Aren’t these the most absolutely lovely children and families in these photos!!! Through the years I’ve collected pictures that clients and friends have sent me.  I am so thankful for the great support that my clients and friends have provided through the years.

RAZING VALLEY VIEW MALL PART OF PLAN TO REVITALIZE LBJ CORRIDOR
It's no secret that North Dallas' LBJ Freeway corridor has fallen on hard times. Read More

WILL 'CHERISHED' TAX BREAKS FACE THE CHOPPING BLOCK?
Congressional approval to raise the debt ceiling will not end the war in Congress  Read More

SECOND HOME MARKET SNAPSHOT
Sales of vacation homes and investment properties fell in 2010, although their share of Read More

US HISPANIC GROWTH SPURT
The Hispanic population in the United States has grown faster than any other ethnic Read More

KITCHEN COSMETICS
Could your kitchen use a facelift? According to Remodeling magazine's latest  Read More

MONEY MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST PLACES TO LIVE
And the winners are... These terrific small towns stand out in the qualities American Read More

NYU PROFESSORS: WHY WE SHOULD END HOMEOWNERSHIP SUBSIDIES
The United States spends more than $100 billion annually to subsidize homeowners.  Read More

Heath Haseloff bought a townhouse in North Dallas, just minutes from where he works.  He is a civil engineer for the City of Highland Park. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, my alma mater. 

He is from Amarillo and was referred to me by Amy Hughes, a broker there, who also served  on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Realtors. 

Heath and his girlfriend Lori Humphrey plan to do some redecorating before moving in.

RENTAL VS. PURCHASE - SUMMER 2011

Steve Brown spoke at our MLS meeting early August and commented that the metro rental market was on fire.  My very own office had twice as many rentals by the end of July as we had in all of 2010.  Another observation he made is that the average apartment rent is $250 per month more than the average mortgage payment. What we should realize is that an investment in a rental property is an opportunity for passive income.  Lowest rates, lowest prices and a great rental market provide all the elements for smart monthly gains. If you are considering purchasing investment property, don't forget to call me to help you!

According to Trulia, research shows that only 12% of America’s largest cities are markets where renting is more affordable than buying a home.  In the wake of the housing crash, it’s now more affordable to be a homeowner in 74% of major US cities.  14% of large American cities fall in a gray area where buying may actually be more financially sound even though it is less expensive to rent a house (Dallas is one of those markets).

MARTY'S REMARKS

Unfortunately, I can only pass along statistics for the month of July, August will not be posted until after the first week of September. I will, however, post it in the November newsletter along with October statistics.  Although our statistics may appear grim, I can assure you that what I hear from agents across the country we are in a very fortunate position.  I traveled to central Oregon in July for a week of absolutely delightful cool weather, the 40’s and 70’s and as usual walked into a real estate office.  The stories I heard about houses being on the market for years, numerous foreclosures, and sales at half of 2007 values were rampant.  We stayed in a resort community, Black Butte Ranch, in which many Realtors had houses and I was told that many of them are now cleaning houses.

After you review the statistics, please do not hesitate to call me or email me if you have questions, in particular about your very own neighborhood.  I will be glad to provide those figures also.

NTREIS ACTIVITY REPORT
July, 2011 - Year to Date - Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant Counties

October is such a special month in the Arts District this year.  There will be so many different activities available to you at such a special price you cannot resist – FREE!

Veletta Lill, Executive Director or the Dallas Arts District told the East Dallas MLS attendees that the Arts District now allows food trucks with everything from Korean barbecue tacos to common hot dogs with outdoor seating at umbrella-topped tables.  

The opening celebration, October 1, is a parade of artfully decorated bikes, strollers, unicycles and other human-powered vehicles.  Free throughout the day is admission to museums, outdoor performances, tours and other activities.  Other events follow throughout the month, with majority of the events with free admission.  Take the time to introduce yourself, your family and friends to this great asset in downtown Dallas. Some of the events are listed below.   Hope our paths cross.

OCTOBER 1 - OPENING CELEBRATION!

OCTOBER 8 - DANCEAFRICA 

OCTOBER 9 - 5TH ANNUAL FIESTA LATINOAMERICANI     

OCTOBER 27 - SACRED SPACES OF THE ARTS DISTRICT TOUR 

OCTOBER 28 - AURORA 2011 

OCTOBER 30 - CLOSING CELEBRATION

VELETTA FORSYTHE LILL
Executive Director, The Dallas Arts District

For a full schedule of activities, please visit: TheDallasArtsDistrict.org/Art-in-October

Last year the Association of Women Executives Book Club read The Heretic’s Daughter, which relates the history of the hangings in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.  The author Kathleen Kent is related to Martha Carrier, one of the 16 women, who was hanged as a witch.  She created an amazing story of how the Puritans dealt with life in early America and how this ghastly situation developed.  

Twelve members of our group then traveled for a long week end to Salem and learned of the many historical spots in that town, including the home of Nathaniel Hawthorne, the House of Green Gables, the Peabody Museum, and the fact that many other significant figures of the time lived in this area and connected frequently.

