I was recently talking with an out-of state friend who was visiting us. He told me if he were to move to Dallas, he would want to find a home for sale with a basement.
Homes with basements are very uncommon in the Dallas area so I asked him about his reasoning. He had visited Dallas a couple of years ago. During his visit, we had one of our typical spring thunderstorms and those storms produced a couple of tornadoes in the area.
It’s difficult to find newer homes that are built with basements although we do see the occasional wine cellar.
Why?
The expansive clay soil in the Dallas area makes it structurally difficult and cost prohibitive to build a home with a basement. If you’re worried about tornadoes, special tornado shelters can be built offering homeowners a place to retreat from the storms.
Gina and I celebrated our wedding anniversary last night. We love trying different dining spots and we were refered to Dakotas by one of our recent past clients.
What’s really unique about the location is that it’s actually located under the streets in downtown Dallas. According to the staff, alcohol sales were not permitted at street level at some point in the past, so the developers went “underground” so to speak. The photo above was shot looking out the window from our table. Dakotas has a great outdoor patio complete with a lighted wall of water coming down from street level.
The food was fantastic. Dakotas is a steak house and the Filet Mignon was wonderful with a nice soft texture and just the right amount of seasoning. Side dishes are served family-style and are large enough for two people. The wine list is extensive and I thought the prices were very good. The wait staff was first class–there when you needed them but not hovering all the time.
Dakotas is located at 600 North Akard. It can be hard to find because the entrance is the top of the elevator shaft sitting in the triangle created by Akard, Erway, and San Jacinto. I drove past it the first time. Parking is very limited but they have complimentary valet service so take advantage of it.
If you’re visiting Dallas or a local looking for something new to try, stop by Dakotas.
Opportunity knocks! One of a kind residential lot located in the heart of Turtle Creek Park. This lot offers the rare chance to build your dream home among the majestic trees on this heavily-wooded creek lot in the shadow of downtown Dallas. Located less than 3 miles to UTSW and Parkland Hospital. This lot is being subdivided from a larger estate and is subject to final city approval. Click on any image for a larger view.
This heavily wooded lot has majestic trees dating back over 50 years. The lot is located on an interior lot and backs to the Katy Trail.
The lot has had a drainage study completed and the preliminary plat has been approved by the City of Dallas.
The higher portion of the lot has a lush Saint Augustine lawn and is terraced down to the creek.
There are two preliminary plat maps. Final plat will depend on the buyers needs and desires.
Opportunity knocks! One of a kind residential lot located in the heart of Turtle Creek Park. This lot offers the rare chance to build your dream home among the majestic trees on this heavily-wooded creek lot in the shadow of downtown Dallas. Located less than 3 miles to UTSW and Parkland Hospital. This lot is being subdivided from a larger estate and is subject to final city approval. Plat, recent appraisal, and drainage studies are available.
Dallas TX Home For Sale – Updated single-level Preston Hollow home on large lot. Over $500k in updates. Bright kitchen has granite counters, stainless appliances, built-in refrigerator, and wet bar. Master suite has garden tub, dual vanities, separate shower, and dual closets. Gallery formals open to large family room with fireplace. A massive spa room has in-ground spa, sitting area, and separate HVAC. The lush backyard has an open patio that is perfect for entertaining.
I was out working in one of my new home developments today.
As I chatted with the sales staff about how things were going, a common theme became apparent. Potential buyers are sitting on the fence waiting on home prices and interest rates to drop further!
This has been fueled by the reports of nationwide home price drops by many of the national media outlets. The old adage,”location, location, location” comes to mind. All real estate is local!
I did an interview locally last week when this news was released discussing the local numbers. Dallas Fort Worth is actually bucking the national trend with average sales prices up 3.2 percent in North Texas and 5.4 percent in Collin County. Prices are not going down here.
I looked deeper into the numbers and found that new listings are down 17 percent while sales volume is down only 14 percent. What these numbers indicate is that the market is absorbing inventory at a rate greater than new inventory is coming on the market. The supply of available homes is getting smaller. This helps keep prices stable or rising.
To be fair, values may continue to drop in other places depending on a number of factors. Contact a local real estate professional to find out what’s going on in your area.
Mortgage interest rates are at 50 year lows. They may fluctuate slightly but I don’t see them trending much lower. The only reason they remain so low today is because the government is buying most of the mortgage paper and holding the rates low. Eventually the government is going to want to push this back into the private sector but the private sector is not going to get back into mortgage backed securities until rates climb.
What does all this mean for Dallas Fort Worth home buyers? Now may be one of the best times to purchase a home. Prices are stable in most areas and we’re seeing an upward trend over the past year. Mortgage interest rates are at 50-year lows.
It’s time for home buyers in DFW to get off the fence.
Dallas TX Home For Sale – 1940s charm with modern updates. Nice single level home has been completely updated including refinished oak floors, marble flooring in wet areas, granite countertops, stainless appliances, attic insulation, Tuff shed, steel entry doors, roof, hot water heater, fresh exterior paint, slate patios, and updated landscaping. Owner has approved plans for extended master suite and 3-car garage. Easy access to Love Field, Dallas Tollway, and downtown.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Gina Branch with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender.
Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your
home and damage your credit rating.
I was recently talking with an out-of state friend who was visiting us. He told me if he were to move to Dallas, he would want to find a home for sale with a basement.
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