Summer Fun

photo: http://www.fortworth.com/

As you know, Fort Worth is an awesome place to live. We have world class museums, great restaurants and beautiful parks and open spaces. There's always something wonderful going on around town. This weekend, there will be a concert at Panther Pavilion with Dolly Shine and Parker McCollum. You can tube in the river while listening to the music or bring a a blanket or chairs and relax on the shore.

If you'd be more comfortable in an air conditioned space, check out the museums. There is a show of Audubon's Beasts at the Amon Carter Museum and the Museum of Science and History has a fun, hands-on, interactive program called Design Zone. Or  you could see Pippin at Bass Hall. If you're interested in something that has less culture and more cowboy, the NCHA is sponsoring a Cutting Horse Spectacular. And that's just this weekend!

Of course, there are always thing happening around town. Stay updated at www.fortworth.com and have fun!

Keep Your Cool This Summer

Although we here in North Texas had lots of rain (and cooler temperatures) in the spring, summer is officially upon us, including the heat and humidity that come with it. There are several things you can do to keep your cool this summer. Some would require some big bucks, but most of these tips are cheap or free!

•  Let’s get the big ticket items out of the way. With some planning (and money) you can have a (relatively) cool house all summer long. So, starting 15 or so years ago, plant some trees. Or wait 10-15 years from now to enjoy the shade from the trees you plant today (actually, fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs, so keep that in mind).
• Add insulation to your attic.
•  Replace your existing dark-colored roof for one with cool shingles or a light color.
•  Add window awnings.
• Buy a high efficiency air conditioner. Clean/replace A/C filters once a month.
• Buy energy efficient doors and windows.

The rest of the tips are much less expensive!

• Don’t run major appliances during the day (washer/dryer, dishwasher, stove). Dry clothes outside.
• Eat cold meals, cook outside or in the microwave.
• Close windows and blinds.
• Install cool lighting (CFLs or LEDs).
• Turn off electronics.
• Use ceiling fans.
• Use less hot water.

Hope these suggestions help you keep your cool this summer!

Kitchen Remodeling Budget

Remodeling can be an exciting and scary proposition. It takes some planning and maybe a reality check or two. Whether you are remodeling for yourself or on an investment property, here are some tips to help with the process:

1.  Make a budget and stick to it. This may be a no-brainer but it's very easy for costs to get out of hand. You may budget $250 for lighting and fall in love with a $350 set of pendant lights that would be "perfect" over the island. It's "just" $100, right? But those "little" $100 changes add up.

2. Knowing the cost break downs in a kitchen remodel will help with budgeting. Here is a general run down on costs from HGTV.com:
          a. Cabinets 35%
          b. Labor 20%
          c. Appliances 20%
          d. Windows 10%
          e. Fixtures 5%
          f. Fittings 5%
          g. Other 7%

3. In addition to the costs for cabinets, appliances, fixtures, etc. be sure to add in a 20% fudge factor. Sometimes you come across a problem you didn't know existed. Sometimes the cabinets you fell in love with 6 months ago have risen 10% in cost. Sometimes you change your mind and want to make the island 6' long instead of 5'. It all adds up!

4. Before you start the process, have a frank talk about wants and needs with your spouse or business partner. Is that $350 faucet a WANT or a NEED? Crown molding is lovely, but will it make your kitchen more functional? If the plan is to sell the property, be sure you aren't "overbuilding" for the price point and neighborhood. A nice laminate will work in a $125,000 house, whereas the buyer of a $250,000 house will expect granite. Prioritize for the project and the budget.

Remodeling a kitchen can be a big undertaking, and being smart with the budget will make it much less stressful!

Interesting Real Estate Facts

I found some interesting real estate facts on the web this week.

Enjoy!

I love to look at houses (which is one reason I love my job!). I especially love looking at magnificent homes, like those that are completely out of my budget. I also love it when they are in a gated community that doesn't normally grant access to the "regular" people like me.  Here's a chance to look at one of those home this week. The Fort Worth Dream Home is open for viewing! The cost is $10, and benefits A Wish with Wings. You can see this year's Dream Home through Oct. 19.

Rental rates are increasing in the DFW area. You may be surprised that buying a home can be cheaper than renting. It's much better to build equity than give all your money to the landlord.  Maybe it's time to buy a house -- especially before interest rates rise! I'm here to help you find your dream home!

Boo!

I am loving the cooler weather! It seems like Fall has officially arrived in North Central Texas. If Fall is here, then Halloween can't be far behind.

The good news is that Cutting Edge Haunted House, right here in Fort Worth, is the #2 pick on the list (1701 E. Lancaster Ave). Check out the link for a scary good time: http://www.cuttingedgehauntedhouse.com

Just one more reason to live in Fort Worth......

I LOVE Referrals!

Referrals are important in any business, but especially with a commission-based occupation like real estate. Looking for new clients can be a full time job in itself, and referrals can go a long way in making that job a little easier. If you have worked with someone on a project, and they met or exceeded your expectations, please give them a good referral. In fact, tell everyone you know!

