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Laura Morin
REALTOR®, GRI
(469) 400-5465
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Articles Tagged "Mesquite TX"

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August
23

Dallas-Fort Worth Only U.S. Market Where Home Sale Prices Dropped Last Month

The North Texas housing market is downshifting quickly, with Dallas-Fort Worth being the only U.S. market to see a decrease in home sale prices last month, according to a report released today.  DFW home prices are down 1.9% year over year in July, according to the latest Re/Max National Housing Report.

 

And what a difference a month makes.  Last month, DFW led the U.S. for home price increases, with June prices up 29.3% over the previous year.   In hard numbers, home sales prices in DFW fell to $413,900 in July from $422,000 in July 2021.   Homes in DFW spend an average of 23 days on the market before selling.

 

Higher interest rates and inflation, as well as record home prices, triggered a sharp drop in demand for housing, said Todd Luong, a realtor with Re/Max DFW Associates:  "Here at our Re/Max office in Dallas-Fort Worth, our listings are currently getting on average 2.7 showings per week," Luong said. "Last year, at this same time, our listings were earning on average 5.9 showings per week. That is a huge drop in buyer demand compared to the previous year. Record home prices and higher mortgage rates have forced many potential buyers out of the market, especially first-time homebuyers."

 

While the latest trends may disappoint some sellers, buyers now have more choices and better opportunities for good deals, Luong said.   Luong said that the DFW housing market has been challenged with low inventory for years and reached an all-time low earlier this year, with only a two-week supply. Now, however, inventory is increasing.  "Although buyers have more choices now, it is still not a balanced market as we only have about a two-month housing supply," Luong said. "In a normal market, you have about a five to six-month supply of housing."

 

A new report from Zillow also found falling home values, although the numbers didn't match Re/Max's precisely because of different study methods and different geographic definitions of DFW as a metro area, among other reasons.  According to Zillow's findings, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area's typical home value is $396,904, down 1.1% since June, the first month of decline. Values are up 55.4% since July 2019.

 

Zillow also reported that the mortgage payment on a typical home in DFW is $2,633 a month, including taxes and insurance. That's up 77.4% compared to July 2019.

According to Zillow, inventory in DFW has risen 10.2% since June, and the share of listings with a price cut in July was 22%, compared to 15.6% in June.  Nationwide, after two years of unprecedented growth, home values fell for the first time since 2012 as competition for houses eased, according to Zillow's July market report.

 

The slowdown is being driven by decreased competition among buyers. Zillow's analysis says that affordability pressures have pushed many to the sidelines, and buyers are waiting in the wings to resume their search if and when prices relax a bit.  Skylar Olsen, Zillow's chief economist, called the flattening of home values "a badly needed rebalancing.  This slowdown is about discouraged buyers pulling back after the affordability shock from higher rates," Olsen said. "As prices soften, many will renew their interest, and we will continue our progress back to 'normal.'"

 

Luong said he sees positive signs in the market.  The interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped below 5% after peaking in June. More than 290,000 new jobs were added in Dallas-Fort Worth last year, so North Texas has one of the strongest labor markets in the country.   "Reasonably priced homes that are in good condition and move-in ready are still selling very fast," he said. "However, the bidding wars have subsided considerably across the board."

  • Dallas Business Journal, August 19, 2022
October
4

5 Craft Shows Near Dallas to Add to Your Calendar

Texas Craft ShowsShopping at local arts and crafts shows is a fun way to spend a few hours while picking up some unique handmade items for yourself or to give as a gift. Whether you're shopping for paintings, jewelry, apparel, or something different, you're like to find some treasures to take home.
  
Our real estate agents suggest visiting some of the following arts and crafts shows:

  1. Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash - Nov. 13 - Gilley's Dallas Event Venues, 1135 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215  
    Etsy is a well-known online site for buying and selling every type of handmade item you can imagine. The Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash lets you enjoy that experience and selection in person, where you can see items close up. Artists, crafters, and designers have been handpicked to showcase their wares, so you'll be able to find unique items in a one-stop shopping experience. And if you're one of the first 50 shoppers, you'll score a Bash Bag filled with swag from different vendors. Visit a make-and-take table to learn how to create crafts that you can take home. And to keep your energy up, stop by the food trucks. Finally, remember your visit with a souvenir from fun photo booths.

