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Sunday, September 30, 2018

Housing inventory is rising and it may signal the start of a buyer's market

Housing inventory is rising and it may signal the start of a buyer's market
However, it's important to note that the supply shortage appears to be easing only among higher-end homes nationally. In July, the inventory of homes worth less than $200,000 was down 15.6 percent nationally compared with a year ago

These Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs shine among the most family-friendly cities in Texas

These Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs shine among the most family-friendly cities in Texas
DFW cities consistently scored high marks in the family life and fun category, and earned accolades for education, health, and safety. Relatively low cost of living in the suburbs, plus the close proximity to entertainment options, helped North Texas towns shine.

Saturday, September 29, 2018

White Kitchen Fatigue?

White Kitchen Fatigue?
Are homeowners growing tired of the all-white kitchen? Some design experts believe so. 

11 Things You Should Never Ever Do at an Open House

11 Things You Should Never Ever Do at an Open House
Keep yourself from self-sabotaging your chance at that dream home by avoiding these 11 open-house behaviors scream that "Trouble!" to realtors.

If You Are A First-Time Home Buyer, Look For These Traits In A Real Estate Agent

If You Are A First-Time Home Buyer, Look For These Traits In A Real Estate Agent

Buying a home for the first time is a remarkably scary, involved process. Buyers face a variety of paperwork, fees and inspection issues, as well as general confusion about what needs to be done and what comes next. Real estate agents help ease the process

Friday, September 28, 2018

2018 State Fair of Texas Concert Schedule

2018 State Fair of Texas Concert Schedule
Free weekend concerts will include Morris Day & The Time, Aaron Watson, Ludacris, Casting Crowns, and more. Go here for a full concert schedule

Home Prices Are Decelerating But Not Falling

Home Prices Are Decelerating But Not Falling
Home prices aren't falling, they just aren't increasing as fast anymorethat is, home prices are decelerating.

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - Frisco TX

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - Frisco TX

As was the case in most of the Northern Dallas Suburbs, sales were down in Frisco by 9%. Pending sales came in off 18% so September is not shaping up to be a positive months. The average sales price climbed 2% and the median sales price rose 6%. The number of new listings declined 15%. not good if you are a buyer. The number of new listings actually rose 10% as compared to last August. The months of inventory now stands at 3.8 months. this is the highest number in a very long time and we are moving closer to what is considered a balanced, market.

Sales: 360
Average Sales Price: $452,459
Median Sales Price: $412,500
Pending Sales: 247
New Listings: 415
Active Listings: 1,191 
Months of Inventory: 3.8

Information provided by The Real Estate Center

Thursday, September 27, 2018

2018 State Fair of Texas

2018 State Fair of Texas
The 24-day, four-weekend extravaganza that is the State Fair of Texas is back.

McKinney Octoberfest

McKinney Octoberfest
Now celebrating its tenth year, McKinney Oktoberfest draws close to 50,000 attendees and attracts visitors from all over north Texas. 

City of Garland presents Garland Guzzler 0.5K Race

City of Garland presents Garland Guzzler 0.5K Race

Photo courtesy of Garland Guzzler 0.5K Race

The City of Garland will host its inaugural Garland Guzzler 0.5K Race. 

The Lupus Research Alliance Dallas presents Walk with Us to Cure Lupus

The Lupus Research Alliance Dallas presents Walk with Us to Cure Lupus
Photo courtesy of Dallas Lupus Research Alliance
Every dollar raised through the Lupus Research Alliance Walk with Us to Cure Lupus goes directly to support lupus research programs. 

Crape Myrtle Run & Festival

Crape Myrtle Run & Festival
Photo courtesy of Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney Foundation
Presented by Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney Foundation, the event will feature a timed and USATF-trail certified 10K, 5K, with timed 1-Mile Fun Run and Free Family Festival. 

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - McKinney TX

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - McKinney TX

McKinney fared better than most of the Northern Dallas suburbs  in august. Sales were only down 1%! The pending sales number was not as good off 11%. The average sales price rose 4% while the median sales price climbed 5%. The number of new listings fell 4% but the active listings increased 22% as compared to last August. The months of inventory rose to 3.7 months. We are getting closer to a balanced market.

