WHY WAIT…Selling for home over the Holidays has some real PERKS

SELLING YOUR HOME OVER THE HOLIDAYS HAS SOME REAL PERKS

Why Wait…. Selling Your Home Over the Holidays Has Some Real Perks
For years agents have been telling their clients to wait till after the first of the year to even think about putting their house on the market.

I did a little research and confirmed that listing during the holidays has some REAL PERKS.

1. People out looking at homes this time of year are serious buyers.

2. With the dramatic lower inventory this time of year… less competition for you, which can
mean a better offer.

3. Homes show beautifully when they are decorated for Christmas.

4. Many people have time off which equals more time to look during the holiday season.

5. Some people are trying to purchase by end of yr for tax purposes.

 

 

Bottom line is Now can be a great time to sell because the inventory is so low and those taking the time to look are typically serious about buying…. SO take advantage of the pretty décor in your home this time of year and lets get that home sold.

Give me a call and let me help you sell your home this year.
Keisha York
Check out this Brief Video
keisha.york@gmail.com
keishayork.com
469-853-9784

It’s Pumpkin Time

It’s Pumpkin Time… How are you planning on enjoying this beautiful weekend? Here are a couple of great places you might enjoy.

 

Autumn at the Arboretum

Autumn at the Arboretum returns for another season of fall family fun. The garden will transform with thousands of blazing colored florals as over 50,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash come together to form the nationally acclaimed storybook pumpkin village. A multitude of special events will also be available on weekdays and weekends along with the hay bale maze, the great pumpkin search, and the Tom Thumb pumpkin patch.
Dallas Arboretum

Big Orange Pumpkin Farm in Celina

Pumpkin patch, petting zoo, hayrides, hotdogs, picture taking opportunities, and more!
Open Now until November 3rd.
5454 County Rd #126
Celina, TX 75009
972-382-4995 | Office
214-326-2706 | Mobile
Big Orange Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkins on the Prairie

While everyone can pick their favorite pumpkins, children will also enjoy playing in the bounce house, running through the hay maze and playing games in our “Kid’s Patch!” Plus, there are lots of picture taking opportunities with our fall set-ups and family-fun hayrides!
3521 Main Street, Frisco, Texas 75034
972.335.2882
Pumpkins on the Prairie

 

HOW ARE NORTH DALLAS AREA LENDERS HANDLING THE SHUTDOWN

HOW ARE NORTH DALLAS AREA LENDERS HANDLING THE SHUTDOWN

We are all hearing different stories about how the governments shut down is going to impact the housing market. Truth is… I can show houses, list houses and write contracts and really not be impacted by the shutdown. However, our lenders are a different story and we all know at the end of the day when you are buying or selling it comes down to the money.  This weekend I was working on a contract for a home in Plano, TX the sellers were very concerned, as most people would be, about how the buyers lender was handling the government shut down.  Here is a copy of the letter I got explaining what this lenders company is doing to deal with the situation.

I am sure there is a good amount of confusion and worry about how the chaos in Washington is going to impact things within the real estate market and specifically how it will impact closing mortgages.  I wanted to let you know that other than USDA loans, we won’t see much of an impact.  We have worked with our end investors this week to come up with some work arounds that will allow us to continue to close and fund FHA, VA, Conventional and portfolio loans.  As you know the IRS is shut down so we won’t be able to order tax transcripts and the Social Security Administration is also closed so we can’t verify social security numbers through them.  In order to limit the impact of the shutdown, we will temporarily waiving the requirement for tax transcripts as long as the buyer can provide us with a complete copy of their last 2 yrs of tax returns.  We will just get a copy of the transcripts after our wonderful elected officials stop their temper tantrums but we will not require them before we close.  In regards to verifying social security numbers, we will accept another government document in lieu of getting confirmation directly from the SSA.  Usually a W2 is the easiest document to use but there are others that we will accept if they don’t have a W2 or tax return.USDA unfortunately is a different animal because the USDA office has to approve all USDA loans before they can close.  Until the shutdown gets worked out, we won’t be able to close any USDA loans.  We can process and underwrite them but then we will be at a standstill- sorry, no way around that one.

