Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification

I successfully completed the required curriculum and was awarded the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification by the National Association of REALTORS.

If you are an active duty military service member or an armed services veteran, I'm here to help YOU.

#MRP #MilitaryRelocationProfessional #veteran #VA #certified #REALTOR #RealEstate #military #DFWmark

How To Protest Your Tax Appraisal

You got this year’s tax appraisal. It seems high. You want to protest it. Here’s what you do:

• Contact DFWmark. Email your name, property address and phone number to him (markhancockrealty@gmail.com).
• DFWmark makes a free Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for you. Mark finds homes similar to your home in both size and age. He creates a market estimate CMA for you to consider for a protest. The CMA may support your protest on the grounds of Option 1 “Incorrect appraised (market) value.” Or maybe not.
• DFWmark will return this document plus a detailed explanation about the document.
• Sometimes there are mistakes and filing a protest will get the county to offer a corrected adjustment. If not, you can still collect information to present until shortly before a court date of your choice. However, the deadline to file a protest is absolute - often on or around May 15.

• If the CMA doesn’t support a protest, you may still proceed with a protest. A direct comparison analysis may support a protest on the grounds of Option 2 “Value is unequal compared with other properties.” You would need to present specific adjustments such as less-valuable property features or repair estimates from the comparable properties related to your property condition.
• You can then decide if you want to accept the county appraisal or file a protest.
• To file a protest before the deadline, go to the protest website listed on your Property Appraisal document and create an account. The address is efileprotest.collincad.org for Collin County.
• Complete the protest form. In Step 3, choose Option 1, 2 or BOTH (if they apply).
• Click the green button to file the protest.
• Once you have created a file and protested, you can upload supporting documents. These should include a protest letter from you - basically reword DFWmark’s cover letter. Then, upload the CMA or spreadsheet (if either or both support your claim), estimates of costs to make needed repairs, and photos of damaged or removed items (pools, patio covers, etc.) that the county considered in their appraisal.

• Once the deadline passes, the county Appraisal Review Board contacts you with an offer. You can accept or reject the offer.
     • If you accept the offer, the appraisal is agreed upon by you and the county. You pay that amount.
     • If you reject the offer, they will schedule a hearing date.
• At a hearing, you present your protest and the Appraisal Review Board makes a final determination.
• These taxes are finalized in October. Taxpayers are notified (billed) in December. Taxes must be paid in January before the February 1 deadline of the following year. Then, the cycle begins again.

• The appraisal amount is calculated from 1 Jan. 2020 to 31 Dec. 2020. You want a low number because you're taxed per each $100 of appraised value.
• The appraised amount is NOT the current market estimate of your home - where you want a high number. If you want to sell your house before June 15 while houses are selling fast at historic high prices, please let me know. I'd need to see the property to get a better current market number.

• If you’re uncertain about protesting the county appraisal, send me your information, and I can let you know where you stand until a day before the county deadline.

Here are links to many North Texas Central Appraisal Districts (CADs): Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Grayson, Johnson, Kaufman, Rockwall and Tarrant.

I’ve Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI
REALTOR®

GRI Designated to Serve You Best

My clients are more sophisticated than ever. They require me to perform at the highest level of ethics, competence and professionalism in an ever-changing landscape. I earned my Graduate, REALTOR® Institute Designation (GRI) for you.

Nationally, only about 65% of real estate agents are REALTORS®. Of those only 4% continue their education to get the GRI designation. You deserve the best.

I lead the charge with real-world knowledge about cutting-edge technologies, laws and marketing techniques that will positively affect your bottom line during your next real estate transaction. Buying and selling property is a complex, complicated and stressful task. I’m here to guide you through the process while protecting your best interests and communicating with you.