  2. The Other Art Fair - Oct. 21-24, 2021 - Dallas Market Hall, 2200 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207
    The Other Art Fair, held near Dallas homes for sale, is a great way to get into buying art since it has pieces that can be worked into almost any budget. For as little as $100, you can start your collection, or if you already have pieces, add to them. Available pieces are carefully curated, and you'll also have the chance to meet the artists and find out more about their works. Over 140 emergent, independent artists will have work available at the show. 

  3. Sky Dancers Craft Show - Oct. 30, 2021 - Timber Creek High School, 12350 Timberland Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76244
    Treat yourself to handmade products at the Sky Dancers Craft Show, and you'll also be helping drill team members at Timber Creek High School, located just around the corner from Fort Worth homes for sale. Vendors will sell art, jewelry, edible treats, and more. And if you have kids, bring them along in their costumes so they can trick-or-treat at vendor booths and decorate pumpkins while they're at the craft show.

  4. Happily Ever Sip & Shop Craft Fair - Oct. 17 - Rahr and Sons Brewing, 701 Galveston Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104  
    Visit the Happily Ever Sip & Shop Craft Fair to shop for one-of-a-kind works from approximately 50 different artisans. This family-friendly event features fun for everyone. And if you'd like to take a brewery tour while you're there, set aside a little time to check out their offerings and see how they're made.

  5. Downtown Mesquite Farmers Market - every Saturday from April-November - Front Street Station, 100 W. Front St., Mesquite, TX 75149  
    Like many farmers markets these days, the Downtown Mesquite Farmers Market offers a lot more than produce. Sure, you'll still find delicious local crops, but you'll also be able to shop for handmade goods from different artisans. In addition, musical acts sometimes perform to add to the festive atmosphere. And while you're at Front Street Station, which is conveniently located near Mesquite homes for sale, walk around to enjoy viewing eight public art pieces placed throughout the area.  

Contact us if you'd like to buy a home or sell yours in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Mesquite area. Our agents will help every step of the way. 

September
13

Shop for Comic Books Near Dallas

Dallas Comic Book Stores

September 25 is National Comic Book Day, and in honor of the occasion, we highly recommend paying your local comic book store a visit. We're lucky to have some really great comic shops here in Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding areas.

Of course, we know you don't need a holiday just to raid the bins at your favorite comic book store! If you're wondering where you can always find the latest issue of your favorite comics in the DFW, our real estate agents know just where to go. 

  • Cosmic Comics & Cards - 728 E Marshall Dr, Grand Prairie, TX 75051
    Cosmic Comics & Cards is a cozy shop offering an eclectic selection of comic books, games, sports, and non-sports trading cards, action figures, and other collectibles. Located conveniently to many Grand Prairie homes for sale, the shop also has friendly staff to help you find anything you need. Comic fans will find a great selection of new titles as well as thousands of back issues. 

  • Twenty Eleven Comics - 2230 Morriss Rd, Flower Mound, TX 75028
    You can always count on discovering some unique treasures at Twenty Eleven Comics, a family-owned shop whose proprietors have an obvious affection for all things comic-related. Twenty Eleven Comics has tens of thousands of back issues in stock. They're also known for hosting events, including Dungeons and Dragons campaigns and Magic the Gathering tournaments.

  • Red Pegasus Comics - 319 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
    Nestled in the quirky Bishop Arts District of Dallas, Red Pegasus Comics is a great place to discover new comics. Though a relatively small space, the shop is packed with comic books new and old, and they carry all the latest titles from D.C. and Marvel as well as a cool selection of indie comics. Walkable from many Dallas homes for sale, Red Pegasus is definitely a shop that requires return visits. 

  • Zeus Comics and Collectibles - 1334 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75247
    Offering a huge selection of comics, graphic novels, trade paperbacks, and Manga, Zeus Comics and Collectibles is a staple of the Dallas comic book community. They've worked hard to create an inclusive space that's open to all, and the shop was named Dallas' "best pop culture experience" by the Dallas Observer in 2018. They have a vast and well-organized selection of comics in every genre and from every era. 

  • Urban Legends Comic Shop - 3501 Gus Thomasson Rd, Mesquite, TX 75150
    You can browse games, puzzles, and an incredible array of comic books at Urban Legends Comic Shop. The store opened its doors in 2013 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the best places to shop for comics near these Mesquite homes for sale. Urban Legends Comic Shop is especially great for fans of independent comics that are a bit less mainstream than your typical superhero fare, but they carry a bit of everything. 

