Nick Walton Realtor®

Helping You Make One Of Life's Biggest Decisions

Dollar Volume Since 2007

Dollar Volume Since 2007

April was another strong month for North Texas housing, with dollar volume up 20% over last April. That year-over-year dollar volume change was caused by an increase of 11% in volume and an 8% increase in average price of homes sold. In fact, this April was the 3rd highest dollar volume of NTREIS April home sales of all time (only 2006 and 2007 were better). To be fair, this stat should improve each year as North Texas population grows, but it’s good to be back on that track!

Ntreis Dollar Volume Since 2007

Ntreis Dollar Volume Since 2007

The price per square foot was up 6% in April (versus April 2011), so it does appear that there is finally some good, old-fashioned price appreciation to go along with the skewing effect of the change in the housing mix.

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realtor® of NickWaltonRealtor.com

Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, Realtor®

Keller Williams Frisco Stars

Nick@NickWaltonRealtor.com
Cell / Text 469-556-2393

www.NickWaltonRealtor.com

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I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.

We Are In A Sellers Market Locally…..

We Are In A Sellers Market Locally…..

We Are In A Sellers Market Locally.....

WSJ says Bidding Wars Are Back

March 2012 was the 9th month in a row that pre-owned homes sales in North Texas were higher than the same month last year. Pre-owned home sales were up 16% in the first quarter of 2012. There is a 23% decrease in total home inventory on the market indicating a limited supply of homes for sale which should support higher sales price levels this coming quarter.

The majority of the Metroplex has only 3-5 months of inventory so we are currently in a sellers market.

Many of the sort after north dallas suberbs such as Frisco, Plano, Alen & Mckinney have less than 3.5 months of inventory and homes that are priced to sell are receiving multiple offers.

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realtor® of NickWaltonRealtor.com

Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, Realtor®

Keller Williams Frisco Stars

Nick@NickWaltonRealtor.com
Cell / Text 469-556-2393

www.NickWaltonRealtor.com

Join the Your Frisco Realtor® & Nick Walton Realtors Group Facebook Fan pages

I’m glad that you have found my blog and taken the time to read it. If you find the information useful or informative please “Subscribe” to my blog.

I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.

April 2012 Market Update Pt. 2

April 2012 Market Update Pt. 2

Home Sales

April Home Sales

April Home Sales

In Millions
Home sales dipped 0.9% in February to 4.59 million units, yet are 8.8% higher from a year ago. A strengthening economy is improving consumer confidence with an increasing amount of people in the market. Additionally, as the market shows signs of improvement, more people are feeling the urgency to buy while prices and interest rates are still at some of the most affordable levels in history.

Home Prices

April Home Prices

April Home Prices

In Thousands
After slipping a bit at the beginning of the year, median home prices rose to $156,600, up 0.3% from a year ago. NAR President Moe Veissi said, “People realize that home ownership is an investment in their future. Given an apparent overcorrection [dropping prices as an overreaction to market conditions] in most areas, over the long term home prices have nowhere to go but up.”

Inventory

April Home Inventory

April Home Inventory

In Months
Housing inventory rose 4.3% in February to 2.43 million homes, representing a 6.4-month supply, up from 6.0 in January. There are several factors driving this increase in the inventory of homes. First, banks have settled major lawsuits regarding fraudulent foreclosure practices with state governments, which has enabled them to start moving many foreclosures off their balance sheets and into the market. Pending sales are up, and home building is starting to show signs of life again after three years of low new-housing construction.

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realtor® of NickWaltonRealtor.com

Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, Realtor®

Keller Williams Frisco Stars

Nick@NickWaltonRealtor.com
Cell / Text 469-556-2393

www.NickWaltonRealtor.com

Join the Your Frisco Realtor® & Nick Walton Realtors Group Facebook Fan pages

I’m glad that you have found my blog and taken the time to read it. If you find the information useful or informative please “Subscribe” to my blog.

I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.

April 2012 Market Update

April 2012 Market Update

Now three months into 2012, both the housing market and the overall economy are improving at modest rates. These improvements have inspired confidence in consumers, demonstrated by a 9.2% increase in pending home sales in February from the year prior.

Both home prices and sales are expected to increase in 2012. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR, stated, “Falling visible and shadow inventory [bank-held properties], combined with a dearth of new-home and apartment construction during the past three years, assure that rents will continue to rise, with likely home price increases in 2012.”

As rents continue to rise, buying becomes a more and more attractive option as home affordability, or the percent of income it takes to pay the mortgage, continues to be among the most favorable in history. Trulia’s Winter 2012 Buy vs. Rent Index, which measures the relative cost of renting compared to asking prices of homes found that in 98% major metropolitan areas sampled, it was more affordable to buy than to rent.

