By Tom Branch, on December 26th, 2013  We often field phone calls from people relocating to the North Dallas area looking for homes with basements. While some are relocating from areas with basements, many are concerned about tornados. While there are a few older homes with basements, there are also homes that have a storm cellar or shelter. These are primarily found in the rural areas, but we do see them in the suburban and urban areas as well.
According to CBS News the odds of a strong tornado hitting your home directly are extremely small. You can expect it to happen about once in every 8,000 years.
Storm shelters can be added to any home. Some are installed below ground and others are steel boxes that are engineered to withstand large tornados. We checked with a few local installers and found that prices start at about $7500 and go up depending upon the size of the shelter and how it will be installed on the property.
Click here to see all homes for sale in North Dallas with storm shelters.
Contact us at 214-227-6626 if you have questions or need additional information.
Photo: Licensed from iStockPhoto
By Tom Branch, on February 4th, 2012 
Lovejoy ISD in Collin County has become a very desirable school district. There are homes in Allen, Lucas, Fairview and McKinney zoned to Lovejoy ISD.
According to the school district website, “Lovejoy ISD is an exemplary district serving students in Fairview, Lucas, and Allen, Texas. The Lovejoy Independent School District includes Lovejoy High School, Sloan Creek Middle School, and Hart, Lovejoy, and Puster elementary schools.”
While the exemplary school district is a major draw, this is one of the best areas for homes on acreage located with easy access to the DFW Metroplex.
Click here to see Acreage Homes For Sale Zoned to Lovejoy ISD.
Photo Copyright 2010 Imaged2Sell
By Tom Branch, on December 31st, 2011 
Fairview TX is a small bedroom community located east of US 75 at Stacy Road. According to the Fairview Texas Website:
Fairview offers the warmth of a small town and the convenience of a big city. Located north of Dallas at U.S. Highway 75 and Stacy Road, Fairview is an alternative to the North Texas communities that are known for their cookie-cutter sub- divisions. The majority of Fairview is zoned for residential lots that are one acre or larger, with a few areas reserved for smaller home sites.
The housing market is Fairview is very stable. This month we’ll present median sales price, days on market, and months supply of housing charts. Click on any chart for a larger view.
Median Sales Price
The median sales price in Fairview has recovered nicely from the low in the summer of 2009. Zoned to Lovejoy ISD and boasting estate sized lots, Fairview continues to attract buyers. The opening of the Shops at Fairview brought upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment to Fairview. In November 201 the median sales price was $279,995 and it has risen to $307,900–a gain of 10 percent.
Days on Market
The Days on Market in Fairview remain stable at about 118 days. While this is slightly over the average in the local area, 118 days on market is still very good considering the higher price points in Fairview.
Months Supply of Housing
The months supply of housing is slightly over 7.9 months. The National Association of REALTORs states that a 6 month supply of housing is a stable market, supplies under 6 months are a seller’s market, and supplies over 6 months is a buyers market. While Fairview is slightly over 6 months, I still believe the market is balanced given the higher price points in the area. Fairview had an 8.3 month supply of housing in November 2010. It sits at 7.9 months now–a decrease of 4.2 percent.
Feel free to contact us if you have questions or need any additonal information.
Photo: Copyright 2011 – Tom Branch | Source: NTREIS on December 30, 2011
By Tom Branch, on November 16th, 2011
Fairview TX is a small bedroom community located east of US 75 at Stacy Road. According to the Fairview Texas Website:
Fairview offers the warmth of a small town and the convenience of a big city. Located north of Dallas at U.S. Highway 75 and Stacy Road, Fairview is an alternative to the North Texas communities that are known for their cookie-cutter sub- divisions. The majority of Fairview is zoned for residential lots that are one acre or larger, with a few areas reserved for smaller home sites.
The housing market is Fairview is very stable. This month we’ll present median sales price, days on market, and months supply of housing charts. Click on any chart for a larger view.
Median Sales Price
The median sales price in Fairview has recovered nicely from the low in the summer of 2009. Zoned to Lovejoy ISD and boasting estate sized lots, Fairview continues to attract buyers. The opening of the Shops at Fairview brought upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment to Fairview.
Days on Market
The Days on Market in Fairview remain stable at about 120 days. While this is slightly over the average in the local area, 120 days on market is still very good considering the higher price points in Fairview.
Months Supply of Housing
The months supply of housing is slightly over 7.5 months. The National Association of REALTORs states that a 6 month supply of housing is a stable market, supplies under 6 months are a seller’s market, and supplies over 6 months is a buyers market. While Fairview is slightly over 6 months, I still believe the market is balanced given the higher price points in the area.
Feel free to contact us if you have questions or need any additonal information.
Photo: Copyright 2011 – Tom Branch
By Tom Branch, on September 13th, 2010  We recently decided that we wanted to go out and have dinner and take in the new movie, “The American” staring George Clooney.
Having driven past the new Villages of Fairview shopping center located on the northeast corner of Stacy Road and US 75, we noted a new Gold Class Cinema had opened.
We quickly purchased two tickets online. The first thing we noted was the theater had just 40 seats and an extensive food and beverage menu.
Upon our arrival, we checked in with the concierge and we were escorted into the lounge area where we pre-ordered our dinner and had a couple of cocktails while we waited for the theater to be ready. The lounge area has a large, well-stocked bar and is set up like being in a large living room with small pit groups of chairs and tables.
When the theater was ready, we were again escorted to our seats. The term “seats” does not do the seating justice. They are large electric recliners. Feeling a bit chilled? The staff will bring you a blanket! During the previews we got comfortable and finished our cocktails. Dinner arrived just as the movie started. Wanting something on the light side, we had both ordered the sliders. Quite tasty!
Click here to see a news report on the Austin location. The Fairview theater is very similar.
At $125 it was not an inexpensive night out, but Gold Class is like flying first class. The movie…well…
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