The Christen Horne Team at ΓEAL Broker, LLC, Texas Realtor

The Christen Horne Team at ΓEAL Broker, LLC, Texas Realtor The Christen Horne Team is a boutique real-estate team known for its superior customer service.
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Personal attention and always going the extra mile have been the keys to success for Christy. Before joining Smart Realty, Christy worked as a manager at Ernst & Young and Alcon Laboratories. With her 10 years of business experience as a Realtor and CPA, Christy is able to help her clients navigate the home buying and selling process, while negotiating the best deal. Christy graduated from the Uni

versity of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business and Masters in Accounting. She is a member of both the Colleyville Area and HEB Chambers of Commerce, the Colleyville Woman’s Club, and a member of the City of Hurst Neighborhood and Community Advisory Committee. In addition, Christy serves as treasurer of the HEB ISD Education Foundation. Christy, her husband Kyle and son Hudson enjoy serving at their church, Fellowship of the Parks in Grapevine. Their interests include running marathons and traveling to Kyle’s Ironman competitions around the country.

Today is Administrative Professionals Day, and we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate our incredible transa...
04/26/2023

Today is Administrative Professionals Day, and we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate our incredible transaction coordinator Tracy who keeps our office running like a well-oiled machine!

From scheduling appointments to answering phones, our she does it all with a smile on her face and a can-do attitude. She is the backbone of our team, and we couldn't do what we do without her.

We are so grateful for her hard work, attention to detail, and dedication to making our office a success. Today, we want to say thank you for all that you do Tracy!

In the Before Times, people had to make a choice: Squeeze into the chaos and energy of the city, 🏙️ or live large amidst...
03/22/2023

In the Before Times, people had to make a choice: Squeeze into the chaos and energy of the city, 🏙️ or live large amidst the beauty and boredom of the countryside.👩‍🌾

Then the pandemic came along to shake some things up. 😵‍💫 Prices skyrocketed and bidding wars began in the suburbs, while demand plummeted in big cities. Now, those who can afford it want both.

Hybrid living is the catchphrase of the day. The perception is that if you have a second home, you have to be a billionaire, but since 2020 that's not the case anymore.

Low-interest rates on home loans, pandemic-era savings, and a work from home revolution has made it more possible for more people to live a dual lifestyle. This change in where and how people live stands to boost second-home markets, once reliant on weekenders and seasonal visitors. 🌴

Already, The demand for second homes has grown by 99%. Buying a second and third home is becoming a popular choice for home buyers. Since 2015, the demand for second homes has grown by 99%.

With the rise of remote working, second homes or ‘co-primaries’ are becoming a viable option for more buyers seeking a better work/life balance.

Has buying a second home been something on your radar since the pandemic? 🤔

Don’t be a lazy seller! The days are gone of selling homes “as is” here in Colleyville. Here are three tips on how to pr...
03/21/2023

Don’t be a lazy seller! The days are gone of selling homes “as is” here in Colleyville. Here are three tips on how to prep your home to sell at top dollar and as quickly as possible.

1. Declutter - eliminate anything you don't need anymore. Your home should be free of personal photos and have clear countertops, tables, and dressers. Closets should be tidy and simplified. A temporary storage locker is also a good idea for items you plan to keep.

2. If you have painted your home in the last 3-4 years, touch it up. If it’s been longer than that, your whole home should have a fresh coat using a neutral paint color.

3. Clean your house. Yes, this needs to be said. Besides the obvious floors, bathrooms, and kitchen, it’s important to do a deep clean of exchange vents, blinds, ceiling fans, light fixtures, and exterior windows. If you don’t want to do it yourself, hire someone to come to clean it.

If you would like recommendations for local cleaners, painters, etc., please reach out!

And, of course, give us a call if you are thinking about selling. We are here to walk you through the process of getting your home listed to sell for top dollar and as quickly as possible.

- Christy
(817) 291-4734

Thought this was a super cute local event to share.This Sunday PJ's Coffee of New Orleans in Euless is doing a Coffee & ...
03/20/2023

Thought this was a super cute local event to share.

