After months of talking about this relocation to Austin, TX, we finally put our house on the market. What an ordeal!! I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned some more. Whenever I was finished with one room, "someone" would make a mess again and it would have to be cleaned again.
I took 180 pictures yesterday in order to get enough pictures for the virtual tour and still photos for the MLS. Then, my listing agent also came over and took some pictures. I'm not sure how many he took.
Yes, you read that correctly... I have a listing agent and it's not me! I interviewed the top two agents in the area, me and this other guy, and I decided to go with the second best agent around! LOL!
I live in the Woods of SpringCreek in NorthEast Richardson, TX. It's in Collin County which means much lower taxes and award winning Plano schools. My house is on the North side of the street facing South. No "direct" sun gets in the house so summer bills are lower than my last house which was east and west facing.
The house backs to a creek, hence Woods of Spring"Creek". Tons of trees behind the house with views from the upstairs gameroom and my office which is one of 5 bedrooms.
There are 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 3 Living Areas, 2 Dining Areas and a 3 car garage with bunches and bunches of cabinets for storage. The master is downstairs at the back of the house for privacy. The master bath has an oversized shower, jetted tub, double vanities at his and hers heights, built-ins for linens and a huge walk-in closet with many built-ins and seasonal racks.
The bedroom downstairs is great for an office or guests who don't want to walk up stairs. It has a walk-in closet and full bathroom attached.
The floorplan is very open with the Family room blending into the Nook and Kitchen. The family room features a Slate surround, gas Fireplace. The Kitchen features Granite Counters, Gas Cooktop, Bosch Dishwasher, tumbled marble backsplash with slate inserts, and a huge walk-in pantry.
The Nook overlooks the Covered Patio. The Covered Patio is on a Flagstone surface made with Cedar Posts and Limestone footings. The backyard backs to the Creek with trees. Each of the sides of the house have 8" fences, one side is board on board with steel posts. The back is a red brick wall that adds some nice color to the yard.
The upstairs Gameroom is HUGE! Currently, we have a standard size Pool Table, couch, entertainment center and a complete gym with treadmill and arm press thingy. It's HUGE!! There are 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths upstairs, one with double vanities.
Other features are plantation shutters, slate entry, curved staircase, utility room with sink, fridge, & gas dryer connections, gutters, security, and much more. You must see this house! It's one of the larger lots and yards in the neighborhood.
And, the City of Richardson offers two trash days a week along with recylce pick-up every single week. Many neighboring cities offer trash once a week and recycling every 3-4 weeks. Richardson is big on keeping their area clean. The Woods of Springcreek also have Crime Watch in the neighborhood and the HOA helps brings the neighbors together with social events and constant email updates with news and events around the area.
Come make Richardson your home!
What do you think? Are you packed yet?
Donna-Let me be the first to wish you good luck with the sale of your home, I am sure it is not an easy ordeal. You got to do what is best for you and your family. Your home looks fabulous!
Joseph, Thank you on all accounts!
Hey Donna, Very nice. Smart move not to sell it yourself, I've seen agents do that and the end up acting like FSBOs and making less than stellar decisions. So now I have one question (is this a teaser to get us to call) What is the Price???
List and Sell (Merry Christmas and good luck on this one especially) Gary @ RentonHomeFinder.com
Gary, Thanks, I thought so! No, it's not really a "teaser" per se. I just didn't want all 120K+ people on AR knowing my "business", if you know what I mean. I don't mind publishing my clients' prices as that's not person, but with this being my personal home, I didn't feel comfortable putting a price, however, it is mentioned in the tour...
Donna, what a beautiful home! I hope it sells quickly. And I didn't even notice that it wasn't holiday-decorated :) Let the house speak for itself.
Hi Donna... what a great looking house! It really photographs well. Great curb appeal and I love the back patio. I hope it sells quickly for you and I will do whatever I can to send potential buyers in your house's direction!
You certainly have a beautiful home. Good luck with the sale!
You have a gorgeous home. I wish you good luck in selling it quickly.
Lorrie, Thanks and me too! Bring me a buyer! I'm sure you leave Addison every once in a while!
Steve, Thanks. The back patio was just put on last year which is another reason I'm upset about moving.
Jennifer, Thank you!
Gita, Thanks!
Donna: I'm afraid they'd revoke my Addison passport if I left!
Lorrie, It's only $10 to get back in!!
Donna - Best of luck to you in the sale of your home. I wish you the best. I'm looking forward to the next installment of the progress of your new home!
Craig, Thanks! We need luck at this point. Since the builder was laid off, there has been no progress. The new builder wants to wait until we get there next week to review things again, and do a complete new "pre-construction meeting" though construction is already underway. We'll see.
Very nice Donna. Good luck on the sale of YOUR home
Don
Don, Thanks! No showings this weekend, but the weather has been less than fabulous.
Good luck. I listed and sold our own via a postlet Blog here on Active Rain - 4 days. Don't forget Craigslist.
Jim, Yep, we're on Craiglist. I've got postlets and vflyers, but since I'm not the listing agent and my broker isn't the listing broker, I have to be careful. We're having horrible weather since the day we listed, so no showings yet...
Donna you have very nice pictures of your house. I hope it sells quickly. Is the listing agent a member of Active Rain? LOL. Good luck to you in getting your house sold for top dollars. May you and your family have a Happy New Year. Great post.
Lanre, Thank you. Not much luck on showings yet, but we all know the "holiday" excuse... And yes, the listing agent is a member of AR.
As others others have said your house is gorgeous... I bet you will miss it when you move!
I didn't realize you were moving! You may not know it, but you are part of the reason I joined Active Rain (inspired by your points, that is).
Wish you the best!
Teresa, Thanks, and yes, I'll miss it. I've even gotten used to the mustard yellow walls throughout. I don't want to go back to white walls!
Valarie, Yes, I'm moving. I was going to switch my license in December, but have now been waiting because my house has been delayed. I even tried to get Skipper to join the Austin Board so I didn't have to switch brokers!
Good luck on your move and sale. I recently sold my last home for the buyer who purchased it from me 4 years ago. It was less emotional this time around. Since you moved away from the area, it would be impossible for you to be your own listing agent. Being an agent and doing FSBO has its challenges.
Mary, That's so cool that you got to sell *your* house again. Did you like the way she had made changes? I once drove by my parent's old house and was offended that they painted the door black. The house was a light pink and they painted the door black! What were they thinking!
Hi Donna: You do, indeed have a beautiful home. And congratulations on the smart move to hire a listing agent and not try and do it yourself. Have you considered doing the same with a home stager? I see you are an ASP, but often it is difficult for us to see our own home with those "buyer's eyes". I think an experienced home stager could help you take your home to the next level in marketability - from beautiful to "I have to buy this house". If you need a recommendation in your area, let me know.
Michelle, Thanks, and I've already spoken with a local stager friend. If you would like to network with her, Karen Otto is huge right here on AR.