The City of Plano, Texas has earned a national reputation as one of the best places in the country for employers to do business and for families to live and work. Located just 20 minutes north of downtown Dallas, Plano is in the northeast portion of the metropolitan area and in the central time zone.   Plano, Texas is a superior community with an exceptional educational system, safe family-oriented neighborhoods, abundant recreational facilities, and world-class business parks.  With one of the lowest property tax rates in the state of Texas, companies locating in Plano boost their bottom line while offering a high quality of life for employees. Plano offers a variety of new and existing neighborhoods with homes to suit every lifestyle. From historic Victorians to comfortable single-fa... 08/15/2009

                                                                       CB Jeni showcases The Estates of Willow Crest, a convenient West Plano community with architecturally enhanced homes and a low-maintenance lifestyle. The Estates of Willow Crest features Old World-style charm and a broad mix of floor plans and distinctive designs. Buyers may choose from seven floor plans that include 2,086 to more than 4,000 square feet of living space and are priced from the $245s to the $420s. There are three exteriors per plan. All homes feature three or four bedrooms, two to three baths, two dining rooms, up to three living rooms and two-car garages. Select floor plans also include large studies. Currently five homes are available for immediate occupancy at the community. One of these featured pl... 08/15/2009

Plano TX reported 309 home sales for the month of July 2009. These numbers include single-family homes, condos, duplexes and townhomes. Up to 07/31/2009, 1,633 homes sold in Plano Texas for the year. When compared to the same time last year, Plano TX sold 2,148 homes for the same period in 2008. The numbers are down 24% in number of transactions and down 27% in real estate value.   January: 146 Plano TX homes SOLD February: 172 Plano TX homes SOLD March: 208 Plano TX homes SOLD April: 213 Plano TX homes SOLD May: 267 Plano TX homes SOLD June: 318 Plano TX homes SOLD  July 2009: 309 Plano TX sold homes for $78,760,721   The lowest priced home sold for $61,000 (3-bedroom, 2-bathroom property, 1,280 square feet) in East Plano TX 75074. It is an older starter home, built in 1971. It is bank... 08/15/2009

Plano Texas is known for its diversity. Hence, it offers several good Asian Grocery stores in town. My favorite in Plano is Asia World. It is located near Legacy Drive and US 75 (Central Expressway). It is relatively "new". It offers a good selection of Asian food. Now, know that "Chinese" grocery can range from the original "Chinese" from mainland China. Yet, Chinese grocery could be different for Taiwanese Chinese, Malaysian Chinese (that's what I am), Indonesian Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Korean, Japanese, etc. Note: We are not all the same even though I may look "Chinese" but I'm Malaysian. The Chinese food I eat is more "localized" to the South-east Asian - similar to Singaporean food, but unlike Thai food - which then is also different from Vietnamese food. Have I got you all... 08/11/2009

PLANO TEXAS HOME SALES STATISTICS    August 2006 - August 2007 Total Number of Sales - 4,210 Average Number of Days on the Market - 52 Average Sales Price $256,789    August 2007 - August 2008  Total Number of Sales - 3,665 Average Number of Days on the Market - 61 Average Sales Price - $262,098   August 2008 - August 2009 Total Number of Sales - 3,137 Average Number of Days on the Market - 65 Average Sales Price - $253,987   Sales in Plano, Texas has dropped approximately 25% from two years ago. The average sales price of a home in Plano today is $253,987. This is a marginal 1% drop in sales price from two years ago.  This data represents the overall Plano market and may vary significantly between neighborhoods. Data presented by  Metroplex Appraisal Services 2009. Real Estate Appraisa... 08/03/2009

Sushi Envy - the latest sushi restaurant in Plano TX. The most unique setup of this latest sushi restaurant is that its sushi are served on a conveyor belt. Thus, restaurant patrons sit in a "bar" setting and watch the sushi plates go by. Anything you want, just pick it up. The sushi plates are color coded: Yellow $1 Green $2 Pink $3 Blue $4 Red $5 Black $6 Most sushi are priced at $3 and $4. Desserts are on black plates for $6. It is a unique sushi dining experience. So, try it! The atmosphere is Asian Fusion and the servers are very attentive. Any special or customized sushi rolls are also available if you just ask! Visit Sushi Envy 8240 Preston RD. Suite 130 Plano, TX. 75024 View Larger Map < Business Hours: Monday - Closed Tue-Thur & Sun. Open --Lunch Hour: 11:00am to 2:00pm Dinner ... 07/31/2009

