DISD closing old and opening new schools?

DISD recently announced they are considering closing 11 schools to help reduce their budget and make up for cuts in funding. So why did they just pay the $9,800 filing fee to request zoning approval to build a new school in Northwest Dallas near Webbs Chapel and Merrell Road? I'm all for providing the best education possible for every child in Dallas. Will this move help do that?  [where: 75230]

Top 8 impressions from Homebuyers today

Want to read the home buyer's mind? What are the top 8 things they think of when they enter a house for sale?

Here are some frank and honest accounts of what they think when they walk in the door and start considering your house -

1. Wow, it's _______ in here. Insert: cold or hot, dark or light.
2. It smells like ______ in here. Insert: dog, cat, animals, fish, cinnamon, vanilla, .... No leaving this blank because we can assure you it smells like something ( good or bad).
3. If you don't want to fix it, we don't either. We want to buy a home to enjoy and rest in. We don't want to buy work.
4. Anything that we see needing repairs sends up a red flag and makes us wonder what else is wrong with the house that we can't see.
5. Don't insult us by calling something new when we think it is dated. We don't think a house remodeled prior to the year 2000 is 'updated'. That was 12 years ago. Same thing goes for a 'new' roof or hot water heater. If it is a year old, it isn't new any more.
6. We know you think your home is special, but it really isn't. There are a lot of really great homes you're competing with. In your mind, your home is better, but it isn't in our eyes.
7. Whatever the cost to update or repair your property is double in our minds. Like most buyers, we usually imagine the cost to replace an item to be more than it actually is. Plus we have to hassle with it. The price had better reflect that.
8. Like everyone else, we're watching the bottom line. If you were priced right, your house would be under contract in 90 days or less. More than that amount of time on the market? You must be over priced. Hmmm, I wonder why they haven't lowered the price after 4 months? They probably aren't willing to negotiate on this overpriced house. Let's go to the next one.  

[where: 75230]

Is there a Best Day to put your home on the market?

The day of the week you list your home may just have an impact on how well your home sells according to online brokerage Redfin. They've announced data to show whether putting your home on the market on a certain day of the week is correlated with sales success. The data comes from more than 1 million listings spread throughout the nation over almost 2 years. Here is what they found:

• Homes listed on Sunday get marginally more online views.
• Homes listed on Friday are toured 19% more.
• Homes listed on Friday or Thursday sell for slightly closer to original list price.
• Homes listed on Friday are 12% more likely to sell in 90 days.

The "Friday sweet spot" Redfin suggests is connected to the idea that since Saturday and Sunday have 2.5 times as many tours per day than Monday to Friday, homes listed on Fridays are the freshest in buyers' minds. For a more detailed look at the numbers, check out Redfin's full report here. [where: 75230]

Shop for Dallas Homes online

[where: 75230]

Bad Real Estate Photos

I've heard of full disclosure, but highlighting the parking hazard in MLS might not be wise.

Will you be serving pork or chicken tonight?

Low ceiling or tall agent - you choose.

Wow. It's like the hand of God reaching down to tell you to buy this house.

See more bad real estate photos here, here, here - or just click on the "bad photos" label on the right side of this page. [where: 75230]

Happy Thanksgiving

[where: 75230]

North Dallas restaurants open on Thanksgiving

If you aren't in the mood to cook, here are some restaurants in North Dallas (and vicinity) open on Thanksgiving day:

Princi Italia at Preston Royal open noon until 9:00

Highland Park Cafeteria (in Casa Linda Plaza) open 10:30 - 3:00

Bailey's Prime Plus at Park near Central open from noon til 9:00

Opio at Park Cities Hilton open for brunch til 2:00

Melrose Hotel in Oaklawn serving brunch 11 - 2:30

Fearing's at the Ritz-Carlton opens at 11:15

India West on Beltline Road open for brunch until 3:00

Cru in West Village on McKinney open noon til 9:00

Intercontinental Hotel on the tollway serving brunch until 3:00
[where: 75230]

Who is moving to Texas?

Compared to the rest of the country, Texas real estate is the land of milk and honey. Folks just keep moving here and increasing the demand for housing. So where are these people coming from?

Over the past 4 years, the highest average percentage of people moving to Texas have come from:

• California ( 13.6 % of all immigrants to Texas )
• Louisiana ( 9.7 % )
• Florida (7.4 %)
• Oklahoma (4.7 %)
• Illinois (3.8%)
• Georgia (3.3%)
• Arizona (3.2%)
• Colorado (3.1%)
• New York (3.0%)

One of the reasons for the high ranking from Louisiana was Hurricane Katrina. However, job opportunities continue to be the main reason most people come here.

And the really good news is that most of these newcomers are educated. More than 70 percent of the heads of household have either some college education or a college degree.