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realtor® of NickWaltonRealtor.com

Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, Realtor®

Keller Williams Frisco Stars

Nick@NickWaltonRealtor.com
Cell / Text 469-556-2393

www.NickWaltonRealtor.com

Join the Your Frisco Realtor® & Nick Walton Realtors Group Facebook Fan pages

I’m glad that you have found my blog and taken the time to read it. If you find the information useful or informative please “Subscribe” to my blog.

I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.

House Moving Tips

House Moving Tips

Moving Tips

Moving Tips

Home buying is often exciting, but packing up and moving is almost always stressful. Below are a few tips to help make the move a smooth one.

  • Special Boxes for Special Items. Dish barrels help protect dishware, and long flat boxes help protect artwork. Wardrobe boxes, which have a metal bar to hang clothes on, can simplify and speed up packing your closet.
  • Paper, the Secret Weapon. Packing paper, or unprinted newsprint, can be used several different ways. Use it to protect fragile items or crunch it up to use as padding. Remember, ink on regular newspaper can rub off and stain. Use Bubble Wrap for extra- delicate items.
  • Tape It Securely. Masking and duct tape don’t stick to cardboard as well as brown packing tape.
  • Tape It Quickly. Tape guns help you assemble boxes faster.
  • Mark It Clearly. Clearly label boxes. Marking the sides instead of the top is best as the tops are covered when boxes are stacked.
  • Protect the Big Items. Protect furniture with pads and put mattresses in plastic bags to prevent damage during the trip.
  • Lighten the Load. The help of a dolly or handcart can save your back and speed up the moving process.

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realtor® of NickWaltonRealtor.com

Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, Realtor®

Keller Williams Frisco Stars

Nick@NickWaltonRealtor.com
Cell / Text 469-556-2393

www.NickWaltonRealtor.com

Join the Your Frisco Realtor® & Nick Walton Realtors Group Facebook Fan pages

I’m glad that you have found my blog and taken the time to read it. If you find the information useful or informative please “Subscribe” to my blog.

I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.

Phillips Creek Ranch in Frisco TX

Phillips Creek Ranch in Frisco TX

Phillips Creek Ranch in Frisco TX

Phillips Creek Ranch in Frisco TX

 

Phillips Creek Ranch is a 950 acre Master-Planned Community offering a wide variety of lifestyles and price ranges for today’s families. The community, located in the heart of West Frisco, one of the most progressive and fastest growing cities in the country. The rolling terrain and character of the land will lend itself to an upscale community that will include over one hundred acres of open spaces, lakes, an extensive creek system and spacious parks and trails.

Phillips Creek Ranch Plan

Phillips Creek Ranch Plan

Among the highlights of the development will be twenty–four life size bronze horse statues paying tribute to the internationally famous B.F. Phillips quarter horse ranch that once occupied the land.

Phillips Creek Ranch is just minutes from Frisco’s shopping, dining, entertainment and sports facilities at Highway 121 and the Dallas North Tollway.

School-aged children will attend the highly-acclaimed Frisco ISD. Three existing schools (2 elementary and 1 middle school) are adjacent to the community, while three additional elementary school sites are planned for the future. Phillips Creek Ranch will ultimately house more than 10,000 residents.

Phillips Creek Ranch Sign

City: Frisco
County: Denton
School District: Frisco ISD
Price Range: $350,000 – $2,000,000+
Total Acreage: 950
Driving Directions: From Dallas North Tollway, exit Lebanon. Travel west until you reach community located at FM 423.

Phillips Creek Ranch

Builders

Belclaire
Darling Homes
Drees
Highland Homes
Huntington Homes
K.Hovnanian
LionsGate Homes
Shaddock Homes
Standard Pacific Homes

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realtor® of NickWaltonRealtor.com

Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, Realtor®

Keller Williams Frisco Stars

Nick@NickWaltonRealtor.com
Cell / Text 469-556-2393

www.NickWaltonRealtor.com

Join the Your Frisco Realtor® & Nick Walton Realtors Group Facebook Fan pages

I’m glad that you have found my blog and taken the time to read it. If you find the information useful or informative please “Subscribe” to my blog.

I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.

