Dallas TX Housing Shows Strong Numbers Despite National News

The latest numbers have come out from the largest Association of REALTORS® in the DFW area, MetroTex. The numbers show some very interesting information that should be very useful, especially to people who are relocating to the area thinking they're going to get a "deal" and even the investors who think they can come to our area and scoop up tons of properties at dirt cheap prices...

Here's what the numbers tell us:

2007 DFW Single Family Home Sales (so this excludes condos, but DOES include townhouses):
Year to Date compared to same period last year

Number of Sales: 61,746
Percent Change: -6%

Average Price: $204,813
Percent Change: +5%

Median Price: $150,500
Percent Change: +1%

Active Listings: 47,750
Percent Change: +8%

With these numbers, you can see that the Dallas/Ft Worth area is still going strong. We do not follow the average trends of the rest of the Country. We have a very strong economical base right now with many companies still relocating people to the area. Many areas across the country are seeing double digit depreciation, and we've had appreciation. Is the appreciation high? No, but it shows we're in a fairly steady market.

Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!

ARE YOU PACKED YET?!

Mesquite TX Home for Sale ONLY $159,900

CLICK HERE for the Visual Tour!!


Great house and versatile floorplan. 4 bedrooms plus a study and two and a half baths. 2 Dining areas. 1 or 2 Living areas, depending on how you do the floorplan. The Current Formal Dining can be 2nd Living area & the Study can be the Formal Dining, right off the Kitchen. The 4th bedroom is downstairs and would make a great hobby or workout room. Many updates including: frieze carpet, pergo floors, interior decor paint, front door, some windows, Kitchen cabinets & appliances, light fixtures, master bath, sprinklers, gutters, & new cable wiring. The backyard is great with an oversized aggregate patio. The house features Mature Trees & Fabulous Landscaping. All this for ONLY $159,900!!!








Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!

ARE YOU PACKED YET?!

Do You Water Your Foundation?

I work with a lot of relocation into the Dallas area. With that, it takes a lot to educate someone not only about our market, but also about how to take care of their properties.

Most of the North Texas area is built on Clay Soil. It's usually Red Clay, but Black Clay is also common. Either way, it's Clay and Clay is a very interesting and unique material to build on. The Clay is constantly expanding and contracting. That means your house is constantly expanding and contracting. With this movement, you can get many cosmetic cracks on the interior along with the exterior. These cosmetic cracks will eventually turn into structural cracks if not taken care of.

The goal is to create as little movement as possible. In order to do this, you must water your foundation year round. What do I mean by watering the foundation? You need to keep a consistent amount of water around your slab (or even pier and beam foundation if you're in an older home). This is accomplished in a couple of ways. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, as long as you can see the water reaches up to the house, you should be fine. If you are manually watering with a sprinkler, make sure you get all over and not just the front and back yards because that's where your main grass is. You need to be watering the sides of your house too.

Where I'm getting the freaked out look from people is when I mention placing soaker hoses around the foundation. For the past couple of years, North Texas has been in a drought and we've been put on watering restrictions, which I've blogged about before. With the restrictions, most areas could only water once a week, while a select few areas were allowed twice a week. With the heat of the summer, this is not enough moisture to keep around your foundation for consistency throughout the year. Soaker hoses, since the water goes directly into the ground, are allowed everyday, though your regular watering is not allowed. Soaker hoses, to cover an average sized house, will cost approximately $50 and it's a good $50 to spend. These hoses, usually black, should be placed 12-18 inches away from the house. You do not want to put them right up against the slab because then too much water could get stuck under the slab and the house could rise. You're just looking for consistent moisture around the foundation. Using the soaker hoses about 10-15 minutes 3-4 days a week in the summer, and maybe only once or twice a week in the winter will help you save thousands on future foundation repair in the future. It's a simple, easy fix for hot, dry summers, and there's no excuse for a bad foundation when it's part of everyday house maintenance when you're a home owner.

Yes, we're having close to record rainfall this year, but we're just catching up with what we need. Our lawns are very green right now, whereas last year, everyone's looked like we were in a desert. But, YES, we're still on water restrictions. And the soaker hoses are for house maintenance, not just using them one year and not another.

Do you Water your Foundation in your neck of the woods?

Various Listings in and Around Dallas

10554 Cox Ln, Dallas TX 75229 Home for Sale

What a fabulous house!! This house is in sound mechanical & structual condition, but you'll need to bring your decorating & updating ideas with you to make it your home. We'll even give you $5k to start with! There are 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 car garage, and backs to Creek for privacy! The master and one bedroom are downstairs.

