Archive for January, 2009

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Condo Living is Alive and Well in Downtown Dallas

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

Condo living seems to be the name of the game when it comes to downtown Dallas real estate. As more and more people come to realize that the convenience and perks of city living are right for them, the downtown Dallas condo market will continue to provide luxurious accommodations for even the most discerning buyers.

Downtown Dallas Texas Skyline Bank of America Fountain Place Trinity River Bottoms Hurricane Ike Skyscrapers La L'aceate by David Kozlowski.

photo by David

Many of the condos throughout the Dallas area speak of the high level of service and luxury that Dallas condo residents are demanding. Today’s Dallas condos are truly jaw dropping, to say the least. Sweeping views, expansive terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows, high-end interiors and surroundings and superb amenities are commonplace.

The Metropolitan Condominiums, for example, which are located in the heart of the downtown, on Main Street, feature modern, gourmet kitchens with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, a rooftop swimming pool, garage parking and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

The Metropolitan Dallas by miss_muffy.

photo by Miss Muffy

Or consider the 1505 Elm Condos, which are not only located near some of the trendiest clubs and restaurants in the downtown area, but also feature loft-style living, which has become a popular trend throughout downtown Dallas.

In addition, the stunning, glass tower of the Museum Condos is, perhaps, one of the most talked-about buildings when it comes to downtown Dallas real estate. This luxury high-rise tower boasts dramatic, modern architecture, beautifully decorated and thoughtfully appointed interiors with floor-to-ceiling glass, direct-access elevators and sweeping terraces, and an impeccable array of services and amenities, such as personalized concierge service from Neiman Marcus.

Urban living isn’t left to the single professionals, either. Families, empty-nesters or those simply looking for a comfortable, maintenance-free lifestyle in the heart of downtown Dallas’ excitement are now turning to the luxurious lifestyle that so many people crave.

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Posted in Condos | No Comments »

Fort Worth MLS Residential Housing Activity

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Fort Worth MLS Residential Housing Activity

