Have you ever had an In-N-Out Burger?  They are only located in California, Nevada, Arizona, and now Utah. Its a Burger Place.  Plain and simple.  In-N-Out was founded in 1948 and has had the same menu for all of those years.  They serve burgers and fries.  Everything is made fresh, including the french fries.  The potato is actually cut up on fried to order. Well, since we moved from California 4 years ago, we have not found a burger place that is just as good.  We heard rumors about 'Whats a burger' being similar, but clearly those rumors were started from people who had never eaten at a real in-n-out burger. Well, while playing on my iPhone this past week (new applications), I came across an application that shows you local diners, entertainment locations, gas stations, etc.  When r... 09/23/2008

There are several schools of thoughts when it comes to wealth building. As always, I have my very own too. I am sharing this blog with you as an investor who currently owns several rental properties as well as sharing my lesson with you through my experiences with my landlord clients. Rental properties are just one of the many ways of increasing wealth. Most of the time, rental properties appreciate and what better way to have someone pay your mortgage for you and at the end of the mortgage term, it becomes yours. All you really come up with is the initial down payment and a little cost of getting started. Now, the above is describe if we lived in a perfect world where the properties appreciate over time, tenants rush to pay their rents by the 1st and they leave the properties (when the... 09/23/2008

Tucked away off of Teel Parkway between Lebanon and Main Street in Frisco, you will find yourself appreciating the quaintness of Village Lakes.  An all rear-entry newly developed neighborhood that offers attractive street viejws, deep front yard setbacks, superior roof pitches, beautifully defined eyebrow arch-topped window designs.  Meritage Homes is one of two featured builders in this community and has several pre-construction properties underway; indicating high sales and lots of buyer interest.  This community illuminates nature with a lake, aged trees lining the south-side, an amenity center with large pool (to be completed in the near future), and whispy landscaping. The City of Frisco will be building a rock water feature at the entrance to accentuate the natural landscaping of ... 09/22/2008

FRISCO TX REAL ESTATE - AUGUST MLS SALES STATSHere are the stats for the Frisco area. Keeping with the typical trends, this Frisco TX Real Estate Market Report shows Closed Sales DOWN (projected over 19%) while Average Sales Price stays STABLE.  Home owners that do sale, are negotiating almost 2% more OFF list price.  Days on market are UP over 10%. 09/21/2008

So, What REALLY happened in the market this week? Something to think about - The Fed is attempting to be savvy and creative in its ways to help the financial system get back on track.  However, there is simply no one who can draw upon past experience to find answers here.  This situation is historic...and we are living through it.  It is almost comical to hear the comments that come out of the mouths of some of the politicians who are paraded in front of the camera as they are really clueless but want to be shown as the "experts".    There is a lot of panic out there.  People are very worried about their life savings.  Is money in the bank safe?  How about if it is in a life insurance policy?  How about in bonds?  Unfortunately the answer is no, no, no.  Wednesday, the panic reached a l... 09/20/2008

The last few years in the real estate market are an anomaly.  The downward spiraling interest rates and rapid rise in home prices doesn't happen very often.  Sure, the market rises and falls in cycles, but the changes are generally more gradual.  The truth is that many people land themselves in hot water during an especially hot market.  They start speculating by buying extra houses for quick sales or mortgage flipping.  If their timing isn't perfect they are left holding mortgages they can't pay and homes they can neither afford to live in, or sell. Real Estate is Always a Solid Investment If you're willing to exercise some patience and not try to become a millionaire overnight, you can't do much better than putting your money in real estate.  As many learn the hard way, the stock mark... 09/19/2008

The TX weather is getting better and it is time to get out of the house again.  Join me on September 28th for a run promoted by the staff of FC Dallas and Luke's Locker.  This event is unlike any other.  After the 1 mile run- the stadium is yours with a post race party including inflatables, live music, poster making, face painting, autographs from me and FC Dallas players (ok, just the FC Dallas players) food, vendors and much much more.   Then, you get to stay for the 2pm game against D.C. United as your entry fee covers that ticket also.    Want more information?  Kirsten Melander  kmelander@fcdallas.net or view the details at FC Dallas!  09/19/2008

