If you are moving to a Dallas home, you can, with prior planning and these tips, make your move a smooth, less stressful experience. After you have gathered recommendations from friends and checked out moving companies on the web, you should narrow your choices to three or four. At this point you can avoid moving mistakes by using these guidelines to make informed, intelligent choices.

1. Insist on an in-home survey and estimate. Movers have to actually see what needs to be moved and be aware of items requiring special attention, such as pianos or valued art pieces. In addition,, by meeting the mover’s representative in person, you can get a feel for the way customers are treated by the company. It is also important that you disclose at this time any details, such as elevator availability, street restrictions, etc., to avoid unpleasant surprises on moving day.

2. Beware of too low a price. While price is certainly a major consideration in making your selection, you need to question a low-ball estimate, Are there hidden charges? Is the firm reliable? Does it value your business? Is it a licensed, insured mover? Check the web at www.protectyourmove.com for this information and for a record of customer complaints.

3. Avoid the busy season. Good moving companies are especially busy in the summer and in the first and fourth weeks of the month. Plan ahead and reserve early to get the mover and time frame you want. Remember that the best deals can usually be found in the winter and in the second and third weeks of the month.

4. Sign a contract. Do not begin a move without first signing a binding agreement which spells out all the services you are to receive and the total amount you’ll be expected to pay. Do you have insurance options? What is the charge for that? If you’re not comfortable with the document, trust your instinct and don’t sign!

5. Have a budget. Be informed and realistic about your overall moving costs. Be sure to include travel to your Dallas home, any hotel and meals expenses, auto transport, and insurance.

6. Do unto others… Your movers will respond well to smiles and a positive attitude

They also appreciate offers of coffee, water, soft drinks, and tips for quality service.

Dallas has many reputable and reliable moving companies who want your business and will work with you to make your moving experience as stress-free as possible. By following these six steps, your relocation to your new Dallas home can actually be rewarding!

Learn more about buying a Dallas home.

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It doesn’t matter if you are buying your first Dallas home or are a veteran home buyer, you will have list of ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ for your new Dallas home. The ‘wants’ are things that would be nice to have such as a gas fireplace or granite counters. The ‘needs’ are things like, well a ‘bathroom’ or the number of bedrooms to suit your family. It is rare that you will get all your ‘wants’ and needs’ in the home you buy.

The key to maximizing your Dallas home investment today is distinguishing between the types of ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ you’re better off buying as part of the property, and those you could add later without too much trouble and expense. Here’s some information to help you prioritize the amenities on your list.

Location:

Location is the one thing you can’t change about a property. Location is about being in a desirable neighborhood and close to (but not necessarily next to) valued amenities or planned ones — employment opportunities, good schools, shopping, public transportation, major highways, parks and recreation, cultural activities, etc. A good location is also about not being on a high-traffic street, near noise, next to run-down properties, in a flood plain, etc.

Structural integrity:

Make sure the Dallas home you buy doesn’t come with a cracked foundation, pest infestation, drainage issues, mold or other problems that may be difficult and expensive to correct. A home inspection will help you determine if these items are an issue.

Size:

The size of a home is important, especially if you’re just starting to raise a family. You don’t want to buy a home that is perfect for the two of you, knowing you want children in the next couple of years and making the home you buy too small. 

It’s easier and less expensive to reconfigure existing space (turning a basement into a family room or a garage into a bedroom, for example) than to build an addition. And, you can only add that addition if yard size and zoning restrictions allow.

Bathrooms:

It is significantly more cost effective to remodel a bathroom than to add one, so look for a home that has the number of bathrooms you really want.

Bedrooms:

Find a home with at least the minimum number of bedrooms you require, but with space (perhaps an attic or enclosed porch) that could eventually be converted to a bedroom should you need another one in the future.

Cosmetics:

Although a neon pink bathroom might make you cringe, that’s exactly the type of problem you can easily and inexpensively correct. You could repaint it yourself for around $50, or hire someone else to do it for a few hundred more.

Other items:

You can change — or add — over time without too much effort or cost: carpeting, landscaping, appliances, hardware and fixtures, lighting, countertops, cabinets, upgraded doors, vanities, closet space, siding, windows and lots more.

Buy a Dallas home with “good bones” in a good location. A home you’re likely to enjoy living in for many years to come — improving as you go. When you get ready to sell, you’ll have exactly what other buyers are looking for!

Learn more about buying a Dallas home by visiting TexasHomeCentral.com.

