Your Frisco Realtor

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Frisco's Pending Stage 3 Water Restrictions

Frisco's Pending Stage 3 Water Restrictions

I had someone come out and help me adjust our automatic sprinkler system last week. In my case I had the watering days and amount of time per zone correct however the time of day it was set for was incorrect. I know this because I got fined $25 by the city of frisco, however I did get this refunded once I had them inspect and adjust my sprinkler system.

The "water" guy from the city of frisco did suggest that I could invest in an upgraded "smart" contoller that would save me money in the long run. I did some investigation and chose the "Rain Bird ESP-SMT4i 4 Zone Indoor Sprinkler Timer with Rain Sensor" $155 and as soon as I can find a spinkler company in Frisco that is able to intalll it ( I contacted two and they both said they did not feel comfortable in installing it) I should never have to worry about being fined again...

The information below is taken from Monday's Frisco Town Hall meeting....

The big topic at Monday's Frisco Town Hall meeting was the drought and pending Stage 3 water restrictions. The district would need 15 to 18 inches of rainfall in a 30-day period to catch up. Since that's not going to happen, the district is working on several different plans, including accelerating several pipeline projects and looking to buy water from other sources.

But those plans come with a cost. Frisco City Manger George Purefoy said the district's increased rates to pay for that infrastructure, if it goes through, would mean an 11 percent to 12 percent rate hike for Frisco water customers.

The problem comes wtih the overuse of automated sprinkler systems, which increase the city's daily water use up to five times more. "It's so important that we save every drop of water," he said. "We're certainly going to need it next spring and summer."

The city publishes a weekly watering recommendation based on the city's rainfall and other data. With the recent rains, this week's recommendation is for no watering. "If you're watering this week, you're taking out some valuable water (from our supplies) that we could use next spring," Hartwell said.

Don't know how to program your automatic sprinkler system? The city can help. It offers a free controller adjustment to residents. It also offers a free irrigation checkup to test your system for problems. Call 972-292-5800 to sign up. And for the latest watering recommendations, visit www.friscotexas.gov/water. The city also asks that residents report any water waste using this form.

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realtor® of NickWaltonRealtor.com
Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, REALTOR®, GRI, e-PRO
Mi Casa Es Su Casa International Properties
Global Reach - Local Knowledge
Cell / TXT 469-556-2393
Broker: JP & Associates REALTORS®
6136 Frisco Square Blvd suite 400,
Frisco, TX 75034
www.NickWaltonRealtor.com

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I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Costco To Open At Frisco Trails Shopping Center

Costco To Open At Frisco Trails Shopping Center

Costco Wholesale to open a 148,000-square-foot store on October 22nd 2011 to anchor Frisco Trails Shopping Center.
The shopping center is located at the southeast corner of the Dallas North Tollway and Eldorado Parkway.
Costco will also develop a fuel center on a pad site at Frisco Trails.
If you have not yet got a membership to Costco then you can visit Frisco's Costco's location for a $20 Costco Cash Card for Executive membership and a $10 Costco Cash Card for Gold membership.

Costco Frisco
11220 Dallas Pkwy.
Frisco, TX 75033

Hours Of Operation
M-F 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

This blog post is provided to you by Your Frisco Realto®r of NickWaltonRealtor.com
Providing Real Estate services for the cites of Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prospre, Celina & North Dallas.

Nick Walton, REALTOR®, GRI, e-PRO
Mi Casa Es Su Casa International Properties
Global Reach - Local Knowledge
Cell / TXT 469-556-2393
Broker: JP & Associates REALTORS®
6136 Frisco Square Blvd suite 400,
Frisco, TX 75034

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Why Is Buying Better Than Renting in Today's Market?

Why Is Buying Better Than Renting in Today's Market?

The short answer is the Mortgage Interest & Property Tax Deductions if you ask your accountant.

But why is NOW a great time to move from being a renter to a buyer?

Because home prices are low and Interest Rates are at historical lows + with Mortgage Interest & Property Tax deductions, you may find that it is cheaper to own than rent in your area.

Also consider this, when house prices decline Real Estate Investors buy properties & with the current market conditions these investors are more likely to "hold" these properties rather than trying to "flip" them. This causes demand in the rental markets to increase when fewer properties are sold and as the demand for for rentals increases so do the rents (supply & demand).

If you own instead of rent you can get a "fixed rate mortgage" at historically low rates & you get to deduct Mortgage Interest & Real Estate Taxes.

Nick Walton, REALTOR®, GRI, e-PRO
Mi Casa Es Su Casa International Properties
Global Reach - Local Knowledge
Cell / TXT 469-556-2393
Broker: JP & Associates REALTORS®
6136 Frisco Square Blvd suite 400,
Frisco, TX 75034

I am glad that you have found my blog and taken the time to read it. If you find the information useful or informative please "Subscribe" to my blog.

I enjoy building new business relationships across the country and would love to find a way to work together on a transaction or a referral.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Casey's Pumpkin Patch on Preston Road in Frisco Texas

Casey's Pumpkin Patch on Preston Road in Frisco Texas

For the last few years Casey's Pumpkin Patch has sold pumpkins in Frisco located at 4783 Preston Rd, Frisco, Texas 75034.

As the weather was so beautiful on Saturday 8th October 2001 and many people were watching the OU / Texas game I took the opportunity to take my children to choose their pumpkins for halloween.

The great thing about Casey's Pumpkin Patch is the great variety of pumpkins which makes for some great picture taking opportunities with the children. They also have more than just pumpkins as Casey's Pumpkin Patch. They also have a petting zoo with rabbits & chicks as well as a Snow Cone Pirate ship.

