Lower Utility Costs and Get a Tax Credit!

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) extends, expands, and simplifies the federal income tax credits for homeowners who make energy efficiency home improvements. The law extends the consumer tax benefits for another year, through 2010; triples the total available tax credit from $500 to $1,500; and increases the tax credit to 30 percent of the cost of each qualified energy efficiency improvement. The law also removes the cap on geothermal heat pumps and solar water heaters through 2016.


For improvements made in 2009 and 2010, you can get an income tax credit of up to $1,500 for installing efficient new windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in your home. However, efficiency criteria will vary dependant on when these items are "placed in service" (installed).


Who gets it? Individuals who install specific energy-efficient home improvements.

What energy-efficient home improvements are eligible? The overall $1,500 cap can be reached in several ways with the purchase and installation of energy-efficient products that meet certain efficiency criteria:

Exterior windows: Includes skylights and storm windows.
Insulation, exterior doors, or roofs: Includes seals to limit air infiltration, such as caulk, weather stripping, and foam sealants, as well as storm doors.
Central air conditioner, heat pump, furnace, boiler, water heater, or biomass (e.g. corn) stove: Starting in 2009, geothermal heat pumps are instead eligible for a separate tax credit—see Section 5 below.

Section 6.4 of this document contains the detailed criteria for the products and effective dates (in general only some Energy Star products qualify). Individuals can also search for qualifying heating and cooling products on the Consortium for Energy Efficiency’s web site.

In addition, to be eligible for the federal tax credits:

Windows, doors, insulation, and roofs must be expected to last at least five years (a two-year warranty is sufficient to demonstrate this).

Manufacturers can certify (in packaging or on the company’s web site) which of their products qualify for the tax credit. Retailers, contractors, and manufacturers should be able to help you determine what levels of insulation and what other products qualify.

All the improvements must be installed in or on the taxpayer’s principal residence in the United States. Condo and co-op improvements are apportioned to the owners.


For all the details, click here.
Source: Alliance to Save Energy

Resolution: Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

As part of the yearly New Year's resolution-making ritual, the Alliance to Save Energy encourages consumers to check out their home's physical fitness and, depending on its overall state of health, put it on an "energy diet."

How is your Home's "Physical Fitness?"
The "physical fitness" of your home can make the difference between soaring energy bills or comfortable savings this winter. By cutting wasteful energy use, an energy-efficient home is a strong defense against winter winds, rain, sleet, snow, and chill while also reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and increasing national security.

And Uncle Sam is offering another incentive for putting your home on an energy diet: A 30 percent tax credit - a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your income taxes owed - of up to $1,500 during the remainder of 2009 and throughout 2010 for specific energy efficiency home improvements. Details on qualifying products, including insulation and sealing products, highly efficient furnaces, heat pumps, and windows, are available at www.ase.org/taxcredits.

The Alliance offers consumers step-by-step home physical fitness tips to cut energy bills and increase comfort:

Is Your Home Leaking Energy Dollars?
First plug air leaks. Your heating and cooling dollars could be going out your windows, doors, and electrical outlets. Seal all those air leaks with sealant or caulking and weather stripping.

Then, "insulate" yourself from price shocks. Install appropriate insulation for your climate based on R-values. Start with attic insulation, followed by exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces. Insulate and seal attic air ducts. These two first steps will increase your comfort, make your home quieter, and reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent.

Go "window shopping" at www.efficientwindows.org to discover how high-performance ENERGY STAR-labeled windows can cut heating costs by as much as 30 percent compared to single-pane windows, while increasing indoor comfort and lessening fading of home furnishings.

Improve How You Care for and Heat Your Home
Heating accounts for 31 percent of the typical home's energy costs. Sealing and insulating your home, as well as the other energy efficiency measures below, will lower your heating bills, increase your comfort, and decrease your carbon footprint.

Properly maintain your HVAC system. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a semi-annual or yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. The federal government's ENERGY STAR website can help you find a qualified individual (www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_contractors_10tips).

Keep furnace filters clean. Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer), and change it if it looks dirty. At a minimum, change the filter every three months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm - wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system, which could require expensive maintenance and/or cause early system failure.