This Sunday PJ's Coffee of New Orleans in Euless is doing a Coffee & Candles event! 🕯️You will be instructed on how to create your own 8 oz candle while enjoying delicious coffee and pastries. ☕

The Candle-Making will be a fun and easy-going workshop where you will learn the basics. Learn the process of how to create a candle with soy blend wax and with 6 different fragrance combinations to choose from. This class is perfect for someone who is a beginner at candle-making and wants to have some creative fun. All supplies will be included with this class. Kid Friendly!

Free coffee and pastries begin at 2:30 pm and the workshop begins promptly at 3:00 PM.

So the recent egg shortage had me thinking about buying a new house! Not the kind you might think…..a chicken coop! If y...
03/18/2023

So the recent egg shortage had me thinking about buying a new house! Not the kind you might think…..a chicken coop! If you would like a list of homes in Colleyville, Argyle, Westlake with no HOA so you can have your own chickens: ColleyvilleBackyardChickensList.com

Or just let me know below and I'll message you the list! 🐔

- Christy
(817) 291-4734

So you're deciding where to move you and your family. That doesn’t sound stressful at all… You just have to consider the...
03/17/2023

So you're deciding where to move you and your family. That doesn’t sound stressful at all… You just have to consider the housing and job market, things to do, research schools and safety, for starters. 😅

Well, let me save you some researching and tell you all the reasons I love living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

🏡 Lower Housing Costs Options
Even though the overall cost of living in Dallas is a little more than the national average, its housing costs come in at 9.1% lower.

Healthcare may cost you 4% less here than in other locations too, and even groceries are slightly cheaper here than in some other places.

Compared to Other Major Cities the DFW is less expensive to live in than New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Denver, Chicago, or Austin areas.

🏘️ Diverse Choice of Neighborhoods
For me, knowing what kind of people my neighbors would be is probably my number one priority.

It is not always easy to know that before you move to a place. Lucky for you, it is possible to find a neighborhood for any life stage you are in if you live in the DFW.

Let’s say you just graduated high school, for example. You maybe would want to live in an area where people either still go to college or near where young professionals live and socialize.

If you have a family with young children, you would probably be more concerned about safety, schools, and parks.

There are also more than 30 retirement communities in the Dallas Fort-Worth area, ranging from completely independent to full-service care facilities. And if you’re undecided about living in the busy city, quiet country, or the suburbs that’s ok because the DFW has all of those options.

🚗 A Car Is Not Always Necessary
You do not always need a car here and there are 120 available bus routes and 72 miles of light rail lines.

Many people also walk or take a bike to work, and it’s not uncommon to have a job in your neighborhood.

🏥 Doctor’s Availability

Dallas alone has 5,000 active, high-quality doctors within its city limits.

🌱 Thriving Job Market
The DFW is home to companies with some of the most employees in the U.S.

This includes AT&T, which has 240,000 or more people working for it.

Capital One has about 48,000, and Texas Instruments has about 29,000.

Pinnacle Group has more than 8,0000, and Telvista has 7,000.

And that's not including all the other mini-hubs (Frisco, Fort Worth and Grand Prairie). It should not be hard to find a job here. If you prefer to work for a smaller company, the Dallas Chamber also provides information about businesses that have fewer than 2,000 people.

My family moved to the metroplex when I was 6! My favorite part about the metroplex is how decentralized everything is and I joke that there is always 5 different way to get anywhere. (E.I. Huston🤪) If you are thinking about moving to this area and want some more info about what neighborhoods I’d recommend I am always happy to help!

03/15/2023

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! Reading our client reviews makes our day. 🥰

Do you have those friends who read three books a week, do yoga before work, take long evening walks with their partner, ...
03/13/2023

Do you have those friends who read three books a week, do yoga before work, take long evening walks with their partner, and can’t stop talking about how great meditation is for your mental health? Yes, me too…and they don’t have little kids. 😂

Yes, I should be practicing self-care…but like…when? 🤷‍♀️

We all KNOW as parents how important it is to take care of ourselves. Just like the pre-flight instructions, you know you need to put on your oxygen mask first so you can take care of other people in your life. When we can stay connected to our own well-being, it overflows onto our children and we’re more patient, loving, joyful parents. However, sometimes I forget that self-care as a busy working mom may look different for me. 👀

