Articles Tagged "Denton TX"

Go further North young family, go further North!  The building permit decline didn't occur across the board.   January building permits jumped 87% in Anna.  Permits in Melissa also rose, from 59 in January 2021 to 89 in January of this year, which is a 51% increase.  Denton new home permits jumped 171%, from 77 in January 2021 to 209 in January 2022.  Sherman rose 69%, from 32 in January 2021 to 54 in January 2022.

• Dallas Business Journal, February 16, 2022

After weeks or months of browsing Dallas homes for sale, visiting open houses, negotiating with sellers, and dealing with the exhausting relocation tasks, you're finally in your new home. It's time to make your new place feel like home and settle into your new surroundings. For some people, this could fall into place when your new neighbors see your moving truck, but in most cases, you have to put in work to get acquainted with your new surroundings. All it takes is a positive attitude and willingness to make it work out. Here is our real estate agent's list of 5 top strategies to help you get familiar with your new neighborhood.

1. Introduce Yourself to Your Neighbors
   Getting to know the people who live around you can help you feel settled in your new environment and your new routine. Within the first days of your move, it's a good idea to introduce yourself to the people next door. Tell them you are a newcomer and ask questions about your new neighborhood. You'd be surprised at how friendly your neighbors are. Be polite and keep your first interaction short. If you need recommendations or useful information about your new area, approach your neighbors again, offer some homemade cookies, and start a friendly conversation. 
   
   
2. Take Frequent Walks
   The most straightforward piece of advice is sometimes one of the most effective. If you want to get to know your neighborhood, go see it for yourself. Taking frequent walks is an excellent de-stressor during or after the unpacking process, and it will also give you a chance to observe daily life in the community. Take your children to the nearest playground or go to the nearest gym to meet other parents or fitness enthusiasts. If you have a dog, take them for a walk in the nearest park.
   
   
3. Join a Local Club or Community Organization
   One of the best ways to settle into your new neighborhood is to immerse yourself in the community. You can join local clubs, charities, and other community organizations, depending on your values, interests, and skills. This is a great way to meet like-minded people from the neighborhood and make friends. A polite introduction is all that's needed. Volunteering is also a great way to take an active part in bettering the neighborhood and learn about some of the issues that shape the community.
   
   
4. Find the Locals' Favorites Spots
   Dining and entertainment hangouts can be a key to the true neighborhood vibe. Thanks to online resources such as Google and Yelp, it's easier than ever to find the best restaurants, bars, local attractions, museums, recreation centers, entertainment venues, and more. This will help you meet people from the neighborhood and feel like one of them.
   
   
5. Shop Locally
   You can definitely find a box store in the area or buy your things online, but that little corner shop is something you'll find right in the neighborhood. So, whether you need to make a quick trip to the local café for a much-needed caffeine hit or a visit to the hardware for a few nails, you'll need to know where all the stores are. Shopping locally helps you engage with your new neighborhood while bolstering it at the same time.

As stressful as moving can be, getting to know your new neighborhood is an amazing opportunity to welcome new friends, find new passions, and explore the world with a fresh set of eyes. Still looking at Fort Worth homes for sale and aren't sure if you've found your dream spot? Our team can help. Contact us today for more information.

Love to cook? If so, you may be looking for a dream kitchen among Fort Worth homes for sale. You probably have some good ideas about what you want in a kitchen, but our real estate agents have some insightful advice that might make you reconsider what you're looking for. For instance, many homeowners think large when it comes to kitchen space, but experts say it's more important for your kitchen to be organized than to be expansive.

Make the most of your kitchen with these upgrades.

1. Create a Good Workflow
   Gathering guests in the kitchen while you cook is a definite trend, but you want to arrange things so your guests can enjoy visiting and not be in the way. Place them nearby where they can enjoy a drink or some snacks, but not where you have to work around them. Plan for your cooktop to be out of the flow of traffic; take that a step further and locate the trash or the bar away from the cooking flow so you don't have to dance around obstructions. By the same token, you want essentials nearby, such as the refrigerator, pots and pans, most favored utensils, and cooking ingredients.
   
   
2. Invest in Good Counters
   You want good quality counters, but that doesn't mean you need to invest in the most expensive materials. For instance, granite is popular, but it requires considerable upkeep and can scratch easily. Another popular material is soapstone, which is soft and can be scratched, but it's not delicate. It also ages nicely and can stand high heat. Compressed recycled quartz is a popular choice that stands up to wear and comes in several choices.
   