Seal your heating and cooling ducts. In a typical house with a forced air system, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. Sealing and insulating ducts increases efficiency, lowers home energy bills, and can often pay for itself in energy savings. Insulate ducts in unheated areas such as attics, crawlspaces, and garages with duct insulation that carries an R-value of 6 or higher. Also, a well-designed and sealed duct system may make it possible to downsize to a smaller, less costly heating and cooling system that will provide better dehumidification.

Let a programmable thermostat "remember for you" to lower the heat while your home is empty and/or overnight to reduce heating costs by up to 10 percent - and allow you to come home and wake up to a toasty, comfortable house.

Have to replace your HVAC equipment? Consider installing ENERGY STAR-qualified heating and cooling equipment. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs. And, certain highly efficient models qualify for the current federal income tax credit.


Open curtains and other window treatments on your west- and south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night.


Another Major Tip
Replacing or purchasing energy-using and energy-related products? Save up to 30 percent in related energy bills with products earning the ENERGY STAR label, the symbol of energy efficiency, on some 50 product categories, including appliances, electronics, windows, lighting, and home office equipment. See www.energystar.gov.

The Alliance offers consumers more money-saving energy tips on its website -- www.ase.org/consumers.

The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, the economy, and national security.

SOURCE Alliance to Save Energy

Dallas Offers Tree Recycling/Free Mulch Today Through January 15

Bring your Christmas Tree to one of the locations listed below December 28, 2009 through January 15, 2010 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Please remove all tinsel, ornaments, lights, nails and tree stands before dropping off the tree for recycling)

Free mulch will be available at the Northwest Transfer Station and McCommas Bluff Landfill after January 1, 2010, and is available for residential customers only.  Bring your shovel and containers!

For more information call City of Dallas at 3-1-1.

Northwest (Bachman) Transfer Station 9500 Harry Hines Blvd. (Monday – Saturday)
Southwest (Oak Cliff) Transfer Station 4610 S.Westmoreland Road (Monday – Saturday)
McCommas Bluff Landfill 5100 Youngblood Rd. (Monday – Saturday)
Fair Oaks Transfer Station 7677 Fair Oaks Ave. (Monday – Saturday)
Flag Pole Hill Northwest Hwy. at Buckner Blvd. (Monday – Sunday)

And, please recycle your Christmas cards, holiday gift wrap, gift bags, gift boxes, cardboard boxes (no Styrofoam), tissue paper and your holiday party items such as aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles!

Dallas Boasts 2 of Top 10 Ranked US High Schools

1 Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA
2 International Academy, Bloomfield Hills, MI
3 Whitney High School, Cerritos, CA
4 Oxford Academy, Cypress, CA
5 School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center Dallas, TX
6 Newcomers High School, Long Island City, NY
7 Pacific Collegiate School Santa Cruz, CA
8 School of Science and Engineering Magnet Dallas, TX
9 BASIS Tucson, Tucson, AZ
10 International School, Bellevue, WA
Read the full article here.
Source:  US News and World Report

Tips for Preparing Your Sprinkler System for Winter

Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) recommends that residential and business property owners reprogram their sprinkler systems for the winter months, and DWU’s licensed irrigators are available to check your system for leaks and other problems.

Plants need much less water when the temperatures are cooler. Most plants, including lawns, go dormant this time of year and need just enough water to keep the roots alive.

“This is a good time for Dallas property owners to make seasonal adjustments to their irrigation system controllers,” said DWU Conservation Program Manager Carole Davis. “As a free service to our customers, DWU irrigation specialists are available to check systems for leaks and other problems,” Davis added.

After checking each customer’s system, the DWU irrigation specialists will make recommendations for the seasonal adjustment of sprinkler systems and any necessary repairs. (The property owner is responsible for any repairs.)

For more information contact:

Yvonne Dupré- Dallas WaterUtilities
(214) 671-9276
yvonne.dupre@dallascityhall.com


Noel Nielson - Dallas Water Utilities
(214) 670-5378
noel.nielson@dallascityhall.com

Oct. New Home Sales Exceed Expectations

Sales of new homes rose 6.2% in October 2009 on strong results in the South, the Commerce Department estimated recently.

The rise in U.S. new-home sales to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 430,000 was well above the 390,000 pace that economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected.

Sales rose 23.2% in the South. By contrast, monthly sales fell by 20% in the Midwest, and by 5.1% in both the Northeast and the West.

