One of the best thing about the human race is the varying opinions from each individual.  How boring would our world be if we all thought that watching Jersey Shore was quality programming or that Lindsey Lohan is just a bit misunderstood.   I know that I personally have different opinions compared to other real estate agents.  One would expect that.  Some of the opinions I have that I know are opposite are: I think a few family photos and personal items are fine to grace the walls of your home.  My experience has been that most of my buyers like to see who is living in the house and how the space works for that family.  While too many can be distracting, I have had clients actually know the people's house we looked at because they went to college together and they saw that diploma from... 02/10/2011

Texas Governor appointed Highland Village, Texas Assistant Fire Chief, Jason Collier to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection's Firefighter Advisory Committee. The Texas Commission on Fire Protection's Firefighter Advisory Committee, which consists of nine members, help the Governor's appointed commission in "drafting and reviewing the administrative rules that govern the state’s fire service relating to fire protection personnel, fire departments, and other firefighting organizations that are subject to regulation under the authority of the Commission".* Citizens of Highland Village, Texas congratulate you Chief Collier for your appointment.  Highland Village, Texas has consistently through the years been noted for the professional services of our Fire Department and Police Departmen... 02/09/2011

One of the interesting things about Highland Village is the large selection and price range of homes in this community.   There are sections known as "old Highland Village", "lakeside", Highland Shores, Castlewood, Briarhill, Chapel Springs to name a few.   The last six months of comps show sales ranging from the mid $150s to over $1 million.  With exemplary schools, low tax rate, excellent recreation activities, high-quality health care and affordable housing, Highland Village is a great place to call home. If you need a trusted real estate professional to guide you through the streets of Highland Village, don't hesitate to call, text or email me! 02/08/2011

Here are the latest market statistics for the wonderful subdivision of Castlewood in Highland Village, TX from August 7-2010 to present day. Many great opportunities to live in a vibrant and active neighborhood at great prices! There are two homes in the "Sold" section that are the least expensive per square foot.  Those homes back to the newly opened FM 2499 extension that is a four-lane 40 mph extending from Corinth north of Lewisville Lake to the DFW International Airport.   Data provided by the North Texas Real Estate Systems (NTREIS) website. 02/07/2011

Can you believe this weather?  I really feel for the Packers and Steelers fans who may have been looking forward to some Southern hospitality in the rays of sunshine and warmth.  It is colder in Dallas than Alaska!  Who would have known?! I do also feel sorry for us poor saps who were walking and doing yard work a week ago in 74 degrees.  What a difference a few days makes!  I am glad that I ended up going to the store and loading up on basic provisions but the rationing did start yesterday on things like fresh fruit. While having four days stuck inside has been a drag, there are also worse things that could have happened.  So, in light of the crummy weather and having to figure out things to do with the kids, here is my Top 10 list of positive things that happened since Tuesday. The 10... 02/04/2011

I can't complain about cabinet or drawer space in my kitchen.  We have enough and I really doubt I could live without my junk drawer, or should I say drawers.   Everyone has a "dirty little secret".  I remember the first time my husband and I hosted Thanksgiving with family.  We needed to make room for the larger table and when the dads moved the couch, what did they find?  Oops! http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wollmaus.jpg I really think we need to rename our junk drawer to something less offensive.  That drawer serves a purpose.  It has feelings too.  When my husband asks where the stamps are, I reply "In the junk drawer in the island".  Yes, I have to differentiate between our two junk drawers.  There are actually many useful tools and gadgets in my "drawer of all trades".  He... 01/31/2011

I was so happy to see this, as we owe so much to our military, past and present. Highland Village, TX city council approved a policy on who and how Veterans of Highland Village, TX will be recognized on the Veterans Memorial. Those who will be recognized: "a) Veterans who gave his/her life in the line of duty while serving in the military and was or had been a Highland Village resident; b) Veterans who gave his/her life in the line of duty while serving in the military and have family who are currently Highland Village residents; c) Retired military Veterans who were Highland Village residents at the time of their death."     source: Star Local News Lewisville Leader 01/29/2011