Features include: newer appliances & corian counters, elevated nook with bay window and view of Mature Trees and Creek, Sautillo & tile floors, wood paneling in the Living room with a floor to ceiling brick WBFP, Balcony off the GameRoom with WetBar, Double Shower with Jetted Tub, Double Vanities and Double Closets in the Master. Through the garage, you'll find a separate exercise room & workshop that are vented for AC. The house has 3 AC units so it's definitely zoned for better efficiency bills. The house is priced below appraisal so you can come update it yourself.







YOU CAN GET ALL THIS FOR ONLY $350,000 SO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

Texas- 2006 Profiles for Buyers and Sellers

NAR (National Association of REALTORS®) has their own number saying 79% of buyers use the internet when looking for a home. However, Texas has done their own research. The 2006 Profile of Texas Homebuyers and Sellers has some astonishing numbers.

According to the profile, 94% of Buyers were using the internet to look for properties. That's a huge difference from the National number! 25% of Buyers were using the internet to get information about a particular area. This is where Localism will come in more handy in my market. I'm still waiting for the grass to turn green before I enter more photos.

Here's something interesting. There are still agents that think all they need to do it enter a property in the MLS and it'll sell, as 10% of Sellers said that's all their agent did. On the flip side, 77% of Sellers said their agent provided more services throughout the selling process. I wonder what happened to the remaining 13%??

Overall, I guess I would conclude that the Texas Buyer is above the curve with using the Internet for their home searches! It's a good thing I jumped on this bandwagon long ago!

If you're a Buyer and/or Seller, and you're reading my Blog, congratualations on putting the newspaper down and saving some gas from driving around neighborhoods aimlessly. Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!

Dallas Real Estate- Garage Sale before Moving

Is there too much clutter in your home? It can be a shock to see all the stuff most of us have accumulated through the years.

One of the best ways to clear out clutter is to have a garage sale. Here are some tips to making your garage sale effective:

* Advertise your sale on Craigslist. Make sure to include your address and what days and times the sale will take place. You might want to try to newspaper too, but Craigslist is FREE!
* Place directional signs at nearby key intersections.
* Place smaller items on tables.
* Be prepared in case of inclement weather.
* Put price tags on everything, but be flexible and ready to negotiate.
* Be prepared for early arrivals. Decide whether you want to allow early birds or if you will begin only at the specified time.
* Start with an adequate amount of change and small bills on hand. Decide whether you will accept checks.
* Have plenty of help--it's more fun that way!

Try to look at your home through a prospective buyer's eyes. Lack of clutter will help your home show better, and it will ease your move to a new place. And even if you are staying put, getting rid of clutter will allow you to enjoy your home more comfortably.

Please don't hesitate to call or email me if you'd like additional tips or suggestions. Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!

Dallas Real Estate- Remodeling Investment

Are you thinking of remodeling your home? Consider the return on your investment before remodeling. Not all remodeling projects yield the same return in increasing your home’s value.

Updating your kitchen and baths is your best remodeling investment, returning a nearly dollar-for-dollar increase in home resale value. An updated kitchen and bathrooms make your home that much more attractive to potential buyers when you do decide to sell.

By contrast, converting a basement into a family room (if you're are has basements) or adding outdoor recreation facilities, such as a swimming pool or sport court, yield the lowest return on your investment.

Sometimes the cumulative effect of several smaller projects can yield a higher resale value than one or two larger ones. Smaller projects tend to be more cosmetic--new paint, doors, or windows. Larger projects that upgrade or add living space may cost more, but almost always add less resale value for the dollars spent, like converting space over the garage to a media room.

Whatever you do, be careful of over-improving for your neighborhood. Remodeling that significantly improves your property over neighboring homes won't return as much when it comes time to sell. People don't just buy a house, they're buying a neighborhood as well.

If you have any questions or you'd like additional information, please don't hesitate to call or email me. Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!

Dallas Real Estate- Minimize Stress in Moving

For most people, moving to a new residence is a stressful event. Here are some things you can do to minimize tension and worry when you sell your home:

* Choose a real estate agent (REALTOR®) who communicates clearly and frequently, keeping you up to speed on every step of the process.

* Price your home accurately for market conditions. Homes that sell quickly leave their sellers wondering if they set the price too low, while sellers whose homes sit on the market unsold wonder if they'll ever find a buyer.

* Decide whether you want to move yourself or have professional movers handle the job. If you hire a moving company, make sure to book well in advance.

* Think about cleaning services. After everything is packed and moved is a great time to have someone come in and clean.