I’ve Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com

#DFWmark #Realtor #RealEstate #GRI #GraduateRealtorInstitute #designation #education #agent #DFW #Frisco

Flag Holidays

Jan. 1                              New Year’s Day

Jan. 20                           Inauguration Day

3rd Mon. in Jan.              Martin Luther King

3rd Mon. in Feb.              Presidents Day

Variable*                         Easter Sunday

2nd Sun. in May              Mother’s Day

3rd Sat. in May                Armed Forces Day

Last Mon. in May            Memorial Day

June 14                           Flag Day

June 19                           Juneteenth

3rd Sun. in June             Father’s Day

July 4                              Independence Day

1st Mon. in Sept.             Labor Day

Sept. 11                           Patriot Day

Sept. 17                           Constitution Day

1st Tues. after Nov. 1       Election Day

Nov. 11                           Veterans Day

4th Thurs. in Nov.            Thanksgiving

Dec. 7                             Pearl Harbor Day

Dec. 25                           Christmas Day

* Easter is held on the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon on or after the March 21 spring equinox.

I've Got Your Six!
Mark M. Hancock
REALTOR
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com

Pandemic Help

Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

I hope this information helps you, your loved ones and associates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if you're surviving the pandemic with only inconveniences and Zoom meetings, you are very likely to know someone who can use the information listed below.
Since you may not know who needs help, please share this page on your social media to help your friends.

Stay safe! Stay healthy!
I’ve Got Your Six!

DFWmark.com

Jump to:
Suicide Prevention
Family Crisis Center / Domestic Abuse
Federal Stimulus Packages
• Federal Stimulus Checks
• Unemployment Benefits
• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
• Food programs
• Utility, Prescription and Medical Help
• Veterans Administration

Small Business Administration Loans
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Loan Advance
• EIDL Emergency Grant

Pandemic Mortgage Relief Options
• Health and Welfare Assistance
• Mortgage and Rent Programs
• Protections for renters
• Where to get additional help

Pets (food and veterinary assistance)
401K Disbursements
IRS (tax relief)
Student loans
Report price gouging

DFW city and county websites 

Suicide Prevention
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Lifeline provides continuous, free and confidential support for people in distress. They also provide prevention and crisis resources for friends and family.

Family Crisis Center / Domestic Abuse
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Email: nationaldeafhotline@adwas.org
thehotline.org/help
Call, chat or email.
National Domestic Violence Hotline provides continuous, free and confidential support in more than 200 languages. Advocates talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy relationships.

DoD Safe Helpline
877-995-5247
Chat online with a trained Department of Defense staff member who can provide you confidential crisis support. Your privacy and safety are crucial. You may use Safe Helpline anonymously.

International Domestic Violence Resource Guide: Coronavirus Update

Contact information sorted by nation and useful tips to help witnesses take action.

Federal Stimulus Packages (pandemic related)

Federal Stimulus Checks
• This is an advance on your 2020 tax return – not a grant. Learn what this means for your 2020 taxes.
• Direct payments to Taxpayers
• Based on 2019 return or 2018 if 2019 is not filed
• To qualify: Adjusted Gross Income must be under $75K single / $150K filed jointly
• $1,200 per taxpayer
• $500 for each qualifying child (17 and under)
• Payments start the week of April 13th or 20th
• It will take longer to get a payment if the IRS doesn’t have your direct deposit information

Unemployment Benefits
• CARES Act provides unemployment benefits for independent contractors too
• These are federal funds and are administered by the states (such as TWC.texas.gov)
• Benefit amounts depend on your past income

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
• Provides loans to small business to help with payroll costs, rents and mortgages
• Available for independent contractors as well
• Loan amounts are based on a monthly average payroll costs X 2.5 up to $10 million
• Parts of the loan may be forgiven (most likely those paid to employees)
• Low interest rate and two-year maturity
• Visit www.sba.gov for more information
• Apply through your banker

Food programs
USDA (www.usda.gov)
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
• Assistance for People of All Ages
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move toward self-sufficiency.
• Food Help for Disaster Relief
• The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) coordinates with state, local and voluntary organizations to provide food for shelters and other mass feeding sites, distribute food packages directly to households in need in limited situations, and issue Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits.
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): TEFAP helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost.

