Articles Tagged "Garland TX"

According to the American Horse Council, Texas is home to nearly one million horses. It's no surprise that there are so many great equestrian centers and stables around Dallas homes for sale. 

• Rocking J Stables - 2802 S. Country Club Rd., Garland, TX 75043
  Love horses, but you don't have much riding experience? Rocking J Stables offers two-hour guided trail rides just down the street from Garland homes for sale. Groups have a maximum of four riders, so everyone feels comfortable and gets plenty of attention from the guide. The trails are also accessible to anyone who boards a horse at Rocking J, which is named for owner Anne Young's horse Jude. 
  
  
• Tate Farms - 12992 S. Farm to Market 548, Rockwall, TX 75032
  Family-owned Tate Farms raises horses and cattle, the two animals most associated with Texas. Their horse boarding facility near Rockwall homes for sale includes outdoor and covered pens, an indoor arena, an obstacle course, and grooming and saddling stations. A number of riding trails wind through 500 acres of private grounds. If you're in the market for a horse of your own to buy or lease, Tate Farms always has many high-quality horses to choose from, along with experienced on-site training. 
  
  
• Trinity River Farm & Equestrian Center - 8375 Randol Mill Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76120
  When you visit the picturesque Trinity River Farm & Equestrian Center, you'll find it hard to believe you're just minutes away from Fort Worth homes for sale. In addition to a full slate of lessons and boarding services, Trinity River recently launched its therapeutic riding division for qualified students. Looking for creative party ideas? Trinity River offers a number of packages that include activities such as tractor-trailer rides, petting zoos, arts and crafts, and hot dog roasts around a campfire.
   
• Cedar Haven Stables - 305 Evergreen Trl., Cedar Hill, TX 75104
  Amy Cristol, the owner of Cedar Haven Stables, was inspired to create this beautiful facility while searching for a pony for her own children. The 25-acre grounds, not far from Cedar Hill homes for sale, feature indoor and outdoor arenas along with trails that include a 25-jump course. Trainer Kelsey Marcus, a 17-year veteran of the equine industry, has a special knack for working with challenging horses. Private and group lessons are available, as well as pasture or stall boarding.
  
  
• JoMar Farms - 1510 Bois D Arc Ln., Midlothian, TX 76065
  After learning to ride as a child, Joni Brown passed her love of horses to her daughter Marissa. In 2006, the women combined their efforts and names to open JoMar Farms. Together, they have fostered a caring and attentive approach that's evident in all their equine services, from horse boarding and training to riding lessons. Their stable is also located close to Midlothian homes for sale. 

If you're buying or selling a DFW home, contact us at RE/MAX DFW Associates to speak with one of our real estate agents. 

The North Texas housing market is downshifting quickly, with Dallas-Fort Worth being the only U.S. market to see a decrease in home sale prices last month, according to a report released today.  DFW home prices are down 1.9% year over year in July, according to the latest Re/Max National Housing Report.

And what a difference a month makes.  Last month, DFW led the U.S. for home price increases, with June prices up 29.3% over the previous year.   In hard numbers, home sales prices in DFW fell to $413,900 in July from $422,000 in July 2021.   Homes in DFW spend an average of 23 days on the market before selling.

Higher interest rates and inflation, as well as record home prices, triggered a sharp drop in demand for housing, said Todd Luong, a realtor with Re/Max DFW Associates:  "Here at our Re/Max office in Dallas-Fort Worth, our listings are currently getting on average 2.7 showings per week," Luong said. "Last year, at this same time, our listings were earning on average 5.9 showings per week. That is a huge drop in buyer demand compared to the previous year. Record home prices and higher mortgage rates have forced many potential buyers out of the market, especially first-time homebuyers."

While the latest trends may disappoint some sellers, buyers now have more choices and better opportunities for good deals, Luong said.   Luong said that the DFW housing market has been challenged with low inventory for years and reached an all-time low earlier this year, with only a two-week supply. Now, however, inventory is increasing.  "Although buyers have more choices now, it is still not a balanced market as we only have about a two-month housing supply," Luong said. "In a normal market, you have about a five to six-month supply of housing."

A new report from Zillow also found falling home values, although the numbers didn't match Re/Max's precisely because of different study methods and different geographic definitions of DFW as a metro area, among other reasons.  According to Zillow's findings, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area's typical home value is $396,904, down 1.1% since June, the first month of decline. Values are up 55.4% since July 2019.

Zillow also reported that the mortgage payment on a typical home in DFW is $2,633 a month, including taxes and insurance. That's up 77.4% compared to July 2019.

According to Zillow, inventory in DFW has risen 10.2% since June, and the share of listings with a price cut in July was 22%, compared to 15.6% in June.  Nationwide, after two years of unprecedented growth, home values fell for the first time since 2012 as competition for houses eased, according to Zillow's July market report.

The slowdown is being driven by decreased competition among buyers. Zillow's analysis says that affordability pressures have pushed many to the sidelines, and buyers are waiting in the wings to resume their search if and when prices relax a bit.  Skylar Olsen, Zillow's chief economist, called the flattening of home values "a badly needed rebalancing.  This slowdown is about discouraged buyers pulling back after the affordability shock from higher rates," Olsen said. "As prices soften, many will renew their interest, and we will continue our progress back to 'normal.'"

Luong said he sees positive signs in the market.  The interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped below 5% after peaking in June. More than 290,000 new jobs were added in Dallas-Fort Worth last year, so North Texas has one of the strongest labor markets in the country.   "Reasonably priced homes that are in good condition and move-in ready are still selling very fast," he said. "However, the bidding wars have subsided considerably across the board."

• Dallas Business Journal, August 19, 2022

It's a well-known fact that curb appeal makes a huge difference in Dallas homes for sale. Whether you're planning on listing your home soon or not for a little while yet, here are a few outdoor walkway ideas our real estate agents recommend for a quick way to boost curb appeal.

• Stepping Stones 
  Stepping stones are an inexpensive way to put walking paths anywhere you want, plus they blend in nicely with a well-landscaped yard. You can find stepping stones in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles, so head over to the home improvement or garden store and spend some time browsing and comparing prices before you decide what you want.
  
  
• Gravel
  Another inexpensive, easy to work with, and good DIY choice is gravel. Gravel can be used to surround stepping stones or large pavers, as a border along a concrete or brick path, or as a path itself. You will need to provide some kind of a border to keep the gravel in and remember that gravel can also travel and requires some maintenance to continue looking nice.
  
  
• Brick
  Brick is a great option with a lot of opportunities for variety. If you choose someone experienced to do the job for you, they'll not just level the path to making sure you don't end up with any bricks sticking up, they can also lay the bricks in intricate and pleasing designs. Brick tends to look both traditional and upscale in Fort Worth homes for sale.
  
  
• Pavers
  Pavers are a more expensive alternative to brick, stepping stones, or flagstone, but they come in a wider variety of sizes and colors and textures and can be used to create many pleasing patterns. You could also consider laying the pavers with a narrow space in between where moss or ground cover could grow, tying your walkway into your landscaping.
  
  
• Wood
  Wooden walkways can lend an interesting rustic or beachy vibe, depending on the look you're going for. You could lay circular slices of trunk-like they were pavers or stepping stones, for instance, or build a walkway like an extension of your deck. For zero-footprint ideas, consider using reclaimed wood, such as the wood from a broken-down pallet.
  
  
• Texture or Stenciling
  Is your original walkway still perfectly serviceable, but you're looking for a way to update it? Fortunately, there are many affordable ways to do so. You can have a concrete walkway sprayed and textured with a roller, or you can paint existing pavers using stencils. Upgrading your existing walkway provides immediate curb appeal without breaking the bank.
  
  
• Landscaping
  Don't forget that the walkway is only a small part of your curb appeal, so take some time to make sure the landscaping around it is up to par, too. Consider a nice border of shrubbery or flowers or with the installation of little path lights.

Whether it's for your own enjoyment or you're ready to sell your house, you'll be amazed at the difference a newly designed outdoor walkway will make in your home's curb appeal. For more tips on boosting curb appeal or to chat with an agent about selling your home, contact us today.

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.

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.

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.