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Republic Title Explores The Top Reasons People Are Moving in 2024

Moving is a big deal, right? But in this age, it’s not just about throwing stuff in boxes and hitting the road. There are all sorts of reasons people are moving in 2024. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the net migration for the 13-county Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area from July 2022 to July 2023 (the latest data available at this time) was 101,419 people, which equates to 278 more people in D-FW per day via migration, and that doesn’t even include those people who already live in the area and are looking to relocate.

If you, or someone you know, is planning a move this year, ask your real estate agent about partnering with Republic Title, the North Texas title insurance market leader, and how we can help get your deal done smoothly so you can begin enjoying your new home!  

Alright, let’s dive into the reasons people are moving in 2024:

1. Family Ties

You can’t beat family, can you? Sometimes, being close to the people you love most means moving to be nearer to them. Whether it’s for Sunday dinners or helping out with the grandkids, family is a big reason why people pack up and head to new places.

According to the National Association of Realtors, which surveys homebuyers and sellers as part of their annual Generational Trends Report, the desire to be closer to family/friends/relatives was at the top of the list of primary reasons for purchasing a home, especially for those in the Baby Boomer generation and Silent Generation. 

2. Need For a Bigger Space

Ever feel like your walls are closing in? Growing families, work-from-home setups, or just wanting more elbow room can all make you crave a bigger space. Sometimes, you’ve just got to spread out a bit!

3. Desire For a Vacation Home

Picture this: your own little slice of paradise where you can kick back, relax, and soak up the sun whenever you please. Sounds dreamy, right? That’s why some folks are scooping up vacation homes – for getaways and maybe a little rental income on the side.

4. Lots of Equity; Lots of Choice

If your home’s value has shot up, you might find yourself sitting on a pile of equity. That means you’ve got options – whether it’s upgrading to your dream home or exploring new neighborhoods, the world (or at least the housing market) is your oyster!

5. Upgrade The Neighborhood

Sometimes, you just want a change of scenery. Maybe you’re eyeing a neighborhood with better schools, a better dining scene, or just a friendlier vibe. Whatever your reasons, upgrading your neighborhood can be a game-changer.

6. Time to Downsize

Who needs all that extra space, anyway? Downsizing can be liberating – less stuff to take care of, lower bills, and maybe even a little extra cash in your pocket. Sometimes, less really is more.

7. Out-of-Area Relocation

New job? New school? New adventure? Sometimes, life takes you places you never expected. According to U-Haul’s Top Growth States Report, Texas ranked the No. 1 state for newcomers in 2023.  Whether it’s across the country or just a few towns over, moving to a whole new area can open up a world of possibilities.

8. Change of Work/Change of Life

Thanks to remote work, you’re not tied down to one place anymore. According to a Pew Research Center survey, about a third (35 percent) of workers with jobs that can be done remotely are working from home all of the time, which opens up options and is a big one of the reasons people are moving in 2024. 


So there you have it – the top reasons people are making moves in 2024. Whether you’re relocating for family, space, or a fresh start, Republic Title is the smart choice to partner with in the closing of your home.

Make sure to check out Republic Title’s website where we have curated a list of over 40 local community Fast Facts to help familiarize you with all that North Texas has to offer!

Source: Republic Title Explores The Top Reasons People Are Moving in 2024 – CandysDirt.com

 
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Spotlight on Preston Hollow

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to the area, there’s always something new to discover about your neighborhood.  With that in mind, we created a Fast Facts sheet for cities and neighborhoods all over the DFW area. Our DFW Area fast facts have detailed real estate insights, things to do, places to shop and some of our favorite restaurants in each area.

Preston Hollow is an affluent neighborhood nestled within the city of Dallas. Renowned for its opulent estates, lush greenery, and exclusive atmosphere, Preston Hollow exudes elegance and prestige. Home to influential residents and notable landmarks, this upscale enclave offers a luxurious residential experience coupled with convenient access to high-end shopping, dining, and cultural amenities.