Utility, Prescription and Medical Help
usa.gov/help-with-bills
Utility company help
• If you can't afford to pay your home heating or cooling bill, you may be able to get help from the government or your local social services agency or nonprofit. Prescription drug and medical help
• Government programs can help pay for prescription drugs and medical bills.

Veterans Administration
benefits.va.gov
• If you haven’t applied for veterans’ benefits and need to take advantage of them now, here’s where you can start the process.
• If you are a service member and need pandemic-related assistance with your rent or mortgage payments, contact your local Legal Assistance Office.

Small Business Administration Loans

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Loan Advance
• Up to $2 million loan
• Low interest rate (3.75%) with 30-year maturity
• Must provide economic hardship due to COVID-19
• Personal guarantee required or collateral
• Visit www.sba.gov for more information and to apply

EIDL Emergency Grant
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans
• $10,000 forgivable grant
• Same process as the loan
• Independent contractors included
• Must provide economic hardship due to-19
• Visit www.sba.gov for more information and to apply

Pandemic Mortgage Relief Options

Health and Welfare Assistance
Federal and state governments have announced plans to help struggling homeowners during the pandemic.
A new federal law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, puts in place two protections for homeowners with federally backed mortgages:
1. A foreclosure moratorium
2. A right to forbearance for homeowners who are experiencing a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 emergency

Mortgage and Rent Programs
USA Today article
If you can pay your mortgage, pay your mortgage. There is no mortgage forgiveness program.
• Mortgage Forbearance – borrowers of government-backed mortgages can request up to 360-day payment forbearance without proof of hardship.
• It is vital to understand if your loan servicer will demand all funds at the end of the forbearance period or will tack them onto the end of the loan.
• It is unclear how taxes and insurance will be handled, but they will most likely be due and payable as typical for your arrangement. Only loan principal and interest are affected.

Protections for renters
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, if you are renting from an owner who has a federally-backed mortgage, the CARES Act provides for a suspension or moratorium on evictions. If your landlord has a federally backed mortgage or multi-family mortgage, you cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent for 120 days beginning on March 27, 2020, the effective date of the CARES Act. After the 120-day period is up, the landlord cannot require you, the tenant, to vacate until providing you with a 30-day notice to vacate.
If the property you rent isn’t covered by the CARES Act, many states have suspended all evictions and foreclosures due to the pandemic. Check the websites of your state government or legal aid program for details and updates. See National Center for State Courts www.ncsc.org for more information.

Where to get additional help
If you need help working with your mortgage servicer or understanding your options, you can contact a professional to help with your specific situation.
• HUD-Approved Housing Counselors. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved housing counselors can discuss options if you can’t pay your full mortgage loan or need a reverse mortgage loan. This may also include forbearance, deferment, or a modified payment program.
• Credit Counselors. Reputable credit counseling organizations are generally non-profit organizations that can advise you on your money and debts, and help you with a budget. Some may also help you negotiate with creditors. There are specific questions to ask to help you find a credit counseling organization to work with.
• Lawyers. If you need a lawyer, there may be resources to assist you through your local bar association, legal aid.

401K Disbursements
• CARES act allows distribution from your 401K or IRA up to $100,000 of your vested balance with no penalty.
• Distribution is taxable but tax is spread out over three years.
• Distribution can be repaid and receive a tax credit.
• Loans are also permitted based on your plan’s rules.
• Must certify that the distribution/loan is COVID-19 related.

Pets (food and veterinary assistance)
• ASPCA pandemic response page
• Humane Society aid and financial assistance:

IRS (tax relief)
Coronavirus tax relief (IRS)
• July 15th is the new tax deadline for filing your 2019 returns
• This includes quarterly tax payments

Student loans
• Suspends all payments due on federal student loans for 6 months
• Interest shall not accrue on these during this forbearance
• For the purpose of loan forgiveness, loans will be deemed paid during the forbearance.
• Prohibits negative credit reporting or involuntary debt collection during the forbearance period

Report price gouging
USPIRG.org (U.S. Public Interest Research Group)
How do I spot price gouging?
1) Extraordinarily high prices: Businesses can increase prices for critical supplies during an emergency. While laws vary by state, increases over 20% may be considered price gouging.
2) Price Comparison Between Similar Products: Some state laws prohibit significant increases in prices as compared to similar store-brand products.
3) Err on the side of caution: If you aren’t certain if a product is priced too high, report the problematic items to the company and your Attorney General.

