Last March, we alerted Buyers and Buyers Agents to a change in FHA lending that feels disheartening to many -- the "Anti-Flipping" rule was reinstated. This rule prevents loan applicants from getting approval for homes that have been owned for less than 90 days by the Seller. Today, we want to share some happy news about FHA... Lending limits have increased for FHA loans in several Texas counties! (See FHA's website for full details about Texas and other states.)The DFW Metroplex is benefitting from the increase for 2015 as follows: Single Family $310,500 Duplex $397,500 Tri-plex $480,450 Four-plex $597,100 This recent change also has served to normalize disparities within the Dalls-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX MSA... In prior years, the loan amounts varied between Collin and Rockwall count... 05/07/2015

Sometimes a roof can naturally reach its end of  life. Texas heat can also work to prematurely age a roof when a home's attic area lacks sufficient ventilation. Intensely high temperatures can literally "cook" a roof from the inside out, and will often show up in the form of a "blister" or granulated shingles, which is often mistaken by many homeowners (and even some home inspectors) as hail damage.Last week, we received the following letter as part of a Seller's Disclosure package. The letter noted that the homeowner filed a claim for roof replacement in October of 2014, which was subsequently declined. Whatever damage existed was simply not covered under the homeowner's insurance policy.    While the Seller's action to include this letter as part of the disclosure package was honorabl... 05/06/2015

04/26/2015

We are pleased to announce that Amanda Thomas has been selected as a 2015 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent Award recipient for the Dallas/Fort Worth Area.Five Star Professional partnered with Texas Monthly to recognize a select group of Dallas area real estate agents who provide quality services to their clients. Award winners represent fewer than 7 percent of real estate agents in the Dallas/Forth Worth region. They have proven to be outstanding in their field by receiving high client satisfaction ratings and exceeding objective criteria involving experience, production levels, and disciplinary history.Mrs. Thomas was initially recognized earlier this month via PRWeb, when the news was initially released by FIVE STAR Professional. Amanda will be featured, along with other award winners, in ... 04/26/2015

We frequently get calls from landlords who are desperate to get out from under their "rental homes gone wrong." The names change, but the stories tend to follow a common thread... They have problem tenants, deteriorating property conditions, and a "property manager" who isn't doing much more than depositing the monthly rent check when it comes.Those who read TREC's disciplinary history will quickly learn that 'property management' is a chief category for consumer complaints. Making a poor hiring decision when it comes to property management can be costly. It can cost an unwitting property owner monthly cash flow, equity lost to repairs and renovations, and subject them to avoidable risks relating to lawsuits pertaining to health and safety violations.Who Needs a Property Manager?Anyone ... 04/26/2015

The first step in achieving successful interpersonal relationships is to build rapport. Sometimes this is a "non-event", when people just seem to hit it off and instantly become best friends. Other relationships can require more effort toward finding common ground and productive patterns of  communication. And then there are those unfortunate engagements where people clash at hello.A common social error that often results in one party feeling utterly disrespected and the offending party having little to no chance at recovering from the faux pas is the failure to know one's audience.I'll never forget attending my oldest child's "Meet the Teacher" night during his second grade year. My husband's complexion is very dark. My complexion is very fair. Our oldest has a blended complexion that ... 04/25/2015

Plano TX FHA Streamline Refinance Loans are a special MORTGAGE product, reserved for homeowners with existing FHA MORTGAGES. FHA STREAMLINE REFINANCES are the fastest, simplest way for FHA-insured homeowners to REFINANCE their respective MORTGAGE into today’s low MORTGAGE RATES. Below are some of the requirements for an FHA streamline: ·         You must be current on your existing LOAN WITH all MORTGAGE PAYMENTS made on time for the last year.·         You must own the original property and have made at least six MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS before you can qualify for REFINANCING.·         To REFINANCE, you’ll need an FHA-approved LENDER. If you don’t want to use your current LENDER, any MORTGAGE LENDER YOU CHOOSE must be FHA approved.·         FHA Streamline LOANS do not require an appra... 04/23/2015

