Jun 26, 2015

A Good Week for Dallas' Best Realtors

This week D Magazine announced their 2015 list of Best Realtors in Dallas. It's an honor to be included again in this outstanding group of agents. I'm humbled and grateful to my clients.
Recipients are selected by nominations from about 10,000 recent home buyers, D Magazine subscribers and former award winners. Agents are evaluated on customer service, integrity, market knowledge, communication, negotiation, post-sale service, and overall satisfaction. After screening through the Texas Real Estate Commission, the award is given to just over 1% of licensed Dallas Realtors.


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Jun 22, 2015

Available Home Inventory rises in North Dallas

The number of homes available for sale has increase in the last couple of weeks. However, North Dallas is still in a strong seller's market.

We currently have almost a 6 month supply of properties (homes, condos, townhomes ) for sale from the Park Cities to LBJ Freeway (and between Central Expressway and Stemmons Freeway). That's 647 properties on the market as of this morning.

In April this year we had only a 2 month inventory of homes for sale. There were 565 homes available for sale. Doesn't look like a big difference in numbers, but the demand was slightly higher and homes were selling incredibly fast.

A 6 month or less supply of homes for sale indicates a seller's market with demand outpacing supply. An 8 month or more supply of homes indicates a buyer's market.

"Inventory" is figured by looking at how long it would take to sell all the homes on the market if no other properties were listed for sale. If 100 homes sold in the past year and there are currently 50 homes on the market, then you have a 6 month inventory. If 100 homes sold and you have 200 on the market, you have a 2 year inventory. Just a few years ago some of our neighborhoods had that - and more.

Folks are moving to Dallas from all over the place and this is the busy season for real estate sales. If you've got a home to sell, now is the best time to have it on the market. [where: 75230]

Jun 14, 2015

Selling an inherited home in Dallas

Very nice article in today's Dallas Morning News about Passing on the Home. It mentions one of my favorite clients and how we sold the property she inherited this year.

Click on the article to read it.
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Jun 9, 2015

Dallas Real Estate Update June 2015

Big, big news for Dallas real estate!

The May 2015 home sales numbers are just in and they've set new records according to Bill Head, Communications Director for the MetroTex Association of Realtors.

  • Throughout North Texas, we had 9,484 sales in May 2015 which is the highest number in our history. 
  • In addition, the median sales price was $215,000 which is also the highest number reported.
  • And the price per square foot was $115. That's also the highest number in our history. T
  • The number of active listings is 18,491 and that's definitely the lowest ever during the Dallas "selling season". [where: 75230]

Jun 5, 2015

Vote on Texas Real Estate changes this fall

On November 3rd this year, Texans will have the chance to vote on 2 real estate issues. On the ballot will be the option to:

  • Increase the Texas homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000.
  • Permanently ban additional taxes on the sale of real estate in Texas. 
Texas Realtors have been lobbying on behalf of homeowners at the 2015 Texas legislative session.

These real estate-related bills were approved and now await Governor Abbott’s signature. The governor has until June 21 to sign or veto these proposed laws:
  • House Bill 2489 keeps Homeowners Associations out of the property-management business. The bill protects homeowners’ rights by stating that HOAs do not have the authority to screen, approve, or deny prospective tenants. The bill also says that prospective tenants do not have to provide a credit report or lease application to the HOA.
  • House Bill 2404 allows a landlord to deduct the charge of re-keying a security device from a tenant’s deposit when the tenant breaches a lease. 
  • Senate Bill 267 states that cities and counties may not prohibit a property owner (or their agent) from choosing whether to rent to someone based on the person’s source of income, including a federal housing choice voucher (Section 8 vouchers).
  • Senate Bill 1760 requires a super-majority vote of a local taxing jurisdiction before that jurisdiction may increase the property-tax rate.
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Jun 1, 2015

Staging a Home to Sell in 2015

Staging a home to sell is still important in this hot Dallas real estate market. But only if you want to sell their house faster and for more money. If you don't care about maximizing your revenue on the property, just stick it on the market as is.

You need to have your home staged to sell - not to live in. Buyers really do want it to look like a magazine spread. They need to see lots of spare space for their things. They care about the home's appeal, not about your comfort.
Treat your home like it's dressed up for a big date. If this just isn't the way you like to live, too bad. Do it anyway.

Here are my 4 favorite staging tips:

  1. De-Clutter - Everywhere: inside and out. Pack it up. Clean off the fridge, the piano, the nightstands. Leave enough blank space for buyers to visualize their own belongings. If there aren't enough flat surfaces with nothing on them, then de-clutter some more. Too much stuff is a turn off. 
  2. Deep Clean -  Kitchen and bathrooms should be spotless. Dirt in these areas are deal-killers. You have to go beyond 'normal cleaning'. Clean cabinets, grout & fixtures. Ensure carpets & rugs are completely clean. Dirty carpet is the number one buyer turn-off. Clean the windows so that they sparkle and let in the maximum amount of light. 
  3. De-Personalize - Trust me here. Buyers don't want to buy your family or vacation memories. Clear them out to let buyers imagine the house as their own. 
  4. Neutralize colors. A fresh coat of paint is an excellent way to freshen up your home. Since your taste may not be the same as the buyers, keep it neutral.
I offer 2 hours of professional staging with every home that I list for sale.

It benefits both me and the seller to present these properties in a way that will help them sell faster and for more money.
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