Founded in 2019 by Tim Gehan, UnionMain Homes in Dallas has been helping recapture the meaning of the neighborhood by creating a communal spirit. We recently spoke with the marketing director about what makes UnionMain special and why you should consider them when thinking about building your next home.  

About UnionMain 

UnionMain prides themselves on offering affordable elegance to those seeking a new home. They strive to keep costs low but the lists of options and quality finishes are endless – no two families are the same so why should their homes be? Over the last few years, UnionMain has built over 250 homes, providing much-needed housing in the area. They employ over 100 hard-working custom service-driven men and women who are there to help you at every step of the building process. UnionMain is large enough to be flexible but small enough to really listen. When speaking with the staff they highlighted how much they love what they do because they are part of something bigger – helping create a beautiful space where families can make memories to last a lifetime.  

The Process 

UnionMain’s focus is on building communities that they themselves could see calling their home. Their new communities are family-focused and nearby schools, shopping, and offices to make commuting to your frequented places easier! All of these factors and more are considered before starting a new community.  

The Homes 

UnionMain works on 30-40 unique home plans to create stunning homes for every potential buyer. The single-level floor plan is extremely popular among those looking to create an easier flow of traffic. The most popular single-level plan includes 3,000 square feet and comes standard with a three-car garage. The final product is beautiful and luxurious for a shockingly low price tag.  

The upgrades and options lists for every home are extensive, allowing everyone to find exactly what they are looking for in a future residence. Some of those options include custom cabinetry, laundry room, and high-end flooring.  

Unsure of what finishing touches to put in your home? Not to fear! UnionMain offers a full design service where a design professional offers guidance and suggestions for finishes in your home from cabinets, lighting, storage options, all the way down to the knobs, and pulls your place on drawers. 

How Long Will It Take? 

From start to finish building a new home with UnionMain takes approximately 6 months. If that seems like a long wait go ahead and check out one of the 30 plus homes that are complete or nearly complete just waiting for you to make it your own. This option is ideal for those moving from out of town or those who want a new home without the process of designing the whole home.  

How To Reach Them 

To begin your home-building journey you can reach out to our friends at UnionMain at the link to their website below. Stay tuned on UnionMain’s website and social media channels for an exciting announcement about a new development popping up soon in Melissa! These homes will be one of a kind and one can be yours!  https://unionmainhomes.com/

Need a Local Agent? 

Anthony Hanks with Beyond 404 Realty will be happy to assist you in the home buying process with UnionMain. Please reach out to us on our website by filling out the contact us form at this link https://beyond404realty.com/index.php/contact/. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you along your next journey.  

The 2021 real estate market is hard for buyers. The pandemic has caused many to look for a new home but few to sell their existing homes. The National Association of Home Builders reported that 45% of long-time home searchers haven’t purchased a home because they continue to lose out on bidding wars. The mix of high demand and low inventory has created more than a headache for many buyers and realtors. If you are one of the many seeking to find a new home to call your own here are some things you can do to stand out from the crowd. 

Get Pre-Approved 

At the end of the day, sellers want to feel comfortable with the offers they are presented with. Many sellers will not even look at an offer if it does not come with a pre-approval. A pre-approval letter shows how serious you are in your pursuit of a home purchase. These letters are vital in the volatile market we see.  

Added bonus – you can have your lender prepare a property-specific letter for your offer. 

Be Prepared to Use Your Cash Reserves 

Increasing your down payment or increasing the amount of earnest money you provide shows everyone that you’re serious and that this is something you truly want. This can be something that a seller would favor over a lower down payment. If you’re in the situation to do so, a 100% cash offer would help you stand out even more above the rest of the offers. This gives sellers the guarantee that your offer will go through and not have financing issues.  

Waive Contingencies and Inspections 

While some buyers are willing to waive the inspection period, this is NOT for everyone. Highly consider the situation before doing this. Speak with your agent and discuss all of the pros and cons of doing so. Consider the age of the home and other factors that could impact the overall integrity of the structure.  

Make it Personal 

During this extremely competitive time, it is common for buyers to submit a personal letter to the seller with their offer. This can draw the sellers to your offer based on your interests and your appreciation for the home. Tell the seller why you love their home, how you plan on living your life there and how you might make this house your own. Sellers want to know that the next owner of their home will make it their own and cherish it as they have for many years.  

Final Thoughts 

At the end of the day even if you follow all of the above suggestions there still might be someone who bids higher than you, is more qualified than you, or presents a more compelling story than you. No matter what, remember that you will find the home that is right for you.  

If you are looking to purchase a home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area consider reaching out to Beyond 404 Realty in Forney, Texas. Beyond 404 specializes in working with buyers to find their dream homes. Whether you are relocating to the area or just moving down the street we are here to help your dreams come true. Visit our website and reach out to us to set up an appointment to start your journey.  

According to realtor.com more than half of all recent homebuyers first found their home through the internet on a listings site like realtor.com®, nearly all (9 in 10) purchased their home through a real estate agent. Buying or selling your home isn’t something you should go at alone. It is complicated and sometimes difficult and emotional. What are some things that real estate agents wish you knew before you begin your next homeownership journey?  

Find An Agent That You Click With  

Finding an agent that you connect with is a big deal. You will be working with this agent for months and want to make sure that they understand you and your needs. Oftentimes interviewing your top choices then picking one agent is the best option for you. Building that strong connection makes it easier for your agent to find your perfect home faster! 

Find a Lender You Trust  

After choosing an agent, choosing a lender is the next most vital step you can make. When it comes to lending, the biggest lender isn’t always the best option. Customer service, locality, and experience matter as well. Speak with your agent to see if there is a particular local lender that they love to work with, who closes on time, is friendly, and has great reviews.  

Keep Your Expectations in Check 

Not every home you enter is off the set of an HGTV. Real homes have real problems and real solutions to deal with them. Don’t assume that because the problem looks bad that the solution is costly or not even salvageable. Always consult with a local inspector or other professional before committing to fixing issues in a possible purchase  

Don’t Make Any Big Financial Decision Before Closing 

Thinking of quitting your corporate job or buying that new car you’ve been eyeing for months? WAIT! Do not do anything that will change your financial situation until after your closing date. Making a mistake like this could cost you your loan! 

Understand Closing Time Frames  

Once you are under contract with your future home your agent will be your most valuable guide in the next few months. Keep in mind that the time frame from offer acceptance to closing is different in every situation. Typically it is about 30-40 days from start to finish. Consult with your agent for a list of deadlines and other important dates in your contract. 

Moving to the DFW Area? 

Anthoney Hanks with Beyond 404 Realty will be happy to assist you in finding your dream home in the DFW community! Reach out to us on our website at www.beyond404realty.com to get started. We can’t wait to work with you.  

The deal is done, the papers are signed and you have begun the process of settling into your very own home. Between unpacking and going about your daily routine of work and school you might have overlooked a few of the following necessary steps to take during your first week at your new home. Follow along below to get your home in tip-top shape! 

Check the Keys 

At closing, you may have gotten more than one key to your home. Confirm that all of the keys you received do indeed work properly. The last thing you want is for someone to be locked out of your house on a rainy day. 

Know Your Emergency Exit 

The last thing you think of when moving into a new home is a sudden emergency. Make sure you know your way out of the home and a second clear alternative in case of fire or flooding. 

Set Up Your Internet  

Often forgotten until you realize you can’t connect to your main office while working remotely. Make sure you schedule your internet provider to come out to your home within the first week of your occupancy. It will save much time and headache down the road! 

Change Keypad Codes 

Do not ever continue using the same code as the prior homeowner. You can never be certain of who that gave that code out to. Always change the keypad code on the front door and garage doors. Make the code something that you will remember but not something that is easily guessed – that includes birthdays if you have them listed on social media! 

Smoke Detectors 

Nothing is worse than being woken up in the middle of the night by a chirping low battery signal from a smoke detector. Since you cannot be sure of the last time the batteries were changed, make it practice every time you relocate to a new home to change all smoke detector batteries.  

Clean the Dryer Vent 

A potential fire hazard that may not have been looked at in months to years – checking the dryer vent and cleaning it could be the most important thing you do when you first move into your new home.  

Final Thoughts 

There are many more things that need to be done from setting up your kitchen to unpacking your clothes but by doing the few above things your first few weeks will be more comfortable and secure.  

For more suggestions or assistance on the home buying process please reach out to Anthoney Hanks with Beyond 404 Real Estate which serves the DFW community including real estate ser 

Forney was originally settled in the year 1846. After the end of the Civil War, many from the war-torn areas throughout the south flocked to the area to start new lives. Single men were granted 320 acres and married men were granted 640 acres. By 1869 there was an established downtown area with a saloon, blacksmith shop, school, and church. By the 1870s the town was recognized by the US Postal service. Late into the 1870s and 1880’s the town garnished a reputation straight out of an old Hollywood Western. When the cotton mill opened in the early 1910’s many investors started to take note of the rich grasslands of Forney nationwide. The Great Depression hit Forney hard and many younger people left to start over in the bigger city of Dallas. The town of Forney would never truly recover from its losses until well into the 1990s when the population had finally returned. 

