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The Top 10 Things to do in Dallas

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

What’s not to love about Dallas? This dynamic and energetic city is famous for its sights, sounds and attractions, thereby making Dallas a haven for both residents and visitors alike.

Dallas is where professional sports take center stage; where cultural events and the arts are appreciated and uplifted; where history is cherished and remembered; and where the fun is always on!

Here is our pick of the Top 10 Things to do in Dallas (in no particular order):

  1. Dallas World Aquarium – From crocodiles to manatees, the Dallas World Aquarium features 85,000 gallons of saltwater, teeming with marine life from all over the globe. There is also an outdoor lagoon exhibit that features Black-Footed Penguins!
  2. Dallas Museum of Art – The Dallas Museum of Art which is, of course, the highlight of the Arts District, features many renowned exhibits and treasures, ranging from the Golden Age of the Pharoahs to Picasso and art of Mexico. There is also a number of temporary exhibits at any given time.
  3. Dallas Zoo – Nearly 95 acres of zoo animals can be found at the Dallas Zoo. Some of the exhibits of this expansive zoo include the chimpanzee forest, the gorilla center and a nature trail with a variety of features habitats.
  4. Dallas Holocaust Museum – Center for Education and Tolerance – This beautiful museum includes a wide variety of items from the Holocaust, as well as a number of rotating exhibits. Visitors can receive private tours with a Holocaust survivor.
  5. American Airlines Center – A lesson is architecture and outstanding design, the American Airlines Center is home to the Dallas Starts and the Dallas Mavericks. Public tours are available.
  6. Museum of Nature and Science – The Dallas Museum of Nature and Science was founded in 1936 and has since displayed a number of rate and extinct wildlife and dinosaurs. There are a number of permanent exhibits, including a paleontology lab, a wildlife diorama and prehistoric Texas.
  7. Arts District – The Dallas Arts District is the home of many arts venues, including performing arts venues. From art and music to drama and dance, this is the place for all things cultural in Dallas.
  8. Cotton Bowl – The Cotton Bowl is a famous venue, mainly because of the New Year’s Day football game. It is also home to a number of sports events and concerts every year.
  9. Dallas Children’s Museum – Hands-on exhibits and planned play areas provide plenty of opportunity for exploration and imagination at the Dallas Children’s Museum.
  10. Dallas Arboretum – The Dallas Arboretum consists of 66 acres of lush parkland and beautiful landscapes.

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The Allure of Colleyville

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Colleyville has made it big. This once-rural farm community now graces the top ten lists of best places to live, both in Dallas and Fort Worth and across the nation. Money Magazine named Colleyville as one of the “Best 100 Places to Live in America” and Newsweek and D Magazine have also honored this small town with big accolades.

Small-Town Roots

From its small-town roots to superb location, Colleyville is a highly sought after community. Colleyville boasts a low crime rate, an excellent public education system (one of the best in the nation), a beautiful and expansive park system and superb recreational facilities. Its close proximity to both Dallas and Fort Worth attracts many professionals looking for a reasonable commute time without the stressors of the city.

Thoughtful Developments

Colleyville’s wide open farm lands have now given way to some exclusive neighborhoods, although the preservation of nature has been honored throughout the building process. Well-planned developments are a mainstay in Colleyville, as it’s quite common to see beautiful, stately homes amidst rolling land and wooded expanses.

Two particular developments, Broughton of Colleyville and Whittier Heights, have changed the way we think about suburban living. Instead of the typical suburban concept, these developments boast beautiful, open green spaces, winding trails and looping cul-de-sacs which lead into one another. The design of these neighborhoods, as well as several throughout Colleyville, emphasize the importance of community interaction and socialization.

Perhaps it’s the rural feel of Colleyville that attracts so many people. Although business is essential for most individuals, they still often crave the solitude and serenity that a quite suburb like Colleyville offers.

Colleyville has now become one of the premier communities in North Texas due, in part, to its well-designed neighborhoods and well-planned growth and development. The residential growth of Colleyville has also spurred commercial growth, which is expected to continue for years to come.

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Protecting your Pet while Selling your Home

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Your pet is your pride and joy, and is considered a member of the family. It is therefore extremely important to take precautions throughout the home-selling process to ensure that your pet remains safe and protected, and that your buyers aren’t turned off.

The number-one problem with pets when selling your Fate home is what to do with them during a showing or open house. It is important to not only consider the comfort and safety of your guests, but the comfort and safety of your pet, as well.

