Dallas Real Estate and Short Sale Blog: Texas: Plano

Gina Branch Selected as a 2012 Five Star Real Estate Agent

We are pleased to announce that Gina Branch was selected as a 2012 Five Star Real Estate Agent.

Texas Monthly partnered with Five Star Professional to identify the real estate agents in the Dallas Fort Worth area who provide exceptional service and overall satisfaction as indicated by clients, peers and industry experts. The 2012 Five Star Real Estate Agents are a select group of fewer than 7 percent of all real estate agents in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Tom Branch, Broker, CDPE, SFR

Originally posted at http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2012/02/03/gina-branch-selected-as-a-2012-five-star-real-estate-agent/

 

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.

Protected by Copyscape Web Plagiarism Tool

0 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • February 04 2012 04:11PM

Crime Watch Bulletin for Ridgeview Ranch

OFFENSE NUMBER: 2012-12685

OFFENSE TYPE: Suspicious Person

LOCATION/STREET: Daly Drive (Independence Pkwy/Ridgeview Dr, Mapsco 557D)

BLOCK NUMBER: 9400

DATE: 1/14/12 (Saturday) TIME: Between 12:00pm-2:00pm

DESCRIPTION: The victim was a 10 year old juvenile riding her bicycle with another juvenile female. The two were approached by the suspect who was in his car in the 9400 block of Daly Drive. The suspect asked the girls to come on over to his car. The girls refused and the vehicle drove away only to return two other times. The suspect never got out of his car. The victim’s parents reported the event only after they heard of a similar incident that had happened a few weeks ago.

SUSPECT INFORMATION: White male in his 30’s with dark brown hair and a brown goatee.

VEHICLE INFORMATION: Newer silver colored four door vehicle

Source: Plano Police Department via the Ridgeview Ranch HOA

Originally posted at http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2012/02/01/crime-watch-bulletin-for-ridgeview-ranch/

 

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

0 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • February 01 2012 06:13AM

J.D. Power and Associates Awards

The Branch Team with JD Power Awards

We had the opportunity to have our picture taken holding RE/MAX's 2011 J.D. Power & Associates awards at the RE/MAX of Texas Convention held in Galveston, Texas.

For more information on these awards visit the J.D. Power and Associate Awards page at remax.com.

Originally posted at http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2012/01/30/j-d-power-and-associates-awards/

 

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 • January 30 2012 05:06PM

Rain in North Texas

Raain In North Texas

Wow! It's hard to believe but it's raining in North Texas. With Stage Four Water Restrictions looming, this is a welcome sight.

Last year's drought left our lakes and reservoirs dangerously low. People living on Cedar Creek Lake and many of the local lakes could not get their boats in the water. A positive side was that it was a good time to do any repairs or maintenance on their retaining walls.

While low lakes may seem like an inconvenience, there's a much larger implication for those of us living here. Those lakes and reservoirs are also the source of our drinking water. When the levels are low, cities begin the various stages of water restrictions in an effort to insure we have water to drink.

The droughts also have an impact on our homes. The vast majority of our foundations are slab foundations. These foundations are sensitive to changes in the water content in our expansive soils. Last year we saw a dramatic rise in homes with foundation issues due to the drought. This cost north Texas homeowners millions of dollars.

Let it rain!

Photo Copyright 2012 Imaged2Sell

Originally posted at http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2012/01/25/rain-in-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

2 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • January 25 2012 10:35AM

Thinking About Selling Your House After 2012?

Healthcare Law

I received an email from a past client today. He had received an email on the subject.

The email read, "Did you know that if you sell your house after 2012, you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it?" The email goes on to blame the new Healthcare Law and all the damage it will do to the housing market.

Like many email hoaxes, it's based on a partial truth. Within the new Healthcare Law there is a provision for a 3.8 percent capital gains tax on real estate sales. The reality is that this will not apply to many sellers. Currently the law allows an exception of up to $250k for single filers and $500k for a married couple filing jointly.

So while this will not apply to most sellers, I don't think it's a great idea. The main issue is that once they start the taxing it may be easier to move the bar down and tax more and more sales in order to generate revenue for the Federal government.

For the time being most sellers do not to be concerned about paying the 3.8 percent "Healthcare Tax" when they sell their homes. Sellers should always contact their CPA, tax preparer, or attorney if they have concerns or questions.

Tom Branch, Broker, CDPE, SFR

Base Photo licensed from iStockPhoto

Originally posted at http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2012/01/20/thinking-about-selling-your-house-after-2012/

 

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

4 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • January 20 2012 07:00PM

Guaranty Fee Increase

Payroll Taxes

The U.S. Congress recently passed a two-month payroll tax cut extension. The $33 billion package is funded by a 10-year increase in the Guaranty Fees that Fannie Mae (Fannie) and Freddie Mac (Freddie) charge lenders to guarantee home loans.

