a team, a REALTOR® and clients working together for a common goal, great things happen in their own time for the best outcome.
Photo: Licensed from iStockPhoto
By Tom Branch, on March 13th, 2011 
4 Bedrooms | 2.1 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 2810 SF/Tax
Little Elm TX Home For Sale – Former model home located in Frisco ISD. Gourmet kitchen has 42-inch cabinets, granite counters, and stainless steel appliances. Great room has soaring ceilings, stone fireplace, staircase with cast iron balusters, and a Juliet parapet. Separate study has hardwood floors and French doors. Formal dining room with wood floors. Master suite has garden tub, separate shower, and dual vanities. Large backyard has covered patio and room for a pool.
Little Elm Texas Home For Sale for Current Pricing, Details, Photos, and Virtual Tour.
Source: NTREIS
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