Archive for April, 2010

Should You Use a Realtor or Try FSBO

Monday, April 19th, 2010

In these economically trying times, some people consider selling their own home without the help of a real estate agent in the hopes of saving the commission. There is only one benefit to a homeowner in this type of transaction and that is keeping the entire sale price without having to pay a commission. This is difficult to accomplish for the novice and only very experienced home sellers can succeed in FSBO transactions.

Most homeowners are unable to sell their home without the services of a real estate agent for a number of reasons.

  • A majority of sellers tend to think their home is worth more than its actual value and they are unable to put an objective price tag on their property. A real estate agent is aware of the market conditions and what comparable homes are selling for in specific neighborhoods. He or she can help you ask for a reasonable price that will appeal to qualified buyers.
  • FSBO

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Client Satisfaction is Our Goal

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

VIP Realty has proudly established a verifiable track record of success second to none in our profession. We have always understood that client satisfaction is the best form of advertising, and have adhered to that philosophy from the outset.

A VIP Realtor understands that dedication to the best interests of our client

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Las Colinas: A Great Location and more!

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Las Colinas is possibly the finest example of a master-planned community in Texas, if not the entire country.

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Want A Condo? VIP Realty Can Help

Monday, April 12th, 2010

If condo living suits your lifestyle, and you are looking to purchase or lease a residence that ideally fits your needs and budget, contact us first before you start your search. We are VIP Realty, the young, aggressive agency with an enviable track record of satisfied clients, and the resources and know-how to find your dream home quickly and efficiently.

First, contact VIP Realty for a free no obligation consultation to help us assess your wants, needs, and budgetary requirements. Then contract with us to be your buyer

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Plano

Friday, April 9th, 2010

There are plenty of Plano new home communities available throughout Plano, and it’s no wonder. This highly desirable area of Texas boasts low taxes, beautiful greenbelts and a great array of recreational and cultural amenities.

It comes as no surprise, therefore, that Kings Lake, one of Plano’s newest home communities, is located where it is. Conveniently located in northwest Plano, Kings Lake is the third largest (and last) of the Kings Ridge community of homes. Upon completion, Kings Lake will feature 82 luxury patio homes.

Most of the construction began in Kings Lake in the summer of 2009, and construction is expected to continue until 2013. One of the largest builders in Kings Lake, Toll Brothers, took over completely when Sotherby went out of business in 2008.

A Great Location

Kings Lake enjoys a close proximity to many major freeways, including Highway 121 and the North Dallas Tollway, which makes commutes to the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and downtown Dallas quite convenient.

As far as Plano new home communities go, Kings Lake is quite impressive. Kings Lake is a community of patio homes, which consists of homes with zero lot lines; however, don’t let the idea of patio homes fool you. Most floor plans in this community range from 3,000 to 4,000 square feet and feature either three or four bedrooms. The architectural style of the homes of King Lake is decidedly European.

Plenty of Home and Community Amenities

The homes of Kings Lake range in price from $400,000 to $430,000, and boast such features as: direct-vent fireplaces; low-e energy saving windows; hardwood flooring; ceramic tile flooring; granite countertops; GE stainless steel appliances; and blow-in insulation.

Additional amenities afforded to the residents of Kings Lake include: covered patios; sunrooms; media rooms; and additional bedrooms.

Most of the homes of Kings Lake feature an open concept floor plan, a formal dining room, a two-story family room, a breakfast area and a kitchen.

Kings Lake is part of the Kings Ridge Homeowners Association and is managed by Premier Communities, which is located in Dallas. A large greenbelt, along with a lake and hiking and biking trail, can be found throughout this patio home community.

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Making a home Budject and sticking to it

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

The real estate market has been posting some modest gains, and those gains are expected to continue well into 2010. For those of us who have been waiting on the sidelines to purchase a new Plano home, now may be the time to take action.

Now is a great time to enter the real estate market, provided you have the credit and the down payment to make it happen. However, an area not often addressed by homebuyers is budgeting for a new Plano home.

In particular, figuring out a budget and sticking to it. Making a home budget is essential for handling your finances, and that goes for your mortgage, too. Foreclosures and short sales are still circulating through the market; many of which are a direct result of homebuyers not budgeting themselves and thinking long-term.

It is therefore important to establish a home budget as soon as you decide to purchase a new Plano home and, more importantly, it is important to stick to the budget, without fail.

  • Before you begin looking for homes in the Plano real estate market, go straight to a lender and get pre-qualified for a mortgage. It makes no sense to begin looking at homes before you are pre-qualified, as you likely will not have a clear picture of how much home you can afford.
  • In addition to a pre-qualification letter from a lender, sit down and make up a realistic household budget. Make sure your monthly budget has plenty of wiggle room, and make sure you have enough left over every month to put at least 10 percent of your income into an emergency savings account. It is true that many homeowners are just a month away from not being able to pay their bills. Don’t let this happen to you; aim to put at least a year’s worth of your salary into an emergency savings account.
  • Consider changes in your lifestyle or family. If you are planning to start a family, take into consideration the added expense. If you don’t plan on staying in your current home for more than a couple years, you may rethink buying at this time and look at renting instead. A big part of planning a feasible household budget is to anticipate changes in your life and the many ways in which they can affect your finances.

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The Picturesque Beauty of Southlake

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

Southlake new homes are exciting, attractive and more than a bit alluring; and Southlake’s Estes Park is no exception.

This beautiful, master-planned community, which is conveniently located off Highway 114, features more than 15 acres of parks, more than two miles of picturesque nature trails and 162 exceptional home sites. Homes in Estes Park are being built by 16 luxury home builders, and are priced from $700,000.

