There is nothing like being part of a great community like McKinney.  That is why I enjoy attending and participating in as many local events as possible.  I always find it helpful when people pass on information about upcoming events so I thought I would share a few of them with you! 4/24 -4/25 and May 1-May3    Steel Magnolias performed by The McKinney Repertory Theatre.  Performances are at the McKinney Performing Arts Center.  Ticket prices range from $10-$12 each.  Performances are 8PM with Sunday matinee at 2PM.  For more information:  www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org4/25    Night Hikes at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary- Tickets are $10-$12.  To make a reservation or book a private night hike contact Steffanie Mann at smann@heardmuseum.org or visit www.h... 04/24/2009

  Looking for a place to take the kids for an Easter Egg Hunt in McKinney, TX?   The City of McKinney Parks and Recreation Department will hold its annual Easter Egg-Stravaganza on Saturday, April 11.   The activities start at 11 a.m. at Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex, 1986 Park View Ave.   Families will enjoy a fun morning full of games, prizes, activities, entertainment and of course the Easter egg hunt.Last year the egg hunt was broken down by age groups which is great if you've got little ones! Nothing can ruin an Easter egg hunt like having your toddler run down by a 10 year old on a mission to collect each and every egg! The best part? The event is free to the public. Now you've got NO EXCUSES not to go!   For more info go to: www.mckinneytexas.org. Hope to see you there.   04/10/2009

In this secion of "McKinney's Ultimate Buyer's Guide", we'll look more closely at McKinney's neighborhoods by price range - from $450,000 up to $500,000. As of today, April 2, there are 43 luxury homes for sale in McKinney,TX within this price range. You could start your home search in any of these unique neighborhoods:                        Stonebridge Ranch - a sought-after master-planned community offering top amenities to homeowners, such as a beach & tennis club with sandy lagoon, aquatic center, stocked ponds, hike & bike trails and appealing landscaped entrances: Cypress Crossing Timber Crossing Cascades Village of Ballantrae Tanglewood Villas Wildwood Crossing Woodhaven Wellington Point Woodland Bridge Stratford Manor Wyndsor Grove La Cima Haven Meadows La Cima Manor Newport Vi... 04/02/2009

In this next secion of "McKinney's Ultimate Buyer's Guide", we'll look more closely at McKinney's neighborhoods by price range - from $400,000 to $450,000. As of today, March 31, there are 58 luxury homes for sale in McKinney within this price range. You could start your home search in any of these unique neighborhoods:                        Stonebridge Ranch - a sought-after master-planned community offering top amenities to homeowners, such as a beach & tennis club with sandy lagoon, aquatic center, stocked ponds, hike & bike trails and appealing landscaped entrances: Cypress Crossing Greenbriar Canterbury Timber Crossing Cascades Village of Ballantrae Gallery at Stonebridge Tanglewood Villas Wildwood Crossing Woodhaven Wellington Point Woodland Bridge Stratford Manor Wyndsor Grove L... 03/31/2009

In this next secion of "McKinney's Ultimate Buyer's Guide",we'll look at McKinney's neighborhoods by price range - from $350,000 to $400,000. As of today, March 15, there are 81 luxury homes for sale in McKinney within this price range. You could start your home search in any of these unique neighborhoods:                        Stonebridge Ranch - a sought-after master-planned community offering top amenities to homeowners, such as a beach & tennis club with sandy lagoon, aquatic center, stocked ponds, hike & bike trails and appealing landscaped entrances: Cypress Crossing Greenbriar Canterbury Brightwood Timber Crossing Saddlebrook Crossing Aspendale Hickory Hill Cascades Village of Ballantrae Gallery at Stonebridge Freedom Park Brightwood Tanglewood Villas Wildwood Crossing Woodhaven... 03/15/2009

So who knew that playing in the mud as a kid would pay off one day? It's spring time in Texas and it has rained here for the entire last week. I sell new home construction and I have a few beautiful, finished homes to sell, but I also have several at various stages of construction. I did some fact finding with my prospect and her Realtor and found the perfect home that fit her needs. It has sheetrock, but there is no driveway or lead walk into the home. We knew it was going to be a challenge when we drove up, but decided to "dig in." I took my first step onto the mud and did okay; by my third step mud was squishing between my toes ... ewww. I fought past the feeling and started walking toward the house. We have clay here and it just stuck to my shoes making them heavier and heavier! I f... 03/15/2009