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Many Dallas renters are finding that they get more ‘bang for their’ buck if they buy a home rather than rent one. With affordable prices, low interest rates and tax incentives, Dallas home ownership makes more sense than ever. 

7 Reasons to Buy Rather Than Rent Dallas Home

1. Buying doesn’t always cost more.
The Associated Press reports the gap between buying and renting has decreased $550 in the last three years.

2. Affordability is at an all-time high.
Nationwide, prices have declined by nearly 20-40%.

3. Tax benefits for home ownership saves money.
The biggest tax break is the mortgage interest deduction. Most of your mortgage payment goes to interest which is tax deductible. Property taxes and mortgage insurance are also tax deductible.

4. Many loans require no down payment.
Veterans Administration (VA) loans and many first-time home owner loans don’t require a down payment.

5. The Tax Credit.
First time homebuyers can take advantage of the $8000 tax credit…but only until Nov 20, 2009. The tax credit can be used towards closing costs and the down payment.

6. Mortgage rates are at all-time lows.
Mortgage interest rates are the lowest we have seen in 30 years.

7. You own it.

There is nothing like pride of ownership…and you can do anything you want to do. You can paint it any color you want, make improvements, and landscape to your own taste..

For more information on owning a Dallas home, visit TexasHomeCentral.com. 

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Low listing prices, reasonable interest rates, and an abundant variety of homes to choose from are among a few of the reasons now is the perfect time for buyers to make a move in today’s real estate market. Current market trends and other factors have made conditions even more favorable for first-time homebuyers. Though becoming a homeowner comes with huge responsibilities and financial commitments, first-time home buyers should take advantage of the market over flowing with opportunities. The following tips will help ease the mind when considering the smart purchase of your first Dallas home. 

1. Become familiar with the new first-time homebuyer federal tax credit.  

People who are considering the purchase of their first home, or have not been home owners for at least the past three years can gain great benefits from the first-time homebuyer tax credit. In February 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was put in to effect, offering many new opportunities that lend a helping hand to everyone struggling in today’s times. The new legislation includes everything from home improvement tax credits to the popular first-time homebuyer tax credit. According to FederalHousingTaxCredit.com, qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009 will receive a tax credit of up to $8,000. Unlike past tax credits from 2008, the money received does not have to be repaid, unless the homebuyer sells the property with in three years. 

2. Determine what is reasonably affordable.  

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The most important piece of a person’s financial life is their credit score. Whether buying a new Dallas home, applying for a job, refinancing your Dallas home, paying off debt, or getting utility service, your credit score will drive the outcome. One would think that Americans are all aware of what the scores are measuring and what factors play a part. But, most Americans do not know enough about the three digit rating or what is involved. Do not let these credit score myths get in your way when preparing for the purchase of your next Dallas home.

Myth: Checking a credit report can either damage or lower your score.
A credit report can be conducted by you or someone like an employer as many times as desired with out having any impact on your credit score. Reviewing your credit report will never change your credit score. Just make sure that reports are retrieved through the bureaus or a legitimate score seller.

Myth: Age, sex, and income are factors that affect your score. None of this information plays a role in determining your score. A higher income may make it easier to pay off debts, but income and net worth have no impact of credit scores.   

Myth: A credit score can be destroyed by shopping for a loan. When seeking to extend credit, too many inquiries can have a negative impact your credit score. However, when several inquiries are made by the same type of lender with in a 14 day period they only count as one inquiry against your credit.

Myth: Your score can be hurt by credit card offers.
When companies offer you their credit cards it does not have any affect on your score. Unless, your take advantage of all the offers and carelessly use all of the credit available. The number of credit cards a person manages does not matter. The important thing is maintain a low ratio of used to available credit.

Myth: Credit scores of married couples are shared.
A credit score can only belong to one person, just as one person can only have one score. A married could does not share a credit score, but their scores could have an affect each others. When opening a joint account, the information accumulated from that account’s activity will be reflected on both people’s credit report. If all of the couple’s accounts are joint, then their scores will be somewhat similar.

Myth: Closing unused accounts improves credit scores.
Unused accounts most likely contain available credit, which is an important part of a credit score. Closing unused accounts removes available balances from the equation. This causes your ratio of used to available credit to increase, ultimately affecting your credit score.

Myth: Paying off bills is a quick way to boost credit.
Over time, a good record of properly paying bills will improve credit. Credit reports reflect your long term history, scores do not change overnight.

Learn more about how credit scores affect the amount of Dallas home you can buy at TexasHomeCentral.com.