I was looking over a flyer I received from Texas Bicycle Coalition.  It was talking about the health of our kids here in TX and am sure the numbers go around this Country.  The numbers came from the Department of Health Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 74% of Texas children do not meet state guidelines for physical education 62% of Texas children do not participate in organized physical activity 35% of Texas school children are overweight or obese 13% of Texas school children walk or bike to school today, compared to 66% in 1975 30% of the average Texas morning rush hour traffic is school related If you want to become more educated or involved, I put a note below from the TBC website about a meeting this weekend:   Saturday, August 30 at 3 pm Now you have a great ex... 09/19/2008

If you have heard enough of recent news media updates of the housing market, you might want to throw a pity party. Your house has been on the market for a while yet there is no contracts or even some possible interests. You were (at one point) looking forward to moving into your new home with your family. Yes, besides the housing situation, your life is just simply wonderful. You held firm on your price. You **think that it is priced very attractively, given all the features your house has to offer. Unfortunately, what you **think and what the market (ie buyers) feel may not be in sync. Perhaps, that's the reason why you have not moved into your new "step-up" home. Read also, Buyers & Sellers: Does Your Price Point Really Matter?Seller says, "I Dont Want To Give My House Away"It Boils D... 09/18/2008

I recieved an email today and times previous I'm sure from Dave Biggers regarding Ala Mode's Mercury Network. I was wondering if any appraisers here subscribe to it and find it beneficial. I percieve Ala Mode to have about the largest network of appraisers and that being so how much work can one appraiser realistically expect to recieve from them. I don't have an Xsite but I'm curious as to its benefits. Any thoughts on this would be sincerely appreciated. gynell Seed Newsvine 09/17/2008

What a treat!  North Frisco will be the home of a JR Newman Development called Newman Village located on 1.5 million sq.ft.in northwest Frisco.  A light colored brick with buff mortar and cast stone post caps create the perimeter of this pre-zoned gated Super Community and Retail/Restaurant Connection.  Nestled between the north side of El Dorado Parkway to the south side of Panther Creek Parkway and west of Legacy Drive, Newman Village will attract the residents of our West Frisco communities for sure.  Forward thinking Newman Village will highlight a vast enigma of mixed use opportunities that will accommodate your needs as a homeowner, office worker, or shopper.  The village is going to intertwine space for retail, office, restaurant, residential, hotel, and civic use ordained in a m... 09/14/2008

Northern Friscoites have been anticipating an upscale, healthy, non-traditional inventory food and quick dining retailer for sometime now---and guess what, we got it!  An intriguing and exotic flower department greets you as you enter the modernly adorned store layout and effortlessly guides you to the smells and intrigue of the freshly made entrée, smoothie, brownie, coffee, pizza, and salad bars.  Market Streets uses, what I think, are the freshest ingredients and highly demanded recipes to offer their patrons, yet does not charge an outrageous amount for it.  Just yesterday actually, I had a luxuriously creamy prime rib soup in a sourdough bowl, a side of gourmet mac and cheese and a Texas Praline brownie for about $9!  Market Street does it right from every angle that I have experie... 09/14/2008

State's Texas 211 Information System Helpful Resource for Hurricane Ike Evacuation and Shelter Information(September 11, 2008) If you have friends or family trying to leave theTexas Gulf Coast there is a helpful hotline operated by the Stae of Texas.For information about Hurricane Ike preparations, please access the Texas211 Information System.  You can dial 211 to get answers about evacuationand shelter information and to find help locating relief services afterthe storm. Operators answer calls 24-hours a day.Currently the state is directing people who are evacuating to theDallas-Fort Worth area, but do not have arrangements for a place to stay,to a facility in Mesquite.  According to the plan designated by theGovernor's Division of Emergency Management, people who need assistanceafter... 09/11/2008

Especially in today's market across the country, buyers of real estate properties have more inventory to choose from than before. The prices have remained relatively attractive and sellers understand that it takes "more" incentives to sell than ever before. As an example, here in the Frisco TX real estate market, many sellers began to "update" their homes to compete with "newer" built ones and offer features such as granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, fresh paint and flooring. Yes, all in the name of selling. Thus, in this market, buyers have more options than before to find a great real estate transaction. However, no matter how "great" a deal you can find, understand that a successful purchase for you have to come with realistic expectations. Regardless what the housing m... 09/09/2008

