1. If you hire me as your realtor to purchase a home it will not cost you a dime. My fee is paid for by the seller which in the case of new construction is the builder.
2. I have successfully negotiated 30k-50k off the price of  new construction homes with builders for my clients.
3. Remember that the friendly sales representative at the builders model home works for the builder and not you. They are paid by the builder and the more expensive home you buy means more commission for them.
4. As your buyers representative I represent you and not the builder. I can show you homes by any builder and I only get paid when you find the house of your dreams. Also as stated before, you don’t pay for my services the builder or seller does.
5. Some buyers think they will save money going to a builder unrepresented and that the builder will discount the house more because they are not using a realtor. This is not true, most of the time the money used to pay for your realtor comes out of the builders account at corporate level and not by subdivision. So if a builders rep tells you they will give you money off because you are unrepresented ask them for this in writing as many times it’s simply not true.
6. Going to a builder unrepresented is like being the plaintiff in a lawsuit and having the same attorney as the defendant. Not a good idea.

If you are thinking of selling your Frisco, TX home, please contact me for a FREE Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), that we let you know what your house is currently worth.

I can be reached via TXT, Cell, IM, Email or Carrier Pigeon at: Nick Walton Realtor® 469-556-2393 with JP & Associates Realtors®.

The post Why Use A Realtor® When Buying New Construction? appeared first on Frisco House Search.

As a new home owner, there is a need to pay for the property taxes on this real estate. With the different jurisdictions including county, city and school district, it is taxed every year. As the new owner, it is your responsibility to inform the taxing authorities of your ownership so that the tax rolls reflect the change (if the modification has not been recorded). You can call the right tax appraisal district in your county from the list below:

To be eligible for a residential homestead exemption, you need to present the following to the Central Appraisal District when tendering your application:

1. A photo copy of the applicant’s Texas driver’s license or Texas identification card

Remember: The home address on the exemption application should correspond with the address specified on the applicant’s Texas driver’s license/Texas Identification certificate; or else the Chief Appraiser will not approve the exemption.

TAX EXEMPTIONS:

 On January 1, possession, legal description of the home and the taxpayer’s status are determined. Various forms of tax relief are accessible which might lessen the taxable value of your home. It is the tax payer’s duty to request for exemptions. Call your appraisal district to know more about the different exemptions and how to apply for them:

Over 65 Exemptions

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Disabled Individual Exemption

General Homestead Exemption

*Agriculture Land Exemption

To obtain your exemptions, you should own and inhabited the home as of January 1^st. The application should be applied on or before April in order to receive the tax benefits for this year. This service is free of charge:

Put in mind, tax bills are usually sent October of each year. Once the tax bills have been sent, it is deemed payable and due, but you may choose to pay them as late as January 31 without fine. By February 1^st, non paid taxes become delinquent and are subject to penalties and interest accumulated. In case you receive a tax notice and your mortgage firm is escrowing funds for taxes from your monthly fees, just send the notice to your mortgage firm so that they can settle the taxes.

The post Time To File Your Homestead Exemption appeared first on Frisco House Search.

The post 250 million dollar house is absolutely amazing. appeared first on Frisco House Search.

Desirable location with PLANO ISD. Former Avery Edwards model, open floor plan, 3 tier deck on lrg. corner lot!

Crown moldings galore! 1st floor Master. with walk-in closets + 1 Bedroom. 2Bedrooms upstairs with Jack-n-Jill bath! Ceramic tiled entrance & baths! Combo formals! Kitchen with pergo wood floors!

Large private backyard with deck & 8ft board on board fence.

Want more information? Click Here.

The post Just Listed 4bed. 3bath Home in Dallas 75287 appeared first on Frisco House Search.

Eldorado Estates West, an ideal neighborhood in an established master planned community, located in Little Elm near Lewisville Lake at the intersection of FM 423 and Eldorado Parkway. Families can enjoy those great amenities like Walmart, Lowes, Burger King, McDonalds, and beautiful greenbelts with jogging and biking trails. The newly added playground boasts a jungle gym with swings and slides.  The swim center includes a large pool for those who really love to swim.

With easy access to the North Dallas Tollway and State Highway 121, residents are minutes away from great recreation, dining, and shopping. The perfect place for the entire family. Children can study at Little Elm Independent School District.

The average home in Eldorado Estates West, Little Elm sold for Click Here.

The post Eldorado Estates West is the neighborhood for YOU! appeared first on Frisco House Search.

For example, if you still owe $100,000 on a home appraised at a value of $240,000, then your equity balance is $140,000, or roughly 58% of the total value of the home. The greater this percentage, the better, as it allows you to borrow more and increases your total net worth.

We are Frisco, TX home specialists. If you have any questions about real estate in Frisco, or any neighboring DFW communities, please fill out our contact form, or call 469-556-2393 for assistance.

The post How Can I Build The Equity In My Home? appeared first on Frisco House Search.

Have you always wanted to purchase your first home but thought you could not afford the down payment? Well now you are in luck as there are mortgage programs available specifically aimed to help you buy your first home.

