Summer Bucket List

What’s on your summer bucket list?

Summer break is in full swing and there’s a pretty good chance that very soon the fun of hanging out all day will wear off and the little ones will start asking what activity you have planned for them next.  

We asked our kids what was on their summer bucket list  - maybe their answers will inspire you.

(In no particular order)

1. Watch all of the Marvel movies in order

2. Sleep in

3. Go to the beach

4. Zip-line

5. Indoor skydiving

6. Staycation at the Hilton Anatole

7. Indoor rock climbing

8. Sleep overs with friends

9. Go to overnight camp

10. Practice soccer skills

11. Go the DMA Dior Exhibit

12. Make ice cream

13. Get a phone (ha!)

14. Play golf on a really good golf course

15. Eat ice cream

16. Play with friends

17. Learn to write cursive letters

18. Learn how to help cook dinner

19. Go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower

20. Decorate my room

21. Read 100 books

22. Make a giant pancake

23. Get a new puppy

24. Make the biggest poster ever

25. Swimming

26. Water balloon fight

27. Go on a boat ride

28. Build a sandcastle

29. Plant flowers

30. Play video games

And, of course, if buying a new home is on your summer bucket list, we can help!  

Agent Spotlight :: Meet our newest team member, Jenn!

Today we are highlighting Jenn Rice, the newest member of the Heather Guild Group. We are excited to welcome her to our team and want to give you all a chance to get to know her better!

Why did you decide to move to Compass and HGG?

I’m excited to join the Heather Guild group at Compass and to work alongside such an amazing group of women. I’m inspired by their dedication to their clients and their East Dallas communities. By joining the group, and Compass, I am able to offer my clients an increased level of customer service by utilizing both Compass and the Heather Guild Group’s top-notch resources, including but not limited to complementary staging, in-depth market knowledge, and the ability to provide innovative real estate technology that is designed to make the home buying and selling experience more streamlined and efficient.

Jenn, help us get to know you. Tell us more about your life growing up (schools, cities lived in, family of origin, how you got to Dallas, etc.)  

I’m a Texas girl, born and raised! Born in Houston, moved to the Fort Worth area at age 11. Then moved to Denton to study Fashion Design at the University of North Texas, where I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. After graduation in 1999, I leased my first apartment in Dallas right by the Lakewood Theatre. I’ve lived in East Dallas for 20 years now!

Tell us more about what drew you to your career in real estate.

After buying and renovating our first home in 2003, my husband, Josh (Principal of interior design firm, Joshua Rice Design) and I helped many of our friends find and remodel their first homes. I guess you could say that I was hooked from that moment on...  

I enjoy meeting and working with so many interesting people in our great East Dallas community. Everyone has a story, and each one fascinates me! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the unique life anecdotes that are shared with me. Working in the same community in which you live is especially rewarding. I have the opportunity to help improve my clients' lives. Most people move because they are experiencing a major life change, so it can be high on the list of stressful things to do. It feels good to not only ease the stress and burden for my clients, but to make it a positive, fun experience.

How long have you lived in the Old Lake Highlands neighborhood?  

My husband, Josh, and I first fell in love with the lake and the unique vibe of the Old Lake Highlands neighborhood back when searching to buy our very first home almost 16 years ago.  We were fortunate enough to find ourselves a fixer upper, and closed on our first home in OLH in December of 2003, shortly after getting married. We were drawn to the cool ranch-style and mid-century modern homes throughout the East Dallas neighborhoods. It wasn’t long before we found “the one” that became our home for the next 14 years! We had already fallen in love with the people in this great community and finding a cool MCM home near a fantastic elementary school was the cherry on top. We now are currently remodeling our third home in Old Lake Highlands, and we hosted our first OLH Neighborhood Porch Party in April. THIS IS OUR COMMUNITY!

You are incredibly involved in the White Rock Home Tour, can you tell us about that?  

The tour not only benefits our amazing neighborhood school, Hexter Elementary, it also provides a fun, highly anticipated weekend for our local community, and architecture/design enthusiasts alike. It provides for our kids, teachers, and White Rock Lake area residents in such an enjoyable way. This excitement motivates me to help in any way that I can, and to keep sponsoring year after year.

