BILL CHERRY REALTORS214 503-8563Our 43rd Year Serving Texans DALLAS AREA RESIDENTIAL SALES DATAJANUARY 1, 2007 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007      AREANew ListingsAvg. List PriceUnder ContractNo. SoldAv. Sales Price        North Dallas1936$1,033,930953967$727,461.00 North East Dallas1856199,5731,0681,058187,004 North West Dallas51272,4863538206,585  Oak Lawn2,893392,7571,3161,324307,905         Garland5,076130,9762,5962,484122,469 Grapevine939266,115610574237.112 Irving1,5352,212,4221,7971,676183,745 McKinney4,985271,4112,6172,578223,607 Richardson2,445175,2371,4651,440165,230         The information provided above was compiled from files of the Metrotex Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service.  Neither they nor I warrant the accuracy, al... 01/19/2008

 SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH BILL CHERRY, 14th EditionIf it's going to warm-up today in Dallas, it had better get busy doing it.  Although the day is clear and crisp, it's a bit brisk on the bench here in the park.  Thanks, though, for stopping by for our weekly Sunday after church visit.THIS PAST WEEK one of my blog subjects dealt with those whose marketing is primarily devoted to stating that they are Number 1, the Top Realtor, the Best OB-GYN doc, sell the most fried chicken, or whatever.Several hundred have read the piece thus far, and about eighty or so have taken the position that they feel those ads are usually deceitful and objectionable.  I think if they stretch the truth or are blatant lies, they are totally unethical.  And that they are used without audit shows that professional ... 01/19/2008

Dallas Homes Group consists of Mic Ruthenberg & Tracie Miller Mennillo who enjoy the daily duties of helping Dallas area sellers and buyers. With a combined 28 plus years of real estate experience we have found that no transaction is to be taken for granted. Each transaction requires close attention to detail. Every client has put their faith and investment in our hands and we take great pride in making sure their interests come first. We are both experienced with sellers and buyers, relocation, short sales, fha, va. land contracts or anything clients can experience in a residential transaction. 01/18/2008

 I found a very cool website today.  It lists all the mortgage companies that have closed their doors, and in the order that they closed.  As of this post, the list is at 218!! I found myself going through the list, from bottom to top, with my jaw dropping on the floor.  I knew many of the names that would be on the list, but I was surprised by many.Ameriquest is even on the list, and that leaves us wondering what the name of the Texas Rangers Stadium is going to be next year.Did you see your favorite lender on the list?  Those were good times... **the above graphic was taken from their website**you need to scroll down to the bottom of the page for the list 01/18/2008

It has been said that litigating a dispute is a bit like "performing brain surgery with an axe."  Mediation is a wonderful solution to resolving issues of concern. The parties work with a trained neutral that facilitates the settlement discussion.  Mediation is: Timely Cost effective Confidential Empowers participants to design their own solution to the conflict I know many people who have used this approach to find creative resolution to their issues.  01/18/2008

Here are the final numbers for the Dallas and Ft Worth areas for 2007:Number of Sales: 80,740% Change Year Ago: -7%Average Price: $202,338% Change Year Ago: +5%Median Price: $149,900% Change Year Ago: +1%Active Listings: 47,668% Change Year Ago: +7%As you can see, the number of sales might be down, but prices are NOT down.  Stop watching National News statistics because we aren't following the National trends.  Buyers aren't getting 70 cents on the dollar.  Prices are still very competetive as an average.Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!   ARE YOU PACKED YET?! 01/18/2008

Jason Garrett helped the Cowboys break several records and after interviewing and being offered Head Coaching job elsewhere, decided to remain with the Cowboys as the Assistant Head Coach.This position comes at a price of about $3.5 million!  Almost as much as the Head Coach.Personally, I really like Jason Garrett.  I loved him when he played for the Cowboys.  I hated it when Jason got the Cowboys through the Playoffs and then they allowed Aikman to play the final game.  Yes, Aikman was the starter and he was coming back from an injury, but he was out for a lot of games, and Jason deserved to play. I was very disappointed when he left the Cowboys.I was very excited when he returned.  However, to go after a Head Coaching job after just 3 years in a coaching position is a little premature... 01/17/2008

I recently heard on the news that the average time it takes to sell a house in Dallas is 80 days and that the median price of homes has actually risen (very very slightly).  Compared to many other markets in the report, Dallas was near the low end of the DOM scale, only Denver was lower.  These are positive signs of the strength of the Dallas real estate market!  I hope that buyers and sellers take this news to heart the same way that they seem to take the doom and gloom national news so seriously.  Based on the market activity I have seen since the holidays I would bet that the 80 day number is going to start dropping, especially for homes that are well priced to reflect their condition and their local market realities!What's the magic number in your area? 01/12/2008

Just today, yet another acquaintance looked at me with dismay as she asked, "How's business?"  Her mood lifted when I told her that it's just fine!  It is true that there has been significant change in the mortgage industry, and there is a lot of real estate inventory on the market right now, but when the media reports dismal-sounding figures, they fail to add any perspective.  People are still buying and selling real estate!  Banks are lending money!  Interest rates are low!  I had a great December and am picking up two listings this month and working with several buyers.  The acquaintance in question is spooked because she has to re-finance next September due to a 5 yr ARM coming due.  She has great credit, a ton of equity in her home, money in the bank, and good income.  Yet, when sh... 01/10/2008

I am on the Texas (TAR) Professional Standards Committee and I was just emailed the changes that were adopted for 2008 from NAR, and I kinda chuckled.  I'm not sure if others have read the changes, but this really caught my eye.Article 12 used to say, "REALTORS® shall be careful at all times to present a true picture in their advertising and representations to the public..."The revised Article says, "REALTORS® shall be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and shall present a true picture in their advetising, marketing, and other representations..."What caught your eye?  What caught my eye is what should have caught your eye too since I bolded the words, that we went from having to be "careful" to having to be "honest and truthful".  When I see that, it shows that ther... 01/10/2008

Lewisville Texas has a aggressive grant program to entice first time home owners to purchase in their city. This is from the City Of Lewisville website...http://www.cityoflewisville.comWELCOME TO THE CITY OF LEWISVILLE HOMEBUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HAP)!The purchase of your first home is one of the greatest investments made by individuals and families. Knowing that many people need help getting into that first home, the City of Lewisville created the First Time Homebuyer Assistance Program (FHAP) to support affordable homeownership by providing down payment, closing cost and principal reduction assistance for low to moderate-income first time homebuyers. The program is funded through an annual entitlement grant called Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of ... 01/07/2008

Dallas City Council just approved a 45-acre planned development district (mixed-use) at the foot of the Trinity River Corridor a few weeks ago. Today's spotlight is on this mixed-use development along the hot Trinity River Corridor in Dallas. Just about every major city in Texas has had a surge in downtown revitalization since 2005, including San Antonio, Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert (inset) is relatively new, but has been surprisingly successful in rallying the city to respond to expected growth. He's keen on mixed-use development along the corridor and in other areas facing revitalization. You may ask what makes the Trinity River Project different.WHAT'S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT THE TRINITY RIVER REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT?Dallas citizens voted to improve the area ne... 01/07/2008

I was showing condos in Dallas yesterday. My client is a first time home owner recently graduated from the great UT...the one and only UT...University of Texas that is!!! My client, her mom  and I are having a great time getting to know each other when we arrive at our next condo. The place is a converted apartment complex which seems to be a common thing in the Knox Henderson area of Dallas. As we approach the door we notice a foul smell. The entrance way to this condo has become someone's pet's personal toilet. This was the second worst thing I have seen as an agent. Obviously my clients passed this one up and was completely grossed out...This was not one visit by the pet and seems to have been going on for a while. There is no way the listing agent doesn't know about this!!!What is h... 01/06/2008

Dallas, Texas, is the biggest city in north Texas and is a great place to make your home.Dallas has been named a Top 10 City to balance work and familyMetroplex area is home to over 6 Million peopleVastly diversified economy, from defense and airplanes to energy, technology, and bankingVast culture, sports, arts, museum and entertainment industriesExcellent transportation infrastructureGreat education with 31 colleges and universities located within the MetroplexDallas is known for its exceptional high class neighborhoodsJeff Stegich, SRESJeffStegich.com5025 Park Blvd Ste 300Plano, Texas 75093Cell: 214-394-6919VM: 972-733-8493Dallas Homes and Real EstateReal Estate Websites 01/04/2008

