Fort Worth Real Estate Online

Oakridge Estates in Euless, Texas... 3-2-2 for $168,900

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:28:02 -0600

Great news in Oakridge Estates in Euless, Texas !

The highly sought-after neighborhood... just a tad west of DFW Airport... rarely has any of it's two hundred homes for sale... but recently a few of the neighbors have decided to move.

Below is an example of one of these rare occurances. This three bedroom, two bath home has recently come up for sale... and is just waiting for some new lucky family to settle in and make itself at home.

The single story home measures about 1834 square feet, and is on one of the wider lots in the neighborhood. The lot measures 60 by 115 feet... which leaves a nice distance between the home, and the homes on either side.

Featured are three bedrooms... in a split-bedroom arrangement... two living areas... one of which could be used as a formal dining room if the new owners desired, and a roomy two-car garage.

Some of the upgrades features include a custom double-bowl sink with the large bowl/veggie bowl arrangement. Additionally, the kitchen features 42 inch raised panel cabinets, ceramic tile floor, full-box window seat, and a walk-in pantry with space for a full-sized washer and dryer.

The master bath has an oversized separate stall shower with marble surround, and a roomy jetted tub that just invites you to bring the candles and a glass of wine.

The last few homes that went up for sale in Oakridge Estates in Euless, Texas sold very quickly... usually within a week. This one shows no reason to be any different.

Priced at $168,900... the seller expects multiple offers within the week.

One Step Forward for Healthcare... One Giant Leap Backwards for Women's Freedom of Choice.

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:10:44 -0600

This morning as I was scanning the list of those who voted against the Health Care bill that was passed by the House yesterday, I saw that Dennis Kucinich voted against passage, I really wondered what the full story was behind his vote.

I am also very upset that the conservative bishops of the Catholic church chose to try and impose their religious beliefs upon the country by pressuring a group of conservative Democrats to vote against a woman's right to control her own body, and her own future... by inserting a major provision in the bill that was in a major way "Anti-Choice" for women.

This is just another example of insecure men wanting to continue controlling women, and another step by our country towards an American Taliban Theocracy. It appears that Conservative Americans, and conservative Iranians DO have quite a bit in common.

I do not fear any so-called "socialist agenda"... but I DO fear a country ruled and governed by the religious beliefs of one group of people. That is what Iran is, and that is what Saudi Arabia is. I do not want that for America. Conservative Americans... believe what you want... just don't force it on me !

Turning Our Clocks Back... A New Idea...

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:13:53 -0500

I have seen quite a few posts this week... more and more of then as we get close to the weekend... about "turning our clocks back" this coming Sunday.

You know... the old "Spring Forward, Fall Back" routine. I have also seen that although some folks get excited about having an extra hour to accomplish "this or that..." most folks usually talk about if they turn back the clock one hour... they can get an extra hour of sleep.

So... here is my question. If... instead of turning my clocks back ONE hour... I turn them back TWENTY-FIVE hours... could I possibly get away with an entire extra DAY of sleep ?

I am tired... and I need to make this work... LOL. Any suggestions ?

Two Great Reasons for Renewing the $8,000 Tax Credit

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:38:27 -0500

I have seen many articles written... both on Active Rain, and in the public media... about whether or not to renew the $8,000 tax credit that expires on November 30, 2009.

Here are two reasons... and in my opinion... the best two reasons for renewing the tax credit.

First... it does what other programs cannot do. It takes a buyer who may not be able to buy... and turns them into a buyer to can buy.

With the mortgage financing qualifying guideline changes that we have seen over the last eighteen months, and the disappearance of various programs that have helped first time buyers... this segment needs to remain as active as possible, to help stimulate the overall market.

The $8,000 can make a huge difference in the monetary lives of the typical first-time buyer. With the zero-down financing all but gone... many first time buyers have good income... more than enough to qualify for the payments... but without the zero-down financing... the great majority of them do not have the required down payment and closing costs to bring to closing to enable them to buy.

While a seller can be asked to pay the buyer's closing costs (in lieu of a buyer asking them to cut their price in an offer)... there usually isn't a way for them to come up with the down payment if they cannot get a gift letter from a family member.

The current tax credit program allows the buyer to pull all of their resources (if they have them) together for the down payment... but it then allows them to re-coup that money... via the $8,000 tax credit from Uncle Sam and Aunt Samantha... and use it to build up their savings again.

Reason number two for extending the tax credit... is that if first time buyers can buy... then the sellers they buy from... can "move up" to their next home.

The move-up market in many areas of the country is quite stagnant. One of the reasons is that those folks who own a home... cannot sell it. If they could, they would "move up"... which would allow the next teir of sellers to become buyers... which would "domino" into stimulating each succeeding "move up" seller... and turn THEM into a buyer.