If you are looking for a fun time for the children and the opportunity to get some great pumpkins then I don't believe you can find better place to shop at than Casey's Pumpkin Patch which is located right next to our Keller Williams Frisco Stars Offices on Preston Road, just before Lebanon in Frisco TX.

Casey's Pumpkin Patch's
Hours of operation
Monday - Friday 11 am - 9 pm.
Sat / Sunday - 9am to 9 pm.

This local information is provided to you by NickWaltonRealtor.com a licensed Realtor® and supporter of your Frisco TX community.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Little Elm Park Lakeside Trail

Little Elm Lakeside Trail Sunday October 2nd 2011.

Little Elm Park Lakeside Trail, Little Elm, Texas

Little Elm Lakeside Trail at Little Elm Park is located in Little Elm, Denton County, Texas. The trail runs along the shore of Lake Lewisville and is part of Little Elm's Lakeside Trails system.

The start of the trail is located at the north side of Little Elm Park. The trail consists of two surfaces, a 10' wide concrete path that is about a mile in length and a one quarter mile of crushed rock. Personally I love the crushed rock part as it is easier on the knees if you are a runner / walker who suffers from knee issues.

End of Little Elm Park Lakeside Trail at lakeshore Drive.

The paved part of the trail begins at the north end Little Elm Park and ends at Main Street. The crushed rock part of the trail continues from Main Street and ends at Lakeshore Drive.

Below is my video tour of Little Elm Park Lakeside Trail in Little Elm, Texas. I love to exercise here so if you have any questions let me know.

Next time I will try to spend some time editing and trying to make the video a little more professional.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Frisco Dog Park, Ruff Range, to Open Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m.

Frisco Dog Park, Ruff Range, to Open Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m.
(September 30, 2011) Frisco’s newest park allows residents to ‘let the dogs out’ -- without a leash. Frisco dogs and their owners are welcome to celebrate the dedication of Ruff Range, Frisco’s first dog park, on Sunday, October 2 at 2 p.m.

Located at the southwest corner of B.F. Phillips Community Park, 3335 4th Army Memorial, Ruff Range provides 2.5 acres of open space including hills, terrain, trees, pavilions and benches for dogs and their owners to enjoy.

“Ruff Range is another example of our council, staff and residents working together to develop an amenity that helps Frisco in its ongoing effort to be a well balanced community,” said Mayor Maher Maso. “A dog park has been on the ‘wish list’ of many residents for several years, and we’re glad to be able to meet those needs.”

Ruff Range provides an area for smaller dogs, weighing less than 25 pounds, and a separate area for larger dogs, weighing 25 pounds or more. Ruff Range will be open sunrise to sunset, every day except Thursdays when the facility will be closed for maintenance.

Ruff Range is the result of a collaborative partnership involving the Frisco’s Park & Recreation Department, Parks & Recreation Board, the Frisco Community Development Corporation (FCDC) and the Frisco Dog Park Inc., a local organization. The park’s price totaled an estimated $650,000, which includes a $150,000 contribution from the FCDC for pavilions.

“It’s exciting to see this project become a reality,” said Dudley Raymond, Planning and Business Development Manager, Parks & Recreation, adding the park has been in the work for approximately four years. “This has been a team effort from the start. The result is more than your average dog park. It’s a place designed for dogs and families to enjoy together.”

Visitors attending the park opening should park in the B.F. Phillips parking lot by taking Stonebrook Parkway and turning south on 4th Army Memorial Drive, or by taking Teel Parkway and turning east on Timber Ridge Drive. There will be no access to the dog park event from Lebanon Road. 4th Army Memorial Drive will be closed between Lebanon Road and B.F. Phillips Community Park from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Shuttles will run from B.F. Phillips parking lot to Ruff Range between
1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. View the parking map here.

The City of Frisco reminds dog owners to pick up after their pets to help maintain the park, and keep it clean for all visitors.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Getting Your Children Involved In Your Real Estate Business (And Making It Fun)!

One thing about being a real estate agent that is imperitive is managing ones time and deligating tasks that are not utilizing your time the most efectivly.
As I have three children, Philip & Chelsea who are 7 year old twins & Aiden who is 5 years old and who always need things, I beleive in installing the value of work and money at a young age. For example I was bought up never receiving "pocket money" unless I had worked for it. Wheather it be working for my father double checking his figures (he was a quantity surveyor) or the two paper rounds that I had from age 13. So I have decided to pass the same values along to my children and to get them involved in my Real Estate Business.

The first thing they did was put the fridge magnet football schedules in clear plasic door hanger bags along with one of my business cards. Followed by the fun part, getting to deliver all 200 of them to my "farm area". As my children are young I thought they would soon get bored and I would be left doing the rest on my own however that turned out not to be true.
They loved it, and I had trouble keeping up with them as they ran from house to house hanging the bags on the doors. I think their favorite part was when somebody was out walking their dog and they got to offer them one. It's strange how nobody ever turns away a 5 or 7 year old when they offer them something.

Their latest "job" was putting out the open house signs saturday night for the house I am holding open in "The Trails" in Frisco, Texas on Sunday 25th September 2001 between 3-5pm.. Even though they were hungry they still helped me put out the 5 signs pointing towards the open house at each intersection. I even explained to them where you can and cannot put the signs as Frisco has some strict rules on where & when Garage Sale & Open House signs can be put. It can get expensive if you get it wrong and they confiscate your signs.

Lasty they all seem to love having their picture taken so I took a few pictures of them posing next to one of my for sale signs...

I think I killed two birds with one stone, firstly I taught them the value of money & secondly I got help with building my business in a cost effective and time efficient way.

As they get a little older they can help even more as they become more responsible and have learnt more about the real estate business through hands on experience. Hopefully this will help them decide if a career in Real Esate or a related industry is right for them.

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