Senior All-Star Winstar Casino Trip The City of Highland Village, Texas - Parks and Recreation Department has planned a trip for Seniors to the Winstar Casino, just over the Texas border in Oklahoma on Wednesday, March 16th!   Register in person at the Parks and Recreation Department located at 948B Highland Village Road or online at: www.activenet.active.com/hvparks The deadline to register is by 3:00 p.m. Friday March 11, 2011 The cost is $5. Here's what seniors will get for their $5.00: ·         Free bus ride to the Casino and back to the Robert & Lee DuVall Center. ·         A free Senior Breakfast and once you play 2 credits on your players card you are credited $20 casino play money. ·         Lots of fun! Space is limited!   Diana Manzato, Broker Associate Coldwell Banker RES D... 03/05/2011

Even though these beautiful white blooms only seem to be around for three days, the Bradford Pear is my favorite sign of spring.   Did you know that Bradford Pears are actually native to Korea and China but were brought to the US in 1963? These are not very hardy trees so if you are looking for a stately tree to last for generations, this should definitely not be your tree of choice!  They can last about 25 years or until a harsh wind or rain storm hit your neighborhood.   I don't know if it is my ultra-sensitive sniffer, but the scent these beauties emit is disgusting.  To me, it smells like rotting meat.  How could something so pretty smell so bad?!   What are your favorite signs of spring?  03/05/2011

I turned on Good Morning America like I do every morning and tuned in just in time to see a piece on the process and opportunities for buying foreclosures. Anytime I see real estate pieces on TV programs, I always cringe a bit because most of the time, the reporter suggests that "it's so easy to find bargains" or "you can save so much money by selling your home yourself".  All of course are words to real estate professionals ears that sound like fingers running down a chalkboard.   However, this report was music to my ears!  Here were the tips on successfully purchasing a foreclosure: The key is to work with real estate professionals who have experience with foreclosures. Never skip the home inspection, because unoccupied houses can develop unusual problems. And purchase a quality owner... 03/04/2011

The Lewisiville ISD announced Kindergarten registration is coming in April! I didn't realize there was so much information required for registering your kid for school, but for those of you rookies (like I was last year!), here is the vital stuff: Students who turn five on or before September 1 can enroll in Kindergarten. Registration will be April 13 and 14 at each individual campus from 9am-2pm. YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU THE FOLLOWING: Original Birth Certificate  Current Shot Records Original Social Security Card, if available Parent's Driver's License Current Gas, Water or Electric Bill for proof of residency This year, each school will be conducting a Kindergarten screening to help have balanced classes.  You will sign up for a screening time when registering your student.  The two... 03/03/2011

It is a rare time when I am not listing to The Wiggles or various KinderMusik songs while on the road.  To be able to not have "Skinnamarink" in my mind all day would be a welcome thing. Today I going all around the Metroplex with four appointments between 8:30 and 3.  I am planning on burning through at least a half tank of gas and my rear end will be sore.   What a golden opportunity to listen to what I want to!  My dad has been in the sales industry for over four decades and he recently gave me a big box filled with books and CD's that will encourage and inspire the salesperson in me.  I will take this time to listen to something educational and motivating instead of the junk that clogs the airwaves.  Mid-afternoon, I may need a quick dose of the Black Eyed Peas or some oldies, but I... 03/02/2011

I had some time to kill and some work to do so I decided to stop by Barnes and Noble to use their free Wi-Fi. I laughed out loud when I saw this sign on the way to the restroom: It reminded me of the Seinfeld episode with George and the book that had been "flagged".  Classic! 03/01/2011

11 Properties sold since January 1, 2011 (Highland Village, Texas) Square Feet     List Price      Sale Price               Days on Market Min 1605 $125,000 $125,000                      0 Avg 2920 $273,827 $259,409                     84 Max 5347 $549,900 $505,000                    225 Highland Village is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States, hugging the south side of the far western branch of Lewisville Lake. As of the 2000 census the city population was 12,173, though the 2006 projection by the U.S. Census Bureau puts the city's population at 15,738.  See updates here!   Diana Manzato, Broker Associate Coldwell Banker RES   Denton County Texas Lakefront Property Specialist     02/28/2011