Selling a home? Then staging your home is like getting ready for a big date.                       Only it's your house that has to impress its potential mate.               *********************************************************************** For expert advice on preparing a home for sale contact Home Star Staging, a Plano,TX based Real Estate Staging and Consulting company. Home Star Staging is here for you North Texas!    By TwitterButtons.com   07/29/2009

COLLIN COLLEGE, Plano,TX  IS OFFERING A HOME STAGING COURSE STARTING SEPTEMBER 16th 2009. This is the only session being offered for the Fall Term 2009. Next course offering will be in Spring 2010. This Home Staging CE course is designed for the home seller or professional real estate agent to prepare a home for resale. Learn from a professional home stager the benefits of home staging and how staging a home can help you achieve a faster sales time and top dollar. Please note:This course is not designed for those interested in starting a home staging business. REGISTER NOW! 1.  GO TO www.ccccd.edu/ce 2.  LOCATE CE Courses at the top of the page then find Workforce Development. Go to Real Estate. 3.  Under Real Estate you'll find HOME STAGING. 4.  At bottom of page you may login to regis... 07/28/2009

Most Popular Price Ranges in North Texas The Real Estate Center at Texas A & M University just released single family MLS sales figures for North Texas for the month of June. About seventy percent of the June sales occurred between $100,000 to $399,999. Price Range                  Percent Distribution $1 to $19,999               0.80% $20,000 to $29,999       1.70% $30,000 to $39,999       2.20% $40,000 to $49,999       2.20% $50,000 to $59,999       2.30% $60,000 to $69,999       2.80% $70,000 to $79,999       3.10% $80,000 to $89,999       3.90% $90,000 to $99,999       3.70% $100,000 to $109,999    3.70% $110,000 to $119,999    4.90% $120,000 to $129,999    5.70% $130,000 to $139,999    5.90% $140,000 to $149,999    4.80% $150,000 to $159,999    4.40% $160,000 to $169,999    4.10% $... 07/24/2009

My son, Ethan, stretches a single into a double in the late innings to 'get something started'. We got the call last night.... Ethan was selected to the All-Star Team for his Little League Baseball team. He spent the next two hours calling family with the good news. He earned it... He was the one who had me out in the yard every evening practicing grounders and pop flies!! After two years being involved with Plano Baseball Association, we could not be more pleased with the head coach that we were assigned to and could not be any happier with the facilities they provide. Daddy's chest could not be more puffed out!   Tom Burris DallasLoanGuy.com Dallas, TX "Your Dallas Mortgage Consultant" http://www.dallasloanguy.com/ Texas Home Loans Dallas Mortgage Loans I write about Texas Home Loans ... 06/29/2009

The City of Plano Parks and Recreation dues increased SUBSTANTIALLY this year.  They tell us the city budgets are tight because property tax revenues are down.  In order to access the parks and city facilities that help make Plano such a wonderful place to live, they want double the "dues".  Technically speaking, it's not really a new tax on the working class, but it is about to be. This is the first year in many that we will not be "members" to the City of Plano community facilities.  Because it was so affordable in the past, we have always renewed our membership, even when we weren't using the facilities very much.  At these fees, I may as well toss in a few more bucks and join a nice private club like LifeTime Fitness.   We won't do that either, but some will. The point is, by raisin... 06/28/2009

Like anyone in business, I am never thrilled to tell a client to hold off a purchase. However, that is exactly what I did a few days ago. The couple may be able to make the move, but only by the skin of their chin, if at all. They don’t have much of anything saved and they would have to roll in closing costs. I assume the move would require calling on friends because I don’t believe they have the money to hire a crew either. Lately I've been encouraging folks to save first and move second, when they have an option. I think moving is great and recommend that everyone in N. Dallas metro call us when they get ready to buy or sell a home. I just want to encourage people to consider stabilizing their finances first. For me, that means: 3.5 - 5% min. cash saved and seasoned for down payment. ... 06/28/2009

