The Branch Team

Frisco TX Home For Sale 13185 Galaxy

Tom Branch — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:56:27 +0000

Immaculate single-level Centex home with brick-stone exterior is ready for new owners. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2073 square feet per tax, built in 2005.

Stacked formals lead to open kitchen with black appliances and walk-in pantry. Family room with wood-burning fireplace overlooks the private backyard and patio.

Master suite is split away and includes a garden tub, separate shower, and a walk-in closet. Large secondary bedrooms and main bath. 4th bedroom can be used as a study. Enjoy the community amenities.

Video Tour

Click here for more information, photos, current pricing, virtual tour and status on this Frisco TX Home For Sale.

Photos licensed from Shoot2Sell

Culvers to Reopen in New McKinney TX Location

Tom Branch — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:08:11 +0000

We were in McKinney this morning meeting with a past client. As we drove up US75, we suddenly had a hankering (it’s a Texas thing) for a Culver’s pot roast sandwich. As we exited, we noted the store was already closed. We are friends with Jim Kuntz, the owner, and we knew he was opening a new location on Eldorado Parkway so we drove over there to see if the new location was open.

The windows were still covered but we saw his car in the lot. I stuck my head in the front door hoping to say “hello” only to find Jim and his staff training for the Grand Reopening on Monday, February 20th. We were invited in to have lunch. No pot roast, but I had a tasty prime rib sandwich, onion rings, and a serving of custard. Yummy!

The new store looks great. It has a nice upscale look that compliments the upscale food and desserts that they serve. Culver’s reopens on February 20th so make sure to stop by and try out their new location.

Brick Row Townhomes Richardson TX

Tom Branch — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:21:35 +0000

Location, location, location! CB JENI Homes has just announced a new townhome community in Richardson, Texas. Located just east of the Spring Valley DART Station (click on map below for larger version), these modern townhomes are going to sell quickly!

We met with the builder yesterday and were told that sizes will range from 1300 to 1800 square feet and prices will start in the mid-$140′s! This will include granite counters, site built cabinets and much more.

We hope to have copies of the floorplans and more details in a week or so.

Photo used with permission | Base Map ©OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA

New Home Rebate

Purchase a new home through us and we’ll help you with your closing costs! We’ll give you a credit of 1% of the price of the home* at closing to use towards your closing costs.

* Some Restrictions Apply: In order to receive the rebate you must register us as your agent with the builder and we must receive compensation from the builder at closing. Rebate not to exceed 50% of compensation received from the builder.

Carrollton TX Single Level Townhome 1704 Sandpiper

Tom Branch — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:23:06 +0000

Looking for a great single level townhome in the heart of Carrollton? Here it is! This 2 bedroom, 2 Bath, 1528 square foot townhome is ready for new owners who want to live a low-maintenance lifestyle. Built in 2004 there are extensive hardwoods and fresh carpet.

The well-appointed kitchen has light cabinets, black appliances, granite counters, and lots of storage space.

Live the good life. The HOA dues include full use a facilities, lawn care, sprinkler system, blanket insurance, and full exterior maintenance. Relax and read a book on the sundeck or take a refreshing dip in the pool.

Click here for more information, photos, current status, and pricing on this Carrollton Texas townhome for sale.

Video Tour

Click here to see all townhomes for sale in Carrollton TX.

Feel free to contact us if you need more information or want to schedule a showing.

Listing and Photos Courtesy Lance Talkington, RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs

It’s a Price War and a Beauty Contest

Tom Branch — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:53:02 +0000

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

Tom’s Guacamole For Superbowl Sunday

Tom Branch — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:50:12 +0000

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!

Acreage Homes For Sale in Lovejoy ISD

Tom Branch — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:06:15 +0000

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.

Gina Branch Selected as a 2012 Five Star Real Estate Agent

Tom Branch — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:58:34 +0000

We are pleased to announce that Gina Branch was selected as a 2012 Five Star Real Estate Agent.

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.

Crime Watch Bulletin for Ridgeview Ranch

Tom Branch — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:08:50 +0000

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

Jimmy’s On The Pier in Galveston Texas

Tom Branch — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:30:43 +0000

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/.