I don't claim to know everything about real estate, or any subject for that matter.  I think it's nearly impossible to know everything about a subject but clients certainly expect us to know enough to do our job successfully and represent them to the highest degree. I think it gets tricky when people know just enough to be dangerous on a multitude of subjects.  We've all met with sellers who make the claim that they've sold four houses or they saw an episode of HGTV and those statements make me cringe.  One could argue that real estate agents can fall into this category.  We may know more than the Average Joe about staging, sales tactics, negotiations, taxes, mortgages, inspections, foundation repair, HVAC issues, etc., to sound like we are experts.   However, we all need to keep the p... 02/27/2011

A while back, I posted a blog about a "person of interest" in a holiday burglary at The Shops of Highland Village.  I recently received an E-Watch Alert from the Highland Village Police Department with this update.  Way to go!   If you are interested in receiving the email alerts from the city regarding accidents, information, bulletins and the like, sign up here.  Suspect Arrested in HV Business BurglaryOn February 16th, 2011 HVPD Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Scott Comer of Fort Worth for Burglary of a Building. Investigators were able to identify Comer as the suspect responsible for the business burglary at the Shops at Highland Village last December. He is also a suspect in string of other burglaries around the metroplex. Comer was arrested and booked into the Highland ... 02/26/2011

If you are like me, you sometimes cut through the street by Pei Wei, LA Fitness and Wal-Mart in Highland Village off 407.  In the last few days, a new stop sign was installed and took me completely by surprise! This really was a much-needed stop sign due to all of the traffic leaving Rosa's, Freddy's and other establishments.  There is a curve and cars darting across four lanes was really creating an issue. Just be careful as you turn off of 407 into the shopping center and see a sight you don't recognize!  I was taken by surprise and certainly don't want you to! 02/24/2011

  This Thursday, February 24 from 10:30 am-10 pm at the Chicken Express in Highland Village at the corner of Briarhill and FM 407 is a spirit day for Heritage Elementary.  All you have to do is say as you pay at the drive thru window or to the cashier inside that you are there for Heritage Elementary and the school will get a portion of your purchase.  You don't have to attend Heritage to lend a hand! Last month, Chili's held a Heritage Spirit night and reportedly DOUBLED their business that night.  Power in numbers! So, go grab yourself a sweet tea, fried pickles and some of those awesome chicken tenders and do something good for our school!   Photo from here! 02/22/2011

Highland Village, Texas (Denton County, TX)has a new Buffalo Wild Wings.  They are officially opening today and are located in the Shops of  Highland Village.  Management has a banner that says "Free Wings for a Year" out front (see store for details). This banner has drawn an unbelievable crowd which started wrapping around the building yesterday afternoon. Campsites, tents, blankets and all of the items you'd use in a camping trip are surrounding the building. Now, I have to admit;  I've not yet tried the wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, but for those who have....... Are they worth camping 24 hours for the chance to win 6 free wings a week for an entire year?  By golly, if it is, I'd better try them! Diana Manzato, Broker Associate Coldwell Banker RES Denton County Texas Lakefront Propert... 02/21/2011

My daughter in this picture turns six next month.  We are planning a low-key event with a few of her closest friends and her present is what she has wanted for over a year.  That's right-we're taking her to the local Claire's jewelry store to get her ears pierced.  This is an event that she will remember all her life...the gift that inflicts pain on your birthday! Speaking of painful, I read a story this morning on ABC News highlighting the extravagant parties that parents are spending on their child's birthday parties.  The new show on TLC "Outrageous Kids Parties" showcases out of control, er I mean, loving parents who spend unbelievable amounts of money on their child's once a year celebration.  This one case shows parents of six-year old Gracie spending $32,000 on their daughter's ... 02/21/2011