“On the surface, one would have assumed that the surge in sales activity was induced by the rush of first-time home buyers trying to get ahead of the originally scheduled end of the first-time homebuyers’ tax credit at the end of October,” wrote Millan Mulraine, economics strategist with TD Securities, in a research note. “However, given the lopsided regional dimension to the increase in home sales, we are not entirely convinced that this was the only story.”

The government cautions that its housing data are subject to large sampling and other statistical errors, with large revisions common. It can take up to six months for a trend in sales to emerge.

The pace of new-home sales in September also was revised slightly higher, to a level of 405,000. New-home sales are up 5.1% compared with a year ago, the government’s data showed.

The supply of homes on the market fell to 239,000 in October, representing a 6.7-month supply.

The median sales price in October hit $212,200, compared with $213,200 in the prior year.

(c) 2009, MarketWatch.com Inc.  RISMEDIA

Mortgage Rates Drop Again

The average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 5.00 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.44 discount and origination points.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage was down to 4.47 percent while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate rose to 6.03 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages decreased slightly this week, with the average 1-year ARM inching down to 5.37 percent and the 5-year ARM slipping to 4.54 percent.

Mortgage rates are significantly lower than one year ago. This time last year, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 5.92 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,188.83. With the average rate now 5.00 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,073.64, a savings of $115 per month for a homeowner refinancing now.

SURVEY RESULTS

30-year fixed: 5.00% -- down from 5.06% last week (avg. points: 0.44)
15-year fixed: 4.47% -- down from 4.48% last week (avg. points: 0.29)
5/1 ARM: 4.54% -- down from 4.58% last week (avg. points: 0.33)

Bankrate's national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.
source: PR Newswire, bankrate.com

To check today's rates in the DFW market (as of this writing, lower than the national averages above for credit scores of 720 or higher), apply for a loan, and for APR disclosure, please visit  http://www.continentalamerican.com/rates.html

Holiday Giving--Vogel Alcove

Since 1987, the Vogel Alcove has been providing free exemplary child development services to the Dallas area’s youngest victims of poverty: very young homeless children.


The Vogel Alcove is the only comprehensive early childhood education program in the city of Dallas whose primary focus is to provide free services for homeless children who face multiple developmental risks.

Because of the Alcove’s 22-year legacy providing quality, licensed childcare and social services for children victimized by homelessness, 18 area affiliated homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and housing programs depend on the Alcove to provide services to the homeless families at their shelters.

Please consider giving a donation of a $25 holiday card to friends or family (image above) to benefit homeless children in Dallas.

Giving Tree House a Whole New Meaning

Whole Trees Architecture in Wisconsin uses materials that lumber companies consider scrap – weed trees, also know as ‘managed forest thinnings’ to create rooms and furnishings that maintain the integrity of the wood/tree, look beautiful, and are said to be stronger, structurally, than wood planks.  The results are beautiful displays of locally sourced and sustainably managed materials.

Photo: Whole Trees Construction and Architecture

New Landscape Rating System Released

A partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the U.S. Botanic Garden today released the nation's first rating system for the design, construction and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, with or without buildings.

The Sustainable Sites Initiative led by the partners developed the rating system out of four years of work by dozens of the country's leading sustainability experts, scientists and design professionals, as well as public input from hundreds of individuals and dozens of organizations, to create this missing link in green design. The announcement took place at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington.

"While carbon-neutral performance remains the holy grail for green buildings, sustainable landscapes move beyond a do-no-harm approach," said Nancy Somerville, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. "Landscapes sequester carbon, clean the air and water, increase energy efficiency, restore habitats and ultimately give back through significant economic, social and environmental benefits never fully measured until now."

"We are facing unprecedented environmental challenges such as water scarcity and climate change that require fundamental changes in the way that we interact with the land," said Susan Rieff, executive director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. "This voluntary rating system and guidelines cover all aspects of working with outdoor spaces of all sizes, and provide information for designing landscapes that go beyond beauty to actually improving ecosystem health and the health of communities for generations to come."

"Landscapes can give back," said Holly H. Shimizu, executive director of the United States Botanic Garden. "We believe that as these guidelines become widely used, not only will they be as transformative to the landscape industry as LEED was to buildings, but more than that, they will allow built landscapes to be regenerative like natural landscapes, and assist in mitigating some of the most pressing environmental issues we face today. We need to acknowledge our landscapes' value, treasure them and cultivate them sustainably and responsibly. The need is urgent, the time is now and these guidelines, when used correctly, are the tools."

