The traditional view of home ownership usually includes a married couple, but times have changed, and more and more single women are entering the housing market. In fact, almost twice as many single women are purchasing homes than single men, and almost one in five homes purchased today are purchased by single women. So why are single women making up such a large part of the housing market, and what are the special considerations single women should make when purchasing a home? What Women Want! The demographics of single women buying homes are quite diverse. From young professional women in their 20s to divorced mothers in their 40s, there are really no typical single women making home purchases, and their needs are just as diverse. Overall, however, there do appear to be a few trends in the market, and here is a list of what the average single woman is looking for in a new home. Most spend less than $200,000 Prefer two bedrooms or more Less likely to choose new construction Will compromise size and cost to get other amenities, but not location Smaller spaces are acceptable, and many prefer condos Desire security and safe neighborhoods with a strong community feel Look for close proximity to stores, shopping, and fitness centers
Things To Consider If you are a single woman looking to enter the housing market, or know someone who is, then what should be considered before making the leap into home ownership? Essentially the considerations are much the same as those of any homeowner. Taking a realistic look at your financial situation is always important. Seeking out the advice of a qualified financial advisor and a REALTOR® can make the process less difficult. It is also important to be sure you are not entering into any unwise loan agreements that may not be wise down the road, such as no-money-down deals, although those have gone the way of the Dodo bird these days. However, there are always scams about. It is also important to have a clear picture of what your needs as a homeowner are, and that you don't settle for something that will not work with your particular lifestyle. This is where your REALTOR® can really help out. Ready to take the plunge? We are here to listen to your needs and assist you every step of the way in order to find the perfect home for you! We have REALTORS® available to help you find your next home in the Dallas or Fort Worth areas as well as REALTORS® available in the greater Houston area.
When it comes to buying a home, the ability and willingness to negotiate is a must for both the buyer and seller. In general, sellers ask for more than they are actually willing to accept and buyers offer less than they are willing to pay. The trick is to find the perfect balance so that you, as a buyer, feel good about the purchase price without leaving the seller feeling insulted. Know Your Market
Real estate is a business that either favors the buyer or seller, hence the terms buyer's market and seller's market. When negotiating a purchase price, it's important to know which of the two you are in. Here in Texas, we are in a buyer’s market but barely. As the buyer, you will have the best chance at a successful negotiation if you work with your REALTOR® to research the price of other comparable homes in the area before making an offer.
Make It Personal
When you make an offer, the seller will see nothing more than a piece of paper with some numbers on it that represent the price you are willing to pay. If you really want the seller to take your offer to heart, let them know why you want to buy the home. You can do this by preparing a handwritten letter expressing your interest and the reasons you fell in love with their house. If you have a family, tell them about everyone who will be living in the home. Let them get to know you and allow them to picture the happiness that you can bring to their house. Believe it or not, some sellers actually look at the process like finding a good home for a lost puppy. They want quality people to buy their home, so do your best to show them that you are sincere. Your agent will be happy to submit your letter with your offer.
Nobody Likes Rejection
Not every offer is accepted, so don't be disheartened if your first offer isn't a winner. In some cases, the seller will make a counteroffer for your consideration. Have you ever heard the old saying, “never take the first offer?” The same is true in real estate, and almost every seller knows it. Your first offer is likely to be less than you are actually willing to pay, which leaves you some bargaining room.
Why Your Offer May Not Be Accepted
There are a number of reasons why a seller may choose to reject an offer, including a feeling that the offer was just too low, the house is newly listed on the market or another offer may be higher than the one you created. In some cases, sellers may also reject an offer that includes owner financing or other requests that are impossible to meet. One example may be an offer that requires the house be available within a certain amount of time. Most contracts require that the seller move out within 30 days, but anything less would require negotiation.
Read The Fine Print
Before you sign anything relating to a real estate transaction, make sure that you read over every detail of the agreement. If you have any questions, ask your REALTOR®. After all, real estate is our business and we are there to help you through every step. Check us out to find out more about our highly trained, professional REALTORS® in the Dallas/Fort Worth area as well as our highly trained, professional REALTORS® in the greater Houston area. BW Home Team agents can help you negotiate the best terms on your next home purchase or home sale!
First, the good news: Interest rates are TRULY at an all time low. I know you've heard that for the past few years but interest rates hit an all time low this week, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate hitting 4.88 percent, according to Bankrate.com . This latest drop was due to investors digging into U.S. Treasury notes, thanks to weak employment numbers that were released as well as slow growth in the private sector. Mortgage rates haven't been this low in about 55 years. Rates on FHA loans in 1955 averaged around 4.56 in February of 1955 according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. 
