It's time again for Dallas Race Week on Lake Ray Hubbard. What is “Dallas Race Week” on Lake Ray Hubbard you ask. Good question … simply put, it's Sailboat Racing. But not just any Sailboat  Racing. Top sailors from around the area including World Champions, National Champions, Olympic sailors, and Regional Champions will all be racing to win the final prize. It's also a Charity Event for the Rockwall Breakfast Rotary Club, who raise money for many worthy causes in the Rockwall area. Dallas Race Week on Lake Ray Hubbard will be from Sunday, June 19th-Friday, June 24th. Races start at 7pm and typically last 45mins. Their will also be events after the races. Click HERE to find out more on the Schedule of events. The best place to watch these awesome Sailboat Races is on the  “SeaWolf”, ... 06/17/2011

One of the challenges buyers are having with financing may be their own understanding or lack thereof. In a recent survey done by research firm "Ipsos" for Zillow, a surprising number of incorrect answers to true or false questions were given by prospective buyers. Over 3/4 didn't realize how the mortgage rate was determined for a borrower thinking that annual income was the most important factor. In addition to annual income, other considerations lenders do evaluate are Credit Score, Debt-to-Income and Loan-to-Value ratios. A variety of myths seem to have influenced some of the common answers such as ... Interest Rates are set and released once a day; FHA Loans are for first-time Buyers only; Prequalification commits the lender; Lender Fees are not negotiable and Adjustable Rate Mortga... 06/16/2011

The City of Rowlett has another amazing Summer lineup of Children/Toddler Programs! In addition to the different Story Times at the library, there will also be events every Tuesday & Thursday this summer that will entertain the whole family ... for FREE!   Tuesday's at the Rowlett Community Center (5300 Main Street), there will be different Entertainers. Performances begin at 2pm! Tickets are FREE ... but ... be sure to stop by the Rowlett Library a week before to pick up your tickets! June 7th:    Ronald McDonald June 14th:  Puppeteer and Radio Host Bongo Rod June 21st:  Grace Hula Dancers June 28th:  Zoo-niversity July 5th:     Magician Jeff Lee July 12th:   Juggler David Slick July 19th:   Mikey the Monkey July 26th:   Summer Reading Club Finale: Carnival on the Library Lawn with ice... 06/07/2011

Second Favorite Real Estate Sign Sale pending on 6014 Hawkeye Rd in Springfield, city of Rowlett TX. Looking for a Rowlett TX  home? There are 137 homes available for sale in the price range up to $150,000; 91 homes available in the $150,001 to $199,999 range; 47 homes availabe in the $200,000 to $250,000 price range; 27 homes available in tthe $250,001 to $300,000 price range and 24 homes availabe over $300,000.   SEARCH ROWLETT HOMES     ~ 06/06/2011

The Lake Ray Hubbard community finally has it's 1st ever DOG PARK!  Yes my fellow Waterview Community friends, our 4-legged pals now have their own place where they can run around leash free & play with other dogs at the Harry Myers Park (815 East Washington Street, Rockwall)! Since the land is already owned & operated by the City of Rockwall Park & Recreation Department, and was to be built with private donations of money, labor, & materials, this project hasn't cost the Rockwall Community anything.  Rockwall PAWS will watch over the Dog Park and according to Brad Griggs, the Parks Director, he told the Council that the upkeep & maintenance of the dog park would be no additional burden to his staff.    The Dog Park is on 1.3 acres that is completely fenced in and has divided areas with... 06/06/2011

Oh Happy Days are here ... School is almost out ... & the Waterview Pool & Water Park is already OPEN! The Opening day was Saturday, May 28th and put on by the wonderful Waterview HOA staff! The normal Pool hours will be from 10a-8p Tuesday thru Sundays and will be closed on Mondays except on holidays. A 2011 WaterView Swim Park ID is required for each resident for Swim Park admittance, regardless of age. New Swim Park ID’s and Sticker Updates will be issued in the Community Center Monday–Friday, 9:00a to 4:00p until September 2, 2011. Swim Park ID’s however will NOT be issued on Mon May 30th, Mon July 4th, & Sept 5th since the office will be closed for the holiday. Swim Passes will also be updated on the following Saturday and Sunday’s ONLY. May 7 & 8, May 14 & 15,  and May 21 & 22  f... 06/02/2011

