Dallas Real Estate and Short Sale Blog

Spring Returns to North Texas

It's that time of year again. It always seems to catch me by surprise. As I drove into Ridgeview Ranch last night, I noted the Bradford Pear trees are just beginning to bloom. For me, that's the first sign that colder winter weather is about to give way to spring.

It's also time to get out and do that first work on your lawn. With warmer temperatures come the weeds so it's time to get your pre and post emergent down. You can purchase these at you local home supply store or you can have it handled professionally. Click here for our directory of lawncare professionals.

Photo Copyright 2012 Tom Branch

Originally posted at http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2012/02/24/spring-returns-to-north-texas/

 

Tom Branch and Gina Branch, The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs, service the greater North Dallas suburbs including Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Lewisville, and Carrollton.  While Gina concentrates on traditional listings and buyer/tenant representation, Tom specializes in assisting distressed homeowners to avoid foreclosure.  Tom and Gina have published two books (Achieving Rock Star Status and The Field Guide to Short Sales) and are available for speaking engagements in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Subscribe to The Branch Team Blog.

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Copyright 2009-2012 - The Branch Team
The Branch Team - Texas Real Estate Broker 547597 | Team Members are Texas Licensed Real Estate Professionals
Tom Branch - National Mortgage Licensing System 341963 

Important Notice: The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating.

All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale or rental.

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3 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • February 24 2012 07:33AM

A New Twist on an Old Scam

Rental ScamLast night I met with some people at a vacant home in Plano. They had responded to a Craigslist advertisement for a rental home. They had met with the “owner” at the property and put down a deposit to hold it. They were supposed to meet with the owner at a later date to sign the lease. The problem is the home is not for lease and the “owner” is a scammer.

We did a story with CW33 last year (Online Rental Scam Targets Real Estate Listings) on a similar type of scam being run on consumers. Since most people are wary enough not to wire money, so it appears the scammers have grown bolder and have found a new way to perpetrate the fraud. They actually meet their victims in person.

The scammer gains access to the property by obtaining the combination lockbox code for the property, creates an online advertisement, and goes about collecting applications and rental deposits. Once they “approve” the tenant, they set up a meeting to collect the deposit. In this case, the scammer gave the victim access to the property so they could begin moving in their things early. They knew something was wrong when another victim arrived at the home to meet with the “owner” and turn over a rental deposit.

If the deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is. When in doubt, contact a local real estate professional. Not only will you have professional representation, but the fee is usually paid by the landlord.

See all Plano Rental and Lease Home Listings.

Tom Branch, Broker, CDPE, SFR
Source: A New Twist on an Old Scam << The Branch Team

 

Tom Branch and Gina Branch, The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs, service the greater North Dallas suburbs including Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Lewisville, and Carrollton.  While Gina concentrates on traditional listings and buyer/tenant representation, Tom specializes in assisting distressed homeowners to avoid foreclosure.  Tom and Gina have published two books (Achieving Rock Star Status and The Field Guide to Short Sales) and are available for speaking engagements in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Subscribe to The Branch Team Blog.

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Copyright 2009-2012 - The Branch Team
The Branch Team - Texas Real Estate Broker 547597 | Team Members are Texas Licensed Real Estate Professionals
Tom Branch - National Mortgage Licensing System 341963 

Important Notice: The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating.

All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale or rental.

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9 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • October 03 2011 12:09PM

Two More Reasons to Choose RE/MAX

 

Tom Branch and Gina Branch, The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs, service the greater North Dallas suburbs including Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Lewisville, and Carrollton.  While Gina concentrates on traditional listings and buyer/tenant representation, Tom specializes in assisting distressed homeowners to avoid foreclosure.  Tom and Gina have published two books (Achieving Rock Star Status and The Field Guide to Short Sales) and are available for speaking engagements in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Subscribe to The Branch Team Blog.

Follwo Us on Facebook          View Our LinkedIn Profile         

Copyright 2009-2012 - The Branch Team
The Branch Team - Texas Real Estate Broker 547597 | Team Members are Texas Licensed Real Estate Professionals
Tom Branch - National Mortgage Licensing System 341963 

Important Notice: The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating.

All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale or rental.

Protected by Copyscape Web Plagiarism Tool

6 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • October 01 2011 12:58AM

Kellys East Side Plano TX

For as often as we frequent Kellys East Side located on the corner of Avenue K and 15th Street in old Plano, we've never stopped to write about the place!

According to their website:

Established in 2003, Kelly's Eastside blew the dust off the nearby antique shops and helped revitalize Plano's historic Eastside. Adding live music to what has been called "hands down the best menu in Dallas," and the good-times traffic flows north from the "big D!"

Tim and Carin Kelly, who previously brought you Plano's wildly successful Taffy's, invite you to see what the buzz is about on Avenue K, near 15th.