Chart

Date Sales Dollar
Volume		 Average
Price		 Median
Price		 Total
Listings		 Months
Inventory
1990-Jan 230 15,832,280 68,800 59,100 4,261 17.2
Feb 213 15,693,940 73,700 63,600 4,111 16.3
Mar 269 19,174,882 71,300 57,200 4,268 16.8
Apr 266 21,829,421 82,100 60,700 4,282 16.6
May 324 24,720,376 76,300 62,400 4,298 16.2
Jun 288 22,101,763 76,700 61,200 4,340 16.4
Jul 348 26,833,276 77,100 66,800 4,395 16.0
Aug 380 32,617,569 85,800 67,200 4,358 15.5
Sep 303 24,112,110 79,600 62,100 4,452 15.8
Oct 294 22,489,400 76,500 60,000 4,383 15.3
Nov 230 15,832,280 68,800 59,100 4,261 15.0
Dec 236 16,487,668 69,900 57,000 3,817 13.5
1991-Jan 229 13,958,008 61,000 52,400 3,844 13.6
Feb 158 11,453,420 72,500 67,600 3,936 14.2
Mar 251 19,410,834 77,300 61,600 4,046 14.7
Apr 268 20,613,756 76,900 60,500 4,176 15.1
May 320 23,509,760 73,500 62,100 4,114 14.9
Jun 326 26,820,672 82,300 65,500 3,984 14.3
Jul 288 24,302,586 84,400 68,500 4,120 15.1
Aug 320 26,900,000 84,100 - 3,950 14.7
Sep 260 21,900,000 84,200 - 3,850 14.5
Oct 238 20,358,020 85,500 69,200 3,773 14.5
Nov 198 15,915,834 80,400 67,900 3,601 14.0
Dec 230 19,703,180 85,700 64,000 3,267 12.7
1992-Jan 156 11,195,808 71,800 64,200 3,435 13.7
Feb 193 14,974,440 77,600 68,100 3,582 14.1
Mar 286 23,127,962 80,900 67,500 3,693 14.4
Apr 295 23,814,170 80,700 63,100 3,647 14.1
May 311 23,954,464 77,000 64,800 3,629 14.0
Jun 319 25,663,869 80,500 64,200 3,662 14.2
Jul 301 23,177,602 77,000 66,600 3,706 14.3
Aug 304 23,872,208 78,500 67,400 3,608 14.0
Sep 303 24,319,386 80,300 65,100 3,518 13.5
Oct 283 21,415,176 75,700 66,700 3,487 13.2
Nov 237 18,441,444 77,800 64,700 3,406 12.7
Dec 329 25,517,650 77,600 62,600 3,021 10.9
1993-Jan 190 15,848,090 83,400 67,600 3,216 11.5
Feb 205 14,639,665 71,400 57,700 3,292 11.7
Mar 281 23,745,343 84,500 67,400 3,441 12.3
Apr 320 24,047,360 75,100 66,100 3,469 12.3
May 340 29,304,940 86,200 66,600 3,497 12.3
Jun 392 34,359,348 87,700 71,700 3,445 11.9
Jul 392 34,622,647 88,300 72,900 3,463 11.6
Aug 379 32,418,902 85,500 69,500 3,423 11.3
Sep 334 29,119,223 87,200 67,600 3,262 10.6
Oct 308 25,662,252 83,300 66,500 3,262 10.6
Nov 299 26,376,533 88,200 69,300 3,218 10.2
Dec 281 24,964,012 88,800 70,200 2,818 9.1
1994-Jan 200 18,000,000 90,000 71,700 2,600 8.4
Feb 186 15,802,322 85,000 73,500 - -
Mar 324 28,158,335 86,900 68,100 - -
Apr 296 25,013,711 84,500 65,900 - -
May 320 24,561,904 76,800 65,200 - -
Jun 348 28,980,751 83,300 65,200 - -
Jul 293 24,515,767 83,700 60,800 - -
Aug 351 27,942,720 79,600 64,800 - -
Sep 310 24,775,578 79,900 64,400 - -
Oct 253 21,613,031 85,400 70,800 - -
Nov 261 20,712,438 79,400 64,900 - -
Dec 286 22,910,888 80,100 62,400 2,224 7.8
1995-Jan 175 11,705,795 66,900 56,800 2,304 8.1
Feb 223 18,406,308 82,500 64,300 2,396 8.4
Mar 302 22,806,177 75,500 64,400 2,384 8.4
Apr 315 26,922,618 85,500 63,300 2,361 8.2
May 373 29,350,931 78,700 63,500 2,321 8.0
Jun 398 31,066,608 78,100 65,400 2,328 7.9
Jul 376 30,819,533 82,000 64,500 2,317 7.7
Aug 438 37,812,895 86,300 68,000 2,234 7.2
Sep 364 31,679,229 87,000 64,400 2,200 7.0
Oct 331 29,331,112 88,600 68,000 2,150 6.7
Nov 308 25,270,804 82,000 65,600 2,110 6.5
Dec 312 24,295,053 77,900 64,700 1,937 5.9
1996-Jan 245 21,423,669 87,400 70,200 2,010 6.1
Feb 277 22,166,375 80,000 65,000 2,045 6.1
Mar 333 27,591,118 82,900 65,300 2,100 6.2
Apr 398 33,054,977 83,100 66,300 2,100 6.1