I do realize that there is a heavy cost in providing the $8,000 tax credit... a cost to the government... which is, of course, a cost to you and me. For that reason... I would NOT take away the "first time buyer" or the "haven't bought in three years" rule... which currently exists in the tax rebate program.

I know those folks who are buying more expensive homes... or second and third homes... could use the $8,000 too... but... I think they would benefit even more by being able to sell their home to a move-up buyer provided by the scenario I mentioned above.

One more thing. I would NOT... absolutely NOT... announce any renewal of the tax credit program until at the very earliest... December 1, 2009. I would also make it crystal clear... that because of the cost... that this would be the ONLY extension this program would receive. I would probably extend it until November 30, 2010... period !

Fan Fun in Cleveland... Shaq and LeBron Feel Right at Home...

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:44:05 -0500

It appears that there won't be any problems between two of the biggest egos in the NBA getting along with each other this year. At a recent scrimmage... LeBron and Shaq ended up clowning around... like they had been teammates for years.

There have been those who have wondered if there would be enough room on the Cav's team for the two mega-stars to co-exist... but that problem... at least for right now... appears non-existent.

The Cavaliers held an intra-team scrimmage in Akron... with Shaq's Gold team beating LBJ's Wine team 54 to 38. The big guy played well, sinking 6 of his 8 shots... four of which were short jumpers rather than his patented Shaq-O-Matic slam dunk shots. That was good to see.

Shaq appears to be in fantastic shape... getting up and down the floor with ease... playing tough defense, and looked very good running the Cav's low post offense. James was James... looking great, but missing five of seven free throws. He needs to fix that.

This is the second most important year in recent memory for the Cavs... with Shaq being in town for two major reasons. The first... is obviously to win a championship. The second, of course, is just another of the many efforts the Cav's ownership has put forth to show LeBron that they will do whatever they need to to get Lebron his Championship Ring... and, of course, to keep him in Cleveland.

"Friending"... When Less... Just might be More !

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:45:34 -0500

Earlier today another Rainer wrote a post critiquing an article she read... which said agents should "avoid using 'real estate' as a way to connect with others."

Since my criticism is not of the writer, but of her idea... I will choose not to use her name. But... I wanted to share my response.

I had not read the article she was referring to, but from what she had to say about it... I had a pretty good guess at what it might be. I also just wanted to add my "two cents" to the concept, too.

Building an extremely wide group of "friends" you really don't know... other than labeling them as so-called "friends"... how deep do those relationships go ? Sounds pretty superficial.

Whereas...building simple friendships that actually ARE relationships... sounds like a much more lasting "connection" to make. Not everyone is interested in real estate. At least not at the moment. So... using real estate as a central point in making friends"... well, to me it just doesn't do much. Imagining myself just as a normal... whatever that means... a normal person outside real estate... why would I be "drawn" to someone in real estate ? I don't know if I would be.

But either being drawn to someone with whom I had a common interest... or drawn to someone because I had come to know what a great person they were... which means someone I could actually BE a friend with and to... well... THAT, at least for me, would be a better ultimate source of business... if that's what I was looking for.

I would much rather have thirty, or even ten, or five good folks that I knew... who really "knew" me... and called me a friend... than a thousand folks on some online entity who superficially called me "friend." But... to each her own.

But... bottom line... if it works for you... or for whomever... and has proven itself to, that is what you should focus on.

Townhouses... Carrollton, Texas Style ! From the high 190's

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:41:20 -0500

For all of you renters out there... if you're thinking about still trying to sneak in under the wire for the $8,000 tax credit that Uncle Sam and Aunt Samantha are just "itching" to give you... you need to see one of the hottest townhouse communities in south Carrollton, Texas.

It's a new kind of townhouse... made just for Texas. One of the drawbacks for many Texans as far as townhouses have been concerned... is that just about everyone who is interested in a townhouse... wants an end unit.

Usually, townhomes are built with anywhere from six to eight units in each building... which obviously means that out of an eight dwelling building, only two townhouses can be "end units."

Well... that has all changed ! There is a major new neighborhood that has recently opened in the wonderful, close-in city of Carrollton, Texas. It is an entirely townhouse neighborhood... but with one major exception not normally found in a townhouse community.

Each building... instead of having six to eight dwellings per building... when means six interior homes, and only two corner-units... this new neighborhood features a maximun of THREE units total per building... two of which, obviously, are "end units."

This is a major "happening" in Carrollton. Only open a few months... sales are brisk... and not many homes are left that will finish in time to qualify for the November 30th deadline needed to qualify for the $8,000 tax credit.

Sooo... if you are ready to go from "Just Looking" to "Let's Get Serious..." give Karen Anne Stone a call at the New Homes Hotline at (972) 951-4350 or (817) 929-3400. Call Karen today !