The rating system works on a 250-point scale, with levels of achievement for obtaining 40, 50, 60 or 80 percent of available points, recognized with one through four stars, respectively. If prerequisites are met, points are awarded through the 51 credits covering areas such as the use of greenfields, brownfields or greyfields; materials; soils and vegetation; construction and maintenance. These credits can apply to projects ranging from corporate campuses, transportation corridors, public parks and single-family residences. The rating system is part of two new reports issued from the Initiative, "The Case for Sustainable Landscapes and Guidelines" and "Performance Benchmarks 2009," both available for download at http://www.sustainablesites.org/.

To test the rating system, the Sustainable Sites Initiative opened a call for pilot projects in conjunction with the release of the rating system. Any type of designed landscape is eligible, so long as the project size is at least 2,000 square feet. The call will remain open until Feb. 15, 2010, and the initiative will work with and oversee the projects during the two-year process. More information about the pilot projects is available at www.sustainablesites.org/pilot.

Happy Veteran's Day

Thanks to our American veterans for your service to our country.  Please call my lending division at 214-361-1191 or click here to learn more about the VA loan program.

Tax Credits, Foreclosures Likely to Affect Winter RE Market

Foreclosures Expected to Significantly Increase Inventory in 2010, But Possible Tax Credits Could Help Spur Demand, According to Q3 2009 Zillow(R) Real Estate Market Reports

Editor's Note:  Data for Dallas/Fort Worth and the state of Texas were not included in this study...I don't know why. I'm including the report, though, to show that home values appear to be stabilizing across the country.  You can read the entire study here.The percent of American single-family homes with mortgages in negative equity fell to 21 percent in the third quarter, down from 23 percent in the second, as home values stabilized in the short term and more underwater homeowners lost their homes to foreclosure, according to the third quarter Zillow Real Estate Market Reports.



"The decline in the percentage of homeowners with negative equity is a positive sign, and is directly attributable to the stabilization of home values from the second quarter to the third," said Zillow Chief Economist Stan Humphries. "It is also attributable to many homeowners who were previously underwater on their mortgage losing their homes to foreclosure.


"The next several months will be critical to the housing market. Previously, we'd been expecting to see increasing foreclosure rates during the real estate market's slow winter season, a confluence of events that would likely drive inventory up and prices down. But now, with the extension of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit and a new $6,500 credit for some repeat homebuyers, we could see a bump in demand that could partially offset the increased supply of foreclosed homes on the market. The credits are likely to bring continued stabilization in prices over this period, versus the price declines that we almost certainly would see otherwise. Whether this stabilization will be sustainable after the tax credits expire, however, is yet to be seen. Some of the demand that we are buying with tax credits we are also borrowing from the future, and will likely have to pay for later in the form of weaker-than-normal demand."


SOURCE Zillow.com

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension/Expansion

Today, President Obama is expected to sign the 2010 homebuyer tax credit extension, which will extend the current $8,000 tax credit for married couples on binding contracts written by April 30, 2010, and closed by July 1, 2010. 

Current homeowners selling their current home and buying another principal residence can receive up to $6,500 in tax credit, so long as they used their current home as a principal residents consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years..

There are income and purchase price limits to eligibility, so please review this link from the National Association of REALTORS Government Affairs Division for details.  As always, you're always welcome contact me for further information.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Update

The U.S. House and Senate have both passed the law containing the amendment to extend and expand the home buyer tax credit. President Obama is expected to sign the bill tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 6)

Check back for details about the extension on Friday!

Picturesque Prestonwood

During a photo safari of Prestonwood this morning, I was once again reminded what a lovely area this is--even in the fall.

all photos copyright Brava Realty

Still No Vote on Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension

Contrary to what you might have heard through the grapevine, as of this writing, Congress still has not voted on proposals to extend or expand the tax credit for homebuyers.


“I think the first-time home-buyer credit is a great example of funding that’s helped to stabilize the housing market and should be extended,” Jared Bernstein, chief economist to Vice President Joe Biden, said on Bloomberg television. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner gave his support yesterday.


Lawmakers announced plans last week to attach the tax-credit proposal to a pending bill on the unemployment benefits. The $8,000 tax credit, enacted earlier this year as part of the $787 billion economic stimulus package, is set to expire at the end of November.