Head to our website now to get all the details you need to stay up-to-date and in-the-know about your local neighborhood. Your community is waiting for you! republictitle.com/dfw-area-city-fast-facts

POPULATION

43K

AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME

$147K

MEDIAN AGE

37

HOUSING

38% OWN
62% RENT

AVERAGE SALES PRICE

$583K

AREA ACTIVITIES & FEATURES

• PIN STACK
• KALITA HUMPHREYS THEATER
• DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART
• CARPENTER PARK
• DALLAS ZOO
• DAISHA BOARD ART GALLERY
• NORTHAVEN TRAIL
• TWO BIT CIRCUS
• TOPGOLF
• FRONTIERS OF FLIGHT MUSEUM
• GEORGE W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

FAVORITE LOCAL DINING & DRINK SPOTS

• MONTLAKE CUT • NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES • TJ’S
SEAFOOD MARKET & GRILL • MALAI KITCHEN • R+D
KITCHEN • HILLSTONE • IL BRACCO • REX’S SEAFOOD &
MARKET • MUCHACHO • SEVY’S GRILL • STIR CAFÉ • PHO
ENVY • SOUTHPAWS GRILL • STIR CAFÉ • HUDSON HOUSE •
• ESCONDIDO • FISH CITY GRILL • BOBBIE’S AIRWAY GRILL •
• D.L MACKS • ELECTRIC SHUFFLE • TACO JOINT • TRUE
FOOD KITCHEN • GREEK ISLES GRILL • PRINCI ITALIA •
• YOLK • GAZEEBO BURGER • HOWARD WANG’S • RUSTICO
WOOD FIRED GRILL & WINE BAR • MENDOCINO FARMS •

FAVORITE LOCAL SHOPPING

• NORTHPARK CENTER • THE PLAZA AT PRESTON CENTER •
• SOFIE GREY BOUTIQUE • MEL CREWS • CARLISLE
ETCETERA • TOOTSIES • DOUBLE R BRAND • MARTINENGO
CARLA • ROAM FINE GOODS • LILY RAIN • NARDOS DESIGN
• BETTY REITER INC • SWOOZIE’S • EVEREVE • TYLER’S •

AVERAGE DRIVE TIMES

• DOWNTOWN DALLAS | 15 MINUTES
• DALLAS LOVE FIELD AIRPORT | 11 MINUTES
• DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT | 25 MINUTES
• AT&T STADIUM & GLOBE LIFE FIELD | 35 MINUTES
• DOWNTOWN FORT WORTH | 45 MINUTES

**Print Version

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How to Protest Your Property Taxes (and Win)

The property tax protest deadlines are fast-approaching, so if you find yourself in need of help or don’t know where to start in protesting, look no further! Last week Republic Title sponsored a webinar with Candysdirt.com and PropertyTax.io on How to Protest Your Property Taxes (and Win) to help provide valuable information on protesting property tax appraisals. During this hourlong event, over 350 participants learned the basics of property tax appeals and had the opportunity to ask a property tax protest expert questions. If you missed the webinar, you can view the full recording below and read answers to the most-asked questions and biggest takeaways from the event.

Hosted by property tax expert Glenn Goodrich of PropertyTax.io and CandysDirt.com founder and publisher Candy Evans, the wide-ranging discussion focused mostly on how recent property tax reform will impact the property tax protest process.

Top Tips and Q&A from the Webinar:

Q: How do you request the 14-day evidence report?
A: You must provide the appraisal district written notice at least 14 days prior to your scheduled Appraisal Review Board hearing date. I recommend sending in a certified letter right after you file a protest. In the letter simply identify your property and state that you are requesting the evidence the appraisal district will use in the hearing.

Q: Does the circuit-breaker cap apply with investment properties?
A: Yes, the circuit-breaker applies to all non-homestead real estate valued at $5 million or less. This includes investment properties, second homes (i.e. lake houses), and all types of commercial properties such as retail strip centers, office buildings, and industrial facilities.  

Q: How does the appraisal district determine the value of recently purchased properties?
A: Texas is a non-disclosure state, which means an owner is not obligated to share their purchase price with the government. Many appraisals district do have access to sales information for internal purposes though through an arrangement with the MLS providers. Sometimes appraisal districts rely on their party data sources that provide them sales information. 