Sales: 300
Average Sales Price: $358,887
Median Sales Price: $334,950
Pending Sales: 247
New Listings: 359
Active Listings: 936
Months of Inventory: 3.7

Information provided by The Real Estate Center 

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - Allen, TX

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - Allen, TX

Sales were down hard in Allen during August. Off 24%. Pending sales weren't much better down 16%. September is not looking positive. The average sales price did increase by 6% but the median sales price was flat. The number of new listings fell 3%. Active listings were 30% higher than last August. The months of inventory moved up to 3.6 months.

Sales:122
Average Sales Price: $391,402
Median Sales Price: $339,500
Pending Sales: 109
New Listings: 166
Active Listings: 397
Months of Inventory: 3.6

Information provided by The Real Estate Center 

Monday, September 24, 2018

You’ll Want to Steal These Amazing DIY Ideas for Your Front Yard

You’ll Want to Steal These Amazing DIY Ideas for Your Front Yard

Landscaping done right can put as much as $4 in your pocket for every $1 you spend, according to the “Remodeling Impact Report” from the National Association of REALTORS®. So what are you waiting for?

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Home Searches Are Stretching on Longer

Home Searches Are Stretching on Longer
House hunters who are actively seeking a home to buy are spending significant amounts of time looking for that perfect space

Condo Buyers Could Get Fast, Automated Appraisals

Condo Buyers Could Get Fast, Automated Appraisals

Borrowers could save about $500 on appraisal fees and potentially close seven to 10 days faster, Freddie Mac notes.



Should You Demand That Your Agent Hold an Open House?

Should You Demand That Your Agent Hold an Open House?
It's not unthinkable to make a sale at an open house, but it is unlikely. The reasoning has to do with the people who go to an open house

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Over 5 million renters have lost money in rental scams

Over 5 million renters have lost money in rental scams

Nearly half of young renters say they have encountered fraudulent listings.
If you are in the Dallas Area and want to avoid scams do your searches on ebby.com 

6 Ways To Create A More Serene Stress-Free Home

6 Ways To Create A More Serene Stress-Free Home
Your home is supposed to be your haven, the place where you can relax and wash away the stresses of the day. Apply a few tips to make your home the serene spot it should be.

U.S. Needs 7.3 Million More Homes

U.S. Needs 7.3 Million More Homes
Housing construction has not kept pace with population growth in the U.S. for more than a decade

Friday, September 21, 2018

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden presents Autumn at the Arboretum

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden presents Autumn at the Arboretum


The event includes the nationally-acclaimed Pumpkin Village featuring pumpkin houses and creative displays incorporating more than 90,000 pumpkins, gourds, squash, cornstalks, and a hay bale maze.

Existing home sales unchanged in August -

Existing home sales unchanged in August -

U.S. home sales flatlined in August but inventory increased for the first time in three years as the housing market continued to struggle despite strength across the broader economy.

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - Plano TX

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - Plano TX

Plano Sales took a hit in august as compared to last year at this time. Sales fell 16%. Pending sales were better only down 4%. The average sales price rose 9% while the median sales price climbed 3%.
New Listings actually fell 2% but the active listings rose 20%. again compared to last August. The months of inventory increased to 2.9 months. We are still well short of the 6 months considered a balanced market.

Sales: 305
Average Sales Price: $414,259
Median Sales Price: $355,000
Pending Sales: 311
New Listings: 405
Active Listings: 835
Months of Inventory: 2.9

Information provided by The Real Estate Center

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Movie Night at The Star: Friday Night Lights

Movie Night at The Star: Friday Night Lights
Photo courtesy of The Star
Guests can have their photo taken with Dallas Cowboys mascot, Rowdy and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, win a free pair of sunglasses, participate in vision screenings, and watch a screening of Friday Night Lights.

Trinity River Kite Festival

Trinity River Kite Festival
The City of Dallas celebrates the beauty of its wide open spaces with the Trinity River Kite Festival.

Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities present Emmitt Smith Gran Fondo

Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities present Emmitt Smith Gran Fondo
Photo by Marcy Meeks

The Gran Fondo courses are designed to accommodate the most avid of cyclists to the casual weekend rider. 

