Thinking about remodeling your kitchen?
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Here are three things you must think about first!
Thinking about a Kitchen Remodel?
7 Tips For Disaster Preparedness
Tuesday, October 02, 2018
It is so important to be prepared for a natural disaster. As a Hurricane Katrina survivor myself, these tips come from my heart!
#Realtor #realestate #NaturalDisasters #tips
FREE "Tree Care: Tips & Tricks" Workshop by City of Frisco
Monday, February 12, 2018
Register for a free WaterWise workshop by the City of Frisco that will teach you "Tree Care: Tips and Tricks" to help with tree care, pruning, and how to make your trees thrive. The workshop will be held February 16th from Noon to 1 PM in Frisco.
Register here:
Are you planning to buy a home?
Tuesday, February 06, 2018
If you are considering buying a home soon, you should read my FREE 81-page Home Buyer's Handbook! It is full of great, money-saving information about the entire home buying process from start to finish, as well as things to avoid. It also has a list of my recommended vendors as well as lenders and title companies. If you would like a free copy, CLICK HERE! I can email it to you in PDF format or I can provide it to you in print or on DVD.
Watch out for potential pitfalls when buying a home!
Monday, December 04, 2017
Are you a home buyer looking for a home? There are many pitfalls that you need to avoid while searching. A good Realtor (like myself!) can help you avoid these red flag items during your home search. For instance, a heavy, overpowering scent in a home could mean that the seller is trying to hide something, such as a mold problem, pet damage, or even a sewer problem! To learn about more things to look out for, check out this article/video:
Warning Signs to Watch For When Buying a Home
Call me at (214) 909-8008 to help you find a home!
Frisco, Texas Residents: Going out of town for the holidays?
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Frisco, Texas residents! Do you have holiday travel plans? Take advantage of the Frisco Police Department’s House Watch Program. You can apply for FREE by clicking here:
Please share this with others in Frisco who may benefit from this FREE service, and a huge thanks to our Frisco Police Department for keeping our homes and families safe!
10 Anti-Burglary Tips That You Must Know
Thursday, January 05, 2017
10-Steps to Burglar-Proof Your Home
- Maintain your property. Keep snow shoveled off of your walkway and driveway, as well as removing holiday decorations and fallen tree branches in a timely manner. This shows would-be burglars that your home is occupied.
2. Know your neighbors. Introduce yourself and speak regularly. This way you know who lives at the house and likewise. If there is an intruder, all parties will know who belongs and who doesn’t.
3. Assess your home’s vulnerability. Walk to the curb and face your house. Ask yourself, “How would I get in if I were locked out?” The first thing you think of, whether it’s the window with a broken lock or the door that won’t shut all the way, is exactly how a thief will get in. Think like a burglar, and then address the issues that come to mind.
4. Respect the power of lighting. Criminals are cowards, and they don’t want to be seen. A well-lit house is a deterrent because thieves don’t want the increased witness potential Easy tools include dusk-to-dawn adapters that go into existing light fixtures and motion detectors. But beware of leaving your exterior lights on at all times, which signifies the occupant is gone for an extended period of time.
5. Use technology to make your home look occupied. Smart home technology makes it easier to make it appear as if someone is home even when they’re not. If you have purchased different brands of devices throughout the years, a device like Wink Hub- (http://www.wink.com/products/) allows them to all communicate with each other and you to control them all on your smart phone. There are also simple light/lamp timing devices available at hardware stores.
6. Lock your doors. No matter where you live, you should always lock your doors and keep your garage door closed. Some facts sellers should know: In 30 percent of burglaries, the criminals access the home through an unlocked door or window; 34 percent of burglars use the front door to get inside; and 22 percent use the back door.
7. Reinforce your locks. A good door lock is nothing without a solid frame. Invest in a solid door jam and strike plate first. Know the difference between a single-cylinder and a double-cylinder deadbolt. Double cylinder deadbolts are recommended because they require a key to get in and out. For safety and emergency escape purposes, you must leave the key in when you are home. But they are against regulations in some places, so check with your local police department’s crime prevention office.
8. Blare the sirens. Burglars are usually in and out in less than five minutes, and they know police can’t respond to an alarm that quickly. Their bigger concern is witnesses to their crime. For that reason, an external siren is invaluable, whether as part of a monitored security system or a DIY alarm. Even if you don’t have an alarm, it’s not a bad idea to invest in fake security signs and post them near doors. Even fake security system yards signs give burglars pause.