Now for the bad news: Sales of pre-owned homes took a nose dive in July for both the Dallas/Fort Worth area and the greater Houston area, with sales in DFW dropping 29% from July 2009. This is due in part to the 2nd quarter tax credit, which boosted sales higher than where they were in 2009, bringing out a lot of buyers that would have otherwise bought in June/July/August. According to NTREIS and the Real Estate Center at Texas A & M, July's single family home sales were the lowest monthly total since February, and you can tell just by looking at the charts. To go along with the poor sales numbers, the number of homes listed for sale last month rose 15%. Looking for more information? Find housing market statistics on homes for sales in Frisco as well as housing statistics on homes for sale in McKinney and other areas, along with information on each communities sold data on our individual community pages.
NEW Rental/Lease search engine added to www.bwhometeam.com!
We are pleased to announce that the BW Home Team will now be offering leasing services to clients in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
To find a home listed for rent on DFW multiple listing service (NTREIS) browse to http://www.bwhometeam.com/LeaseSearch.aspx. We will soon be offering a similar service for our Houston clients so keep checking www.bwhometeamhouston.com for updates.
If you are interested in leasing your home out we can help too. Browse to http://www.bwhometeam.com/LeaseMyHome.aspx and complete the form and one our excellent REALTORS that specialize in home leasing will be in contact with you soon.
 Way to go McKinney! According to August 2010 issue of Money Magazine, our very own McKinney ranked number 5 for Best Places to Live in America and deservedly so! According to the article, as well as many of our clients that have chosen McKinney as their home, what makes McKinney stand out is it's unique downtown area, which is not often found in the 'burbs of Dallas or Fort Worth. In McKinney's downtown area you'll find 19th-century buildings that are home to several restaurants, boutiques and art galleries, all surrounding the hub of downtown McKinney, the 1875 courthouse, which houses a new performing arts center. McKinney's location, just 30 miles north of downtown Dallas, and it's tree-lined streets of affordable homes, the median price being $175,000, as well as it's many exemplary rated schools are also a big draw for residents. There are several local employment opportunities as well, a major employer being Raytheon, which has a 3,700 person division located there. While you are sure to find some naysayers, the overall consensus is that McKinney is a swell place to live. Interested? Check out some area statistics on McKinney on our website. Looking for an agent to help you find homes for sale in McKinney, Texas? We have agents that live, work, and play in McKinney that can show you all the hidden gems! Contact us today!
Another New Listing by Missy Barry!
1632 Flowers, Carrollton, TX 75007
$489,999.00
 Stunning in every way! No detail has been overlooked in this beauty. Open floorplan with dramatic vaulted ceilings, handscraped wood floors, custom drapery, granite counters, faux paint, stone fireplace and gorgeous lighting. Upstairs features a loft with built in desks, bookcase, gameroom, media room and wetbar. Huge Texas closet could be study, playroom or additional storage.
Another New Listing by Missy Barry!2317 Bear Run, Arlington, TX
$195,000
Beautiful DR Horton built 4 bdrm w split arrangement. Kitchen is the heart of the home featuring gas cooktop, corian counters, skylight & island. The living room has a built in media center, decorative niches & cast stone fireplace. Master overlooks the serene backyard. Master bath features garden tub, glass block window & HUGE closet. Carpet replaced at closing with acceptable offer.
Just Listed by Missy Barry!
620 Buck, Melissa, TX
$130,000Big House, Small Price. This one is for those willing to do some cosmetic work. Carpet and paint is needed throughout and the yard needs some TLC. The downstairs has extensive pergo type flooring that is in great shape. Nice size kitchen with island. Large gameroom upstairs and bathroom with double sinks. The home is in a circle so the yard is nice size and could easily accomodate a pool.
New Precision Map Search
We have made a major modification to our map based home search tool. We have added the capability of drawing the precise area of the map that you want to search for homes at. Instead of searching all of a city or zip code and hoping to find a home in a specific area now you can draw the precise destination you want to search for.
Click Here To access the search tool and click "Search Using a Map".
Scenario:
Let's say you want to find a home in Lewisville, west of 35E that is within a few blocks of your friends home.
Step 1: First you would click the drop down to pan to Lewisville.
Step 2: Next you would click the "Start Drawing" button on the maps toolbar.
Step 3: Click a starting point on the map (W of 35E) and move your mouse down in the direction you want to cover.
Step 4: To make a corner click your mouse again at the next boundary of your search.
Step 5: Continue clicking until you have selected the entire area you want to cover. Finally click "Stop Drawing".
Step 6: Specify a price range for the homes you want to see.
Step 7: For more advanced criteria click "More Options".
Step 8: When you click "More Options" advanced search critera is available. Here I will select all homes where the master is on the first floor. After making your selection click "Close Options".
Step 9: Click the "Execute Search" button to find the homes that meet your criteria.