And how did you get involved with the tour?

We attended our first White Rock Home Tour in 2006 and we haven’t missed a single one since! Both Josh and I have been docents, sponsors, helped find homes, guest speakers, volunteers, and other sponsors. As a Realtor, volunteer, and proud Hexter mom, I am pleased and honored to give back to the community that has contributed so much to our family.

When you aren’t busy selling real estate, what do you like to do in your spare time?

My husband and I have always been big art, design, and music enthusiasts. We love attending local art gallery openings, design and architecture events, and going to live music shows. We’re also foodies and LOVE trying new restaurants in and around our neighborhood, and we enjoy spending time with family and friends in the outdoors and taking full advantage of the beautiful parks and a myriad of recreational and cultural opportunities that the White Rock Lake area has to offer. Our family gives back to our community by volunteering at both Victor H. Hexter Elementary and William B. Travis TAG Vanguard.

We Think Frontgate Is Totally Winning The Pool Game This Summer...

It's Memorial Day weekend--the official start of summer at my house. For my family, summer equals new adventures, no packed lunches and as much fun at the pool as we can cram in.  With that in mind, all of us at the Heather Guild Group have been drooling over these very cool pool toys! 

This float screams "Come relax on me!" To which I reply, "OK!" These marine-grade, fade-, stain-, and mildew-resistant Sunbrella fabric cushions are filled with buoyant foam beads that gently cradle the body while you relax in the water. Sounds dreamy - and like a perfect place to relax after showing houses in the hot summer sun! The kids have to have fun, too. Amp up their floaty options with these fun animals!

I can see the kids frolicking all day with these fun water creatures. Added bonus: they glow in the dark, too! 

Speaking of the night, after the little swimmers have worn themselves out, what a better way to enjoy some peace and quiet by the pool than with these attractive LED floating orbs.

These floating globes create a magical ambiance in the pool, on the deck, or around the garden.

All of these items, and more, can be found at Frontgate, and they are, coincidentally, offering 25% off site wide. Treat those kids, and yourself.

Have a favorite pool find?  We want to know about it!  Be sure to comment (or better yet, post a pic!).  

- Written by Valerie Caddell

Protesting Property Taxes :: A Step-By-Step Guide

Thinking about protesting your property taxes but aren’t sure where to start?  

Here is our step-by-step guide.  

1. Know your numbers:  DCAD’s market value is a combination of their appraisal of both your land and improvements (house, pool, etc.).  Look at both values to see if either one appears to be out of line with the market.

2. Do your research:  Ask a trusted real estate advisor to send you a list of homes similar to yours that have sold in the last year.  In general, homes should be similar in age, condition and size.

3. Document the differences:  After reviewing the data, realistically assess if your home is overvalued in comparison to those that have recently sold.  If so, put together a spreadsheet listing the difference between the valuation of your home and those sales. Photograph any items that make your home less desirable than the properties used as comparable sales (outdated bathroom/kitchen, exterior/deferred maintenance issues, etc.)

4. File your protest online:  DCAD makes it incredibly easy to protest your taxes online.  Choose the uFile Online Protest link on your property’s appraisal page.  Follow the step by step instructions online to submit your opinion of value of the property.  You will need to upload documents to support your opinion of value (I suggest putting all of your documents into one pdf and adding notes to the pdf for an appraiser’s review).  

5. Once you complete the uFile process, the website will tell you if you are eligible for a settlement offer or not.  If you ARE eligible, this offer will come via email after an appraiser has reviewed your opinion of value and documentation (in the meantime, you may get a notice of your hearing date to protest the appraised value).  If you agree with this value, you can accept it online and no further action is required on your part. If you are NOT eligible for a settlement offer, you will receive a notice of your hearing date in the mail. Note that you can meet with an appraiser for an informal hearing at any time prior to your hearing date.  

