Do you constantly feel like you are running out of time? If you had just one more hour, or one more minute, or even just one more second ….. Wishful thinking, right? Not this year. This year we will be getting one, whole extra second! On Tuesday, June 30th, 2015, a “leap second” will be added at midnight. At this time, the time will read 23:59:60 UTC.
What is a leap second?
After some research, I discovered that a leap second is added occasionally (12 times since 1972) to keep atomic clocks in sync with astrological time. The earth’s rotation is inconsistent and gradually slowing down. Since anatomic clocks are designed to be precise and astrological time determines the length of the day, it turns out that the Anatomic Clock is just too darn accurate. So, the added extra second, “Leap Second”, helps to bridge this strange inconsistency.
Do you constantly feel like you are running out of time? If you had just one more hour, or one more minute, or even just one more second ….. Wishful thinking, right? Not this year. This year we will be getting one, whole extra second! On Tuesday, June 30th, 2015, a “leap second” will be added at midnight. At this time, the time will read 23:59:60 UTC.
What is a leap second?
After some research, I discovered that a leap second is added occasionally (12 times since 1972) to keep atomic clocks in sync with astrological time. The earth’s rotation is inconsistent and gradually slowing down. Since anatomic clocks are designed to be precise and astrological time determines the length of the day, it turns out that the Anatomic Clock is just too darn accurate. So, the added extra second, “Leap Second”, helps to bridge this strange inconsistency.
So use your extra second wisely this year!
To learn more about the Leap Second, check out this article from USA Today:
One of the highlights of my job as a realtor, here in the Park Cities and Dallas, Texas, is getting to work with the builders of our gorgeous homes. We have some incredible builders that have withstood the test of time and they are creating fabulous homes. We are truly a city of inspiration and are making things happen in so many ways especially in new home construction. As an example… have you seen the stunning homes built by NEST HOMES in Preston Hollow and The Park Cities? They are shockingly fresh in style, prospective and innovation striking a beautiful balance of modern living to sustainable luxury. This NEST HOMES home in Preston Hollow won the Dallas 10 Most Beautiful Homes Award 2010.
NEST HOMES creates homes for people who love the art of living and our environment and they prove that luxury and sustainability can live together in comfort and harmony. Though every NEST home is unique and reflects the lifestyle of the owner each home shares these common values. When you think of a NEST HOMES home think of a tightly sealed envelope of energy efficient materials and lots of natural light. This NEST home in University Park is an IIDA Design Award Winner, AIA Tour of Homes and LEED Gold Homes Certification.
3501 Caruth Blvd IIDA Design Award Winner, AIA Tour Homes, and LEED Gold Homes Certification
In listing one of NEST HOMES latest projects at 4428 Greenbrier Dr in The Park Cities/HPISD, I am experiencing their value, dedication and passion to sustainable and environmental responsibility, artfully enhanced architecture, building precision and absolute luxury. 4428 Greenbrier is slated to be complete and move in ready by Mid July so stop by any time to see for yourself.
Matt just loves building things. He is an outdoors man, who loves being on site with the crew and helping people realize their dreams. He believes in protecting our environment and spending as much time in nature as possible.
Tom enjoys designing for people who love social interaction, entertaining friends, supporting the environment and modern architecture.
And this is what they believe:
“We believe that every home should be a retreat, and expression of your beliefs and an expression of who you are. At NEST-US we move forward with these guiding principles:
Always design and build with the home owner’s lifestyle in mind.
Always design and build to conserve energy, protect the environment and improve the community.
Every home should leave a lasting impression on anyone who visits, and a better understanding of who’s nest it is.”
In the mean time, if you or any one that you know wants to buy or sell their home, invest or has questions about real estate please contact me at any time at 214.213.2593 or victoriabarr@ebby.com.
Located in the Highland Park Independent school district this fabulous NEST home boldly blends a modern interpretation of luxuriously sustainable living with great architecture resulting in a contemporary, artfully enhanced living environment giving a firm nod to the life and style of the inhabitant. The use of stunning and natural design selections include flooring of travertine (1st floor) and Casa Samatra Maple (stairs & 2nd floor); accent walls of solid Brazilian Chestnut wood; a thoughtful, extremely well laid out and appointed kitchen with a unique under lit ceiling cloud; a supportive and peaceful master suite with an elegant and sleek master bath and living areas that are both open and unique all combine to create a truly functional, interactive & gorgeous home. The NEST values of respecting the environment, minimizing the carbon footprint and living well, while far exceeding Energy Star standards, are exemplified by the use of native Texas limestone, strategically placed metal roofing, powder coated facia and gutters, an open cell, 5 ½ inch foam exterior building envelope (think Igloo cooler), the highest grade Pella windows with solar heat gain of .2, a commercially sealed post tension slab foundation, 17+ SEER variable speed HVAC, batting insulation in interior walls and ceilings and a no paint exterior. Most of this homes’ systems have remote monitoring capabilities through Z-wave and RF technologies.HVAC,lights & alarm can be programed & managed from a smart phone. This home is an environment; it is art and it is a quite statement to environmental responsibility.
Did you know that Highland Park ISD Will Add an Elementary School….?
As we all know HPISD has experienced steady enrollment growth across the district for many years. With that said it is exciting to say that On May 19th, 2015 Highland Park ISD trustees voted to acquire land for new elementary school. The purchase, contingent upon the successful passage of future bond issue, is 4.6 acres of land from Northway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Located in the city of Dallas and within the Highland Park school this lovely and large parcel of land is the block of Northwest Hwy to Villanova Dr. at the corner of Durham St.
This $20 million land purchase involves about one-third of the church’s property where currently there is a baseball field, handball court, multipurpose activities building and a parsonage. It is understood that The Church will remain.
“This is the culmination of the extraordinary vision and dedication of our community to collaborate and partner with our school district,” said HPISD School Board Trustee Jim Hitzelberger.
“We are excited for a portion of our property to be used for public elementary education,” said Northway Board Chair Mark Gearner. “Northway strives to weave education into everything we do, and we feel that the surrounding community will benefit from this new school for many years to come.”
For any questions about this great addition and especially for information about buying or selling your home contact Victoria Barr any time at 214.213.2593 or VictoriaBarr@Ebby.com.
To view current listings go to: DallasHomesByVictoria. com
This story is from the HPISD and can be read in full at:
The Dallas real estate market is as hot as a Katy Trail run at 4pm in August. Last April, Dallas experienced “a West Coast style market”, meaning panic buying due to a low-inventory market. This spring was no different. Buyers were frustrated at the rate homes went on the market and the incredibly quick rate they disappeared from the market. As a result, prices soared! It was only 3 years ago that it was a “buyers” market. Remember? How quickly things turn around.
This year, median home prices in Dallas are up 10% and they are up a stunning 23% in the Park Cities.* Can you believe that? The median sales price in the 2nd quarter of 2014 (April-June), for a single family home in the Preston Hollow area of Dallas was $1,220,280.00 and $1,673,753.00 in the Park Cities (HPISD) with the number of homes sold down 24% from March 2013-March 2014. Prices are projected to still increase by another 2% within the next year. YICKS!
As we know, Dallas is the best city in Texas and was just voted the best place in the U.S. to start a business. Dallas’s population is expected to grow by 1 million people by 2020.
Bottom line: Dallas needs more housing fast!
Although it appears to be the perfect market for sellers and a difficult market for buyers, through constant networking within neighborhoods, other excellent Dallas REALTORS, resource groups and our association with Luxury Portfolio International and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World we are still finding awesome properties for our clients even before they “hit the market” including new construction in fabulous neighborhoods like Preston Hollow, Forest Hills, JanMar, Devonshire, the Park Cities, Lakewood and Uptown. Should you need any help selling your home or finding your new home, please don’t hesitate to contact Victoria at 214.213.2593 or email her VictoriaBarr@Ebby.com. You can view all her current listings here.
