HOME IMPROVEMENT

REMODEL YOUR KITCHEN AND BATH ON A BUDGET

Two of the most popular rooms for home makeovers are the kitchen and bath. However, these can be pricey ventures. A minor kitchen remodel can hover around $22,000, while a bathroom can be around $16,000. Here are some alternatives that will give you a fresh, modern look without breaking the bank:

1. Refinishing or re-facing the fronts of cabinets and replacing knobs and drawer pulls can give cabinets a fresh new look.

2. A cost-effective approach to counter-tops might include solid surface materials such as granite. Silestone or ceramic granite tiles.

3. A fresh coat of wall paint in modern hues is also a sure bet.

4. Consider replacing sinks as well as fixtures in brushed nickel chrome or stainless steel.

5. Under-cabinet or track lighting can create a contemporary look.

6. Replace the old shower curtain.

7. A new mirror or medicine cabinet can also make a real difference.

You do not have to spend thousands of dollars to add pizzazz to your kitchen or bath. Just changing a few elements can make a significant statement to you and potential buyers down the road.

Contact me for a list of popular colors, Gloria Vargo at 214-789-1076. I have a list of client approved contractors too, with wholesale pricing.

HOMEBUYERS' ADVICE

Fall in Love With the Right Home

You're ready to fall in love with your first home. As you write your wish list, you may find that it grows longer than you'd imagined. You want more living space, a place to do your art and crafts, enough bedrooms to expand your family or accommodate relatives and friends, a separate master suite, and an entertaining area that will impress. All in the best neighborhood, of course!

Welcome to the first lesson of homebuying - you won't find the perfect home, but you'll find one that's perfect for you right now, and that may mean doing without a swimming pool or hilltop view. I recommend you choose three home essentials to begin your search.

1. Price range - Your lender will prequalify you and tell you how much you can afford, based on your down-payment, credit history and debt-to-income ratio. If your limit is $300,000, it won't benefit you to look at homes that are $400,000.

2. Neighborhood preference - Choose neighborhoods based on a radius of where you want to be, whether it's in a certain school district, close to work, or near family and friends.

3. Bedrooms and bath requirements. Start with three bedrooms and two baths, typical for a starter home.

By sticking to basics, you'll find you have plenty of homes to consider.  You'll narrow your selection more quickly if you're not distracted by showy or unnecessary features, and ultimately, you'll be more satisfied with your new home.

HOMEBUYERS’ ADVICE

Three New Year’s Homebuyer Resolutions

This is the year you become a homeowner! To make the most of this most important step in your life, make these three New Year’s home buying resolutions now. I will check and repair my credit. Before you start shopping for homes, make sure you have no errors or unresolved credit issues that could prevent you from getting a good loan. The three credit reporting bureaus, Experian, Transunion and Equifax, don’t share data, nor do they correct errors without evidence. Order a full credit report from all three bureaus here. If you find an error, contact the appropriate bureau and mail copies of your payment, release of lien or other proof. I will get preapproved for a mortgage loan. Take two to four months of bank statements, pay stubs, and an account of your monthly debts and expenses to your lender. The lender calculates how much money you can safely borrow and at what interest rate. Preapproval also means a lot to sellers. It show’s that you’re serious about buying a home and that the closing process will be quicker and smoother because you already have a lender. I will buy within my means. It’s sensible to buy the most home you can afford, and your lender will help you get there, but it’s not wise to get a risky adjustable rate mortgage so you can buy more house. Being “house poor” means having no money available for other things in life, so stick to conforming loan guidelines to be safer financially.