Ninety Days To Go... To Qualify for the Texas Homestead Exemption for Calendar Year 2010.

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:16:15 -0500

I bet most of the buyers that either you or I work with love a good surprise. Not bad ones, but good ones. The next ninety days offers the "last chance" for buyers to give themselves their very own Christmas Present.

That present comes in the form of the Homestead Exemption here in the State of Texas.

Texas is very big on home ownership. The higher the rate of home ownership, the more interested those folks are in creating beautiful yards and neighborhoods to live in.

The Homestead Exemption... the Cliff Notes version... works like this.

There are many "entities" that line up to tax each residential home. Cities, counties, schools, libraries, water districts, local community colleges... and so forth. Sometimes the list may seem to be endless.

Each of these entities... for the most part... sees a portion of the value of the home in question... become "not taxable" or "tax exempt"... when the owners of that home qualify for, apply for... and then receive... their very own "Homestead Exemption."

When putting all of these "forgiven parts" of the value of each home together... a pretty good chunk of the assessed valuation of the home can end up "not taxable"... or "tax exempt.

An average estimate of the prcentage of tax savings... and remember... this is just an "estimate"... usually comes in at around twelve percent. So... if the yearly real estate taxes on a home in Texas happens to be about $300 a month.. or $3,600 a year... if the Homestead Exemption hits in at around 12 percent... the total savings for the year could be approximately $36 dollars a month... or close to $400 a year.

In order for a home to qualify for a Homestead Exemption in the State of Texas... it must be "owned" by the owner as of January 1, 2010... and it ust be his or her primary residence. If the owner takes title any later than that... the home does not qualify for Homestead Exempt status until January 1, 2011.

If you are in the market for a new home, and are ready to go from "Just Looking" to "Let's Get Serious"... call the DFW New Home Hotline at (817) 929-3400 today !

An Active Rain Triple Play... Steve to Alice to Karen Anne... How My Post Came to Be !

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:16:15 -0500

It is kind of funny how one thing can lead to another on Active Rain... and how just reading the blog posts of others... can end up stimulating an idea that I end up making in a comment to one of those posts... which then leads to my using the idea from that comment... as the basis for a post, itself.

Like this one...

First... I read a post tonight written by Steve Shatsky... about how "It's a Sign of The Times" that so many people are living paycheck to paycheck. In my comment to Steve, I shared how important it is that all of us help to provide just a bit of whatever safety net we can... to help those in need.

Then... I read a post by Alice Linahan... titled "Help Someone If You Can." It, too, was along the lines of how absolutely important it is that we... need to help those in need... whenever possible. What a great thought !

My comment to Alice told a story that I want to share. Here it is...

Alice... I would like to share with you, if I may, something I saw some time ago on a Dr Wayne Dyer PBS show. It was also about helping people. Aside from any moral, spiritual good that helping someone does... Dr Dyer shared how helping someone... performing an act of kindness... actually has "healing effects" on the mind and body. But... there is more to it.

First... and Dr Dyer said that this was scientifically studied and measured... first... the person who receives the help... is overcome by such a warm and cared-for feeling, that certain enzymes are released into the blood... endorphins and other stuff... that actually produce a healing effect on the person helped.

But secondly, that feeling is ALSO experienced by the person performing the caring deed. They, too, experience the same degree of healing effects in their mind/body... from helping someone.

But... here is the surprise. Thirdly... if there is someone who actually sees... actually watches the caregiver tend to the cared-for person... that third person, too, experiences the same degree of mind/body healing effects... just from seeing someone help someone else. I thought that was just incredible, and when I think about it, it just makes so much sense.

By the way... special thanks to both Steve Shatsky and Alice Linahan for inspiring me. Active Rain strikes again. :)

My Career as a Girls Phys Ed Teacher...

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:32:19 -0500

Earlier this evening I wrote a post about one of the semi-final matches in the US Open Women's Tennis Championship taking place this weekend in Flushing, New York.

One commentor asked me a question about whether or not I played tennis. I answered that earlier in my life... I just loved playing tennis, but right now... my ankles are too weak, and getting around the court would be a problem. Then I started going into a story about my teaching career... which lasted nine years... and immediately preceded my becoming a Realtor. Here's the story.

It seemed like hundreds of years ago... but there I was... just beginning teaching. I was still IN college... but was asked by a local Catholic School if I would teach in their parish seventh grade... using a "provisional" teaching certificate. I had not even considered teaching as a career... but was really "taken" by the idea... and after much thought... I accepted.

The degree I was pursuing in college... was Psychology. I was minoring in Philosophy, and also had a second minor in French. I was having fun... and learning lots of things in fields I really enjoyed. Then... all of a sudden... there I was... teaching seventh and eighth grade.