Learn more about the DCAD Protest Process

If you would like for the Heather Guild Group to send you a list of homes similar to yours that have sold in the last year for comparison purposes, please let us know.  hgg@compass.com

Last, but not least, the LAST day to file a protest is May 15th!  

Agent Spotlight :: Valerie Caddell

It’s Teacher and Nurse Appreciation Week, and our entire team is thrilled to celebrate the teachers, school staff and nurses that make such an amazing impact in our kids’ lives! Our own Valerie Caddell worked for fifteen years as a nurse before changing careers. She spent part of that time as a school nurse, working in the lives of children each and every day. What better way to celebrate this week than to hear from one of our own team member’s experience and how it correlates into her role now, as realtor?! Our marketing team sat down to do a little Q&A with Valerie below…

What was your favorite part of being a school nurse and why?
The schedule! I had an infant when I started working for the school. I loved having more time to be a mom on the weekends, winter and spring breaks, and enjoying summers off with my family. Another big bonus…all the kids in our school were amazing! I really had to use all my nursing skills as well as learn new ones. I enjoyed being able to teach the students how to be in charge of their diseases: teaching them how to test blood sugar, draw up and inject insulin, how to manage their highs and lows. Most kids come see the nurse with a tummy ache or needing ice for an injury, but there are also a lot of high and critical need kids in school.

What skills did you learn working in a school that have helped you in your role as a realtor?
Communication skills. You have to learn how to translate the professional speak into terms that are easily understood. Over the fifteen years I spent as a nurse, I learned lots of ways to better articulate to my patients what was going on and what to expect. I think it's really important to be able to explain things without overwhelming your patient, client, or customer, with too much professional jargon.

Was being a school nurse harder than being a realtor & why?
The hardest part of being a nurse is seeing someone suffer. Most of the time in real estate, I am helping people fulfill a need--whether it's buying, selling, or renting. Accomplishing that is great fun for me, and it is very joyful for the client. As a school nurse, I saw kids who lacked the support of a stable home environment which sometimes manifested itself as poor hygiene, poor nutrition, and/or poor behavior. I'm so thankful for the nurses, teachers, and counselors who are saving these kids every day. 

What are the best teacher gifts you got and what are the worst?
Best: Gift cards, hands down, are the best gift!!

Worst: Mugs--so many mugs! They are handy, but there are only so many one needs! 

What are a couple of ways that parents can best support teachers and staff in schools?
My mom always said, "It's better for your kids to be angels at school and devils at home." So, with that in mind, I always encourage kids to use good manners--especially at school.  

Thank you, Valerie, for sharing and to all our teachers, school staff and nurses that support and educate our children on a daily basis!!!

Spring Hail Preparedness in North Texas

As Spring storms moved through Friday afternoon and over the weekend, I spent a good hour cleaning out my garage to make sure I could get a car inside in the event of hail (I’m not the only one who rarely parks in my garage, right?) With that in mind, our guest blogger today is my friend and business partner David Rambie with Dexter & Company. He is sharing timely and pertinent information on hail damage and home insurance coverage with us below! Thank you, David!

 Hail is obviously a big issue in DFW and especially so this time of year. The age of your roof is probably the number one driver of homeowners’ premiums so it’s important to accurately reflect the age of your roof when obtaining insurance so that if/when claims do occur, there are no discrepancies or issues replacing the roof. We almost always suggest 1% wind/hail deductibles with our customers.

The insurance companies have very specific formulas when it comes to hail. Generally speaking, hail damage needs to be at least ping pong but usually golf ball sized hail in order to cause roof damage. Additionally, if there are very high winds then it could make sense for smaller sized hail to cause damage. You can tell the difference with high winds as the damage to the roof is usually pulled up and/or ripped shingles. The adjusters for any insurance company have access to an online database that will show storms that generate hail, the date, size of hail and wind velocity. They have tools that will show what damage was caused by which storm.  

When it comes to hail claims, the actual owner of the home is responsible whether the house is their primary residence, used as a rental property and leased out, under contract with a new buyer, and even if the property is under renovation.