Seller Tip

The Seller Who Tests the Market

When you see the market rising, it’s tempting to price your home even higher than nearby homes that recently sold. So you tell your listing agent that you want to "test" the market to see if you can get even more for your home.
Sometimes, it’s appropriate to choose a list price higher than recent comparable sold homes, but that strategy seldom works unless the market is climbing rapidly. If you’re looking for a quick, hassle-free sale, you need to decide which is more important – getting more for your home or moving on to your new life somewhere else.
Let’s say your neighborhood’s highest, most recent home sale was $500,000, and your agent suggests a listing price of $510,000. You want to test the market at $530,000 - which is $20,000 more than your agent recommends, and $30,000 over the latest comparable.
Your home hits the market at $530,000 and has tons of showings the first week. Your strategy is working, except that you don’t receive any offers. By the second week, there are few to no showings. Agents are reporting back to your listing agent that their buyers said your home “needs work,” or that they “found something more suited to their needs.”
After months of making two mortgage payments, your home finally sells at $518,000. Meanwhile, you paid months of overhead to get $9,000. You actually lost peace of mind and threw away a lot of money.
Overpriced homes simply take longer to sell. If you’re tempted to “test the market”, remember that the market will test you.

Home Inspection

Renegotiating After the Home Inspections

Negotiations don’t necessarily end when you and the seller sign the contract to purchase. You have the right to have the home you’re buying inspected for soundness, which you can include as a contingency to your offer. That way, if the inspection reveals a serious issue, you and the seller can address it through renegotiations.
During the inspection process, the inspector is required to tell you about the condition of the appliances, heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, foundation, roofing, exterior materials and so on.
Depending on where you live, you may also get separate inspections for pests and environmental issues such as radon. You’ll also learn if your future home is up to current building codes and what needs to be done to bring it up to code.
Once the inspections are complete, you have to decide if any problems found are worth renegotiating. It’s a risk because your existing contract is no longer in force and the seller is free to accept another offer. Renegotiate only for a system that is unsafe or expensive to replace.
Most sellers expect to make reasonable repairs and replacements if the inspection reveals an issue that wasn’t obvious when you first agreed to terms. As long as communication remains open and civil, the seller should have as much desire to make the sales contract work as you do.

Rents Are Increasing - Invest in Your Own Home!

Spending Too Much on Rent – Are You One?

Young Adults are choosing to rent a house because they think they can not afford or qualify for their own home.

Why pay down your landlords Mortgage when you can own? Many twenty and thirty year olds are qualifying for loans. You will need to have saved up 3 1/2% of the value of the house for a FHA loan, or the preferred choice of a conventional loan requires just 5% of your own cash. Family members can gift you some of your down payment.

Now is a good time to enter into homeownership!

Contact Gloria at 214-789-1076, if you see a starter home in your near future!

Put Your Housing Cost To Work For You!

Let's look at your Net Worth, is it going up or down like many other American's. You can make a positive change today.

There are many young people debating whether they should renew their apartment lease or sign a contract to purchase their first home. Potential growth of a good home in just 5 years can and has amounted to $44,061 equity, according to Keeping Current Matters. Do you want that in your pocket or your landlord's?

Every month you have a housing cost that is going to be to your landlord or your mortgage company?


For many the only savings or advancement in their net worth has comes from making a housing payment. The principal portion of the mortgage payment helps build net worth, through building home equity.

When you rent, you are contributing to the Landlord's NET WORTH.

Why not take advantage of your monthly housing costs? The first step to savings in just a quick call to Homes By Gloria, 214-789-1076 and a good mortgage representative.

1. 1. Berkshire Hathaway

      Multinational conglomerate company
   2. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, that oversees and manages a number of subsidiary companies. Wikipedia
   4. Stock price: BRK.A (NYSE) $218,540.00 +517.00 (+0.24%)
      Nov 17, 4:00 PM EST - Disclaimer
   5. CEO: Warren Buffett
   6. Founder: Oliver Chace
   7. Founded: 1888, New Bedford, MA
   8. Headquarters: Omaha, NE

Increase in North Texas New Home Sales

Prices are Rising and Inventory is Down

Shortage of existing homes available to purchase has resulted in a jump in new home sales in North Texas. Those new build homes inventory is also very tight.

New home sales rose by 10% in the second half of the year, compared to last year, June 2013 vs. June 2014. Residential Strategies report stated that "The housing market remains vibrant in the D-FW area."

