Shaddock Homes Blog

If you have a young family and you’re thinking about moving to Dallas, something big to consider is the school your children will attend. The Dallas/Fort Worth school system ranks very high. In fact, 11 area high schools are on the Metroplex’s list of top 20 high schools. Here’s a look at a few school districts you have to choose from if you’re moving to Dallas.

Plano Independent School District (ISD)

Most of west Plano is served by this ISD, though many students also co me from Allen, Dallas, Murphy, Parker, and Richardson. There are currently 3 pre-schools, 41 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, 5 high schools, 3 senior high schools, and 6 special programs centers. Altogether, there are 71 schools attended by 55,000 students.

During the 2010-11 school year, 25 of Plano ISD schools received Exemplary ratings while all others passed with either Recognized or Academically Acceptable ratings.

Allen ISD

There are 16 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 1 freshman center, and 1 high school in this school district. It primarily serves the city of Allen located 23 miles north of Dallas. About 19,000 students are enrolled.

This ISD ranks 9^th on the list of top 10 Dallas/Fort Worth school districts. This means many of its schools were given an Exemplary rating by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

Frisco ISD

This school district primarily serves residents of Frisco, Little Elm, McKinney, and Plano. There are currently 30 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, 6 high schools, and 1 special programs center in operation. The total enrollment is more than 24,000 students.

The number of Exemplary ratings given to Frisco ISD schools is tremendous. 34 of its 49 schools earned this prestigious rating, allowing the school district to rank 8^th on the list of top 10 Dallas/Fort Worth school districts.

Wylie ISD

There are 10 elementary schools, 3 intermediate schools, 3 junior high schools, and 2 high schools in this school district. 12,000 students living in Wylie, Sachse, Murphy, Lucas, Lavon, and St. Paul attend school within this district.

One big emphasis in the Wylie ISD is technology in the classroom. Programs also focus on building character, which begins in elementary school and holds true into high school and beyond.

Clearly, any of these school districts available to residents of Murphy, Allen, and Frisco will provide your child with the education they need to succeed. For more information about moving to Dallas, contact Shaddock Homes today!

Making energy efficient choices in your home leads to more green homes in Texas. You might wonder why this is important. The answer is that the environment has suffered in years past because of irresponsible energy consumption and the wastefulness of humans. By conserving energy, you give a little back to the environment.

As an added bonus, energy conscious decisions help you reduce energy bills and improve the level of comfort in your home. Here’s a look at a few energy and water efficient customizations you can make with the environment in mind.

Make Sure the Home is Sealed and has Adequate Insulation

A good home builder like Shaddock Homes will make sure your home is insulated and sealed properly. Insulation in the attic, walls, and subfloor help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. There should be no air leaks around windows and doors in your new home since this can cause uncomfortable drafts and raise your energy bills. Talk to your builder if you have any concerns

Heat and Cool Efficiently

Once you’re settled in a new home, your consumption of energy can really impact how green your home is! Efficient heating and cooling can be achieved by small decisions you make every year. Ideas include changing the air filter regularly, having a yearly tune-up, using the sun to your advantage to naturally heat your home in the winter, and utilizing the settings correctly on a programmable thermostat.

Install Energy Star Appliances

When you choose appliances for your new home, ask for Energy Star rated models. Energy Star is a government-backed system that lets consumers know they are getting the most efficient appliances possible. Since they consume less electricity or require less hot water to function, you save money every month by using Energy Star appliances to their highest potential. Examples of appliances you can find with an Energy Star label include washing machines, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters, and more.

Use Hot Water Responsibly

Hot water use accounts for about 15% of the energy you consume at home. To help prevent wasted hot water, consider a high efficiency water heater installation, turn down the temperature on your hot water storage tank to 120 degrees, fix pipe leaks, install faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads, and insulate hot water pipes.

Your Dallas home will be your very own when you strive to be one of the green homes in Texas. For more information about making environmentally friendly choices in your new home, contact Shaddock Homes today!

Moving to Dallas? Congratulations! You have just made a choice to move to one of the most thriving and vibrant cities in the country. According to Site Selection magazine, Texas has the best business climate in the United States this year, and Dallas is one of the major reasons for the state’s success.