What do I need to report price gouging?
1) The name of the store/vendor where you saw the item and their address.
2) Product details, including, but not limited to, the product type, brand, size, and price.
3) The date, time, and location you saw the product.
4) You can improve the investigation by providing a picture of the item.

Please also visit individual city and county websites in the DFW Metroplex for local help.

I’ve Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock
REALTOR
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com


#DFWmark #pandemic #help #COVID19 #StagingTips #FoodToGo #SucceedInPlace #UsefulNews #Frisco #DFW

Would you like to get the monthly Information of Value directly to your inbox? Please email your name and phone number to markhancockrealty@gmail.com. Please title the email IOV or Information of Value. Thanks!

Shelter In Place Order

It’s a serious time for all of us. We don’t know what the future will hold. However, one thing is certain: 

I’ve Got Your Six!

I’m here to support and defend you. My work and humanitarian efforts will continue.

Dallas, Collin and Denton counties have issued variations of Shelter In Place or Work Safe orders. Individual cities - including Frisco - have additional orders. 

Real estate services are Essential Services Necessary to Maintain Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses according to the National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) Memorandum of Essential Critical Infrastructure document.

Call, text, email or PM me when you need my help for anything. I’m here for you. I have new tires and a tank of gas. I can help in person in Collin, Southeast Denton or Northern Dallas counties. I'll take precautions, and I'm accustomed to working in challenging environments. 

From defending our country to covering major natural disasters, you've always trusted and counted on me. Now is no different. As always, I've Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock
REALTOR®
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com

To learn more about CISA designations, please visit: t.ly/qlr2N.

Moving Checklist

Preparation and organization are key in determining the stress level of your move. Follow the steps below to ensure your move will be smooth.

One Month Before the Move:
• Select a mover or truck rental company.
• Make baby sitter and/or pet care arrangements for moving day.
• File a change of address form at the Post Office.
• Change address on all newspaper and magazine subscriptions.
• Arrange for the transfer of all medical, dental and school records.
• Transfer medical, property, fire and auto insurance.
• Organize all move-related documents in one place, such as a folder or binder - fireproof if possible.

Two Weeks Before the Move:
• Cancel or transfer all utilities (water, gas, electric, telephone, TV, cable, satellite, internet)
• Check with your provider about cell phone service in your new location.
• Transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new location.
• Transfer bank accounts.
• Collect or purchase all packing supplies: boxes, wrapping paper, bubble wrap, labels, markers, box cutters, scissors and packing tape.
• Pack up items in garage, attic and storage areas.
• Confirm arrangement with movers or truck rentals.

One Week Before the Move:
• Begin packing boxes. Label each as you fill it. Consider room-designated packing tape.
• Empty, defrost and clean refrigerator, freezer and stove.
• Return all rented movies, library books, video games, etc.
• Pick up anything outstanding such as dry cleaning, prescriptions, etc.

The Day Before the Move:
• Perform a final check of closets, cabinets and drawers.
• Ensure you have enough cash on hand for the move.
• Take out all trash.
• Fully charge all cell phones.
• Touch base with movers or truck rental company for the final confirmation of arrangements.

The Day of the Move:
• Ensure all transportation is fully fueled and tires are properly inflated.
• Exchange contact information with the movers to ensure you can contact them while in route. Include your old and new addresses, cell phone numbers and directions to new location.
• Keep jewelry and other valuables with you in a box that you move yourself.
• Prepare a box of supplies that you'll need on move-in day, such as cleaning supplies, snacks, drinking water, toiletries, bath items, bedding, trash bags, disposable dishes, pet food, cell phone chargers, prescriptions, eyeglasses, changes of clothing, etc.
• Perform a final check before locking the doors. Confirm that the furnace/air conditioner, lawn sprinklers, and light switches are all turned off.
• Ensure you have properly transferred the house keys, secondary keys, mail keys and garage door openers.