We are so excited about our brand new listing in the beautiful Forest Hills neighborhood of Dallas. Maybe you’re new in town (or soon-to-be) or perhaps you live in Dallas but don’t know much about Forest Hills. We’re here to highlight our favorite things about Forest Hills—and show you the new home you can take a virtual tour through our YouTube video! In case you’re wondering…this home is move-in ready!
The Forest Hills neighborhood is an oasis among the hustle and bustle of Dallas. Potential buyers can expect to find large, sprawling trees and a sense of serenity as they drive through one of Dallas’s best neighborhoods. Located within 5 minutes of White Rock Lake and the Dallas Arboretum, residents readily enjoy the outdoors by cycling, running, enjoying a picnic lakeside and much more. Forest Hills has a strong sense of community with regular meetings and email blasts and keeping their neighbors informed on fun events in the area. There are 3 public schools in the Forest Hills area as well as numerous private schools not too far away. Residents are also ten minutes from the Dallas Arts District where they can enjoy theater, music, art and fine dining.
As for the new listing, we are loving 8139 San Leandro. Read on to find out why. (or just take a look!)
Walls of windows let in the natural light. Soaring ceilings and an open design create a floor plan that is truly unique. This home has a large kitchen with granite countertops and a beautiful master bathroom. Perfectly designed for today’s fast paced living, this home is not only beautiful, but highly functional. The Custom Classics division of David Weekley homes has been regularly awarded JD Power’s Customer Service Champion and has also been awarded The Triple Crown of America Home Building including America’s Best Builder, Builder of the Year, and the National Housing Quality Award.
Our Favorite Neighborhood Activities:
rent a canoe for the day at White Rock Lake Paddle Co.
enjoy a picnic at the Arboretum
run along the Katy Trail
catch a concert al fresco at the Dallas Arboretum [LINK]
White Rock Lake Farmer’s market
take a dip at the Fraternal Order of Eagles pool
Our Favorite Restaurants near Forest Hills:
The LOT Dallas
Hypnotic Donuts
Cane Rosso
Kalachandji’s
Torchy’s Tacos
Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House
If you’d like to take a look at 8139 San Leandro or have any other needs, please call Victoria at 214.213.2593 or email VictoriaBarr@Ebby.com. To view all her listings, click here. We would love to help you find your next home—or sell the home you’re in! Thank you!
The world of real estate can be quite confusing for a first time buyer, and it never hurts to have a head start in the terminology you will encounter. From simple to complicated we decode the jargon for you. Comment with any questions! {interested in the home above?}
SIMPLE TERMS
Appraisal
An appraisal is made by a neutral third party and determines the approximate value of the house. The appraisal will not always be the same as the asking price of the house, but it is required by the lender – who also chooses the appraiser.
Offer
The purchaser makes a bid to purchase a home – called an offer.
Comps
Comps are properties comparable to the one being considered, used to evaluate it properly.
Purchase and Sale Agreement
The buyer receives this document to sign after an offer has been accepted (including the final sale price and any other terms of the offer).
Under Contract
After the Purchase and Sale Agreement has been signed, a property is now Under Contract. Once Under Contract, financing and inspections are the only things left to do before closing.
Pending
A home is usually labeled “Pending” or “Sale Pending” once an offer has been made and all contingencies have been cleared – meaning the agreement has been signed and the financing and inspections are complete. Other outside buyers can still make a backup offer in case the primary buyer makes an emergency exit!
Closing
This is the completion of the sale of the house. The buyer and their real estate agent or attorney meets with the seller and their agent or attorney to finalize the purchase with the escrow agent, and sometimes an agent of the lender as well.
Down Payment
This is the amount that the home buyer “pays up front” and depending on the lender, is anywhere from 3% to 20% of the purchase price.
A neutral third party that uses the purchase agreement as instructions to ensure that the transfer of funds from buyer to seller and transfer of the house from seller to buyer goes smoothly.
Mortgage
This is the legal document that pledges the house to the lender – as conditional security for making the loan to the home buyer.