The proposal would extend the credit until April 30 and expand it to allow higher-income Americans and some who already own homes to qualify for the break.

Homebuyers who have lived in their prior residences for at least five years may receive a credit of $6,500 under the plan, said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus. Also, couples earning as much as $225,000 and individuals as much as $125,000 would qualify for the extended break, Baucus said. That’s up from a $75,000 limit for individuals and $150,000 for couples.

“The success of the American economy is closely tied to the success of the housing market; by helping to stabilize the housing market, the homebuyer tax credit has helped to shore up the economy as it begins to recover,” said Baucus, a Montana Democrat. “This would enable an even greater number of potential homebuyers to take the credit.”


Lawmakers said they want to prevent home sales from slipping as the economy struggles to recover from the worst drop in home prices since the Great Depression.

More than 1.2 million borrowers have claimed $8.5 billion of the $13.6 billion set aside for the homebuyer tax credits this year, according to the Treasury Department. The Obama administration, in endorsing the extension yesterday, said the credit has helped stabilize the nation’s housing market.

The tax break “brought new families into the housing market and contributed to three consecutive months of rising home prices,” Geithner said in a statement.

The measure would require those receiving the tax break to remain in their new homes for three years and they would have to repay the credit if they don’t.

Those buying homes worth more than $800,000 wouldn’t be eligible for the credit, said Baucus. Lawmakers also said they won’t extend the break beyond the new April 30 deadline.


“The American people should understand this -- and the affected industries -- this is the last extension,” said Senator Johnny Isakson, a Georgia Republican who cosponsored the plan. “Tax credits like this only work by creating the sense of urgency to take advantage of them.”

Election Day 11/3 Vote FOR Props 2, 3, 5

Across the state, tomorrow’s ballot will include eleven propositions for amendments to the Texas state constitution. These proposed amendments must be approved by Texas voters in order to become law. It is important that we each understand the issues and process for amending our state constitution. These are important to homeowners, so please vote! 


To ensure that tax appraisals in Texas are fair to property owners and uniform from county to county, the Texas Association of REALTORS urges Texans to vote FOR propositions 2, 3, and 5.


Here are brief explanations of what these amendments will actually do:

Proposition 2 will require county appraisal districts to value a home as a home. Currently, appraisal districts can use the "best and highest use" method to value a residence based on its potential use. For example, a residence in a neighborhood zoned for mixed use could be appraised at a higher amount for its possible use as a commercial property.

Proposition 3 gives the state the ability to make sure appraisal methods are consistent throughout the 254 Texas counties.


Proposition 5 will make it acceptable for two adjoining appraisal districts to combine their boards of equalization if they wish—an option that rural counties may find attractive.

For brief layman's explanation of these propositions written by an attorney from Texas Association of REALTORS, please click.

Here is an overview of all 11 proposed amendments from the Texas Legislative Council.

It's National Candy Corn Day!

Learn all about candy corn from this previous blog post...

Frankenstein - Free EBook

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Snow Queen Bedroom

Better Homes and Gardens' website has a fun application for testing color combinations in virtual rooms. In the spirit of the Halloween season, I first tried different combinations of black, orange, brown and yellow, but something was amiss.  I then decided that artwork should inspire the project, and I chose this illustration by Ernie Kwiat as my guide.  Here is the finished project.  Try your own designs and email them to me.  I'll post your links here!

Bram Stoker's Dracula - Free EBook

Click to read Dracula through Project Gutenberg

Doggy Judogi, or Shih-Jitsu!

Two canine pals of mine, Scooter and Baxter, emailed this recent photo. Do not let their adorable puppy dog exterior deceive you; however, as they are highly skilled martial arts warriors! 


Fear not, Uptown Dallasites, for Scooter and Baxter will protect you from Halloween hijinx!

photo courtesy Sophia Young

They remind me of another ancient canine martial arts legend...

It's Saturday Night.....Night....night...night

Everyone who grew up near Pittsburgh in the '60s or '70s will remember Saturday nights spent munching pizza and sipping POP while watching Chiller Theater.  It was low budget, campy, and the best!  Host Chilly Billy Cardille (pronounced car-dilly) is still popular and chilly after all these years.  He's also immortalized in his role as the TV reporter in "Night of the Living Dead," which was filmed entirely in Western Pennsylvania.

