A few months back, Burke, Virginia Re/Max associate, Terry Rudman, asked AR Super Star, Brian Block, an  Alexandria, Virginia Re/Max associate, if he knew someone in Dallas who could help her daughter find and buy a home. Brian suggested she contact me, so that began one of the nicest friendships I can ever recall having -- Terry's daughter Kathryn and me.  And that's not to say that Terry and Brian aren't up there in that category, too. Well, I posted a blog on AR when we found what would be her new condo, so it's time for an update.  Yesterday, with the assistance of Norma Boggs, the listing agent, Tedd Swanson, the mortgage broker, and Curt Jacobs, the closer, Kat became a homeowner. And let me quickly tell you, Kat is one smart business woman.  Knows a lot about real estate.  Has he... 12/19/2008

The Dallas area has had icy roads the past couple of days. Since the average Dallas area person doesn't know how to drive in icy conditions, days like these typically shut down the area. I mean, hardly any ice and several larger school districts closed their doors yesterday.  What's that about?  Most were smarter and just did a delayed 10am start to allow for the slower traffic. I had to drive in it yesterday and didn't think it was bad at all.  However, the sand trucks were out in full force.  On days like these, those sand trucks have to go out and put that nasty stuff on the ground that makes your car look like an utter mess. It looks like I haven't washed my car in years.  Layer upon layer of caked on nastiness from the roads.  The Car Washes must love days like this as everyone in ... 12/17/2008

This journey has taken me 5 long years since the 2003 smoking ordinance went into effect and I don't regret 1 ounce of it....well only that I wish Dallas had been smoke free 50 years ago when the first activist started their mission.  I started this mission because I believe that ALL EMPLOYEES, even if they work in a Bar and Restaurant--ESPECIALLY if they work in a Bar and/or Restaurant should have the right to a clean and healthy work environment.  If Second Hand smoke did not produce over 4000 chemicals when ignited with a flame, like it does, and of those 4000 chemicals, 60 weren't known to be cancer causing carcinogens, which THEY ARE, then I would not have a problem with it at all.  However, this is the chemical reaction that happens to every single cigarette everytime it is ignite... 12/16/2008

Investing in Dallas real estate and owning rental property sounds glamorous, but it isn't for everyone.  Be sure you know what you're getting into and understand what you are getting into before signing on the dotted line. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before purchasing an investment property: Where will the down payment come from for this property? Do you have cash reserves so you handle periods of vacancy, i.e. no income? How about reserves for unexpected repairs and other expenses? Do you need property to rent immediately or do you have time and money for a "fixer-upper"? Will you make needed renovations and repairs or hire someone else for the job? What type of property do you want: single family, apartment, duplex, condominium, or vacation property? Thinking it th... 12/16/2008

  Freezing Weather Hits The Dallas Area!   Yesterday (Sunday December 14) the temperature hit 73 degrees!  Today we did not get out of the mid 30's!  I was driving to meet with a buyer and I was unaware that the it was already below 32 degrees and it had been misting earlier in the Richardson/Garland area.  Well because of this weather I did hit some patches of ice over a many of the bridges and passed by at least 3 different wrecks due to ice.  Because of the weather and the traffic caused me to be late to my buyer's appointment thus having to reschedule the showing to another time!   Tomorrow will be just as bad if not worse so please be extra careful when leaving your home!  If you are fortunate enough to get to stay home and stay warm you can go to www.NickGood.com and search for y... 12/15/2008

Take Advantage of This Once in a Life Time Buyer's Market! “Five or 10 years from now, when the financial crisis has ended and housing prices are up smartly once more, we will look in the rearview mirror and realize that we missed a golden age for first-time home buyers,” wrote Ron Lieber in a Dec. 6, 2008 New York Times article, “It May Be Time to Think About Buying a House.”   Many buyer's are putting off their home search until they hear that the housing/financial crisis is behind us.  Just like you should be buying more stocks during this great money making opportunity, you should be looking at homes if you are currently renting.  Mortgage rates are currently around 5.5% for qualified buyer's and there are even programs in certain areas that you can still get 100% financing!  Loan ... 12/15/2008

HOW YOU GET IT. Representatives of ATT are knocking on Dallas doors and ringing telephones, all in a big push to get thousands of TV owners to change from whatever receiving service they now use to ATT's.  It's called U-Verse. While these representatives commonly infer that subscribers will get their signals by fiber optics, the newer and more pure method of transmittal than cable, satellite and rooftop antennas, that's not what they are offering. IT'S NOT TRUE FIBER OPTICS In an effort to save massive upfront costs, ATT engineers and vendors developed a hybred system.  In generalities, the signal does go by fiber optics from the "main office" to large chests of wire in residential neighborhoods, but it travels from that chest by regular copper telephone wire to the homes.  It's the sam... 12/14/2008