You can bet that when marketing properties, I target people immigrating to Texas. Whether it is through the award-winning Ebby Corporate Relocation department, my affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, or just savvy internet marketing - I strive to match these new Texans with exceptional homes that fit their lifestyles. [where: 75230]

Bad Real Estate Photos

There is a cool snap to the autumn air that just makes many of us want to bundle up and be a bit lazy. Especially the agents who took these photos ( yes, these are actual photos from homes for sale)-

Why get out of the car to take the feature photo of the house if you don't have to.

The homeowners may not notice that you've taken a horrible or crooked photo to showcase their home.

I can't quite put my finger on what is wrong with this photo.

Wonder why there is a UFO light suspended in this backyard? The photographer can't be bothered to step outside for a photo.

Maybe you can snag a photo of the house without even leaving the office.

[where: 75230]

Truck Time in Preston Hollow

Rev up your engines! The 7th Annual Truck Time is this Sunday, November 20th from 11:00 til 2:00 at Congregation Shearith Israel. Admission is $5 and everyone is welcome to this event featuring all kinds of big trucks, tractors, police vehicles, fire engines, and more. Children can view the trucks up close and, in many cases, actually climb into them. For more information, contact ewolf@shearith.org or (214)361-6606. [where: 75230]

New Homestead Exemption Rules

In Texas, a homestead exemption saves on a property tax bill. And the requirements to get an exemption have tightened. Exemption application forms now must include a copy of the homeowner’s driver’s license showing the address of the homestead on it AND a copy of the applicant's vehicle registration receipt showing the matching property address. If the applicant doesn't own a vehicle, they must sign an affidavit to that effect and provide a copy of a utility bill in their name for the property for which the exemption is sought.

The property address on the DallasCAD exemption application must always match the applicant's driver's license and vehicle registration or utility bill.[where: 75230]

Funny Friday Photos of homes for sale

Let's limit our buyer pool to current Cowboys fans.

This home features a built-in grandpa.

... and includes close in parking.

I think there is a bathroom in there somewhere.

At least there is an escape route.

[where: 75230]

Lakewood Home Tour this weekend

The Lakewood Home Festival begins Friday with a fundraiser at the Lakewood Country Club and continues with a gift market and home tour on Saturday and Sunday. This event is 35 years running, attracts thousands and expects to raise more than $100,000.

Sponsored by the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA, the weekend raises funds for Lakewood Elementary,Long Middle School and Woodrow Wilson High School.

This beautiful historic home at 6856 Gaston Avenue will be open Saturday from 2-4 and Sunday from to 2-4. Come view a slice of Dallas history and see some other truly spectacular homes this weekend.

Alarm Test Today

FEMA, DHS and FCC will conduct the first national test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System today. This nationwide test will kick off at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9th and run concurrently across all time zones.

This system test is the first of its kind designed to broadcast a nationwide message to the American public. In the history of the country, nothing like it has been conducted on such a level. As you may be aware, there have been tests in the past, but not of this magnitude encompassing all regions of the Nation simultaneously. The three (3) minute test will run concurrently on all radio and TV band stations exceeding the previous messages broadcast which were anywhere from a 30 second to 1 minute message.

There is concern in local police and emergency management circles about undue public anxiety over this test. The test message on TV might not indicate that it is just a test. Fear is that the lack of an explanation regarding the message might create panic. Please share this information with your family and friends so they are aware of the test.

Below are two websites that will provide more information regarding this test:

http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm

https://nationaldialogue-emergencyalertsystem.ideascale.com/

[where: 75230]

Fewer Sellers going it alone

The number of people selling their home by owner continues to decrease in 2011. In a buyers market, a larger proportion of sellers usually turn to an agent to help them sell their home. Below are the national stats for non-represented sellers. In Dallas, the number of FSBO properties (that actually sell) are lower:.

 Non-Realtor ( For Sale By Owner) Sales

FSBO transactions  are more popular in rural areas and typically FSBO sellers have lower median incomes. Half of all FSBO sales are selling their property to someone they know like a friend, relative, or neighbor. [where: 75230]

Bad Real Estate Photos

Welcome to November and some bad autumn photos.
Make yourself at home. You know where to put your jacket.
This house is a copy cat - I mean includes a copy cat  ( that's right, look on the copier).

Sure it's nice to know the address, but are we selling a house or a mailbox? Cause I see half the house and all of the mailbox. [where: 75230]

Age of Today's Home Buyers

Knowing your target market - who is buying homes like yours - will help you fine tune your marketing message. Let's look at the average age of home buyers in 2011:

More than 40% and ages 30-45

20-25% are ages 46-55

20-25% are ages 18-29

10-15% are ages 56-64

Fewer than 10% are ages 65-86

First time home buyers are typically younger. Which age group does your propery appeal to? Are your selling a two bedroom condo, a starter home, an estate? Think of your buyer and how you can appeal to them.

Echo Boomers - children of baby boomers - are born between 1979 and 1995 and there are 80 million of them. Over the next 10 years, they will continue to enter the housing market and fuel demand. [where: 75230]