Immediately After the Move for Leases

• Complete the Residential Lease Inventory and Condition Form and return to the email address in Paragraph 32 (unless stated otherwise) within the number of days stated in Paragraph 15 (normally 3 to 7 days).

I've Got Your Six! 

FREE Interactive Home Selector is Available

I look forward to working with you and making your transition as smooth as possible. Please email DFWmark@kw.com to get a FREE interactive PDF of the Home Selector form shown here. You can input and Save the information you add securely on your own computer.

You can fill it out for yourself to safely search on DFWmark.com or send me a completed copy to let me custom-deliver home options to your secure email inbox. Call, text or email me to get this form for lease home options.

If you prefer, you can download and print the Home Selector form from this page. If you're looking for a home, DFWmark.com is tied directly to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), so you can be confident that you only see accurate, timely and safe options directly from the service professional REALTORS® use.

There are some posts on this blog designed for your convenience and peace of mind. You will want to start on the Index page. It has links to all the information you'll need to make informed decisions. The most important posts are these:

House Buyers:
What buyers should expect
Avoid scams
Your credit score and options
School district scores, schools and feeder patterns
 (select districts)
Who pays for what?

House leases:
What to expect when leasing a house
Avoid scams
Your credit score and options
School district scores, schools and feeder patterns
 (select districts)
Who pays for what?

I look forward to seeing what properties you have chosen. I'll investigate any multiple offer or application situations, arrange access and give you the route details for our private tour.

My services are almost always paid by the sellers to be at no cost to buyers and tenants. You need a trustworthy, full-time professional Realtor on your side to guide you through the process. I'm at your service.

I’ve Got Your Six!

Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD

REALTOR, New Build certified

214-862-7212

DFWmark.com

Avoid Scams

Lease and home purchase scams are a fact in DFW and have been for several years. These are sometimes called "Phantom rentals" or "Hijacked rentals."  I’ve personally stopped customers from throwing away thousands of dollars on a scam. As always, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Photo illustration by 

Mark M. Hancock / The Beaumont Enterprise

Swindlers from around the world cheat people out of their money through the Internet. When there is more demand than availability for affordable homes, there's an opening to be cheated.

Please read the story and watch this series of videos by NBC DFW. Then, read the information below.

This post was originally about lease scams. Lease scams have mutated into home purchase scams. The set up is the same, the difference is the scammers want earnest money checks rather than deposit checks. Both payments can be thousands of dollars. They collect these cashiers checks from multiple victims (tenants and buyers) and disappear. This is why it's vital to double-check and verify any home listing on my website at DFWmark.com.

Warning signs:
• The price is too good to be true.
• Property is advertised online through a 3rd party such as Craigslist rather than the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
• The "landlord" or "property manager" (contact) says he or she is "out of town/state."
• The contact ignores calls, texts or email inquiries on an active property.
• The contact gives a lockbox code directly to a potential tenant.
• The potential tenant is allowed to tour the home unaccompanied.
• The sign at the house is different than the online "agent."
• The sign at the house offers a home for sale rather than for lease.
• Search engine check (Google) for the property finds more than one owner or property manager.
• County Appraisal District (CAD) search finds different owner.
• Payment is requested via electronic transfer (wire), Bitcoin or gift cards rather than certified check delivered in person to a specific address.

What to do:
• Meet with a licensed real estate agent or property owner in person.
• Check the County Appraisal District (CAD) to learn who owns the property. This information is public and easily available online by address in most counties.
• Ask for identification and license numbers. You can check the license number at TREC.
• Never send any money for a property that you or your agent have never seen in person.
• Read the contract carefully. Where will the payments be sent? To whom? Contact info for repairs?
• Ensure the lease is in your name and the property address matches the property you viewed.
• Never pay cash.
• Never wire large sums of money to anyone you've never met in person.
• Gift cards and Bitcoins are never a legitimate form of payment for an initial property lease and security deposit.

