Plano ranked #1 by Forbes.com
Forbes.com 10/13/2010
America’s Safest Cities
We love Plano, and here’s more data to support our opinion of what a great place this is to live, courtesy of Forbes.com. They ranked Plano TX as the number one city based on:
- American cities with a population above 250,000.
- Violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2009
- Number of traffic fatalities per 100,000 residents 2008
1. Plano, Texas
Traffic Fatality Rank: 4
Violent Crime Rank: 1
Forbes Click to review their Top Ten
Fewer Foreclosures for Dallas & Collin Counties
Norma Wall, Broker
When you’re in the real estate trenches every day, any hint of recovery is welcome.
The number of residential properties scheduled for the foreclosure auctions on August 2, 2011 in Dallas and Collin Counties is down for the fourth consecutive month, according to George Roddy Sr., President of Foreclosure Listing Service, Inc.
August postings are down 24% in Dallas County and down 11% in Collin County from August of 2010.
Year-to-date for the same period last year, foreclosure postings are down 14% in Dallas County and down 12% in Collin County.
The lenders are taking longer to process distressed properties than in years past, which could account for the decline in foreclosure rates.
We can try to spin it a couple of different ways, but when combined with the Sales for the two counties compared to the two previous years – June turned out to be a much healthier month than most of us thought.
COLLIN COUNTY:
DALLAS COUNTY: 
Plano Balloon Festival….Up, Up & Away!
For family fun it’s hard to beat the annual Plano Balloon Festival, it’s one of the city’s largest celebrations for children and families – complete with fireworks, balloon rides, fun and excitement.
As the largest balloon event in Texas, the Plano Balloon Festival has also evolved into an important fundraiser for local non-profit organizations, with 42 non-profit and corporate.
Specific festival events vary from year to year but typically include five hot air balloon launches, a large Kids Fun Zone, two stages showcasing local community talent, live bands, sky divers, fireworks, food and nighttime balloon glows. A balloon glow occurs after dusk when the many balloon pilots conduct synchronized firings of their balloon’s burners.
This year is the 32nd year for the event, and is expected to attract over 90,000 people during the three day weekend.
Plano Balloon Festival
September 16, 17 & 18, 2011
Oak Point Park
2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75074
For more details visit the Plano Balloon Festival official website: http://www.planoballoonfest.org/
When you’re looking for the right real estate broker to help you with your next move,
contact Norma Wall 214-212-6770 norma@come2dallas.com
Power Shifts From HOA to Texas Homeowners
Many recreational areas within subdivisions are maintained by HOAs
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, HOAs are here to stay.
Nearly 5 million people in Texas, or 20% of all homes, are in a Homeowners Association. The percentage is much higher in Collin County, where HOAs are the norm, due to our rapid growth and Planned Unit Developments over the last two decades.
For years there has been a power struggle between homeowners and HOAs. But new laws went into effect this year to give property owners more rights about use of their property.
Here are five property-related upgrades that the HOA can no longer prevent homeowners from doing:
- Installing a solar-energy device on the property.
- Installing and use of rain-harvesting devices.
- Displaying certain religious items on the entry of the property.
- Installing roof shingles that are wind and/or hail resistant, energy efficient, or solar generating.
- Flying the U.S., Texas, or a branch of the U.S. armed forces flag.
Bravo! Of course the HOA may place parameters on these rights.
Other big changes for the HOA takes on the charges and credits, how they can be applied and what the HOA is allowed to use as a basis for foreclosure.
Non-judicial HOA foreclosures are now prohibited. To foreclose, HOAs must use “expedited foreclosure” procedures to obtain a court order.
Learn more in this May 2012 article in Texas REALTORS® “Taming the HOA”
HOAs serve a purpose, that being to keep uniformity in the community, which helps keep up property values. They often care for common areas, community pools, recreational trails, tennis courts and open areas. I don’t want to confront my neighbor about his unsightly yard art or paint color — I’ll gladly pay the HOA to keep the community in line, fences stained, weeds pulled.
But don’t forget they are controlled by the homeowners — only IF the homeowners take control and get involved.
And keep your yard trimmed!
Norma Wall – 214-212-6770