Here's a snapshot of how the Real Estate in Waterview fared for April 2011. The month ended with ...  31 Active listings (available): *Min 3bd, 2ba, 1,747sqft, List Price $136,000, & 4 Days on Market *Max 6bd, 4ba, 4,246sqft, List Price $375,000, & 419 Days on Market *Average 4bd, 2.5ba, 2,931sqft, List Price $215,601, & 133 Days on Market 4 SOLD listing *7914 Saint Fillans Ln - 5bd,  2ba, 2,803sqft,  Original List Price $159,000, Sold Price $150,800, & 98 Days on Market *8406 Seafield Ln - 4bd,  2ba, 2,070sqft, Original List Price $159,900, Sold Price $153,500, & 176 Days on Market *9801 Broadmoor Ln - 4bd,  2.5ba, 3,057sqft, Original List Price $259,000 Sold Price $250,000 & 72 Days on Market *8306 Cherry Hills Ln - 5bd, 3ba, 3,870sqft, Original List Price $284,900, Sold Price $278,50... 06/02/2011

In case you haven't noticed, humans aren't the only ones who are glad to see winter go. ANTS & other INSECTS are also drawn to this warmer weather and are coming out in droves ... or at least it seems like they are.  For me, I've never been a big fan of using environmentally harmful chemicals or "over the counter" products like RAID to keep our house clear of unwanted insects, especially since our Lil'Dude blessed our lives 2 years ago. We searched high & low and finally found EcoStar Pest Control, an amazing company that uses organic based products! Besides using environmentally friendly products that has minimal exposure to people and animals, EcoStar's program is 2nd to none! They come every 3 months to treat the inside of your house, the outside front & back yard, the perimeter & ea... 06/02/2011

  Today was a perfect day to walk around the Downtown Square of Rowlett, TX for their annual Touch a Truck event. This event featured cars & trucks that are on our city roads everyday and allowed kids of all ages to explore them inside and out! Below are some pictures from this fun event.   05/29/2011

  This Saturday, May 28th, is the annual Memorial Day Celebration from 10-1:30 at Downtown Rowlett. Come early to give your thanks to the Men & Women, past & present, who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. The Celebration will start with the Memorial Day ceremony at 10am in Veteran’s Park, next to the library on Main Street. There will be a Flag ceremony presented by the Rowlett Police & Fire Honor Guard and the Rowlett Emerald Soc Pipes & Drums will perform. Following the ceremony will be the fun family event, Touch a Truck event! This is an opportunity for children of all ages to explore the different vehicles that are around our community from Fire Trucks, DART Buses, 18-Wheelers, to Police Cars & Ambulances. There’ll even be a CareFlite Helicopter! In addition to all... 05/27/2011

  Uncertainty as to whether home prices in the Lake Ray Hubbard area will continue to fall has to be one of the most common causes buyers procrastinate. Price isn't the only factor to consider, Mortgage Interest Rates have as much effect on housing costs as price.  A small increase in mortgage interest rates can offset a significant drop in home prices. If the price of the home were to come down by 5% but the interest rates were to go up by .5%, the payments might be close to the same. Here's something to think about ...  Let's say the price of $175,000 home went down 5%, making it $166,250, but the interest rate went from 4.75% to 5.25%. The payments would actually be $4.98 more at the cheaper home price.    If while you were waiting for the home to decrease 5% and the interest rate in... 05/27/2011

Priced to Sell | 6014 Hawkeye Rd | Rowlett | 75089If I told you that you could buy this really great home in Springfield which is located in Rowlett at a really great price would you be interested? I hope so! It’s affordable and priced well below the current local market value.Home has so many features and updates that it will surely be cherished by its new owner(s). But don’t take my word for it; come on over and check it out. Or give me a call.Click on address to see property details and tour: 6014 Hawkeye Rd. 05/15/2011

  Looking for some Easter fun around the Lake Ray Hubbard area? Well look no further, the Rowlett City Library (4000 Main St) is hosting their annual SPRING FEST &EGGSTRAORDINARY EGG HUNT this Saturday, April 16th!   This is a Fabulously Fun Family FREE event! Be sure to bring your camera to take a picture with Easter Bunny & Dewey Duck. Then grab your basket and hippity-hop on over to hunt for 20,000 filled Easter Eggs from 10:00a-12:00! Finished hunting eggs? While outside, enjoy face painting, bounce houses & music to hippity-hop to. You can also hop into the Library and make Easter crafts, play the “Bunny Ears” ring toss game, & receive bunny teeth whistles, Peeps and more!            04/12/2011

Foreclosures-Foreclosures-Foreclosures ... the housing market has been greatly affected by them for the past 3 years. However, with the controversey of foreclosure paperwork being a "rubber stamped" process at the end of last year and with it still being tweaked, the number of foreclosures on a national scale has continued to decrease. According to RealtyTrac's latest report, February saw a 27% decrease from February 2010. As of the end of February, RealtyTrac has Texas ranked as #23 with a total of 11,562 houses that are in the foreclosure process.  So what does that mean for us in the Lake Ray Hubbard area? Like the national outlook, foreclosures are still affecting our Housing Market and the prices. See below to get a peak of the Foreclosures in your City.   GARLAND   2011 ... 112 F... 03/23/2011