Yesterday we took the afternoon off and worked on our own home. There were lots of little maintenance items to do and the yard needed it's spring cleaning. After 5 hours of laboring, we were both exhausted. Neither of us felt like cooking, so after a quick shower, it was off to Kellys East Side for a couple of cold beers and brisket fajitas.

Brisket Fajitas at Kellys East Side Plano TX

We've had all kinds of fajitas over the years but none of them compare to the brisket fajitas at Kellys. The brisket has been slow-cooked for hours and the setup plates have everything one needs to build a perfect fajita. Wash it all down with one of the 28 different draft beers they serve and you have one tasty Texas meal.

The next time you're in Plano, stop by Kellys East Side!

Source: http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2011/04/03/kellys-east-side-plano-tx/

 

Tom Branch and Gina Branch, The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs, service the greater North Dallas suburbs including Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Lewisville, and Carrollton.  While Gina concentrates on traditional listings and buyer/tenant representation, Tom specializes in assisting distressed homeowners to avoid foreclosure.  Tom and Gina have published two books (Achieving Rock Star Status and The Field Guide to Short Sales) and are available for speaking engagements in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Subscribe to The Branch Team Blog.

Follwo Us on Facebook          View Our LinkedIn Profile         

Copyright 2009-2012 - The Branch Team
The Branch Team - Texas Real Estate Broker 547597 | Team Members are Texas Licensed Real Estate Professionals
Tom Branch - National Mortgage Licensing System 341963 

Important Notice: The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating.

All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale or rental.

Protected by Copyscape Web Plagiarism Tool

3 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • April 03 2011 10:28AM

Susan L. Johsnon Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification

Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource

Susan L. Johnson with The Branch Team – RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.

According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures. For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction. REALTORS® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.

“As leading advocates for homeownership, REALTORS® believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale results,” said 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan, “Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community, as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a REALTOR® who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases.”

The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help REALTORS® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves.

Source: http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2011/03/19/susan-l-johsnon-earns-nar-short-sales-and-foreclosure-certification/

 

Tom Branch and Gina Branch, The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs, service the greater North Dallas suburbs including Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Lewisville, and Carrollton.  While Gina concentrates on traditional listings and buyer/tenant representation, Tom specializes in assisting distressed homeowners to avoid foreclosure.  Tom and Gina have published two books (Achieving Rock Star Status and The Field Guide to Short Sales) and are available for speaking engagements in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Subscribe to The Branch Team Blog.

Follwo Us on Facebook          View Our LinkedIn Profile         

Copyright 2009-2012 - The Branch Team
The Branch Team - Texas Real Estate Broker 547597 | Team Members are Texas Licensed Real Estate Professionals
Tom Branch - National Mortgage Licensing System 341963 

Important Notice: The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating.

All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale or rental.

Protected by Copyscape Web Plagiarism Tool

1 comment • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • March 19 2011 09:28AM

Spring Comes to North Texas

I love this time of year in North Texas. The temperatures are mild—crisp in the mornings and warm in the afternoons. As March begins so does Spring. I was reminded this morning when I was outside drinking my coffee and watching the dogs run around the yard looking for bunnies to chase.

Spring Comes to North Texas

As I sipped my coffee, I noted the Bradford Pear trees were just getting ready to bloom. As I took a closer look, I noted a few early blooms glistening in the early morning sun. It was a peaceful moment taking it all in…the smell of the coffee, the sun kissing the blooms, the birds singing.

While I knew that moment would give way to the hustle and bustle of another busy day, I had to sit there and savor the moment. I learned this lesson the hard way as I watched my spouse battle cancer. She survived and both of us look at life differently.

Time is a finite resource. Take a few moments out of your day to look at the beauty around you.

Photo ©2011 Imaged2Sell

Source: http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2011/03/01/spring-comes-to-north-texas/

 

Tom Branch and Gina Branch, The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs, service the greater North Dallas suburbs including Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Lewisville, and Carrollton.  While Gina concentrates on traditional listings and buyer/tenant representation, Tom specializes in assisting distressed homeowners to avoid foreclosure.  Tom and Gina have published two books (Achieving Rock Star Status and The Field Guide to Short Sales) and are available for speaking engagements in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Subscribe to The Branch Team Blog.

Follwo Us on Facebook          View Our LinkedIn Profile         

Copyright 2009-2012 - The Branch Team
The Branch Team - Texas Real Estate Broker 547597 | Team Members are Texas Licensed Real Estate Professionals
Tom Branch - National Mortgage Licensing System 341963 

Important Notice: The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating.

All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale or rental.

Protected by Copyscape Web Plagiarism Tool

8 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • March 01 2011 10:18AM