May 430 35,684,496 83,000 64,200 2,100 6.0
Jun 420 37,351,797 88,900 66,100 2,100 6.0
Jul 431 35,965,743 83,400 66,900 2,100 5.9
Aug 382 33,136,454 86,700 67,200 - -
Sep 361 33,799,035 93,600 65,600 - -
Oct 368 29,865,564 81,200 67,800 - -
Nov 287 24,635,658 85,800 66,700 - -
Dec 329 27,345,231 83,100 63,800 - -
1997-Jan 254 20,735,922 81,600 64,400 - -
Feb 292 26,028,934 89,100 66,400 - -
Mar 388 33,355,102 86,000 69,800 - -
Apr 387 32,315,352 83,500 70,100 2,383 6.6
May 488 41,156,263 84,300 69,300 2,421 6.6
Jun 495 45,769,317 92,500 73,200 2,424 6.5
Jul 524 48,572,343 92,700 70,200 2,433 6.4
Aug 484 45,764,352 94,600 72,900 2,452 6.3
Sep 428 39,123,664 91,400 70,000 2,420 6.1
Oct 462 41,302,009 89,400 69,500 2,361 5.9
Nov 325 27,591,976 84,900 72,400 2,210 5.5
Dec 435 41,915,706 96,400 69,700 2,062 5.0
1998-Jan 277 24,755,818 89,400 73,500 2,114 5.1
Feb 357 30,773,515 86,200 71,100 2,052 4.9
Mar 475 42,751,294 90,000 73,400 2,076 4.8
Apr 471 42,934,596 91,200 68,900 2,037 4.7
May 539 53,773,759 99,800 76,600 2,043 4.7
Jun 576 55,274,762 96,000 77,200 2,087 4.7
Jul 551 56,022,018 101,700 74,200 2,070 4.6
Aug 517 49,621,150 96,000 76,600 2,041 4.5
Sep 466 45,650,781 98,000 78,600 2,080 4.6
Oct 403 34,970,968 86,800 75,800 - -
Nov 370 35,869,455 96,900 76,100 - -
Dec 384 37,384,261 97,400 76,500 - -
1999-Jan 319 31,578,668 99,000 77,100 - -
Feb 363 35,710,495 98,400 77,300 - -
Mar 553 51,111,483 92,400 74,800 2,069 4.5
Apr 542 53,020,735 97,800 75,800 2,125 4.6
May 537 59,759,827 111,300 82,800 2,130 4.6
Jun 618 66,244,607 107,200 79,500 2,253 4.8
Jul 582 60,892,615 104,600 82,000 2,305 4.9
Aug 606 59,204,632 97,700 77,800 2,281 4.8
Sep 523 48,119,606 92,000 76,100 2,279 4.7
Oct 480 48,913,310 101,900 79,300 2,270 4.6
Nov 499 48,240,450 96,700 75,700 2,109 4.2
Dec 503 50,637,723 100,700 76,600 1,984 3.9
2000-Jan 325 33,417,427 102,800 79,200 2,170 4.2
Feb 469 42,978,548 91,600 75,000 2,251 4.3
Mar 588 57,458,826 97,700 79,300 2,247 4.3
Apr 487 50,344,886 103,400 82,900 2,226 4.3
May 630 67,131,123 106,600 81,700 2,193 4.2
Jun 648 70,773,279 109,200 85,900 2,212 4.2
Jul 548 57,460,916 104,900 85,100 2,362 4.5
Aug 638 71,524,686 112,100 87,600 2,391 4.5
Sep 524 58,065,223 110,800 89,000 2,519 4.8
Oct 539 57,992,200 107,600 85,300 2,573 4.8
Nov 521 56,157,896 107,800 88,300 2,468 4.6
Dec 463 49,177,284 106,200 85,500 2,248 4.2
2001-Jan 405 38,878,030 96,000 78,100 2,424 4.5
Feb 447 47,433,758 106,100 88,900 2,360 4.4
Mar 621 63,260,951 101,900 86,000 2,511 4.7
Apr 545 57,613,823 105,700 87,300 2,630 4.8
May 653 72,426,354 110,900 92,600 2,700 4.9
Jun 665 81,662,074 122,800 96,700 2,807 5.1
Jul 655 72,047,979 110,000 93,200 2,871 5.2
Aug 678 76,165,866 112,300 92,000 2,826 5.0
Sep 537 57,133,701 106,400 89,600 2,782 5.0
Oct 546 57,130,944 104,600 85,900 2,769 4.9
Nov 514 62,368,195 121,300 102,100 2,658 4.7
Dec 515 61,800,725 120,000 97,700 2,479 4.4
2002-Jan 431 45,958,126 106,600 89,400 2,643 4.7
Feb 516 55,038,673 106,700 89,500 2,749 4.8
Mar 588 69,148,134 117,600 95,800 2,829 5.0
Apr 637 75,596,818 118,700 95,100 2,929 5.1
May 672 80,965,065 120,500 96,800 3,008 5.2
Jun 690 80,835,438 117,200 97,600 3,076 5.3
Jul 732 85,046,246 116,200 96,800 3,141 5.3
Aug 683 81,785,711 119,700 97,200 3,241 5.5
Sep 582 65,785,590 113,000 92,500 3,286 5.5
Oct 600 67,906,844 113,200 95,000 3,251 5.4