Step 10: Select the returned properties by clicking one of the home icons that were added to the area drawn. From here you can click "Details" to see more information about the home. You can click "See Home" to schedule a showing of the property with one of our agents at the BW Home Team. "Print" allows you to print a flyer of the home and "Save" saves the home to your favorites list for easy reference.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy this new search feature. Please let us know if you have any feedback!
Thanks!
Michael Washam
BW Home Team
| | Absolutely beautiful immpecably maintained home!! Custom home with 10' ceilings, some vaulted. Trowelled walls, faux paint, custom draperies and shutters, two gas log fireplaces, granite countertops. Large gourmet kitchen, large windows, beautiful interior brickwork, large stone patio with extensive landscaping front and back. 50-year high-definition roof in 2008. Walk to Heritage schools.
Click here for more details on this listing.
For more homes for sale in Colleyville click here.
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 Source: The numbers above were pulled from NTREIS. The red numbers show that the average list price and average sales price in Southeast Denton County (Flower Mound, Corinth, Lewisville, Argyle, South Denton, Lantana etc..) dipped by -4.57% compared to March 2009. The average sales price dropped -2.59%. The median list and sold prices were up 7.82% and 2.85% meaning that more higher end homes are coming back on the market compared to last year. The overall number of homes listed and homes in contract are both up dramatically from March 2009. This to me shows most home owners either believe the worst of the market is over and are ready to start moving again OR this is pent up listings from home owners that did not want to try to sell during the meltdown last year. Overall the number of transactions are up which if the trend continues will add support for flattening out of home prices in the area and eventually an upward trend in pricing. Area links: Flower Mound HomesLewisville Homes for SaleLantana Homes for SaleCorinth Homes for SaleArgyle Homes for SaleDenton Homes for Sale
 Source: The numbers above were pulled from NTREIS. There is a lot of good news in the numbers and a little not so good. The red numbers show that the average list price for homes in Eastern Denton County and the city of Frisco dipped by -1.36% compared to March 2009. The median list price is also slighly lower at -2.51%. However, the average and median sales prices are up slightly which shows the market is definitely firming up. The average and median days on market has dropped substantially which means homes are selling at a much faster rate. The overall number of homes listed and homes in contract are both up dramatically from March 2009. This to me shows most home owners either believe the worst of the market is over and are ready to start moving again OR this is pent up listings from home owners that did not want to try to sell during the meltdown last year. Either way it seems the market is a little bit better! Click here for more Frisco Real Estate information
| | Meticulously maintained 3 bed, 2.5 bath David Weekley home in Aspendale. Spacious 3,600 SQFT home is full of more than $20K of elegant upgrades. Handscraped hardwood floors, rich dark wood cabinets, oversized jet tub, Open kitchen, living & sunroom, master w extended sitting area. Upstairs game room and ENORMOUS media room. Warm, neutral tones throughout. Huge walk-in attic has radiant barrier.
Click here for more information about McKinney Texas Real Estate |
| | | Come see this adorable 3 bedroom home that is move in ready!Freshly painted inside and out, lovely ceramic tile throughout with updated carpet, and fixtures makes this home so charming. Enjoy the updated kitchen and walk in closet in master with tons of extra storage throughout the home. Wonderful bonus room, great backyard with covered area for entertaining. Storage building plus an extra carport.Hurry out before the tax credit deadline ends! | | Exclusions: Bonus room not included in square footage. Buyer to verify all measurements and schools. |
Click here for more information on Carrollton real estate |
 | Exceptional home, well maintained, steps from walking trails, large trees,fireplace, master suite has two walk in closets,kitchen has island, areas with nice wood floors, roof replaced 2008, beautiful resort like backyard with swimming pool and spa recently replace filter and interior control panel,two deck areas, sprinkler system, mature landscaping, dining room has recently built butler's pantry, nestled in a cul-de-sac lot, Take a look!
Click here for more Flower Mound Homes for Sale |
| | ORIGINAL OWNERS! Great family home. Master bedroom down, 2nd downstairs bedroom would make perfect study or guest.Two bdrms up with additional living area. Large kitchen with two builtin china cabinets. Living area has built in book shelves. One of the largest corner lots in this area, almost a third acre! Diving pool with a built in spa, lots of room for play-this summer will be great! Storage shed conveys with property.
Click Here For more Carrollton Real Estate |
4828 Carolina Trace, Fort Worth, Keller ISD
$189,900 This absolutely gorgeous custom home, nestled on a prime lot in Trace Ridge, beckons you to enter with beautiful, spring blooming Bradford Pears greeting you upon drive up. Oversized bedrooms and gameroom! Upgrades everywhere include granite countertops, island kitchen with 42 inch cabinets, crown molding, vaulted entry, hand scraped hardwood floors and more in the largest floor plan in the subdivision. 9 foot ceilings add to the open feel of the great layout. Oversize bedrooms and gameroom upstairs. Beautifully landscaped, just move in! Pride of ownership shines.