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New tax code changes create benefits for owners of a Dallas home. For years, many people have usually turned away from considering taking on the financial responsibilities of being a homeowner. Renters and prospective home owners are well aware of all the financial stress that comes with owning a home, which makes them hesitant to make the big step and commitment. What might not be known is that homeowners are receiving more tax benefits now than ever before. The Internal Revenue Services, known as the IRS, has made owning a Dallas home a more favorable option in several ways.

Monthly house payments bring the biggest tax benefit to home owners. The interest included in the monthly mortgage payments is tax deductible as long as the loan is for less than a million dollars. IRS guidelines also allow deductions for interest on refinancing and home equity loans. However, they do put limits on how much is actually allowed to be deducted. Borrowing against the equity of your Dallas home is an option renters do not have. Renters also do not have the ability to file federal tax deductions on their monthly rental payments.

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The number of people experiencing their Dallas home entering foreclosure is steadily increasing. Also increasing, is the number of bargains just waiting for home buyers to make a move. In RealtyTrac’s April 2009 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report^TM they found that default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions were reported on 342,038 properties during the month of April alone. The increasing numbers have contributed to the thirty two percent increase since last year’s April 2008 report. The report also showed one in every three hundred and seventy four homes received a foreclosure filing in April. These statistics prove foreclosure to be a growing threat to home owners. On the other hand, the foreclosure situation is benefiting people looking to purchase real estate in this buyer’s market.

Buying Dallas Foreclosure At Auction

The amount of foreclosure properties on the market opens the door to opportunity for buyers. One way for buyers to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase a foreclosed Dallas home is through an auction. It is important for people, especially first timers, to become educated on how to buy a home at a foreclosure auction. The first place to start would be to look up general information about the process on the internet. Then, it might be a good idea to contact a real estate agent or real estate attorney for professional help and advising. Auctions can be organized in public places or held at local courthouses. It is best to avoid auctions held at courthouses because professional investors are common competitors and there is not much, if any, time to research the physical condition and financial background of the property being auctioned. Instead, find foreclosure auction notices in the local newspaper, online, or by contacting a city official for upcoming auction dates. It is important for buyers to research the property before deciding if they will bid on it. Prior to determining your bid gather some important information about to property such as, the estimated market value, outstanding loan balances, property liens, ownership history, title information, and calculate possible monthly expenses as the future homeowner. Once a little research is done on the property, enough knowledge will be available to determine the appropriate bid.  Thoroughly looking farther in to the property can maximize your chances of getting a good bargain.

Buying Dallas Foreclosure Options

 There are also other options for foreclosure buyers to consider. Today, most foreclosure properties have large or multiple mortgages. This takes away from the likelihood of getting a bargain at an auction because banks will ask for bids that are more than the actual value of the property. The first alternative is to buy the property before it goes to auction, which is called a pre-foreclosure. To do this check the city records to find foreclosure properties. Then, contact the owners by writing a letter of interest. Follow up with a phone call and hope they are willing to accept an offer. Another route is to wait to see if the property sells at the auction. If the property does not see it will be put on the market by the bank it is owned by. In this case you will be able to buy the house just like it was regular real estate. Another benefit to this option is the ability to conduct a home inspection and get a mortgage. Remember, when considering the purchase of a Dallas home through an auction make sure plenty of research is done to maximize the potential of getting a good deal. Getting the help of a Dallas Realtor will help insure you get the best deal.

If you or someone you know are falling behind on mortgage payments and are concerned that foreclosure is your only option, then contact me about your short sale option.

Buyer’s often find themselves watching a property for a price reduction. Although getting the best deal possible when purchasing Dallas real estate is important, it is not the only factor that determines monthly payments on a home. Rising interest rates nearly diminish the positive aspects of waiting for prices to drop. 

Most people are familiar with the basic trends in real estate that have been affected by the United States economic crisis. The listing prices of homes have been steadily declining over the past couple years. This has put people looking to purchase Dallas real estate at an advantage over those trying to sell. People have best described this as a buyer’s market due to the low property prices and reasonable interest rates. However, the decline in prices is stabilizing while interest rates are beginning to inch up. It is becoming more and more popular for investors to make offers on properties, sometimes sweeping the property away from home buyers. Could buyers begin loosing their advantage? Today, properties that are correctly listed at a reasonable asking price are not being reevaluated and reduced as often. These are some of the factors that prove lower Dallas real estate prices are not always worth the wait. 