YEAH!!! I love to see lenders making sure they can take care of their clients and keep the Real Estate Market moving along… Don’t let the government shut down, shut down your plans to buy or sell! Call, text or email me and I will connect you with a great lender that can get the job done!
Many Blessings!
Keisha York
keisha.york@gmail.com
469-853-9784

 

 

Why It is time to sell your home if you live the Dallas Area

It is time to sell your home if you live the Dallas Area.  I’m sure you have heard it is a sellers market and homes are selling in days, even hours with multiple offers.  Now you are thinking, “its fall I missed the boat, I better wait till spring.” Others are holding out thinking one more year will bring even more of an increase in property values. I understand that line of thinking but I am not so sure it is correct.  Recently Steve Brown, a Real Estate Editor for the Dallas News wrote a great article summarizing recent reports and market changes.  Below are a few points he made that I pulled straight from his article:

1. Dallas-area home prices were up a record 8.5 percent in July from a year earlier in the latest Case-Shiller report. * Case-Shiller’s index is different. It tracks over time the prices of specific single-family homes in each metropolitan area. And the index does not include condominiums and townhouses.
2. While not as large as in many markets, Dallas’ price increases are double historic averages.
3. Through the first eight months of 2013, pre-owned home sales are 20 percent higher than they were in the same period last year. And the number of houses available for purchase in August was 14 percent below where it was a year earlier.
4. …doesn’t expect the rate of home price growth in North Texas to remain at current levels.
5. With mortgage rates moving up, most economists agree that this summer’s huge home price jumps won’t last.

Check out the entire article by Steve Brown here: Dallas-area home prices jump 17 percent from the bottom in 2009

What does this mean for you? If you have been thinking of selling your home now is the time. Call me and I can set up a free consultation to help determine what your home is valued at and what we can do to get it ready to go on the market and SOLD ASAP! Just want a quick, free estimate of your homes value? Try this FREE Home Value Site.

I would love to help you with any and all of your Real Estate needs or question. Give me a call or shoot me and email. Keisha York: 469-853-9784 or email Keisha.york@gmail.com

LOOKING FOR WEEKEND IDEAS IN ADDISON, DALLAS, MCKINNEY and PLANO TX?

Rain… Cooler temps… Can I get out my jacket and sweat shirts yet? This should be a great weekend to get out and enjoy the cooler temps and relax!  There is quite a bit going on Around town this weekend.  I thought I would pick a few biggies that you may not want to miss!  Be sure to click on the links to get more info.

I know I know it is not October yet but… The Addison, TX October Fest is this weekend.  It is always a TON of fun!

This weekend is the opening weekend for The Cat in the Hat at the Dallas Childrens Theatre. They always put on a great show that both children and the adults enjoy.

You DO NOT WANT TO MISS the Plano, TX Balloon Festival.

Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum starts this weekend.  My favorite seasons  at the Arboretum, great place take fall pics!

 Saturday only… If you are a bargain shopper you will want to check out the McKinney Ladies Association Community Wide Fall Yard Sale in McKinney Texas.

Hope you enjoy your weekend and get to take advantage of the cooler temp!
Blessings!
Keisha

If Customer Service, Market Knowledge and Professionalism is what you are looking for in a Real Estate Agent, Keisha York is who you want to call. She specializes in residential Real Estate in McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Prosper, Plano and surrounding areas.  Keisha York: 469-853-9798 or keisha.york@gmail.com.

 

McKinney, Texas is a GREAT Place to Live

Why is McKinney, TX such a Great Place to live? It has that small town feel with the convenience of amazing local restaurants, shopping, access to 75 and 121 and great schools. McKinney’s Historic Downtown is full of boutiques, antique shops and yummy eateries.  By day it is a wonderful place to stroll around and shop with friends but in the evening it is filled with live music at several of the various bars and venues. The City of McKinney puts a lot of work into maintaining the beauty of the area.  Many of the streets and parkways are meticulously planted and maintained to keep the city of McKinney looking beautiful.  There are numerous parks, splash pads, trails, and fishing ponds around to enjoy a beautiful days outside.  The Real Estate Market in McKinney is Hot and home values continue to rise in this area. Currently, the average home price is approximately 335,000.
Come check McKinney, TX and see why Money Magazine Voted McKinney #2 in Americas Best Places to Live. 
Call me today for help with any of your Real estate needs.

