Richard Weeks, REALTOR®, 's Blog

REALTOR® Lunch 11/18/09 from 12-1:30

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:36:17 -0600

Please join us today for a REALTOR® lunch and the opportunity to view this wonderful home. This is a great open floor plan with three bedrooms two living areas and wonderful first floor study. Plantation shutters, scraped hardwoods, kitchen has granite counter tops, stainless appliances, built in microwave, gas stove. Corner fireplace with electronic control gas logs.

House is located at 5604 Winton Street in east Dallas.

Happy birthday to my sister.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:36:44 -0600

Today is my sister, Vicki Barrilleaux, birthday. Here is a picture of her and Katie Couric. Vicki is a colon cancer survivor, and Katie late husband died of colon cancer. They became friends because of this tie.. Vicki has a passion for letting people know the importance of being tested for colon cancer. She will be in a commercial which will be run nationally on Fox network on Thanksgiving after the Cowboys game.

Vicki fought a courageous battle and has a strong will to live. She is cancer free, always has a smile on her face, and is someone I love very much.

Happy birthday Vicki.

Open House 5604 Winton Street Saturday November 14th

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:59:03 -0600

Open House 5604 Winton Street in east Dallas on Saturday, November 14^th. Wonderfully light and bright home with open floor plan Stunning 3 bedroom home with 2 living areas is an entertainer's dream. Plantation shutters, scraped hardwoods, kitchen has granite counter tops, stainless appliances, built in microwave, gas stove. Corner fireplace with electronic control gas logs. Easy walking distance to Mockingbird station, restaurants, and shopping. Nice 1st floor study

Only 2 weeks till Thanksgiving

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:58:35 -0600

Well Thanksgiving is just two weeks away.

We have the menu all planned and some of the items already purchased. Hope to get the remaining items tomorrow.

Here is what our menu consist of

Turkey Breast

Ham

Cornbread dressing

Mashed potatoes

Green beans

Green salad

Dinner rolls

Cherry pie

So what are you going to have?

Maxine on a Fail Safe Plan

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:13:23 -0600

We're going to pass a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it, to be signed by a president that also hasn't read it and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's nearly broke.

Open House Sunday November 8th

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:57:09 -0600

Open house this weekend. 5604 Winton, Sunday November 8^th,, 2-4. Please stop by this gorgeous home! Wonderfully light and bright home with open floor plan Stunning 3 bedroom home with 2 living areas is an entertainer's dream. Plantation shutters, scraped hardwoods, kitchen has granite counter tops, stainless appliances, built in microwave, gas stove. Corner fireplace with electronic control gas logs. Easy walking distance to Mockingbird station, restaurants, and shopping. Fantastic first floor study.

Open House Saturday November 7th

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:54:12 -0600

Open house this weekend. 5604 Winton, Saturday November 7^th, 9-12. Please stop by this gorgeous home! Wonderfully light and bright home with open floor plan Stunning 3 bedroom home with 2 living areas is an entertainer's dream. Plantation shutters, scraped hardwoods, kitchen has granite counter tops, stainless appliances, built in microwave, gas stove. Corner fireplace with electronic control gas logs. Easy walking distance to Mockingbird station, restaurants, and shopping. Fantastic first floor study.

Great News For Home Buyers

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:19:41 -0600

The extension and expansion of the popular first-time home

buyers tax credit gives both new and move-up buyers a tax

incentive to buy a home until at least April 30, 2010, and

longer for military personnel.

1) The new tax credit extends the existing credit for first-time

home buyers, worth up to $8,000, and offers a new credit of

up to $6,500 for some existing homeowners.

2) The reduced credit for existing homeowners is available to

those who have been in their current residence for a

consecutive five-year period.

3) The new rule also raises the qualifying income limits to

$125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for joint

taxpayers, from the current $75,000 and $150,000.

4) The maximum allowed home purchase price is $800,000.

5) A home buyer must have a sale agreement in hand by

April 30 and close escrow by June 30, 2010.

6) Military personnel, deployed overseas for a minimum of

90 days in 2008 or 2009, would have until April 30, 2011 to

claim the tax credit.

Havana Jim's Grand Opening

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:00:33 -0600

Today marks the opening of Havana Jim's cigar store at 190 E Stacy Road in Allen Texas (just north of Dallas).

Owner Jim Gauch is a friend of our and has been working on his new store for several months. Last evening we made the 26 mile drive from east Dallas to visit Jim as he was making last minute preparation for today's opening. The place looks magnificent. Very warm and cozy. There are no other cigar shops in the general area and I think Jim will to quite well with this new venture.