Q: What is the best way to get comps?
A: If you have not hired a property tax firm and want to handle the protest yourself, it’s probably best to contact a Realtor to provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). A CMA is just a starting place though, be sure and pick the properties you think are the most similar and account for differences such as pools, living size, interior finish out, lot (interior vs. creek or backing to traffic), garage spaces, etc.

Q: What evidence works best in a protest?
A: As an agent, most of my cases are won using the “Sales Comparison Approach” where we discuss the best recent sales and how they compare to my client’s property. There is more wiggle room in this argument than most people realize. Besides using sales, photos, and estimates of legitimate issues that have a serious impact on your value (over $10,000) works well. Avoid showing normal wear and tear issues … that backfires and hurts your case for a reduction. 

Q: Can land value be protested?
A: In a protest, you can only protest the “Total Market Value” which includes both the land value and improvement value. In a vast majority of cases, you cannot parse out land value. You must prove the total value is too high. It is possible to be high on the land, low on the improvement, but overall correct on the total value. Stick to recent sales, photos, and estimates (see my answer above).  

Q: How do you confirm that your homestead exemption is valid?
A: You can verify your homestead is still on record by checking the appraisal district’s website. There is a section that discusses exemptions, and your homestead exemption should be displayed there. Your homestead exemption should be valid as long as your current driver’s license address still matches your site’s address and you are not claiming a homestead exemption on another property. 

Source: Top Tips From Our Property Tax Protest Webinar Featuring Glenn Goodrich of PropertyTax.io – CandysDirt.com

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May Class Calendar

Republic Title is pleased to offer a variety of continuing education classes for our customers. Join us in May for classes including:

Escape Hatches for Buyers
In this class licensees will become familiar with specific conditions & contingencies within the contract and related addenda that, if not adhered to, could result in a Buyer’s valid termination of the contract.
May 8th
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Republic Title Frisco Office

Pricing Properties using RPR® CMA
RPR®’s CMA offers REALTORS® a distinct advantage in the marketplace. Join us to learn RPR®’s RVM (REALTOR® Valuation Model) and Refined Value section, along with how to make adjustments on the value of the home based on improvements, local market conditions, interior and exterior conditions, and so much more.
May 9th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Zoom

Dodging Contract Danger Zones
This class focuses on specific sections within the TREC 1-4 Family Contract and other related contract forms that licensees should have a clear understanding of in order to steer clear of potential challenges.
May 9th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Republic Title North Dallas

Maximize Productivity with ChatGPT: A Real Estate Agent’s Guide
Teaching real estate agents to use ChatGPT can improve their overall effectiveness and efficiency in serving clients. Come to this class to learn the many ways ChatGPT can help you create better listing descriptions, social media posts, scripts for videos & blogs, ad copy and so much more.
May 13th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Republic Title North Dallas

Traps and Pitfalls for Licensees
This class draws attention to the issues most likely to cause problems for licensees in a real estate transaction including real estate fraud, missing effective date in the contract, ‘practicing law’ and more.
May 15th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Zoom

Backup, Contingent & Multiple Offers
This class will prepare licensees to handle the unique aspects of backup, contingent and multiple offer transactions by reviewing pertinent TREC addenda along with critical dates and deadlines.
May 16th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Zoom

Incredible Canva Tips and Tricks
Boost your listings and properties easily and efficiently using Canva’s beautiful real estate templates. Join us to learn new tips and tricks to make designing even easier and make marketing one of your new favorite tasks!
May 16th
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
121 Shoreview Drive, Rhome 76078

Capture More Clients
Agents will be shown the various tools and landing pages available in the NTREIS MLS system that could be used to attract more business and help generate leads from buyers and sellers.
May 21st
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Zoom

Survey Issues
Join us for this class intended to help licensees understand surveys and the applicable paragraphs in the TREC 1-4 Family Residential Contract and prepare them for any potential survey issues that may arise.
May 22nd
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Republic Title Southlake Office

Death, Divorce & Real Estate
Join us to learn important laws surrounding death and divorce such as separation, homestead issues, community property and probate.
May 23rd
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Republic Title Plano Allen

Residential Education | REPUBLIC TITLE