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…
Category: Buying
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.…
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…
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…
The Texas Option Period: What Rockwall, Rowlett and Dallas Area Buyers Need to Know
Texas buyers can terminate a contract during the option period and get their earnest money back — no reason required. Here's exactly how the timeline,…
Texas Homestead Exemption in Rockwall County: What New Homeowners Need to Do Right Now
Texas raised the school-tax homestead exemption to $140,000 for 2026 — but it isn't automatic. Here's how Rockwall County homeowners file with RCAD, what the…
Plano Housing Snapshot: What Buyers Get At Different Price Points
Plano sits in the middle of Collin County's price spectrum. Here's what buyers can expect at each price band, from under $400K to $800K and…
Buying New Construction or Land in Caddo Mills, TX: What to Know Before You Commit
Buying new construction or land in Caddo Mills involves contracts, permits, and utility costs a typical resale doesn't. Here's what to check before you sign…
What Home Features Matter Most for Lake Ray Hubbard Living in Rowlett? What Lakefront Buyers Need to Know
Covered patios, organized garage storage, and take-area sublease rules — here's what actually matters to buyers and sellers near Lake Ray Hubbard in Rowlett.
It’s a Buyer’s Market — With an Asterisk. Here’s What’s Really Happening in North Texas This Spring.
Rates climbed back to 6.46% and Rockwall County's resale market sits near 5.4 months of supply — but "buyer's market" doesn't mean the same thing…
Buying A Lakefront Home In Rockwall: What To Know
Lake Ray Hubbard living comes with extra steps most suburban buys don't — dock permits, flood maps, shoreline rights, and HOA rules. Here's a practical,…
Negotiation Is Back: 6 Smart Strategies for Dallas-Area Homebuyers
Longer days on market and more price flexibility mean buyers have real leverage again. Here are six practical negotiation strategies — from leading with strong…
Why January May Be the Best Time of Year to Buy a Home
January buyers in North Texas paid about $23,000 less on average than May buyers, with less competition and more motivated sellers. Here's why winter deserves…
Earnest Money in Texas: A Garland Buyer’s Guide
Earnest money and the option fee aren't the same thing — and mixing them up can cost you your deposit. Here's how the Texas system…
Choosing a Neighborhood in Wylie, TX: What to Check First
Wylie started in Collin County and grew into two more. Its school district map doesn't follow city limits, and in at least two subdivisions the…
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…
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…
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.
Buying and Selling at the Same Time in Texas: Your Options, Explained
Sell first, go contingent, or use bridge financing — each path to buying and selling simultaneously in Texas has real trade-offs. Here's how to weigh…
MUD and PID Taxes in Fate, Royse City, Lavon & Rowlett: What New Construction Buyers Need to Know
New construction in Fate, Royse City, and Lavon often carries MUD and PID taxes that don't show up in the builder's advertised payment. Here's what…
First-Time Buyer’s Guide To Wylie’s Suburban Market
Wylie's suburban market gives first-time buyers real entry points in the mid-$300,000s to low-$400,000s — here's how to budget, plan for taxes, and navigate Texas…
Texas Homestead Exemption: A North Texas Homeowner’s Guide
The Texas homestead exemption isn't automatic — you have to file. Here's what it does, who qualifies, how to apply, and the one thing many…
Is Heath, Texas Right for Luxury Buyers? A Practical Look at the Market
Written by Cindy Dunnican, REALTOR® | The Dunnican Team at Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors® Last updated: April 2026 | Market area: Northeast Dallas and Rockwall…
Eco-Friendly Home Upgrades That Add Value in Fate, TX
From design-center insulation upgrades for new builds to solar and native landscaping for existing homes, here's a practical, ROI-focused look at which eco-friendly upgrades actually…
Inside The Retreat at Firewheel: $950K Home Tour
A fully renovated 4,556 sq ft custom home in the gated Retreat at Firewheel — heated pool, chef's kitchen, dedicated office, and a backyard built…
What Does Your Budget Actually Buy in Rockwall County Right Now?
A real-world, price-tier breakdown of what $300K to $1M+ actually buys across Rockwall, Fate, Heath, McLendon-Chisholm, and Royse City, based on the last 90 days…
New Construction vs. Resale in Royse City: Pros and Cons
Royse City buyers now face a real choice between new construction and resale — here's an honest breakdown of the costs, timelines, and tradeoffs that…
Open House Questions in Rowlett, TX: Ask This First
The agent standing in the kitchen at an open house works for the seller. Texas law specifically exempts open houses from the written disclosure form,…