Via Brian Foxworth's blog on "Should I Pay Off My Mortgage?" inspired me to write this blog - to share my opinion publicly since very recently, my good friend from church and I had this conversation about investing in real estate. We haven't seen each other in a while and since he knew I was in the real estate business, he asked, "How was business?" and I answered, "It's going strong for me, despite what the market says...". In turn, I asked him how he was doing since I knew he had quit his job a while back to work in some real estate ventures. He answered, "It's been crazy for me too. I have been learning so much about the ropes of this business. I know that I had made some bad choices in the past, getting into too much debt but now, I'm so glad that I'm learning and doing it the right... 09/09/2008

It is not a secret that selling in today's market if you live in "most" of America will be a challenge. Some markets are tougher than others. I sold my rental property a year ago in yet another tough market - Norman, Oklahoma. But my objective was clear: to get this condo SOLD - once and for all and put it on a page of my history book. Like most sellers today, the odds against my success were high. I would not be telling the truth if I didn't mention that yes, I was a little fearful with my market and of my competitors. Buyers of condominiums are not readily available and it in February that I had put my property on the market: the timing factor. If you knew Norman, Oklahoma at all, it is a university town. My alma mater - the University of Oklahoma. The Spring semester had already star... 09/04/2008

Sundown Ranch Office Suites featuring medical professions is now open!   This $7M office project is truly a nice addition to the West Frisco area. Medical practices ranging from Allergy and Asthma, Dermatology, Laser and Surgery Center, Orthodontics, Optometry, and Chiropractic  Care occupy the 38,000 sq. ft. professional complex. As Frisco continues to grow, developers are looking to Frisco for commercial investments located near the most sought after neighborhoods. Sundown Ranch is conveniently located near Heather Ridge Estates, Shaddock Creek, Griffin Park, The Trails, Grayhawk, and the new Frisco Center.   Sundown Ranch Office Suites still has a few suites available for custom design. The available suites are listed below.   Bldg. 1 Space Available 6,671 SF (min. divisible is 2,000... 09/04/2008

What is the real difference between Equity Financing & Debt Financing?By definition debt financing is: When a firm raises money for working capital or capital expenditures by selling bonds, bills, or notes to individual and/or institutional investors. In return for lending the money, the individuals or institutions become creditors and receive a promise to repay principal and interest on the debt.By definition equity financing is: The act of raising money for company activities by selling common or preferred stock to individual or institutional investors. In return for the money paid, shareholders receive ownership interests in the corporation.Debt financing is what I like to call collateral intensive and is backed by the credit of the individuals/businesses that are borrowing money. Th... 09/04/2008

Even though each home and each home buyer is unique, the same mistakes are made over and over again when making a purchase.  I have put together a quick report which outlines 7 common mistakes made during home buying and how to avoid them. Buying a home is one of the most exciting events in a person's life, whether it's the first home or the fifth one; however, it can also be one of the most stressful.  Purchasing a home should be regret-free and anxiety-free. Learning to avoid these 7 most common mistakes when buying a home can help lower your stress and help you focus more easily on possibly the single largest purchase of your lifetime.   Not Being Prepared : When you consider the scope of the purchase, it's surprising how many people haven't done sufficient research.  Research your b... 09/03/2008

Any city girl always loves it when new highways open up so we can get to wherever we are going faster and more efficiently!  The highly anticipated Highway 121 extension that will take you from east of Stonebriar Center to Coppell/Grapevine border in 60 mph speed is open already greatly appreciated by yours truly!  This new infrastructure is going to add so many options for people that have been traveling on other North Dallas east/west bound infrastructures like Hwy 190, 380 and even 635.  From the Southwest corner of Frisco, you can be at DFW airport in half the time it would have taken you only last week!  Try it…you will be smiling the whole way.  Forget stop lights and traffic jams and just giddily glide on thru the fast roads of Hwy 121, but don't forget your toll tag---this is a... 09/01/2008