Estes Park is located in the highly acclaimed Carroll Independent School District, which makes this Southlake community quite attractive for young families. In addition, homeowners of Estes Park will enjoy a beautiful, suburban setting with an excellent quality of life. In fact, Southlake boasts exceptional dining and shopping destinations, as well as a variety of recreational and entertainment choices.

The Southlake new homes of Estes Park will be a part of four phases:

  • Phase I – 43 wooded lots, 7.7 acres of park land, and two miles of walking trails
  • Phase II – 39 wooded lots, 2.2 acres of park land and one mile of walking trails
  • Phase III – 38 wooded lots, .23 acres of park land and a half mile of walking trails
  • Phase IV – 52 wooded lots with park, trails and fountains (sold to Toll Brothers)

Some of the well-known builders of the Estes Park homes include:

  • Browning Custom Homes
  • Hatfield Custom Homes
  • Harrell Custom Homes
  • Skinner Custom Homes
  • Monument Custom Homes
  • Simmons Estates
  • Tuscany American Custom Homes
  • V. Patrick Gray Custom Homes
  • Starwood Custom Homes

Estes Park is part of the Terra Land Development, a company that has been developing upscale communities throughout North Texas for many years. Some of the master-planned communities throughout the Dallas-Fort Wroth Metroplex include: Southlake, Denton, Trophy Club and the Alliance Airport Corridor.

Estes Park, which is located in the heart of Southlake, offers 12 different home designs that range in size from 3,850 to more than 5,700 square feet. Estes Park enjoys a convenient proximity to Dallas and Fort Worth, as well as the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

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Is a Mortgage Possible without Perfect Credit?

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Can you really obtain a mortgage if you don’t have perfect credit, given today’s credit climate?

Although the government keeps promising otherwise, most homeowners are still finding it decidedly difficult to secure a mortgage in the Allen real estate market unless they have spotless credit. The reality is that there are still plenty of qualified buyers out there who want to own a home and there are just as many homebuyers who are having a difficult time qualifying for low mortgage interest rates.

So, we’ve concluded that getting a mortgage with a competitive interest rate in today’s economic climate may be challenging, but it is important to point out that there are still a variety of attractive home loans for those home buyers with less-than-perfect credit and even for homeowners with little equity in their homes.

Where do I go from here?

If you are one of those home buyers who desperately want a home in the Allen real estate market but you’re lacking that perfect credit score, you may be wondering how you go about negotiating the landscape of today’s home loans.

One factor that is important to remember is that you will have more wiggle room if you have more money down or more equity in your home. Most lenders will require less down if you have a higher credit score and more money down if your credit score falls below 630.

If you are trying to refinance your home with average credit, but the equity in your home is quite small, then you may have to pay more in points. Most experts agree that you will likely have to give up at least a point or more above the published rates if you have little equity. Some lenders, like Freddie Mac, have refinancing programs for mortgages up to 105 percent of their appraised value, and Fannie Mae’s loans can loan up to 95 percent of their appraised value.

Where should I turn?

The bottom line is that there is no substitute for doing your homework. There is simply no better way to explore your options than to seek information from several sources, including your current home loan provider, you local bank, and your mortgage broker.

Don’t ever underestimate the value of a good mortgage broker, as this type of professional will help you find the best rate possible for your particular situation.

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Willow Bend: A Destination for Plano Luxury Homes

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

As one of the most upscale and affluent areas in the metroplex of Dallas-Fort Worth, Plano is home to some pretty luxurious real estate. If you are looking for North Dallas luxury homes, then look no further than Plano.

Plano is located just minutes from the North Dallas Tollway, Interstate 90, Interstate 635 and the Central Expressway. Its light rail system makes commuting to and from Dallas quite easy.

It is also located near many businesses, shopping centers, restaurants and entertainment destinations. In fact, Plano has over 100 shopping centers, 500 restaurants and a recently revitalized downtown district. The many businesses that are headquartered in Plano include: Texas Instruments, Frito-Lay, Dr. Pepper and JC Penney.

The Community of Willow Bend

Within Plano, the community of Willow Bend beautifully exemplifies North Dallas luxury homes. This beautiful neighborhood, which is situated alongside many of Plano’s other upscale neighborhoods, including Cypress Point, Kings Gate and Kings Ridge, features all the benefits of a luxurious communities.

Willow Bend is located in West Plano, on the borders of Collin and Denton counties. This primarily residential community offers quick and easy commutes in and out of the city, thereby making this an ideal community for city professionals.

Willow Bend Homes

Willow Bend homes range from luxury apartments and townhomes to gated communities and single-family homes. Upscale living is further defined by the many sports and recreation clubs in Willow Bend, including the Willow Bend Polo and Hunt Club and the Gleneagles Country Club.

In addition, there is a wide array of outdoor and recreational opportunities afforded to the residents of Willow Bend, including greenbelts, parks, playgrounds, walking and jogging trails and fishing lakes. The Shops at Willow Bend Mall feature a nice array of shops and dining establishments.

There are many golf properties that were built around the highly acclaimed Gleneagles Country Club, most of which feature fairway views, landscaped lots and beautifully designed homes. Just some of the features of the homes in Willow Bend’s country club communities include: gourmet kitchens, 12-foot ceilings, walk-in closets, master suites and beautiful outdoor living spaces.

Many of the homes in Willow Bend feature large floor plans and beautiful architectural designs. In addition, most of the homes are located in quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods.

The neighborhoods of Willow Bend include:

  • Enclave At Willow Bend
  • Pebble Brook At Willow Bend
  • Willow Bend Country
  • Meadows Of Willow Bend
  • Willow Bend Estates
  • Kings Court Of Willow Bend
  • Willow Bend Lakes
  • Willow Bend Place
  • Willow Bend West

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