Trivia: I met Mr. Cardille in New Castle, Pa., circa 1979 at a charity haunted house in Cascade Park.

I obviously missed this memo...

RIP Vic Mizzy, Addams Family Theme Composer

The legendary Vic Mizzy died on October 17 at the age of 93.  In addition to having one of the coolest names ever, Mr. Mizzy was known for his numerous television and movie theme compositions.  Most notable was his finger-snapping theme to "The Addams Family," for which he also provided vocals.

We can also thank Mr. Mizzy for the themes to "Green Acres," "Petticoat Junction" and several Don Knotts movies.  My favorite theme of his Knotts films is "The Ghost and Mr.  Chicken."  I dare you to listen and not be taken immediately back to carefree childhood memories of Saturday afternoon cinema and silly sitcom reruns!

Visit Munster Mansion!

Waxahachie is home to a replica of 1313 Mockingbird Lane, the address of the Munsters.  Munster Mansion was designed and built by Charles and Sandra McKee based on the television series.  Drive by visitors are welcome any time (just stay outside the fence), and the home is open each Halloween for a charity event.  This year's event benefits Meals on Wheels and will be held from 7-12 pm on October 30 and 31, and Pat Priest aka "Marilyn Munster" from the TV series will be there to sign autographs.  And yes, the McKees believe their home really is haunted.

What's A Stigmatized Property?

Should you tell a prospective buyer if you think your property is haunted?

According to the National Association of REALTORS, a property is stigmatized when it has been "psychologically impacted by an event, which occurred or was suspected to have occurred on the property, such event being one that has no physical impact of any kind." 

Texas Property Code requires that sellers and real estate professionals have a responsibility to make proper disclosures regarding the condition of the property.  But does duty to disclose go beyond physical condition? 

Sellers and real estate professionals have no duty to disclose or inquire as to AIDS/HIV-related illness, deaths that occurred on the property by natural causes, suicides or accidents unrelated to the condition of the property.  But what about ghosts?

The Deceptive Trade Practices Act says that failure to disclose known information is a false, misleading, or deceptive act if doing so is intended to induce the consumer into a transaction he or she would not have entered had the information been disclosed.  The Act does NOT limit the information to the condition of the property.

So, if you think your home is stigmatized, you should make this disclosure.  Always consult a real estate attorney for the best advice.  When it doubt...Disclose!
Source:  Texas A&M Real Estate Center April 2001 Letter of the Law, Judon Fambrough

McKinney Ghost Walk

Interested in some spooky Halloween fun for the family?  Take the McKinney Ghost Walk to learn about haunted places around Chestnut Square.  Click here for more information!

Movie Review - Paranormal Activity

A new movie release, particularly around Halloween, is an event!  On Sunday, I attended a matinee of "Paranormal Activity" at NorthPark AMC. This is not a slasher or monster flick.  The filmmakers rely on the audience's anticipation of what will happen when the lights go out. If you dig spectacular special effects, this might not be a film for you.  It's organic. Imagine an extended, homemade YouTube video (the one with the maze where Linda Blair pops out) or the "Blair Witch Project."  It was worth the price of a matinee admission, if only to watch the audience's reactions.  Although I didn't find it particularly scary at the time, I must admit I was slightly spooked at bedtime! 

Happy Birthday, John Lennon

John Lennon would have been 69 years old today.  Imagine.

Sketch by Ernie Kwiat.   From the K Baugh Collection.

Haunted House Tour Destinations

Here are links to Dallas-area haunted houses.  Have a spooky time!
artwork copyright Ernie Kwiat

Random Things Rediscovered While Cleaning My Desk

The crisp fall air always inspires me to throw open the windows, clean and reorganize.  This morning's project was my desk.  Many treasures were uncovered during this excavation, and seeing them all piled up reminded me of children's "I Spy" books.  Among some normal office items (i.e. mace), see if you can find:  one blues harp in C; three Oscar Meyer wienie whistles; one ketchup bottle; Todd Rundgren's guitar pick; St. Joseph; one fortune telling fish; one Peruvian alpaca letter opener; one TREPAC 99 club pin; one Stevie Nicks Bella Donna LP; one Sam's Club children's cookie card; one flock of Color For Real Estate flamingos; one vintage AF Weymer Co. broom label.

