Saturday, February 24, 2024

Drop In to my Open House at 1417 Macon

 
Open House
Sunday, Feb. 25 @ 2 - 4 p.m.
1417 Macon Dr, Savannah, Texas
Listed at $425,000 by Shileya Witcher
MLS# 20503413

This 2,621 sq. ft. home in Savannah has 4 bedrooms, 2 and a half baths, a game room, a formal dining room, front porch, covered side patio, rear-entry garage and access to the community amenities including the water park.

This move-in-ready home features low-maintenance tile floors on the first level. A welcoming and spacious front porch and arches greet guests upon arrival. The formal dining and extended living room with a soaring ceiling moves to an open-concept kitchen.

The kitchen has stone countertops, stainless steel appliances including a refrigerator, an island with a sink, a gas range, white cabinets with handles, designer backsplash, a breakfast nook and butler's pantry. The primary suite is downstairs and features a fireplace, ensuite bath with dual sinks, garden tub and separate shower. A powder room and laundry complete the first level. A game room, three bedrooms and a full bath are upstairs.

I've Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com

#DFWmark #REALTOR #OpenHouse #Savannah #DentonCounty #WaterPark #DentonISD #RealEstate #VeteranOwned

Friday, February 23, 2024

Open House in Savannah on Sat & Sun

Open Saturday, Feb. 24 @ 2 - 4 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 25 @ 2 - 4 p.m.
1417 Macon Dr, Savannah, Texas
Listed at $425,000
Listed by Shileya Witcher
MLS# 20503413

This 2,621 sq. ft. home in Savannah has 4 bedrooms, 2 and a half baths, a game room, a formal dining room, front porch, covered back patio, rear-entry garage and access to the community amenities including the water park.

This move-in-ready home features low-maintenance tile floors on the first level. A welcoming and spacious front porch and arches greet guests upon arrival. The formal dining and extended living room with a soaring ceiling moves to an open-concept kitchen.

The kitchen has stone countertops, stainless steel appliances including a refrigerator, an island with a sink, a gas range, white cabinets with handles, designer backsplash and a breakfast nook. The primary suite is downstairs and features a fireplace, ensuite bath with dual sinks, garden tub and separate shower. A powder room and laundry complete the first level. A game room, three bedrooms and a full bath are upstairs.

I've Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com

#DFWmark #REALTOR #OpenHouse #Savannah #DentonCounty #WaterPark #DentonISD #RealEstate #VeteranOwned

Thursday, February 22, 2024

2023 KWNC Awards Ceremony



In addition to being a REALTOR, I’m half of the productivity coaching staff for the Launch Program at our brokerage. Our Launch Agents are some of the best on the planet. As part of my duties, I teach classes and help newer agents manage their first few transactions.




Yesterday was the Keller Williams North Country 2023 Awards Ceremony. I was prepared to read the names of our Ignite course graduates. That announcement followed the 2023 Cultural Icon Award winner. As they were reading the Icon awardee’s credentials, I thought, “I need to meet this person!” Then, they said my name …




I still can’t believe it. I am honored and humbled beyond words – which is unusual for me.




Thank you to everyone at Keller Williams North Country! You’ll never understand how truly grateful I am that you accepted me into your singular and wonderful place. I am finally home. You are my family. I love you all!

There is no better Team Leader in all of Keller Williams than Georgina!!!




Jessica Self is a Launch Graduate and the KWNC Rookie of the Year!


I'm so honored that Michelle L Jones brought her talents to KWNC and jumped into the Top 20% for the entire year with only a few months to get there. 🤯
I’ve Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com


#DFWmark #REALTOR #KWNC #KellerWilliams #award #culture #CulturalIcon #honored #humbled #home

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Under Contract in McKinney (Frisco ISD)



Congratulations to my amazing McKinney Buyer clients! They managed to get this extremely difficult-to-find Goodman home under contract in the Brookstone neighborhood. The home is down the street from the community pool and park and only a short distance from Elliott Elementary and Whisenant Park.