  What is a Boutique? \bü-ˈtēk\ 1 a: a small fashionable shop b: a small shop within a large department store 2: a small company that offers highly specialized services or products   While attending Texas A&M University, I took many, many classes. I changed my major many, many times. In my career at A&M, I always gravitated towards marketing classes. I LOVED marketing! One of the most important facts to take away from the most basic of marketing classes is the principle that in opening a new business, if you can’t be FIRST, then be DIFFERENT!   Throughout my research and brainstorming phase of opening up our own real estate brokerage in McKinney, TX, my business partner and I kept that statement in mind. And the question always ca... 03/14/2009

1. The British Navy is said to have built a ship named Friday the 13th, or the HMS Friday, which on its maiden voyage left dock on a Friday the 13th, and was never heard from again. However, this story seems to be a hoax. 2. The ill-fated Apollo 13 launched at 13:13 CST on Apr. 11, 1970. The sum of the date's digits (4-11-70) is 13 (as in 4+1+1+7+0 = 13). And the explosion that crippled the spacecraft occurred on April 13th. The crew did make it back to Earth safely, however. 3. Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor. 4. Fear of Friday the 13th - one of the most popular myths in science - is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13. 5. Quarterback Dan Marino wore No. 13 throughout... 03/12/2009

I recently connected will an old high school friend, Lara Lester Iezzi, who's baby daughter is in need of your help. Gabby needs help in raising funds to help cover her heart transplant. On May 25, 2009 David Tambur will compete in a Triathlon in Austin Texas. He is committed to completing this challenging endurance event while raising money for Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). By donating you will be supporting his cause and be part of the many who are helping families of transplant patients.  With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant patients are unable to shoulder the financial burden of such a procedure. COTA is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-needy patients. His goal is t... 03/10/2009

My sweetie and I recently celebrated 8 *glorious* years of marriage. I couldn't remember if we were supposed to exchange paper or linen or bath mats or whatever for this year, so instead I begged kindly asked my hubby if we could try out a place I've been eyeing for several months weeks - Rick's Chophouse! Hey - beats eight babies, right? It is located down on the Square... as is every other place I frequent lately...next to Landon Winery.  We went on a Monday night, and even though Monday's aren't traditionally busy fine dining days, it had a fair amount of patrons. The atmosphere oozed romance! Everything was beautiful - from the rich wood floors to the original limestone wall, it was just the perfect place to celebrate a special event. Given my recent obsession with fine dining TV sh... 03/09/2009

The weather is warmer, trees are starting to bloom and real estate market activity is coming to life. Just how did the Collin County real estate market shake out for the February 2009? Here's a peek: Allen: 109 sales (-38% from prior yr); Avg sales price $229,051 (-7% from prior yr); Avg Days on Market: 96 (- 1% from prior yr) Frisco: 284 sales (-15% from prior yr); Avg sales price $285,712 (-2% from prior yr); Avg Days on Market: 90 (-17% from prior yr) McKinney: 188 sales (-33% from prior yr); Avg sales price $207,463 (-8% from prior yr); Avg Days on Market: 78 (-17% from prior yr) Plano: 318 sales (-30% from prior yr); Avg sales price $265,662 (+4% from prior yr); Avg Days on Market: 73 (-10% from prior yr) The number of sales are down across the board in double digits...more than 15... 03/09/2009

SAVE THE DATE!Saturday, April 4thGarage Sales 7:00 am - 2:00 pmOpen House Tour 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Start clearing out your closets, because Saturday, April 4th Stone Brooke Crossing will have its Third Semi-Annual Community Garage Sale and Open House Tour! There will be a 3-day ad in the local newspapers and an ad in the Dallas Morning News promoting the event. Community maps handed out that will direct people to the Featured Open Houses and Featured Garage Sales. The maps will be handed out at the corner of Crutcher Crossing and Turtle Court and there will be signs and directionals into our neighorhood from 7:00 - 2:00. Make sure you come and grab a donut near the parking lot of the SBC Community Pool, and say Hello! To be a Featured Garage Sale, go to our neighborhood blog - Stone Bro... 03/09/2009

Before you drive all over town looking at models, inventory homes, arranging times to view pre-owned homes, and deciding where you want to move, take a few minutes to fill out this simple wish list.     It will help you determine what your needs are and what you should be focusing on.  It is an excellent tool to give to your Realtor to help them help you!    Don't be afraid to re-visit your wish list as you look at homes and adjust it as you realize the homes that catch your eye and, hopefully, your heart!  A little bit of preparation now will save you tons of time and energy in your hunt!   What is your budgeted price range?  $___________ to $__________ What monthly payment can you comfortably afford?  $__________________ What is your maximum monthly payment you can afford?  $_________... 03/07/2009

