Blogs By Dallas

Classic Macaroni Salad INGREDIENTS: 2 cups cooked macaroni 2 eggs, hard-boiled, chopped 1/4 cup chopped celery 1/4 cup chopped onion 1/3 to 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard Pepper, to taste DIRECTIONS: Combine al...

8 Reasons Why You Should Work With a REALTOR®  Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here's why i...

These questions will help you decide whether you're ready for a home that's larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, it's a sign that you may be ready to move.  1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Look at your annual mortgage state...

Navigating Short Sales: What to Do When the Sale Price Leaves You ShortIf you're thinking of selling your home, and you expect that the total amount you owe on your mortgage will be greater than the selling price of your home, you may be facing a short sale. A short sale is one where the net proc...

Herb-Roasted ChickenINGREDIENTS FOR THE CHICKEN: One whole chicken, (3-1/2 to 4 pounds) 3 large cloves garlic, peeled, crushed 1 large lemon, halved 6 large fresh sage leaves 1 sprig fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and pepper to taste FOR THE SAUCE: 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup dry white...

17 Tips for Packing Like a Pro   Moving to a new home can be stressful, to say the least. Make it easy on yourself by planning far in advance and making sure you've covered all the bases.1. Plan ahead by organizing and budgeting. Develop a master "to do" list so you won't forget something critica...

Closing Documents You Should Keep  On closing day, expect to sign a lot of documents and walk away with a big stack of papers. Here's a list of the most important documents you should file away for future reference. HUD-1 settlement statement. Itemizes all the costs - commissions, loan fees, poin...

10 Tips for Moving With Pets  Moving to a new home can be stressful on your pets, but there are many things you can do to make the process as painless as possible. Experts at The Pet Realty Network (www.petrealtynetwork.com) in Naples, Fla., offer these helpful tips for easing the transition and ...

Common Closing Costs for Buyers   You'll likely be responsible for a variety of fees and expenses that you and the seller will have to pay at the time of closing. Your lender must provide a good-faith estimate of all settlement costs. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will ...

What Not to Overlook on a Final Walk-through   It's guaranteed to be hectic right before closing, but you should always make time for a final walk-through. Your goal is to make sure that your home is in the same condition you expected it would be. Ideally, the sellers already have moved out. This...