2011 Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum

Dallas Blooms 2011 opens its doors on March 5, 2011 at the Dallas Arboretum. Reported to be a  world class event with visitors coming from all over the globe. I know it is a favorite of mine! 
 
I have found it to be a wonderful opportunity to share with my family. I plan to take them again this year and celebrate the coming of Spring in Dallas.

With over 500,000 bulbs in bloom and a brand new one from Holland named “Dallas Blooms” it is always a beautiful sight to see. Tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are amongst the many blooms on the 66 acre garden that overlooks White Rock Lake and Downtown Dallas in its background.

It’s a Fairy Tale World, the newest exhibit,  featuring Fairy Tale Castles hosts seven unique designs to inspire children and promote literacy. A sure delight for young ones. Although Dallas Blooms ends on April 10th the Fairy Tale Castles will continue its exhibit right on through December 2011.

The Arboretum is located at 8525 Garland Road in Dallas, Texas 75218.

SOLD! 3003 San Paula Avenue

Today is one of those days that makes being a Realtor rewarding. Satisfaction comes from bringing a transaction to closing and seeing all parties involved happy with the outcome. 


A seller who closes on one house and, in the same day, contracts on their house which also closes before that month is out.


A buyer who is also the buyer’s agent and a great person to work with and cooperative on all matters concerning the transaction. Today they have a home that will meet the needs of their family.
 

How can I help you with your real estate needs?

It’s not a new year’s resolution but the timing is sure right. Today I made the big decision to purchase another bicycle for myself. I say BIG decision because it’s been 5 or 6 years since I last rode a bicycle. And much has happened in my life during that time span. I am glad I bought it. Bicycling has always been an activity I enjoyed. I look forward to checking out the neighborhood by bicycle especially with gas already 3 dollars a gallon and expected to hit 5 by the end of summer.




One thing I like about my neighborhood is that it is bicycle friendly for street cruising. The number of people I see riding bicycles seems to have increased over the past year or two. I can’t wait to get out there and get started. Who knows, I should meet more of my neighbors and that’s a good thing.



As a Realtor, I would recommend to those who are considering a purchase of a new home to scope out the neighborhoods they are interested in and consider whether or not it would be a good place for them to enjoy the outdoors.

Well, it happened...in Dallas

Well, it happened...it snowed in Dallas and I am not singing for the joy of it either. It’s not so much that I don’t like the snow. It has more to do with what the snow brings. Sure, sure the falling of the snowflakes is pretty and bright. Others say they like the quiet of the snow. Typically we don’t even get enough accumulation to have a good snowball fight much less build a snowman.

When it does snow though there are some things I would just as soon avoid like driving. Most local drivers are not prepared to handle the rules of the road required to drive safely under the inclement weather conditions. There is always that one driver who has to go the fastest. They literally fly around all the cautious drivers causing more than one palpitation for this particular driver.

One good thing about the snow is that it makes a good opportunity for such lovely photos. I have seen some great shots posted around the site on Activerain. As for me, I think I will spend the remainder of Sunday afternoon tucked safely in my home with the ones I love.

Finding Your Dream Home

Finding Your Dream Home

Growing up the Wizard of Oz was always one of my favorite movies. If it had been the days of dvd I would have watched it back to back until I could repeat every line. I’m sure I was probably close even back then. I can recall repeating with Dorothy “There’s no place like home” over and over to the point that I was fully persuaded there really wasn't any other place like home.

Perhaps that is why I am such a home body. I enjoy traveling but after a few days I am ready to head to the house where I am queen of the house. I like my space. I like my things. I like the comfort my home provides me.

There really is no place like home. If I can help you find your dream home please give me a call today.

Overstuffing the Holidays

It seems that the over abundance of food and activities are causing other things besides people to be overstuffed during the holidays. The plumbing in our homes can be overwhelmed with an excessive workload caused by the demands of additional folks or the additional food and food products coming through our disposals and/or drains.

The case for the stoppage in the plumbing usually rests in the fact that most drains are already partially clogged before the festivities and meal preparations began. To help avoid these unpleasant and unexpected stoppages homeowners should consider these helpful hints. When preparing meals never pour drippings or fatty oils down the drain pipes and consider carefully what you put into the disposal. Some items such as onion or celery do not work well in the disposal leaving behind particles that contribute in clogging the drain. Coffee grounds are also a known cause in clogging drains.

Like the disposal, certain items flushed down the toliet bowl can contribute to a problem. Items such as cotton balls, facial scrub pads or hair should never be flushed down the toliet. These items as well as many others do not disolve well and can contribute to a clogged drain. If you already experience slow drains it may be helpful to have an interval between showers allowing proper time for the drains to clear.

Home for the holidays is where we all wish to be and it is our wish to make it a memorable experience without the unexpected. May you and your family be blessed with overflowing joy and peace in abundance.

HOA Resale Certificate ~ A Buyer's Representation Tale

Here in the Dallas Ft Worth area most of our newer subdivisions have been built with a HOA, Homeowners Association in place to manage the upkeep of community areas and other aspects. Most folks really never give much thought to the HOA until the bill comes in for assessment dues or it's time to resale.
One of the requirements of the Texas Property Code is that when resaling the buyer receives "Subdivision Information". Subdivision information, according to TAR, Texas Association of Realtors and found on the Addendum for Property Subject to Mandatory Membership in a Property Owners Association, means (1) the restrictions applying to the subdivison, (2) the bylaws and rules of the Property Owners' Association and (3) the resale certificate.

On a recent transaction the Title Company was very quick and responsive to send over the subdivison information. Only they did not include number 3 above namely the resale certificate. As the buyer's representative it is an important aspect of protecting the buyer's rights to make sure that the buyer receives the resale certificate.

The information contained in the resale certificate helps the buyer to make an informed decision about the property and the Homeowners Association that manages it. Information that may be found on the certificate includes the right to transfer property, the frequency and amount of assessments, whether there are any outstanding dues, existing violations, unsatisfied judgements or pending lawsuits in regards to the property or the HOA. The current operating budget and balance sheet of the propety association should be made available as well. Other pertinent information is usually provided in addition to that wihich was mentioned so you can see how important this document is to the buyer when making a decision to buy a property within a Homeowners Association.

Buyers as well as their agents should be aware of their rights to recieve all of the information pertaining to the subdivision located within a property association. I hope that you found this information useful. If I can be of further assistance in your buying needs please contact me directly.