The following tips can help you protect your beloved pet while showing your Fate property:

  • Consider a back-up location during showings and open houses. Ask a neighbor, friend or family member to take care of your pet during these times, or simply set up kennel time. Although this may not be the most ideal situation, it eliminates any problems with those buyers who may not like animals or those that are allergic to animals.
  • If your pet must remain in the house during showings and open houses, put it in an area of the home where it can’t escape. A laundry room, spare bedroom or the garage are good spots to keep Fido or Fluffy, as long as you aren’t keeping potential buyers from seeing the main areas of your home.
  • Post a sign on the door to the room your pet is staying in to discourage visitors from opening the door.
  • Keeping your pet safely locked in a room – or keeping your pet completely out of the home during the showing or open house – will prevent your guests from tripping over your pet and becoming hurt, and will eliminate the chance of your pet escaping from open doors.
  • If you can, simply take your pet with you during open houses and showings. A walk around the neighborhood or a drive around town during these times is often a convenient and practical solution.

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Finding the Mortgage Loan that

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

If you are a first-time homebuyer, there are a number of questions you will need to research and ask your mortgage broker or lender; the first of which is: what types of mortgage loans are available to me?

Here’s the lowdown on the different types of mortgages that may be available to you for the purchase of your North Dallas home:

  • Fixed-rate mortgages – Fixed-rate mortgages are the most simplistic of loans, as the interest rate and the monthly mortgage rate are both fixed for the life of the loan. Fixed-rate mortgages, which can be anywhere from 10 to 30 years, offer homeowners the practicality of knowing what their mortgage payments are going to be, thereby facilitating the process of making a budget.
  • Adjustable-rate mortgages – Adjustable rate mortgages, most commonly referred to as ARMs, have gotten a bad rap since the downfall of the housing market. This is due to the fact that many homeowners took out mortgage loans that they couldn’t afford because they were able to snag a low ARM.

Many of these consumers, given the fact that real estate was skyrocketing in most parts of the country, thought that they would simply refinance or sell when their ARM adjusted to a higher rate. However, because of the decline of house values, many of these consumers simply didn’t have the equity in their homes to refinance or sell; thereby leaving them with home loans that they couldn’t afford.

ARMs can still be a good move for some homebuyers, though, as they usually start with a lower, fixed rate that changes to a variable rate at some point into the loan term. The lender then adjusts the rate of the loan, either up or down, depending on current interest rates.

  • Balloon Mortgages – Balloon mortgages are mortgages that begin with a fixed interest rate over a fixed number of years. Once the fixed terms ends – which is usually seven years – the lender requires the loan balance to be paid in full.
  • Federal Housing Administration Mortgages – Federal Housing Administration Mortgages (FHAs) are specialized mortgages which allow homebuyers to purchase a home with as little as three percent down. These loans generally are through lenders affiliated with US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

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Condo or Townhome: Which is Right for you?

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

You may have deteremined that owning a single-family home is not for you,

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Spanish and Mediterranean Architecture Abound Throughout the Community of La Villita at Las Colinas

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Las Colinas has been known for its outstanding home communities, and La Villita is no exception.

La Villita has become a very popular master-planned community in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as it enjoys a prime location near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, downtown Dallas and Fort Worth. It is also located close to Interstate 35, Interstate 635 and the George Bush Turnpike.

Exploring La Villita

The surroundings of La Villita are quite beautiful, as they include a 30-acre lake and two canals, as well as numerous hiking trails and parks. La Villita features several home choices, including single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums.

All of the homes in La Villita boast an attractive Spanish/Mediterranean architecture, complete with stucco and stone exteriors, tile roofs, and wrought iron and cedar design features.

Just some of the builders of La Villita include Darling Homes, K. Hovnanian Homes, City Homes and Pasquinelli Portrait Homes. Homes in La Villita range from the low $200,000 to the $600,000s.

Apartment homes can also be found in La Villita for those individuals who desire to rent. In fact, there are over 1,300 apartment homes in the community. Amli and Lincoln Properties feature the Landings at La Villita, where one, two and three-bedroom floor plans can be found.

This master-planned community, which sits on over 200 acres, is a fine example of the outstanding architecture and design found throughout Las Colinas.

The La Villita project, which began in March 2005, was completed in 2008. It is located on the northeast corner of Royal Lane and Riverside and south of Interstate 635 and the George Bush Turnpike,

The highly desired Las Colinas location, along with the varied real estate options, makes La Villita a popular master-planned community for Dallas residents from many different walks of life.

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New Home Communities Abound Throughout Coppell

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

The upscale community of Coppell is one of those communities that have not managed to blow right past the recession, but has actually come out ahead.

As further proof of Coppell’s outstanding growth, consider that there are now three new home communities currently under development in Coppell – a rarity in Dallas, let alone the country:

  • The Chateaus of Coppell, under the direction of the Toll Brothers, are Coppell’s newest executive homes, with prices starting from the $500,000s.
  • The community of Arbor Manors, developed by David Weekly homes, features estate homes priced from the upper $400,000s.
  • Finally, Alexander Court, with expansive estate homes from the high $900,000s are currently underway in beautiful Coppell.

