Finally.. moving, need a bit more info..please :) (Dallas, Plano: 2015, insurance)

[Infoplz123]

Hello,


I've posted in the past with questions (last year), but finally I am in the process of getting a job offer (waiting on my clearance) and I was wondering if anyone can help with these questions, I will be as specific as possible:


1) Locations.. I will be working in Farmers Branch. I've been looking into Lewisville, Flower Mound, Plano... I have done a lot of research but I don't quite know other areas that may interest us (any other recommendations are welcome). We have children so schools are very important. Is the greatchools website valid with its ratings? And does it truly reflect the goodness of the school? As for home prices, I really would like to be under the $325k range, but I do want a decent yard. Doesn't have to be large, but I found the yards in Plano to be quite small.


2) Moving companies? Does anyone have any good recommendations? from NY to Dallas?


3) Storage facilities? We are probably going to need storage as we will stay with family for a few months until we get into a home, does anyone know any?


4) Summer Camps? I was looking in the Farmers Branch area, but I wasn't sure if there are any camps in the vicinity that I can look into, any ideas? Looking for a day camp with activities.


I really appreciate your help and assistance. Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read my post.


Have a great day!

[Allison81]

Coppell, Grapevine, Bedford. $325k will be tough in coppell though.

UHaul has storage. Look for climate controlled with AC
Parks&Rec on city website...YMCA for camps
Use big name moving companies!! Mayflower, etc.

[Infoplz123]

Originally Posted by Allison81

Coppell, Grapevine, Bedford. $325k will be tough in coppell though.

UHaul has storage. Look for climate controlled with AC
Parks&Rec on city website...YMCA for camps
Use big name moving companies!! Mayflower, etc.

Thank you so much for your response. Do you know anything about the Lewisville area in terms of crime/schools? I have seen some properties in Carrollton, but the school ratings don't seem that great.


As for my budget, it could be higher its just I don't know the tax/insurance rates so I am not sure how the monthly payment would look.

[JJ09990]

We own (and are about to list) a 3/2/2 in Carrollton. It's just under 2,000 sq feet. Our insurance is about $1,500/year. Our taxes are 2.2% of the amount listed on the Dallas County appraisal district website (DCAD) - if that helps.

LISD is not great (Flower Mound schools being the exception), but is better than CFBISD (although there are a few good CFBISD elementary schools). It really depends on the age of your children. High schools are being rezoned all the time, so if yours are elem or middles, don't worry about the quality of the HS because that could change by the time they get there.

Inventory is very low right now. I'd vote for Flower Mound if you can find something that works.

For storage, we're using Storage Choice in Carrollton (it's climate controlled).

[Morgan427]

I would vote for Flower Mound. No, great schools is not a very reliable website. You are going to be hard pressed for finding something in FM in that price range. They do have houses in that range but they go fast. LISD is a great district with the FM schools being the Crown Jewels of the district. Any schools zoned to FM Marcus High School or Flower Mound High School are preferable to he ones zoned for Lewisville High. You need a great local realtor who has lots of experience in that area. There are some decent areas of Lewisville but the FM houses and schools are much higher rated. There are tons of summer camp programs here in FM. We've been here 16 years and been in 3 schools are they are all top notch. Plano schools are pretty much all great as well.

[Morgan427]

Oh and yes, property taxes are expensive so take that into consideration. We pay almost $9000 per year.

[JJ09990]

The Dr Pepper ice center in farmers branch has hockey and skate camps. I just got an email about it.

[Allison81]

Originally Posted by Infoplz123

Thank you so much for your response. Do you know anything about the Lewisville area in terms of crime/schools? I have seen some properties in Carrollton, but the school ratings don't seem that great.


As for my budget, it could be higher its just I don't know the tax/insurance rates so I am not sure how the monthly payment would look.

As a matter of fact, I was born and raised in Lewisville...so yes I know quite a bit!! LOL. If you're looking for good schools, stick to the Flower Mound side of town. Schools in Lewisville ain't what they used to be. After I graduated, it all just went to hell! 😂😝. Kidding

Yes, you CAN find a nice home for $325k in Flower Mound. They just go quite fast. No time to think it over. If you like it, make an offer the same day.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Make it full-price with only inspection contingency or you will lose out!

[jdallas]

Property tax rates for the general area:
2015 Dallas Area Property Tax Rates


Assume your property assessment will go up 10-20% after the first year so keep that in mind.


I'm guessing insurance rates will increase quite a bit in the next year based on the storm damage over the last 12 months.