Here’s what most agents won’t tell you: while everyone else treats disclosure forms like legal landmines, you can flip this entire process into your competitive edge. I’m not talking about the typical “cover your assets” approach, I’m talking about using radical transparency as a weapon that builds trust faster than your competition can spell “material defect.” Think about it: 60% of...

Look, here’s what nobody wants to talk about in real estate: that exciting sale price you’re celebrating? It’s not what you’re taking to the bank. Not even close. And if you’re in Ellis County or anywhere across North Texas right now, understanding this gap between your sale price and your actual net proceeds isn’t just important, it’s absolutely critical to making smart decisions about...

The Five Candidates, What Each Means for Ellis County Home Buyers, and Why This Decision Matters More Than Any Interest Rate Announcement Here’s something most North Texas real estate agents won’t tell you: the biggest factor determining your mortgage payment in 2026 isn’t listed in the MLS. It won’t show up in property disclosures. And it’s not something your lender can lock in for you...

Updated November 2025 | Bobby Franklin - North Texas Market Insider Here’s what most agents won’t tell you: pricing your home is the most consequential strategic decision you’ll make in the entire selling process. Not the staging. Not the photography. Not even your marketing plan. The price. Get it right, and you control the narrative. You attract serious buyers, generate competitive interest,...

Price it right, prepare it smart, position it strategically, everything else is just noise. You’re thinking about selling your home in North Texas, and you’re smart enough to know that “just listing it and hoping” isn’t a strategy, it’s a gamble. In a market evolving faster than most agents can track, gambling with your largest asset doesn’t make sense. This isn’t your typical...

Listen, I’m going to be straight with you, most credit repair guides are written by people who’ve never sat across from a first-time buyer watching their dream slip away because of a 580 credit score. I have. And in a market where Ellis County home prices jumped 47% in three years while that Ferris development is about to reshape everything? Your credit score isn’t just a number, it’s the...

This could be fantastic. Or it could be a disaster. Either way, we need to talk about it. Look, I get calls every week from buyers who are frustrated. They’re making decent money, household income of $85K, $95K, even pushing six figures, and they still can’t comfortably afford a home in decent North Texas neighborhoods. The math just doesn’t work anymore. So when the Trump administration floated...

I’ve been in real estate in Ellis County for a while now, and here’s what I’ve learned: -The best communities aren’t built by developers or city planners or even real estate agents like me. -They’re built by people who show up for each other. -That’s why we’re doing something different this year. What We’re Building On December 11 from 5:00pm-7:00pm Centre Living...

The Bottom Line First On November 4, 2025, Texas voters approved massive property tax relief that takes effect immediately for your 2025 tax year. Here’s what you need to know: For all homeowners: Your homestead exemption just jumped from $100,000 to $140,000, saving you approximately $350-$500 annually. For homeowners 65+ or with disabilities: You now get a combined $200,000 exemption (the...

Listen, here’s what most agents won’t tell you about choosing a community in North Texas: The way a school handles Friday night football isn’t just entertainment, it’s a direct indicator of property values, community culture, and whether you’re buying into a neighborhood that’s trending up or slowly circling the drain. And Texas just changed the game completely. Starting this school...