Mar 31, 2009

When Florescent Bulbs Burn Out

Make sure you recycle these bulbs properly - they contain mercury. NEVER put them in with your regular trash.
The green thinking folks at Snappy Salads (at Preston Forest ) will gladly recycle your compact fluorescent bulbs for you. Sometimes they'll even give you .50 cents off your salad for the gesture. You gotta love this earth friendly business.
Ikea and Dallas Light Bulb will also accept your unbroken bulbs as well and dispose of them properly. Unlike the city recycling centers, they are open every day.

Mar 28, 2009

Funny Day at the Office

It isn't every day I get to work with a full grown cherub.

My office is always an entertaining place, but today we had a film crew shooting a commercial (that has nothing to do with real estate). But who knows? In this economy, we can use all the heavenly help we can get.

[where: 75230]

Mar 27, 2009

Strive

"Give the world the best you have
and the best will come back to you."
Madeline Bridges

[where: 75230]

Mar 26, 2009

Tis the Season - for Real Estate

Let the selling begin!
Check out this chart that shows the seasonal sales in North Texas every year since 2004. David Fair, of Hexter Fair Title Company, loves putting this together to show everyone the seasonal fluctuations in our market.
Currently, the average time to sell a home in our area is 6 months. Since our sales peak in May through August, now would be the time to put your home on the market.
[where: 75230]

Mar 22, 2009

Real Estate Market Update

It is still a buyers market in North Dallas - for the moment. People Newspaper's Josh Hixson ran some great up-to-date stats in this week's paper.

You'll need to pick up a copy of the paper to see the complete run down of the number of home sales by zip codes 75205, 75209, 75220, 75225, 75229 and 75230.

So far in 2009, the average time it took for homes to sell in this area ranged from 68 days to 166 days. The average prices for 2009 have ranged from $271,559 to $1.58 million.

[where: 75230]

Mar 21, 2009

Your Home's Value

This view of home values continues to amuse me:

Your House
as seen by yourself:

as seen by your buyer:

as seen by the lender:

as seen by your appraiser:

as seen by the Dallas County Tax Assessor's office

[where: 75230]

Mar 19, 2009

College Visits

Oh, the possibilities when you're young and the world is your oyster. I'm referring to my daughter who I'm chauffeuring to spring break college visits. If only the young could appreciate having the world of opportunities ahead of them. I'm certainly appreciating it.

[where: 75230]

Mar 16, 2009

We're Still Young

Today you are as young as you will ever be.
Live like it.
[where: 75230]

Mar 14, 2009

Beautiful Open House

Drop by 6031 Norway Road on Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 and take a look at this beautiful home built in 1940.
The architect owner of this home has included thoughtful updates like slate flooring, granite counters, stainless appliances and more while maintaining the wonderful period details like hardwood floors and original crown moldings.
Located on a 100 x 200 lot on one of the best blocks in Preston Hollow, the back gate opens to St. Mark's school.
This 3,293 sq ft property has just gone on the market and won't last long at the $835,000 price.
[where: 75230]

Mar 12, 2009

Free Smoothies Tomorrow

Just in time for the kids to get out of school for spring break -

Jamba Juice at Preston Royal is giving away free smoothies on Friday from 3:00 until 5:00. They're free at the Preston Center location from 2:00 until 4:00. I don't know why, but they're free!
Ja need to swing on by for a freebie on Friday.
[where: 75230]

Mar 11, 2009

Make a Good First Impression

You never get a second change to make a good first impression - especially with your home. Potential buyers take about one to two minutes to determine if they like a home or not. If you don't pass the first impression test, they mentally move on to the next property.

It won't matter how fantastic the master bath is, if the buyers don't like the first two or three rooms they see. That's why it is so crucial to make a great first impression by staging your home in the best possible light.
Just think of the home selling process like dating. Prince Charming (the homebuyer) is looking for his true love and you are available. The buyer's first visit is like a blind date or a school dance. Sure you normally lounge around in sweats, but not when you're trying to find your perfect match. Spruce the place up, put on your best, and you're more likely to catch their eye. Otherwise, you may end up a wallflower while the other homes are dancing off into happily-ever-after land with their new buyers.
Here are a few quick & easy tips to get your home ready for a buyer to fall in love (and put that ring on your finger).
  • Completely clean the outside entry and place a new 'Welcome' mat.
  • Add fresh mulch to the flower beds
  • Make it smell and sound nice. Use plug-in fresheners and turn on soft music. Remember, you want the buyer to fall in love, so turn up the sex appeal.
  • Remove bulky furniture to make rooms appear larger. Try to scale back 1/3 of your stuff.
  • Clean light fixtures and windows so that they sparkle and shine.
  • Pack away all collections (especially religious, political or sports paraphernalia)
  • Remove magnets and pictures from refrigerator
  • Remove most small appliances from counter tops
  • Make the buyers think "I want to live like this."
[where: 75230]

Mar 9, 2009

Quotes for the Economy

"I do not think that there is any other quality

so essential to success of any kind

as the quality of perseverance.

It overcomes almost everything, even nature."

.
And kind of creepy, but true ...

"The way to make money
is to buy when blood is running in the streets."

[where: 75230]

Mar 5, 2009

Mid-Century Chic in North Dallas

The classic Mid-Century Modern style home continues to grow in popularity in North Dallas. What were considered teardown properties 15 years ago are now stylishly being updated to showcase clean lines and handsome design.

.

.
This beauty is located at 7132 Stonetrail Drive in The Meadows (between Walnut Hill & Royal Lane) and has just gone on the market for a very reasonable $550,000.

The updated residence was built by an engineer in 1967 on a 105 x 137 lot with solid pier & beam foundation to stand the test of time. With 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 living areas and a pool, it showcases 3,286 sq feet plus a 448 sq foot cabana with another full bath and outdoor kitchen. Spacious rooms and a gourmet kitchen are the hallmark of this home. Mid-century modern at its best!

[where: 75230]

Mar 3, 2009

What does your book say? Not your facebook.

If you wrote a book about your life, what would it be about?
Would it be fiction, where you write about all the great things you thought about doing?
Or would it be a tragedy, where you cry about your life?
Maybe a mystery, where you seek to find answers?
Could it be a comedy, where you laugh about yourself?
Or maybe a romance, about finding your love in life?
Hopefully it would be non-fiction, where you face your life with truth.

I'm working to make my book an inspiration. How about you?

[where: 75230]

Mar 1, 2009

Mortgage Rates inching up

Rates are inching up and rumor is we've already seen the lowest rates we are going to see for some time. If you're thinking of buying a home and you haven't locked in a rate - you've been warned.
[where: 75230]