Are you looking for a way to SPICE up your blog?

Are you trying to find a way to connect with your blog audience and show that you have a sense of humor? That you're not like every other Realtor out there? That real estate doesn't always have to be so serious?

Why not make a video on Xtranormal.com? It's free and easy...and TOO. FUN!

I wrote about this website in yesterday's blog post about some of the great tools I learned about at RainCamp Dallas.

As an experiment, I made my first video about the real estate market in 2006. You can see it by clicking on the link above. I mainly did it as a test - to see how easy it would be to actually make. Many times sites claim they are "easy" to do, but in reality it actually takes someone in MENSA with a genius IQ and 2 degrees from Yale to figure out what's going on.

Not the case here. It's almost TOO easy.

EVERYONE can benefit from using these clever videos in your business! You can make a video about so many different topics:

• The home buying process - Realtors
  
• Educating buyers on different types of loans - Lenders
  
• Tips about what to look for in home inspections - Home Inspectors
• Why not the obvious - a quick commercial about YOU?

How would YOU use a video in your business? I'd love some more ideas...

In my second video from Kim Daugherty productions, I show George W Bush and President Obama talking Texas Real Estate. And who knew "W" had some great advice about McKinney, TX Real Estate referrals?

 

What do the McKinney North High School Swim & Dive Team, Chinese Food and Car Washes have in common?

   +     +   = ????

 

By themselves, nothing.

But when you put them all together on Saturday, August 8 at the Panda Express on the corner of Virginia Pkwy and Stonebridge Drive you come up with one AWESOME fundraiser that EVERYONE loves.

Drive your dirty car on by the Panda Express beginning at 10:30 am and make a donation to the MNHS swim & dive team. Help them raise money for scholarships and equipment that they'll need for the upcoming 2009-2010 year.

While you're getting the car cleaned, step inside where you can eat some yummy Panda Express chinese food - my fave: Orange Chicken and Spring Rolls! 20% of your order will also go towards MNHS fundraising efforts. It's a win-win. You get a clean car & lunch, and they get some much needed funds for their organization!

Make sure you tell Panda Express that you're there for the swim & dive team and they'll toss the 20% in all day long.

On a personal note, a few of the coaches of the McKinney Sea Lions Swim Team attend MNHS. My son, Mason, was a part of the team this summer - his first season - and he LOVED it! These kids put in a lot of hard work and deserve some community support.

Stop on by!

McKinney Spotlight On Dentist, Dr. James Barnes, DDS

I have a confession...

I lived in McKinney for quite some time (won't confess to how long) before I finally sought out a local dentist.

I'm guessing that like many of you reading this, a trip to the dentist does not rank too highly on the list of enjoyable ways to spend your time. I know few people who really love the sound of drills, smell of...well, I don't really know what that smell is, but you know what I'm talking about - floss, or flouride and latex gloves and sterile cleaning solutions. I don't know. Anyhow, back on track...

I finally ponyed up and made an appointment. I knew the receptionist for Dr. Barnes, and she guaranteed that the dental hygenist who cleaned my teeth was gentle and one of the BEST and that Dr. Barnes wouldn't be scary or drill-happy.

Just look at his picture - does he look like a crazed dentist? Not one bit! He's knowledgeable without being cocky, honest and up front without being rude, and all in all a NICE GUY!

The receptionist was right on the money! I had a GREAT experience. Seriously. Short of having my nails done or having a massage done at the same time, it was as good as it could have gone! Well, minus the work that I need to schedule to have done. But that's MY fault.

You can read about this awesome McKinney Dentist on his website.

He provides a full menu of services and his staff was friendly and accomodating. So, if you've just relocated to McKinney or are in the process of moving to McKinney, TX - give Dr. Barnes a call and set up a cleaning. Don't wait like I did!

Dr. Barnes and staff are located at 5080 Virginia Pkwy in McKinney TX. That's at the NW corner of Virginia and Lake Forest Drive.

 

A great grocery store is always on the list of top ten places to find for every new buyer in a strange new town. OK, it's in the top three. Why? Immediately upon move-in you need to easily find a place that sells these necessities: toilet paper (obvious), cleaning supplies (in case the previous owners were not so tidy upon move out), microwavable kid-friendly meals (cause face it, McDonald's is getting old and you're not about to cook in a dirty kitchen) and for the hubby: cold beer (because between the moving of the heavy stuff, the drive to the new city and the wife stressing about where things will go - it is indeed a necessity).

Of course you can always stop by the big discount superstores - yes, McKinney has THREE Super Walmarts - but for something more you have to check out Market Street!