Nov 569 67,990,033 119,500 92,900 3,132 5.2
Dec 637 76,050,589 119,400 99,700 2,926 4.8
2003-Jan 447 49,212,290 110,100 93,200 3,170 5.2
Feb 497 57,127,853 114,900 98,800 3,159 5.2
Mar 642 75,159,286 117,100 95,000 3,387 5.5
Apr 667 74,314,758 111,400 94,300 3,518 5.7
May 668 77,590,378 116,200 96,800 3,757 6.1
Jun 677 83,671,558 123,600 102,300 4,021 6.5
Jul 728 89,644,477 123,100 103,700 4,136 6.7
Aug 795 98,176,331 123,500 102,300 4,241 6.8
Sep 683 84,769,870 124,100 98,300 4,406 6.9
Oct 735 82,100,710 111,700 92,600 4,313 6.7
Nov 552 67,568,396 122,400 102,900 4,221 6.6
Dec 666 83,485,458 125,400 102,800 3,918 6.1
2004-Jan 454 48,505,749 106,800 90,800 4,068 6.3
Feb 609 71,408,855 117,300 95,900 4,150 6.3
Mar 764 91,094,771 119,200 97,100 4,235 6.4
Apr 791 91,542,726 115,700 99,100 4,275 6.3
May 805 102,486,522 127,300 103,500 4,445 6.5
Jun 865 112,276,460 129,800 109,100 4,479 6.4
Jul 844 107,622,675 127,500 107,100 4,651 6.5
Aug 824 103,373,028 125,500 103,400 4,635 6.5
Sep 732 89,184,927 121,800 101,100 4,589 6.4
Oct 739 90,502,176 122,500 102,900 4,597 6.4
Nov 720 90,662,913 125,900 102,000 4,457 6.1
Dec 760 101,641,142 133,700 104,100 4,327 5.8
2005-Jan 502 62,276,332 124,100 100,600 4,785 6.4
Feb 639 75,955,992 118,900 100,900 4,915 6.6
Mar 887 115,990,990 130,800 109,500 5,173 6.8
Apr 896 119,538,362 133,400 109,900 5,249 6.8
May 964 131,189,607 136,100 113,000 5,137 6.6
Jun 1,102 149,341,658 135,500 114,000 5,207 6.5
Jul 975 133,759,524 137,200 115,400 5,355 6.6
Aug 1,031 139,146,678 135,000 116,000 - -
Sep 952 128,949,991 135,500 117,700 5,256 6.2
Oct 842 114,262,341 135,700 117,000 5,322 6.2
Nov 824 111,920,591 135,800 116,900 5,273 6.1
Dec 827 114,747,206 138,800 120,200 5,053 5.8
2006-Jan 621 81,988,837 132,000 113,800 5,230 5.9
Feb 799 104,635,650 131,000 114,700 5,418 6.1
Mar 1,154 152,751,274 132,400 116,600 5,523 6.0
Apr 977 132,340,862 135,500 115,500 5,704 6.2
May 1,103 151,147,300 137,000 118,500 5,878 6.3
Jun 1,222 176,269,299 144,200 121,900 6,156 6.5
Jul 1,076 146,416,296 136,100 117,100 6,281 6.6
Aug 1,128 164,368,267 145,700 119,200 6,273 6.5
Sep 1,049 141,701,394 135,100 115,800 6,336 6.5
Oct 992 137,084,258 138,200 118,000 6,202 6.3
Nov 915 126,273,432 138,000 119,500 6,139 6.2
Dec 941 131,286,346 139,500 117,900 5,845 5.9
2007-Jan 727 92,948,336 127,900 109,700 5,837 5.8
Feb 865 116,016,778 134,100 114,000 6,003 5.9
Mar 1,091 142,120,227 130,300 114,500 6,372 6.3
Apr 946 136,296,937 144,100 117,800 6,433 6.4
May 1,136 168,800,115 148,600 123,500 6,454 6.4
Jun 1,119 158,163,280 141,300 119,200 6,465 6.5
Jul 1,104 170,357,642 154,300 124,100 6,499 6.5
Aug 1,169 174,447,960 149,200 122,200 6,355 6.3
Sep 868 124,486,194 143,400 119,500 6,339 6.4
Oct 923 136,771,604 148,200 116,800 6,142 6.2
Nov 795 113,157,402 142,300 118,600 5,930 6.1
Dec 789 111,512,957 141,300 119,600 5,509 5.7
2008-Jan 598 76,577,578 128,100 113,100 5,555 5.8
Feb 765 105,521,997 137,900 115,700 5,554 5.9
Mar 847 122,029,946 144,100 116,300 5,602 6.1
Apr 905 126,383,217 139,600 114,700 5,594 6.1
May 1,006 158,672,694 157,700 123,400 5,478 6.0
Jun 990 150,693,549 152,200 120,500 5,418 6.0
Jul 954 140,905,577 147,700 120,200 5,467 6.2
Aug 911 132,599,773 145,600 120,900 5,252 6.1
Sep 832 117,928,923 141,700 116,700 5,120 6.0
Oct 717 96,535,866 134,600 110,400 4,934 5.9
Nov 492 65,248,415 132,600 110,000 4,847 5.9