OK Dallas... here's your reminder.  As Bob Dylan sang, The times, they are a changin'! January 2, 2009 will be the final Classic to be held in the actual Cotton Bowl stadium in Dallas' Fair Park. As the Fair Park website explains:  "The Cotton Bowl game debuted January 1, 1937 when 17,000 fans watched Texas Christian University defeat Marquette University 16-6.  The turnout may have been paltry by current standards ... but an exciting new tradition in football had begun." Beginning in 2010, the Classic will be played at the new Dallas Cowboy's Stadium in Arlington.  It's always a sad day when a namesake venue for an event is eclipsed, but there is still one last chance to see a Cotton Bowl Classic game played in the Cotton Bowl stadium! Be sure to check out www.attcottonbowl.com for mo... 12/13/2008

Tonight and Tomorrow night, Saturday and Sunday, December 13-14, Dallas' Fair Park will host Fair Park Holiday Lights festival from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M.  This free event promises fun for the whole family with fun including: Official City of Dallas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Saturday, with a special candlelight tribute to the men and women serving in the military on both nights.  Thousands of LED lights will be shining throughout the park during the holiday season. Dallas Wind Symphony will perform holiday concerts in the Band Shell at 4:30 p.m. Free admission to all Fair Park museums from 3 to 7 p.m. First-ever holiday movie at 7 p.m. on the field of the Cotton Bowl (The Polar Express will be featured on Saturday and Elf on Sunday) Attendees are invited to bring their blankets, l... 12/13/2008

On June 4th of this year, a 3 alarm fire destroyed the original location for the Cremona Bistro, near the Katy Trail, in Dallas' Uptown neighborhood.  Since 1977, a long time tradition for Dallasites who love traditional Italian food, Cremona was an institution.  When news of the fire got around, many wondered if they would rebuild or just pack it in.  Well, the good news is they did neither... the reopened in a new location, 2704 Worthington Street in Dallas, across from the Quadrangle. The good news is that the new location places the restaurant in a more trafficked location and the food is as good as ever!  My dining companion and I each started our meals with a house salad topped with the tomato basil dressing.  The salad was fresh, but the dressing (made fresh at the restaurant, is... 12/13/2008

When I found out that President Bush and his family plan to call Dallas home after the presidency, I was super-excited. It truly does mean something to us here -  of all the beautiful places this country has to offer and call home, the Bush family chose Dallas TX. Please read about my previous blog I wrote back April 2008, Bush To Call Dallas Home After Presidency. It was just a bummer that President Bush and the First Lady didn't google Preston Hollow, or found me on Active Rain to serve them - like the rest of my clients did. I am pretty confident they would have loved the quality services I'd provide. All jokes aside, I'd like to share with you the neighborhood the President will be moving to: Preston Hollow Dallas TX. Preston Hollow Dallas TX was originally incorporated as a municip... 12/12/2008

Over the past couple of months, I've written pieces about subcontractors and vendors we used to do some much needed repairs and updating here at our Dallas "World Headquarters." I provided you with references for plantation shutters, framing, finish carpentry, Sheetrock, electrician, and air conditioning.  A number of readers have used them and called back to thank us for the references. Now it's time for carpet, hardwood, tile and other hard surface flooring. Because we had a great relationship with a Flooring America member when we lived in South Shore Harbour near Houston, we looked for the Flooring America contractor when we moved to Dallas.  The dealer is Dobson Floors. Our plan was to replace the carpet throughout the house with hardwood and to have marble put in our entry.  When ... 12/11/2008

Buying a Brand New Home?   5 Reason's Why You Should Use a Realtor to Purchase a Brand New Home! When You Sign The Exclusive Buyer's Representation Agreement the Realtor is then looking out for your best interest.  The Builder's Sales Rep is Looking Out For The Builder NOT YOU!  They Will Make It Seem Like They are on Your Side, but This is What They Are Trained to do! A Realtor can Refer to you lender's who will make you the strongest you can be and get you the best rate possible. A Good Realtor will Advise you to have an Inspector Inspect the Home.  Just Because it is a New Home Does not Mean Everything was Done Correctly.  The Inspector can Find Problems if the Builder did not Comply with City Codes.  Realtor will Negotiate with the Builder Based on Neighborhood Sold Comp's. Using N... 12/10/2008

