Public Hearing Today: Possible DISD School Consolidations

bonham elementary school dallas

A DISD Board of Trustees committee has recommended that 11 low-capacity DISD schools be consolidated (i.e., closed) to save the district money.  A final public hearing as to whether those schools should be closed will be held this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at the DISD Administration Building located at 3700 Ross Avenue. Two of those… Read More

Dallas Modern Home Tour

3602hillside - dallas modern home tour

Are you craving a dose of modern architecture?  Then you should check out the Dallas Modern Home Tour this Saturday, January 28th! Enjoy a self-driving tour of 12 modern homes across Dallas.  Purchase tickets and find out more information here.

Mandatory Water Restrictions in Dallas

dallas watering restrictions

If watering your lawn has been “business as usual” for the past month you could be risking a hefty fine. That’s right, for the past month Dallas has been under a mandatory, Stage 1 water restriction that allows the city to impose fines ranging from $250-$2,000 on residents that repeatedly fail to follow the strict… Read More

Fed Advocates Foreclosure Rental Program

washington-dc

The Federal Reserve has called on policy makers to do more to help the housing market. In a recently released white paper, the Fed told lawmakers that aggressive action is needed in order to prevent home values from falling further. One suggestion included renting out foreclosed homes, which it anticipates would “deliver a better loss… Read More

Freddie Mac to Loosen Credit Requirements

short-sale

Freddie Mac has eliminated its’ minimum credit score requirement for all borrowers wishing to refinance. Government sponsored Freddie Mac now requires that borrowers have a minimum of 20% equity in their homes while refinancing. The move is aimed at increasing refis and helping borrowers stay current on their mortgage.

Housing Bust Worse Than Originally Reported

housing slump worse than originally reported

It’s no secret that the housing market took a huge hit over the past several years.  However, recent reports have surfaced indicating that the housing slump was even worse than initially reported – as in, 14.3% worse! Ouch. Apparently the discrepancy is due to  flaws in the data analysis conducted by the National Association of… Read More

Trader Joe’s Coming to Dallas!

trader joe's to open on lower greenville

It looks like Lower Greenville is getting yet another boost, as the specialty grocer Trader Joe’s is opening a new location where the famed Arcadia Theater once stood. The new store is scheduled to open this fall – get excited!

Proposed HUD-1 Changes

real esate closing

The newly established Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has released two revised versions of the traditional HUD closing statement that parties receive shortly before closing. Both forms are five pages long and contain a cover sheet matching actual closing expenses more closely with the Good Faith Estimate (GFE). The revised forms and more information can… Read More

Principal Reductions Increase

Business Graph v6

Some lenders have been more willing to reduce mortgage principal than to agree to a short-sale under the Home Affordability Modification Program (HAMP). According to Treasury Department data, lenders willing to reduce mortgage principal have cut an average of 31% of unpaid balances. Principal reductions began in 2010 under HAMP and have increased in popularity… Read More

Incandescent Light Bulb Ban Repealed…Too Late?

light bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs are back! Congress’ ban on manufacturing traditional, incandescent light bulbs (which was set to go into effect on January 1st) has been repealed – what that means for you and me is that we can continue to buy the cheaper-yet-less-efficient bulbs in lieu of expensive-but-energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs.  I don’t know about… Read More

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