Apr 29, 2014

Final Day to file your Homestead Exemption

If you purchased a home last year, Wednesday, April 30th is the deadline for filing for your homestead exemption. If you're like me, you've put it off. But fortunately you can file it online and it only takes about 5 minutes. The savings can be as much as 20% of your tax bill ( depending on where you live).

Go to www.DallasCAD.org ( or the appraisal district site for your county) and enter your address in the property search. You can see if your homestead exemption is listed under exemptions. If not, there is a link on the page that lets you file on line. There is no cost and you will need a copy of your drivers license to upload when completing the online form. You can either scan it or take a photo of it (with your phone is easy) and unload it.
[where: 75230]

Apr 25, 2014

4 Most Important Home Maintenance Items

Some of the most important home maintenance items can be done by the average Dallas homeowner. They cost very little compared to your investment in your house. These should take you just a quick trip to the hardware store and very little time to complete these. Do them now and save yourself a lot of money later.
  1. Change your air filters monthly and have your heat and ac system serviced every year. The technicians that I talk with say that you're better off buying cheap filters and changing them monthly than buying expensive ones and changing them only occasionally. This will save the strain on your system, save on your energy bill and you'll have the peace of mind knowing that you're breathing cleaner air.
  2. Switch your washing machine hoses to the strong metal kind. The most common homeowner insurance claims in Texas are for broken or leaking washing machine hoses. And most homes have the cheaper rubber hoses. Those rubber hoses are under constant water pressure and are sure to break sooner or later. The hassle of dealing with the damage caused when they break is huge, so prevent it now. The good ones cost about $20.
  3. Cleaning your gutters and downspouts once or twice a year. You can't believe how messy these get. I've seen the damage that clogged, damaged or improper gutters and downspouts can cause. Water ends up being diverted where it shouldn't and problems can occur with the roof, eaves, siding and foundation.
  4. Caulk. Caulk in the bathrooms, kitchen, around windows, ... Everywhere that you want to prevent water penetration, drafts or cracks. Use the clear kind and keep it neat. [where: 75230]

Apr 21, 2014

Dallas Home Inventory update

The chart says it all. The number of Dallas homes for sale is very lowest that it's been in 7 years. And considering that the area population is larger than it was 7 years ago, the housing availability in Dallas is really tight.

So it's no surprise that prices have been rising steadily as well. And don't be shocked to see them continue to rise over the next year.

Click on the chart to view it larger.
[where: 75230]

Apr 19, 2014

Happy Easter

Bunnies are cuddly;
The large and the small;
But I like chocolate ones;
The best of them all
 

Warmest wishes for a day

of sweet discoveries.

[where: 75230]

Apr 16, 2014

The next trend in Dallas Real Estate - Stability

Recent indicators in the Dallas/Fort Worth and North Texas residential real estate market reveal a trend toward market stability. The wide swings in home sales and property values seen during the past recession and recent housing recovery appear to be moderating.

Ebby Halliday's Mary Frances Burleson shared this news with agents in a recent report. She went on to report that DFW area home prices were up in January according to Standard & Poor's Case/Shiller Home Price Index, but the number of homes sold had fallen by about 2 percent from the previous year by March.

S&P's David M. Blitzer, quoted in a recent Dallas Morning News article says, "Although most analysts do not expect the same rapid increases we saw last year, the consensus is for moderating gains (in 2014)". Dallas area home prices have leveled off almost 5% ahead of where they were before the recession.

Adding further stability to the market, area foreclosure postings declined to the lowest level they have been in the past decade, according to Foreclosure Listing Service. Throughout the real estate downturn and subsequent recovery, Ebby Halliday Companies demonstrated remarkable performance and stability by maintaining its position as the DFW market leader. As an Ebby Halliday professional, I can successfully assist you with your real estate needs today - regardless of market conditions.
[where: 75230]

Apr 14, 2014

Make your Dallas home future ready

So many exciting technologies are available for homes today that were unobtainable just a few years ago. If you're planning a home remodel or renovation, you may want to keep in mind a few things that tomorrow's buyers will be expecting to be available in their homes. We're talking about more than just planning for a huge, flat screen TV. Some of these new features are not very expensive, but offer a lot of perceived value to Dallas homebuyers.

Home automation is hitting the main stream and I'm seeing more homes with those extra bells and whistles. Before long they'll be common place. Like granite counters, stainless appliances and walk-in showers ... it's something the buyers in North Dallas will soon come to expect in a home.

Home entertainment systems are in high demand. Dallas buyers like their TVs big and their speakers sophisticated. Whole house sounds systems should be able to access the play lists from a mobile device. Entertainment systems don't need to be tucked away in a media room, but encompass many areas of the house and outdoors.

In the next couple of years, we'll see more and more demand for automated and remotely controlled lighting, home security, heating and ac systems. Folks will be able to use their smart phone or laptop from anywhere in the world to do everything from changing the thermostat to unlocking a door or opening the garage for someone.

And with so many wireless components hitting the market it may seem like pre-wiring a house is a waste of time. Conversely, it's more important than ever. Many ultra-high definition systems (like speakers and video equipment) work better hard wired. And even wireless devices require electricity and chargers. Most folks don't want to look at a web of cords and wires running across the mantle or around doorways.

While we don't know what the next home innovations and technologies will bring, they will likely need wires. Running conduit tubes behind the walls and including covered plates for future access is a great idea.

When you're updating a home, think about current and future technology. Build-in and future-ready infrastructure is very appealing to today's homebuyers.
[where: 75230]

Apr 11, 2014

Fetch! - North Dallas Dog event April 12th

Come join the fun on Saturday, April 12th behind Ebby's Little White House at Preston and Northwest Hwy. This fundraising and awareness event goes from 11:00 until 3:00 and benefits the DFW Labrador Retriever Rescue and DFW Pug Rescue.

Bring your pooch, or come visit dogs that are adoptable through these non-profit organizations. We'll be serving hot dogs and refreshments, a dog trainer will give tips/tricks, a professional pet photographer will be on hand, and the Easter Bunny will drop in. Visit our site at http://www.32auctions.com/fetch2014.

And you wouldn't want to miss the fishing hole, face painter, or the Pet Psychic who will "read your paw". Fun and games for families and furry friends alike! Did I mention, there will be lots of dogs?

Apr 9, 2014

North Dallas Real Estate Stats - 1st Quarter 2014

The first quarter residential sales statistics bring great news for north Dallas homeowners.
Our inventory of homes available for sale is still very low and sales prices have risen. Sales of homes priced over $1 million were sluggish over the past several years but have now bounced back. And demand for all properties in our area is strong. Take a look at these numbers -

2014 First Quarter Homes listed for Sale

North Dallas (south of LBJ):
380 (down from 513 in 2013)
$1,100,456 average list price ( up from $975,759 in 2013)

Park Cities :
395 (down from 458 in 2013)
$1,344,919 average list price ( up from $1,322,890 in 2013)

2014 First Quarter Homes Sold

North Dallas (south of LBJ):
187 (down from 225 in 2013)
$776,112 average sales price ( up from $626,643 in 2013)

Park Cities:
149 ( down from 175 in 2013)
$1,151,016 average sales price ( up from $879,262 in 2013)

[where: 75230]