Humor is one of the quickest ways to overcome distance and uncertainty between new  acquaintances. The art of conversation is a learned technique, and those who struggle with "small talk" and "soft conversation" can benefit from "stocking the pantry" with favorite "canned" one-liners designed to break the ice and build trust.Although not our original creations, these are a few of our favorite quips: The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends? So what if I can't spell 'armaggedon'? It's not like it's the end of the world... A man was in court for stealing a bag. It took just 3 minutes to get sentenced... It was a briefcase. Don't trust atoms, they make up everything. I'm going to make a TV series abou... 04/16/2015

Career Day can be an exciting event for both students and speakers! Realtors® are frequently invited to participate, and it is both a tremendous honor and opportunity to share the passion that many entrepreneurs find when they match to real estate careers. Few presentations can match the powerful impact of seeing a successful and happy Realtor® talk about what they love doing!What Should I Talk About?If you are searching for Career Day lesson plans, here are a few ideas to help your presentation go well. From Elementary to High School, one of the most important things you can do is to involve your audience. Interactive activities can be surprisingly simple, fun and engaging!  This is also a good time to show students that they will actually need to use what they learn in school after th... 04/14/2015

Why Would You Move To The City Of Plano Tx?Access Available MLS Houses For Sale In Plano, Tx In the market for a new home in Plano, but need to sell your current home in the Dallas, Texas area first? Our team of specialists are active throughout the entire DFW metroplex. You can request a personal home valuation  and see where you stand as a seller.What Does Plano Offer? Great weather, great location, fantastic homes, easy access to shopping, golf, restaurants, museums, local and professional sports, top schools, outstanding health care and parks are just a few of the benefits of living in Plano. Poised just eight miles North of Dallas and directly South of Frisco is where you will find this popular city. Housing in Plano features a wide variety of elevations and floor plans to choose f... 04/14/2015

Plano, Texas consistently ranks as one of the top American cities to live.  While inhabitants of Plano, TX might be "Plano Proud", there is also plenty to laugh about.  If any of these statements ring a bell, you might be from (or destined to live in) Plano! If you don't get confused by directions to Plano Parkway, Park, and Parker Roads, you might be from Plano, TX.  If a "Michigan Left Turn" gets built and then "un-built" within 12 months, you might be from Plano, TX.  If you know how to access the Dallas North Toll Road South, you might be from Plano, TX.  If you know that the President George Bush Turnpike  is also a toll road, you might be from Plano, TX.  If your Senior High school is bigger than New York, you might be from Plano, TX.  If the words "East" or "West" are fighting wo... 04/02/2015

Listings to Leads - eFlyers   Gorgeous Custom Home In Quail Creek     Under Contract       Get the Sales Price! Schedule a Showing/Request Info Dallas Multi-Million $ Homes Search All Homes For Sale Dallas Luxury Homes for Sale Information For Home Sellers Information For Home Buyers Homes Close to Where You Work Avoid Foreclosure What is Your Home Worth?      PRESENTED BY         Lisa Von Domek Lisa Von Domek & Associates, LLC / Real Living Real Estate Group 972-849-1300 MLS#: 13108613 Licensed In: TX License #: 0552989     Questions? Schedule a Showing!                     Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property.     View the Property Details, More Photos, Map & School information here at the u... 04/02/2015

Being in the business of real estate doesn't make moving any easier. I recently assisted family members with an in-state relocation, and found that coming up with the right moving solution was a challenge. The distance was ±450 miles, and we learned that this exceeded the geography most "local moving" companies were able to cover. And, since it was in-state, this job didn't fit in the box for major van lines either. We would loved to have used PODS or U-haul storage containers, but the distance factor worked against this solution as well. With persistence, we found Coleman American Moving Services, an Allied agent based out of Corpus Christi, TX, who assured us that they could handle our move. We worked with our sales rep to create an inventory list, and received a quote that met our pr... 04/01/2015

DIY projects can be a great way to make the family budget stretch further, as well as provide a satisfying way to improve the quality & health of one's home life. 2015 is the year our family decided to quit purchasing commercial cleaning products. It started with a 'quick fix' to solve for running out of liquid fabric softener. Googling for a homemade substitute opened up a big new world of safer, more affordable options for household cleaning products. Homemade fabric softener was, in fact, the gateway that led to our favorite homemade laundry detergent recipe, this natural bleach alternative, the best homemade glass cleaner, homemade 409, DIY heavy-duty tub & shower cleaner, an alternative homemade "swiffer" mop solution (see this page for more detail), our favorite homemade multipurp... 03/29/2015

