Want More Information? Contact me at: 469.892.8044

Offered at $388,500

This phenomenally designed custom-built home is truly one of a kind! It is rare to find this quality of craftsmanship in this price range and built for today’s style of living with casual elegance. Enter through the handmade, custom semi-private front door screen and discover what defines quality in craftsmanship! Everywhere you look, from the fully cased wood-trimmed windows, to the multitude of built-ins, crown moldings, and full-wall bathroom mirrors that double as hidden medicine cabinets, you’ll find many more creature comforts and attention to detail that makes this house a home. Whether you enjoy the exercise room or find safety in the Texas tornado shelter housed in the basement garage, or just pleasure in spending your warm summer evenings on the “Choice” board deck, there is something for everyone in the family. The outdoor kitchen is flanked by a soothing outdoor fountain and a wall of trees that helps you to forget the sounds of the city and enjoy the sounds of nature. Storage abounds from the 2 outdoor storage sheds to added interior attic storage and an extra large closet off the game room. The upstairs study is complete with a built-in maple wood wrap-around desk topped with granite and enough glass encased cabinets to hold the family’s trophies! Not to be outdone, there is an additional children’s study outfitted with built-in computer station, desk and cabinets with a large window over-looking the front circular drive. Attention to detail is magnified by the post tension slab foundation reinforced with 64 piers at time of construction. Ideal for entertaining as the north/south exposure allows tons of natural light to shower in at all times of the day through the Low E vinyl windows and keenly placed skylights. Nestled conveniently close to 190, I-35 and 121, this home is not to be missed! Blue Ribbon Schools. Walk to city park. EBBY 5K+5K!

Want more information? Contact me at 469.892.8044

Offered at $309,900

1 of a kind upstairs living area designed by TV’s Trading Spaces featuring built-ins for study areas/media/ or crafts. Quality Huntington built home with extensive mill work, elegant formals, designer paint colors , 4 bedrooms,3 1/2 bath, and 3 living areas. Owner recently added extensive hardwoods and slate flooring throughout the house. The over-sized master is down with sitting area. The updated master bath and 1/2 bath downstairs feature furniture-styled separate vanities, old world fixtures, jetted tub and rimless shower surround. The kitchen features a walk-in pantry and island. Living area and breakfast room off of kitchen over look the landscaped backyard and pool area. The backyard pool offers a great place to relax and entertain with recent updates to pool, spa, equipment, and decking. The tranquil subdivision is next to the Oak Creek Tennis Center and greenbelt. HOA includes community security cameras.

By The Associated Press (AP) –

The Senate has voted to extend and expand a popular tax credit for homebuyers that was scheduled to expire Nov. 30. The House is expected to schedule a quick vote on the bill, part of a package that also extends unemployment benefits for people out of work more than a year. How the homebuyer tax credit would work:

Tax credit: Ten percent of the purchase price of a primary residence, up to a maximum of $8,000 for first-time homebuyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers. First-time homebuyers are defined as people who have not owned a home in the previous three years. Repeat buyers must have owned their current home at least five years. The credit cannot be used for houses costing more than $800,000.

Deadline for qualifying: Purchase agreements must be signed by April 30, 2010, and closings must be final by June 30.

Military deadline: The deadline is extended by a year for members of the military who have served outside the U.S. for at least 90 days from Jan. 1, 2009, to May 1, 2010.

Income limits: Individuals with annual incomes up to $125,000 and joint filers with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full credit. Individuals with incomes up to $145,000 and joint filers with incomes up to $245,000 qualify for reduced credits.

How to apply: Taxpayers can claim the credit on their federal income tax returns. If the credit exceeds their tax bill, the government will issue a payment. Taxpayers who want immediate refunds can amend their tax returns for 2008 to claim the credit.

Cost: $10.8 billion.

Source: Joint Committee on Taxation

Nov. 2 (Bloomberg) — Legislation to extend unemployment benefits and a tax credit for first-time homebuyers cleared a procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate as Democrats pushed to complete work on the measure this week.

Lawmakers voted 85-2 to move closer to a final vote on the bill, which would extend until April 30 the $8,000 homebuyer credit that otherwise would expire at the end of this month.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said last week he hoped both houses of Congress would pass the legislation by tomorrow.

That’s unlikely to happen if Senate Republicans, unhappy that Democrats are blocking their amendments to the plan, force the chamber through a series of procedural steps before the final vote.

In addition to extending the tax break for first-time homebuyers, the measure would let more people qualify for the credit, including some who already own homes and those with higher incomes.

Homebuyers who have lived in their prior residence for at least five years could receive a credit of $6,500. Couples earning as much as $225,000 a year and individuals earning up to $125,000 would qualify. That’s up from the current $75,000 limit for individuals and $150,000 for couples.