Keisha York

469-853-9784

www.KeishaYork.com
What do People say about Working with Me?

What are your Labor Day Plans?

What do you have planned for this Labor Day weekend?  If your stumped check out a few of the things I found that are going on around town.

• Beat the heat and get in one last day at Hawaiian Falls. This is your last weekend to enjoy until they reopen next summer.

• Check out Legoland’s new Star Wars Display. http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/dallasfw/our-attractions/attraction/355/star-wars-miniland-model-display-episode-4.aspx

• Enjoy a free Concert by the Creek at Watters Creek in Allen TX from 7-10 Saturday evening.

• Escape the Heat and Check out the Perot Museum. http://www.perotmuseum.org/visit-the-museum/index.html

• Bring the family out to enjoy a great train robbery on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad on Labor Day. Train departs at 1:00pm from the Grapevine Cotton Belt Train Depot and returns at 6:00pm.  http://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/grapevine-vintage-railroad/events/

• Watch a real cattle drive and a gunfight! Summer Gunfight Shows with The Legends of Texas – FREE, family friendly show. Show times are right after the Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drives! Sat Aug 31 & Sun Sept 1 @ 11:45 am and 4:15pm

Hope you have a safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend!

2012-2013 School Rankings…How Does Your School Measure Up?

How are the schools? We want good schools for our kids? Have you heard anything about the schools there?  As parents having our kids in the Best Schools we can provide is hugely important.  Questions in regards to the quality of schools is one of the top questions I am asked, not just by parents by most homebuyers.  Many people realize that even if they do not have anyone in the home that will be going to the neighborhood schools that the quality of schools around them impacts their home’s value. Click on the link below for  the latest findings telling you how DFW Metro schools fared in 2012 -2013 rankings.

DFW Metro School Ratings 2012-2013

Dealing with Dirt….

8 am and my house is silent… not because everyone is still asleep but they are all at school.  As I sit down do enjoy a few moments of silence I start looking around and assessing the damage done while my 3 kiddos were home for the summer.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE summer time: kids home, calmer schedules, sleeping in, fun trips and late nights.  However, my house is a wreck!  One thing that drives me NuTs is dirty walls and base boards. It is something I often encourage clients to handle before putting their homes on the market.  Clean walls and base boards, no matter what the paint color, makes the home feel clean and well cared for.

Here are a few ideas and pointers to freshen up your walls and baseboards.

1. Dust FIRST… wipe down walls and base boards with a dry dust cloth
2. Test a spot of your paint, that’s not noticeable, to see how it holds up to cleaning. Paint should be 30 days old before doing anything.
3. Start with a natural colored cloth or sponge and water.  You can add mild dish soap if needed but the soap needs to be rinsed off after or it acts as a magnet to dirt.
4. For stubborn spots try a magic eraser… they are MAGIC:)
5. If you need to touch up paint I have had GREAT success with taking a paint chip to Sherwin Williams.  So often after paint has been on the wall for a few years it does not match the paint in the can. (I have had clients 10 year old paint matched by simply taking a chip of paint off the wall.)

 

Well enough chatting about cleaning… I’m off to handle the dirty hand-prints heading up my stairway.

Rising Rates got you Down?

What are the Rates? Have you locked in your Rate?

Don’t let all the talk of rising interest rates stop you from making your next move.  DO let it motivate you to Go AHEAD and make your new home purchase so you can lock your rate in before they go up any higher.  Yes, It is no secret rates are rising but if you look at the below chart you see that they are still historically low.

Need Help making your move? I would love to chat! Give me a call, text or email me and I can set you up with a custom home search, discuss what areas may best fit your needs, or answer any other questions you may have, keisha.york@gmail.com or 469-853-9784. Want to see what you can be pre-approved for email Brooks @ bkelly@remn.com.

Always Happy to HELP!

Keisha