Business like Fireworks and Storm Alex - 06/28/10 10:10 AM
My husband and business partner in real estate is also a firefighter in Grapevine. He happens to be on the water rescue team there where every Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day brings loads of activity, to keep it rated E for everyone. This 4th of July may be different.
His interest in water rescue efforts lead him to join the Texas Task Force where he is trained in swift water rescue and responds to emergencies in other parts of the state, other parts of the country, if need be. This week, a storm is brewing. He is highly … (4 comments)

The market is NUTS - 06/25/10 11:58 PM
Another family reunion is happening this weekend and with it a whole new room full of, "How's real estate?" questions emerge. Is it just to strike familiar conversation or does it really interest them? I think both. People are nuts about real estate.
Here are a few of the questions I answered today:
Q. How's the market?
A. The market is a mixed bag of nuts.
Q. Are you busy?
A. Yes, there are plenty of nuts for everyone.
Q. When will the market turn?
A. I'm not a squirrel. I can't crack the nut.
The good thing about talking shop at a … (11 comments)

Master the master bedroom - 06/22/10 10:56 PM
This week I showed a house where the master bedroom was clearly an afterthought and the only thing I could think of was how sad. It doesn't matter if you're honeymooning or going through the big D, your master bedroom is the last thing you drift away in at night and the first thing you smell before your eyes even open. It's the beginning and end of your day and worthy of more effort than many give it. Here are a few easy decorating tips to making your master bedroom lovable again:
1. Give the bedframe wall an accent color;
2. Layer … (7 comments)

Begging for more just like you - 06/20/10 01:25 AM
It's nice to start Saturday off with a 4th birthday party cookout among kiddie's friends and end it with old friends from college. The meat in the middle stands out, too. Sometimes you just can't lose. I even remember at one point looking up and seeing not one single cloud and thinking, "God, not to criticize a perfect blue sky, but some shade would be great." I had no idea the unlikely perfect events in store.
Today I walked through the most immaculate home a tenant ever turned back to me.
I don't property manage. But I do own my own … (11 comments)

Cities make chickens fly the coop - 06/18/10 11:28 PM
As I grew up like a weed and decided what I wanted to be when I grew up and eventually became a real estate pro when I grew up, another problem grew up with me -- well, growing pains.
I grew up in a suburb of Fort Worth called Keller and recently posted how wonderful I think this area is on my blog. Growing up, some people called it "the middle of no where" while others called it "BFE" and those who were not quite as vulgar called it "the sticks" and others called it "the outskirts of town" and me? I … (5 comments)

Sticking Point: Temporary Residential Leases - 06/16/10 08:33 PM
It's become commonplace in my real estate market to negotiate a temporary residential lease as an addendum to the sales contract. Let me pause a moment for those of you who need to groan or roll your eyes. This is a topic which people -- both professionals, as well as consumers -- stand on two sides of a fence. That's why I want to bring it up and see what you think.
First, a temporary lease is simply when a buyer leases from a seller a few days before closing and funding; or, what's more likely in my market today is when a seller leases back from a … (7 comments)

Quail Valley Estates in Keller, TX 76248 - 06/13/10 11:51 PM
Quail Valley Estates is a great established neighborhood in Keller, Texas. With prices primarily in the $200,000s, with the occasional dip below $200,000 and the occasional notch above into the $300,000s, it's one of the most affordable custom home neighborhoods around town.
Six things to love about Quail Valley Estates include:
1. It's one of the few custom built neighborhoods currently in Keller High School zoning that a consumer can get into for under $300,000. It's located right in heart of Keller, walking distance to the Keller Pointe and other conveniences. The location off Rufe Snow is fantastic.
2. It's 20-30 years old, so there … (3 comments)

Questions only a realtor on vacation is asked - 06/13/10 06:59 PM
This weekend as my cell service faded in and out of the Texas Hill Country and our family car dodged everything from deer to Dublin Dr. Pepper to Alpaca Llamas, we received a few calls we couldn't help but laugh about as we had a chance to check the voice mail along the drive:
Call #1 Executive Lease House -- I don't do leases often. But I have one investor who owns several properties who uses us and refers us religiously, so we do provide lease services for him. The home is gorgeous. It leases for market value 10 times over, if we could lease it 10 … (3 comments)

Top 5 reasons Keller, Texas 76248 is #1 - 06/06/10 11:04 PM
In 2009 CNN Money Magazine featured Keller as one of the best places to live as far as small towns go. Today I'm taking some time to revisit a bit of old news.
Keller is my home. It's my lifelong home. There is no where on earth to me like Keller. I spent two summers teaching camps traveling all across the country and I've crossed the equator and the international dateline, so I have a few places to compare. But when a national magazine recognizes your home in such a way, you suddenly know you live in a little bit o' heaven on earth. Here are … (5 comments)

Another Arty Real Estate Note - 06/06/10 02:26 AM
It isn't often I have the privilege of selling houses to someone I consider highly artistic. After all, I am a business major and a business owner and find my clients to be, well, like me -- business-like. Or a mom, stuck in her own little world, devoid of any culture beyond Yo Gabba Gabba.
In my sphere of influence and clientele, I can literally count on one hand the people I consider to be highly artistic. That being said, I absolutely love it when I do have the opportunity to serve an artsy person when it comes to real estate, because they … (7 comments)

GRADUATES OF 2010: A piece of friendly advice - 06/04/10 10:31 AM
Today is a special day for a lot of young men and women around here. My little girl had a haircut last night and right beside her was a senior cleaning up for his big day. His shaggy hair was getting the special occasion chop. What real estate advice could we share with these kiddos who we can assume aren't listening to mom and dad right about now? Not that they'll listen to me, either. But if one does, what nuggets can we offer those who will listen?
If you are dorm bound, I guess we don't have a lot to … (7 comments)

Top 5 New Home Trends - 06/02/10 06:58 AM
Today I watched a video on home trends filmed at the 2010 International Builders Show. I confess, you may not want to click it -- it's the type that reminds me of Charlie Brown's teacher. With HGTV, why did I click that? Way too press conference-ee for most of our taste. Nonetheless, I'm really glad I did. The info is good to know although the delivery is far from the bells and whistles of Hollywood. To sum it up, reps from the National Association of Home Builders and Better Homes and Gardens both presented new construction statistics and consumer reports on expected home trends. This is a little bit of what … (101 comments)

 

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