Plano Balloon Festival

Plano Balloon Festival
The event will feature a balloon glow presented by the City of Plano, an action packed weekend of skydivers, hot air balloons, concerts, a huge kid’s fun zone, merchandise vendors, corporate exhibitors and variety of foods. 

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Addison Oktoberfest

Addison Oktoberfest
Admission is free on Thursday and Sunday; $10 on Friday and Saturday.

Homeowners are sitting on $6 trillion in available cash, but they're not tapping it

Homeowners are sitting on $6 trillion in available cash, but they're not tapping it

As prices continue to rise, so too does the amount of home equity available for homeowners to tap; and it has now reached a record sum.

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - Lake Highlands/NE Dallas

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - Lake Highlands/NE Dallas

Sales were only off by 5% in August as compared to last August. Pending sales however dropped 15%. This does not bode well for September sales. The average sales price rose 12% as did the median sales price. It looks like most of the sales were concentrated in the upper price ranges. The number of new listings declined 6% and the active listings were flat. Not really helpful if you are a buyer. The months of inventory increases slightly to 2.5 months. This is still very tilted to the sellers side.

Sales: 70
Average Sales Price: $433,839
Median Sales Price: $403,500
Pending Sales: 61
New Listings: 82
Active Listings: 155
Months of Inventory: 2.5

Information provided by The Real Estate Center

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Should I Replace My Roof? Here Are 21 Things to Consider

Should I Replace My Roof? Here Are 21 Things to Consider
Knowing what to look for is the first step in determining whether it’s time to replace your roof.

North Texas home sales dipped in August...

North Texas home sales dipped in August...
In June, July and August — traditionally the hottest month for home sales — real estate agents sold slightly fewer houses than they did in summer 2017

Monday, September 17, 2018

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - Richardson, TX

Dallas Area Residential Sales Report for August - Richardson, TX

Sales slowed in Richardson during august as compared to the same time last year. Down 11%. Pending sales also declined falling 10%. Not good for September sales numbers. The average sales price was up by 1% as was the median sales price. Think you could call that just about flat. The number of new listings increased 3%. The active listings took a 28% jump. But to put this in perspective, the months of inventory only increased to 2.2 months. This is well short of the 6 months considered a balanced market. There are still buyers out there, but the house better be priced correctly!

Sales: 111
Average Sales Price: $315,725
Median Sales Price: $290,000
Pending Sales: 97
New Listings: 163
Active Listings: 208
Months of Inventory: 2.2

Information provided by The Real Estate Center

Sunday, September 16, 2018

When a smart home becomes a trap

When a smart home becomes a trap
There’s tremendous potential for abuse. And abusers have taken note. 

The Mystery of Amazon HQ2 Has Finalists Seeing Clues Everywhere

The Mystery of Amazon HQ2 Has Finalists Seeing Clues Everywhere
Amazon announced its plans for a second headquarters a year ago on Friday. People in the 20 finalist cities are looking for any sign of a winner.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Would you use an online mortgage broker?

Would you use an online mortgage broker?
Increasing numbers of people are turning to the web to find and apply for a mortgage – but how does this work, and what are the pros and cons of taking financial advice from a robot?

The Colors That Help (and Hurt) Your Home's Selling Potential

The Colors That Help (and Hurt) Your Home's Selling Potential
If you’re ever planning to sell your home, you should know how your color choices now will affect a buyer’s view of your home later.

Are Home Prices Peaking?

Are Home Prices Peaking?
Nationally, the U.S. real estate market may not be peakingbut it’s looking like some of the hottest markets are certainly losing their upward price momentum.

Missing from D-FW: More than 120,000 homes

Missing from D-FW: More than 120,000 homes
A lack of construction during the Great Recession and slow recovery of the North Texas homebuilding market has left the area with a deficit of housing.

Friday, September 14, 2018

Good Local Markets

Good Local Markets


Farmers Market
Photo courtesy of Good Local Markets
Every Good Local Markets vendor grows or makes what they sell with no distribution. Vendors offer produce, artisanal foods and handcrafted goods, all grown or made within 150 miles of Dallas.