Here's 10 Reasons WHY I go to McKinney Market Street:

• The BEST seafood and meat department - hands down!
• I like some organic foods, and Market Street offers organic choices side-by-side the Lucky Charms and Doritos.
• FRESH Sushi made daily! (I can just HEAR you west coast transplants sighing some relief.)
• An awesome Olive Bar
• They offer pre-made dinner items that I can take home, heat up, throw in some pretty serving dishes and call it homemade gourmet for all my dinner guests :).
• Incredible wine selection.
• An in-store Cafe, offering: brick oven pizzas, comfort food galore, fresh caesar salads made to order in front of your eyes, a gorgeous salad bar with some yummy premade salads and fruit, and sandwich/burger shop.
  
  • I often take the family here for dinner because everyone can get what they like. I head to the salad bar, hubby grabs some chicken fried steak plus all the southern fixin's, my oldest goes straight to the make your own pasta bar and the baby, well, he eats off all our plates! He's not picky (thank you God!).
• Cooking Classes! Upstairs next to the gift shop is the classroom used for a variety of culinary classes! They offer classes for beginners, advanced and even mommy-n-me classes.
• The Customer Service!!!!! Sorry about all the exclamation marks, but if you visit you'll understand why. They even INSIST on taking your groceries out to your car for you. 
• One of the few stores that still offer Maternity Parking Spaces/Stork Spaces. All you pregnant mommas out there know just how valuable these are. Especially when you're trucking up to the store in 110 degree heat to get that gallon of Chunkey Monkey ice cream for the 3rd time that week day.

Market Street is located at 6100 W Eldorado Pkwy in McKinney, TX

 

 

 

 

Relocating to McKinney, TX 101 - What will my new McKinney home be like?

We've all heard that a large portion of fear, is fear of the UNKNOWN. When moving or relocating to a new city, there may be lots of fears and LOTS of unknowns! Especially if you have kids, like I do.

BUT WHERE WILL MY TOYS GO?

True story: When my husband and I were moving up from our McKinney townhouse in master-planned Stonebridge Ranch to a larger McKinney single-story detached home just a few miles away, my then 3 year old son was quite confused. He accompanied us on our house showings and would weigh-in afterwards about what he liked or didn't like. His comments were usually, "I like the house with the big trampoline", or "I LOVE the house with all the Star Wars toys!" and "Can we get the house with the Lego table in the boys room that is painted like outer space?".

I didn't put it all together until later that what HE was worried about were the FURNISHINGS TOYS in the home. He was scared to move to a place that didn't have cool TOYS. So, when we were standing in the house that we eventually bought, and said, "Yep - this is our new house - go pick out your room" he was scared. You see, the sellers had GIRL bedrooms. Pink. We finally put 2 and 2 together and explained to him that his things would be coming WITH us and the sellers things would going with them. We were fine and dandy after that point, but he didn't have any expectations of what moving would be like, he didn't have an idea of what kind of house we would move in to and these fears were sewn out of the UNKNOWN.

"MOM, WHAT'S OUR NEW HOUSE GONNA BE LIKE?"

While most adults are beyond a 3 year old's understanding of the moving process, that doesn't mean there aren't UNKNOWN'S. So, in an effort to educate those of you moving to our popular "Reloville", I'd like to present you with a list of 6 differences in what the homes in McKinney and surrounding areas are like, versus where you may be moving from! Share these with your kids too! Knowledge is power, and kids really like power.

1. With the exception of ONE community that comes to mind (Mallard Lakes), McKinney TX Homes do NOT have BASEMENTS. Welcome to North Texas, home of the clay soil! Clay soil + basements = cracking, bad mess of a house.

2. A large percentage of homes for sale in McKinney are brick. A popular trend is to incorporate natural stone in the elevations of homes, contributing to the very natural, country vibe that McKinney gives off.

3. Compared to many Northern and Midwestern states, our back yards are SMALL (average subdivision lot size is 60 by 120). Unless you are looking in the $500K+ price range where you might get a third of an acre up to 1 acre.

4. ...and speaking of back yards, many subdivisions use shared wooden fences. Other fences you might see if living on a golf course are the wrought iron fences that allow the views to be seen from the property.

5. It's HOT in Texas, therefore Community Pools are almost as necessary as air conditioning. Many of McKinney's subdivisions (large and small) offer small pools up to large beach club sized community pools sandy lagoons with splash pads! (Hint: the kids will LOVE this!)

6. One of the biggest befefits of moving to McKinney, TX is the fact that you can get a newer home at a reasonable price! Can I get an AMEN?