Between drop-off, and work, and pick-up, and soccer, and dinner, and bedtime, and sleep (well, we’ll call it sleep 🤪), when on earth do we find the time or energy to run…or bike…or stretch…or meditate…or really do anything for ourselves? I personally get caught in a constant cycle of I should, I will, and I didn’t today. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe on Sunday. Maybe next Sunday. ⏳

The reality is that the struggle is real. It’s hard. Our family motto is “we do hard things”. I want to make time for myself even when it is not easy. All this to say that if you are a busy momma you absolutely DESERVE to take care of yourself. And if doing it for yourself isn’t good enough just know that your family deserves a well-rested, kind, and happy mom too. ❤️

03/09/2023

Let's hear it for another 5 star review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you so much for your kind words.

Here comes the spring real estate market! 🌷 It is typical for home sales to increase around this time in every market. T...
03/08/2023

Here comes the spring real estate market! 🌷 It is typical for home sales to increase around this time in every market. This means sellers may not have their homes sit on the market for quite as long. ⌛ And buyers could be competing against multiple offers. 🏃♂️ All over the U.S. right now we are seeing an increase in pending homes sales and it is expected to continue to rise. 📈

Pending sales represent homes with a signed contract to purchase but have yet to close. They tend to lead Existing Home Sales data by 1 to 2 months. All four regions showed double-digit declines from a year ago. The West had the largest dip of 29.3%, followed by the South with a drop-in contract signings of 24.7%. The Midwest fell 21.1%, followed by the Northeast, with the smallest decline of 19.8%.

03/07/2023

Let's talk about what a 2-1 buy down is and how it works. 💵

You’ve got your packing checklist ready, your movers are booked, and you’ve forwarded your mail… but what about your pet...
03/03/2023

You’ve got your packing checklist ready, your movers are booked, and you’ve forwarded your mail… but what about your pets? Here’s 8 tips to make your move with pets easier:

🚫 Avoid changing your routine to reduce stress on your pet.

💤 Create a comfortable, secluded space for your pet to be while you pack.

⚠️ Pack a separate emergency moving bag for your pet: Extra food & water, p*e pads, and a toy they are familiar with.

🐈 Pet-proof your new home before your pet arrives. If your new home has a balcony, ensure your pet cannot squeeze through or jump over the railing.

🔒 Scour new outdoor fences for potential escape routes and update your pets microchips and tags with your new address.

☠️ Check for any pest control traps or poison that may have been left behind.

🤢 Plants can also be poisonous, so check the backyard and remove or isolate any plants that present a threat to your pet.

Although you might be eager for your pet to get settled and familiar with their new space, there will be an adjustment period, and some strange behavior is to be expected. Be patient and know that this is normal and not permanent. Once your pet has had time to realize they are in a safe place, they will go back to being their usual selves!

02/24/2023

Home buying myths are all over the place so we are starting a series to put them to bed. This is the first home buying myth BUSTED. 💥

🚫 Myth #1: You need a 20% down payment
✅ Fact: A 20% down payment hasn’t been required to buy a home for decades, if ever.

Many home loans allow a down payment as low as 5% (some go down to 3% or even 0% down for VA).

You can try a mortgage calculator to view an estimated calculation of your PMI based on your loan and down payment amounts. 🧮 (We are always happy to help on a call with you to help you with this calculation.)

Here’s a quick overview of some loan types with low down payment options: 👀

FHA loans allow a 3.5% minimum down. HUD/FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A lot of people think of these as first time home buyer loans but that is not a restriction of the loan. (I bought my first home in 2011 with an FHA loan!)

VA loans also allow 0% down. VA loans, primarily for active-duty and veteran military members, are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

All mortgage loans are subject to the lender’s guidelines, requirements and restrictions so always ask your mortgage loan officer for the details! 🤓

Looking back at the vision board I made five years ago, almost everything on it is now a reality. We live in our dream h...
02/17/2023

Looking back at the vision board I made five years ago, almost everything on it is now a reality.

We live in our dream house, my business is exactly where it needs to be, and I have two beautiful children that are in tons of activities.

I’m not saying it’s magic but there is something about seeing all your goals right in front of you every time you make a decision that helps you stay on track.