Another satisfied client writes: "I started the process by telling Claire that I would be a handful. I was extremely picky but I knew what I wanted and Claire exceeded my expectations. She was available and always kept me in the know and informed. She was truly a blessing at a stressful time and found us the perfect rental. I look forward to working with her when I purchase my home. Thank you, Claire, for everything!" -- Andrea

Andrea was a referral from her cousin, who was also a satisfied client! Both ladies were lovely to work with, and are looking to buy in a year. 

I love referrals! Want help buying, selling or investing in real estate? I'm your gal!

Who Wants to Make More Money in Real Estate?

Happy Monday! I got some GREAT news when I went to the office today. Keller Williams is outperforming our entire real estate board! In May, we paid out over a MILLION DOLLARS in commission. That was just MAY. Year to date: listings are UP 35%, listings sold volume UP 51% and closed volume is UP 32%. You can't argue with numbers like that! Bottom line, KW agents make more money. Interested? Even if you're not in Fort Worth, there are KW agents all over the world making this kind of money. (Did I mention we have profit sharing??) Contact me!

Tidy Up Around the House

It's summer, so if you were thinking about spring cleaning, you're a little late. But any time is a good time to spruce things up around the house. Whether you are trying to sell your home or not, taking care of these chores will make things nice for YOU (yes, you deserve it!):

1. Make sure your entrance way says “Hey, look at me!”
2. Prune dead limbs from trees.
3. Paint (or touch up) exterior, and repair screens and windows.
4. Clean your windows.
5. Check A/C and heating systems.
6. Fix leaky faucets, toilets, and faulty lights.
7. Vacuum drapes and carpets.
8. Repair wall cracks, re-caulk bathrooms and kitchen.
9. Clear out closets.
10. Remove excess furniture.
11. Mow lawn, edge driveway and walkways
12. Ensure windows, doors, and locks work smoothly.
13. Weed flower beds and trim shrubs.
14. Throw out junk from garage and storage areas.
15. Clean lawn furniture.
16. If you have a pool, make it crystal clear.

Looks like a pretty good "honey do" list if you ask me! Now, get off the internet and get to work! ;)

Ponies and Plays

Summer fun in Fort Worth can take many forms. This post tells about some of the summer concerts available. But what if you're in the mood for Shakespeare? You're in luck (barely) because the Trinity Shakespeare Festival ends this weekend. You have your choice of The Tempest or The Comedy of Errors. Or see them both while you can!

If Shakespeare doesn't interest you, check out the horse races at Lone Star Park (technically Grand Prairie but very close to FW!). Or you can play poker. Or you can go to a concert. Lone Star Park is a hopping spot through mid-July with lots of entertainment options.

There are always fun things to do on the BEST side of the Metroplex. For more information on the many local events available, check out this link or this one. Fort Worth is a great place to live!

Protecting Your Foundation in the Summer

Summer has arrived and you want to make sure to water your foundation, or at least take steps to protect it from cracks. We have clay soil here in Tarrant County, which swells when it rains and contracts in the dry periods. If this happens unevenly, your foundation could become cracked or damaged. Here are some steps to keep your house level and your foundation crack-free:

1. Install a good ground cover. This will prevent excessive moisture from seeping deep into the soil. This will also prevent erosion of the soil and excessive drying of the soil through evaporation.
2. Water the soil around the house just enough to keep the grass green. The south and west sides of the house may require more watering to offset rapid evaporation.
3. Don't water too close; stay at least 18" away from the foundation.
4. Never water directly into cracks around your foundation. They are usually deep and watering can undermine the foundation.
5. Don't place sand or sandy loam around the foundation. Water drains through it too quickly where the sun and wind can't dry it.
6. Never allow water to pond around the foundation. Be sure to create a positive slope away from the house.

*Source: Foundation Maintenance Procedures from Bedrock Foundation Repair (I'm just passing along information. I am receiving no remuneration, nor is this an endorsement of this company.)

Did You Know?

I love Fort Worth! One of the best decisions I ever made was being born here a few years ago. Okay.....quite a few years ago. Sometimes I get a little wistful missing the Fort Worth I grew up in (like the soda shops and ice cream parlors....I was a kid, remember!), but there are some cool things happening here right now too.

Did you know that the cost of living in Fort Worth is lower than the national average? And that unemployment is also lower than the national average? I didn't know anything about the cost of living when I was a kid, but it sure makes a difference to me today!

Fort Worth is a safe place too. It is ninth on a list of the ten safest cities with a population over 500,000. And it is the ninth best city to live in and start a business, according to Forbes Small Business. I always did pretty well with a lemonade stand, and business is booming in real estate.

There's always something going on here. This weekend alone there are two fun events at Panther Pavilion located at 395 Purcey. Radfest MusicFestival is Friday, May 24, and the Backwoods Paddle Party is on Saturday, May 25. Radfest is a concert that showcases DFW artists, food trucks, local vendors and adult beverages. What more do you need? The Backwoods Paddle Party kicks off the summer paddling season with a bang......music, food, disc golf, demos, discounted rentals, and more! For more information. go to http://www.trinityrivervision.org/.

Whether you currently live in Fort Worth, are contemplating a move here, or just need a reason to visit, we've got something for everyone. Don't forget to bookmark this page so you can keep up with what's happening around Fort Worth and other Texas tidbits!