I knew I had always possessed a talent... a gift for teaching. It just came naturally to me. And... in taking the required "teaching methods" courses to qualify for the provisional certificate... I had my start.

After our first curriculum meetings with the rest of the staff... our strengths as far as knowledge were discussed... and then the subjects for the "junior high" division... seventh and eighth grades... were handed out. I was always absolutely excellent at math... and after testing out of it in college... I was chosen to teach it to the seventh and eighth graders. Four classes of math, two of history, one homeroom... and then... came the following discussion... or challenge... whichever you prefer to call it.

It seemed there was enough money in the school budget for the boys to have a certified phys ed teacher... but for the girls... no. And... way back then... it wasn't even thought necessary that the girls even NEEDED to have phys ed. After all... they... were girls !

So... as the principal looked around the room... she came to the last two teachers... myself, and an eighty-three year old nun with really bad arthritis. One look at poor Sister Mary Holywater... and the decision was obvious. I... was chosen... as the new girls phys ed teacher for all of the eighth grade girls. I loved it. It was great.

I must admit... I had to spend a lot of my own money on equipment... although many of the girls had their own things they could bring. But... we did it. Ran track, did calisthentics, played soccer... and played softball... and played it with enough enthusiasm that we actually challenged the boys to a game... and BEAT them.

And that... is how teaching phys ed... became part of my teaching resume. I had forgotten all about that... until the question earlier today about whether or not I played tennis. What a nice memory to have run past my mind's eye again. :)

Serena... Playing Sub-Par... Explodes at Referee... Loses to Clijsters

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:31:50 -0500

Today was not a good day for Serena Williams. Not a good day at all.

After waiting and waiting... through several long rain delays... her US Open Tennis Championship match with Kim Clijsters was finally set to start.

As the match wore on... Williams played below her usual game, and ended up losing the first set, 6-4. Serena was fuming... angry at herself for losing the first set. She was so upset, she slammed her racquet into the ground, bending the frame and earning a warning from the referee.

The second set was equally rough. Both players played their hearts out. And then it came. Serena was serving... behind 5-6... and needing a victory in the game to take it to a 6-6 tie... which would then result in a tie-break. The score was 15-30... with Williams behind. Serena faulted on her first serve, and on her second serve... the line judge called a foot fault... making it a double-fault. That made the score 15-40.

Serena went wild. She started yelling at the line judge, shaking her finger at her... and then motioning with the tennis ball in her hand. Some later reports said that Serena threatened to shove the ball down the line judges throat... although that has yet to be verified. Williams then went over and said something else to the line judge, who reported it to the chair umpire. That led to the chair umpire ruling unsportsmanlike conduct... awarding a point to Clijsters.

The problem was... with Serena behind in games 5-6... and down in points in the game that could tie it for her... 15-40... that when the umpire awarded Kim Clijsters a point because of Serena's actions... that pushed the 15-40 score to a win for Clijsters. That meant that instead of Williams tying the set at 6-6... the score was now 5-7... in Clijsters favor... which meant... Clisters had won the match.

It was a crazy ending to a wild second set. Both women played full tilt... and even Ms Clijsters was sad to see the match end that way.

But... the final result was that Kim Clijsters had won... beating Serena Williams by the score of 6-4, 7-5. Even with the final controversial ending, Ms Clijsters had clearly outplayed Ms Williams... and deserved the win. Clijsters will now play in the final against Caroline Wozniacki... hopefully if the rain will allow... on Sunday.

US Open Tennis in Flushing, NY. What's All The Screaming About ?

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:50:47 -0500

I have been a fan of Women's Tennis for as long as I can remember. I have been avidly watching the US OPEN Tennis Championships at Flushing, New York this week... and have really been enjoying taking the time out of my days and nights... just to sit and enjoy.

Today there have been some rain delays. Actually, for pretty much the entire day. Sooo... the folks at the Open have been re-playing some past matches... again... very enjoyable. BUT...

Today... earlier... there was a replay of a 1999 match between Serena Williams and Martina Hingis. Perhaps because it was ten years ago... something that has bothered me for some years... really jumped out at me. It is the crazy, very distracting SCREAMING that many of today's women tennis stars indulge themselves in.

In this match between Ms Hingis and Ms Williams... which Serena won... the screaming was very evident. Martina Hingis... just simply played excellent tennis. Serena hit the ball to Martina... and Martina hit it back. When it was Martina's turn to serve... she simply tossed the ball up in the air... and hit it. But... when Serena was doing the hitting... this incredible SCREAM came forth. When Martina hit the ball... again... just exceptional tennis. No screams... no noise. I wonder how much all that screaming... way back then... ten years ago... bothered Ms Hingis ?

