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Ready to Buy Your First Home?

Thursday, June 28, 2018
by Christie Cannon

Are You Wondering If You Can Buy Your First Home?

Are You Wondering If You Can Buy Your First Home? | MyKCM

There are many people sitting on the sidelines trying to decide if they should purchase a home or sign a rental lease. Some might wonder if it makes sense to purchase a house before they get married or start a family, some might think they are too young, and still, some others might think their current incomes would never enable them to qualify for a mortgage.

We want to share what the typical first-time homebuyer actually looks like based on the National Association of Realtors’ most recent Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers. Here are some interesting revelations on the first-time buyer:

Are You Wondering If You Can Buy Your First Home? | MyKCMBottom Line

You may not be much different than many people who have already purchased their first homes. Let’s meet to determine if your dream home is within your grasp today!

 

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Frisco Realty
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com
 

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Tips to Build a Great Vegetable Garden

Monday, June 25, 2018
by Christie Cannon

How to Plan Your Vegetable Garden Step by Step 

This can be a great time to start planning your new vegetable garden. Even if you do not have a large area, you can still grow a substantial number of vegetables. Gardening isn’t difficult with a little helpful advice. 

 

Gardening for beginners can appear daunting, but use these following bits of advice, and you will be well on your way. 

 

Lay Out Your Garden Beds 

 

First steps include deciding what space you have available. This will help determine the variety of vegetables can grow as well as the quantity.  If you don’t have a large garden area, this doesn’t matter as there are many other ways you can grow plenty of vegetables to make an effort worthwhile. 

 

Growing bed sizes are around 16ft x 10ft in an ideal situation. If you have this space in your garden all is well and good.  

 

 

 

Building Raised Beds

These need straightforward construction to start with and are cheap to make. Raised beds can be beneficial for smaller homes, and with the right veggies, you can grow substantially more than in a flat growing bed.  

 

Raised beds are comprised of retaining walls. Many are constructed by two lengths of wood which are 8ft long and two shorter 4 ft. long pieces.  

 

The height in total should be 12 inches to allow the plant roots to grow quickly. This wood is then fastened together in a rectangle shape. Supports can be used in the center of the wood lengths for when you add the soil.  

 

A raised bed has the advantage of being able to grow earlier in the season as the soil warms quicker. They are also ideal for kids or the older generation as they can reach without bending. 

 

 

Best Soil Preparation

 

In regular vegetable gardens, you till your soil and then cover it with a good inch or two of compost and mix these two together.  This will allow nutrients and oxygen to seep into the earth as a preparation for planting your vegetables.  

 

Raised beds are a larger version of container gardening, and it is much easier to get a better soil condition. Purchasing good quality topsoil, which will already be pH neutral, gives the best condition from the very beginning.

 

Planning then Planting 

 

Vegetable rows should run east to west, so they gain the most amount of sun. Vegetables require 6 to 8 hours of sun per day for them to grow their best.  

 

If you have any climbing plants, these should be on the north side of your beds so they won’t cast shadows on other vegetables.  Tomatoes are a typical climbing plant. However you can buy a bush type and plant these in hanging baskets. This not only makes them easier to grow, but it also clears space you could use for something else. 

 

When you are looking at what veggies to plant, there are 3 options. You can use old sprouting veggies, transplant seedlings which you have grown or bought, or sow and grow directly from seeds. 

 

Caring for Your Vegetables  

It doesn't matter which method you use to plant vegetables. They still have the need to be tended to. 

Watering will be weather and location dependent, but, as a rule, if you find the top inch or two of soil is dry, then your plants require watering.  

Early evening or early morning is the best time for watering because water in hot sunlight can scorch your plants and it will evaporate before nourishing the roots.

Insects are quickly attracted to your vegetables, and a straightforward method to control these is adding a birdbath. Once you get birds in the habit of visiting your garden, they’ll help control pests who love the taste of your fresh veggies. 

 

Vegetable gardening gets you out in the clean fresh air and provides exercise.

 

Above all, you have something to show for all your hard work!

 

 

Happy Planting!

 

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR

The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com

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3 Issues Facing Today's Real Estate Market

Wednesday, June 20, 2018
by Christie Cannon

3 Issues Facing Today’s Real Estate Market

3 Issues Facing Today’s Real Estate Market | MyKCM

Last week, the National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE) held their 52nd Annual Journalism Conference in Las Vegas, NV. Among the many highly anticipated sessions was one called “Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate™,” given by Joseph Nahas, Jr., Chair of the Counselors of Real Estate & Senior Vice President of Equus Capital Partners. 