Vision boards give you a clear direction for where you want to go and who you want to be. They allow you to visualize goals and really define your vision. When you create a physical vision board, you can even touch what represents that vision.

This year I really want to do a family vision board. I want us to sit down together and brainstorm. What are our dreams and goals? How can we achieve them? What do we need help with? Which ones are most important right now? How do we feel when we think about them?

I think setting goals is such an important skill that I want to pass on to my kids. One of my biggest fear in life is being stagnant and I want to be sure my kids have all the tools they need to grow into the best versions of themselves.

Happy Valentine's Day! ❤️ As much fun as going out with every other couple in a 20 mile radius sounds, The Christen Horn...
02/14/2023

Happy Valentine's Day! ❤️

As much fun as going out with every other couple in a 20 mile radius sounds, The Christen Horne Team thought we would gift the option of romantic night-in instead.

We sent out postcards to all of our clients on our mailing list and allowed them to claim one of these cute baskets. The basket has a variety of Valentine's themed sweets and snacks as well as a list of the top rated romance movies to choose from.

We are so happy to send some love to our awesome clients and we can't wait to see what movies you all pick on your date night this Valentines day! 🍿

If you didn't get a chance to claim a basket and are feeling left out, make sure you get added to our mailing list (check the comments for a link to do so 👇) and keep a close eye on our social medias for the next giveaway!

Remember, all you need is love, but a little chocolate never hurt. 🍫

❓What Is An Assumable Mortgage? An assumable mortgage allows the buyer to purchase a home by taking over the seller's ex...
02/13/2023

❓What Is An Assumable Mortgage?

An assumable mortgage allows the buyer to purchase a home by taking over the seller's existing loan. One reason buyers decide to buy a home with an assumable mortgage is to take advantage of financing with a lower interest rate if rates have risen since the seller originally purchased the home.

❓Which Mortgages Are Assumable?

Generally, government-backed loans — Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans and U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans — are assumable, while conventional loans are only assumable in special cases.

❓How Does An Assumable Mortgage Work?

An assumable mortgage works the same as a traditional home loan, except the buyer is limited to financing through the seller's lender. The buyer should also know how much equity the seller has in the home since they will be required to pay that amount in cash when assuming the loan.

Although assumable loans are not for everyone, it is best to know all the options available to you. In a time when rates are rising, we are expecting to see more buyers looking into options like these.

If you want to know more about your different loan options feel free to direct message me! I am always happy to answer questions. 💬

I recently learned that by the time you graduate from high school and head off into the "adult" world, you would have al...
02/10/2023

I recently learned that by the time you graduate from high school and head off into the "adult" world, you would have already spent 93% of the time with your parents that you’ll ever spend. Let’s stop and think about that for a minute: most of the memories made with your parents will happen in the first 18 years of your life. That’s it. The day you move out of the house, you begin the final seven percent of your time with your parents.

Statistically—in a best-case scenario—most are in the final 7%. My point here is: Don't take time for granted. Use it wisely. We can always work more, but we can't make more memories.

Go make memories with your kids. 🙂

- Christy

Such a crazy and small world we live in! My path actually crossed with Heather's way back around 2015. We were at a netw...
02/09/2023

Such a crazy and small world we live in! My path actually crossed with Heather's way back around 2015.

We were at a networking event and she was telling me she had just moved to Independence Title in Colleyville. It took me a few months to give her a try with a client (trusting someone with my clients is one of the hardest things to do ). And she was absolutely incredible!

Shortly thereafter she reminded me she had been our escrow officer on the purchase of our very first house in Hurst in 2011 before I was even a Realtor! Such a small world!

Today I not only count Heather as the best title team in the world, but she is also my go-to attorney for all real estate questions and a very dear friend! She has closed so many of my clients, family, and friends, and even 4 of my own personal deals!

We just sold this awesome investment opportunity home! 🤩Investors who want to make money quickly often turn to house fli...
02/08/2023

We just sold this awesome investment opportunity home! 🤩

Investors who want to make money quickly often turn to house flipping. The key, of course, is to buy the right home. Something with lots of room for possibilities and for growing families that may be looking to rent/buy.