Then... back to the present. This evening the Open folks are replaying a match from a few days ago. The 17 year old sensation Melanie Oudin was playing Maria Sharapova. Sharapova... some years ago... was the then-current "darling" of the tennis world... accomplishing so much at such an early age. Now... Melanie Oudin is doing the same. Surprising everyone with her adept play... and exhibiting a court awareness way beyond her years.

Back to the match. Once again... every time Melanie hit the ball... nothing but superb tennis. Whenever Maria Sharapova hit the ball... the SHREIK was so loud... it had to be distracting. I know that even with me sitting at home, watching the match, I was distracted.

So... for the many'eth time... why all the SCREAMING ? If I were playing against one of the screamers... I would love to lodge a protest. Unsportsmanlike conduct. The rules need to be changed. The screams must be stopped.

Yes, I know. Picky, picky, picky. But... fair... is fair.

I know... it will take a while. Some habits can take a long time to change. BUT... nothing can change a habit quite like being given a penalty. First scream... a warning. Second scream... perhaps take away that player's "second serve." But... for the third scream, and every scream thereafter... the screamer loses a point. Sooner or later... the screamer will lose either a game because of it, or maybe a set, or maybe even lose an entire match if the scream comes at just the right... or wrong critical moment.

Women's tennis fans. What do you think ? Should the screaming be deemed "unsportsmanlike conduct ? I say yes. Should it be stopped ? Again, I say yes !

President Obama... Extols the Traditional Value of Education...

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:39:24 -0500

I don't know if you, the reader, watched President Obama addressing the high-schoolers this morning, but he did a masterful job. The kids were just great. They were very focused on him, and seemed to be taking his words of encouragement very seriously. That he would take time out of his day to show them he cared about these kids' future... I am sure it meant a lot to the kids.

How anyone... and I do mean ANYONE... could take this as some sort of a negative... just blows my mind. I think all those who were ranting and raving for what seemed like weeks before this speech... have ended up looking pretty darn foolish. If anything... Obama's speech was very much a traditional "family values" speech that even any Republican would have been... or should have been proud to give.

I am very proud of President Obama for putting up with all the nonsense he faced in the days and weeks leading up to this... and for making his presentation in spite of the overly-vocal complaints of a few.

What's Wrong With This Poster ?

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:37:36 -0500

A few days ago I was reading a post by one of my... shall we say... "more conservative" friends. She was writing about the typical conservative talking points that many of her "tribe" enjoy... when out of nowhere... the poster below was shown in her post.

I believe the original post was about all the "upset" that the far right was "feeling" about President Obama spending some time speaking to the nation's children... trying to impress upon them the importance of staying in school... and of making the best of their educational opportunities.

And then came this poster above. I think the "upset" was something like... "Can you imagine... going into a classroom in our nation's public schools... and seeing that the teacher has posted THIS... on one of the classroom bulletin boards."

For those who may be having truble reading the poster... is says...

"I Pledge Allegiance... to the Earth... and all the LIFE which it supports... ONE PLANET, in our care, irreplaceable, with SUSTENANCE and RESPECT FOR ALL."

The post writer went on and on... just piling on "upset" after "upset" about this horrible poster. It was "un-American"... it was somehow anti-Christian... and these poor folks were just "beside themselves" with their upset.

So... dear readers... I ask your help. What is wrong with this poster ?

Do you... see it as somehow "un-American ?"

And finally... do you see it as somehow being "anti-Christian ?"

Help me out here... I just don't get it ?

Fort Worth/Dallas... Number One on the Top Ten Cities to Earn a Living... per Forbes Magazine

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 10:30:20 -0500

Well, my dear friends at Forbes magazine have done it again !

Forbes has just released a study that names the Top Ten best cities to earn a living in. One of the main criteria they use is that the cities must have plenty of companies doing business in high-paying, growth industries.

The Top Ten cities are... in order:

1) Fort Worth/Dallas

2) Houston

3) Minneapolis

4) Austin, Texas

5) Washington, D.C.

6) St. Louis

7) Seattle

8) Atlanta

9) Kansas City, Mo.

10) Denver

Forbes says this is the economic reality now, and the conditions are likely to get even better as health care, technolgy, and energy draw more employees into their ranks.

I mentioned at the beginning that with this survey that my "friends" at Forbes magazine have done it again. Are the folks at Forbes also my friends when they come up with conclusions that I disagree with ? Well... not so much. LOL.

Fort Worth Hulen Area Women - Discover Shelton's Salon and Day Spa

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:57:39 -0500

About eight years ago... I had one of the world's absolute worst "bad hair days." I was just beside myself. I felt my life was no longer worth living. I wanted to run and hide. I obviously needed a new "do."

Luckily... that afternoon I was driving down Hulen Street... after visiting the Border's Books at the corner of Hulen and I-30. As I was driving down Hulen Street... I just happened to notice a store-front sign I had never seen before. It was... Shelton's Salon and Day Spa.