   
3. Go for Quality Cookware
   Forget those 20-piece cookware sets. Rather, buy piece by piece and only buy what you need. For instance, you're likely going to use a frying pan or skillet more than, say, a saucier, so do invest in one that's of good quality. But investing in an inexpensive non-stick skillet for daily egg cooking isn't a bad idea. You can save the quality piece for the gourmet dishes, and just let the non-stick go when it wears out.  
   
   A cast-iron skillet is one way to acquire a quality piece that doesn't cost much. These last forever. You might also want to invest in a fully clad pot, which means it's composed of three layers of bonded metal. These pots are known for even transmittal of heat, which translates to nice browning instead of hot spots.
   
   
4. Think Bold
   While white kitchens with a bold pop of color or two have prevailed over recent years, the trend may be shifting to more adventurous colors. For instance, bright blue cabinetry might call to you, as might a green marble countertop or a backsplash that makes an eye-catching statement. If you know you're staying in your current home, choose the colors that appeal most to you.
   
   
5. Consider Sustainability 
   The throw-away syndrome is something we all need to lose, and no better place to start than in your kitchen upgrade. As you look to redo your kitchen, shop for quality, artisanal, sustainably made items that will last a lifetime. For example, consider adding quality food storage solutions to get rid of plastic wrap usage.

Still looking for a home complete with the perfect kitchen for all your culinary adventures? Our agents can help. Contact us today.

Moving is a hectic transition for anyone to make, whether you're relocating across town or across the state. You have to arrange the details, pack everything up, stick to schedules, transport your family to the new place, live in chaos, and figure out where everything is. It can be challenging to handle all the tasks and still be sensitive to your child's experience as well. Our real estate agents have got some tips to make a move easier for the whole family.

1. Plan Ahead
   Planning your move ahead of time can make the process a lot easier and minimize anxiety for everyone. You'll be able to hire a moving company, get plenty of time to pack and settle in the new home before big events like going to the new school. This will reduce your stress and also give your kids enough time to adjust to the idea of moving.
   
   
2. Talk to Them
   Kids can pick up on those whispered conversations, so the sooner you tell them, the better. Discuss the move when things get obvious – you're getting ready for the yard sale, you're showing the house, or you're starting to pack. Let your kids know where you're going, why you're moving, and when you're moving. Acknowledge their sad feelings and create a safe space to talk about it.
   
   
3. Visit the New Neighborhood
   Once your kids understand what's going to happen, get them excited about the move. If you can, drive over and show them around. Find the nearest park, ice cream shop, comic book store, the best pizza place, or whatever their favorite things might be. If you've chosen a school or daycare in your new neighborhood, take the kids there for a visit.
   
   
4. Get a Sitter on Moving Day
   No matter how organized you are, the noise and chaos of moving day is no place for small children. Also, with things being packed and moved, you'll be too distracted to give your child your full attention. Get a babysitter or have your child stay with a family member or friend for the day to cut down on stress and emotional outbursts.
   
   
5. Delegate When Possible
   In the interest of time, you may be tempted to take care of every aspect of the move yourself. However, giving your child age-appropriate control can help them feel safer and calmer about the whole process. Keeping them occupied will help you focus on other things. Put your preschooler in charge of packing up their toys, books, or games. You may also want to have them pack a "comfort bag" filled with their favored bedtime toys and other important items for your trip. A teen might help with packing up their room and other light items in the rest of the house.
   
   
6. Try to Stick to Routines
   Children fear the unknown, and changes can trigger fears and anxieties. Keeping things as consistent as possible before, during, and after the move can give your child have something to focus on in the midst of changes. Keep your kids to their regular bedtimes and establish the same routines in your new home.

Still looking for your dream home among Dallas homes for sale? Our team can help you find one to call your own and make your experience easy and convenient. Contact us today to get started.

Renovating or updating your home is an exciting prospect. Whether you plan on living there a while longer or are fixing it up to sell soon, doing much-needed updates can be satisfying. Before you get too carried away, though, here are a few words of caution from our real estate agents.

1. Choose your contractor carefully.
   Remember that a lot rides on your choice of contractor. This person will oversee your project, so it needs to be someone who is on board with your vision. It also should be someone who is good at what they do, so check online reviews. It's a good rule of thumb to interview several contractors and look for someone who will be a good fit for your project, understands your budget, and will be able to deliver as promised and on time.
   
