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Highland Park, TX Real Estate News

By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
Here are my figures.  I don't know what they mean, but I need to reveal them to you if I'm going to tell you about my Active Rain experience. I have 113,548 AR points, resulting from some scoring process that takes into account the number of posts I've made, the number of comments they've received and the number of comments I've made on others' posts. I have written 487 blog posts since I joined May 12, 2007.  3,179 comments on them have been posted by readers. 13,484 viewers have looked at and read my main page -- the page that tells where my practice is, my business philosophy and my biographical information, and that I've been doing this rabidly for 44 years. With nothing more than reasonable time devoted to my own blog page as well as reading those of fellow AR members, my AR scores...
Comments 7
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
There is an interesting thing going on in Dallas right now.  Lots of the power Realtors are in shock. One of "their own" who has sold multi-millions of Dallas estates every year, year after year, has found that what she had hoped would be a private misfortune, is the cover story of a very popular Dallas slick magazine.  You see, what happened provoked no criticism of the representation she gave her clients.  That was and remains stellar, according to all I've heard from those who know and work with her. The story is about some private financial investments and interests that went south, and some vague accusations that her husband had brought other people into those same investments.  And that didn't appear to have beans to do with Dallas people or Dallas real estate. What's interesting ...
Comments 12
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
Ever since I was in about the third grade -- we're talking about 1948 -- I've had a girlfriend or a wife. Not at the same time.  But that's what? 60 years? So as you can imagine, by now I would have thought I'd perfected the ability to select winning Christmas, birthday, Valentine, and "Because I Love You" gifts.  Around summertime this year, Patty got to where she enjoyed Vince the Shamwow TV pitchman so much that she wasn't going to give me any rest until I bought her a package of Shamwows.  I told her that I expected him to throw in a set of knives or two free flashlights if I was going to buy a package. ("You got that, cameraman?") Well, Vince never got around to offering the bonus knives, and Patty didn't forget that she wanted Shamwows.  So I bought her a package for Christmas.  W...
Comments 6
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
Two interesting things came my way this morning.  I want to share them with you...especially the thoughts of Dr. Adrian Rogers. 1)  The News said Mr. Obama plans to dress up in a stove pipe hat and morning coat, taking his presidential vows with his hand on President Abe Lincoln's Bible.  He needs to rethink the idea of the costume.  I love the idea of using Lincoln's Bible, however. And my friend and financial wizard, Ken Lanyon, sent this (and the last sentence...the one that's italicized...is everything you need to know about this piece): 2)  "You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom.  What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the governm...
Comments 6
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
How even the smallest town's citizenry supports the arts, its churches, and its public facilities like parks has always been of great importance to how the community grows and sustains itself. One of the primary reasons churches, for an example, don't pay property taxes is to encourage them to become a part of the community.  One of the first things a prospective newcomer will ask is where his church will be; not that all ever really plan to become active members, but because they feel if the church is there, that is a significant indication that the town is morally viable. How a town supports its arts, churches and public facilities is directly proportionate to how viable its real estate market is.  Real estate professionals frequently take the contributions of these programs and facil...
Comments 5
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
Dallas has a number of custom builders, and some of them build spec home as well. The interesting ones are those in the price range of $1.5 Million to $16 Million. The best I am able to tell, the inventory of these expensive homes and mansions exceeds fifty. Most have been listed with one Realtor after another, and have not sold.  Some have been on the market for more than a year. I've been accumulating a list of the more interesting of those homes.  Families expecting to move to Highland Park, University Park or those already living here who are ready to move up should investigate those that are available, and seriously consider retaining us to assist in locating and negotiating their purchase.  Here's why: The carry on the homes -- interest, maintenance, taxes, insurance and tied up ...
Comments 0
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
Financial Advisor, Alfred E. Neumann   Financial advisors of every nature --- stock brokers, life insurance specialists, real estate investment mentors, trust officers, economists, the list goes on and on -- not only neglected to work to get their clients out of the equities market before it began its decent, but were encouraging them to continue taking more risks by increasing their portfolios. That's indisputable, and it's indisputable that the majority's advice and the products they were pushing are, in the main, what has caused the world financial markets to tumble to their present low points.  So in the opinion of many, it was that advice that caused their clients to be in the awkward positions they are in today. So my question is simply this:  Why would anyone follow those same p...