Getting Your Home In Shape & Ready For Sale

This list is a great start to getting your home in great shape, now, and when you’re ready to sell!

getting your home in great shape

Getting your home in great shape

  • Remove and donate unwanted items, reorganize and clean closets, attic, basement and garage
  • Power wash exterior walls, porch floors, deck, patio, driveway and sidewalks
  • Clean outdoor furniture, umbrellas and outdoor light fixtures
  • Clean out gutters
  • Clean out refrigerator and freezer, making sure to vacuum the grill and coil
  • Remove lint from the hose attached to back of clothes dryer
  • Vacuum baseboards, walls and ceilings, wipe down walls
  • Steam clean carpets and area rugs and upholstery
  • Reseal natural stone surfaces (travertine, etc)
  • Reseal and repair grout in bathtubs and showers
  • Clean window treatments, dust and clean blinds and shutters
  • Remove items from all shelves, dust and clean
  • Oil hinges

If you need help with any of these projects, give me a call and I’ll be happy to provide you with a great list of people to call!

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realtor® of NickWaltonRealtor.com

Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, Realtor®

Keller Williams Frisco Stars

Nick@NickWaltonRealtor.com
Cell / Text 469-556-2393

www.NickWaltonRealtor.com

Join the Your Frisco Realtor® & Nick Walton Realtors Group Facebook Fan pages

I’m glad that you have found my blog and taken the time to read it. If you find the information useful or informative please “Subscribe” to my blog.

I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.

Grayhawk In Frisco April H.O.A Meeting

Grayhawk In Frisco April H.O.A Meeting

Grayhawk Frisco

Grayhawk Frisco

The April Meeting of the Grayhawk H.O.A will take place at :

Location – Boals Elementary School Cafeteria

Date & Time – Wed April 4th, 2012 @ 7:00 pm

Homeowners are welcome to attend Board meetings.

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realto®r of NickWaltonRealtor.com

Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, Realtor®

Keller Williams Frisco Stars

Nick@NickWaltonRealtor.com
Cell / Text 469-556-2393

www.NickWaltonRealtor.com

Join the Your Frisco Realtor® & Nick Walton Realtors Group Facebook Fan pages

I’m glad that you have found my blog and taken the time to read it. If you find the information useful or informative please “Subscribe” to my blog.

I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.

March 2012 Market Update Pt. 2

March 2012 Market Update Pt. 2

Home Sales

Home Sales March 2012

Home Sales March 2012

Home sales were up 4.3% in January from December 2011 to 4.57 million (seasonally adjusted), and this is up from 0.7% from the year before. The steady increase in home sales over the last few months is positive encouragement for a continued housing recovery. Lawrence Yun said, “The uptrend in home sales is in line with all of the underlying fundamentals– pent-up household formation [lack of new home construction], record-low mortgage interest rates, bargain home prices, sustained job creation, and rising rents.”

Home Prices

Home Prices March 2012

Home Prices March 2012

Adding to home affordability in January, the median home price was down 2% from a year ago, to $154,700. While prices are still declining, foreclosed and other distressed properties, which have been putting downward pressure on home prices, are being moved more efficiently off the market, and default rates on home mortgage payments for the past three years are among the lowest in history.

Inventory

Inventory March 2012

Inventory March 2012

As sales increase with a growing demand for homes, the inventory of properties for sale fell 0.4% to 2.31 million, or a 6.1-month supply at the current sales level. This is down from a 6.4-month supply in December 2011. Historically, a 6-month supply has meant that the housing sector is balanced–favoring neither buyers’ nor sellers’.

 

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realtor® of NickWaltonRealtor.com

Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, Realtor®

Keller Williams Frisco Stars

Nick@NickWaltonRealtor.com
Cell / Text 469-556-2393

www.NickWaltonRealtor.com

Join the Your Frisco Realtor® & Nick Walton Realtors Group Facebook Fan pages

I’m glad that you have found my blog and taken the time to read it. If you find the information useful or informative please “Subscribe” to my blog.

I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.

Preparing Your Home For Sale

Preparing Your Home For Sale

  1. Organizing and cleaning are crucial when prepping a home for sale. Potential homebuyers have a more positive reaction to a home that is clutter-free and that gives them the feeling it is “move-in ready.”
  2. Determine replacement estimates before listing your home, even if you are not planning on making the replacements yourself. This information can help buyers make informed decisions.
  3. Have your warranties ready—especially for home appliances that will stay with the home after the sale.
  4. Curb appeal is a crucial factor because it determines first impressions. A poor first impression can cloud their entire opinion about the home.

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realtor® of NickWaltonRealtor.com

Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, Realtor®

Keller Williams Frisco Stars

Nick@NickWaltonRealtor.com
Cell / Text 469-556-2393

www.NickWaltonRealtor.com

Join the Your Frisco Realtor® & Nick Walton Realtors Group Facebook Fan pages

I’m glad that you have found my blog and taken the time to read it. If you find the information useful or informative please “Subscribe” to my blog.

I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.