Today the quiet town of Forney is home to about 15,000 people located inside the Dallas-Forth Worth metropolitan area. The quaint downtown streets are lined with local businesses from antique shops to small food establishments in older antique-style buildings which nod to the town’s rich history. Local artists have painted murals along the exterior walls of some of the buildings adding color and character to many of the old brick buildings. Neighborhoods are nestled in between tree-lined streets with family homes and the sound of people going about their daily lives. 

Forney features many local attractions including the Spellman Museum, located diagonally across the Main Street intersection across from City Hall. The museum showcases photographs and artifacts from the rich history of Forney. Another great place to visit is The Gentle Zoo, where the whole family can get up close to many animals. 

Whether you are visiting Forney for the day or staying for a while, the locals will welcome you with Southern hospitality and open arms. 

You’ve made the leap of faith and want to join millions in the journey to financial freedom by investing in real estate – what could go wrong? Like many, you might think that in this market buying a fixer-upper can’t go wrong, that you’ll always be able to sell it due to high demand and make a profit. Think twice! There are numerous reasons why this is not the case including some rookie mistakes made by first-time investors. 

Self Made Real Estate Experts  

You’ve read the books, watched the television shows, and even poured over Zillow for what seems like endless hours. You think you’re a professional and know all you need to succeed. What you’re forgetting is that every market in every community in the country is different. This means that the fixer-upper you buy in town A might sell, but if you were to buy a carbon copy of that same house in town B it might sit for months! Why is that? Every community has different income levels, motivation for buyers to move there, and other factors. Houses are not one size fits all communities. The best investment you can make when buying a fixer-upper is to take the time to speak with a local agent who knows the driving factors for the community you are looking to purchase in. It can save you a lot of time and stress in the long run.  

Fancy Finishes – Dime Store Budget  

The Pinterest phenomenon – getting expensive finishes for a home that will increase the overall price of the home and pushing that cost onto a potential buyer who might not be able to afford it. Remember to remodel for a potential buyer’s budget – not yours! High-end remodels come with high stakes. If the buyer does not appreciate your high-end items they might not agree with the overall high-end price of the home. 

Putting Off Easy Fixes 

It’s all great and dandy to overall the entire home and gets the big items taken care of, but do not neglect the smaller items like updating fixtures such as doorknobs, light switch covers, and outlet covers. Buyers notice that! When the buyers see small things they often wonder what big things lie neglected underneath. 

Working Against the Clock 

Buying a flip and then setting an unrealistic goal of completion can be the detriment of your project. Rushing for work to be done can create work to be done half-heartedly and cause more problems down the road. Buyers and future home inspectors will notice any short fallings or rush jobs. 

When it comes to investing in a home for “flipping” it, there is a right and a wrong way to do it. Do your research, keep costs low, have a realistic timeline, and always consult with a local expert on the market. If you are looking for a real estate agent in the Dallas-Fort Worth community, Anthoney Hanks with Beyond 404 Realty has years of insight and experience in purchasing homes to renovate them and resell. Located in Forney, Texas our real estate office can service your local needs and provide solid advice for our community. To contact us, please visit our website and call or email us.  

With summer fast approaching many of us have the time to do a little extra around the house. Whether you want to tackle a small project or something bigger, there is so much that you can do around your home. DIY projects can potentially increase its value as well as enhance the overall aesthetic of your home! Let’s take a look at some DIY home improvement ideas. 

Paint the Cabinets 

Often the kitchen is a huge eyesore in outdated homes and can be expensive and complicated to update! A quick and easy way to give your outdated kitchen a facelift is to paint the cabinets. You can go to your local hardware store and pick up the needed supplies to sand and repaint your cabinets. 

Do not overlook the cabinets in your bathroom either! Bathrooms are usually the very last room to be updated in a home. Get rid of that 1980’s faux oak finish and cover it with some navy, white, or green paint for a very modern look. 

Replace the Fixtures 

Do you have old brass handles and pulls on your cabinets and doors? A quick and easy way to update your whole home is to take a trip to the store and purchase brushed nickel, black, or gold fixtures. This project is so easy to accomplish because you often only need a screwdriver to get it done! 

New Lights – New Space 

Nothing can change a room faster than a new lighting fixture. Switching out an old fixture to a new fixture can change the whole mood of the room with brighter lighting and a modern look. Take into consideration the overall style of the room when choosing a new light fixture – you will want the room to flow from floor to ceiling. Be sure you do the research and check to see if you will need to have an electrician assist you in the switch over. 