  Yet another reason to LOVE living in Rowlett, TX    March is CLEAN UP Month!      That's right City of Rowlett residents, let your Spring Cleaning begin because the City of Rowlett is providing a FREE drop off location & FREE disposal of your unwanted Residential Non Hazardous Bulky Items and Residential Brush!  The free "Clean Up Campaign" will last the whole month of March. The City of Rowlett will have Dumpsters located behind the 7-Eleven at the intersection of Castle & Rowlett Rd and will be open daily from 10a-6pm. Be sure to bring your Drivers License or a Utility Bill to show proof of residence.  Please don't bring any TV's/Computers, Automobile Parts, Batteries, Liquids (paint, motor oil, solvents, ect), Chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers, pool chemicals, ect), and/or no Freo... 03/09/2011

Who's that Doggie in the window???   Meet "Apollo", a chocolate adult male Labrador Retriever. He'll     be 1 of the many doggies available for adoption at the Rowlett      Animal Shelter this Saturday, February 19th.  The City of Rowlett will be hosting their  "Adopt-A-Thon" at the  Animal Shelter (4402 Industrial St) from 10-5p. Pets from the  Rowlett Animal Shelter & Foster Homed Pets will be available for adoption at reduced rates, thanks in large part to the Friends of Rowlett Animals who are sponsoring the event. Along with reduced adoption fees, there will also be a Low Cost Microchip & Vaccination Clinic available in the afternoon. As always, all pets available for adoption will have been seen by a licensed Veterinarian and are healthy enough to be placed in the Adoption Progra... 02/15/2011

  Mmmmm, Girl Scout Cookies! Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Samoas ... ahhh a lil' taste of heaven! ... Who doesn't love Girl Scout Cookies?!? Well, if you're one that doesn't like them, that's ok, but I urge you to still read on. You see, Lake Ray Hubbard has a Rowlett neighborhood Brownie (Girl Scout) that has this amazing goal that's as big as our beautiful lake! Miss Stephanie is a 3rd grader at Liberty Grove Elementary in Rowlett. Like all girl scouts & brownies, she set a goal for the amount of cookies she wanted to sell. Her goal is ... wait for it ... 2,011 Boxes! That's right, 2,011! Now here's the kicker, her goal is not just to sell 2,011 Boxes but Stephanie's goal is to sell 2,000 for the "Gift of Caring" program that allows the girls to collect donations of cookies f... 01/25/2011

I am a conscientious recycler though I honestly admit that while I do try my best to recycle in my home & take my own bags to stores, I'm only scratching the surface compared to most people who are diehard recyclers. I understand the basic ideas behind recycling ... We need less trash in our dumps & we need to do our part to help in the reduction of natural resources.   In researching the recycling programs that are around Lake Ray Hubbard, I'm happy & am thankfull that the Cities of Garland, Rowlett, & Rockwall have a recycling program and understand that having "Curb-Side" pick up for recycling is important to have more of their residents recycle.   Both the City of Rowlett & the City of Rockwall have recycling pick up once a week & the City of Garland has it every other week. If you'... 12/27/2010

Below you will find the November 2010 market report for Rowlett, TX in Dallas County. The report is for residential single family homes. All sales statistics are taken year-over-year from our local MLS (2009 vs. 2010). If you would like to buy or sell a home in this area, please contact me. I would be glad to work with you! View Rowlett Listings Here If you would like to view the slide show in a larger format, you can do the following: 1. Click Menu, then click View Fullscreen (in the left corner). 2. OR, click View on Slideshare (in the right corner). Rowlett TX - Housing Market Report - November 2010 View more presentations from Valarie Littles. 12/20/2010

Barbara Hensley & RE/MAX Hometown  Offers MLS Listings for Homes for Sale   Rowlett, Texas.   Click Here For MLS Listings in Rowlett, Texas.   Click Here to SEARCH ROWLETT, TEXAS SCHOOLS Barbara Hensley, RE/MAX Hometown, and The Barbara Hensley Collection offer full service for all things real estate in the Rockwall County, Lake Ray Hubbard and surround areas.    Buying, Selling or Leasing Real Estate Barbara Hensley is Your Local Expert! The Barbara Hensley Collection RE/MAX Hometown 972-772-9699 barbara@barbarahensley.com www.barbarahensley.com               12/10/2010