It is no wonder that Coppell is home to many of these outstanding, new home communities, as this area of Dallas has always had a reputation for being upscale and upper class, to say the least.

The Perks of Living in Coppell

The family-oriented city of Coppell has historic roots from the 1840s and a strong, commercial sector. It is conveniently located near downtown Dallas, the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and several, major highways.

Countless magazines and organizations have named Coppell as a highly desirable city in which to reside. Some of the accolades given to Coppell include: One of the “Top Ten Cities” by D Magazine and one of the “Best Places to Live” by Money Magazine.

In addition to its outstanding location and impressive real estate, Coppell is served by three, highly regarded school districts, including the Coppell Independent School District, the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District and the Lewisville Independent School District.

Although the real estate of Coppell tends to be upscale, there are many, more modest homes from which to choose in Coppell.

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Hip, Loft Living at the Canton Street Lofts

Friday, October 9th, 2009

The location doesn’t get any better than this.

Comfortably situated in the downtown business district, near the Dallas Farmer’s Market, the Canton Street Lofts affords its residents the opportunity to park the car and walk nearly anywhere. In other words, downtown Dallas is at your disposal.

Formerly the Olive & Meyers Building, the Canton Streets Lofts once served as a manufacturing plant. However, it was transformed into the hip Canton Street Lofts, where the surroundings are so cool that it has been used to shoot several movies, commercials and documentaries. It holds the distinction of being a Dallas historic landmark.

Canton Street Lofts Amenities

The Canton Street Lofts, in addition to offering super-chic surroundings, is also well known for its four-star amenities, including a front-desk concierge, underground parking, secure building access, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a rooftop swimming pool and Jacuzzi. In addition, a jogging trail loops around the rooftop to provide residents with the coolest morning workout around.

Outstanding Residence Amenities

The spacious, open floor plans of the Canton Street Lofts provide easy living options, while the expansive windows throughout the main living areas flood the homes with plenty of natural light. Each loft residence can be configured to suit the owner’s needs, thereby allowing for the ultimate in design freedom and flexibility.

Homes in the Canton Street Lofts include one-bedroom, one-bathroom homes, and two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes, all of which range from 1,446 to 2,552 square feet and cost between $149,000 and $422,900.

The luxury, the prime location and the superb amenities all make the Canton Street Lofts a popular choice for residents of downtown Dallas. This downtown Dallas condo building easily reflects the upscale living often found throughout many of the condominium residences of downtown Dallas.

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Architecturally Significant Homes Continue to Dominate Highland Park

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Highland Park, like many suburbs of Dallas, is well known for its upscale surroundings and estate homes. However, what separates Highland Park from many of the surrounding communities is the presence of some of the most architecturally significant homes in Dallas.

From estate homes to historic homes, there is a great array of architecturally significant homes which feature an unsurpassed level of architectural quality and significance. Therefore, it certainly comes as no surprise that homes in Highland Park are highly regarded as some of the finest homes not only in Dallas, but the entire state of Texas.

There have been many new home construction projects over the last, few years, but there are just as many historic homes which have been completely renovated, as well. Many of the smaller homes of Highland Park have also been leveled to make way for larger estates.

Perhaps it’s the convenient location to Dallas that has made Highland Park so desirable, or perhaps it’s because of the surrounding beauty that has prompted so many architects, home builders and buyers to build architecturally significant homes amidst the tree-lined streets and lush lots.

From the inception of Highland Park to the current time, many of Dallas’ most renowned architects have chosen Highland Park to complete their vision. As a result, this Dallas suburb features eclectic architectural styles such as English, French and neoclassical styles.

From restored historic homes to newer homes with an historic feel, the multi-million dollar properties of Highland Park are nothing short of spectacular.

Neighborhoods in Highland Park

  • Old Highland Park – Bounded by Mockingbird Lane, Katy Trail, Armstrong and Preston Road
  • Highland Park West of Preston – Bounded by Preston Road, Fairview, the Tollway and Mockingbird Lane
  • Highland Park North of Mockingbird – Located on the University Park side of Mockingbird Lane
  • West Highland Park – One-hundred-acre neighborhood with homes from the 1940s and 1950s. Located west of the Tollway.

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Dallas HUD homes

Wednesday, August 8th, 2007

When considering bidding on a HUD home, you need an experienced Realtor to assist you, which is no direct cost to the buyer. The process can be more complex than the average home sell and definitely involves more paperwork. There are also times when the home is not truly below market value, which an agent like myself can verify. The buyer must also look into what repairs would be needed and consider this in their offer. If you have a HUD home of interest, I can send you the property condition report that is

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