I've Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com


#DFWmark #REALTOR #UnderContract #McKinney #FriscoISD #home #house #CollinCounty #VeteranOwned

Friday, February 16, 2024

Open House in Frisco Lakes


Open House!
Saturday, Feb. 17 @ 2 - 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 18 @ 2 - 4 p.m.
1851 Hacienda Heights Ln, Frisco
Listed at $735,000
MLS# 20503519
Listed by Nancy Floyd

NEW TO MARKET
This single-level 2,681 sq. ft. home in Frisco has 3 bedrooms, 2 and a half baths, and 2 dining areas in the premiere 55+ community of Frisco Lakes by Del Webb. This home features an open floorplan, which is Perfect for entertaining. The house features formal living and dining rooms. It has hardwood floors and plantation shutters throughout. The spacious kitchen offers granite counters, abundant cabinets, Stainless Steel appliances and a walk-in pantry.

The Primary suite features a walk-in shower, garden tub, dual vanities and walk-in closets with granite counters and dual sinks. There are two additional ensuite bedrooms for family or guests. An extended and covered patio completes the backyard oasis. It has an oversized 2+ car garage. This 55+ community offers three amenity centers with indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, club rooms; tennis, bocce ball and pickleball courts; indoor walking track and miles of outdoor walking trails.

I've Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com

#DFWmark #REALTOR #OpenHouse #Frisco #FriscoLakes #DentonCounty # FiftyFivePlus #RealEstate #VeteranOwned

Texas Land Considerations

Texas has a lot of land to sell and conditions to consider. Buying land in Texas is different than buying a house. In addition to using different contracts, land use and size dictates which contract will be used.
A small unimproved parcel of land will probably use an Unimproved Land contract while a larger tract of land with buildings on the property is most likely to use a Farm and Ranch contract, which allows for price changes based on surveyor results. Throughout the process, Buyers need to be careful where they step – especially around cows.
Thorough due diligence and consultation with relevant professionals are essential for Texas land buyers to make informed decisions and mitigate potential risks associated with purchasing land. Buyers are ultimately responsible for what they choose to purchase. Let’s examine some ways to avoid pitfalls along the way to land ownership.

Zoning and Land Use
How a Buyer intends to use the land is a vital decision before anyone looks for land. Will there be animals, a mobile home, a house, two houses, a workshop, a business, a camper trailer, an industrial truck, or any farm equipment? Each of these can be a potential problem for the land buyer.
Zoning regulations can vary widely between urban, suburban, and rural areas. Be clear about the use of the land to find the right land.

Location
Texas is a vast state with diverse landscapes from swamps to deserts, so buyers should consider the specific region and its annual rainfall, proximity to amenities, employment opportunities, schools, transportation, paved roads and other important facilities.

Deed Restrictions
Deed restrictions are conditions set upon the land to future landowners. Most of these conditions are limitations of use. The most common deed restrictions do not allow mobile homes, secondary homes on the same property, no large trucks or trailers, limited animals, or a restriction of animal size.

Topography and Soil Quality
The land's topography and soil quality can significantly impact its potential uses, such as agriculture, development, or recreational activities. Buyers should assess these factors along with a “soil sample” (test) to determine the suitability of the land for their intended purposes.

Access and Easements
Access to the property and any existing easements for roads or utilities should be clarified to ensure that buyers have legal access to their land and that there are no encroachments or restrictions that could affect their use of the property.

Mineral Rights
Mineral rights can be sold separately (severed) from land or conveyed with the land. Many sellers may want to retain some or all of their mineral rights when they sell the land. This is part of the negotiation process of buying the land.
More frequently, a seller doesn’t know if they even own the mineral rights. A “Landman” must be hired to investigate and determine who owns the mineral rights under any specific plot of land. This isn’t a cheap project, which is why most people don’t know if they own the mineral rights under their land. Most landmen are part of the AAPL (American Association of Petroleum Landmen).
If another person or entity owns the mineral rights under the land you purchase, the mineral rights are considered “dominant,” and the landowner must give the mineral rights owner access to extract their products including surface products such as soil, sand and water.