To answer your questions about the above items: I am not Catholic; I've never been to the Hard Rock Casino; My fortune telling fish usually curls up at both ends when I hold it; I need to trade in my flamingos for some fabulous prizes at CFRE; and all of these valuable items will be gently returned to my desk.

Hideous, Horrible Creatures...Beware!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Witch's Brooms

A witch's broom is typically depicted as a besom broom, which is a constructed broom made of a bundle of twigs tied to a stouter pole. They are still made today and sold at garden centers. The bristles can be made of many materials including straw, herbs, or twigs. Traditionally the handle is of hazel wood and the head is of birch twigs.

A bristle-up broom near a doorway is said to help protect the house from evil spirits or negative energies.  Perhaps evildoers see the broom and assume a witch is at home and move on to the next house.


But why are witches associated with brooms? There are theories revolving around herbal ointments and "flying" hallucinations. If you want to know more, a quick search of the internet will retrieve some entertaining results.  (We'll reserve that info for the advanced class...)

Witch's Broom is also a deadly tree disease. In medieval times, unexplainable events were often blamed on witchcraft. The term witches' broom comes from the German word Hexenbesen, which means to bewitch (hex) a bundle of twigs (besom). The name for this mysterious tree ailment could have come about because it manifests like a broom--and is so difficult to pinpoint the cause-- that it might have been easier to say the tree was bewitched!


Source:  Paula Flynn, Department of Plant Pathology at Iowa State University.

Celebrating Candy Corn

Who doesn't love delicious candy corn?  Even if your tastebuds don't appreciate the flavor, there's something about a bowl of those precious little kernels that just screams happy childhood Halloween memories!


Here is some fascinating information detailing the origins and production statistics of candy corn.  Most candy corn contains gelatin, so I prefer to buy mine from a health food store.  Here is an easy recipe to make your own cruelty-free version from Denise Oliveri.

Click here for a groovy illustration by Ernie Kwiat depicting an intergallactic struggle over the last candy corn.  And here's Uncle Ernie's recipe for a non-alcohol candy corn drink...bottoms up!

Virtual Tour - Spooky Town, TX

Ghosts Included But Not Guaranteed!

Check out this eBay item for sale:  Haunted Kentucky Horse Farm.

The owner claims to have seen spirits on the property, and she is "more than willing to take a lie detector test at your expense, not mine" to prove it's true.

The home is described as a fully furnished manufactured home on five fenced acres.  "Ghost are included but not guaranteed."

She doesn't mention if the ghosts are human or equine.
Photo:  Lura Ketch

A Night At A Haunted Hotel

On August 8, 2009, my brother, daughter, and I spent the night in damp, dark, old hotel in northwestern Pennsylvania on Lake Conneaut.  Hotel Conneaut dates back to 1892 but officially opened in 1903 and was once one of a dozen or so hotels surrounding the lake.  Hotel Conneaut is now the last one standing. The hotel maintains its historic style, which means no elevators, televisions, phones, or air conditioning! 

The A&E television show "Paranormal State" investigated and filmed at the hotel just a few days before we arrived.  Legend has it that the hotel is home to several ghosts who have permanently checked in...but can never check out.

The most famous ghost at the hotel is Elizabeth, a bride who supposedly died in a hotel fire on her wedding night.  The room where she stayed (#128) is closed, but hotel guests are allowed to explore the deserted wing.  My daughter took some photos of what was Elizabeth's room, and "orbs" showed up in several.  (Some people theorize that orbs are spirit energy.) After taking the photos, we heard two very loud BANGS on the wall directly beside us, and we both noticed a strong floral scent.  There was no one else in that part of the hotel with us, nor were there any flower arrangements.  We were like the Three Stooges, bumping into each other and the walls as we ran as fast as we could to get out of that hallway!

Upon returning to our room after exploring the hotel, my brother noticed that the water in his bathroom sink was running.  None of us had used the water that evening.

After finally falling asleep, I awoke because I felt something heavy near my legs.  It felt just like someone had sat on the edge of the bed.  When I sat up the heaviness disappeared, and I didn't see anything other than my brother asleep in his bed and my daughter in hers.

Sometime later, my daughter woke me by frantically scrambling into my bed because something was slowly pulling the covers from hers.  She spent the rest of the night with me.