Gook luck Jim

Bryan Place Block Party

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:53:44 -0600

Today residents of Bryan Place will gather for some food, Cowboys and a dog show.

There will be grilled hamburgers and hotdogs while the game is going on. At half time there will be a Pet Parade, with prizes awarded for the best 2 and 4 legged in costume. Entry fee is only $5, and proceeds will be donated to the animal shelter.

With such nice weather there should be a large turn out.

Tax Credit Extension

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:11:50 -0500

There still seems to be no traction out of the House to extend the November 30, 2009 deadline,

lots of talk, nothing official. With the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, November

26th and 27th; and November 30th being a Monday, I would suggest that your purchase

close by November 25, 2009 to insure receiving the $8,000 tax credit. Loans should be in process

by early November to guarantee a smooth closing and allow for all settlement providers, not just

the lender or title company.

Open House 2407 Madera Street

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:11:42 -0500

^th We will be hosting an open house today from 2-4 p.m.

With rainy weather and The Cowboys on TV not sure this is a good idea; however hope you can stop by.

This updated Craftsman styled home with lush landscaping & tree shaded backyard. 9'ceilings, open living & dining, refurb hardwoods, HVAC replace in 2006 and roof in 2008, stone patio in back, & large storage shed. This home is a beauty! 1118 sq ft and priced at $220,000.

Great location. Walk to the hottest restaurants and bars on Henderson, near lower Greenville area.

Junior Brown Concert Friday Oct 2nd

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:16:43 -0500

Junior Brown will be in concert this evening at the Granada Theater, located at 3524 Greenville Avenue, Dallas Texas. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with opening acts (Jesse Dayton and Spur 503) starting at 8.

Mr. Brown's show should begin about 10:00. With his unique Guit Steel, a combination of electric guitar and lap steel guitar, brings the best of country, blues, Tex-Mex, Western swing style music.

If you are in the DFW area and have not attended one of his concerts, give it a try. You will not be disappointed.

A Seinfeld reunion of sorts.

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:35:45 -0500

"It's not a reunion but it's the closest you'll get" is how HBO is promoting this Sunday's episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. This will be the first appearance of the four members of the Seinfeld comedy show, as they all appear on Seinfeld's co creator Larry David comedy hit.

Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander and Julia Louis-Dreyfus have made guest appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm; however this week all four members will appear as themselves.

If you are a Seinfeld fan this should be worth watching.

Open House 2407 Madera

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:21:09 -0500

We will be hosting an open house at 2407 Madera, Sunday October 4^th from 2-4 p.m.

Great location. Walk to the hottest restaurants and bars on Henderson, near lower Greenville area.

Texas Intemediary Relationships Part 2

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:04:00 -0500

I recently wrote about the intermediary relationship in Texas (see http://activerain.com/blogsview/1251968/texas-intemediary-relationship)

The Texas Real Estate License act has very specific rules a broker must follow for Intermediary to take place. A broker may act as an intermediary between parties to a real estate transaction if the broker obtains written consent from each party for the broker to act as an intermediary in the transaction; and the written consent of the parties states the source of any expected compensation to the broker. The law goes on to say a written listing agreement and a written buyers rep agreement are sufficient to establish the written consent..

Additionally the intermediary shall act fairly and impartially.

Also the intermediary may not disclose to the buyer or tenant that the seller or landlord will accept a price less than the asking price, unless otherwise instructed in a separate writing by the seller or landlord.

May not disclose to the seller or landlord that the buyer or tenant will pay a price greater than the price submitted in a written offer to the seller or landlord, unless otherwise instructed in a separate writing by the buyer or tenant.

May not disclose any confidential information or any information a party specifically instructs the broker or salesperson in writing not to disclose, unless: (A) the broker or salesperson is otherwise instructed in a separate writing by the respective party; (B) the broker or salesperson is required to disclose the information by this chapter or a court order; or (C) the information materially relates to the condition of the property;

Must not treat a party to a transaction dishonestly

And finally must not violate the Real Estate License Act.

If the law is followed Intermediary works well.

Maquechoux (Cajun Corn)

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:56:28 -0500

Maquechoux, pronounced "MOCK SHOE", is a Cajun dish that my mother would often prepare. Best when you can use fresh corn; however if not available use frozen.

6 ears of corn
4 tablespoons butter
1-onions, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
2 large ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped
1 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoons black pepper
2 tablespoons sugar
½ cup evaporated milk

Shuck the corn and remove all of the cornsilk. Cut the kernels off the cob.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan or pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, celery and tomatoes and saute until the onions are transparent, about 10 - 12 minutes. Stir in the salt and peppers, then add the corn and milk from the cobs, the sugar and evaporated milk and stir well. Reduce heat to medium and cook until the corn is tender, about 15-20 minutes.