Dallas homes for sale, Dallas real estate market home values, Dallas foreclosures, Dallas area real estate, North Dallas real estate Visit our website http://www.lynn911.com Dallas MLS search listings over 60,000 Dallas homes for sale, and over 4,000 Dallas home foreclosures posted to the Dallas real estate website I am direct linking readers to an article posted on AOL on 1/1/08. http://realestate.aol.com/photo-galleries/feature/most-stable-markets?pg=5 It list the top cities Most Stable Housing Markets Dallas real estate is listed as #4 with projected price change to 2008 of 5.45% increase. How this translate for the Dallas home buyer or the Dallas home seller a) If all is true if a Dallas home buyer wants to purchase a property NOW is the time if the projected price change by end of ... 01/03/2008

Swiss Avenue Historic District Home Saved From Demolition Preservation Dallas, Private Investors Purchase 6015 Bryan ParkwayDALLAS -- Preservation Dallas has entered into an agreement that will ultimately save and rehabilitate a home in the Swiss Avenue Historic District. The Thomas and Kate Baldwin House at 6015 Bryan Parkway has been the subject of litigation since 2004 when Preservation Dallas and neighborhood residents obtained a temporary restraining order to halt demolition of the home. The c. 1915 house is an unusual Craftsman design that completes a virtually intact block face in the city's first historic district. Mr. Baldwin, the original owner, was on the editorial staff of the Dallas Morning News and later editor of the Semi-Weekly Farm News based in Dallas. Under the agreem... 01/02/2008

It has just been made official: The Cotton Bowl is headed for the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cotton Bowl Classic has been played in the Cotton Bowl stadium since its inception in 1937 and soon will use the new facility on New Year's Day 2010. This brings good news for Jerry Jones - the owner of NFL Dallas Cowboys. The Cotton Bowl officials intend to pursue the Cotton Bowl as another BCS Bowl Series which are currently determined through the 2010 season. The Cotton Bowl facility has been deteriorating and with the unpredictable weather conditions in North Texas, this facility has not been a good contender as a choice of the BCS Bowl Series. However, the new Cowboys stadium is constructed with a retractable roof. Hence, this solves the weather issue in January whe... 01/01/2008

The Sunday morning before Thanksgiving I noticed I was getting That Feeling in my throat.  It's the one I always try to intellectually overcome by reasoning it will go away.But it never does, and by Thanksgiving I had a full-blown case of the crud.Now I'm not hot on going to doctors unless it's a last resort, and that's primarily because they've changed their methodology since I was a child.  Not only do they no longer make house calls, or send something out when you explain by telephone how you feel, but they insist on extensive lab and diagnostic work that has nothing to do with why you have called for their services.Patty insisted that she call Our Doctor.  He agreed to provide a prescription for a non-narcotic cough suppressant that they like to call Pearls.  The things look like ro... 12/27/2007

Dallas foreclosures, Dallas homes for sale, Dallas commercial real estate visit our website http://www.lynn911.com over 4000 Dallas foreclosure posted Dallas MLS searc to find additional details that will assist you making a profit in the Dallas real estate market today!.... 1)  Dallas foreclosures you need the correct and professional Dallas real estate agent who knows how to place the offers correctly with the bank in order for you to secure the winning bid on any Dallas real estate whether that is a Dallas home for sale, or Dallas commercial real estate for sale.  2)  Some of Dallas real estate agents don't know how to place the correct offer OR determine how far below market value is the Dallas real estate property.  3)  We know who to search for Dallas real estate that is 30% or m... 12/24/2007

 So we are down to 3 more days until Christmas and only 2 more true shopping days left to max out your credit card for gifts on your loved ones.  Instead of running out there and finishing my shopping list, I instead like to play around on the internet and read the money article that are posted on msn.com.  I just finished reading an article on the 10 best cities to live in if you are a young professional, mid-level professional, married with kids, empty nester's, and retirees.  What really makes me upset with these lists is that there is no mention of Dallas, Texas anywhere on there.  I know that this going to be a little biased since I have lived in Dallas my whole life, but I know that this is a great place to start a family, to have a career, to buy an affordable good looking home, ... 12/22/2007