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There are a lot of reasons you might want to live in Texas. It’s the 2nd most populated state in the United States, and Texas works hard to make it a welcoming and positive place to live.
Plano is a city in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, which means you’ll be right in the heart of Texas if you choose to live here. The upside is that you get to live in a smaller city with a more suburban feel, but you’re still within easy driving distance of two of the biggest cities Texas has to offer.
There’s a lot to love in Texas but getting a home can be a little complicated if you aren’t familiar with the process in Texas, especially if this is your first time buying a home.
Here’s what you need to know to find the perfect Plano home and the right real estate agent for your search.
Benefits Of Searching For A Home For Sale In Plano, TX
Plano Texas has a lot of advantages. Not only does the city have its own thriving historic downtown, but you’re also incredibly close to Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Living here there’s never any shortage of things to do.
There are pros and cons to living here, on one hand, you get a lot of sunshine, on the other hand, the weather, when it’s bad, it’s really bad.
It’s important to do your research before you come here, just like anywhere else, but let’s talk about some of the biggest benefits of living in Plano, TX.
Beautiful Homes For Sale
The cost of living and the average price of homes is a little higher in Plano TX, but one of the biggest reasons people come here is the beautiful homes. At any point in time, there are dozens if not hundreds of truly gorgeous homes for sale in Plano, TX, all of them just waiting for the perfect person to buy them.
There’s also a wide range of home types for sale, including traditional single-family homes, homes designed for multi-generational families, condos, and other arrangements.
Fantastic Mass Transit
One of the most important things that makes a city more livable and enjoyable is the quality of its mass transportation. Even if you own a vehicle of your own, having the option to skip the traffic and take mass transit can make it easier to get around town or enjoy a night out.
Fortunately, Plano has some of the best mass transit in the Dallas Fort Worth area, which is a huge win for a lot of residents.
There are also plans to keep the mass transit working and expanding well, as well as green air initiatives to help make sure Plano stays a comfortable and healthy place to live.
Much Safer Than Average
One of the advantages of buying one of the homes for sale in Plano, TX, is living somewhere with a significantly lower crime rate than the country-wide average.
Initiatives like a city watch and other efforts to keep crime rates low have resulted in a crime rate roughly 26% lower than average in the United States.
If safety is one of your main concerns when choosing a place to live, Plano should be near the top of the list.
Great Job Market
Worried about the job prospects near your new home? It’s natural to want to make sure you’ll have good options when you decide to move to a new city, and Plano has you covered.
The job market is still thriving here, even after the pandemic hit so much of the country so hard. There are tons of jobs available, in a lot of different niches.
Plano might not be a tech hub like the kind you get in California, but there’s a big and varied business culture out here. There are jobs for just about every specialty and experience level, perfect for almost every professional.
Outdoor Activities
Not really a homebody? Rather spend your time outside enjoying the best of nature and the artistry of gardens and parks? Plano has you covered.
In addition to the beautiful homes for sale in Plano, TX, there are tons of beautiful outdoor spaces ready for you to explore.
Spaces range from the local Arbor Hills Nature Preserve to outdoor public patios and stages, parks, and the Texas Sculpture Garden.
Plus, since this is a thriving and growing metro, there are always new outdoor areas being planned or opening for your enjoyment.
What To Look For When Searching For A Home For Sale In Plano, TX
Convinced it’s time to look for a home in Plano? We don’t blame you!
However, even with all the stunning advantages that come with living here, it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for in a home before you decide to settle in to stay, including what Plano-specific features and amenities will make the biggest difference in your home.
Look For Good Insulation And Quality AC
Plano is generally a pretty comfortable place to live, but with rising temperature averages in the summer, it’s more important than ever to make sure you buy a home that’s designed to keep you cool. Good insulation isn’t just about keeping heat inside. It also helps you keep the heat out!
Modern homes tend to have better insulation than older buildings, but some older properties have insulation and cooling upgrades that help keep them on par with newer construction.
Don’t hesitate to ask about insulation and AC while on home tours, especially when your home is being inspected. You don’t want to find out the hard way about your first sweaty summer in Plano.
Budget
It’s important to make sure you have a firm budget before you start looking for housing in Plano. There are homes for just about any budget here, but it’s easy to fall in love with a building that’s just a bit outside your budget.
Make sure you talk with your realtor and let them know what your budget is, including your ideal budget, your stretch budget, and any hard cap on home prices.
If you’re pre-approved for a mortgage that may make it easier to stay within budget and know what the upper limit is in price.
Think About Home Condition
There is a lot to be said for getting a fixer-upper and designing the remodeling and repairs to be perfectly suited to your needs and tastes. The problem is that those homes often cost more to repair than you save on the purchase price.
In addition to having a clear budget for how much you’re willing to spend on homes for sale in Plano, TX, you should also have a budget for how much you’re willing to spend on anticipated repairs and upgrades on those homes.
Having that information will give you a leg up when it comes to closing negotiations as well. You may be able to get some or all of the key repairs done on the home before buying, but only if you know that that’s going to be an important consideration when you buy the home.
It’s also important to pay attention to any problems revealed during inspections. Plano homes tend to be in good condition. But if there are big problems that are outside your budget to fix, and the homeowner is unwilling to fix them before the sale, you should be prepared to walk away.
How To Recruit Top-Level Help When Looking For A Home For Sale In Plano, TX
If you really want to get into one of the best homes for sale in Plano, TX, you need to have a top-quality realtor helping you find them and working to make it happen.
That means you need to look for someone with experience and skill, who understands what you’re looking for, is willing to work with your budget, and knows when to push for a home and when to walk away.
You need a realtor that’s going to be in your corner, whatever that means for you, and whatever property is going to be right for you.
Here are some of the things you should look for in a realtor:
- You’re comfortable talking with them
- They ask good questions
- The first few homes they suggest are a good fit
- They respect your budget
- You feel like you’re collaborating with them when you’re looking at homes
- They work with your schedule
If you’re looking for the best in real estate help so you can buy one of the best homes for sale in Plano, TX, Teifke Real Estate can help. Contact us to learn about the homes we have available, to schedule an appointment, and start on your journey to a new home.
Our experienced team of realtors will help you figure out what you’re really looking for in a top-quality home, and will help you find that home right here in Plano.
Don’t let the frustrations or difficulties of home buying make this process harder than it has to be. Get the help you deserve from a realtor that will put you and your needs first, always.