As with all claims, I always tell my clients to call me first so I can guide and advise them on the proper steps. I suggest getting an independent evaluation of the roof before filing a claim or even calling the insurance carrier.  These days, even calling into the insurance company will show up on your insurance record for five years, regardless of whether or not you end up filing a claim.

Have other insurance related questions for David?  Let us know.  David Rambie is a resident of Lakewood.  In his free time you will find him coaching baseball and soccer or playing golf with his 1st grade son, Tres.

Lifestyle Entertainment with Matt Stafford of Free My Music

If you ask anyone to name their top favorite things about East Dallas, the neighborhood’s abundance of local businesses and restaurants is sure to be at the top of their list.  

 This week we had to privilege to sit down with our friend and fellow East Dallas resident Matt Stafford, owner and founder of Free My Music in Lakewood. Matt has a background in architecture and a deep love of music and we asked him to share some of the most popular current trends in home tech.  

Voice, Voice, Voice — Alexa, Google and Apple Siri (HomeKit) are continuing to gain in popularity, with 98% of respondents saying they have positive experiences with voice. Moving beyond the standard “Google, what’s the weather?” and “Hey Alexa, Play Beyonce”, by incorporating additional smart home hardware, users can issue spoken commands to their lights, shades, temperature and complete entertainment systems. The recent addition of “Routines” in the Alexa puts true, multi-disciplinary automation in the hands of the end-user, and has been a very exciting development in the Smart Home world. What customers choose to do with this technology is really only limited by their imagination…and ultimately their budget!

Securing the Perimeter — Smart Doorbells from Ring and Nest, along with locks from Yale, August, Kwikset and Schlage give homeowners a sense of security and control for their front (and back/side/garage) doors. 2-way communication, alerts, theft deterrence and video recording are all benefits of these systems. If users require more security around their homes, they can integrate cameras from the same brand as their doorbell (ie. Nest/Ring) so they have a comprehensive security solution in one easy app. Installing inside smart cameras is fairly straightforward, but exterior cameras often require a professional to install/configure…and good wi-fi (see #4 below) is always a must.

Lighting the Way — In addition to music, smart lighting is becoming easier (and cheaper) to implement than ever before and can give users scene control, sunrise/sunset automation, voice activation and geo-fencing so they never come home to a dark home. Lutron has been the predominant innovator in this space for 20+ years and they have a product line that ranges from the affordable (Caseta), to the highly functional (RA2/Select) to the complex and full-featured (HomeWorks). Also, recent start-up company Brilliant just won awards at CES 2019 and offers a unique, affordable and elegant solution that’s worthy of consideration. Users agree that the sense of security, comfort and entertainment value that automated lighting offers is well worth the investment.

Wi-Fi of Champions — As our laptops, tablets, phones, TVs and smart devices consume more and more data and 4K video proliferates, a good solid data network and wi-fi has never been more important. For the best performance, homeowners will definitely want to move beyond the wi-fi built-in to their ATT/Spectrum routers. There are a myriad of consumer-friendly wi-fi solutions out there (eero, Google, Linksys, etc.) that offer multiple wi-fi “access points” for 2.4 and 5G networks and are fairly easy to set up. Features to look for in selecting an upgraded wi-fi solution: a high grade router, robust security capabilities, ability to hardwire access points w/Cat5/6, amount of simultaneous users supported and # of antennas (2x2 vs. 3x3). Those with slightly higher budgets (and less free time) can opt for a professionally-installed commercial-grade wi-fi solution by brands such as Luxul, Araknis and Ubiquity, which offer the ultimate in performance and reliability.

Let the Music Play — Last but certainly not least, at the end of the day most homeowners just want to kick-back and enjoy high-quality music with their friends and family. On the hardware side bluetooth speakers are certainly an option but users looking for a more robust “whole house” solution upgrade to wireless systems such as Sonos that offer connectivity to multiple users in multiple rooms. On the music content side, full-featured subscription services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal allow users to enjoy the proverbial “any song, anywhere, anytime”, and provide a ton more value that simply streaming from Pandora, YouTube or Sirius XM — plus considerably better bit rate/sound quality. Also, with Sonos users can integrate high-quality portable speakers with a home’s built-in architectural speakers for amazing sound everywhere — party on Wayne!