The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) “is an international organization of high profile property professionals which include principals of prominent real estate, financial, legal, and accounting firms as well as recognized leaders of government and academia.” 

Their annual “top 10” list spans any and all issues that could have an impact on the real estate market. This year, the list was broken up into “Current” and “Long-Term Issues.”

Today we’re going to focus on three of the five “Current” issues with a brief explanation of their impacts on the housing market today!

E-Commerce & Logistics

With promises of 2-day shipping no matter where you live, we are benefiting more now than ever before from the speed and ease-of-use of online retailers like Amazon. These e-retailers haven’t changed whether or not we buy certain items, but rather HOW we buy them!

Many traditional malls or big-box stores are being repurposed as warehouses or distribution centers for online retailers so that they can get their products out faster.

A Look to the Future: “Developers who are including experiences into their locations are the ones who will succeed. It’s about the experience and gaining something over just going to buy a product.”

Generational Change & Demographics

By now we’ve all heard that the millennial generation is the largest yet, just by sheer volume. The largest group of millennials turns 30 years-old in 2020. The average first-time homebuying age is between 30 and 32, depending on marital status. Real estate professionals will be inundated with more and more buyers as the years roll on. Nahas commented on this in his presentation, saying that,

“Too many developers have become dependent on making decisions based on baby boomer’s preferences.

The 75 million millennials are coming, and they will influence real estate and commerce even faster than the baby boomers in the 50s and 60s.”

Interest Rates & the Economy

The interest rate that you secure for your mortgage is a big factor in your monthly housing cost and in how much you ultimately pay for your home. According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, rates rose to 4.62% on a 30-year fixed rate loan last week.

The Federal Reserve also raised the federal funds rate for the second time this year. If unemployment continues to be at or near record lows, two more hikes are likely to come later this year.

Nahas added,

“Rising rates can be good and bad for the economy. Bad for borrowing money with additional costs, but good to control inflation and help grow the economy at a moderate pace.”

Bottom Line

If you are planning on buying and/or selling a home this year, let’s get together to help you navigate the conditions in your market and set you up for success.

 

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747

www.ChristieCannon.com

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Thinking About Renovating? Top 4 Improvements for ROI

Monday, June 18, 2018
by Christie Cannon

Top 4 Home Renovations for Max ROI [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights:

  • Whether you are selling your home, just purchased your first home or are a homeowner planning to stay put for a while, there is value in knowing which home improvement projects will net you the most Return On Investment (ROI).
  • Minor bathroom renovations can go a long way toward improving the quality of your everyday life and/or impressing potential buyers.
  • Upgrading your landscaping or curb appeal helps get buyers in the door. These upgrades rank as the 2nd and 4threnovations for returns on investment


Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com

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Millennials Are Moving Into Their Dream Homes

Thursday, June 14, 2018
by Christie Cannon

Millennials Are Skipping Starter Homes for Their Dream Homes

Millennials Are Skipping Starter Homes for Their Dream Homes | MyKCM

A new trend has begun to emerge. With home prices skyrocketing in the starter home category, many first-time homebuyers are skipping the traditional starter homes and moving right into their dream homes.

What’s a Starter Home?

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), simply put, a starter home is a one or two-bedroom home (sometimes even a small, three bedroom). “Prices vary widely by market but starters on average cost $150,000 to $250,000 while trade-up and premium homes cost upwards of $300,000.”

Finding Their Forever Homes Now

A recent CNBC article revealed that there are many factors that delayed older millennials (ages 25-35) from buying a home earlier in their lives. The aftereffects of the Great Recession teaming up with larger education costs forced many to either remain living in their parent’s homes or to rent.

With the economy continuing to improve, many millennials have been able to break into better-paying jobs which has helped spur down payment savings. As the dream of homeownership comes closer to reality, many millennials are saving for their forever homes.

According to the latest statistics from NAR, 30% of millennials bought homes for $300,000 or more this year (up from 14% in 2013). Diane Swonk, Chief Economist at Grant Thornton weighed in saying, “They rented for longer. Now they’re going to where they want to stay.”

More and more millennials are settling down, getting married, and starting families, which is a huge factor driving them to look for larger homes.

Increased competition in the starter home market has also been a driving force in waiting to afford their dream homes. Inventory in the starter home market is down 14.2% from last year, according to research from Trulia. This has driven prices up and has led to bidding wars.