Now... I had never been a "spa" kind of girl. BUT... I was paranoid about having my hair look as great as it could. That... and my bad hair day... prompted me to do a quick U-turn... and pull into the parking lot. My curiosity was aroused.

When I walked inside... of course I was more than a tad "timid." Hair is a big thing for me... and I didn't quite know what to expect.

Luckily... that was the day I met Carol Eller. Carol is one of the "Designers" at Shelton's... and wow... is she great.

I first went to the front counter... talked with the Salon Manager... explained my needs and concerns... and asked her to recommend one of her best stylists for me. And yes... she immediately took me over to meet Carol.

Since that fateful day... I have been a fan of Carol... actually more of a fanatic. Describing Carol as an artist with the scissors, the color concoctions... and the perm rods... is nothing of an overstatement. She is That Good !

If you are ever in the Hulen area... and need someone to tend to your hair and beauty needs you can trust... Shelton's is the place... and Carol Eller is the woman who makes it happen.

Mollie the Guard Cat... On The Job... Fast Asleep !

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:31:05 -0500

These days... with all the elephants that have been know to prowl my neighborhood... a girl can never be too careful. That's why I have "protection."

Poor Miss Mollie T Cat. I guess she has been sitting there... under my desk... a little too long.

I've been sitting here... AT my desk... making comments, reading posts, making sense of the groups I belong to, and happened to look down... just to see what Mollie T was doing.

There she was. My faithful guard cat, companion and confidante... Miss Mollie T. She was, of course, sitting there UNDER my desk in her "guard cat" position... but she was also... fast ASLEEP.

I'm not quite sure how she could be protecting me from all the elephants that roam my Texas neighborhood... and still be asleep at the same time... but somehow she does it.

At least... looking around... I don't SEE any elephants around. I guess that Mollie IS just that good. The elephants fear her... even when she is asleep. What a kitty !

Hillary Clinton's Sixth-Grade Letter... "When I grow up..."

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:48:55 -0500

I don't know about you... but when I was in the sixth grade... I did NOT write anything like this. It just wasn't on my mind at the time.

The year would have been about 1958. Hillary Diane Rodham was eleven years old. She was in the sixth grade. Ms Hillary recently appeared on the Meet The Press television show with David Gregory. One of the things she shared was the letter below.

Eleven year-old Hillary's letter is titled "My Future." It reads as follows: "When I grow up I want to have had the best education I could have possibly obtained. If I obtain this, I will probably be able to get a very good job. I want to either be a teacher or a nuclear physics scientist."

Now... if you are a reader of my blog posts... you of course know that I am a fan, and an avid supporter of Ms Hillary's. But... this post will not go in that direction... at least not in particular.

But... in general... what an awareness this young girl had way back then... in 1958... at the age of eleven.

I would really love to know how many of today's "kids" in school... have had thoughts like this ? How many eleven year-olds do you know who have "wonderings" and "goals" like those stated in the above letter... rolling around in their "little kid brains."

I look at a group of kids this age today... and perhaps the best place to see a good "sampling" of them would be when they leave school in the afternoon... but... yikes... just looking at them, and from afar... trying to climb into their minds and imagine what kinds of thoughts are going on "in there."

By the way... eleven years after writing the above letter... Hillary Diane Rodham became the first STUDENT to deliver the commencement address at Wellesley College. Did she achieve her goal of getting what she called "the best education ?" It appears so.

How many of today's eleven year-olds are thinking this far ahead ? Whaddya think ? Let's hear your thoughts.

Fort Worth Hulen Area New Homes... Master Bedroom... $151,990

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:07:27 -0500

Here is Part Three of the spacious 2022 sq ft (per the builder) brand new home... and this final chapter features the Master Bedroom.

As you can see from the picture below... the master bedroom is quite spacious. Room enough for a huge bed and both a night stand on the left side, and a desk on the right side.

Also shown below is a decorative table on the rear wall... with room to spare. It's a perfect place for decorative accent pieces, or to display full flower or bud vases.

As you can see below, that is a pretty good-sized table... similar to the type that decorators often place behind the sofa in either a living room or family room.

Opposite the foot of the master bed (of mistress bed if you so choose) is a triple dresser... with lots of room to spare. And... the double pair of windows on the rear wall frame the "butler's table" very nicely.

Also... as you can see above, there is more than enough room for a cedar chest for storage, and a nice quilt cover to be placed on top of it. What a nice touch that would be.

The master/mistress bedroom is at the rear of the home... in a split/master arrangement. This allows for maximum master suite privacy by placing the other three bedrooms at the front far corner of the family room hall... which is also great for kids or guests privacy, too.