Why not corn beef hash at home?

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:35:45 -0500

Here is an easy way to make corn beef hash at home:

•· 2 tablespoons butter

•· 1 tablespoon olive oil

•· 2 cups cooked corned beef, finely chopped (about ¼ pound not sliced from your stores deli)

•· 3 cups cooked, chopped potatoes

•· ½ purple onion diced

•· ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

•· salt, pepper to taste

Melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add corned beef, potatoes, and minced onion, salt, pepper and pepper flakes. Spread evenly in the skillet. Brown on one side; turn with a spatula and brown the other side. Continue turning until most of the meat and potatoes are well-browned.

Corn Pudding

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:01:15 -0500

Corn Pudding

1 can cream corn

1/ ½ cups corn kernels

¾ cup white cornmeal

½ cup melted butter

1 chopped onion

3 beaten eggs

2 small cans diced green chiles, drained

½ teaspoon soda

1/8 teaspoon red pepper

1 cup milk

1 ½ cups shredded cheese

Heat oven to 350

Combine creamed corn, corn, cornmeal, butter, onions, eggs and green chiles.. Stir the baking soda, red pepper into the milk and add to the corn mixture.

Butter a glass baking dish. Pour half the batter in the dish, top with cheese, and top with the remaining batter. Bake 50-60 minutes.

Texas Intemediary Relationship

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:19:59 -0500

In September 1995 the Texas State Legislature made one of the most significant changes to the real estate licensing act, which established an agency relationship called Intermediary.

If a brokerage represents a buyer and a seller in the same transaction this is considered an Intermediary transaction.

The broker is always the Intermediary. The broker can elect to appoint one of their agents to represent the seller and another agent to represent the buyer (Intermediary with appointment). In this situation each agent can provide advice and opinion to their client. And any confidential information must remain confidential.

Secondly the broker can elect to assign one agent to both parties (Intermediary without appointment). The agent can not provide any advice or opinion. They can prepare the paperwork provide general information to both parties.

The broker can never appoint themselves to either party and must treat everyone honestly, and can never provide advice or opinion.

Half price dining in the Metroplex

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:26:21 -0500

How would you like to eat out at half the price?

Here is an interesting web site where you can actually find restaurants in the Metroplex at half the price.

You can search for restaurants by name, zip code, location, or by an alphabetic index.

So while we all are watching what we spend this is a pretty good deal.

Check it out:

http://dfw.dininghalfoff.com

November 3rd, 2009 Constitutional Amendment Election

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:27:30 -0500

On November 3^rd, Texas voters will cast their ballots for or against changes to the state constitution.

Proposition 11 which is HJR 14 -1 deals with eminent domain and "would amend the constitution to provide that the taking of private property for public use is authorized only if it is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, its political subdivisions, the public at large, or by entities granted the power of eminent domain, or for the removal of urban blight. The amendment would prohibit the taking of private property for transfer to a private entity for the purpose of economic development or to increase tax revenues. The amendment would also limit the legislature's authority to grant the power of eminent domain in the future unless it is approved by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house."

The wording on the ballot would read: "The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature 's authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity."

If passed I guess this would have prohibited the building of Jerry's new stadium. I think it is a pretty good change.

FTC Issues Ban on Prerecorded Sales Calls

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:00:48 -0500

As of September 1, 2009 a new Federal Trade Commission rule bans prerecorded sales calls made without a consumer's written consent. This applies to calls that are answered by the consumer or by an answering machine. The permission may be obtained electronically.

The new rule does not prohibit prerecorded messages that are strictly to provide information such as to reconfirm an appointment or a reservation. Also all prerecorded sales calls now must contain an opt out feature at the beginning of the prerecorded message.

My question is how do you report the violators?

Jay Leno's new show

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:58:13 -0500

Unless you have been on another planet you know last night was the premier of the new Jay Leno show.

A new set, the absence of sitting behind a desk, monolog, head line news, interesting guest; however somehow it just did not work for me.

We will give him another chance but need to see some improvement.

Mother Accused of Raping Son

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:48:58 -0500

I just read a most bizarre story of a woman who used the internet to track down her son that she gave up for adoption ten years ago.

Now the 35 year old mother is accused of having sex with her son who is not a teenager.

Authorities will not say if the teenager knew she was his mother.

You can read more at the following site: