Archwood Properties

June 25, 2009

Old Downtown Plano Isn’t So Old Anymore…

Filed under: Dallas, Uncategorized, real estate — admin @ 3:10 pm

Due to the economy, some developers have had to delay their construction on the new, sheik living and social accomodations intended to revive the old downtown Plano.  Already-completed townhomes are staying on the market for months, without attracting any potential buyers.  Sounds like the true negatives of an economy in turmoil.  Careful! Don’t judge too quickly, there are some perks…

 As with all housing markets, steep cuts have been made, but you can expect to see prices dropping even further and additional incentives will be offered for the 14 available townhomes in Lexington Park @ Rice Field.  Getting in early, at an impeccable price, will yield excellent benefits when three significant developments move to town.  I’m envisioning property resale values shooting through the roof!  $Cha-ching!$

 Not ready to buy?  What was not an option before, has now become available and these 14 properties are currently available for rent!  Perfect opportunity to experience and explore the area prior to committing.  Build a good rapport with the landlord and then when you’re ready to buy, talk him down! 

 Are you thinking, ‘what’s the point of moving to an area that is yet to be fully developed?’  Still kind of a hidden secret are some of the existing hot spots of downtown Plano and it is slowly transitioning into a destination spot.  Grab some BBQ, beer, catch a sports game and enjoy live music at Kelly’s Eastside.  Or head down the street for a dark brew and tasty sliders at Filmore Pub.  These joints are becoming more well-known, but at least the overflow patrons are now able to hit up a few new venues next door and across the street.  Vickery Park is the latest neighborhood bar, while Urban Crust is Texas’ largest brick oven pizzeria — check our their New York-meets-Texas vibe and third floor frozen ice bar.  It’s cool!

Don’t forget about the very green and convenient option of the DART rail that passes right through old downtown.  Perfect for downtown commuters!

So, even with the economy on a roller coaster ride of instability, it looks as if the old brick streets of downtown Plano are venturing toward an uphill slope.  Ask an Archwood Properties agent to show you around the attractions and amenities of this developing community and learn more about gettin’ while the gettin’s good.

Contact us today: 214.923.0261 or email us: info@archwoodproperties.com 

www.archwoodproperties.com

May 1, 2009

Quick Tips On Buying A Foreclosed Home

Filed under: Dallas, real estate — admin @ 11:06 am

It’s become a lot easier to find foreclosed homes.
It once was that you had to visit the courthouse and comb through extensive legal files to locate homes that had been foreclosed on. Today, many banks are utilizing real estate agents to sell their foreclosed properties, and such properties can be found on realtytrac.com, foreclosurepoint.com or in special sections of the local MLS websites. However, the fact that a home has been foreclosed on may not necessarily be highlighted in the description. Some brokerages, such as Archwood Properties, specialize is identifying foreclosed properties and can provide you with the information that the above-mentioned websites don’t always include.

It’s best to buy a foreclosed property from a bank.
If you buy a foreclosed home at an auction before the bank repossesses it, you’ll have to pay in cash, and you usually cannot inspect the property. You may also later discover that there are liens against it. When a bank takes back a home, however, it will clear any outstanding liens. Plus, when you buy a bank-owned property, you can inspect it beforehand, and you can finance the purchase with a mortgage. Leave your suitcase full of cash at home.

Bring in a contractor before you buy.
Many foreclosed homes have been abandoned, some even vandalized, and they often require major repairs. One mistake a lot of people make is underestimating how much work it needs and the cost. To avoid getting stuck with a surprise bill, ask your Archwood Properties realtor to refer you to a knowledgeable contractor. Contractors can give you an estimate of how much the restoration will cost and how long it will take. Many will do so for free in hopes of winning your business.

Bid low!
Banks aren’t necessarily selling foreclosures at fire-sale prices; some are listed at market value, so be prepared to haggle. The bigger the inventory of foreclosed homes the bank has and the longer the property has sat, the greater your chances of nabbing a great deal. Your Archwood Properties agent can gather current market information to better assist you in figuring a strong bidding point. Set your initial offer about 20% below market price, or even more if your area has a lot of foreclosures.

Be prepared to wait.
While some lenders are getting back to bidders within 36 hours, others are dealing with an enormous backlog that can hold up their response for as long as three months. While you wait, someone can trump you with a higher offer. To boost your chances at scoring a home you love, have multiple properties in mind, and get your financing pre-approved before you bid. Even if the lender says it has another offer, follow up every week – these deals can often fall through.

Interested in exploring the foreclosure market? Contact us today:  info@archwoodproperties.com or call 214.505.9420.

July 9, 2008

City of Plano ranked #1 for building personal wealth!!!

Filed under: Dallas — admin @ 11:03 pm

Plano has just been ranked #1 in the 2008 Salary Value Index provided by Salary.com.  It was compiled of 69 cities with a population of more than 250,000 people, and ranked the cities on building personal wealth and raising a family.  You can find the article here

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/06/30/daily14.html?ana=from_rss on the Dallas Business Journal website.

Plano is one of the top cities in the D/FW area, and now it’s getting recognized on a national level.  Plano’s strong school system and high saturation of company headquarters makes it the perfect place to buy a home and raise a family.  Job opportunities are endless with the amount of company headquarters, and allows people to build wealth with large companies.  I feel that this is great for the economy of Plano, because it will bring in more people and companies into the area.   Also, it will help out our housing market by bringing in more people to buy and rent homes in the area.  For more information on the Plano area or other areas in D/FW please contact us at info@archwoodproperties.com or call 214-505-9420.       

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