Real estate
BY CONNOR PITTMAN
Home Edition
2024
Readers, welcome to your annual CI Home Edition! This guide features news ranging from key real estate trends and new developments unique to your neighborhood to an overview of the housing industry across Texas. All of the stories were written by our team of local journalists, and all of the advertisements are from nearby businesses who support our mission to provide free, useful news—show them your gratitude by supporting local businesses. There is so much to explore in this year’s Home Edition. Our page 14 story provides a closer look at how Plano’s real estate market impacted Plano ISD’s recent decision to close four schools, expanding on information provided in our cover story. Other content includes a snapshot of the current market, which we work to provide every month. You can take a look there for more information on Plano’s real estate market, and keep reading the special section for a closer look at solar panels and what homeowners should consider before making a purchase. Anything we forgot that you’d love to see in next year’s Home Edition? Shoot us an email at plnnews@communityimpact.com.
What's inside
Real estate market contributes to PISD enrollment decline (Page 14)
Tracy Ruckel General Manager truckel@ communityimpact.com
Latest data and trends in Plano’s residential real estate market (Page 16)
Habitat for Humanity Collin County CEO talks mission, goals (Page 18)
Plano to consider changes to Great Update Rebate program
Plano City Council could soon consider changes to the city’s Great Update Rebate program, which was last updated in 2017. Plano staff are refining the program—which pro- vides qualified Plano homeowners city funds for eligible home improvement projects—and updat- ing its mission as part of the changes, Director of Neighborhood Services Curtis Howard said. Two-minute impact Howard said the most recent updates will focus on providing grants for exterior improvement projects, such as windows, doors and roofing repairs. Interior renovations focused on improving accessibility, such as wider corridors for wheel- chair access, would also be eligible under the proposed changes. “We’re looking at trying to provide incentives to homeowners to repair and make sure that house looks good, especially the exterior,” Howard said. “That’s an important factor here as our housing stock continues to age.” Under the new guidelines proposed, the maximum rebate available to homeowners would be $5,000 with a $20,000 minimum project cost. Eligible homes must be owner occupied, at least 30 years old and worth no more than $478,975.
Some context Howard previously presented changes to the program during a preliminary open meeting May 13. The program was initially created in 2014, Howard said, with the most recent update taking place about seven years ago. Since its inception, homeowners have invested $36.2 million, and the city has rebated $6.1 million. Through March, more than 1,200 improvement projects have been completed by homeowners through the Great Update Rebate, according to city data. Digging deeper Howard said some of the most common projects conducted by homeowners include repair and replacement work for roofing, windows and doors. Additionally, with the new requirements, city officials said more than 2,600 homes will now be eligible for the program. Over 28,900 homes would be eligible should the new guidelines for the Great Update Rebate program gain approval. According to city officials, most of the homes that will be eligible for the program are located in central and eastern parts of Plano. More information can be found at www.plano.gov/930/The-Great-Update-Rebate.
Proposed rebate guidelines
Maximum rebate: $5,000
Minimum project cost: $20,000
Eligible homes must be: Owner occupied
At least 30 years old
Worth no more than $478,975
SOURCE: CITY OF PLANO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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PLANO SOUTH EDITION
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