Want to learn more about how you can add some of the latest tech trends to your home?  Visit with Matt and his Free My Music team so they can show you all of this technology at their store, located in heart of Lakewood Shopping Center.  

PREPARING FOR FREEZING TEMPS IN DALLAS

The temperatures are going to drop DRAMATICALLY this weekend. Windchills expected to be in the teens and actual lows in the 20’s! 

Here are some tips for preparing for cold weather in Dallas:  

Heat Your Home: Keep the temperature inside the house at 65 degrees or more. The reason for this is that it’s significantly colder inside the walls, where a home’s pipes are situated. A home that has it’s temperature less than 65 degrees may provide an opportunity for pipes to freeze.  Additionally, don’t forget to leave doors to bedrooms and bathrooms open.  Don’t forget to set the thermostats on any vacant income properties as well.  

Know Where Your Water Shutoff Is Located: In case a pipe does burst, it’s important to know where the house’s main water shutoff is located. Homeowners should be certain they know how to use if necessary.  Many water shut offs require a water main key to open.  These can be purchased at your local hardware store.  Know where your key is and how to use it.  

Protect Your Pipes: Make sure all pipes are well insulated, especially outside. You can purchase faucet covers and pipe insulation at your local hardware store (or at the Skillman Home Depot, aisle 8 :))  If you notice that your faucet isn’t working, call your water company immediately. It’s also a good idea to open your hot and cold water faucets and let them slowly drip. When water is moving inside pipes it will prevent freezing.  

Fix Frozen Pipes Immediately: If you discover that a pipe is frozen, don’t wait for it to burst. Measures should be taken to safely thaw them, such as heating the pipe with a hair dryer. If this fails, the homeowner should immediately call a plumber for assistance. If a pipe has burst, turn off the water and clean up any spills.  Speaking from experience…a tea kettle full of steaming water poured down a drain near the frozen pipes worked wonders for us (though no guarantees for you!) 

Know Your Fire Safety: Keep a fire extinguisher on hand and make sure everyone in your household knows how to use it. You are at a higher risk for a house fire if you use alternate heating sources, especially if they’re not well-maintained and monitored. Winter is also a great time to start using your fireplace again, but make sure you’re flue is open and you don’t leave your flames unattended.

Reverse Ceiling Fans: Pull that anonymous string on your ceiling fan to reverse it. This will push warm air down and keep air circulating. The blades should be turning clockwise this time of year.

Test and Check Batteries: Test and replace batteries on smoke and carbon dioxide detectors!

Don’t Forget Your Fireplace:  We don’t use them a lot in Texas, which means it is easy to forget proper fireplace etiquette.  Make sure your flue is open, if your fireplace has a gas key it’s important to add the flame first (we recommend a long reach match) then turn the gas on.  If you need firewood, stock up now and keep it in an easy to reach place.  

Foundation Vents:  We always recommend that you to remove these!  And generally, these should be off throughout the year to allow the dirt under your home to stay dry. However, in cold weather, it’s a good idea to put these on to insulate the pipes under your home as much as possible.  

The Heather Guild Group loves being a resource to each of you for all things HOME! Stay warm this weekend!

BUYING AND SELLING IN A BUYER’S MARKET

Considering buying or selling a home, but wondering how the current buyer’s market affects that decision? 

We all hear the term “buyer’s market” bandied about on news programs and in the media, but what does it really mean?  Typically, a buyer’s market refers to a 7-8+ month supply of available homes.  Making the assumption that homes continue to sell at the current rate and assuming that no new homes come on the market, it would then take 7-8 months for ALL of the homes on the market to sell.   Historically, this large of an inventory has shown that the supply of homes outweighs the demand for homes. 

So, what do you need to know to take advantage of this market regardless of whether you need to buy or sell?