If someone claims to be a property manager, ask for their license number. If it's a house rather than an apartment complex, and they say they aren't licensed. Run!

Does a property manager have to be licensed? | TREC

Based on this information, I strongly suggest getting a comparative market analysis (CMA) by a licensed Texas REALTOR. The price and location of a lease property should be reasonable. If not, it's a problem. Scammers are getting closer to the market price, but they still show their hand (and snare the unsuspecting) by offering prices under market value.

Since you are a tenant or buyer, a CMA is almost always available at no cost to you if you have an agent. The listing agent or landlord pays your Realtor fees - trust and use your agent's expertise. Don't try to "go it alone" when you have an advocate.

Please see my posts about What to expect when leasing a house and What Buyers Should Expect in Texas.

I've Got Your Six!

What to expect when leasing a house

As a licensed Texas REALTOR, I can help tenants find and secure leases to make a house into a home. In almost all instances, the landlord pays my fees - not the tenant. Please call or text 214-862-7212 or email me when you want my help. 

A house lease is different than an apartment lease. However, it’s often a much better experience for tenants.

When the family comes home, they are HOME. It looks like a home, it feels like a home, it has all the benefits of a home and, yes, it has many of the obligations of a home (water, mow, edge and weed the lawn, etc.).

For tenants currently living in apartments, a house or townhouse lease is a good transition before a house purchase. For tenants with large families or large pets, it may be the only option.

It's vital to fill in each blank on the application that I provide. My clients frequently jump over other applicants because we present complete, neat and accurate applications with all the supporting documents. We make it easy for the listing agents to do their jobs, so we benefit. 

Ensure you know what you can afford
There aren't many good reasons to look at properties you can't afford. It isn't a good use of anyone's time, and tenants will probably be disappointed with their choices afterward. 
The rules of thumb are to either:
A) Earn three times the lease price.
B) Divide your annual household income by 40 to determine an affordable monthly rent. Read more about this calculation.

Ensure your credit is good

Get a free, "soft inquiry" credit report to know your credit score. These are available through your bank or outside vendors such as Credit Karma. Frequently, these scores will appear higher than the score pulled for the lease because the soft pulls only use one reporting service. 

The best lease houses will require a score of at least 650 or higher. Good houses will want 620 or higher. The basic entry level is 600 or more. 

To lease a property, your credit score can be slightly lower than 600 if landlords agree to additional deposits or prepaid months. Talk to your REALTOR about these options, and let them know your situation to best help you. 
It's extremely difficult to get any lease properties below 550. Expect to pay several months upfront with a cashier's check. 
To learn more about your credit options, please read Your Credit Score and Options.

What is the process

If you’ve never leased a house or worked with a REALTOR before, you’ll have many questions. I have answers.

1)      Contact DFWmark

2)      I’ll email you a link to the state-mandated Information About Brokerage Services section of DFWmark.com.

3)      Let me know what you want:

a.       How many bedrooms

b.       How many bathrooms

c.       What location (city, school district, neighborhood or even a specific street)

d.       Maximum price (and possibly a minimum price to narrow the options if too many)

e.       Pets or not

f.        There are many other filters, but they reduce options beyond these basics.

4)      Let me know when you want to move.

5)      With this information, I can automate a search for your ideal lease. The default setting is to deliver any new options in your specific request parameters each morning about 6 a.m. via email. If you only want results on specific days of the week, in the afternoons, or any combinations of the two variables, please let me know. I’ll make it happen.