   
2. Expect the unexpected.
   That being said, always expect the unexpected, and build a little wiggle room into your budget and your timeline. You don't know what your contractor and his crew will find once they start work. The original plan may need to be changed or some issue could require attention before the work can continue. If you build a little extra into your overall plan, changes in cost or time frame won't hurt as much.
   
   
3. Do the kitchen first.
   There are several reasons why you should do the kitchen first. First of all, it's likely to inconvenience you the most, since you won't have a kitchen to cook in. You can set up a temporary kitchen station in another room, where you can do simple food prep. But more importantly, kitchen updates have the biggest impact on your home's value. Dallas homes for sale that feature clean, modern kitchens show and sell the best. Plus, those updates feature the most functionality, so you'll likely enjoy them the most during whatever time you have left in the house.
   
   
4. Be honest with yourself before DIYing.
   It can be tempting to save yourself the money and do the work yourself, but be honest with yourself as to whether you have the required knowledge, experience, and skill to DIY it. If you overestimate your ability to DIY your upgrades, you'll detract from your home's appeal and leave the buyer to clean up the mess. Be honest with yourself, and if you don't know enough to make the job look professional, then leave it to the professionals.
   
   
5. Know whether you're selling or staying. 
   If you're designing updates to enjoy while you live in the home, your goals are going to be different than if you're updating a home in order to join the list of Fort Worth homes for sale. Renovations for yourself will of course be targeted to your personal preferences, whereas renovations prior to selling need to be more neutral so that they'll appeal to a wide range of potential buyers.

If you're looking to sell your home soon, home improvement projects are a great way to boost its appeal to buyers. For more information about what upgrades sell the best, or to speak to an agent, contact us today.

The Central Flyway is one of America's most highly trafficked bird migration routes, and the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is smack-dab underneath it. That makes this one of the best areas in the country for birdwatching. 

One of the things our real estate agents love most about life in the DFW is its abundance of outdoor recreation. That includes incredible birding opportunities. Be sure to check out one of these top birding sites in Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding areas. 

1. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden - 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
   A spectacular landscape of vibrant plants and flowers in the heart of the city, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is also a premier bird-watching location thanks to its diverse plant life. Located just minutes from many Dallas homes for sale, the arboretum is a seasonal stopover for multiple hummingbird species, and you can see several unique wading birds in summer, including white ibis and spoonbill. 
   
   
2. Trinity River Audubon Center - 6500 S Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX 75217
   Nestled in the heart of Great Trinity Forest, a vast urban open-space park in Southeast Dallas, Trinity River Audubon Center offers birding trails and observation platforms, with access to an amazing natural landscape of hardwood forests, marshy wetlands, and meadows. It's possible to spot more than 50 species in a single day when conditions are right. 
   
   
3. Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge - 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76135
   Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge encompasses more than 3,600 acres of woods and wetlands around the shores of Lake Worth. The refuge is a short drive from these Fort Worth homes for sale and offers 20 miles of trails with some of the best birding opportunities in the DFW. Watch for herons and egrets wading along the margins of the lakeside wetlands, and keep an eye overhead for osprey and bald eagles. During the colder months, winter birds like goldfinch and juncos are common.
   
   
4. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary - 1 Nature Pl, McKinney, TX 75069
   The 289-acre wildlife sanctuary operated by the Heard Natural Science Museum is an amazing resource for birding enthusiasts. With a mixed landscape of blackland prairies and bottomland hardwood forest plus a great wetland boardwalk area, you can see a wide range of different bird species here in every season. Wood ducks and great blue herons are common in the wetlands area. 
   
   
5. Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center - 3310 Collins Rd, Denton, TX 76208
   Spanning 2,900 acres, Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center is one of the greatest bird-watching sites in the DFW area. Located in the small city of Denton, less than 40 minutes from Dallas, the heritage center encompasses a diverse habitat of bottomland hardwood forests, upland prairies, and marshlands. More than 10 miles of trails offer a chance to spot dozens of bird species.  
   
   
6. Cedar Ridge Preserve - 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249
   One of the great birding destinations in the region, Cedar Ridge Preserve is managed by Audubon Dallas, the local chapter of the National Audubon Society. Cedar Ridge Preserve stretches over 600 acres, with 9 miles of trails that explore a wide range of prime bird habitat. Guided birding trips and nature programs are commonly held here, and the preserve offers a bird blind and butterfly garden as well. 