The tax credit was enacted as part of an economic stimulus plan in February. More than 1.2 million borrowers have claimed $8.5 billion of the $13.6 billion set aside for the homebuyer tax credits this year, according to the Treasury Department.

The Obama administration has endorsed the extension. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimated the revised homebuyer tax credit would cost $10.8 billion over 10 years.

The legislation also calls for spending $2.4 billion to extend unemployment benefits by 14 weeks in all states, and by six additional weeks in states with the highest jobless rates.

To contact the reporters on this story: Brian Faler in Washington at bfaler@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 2, 2009 17:40 EST

The first-time homebuyer tax credit is one step closer to being extended. Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office announced that Senate Democrats plan to extend the $8,000 credit and also provide additional benefits for a select group who already own residences.
In short, the proposal would extend the credit to home purchases under contract by April 30, 2010 and it would be available to individuals earning up to $125,000, or $250,000 for couples, up from $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples under the current law, according to Bloomberg News. The proposal would also let homeowners qualify for a $6,500 credit if they have lived in their residence for five years.

While this all could be good news for homebuyer’s, the extension is still a ways from becoming a reality.

From the Associated Press:
Senators in both political parties were hoping to add both tax provisions to a bill that would give people running out of unemployment insurance benefits up to 20 more weeks of federal aid. The Senate could vote on the overall bill as early as Thursday, but lawmakers were still haggling over several unrelated amendments Wednesday evening.

2. First Impressions Last a Lifetime
People’s first impression of your listing is critical.  Staging gives you the best opportunity to make a positive first impression rather than a negative one.  The stronger the impression the less likely a potential buyer will be bothered if some things are not perfect.

3. Gone In 60 Seconds…
Psychology experts have proven that people react based on emotion and then seek logic to back up the feeling.  From a real estate perspective, a buyer will make an initial reaction in less than a minute as to whether he/she likes your listing or not.  Then, after the potential buyer’s initial decision has been made, he/she will either confirm that decision or rescind it in the next 6 to 20 minutes as he/she tours the property.  This is why proper staging is critical for any listing.   

4. Ready, Set, Go – Move-In Ready Sells Faster
A properly staged listing not only appears to be in “Move-In Ready” condition, it really is.  Staging a house for sale means that every component of the house is as close as possible to model condition.  All buyers prefer to buy homes where they can just move in and start enjoying life.  They will even pay a premium for this convenience.

5. Imagination Not Included
Did you know that only 5% of the population can truly visualize how beautiful a home can be or see past the clutter, grime and so-so appearance?  It is true.  Help potential buyers see themselves happily living in your listing and let the offers come pouring in. 

 6. Be the Needle in the Haystack.
Staged homes have a much greater competitive advantage over houses that are not staged.  Let us face it.  Experts are predicting that more and more listings will be sitting on the market for sale in the next few years.  Some areas have already seen a 100-300% increase in available inventory and average time on market.  A staged home stands apart from other listings because it has been properly merchandised to bring out the best qualities of the listing.

7. No Skeletons in the Closet
Staged homes project an image of being well maintained and well cared for.  The underlying psychological message that is sent to potential buyers is that it is worth more.  More importantly, staging helps remove a certain degree of risk that a potential buyer might have about buying a house that is in disarray.

8. Appraise it High or Go Home
As more and more homes become available, you need every advantage possible.  One marketing advantage you might overlook is to create instant loan to value (LTV) by getting an appraisal after the house is staged.  If you can show a potential buyer how much the home is worth, i.e. appraised value, and the sales price is less…instant value.  The home will sell faster because it appears to be a better deal. 

9. Move to the Head of the Class
Real estate professionals never like to show a house that is not going to impress their buyer.  A well staged home could easily be described as “staged to sell” which means that it is going to impress its buyer. Staged homes are always at the top of the list when it comes to which properties an agent will show.

10. The Exception to the Rule – The Buyer’s Rule
Would you show a house to a buyer that did not meet his/her exact criteria?  Maybe – but ONLY if the house is staged properly and gets clients excited.  If an agent knows that a listing shows really well, but does not match the buyer’s criteria exactly, it is possible they will show it anyway.  A well-staged home could be the one to get a buyer excited enough to make an offer. 

11. Peace, Love and FREE Advertising
Brokerages love showcasing beautifully staged homes because they draw more business to their firm.  They usually invest considerable money to advertise a well staged listing to generate leads for other agents.  Why not capitalize on your firm’s need to generate fresh leads by learning how to stage every listing to its fullest potential and then sit back while they use it for shameless promotion?

12. Show Me The Money!
The better a home shows, the higher it will sell for which means more dollars in your pocket. Non-staged homes are more likely to require price reductions in order to sell as opposed to staged homes, which are more likely to enjoy a number of offers, possibly a bidding war, or a sale above the asking price.

I am a trained and certified Home Stager with an AHS designation. Contact me if you are looking for a Home Stager at, 469.892.8044. 

Article Provided by: RealityU