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A real estate Appraisal is not the same thing as a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). A real estate Appraisal determines the market value of the property, which is an estimate of the sale price of the house. An Appraisal is mandatory when you are borrowing money from a lender to purchase a home. An Appraisal is done by a specially trained and experienced individual known as an appraiser. 

On the other hand, a Comparative Market Analysis is used to determine a reasonable asking price based on the selling and listing prices of comparable real estate. This is conducted by the real estate agent listing the property. The sole purpose of a CMA is to help the real estate agent advise the sellers when trying to come up with an appropriate asking price. This is different from an appraisal because a Comparative Market Analysis helps determine the actual asking price, where as the appraisal reveals the property’s actual value. Appraisers usually use similar research on comparable properties as a factor in determining the property value. 

Here are some myths and facts to help you lean more about the Appraisal of your Dallas real estate. 

1. Myth: Some people may think that making sure the buyer does not overpay is the main goal of an appraisal. 

Fact: People buying and selling real estate can gather resourceful information from an appraisal. However, the appraiser’s intended purpose is to provide protection for lenders. An Appraisal is required before the lender approves a buyer’s loan. 

2. Myth: Appraisers determine the property value by multiplying the price per square foot by the square footage of the property. 

Fact: Appraisers determine the value of  Dallas real estate by other characteristics too. Things they take in to consideration include the location, proximity to desirable destinations, school districts, quality and condition of the property, selling prices of comparable real estate, and other relevant qualities. 

3. Myth: Anyone involved in real estate could conduct Appraisals. 

Fact: States regulate the requirements for Appraisals to obtain a license. Obtaining a license usually includes taking courses, passing an exam, and possible hours of experience. 

4. Myth: There is never an obligation to educate buyers on problems with the home found by the appraiser. 

Fact: The appraiser is required to notify buyers of problems when the buyer is applying for a mortgaged insured by the Federal Housing Administration. For other types of mortgages, the appraiser is not required to disclose potential defects. 

5. Myth: If an Appraisal is done there is no need to obtain a home inspection on your Dallas real estate. 

Fact: As mentioned earlier the purpose of the Appraisal is to protect the lender. This does more for the people selling the Dallas real estate. Where as, home inspections are meant to educate buyers on the state of the home and its major elements. 

Get a no obligation Comparative Market Analysis on your Dallas real estate.

Sometimes people have to sacrifice purchasing their dream home for a less perfect home in a better location. The buyer and family’s quality of life can be affected by their surroundings and features a neighborhood has to offer.  Choosing the best neighborhood is just as important as finding the perfect home.  Neighborhoods have numerous characteristics to consider when trying to make the right choice.

One of the most important things to look in to is the quality of schools in the area. Compare various public schools within a school system; some may be better than others. In order to keep all options open, also take a look at private schools in the area. Even if you do not have kids that will attend school, it is still a good idea to pick an area with good schools to help with reselling Dallas real estate.

Another crucial characteristic of a neighborhood to research is the crime. Contact the local police office to find out crime trends, types, and rates. Go online to find out if there are any sex offenders living near by. Do not judge a book by its cover,  just because a neighborhood looks well kept and charming does not mean there are not any crime related issues.

For financial reasons, check in to the property values of homes in the neighborhood. Find out if theDallas real estate values in various areas have been increasing or decreasing. If the neighborhood is in an up and coming area the value of the property is likely to go up. Where as, if the area is going down under, the property value will probably follow. See if there are any future construction and development projects to take place. Alterations to the surrounding area could drastically change the property value. 

Next thing to take into consideration is the neighborhood’s proximity. Make sure the location is a reasonable distance to work, school, and other frequented destinations. Convenience always makes life a little easier. Having grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals, and other places of interest and importance easily accessible will make a big difference in every day life. 

Other things to consider when choosing a neighborhood relate directly to the neighborhood it’s self. Just as buyers have preferences in things they are looking for in a house, there are also preferred characteristics to look for in neighborhoods. Neighborhoods could have numerous features to offer such as, gated communities, nice sidewalks, large lots, parks, restaurants, safe roads, trees, landscaping, community recreational facilities, civic leagues, and golf courses. Keep in mind that a neighborhood may have neighborhood fees as part of a home owner’s association. Be sure to pick neighborhood features that best fit the lifestyle of you and your family. 

Choosing a neighborhood can be just as difficult as finding the right piece of Dallas real estate. Finding the perfect home in the right neighborhood may be even more of a challenge. Do your homework, research the area and prioritize features that are most important to you and your family. 

Learn more about Dallas real estate at TexasHomeCentral.com. 

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