Gold Digger Ex Liquidation Sale

Who knows if this is really what it’s billed as — boyfriend dumps his gold-digging ex girlfriend who rang up $150,000 in charges on his credit card — if that were me, I’d just be getting warm — and now has to liquidate designer jeans, Coach  bags and Juicy Couture (or, as I call it, Juicy Cooter) rapido so he’s having a sale. Supposedly the 5.5 ct. diamond, Louis Vuitton and 13 pairs of Chanel sunglasses already made it to EBay. (5.5? Who cares about size, it’s the clarity that counts!) 

Could be for real or could be a brilliant marketing move to unload  junk on unsuspecting consumers. Which got me thinking: anyone want to buy a condo behind the Pink Wall which may have witnessed liasons between a former president (whose wife is now running for president) and his mistress? 

Hästens is Heavenly

‘Tis the season to max out your credit cards in order to buy gifts for your nearest and dearest. And all that shopping is taking a toll on you. You regularly experience road rage thanks to the selfish drivers at NorthPark, your feet are killing you, and your back is about to give out thanks in part to that purse that is three sizes too large for your frame. Time to think about taking care of your needs, sister. Head directly to the new Hästens and purchase one of their lovely and amazing mattresses. Bonus: if you do buy this month, you get $1,000 toward some of their dreamy down products! See you there, sleeping beauties.

THIS JUST IN: Champ D’Or IS Under Contract

Thought it would never happen, but The Goldfield’s unbelieveable 50,000 square foot castle north of Lewisville IS under contract. The list price was raised to $72 million according to MLS. Agent is Greg Cagle with Ebby Halliday. If it sells…we are so keeping our fingers crossed for you Greg …I want to know where you will be building your very own Champs D’Or? (Or shall I say, Champs De Greg?)

My Own Neighborhood May Not Be So Safe

According to police reports, a woman who lives in the 6700 block of Waggoner — primo Preston Hollow — was followed home on Nov. 28 at 4 p.m. from Whole Foods Preston Forest by an attractive white male, 6′1″ tall, about 185 lbs. She drove into her garage like we always do and this 30 year old demanded her rings, then hit her. What a jerk!

She reported he had chiseled features and was very handsome. What I don’t get is how people can give such specific decriptions of their assailants — like 185 lbs. 6′1″ — while flustered and stressed. Whole point is to be careful, the bad guys always like to come out about this time of the year.

Banks Put Sub Prime Jitters On Ice And Someone Wants to Buy A French Castle, Texas-Style

So reports the Wall Street Journal. And I’ve heard a rumor —  that I will confirm — concerning a certain high profile, mega castle north of Denton on the market for a gadzillion dollars complete with a master closet the exact replica of the Chanel Boutique in Paris.

The rumor: may be under contract. Gotta find out who has that kind of money… and taste! 

Katy Trail May Not Be So Safe

Truly terrible news — be sure to take along a can of mace!

Central Texas Real Estate

Is not so hot, my sources tell me:

“The housing market is gloomy indeed – I’m in the Austin area, which (according to the aging article below) is expected to see as much as a four percent decline over the next few years – while those in your neck of the woods (Dallas/FW) might (according to the article) see gains. I’ll keep my fingers crossed” 

Preston Hollow Sales Still Brisk Despite Season

This just in: Charles Gregory’s first sale with the Dave Perry-Miller team, a division of Ebby Halliday, is a $6. million dollar-ish Preston Hollow home in the honeypot — an interim home for the new owners. Merry Christmas. ‘Course, when I asked Charles to give me details, he wouldn’t even confirm price: “No comment”.

Www.ModernDallas.Net

This is a dining room in Highland Park which is featured on a new website that focuses solely on modern design in Dallas. Started by Jeff Levine who has been in the contemporary furniture business for years, including a 15-year stint at Cantoni, the site showcases architecture, interiors, furniture and features the people who specialize in providing modern design and architecture locally.

Gloomy Real Estate News

Not necessarily for our area, but this expert says we could see home values IN SOME AREAS decline as much as 50%… yowsers.

Affordable and Stylish Table Settings at At My Table

If you are looking to snaz up your table for the holidays, or like me, you are obsessed with china, stop by At My Table in Snider Plaza. They are carrying a new line, Mary Carroll, and have beautiful gold and white place settings. The best part is this stuff won’t get you in trouble with the mister (i.e., the soup tureen is only $12; dinner plate, $9.50; salad, $4.50; bread, $3; dessert, $7.25). Are they serious? Oh, well, hurry before they realize what they are giving away.

Bid on Early Texas Art Dec 1

Frank Redlinger’s untitled Bucking Bronc, early 1930s. Gouache on artist board.

Early Texas paintings are highly collectible, and I’ve come to really appreciate their bold, Thomas Hart Benton-like qualities. Those colors might seem garish, but when you actually think about it, Texas landscapes at dusk take on mauve and lavender hues that make such colorations make sense. Heritage Auction Galleries is selling dozens of wonderful ones on December 1. No reserves and the prices start as low as $75. Of course, the bids will skyrocket once the auction starts, but that’s part of the fun. You can bid online. Take a look here.

The Mansion, California Style

I have seen the area where this new hotel is going to be built and it is fantastic. Now wouldn’t it be funny if Rosewood lured Dean from the Ritz to Silicon Valley????

Homeowner Shoots Intruder

Homeowner after my own heart.