Subsequently we invited the author to speak at one of our meetings.  Kathleen is a Lakewood resident who led a very interesting life working in Russia near Chernobyl before she started her writing career.  She gave us insight on how she writes and creates the stories.  Her latest novel, The Wolves of Andover, is a prequel to The Heretic’s Daughter.  Martha Carrier’s husband was presumably executioner to Charles I and amazingly, 7 feet tall, a fact which Kathleen was able to verify.  We thoroughly enjoyed hearing from this successful author and incredible woman in our very midst.

Kathleen Kent's two books: The Wolves of Andover and The Heretic's Daughter

It’s time for children to return to school and for us to become aware of the added traffic and of course, watch out for those children up and down our streets.  Last year the first day of the new law prohibiting cell phone use in school areas, I got caught talking on my phone, and was ticketed for over $200, so in addition to the potential hazard, remember how it impacts your pocketbook. 

Regarding schools, I am posting the link for you to research schools in your area and see how the students performed on this past year’s state tests.  Apparently many of the schools in the area were downgraded.  Additionally there are several new schools opening for the this school year, including the first public school being built for DISD students in North Dallas and Addison.  The minute Anne Frank Elementary was built for those students, it was overcrowded and the school yard filled with temporary buildings for the overflow.  The new George Herbert Walker Bush Elementary next to Greenhill School on Spring Valley should alleviate some of that overcrowding.

2011 School Report 

GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

DISD Breaks Ground for New Addison Elementary School at
3939 Spring Valley Road.

I was fortunate to be able to help these lovely newlyweds, Scott and Stephanie Miller, find a house last year in Northeast Dallas, and then was invited to their absolutely beautiful wedding in San Antonio on July 23. 

Stephanie is also my second cousin.  There was a tremendous number of family guests, who I seldom get to see. Scott’s family and friends also had a large presence, including Nation’s Residential Service president and mutual friend Sharon Harrison, and her husband Rick.  We all had a wonderful time at the wedding, dancing to a great band and enjoying a delicious meal and drinks. 

Stephanie and Scott were absolutely delightful clients and we found a wonderful home with a beautiful yard so that Scott could exhibit his landscaping skills. The wedding registry even included a shovel for him! 

Each year the nonprofit calendar fills with opportunities to hear educational speakers and enlightening programs  which give you time to visit friends, enjoy a lovely meal and contribute to wonderful causes.  Mark your calendars if you would like to join me and I will provide more details. Call me at 214-808-7887 or email me at marty@martymarks.com.

SENIOR SOURCE

This year’s event , The Spirit of Generations Award, honors Becky Bright, Carolyn and David Miller, and Lydia and Dan Novakov. These honorees have contributed significantly in “thoughts, words and deeds” to all generations of the Dallas Community. It is a luncheon which will make you feel proud to be a part of such a generous community. Set aside Monday, November 21, 2011 if you want to attend.

DALLAS WOMEN'S FOUNDATION

This year’s luncheon welcomes Mavis Leno, married to late-night talk show king, Jay Leno.  She is a passionate activist and outspoken critic of the Taliban’s horrific treatment of women. She has influenced Clinton and Bush administrations and the US Congress to help restore women’s human rights in Afghanistan.  She will dialogue with Maria Ebrahimji, CNN producer and Muslim journalist, about her perspectives on the diverse voices of women around the world.  The luncheon is Monday, October 24, 2011 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEAST TEXAS

The Real Girls Real Women Award Luncheon will feature Super Star Tennis Player, Venus Williams in addition to celebrating the lives of some amazing Girl Scouts and women in our community.  I have been fortunate to be a judge for the candidates for the awards.  It is has really been heartwarming and enlightening to know what amazing girls and women there are in our community.  It is really a tough job. The luncheon this year is November 18, 2011 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.

CENTER FOR NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT

The Center for Nonprofit Management celebrates its 11th Anniversary on Friday, November 11, 2011.  I am serving as a judge for the awards which will be presented to the Super Stars of the Nonprofit world.  These winners will receive grants which may be dedicated to their organizations.  Some of the awards are for outstanding Board Chairman, Communication, Executive Officer, etc. It is amazing what these organizations accomplish for our community and its people.   If you are interested in attending the Night of Lights on November 11, please let me know.

LINKS

Trulia.com
This is a real estate search tool for the consumer who wants the latest information on  communities.   Realtor.com is my preferred link to the MLS, but Trulia also does a good job. (Please remember that when giving you valuations, Trulia does not have sold information for Texas.  Texas is a non-disclosure state.)

Zillow.com
Equal to Trulia as a link which  many consumers use to begin their search for their real estate needs.  (The same warning with regard to valuations as provided by Trulia.  Zillow does not have Texas sold information.  Only real estate agents who are MLS members can provide that information.)

APPS

Dictionary of Real Estate Terms (iPhone and Android)
A dictionary of real estate terms in a user-friendly format that is helpful both to real estate professionals and homebuyers.

Safe Neighborhood (Android)
While considered controversial by some, Safe Neighborhood lets you check to see if registered sex offenders are living in a particular area. Search by your address or current location to see if any sex offenders are registered nearby. View a map and see ther personal info and photos.

©Marty Marks, 2011

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