Water Rights
There are two broad categories of water rights in Texas: groundwater and surface water.
Groundwater is “water percolating below the surface of the earth” according to the Texas Water Code. If there are no other agreements, landowners own the groundwater beneath their property. A severed groundwater right is also the dominant estate in Texas.
Surface water collects on top of land. When a piece of land has a creek, river or lake on the land, the water itself is not necessarily owned by the landowner. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, “The State of Texas owns surface water and a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is generally required to divert state-owned surface water.” A TCEQ permit allows the holder to use a designated amount of water for a designated purpose.

Cash or Financed?
Cash is always king in real estate. Cash makes the entire transaction easier. Without lenders involved, the buyer can accept the property in any condition, can close as soon as the ink is dry on the contract and can often negotiate extra concessions from the Seller.
All deals – including cash and Veterans Administration (VA) loans will require about 2.5% of the sales price for closing costs.
Financed
Buying land through a lender has higher hurdles than a cash purchase. The lender will most often require the borrower to pay 20% down on a 15-year mortgage. Additionally, not all lenders are willing to make land loans. Buyers will need to find lenders willing to finance land loans. The land must also appraise for the sales price or less. Otherwise, the buyer will be required to pay the difference in cash – even if a significant down payment was paid.

How much land?
Many land lenders will also require the land to be more than 10 acres. A few credit unions will allow loans for less than five acres, but most land lenders are interested in 10 or more acres.
That said, agriculture tax exemptions can occur on as little as five acres anywhere in the state of Texas if the land has active bee hives. However, most counties will require at least 10 acres for an “ag exemption.”

Exempt or Not
As mentioned above, land can be exempt. I’ve written an entire post about exemptions, but the most likely use of land is for an ag exemption. The land must be “productive” to earn an ag exemption. Furthermore, it must be productive for at least five years before it is granted an exemption by the county.
Buyers should check with the county Central Appraisal District (CAD) to determine if specific land already has an exemption or will qualify for one.

Surveys
Most urban surveys are based on a Lot and Block system and platted at the city. Meanwhile, rural surveys are more likely to use a Metes and Bounds system, which measures distances from specific stakes or landmarks.
Obtaining a survey of the property and verifying its boundaries is essential to ensure that buyers are purchasing the correct parcel of land and to avoid any boundary disputes in the future.

Utilities
The most common utilities are electricity, natural gas, water, sewage, cable and internet connectivity. Land that has access to all utilities will often cost more because buyers will otherwise need to pay utility companies to bring those utilities to the property – at a cost per linear foot.
Depending on the governing jurisdiction, electricity, water and sewage may be required before a certificate of occupancy is authorized. If a water well, septic tank or propane tank are needed due to a lack of infrastructure, ensure it’s legal at that location according to all controlling governmental entities.

Water
Water can be supplied by a city, a water district, a water well or even a water service. City and water districts often have the lowest starting cost. Depending on the land, a water well can be extremely expensive and could be illegal. You can know more about water here.
If water isn’t currently at the property, a water line may need to be installed across another property owner’s land. This will create a need for the Buyer to acquire a Right of Way Easement from each landowner between the Buyer and the water supply if a water line doesn’t already exist.

Sewage
Rural areas may require a septic system to handle sewage. If a septic system currently exists on the property, an Information About On-Site Sewer Facility form will be required to convey the land. Sewage is often handled by the city in urban areas. Many cities will not allow septic systems.

Environmental Considerations
Buyers should conduct environmental assessments to identify any potential hazards or restrictions on the property, such as flood zones, wetlands, endangered species habitats, or contamination from previous land uses.

Future Development Plans
Buyers should research any potential future development plans or infrastructure projects in the area that could impact the value or use of the land.