Fixed-Rate Mortgage
This is a type of mortgage in which the interest rate of the loan does not change over time – the rate is “fixed” to what was agreed upon at the time of the mortgage’s signing.
Deed
The Deed is the legal document that provides proof of the transfer of ownership of a property.
COMPLEX TERMS
Amortization Schedule
This is the schedule of payments (with interest) towards paying off a debt.
Lien
A lien is filed against a property as security for the payment of a debt or charges incurred from work done to the property. Liens are filed by courts or workers (a Mechanic’s Lien) and generally, liens must be settled and removed before a lender will make a loan for a mortgage. A lien is a type of Encumbrance.
Encumbrance
An encumbrance is a type of liability or claim on a property.
Unencumbered Property
A property free of liens.
Debt to Equity Ratio
The method used by banks to determine how much cash the borrower should invest to obtain a mortgage. It is usually about 10-25% of the purchase price, and the amount is dependent on the borrower’s income.
Open Listing
This is a property for sale by in which the owner does not have a solitary, exclusive broker. The owner might have many, or none – and attempting the sale on their own.
Joist
A little known term for wooden supports used in the construction of floors and ceilings.
Covenant
This is a guarantee made in writing.
Are you ready to start your search for a home? It’s important to know these terms going into the home buying process, and Victoria will be by your side to the very end! Call Victoria 214-213-2593 or email her at victoriabarr[at]ebby[dot]com. To view all her listings, go to www.dallashomesbyvictoria.com and be sure to visit her Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages!
What do YOU think about this hot spot? Is it worth the investment?
The Dallas Farmers Market lost its luster long ago and it’s old news to you and me. Stories graced major local news sources for years with titles like “How Dallas Killed Farmers Markets”–just a little taste of the overall sentiment regarding the city’s market. The Farmers Market depended on millions of taxpayer dollars to remain open and never truly became revitalized despite the city’s best efforts.
Fast forward to today. More than 1,000 residential units are popping up in the new Farmers Market District with several newly built townhomes, a new apartment complex cropping up on a 5-acre plot and even old produce warehouses are being sold. How? The city decided to let private dollars go to work. So far so good!
For those heading over to the area to buy produce, have no fear. Shed 1 is under construction and should be ready by June and will continue to house farmers and vendors. Shed 2 will be under private control after successful Pecan Lodge moved out. Sheds 3 and 4 will no longer exist and will make way for new apartments and restaurants.
Townhouses are selling quickly and the neighborhood looks promising, but one roadblock could be the neighboring Bridge homeless shelter. The city has plans to move its entrance to the corner of St. Paul and R.L. Thornton Freeway according to this DMN article.
When was the last time you went to the Dallas Farmers Market? If it’s been a while, you may not recognize the brand new neighborhood with plans for retail and more development estimated at $65 million total. We have high hopes for this hot spot because of its private-public partnership much like uber popular Klyde Warren Park…and we hear a beer garden will be making its way to the Farmers Market District!
For more information on other Dallas neighborhoods, contact Victoria at victoriabarr@ebby.com or call her 214.213.2593.
Ebby Halliday at 103 yrs old. What an iconic, forward thinking, trail blazing, philanthropic woman! May she be an example to us all.Ebby Halliday, known as “the first lady of real estate,” turned 103 on Sunday. Halliday began her selling career at the age of 8 when she sold Cloverine salve to neighboring farmers and later opened a hat shop, Ebby’s Hats, in Dallas, before founding Ebby Halliday, Realtors in 1945.
Now, the real estate firm is the largest in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by both transaction sides and sales volume, according to Real Trends. Nationally, the firm is the 12th largest by sales volume and 15th largest by transaction sides, representing homes worth a combined $4.8 billion in 2012 in 15,915 transaction sides.
Halliday asked that, in lieu of gifts, people support an addiction treatment center, Ebby’s Place at the YWCA.
“It is our duty and privilege as Realtors to get involved, participate in the activities of our cities, and to help build our communities,” she said.
What do YOU think about this hot spot? Is it worth the investment?
DallasHomesByVictoria.com 