Many first-time buyers who were originally looking for starter homes are realizing that for just a little bit more of an investment, they could afford trade-up or premium homes instead.

Bottom Line

If you plan on purchasing your first home this year, let’s get together to determine how much house you can afford. You may be pleasantly surprised.

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
http://www.christiecannon.com
 

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Homeowners & Appraisers Are Starting to See Eye-to-Eye

Friday, June 8, 2018
by Christie Cannon

Homeowners & Appraisers See the Most Eye-to-Eye on Price in 3 Years

Homeowners & Appraisers See the Most Eye-to-Eye on Price in 3 Years | MyKCM

In today’s housing market, where supply is very low and demand is very high, home values are increasing rapidly. Many experts are projecting that home values could appreciate by another 5% (or more) over the next twelve months. One major challenge in such a market is the bank appraisal.

When prices are surging, it is difficult for appraisers to find adequate, comparable sales (similar houses in the same neighborhood that recently closed) to defend the selling price when performing the appraisal for the bank.

Every month in their Home Price Perception Index (HPPI), Quicken Loans measures the disparity between what a homeowner who is seeking to refinance their home believes their house is worth and what an appraiser’s evaluation of that same home is.

March 2015 marked the first month of a three-year gap between what an appraiser and a homeowner believed a home was worth. That gap widened to 2.65% in September 2015 and had consistently hovered between 1.0% and 2.0% through November 2017.

The chart below illustrates the changes in home price estimates over the last three years:

Homeowners & Appraisers See the Most Eye-to-Eye on Price in 3 Years | MyKCM
In the latest release, the disparity was the narrowest it has been since March 2015, as the gap between appraisers and homeowners was only -0.33%. This is important for homeowners to note as even a .33% difference in appraisal could equate to thousands of dollars that a buyer or seller has to come up with at closing (depending on the price of the home).

Bill Banfield, Executive VP of Capital Markets at Quicken Loans urges homeowners to find out how their local markets have been impacted by supply and demand: 

“The appraisal is one of the most important, although sometimes least predictable, parts of the mortgage process. The Home Price Perception Index is a way to illustrate the differences of opinion, and these differences affect everything from the type of mortgage a borrower can get to the expectations a seller has about the proceeds available upon sale of their home."
 

Bottom Line

Every house on the market must be sold twice; once to a prospective buyer and then again to the bank (through the bank’s appraisal). With escalating prices, the second sale may be even more difficult than the first. If you are planning on entering the housing market this year, let’s get together to discuss this and any other obstacles that may arise.

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com

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Why Wait? Summer is a Great Time to Buy a Home!

Monday, June 4, 2018
by Christie Cannon

4 Reasons Why Summer Is a Great Time to Buy a Home!

4 Reasons Why Summer Is a Great Time to Buy a Home! | MyKCM

Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Insights reports that home prices have appreciated by 7% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 5.2% over the next year.

Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have increased by half a percentage point already in 2018 to around 4.5%. Most experts predict that rates will rise over the next 12 months. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison, projecting that rates will increase by nearly a full percentage point by this time next year.

An increase in rates will impact YOUR monthly mortgage payment. A year from now, your housing expense will increase if a mortgage is necessary to buy your next home.

3. Either Way, You Are Paying a Mortgage

There are some renters who have not yet purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s.

As an owner, your mortgage payment is a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to have equity in your home that you can tap into later in life. As a renter, you guarantee your landlord is the person with that equity.

Are you ready to put your housing cost to work for you?

4. It’s Time to Move on with Your Life

The ‘cost’ of a home is determined by two major components: the price of the home and the current mortgage rate. It appears that both are on the rise.

But what if they weren’t? Would you wait?

Look at the actual reason you are buying and decide if it is worth waiting. Whether you want to have a great place for your children to grow up, you want your family to be safer, or you just want to have control over renovations, maybe now is the time to buy.

If the right thing for you and your family is to purchase a home this year, buying sooner rather than later could lead to substantial savings.

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What Can Interest Rates Do to Your Purchasing Power?

Thursday, May 31, 2018
by Christie Cannon

How Current Interest Rates Can Have a High Impact on Your Purchasing Power

How Current Interest Rates Can Have a High Impact on Your Purchasing Power | MyKCM

According to Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, interest rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage are currently at 4.61%, which is still near record lows in comparison to recent history!

The interest rate you secure when buying a home not only greatly impacts your monthly housing costs, but also impacts your purchasing power.

Purchasing power, simply put, is the amount of home you can afford to buy for the budget you have available to spend. As rates increase, the price of the house you can afford to buy will decrease if you plan to stay within a certain monthly housing budget.