* Arrange at least two weeks in advance to have utilities and phone service disconnected at your old house and reconnected in your new home on the move-in date.

Please let me know if I can answer any questions or provide additional information. Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!

Dallas Real Estate- Moving Day

Most buyers and sellers consider moving day a real hassle. Here are some things you can do to make it more manageable:

* Cut back on your possessions as you pack. Make separate areas for items to be discarded, sold, or donated to charity.
* Label all boxes and color-code them by room, whether you pack yourself or have help. Otherwise, you'll never remember what's in each box.
* Have the outside door locks on your new home changed and the garage door opener reprogrammed.
* Get referrals from your doctors, dentists, and veterinarians for new providers near your new home. Take your files with you instead of waiting for them to be sent.
* Pack a “first night” box that contains everything you'll need for the first night in your new home. Include bedding, cookware, utensils, toiletries, and anything else you can't do without before you are unpacked.

If you'd like additional tips or suggestions, please don't hesitate to call or email me. Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!

Dallas Real Estate- Internet Marketing

Have you wondered what it would take to sell your home for the highest price, in the shortest amount of time, and with a minimum of inconvenience?

Besides accurate pricing and an effective marketing campaign, posting your home on the Internet can make a huge difference. The Internet has largely replaced newspapers as the advertising medium of choice for real estate listings.

Why? Posting listings online costs almost nothing, information can be changed or updated almost instantly, listings can be screened by price or area, and the information is available to prospective buyers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

According to a recent survey, almost 88% of all buyers use the Internet to search for a new home. They like the ability to see pictures and obtain additional information. Plus, buyers who search on the Web spend an average of $22,600 more for their new home than other buyers. To accomplish my goal of selling your home for the best price in the least amount of time, let’s use one of the most effective marketing techniques--the Internet.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email me if you would like additional information.

Dallas Real Estate- Tech Savvy Realtor

When you choose a real estate agent, you’re selecting someone to represent you in one of the largest financial transactions you may ever undertake.

As the Internet continues to simplify the way people research buying and selling homes, there are many good reasons to choose a REALTOR® who can harness the power of technology to provide you with exceptional service, including:

· Sending up-to-date information by email for you to review at your convenience.
· Providing you with an online home evaluation to stay on top of current market value.
· Emailing new home listings to you as soon as desirable properties hit the market.
· Delivering e-newsletters to keep you informed about market trends and other important matters.
· Showcasing your home on the Web, over 20 websites, to help you sell it for top dollar.

Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling or simply want to stay informed about the real estate market, using new technology helps me consistently provide you with timely information and outstanding service.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email me if I can help you.

Dallas Real Estate- Pricing is Key

According to a recent report, nearly 82% of potential buyers use the Internet to refine their home search. Broker Web sites let buyers browse by house size, style, area, and price.

Because many buyers look only at those homes within their price range, it's important to accurately price your home for the market. The higher a home's price above market, the fewer the number of interested buyers, and the longer it will take to sell.

The key to selling your home quickly at the greatest return is to price it at market value right from the start. A fairly priced home will capitalize on the flurry of buyer interest a home enjoys during its first few weeks on the market. Plus, you're wanting to SELL your house, not just LIST your house, right?

Please don't hesitate to call or email me if I can answer your questions or help with additional information.

Texas Association of Realtors License Plate

They finally arrived!! Check out my new Texas Association of REALTORS® license plates. They look "fake" as they're so different. I'm going to definitely have to watch the way I drive now.... not that I'm a bad drive, because I'm a great driver, but I'm the type of driver that has somewhere to go, and I like to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible!





Thank you everyone who helped with the choice of "BUYIN".

What do you think?

Texas- Home Sales Set Record for 2006

According to the Associated Press and NAR, Texas had a record year in 2006 whereas the rest of the nation didn't, for the most part.

NAR reported only 6.5 million units were sold in 2006 which was down 8.4% compared to 2005 sales. They also stated that 40% of sales in 2005 were to investors or second-home buyers. Once the market switched in several areas, those investors backed out and have, therefore, decreased sales overall.

Texas sold almost 290,000 homes in 2006 which was the higher amount sold to date.

Even with sales declines across the country in many high-dollar areas, the median sales price was $222,000 compared to $219,600 in 2005.

As I tell all my clients, you can't listen to the national news to see what's going on in our area. We have had tremendous activity where others have not. If more people would look at the facts and not depend on information in other areas, the Dallas area could see even more growth!!

If you're looking to move or invest in the Dallas area, give me a call/email!!