1) HomeReady Mortgage by Fannie Mae

The Major Features Include:

• Offering a 3% down payment option.

• For the first time ever, income from a household member who is not a borrower may be used to help buyers qualify.

• There is no need for all borrowers to reside in the property.

• Rental payments may be considered as another allowable income source to help qualify a buyer.

To Qualify You Need:

• Minimum credit score of 620.

•  Buyer must complete an online homeownership education course.

• Buyer must escrow for taxes and insurance

2) USDA – 100% Financing

The Major Features Include:

• Offering a 0% down payment option.

• No Maximum Purchase Price.

To Qualify You Need:

• Minimum credit score of 660.

• Property & borrower have to be eligible.

• Income restrictions apply.

For more information on buying your first home please contact me. I can be reached via phone or txt at 469-556-2393.

3) FHA 203(b) Loans 

The Major Features Include:

• Offering a 3.5% down payment option.

• Less stringent and more flexible qualification requirements.

• The FHA allows home sellers, builders and lenders to pay some of the borrower’s closing costs.

To Qualify You Need:

• Minimum credit score of 580.

• Borrowers with FHA loans pay for mortgage insurance (PMI).

• Loan limit is $334,650.

4) Conventional Loans

The Major Features Include:

• Offering a 5% down payment option.

• Borrowers pay lower mortgage insurance costs than FHA.

• Cover much higher loan amounts.

• cheaper monthly payment.

To Qualify You Need:

• Minimum credit score of 620.

• Loan limit is $417,000.

5) VA Loans

The Major Features Include:-

• Offering a 0% down payment option.

• Veterans do not have to be first-time buyers and may reuse their benefit.

• No monthly mortgage insurance.

To Qualify You Need:

• Be an active-duty military or veteran.

• Loan limit is $417,000.

• Minimum credit score of 620.

For more information on buying your first home please contact me. I can be reached via phone or txt at 469-556-2393.

The post Mortgage Programs For First Time Home Buyers appeared first on Frisco House Search.

Have you found a house in the perfect location however the house needs too much work done to qualify for a regular mortgage?

Don’t let this ugly home slip through your fingers as there’s a mortgage product available that lets you buy a home, have it renovated and include the rehab costs into the mortgage!

Don’t want to live on a building site whist the renovations are being done? No problem, you can have all the work done before you even move in!

What is the awesome mortgage called I hear you ask?

It’s called a FHA 203k and it’s a specialized renovation or construction loan, backed by the Federal Housing Administration. It is available to buyers, and combines the traditional “home improvement” loan with a standard FHA mortgage, allowing you to borrow your renovation costs.

Below is an overview of the 203k loan program:

• Downpayment of 3.5% of the purchase price plus renovation costs.
• 600 FICO score.
• You can do anything with this loan, fix foundation issues, add a room, move a wall, make repairs, even repair the pool, ect.
• All of the renovations will be done before you move in.
• Customize any home into your dream home.

Please contact me or txt / call 469-556-2393 and I can put your in contact with a lender that specializes in renovation loans as some lenders don’t do them.

The post Buy That “ugly house” Using The Banks Money! appeared first on Frisco House Search.

The most recent Housing Pulse Survey released by the National Association of Realtors revealed that the two major reasons Americans prefer owning their own home instead of renting are:

1. They want the opportunity to build equity.
2. They want a stable and safe environment.

Building Equity

In a recent article, John Taylor, CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, explained that those who lack the opportunity to become homeowners have a weakened ability to reinvest their wealth:

“We traditionally have been huge supporters of homeownership. We see it as a way to provide stability for households but also as an asset-building strategy. If you continue to be a renter, locked out of the homeownership arena, increasingly those things are further and further out of reach. They’re joined at the hip. They perpetuate each other.”

Family Stability

Does owning your home really create a more stable environment for your family?

A survey of property managers conducted by rent.com last month disclosed two reasons tenants should feel less stable with their housing situation:

• 68% of property managers predict that rental rates will continue to rise in the next year by an average of 8%.
• 53% of property managers said that they were more likely to bring in a new tenant at a higher rate than negotiate and renew a lease with a current tenant they already know.

We can see from these survey results that renting will provide anything but a stable environment in the near future.

Bottom Line

Homeowners enjoy a more stable environment and at the same time are  given the opportunity to build their family’s net worth.

The post #Homeownership #BuildWealth and Stability appeared first on Frisco House Search.

1. While there may be less buyers out there, people who look for a home during the holidays are serious they are ready to buy!
2. There are fewer homes for buyers to look at during the holidays which means less competition for you … less competition equals more money!
3. After the holidays the supply of listings increases substantially which lowers the demand for your home … more competition equals less money!
4. Your home shows better when decorated for the holidays!
5. Many buyers have more time to look for property during the holidays as opposed to a normal work week.
6. We will restrict the showings on your home to the times you want it shown. You remain in control.
7. You can sell now for more money and not have to physically move until January or February … as opposed to just starting the whole process at that time.

Download (PDF, 898KB)

The post Why Should I List My Home During The holidays? appeared first on Frisco House Search.