The Paint Colors That Are Adding (and Costing) Thousands at Closing in 2026
New research shows paint color can swing a buyer's offer by thousands of dollars. Here's what's working — and what to avoid — room by…
Author: Cindy Dunnican
Cindy Dunnican is a North Texas REALTOR® and Founder of The Dunnican Team at Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors®. Since 1998, she has helped buyers and sellers throughout Rowlett, Rockwall, and Northeast Dallas, with more than 1,850 homes sold and $350M+ in career sales volume. Cindy is known for clear guidance, strategic marketing, and helping clients make wise real estate decisions with confidence.
Texas Buyer Representation Agreement: What to Know in 2026
As of 2026, Texas law requires a signed agreement before your first home showing. Here's what that means, your options, and what to ask before…
Condo Resale Certificates in Texas: How They Differ From an HOA Resale Certificate
How is a Texas condo resale certificate different from a standard HOA resale certificate?Texas condo resale certificates are governed by Property Code Chapter 82, the…
Accessory Dwelling Units in Rockwall County: What’s Allowed by City
A backyard casita could mean rental income, or a code violation, depending entirely on which Rockwall County city the lot sits in. Here's what's actually…
HOA Violations and Liens in Texas: What They Mean for Your Home Sale
The resale certificate just came back with an unpaid assessment on it. Now what? Here's what a violation or lien on an HOA resale certificate…
Title Insurance in Texas: What Buyers Pay, What It Covers, and What to Watch For
Texas title insurance splits differently than buyers expect — the seller usually covers the owner's policy, the buyer covers the lender's. Here's what each protects…
McLendon-Chisholm: Space, Newer Homes, And Quiet Living
McLendon-Chisholm offers lower density, larger lots, and a growing mix of newer construction than most nearby Rockwall County suburbs. Here's what makes it different —…
VA and FHA Loan Property Requirements in Texas: What Sellers Need to Fix Before Closing
FHA and VA loans both require the home to meet Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) covering safety, structural soundness, and habitability — things like exposed wiring,…
Seller Concessions in Texas: What DFW Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
Nearly half of DFW closings in 2026 include a seller concession. Here's how they work, what loan types allow, and how buyers and sellers should…
Foundation Issues in North Texas: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
Blackland Prairie clay makes foundation movement a fact of life in North Texas. Here's what buyers should inspect for and what sellers are legally required…
HOA Resale Certificates in Texas: What Every Buyer Needs to Know
Texas gives buyers 7 days to review an HOA resale certificate before closing — and what's in it can matter more than most buyers expect.…
Builder Rate Buydowns in DFW: How They Work and What to Watch Out For
Rate buydowns can save real money in years one and two — but almost all of them require the builder's preferred lender. Here's how to…
Reimagined in Rowlett’s Waterview: A Custom Kitchen, Single-Level Bedrooms, and Amenities at Your Doorstep
A reimagined Waterview home in Rowlett pairs a custom kitchen and single-level bedrooms with a gameroom, private backyard, and resort-style amenities a half-mile away.
Dallas Metro Area Housing Market Update: May 2026
May 2026 NTREIS data shows the North Texas market splitting by community — from red-hot Sachse and Flower Mound to buyer-leverage markets like Rockwall, Forney,…
What to Do When the Appraisal Comes In Low: A North Texas Buyer’s Guide
A low appraisal doesn't have to sink your purchase. Here are the four options Texas buyers have — and how to know which one fits…
How Location Inside Waterview Shapes Your Daily Life: A Home Buyer’s Guide
Not all lots in Waterview are created equal. Here's how lot width, builder, backyard exposure, and position inside the community shape both daily life and…
Selling to a Cash Buyer in Texas: What You Gain and What You Give Up
Is selling your home to a cash buyer in Rockwall County or Northeast Dallas a good idea?Selling for cash usually means a faster closing, often…
The Texas Residential Construction Liability Act: Your Rights on New Construction Defects
Found a defect in your new build? Texas law says you can't just sue your builder — you have to give them a chance to…
Home Warranty on a Resale Home in Texas: Is It Worth It?
A resale home warranty costs less than one month of a mortgage payment and covers the year most buyers can least afford a surprise repair.…
Builder’s Title Company vs. Your Own in Texas New Construction: Does It Matter?
The builder's sales office already has a title company picked out for you. That doesn't mean it's the only, or the best, option. Here's what…
Reverse Mortgage Payoff When Selling a Home in Texas: What Heirs Need to Know
Inheriting a home with a reverse mortgage starts a clock, not a crisis. Here's what heirs in Rockwall County actually have to do, and how…
Backup Offers in Texas: How the TREC Addendum Actually Works
Your house is under contract, but a stronger offer just came in. In Texas, you don't have to just say no — you can say…
Texas Property Survey: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
A property survey tells you what you actually own — and who pays for one in Texas isn't automatic. Here's how the T-47 affidavit works…
New Home Warranty in Texas: The 1-2-10 Plan and What to Do Before Year One Expires
What does a new construction warranty cover in Texas?Most new homes built by production builders in Texas come with a 1-2-10 warranty: one year of…
How to Price Your Home in Fate, TX: When Builders Are Still Your Competition
Fate's resale market means pricing against active builder inventory, not just recent sales. Here's how HOA, MUD, and PID costs — plus builder incentives —…
Texas Seller’s Disclosure Notice: What’s Changing July 1, 2026
Texas updated the Seller's Disclosure Notice for the first time in years, adding a new water rights form and mandatory insurance disclosure. Here's what changes…
Sapphire Bay in Rowlett: Progress, Tension, and What It Means for the Community
Sapphire Bay has faced real delays and a formal default notice from the city — but the marina, restaurant, and hotel are moving forward. Here's…
Sunsets Over the Lake, Without the Yard Work: Modern Lock-and-Leave Living in Rowlett’s Sapphire Bay
A modern, low-maintenance 2022 home in Rowlett's Sapphire Bay puts Lake Ray Hubbard, shoreline trails, and the marina within walking distance — with no yard…
Your Front-Row Seat to Sunrise Over Lake Ray Hubbard: A Fully Furnished 2025 Residence Designed Around the View
A fully furnished 2025 home in Rowlett's Lake Park sits on an elevated homesite with Lake Ray Hubbard views from nearly every room, plus $300,000+…
Should You Buy New Construction Or Acreage In Farmersville?
Farmersville's Lakehaven community and its surrounding acreage properties offer very different ownership experiences. Here's how to weigh utilities, upkeep, and lifestyle before you decide.