  • Y2Komics - 5276 Trail Lake Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76133
    Y2Komics has been open for more than 20 years, which makes it the longest-standing comic book shop in Fort Worth. It's also one of the largest, and its shelves and bins are packed with a tremendous variety of comic books. Just minutes from these Fort Worth homes for sale, Y2Komics is a great place to find silver age classics as well as hot new issues, and they also carry games, toys, and all kinds of collectibles. 

Great comic book shops are just the beginning of what the area has to offer. Contact us today to learn more about life in Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding areas!

July
12

5 Ways to Upgrade Your Kitchen

Dallas Kitchen Upgrades

Love to cook? If so, you may be looking for a dream kitchen among Fort Worth homes for sale. You probably have some good ideas about what you want in a kitchen, but our real estate agents have some insightful advice that might make you reconsider what you're looking for. For instance, many homeowners think large when it comes to kitchen space, but experts say it's more important for your kitchen to be organized than to be expansive.

Make the most of your kitchen with these upgrades.

  1. Create a Good Workflow
    Gathering guests in the kitchen while you cook is a definite trend, but you want to arrange things so your guests can enjoy visiting and not be in the way. Place them nearby where they can enjoy a drink or some snacks, but not where you have to work around them. Plan for your cooktop to be out of the flow of traffic; take that a step further and locate the trash or the bar away from the cooking flow so you don't have to dance around obstructions. By the same token, you want essentials nearby, such as the refrigerator, pots and pans, most favored utensils, and cooking ingredients.

  2. Invest in Good Counters
    You want good quality counters, but that doesn't mean you need to invest in the most expensive materials. For instance, granite is popular, but it requires considerable upkeep and can scratch easily. Another popular material is soapstone, which is soft and can be scratched, but it's not delicate. It also ages nicely and can stand high heat. Compressed recycled quartz is a popular choice that stands up to wear and comes in several choices.

  3. Go for Quality Cookware
    Forget those 20-piece cookware sets. Rather, buy piece by piece and only buy what you need. For instance, you're likely going to use a frying pan or skillet more than, say, a saucier, so do invest in one that's of good quality. But investing in an inexpensive non-stick skillet for daily egg cooking isn't a bad idea. You can save the quality piece for the gourmet dishes, and just let the non-stick go when it wears out.  

    A cast-iron skillet is one way to acquire a quality piece that doesn't cost much. These last forever. You might also want to invest in a fully clad pot, which means it's composed of three layers of bonded metal. These pots are known for even transmittal of heat, which translates to nice browning instead of hot spots.

  4. Think Bold
    While white kitchens with a bold pop of color or two have prevailed over recent years, the trend may be shifting to more adventurous colors. For instance, bright blue cabinetry might call to you, as might a green marble countertop or a backsplash that makes an eye-catching statement. If you know you're staying in your current home, choose the colors that appeal most to you.

  5. Consider Sustainability 
    The throw-away syndrome is something we all need to lose, and no better place to start than in your kitchen upgrade. As you look to redo your kitchen, shop for quality, artisanal, sustainably made items that will last a lifetime. For example, consider adding quality food storage solutions to get rid of plastic wrap usage.

Still looking for a home complete with the perfect kitchen for all your culinary adventures? Our agents can help. Contact us today.

March
15

What You Need to Know Before Starting a Home Improvement Project

Home Improvement DFW

Renovating or updating your home is an exciting prospect. Whether you plan on living there a while longer or are fixing it up to sell soon, doing much-needed updates can be satisfying. Before you get too carried away, though, here are a few words of caution from our real estate agents.

  1. Choose your contractor carefully.
    Remember that a lot rides on your choice of contractor. This person will oversee your project, so it needs to be someone who is on board with your vision. It also should be someone who is good at what they do, so check online reviews. It's a good rule of thumb to interview several contractors and look for someone who will be a good fit for your project, understands your budget, and will be able to deliver as promised and on time.

  2. Expect the unexpected.
    That being said, always expect the unexpected, and build a little wiggle room into your budget and your timeline. You don't know what your contractor and his crew will find once they start work. The original plan may need to be changed or some issue could require attention before the work can continue. If you build a little extra into your overall plan, changes in cost or time frame won't hurt as much.

