CITY OF MCKINNEY HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODIMPROVEMENT ZONE TAX EXEMPTIONPROGRAMYOU MAY QUALIFY FOR TAX EXEMPTIONSAll homeowners located in the Historic Neighborhood Improvement Zone (HNIZ)could possibly receive tax exemptions on City taxes for 15 years if they qualifyfor one of the three levels outlined under the new HNIZ ordinance.PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMTo encourage the maintenance, rehabilitation, and preservation of the City'sunique and historic neighborhoods by providing tax exemptions to homeownerswho qualify.APPLICATIONTo participate in the program, contact the Historic Preservation Officer for theCity of McKinney or go online to see how you can qualify for the tax exemptionprogram. In order to receive a tax exemption work must be pre-qualified by theHistoric Preservation Officer. Any ... 02/05/2008

02/05/2008

If you've been looking for a McKinney home with a BASEMENT, then the only place to look is Mallard Lakes! Yes - it's true. All you Northerners and Midwest peeps say time and again that they miss their basement. This is a community for you! Homes in Mallard Lakes have large lots that average around half an acre (some with lake/pond views), community pool and a beautiful country atmosphere. David Weekley Homes is one of a few builders that contributed to the beautiful homes found in Mallard Lakes. Other custom builders also purchased lots and sold homes here. Homes sold in 2007 were built between 1996-2006.Here is a look at the homes that sold between Jan.1 - Dec. 31 2007:15 SalesSquare Footage: 3074 min - 6560 max; Average Square Footage in Mallard Lakes: 4,214Days on Market: 6 min - 419... 02/05/2008

Eldorado Heights is a large, multi-phase subdivision in McKinney, TX. The homes were built between 1994 until the last few lots were spec'ed out in 2007. Many builders sold their homes in Eldorado Heights contributing to a number of floorplans and elevations. The neighborhood offers community pools for select phases, park, playground and the convenience of Johnson Elementary within the subdivision. Here's a look at the homes that sold in Eldorado Heights during 2007:Square Footage: 1431 min - 3765 max; Average 2261 square feetDays on Market in Eldorado Heights: 3 min - 536 max; Average 76 days on marketSales Price: $123,173 min - 246,000 max; Average Sales Price in Eldorado Heights: $167,268Average Price Per Square Foot: $73.98 per square footThere were 171 sales during Jan. 1 - Dec. 31... 02/05/2008

The Villages of Eldorado are located on Eldorado in McKinney. McKinney is a suburb of far North Dallas. This McKinney neighborhood is located approximately 35 miles north of Dallas. Eldorado is a master planned community served by McKinney schools in the McKinney ISD. McKinney Neighborhoods Texas 02/01/2008

This is a wonderful instrument to hear.  McKinney always has a very talented musian who brings this pipe organ to life at The Performing Arts Theatre. The Birth of the Theatre Pipe OrganIn the early decades of the last century, the silent cinema became a main stay of entertainment for Americans. The 1920s, saw the creation of Motion Picture Palaces in all major cities' downtown areas and smaller, yet still palatial, theatres in the outlying neighborhoods. In the "Nickelodeon" (early) days of the silent screen dramas, a sole piano player would provide suitable musical accompaniment to the action on the screen. As the new entertainment industry grew, so did the need for a more suitable method of accompanying the silent films, newsreels and stage acts in the larger, cavernous movie palaces... 01/25/2008

The Son of the Sheik   Date: 2/9/2008Start Time:8:00 PM End Time:10:00 PM Location: Courtroom Theater   THE SON OF THE SHEIKNorth Texas Chapter of the American Theater Organ SocietySilent Film Organ ConcertIn this visually intoxicating sequel to Valentino's career-defining film The Sheik, the silent screen's greatest lover portrays a cultured yet untamed young man who is lured into a thieves' trap by a beautiful dancer, Yasmin (Vilma Banky). After escaping, he kidnaps the damsel and holds her captive in his desert lair, dressing her in Arabian finery and threatening to unleash his violent passion upon her. Plot is almost inconsequential in Son Of The Sheik. The film's sultry beauty and torrid power are derived from the exotic romance which saturates every frame with lavish set design by... 01/25/2008

