Dallas real estate news

Thursday Three Hundred: Ripped to The Studs, This Glenridge Estates Home is Ready to be Loved

By Joanna England / October 18, 2012 /

One more reason to love 1950s traditionals is that they are absolute chameleons. They are perfect for someone with a vision. This house turned out just adorable! What’s not to love about 9861 Williamsburg in Glenridge Estates? Everything — really, everything! — is new inside. The living and dining areas have been opened up to…

Tuesday Two Hundred: This Too Cute Take on Traditional is Cozy, Bright, and Very Welcoming!

By Joanna England / October 16, 2012 /

I think this might be our first home on CandysDirt.com from Ridgewood Park, an East Dallas neighborhood just south of Lovers Lane and east of Abrams Road. It’s not too far south of Northwest Highway in a little alcove tucked away from too much traffic. In a word: Love. This house, 6515 Ridgemont Drive marketed…

Thinking of Making a “Z” Sale? Yesterday Was Your Last Day to Skirt The New MLS Sales Disclosure Rules

By Joanna England / October 16, 2012 /

I spoke to MetroTex Association of Realtors MLS Director Cathy Faulkner yesterday about “Z sales” coming to an end. In the luxury market, “Z sales” gave lofty sales prices a sense of anonymity.

I won’t bore you with the technical details of what a “Z sale” is exactly. Check out this site for a primer on the practice. The gist is this: sellers who were gun shy about disclosing what they paid for a home listed on MLS put a “Z” instead of a big number followed by a lot of zeroes.

Dallas Realtor Jeff Duffey says the death of the practice “will never affect approximately 99% of the real estate market areas throughout North Texas.” However, he estimates roughly 20 percent of the sales in high-end neighborhoods such as the Park Cities, Preston Hollow, and Turtle Creek are “Z sales.”

With Election Season in Full Swing, is a Campaign Sign in The Front Yard a Good Idea?

By Joanna England / October 15, 2012 /

I doubt a piece of cardboard and a stake is going to turn off a prospective buyer, but would you want to risk it?

Apparently yes, at least for some people. I’ve passed several homes on my rounds through Dallas’ many upscale neighborhoods with not only a “For Sale” sign in the front yards, but large signs extolling their picks for public office.

Monday Morning Millionaire: When Going Green, Go For The Gold With This Earth Friendly Allen Home

By Joanna England / October 15, 2012 /

Our hot summer days are waning, so the collective gasps uttered by North Texas homeowners opening their utility bills are quieting, too. But don’t forget — heat costs money, too, and having an efficient home will keep your bills predictable year round. Of course, going green isn’t always about saving green, but that’s definitely part…