News reports state today that new home sales hit a record low nationally for February 2010. Sales of new homes fell 2.2 percent last month, for a seasonally adjusted total of only 308,000. While the news sounds depressing, it is important to remember that in the world of real estate, everything is LOCAL, LOCAL, LOCAL. BW Home Team has seen a real upswing in sales these past 2 months. While I would like to think it is because we are gaining market share, which I'm sure has some part in it, I believe the other reason is due to the huge population surge to our area. The latest U.S. Census Bureau annual metropolitan area population estimates, released today, show that the Dallas/Fort Worth area and the Houston area gained the most new residents of any city in the U.S., with each gaining over 140,000 new citizens. Texas stands to gain at least an additional 3 more seats in Congress after the U.S. Census Bureau releases it's census findings in December of this year. Texas remains strong thanks to our comparatively low housing prices, are strong job base, and the fact that we did not see a housing bubble to the extremes that other areas of the country have seen. Although some newcomers baulk at the expense of our property taxes (which have come down in recent years) we have no state income tax. That, combined with what type of home you can get for the money, makes our standard of living so much better than many areas of the U.S. To find out more about the real estate market trends for our area, such as Frisco real estate trends, McKinney real estate trends, Flower Mound real estate trends, or Keller real estate trends, along with many other communities, visit our website. There you will see average sales price comparisons for the years 2008 - 2010 along with a comparison of number of homes sold for those same years for each community we service. You can also find out the median active list price and the total number of active listings per community. Knowledge is power and we do our best at BW Home Team to empower our clients with as much relevant information as possible for today's changing market.
Just listed in Frisco last night! 5198 Navajo, a gorgeous Mediterranean with upgrades galore in the Cheyenne Village subdivison is now on the market for the great price of $459,000! Visit our Frisco real estate page for more information on this home and others, as well as all the latest Frisco real estate trends!
| | The clock is ticking for all you first time homebuyers and you home owners that have owned your home for at least 5 years! Those of you looking to take advantage of the federal government tax credit HAVE to be in contract by April 30th with a close date of no later than June 30th to qualify for an $8000 tax credit as a first time homebuyer and a $6500 as a current homeowner that has owned your home for at least 4 years (income levels and purchase price does apply). It typically takes 30 days to find a home and time is running out! The weather is FINALLY warm and the sun is shining. Contact us today to get your home search rolling! |
| | Congratulations to Paula Turner! In less than 24 hours Paula received an offer on her new listing at 1317 Todd Drive in Plano. It just goes to show that with the right agent and the right pricing/marketing stragedy real estate in N. Texas can still fly off the market! Visit our Plano Real Estate page to view more hot properties! |
Everyone has heard on the news recently about the trouble FHA is in with all the foreclosed homes which were insured via FHA loans. In an attempt to reduce risk and shore up their capital reserves, new tighter guidelines for FHA loans will go into affect April 1, 2010.
The new guidelines are as follows: - Upfront mortgage insurance premium will be raised from 1.75 percent to 2.25 percent
· This will not affect the amount of cash needed at closing to purchase a home but could increase monthly payments by $50 to $100 - The minimum downpayment required for borrowers with a credit score of 580 and below will be increased to 10 percent
· Minimum downpayment requirements for everyone with a score above 580 will remain the same, at 3.5 percent (ex. 10% downpayment on a $150,000 mortgage = $15,000 vs 3.5% downpayment on a $150,000 mortgage = $5,250) - Permissible seller concessions will be reduced from 6 percent to 3 percent
· Meaning that an FHA borrower can only roll in up to 3 percent of their mortgage to pay for closings costs, versus 6 percent previously Although these new guidelines will make it more difficult for some homebuyers to obtain a home loan, they are necessary if the FHA is to preserve its financial health. Here in Texas most borrowers closing costs do not exceed the 3 percent cap that FHA is allowing to still be rolled into a home loan and all those borrowers with credit scores over 580 will still only need a 3.5 percent downpayment. The biggest impact on most new borrowers will be the increase in the mortgage insurance premium. Thus, it is very important for everyone looking for a home loan to shop that loan between lenders, and compare fees as well as rates. The new Good Faith Estimate and HUD-1 requirements will make it much easier for potential borrowers to compare apples to apples.
Flower Mound real estate is showing a steady rebound, as the latest statistics comparing December 2008/January 2009 to December 2009/January 2010 show. Though average Days On Market (DOM) stayed relatively the same, average price per square foot, average sales price, and average units sold have all seen a noticeable increase. Find more trends on Flower Mound Real Estate on our website!    
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