Source: Greater Ft. Worth Association of Realtors and Real Estate Center

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Posted in Tarrant County | No Comments »

The Enclaves at Willow Crest

Monday, January 19th, 2009

The City of Plano, Texas has earned a national reputation as one of the best places in the country for employers to do business and for families to live and work.

Located just 20 minutes north of downtown Dallas, Plano is in the northeast portion of the metropolitan area and in the central time zone.

Plano, Texas is a superior community with an exceptional educational system, safe family-oriented neighborhoods, abundant recreational facilities, and world-class business parks.

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Posted in Collin County | 1 Comment »

Careers in Real Estate: The Importance of Educating yourself on the Industry

Monday, January 19th, 2009

A career in Texas real estate can be rewarding, satisfying and successful, provided you come into it with the right attitude and plenty of information.

The first step in becoming a real estate agent is to educate yourself on the industry, and perhaps the quickest and easiest way to do this is to talk to real estate agents, firsthand.

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The Programs of the Dallas Regional Chamber

Friday, January 16th, 2009

The Dallas Regional Chamber promotes and organizes a variety of programs which encourage job growth, business growth and economic vitality, just to name a few.

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How to Price your Home Right in Today

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

If you want to sell your home in today’s tough housing market, it’s time to get realistic. Reaping large profits may no longer be realistic; instead, pricing your home reasonably and accepting a fair price for your home may take the place of windfall profits of the past.

Most real estate experts will tell you that the number one reason homes don’t sell is because they are not priced right. In other words, you must price your home according to current market conditions.

That means that it is extremely important to price your home right – from the beginning – so that you can expect it to sell during these tough times.

The following tips will guide you when setting the listing price for your Irving home:

  • Pay attention to local real estate trends. Your real estate agent will gather a list of all houses that have been listed and sold in the neighborhood over the last six months, and he or she will use this information when determining a fair listing price for your home.

This list will also detail the difference between the list prices and sales prices of these homes, which will give you and your real estate agent a better idea of what you can safely price your home for.

  • Don’t plan on inflating the price in anticipation of lowering it should it not sell. Pricing it right as soon as it hits the market will ensure the excitement of a newly listed home and will generate much more activity than an overpriced home which sits on the market for an extended period of time before being lowered.

Don’t give buyers any reason to doubt your home – and a home sitting on the market too long will immediately create doubt!