Comments 3
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
Our Famous Hit ‘em Up, Knock Their Socks Off Eggnog  •12 Eggs        1 c Jack Daniels Sour Mash Whiskey 2 c  Sugar      1 c E&J XO Vintage Reserve Brandy                 2 pts Heavy Cream Separate eggs.  Beat whites until stiff.  Beat yolks, slowly adding sugar.  Add whiskey and brandy to yolks. Fold mixture to whites.  Whip cream, fold into egg whites-liquor mixture.  Chill.  Serve with fresh ground nutmeg. *This recipe has been served to thousands and used for generations.  In recent years, some authorities have recommended caution about eating uncooked eggs.  I'm convinced that the uncooked eggs and the liquor mixture are what gives this eggnog its superior taste.   However, if you are concerned about consuming uncooked eggs, please don't make and serve this recipe.  BILL CHERRY, REA...
Comments 5
By jed villareal
(island paradise)
  The perfect dream home is somewhere out there waiting for you to own. These are the tips that will lead you into finding that home of your dreams and let it all come within your reach.The first simple step for you is to put into account what suits your liking and know the cost range of what you need. There is no real sense of looking at homes which don’t suit your budget and your needsSecond, take a tab of the features you require in a home, whether it be the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, a carport or a garage, formal dining room, family room and living room, and the size of the yard you’d want. These should be those things you absolutely couldn’t live without.Have another list for your other preferences such as the number of stories you’d want, the age of the home, and other amen...
Comments 3
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
             About twenty years ago, there was a fellow-broker Realtor who was a nice guy, but frankly he had very little business.  Most thought his knowledge was extraordinary and would be of real value to clients, but his personality was so obtuse that he ran potential business away.  So he had a lot of time on his hands.             One of the annoying things he had done was to self-appoint himself to police fellow Realtors to make certain they followed the rules and abided by the ethics, oft times as he interpreted them, not as they really were.             I had two rather large and very active real estate companies back then -- at least large and very active for the two cities where we had offices, Houston and Galveston.  Consequently, he was frequently annoyed by the behavior of...
Comments 13
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
I don't like the phrase "custom home," and I hate "professionally decorated" even more.  Very often they both mean "next to impossible to sell." Architects and spec homebuilders do their best to design product that will appeal to a significant part of the buying market.   That's why they are careful to not go off half-cocked with custom colors, weird room sizes and arrangements and accruements that don't add perceived value.  If you buy one of these homes, and you don't go wild repainting the rooms and imposing your own eccentric taste in how its decorated, you can be reasonably assured that if you decide to sell it, that it will sell within a reasonable period. The custom home and further, the custom home that has been professionally decorated doesn't get this market share.  The averag...
Comments 4
By Bernice Edelman
(Keller Williams Elite)
The French Renaissance Chateau is modeled after the renaissance castles in France which were modeled after castles in Italy. Recognized for its castle-like dormers, towers and shell keeps, homes with French Renaissance archtecture often create the illusion of a protected castle with a psuedo draw-bridge effect. Grand gated entries give the illusion of a fortified fortress. Aspects of French Renaissance Architectural Design Dormers  Shell Keeps Towers Turrets Natural Stone Carved Stone Gardens Grand Entries Ballrooms Spiral Staircase Engraving Itallianate Style  An example of French Renaissance includes The Lourve Museum in Paris, France.   Dallas Luxury Architecture
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No where in Dallas will you find such exquisite architecture and such fine luxurious homes as in the Park Cities area near downtown. The Park Cities officially consists of Highland Park and University Park, but the luxury home area expands to Turtle Creek and Preston Hollow. The homes in this area are phenomenal offering picturesque neighborhoods with mature trees and perfectly manicured lawns with blooming azaleas and lush greenery. The homes and estates in these exclusive neighborhood harken back to Dallas' rich cultural history.  Whether the homes are new or old, they are all constructed with an eye to the past.  Park Cities Architectural styles include:  French Estates Classic Tudor Style Colonial Revival English Cotswald Spanish Mediterranean Villas Spanish Colonial Revival Italian...
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Often a contractor's fees to handle small projects can be more than the actual project is worth.  Many contractors would rather not do small jobs.  A handyman, who makes a living from small remodeling projects, is often a better choice.  Handyman Services have also very qualified people who are licensed, bonded and insured.   If you have a list prepared, a handyman can give you a quote and often do the work the same day.  Once the handyman is on site, moving from one small project to another is cheaper than having them come back two or three different times.  Many people are too busy to handle the simple home repairs and improvements.  It makes sense to hire it don't, but don't hire a general contractor for chipped floor tile and loose molding.   A handyman service is the best choice fo...