Listings to Leads - eFlyers   Gorgeous Custom Home In Quail Creek     JUST LISTED!       Follow This Home! Schedule a Showing/Request Info Dallas Multi-Million $ Homes Search All Homes For Sale Dallas Luxury Homes for Sale Information For Home Sellers Information For Home Buyers Homes Close to Where You Work Avoid Foreclosure What is Your Home Worth?      PRESENTED BY         Lisa Von Domek Lisa Von Domek & Associates, LLC / Real Living Real Estate Group 972-849-1300 MLS#: 13108613 Licensed In: TX License #: 0552989     Questions? Schedule a Showing!                     Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property.     View the Property Details, More Photos, Map & School information here at the update... 03/29/2015

Listings to Leads - eFlyers   Gorgeous Custom In Quail Creek     JUST LISTED!       Follow This Home! Schedule a Showing/Request Info Dallas Multi-Million $ Homes Search All Homes For Sale Dallas Luxury Homes for Sale Information For Home Sellers Information For Home Buyers Homes Close to Where You Work Avoid Foreclosure What is Your Home Worth?      PRESENTED BY         Lisa Von Domek Lisa Von Domek & Associates, LLC / Real Living Real Estate Group 972-849-1300 MLS#: 13108613 Licensed In: TX License #: 0552989     Questions? Schedule a Showing!                     Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property.     View the Property Details, More Photos, Map & School information here at the updated Pro... 03/29/2015

Just Listed Gorgeous Home in Quail Creek OverviewMapsPhotosFeaturesDescriptionNeighborhoodMarket Stats $324,900 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms3 Bathrooms1 Partial BathroomInterior: 3,407 sqftLot: 0.33 acre(s) Location 6540 Pheasant Run RoadPlano, TX 75023USA Lisa Von Domek Lisa Von Domek & Associates, LLC / Real Living Real Estate Group(972) 849-1300Lisa@LisaVon.comhttp://www.LisaVon.com   Listed by: Lisa Von Domek & Associates, LLC / Real Living Real Estate Group Our recent listings Just Listed Gorgeous Home in Quail CreekStunning Shenandoah Estate Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 03/27/2015

Want to know what homes are being held as an Open House in Plano Texas this weekend?  We have the full list available for you!  Stop by this soft contemporary 4/3/2 home that will be open on Saturday 3/28/15 from 2:30-4:30pm. Come by to see this home and we will also give you information on all of the other Open Houses in Plano this weekend (including the ones shown below). View more about this home here:  http://www.northtexastopteam.com/idx/mls-13112698-3624_stagecoach_trail_plano_tx_75023   Other Open Houses in Plano Texas this weekend: Saturday 3/28/154700 Altessa Drive $579,9002705 Oak Circle $254,8936628 Berretta Drive $379,9005213 Terrace View Ln $425,0002400 Verona Ct $275,0002317 Loch Haven Dr $350,0004325 Tall Oak Ln $375,0002412 Bigleaf Ct $452,0003505 Harvestridge Dr $395,00... 03/26/2015

Are you looking to sell your home?  Have you asked yourself, "What is my home worth?" See for yourself for free without talking with anyone.  We have buyers now looking all around the Plano area!  Find out what your home is worth in Plano and what other homes are selling for in Plano.  It is definitely a seller's market right now.   Homes in Plano are selling within days of becoming active on the market.  Don't miss this chance to sell your home fast and at top dollar.     Click on the picture and find out what your home in Plano is worth right now.  It's quick and free by local experts!       03/25/2015

FHA Buyers and the Realtors® who represent them are facing a shrinking pool of compatible homes to choose from. Ironically, the latest cuts stem from HUD's re-implementation of FR-4615 Prohibition of Property Flipping in HUD's Single Family Mortgage Insurance Programs, better know as the "FHA Anti-Flipping rule" or "90-day Seasoning Requirement" initially enacted in 2003. As of January 1, 2015, Buyers who are using FHA financing once again aren't able to make offers on certain properties as soon as non-FHA financed buyers. Originally designed to protect FHA Buyers from illegal flipping schemes and curtail mortgage fraud, the Anti-Flipping rule prevents applicants from successfully getting approved for financing on a property where a Seller has owned the property for less than 90 days. T... 03/22/2015