• 165 homes SOLD in McKinney (according to NTREIS MLS) from 6/29/09-7/29/09.
• Average price per square foot was $82.22
• Average AGE of home was 1998 - ONLY 11 YEARS OLD!
• Sellers received an average of 97% of sales price. Average list price was $231,558 and average sold price was $223,779.
• It took home sellers an average of 94 days on the market to get their McKinney, TX home SOLD!
• The average home that sold was a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with 2681 square feet

 

We're looking forward to having you as our new neighbors here in McKinney, TX. If you have any other questions, or UNKNOWNS, no matter how silly you think they may be - ASK AWAY! That's what we're here for! My McKinney TX Homes blog just might have your answers. And if it doesn't, I'll make a blog post out of it! You have my word on it.

Moving to a North Dallas suburb can sometimes mean chosing between seemingly identical cities. They all have a Starbucks on every corner, several big chain restaurants, a Walmart (or three), a sprinking of unique dining options, great public and private schools across the board, impressive parks & rec and a broad range of real estate price ranges for every buyer. I love the 'burbs!

But many times it comes down not to the tangible traits of each city, rather the unseen "feel" that a city exudes. The "It" Factor. I've seen it happen time and time again. A buyer will just naturally gravitate toward a certain city or neighborhood. They can't really tell me why, but they feel drawn to it.

For me, and many others, what sets McKinney TX apart from the crowd is our Historic Downtown Main Street. Our Historic Square beats all others around... HANDS DOWN! We've GOT the "it" factor!

In case you didn't know, McKinney has one of THE oldest authentic historic downtowns in Texas. McKinney's Square was once the center of ALL commercial and social activity for Collin County (we are the county seat), and our city is STILL serving as a thriving, happening, energized retail, dining, entertainment and business center.

"The Square" offers over 100 boutiques and specialty shops, plus more than a dozen unique (no chains here!) restaurants. (Ladies, I'll spell it out for you = GIRLS WEEKEND DESTINATION!) You'll find award-winning chefs, sandwich shops, cafes (Spoons is my fave), outdoor patio dining (hang out at Poppy's) and neighborhood pubs with live music (check out Cadillac Pizza Pub). Don't miss the art galleries featuring the works of local artists, furniture stores, exquisite antique collections, numerous gift shops, spas and sought-after clothing boutiques (ladies - run to "Pumps"!).

Earlier this year (2009), the city announced the "Friends of McKinney Main Street" program. This allows anyone with a passion for McKinney's historic district an opportunity to donate and keep all of the Main Street programs alive! What programs? Just about every month you can find a festival or family event - Scare on the Square, Oktoberfest, Dickens of a Christmas, Red, White & Boom and Krewe of Barkus. The list goes on...

For more information on how to donate you can check out www.downtownmckinney.com.

**d + b real estate is proud to be a new business on the square! We love where we live and where we work. For more information about what makes McKinney "Unique by Nature", call or email one of our agents. We love working with relocating families to our area!

For a list of historic homes for sale in McKinney, TX email us at Realtor@RealFamilyRealEstate.com and visit our website to search the McKinney, TX MLS.

 

Greenbelt Beauty in Stonebridge Ranch of McKinney!

Price: 189900 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Sqft: 2218 Lot Size: .152 Year Built: 1997 Property Address: 8412 Lanners McKinney, TX 75070 Immaculate home nestled next to greenbelt in Stonebridge Ranch with 3 BR + study. This move-in ready home features over $17K in improvements! You\'ll love the extended covered patio with ctile & extensive landscaping. Walking distance to Exemplary School, park, pond & playground. New carpet & utility c-tile(\'07), updated lighting & ceiling fans. Open floorplan has large island kitchen, living room with brick fireplace & gas logs and surround sound. Come look! Enjoy your morning cup of coffee overlooking the Falcon Creek Greenbelt & Walking Trail. Just Walking Distance to Exemplary School, Pond, Park & Playground. Enjoy Stonebridge Ranch amenities: Beach & Tennis Club, Aquatic Center, Stocked Ponds w/ Catch & Release fishing, playgrounds and hike/bike trails! Open Kitchen with bar adjacent to living room & breakfast nook. Fresh, neutral palette throughout with new carpet (2007) and utility room tile. Living room updates include crown molding and surround sound speakers. Cozy up next to the brick fireplace with gas logs. Study features built-ins and French Doors - perfect for the professional who works from home! Extended Covered Patio has new ceramic tile (2009)! All bedrooms feature energy-saving ceiling fans. The master bedroom is spacious and offers views of the landscaped backyard. Master bath has dual vanities, extended shower, walk-in closet and linen closet. Contact Information d + b real estate Kim Daugherty 207 E. Virginia Suite 203 McKinney TX 75069 972-838-5394 More Listing Information d + b real estate - McKinney\'s Newest Boutique Real Estate Choice! Email Me My Other Listings Embrace Outdoor Living in this Breathtaking McKinney Home! Location: McKinney, TX List Price: 189900 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2.5 Greenbelt Beauty in Stonebridge Ranch of McKinney! Location: McKinney, TX List Price: 189900 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Amazing 4000+ sq ft Allen, TX Home with Pool/Spa UNDER $300K! Location: Allen, TX List Price: 274900 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3.5 McKinney Home For Sale - Eldorado Heights - Wood Floors! Location: McKinney, TX List Price: 154900 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2