The chart below shows the impact that rising interest rates would have if you planned to purchase a home within the national median price range while keeping your principal and interest payments between $1,850-$1,900 a month.

How Current Interest Rates Can Have a High Impact on Your Purchasing Power | MyKCM

With each quarter of a percent increase in interest rate, the value of the home you can afford decreases by 2.5% (in this example, $10,000). Experts predict that mortgage rates will be closer to 5% by this time next year.

Act now to get the most house for your hard-earned money.

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.ChristieCannon.com

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What are your plans for Memorial Day weekend?

Thursday, May 24, 2018
by Christie Cannon

 

Memorial Day Weekend is quickly approaching and with it comes plenty of events to get you outside to celebrate. Whether you are looking to enjoy food, hang out with friends, or take some time to remember our fallen soldiers, there’s an event for everyone!

Bike the Bricks
The city of McKinney is holding its ninth annual Bike the Bricks Criterium on Friday, May 25th from 2:30-11:30pm in Historic Downtown McKinney. Come & enjoy this free event in Downtown McKinney!

Carry the Load
Carry The Load's 2018 Memorial May Campaign to brings awareness to the True Meaning of Memorial Day. Funds raised during Memorial May provide direct support for healing of the mind, body and souls of our nation's military veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, first responders and their families. 

National Cemetery Administration
National Cemetery Administration will host Memorial Day ceremonies at VA national cemeteries across the country with the help of local communities.Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery will be holding their ceremony on May 28th at 11:00am.

Dallas Arboretum
Kick-off the holiday weekend with a concert by one of Dallas’ best party bands, The Grooves. Free admission all four days for active duty members, veterans and first responders. On Memorial Day, the events continue with face painting and a petting zoo in the Pecan Grove. Enjoy $2 hot dogs and root beer floats!

Granbury Square
Granbury, Texas is celebrating with a big 3 day patriotic festival around the downtown historic square with family activities, market booths,  live music, vintage military vehicles, hot dog eating contest, a special children’s play area and much more.

Fur Fun Run
Benefiting Patriot PAWS Service Dogs, the Memorial Day weekend paw-triotic run and walk is a fantastic event for the entire family and a terrific way to salute service dogs and the veterans they assist. Come down to Noble Ray Brewing on Saturday, May 26th for the pawtactular event!

Dallas Symphony Memorial Day Concert & Fireworks Display
In honor of America's veterans and first responders, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents a stirring concert of patriotic tunes that's free for the whole family. Pack a picnic and enjoy an evening under the stars. May 28th at 8:15pm at Flagpole Hill in Dallas.

International Foosball Promotions Texas State Championships
The Texas State Championships are being held this May 25-28 at the Westin Hotel in Irving. With competitors at every level from Beginner to master this is sure to be an exciting event!

National Polka Festival
The National Polka Festival® in Ennis, Texas invites you to come help celebrate fifty-two wonderful years of Czech heritage festivities Friday through Sunday, May 25-27, 2018.  Experience traditions, religious customs, dancing, tastes, sights, sounds, and "a little bit of the Czech Lands" throughout historic downtown Ennis and at our three spacious air conditioned halls.

Sunset at Memorial Park
Sunset Bike Ride & Ceremony on Monday, May 28th from 7:00-8:00pm at the Plano Veteran’s Memorial. No Fee to Participate & Free commemorative pin to the first 50 riders!

Summer Blast in Grapevine
Memorial Day Weekend kicks off Grapevine’s annual SummerBlast. SummerBlast features fun for the whole family including water parks, spectacular fireworks show set to music over Lake Grapevine, special exhibits, outdoor activities, dining, shopping and more.

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
972-215-7747
www.christiecannon.com
 

 

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Kevin Cannon with Zach Sams on Working Title RADIO Show

Wednesday, May 23, 2018
by Christie Cannon

Zach Sams of Kensington Vanguard sat down with Kevin Cannon, Keller Williams Team Leader & owner at The Christie Cannon Team, to talk about up and coming REALTORs in the DFW area and how Kevin's managed to stay on top of the competition in the ever-expanding market in the Metroplex.

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Photo of Christie Cannon Real Estate
Christie Cannon
Keller Williams Realty
5933 Preston Road #300
Frisco TX 75034
972-215-7747
Fax: 972-215-7748
Send an Email
Keller Williams Frisco - The Christie Cannon Team - http://www.christiecannon.com

 

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