Dallas Real Estate Blog- Dallas Luxury Realty

It turns out that thumbing through decor magazines and gazing over photos of better-homes-than-yours is actually a form of therapy. According to a new study by Houzz, well-designed homes are the key to their owners’ happiness.

In its Home & Happiness Survey, the home remodeling and design site discovered that people who recently remodeled or redecorated are happier and more relaxed. Of the more than 6,000 homeowners surveyed, a whopping nine out of 10 agree with that statement. Nearly one third (31 percent) also entertain more often post-reno.

People who have renovated or remodeled in the last two years say they are happier, more relaxed, tidier and entertain more often.The study also shows that most homeowners are happier at home than away (65…

  Anyone remotely familiar with Dallas knows what to expect this weekend. It's the annual closure of roads and possible public intoxication! Also known as the 35th Greenville Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade.   And with an expected crowd of 125,000 "Irish," there is a very good chance you will know someone who has plans to attend. The Dallas Observer has come up with a list of 6 People To Avoid at the Greenville Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade.    Read it as a humorous piece or as a cautionary tale. Either way, don't be surprised if you see your loved ones on here. 

The first weekend of April should be a good for music fans.

Headliners have been announced for the March Madness Music Festival, a free show taking place at the former site of Reunion Arena. Performances by the Killers, fun., Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean, and will be capped off by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on Sunday night.

The 3-day festival will be a first-come, first-serve event, so consider yourself forewarned. It starts at 4 p.m. Friday and continues all day Saturday, when the NCAA Tournament semifinal games will be broadcast live. They'll close out Sunday night. The title game is that Monday.

The line-up is listed below and subject to change. Get more details at the March Madness Music Festival website.

Friday, April 4 - AT&T…

With construction dust still floating in the air, the first model apartment is ready for touring and leases are already being signed in the new Lone Star Gas Lofts in downtown Dallas.

“We’ve been showing apartments for two days and have already leased 11 units,” said developer Ted Hamilton. Built in 1924 and 1931, the landmark former utility buildings are being converted into 123 apartments near Harwood and Jackson.

The ground floor and many of the upper levels are still under construction. And the almost $30 million development won’t be finished until June, though Hamilton has stated that they are about 2 months ahead of schedule.

The apartments will average about 940 square feet and will feature high ceilings, stained concrete floors,…

This isn’t the best day for some people. You can never really tell who’s going to stick around and put up your mood. But these guys are more than willing to share your bed, couch, and the rest of their lives with you.

Plus they are the ultimate ice-breaker and the perfect wingman. Be sure to stop by from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for all the fun!

February 15, 2014

Starting at 11:00am at the Main Street Garden

My Furry Valentine, presented by Downtown Dallas, Inc., The Petropolitan, and DogFit Dallas, will feature dog adoptions from Duck Team 6, Dallas Pets Alive, DFW Pug Rescue Club, Inc., and Chihuahua Rescue & Transport, Inc. - DFW Region, a costume contest with prizes, pet photos by Longhorn Photo Booth, and more!

You’re young and in love. Thin. No discernable wrinkles. You don’t moan and groan walking up steps and it looks like you have a nice head of hair on you. Congrats, the world is your oyster. Now it’s time to set up some roots and focus on the future, right?

According to a survey by financial website Credit Donkey, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio earned the first three spots on the list, when it comes to the task of buying your first house and starting a family.

Factors such as housing affordability, employment and the presence of other young couples were looked in when it came to metropolitan areas.

Houston, the fourth-largest city in the US, took the top spot because of an average mortgage rate of 4.13 percent, an unemployment rate of 5.9…

Let's face it. The property market in Dallas is tight right now, with buyer bidding agains bidder and a lot of sellers laughing all the way to the bank. So what can you do, aside from over paying for your new home, to ensure that you don't lose your dream home to another buyer?

1. Make sure you are pre-approved for your loan!

It may seem like common sense, but you'd be suprised how many buyers are wasting time looking at homes, when they should be sorting out their finances, grooming their credit score and working on getting a sparkling-clean pre-approval from a reputable mortgage company. Looking at homes, while it seems backwards, should be the LAST thing on your list.

2. Get pre-approved by the RIGHT mortgage company

This follows on from the…

Have 15 friends who enjoy a drink and need to be somewhere? Dallas is ready to roll.

After sorting out delays with route planning and permits, the Dallas Buzz Bike starts pedaling this week. The 16-seat, pedal-powered, mobile pub has received the green light from the city and they are having a launch party tonight to celebrate.

Available in Forth Worth and Houston already, the bike is outfitted with six-barstool seats on each side, with pedals underneath. There's also a bench for several people in the back and then one person can stand inside the "bar" in the middle of the bike. Buzz Bikes provides the driver.

The Buzz Bike is BYOB - beer and wine only, no hard liquor. There are a few other rules and some waivers to sign, things that deal with…

We already LOVE Uber, so we're thrilled to announce that getting safely back to your perfect home in Dallas just got 6 percent cheaper thanks to a current reduction in fares by luxury car service Uber, which operates in and around the central Dallas, Uptown, Downtown and Highland Park area. CLICK HERE to find out more about the reduced fares and how to take advantage of the current special!

2013 was a big year for the luxury home market in Dallas-Fort Worth. Million dollar and higher home sales saw a big jump, with a 22 percent increase year-over-year and the demand is expected to continue - and even rise this year.

Each of the top four metro markets in Texas saw year-over-year increases - most of them quite dramatic - in the million-dollar market.

Dallas-Fort Worth ranked No. 3 on that list at a 22 percent increase in luxury home sales. Austin saw an increase of 55 percent in luxury homes sales in 2013, followed by Houston at 46 percent and San Antonio at 18 percent, according to the association's report.

The rise in demand for luxury homes reflects the state's growing economy and increasing population, according to the Texas…