I often feel bad for families that have poured their heart, soul and creativity into a room or certain rooms that scream "This is my home!" and then we talk about making it more "neutral" before listing the home. I don't know what it is about being pregnant that spurs up the need to paint but it does.  Before moving my daughter upstairs into her "big girl bedroom", I went to town.  I was six months pregnant, it was hot in the summer and I spent many days and nights measuring, painting with a super small paint brush to get this room absolutely perfect.  I didn't stop there.  I had to transform my daughter's nursery downstairs into a little's boys room.  That was a whole lotta work too and again, days and nights were spent making everything absolutely perfect. I am sometimes torn on peopl... 02/19/2011

Are you pointing at me?  Or is that the TV?  Maybe you're pointing at my mortgage bill. I have been encountering a lot of potential clients, both buyers and sellers, that seem to be taking up a permanent residence on the fence when it comes to getting off their couch and making a decision.  Many of them are "taking things slow", want to "look at a lot of houses", make sure "it's the right thing to do".   My first initial thought is that this is a matter of public distrust.  The media used to be the place to get facts and information about politics, health, finance and daily living.  However, with 24-hour news channels picking sides of the "aisle" to support, blogs (let's remember these are opinions of the writer!) and instant data coming at us all the time, it's hard to discern fact fr... 02/16/2011

It's a GREAT day in Highland Village!   We've always had to travel to Grapevine to get some great, inexpensive breakfast fare but now the wait is over!  I am a big fan of local establishments and the Snooty Pig is no exception!   The new Highland Village location joins the other three locations in Grapevine, Keller and Argyle. With excellent egg dishes, fluffy french toast and fantastic homemade muffins, you will enjoy breakfast for years to come. They also have a great selection of lunch items so for those of you who don't do breakfast, check out their lunch menu. The new location will be at 2940 Justin Road (in the shopping center with V Nails and Rapid Med close to Wal-Mart). Unfortunately, it takes the place of Wine Cat Bistro which was in business close to a year. The Snooty Pig w... 02/14/2011

The real estate market here, as well as the entire Dallas area, was at a stand still for seven out of 10 days.  This is quite a change of pace for those of us living in a place that averages temperatures between 41-61 in the month of February.   With the phones dead and everyone huddled by the fire, it got me thinking about the weather and the role that weather plays in buying and selling houses.  I think there are always buyers looking and obviously sellers who want to sell, no matter what the weather!   I decided to pull some stats for the cities of Lewisville, Highland Village and Flower Mound and see how the home sales were the past two years during different seasons.  Here is what I came up with: Time Frame   # of Homes Sold Average Hi/Lo Interest Rate Dec 2008-Feb 2009         362... 02/13/2011

One thing I committed myself to in 2011 was to keep in contact with my past clients on a more consistent basis.  Silly to not keep in touch with them  Having a Mac and Pages makes this super easy!  I put together a two-page electronic newsletter that I send to my clients once a month.  I have an editorial, my listings, fun facts, my contact information and shameless plugs. I sent out this newsletter yesterday morning and received five emails back with kudos and praise within about two hours. I got another four responses through today. Yesterday afternoon I received a phone call from a potential client who was referred to me by a past client who receives my newsletter.  I made an appointment with her last night and met with her today.   Coincidence?  Maybe, but one thing I know is that s... 02/11/2011

Awe tennis!  Who doesn't love tennis?  Highland Shores, a master planned community in Highland Village, Texas offers several tennis courts to homeowners in the neighborhood!  There is also a Highland Shores Tennis Academy that offers junior and adult classes in tennis instruction.  Several leagues are also available for further fun and/or instruction. Below is the latest news and events for tennis in Highland Shores: Ladies Tennis Info:  The spring Ladies League will bein the first week in March.  Anyone interested, just let me know and I'll forward you to the league leader. Men's Doubles League will continue this summer.  Men's Singles: If interested in a singles league, let me know. This league will be set up if there's enough interest. Stay fit and lose some weight with Cardio Drills... 02/11/2011

It won't be long until you will be able to enjoy Buffalo Wild Wings in Highland Village! The store started interviews and hiring January 14 at The Shops of Highland Village.  No date is set for opening but you can't miss it at the corner of 407 and Chinn Chapel! Don't forget your bib and baby wipes! 02/10/2011