Executives participating in the magazine’s survey ranked Texas favorably on the issues of red tape, financial assistance, and government cooperation with businesses. Business is booming in Texas, not least because Dallas has so many benefits for companies, from an educated labor force, to a world-class international airport, to affordable office space and manageable traffic snarls. Another asset for the region is the infrastructure of road, railway, and runway, which makes it easy to move throughout the country.

Dallas-Fort Worth has recently been cited favorably in many “best” lists, including making the lists of best cities to live and do business in, and best region for new college graduates. The fourth-largest metro area in the country, Dallas-Fort Worth is a leading job creator and is considered a leading factor in Texas being viewed as a “sanctuary state” for businesses. Twenty Fortune 500 companies are based in Dallas-Fort Worth, and it’s easy to see why: the area provides connection with 135 strong cities, and is friendly to business. Additionally, it is a great place to live, and the cost of living is low.

Combine these assets with an ethnically diverse, culturally rich metro area, surrounded by natural beauty, and you have something special. It is no wonder that over six million people choose to live in the twelve suburban communities that comprise the metro area. As the economy falters in many other states, Texas continues to thrive, and Dallas continues to be a wonderful place to live.

If you have decided on moving to Dallas, consider Shaddock Homes for your home building needs. Having built quality homes for over forty years, they have built a reputation for integrity and creativity. Visit their website to learn more about their exceptional workmanship, and see how they can help you create your own home in Dallas.

Check out our new one of our move-in ready home in Villages of Stonelake Estates

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Check out our new one of our move-in ready home in Villages of Stonelake Estates

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Check out our new one of our move-in ready home in Villages of Stonelake Estates

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If you are shopping for a home, it is important to know the types of home loans available to you. It can be confusing, understanding conventional loans, government loans, and all the various interest rates. Here, we explain two types of loans: Conforming and Jumbo.

Conforming Loans are conventional loans that follow certain rules. These are determined by Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, in conjunction with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are two corporations that buy mortgage loans from lending institutions, package them into securities, and sell them to investors, helping to maintain the flow of home financing credit. These guidelines establish maximum loan amounts, borrower requirements for credit and income, down payment requirements, and which properties are deemed suitable for a loan. The loan limits vary from year to year. This year, for instance, the loan limit for a first mortgage on a single family home is $417,000. This amount is fifty percent higher in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands.

Jumbo loans apply to loan amounts above the maximum amounts determined by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. They are harder to get than conforming loans, because they pose a higher risk for lenders. The interest rate on jumbo loans is typically higher than on conforming loans, but the spread is really determined by the economy, and has not been very wide in the past few years.

You may be looking to avoid a high rate on your jumbo loan, or you may want to avoid mortgage insurance without making a twenty percent down payment.  In either case, a second mortgage may be helpful. With a second mortgage, you have more purchasing power, with lower rates down payments, and neither mortgage insurance, nor an escrow account, is required.

• For example, in a situation with a  $521,250 sales price and a five percent down payment:
• $417,000 1^st loan amount (maximum conforming loan amount)
• $78,200 2^nd mortgage loan amount
• $26,050 down payment
• Alternately, with a $630,000 sales price and a ten percent down payment:
• $417,000 1^st loan amount
• $150,000 2^nd mortgage loan amount
• $63,000 down payment

Once you know about the types of home loans, and have decided which type is right for you, it is time to find a home! We hope that when that time comes, you will consider Shaddock Homes. With forty years of experience, building high quality and innovative homes, Shaddock has a high level of commitment to exceptional customer service. Visit their website, or call for more information.

When you are building a new home, or rebuilding after a disaster, the last thing you want to have to worry about is fake contractors. Unfortunately, there are people out there who will take advantage of others at a vulnerable time, and that includes when you are building a home. Knowing what to look for in a contractor can help you avoid scam artists.