This change is effective for all loans delivered to Fannie and Freddie at the beginning of the second quarter of 2012. For example, the cost of a $200,000 mortgage will go up about $11 per month. Over the life of the loan, these costs are anticipated to be about $4,000.

These changes will also increase the cost of FHA and VA loans. However, the government has not released information as to the timing of these changes.

All lenders — by law — will be adding this increase to their pricing.

Source: Prospect Mortgage

Originally posted at http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2012/01/20/guaranty-fee-increase/

 

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

2 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • January 20 2012 01:22AM

Can a REALTOR License be in Referral Only Status?

Real Estate License

I found this question in my site logs. Let's clear up some terms.

Each state is responsible for licensing agents and brokers. Each has its own set of requirements and rules. For example, the Texas Real Estate Commission licenses and regulates salespersons (agents) and brokers within the State of Texas.

REALTORs® are members of the National Association of REALTORs® (NAR). NAR is a membership trade organization rather than a licensing agency.

A number of years ago NAR allowed Designated REALTORs® to establish Limited Function Referral Only (LFRO) Brokerages. LFROs have to be a separate business entity. NAR did not want brokers to commingle their "regular" agents with their LFRO agents. LFROs, like Referral Agents of Texas LLC, are established under NAR rules. Since it is also a licensed broker within the State of Texas, it can sponsor agents. Why is this important? Agents can only receive compensation through their sponsoring broker.

As far as the state is concerned LFRO agents are active agents sponsored by a Texas broker. What limits the agent's activities is the Independent Contractor Agreement between the agent and the broker. This agreement specifically limits the agent's actions to generating referrals.

A few states may have different "classes" of licenses with include referral-only agents. When in doubt check with your state regulatory agency for details.

Tom Branch

Originally posted at http://www.referralagentsoftexas.com/2012/01/19/can-a-realtor-license-be-in-referral-only-status/

 

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

9 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • January 19 2012 09:34PM

Pool Homes in Plano Texas

Pool Homes in Texas

While we're right in the middle of winter, a number of new clients have indicated they are looking for a pool home in Plano. Some buyers are telling me they will put the pool in after closing.

My best advice for buyers looking for home and want a pool is to find a home where the pool has already been installed. You can always update a kitchen or make other changes to the home. Installing a pool is a guaranteed way to lose money. A pool that costs $40k to install is worth about $17k when it's done. Let someone else take the loss.

The good news is there are plenty of pool homes currently on the market and that number should grow as we enter into the spring sales season.

Click here to see Pool Homes in Plano Texas | Click here to see all Pool Homes in Dallas Fort Worth

Have questions? Contact us at 214-227-6626.

Originally posted at http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2012/01/18/pool-homes-in-plano-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

0 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • January 18 2012 10:31AM

Are Referral Fees Legal In Texas?

Referral Fees in Texas

"Are referral fees legal in Texas?" We seem to get this question all the time. There are two kinds of referrals. One comes from unlicensed people and the other from licensees.

Referrals From Unlicensed People

The Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 535.20 limits payment to non-licensed people to $50. Some people will try to skirt the law by purchasing gift cards or paying directly on behalf of the referral source. The rule clearly states, "the term valuable consideration includes but is not limited to money, gifts of merchandise having a retail value greater than $50, rent bonuses and discounts."

Note that it's not illegal for the consumer to accept the payment but the payment of consideration exceeding the amounts specified in 535.30 is ground for a licensee to have their license suspended or revoked.

Referrals From Licensees

The Texas Occupations Code 1101.651 allows brokers to share fees and commissions with salespersons (agents) they sponsor and other brokers. TAC 535.131 clarifies this to include the sharing of fees and commissions with out of state and foreign brokers.

The bottom line is that referral fees paid to non-licensees cannot exceed $50 in cash, goods, services, rebates, etc. Referral fees paid to other brokers are acceptable and subject to the agreement between the brokers.

Tom Branch

Photo licensed from iStockPhoto

Originally posted at http://www.referralagentsoftexas.com/2012/01/16/are-referral-fees-legal-in-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

5 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • January 16 2012 09:45AM

Standing Watch

Standing Watch

Aspens in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains north of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Standing Watch - Copyrigh 2012 Tom Branch

Click photo for larger view.

Photograph taken on January 3, 2012 at 1:54 PM with an 18mm lens. The only post-shoot processing was a little sharpening and conversion to black and white.

Tom Branch, Broker, CDPE, SFR

Photo Copyright 2012 - Tom Branch

Originally posted at http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2012/01/14/standing-watch/

 

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

0 comments • Tom Branch | Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE | Plano TX Ambassador | 214-227-6626 • January 14 2012 09:44AM