Purchasing a Home: Is the Timing Right?

As we prepare to close out the year I think most of us would agree that 2009 has been a year of uncertainty. Perhaps you are one of the many individuals that has put off buying a new home or moving up because of all of the uncertainty. Yet certain tax credits have been in place to make the purchasing of a new home possible for individuals that qualify for its benefits.
Congress recently passed the bill, the Worker, Homeownership and Business Act of 2009 which extended the First-Time Homebuyer Credit. Don't let the long title put you off in trying to understand its benefits. The bill opens up new opportunities for existing homeowners residing five or more years in their principal residence as well as extending the time to purchase for the first-time buyer (those not owning a principal residence in the past three years).
Some of the things you might want to know about the credit itself and qualifying for it are relatively straight-forward. For example, you must buy or be in a binding contract to purchase a principal residence on or before April 30, 2010. If you do find yourself in a binding contract on April 30th then you must close the deal on or before June 30, 2010 to remain eligible.
Existing homeowners that qualify are eligible for a maximum credit of $6,500. A $3,250 limit applies for married couples that file separately. The maximum credit of $8,000 remains in effect for first-time homebuyers who qualify.
If you are considering purchasing a home please feel free to call me with your questions or concerns and we can discuss the possibilities. Working together we can make a good start for 2010. Extending warm wishes for you and your family during this holiday season.

What Any Respectful Grandparent Would Do

It's the wonderful holiday season and wanting to share it with grandchildren is a desire of most grandparents. As any respectful grandparent will tell you there are more than a few things they will do for a grandchild that they might not of done for the child. Perhaps it's because they realize that it's only a few, short years until they are grown and out of the house. Or maybe it's knowing that they can spoil them and send the grandchild home. Whatever the reason life with grandchildren can be fun and funny!

Autumn in Plano, Texas

If you would like to know more about homes in Plano, see my website at http://teralmc.com/

I look forward to hearing from you.

Posted via email from teralmc

It's a GOOD Life! Creekside Estates, WYLIE

What a glorious first day of November at Creekside Estates, Wylie, TX.
The community hosts this beautiful pond in the heart of its neighborhood where residents can fish (catch and release) or wander around the walking trail enjoying all that nature has to offer.

If you would like to know more about Creekside Estates or any other community surrounding Wylie, Sachse, Murphy or Allen please give me a call directly (972) 795-2571 for a free consultation on the area's homes.

Fall Back Spring Forward

Do you find yourself saying over and over "fall back spring forward"? I must admit; I do. Even though I know it's that time of the year when I go to reset my clock that simple saying grown so familiar to most of us pops up in my mind. I find myself repeating it as I walk through my home resetting all the clocks. Today is not only the day to remember to fall back but it's also Halloween. So treat yourself to an extra hour today or else you could feel tricked in the morning.




photo courtesy of dreamstime

Finding a Home is Not for Everyone

There is a home for everyone and finding it is not for everyone. Getting over the hurdle of buy / buy not was perplexing enough for most homebuyers. Following closely in the footsteps of that decision are more questions than most homebuyers care to address. Ultimately all decisions should be made by the homebuyer but their greatest asset in the process is their real estate agent.

 

Choosing a real estate agent that will represent all of your interests is important. Finding one that you can trust and feel comfortable with is another. Not all real estate agents are the same. All agents are required to be licensed by the state of Texas but only those real estate agents that belong to the National Association of Realtors, NAR can be called "Realtor". A "Realtor" is held accountable to a higher standard based on the Code of Ethics established by NAR and helps to insure the homebuyer that their interests are indeed the focus of the agent.

 

As a Texas Realtor I adhere wholeheartedly to the values addressed in the Code of Ethics. It is my desire to instill confidence and trust into every working relationship so that together we can find your dream home today.

 

 

Posted via email from teralmc

Creekside Estates Wylie, Texas

Nestled along the borders of Murphy, Parker and Wylie is the quiet, family-friendly neighborhood of Creekside Estates. Saturday, October 3, 2009 the neighborhood will be hosting its annual fall festival and celebrating National Night Out. Food, contests and live entertainment are planned for the residents of Creekside Estate. Life is good in Wylie. Life is good in Creekside Estates.

 

If you are interested in the homes available in Creekside Estates, Wyle call me for a consultation.

 

Teral McDowell, Realtor

C21 Posey Properties

(972) 795-2571

 

 

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from teralmc

the Coming of Fall Reminds Us

That the deadline for the first time home buyer is drawing near. If you would like to take opportunity of the tax credit give me a call today at (972) 795-2571.

Posted via email from teralmc

Full of Hot Air

It's that time agian! The Plano Balloon Festival and it's happening at Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. This year the festival will be celebrating it's 30th birthday so come on out for a fun-filled weekend. In addition to the balloon launch at 6:00 pm tonight there will be lots of vendors selling food, arts, crafts and other goodies. Stay around for the Lite the Nite when the balloons will glow...an awesome sight to see. Saturday morning the balloons will launch at 7:00 am. You can enjoy a concert at 11:00 am and other exhibits for your entertainment. The festival runs from Friday night, September 18, 2009 and ends Sunday night, September 20, 2009. There are admission and parking fees. More information can be found at http://www.planoballoonfest.org/index.html .

