Lakeside Luxury

As a real estate agent, I get to see a lot of different homes. There are many I view that I try to figure out what the builder and architect were thinking. For example, I was in a house today that had the master closet in the front of the house facing the street with giant windows. I actually get dressed in the closet--does anyone else!? I don't think that's a very smart design!
I would love to present a new listing to you that leaves you walking away with that "I wish I would have thought of that" feeling. 1130 Emerald Sound in the quiet lakeside community of Oak Point is the fine mix of grace, comfort, functionality and luxury. With over 7900 square feet of space, there are many options if you need space to make things work for you. In fact, the picture of that gorgeous "Tiffany box blue" master bathroom is in this very house. Shocking at first, but this color is absolutely stunning!
For a virtual tour, please follow this link: http://www.nreds.com/rl/20129331591
If you'd like more information on this or any other home, please drop me a line or give me a call!

Ways to Conserve, Cut Back and Curtail (Part 3 of 3)

Here are a few more tidbits of information to guide you on the path to more environmentally soundness!
1. If you're planning on reading a book or meet up with a friend at Starbucks, ask for a ceramic mug! Starbucks hands out 1.9 BILLION paper cups annually. Wow...that's a lot of nonfat, double-shot, extra-whip caramel macchiatos!
2. Try a compost pile or bin. It cuts down on what goes into the landfill, and it's great for your flower or vegetable garden. We have one in our backyard!
3. You can harvest rainwater to use for a later date. Local experts on the subject are Denton-based Tierra Design (TheRainHarvesters.com) or Arlington-based The Rain Well (TheRainWell.com).
4. Even though buying organic fruits and vegetables are expensive by comparison, the alternative is to put pesticides into your body and onto the earth.
5. Plano-based EnviroGLAS (enviroglasproducts.com) takes recycled glass and porcelain products and, using the terrazzo technique (a mosaic look), creates environmentally sound countertops and floors. Just make sure they take the label off the Heineken bottle : )
6. Here's a chance to get rid of the bisque-colored dishwasher you hate: appliances with the Energy Star rating use 10-50 percent less energy and water than other appliances. An Energy Star dishwasher uses at least 41 percent less energy than a traditional one. A front-loading washing machine uses 40 percent less energy. If 10percent of Americans took this route, the effect would be the equivalent of planting 1.7 million acres of trees.
7. Shrink the amount of junk mail you receive by visiting JunkBusters.com
8. In honor of the Christmas season, make sure you recycle your wrapping and tissue paper. Save those bows to use next year!
For more advice, check out the full article in D Magazine!

Ways to Conserve, Cut Back and Curtail (Part 2 of 3)

Here are some additional tidbits of information for you to help our environment!
1. Buy your carpet in pieces! Flor.com offers an earth-friendly puzzle for your floor. It's a modern, inexpensive and great alternative to traditional area rugs or wall-to-wall carpet. Each square is 19.7 inches, made of some recycled material, and has a lower VOC offgassing than other carpets. The best thing is you can easily replace one square should it dirty or damaged!
2. Use natural cleaning products like Mrs. Meyer's sold at Elliott's Hardware or Seventh Generation from Central Market.
3. I love a good burger so becoming a vegetarian is one thing I just can't do! But, if you don't venture into eating a cow or chicken, try a few vegetarian eateries. Kalachandji's in East Dallas, Spiral Diner in Fort Worth and Toy's Cafe in the Bishop Arts District.
4. If you're like me and my husband, we have uploaded all of our CD's to iTunes and are left wondering what to do with all those CD's. You can donate, trade or send them to the CD Recycling Center of America (cdrecyclingcenter.com). They also take DVD's. We once bought a previously viewed DVD of "Being John Malcovich". We should donate that TODAY!
5. Do you use those new "squiggly" light bulbs? Many of us are now switching to the compact fluorescent lights but did you know they can leak mercury back into the soil if not disposed of properly? Feel free to drop them off at area Motel 6 locations. They started the first national fluorescent light bulb and battery recycling program in the hospitality industry. Just stop by and recycle to your heart's content!
6. Write your grocery list on the back of junk mail coupons and envelopes. Lord knows we don't need four ads for air duct cleaning!
Until next time...Enjoy!