Comments 2
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
Over the past week or so, I've been letting readers peek into our experiences as we've gone through the journey of doing extensive updating and repairs at World Headquarters.  I've posted our choice of electrician, framing contractor, dry wall contractor and air conditioning contractor. The idea, of course, is to give Dallas residents a head start in their own selections when they need these services.  (I would like to critique a chimney sweep service for you, but if I were to do that, it would likely end up with the company wanting to sue me) When all is said and done, the appearance and function of remodeling is in the hands of the finish carpenter.  They have hands of a heart surgeon.  They are the ones that add the trim around windows, hang doors so they open and shut, put in that b...
Comments 2
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
Updating along with taking care of deferred maintenance at our Dallas home continues.  But because it took so long and after a number of false starts to assemble the team to do the work, I vowed to share our findings with all of Dallas. In the previous two pieces, I told you about Mike the Electrician and Roberto Miranda at Quigley Heating and Air Conditioning. Now it's time for the framing crew. While most of our home is brick veneer, there are parts like the gables and the garage that were sided with what I have always thought was one of the worse inventions of mankind, T-111.  This stuff looks good the day it is hung, but it's usually a quick trip down hill after that.  Ours needed to come down and be replaced with one of the modern "lifetime" sidings. Through a stroke of luck, we fo...
Comments 2
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
Oft times I wonder what was going on in someone's mind that preceded and caused their decision and actions. In Dallas, we have a handful of real estate companies that primarily list and sell estates, and most of those estates are in an area called the Park Cities.  Frequently, one of these companies will list an outdated home that is on a valuable lot.  Rather than give prospective buyers a chance to decide for themselves, the MLS listing will not show a photo of the home, but will give the dimensions of the rooms, etc., then announce that the "value is in the lot," and further refuse to allow potential buyers to even see the inside of the home. I notice that many of these fail to find a buyer.  The listings are renewed, then renewed again and again.  Nothing changes.  In my view it's a...
Comments 3
By Bernice Edelman
(Keller Williams Elite)
4641 BOBBITT DRDALLAS, TX 75229 view all photos (10) Custom 5 Bdrm Family Home with 3 Living Living Areas on Half Acre Treed Lot With Pool. Formals with Hardwood Floors and Bay Window. Kitchen with Gas Cooktop, Subzero and Double Ovens. Tile Counterops, Brick Floor and Walk-in Pantry Lend Character to the Kitchen. Master Suite with His and Hers Bathrooms, Steam Shower and Walk-in closets. Plantation Shutters, Too. Even a Three Car Garage. A Great Family Home in a Coveted Neighborhood. 5 Bedrooms4 Full | 1 Partial Bathrooms 4,066 Est. Sq. Ft. Listing # 10939568 $995,000 More Details Schedule a Showing    Save This Property   Printable Version Email This Property Map Location    Mortgage Calculator    School Information Listing Agent:Bernice Edelm...
Comments 0
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
One part of Dallas where the more expensive homes are located, has developed the most arrogant approach to sales.  I wonder where these people's heads are. The MLS listing instructions more frequently than not read like this:  Listing agent must accompany all showings.  Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance.  Owner's baby naps between 2 and 4 so no showings can be scheduled then.  Please do not request showings on weekends or before 11 AM or after 4 PM. I see these listings expire and renew over and over for months.  No one seems willing to grasp that it could easily be because they are not accommodating the prospective buyer, and quite frankly, in sales, the one with the money to buy is the one who is supposed to trump. So what useful purpose accrues by expecting the guy with t...
Comments 11
By BILL CHERRY, Broker & Wealth Coach
(Bill Cherry, Realtor)
There are some components of a real estate transaction that separate it from so many of the others: A listing agent who knows what he's doing A seller who rabidly does exactly what his listing broker instructs A buyer's agent who knows what he's doing A buyer who rabidly does exactly what his buyer's agent instructs  Yesterday, Dallas agent, 20-year Keller-Williams veteran Cindy Huitt and I completed our representation of our respective clients in what was an extremely complicated deal from beginning to end.  Without going into the details, we sold and closed my listing to her clients for full price.  Very few agents could have replicated our success, I'll promise you. And that happened in a neighborhood of other for-sale homes that have remained unnoticed by potential buyers during the...
Comments 5
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