In this next secion of "McKinney's Ultimate Buyer's Guide",we'll look at McKinney's neighborhoods by price range - from $300,000 to $350,000. As of today, March 6, there are 61 homes for sale in McKinney within this price range. You could start your home search in any of these unique neighborhoods:                      Stonebridge Ranch - a sought-after master-planned community offering top amenities to homeowners, such as a beach & tennis club with sandy lagoon, aquatic center, stocked ponds, hike & bike trails and appealing landscaped entrances: Arbor Hollow Arbor Glen Wyndsor Grove Saddlebrook Crossing Muirfield Point Aspendale Hickory Hill Cascades Village of Ballantrae Meadow Ridge Lake Point Saddlehorn Ridge Hillsborough Mayberry Park Freedom Park Brightwood Wren Creek Spring Hill... 03/06/2009

I have a friend who sells beautiful hand made gifts, cards, and embroidered items. She puts a lot of thought, care, and love into each and every piece!   She offers thank you cards and hand made cards of all types. You would be surprised how affordable they are starting at $3.50.  The personalized embroidered hand towels and other specialty items would make a great house warming gift for your clients.  She has just launched her web site at www.craftsbysara.com. Please stop in and check it out. For more information please contact Lara O'Keefe at 972.838.9156 or visit Hunter's Creek. 03/06/2009

Maybe, just maybe I'm seeing glimmers of hope that we are pulling out of the economic cloud.  Being located in the Dallas/Metroplex northern suburban area, we have been very fortunate to be in one of the strongest real estate markets in the nation.  Don't get me wrong, strong does not mean great amounts of appreciation, it just means "stable".  As one economist put it, the word stable in this environment is the new "up" and positive news.  Not down but holding our own.  Our local market, as a whole, had little to no appreciation since 2000.  There have been a few brief shining moments of a little bump up but nothing to compare with the enviable appreciation experienced by some of the California, Florida, Arizona markets.  We were just going along steady.  What goes up must come down an... 03/04/2009

A lot of people are not doing well around the country. I feel for them. Our problems in McKinney, Texas are far smaller that those being experienced by most of you. Business, however, is beginning to pick up. Buyers are getting the word that they may not ever see interest rates or prices lower than they are today. My little three person group contracted on 4 properties last week. Two buyers bought and two listings sold. We even sold one only seven days after it came on the market. Our seller in one case turned around and made the purchase of a lifetime in new construction. The house will serve their family well for many years to come. The opportunities are great right now. I really wish the government would calm down and quit messing things up with their dire pronouncements.   03/02/2009

If you have been following my series, "McKinney's Ultimate Buyer's Guide", you know that so far we've looked at McKinney's neighborhoods by price range - up to $275,000. In this post we will explore homes priced over $275,000 up to $300,000. As of today, February 28, there are 60 homes for sale in McKinney within this price range. You could start your home search in any of these unique neighborhoods:                      Stonebridge Ranch - a sought-after master-planned community offering top amenities to homeowners, such as a beach & tennis club with sandy lagoon, aquatic center, stocked ponds, hike & bike trails and appealing landscaped entrances: Arbor Glen Aspendale Village of Ballantrae Meadow Ridge Lake Point Sunset Ridge Somerset Saddlehorn Ridge Hillsborough Mayberry Park Freedo... 02/28/2009

If you have been following my series, "McKinney's Ultimate Buyer's Guide", you know that so far we've looked at McKinney's neighborhoods by price range - up to $250,000. In this post we will explore homes priced over $250,000 up to $275,000. As of today, February 28, there are 59 homes for sale in McKinney within this price range. You could start your home search in any of these unique neighborhoods:                  Stonebridge Ranch - a sought-after master-planned community offering top amenities to homeowners, such as a beach & tennis club with sandy lagoon, aquatic center, stocked ponds, hike & bike trails and appealing landscaped entrances: Arbor Glen Aspendale Meadow Ridge Muirfield Point Summer Glen Autumn Ridge Lake Point Sunset Ridge Somerset Saddlehorn Ridge Hillsborough Maybe... 02/28/2009

Senior Year, single elimination playoff game.  This was the game that could garner the trophy for Regional First Place Winner and move them to the State Playoffs or the very last game ever they would play as a team.  A defining moment and I had the privilege of watching this game last night.  My assistant's son is a starter for this team.  He also is a valued swimmer for the swim team and as fate would have it the swim team had their State Meet on the same day but hours apart.  Dilemma ... needed for both teams and a valued contributor for each torn between two sports he loves and two sets of team members to support but a choice had to be made, it was basketball. The whistle blew and the Lions came out with a roar.  Nico, my assistant's son was on fire making three 3 point shots in a r... 02/28/2009