Reduced - you won't be disappointed in this immaculate home! Pride of ownership shines through. Walking distance to Award Winning Elementary School (Eddins) and neighborhood park, pond and walking trails along the greenbelt. It's EASY to schedule a showing - just call, text or email us! We live and work here in McKinney. Call for a private showing today.

 

We're Number NINE! We're Number NINE! Goooooooooooo McKinney!

McKinney, TX has made several rankings lately: safest cities in the state and country, fastest growing cities in the country, best places to raise a family. In July 2009, McKinney was named one of the 25 Best Places to Move in the country by Forbes.com. Another cool fact? Four of the 25 cities are in Collin County! GO COLLIN COUNTY REAL ESTATE!

The four cities included Frisco, Flower Mound, Allen and McKinney. Nearby Carrollton made the list as well.

What did it take to qualify as a sought-after "Reloville"?

The number of residents born out of state, residents who relocated to take a job and those who moved from long distances in the last few years, number of professional jobs, population growth, income averages, home price and age and proximity to large companies.

 

The Skinny: McKinney boasts a population of 108,356 and is located 32 miles North of Dallas. One of the largest airports in the country, Dallas-Fort Worth International is 37 miles SW. Global employers nearby include Raytheon, Orthofix and Blockbuster. Demographics break down into White: 80.5%, Black: 10%, Asian: 2%, Hispanic: 16.5%. 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The important "Reloville" stat is that 50% were born in a different state or abroad and 23% came from out of state within five years. The Median family income is $87,193 while the Median home value holds at $180,900.

Are you interested in McKinney Real Estate?

Are you looking for a hometown expert that loves to take care of our newbies?

Contact d + b real estate - McKinney's newest boutique real estate company that focuses on our most important asset: our relationships.

 

Photo Gallery
Description and Features
Immaculate home nestled next to greenbelt in Stonebridge Ranch with 3 BR + study. This move-in ready home features over $17K in improvements! You\'ll love the extended covered patio with ctile & extensive landscaping. Walking distance to Exemplary School, park, pond & playground. New carpet & utility c-tile(\'07), updated lighting & ceiling fans. Open floorplan has large island kitchen, living room with brick fireplace & gas logs and surround sound. Come look!	Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Parking Spaces: 2 Square Feet: 2218 Lot Size: .152 Year Built: 1997 Floors: 1 MLS #: 11192002
Location
Click to view map: 8412 Lanners McKinney TX 75070
Links
d + b real estate - McKinney\'s Newest Boutique Real Estate Choice! 8412 Lanners Website - Pics and Info Search the MLS here! Listing Website

Don't miss out on this beautiful, well-kept home in sought after master-planned community of Falcon Creek in Stonebridge Ranch. Walk to neighborhood park, pond, playground, greenbelt trails and award winning Eddins Elementary. Just reduced $5K to $194,900. You're sure to love the great floorplan and backyard retreat. Call, email or text today for an appointment!

It's rare to find a home that has been taken care of so  well and offers so much not only indoors, but outdoors as well. Enjoy Texas mornings on your covered 12 x 40 patio with stamped concrete patio. The breeze of 3 ceiling fans will keep you cool as you enjoy the lush landscaped yard and privacy. For only $189,900 this home offers SO MUCH for the money! Come take a look before it's gone!

 

CLICK TO VIEW LISTING WEBSITE
Photo Gallery
Description and Features
Immaculately maintained 1-owner David Weekley 4 BR,2.5 BA home + study-walking distance to schools! Enjoy the landscaped backyard with 40\'x12\' covered patio & stamped concrete with Flagstone finish! Home offers huge island kitchen, private study with wood laminate floors, gameroom, oversized secondary bedrooms,ceramic tile baths, new roof in 3-08 & true master retreat with 7\' x 7\' sitting area! Frisco ISD. Looks & feels like a model-you won\'t be disappointed!	Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2.5 Parking Spaces: 2 Square Feet: 2776 Lot Size: .140 Year Built: 2002 Floors: 2 MLS #: 11196604
Location
Click to view map: 6808 Oak Falls McKinney TX 75070
Links
d + b real estate - McKinney\'s Newest Boutique Real Estate Choice! Photo Slide Show - Over 30 Photos! 6808 Oak Falls Website - Pics and Info Search the MLS here! Listing Website