Ways to Conserve, Cut Back and Curtail (Part 1 or 3)

I was intrigued by the supplement publication to D Magazine this month. There is an article entitled "65 things you can do right now" that references some simple behavioral changes and shifts in consumer spending, making a ptah to being green a little easier.
Here are some of the ways to start:
1. Benjamin Moore Eco Spec 100% acrylic pain line takes away volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that aren't good for you or the earth.
2. If you are comfortable with it, pay your bills online!
3. The "Always at Peace Organic Spa"(AlwaysAtPeace.com) in Plano is an earth-friendly indulgence. All the products used in the massages, facials and tratments are organic. That's one way to help the Earth that I am totally on board with!
4. Check out books from your local library or purchase used books from Half Price Books.
5. Wonder what your home's carbon footprint is? Check out Dallas-based Current Energy (CurrentEnergy.com) to find out.
6. Plano-based Frito-Lay has been recognized by the EPA for its energy conservation. So, eat up and think about how you're helping the environment, not packing on the pounds!
Until next time...stay warm!

D Magazine

I think I'm like most Americans in many ways. I drive an SUV, get my hair colored and enjoy going to movies. I also have more magazine subscriptions than I can read in a month. My favorite magazine is Real Simple and I am even behind on that!
I stumbled across a great site a year ago called DiscountMagazines.com. Cheap magazine subscriptions to many great publications. One I decided to venture out on this year was D Magazine. I wouldn't call myself a Dallasite in the least, but I enjoy reading about money I will never have and designers I wouldn't recognize if I saw them on the street. Either way, for six bucks a year, a fantastic deal to learn about our great city.
This month, they added a special "Dallas Goes Green" issue that has many interesting topics. I will feature some of the highlights of this issue in the coming days.
With the holidays quickly approaching, take the time to remember the reason for the season! Oh, and don't forget that I love referrals!
Until next time....

Pending Home Sales Increase in October

A forward-looking indicator of home sales in the U.S. rose during October, the second climb in a row.

The National Association of Realtors' index for pending sales of previously owned homes increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.6% to 87.2 in October from September's 86.7, the industry group said Monday. The level of the gauge was 85.5 in August and 91.4 in July. The NAR is forecasting sales and prices to drop in 2007 and rise weakly in 2008.

NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said the worst part of the credit crunch has been accounted for in the data, and that mortgage conditions have gotten better. "Some postponed activity should turn up in existing-home sales over the next couple of months, and I expect sales at fairly stable to slightly higher levels," he said.

The NAR index, based on signed contracts for previously owned homes, was 18.4% below the level of 106.8 in October 2006.

The NAR's pending home sales index was designed to try measuring which way the housing market is going in the future. It is based on pending sales of existing homes, including single-family homes and condominiums. A home sale is pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction hasn't closed. Pending sales typically close within one or two months of signing.

By region, the Northeast increased 16.0% in October from September; it fell 11.1% since October 2006. The Midwest fell 1.4% in October from September; it fell 11.7% since October 2006. The South decreased 7.8% in October from September; it dropped 25.3% since October 2006. The West increased 8.4% in October from September; it plunged 16.9% since October 2006.

In its monthly forecast on the industry, the NAR projected existing-home sales at 5.67 million this year and 5.70 million in 2008. That compares with 6.48 million in 2006. Existing-home prices are expected to decline 1.9% to a median of $217,600 for all of 2007 and rise 0.3% in 2008 to $218,300, the NAR said.

A month ago, NAR projected 2007 sales at 5.67 million and 2008 sales at 5.69 million. It had forecast prices declining 1.7% to a median of $218,200 for all of 2007 and to hold essentially even in 2008 at $218,300.

Custom One-Story home in Argyle

It's not very often a home like this comes along and when it does, move on it now! This Austin Tanner Home is nothing but stunning from roof tip to hardwood floor. Located in the new and secluded subdivision of Liberty Crossing, this is an ideal home for any active family. With no city taxes and a walking path to Liberty Christian School, you'll be saving time and money. No more carpool lanes! Less money on taxes!
To see the floor plan and amenities, visit www.311Tuscany.com, a personal website for this amazing property.
Oh, and by the way, I'm never too busy for you or your referrals!

Ways To Go Green

It seems like you can't turn on the TV or see a headline without something about "going green". You may not realize that it's just little changes that can make a difference.
If you've ever wondered how to increase your home's energy efficiency or how to reduce your overall carbon footprint, here's a few sites to help:
Energy Star
With a few of your past utility bills, the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy can analyze your home's energy use and get recommendations to improve it. You can learn about Energy Star standards for lighting, appliances, and electronics. For more information, visit EnergyStar.gov
The Nature Conservatory
If you're interested in a more comprehensive view of your environmental impact, try The Nature Conservancy's Website, where you can fill out a Carbon Footprint Calculator: www.Nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator. This online tool includes commuting, travel, and food choices--as well as housing--to construct an overall picture of a household's effect on the world.

*information provided by Texas Realtor, December 2007