• Ask for recommendations. Do not go blindly into any project, but instead ask people you know for referrals to contractors. Another good source of information can be the building inspector, or you can check with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Never hire someone who is walking around your neighborhood seeking work—trustworthy contractors do not need to do that. In addition, use caution when agreeing on a price; a contractor should not offer to give you a discount if you give them a lead on more work, and they should not ask you to pay cash in advance.
• Conduct several interviews. It is important to find a builder who has the skills and tools to complete the proposed job, can work at the time you need the work done, and has solid references. Use your best judgment, and if you do not feel comfortable, if the contractor makes somewhat dubious guarantees, or you feel like you have to make a decision on the spot, find another contractor. 
• Make sure everything is in writing. First, collect written, detailed estimates from several contractors before you decide which one to use.  Then, when you have settled on a contractor, make sure every detail of the project is written into a contract, and take your time reviewing it. This applies to any work you have done, no matter how small the project. Having everything in writing protects you from unwanted surprises.
• Check the contractor’s background. Researching contractors before hiring one only makes sense. The Better Business Bureau and consumer protection agencies can be a valuable source of background information, as can as the Internet. Additionally, the Internet enables you to browse reviews and read what other customers have to say, thereby assuring that you choose a builder with high customer satisfaction rating and a solid reputation, who has plenty of experience working in your area.  Then, before work begins, ask for copies of important documents, like the contractor’s license, and proof that he is insured.

When you are ready to build a home in the Dallas area, be sure to check out Shaddock Homes. With a reputation for integrity, and over forty years of experience, they can help you to avoid fake contractors and the resultant headaches. Visit the Shaddock website, or call for more information. Shaddock Homes is just as committed to exceptional customer service as they are to innovative and well-crafted new homes.

Having a home maintenance checklist can help you keep up with all the things that need to be done around your home. By staying on top of these tasks, you can keep your home in good order and avoid costly repairs. Here, we offer such a checklist, drawn from the wisdom of home improvement guru Bob Vila.

• Roof: Be sure there are no leaks, especially around vents, chimneys, or skylights. Any leaks must be repaired immediately.
• Attic and Basement: The attic must be ventilated, so if there is no ridge vent, keep the gable vents open all year. The basement should not be damp, so use a dehumidifier as needed, but be sure to clean it regularly.
• Gutters: Do not allow your gutters or drain pipes to become clogged with leaves. Check them periodically to be sure they are draining away from the house. In cold weather climates, drain your outside faucets in the fall.
• Fireplace: Keep your fireplace clean of ashes, but have the chimney professionally cleaned. Check to see that the damper closes tightly, and the chimney has no loose or missing mortar. In the spring, open the damper and leave it open if the home is not air-conditioned.
• Filters: Replace or clean all filters at least once a month. Do not neglect your dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood, and room fans; in fact, check and clean them monthly. Heating and cooling vents should be clean and moved away from furniture and drapery.
• Safety Equipment: Your safety equipment must be kept in good working condition. Periodically check smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace batteries twice a year. A good way to remember that is to change the batteries when the time changes in the spring and fall.
• Air Conditioner and Heating: If you live in a colder climate, be sure to remove all window units in the fall or put weatherproof covers on them. Each fall, have the heating system serviced, and change the filters.
• Refrigerator: Test your refrigerator seals by closing the door over a dollar bill. If the bill comes out easily, the refrigerator needs to be adjusted. The seal may need replacement, or the latch may need an adjustment. Keep the refrigerator full to help it run more efficiently, and if there are coils on the back, vacuum them twice a year, or more often, if needed.
• Plumbing: Fix leaks as soon as they happen, and replace washers when necessary.
• Doors and Windows:  Drafty windows and doors waste energy—so replace seals when necessary. In the fall, take down screens and put up storm windows, and in the spring, reverse the process, being sure to clean your storm windows before storing them. Each time, check all door and window screens, and patch if needed.
• Paint and Siding: Keep abreast of cracks and holes in house paint or siding. Use a carpet knife to cut away old caulking, and replace it.
• Hot water heater: In the fall, drain your hot water heater and remove sediment from the tank.

By following this home maintenance checklist, you can prevent small repairs from turning into major issues. When you are in the market for a new home, consider Shaddock Homes. In the business of building quality homes for more than forty years, Shaddock is committed to providing exceptional customer service, as well. Visit their website, or call for more information.

Moving to Dallas? These home trends in Frisco should make you want to learn more about the Frisco community!