Texas Tax-Free Weekend

It's that time of year again!

Time to load up on your back-to-school gear and save money while you do it.

Wait, what? Save money?

For the 12th year, Texans get a tax break on purchases up to $100 related to back-to-school such as backpacks, school supplies and clothing.

The feelings are mixed on this weekend. Some say that there is NO WAY you are getting me into the madhouse this weekend while others look forward to saving a little extra cash on necessities.

However you feel about it, it's a nice perk the State has offered. Get it while you can! With budget cuts, who knows how much longer this will be around.

Does your state participate? Click on the link to check it out!

Meet The Teacher This Thursday!

This Thursday at 4:30 pm at Heritage Elementary in Highland Village is "Meet The Teacher" night.

Be sure to arrive early as the parking lot fills up FAST!

Ever Tried Buffalo Wing Flavored Popcorn?

If you're looking for gourmet-flavored popcorn in the North Texas area, look no further! Check out Lonestar Popcorn for anything your sweet tooth, salty cravings or chocolate fix desires!

Ever wonder what Dr. Pepper popcorn tastes like? How about Dill Pickle? I recently got Banana flavored for my son's monkey-themed party. It really does taste like a banana!!!

What to do when something unexpected happens?

Today we celebrated my son's first birthday at the Castlewood Community Pool and I came across something unexpected. My father-in-law asked after the party "So, who were all of those people today? A bunch of your clients?" I chuckled and said "No, they are friends from different places...wait, actually, yes, most of them are!" I realized.

I started going down the list of my friends at the birthday party and realized that many of them were clients first and then the friendships emerged. Of the six women there with their beautiful children, three of them have bought houses using me and two of them have referred me to their friends. And now here we are, going through life's journey together. I can't think of better friends and clients to celebrate with. You never know what kind of friendships will develop from the work we do. I hear from many of my clients that they go through withdrawals after they close and I feel the same way!

So, what do you do when the unexpected happens? I savored the moment and realized how lucky I am!

Got a lot of Hot Air? Highland Village Does!

For only a $5 parking fee, you can enjoy the 23rd Annual Highland Village Lions Club Balloon Festival and Fair.

Bring your friends and family August 20-22 to Copperas Branch Park for a fun time at this Highland Village tradition. Hot air balloons, live bands, fair rides, Navy flight simulator, hamster balls (I'm all over that!), food court, car bash, Boogie Woogie Choo Choo (my daughter's fav!), raffle prizes and more.

This is a great event that highlights the fine businesses and local talent around the North Texas area. Be sure to mark your calendar and enjoy the last hoorah before school starts!

Castlewood Back to School Party

Before you push your kid out the door onto the school bus and then say a collective "Amen" that the whole neighborhood can hear, stop on by the Castlewood community Back to School Party!

Mark your calendars for Friday, August 20 from 6:30-9 pm at the clubhouse. Fun for all to be had with bounce houses, snow cones, hot dogs and swimming. This is always a great opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones to make the first day of school a little easier.

For more information or to volunteer, email Kimberley at kimberleylyons@tx.rr.com

"I've had thousands of hits on Realtor.com but only a few showings. What gives?"

It's something I have heard from a few sellers over the past few years. What are your thoughts on the role of Internet home searching and the correlation to the number of showings on listings? Here are my opinions. What do you think?
1. The Internet serves as a virtual real estate agent. I have actually started using this train of thought in my listing presentation. My team spends so much money on Realtor.com to give the most exposure possible to our clients. With 9 out of 10 people starting their search on the web, buyers are doing the weeding out virtually instead of by visiting the home. I think this is especially true when someone types in that they want a home on a half acre lot. They get excited because the house has everything they are looking for. Granite, hardwood floors, stately trees and a half acre. Then they realize that the house is set back so there's hardly any backyard. So instead of needing to see the home in person, you can eliminate it because you were able to see online that it wouldn't work. Oh well, scratch that off the list, which brings me to my next point.

2. The criteria we set for our clients may not be the same they set for themselves. I can't tell you how many times my clients will send me a home that has them all geeked up about seeing it. Then I am like a needle popping their balloon when they find out the master is on the second floor and not the first floor. The criteria we can search for is much more focused than that on the Internet searches. So, mark that one off too.

3. Looking for homes on the Internet is a HOBBY. There are many people that just love everything real estate. They watch every HGTV, TLC and Discovery Channel show known to man. They are like the MacGyver of remodeling taking used toilet paper rolls and making napkin rings. They constantly check out homes on every website that's out there. Face it. People just love the ins and outs of this business!

That's my two cents. What has your experience been?