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) basically sums up the appraisal issues this real estate market is working through.  In my opinion, external influences seem to be muddying the waters right now.  When we eventually return to (or swing past) a true, fair "pure" market, I expect it to work itself out reasonably quickly.  In the meantime, hold on for the ride... Please spread the word on this issue.  We are warning every client we work with that this is a very serious problem for everyone right now. reblog..  To:      All REALTORS® From: Charles McMillan, 2009 NAR PresidentRe:     AppraisalsDear Fellow REALTOR®,During the past two months, we have heard from many of you regarding problems with appraisals that are causing deals to be delayed or canceled altogether. I assure you that... 06/28/2009

Importance of Home Staging in Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano and Other North Texas Cities Home staging is one of the most important things that you can do to ensure that your home sells for the most amount of money in the least amount of time. The following are some easy and effective home staging tips: Paint the front door. If your front door is looking dingy and dirty, then a fresh coat of paint on the front door will surely make your home more inviting. Clean up landscaping. If your landscaping is overgrown, then it is time for some pruning and clipping. Plant some seasonal flowers in the front flower beds. This is a cheap but effective way to increase the curb appeal of your house. Install a plug-in air freshener in one of the rooms by the front door to give your home a fresh scent.... 06/05/2009

Home Inspections in Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano and Other North Texas Cities Getting a home inspection is one of the most important steps in the home buying process. The home inspection is designed to find out whether the structural and mechanical systems are performing as intended. In Texas, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) licenses home inspectors. The following is an outline of what a typical Texas home inspection report would cover: Section I - Structural Systems -Foundations -Grading and Drainage -Roof covering -Roof structure and attic -Walls -Ceilings and floors -Doors -Windows -Stairways -Fireplace/Chimney Section II - Electrical Systems -Service entrance and panels -Branch circuits Section  III - Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems -Heating equipment -Coo... 05/29/2009

We spend our lives believing the written word! Why? Especially when the written word is provided by sources not much more reliable than fortune cookie. I am tired of the negative influence of the media and I know you are too. I read everywhere about the recession and the down market, but I have more listings than ever and am closing deals for my clients weekly. No matter the current economic storm people need a place to live and a certain percentage of people will qualify for new homes. So trust in the math and go out their and get you clients the deal of a lifetime. TODAY IS THE TIME TO BUY!!! 05/28/2009

              Nick DePalma Production Manager/ Senior Loan Officer       1002 Raintree CircleAllen, TX 75013Phone: (469) 277-1881Mobile: (214) 497-0596Toll Free: (866) 432-6015Fax: (866) 908-6073ndepalma@primelending.com     For the week of May 18, 2009 - Vol. 7, Issue 20   >> Home Base INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE  The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that the median price for a single-family home in Q1 was 13.8% lower than in Q1 a year ago. But first-time buyers represented half of all purchases and many went for foreclosures and short sales. These "typically are selling for 20% less than traditional homes," according to the NAR, and this skews median prices downward. On a hopeful note, 18 of the 152 metro areas in the survey reported PRICE INCREASES. Equally hopefu... 05/18/2009

Thanks to all of you that have shown me so much love and support during my illness over the past year and a half!  After a couple of surgeries, way too much medication and an adventure at the Mayo Clinic, I think I'm almost my old self again.  I'm doing very well and am ready to get back to work! What a crazy market this has been!  Please let me know if you have any questions and I'll try and find the answers. First thing I would like to address.  DO NOT pay money for a foreclosure list!  I've seen tons of these ads around.  Give me a call and we'll talk about foreclosures/short sales in the areas you are interested in.  No Charge! 05/16/2009

Sales continued be be soft in Plano. The Average Sales price was down by 13% and the Median Sales Price was off by 9%. Pending Sales were down by 29% which does not bode well for May. The number of New Listings and Active Listings declined helping to keep the number of Months of Inventory at a low level of 5.1 months. Sales: 215 Average Sales Price: $258,939 Median Sales Price: $214,250 Pending Sales: 212 New Listings: 459 Active Listings: 1,301 Days on Market of Sales: 63 05/16/2009

For the week of 4/27 through 5/3 the follow was reported through MLS: New Listings: 105 Average List Price: $326,452 Sales Pending: 20 Average Price: $232,524 Solds: 56 Average Sales Price: $240,536 Average Days on Market: 56 05/06/2009