Everyone has an Arlington story.
How you got here.
Why you are here.
In fact, some people find our Arlington story unique.
We’ve shared several reasons we love living in Arlington. We’ve shared our opinions about why Arlington is a great place to live and buy a home.
Are considering purchasing a home? How about getting feedback from a new homeowner? Learning about a new homeowner’s journey can help you when you are ready to buy.
We want to share the stories of new Arlington homeowners. All journeys to Arlington and homeownership are unique. We feel this will be a great way to showcase the process and emotions that come with buying a house in Arlington.
Today’s featured new Arlington homeowners are Casey and Chekeyla M. The couple recently relocated from Houston to Arlington. They agreed to share their thoughts and experience with us.
The following questions and answers are excerpts from our interview with Chekeyla.
ATT: Tell us about yourself.
CM: We’ve been married for nearly ten years. We have three children. I am a director in the oil & gas sector. Casey is the owner/operator of a catering business.
ATT: Why did you relocate to Arlington from Houston in 2015?
CM: Work
ATT: Why did you decide to move to Arlington vs other DFW cities?
AH: Arlington is just a beautiful city! Aside from a great location that fits my lifestyle, my father and my sisters live in Arlington so I knew I wanted to stay close. The most important amenity was the school district my kids would be attending. A plus (for me) was to have a pool. I was blessed with both! My kids remained in the same school and we have a home with a pool for us all to enjoy in southwest Arlington.
ATT: After leasing initially, you decided to purchase a home. What amenities were you looking for in a home?
CM: Great schools, treed lots, large lots, open concept, large kitchen, updated master bath, spacious master, walk-in closets, high ceilings, dramatic entry, understated elegance.
ATT: How did you meet and decide to work with Keela as your Realtor?
CM: While in temporary corporate housing, we read an article from Arlington Texas Today regarding a neighborhood. The neighborhood demographics met many of our expectations. We decided to lease one of the very few available properties in the neighborhood. We later found out the owners of the magazine, Keela and Torrey, were our neighbors. Keela was a Realtor and was very knowledgeable about the area. We all soon became fast friends and knew we wanted Keela to help us find our next home.
ATT: What was your experience like working Keela as your Realtor?
CM: She was very flexible and accommodated our crazy schedule. We never felt like we were inconveniencing her. We found her to be knowledgeable about Arlington and surrounding areas. We were interested in highly rated public and private schools, homes with large lots with an open concept within our budget. We like deals, so ultimately we wanted a property with instant equity, which caused her to work a little harder when assessing properties. We found her to be assertive when necessary in certain situations and resourceful when encountering unfamiliar processes. When we showed frustration with our lender, Keela stepped in and provided contact information for a highly rated local lender who worked overtime to keep the original close date. Keela and her circle of contacts make a perfect team.
ATT: What surprised you most about the home buying process?
CM: When purchasing an existing property, the value of the home can vary greatly depending on the source which may cause setbacks. Patience and having a Realtor that understands the process helps with making well-informed decisions and understanding the benefits of potential outcomes.
ATT: What’s the #1 piece of advice you would give someone thinking about purchasing a home in Arlington?
CM: Don’t settle. Arlington has beautiful homes, new and existing, that will fit your budget and meet your expectations. The city has a lot to offer regarding cultural diversity and family friendliness.
Are you looking for a REALTOR® to help you purchase a home? Click here to contact CearnalCo REALTOR® Keela McGraw today.
