McKinney · Buying a Home
Buying a home in McKinney, resale or new
Ready before we look: pre-approval, a straight budget and a focused search, then every step to closing.
Buying a home in McKinney: the first choice to make
Buying a home in McKinney starts with a choice most towns don't give you: a finished neighborhood with mature trees, or new construction a few miles away. Stonebridge Ranch and Ridgecrest are on one side of that line. Painted Tree and Trinity Falls are on the other. The right answer depends on what you'd rather have: big trees and a settled street, or a builder warranty and an open floor plan.
McKinney is home base for me, and I've sold homes across Collin County for more than 20 years. I'll help you weigh that choice before we tour, so you aren't comparing apples to oranges every weekend.
Start my McKinney search
How I help McKinney buyers
We start with pre-approval and the paperwork, a Buyers Representation Document and the state-required disclosures, so you're ready to write the day the right home appears. See how I help you buy.
Then I narrow the search. In McKinney that means checking the school zoning for each address, because most of the city is McKinney ISD but not all of it, and big communities are split across several schools. It also means asking where you drive every day. The south side near SH 121 and the north side near US 380 are very different commutes.
From accepted offer to keys
Once your offer is accepted, the option period usually runs 7 to 10 days. We get the inspection done in the first 4 days, and I negotiate the repairs. Earnest money is typically about 1% of the price, and the option fee usually runs around $150 to $200. Both are held by the title company. I follow up with your lender, coordinate the appraisal, walk the home with you before closing, and sit with you at the title company when you sign.
Where McKinney buyers look
- Stonebridge Ranch: resale from the late 1980s to early 2000s, high $300s to over $2,000,000 (as of September 2026).
- Ridgecrest: 2004 to 2011 brick, with offices and media rooms.
- Craig Ranch: townhomes, condos and single-family near SH 121.
- Painted Tree and Trinity Falls: new construction.
More on the city itself: McKinney neighborhoods. Ready to start? Get in touch or call (469) 693-3839. Back to home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all of McKinney in McKinney ISD?
Most of it is, but not all. Parts of Craig Ranch fall in other districts, so check the address.
Should I buy resale or new construction in McKinney?
Resale gives you mature trees and a finished neighborhood. New construction gives you energy efficiency, a warranty and builder incentives. I'll help you weigh it before we tour.
How much earnest money do I need in McKinney?
Typically about 1% of the sales price, held by the title company.
McKinney
What buying a home looks like in McKinney
A historic downtown square, neighborhoods from 1980s Stonebridge Ranch to brand-new Painted Tree, and my home base for 20+ years.
- Why people choose it
- A lot of the city's life is outdoors, with plenty of activities built around kids and families. It feels a little less urban than Plano or Frisco, which is part of the appeal for many buyers.
- Schools
- Most of McKinney is zoned to McKinney ISD. Some areas, parts of Craig Ranch included, fall in other districts, so check the address.
- Getting around
- Most people commute by car.
- Nearby
- Historic downtown McKinney: renovated older buildings around the square, good restaurants, some nightlife, and something going on almost constantly, from farmers markets and Oktoberfest to parades and the Christmas festivities.
Buying a Home: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Terri Egstad Real Estate?