While I may seem to be a hockey binge, I meant to post this in my posting a few minutes ago.  So I apologize for the posting deluge.  As those of you that are Dallas Stars fans, or perhaps Sports Center fans, probably know, Dallas Stars' Sean Avery was suspended by the NHL for 6 games because of some comments that he made last week in Canada, regarding the propensity of other NHL players to date Avery's ex-girlfriends.  While I agree that the comments were inappropriate, I feel that the suspension is a bit extreme, compared to other things that have happened in hockey, and professional sports. Thoughts? 12/10/2008

My last post was in August of 2007.  It hinted at a bright future for the Dallas-Fort Worth commercial real estate market.  Things can change...and they have.  Although much of the country is locked into the fear of doom and gloom as it relates to the economy, DFW has stayed somewhat insulated.  Am I saying it's great times, NO, but it's not near as bad in the DFW area as it is in other parts of the U.S.  Why? our values never got too out of line, never too high.  Is the economy slowing?  Are jobs being lost?  Yes, but Dallas-Fort Worth never seems to take the brunt of the problems.  Call me an optimist, but I believe we can weather this storm.  It might be a bit bumpy, but we can make it through it. 12/09/2008

Does Buying A Dallas Home Makes Sense In Today's Economy The housing market has never been better for many potential Dallas home buyers. In fact, more often than not, it is less expensive to own your own home rather than rent. The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that in 57 out of the 100 most populated metro areas, renting a three-bedroom home is more expensive than monthly costs on a six percent mortgage for a typical low-priced house in the same area. With all the news these days concerning the economic crunch and these tumultuous economic times, you might think I'm crazy saying it is a good time to buy a Dallas home. Of course, buyers with strong credit are best positioned to take advantage of today's opportunities. A high credit score will yield a lower interest rate a... 12/09/2008

Yesterday was the 21st Annual Neiman Marcus/Adolphus Children's Parade, held in the streets of downtown Dallas. For the second year, my assistant Joseph was up very early in the morning to serve as a "Giant Inflatable Handler" Ebby Halliday has sponsored a balloon for several years now, and Joseph first volunteered last year when he was working on the office side of Ebby, as an Advertising Coordinator for the Plano and Allen offices. The parade, presented by Capital One, benefits Children’s Medical Center, and is Dallas’ largest outdoor event. Yesterday the crowd was estimated at 350,000.  Can you imagine 30 or so Realtors working together as a team? Joseph sent me some pics....   12/06/2008

They say that man (and woman) does not live by bread alone.  That's probably why Fireside Pies exists.  Because man wants toppings on his bread, and also perhaps a salad to start off with.  And, maybe some sangria to wash it all down with! Last night, my friend Suzanne (another REALTOR®) and I went for dinner at the Fireside Pies located at 2820 N. Henderson Avenue in Dallas.  This local pizza restaurant now has several locations in the DFW area and let me just say that their pizza is not "traditional" but their pies are definitely some of my favorites. Last night, Suzanne and I started off with the Baby Arugala Salad.  It's great and enough for several people to share.  The menu description for this salad is: "Pt. Reyes Blue, Pepperoni, Roasted Pinon Nuts, Black Mission Olives & Sun D... 12/06/2008

Just because it's cold outside and flowers aren't blooming, does not mean that things aren't going on at the Dallas Arboretum.  There are several holiday activities going on at the Arboretum including the Nutcracker Display of Liz Minyard and Paul Lokey at the historic DeGolyer Estate.  The tours begin daily at 10:00 and the final tour starts at 4:00.  The exhibit runs through the end of the year. Through December 30, there are also daily holiday Teas held at the Arboretum each day at 11:00 and 2:00.  Reservations for the Holiday Teas are requires and the cost to attend is $33.50/person. And these two happenings are just the tips of the iceberg!  There is a cornucopia of holiday programming at the Dallas Arboretum and you can find out about all the holiday crafts, photography, musical a... 12/06/2008

When I drove into Dallas for the first time in 1960 and on my way to near-by Denton to enroll at North Texas State Un-iversity, I noticed a bravura, an aura that was entirely different than the other two big southern cities I was familiar with -- Houston and New Orleans. It showed at its best to me among the close, but weaving streets of Downtown Dallas.  Architecture that was inconsistent with each other in period and style, but placed perfectly to cause a wholeness, a giant compliment to those who had caused it and those who embraced and perpetuated it. As because Dallasites have diligently tried since then, the city remains a formal and cultured spot in the center of Texas that has taught many the art of being urbane themselves.  Almost as if they were from Paris or London or Rome bu... 12/06/2008