Existing homes in the same areas have seen less days on the market and increased prices, resulting from the housing shortage. 

"Buyers and Real Estate Agents are feeling the effects."

Texas is Leading the Nation in New Jobs - Dallas Area is number ONE!

Openings in executive, middle  and entry level jobs, all business types with a diverse set of industries from health care to consumer businesses.

 

Opportunity to everyone coming from technology and TEXAS pride.

 

People want to be a part of the winning spirit and families enjoy it here!

 

Toyota moving to Plano from California because it is an affordable place to buy a home and the easy commute to work.

 

Buyers from the east and west coast state that they can not believe the great neighborhoods and homes you can find in Texas! "This would be a mansion back home."

Assistance with finding your next mansion, text 214-789-1076 or email gloria@gloriavargo.com.

A GUIDE TO TEXAS: FOR CEOs by CEOs assimilate executives to Texas life style! www.ytexas.com

Revamp Your Dallas Backyard for The Summer

Apr 02, 2014 03:00 pm | DFW Real Estate

Spring fever is on the minds of people throughout the nation, and that’s no exception in Texas. With warmer weather on the horizon, people throughout the area are gearing up for outdoor activities and lawn care. Texas home owners with backyards they deem boring or too slated for proper landscaping can just as easily get a boost with a few of these ideas of HGTV Gardens.

Sink Into a Sunken Terrace

Creating a terrace is a great way to utilize space in a slanted or uneven backyard. Home owners can use the varying levels as a way to create a sunken space perfect for entertaining. With a pathway leading from the home, a stone patio area can not only utilize the area that may otherwise seem unusable it will use depth and variation to make the yard feel as though it were ripped from a magazine centerfold.

Embrace a Shady Spot

It’s no secret that summers in Texas can be rough, so creating an area with ample shade will help to make a backyard more usable. A pergola or veranda area is ideal for southern climates. Texas home owners should use an area like a back corner of the yard or a space on the porch or even near the pool as a calming retreat. A great way to block out additional sun is to add white outdoor-appropriate drapes that can be fanned out or tied back. Home owners can also plant tall shrubbery or plants to the east and west where the sun can be its most dramatic.

Create a Cozy Corner

The backyard is a space for play and fun, but it should also be an ideal area in the home in which to unwind. By adding a comfortable outdoor sofa or a hammock, the backyard can be turned into a spa-like oasis. Decorative, outdoor throw pillows are also great to make the area look inviting, which can be especially helpful when having gatherings.

Real Simple recommends: “Make over a porch with a few items (day bed, potted plants, Chinese lanterns) that will make the space comfortable and stylish. Thinking creatively can also help you stick to a budget. There’s no reason why a trunk from inside can’t step in as your outdoor coffee table. Besides, it’s only for a season.”

Determine a Theme

Backyards, just like any other area of the home, just need a little bit of TLC to look beautiful. Home owners can come up with a simple theme for the space, such as seaside, colorful, calming or playful, and work from there. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, but adding flowers and plants, lighting and furniture that all have the same “theme” will pull everything together seamlessly.

If you’re interested in learning more about homes for sale in Dallas-Fort Worth, don’t hesitate to contact us today. With our expert team of real estate agents, we’d love to assist you in your search for a new place to call home.

 

From DFW Real Estate - Prudential Texas Properties

Best Reasons to Live and Work in Dallas

          2014   Happy New Year           

Watched the New Year's Ball drop in New York City last night and celebrated the start of a new year in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metrotex. All the celebrates and announcers kept asking "What is your new year resolution?"

 

 

I decided on "Learn to Love What You Already Have".

 

 

Moving to Dallas in 2000 was a big step in my family's life. We had the opportunity to move to either Austin or Dallas. We started the process of deciding by going online, looking at demographic data and write-ups about the cities. Then we rented a minivan and toured the major cities, suburbs and neighborhoods. It was so much fun even with a one, five and seven year old with us.