In the morning, my brother's toothbrush was missing.  I saw him carefully put it in a ziplock bag and place it on his sink the night before.  We searched the entire room multiple times, under his bed, inside the bedcovers, the closet, his suitcase...everywhere...and that toothbrush could not be found.  We gave up and ventured downstairs for coffee in the lobby (we were gone, perhaps, 5 minutes). When we returned, we immediately noticed that the toothbrush had been neatly placed inside the suitcase on top of his clothes.  Housekeeping had not been in our room.

Did we have ghostly encounters at Hotel Conneaut?  That will remain a mystery.  BUT, it's a fun adventure to share! 

BooooooRava Realty

Warning:  During the month of October, Brava Realty transforms into BooooooRava Realty!  This blog will feature creepy and entertaining stories appropriate for the season, with as much real estate information tossed into the candy mix as possible.  Enjoy! 

Italian Benedictine Abbey For Sale

Here is a breathtaking example of medieval architecture for sale...a Benedictine abbey founded in 1031 overlooking Crete Senesi.

It Ain't Easy Being Green

Even though prospective home buyers want the benefits of new, more efficient homes, they are unwilling to pay much more for a “green” home, according to a recent member survey from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The survey said that most buyers are willing to pay only an additional 2% for green features.  Specific references for green homes are regional, with the West reporting interest in water efficiency, and desire for recycled materials higher in the Northeast.  Overall, energy efficiency continues to be the primary factor driving the green building movement.

However, cost-effectiveness clearly drives buyer decisions. When you are remodelling, it's a good idea to upgrade to energy efficient appliances, use "green" paint and other building materials, but don't expect to see an increase in home prices just yet.  Green features will definitely make your home more marketable, but that might not necessarily translate into higher price per square foot.

Source:  RISMEDIA

It's a Foreclosure, But Is It A Bargain?

First-time homebuyers are nervous about "paying too much" for a home these days.  Foreclosures can sound like a good idea, but are they really a wise investment?

Study the average price for a home in the neighborhood of the foreclosure.  If the average price in the area is $200,000 and the foreclosure price is $150,000 it sounds like a bargain, right?  Maybe not.  Foreclosures have a reputation for being in terrible condition.  Many have been stripped of their copper wiring, light fixtures, cabinets, appliances, and plumbing fixtures.  Carpets can be terribly stained, pools unkempt, and windows broken.

A home isn't necessarily a bargain if you must immediately invest $50,000 in cash to return it to livable condition.  Plus, properties will not qualify for financing if they do not meet minimum living standards. 

If you truly want to look at a foreclosure, ask your REALTOR to also show you owner-occupied homes for sale in the neighborhood to compare condition and price and then decide if the foreclosure is the bargain you'd hoped for.

Clear Your Air with "Green" Paints

The EPA says that indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air.  The poor quality of indoor air is one of the top hazards to our health.  Paints and finishes are among the leading causes of contaminated indoor air.

In an article authored by Ricky Ellis of Safety First Home Inspections, Ellis states that compounds used in paints and other finishes release toxic emissions during the application process and for years afterward.  For this reason, low volatile organic compounds (VOC) are becoming popular choices for homeowners wanting to clear the air in their homes.

Another advantage to low VOC paints is that they cause less damage to groundwater, landfills, and the ozone.  Plus, cleanup requires only soap and water.  Several companies offer low or zero VOC paints, and popular retail outlets have their own lines. Try Benjamin Moore's Natura paints or Sherwin-Williams' Harmony interior latex.

City of Dallas September 22 Tax Foreclosure Sale

This link will take you to the Dallas City Tax Foreclsoure/Warrant Sale list of properties to be sold on September 22, 2009.  The link includes the rules for bidding, address and legal descriptions of the properties.

Here is an example of one of the properties (link will take you to photo from Google Maps): 132 W. Woodin

Pleasant Valley Sunday?

A few days ago, Rick Harrison wrote an insightful article about "cookie cutter" subdivisions (and the city ordinances that foster them) versus sustainable development:

Nobody likes the taste of “cookie cutter” development. In the forty years that I’ve been in the land planning industry, at meeting after meeting I hear planning commissioners and city council members complain about the same thing: That developers submit the same recipes to cook up bland subdivisions over and over.    Read the entire article here.

This reminds me of the Monkees song, "Pleasant Valley Sunday"

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Charcoal burning everywhere
Rows of houses that are all the same
And no one seems to care