Articles about REAL ESTATE
Legendary Realtor Ebby Halliday launches new career as a writer
So typical for a 97-year-old. Not.
Can This House Be Saved?
3808 Turtle Creek sits on 2/3 acre right on the creek, and it is only 7000 square feet. Only? I’m afraid that may be the death sentence, because someone’s going to want that lot to build at least double that space. But, this was built by Anton Korn in 1925 (you can see another home by this esteemed architect this weekend when the estate will be open), and we don’t want to see another old masterpiece bite the dust. It has had some unfortunate remodeling - walnut trim painted white, and shiny black granite in the entry. But, with just a little effort, that could be undone. Offers, anyone?
What About All Tho$e Bank$ ???
Peggy: there are now more banks than churches or gas stations in Dallas the USA, so what would we do if they had to shutter? You may recall I told you a year ago that Wachovia’s $451,000 monthly land lease at Preston and Mockingbird is one of the highest in the nation… wonder how much traffic they are losing with all that construction? (Now Wells Fargo pays the rent.) Anyhow, Preston Center is only getting busier what with the Staubach building and more development, including rumors that George Bush will office in that building (which have been denied) or in Trammell Crow’s redevelopment of the old Parkland Hospital. But read an article today saying that smaller and mid-size banks may actually weather this economic crisis and — you’ll never guess it — profit.
Will Preston Center become a Ghost Town?
Question, Candy - with all the bank closings and buy-outs, what will happen with all the branch banks that have opened in the last couple of years? A bank on every corner, and about 30 in Preston Center. Do you think its too much to ask for a few local shops to open back up?
Small Is the New Big
Over at Apartment Therapy, there’s an interesting post about McMansions. According to a 2008 report by the Urban Land Institute, interest in big domiciles is decreasing. Go check it out and hug a cottage today.
Orange County: Where the grass is not greener
So last night some notables from D CEO, our sister book, came to the house and the conversation turned to real estate. One gentleman who arrived in Dallas a few years ago from Orange County said his California friends report that neighborhoods have become downright eerie. Houses that were $600,000 to $800,000 are now valued at $325,000 to $400,000. Many are abandoned. And not only are homeowners displaced, but the maids, gardeners, tree services and others who tended these houses are out of work. The big winner, he told me, has been the mosquito control companies, because all of the abandoned pools and fountains are developing huge mosquito infestations. Today, thank your lucky stars you live in Dallas-Fort Worth.
More On Tony Romo
Well Christine, word is that Jessica Simpson will help Tony with his decor. And even if he is not the world’s best tastemeister, Mr. Romo knows how to drive a mean bargain about as well as he handles a pigskin.
Trinity Lofts - Leased
Okay, I’m shocked. Call me a naysayer, but I just didn’t believe that the Trinity Lofts on Dragon St. were going to be a big hit. But, I just found out that all lofts are leased, and only 5 live/work spaces are empty. That’s 5 out of 92. Pretty impressive for the pioneer, and maybe a good sign for the other residential developments going on down there. I guess everyone wants to be designer cool.
Knoll at One Arts Plaza
Knoll Inc. is leaving the Design District for the heart of downtown. They will be opening a 10,000 square foot LEED certified showroom at One Arts Plaza in January. The reason: To connect people with how they work and how they live.” It’s a cool space, but I think it’s kind of a pain to park there. Of course, you can always go to Smink Inc for your cool Barcelona chairs and Saarinen tables.
Legacy of Design Award
Yes, you still have a chance to own a design award winning kitchen - mine, you can check it out on the Briggs-Freeman website. Kathy Adcock-Smith won an award of merit for my kitchen at the Legacy of Design Awards Friday night, find out below the jump what she had to say about Metrocon. Linda Fritschy, Sherry Hayslip, Mary Ann Smiley, and Laura Lee Clark were also there. The party was at a cool house on Northhaven also listed by Briggs-Freeman, very spare and modern, I’m trying to find out who did the landscape design.
What Would Mr. Marcus Say?
I think it’s pretty obvious that he would not approve of the tear down of his historic house in Lakewood. Especially since the owners had applied for historic status when they bought it; and I think we all are aware of Mr. Marcus‘ level of taste and quality. The owner’s reason? Make it more energy efficient. I’m sorry, that just doesn’t work for me - tear something precious down to build again? Not exactly green thinking. I’m reminded of the tear down of the stone and slate masterpiece at the corner of Rheims and Armstrong that had been last year. When Susan Palma went up to the demo contractor and asked what in the heck they were doing, he said, “The inside was bad.” She brought herself up to her full 5′3″ height and said, “Excuse me. The inside was not bad, I did it.”
Think Pink: Mary Kay’s Pink Palace On TV
All the rose quartz Sherle Wagner and a completely pink marble commode on this great piece narrated by Ebby Halliday herself!
Always A Bridesmaid, Never A Bride
I have this fun new ditty on the DallasDirt blog you are just going to love…
Always A Bridesmaid, Never A Bride
Some homes are just like that — on the market forever, always hoping a strong, smart couple drops in one day to take its hand. Sadly, a few remain spinsters or worse — wind up in lengthy, nasty court battles as they crumble and decay. Here’s a bridesmaid with a nice bit fat dowry — a putting green! — ready to take the walk but she just cannot get hitched up.
Your New Kitchen?