I've Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com

#DFWmark #REALTOR #MarketWatch #ResidentialMarket #LeaseMarket #RealEstate #Sold #NewListings #Pending #Leased

Sunday, February 4, 2024

February 2024 Local Housing Market Update




The entire reported area remains in a Sellers’ Market with less than six months of inventory except for Gunter (see below). Frisco, Plano and Melissa remain critically low with less than two months of supply of houses (inventory).

All the counties and almost half of the reported cities showed positive growth in Year-Over-Year inventory. Days on market are hovering around 30 days by county. Dallas County is generally the most affordable at $199 per square foot (psf) while Collin County is getting $208 psf.




On 31 Jan. 2024, the Fed said they will hold rates steady until they see more improvements against inflation. The next proposed action may take place in March. Each 1% change in mortgage rates equates to about 10% in buying power. The general expectation is that a 1% drop may happen by December – depending on inflation.

When the rate drop is significant enough to get many Buyers off the fence, prices are expected to increase due to a historic housing shortage and pent-up demand.



For example, a 1% drop may allow a buyer to go from shopping for a $500K to a $550K house, it’s also likely to increase the price of the $500k house to $550K or more. Therefore, it’s probably best to buy the house NOW and refinance later if financially appropriate. When you’re ready to move, please call, text or email me.

Gunter leads the pack in several conflicting directions. It is the only reported city that has a Buyer’s Market of inventory at 6.2 months. It also has the fewest days on market at nine days. Additionally, it has the highest median listing price at $994,000. Finally, it has the lowest number of Active properties at 35. Gunter is north of Celina and in Grayson County.




The news out of Grayson County has been staggering lately. BNSF Railway put plans on hold for the Texas logistics facility outside Gunter. They already have more than 900 acres of land. However, all Gunter city council members quit and the city manager is gone over the proposed annexation. So, there will be no new building permits until there’s a new city council to approve them. The earliest special election is scheduled for May.

The Hard Rock Hotel, conference center, beaches and residences are coming to Lake Texoma (Oklahoma side) in 2026. It plans to have a casino.





The Massive $6B Margaritaville resort will be built at Texoma (Texas side) with resort, retail, restaurants, 7,500 luxury to multifamily plots, upscale marina and more. Investors need to move fast if they want anything in Grayson County. I can help.

I've Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com


#DFWmark #REALTOR #MarketWatch #ResidentialMarket #MarketStatistics #Stats #YOY #CollinCounty #DentonCounty #DallasCounty

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Pending in McKinney


Congratulations to the Landlord and Tenants who came to a quick agreement for this beautiful McKinney townhouse that overlooks the community pool in the Frisco ISD. 

If you're an investor who wants to acquire a property or have a property you want leased, I’m at your service!

As a professional photographer, FAA-licensed drone pilot and marketing specialist, I can place your lease property in its best light to get feet in the door. If the property is photo ready, I can put the home on the market with drone and interior photos within 24 hours.

As a full-time REALTOR, I can research and show any investment properties, write your offer quickly, negotiate terms, provide vendors and more to get the property in your portfolio and tenants in the property to create passive income for you.

I’ve Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
DFWmark.com
214-862-7212

#DFWmark #REALTOR #leased #McKinney #FriscoISD #CollinCounty #DFW #LeaseMyHouse #landlord #luxury

Friday, February 2, 2024

Fly-By tour on Medina Lane in Prosper

 

Let’s visit a move-in-ready house in the Artesia community of Prosper. This house has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and a powder room, a 2-car garage with a front entry, a pool, covered patio and more.

The house (MLS# 20429024) is in the Prosper ISD and Denton County. It is listed at $580,000 by Brent Dalley. If you’re interested in purchasing this house or any other property, please contact me immediately!

I’ve Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com

#DFWmark #REALTOR #Prosper #ProsperISD #DentonCounty #house #drone #FlyBy

Welcome to the DFWmark Blog!

Welcome to the DFWmark Blog! This is a collection of content by Mark M. Hancock, a REALTOR with Keller Williams North County in Celina...