Eternal Romeo & Juliet  McKinney Repertory Theatre Presents World Premiere Begin Date: 1/25/2008Start Time:8:00 PM End Date:1/26/2008 End Time:10:00 PM   Location: Courtroom Theater    www.mckinneyrep.orgMcKinney Repertory TheatreTHE ETERNAL ROMEO AND JULIETA New Play by Dr. Andrew B. HarrisThe Eternal Romeo and Juliet explores the world's greatest love story through the work of two famous dramatists, William Shakespeare (1564-1611) and his Spanish contemporary, Lope de Vega (1562-1625).Writing and living in different countries and cultures, each set out to adapt the novel by Italian soldier/author Luigi Da Porto (1485-1529).  Although the two worked during the same era, the playwrights faced vastly different production situations and as a result created contrasting plays.  Shakespeare'... 01/25/2008

A few days ago I announced that reservations for the flats in the RIVA district of Adriatica were being taken. Today I was informed that there are only FOUR LEFT! FOUR!If you've ever dreamed of living in a pedestrian-friendly seaside village, equipped with the nicest living, dining and shopping location, then what are you waiting for?? North Texas has never seen anything like this, I can assure you!Here's a link to the official Adriatica website - www.adriaticamckinney.com. Need a McKinney Realtor that knows the market? Let me help you with all of your Collin County Real Estate needs! Contact me, Kim Daugherty, of The Barron-Daugherty Team at RE/MAX Four Corners. 469-667-8225.Image courtesy of the Adriatica Website 01/24/2008

Stone Brooke Crossing is an attractive subdivision in McKinney,TX. SBC is made up of approximately 400 homes built by Highland Homes, Sovereign Homes and Grand Homes.  Here's a snapshot of how Stone Brooke Crossing (SBC) did in 2007: 33 Homes sold between 1/1/07-12/31/07. Approximately 8.25% of all homes in SBC. Homes ranged in size from 1401 - 3300 square feet. Minimum Days on Market (DOM) = 2; Maximum DOM = 185 Average DOM = 59 Minimum Sales Price = $132,000; Maximum Sales Price = $223,000 Average Sales Price = $185,347 Average Price per Square Foot = $79.39 As of 12/31/2007: 8 active homes for sale 1 home pending These statistics do not represent private sales or For Sale By Owners (FSBO). Do you want to sell your SBC home? Need a McKinney Real Esate Agent that knows the market? Cont... 01/19/2008

The Montgomery HomeThis beautiful Craftsman style home was built in 1909 by the J.R. Wilcox family. The Wilcox's were a prominent family in Collin County and one of the founding families of McKinney. They were established lumber merchants, owning local lumber companies and mills in East Texas. As a result, only the finest hardwoods from their mill were used in the construction. Current owners, Todd and Ginger Montgomery, through their own efforts have completed an extensive renovation, retaining as much original as they could. The home includes a built-in hall tree with beveled mirror in the oversized foyer, two huge pocket doors 8 feet long and over 7 feet tall, four fireplaces, built-in bookshelves and fireside seats, and leaded glass windows. Five families have lived in this home. T... 01/17/2008

The Curfman HomeThe Nenney/Curfman home at is one of the shining jewels of the street. The many renovations of homes here have elevated the street to the finest examples of historic homes. The Curfman home is rich in history dating back to 1874, when Mr. James Patrick Nenney purchased two acres of land and cotton fields on which he built this Italianate style home. The lumber for the house was bought in New Orleans and shipped to Jefferson by boat, then brought by wagon train to McKinney. A stable and barns were at one time a part of the estate. Mr. Nenney's daughter, Mrs. Marie Stevens, lived in the home for many years before it was sold to the Douglas family. The Curfmans purchased the home four years ago and it underwent a two-year renovation by West Construction. The renovation inc... 01/17/2008

If you've heard of Adriatica at Stonebridge, then you know what a unique, one-of-a-kind community that they have going on! Just two days ago they started taking reservations for their flats. Let me tell you - they are FLYING off the shelves! I spoke with a rep for the Blackard group and I was told that all it takes to hold your space is $1,000! There is absolutely NO RISK! They don't even cash your check unless you want to go through with the purchase. Here's what's going on:-Bring $1,000 and pick out your space in the flats in the RIVA district of Adriatica. Prime spaces with lake/harbor views are sure to go first!-Spaces are 700-800 sq ft and up, but neighboring units can be combined to make a larger unit.-The price is ~$200 per square foot. The finish out is sure to be AMAZING!-The b... 01/17/2008