Contact us to learn more about life in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The DFW is a hub for business and culture that also happens to offer incredible opportunities for outdoor adventure.

No matter how big a house is, we seem never to have enough storage space. The problem might be you just haven't unlocked the secrets of a good storage strategy.

If you're considering homes among Dallas homes for sale or Fort Worth homes for sale, and you're wondering if the storage will be sufficient, just keep these tips in mind for how you might expand the storage space in your new home.

1. Over-the-doorway shelving. 
   Bet you didn't know you had all that potential storage space right over the doorway. Install open-air shelves over the doorway in bedrooms, bathrooms, and above double doors. Depending on the type of room where the shelves are installed, you can place plants, decorative dishes, and pottery, or treasured mementos.
   
   
2. Under-the-bed storage bins.
   Don't let that space under your bed go to the dust bunnies. Acquire long, flat storage bins and stow things such as holiday gift bags, tissue, and wrapping paper; or even off-season clothing. 
   
   
3. Hooks for measuring spoons and cups.
   Don't you get fed up looking for measuring spoons and smaller-size measuring cups in your drawer full of miscellanea? Now you can put your hand right on them by installing hooks inside your kitchen cabinet doors and hanging them within easy reach.
   
   
4. Drawer organizers.
   Utilize these to help organize your kitchen. Drawer organizers work well if you put some time into planning what you need to access before you buy the organizers. Make sure you measure your drawers as well! 
   
   
5. Storage bins for cabinets.
   Same as for drawer organizers: think about what you want to place in storage bins before you buy them. For instance, maybe you have some spices you'd like to have right at hand, so you acquire a bin for the pantry where you can place them in rough alphabetical order. Storage bins in cabinets should work well for all the smaller items in the kitchen, such as packets of gravy or dressing mixes, a box of bouillon cubes, a baggie full of orphaned tea bags, sweetener packets, whatever. Obviously, storage bins for your bedroom closets will be larger so they can hold your shoes; maybe in your office, a storage bin would be useful for rounding up all those power cords and chargers you can't seem to throw away.
   
   
6. Excess stuff.
   You know you need to get rid of stuff you never use, but it's hard. We suggest once a year going through your possessions and doing a fearless assessment of what you're likely to need or can let go of without regrets. Some of it can go in the trash or the recycling bin; the rest, such as clothing or furniture in good repair, can go to charity. 
   
   
7. Outdoor storage shed.
   This is one of the best solutions for relieving indoor crowding. Try to arrange stored items with a top to bottom plan by stacking seldom-used items on the bottom, and stuff you might need in smaller containers near the top. Think about what you'll want to get at (holiday decorations for instance) and place them so you can access them as needed. 

All these small changes will add up and provide you and your family more space so you can live more comfortably in your home.

Need more tips? Our real estate agents can help. Contact us today.

Have you thought about jumping on the bandwagon and making your home smarter in 2021? If not, maybe you should. There are so many ways smart features increase your home's comfort, security, and efficiency that a smart system bears looking at. What's more, if you're listing your home among Dallas homes for sale or Plano homes for sale, you might include the smart system and appliances as a selling point.

In case you're not familiar with all the features you could have with a smart system, let's look at a rundown.

1. Smart Home Assistant
   The smart home assistant is the foundation for any smart system. There are two that dominate the market: Amazon Echo with Alexa and Google Home with smart speakers. Similar to the way they work, these devices control all the other smart devices in your home, from lights and doorbells to security alarms and cameras.
   
   
2. Smart Hub
   If you go with a smart speaker without a built-in hub, you'll need a smart hub for automating all the smart devices in your home through only one app. A couple of the best are the Smart Things Hub and the Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub.
   
   
3. Lighting
   No need to get up. Add smart bulbs and control the lights through your phone, either by voice or touch. Still at the office? Turn on some light for the dog remotely. Change the mood by changing the color of the light if you opt for RGB lighting.

4. HVAC Thermostat
   Manage your home's environment from near or far with a smart thermostat. Use an app on your smartphone or tablet to control the temperature; depending on if you have an in-house humidifier, you might even be able to raise or lower humidity. Some systems can sense your approach and raise or lower the temperature for your comfort. Need an analysis of your energy usage? A smart thermostat can do that as well.

5. Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
   Smart smoke detectors not only detect smoke but send a message to your phone that there's a problem.
   
   
6. Garage Door Opener
   Let workers in your garage when you're away with an app on your phone. Did you forget to close the garage door? No problem. You can close it remotely as long as you can access Wi-fi.
   
   
7. Smart Security Features
   A complete smart security system should include indoor and outdoor cameras, door locks, lighting, and even the doorbell. Here's how these features play into your overall security strategy:

• • Indoor camera -- There are many reasons to monitor what's going on inside your home, from watching a babysitter or cleaning employee to monitoring your pets' activities to recording a break-in.
  • Outdoor camera -- Again, you want to be able to record who comes up to your front door and what they do. The Nest outdoor security camera comes with night vision and has a built-in microphone and speaker; plus, you can use the app for the Nest to view live footage on your smartphone.
  • Door lock -- These devices do away with the need for keys; you can unlock them via your smartphone or with a fingerprint or a pin.
  • Doorbell -- These come with a camera that lets you see who's ringing the bell and communicate with them through your phone. Some devices have the ability to recognize your visitors.

Our real estate agents can help you upgrade your home and appliances to create a more convenient, efficient, and secure smart system. Contact us today. 

The crisp air of late fall makes this a particularly good time to go for a bike ride in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. And with Go For a Ride Day coming right up on Sunday, November 22, our real estate agents are excited to share some of our favorite bike trails in the DFW.

• Oak Cliff Nature Preserve - 2875 Pierce St, Dallas, TX 75233
  A 121-acre oasis of shady woodlands and rolling wildflower meadows, Oak Cliff Nature Preserve is a great resource for Dallas mountain bikers. Located just minutes from these Dallas homes for sale, the preserve includes 8 miles of multi-use hike and bike trails arranged in six loops. There are many twists and turns, but the terrain is mostly flat and not too challenging.
  
  
• North Shore Trail - 2908 N Park Dr, Flower Mound, TX 75022
  Easily one of the more popular hiking and biking routes in the DFW area, the North Shore Trail follows Lake Grapevine's shoreline and offers some splendid scenery along the way. The trail is made up of two loops totaling 22 miles. The 12.5-mile eastern loop is flat and suitable for beginners, while the western loop is more rugged. Trailheads are located in Twin Coves Park, Rockledge Park, and Murrell Park, a short ride from these Flower Mound homes for sale.
  
  
• Trinity Trails - 3301 Trinity Park Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76107
  Trinity Trails is a 40-mile network of trails in the heart of Fort Worth, mostly near the banks of the Trinity River. Popular among joggers, dog-walkers, and cyclists alike, the trails are mostly paved, meandering through riverfront parks and gardens with some great views of the Fort Worth skyline. The main trailhead in Trinity Park is a stone's throw from many Fort Worth homes for sale. 
  
  
• Big Cedar Wilderness Trails - 8991-8999 Isom Ln, Dallas, TX 75249
  With a mix of single track loops and fire roads totaling about 8 miles, Big Cedar Wilderness Trails offer a great landscape for mountain bikers to explore. Big Cedar Wilderness is a rugged landscape of hardwood forests, cactus-filled valleys, and Dallas's highest point. The trails are maintained by the Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association (DORBA) and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from dawn until dusk. 
  
  
• Denton Katy Trail - 604 E Hickory St, Denton, TX 76205
  An urban bike trail that runs parallel to the DCTA commuter rail line in Denton County, the Denton Katy Trail offers a great opportunity to explore some of the other communities north of Dallas. Passing through urban centers, residential neighborhoods, and industrial areas, the trail is popular among families, recreational cyclists, and even commuters looking for an alternate route to work. The trail begins at the Denton Downtown Transit Center near these Denton homes for sale, and runs 16 miles south to Lake Dallas.
  
  
• Marion Sansom Park - 2501 Roberts Cut Off Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76114
  With shady woods, picturesque waterfalls and views across the glassy surface of Lake Worth, Marion Sansom Park is one of the best places in Fort Worth for hiking and mountain baking. This urban oasis offers several mountain bike loops ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced. In total, about 11 miles of trails are open to cyclists, and the park offers a great opportunity to hit the trail without leaving the city. 

Contact us today to learn more about life in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. From wide-open spaces to vibrant cities and towns, it's an incredible place to live, and our  team is always ready to help you find your dream home.