 

 

I loved those days so much. I thought it would be an excellent idea to share Texas and make other families enjoy the moving steps. You will learn why I love Texas and my family's home in North Dallas / Fort Worth, Denton area.

 

 

* Dallas has a wonderful Farmer's Market you will love to visit and shop for great produce. http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/

 

History of the Market - from dallasfarmersmarket.org

For more than a century, farmers have been selling their fresh produce on the site of the Dallas Farmers Market. It started in the late 1800s as farmers came to town to sell from wagons set up in various locations.

 

Around 1900, the intersection of Pearl and Cadiz streets became the hub of a brisk wholesale business. There, large quantities of produce were sold, along with chickens, pigs, goats, and eggs.

As Dallas grew, so did demand for farm-fresh produce and meat, and it was clear that a better-organized system was needed. In 1939, the site of the Dallas Farmers Market was formalized and the first shed established. The site was officially sanctioned as a municipally-owned and operated market in December 1941.

Over the past six decades, the Dallas Farmers Market has matured into the year-round area attraction that it is today.

 

(I joined a co-operative fruit and vegetable group that every 2 weeks a team goes to Dallas to shop for fresh produce at wholesale prices for our group.)

 

 

Visit my Website to find all the best homes and neighborhoods in Texas: http://www.prutexas.com/gloriavargo/

Signs of Progress

Flower Mound – Highland Village - Double Oak - Copper Canyon Area

 

South East Corner of Chinn Chapel and 407, Justin Road will be home to Academy Sports and some of your favorite restaurants. Academy is slated to open in November of 2013, just in time for holiday shopping.

Hermansen Land Development, Inc. spoke at a joint economic development meeting of The Town Flower Mound and Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce, about his new project. He also spoke about how he likes working with our new Mayor, City Manager, Economic Director, Council Members, Town Engineer, and PD Zoning. We should be seeing Smashburger, Jerry Mike's Sub, Modmarket - Fresh Eateriers and some other great businesses.

New Small Grocery Stores vs. Big Chains

Flower Mound a suburb of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denton Texas

When you think about picking up a gallon of milk or some bread where do you go to pick up the groceries?

The big chains - Wal-Mart, Kroger and Tom Thumb is what you used to think of, but now we have more choices. Super Target, Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market and those Buy in Bulk Membership Clubs - Costco and Sam's are available. I have storage problems with buying in bulk, but the prices are great if you do not mind packages of 3-5.

Braum's has the best choices of ice cream flavors and a surprising selection of produce for that got to pick up quick items. Albertson is in Lewisville, for those items only they have.

Sprouts has become my Wednesday double ads day place for fresh produce and meats. Newly opened Aldi has great prices, but limited selection and coming soon specialty retailers Market Street, opening Fall 2013 and Whole Foods Market, opening 2014, The Shops of Highland Village, will be in the area choice list. We used to have to drive to Colleyville and Plano. Both stores come with some great pre-made specialty foods.

Even with all these new choices I still go to Southlake's Central Market for the best soups, breads and fresh meat. Central Market has wonderful chef cooking classes. Friends and relatives still are talking about Trader Joe's which just in 2012 came to the Metroplex. "You have got to go there ..." they say. It is still on my list.

Kroger is still my go to place for when I need to buy the weekly groceries and pick up something fast. Best selection and good prices. Tom Thumb's $5 Friday is my husbands favorite!

Sad To See The Trees Gone

Morriss Road a North-South winding road through Flower Mound, Texas no longer makes the City Beautiful.

We had it nice, but in the name of progress all of the mature trees are gone, utilities have been installed in the middle of the medium and a promise of new little trees is to come. I would not be surprised if the traffic 10 or 20 years from now is exactly the count it is today, 8-21-2010.

The new light next to Forrestwood Middle School, at Garden Rd. will be nice for school children. The right turn lane is a great idea. To bad someone made the right lane too small for an easy right turn. Maybe they will fix it before someone gets hurt or there are a few fender benders there.