Oven Broken Right Before Thanksgiving?

Then run over to Capital Appliance for their annual end of the year sale… get appliances while they are hot!

Win A Lamp. Or Two

 Love these Barovier & Toso Cranberry and Cream lamps? Then hop on over to Debris and register to WIN them — yes, I said WIN. Ask Joey for an entry form — and the lamps are on display. All this courtesy of Swank Lighting, and you can also register for the lamps on line at www.swanklighting.com.

Sharif & Munir Home Sale in Preston Hollow

The story about a new home constructed by Sharif-Munir on Hollow Way Drive at the intersection of Walnut Hill Lane ran in Preston Hollow People last week, shortly after the home sold. A handful of neighbors had complained about all the charity parties and other events held at the home, calling them a real nuisance. Let me tell you — I lived in that ‘hood for ten years and valet parties are a normal part of life there. When the Lacerte family celebrated their new U.S. citizenship, they even had fireworks! Granted, they have 9 acres. But that is my point. Most of those lots are at least an acre. And while it may be against city law or rules to build a model home in established neighborhoods, there are more spec houses in Dallas than squirrels. And to move these spec houses, builders are throwing party after party — in fact, I was at a party one block from Mickey’s home on Falls Rd. last Thursday. We had wine, food, it was a “builder’s party”! Also, one of the most beloved and established neighbors in that ‘hood runs classes from her home that my children attended. What do these folks want to live in, a morgue? And PS, I was wrong about Mickey’s home in my last post. It’s a spec home, not model.

Sharif & Munir Home Sale in Preston Hollow

The story about a new home constructed by Sharif-Munir on Hollow Way Drive at the intersection of Walnut Hill Lane ran in Preston Hollow People last week, shortly after the home sold. A handful of neighbors had complained about all the charity parties and other events held at the home, calling them a real nuisance. Let me tell you — I lived in that ‘hood for ten years and valet parties are a normal part of life there. When the Lacerte family celebrated their new U.S. citizenship, they even had fireworks! Granted, they have 9 acres. But that is my point. Most of those lots are at least an acre. And while it may be against city law or rules to build a model home in established neighborhoods, there are more spec houses in Dallas than squirrels. And to move these spec houses, builders are throwing party after party — in fact, I was at a party one block from Mickey’s home on Falls Rd. last Thursday. We had wine, food, it was a “builder’s party”! Also, one of the most beloved and established neighbors in that ‘hood runs classes from her home that my children attended. What do these folks want to live in, a morgue? And PS, I was wrong about Mickey’s home in my last post. It’s a spec home, not model.

Dallas Touted As Real Estate Rebound Town

On this CNN video.

We’ve Got A Star on Our Hands, Jeff Duffey

Jeff Duffey tells me that ever since Wick Allison blogged him on Frontburner last week, his phone has been ringing off the hook. Jeff, of course, is one of the few forward-thinking agents in town who has a Real Estate blog, along with Claude Choate and a handful of other agents. Well, Jeff’s moment of Frontburner fame landed him an interview on TV right here on CW-33. He’s getting hot lunch dates, flowers, chocolates, casting calls. CW-33 today, Hollywood tomorrow… 

Brave Decorating

[Photo by Robert M. Peacock]

Okay, so some of you took issue with Jacqui Stoneman’s use of skulls and animal skins in her Highland Park house. A letter in our new November issue calls it “macbre” but I know there are others out there who like this sort of Hemmingway-meets-Rachel Ashwell decorating style. Stoneman’s house is smack in the middle of Higland Park, and it’s nice to see something that breaks the safety mold.
What do you think? Click on the comment button below and let us know.

Video — The Vendome: Welcome Home To Luxury

Check out Sharif Munir’s two penthouses at the Vendome and…our very first Real Estate video, which we plan to do more of. Grab the popcorn: it’s showtime!

Foreclosures Up In North Texas, But Not As Bad As Elsewhere

So says Steve Brown today. Meantime, I visited a $6 million dollar new construction last night in the heart of Old Preston Hollow built by Maffco Construction. I met the buyer — who is about 35. Note I said “buyer”: this home sold a week after it went on the market before completion.  

Mounted Head SOS

I am having a household emergency. I found live worms in my house beneath one of the huge Ibek head trophies my husband brought back from Africa. The head is now banned from my home. I am about ready to burn it. I cleaned up the bugs and nuked the room. I can feel my chromosomes twisting already. I have calls into the Dallas Museum of Natural History. Does anyone know anything about these heads? Are they prone to bugs? I captured some of the critters and will have them analyzed by an entomologist. Meantime, my husband has a choice — the heads. Or me.

Top Real Estate Teams in USA: 5 From Big D

OK, so it’s a “Special Advertising Section” in today’s Wall Street Journal D20, but five powerful Dallas Real Estate teams made the cut using numbers culled from REAL Trends. They are, at number 4, Daniel M. Frank of DFW Real Estate Group, Inc. with $285,932,000 in dollar volume, number 27 Dave Perry-Miller (with Ebby Halliday, not Prudential Texas as the Journal has it) with $153,961,632 dollar volume, The Rhodes Team with Keller Williams at number 41 at $131,884,897 volume, number 46 precious Cindy O’Gorman with Ebby Halliday at $127,090,137 volume, and at 47 Eleanor Mowery-Sheets with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage at $126,800,517.