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Saving for your First Home

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

If your dreams involve buying your first Irving home, then there are a few things you can do now to make your dream a reality.

Gone are the days of no-money-down mortgage loans, and most banks are now demanding at least 20 percent down on a traditional mortgage. On a $200,000 home, that equals $20,000.

For many, these numbers make owning a home feel unattainable, but it doesn’t have to be.

The following tips will guide you when saving for your first Irving home:

  • First things first: get a grip on your financial situation. That means laying out all of your bills and debts and creating a list of your monthly debt obligations.
  • Look for areas in which you can cut back, and be realistic. Is it really necessary to have an upgraded cable package, or can you downgrade to basic cable? Is your cell phone plan working for you, or could you potentially negotiate lower monthly payments? The key is to remain open, flexible and creative.

If you currently eat out four times a week, isn’t it realistic to cut down to just two times a week? Many of us have a considerable amount of wiggle room in our budgets, but we never take the time to find areas in which we can scale back.

  • Once you have located that extra money every month, consider having the money withdrawn automatically from your checking account or paycheck each month. Most people are more likely to successfully save money if they never see it in the first place.

Ask your employer if they can set up automatic deductions from your paycheck into a savings or money market account.

  • Open a separate savings or money market account for your down payment money and do not intermingle it with your other savings. This will allow you to keep better track of your savings goals.
  • Avoid investing your down payment money in risky investments. Instead, look for conservative investments, such as money market accounts, short-term certificates of deposit or short-term bonds.

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Posted in Buyer Tips | No Comments »

Seller Tips: Bring Life Back into your Outdoor Spaces

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

You are blessed to live in an area of the country that enjoys seasonable temperatures nearly year-round, so it only makes sense that buyers touring your Highland Park home will show interest in your outdoor spaces.

Our outdoor spaces are usually well-used and loved, yet are often one of the most overlooked areas of our homes.

photo by

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Is Now A Good Time to Buy?

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

The evening news is grim. The country’s housing market is plummeting, and many analysts believe we have yet to hit rock bottom.

These types of news stories foster a sense of trepidation and concern among most Irving home buyers, and rightly so. Although you may need to proceed with caution in this tumultuous market, it certainly doesn’t mean that you should avoid buying.

Although purchasing a home is an extremely personal decision, and although each individual faces different challenges and obstacles, the fact is, overall, today’s housing market may very well present the perfect opportunity for home buyers.

Let’s look at the facts: interest rates, now at historic lows, are extremely competitive and attractive; there is a great selection of homes on the market from which to choose; and there are plenty of deals to be had.

Many homeowners, facing the potential of having their homes on the market for an extended time, are lowering the prices of their homes and offering very attractive incentives to home buyers. And that’s where you, a qualified home buyer, step in.

Many home buyers in Irving are finding that a home that was, just a few years ago, out of their price range is now within reach, thanks to lower house prices and lower interest rates.

As a buyer in a “buyer’s market,” the ball is in your court, so to speak. Chances are you will have the luxury of finding that perfect Irving home and negotiating a sweet deal in the process.

Before purchasing an Irving home, make sure your credit is strong, your debt is paid down and that you have a large down payment (at least 20 percent) in your back pocket.

Your search for the perfect Irving home can be just around the corner, even in these uncertain times.

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Rayzor Ranch in Denton County

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

Here we grown again. The 415-acre property in Denton now known as (Razor) Rayzor Ranch Town Center, an $850 million dollar project has apparently signed Dillard’s and JCPenney anchor the mall. This is the shot in the arm the Denton area is so badly in need of. The dirt movers are out there again moving stuff around but no real ground has been broken thus far.

Rayzor Ranch by misternaxal.

photo by misternaxal

The question we are all asking is what are they waiting for. We are all ready for the hype to go away and real progress to begin. As of this week they are having issues with standing water and muddy conditions. When the sun comes out lets all hope so do the workers and lets get going in this. The new projected “opening” is going to be fall of 2009. I would not hold your breath folks it seems to be a slower than normal process.

Posted in Denton County | No Comments »

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