Most importantly, everyone must realize that even though there may be a lot of homes on the market, the percentage of well-maintained, move-in ready homes is low.  I recently toured 15 properties with a client.  Of those, only one was occupied and/or had furniture in it.  Buyers, if you want to buy one of these homes, you need to be prepared to make an offer.   Don’t wait or someone else will buy it.  Want to buy one of the vacant properties?  Be prepared to find a laundry list of maintenance items that need to addressed on the inspection report.  After all, if the homeowner couldn’t afford their mortgage, they probably weren’t servicing their HVAC on a regular basis.  Sellers, make your home move-in ready for the next buyer.  Do an inspection prior to putting it on the market and fix the items on the report.  Declutter and stage your home so that it looks large and welcoming.  These efforts will be well worth your time and money. 

If you’d like more tips on taking advantage of this market, don’t hesitate to give me a call.  I’m here to help you with your home buying, selling or investment needs.

Holiday Decor Ideas

A HUGE thank you to Ashley Bell Interiors for sharing her thoughts on how to decorate your home for the holidays with us! Ashley may now live in Colorado, but her tips are timeless and work wherever you call home!

We’re already a week into December (I know…where does the month go?!?) and if the idea of decorating your whole home for the holidays is a bit overwhelming, you’re in good company.  Just like anything else that seems daunting, start by honing in on that one thing that can be your catalyst for all your holiday décor.

It could be a color, an ornament you saw in a store, a certain heirloom piece, a Chip and Joanna Gaines episode (although please don’t try to put shiplap on your tree) ;), art the kids brought home from school…there is inspiration EVERYWHERE. I’m not a big fan of design “rules” as it is but I feel like especially with Christmas décor, anything goes. Perhaps that’s why it can be so overwhelming.  Choosing to start with one thing and then bringing whatever that is in various ways throughout your house is a much easier strategy that will hopefully leave you feeling the spirit of this glorious season and not pulling your hair out (that’s for when the in-laws come). 

What do I mean? Ok. For example, I found these cone trees a couple of years ago and fell in love.  

Instead of buying a few and adding to all the other random Christmas décor I had in boxes…I waited for them to go on major sale and bought more than I care to admit.  However, what that did was give me a common theme to bring throughout our home.  I have them in every single main living space (and kitchen, bedrooms, etc.) but decorated them with the colors I wanted to bring into each of those rooms. In the living, dining and kitchen I added turquoise and rose gold accents to match the color scheme in those rooms.  In the den, I kept them more neutral and in the playroom, I surrounded them with lots of fun colors for the kids. 

What I did with the cone trees can apply to anything.  Say you want a more natural approach.  How about something as simple as greenery?  Greenery that you bring throughout your home by placing some on each mantle, some in a big vase on the kitchen counter, along the banister, a wreath hanging on your backsplash or on your shelves, little sprigs in small bud vases on a stack of books and so on.

To me, one of the easiest and budget friendly ways to spread Christmas cheer throughout the home is ornaments.  You can buy boxes of them in colors that match each room, a few colors that you carry all throughout the home or even just one single color.  You can use ornaments in so many ways, a quick Pinterest search will have your head spinning.  The simplest way is to get a large bowl and just pour them in. If you want to be more festive, add a small string of those tiny LED lights or some magnolia leaves/greenery. I had votive holders on my mantle that are there year round and they were the perfect “perch” for an ornament in each.  Candlesticks are another great place for ornaments to hangout.

Even those succulent arrangements (inside and out) that we all have can be a great opportunity for a little holiday pizazz. I’m going to have to copy that first pic on the top left from Debra Lee Baldwin – talk about a great décor project for the kids to jump in and help with! 

In the end of course, there is no right or wrong way to decorate for Christmas. If you pulled it all down from the attic and are looking at the pile with a thousand yard stare, one of the best things to do is to lay out everything you have and edit. EDIT. Cut out anything you haven’t used in the last 5 years (other than family keepsakes of course) and donate it. Less is more. What a great thought to end this post with during the season of packed schedules and endless Amazon purchases. Less is more. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!    

Cheers, 

Ashley 

Follow Ashley and all of her decorating genius online http://www.ashleybellinteriors.com/