This beautiful eco-luxurious kitchen could be yours - in the most convenient location in Highland Park. You can have it all - walk to restaurants and grocery stores and put the kids in HP schools. Do I sound like a realtor? No, just really sad that I’m selling my house and leaving the most beautiful kitchen ever. I never planned to be unfaithful - I was perfectly content with my current housing relationship. Then, I went in an open house while visiting my Dad in () North Dallas. I fell in love with a very contemporary split level 1970s house on a small residential lake. Wouldn’t have been a problem, except I called my husband, and he fell in love, too. It was fated…now we have two houses, one too many. So, back to my original premise - this kitchen could be yours.
Sweet Home Alabama
This week, I will be reporting live from Ono Island, Alabama. When I tell people we are going to the beach, in Alabama, many people ask: Alabama has beaches? Yes, it does.
There is a 26 mile stretch of pristine sugar-sand beach along the southern tip of Alabama on the Gulf of Mexico. Dubbed “The Redneck Riviera” it is a haven for snow birds and family with second (and in some cases third) homes. Someone alert Candy Evans.
We, of course, stay at the Tackett Tern. I just love the cute and clever names of the houses on the island. There is my favorite, The Shangri-La, an Asian-inspired beach house, and The Lone Star. The Lone Star is owned by a Texas resident and retired one star general. See what I mean? Cute and clever…
Speaking of the Lone Star, everywhere I go, I see Texas cars. Ono Island, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Gulf Shores look like a suburb of Dallas (with sunburn and floating flip flops, but a little slice of the Metroplex, no less). Dallasites are everywhere.
Many of the homes in the area were destroyed by Hurricane Ivan. They were demolished, re-built, and almost all were redecorated. I will be posting some pictures and reports on that later in the week, as well as some shopping destinations to check out. After the storm, a real estate frenzy drove prices up 2-3 times of pre-storm values. With the credit crunch, though, things have stabilized. This means on thing: BARGINS. This area has increased in value over 500% in the last 15 years. Those wanting a second home, or income from rental properties…look no farther.
It’s an easy drive, about 10.5 hours, and after fourteen grueling years of marriage, fourteen blissful years of marriage, okay, just fourteen years of marriage, I could do it in my sleep. Jump to read the “blow by blow” of our most recent family trip.
The Dream House Thinks Pink
The Dream House is going green. The Trophy Husband and I have spent the last few days in a pink fog. After last summer’s electric bills were edging up to amounts closer to a mortgage payment, we declared war. The first thing we did was switch our electrical provider. I picked this one…and I was tickled pink by their name. But I didn’t stop there… (more…)
Trinity and Design District
More controversy about Lower Oak Lawn - the people responsible for efforts behind branding the Design District as “Trinity and Design District” are having a problem with the new name of Lower Oak Lawn. Yesterday, Ed Oakley, Bob Darrouset, Gary Elam, and Brendon Bass discussed the fact that not one of them had been consulted, and that the Wood Partners that are building the proposed condominiums were not aware of this new name. Seems that this decision was made by Pegasus Ablon Properties, and that to close streets and access TIF dollars, they will have to go through the political process. I’m just reporting, but it seems it may be time for the new kid to make nice with the neighbors.
Lower Oak Lawn in the Design District
I just came from a long, mostly amicable (except when I asked if I was being admonished) visit with Michael Ablon, whose company Pegasus Ablon in partnership with The Lionstone Group is developing Lower Oak Lawn in the Design District. This is really an exciting project that will keep and preserve the art and design district along HiLine, Slocum and Dragon streets, and make it accessible to all of Dallas. That word accessible is loaded when you consider “to the trade only”; that line in the sand is staying exactly where it is - Design Center to the trade, antique shops open to the public, and the Decorative Center somewhere in between. What I’m referring to is the really big impetus for all of this - finally, an Oak Lawn exit off the Tollway. No, it wasn’t done to please the art galleries, or even at the considerable persuasion of Michael Ablon, it was done to make the Trinity Corridor accessible to North Dallas. Hence, the name Lower Oak Lawn - a pragmatic developer capitalizing on the name of the exit. I’m feeling positive - and I’ll keep you posted.
Word Usage: House “Porn”
I’ve heard that sex sells. I won’t deny the veracity of that statement. But how much porn can one site take without being put under probation by the FCC? Candy, I like this little abode on San Fernando Way, but there’s nothing dirty about it. Or at least nothing that a little Windex and Lysol couldn’t cure. So I’m going to put the kibosh on the term “house porn,” until I see something really sexy. Otherwise, it’s false advertising.
Dungeons in Highland Park?
I’ve been out walking again, uh-oh, and noticing some new building trends. I’m not giving any addresses here, so not to worry. The latest scraped corner lots are beginning to look like the foundations are being dug halfway to China - huge, multi-roomed subterranean holes are being built to house under-ground garages, wine-cellars, work out rooms, and maybe dungeons. Probably not the latter, but you never know when you might need one. Candy, is this a new trend?
Ebby Halliday’s Birthday
Was yesterday. And the bamboo-patterned chairs from her office done by the late interior designer Audrey Price are, for some reason, scattered all over Barney’s shoe department. Or at least they were for the fun D Magazine party at Barneys. I mean, when a girl wants to try on shoes, sometimes she just needs her own special chair…
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