  3. Do the kitchen first.
    There are several reasons why you should do the kitchen first. First of all, it's likely to inconvenience you the most, since you won't have a kitchen to cook in. You can set up a temporary kitchen station in another room, where you can do simple food prep. But more importantly, kitchen updates have the biggest impact on your home's value. Dallas homes for sale that feature clean, modern kitchens show and sell the best. Plus, those updates feature the most functionality, so you'll likely enjoy them the most during whatever time you have left in the house.

  4. Be honest with yourself before DIYing.
    It can be tempting to save yourself the money and do the work yourself, but be honest with yourself as to whether you have the required knowledge, experience, and skill to DIY it. If you overestimate your ability to DIY your upgrades, you'll detract from your home's appeal and leave the buyer to clean up the mess. Be honest with yourself, and if you don't know enough to make the job look professional, then leave it to the professionals.

  5. Know whether you're selling or staying. 
    If you're designing updates to enjoy while you live in the home, your goals are going to be different than if you're updating a home in order to join the list of Fort Worth homes for sale. Renovations for yourself will of course be targeted to your personal preferences, whereas renovations prior to selling need to be more neutral so that they'll appeal to a wide range of potential buyers.

If you're looking to sell your home soon, home improvement projects are a great way to boost its appeal to buyers. For more information about what upgrades sell the best, or to speak to an agent, contact us today.

February
8

Storage Solutions You'll Want in Your Home

Home Storage SolutionsNo matter how big a house is, we seem never to have enough storage space. The problem might be you just haven't unlocked the secrets of a good storage strategy.

If you're considering homes among Dallas homes for sale or Fort Worth homes for sale, and you're wondering if the storage will be sufficient, just keep these tips in mind for how you might expand the storage space in your new home.

  1. Over-the-doorway shelving. 
    Bet you didn't know you had all that potential storage space right over the doorway. Install open-air shelves over the doorway in bedrooms, bathrooms, and above double doors. Depending on the type of room where the shelves are installed, you can place plants, decorative dishes, and pottery, or treasured mementos.

  2. Under-the-bed storage bins.
    Don't let that space under your bed go to the dust bunnies. Acquire long, flat storage bins and stow things such as holiday gift bags, tissue, and wrapping paper; or even off-season clothing. 

  3. Hooks for measuring spoons and cups.
    Don't you get fed up looking for measuring spoons and smaller-size measuring cups in your drawer full of miscellanea? Now you can put your hand right on them by installing hooks inside your kitchen cabinet doors and hanging them within easy reach.

  4. Drawer organizers.
    Utilize these to help organize your kitchen. Drawer organizers work well if you put some time into planning what you need to access before you buy the organizers. Make sure you measure your drawers as well! 

  5. Storage bins for cabinets.
    Same as for drawer organizers: think about what you want to place in storage bins before you buy them. For instance, maybe you have some spices you'd like to have right at hand, so you acquire a bin for the pantry where you can place them in rough alphabetical order. Storage bins in cabinets should work well for all the smaller items in the kitchen, such as packets of gravy or dressing mixes, a box of bouillon cubes, a baggie full of orphaned tea bags, sweetener packets, whatever. Obviously, storage bins for your bedroom closets will be larger so they can hold your shoes; maybe in your office, a storage bin would be useful for rounding up all those power cords and chargers you can't seem to throw away.

  6. Excess stuff.
    You know you need to get rid of stuff you never use, but it's hard. We suggest once a year going through your possessions and doing a fearless assessment of what you're likely to need or can let go of without regrets. Some of it can go in the trash or the recycling bin; the rest, such as clothing or furniture in good repair, can go to charity. 

  7. Outdoor storage shed.
    This is one of the best solutions for relieving indoor crowding. Try to arrange stored items with a top to bottom plan by stacking seldom-used items on the bottom, and stuff you might need in smaller containers near the top. Think about what you'll want to get at (holiday decorations for instance) and place them so you can access them as needed. 

All these small changes will add up and provide you and your family more space so you can live more comfortably in your home.

Need more tips? Our real estate agents can help. Contact us today.

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Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 03/21/2023. The listing information on this page last changed on 03/21/2023. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of NTREIS (last updated Tue 03/21/2023 10:19:00 PM EST) or Permian Basin MLS (last updated Mon 11/21/2022 7:45:23 AM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than RE/MAX DFW Associates may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved. --

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