This home is priced at $151,990... and as mentioned above... is (per the builder) approximately 2022 sq ft in size. If you hurry, there is still time to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit Uncle Sam and Aunt Samantha are providing first time home buyers and home buyers who have not owned a home in the last three years.

Fort Worth Hulen Area New Homes... Family Room... $151,990

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:45:36 -0500

After being totally blown away by the gourmet kitchen of this wonderful home, take a look at the Family Room, shown below.

The view is from the kitchen... looking over the full-length serving/breakfast bar, and into the family room. Notice the full wall of windows on the left side... which is the rear of the home. On the other side of those windows is a very nice-sized covered patio... great for bar-be-que'ing all winter long... if you call what Fort Worth has... winter ?

Also shown in the far left of the above picture is the wood-burning fireplace. It is not simply a "show" fireplace, but actually burns real live wood... unlike some of the homebuilders in this same price range. Also shown is the cast-stone mantle, surround and hearth... a great accent for the fireplace... AND... a standard feature in the home.

Here is a grea view of the family room on a slight angle. It shows it to be quite roomy, with more than enough room to accomodate the breakfast bar "high chairs"... and a full complement of living/family room furniture. The far wall is great for a mega-screen digital TV (you have to get your own, sorry)... making the TV visible from all three... the family room, the kitchen and the breakfast/morning room.

This great home measures approximately 2022 sq ft per the builder... and is priced at $151,990. The builder currently has a program that offers a nice allowance for buyers to select some of the optional features that they want in THEIR home.

And... if you hurry, there's still time to sneak in and take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit that our Uncle Sam and Aunt Samantha currently have available to first time homebuyers... and those who have not owned a home in the past three years.

Fort Worth Hulen Area New Homes... Gourmet Kitchen... $151,990

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:00:14 -0500

I was showing homes to a very nice buyer today. We were getting along very well... sharing concerns, asking and answering questions... and of course, pointing out all the great places to show while we were driving around.

And then... we came to the coolest home. And wow... did it have a kitchen that really makes you go WOW !

The above picture is taken from standing in the family room... with my back to the back of the sofa... and looking into the "working end" of the kitchen. I think it's safe for me to call this a "gourmet" kitchen. Super natural wood stained cabinets... and the hanging cabinets are 42"... a really great height for cabinets. The buyer just loved the medium cherry'ish stain, too.

Above is another picture taken from the breakfast/morning room end of the kitchen... and showing the "working end" of the kitchen from a different viewpoint. From here you can see the great center island, the wide work-area counter top with the double sink... and the full-length serving bar... and again... notice the shine of these absolutely gorgeous kitchen cabinets.

This gourmet kitchen is just one of the many WOW features of this great home. By the way... the home measures approximately 2022 sq ft per the builder... and is currently priced at $151,990. The builder also currently has a special promotion going on where the buyer can have their choice of some of the custom options in the home... included at no charge.

And... if you really hurry... there's still time to build a home just like this one... and get it closed and funded by the November 30, 2009 deadline... to be eligible for the $8,000 buyer tax refund that our Uncle Sam and Aunt Samantha have made available to either first time homebuyers... or buyers who have not owned a home in the past three years.

Miss Mollie T... My Guard Cat and Protector

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:25:08 -0500

There are times when a girl just needs to get some sleep. Mollie T, shown below, is my "guard cat." All night long Miss Mollie patrols our home... chasing away the elephants and alligators, and all the other forms of wildlife and other agents of evil who might choose to do us harm.

But... there are times when a girl just has to get some rest. I guess you could say that I, Miss Mollie T's "cat-mother"... work the day shift, and Mollie T works the night shift. So, of course, Miss Mollie needs to get her rest during the day... in order to re-gather her strength for the next night... so she can continue her quest to protect our house and home from all of the inherent evils of society. I don't know what I would do without Miss Mollie T.

Need A Poddy Break While Driving ? Visit Texas... What A Relief !

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:31:13 -0500

As many cities, towns and couties are doing, there was an article in USA Today recently that recounted some of the many things that some of the individual states are doing to "cut costs" to help them lessen their budgetary woes.

One of those cost-cutting activities... is shutting down rest areas on the major highways and interstates that pass through those states.

USA Today reported that the state of Virginia is shutting down 19 of it's 42 rest area facilities by July 21... four of them along Interstate 95... a major travel corridor along the East Coast. Vermont, Maine, Louisiana and Colorado have also closed rest stops in the past year.

Facing massive a funding state budget shortfall, Virginia maintains it will save $9 million dollars a year by padlocking those facilities.

AAA spokesman John Townsend said "You're going to need a strong back, and a strong bladder to get through Virginia now." Townsend continued by saying that "roads are safer when tired motorists have somewhere to pull off, and rest stops provide security and sanitation..." including the obvious need for poddy breaks.

