Plano Texas Real Estate Blog - Local Plano Real Estate.

Introducing DallasHomesCenter

Just like your home we're going through a renovation at Plano Homes and Land.  We will have a center hub for Dallas, Plano and Frisco home listings.  The new site is loaded with new features and a very tech savvy search tool that will help find your home easily - plus tons of information at your fingertips and works on all mobile devices as well.  Take a spin and let us know how you like it.  If you find some glitches so let us know that too. DallasHomesCenter.com will make your local search life easier.

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Tips to Lower Your Property Taxes

Have you received your property tax assessment?

WOW!
I'm hearing big increases, $20,000, $30,000 or 15% to 25% increases!

It doesn't take long for the county to raise taxes once a little appreciation has taken place.

What to do?

• If you recently closed on your home simply submit your HUD closing statement and that should take care of it.
• ​If that's not an option, neighborhood comps will be your next plan of attack.
• Comps will be like properties of your home by sq ft, (200 sq ft) either way, pool, updated, location, year built.
• There use to be a 10% cap on how much your taxes could go up in a given year but that has changed, obviously.

Even though the market has improved each area and neighborhood is different and finding the right comps will make or break your chances of getting a reduction.

The Courtyard Town Homes at The Shops at Legacy

If you were around when Goodman starting building the town homes, you no doubt remember the frenzy of construction and excitement.  The concept was new to Plano and really the first walkable work, live and dining development. That was 2005.  Hard to believe it's going on 9 years!  Now there are over 300 town homes at the Shops.

The first section of homes were built on Lundsford and the courtyard addresses, Kasko, Scotland, Panethon etc. These properties are the closest to Bishop where the scene started with all the restaurants and shops.   As they say, location is everything in real estate and the location is ideal, quiet and very convenient. Properties in the courtyard are very desirable and go quick.  Below is a short video clip of the town homes in the courtyard.  You'd be very lucky to live here where it all started!  We're here to help if your looking for a courtyard home, contact us for availability.

See All Plano TX Homes for Sale Near Shops at Legacy

West Plano Market Report Search All Homes For Sale West Plano Homes for Sale Homes Close to Where You Work What is Your Home Worth? Terry Smith Smith & Smith Realty 214.755.9895 info@planohomesandland.com

Follow the Real Estate Market Trends

It's another banner month for homes sales across North Texas.  Posting sales results toward the end of each month is far more accurate than in the beginning. Why? Because in the MLS system every agent or broker enters sales individually so the numbers constantly change and are updated.  There is no way all sales get entered at once.

Sales are up, inventory is down, prices are going up.  Now, that's a general statement, so what's the real pulse of real estate in Plano.

Real Estate Trends in Plano

• ​Ranked by Hotness, Plano is #20 out of 133 areas in the MLS, this is based on closed sales, demand is high.
• Activity is brisk at $400K and below.
• Inventory is low but higher in $500K and up.
• In certain neighborhoods properties will go under contract in 2 to 10 days
• Pricing is still sensitive and buyers are looking for value, financing is still an issue.
• Inventory is 50% lower than what it was last year!

​The biggest issue for sellers is finding the right home to move to with such low inventory.  An agent should know of properties that might be available to purchase that aren't on the market.  This is happening too.  Buyers have the same dilemma trying the find a dream home.  Hurry up and wait, is the standard today in home shopping. There are always solutions and real estate is always a process. Working through each situation will get you to your goal.

Find out what neighborhoods are hot and what's not, contact us for any other questions or concerns, we're here to help!

Chart is from the Collin County Association of Realtors and MLS, it's deemed reliable but not guaranteed, just like everything else in life.

How to Save Big Money on Utilities in Your Luxury Home

Want to go really Green?  This should do it, if you can afford it.

What is this?

Well, its a geothermal room and this one is in West Plano, currently being built.  In simple words you're getting energy from the earth.  You can view the geothermal heat pump video here.

What's the cost of this energy efficient room?

The builder quoted $500,000, with a 30% tax credit that expires 2016. It's suppose to cut energy costs by 50%.

So, that's a lot of money on this 17,000 sq ft. custom home.  Could this be the largest home in West Plano?

If you had that kind of money, you'd build a geothermal room too.  I'm sure there are more cost efficient ways to do this but you have to admit this room is pretty awesome.  Definitely a conversation started.