Austin Waters Carrollton TX New Homes

Austin Waters Carrollton TX

Used with Permission

If you are looking for a unique atmosphere of  quiet walks or active recreation surrounded by wide-open green spaces and natural landscape, then Austin Waters is for you.

This master-planned community has classically inspired homes on this 78 acres of gentle rolling hills with easy access to the George Bush Turnpike and the North Dallas Tollway. Located in the prestigious Plano Parkway corridor you will currently find four unique communities to meet your needs at Austin Waters.

This secluded lifestyle will bring you peace of mind in the quietness of your new home, yet delivers the convenience of upscale shopping, restaurants and major medical facilities. Unique design choices in Austin Waters encompass current list pricing from the $240’s and up.

Delivered to you by Darling Homes are architectural styles of Tudor, Arts & Crafts, Texas, Southern Vernacular, Classic Revival, Mediterranean and Colonial. Take a moment and consider the lifestyle and architectural choices that Austin Waters can provide for you. Home and nature……………at it’s best.

Susan L. Johnson


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 1.5% of the price of the home at closing to use towards your closing costs.

Click here for our New Home Rebates page.

McKinney TX Home For Lease 3312 Nutmeg

McKinney TX Home For Lease 3312 Nutmeg

Copyright 2011 - Imaged2Sell

4 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 2205 SF/Tax

McKinney TX Home For Lease – Warm and inviting home with hand scraped hardwood floors. Open island kitchen with built-in desk has Corian-type counters, custom tile back splash, new dishwasher and microwave. Master suite has jetted tub, dual vanities and walk-in closet. Fourth bedroom could be used as study. Enjoy the surround sound in living room and outdoor speakers on covered patio. Designer touches include crown molding, French doors, upgraded fixtures, and fresh paint. 

Current status, pricing, photos, and a virtual tour for this McKinney TX Home for Lease.

Source: NTREIS

Ridgeview Ranch Plano TX Crime Alert

While crime is very rare in Ridgeview Ranch, Crime Watch has reported an attempted break-in of a home located on one of the golf course lots.

Ridgeview Ranch Plano TX Crime Alert

Licensed from iStockPhoto

The attempt happened on a work-day during daylight hours. The perpetrator rang the door bell of the home. The owner assumed it was a salesperson and did not answer the door. The perpetrator then went around to the back of the house and attempted to kick in the door. When he saw the owner, he jumped the fence and used the golf course to escape.

Crime Watch tells us that this type of break-in had been attempted on another golf course home in November 2010. I suspect we see this on the golf course lots because it is easy to climb the iron fences and the golf course can be used for a quick escape. 

Residents should remain vigilant. Keep your doors locked and alarms activated.  If you see people climbing over the fences on the golf course or other suspicious activity, please contact the Plano Police Department.

Ridgeview Ranch, Plano TX Community Virtual Tour

We’re pleased to announce that The Branch Team has sponsored the ActiveRain Ridgeview Ranch Community Page.

Ridgeview Ranch Community Page

Photo Copyright 2011 - Tom Branch

Ridgeview Ranch is a master planned golf course development of about 885 homes located in the heart of north Plano. The community consists of four distinct communities – The Villages at Ridgeview Ranch, The Estates of Ridgeview Ranch, The Manors at Ridgeview Ranch, and Ridgeview Ranch West. Community amenities include two pools, a fitness center, playgrounds, parks, and the Ridgeview Ranch Golf Course. The original homebuider for the development was Centex Homes.

We recently produced a virtual tour showcasing Ridgeview Ranch in Plano, TX. View the Ridgeview Ranch Virtual Tour.

Click to view Ridgeview Ranch Homes for Sale.

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Is Real Estate Jeopardizing Economic Recovery?

Analysts are blaming the housing sector for the slow economic recovery.

Analysts say the real estate market often leads to economic recoveries. However, “I expect housing will not provide as much support to this recovery has it has in previous ones,” says Eric Rosengren, the president of the Boston Federal Reserve Bank.

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Is Real Estate Jeopardizing Economic Recovery?.

Source: REALTOR(R) Magazine Online

Newman Village Frisco TX A Premier Gated Community

Newman Village Frisco TX

Used with Permission

A master-planned, premier gated community located off the Dallas North Tollway and Eldorado Boulevard showcases an unmatched lifestyle for all ages. Distinctive architecture and diverse floor plans are presented in single-story and two-story homes featuring verandas, interior courtyards, guest casitas, brick patios, three-car garages, wide porches and great vistas. This community is a must see for your new home in Newman Village.

Newman Village

Used with Permission

The architectural design choices deliver a fabulous choice of English Tudor, French Eclectic, Italian Renaissance, Mediterranean, Spanish Eclectic and Neoclassical. With this diverse design community you will find distinctive characteristics that are uniquely found. Newman Village is a “must see” including Central Plaza which serves as an anchor for the community featuring gallery-styled art displays, live music performances, movie nights, festivals, plays and other community activities.

Newman Village, presented by Darling Homes has a tradition that spans two generations of builders and craftsmen – dedicated to building not only fine homes, but also a level of customer service intended to last a lifetime. And every Darling home combines custom details, design options and flexible amenities to fit the way you want to live.

Susan L. Johnson


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 1.5% of the price of the home at closing to use towards your closing costs.

Click here for our New Home Rebates page.

Setting Up a Texas Limited Liability Company

I received a call from a local broker who I’ve known for years. I’ve been pushing her to change her business entity from a Sole Proprietorship to a Limited Liability Company. She finally got around to thinking about it. She spoke to her attorney who quoted her $750 plus filing fees of about $310 and an annual fee of $150 to serve as the Registered Agent. 

Online Filing

Licensed from iStockPhoto

I told her she could file the documents herself and not only save the $750 but the $150 annual Registered Agent fee as well.

Note the following does not constitute legal advice. Always seek legal advice prior to setting up any entity as there are pros and cons to each of them.

Since she had decided to file as a single member Limited Liability Company, she needed to gather some basic information. We would need the following:

  • Company Name and Address
  • Name and Address of the Registered Agent (her in this case)
  • Names and Addresses for all Members (her in this case!)
  • Credit Card for the $300 Filing Fee

The hardest part in Texas is making sure you can use a company name.  You can pay to search but I search them at no cost on the Texas Comptroller’s Website.

Let me explain what makes this interesting. I own Realty Revolution LLC. If someone wants to form a company called Realty Revolution REO Services LLC, their application will be rejected because the name is similar to one already in use. What I usually do is search on the first two words to see what comes up. If other companies are using the name, you can check to make sure they are in Good Standing. If not, you can usually get the name.

The lesson in this is to stay in Good Standing by filing the annual Franchise Tax Return and the Company Information Report!

Once you’re certain the name is available. Visit the Texas Secretary of State’s Website. On your first visit, you’ll need to file a request to set yourself up as a user. Once you have a User ID and Password you can log onto SOS-Direct and file your application online.

She needs to file for an EIN with the IRS. This can be done online at the IRS Website.  Since this is a real estate brokerage, she also needs to apply for an LLC Broker License. Visit the Texas Real Estate Commission Website for details.

Going through a web filing step-by-step is beyond the scope of this blog. If you have real problems, contact me and I will assist you.

Tom Branch, Broker, CDPE, SFR