Research is key. Look out for properties in an attractive neighborhoods, one that attracts plenty of buyers. And you need to make sure the repairs required for the home aren’t so costly that they’ll swallow any potential profit.

If you’re handy enough to handle renovations on your own even better! 🔨

Home owner tip: When remodeling or repainting your new home, mark the paint and trim colors used on the back of your wal...
01/25/2023

Home owner tip: When remodeling or repainting your new home, mark the paint and trim colors used on the back of your wall plates for that room.

01/25/2023

I was talking with my husband about how big our bubble is...to be honest, I do most of my life within 5 miles of my house. How about you?

Three photos of me in my 20s, versus today. The advice I would give my younger self: when buying a house, splurge on loc...
01/23/2023

Three photos of me in my 20s, versus today. The advice I would give my younger self: when buying a house, splurge on location. Spend more than you think you can. Skimp on everything else.

Premium location appreciates, sometimes rapidly. Having trendy flooring/bathrooms/kitchen will eventually go out of style. They’re not worth splurging on if it means you have to compromise—even a LITTLE—on being in the right location.

Location is the one thing you can’t change about a house. You can always upgrade the flooring and kitchen and landscaping etc. It may or may not add value. Location, ie the value of the land itself, is the only part of a house that’s a legitimate investment versus being a consumption decision.

- Christy

01/20/2023

Serving others is truly my calling. There is so much genuine satisfaction from helping people in the community find the perfect home or sell a property. This is an exciting time for both buyers and sellers, and they look to us for guidance. I am just so happy that we are able to help families end up where they need to be. ❤️

Staging your home before selling it is totally worth it. 🏡85% of real estate agents report that staged homes sell three ...
01/18/2023

Staging your home before selling it is totally worth it. 🏡

85% of real estate agents report that staged homes sell three times faster than non-staged properties. Make sure that you showcase each room by clearing the space and increasing natural light.

Buyers are looking for a property that is fresh and well-maintained. Spending time on your home’s exterior can also increase the property value.

Fresh paint on existing doors and window frames could add up to $10,000 to your home’s value. 💰 Don't forget that when selling your home there are a surplus of small changes you can do to make a huge difference when selling.

Those first impressions are everything!

Valentine's Day is coming up....what's your favorite Rom-Com?! ❤️
01/17/2023

Valentine's Day is coming up....what's your favorite Rom-Com?! ❤️

Why should you choose me as your real estate agent? Well, for starters, I'll fight harder for you than people fought aga...
01/17/2023

Why should you choose me as your real estate agent? Well, for starters, I'll fight harder for you than people fought against wind in the 1980's.

My cell is (817) 291-4734
Let's talk.

- Christy

Paint with your pet! 🐾🎨Grapevine's Painting with a twist is doing an event where you can submit a picture of your pet an...
01/13/2023

Paint with your pet! 🐾🎨

Grapevine's Painting with a twist is doing an event where you can submit a picture of your pet and enjoy a painting class with step-by-step instructions on how to paint your pet. This is such a cute idea and would be so fun as a girl's night out!
There is never a lack of activities in the Mid-cities community. ❤️

Let me know what events we should highlight next!

January 15th from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm tickets are $60 a person.

01/12/2023

We have some very exciting news to tell you!

We are so unbelievably excited for what the future has to offer. This change will push us to go further than we ever have as a business. Thank you all for your support. We could not wish for a better group of people to serve! ❤️

01/12/2023

We have some very exciting news to share with all of you! Stewart and Jane Group and Christen Horne Team are collaborating to bring the best parts of both companies to all of our clients.

Although Stewart and Jane Group and the Christen Horne Team have become one, Christy and her team won’t be going anywhere. They will still be working in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to ensure that all of our friends and family continue to receive Christy’s superior knowledge of the area and excellent customer service.

The major change here comes from the inside where we will be combining our systems and processes to implement the best ways to take care of our clients together. We believe that as a unit both teams will be given a greater opportunity to grow.

We are so unbelievably excited for what the future has to offer. This change will push us to go further than we ever have as a business. Thank you all for your support. We could not wish for a better group of people to serve! ❤️

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4104 Pembrooke Pkwy W
Colleyville, TX
76034

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