9. Consider surveillance cameras. Video doorbells such as Ring (https://ring.com) allow homeowners to view streaming video of what’s and who is outside their door on their smart phone. The device has a motion detector feature, as well. The HD video assures that you can see a clear image and the two-way voice feature allows you to talk to them no matter where you are. Most state and local regulations require warning people that they are being recorded, which can be accomplished by printing simple paper signs and posting them near doors and windows. This can be effective even if you don’t have actually have the cameras installed!
10. Mark your valuables and record details. Use invisible ink pens or engravers to mark identifying information (driver’s license or State ID numbers) on items. Log serial numbers and take photos of your belongings. Check to see if your police department participates in the Operation Identification program. They will have stickers for you to place on doors or windows warning would-be thieves that your items are marked. These steps may prevent them from pawning or selling stolen items and can help you reclaim recovered belongings.
As your local Real Estate specialist, I am always thinking of you and your family’s safety. For more safety tips, drop me an email at [email protected] .
Happy 2017!
5 Helpful Tips for House Hunters - What You Need to Know!
Saturday, September 13, 2014
FIVE TIPS FOR HOUSE HUNTERS
The following tips can help homebuyers define their priorities and streamline the process of shopping for a home.
1 - Location matters. Location is a key consideration when choosing a home. Many factors can affect the desirability of a location including commute times to work, proximity to schools, and access to shopping, restaurants and other neighborhood attractions.
2 - List what you want in a home. You'll save hours of time if you decide early what features are most important. Your goal should be to find the right home without falling in love with one that may not suit your needs.
3 - Obtain a pre-qualification letter from a mortgage lender rather than guessing how much you are qualified to borrow. A buyer pre-qualified for a loan is often in a stronger negotiating position.
4 - Take good notes about the homes you visit. Turn your priorities into a personal checklist and use it to track the features of each property.
5 - A real estate professional can save a great deal of time and effort. Today's homebuyers have access to a wealth of information, but may not have a way to tailor it to their needs. That's where a real estate professional can be of great assistance.
If you need a Realtor to assist you, don't hesitate to contact me today! I will help you find your dream home, and have your best interests at heart.
Frisco Moves to Outdoor Watering Restrictions Every Two Weeks
Monday, June 09, 2014
The Frisco City Council has modified the city’s Stage 3 water requirements after carefully considering the long-term needs of the community. The decision to limit outdoor watering using automatic sprinkler systems to once every two weeks on designated trash days came at the urging of the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). The failure of typical spring rains to make up for low lake levels has intensified the concern and need for additional measures to avoid Stage 4. The new requirement goes into effect June 29. The city is allowing residents to water turf grass and landscaping by hand up to two hours per day except between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. City leaders recognize that the new limits will pose a challenge for residents, but they appreciate the willingness of Frisco citizens to step up and continue demonstrating their strong commitment to conserving the region’s water resources. You can read more here:
Know Exactly What You're Buying!
Sunday, June 08, 2014
When you buy a North Texas home, you need to know exactly what you’re buying. Imagine how frustrated you’d be to find out that the hot water heater wasn’t working—in the middle of a shower! This is why you should have a home inspection before you buy your home. A home inspection is an important part of buying your home. Before you hire a home inspector, ask candidates a few questions to make sure you hire a trustworthy inspector.
- 1. What does your inspection cover? Not all inspections are the same. Ask for copies of previous home inspections so you can see exactly what they will check inside the home. If you are concerned about something specific, like a leaky faucet in the bathroom, mention that to the inspector so they can check it out.
- 2. Are you licensed or certified? If you live in a state that licenses home inspectors, ask to see their license. At the very least, choose a home inspector who belongs to American Society of Home Inspectors. This shows a level of professionalism and education that you can trust.
- 3. What kind of report will you give me? You should expect a written report detailing what the inspector found. Most inspectors will give you a typed report within a week of the inspection. Make sure the inspector will be available to explain anything on the report that doesn’t make sense to you.
- 4. Will I be able to attend the inspection? If the inspector refuses to let you be present during the home inspection, find someone else. This is your chance to know exactly what you are buying and what potential repairs you or the seller will have to make.
As your real estate agent, I will guide you through the home buying process. Let me help you find your new North Texas home. Call me today at 214-909-8008 or email me at [email protected] .
North Texas home LINKS:
1. Home inspection - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_inspection
2. American Society of Home Inspectors. - http://www.ashi.org/
3. Easy household repairs. - http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/5-home-repairs-you-should-do-yourself.htm