By Tom Branch, on February 13th, 2012 
If your home is listed or you are thinking about listing, you need to realize that selling in today’s market is a price war and a beauty contest. Even worse is that you often have to win both!
In many areas there are far more homes available than there are buyers looking. Add short sales and foreclosures to the mix and you will quickly see that you are in the midst of a price war. For buyers, that’s great news. We’re having sale on real estate! For sellers, it means you really have to look at the prices of competing homes and price your home accordingly. I’m not saying that you have to give it away, but if you truly want to sell, you have to be in the ballpark. The good news for sellers is that many are also buyers so the “loss” on the sale can be made up with the purchase of a new home.
Unless you’re an investor, a home purchase is still an emotional decision. Homes that create emotion not only sell, they sell for more. If you’re selling, you and your agent need to create that emotion. Homes that are in good condition, properly staged, always ready for showings, and properly marketed do sell. Want to know the good news? They sell quicker and for more money!
I alway tell sellers if nobody walks in the front door, the home is either overpriced or poorly marketed. If buyers walk in the front door and will not make an offer, it’s because they don’t see the value for the price. There are two ways to fix it–put some make-up on the home or lower the price!
My advice is to take the time to get your home ready prior to putting it on the market. It’s a price war and a beauty contest out there.
Photo licensed from ShutterStock
By Tom Branch, on February 5th, 2012  Well, today is the final day for NFL football. Like many people, we’re spending the afternoon and evening with friends and family watching the game. I’m a huge fan of guacamole and have been asked to share my recipe.
Tom’s Superbowl Guacamole
5 ripe avocados
1/2 of a red onion
1 jalapeno
2 Roma tomatoes
garlic powder
salt & pepper
sour cream
lime juice
Start by dicing the red onion, jalapeno, and Roma tomatoes. Set them aside.
Next remove the avocados from their skin. The easy way to do this is to slice it down to the pit all the way around. Pull the two halves apart and remove the pit.
Next scoop the avocado from the skin with a tablespoon. Place all the avocados into a large mixing bowl and mash them. This can be done with a fork for smaller batches but I prefer a potato masher for larger portions.
Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You want to be able to taste the garlic.
Stir in the diced red onion, jalapeno, and Roma tomatoes.
Add the lime juice and a little bit of sour cream. Stir until well mixed.
Chill for 30 minutes and serve with corn chips and your choice of frosty beverage!
By Tom Branch, on February 4th, 2012 
Lovejoy ISD in Collin County has become a very desirable school district. There are homes in Allen, Lucas, Fairview and McKinney zoned to Lovejoy ISD.
According to the school district website, “Lovejoy ISD is an exemplary district serving students in Fairview, Lucas, and Allen, Texas. The Lovejoy Independent School District includes Lovejoy High School, Sloan Creek Middle School, and Hart, Lovejoy, and Puster elementary schools.”
While the exemplary school district is a major draw, this is one of the best areas for homes on acreage located with easy access to the DFW Metroplex.
Click here to see Acreage Homes For Sale Zoned to Lovejoy ISD.
Photo Copyright 2010 Imaged2Sell
By Tom Branch, on February 3rd, 2012  
We are pleased to announce that Gina Branch has been selected as a 2012 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent for the Dallas Fort Worth area.
Texas Monthly partnered with FIVE STAR Professional to identify the real estate agents in the Dallas Fort Worth area who provide exceptional service and overall satisfaction as indicated by clients, peers and industry experts. The 2012 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agents are a select group of fewer than 7 percent of all real estate agents in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent is a Service Mark of FIVE STAR Professional. Logo licensed from FIVE STAR Professional.
By Tom Branch, on February 1st, 2012 
OFFENSE NUMBER: 2012-12685
OFFENSE TYPE: Suspicious Person
LOCATION/STREET: Daly Drive (Independence Pkwy/Ridgeview Dr, Mapsco 557D)
BLOCK NUMBER: 9400
DATE: 1/14/12 (Saturday) TIME: Between 12:00pm-2:00pm
DESCRIPTION: The victim was a 10 year old juvenile riding her bicycle with another juvenile female. The two were approached by the suspect who was in his car in the 9400 block of Daly Drive. The suspect asked the girls to come on over to his car. The girls refused and the vehicle drove away only to return two other times. The suspect never got out of his car. The victim’s parents reported the event only after they heard of a similar incident that had happened a few weeks ago.
SUSPECT INFORMATION: White male in his 30’s with dark brown hair and a brown goatee.
VEHICLE INFORMATION: Newer silver colored four door vehicle
Source: Plano Police Department via the Ridgeview Ranch HOA
By Tom Branch, on February 1st, 2012 
Gina and I recently attended the RE/MAX of Texas Convention in Galveston. While we spent 3 busy conference days, we were able to relax a little on day 4 before driving back to Dallas.
We met up with Mark Stroeh and his wife on Sunday to enjoy a nice meal in the area and catch up. Mark and I go back to the 1980’s when we were both in the United States Air Force and stationed at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth. Mark suggested we try Jimmy’s On The Pier for lunch.
  
Jimmy’s is a cool little place located above the gift shop on one of the fishing piers on the Galveston seawall. The morning air was cool so we elected not to sit on the balcony. Had the weather been a bit warmer, I could see sitting outside enjoying the feel of the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair.
The food was tasty and the company was great! You really want to stop by and check out Jimmy’s the next time you’re in Galveston. For more information visit http://galvestonfishingpier.com/.
Photos Copyright 2012 Tom Branch
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