6)      I’ll email a blank application form to you. Please have each adult (over 18 years) fill out an application. Please ensure no lines are left blank. Please do NOT sign the application. Scan or make a cell phone photo of the completed form and send it to markhancockrealty@gmail.com

7)      I’ll input your information into a digital format and return it to you for factual verification. If you approve, we’re almost ready. The landlord will also want the following, so it's most efficient to let me securely store these items:

a.       Scan or photo copy of each applicant’s picture ID.

b.       Scan or photo copy of each applicant’s last two pay stubs.

c.       Photo of any pets that will be on the property.

8)      For our records, I’ll also need:

a.       A digitally-initialed Information About Brokerage Services form required by the State of Texas

b.       A digitally-signed Tenant Representation Agreement - this lets me represent your best interests specifically for real estate transactions
c.       An Affiliated Business Disclosure  - because my brokerage has majority stakes in any related businesses (title, insurance, etc.). 
d.       Intermediary Relationship Notice if both agents work for the same brokerage.

9)      When you locate the ideal property for you, please select up to four additional properties to see as “backup” options.

10)   Call, text or email me to see those select properties.

a.       I will view all options on a map to determine the most logical route.

b.       Calculate the amount of time between stops

c.       Set each stop in 15-minute increments while accounting for travel. Meanwhile, each appointment will be for a 1-hour window (if listing agent allows) to ensure you look long enough at specific, preferred properties of the set.

d.       Contact the schedule service and/or listing agents to get access to the properties. Some properties still have tenants. The landlord may require a 3-hour minimum notice to see a property. Occasionally, they require 24 hours.

11)   See properties

a.       If you only want to see one property, we can meet there.

b.       If you want to see more than two properties, I’d be happy to pick you up in my SUV, or we can meet at a neutral site, and you can ride in my SUV from there. (THIS OPTION IS SUSPENDED DURING COVID19 PANDEMIC)

12)   If you decide a property is ideal for you, let me know. I will

a.       Call the listing agent to ensure the property is available, negotiate any additional benefits for you and explain any extenuating circumstances.

b.       Complete the application form with the landlord’s information.

c.       Send the digital form to all applicants for digital signatures through a secure system.

13)   I will collect all signed and securely-stored documents and submit to the listing agent.

14)   The listing agent will contact you to pay a non-refundable application fee (they average about $50 per applicant). This pays the fees for background and credit checks. 

15)   If approved, the listing agent will provide the lease documents, collect the deposit, pet deposit (deposits are per pet) and first month’s rent (all these funds need to be ready before application). This is often done online, but can also be accomplished with certified checks.

16)   Make arrangements to move. I have several trustworthy movers listed on my DFWreferral blog, if needed.

17)   Get renters insurance for the new address and send proof to landlord, landlord's agent or property manager. Ensure power, gas, water, sewage, trash collection, any phone lines, cable, internet and various other utilities are placed into your name and activated on or before the day you move in (if possible).
         The owner may let you start moving early if these are completed early.

18)   Inspect and photograph any damage that remains in the home, so you won’t be charged for those damages later. 

19)   Move.

20)   Complete and return the damage report to the landlord, landlord's agent or property manager. It MUST be completed and returned WITHIN THE DAYS STATED ON THE LEASE after the move-in date. It MUST be returned to the LOCATION STATED ON THE LEASE - normally an email address.

21)   Change your Texas driver’s license (within 30 days) and vehicle registration (within 90 days) to the new address.

22)   Change billing addresses online or send change of address notices to creditors and other important correspondents. Submit a change of address form to the U.S. Postal Service to ensure your mail is forwarded to your new address.

23)   Enjoy life in your ideal home!

DFWmark Referral Network launch

DFWmark Referral Network (https://dfwreferral.blogspot.com) is now functional. If you need contractors for various projects in relation to your home in DFW, this is good starting point.

It was designed to be mobile friendly, so you should bookmark it on your phone for easy access.

I’ll reach out to the vendors (or they can reach out to me) over the next few weeks to see if I can arrange additional discounts for veterans, clients and customers.

If you want to refer a vendor, please follow the link provided and send me their vitals. If you want me to research another category, please let me know what you need, and I’ll try to find three options for you.

I've Got Your Six!