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Looking to buy or sell a property in Plano or surrounding areas; call Teral McDowell (972) 795-2571.

Looking for that great new home?

Call me to help you with your search.

Teral McDowell, Realtor

C21, PP

2701 W 15th ST

Plano, TX 75075

(972) 795-2571

Posted via email from teralmc

Show Me the Property

I can't help but wonder if other agents feel the same as I do. You have a customer. You are working hard obtaining the information they have requested from you. You go to your multiple listing site. You define your search with all the criteria the customer has given. Hit input to start the search. You are delighted! The search reveals several homes in the right price range within the right location. The list of homes displays. You make your choice, click on the listing and up pops up all the relevant information for that home except...the picture!

OMG! Sure I might know the general area maybe even that particular area but do I really know the inside of the home. The customer has questions. What if he's already drove by the house, the neighborhood and the general area? What if he is calling you on the phone for the specific bits of information he doesn't have?

I did recently receive one such call that the information was critical to the caller as he had a disabled person living in the home with him. Here I am verbally trying to explain to the caller that the listing agent failed to input pictures It sounds much like excuses and not much like a got-it-together agent; would you agree? So I find myself researching at the speed of my fingers any other possibilities to offer as an alternative should the caller not want to schedule an appointment or even a follow-up call. Three of the five listings failed to produce a home with photos ~ three!

With today's technology let's suppose how difficult is it to take a picture. We have all kinds of options from the disposal cameras, yes they do still exist to the highly paid professionals. As agents, we are told the importance of photographs from our brokers, our associations, our instructors and sometimes our clients. If pictures are rated so high on the chart of necessities in marketing, I can't help but wonder why so many listings are on the servers without images.

Do the agents or brokers that allow these listings to be submitted without photos for days or months on end realize the reduced revenue they are realizing for themselves or their agents? It would make every one's role a little smoother, a little kinder, a little nicer if more of our listings represented all of the client's interest with pictures. All I am asking is that you show me the property.

Looking for that One-of-a-Kind Place to call HOME

Posted via email from teralmc

A Valentine's Day to Remember

Valentine 1999. An all important date in my life. It holds a sweet memory, no pun intended. I had in my hand for the first time keys to a house that I could call home. I don't recall the drive from the closing to the house but oh, how well I remember standing in the middle of the living room with those keys in my hand. I was elated, surprised, overcome with joy and any other expression of happiness one can imagine. And it was Valentine's Day!

The journey began for me when I decided to take action and fulfill my dream of home ownership. It was January and all about new ~ year, home, leap of faith. So I leaped and contacted a mortgage person. They were able to help me determine how much home I could afford to buy. Whew, was I glad that process went quickly and smoothly. Pre-qualifying was relatively painless. I was motivated. I was ready and able. I needed to find a location I was willing to live in.

Out came the map book, highlighters and all the other tools needed to study. I identified several areas I was willing to consider. It was time for the great adventure; exploring the new and unknown areas in hopes that I would consider one home.

Exploring involved driving to each area and scouting out the neighborhoods. First, I drove through the streets on a regular work day. Next, I went back out on a Saturday to those I had not ruled out on the previous drive-by. Doing this really gave me a good feel for the neighborhood.

Having achieved my goals within a week I was ready to meet with a real estate agent. I handed over to the agent my maps and list of requirements in a home. Not being an agent myself at the time I was unaware of what the term meant to be a ready, willing and able buyer. But the agent knew and gladly explained that I had properly prepared beforehand.

My agent advised me that in light of all the information I had shared they would be able to prepare a tour of homes for the following day. The next day was a Saturday and we started out on our tour with seven homes. I knew when we entered the last home I had walked into what would be my new home. It was a good home for me and a fabulous Valentine's day in 1999.

If you are considering making your dream of home ownership a reality please call me. Together we can work through the process of owning a home. If you qualify, you may be entitled to the first time homebuyers tax credit of 2009. The credit could help you in achieving your dream of homeowner.

Speechless Sunday ~ Smooth Selling

For your next real estate transaction contact Teral McDowell, Realtor

Photograph courtesy of Ann Goodner

Wordless Wednesday

The joy of finding your new home is just a click away ~ http://activerain.com/teralmc

How do You get noticed?

I am soft-spoken. What does this mean for me? It means that I am often repeating myself. Other times it means that I am being asked to raise my voice above my level of comfort. It does, at times wear on me and not only my vocal chords. If I want to be heard, I need to take into consideration that this voice of mine is low key. Speak up or forever hold my peace. Sometimes I elect to hold my peace. I just don't want to raise my voice over the crowd.

As a Realtor getting noticed is a big part of our marketing. We generate all forms of media to be seen. We look for ways to distinguish ourselves in order that we gain the clients' business. Unlike the raising of one's voice, these ways of distinction should be a part of who we are as a person.

How do you get noticed? I am okay with being the person not heard over the crowd because I know in the end that things like respect, trust and loyalty win out with the clients.