The McKinney, Texas market is continuing to decline in closed sales. For the year there were 4612 homes listed for sale in 2007. As of December 1st, only 2394 have sold and closed. That is a difference of -15.4% from last year. The average sales price is $224,902 up 1.1% from last year. Homes are selling for 95% of the original asking price. The average days on the market is 75 days for 2007. With this information, we believe the market will remain the same for 2008 and will improve by 2009.  We will continue to bring you news on our market monthly. Email or visit our website to get a copy of this report sent to you with more statistics and information.For more information, please contact The Pam Reubin Team by visiting our website at www.CollinCountyHomes4Sale.com. Search all the area ... 12/27/2007

McKinney Texas is located just 35 miles north of downtown Dallas, off of the Tollway and 121. It is currently one of the most booming areas of north Dallas, as it is largely undeveloped. Home builders are plentiful in the area. You can find a nice home in McKinney for not alot of money, compared to some of the other Dallas suburbs. One of the biggest draws to McKinney is that you have a small-town friendly atmosphere along with city conveniences. McKinney boasts an award-winning school district with a low teacher to student ratio. McKinney is a boomtown with a huge population growth between 2000 and 2003. Currently the population in McKinney is just over 100,000. McKinney is located in Collin County and is close to Allen, Frisco, Plano, Prosper and Celina. McKinney's growth spurt is jus... 11/21/2007

My real estate practice is geared to handle McKinney foreclosures, Hud Homes and investment properties. We are positioned to help investors find homes that are in foreclosure, some of which are not available on the MLS. We work with real estate investors to help them find income properties that add value to their existing real estate portfolios. If you are a real estate investor looking for income properties, HUD Homes and Foreclosures in the Collin County areas of McKinney, Allen, Frisco or Prosper, please contact me. The market in McKinney is ripe for foreclosure properties because of the recent issues with the savings and loans. Many people have lost their homes in our areas as their house notes became unbearable due to the loan situation. There are many excellent real estate deals i... 11/21/2007

MPAC welcomes Eileen Ivers in special holiday show accompanying the release of her new CD!   Renowned fiddler Eileen Ivers shares the revelry of an authentic Irish Christmas in a lively performance featuring traditional carols, holiday favorites and dance tunes specially arranged by Ivers and her band, Immigrant Soul.  The cherished songs of An Nollaig have been lovingly passed down through generations and are energetically brought to life through a foot-stomping, joyous celebration of the season. Eileen Ivers is hailed as one of the great innovators and pioneers of Celtic music, and her recording credits include over 100 contemporary and traditional albums including numerous movie scores.  She has been called a "sensation" by Billboard magazine and "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" by T... 11/17/2007

View Month Calendar  A Christmas Carol  Dickens Classic by McKinney Repertory Theatre Date: 11/23/2007Start Time:2:00 PM End Time:3:30 PM Location: Courtroom Theater   McKinney Repertory Theatre'sA CHRISTMAS CAROLCharles Dickens forever changed Christmas with his timeless story - A Christmas Carol. And this holiday season, McKinney Repertory Theatre proudly presents a new version of the enduring classic that places special emphasis on the ghostly apparitions in the spirit of Dickens' original text. Join Dickens himself as he narrates A Christmas Carol full of Victorian song accompanied by music on the vintage theatre organ. And, enjoy a special performance by the McKinney Community Band after the 2pm show of A Christmas Carol on Saturd... 11/17/2007

The Fudge Home  316 N. Waddill Street A special and happy home sitting on the corner of Waddill and Lamar in the Historic District is this wonderfully large Colonial Revival 3000 SF home with a grand entrance, large family room and 4 large bedrooms. Built in 1950, Side Gabled roof and rectangular double hung sashes are characteristic of Colonial Revival architecture.  Each window sash has 6 panes of glass. Homes of this era have the characteristic of solid, thick, hardwood floors, large rooms and sound construction. Above the pier and beam foundation you will find the home constructed of heart pine with few knot holes and each 2 x 4 was a true two inch by four inch board, tightly grained aged pine.  Today's world we have 2 x 4's that are 1.75" by 3.5" that do not posses the strength and... 11/16/2007

Just a note on the November Real Estate activity in and around McKinney.  September and October were the pits as far as activity from buyers and sellers. November is definitely encouraging as I am seeing more hits on my website in the first part of November then I saw almost all of October.  Interest rates are improving but, credit issues of borrowers are still holding the buyers back.  I am told that banks have the money for those who have good credit and/or can make a good down payment.Out of state movers are beginning to take a look at Dallas and up through Christmas, I expect the buying market activity to pick up.If you are thinking about listing your property to sell or making a home purchase, now is a good time, with the interest rates where they are, to make your move.  If you ar... 11/16/2007