Smart Home Updates 

Nothing says that your home is modern and updated more than smart home features. Many think that these high-tech items come with a high price tag – think again! There is an endless list of products to choose from, some are easier to install than others. Some ideas for smart home updates include a smart doorbell with a camera, smart locks, smart lights, smart outlets, or a smart home hub. 

At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong way to update your home as every home is different. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have fun doing it and do added research into specific products and techniques. 

As an experienced real estate agent or property investor will say, a cheap buy is not always a good buy. A property that seems like a good idea to buy at the surface might not always be worth it. Looking into a property’s financials and rental history might produce a clean bill of health but what if things still do not add up? The following list is a compilation of properties that could seem like a good idea on the outside but will make you want to take another look before making a possible wrong step in your financial and investment career.  

Investments That Don’t Generate Cash Flow  

Many think that just because it would be an addition to your real estate portfolio that the property would generate cash flow. Most properties do indeed generate a good cash flow some do not and even some bring in a negative cash flow. So many people invest in a property that they should not just because they hope the value will eventually go up – don’t hope. Always make your investment decisions on facts. Even if the property were to eventually go up in value you will need to reconcile for the years that it was negative to your portfolio.  

Air BNB or Rental Properties in Bad or Strict Rental Areas 

Do not be fooled – you cannot just buy a property and rent it out long term or short term, like an air BnB or VRBO. Some areas have strict rental policies that will make owning and renting a property like this a nightmare. ALWAYS check with local ordinances before making the leap and purchasing a property for this purpose.  

Condos or Time Shares 

Condos or timeshares are not even a real estate investment like many think. There is no way that you will be able to guarantee the cash flow, income, or future value of the property. Plus selling a condo or timeshare is near impossible, and when you do finally sell you will only get a small percentage of what you originally purchased it for.  

Property Development  

Real Estate development is high risk with rising construction and market prices. There are so many things that can go wrong at any time. Entitlement issues, city approval of permits, labor shortages, landscaping issues, road permits, etc just to name a few. Not to mention that the entire process is costly. Your return might not be seen for years or even decades later. This type of investment is not for those who are looking to see a return soon and should be left to those very experienced investors. 

Don’t let this list of possible bad investments scare you away from purchasing your first investment property – there is a way to find a good investment that will diversify and grow your portfolio. Speak with your local agent and they will be able to guide you to find an investment that fits your budget, experience, and needs. 

Anthony Hanks is available for investment consultations in DFW. Not only an agent, but also an investor of the BRRRR strategy. Reach out today to get started! 

If you are thinking of becoming a landlord, you will need to know how to effectively communicate with tenants to resolve issues and complaints. As many landlords will tell you, there are good tenants and then there are bad tenants. Bad tenants tend to make your job as a landlord difficult, stressful, and all-around just a headache. Most property owners will deal with a bad tenant from time to time, and it’s not easy. Follow some of the tips we have listed below to try and make the situation easier for you and the tenant. 

Calmly Listen 

This is often easier said than done. One of the best qualities anyone can have is to be an effective listener. When listening to your tenant you really need to understand what they are saying and try to reason that they are not overreacting. Stay calm no matter what they say because at the end of the day they are saying it out of frustration. When you stay calm it makes the tenant want to be calmer when explaining their issue. Do not let your personal thoughts or feelings become clouded by emotions when discussing issues with your tenant, as a landlord you need to be the voice of reason. Below are a few tips on effective listening. 

1. Take notes 

2. Ask follow up questions to fully understand the issue 

Be Available  

One of the biggest tenant complaints in regards to their landlord is that they can never reach them unless it’s time for the landlord to collect rent. Don’t be that landlord! Set up clear hours on when you will be available to your tenants. You don’t have to be available 24/7 but set clear standards for when you will be. For example, you can be available on Monday – Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. With that being said, make sure you always have an emergency plan for water leaks, fires, etc. 

Outline Rules and Restrictions  

From the very beginning of the lease outline, exactly what is expected of the tenant. One of the worst feelings for a tenant is thinking that they can do one thing only to be told months later that it was not okay. When you sign a lease with a new tenant you can hand them a short list of rules and regulations for the property that they are occupying, this can specify quiet times, parking spaces, interior painting, wall hangings, etc. It’s better for everyone if the expectations are clearly outlined from the start, this will cause less conflict down the road.  

Stay tuned to our blog in the near future for more helpful tips on peaceful dealings with tenants.