Funny sign

Ever felt like you may know this person?

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Solar Powered Attic Fans

I'm thinking of installing a couple of solar powered attic fans on my roof. Whoever invented these is a genius.

Since the sweltering Texas sun turns our attics to ovens, why not get something like a solar fan to make that same sun work in our favor?

And the good old feds are giving a 30% tax credit for placing these on your home in 2009. They are pretty pricey, so its a great incentive (in addition to the savings on cooling your home).

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Realtors on the Road

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What do Russians have to do with Dallas Real Estate?

Not as much as the Japanese and Chinese.

I struggle for an answer when people ask me what is going to happen in the local residential market and if their house is going to sell. Because right now, it really depends on many factors beyond our control. We can't control the economy, the competition, the weather, the stock market, etc.

Here is an example of what I mean: Foreign governments have an effect on our interest rates. And mortgage rates drive a lot of real estate transactions because the change in rate can mean a difference in what you get for your money. And one of the leading indicators that drive interest rates is the purchase of Treasury debt. Mortgage rates are inching up because investors are worried about the record amount ($104 billion) of T-bills that the government plans to sell this week. If foreigners buy strongly, then rates will likely hold steady. If they stay home from the sale, then rates may to go higher.

Recently the Russians said they aren't going to buy our debt any more and are going to sell off their current US debt holdings. Meanwhile, the Japanese and Chinese (our big buyers) say they will continue to buy our debt. We'll see if they open their pocketbooks this week.

So one of the many factors in whether your Dallas home will sell is based on what the Russians, Chinese and Japanese do. The factors that you can control (and should focus on) are price, condition and the marketing of your property.

Those are things we can do something about.

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Don't listen to the Critics

The artist doesn't have time to listen to the critics.

The ones who want to be writers read the reviews,

the ones who want to write

don't have the time to read reviews.

- William Faulkner

Luckiest Place to Live in the World

Thank God we live in Texas. This video was shot earlier this year. But according to today's statistics, everyone is still moving here in droves. Fortunately, they are buying homes.

Least & Most Expensive Dallas Homes for Sale

Almost half way through a bumpy year, and there is a wide variety of homes for sale. These two properties represent the extremes of our real estate offerings right now.

In an estate area of Highland Park, 6812 Hunters Glen includes 1.5 acres backing to Turtle Creek. The contemporary home was designed by architect Frank Welch - which helps explain it's $18,000,000 price tag. For those big bucks you get over 10,000 square feet including a master "retreat", private guest wing, separate children's wing, pool, gardens, pavilion, and lots of privacy.

About 10 miles southeast is the least expensive property for sale. It is also near a creek and Lake June. This townhouse at 9406 Olde Village Court features 2 bedrooms with a bath and a half in 1,110 square feet. The condition may be questionable and it is a foreclosure being sold 'as is'. But at $7,000 - at least it has 4 walls and a roof.

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Happy Birthday Dave

My baby turned 21 today. Boy do I feel old.

He's turned out to be a fine young man. In his junior year at UT, he is working this summer as a writer for the Daily Texan and at the Pot and Plant Center of Austin.

Wondering if his law school application will include this summer selling pot? I mean pots.

New Protection for Tenants of Foreclosed Homes

A new law is offering protection to tenants of foreclosed properties. This new law exposes some of the issues of how to handle a tenant occupying a property that has been foreclosed on.

The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 grants protection to tenants of foreclosed properties. The tenant is allowed to stay in the home for a minimum of 90 days after foreclosure. Additionally, tenants with a current lease that extends beyond 90 days are allowed to remain in the property for the remainder of their lease unless the new owner plans to occupy the property as a primary residence. The tenant must continue to pay rent and abide by all existing lease terms.

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How to Text like a Teen

You can find me texting on my blackberry a lot these days. IMO (in my opinion) it is a major form of communication. What was once so awkward, seems pretty natural now. AAMOF (As a matter of fact), I could probably type the Declaration of Independence with my thumbs in JAM (just a minute).

BTW (by the way), since I've got 1 kid in college, 2 kids in high school and 2 assistants in college, I feel somewhat qualified to say that this list is not only helpful, but accurate. IAC (In any case), HTH (hope this helps) you.

TTFN (ta ta for now).

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House of the Week

What a great deal.

This home at 11706 Hillcrest, is south of LBJ and on almost a half acre. A mid-century ranch, it could go modern or traditional in style.

Priced at $350,000 for 2,543 square feet, it is the deal of the week!

The master bath looks like it belongs in a million dollar home..

If you want to see it in person, it will be open this Sunday from 2:00 until 4:00.

Even in a slow market, this pretty place shouldn't last long.

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First Sign that the Real Estate Market is rebounding

How can you tell when we've reached the bottom of the real estate market? The mortgage rates start to go up and the number of sales start to rise. Well, the interest rates have started up and so have pending sales. So if you have been waiting for the bottom, we just passed it.

Over the next 20 to 50 days, the market will tell us whether the real estate recovery is genuine. Consumer spending and confidence should start a slow rise. The end of this month will mark the end of the 2nd quarter and the release of corporate earnings. If the top line growth for stocks stays steady, and the economic growth stays anywhere on the positive side, we're good. If that doesn't happen, and the economy softens, we may see mortgage rates drop back a little.

Current economic indicators are a little bullish. The experts are indicating that the market is starting a slow rise. I agree.

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Do not open a 'tagged' email

There is a new email virus circulating. I and a few of my friends have receiving it. It appears to have photos from a legitimate friend and has the subject line "You've been Tagged".

DO NOT open the email or register to open the photos. It is a virus and will open your email up for loads of spam in addition to sending it to everyone in in your email data base. [where: 75230]

Leasing a Haunted House?

True or False?

A tenant cannot terminate his or her lease early by claiming that a house is haunted.

The Texas Association of Realtors puts out a monthly newsletter to members that usually includes a trivia questions. This this the June question.

So did you make a guess? The answer is: True The tenant may not terminate a lease based on ghosts. The landlord may exercise his or her default remedies as detailed in the lease. Just thought you might want to know in the event you ever try to weasel your way out of a lease around Halloween.

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