Z Real Estate broker Zareen Khan and her precious puppy dog Butters are currently participating in a Realtor Pet Lookalike Contest on Facebook.  The contest is sponsored by EchoPoint Mortgage Company, who will be making a $1,000  to Metroplex Animal Coalition in honor of the winner.  Details about the contest are described here by DFW Animal Rescue, a well known blogger among the local Animal Rescue world.

If you’re interested in voting for Z and Butters, please click here. Voting ends on February 14, 2012.  THANK YOU!

Welcome to Dallas, Kardashian/Odom family!

“BIG D: SEARCH ME

WASHINGTON, D.C. (National Association of Realtors) – Which cities are homebuyers targeting the most in their online searches? Dallas, for one.

Realtor.com recently released its September search rankings of 146 metros, and Big D was the only Texas city to rank among the 12 most-searched markets last month.

Here are the top 12 along with the median home price for each city:

1. Chicago, $199,000
2. Detroit, $89,000
3. Los Angeles-Long Beach, Calif., $335,000
4. Philadelphia, $234,900
5. Atlanta, $159,900
6. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla., $140,000
7. Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz., $150,000
8. Las Vegas, $120,000
9. Dallas, $191,025
10. Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, Mass., $330,000
11. Riverside-San Bernadino, Calif., $195,000
12. Orlando, $159,500″

Who wouldn’t want to live in Texas and in Dallas in particular?  Great bang for your buck, high quality of life with a low cost of living, no state income tax….  We’re lucky people, y’all.

3635 Westcliff Road South, Fort Worth, Texas 76109: 3/2/2, 1423 square feet.  Adorable traditional brick home near TCU. Open floorplan with updated kitchen opening onto large living room.  Kitchen has granite countertops, travertine floors and stainless appliances.  Fireplace in the living room is custom stacked stone. Master bedroom has its own full bathroom, and the main bathroom is updated and has a sunken tub.  Hardwoods are in all living areas and under the carpets. The bedrooms in this home are large, and the study that features handsome wood paneling could be used as a third bedroom. Large backyard has a flagstone paved patio with a sink, fireplace, tile countertop and cedar gazebo. With large beautiful trees and lighted landscaping, the backyard is a perfect oasis for entertaining. The oversized two car garage will fit a boat and allow room for a workspace.

Please come visit this home at 3635 Westcliff Road South  near TCU in Fort Worth this Sunday, September 25, 2011.

Many people that are doing well financially these days are looking for sound places to invest and are noticing that now may be the right time to invest in some rental properties as rents are on the rise, and renting (versus buying) is becoming more popular.  With interest rates near historical lows, an investor who puts 25% down can get rates in the    mid-3% range on a 15 year note, which is pretty darn cheap money. (I’m not a lender so don’t quote me on these numbers, but they are good rough estimates. I know some really great lenders I can point you to if you want to talk specifics and how you may be able to finance a rental property). There are properties out there you can buy right now where you can cash flow with your rent even after your PITI payment (Principal on your note, Interest in your note, property Taxes, and property Insurance).

Although we are experiencing low interest rates right now, they will trend upward in the future.  Historically, as interest rates rise, property values increase. This means that we appear to be at a point in time where you can borrow money cheap now, buy an investment property that cash-flows (or breaks even) for you short term and should appreciate in value as well long term.

If you are interested in buying investment property or just thinking about it and want to learn more, please feel free to send an email to Z Real Estate (info @ z-realestate.com) to discuss investment opportunities and to request to be added to our Investment Opportunity email list.

And last, but most definitely not least, in terms of Fair attractions for yours truly, I obviously will mention the food at the Fair. There are old classics like Fletchers corny dogs (go for the spicy, cheesy one) and previous contest winners like fried coke and fried butter. Each year, there are also new food options and 2011 contest winners were announced yesterday. Fried Bubblegum, Fried Salsa, Kraut Balls, Walking Taco… this year’s list of winners is at least a must-read, if not a must-taste.

The State Fair opens this year on Friday, September 30, and runs through October 23. For hours, ticket info and additional information, please click here.

http://recenter.tamu.edu/recon/

“NEW HOMESTEAD LAW NOW IN EFFECT

AUSTIN (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, KXAN.com) – A state law that took effect yesterday has changed proof of residency requirements for homeowners applying for the property tax homestead exemption.

The new law requires applicants to provide a copy of their Texas driver’s license or state ID card and vehicle registration receipt. The documents must show the same address as the property for which the exemption is requested.

Applicants who do not own a vehicle must provide a copy of a utility bill with the correct address. They must also provide an affidavit stating he or she does not own a vehicle.

The new requirements also apply to applications for the over-65, disability, disabled veterans, homeowner’s surviving spouse and manufactured (mobile) home exemptions. They do not apply to homeowners who already have homestead exemptions.”

Come see this adorable house and taste some yummy — and healthy — chocolate! Thursday evening from 6:30 – 8:30pm….. Please come visit!

Location: 4431 Vandelia, Dallas, Texas 75219 in Perry Heights one of the most adorable neighborhoods in all of Dallas– convenient to EVERYTHING!

Kelly Boyington is a 2000 graduate of Texas Christian University and a 2006 SMU Law School graduate, where she served in a variety of leadership roles including serving as the President of the Student Bar Association. Kelly’s decision to become a licensed real estate agent was inspired by her experience helping 100’s of clients with all aspects of oil and gas contracts involving their personal and commercial property. Kelly is licensed to practice law in both Texas and Louisiana, and it is her legal background that gives her real estate clients confidence in her ability to provide effective and professional service. Kelly also is the founder of NotFindingOut.Com, a website that allows parents-to-be who are waiting to find out the gender of their baby to register for and purchase gender-specific baby gear prior to their baby being born.

Her unique professional and legal background and experience provide her with an edge completing not only a wide range of residential transactions but also farm and ranch land and leases. Kelly is a member of the Texas Bar Association, Oil, Gas and Energy Law Section, the Louisiana Bar Association, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Young Professionals in Energy, Women’s Energy Network, the National Association of Realtors, the Texas Association of Realtors, and MetroTex Association of Realtors.

Kelly currently lives in the Knox/Travis area of Dallas.