Other states, like Tennessee and Arizona are considering shutting rest areas, as well. Louisiana has closed 24 aging rest stops out of 34 since 2000, saving $250,000 a year on each one.

But folks... here it comes. Just one more reason to relocate or visit the Great State of Texas. No Poddy-Break Problem !

Texas, by contrast, is upgrading its 98 rest stops, and adding internet kiosks and Wi-Fi access.

There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Texas !

Hidden Away in Euless, Texas... A Quiet, Serenely Peaceful Neighborhood Park...

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:56:59 -0500

Right down the road from Oak Ridge Estates in Euless, Texas is a nice hidden-away neighborhood park. Although I find the park very pretty, I think that, during the week, the thing I enjoy most about it is simply the peace and quiet. There is almost NEVER anyone there during the week.

Hidden Away in Euless... just across from Wilshire Elementary School... is the entrance to Wilshire Park. It's pretty well hidden, so you've really got to look for the "sign"... which is the large rock pictured below.

Kynette Street is on the North Side of Wilshire Elementary, and that's where you'll find the Wilshire Rock, and the entrance to Wilshire Park and Wilshire Pond ! There's plenty of parking, but Wilshire Park is easily within walking distance from all of the Wilshire area, and also from nearby Oak Ridge Estates.

Just a short distance into the park, you'll find a nice array of picnic tables, bar-be-que grills, playground equipment, and the walkway leading down to Wilshire Pond. It's a great place to bring the kids... the little ones, your toddlers, and even your grade-schoolers and your teens. Family fun... and it's Free !

There's a nice walkway/jogging path all the way around Wilshire Pond. And... one great thing about Wilshire Park... nobody seems to know about it... because it is never crowded. So... if you're like I am... and want to walk or jog, but don't want a crowd of people around... this is a great place to do it.

In addition to picnics and barbeques, jogging and playground equipment, Wilshire Park also features it's own fishing pier. Bring your rod, sit right down, dangle your legs, give your rod a "whirl"... and fish your cares away. Sometimes you might even put some bait on the hook... but many folks who like to fish tell me that fishing isn't always about catching the fish... it's more about "the fishing." Either way, baited or not, fishing off the pier is very, very relaxing.

Another really fun thing you can do at Wilshire Park is take a blanket across the Wilshire Pond to the other side of the southern fountain (there are two of them)... , spread out the blanket, and just relax, read a book, listen to your I-Pod, or just chill. Many times I have taken a book with me, spread out my blankie, and just read a chapter or two. Once again... very, very relaxing.

So... give yourself a real treat. Come on down to Wilshire Park. Bring the kids, bring your sweetie, or just bring yourself ! The weather these days is still very much bearable... with all the shade... so there's still lots of time to let go of your stress. Come on Down... to Wilshire Park !

If you like what you see here, there are many very affordable homes within walking distance of Wilshire Park. Just give Karen Anne Stone a call at (817) 929-3400. She can show you how easily you can purchase a home... and be within walking distance to Wilshire Pond. Call Karen today !

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To view some of the great homes in Euless, Texas... including Oak Ridge Estates... visit Karen Anne Stone's website at www.NewHomeHuntersDFW.com . Karen Anne can be reached at (817) 929-3400 . Her email is KarenAnneStone@gmail.com .

West Fort Worth New Homes Model... Low 150's... Is About a Week Away from Grand Opening...

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:50:22 -0500

What a great home... and it's about a week or two away from the grand model opening... and I've got several buyers who are thrilled.

Located in West Fort Worth, in the Lockheed area, is priced at $151,990... this four bedroom two full bath home... all 2,022 sq ft of it... is even prettier on the inside.

And... it's such a lot of home for the money. It's in an area of west Fort Worth where most of the homes are on more narrow building lots... but this home comes on a lot that is actually ten feet wider than is typical for this price.

This four bedroom, two bath home is exceptional. The Master Suite has a split-master arrangement... with the master suite at the rear of the home.

The master bath has both a garden tub and a separate stall shower... and a huge walk-in closet, plus an additional linen closet. Very nice.

The gourmet kitchen has oodles of cabinets and counter space... with an extra-wide breakfast/serving bar that opens to the Family Room. An island is included... and the breakfast nook either comes with a "wall of windows" or a wrap-around five-sided bay-window effect.

The Family Room is huge... and on the rear wall of the Family Room... there is another "wall of windows." Off the breakfast/morning room is an over-sized covered patio. So many features... at such a reasonable price.

If you are ready to leave your "just looking" stage... and move to the "Let's Get Serious" phase of your home hunt... call Karen Anne Stone at (817) 929-3400. Karen Anne also has the scoop on the $8,000 tax credit that Uncle Sam and Aunt Samantha are waiting to give you. Call Karen today.