Governer Rick Perry (TX) nominates a Highland Village, Texas attorney, Jonathan Bailey, to be Judge of the 431st Judicial District Court in Denton County.  Perry's office sent a press release noting that Bailey is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Denton County Bar Association, and Texas and Denton County Criminal Defense Lawyer associations. Highland Village is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States, a suburb of Dallas hugging the south side of the far western branch of Lewisville Lake. As of the 2000 census the city population was 12,173, though the 2006 projection by the U.S. Census Bureauputs the city's population at 15,738. A number of residential communities are located within Highland Village, including Highland Shores and Castlewood. (re: Wikipedia) A great city to... 01/25/2011

Start sending out the engraved announcements!  A new baby has arrived in Highland Village.   A welcome sight after a few months of inconsiderate drivers not taking their turn correctly at the intersection and a few people flat-out running the stop signs.   The road officially opened over Lewisville Lake on October 30, 2010 so only two and a half months to get the signal up. Pretty fast!  Drive safe everyone! 01/14/2011

Pepsi or Coke.  Ford or Chevy.  Chocolate or Vanilla.  Mac or PC.  Some of the age-old questions consumers are faced with.  What to do in a world with so many choices!?   When the time came for me to purchase a new computer last year, my husband suggested I consider a Mac.  I used a Mac in college and then for a few years in the work force but it had been a while.  I remember liking the simplicity of the computer and after a little bit of research decided to take the plunge into the world of Apple.  Now that I think about it, our first family computer was the old Apple IIe with it's green letters on the screen and the 3.5 inch floppies like this bad boy: Besides all of the movie-making capabilities for listings, lack of opportunity for virus infection and the amazing battery life, my Pa... 01/11/2011

It's no secret that Texas has seen a great population boom in the past decade and the numbers speak to that.   Here's how a few local cities in Denton County stacked up. CITY 2000 POPULATION 2008 POPULATION % CHANGE Corinth 11,325 20,773 83.4 Denton 80,537 119,454 48.3 Flower Mound 50,702 69,307 36.7 Highland Village 12,173 16,737 37.5 Lewisville 77,737 101,624 30.7 Information courtesy of the Texas A&M Real Estate Center There's definitely a reason we've seen so much growth.  Exemplary schools, local recreation, shopping, low taxes, excellent health care opportunities, job availability and overall, a high quality of life.  If you are considering a move to North Texas, many cities in Denton County are a fantastic choice.  Call or email me with any questions about the area or your real e... 01/10/2011

I have been a subscriber to a local family newsletter for over a year now and I can't say enough good things about the Family eGuide! This is a weekly newsletter that lands at my inbox every Wednesday.  In the 15-20 page online newsletter, you will find fantastic events for kids and families and almost all of them are FREE!  The areas covered are Highland Village, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Coppell, Grapevine and Carrollton.   Hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 01/07/2011

  I think the gym is a great indication of how long it takes the average person to strike out with their New Year's Resolution. Three weeks.  I don't go to a gym anymore but when I did, I hated January.  You would see these people who had no clue how to stay on a treadmill, use common courtesy like wipe down the equipment (yuck!) but certainly looked good in their new Nike top-of-the-line shoes...because we all know it's gotta be the shoes! I figured that one of the morning show programs would have chronicled the lives of half a dozen people as they set, attempted, and ultimately failed at their New Year's Resolutions.  Hey, I'm just being honest! So, here it is!  My list of New Year's Resolutions I KNOW I can keep.  Feel free to add yours to the list! My husband always takes me out to... 01/05/2011

I bet most people don't think of contacting their real estate agents for questions outside of the need to buy or sell and the occasional referral. I think there are many important reasons clients should contact their real estate agent and I do my best to remind them that I am more than just someone you can trust during your sale or purchase.  Here are some reasons you may need to contact me after closing: 1.  Your plumbing is backed up and your home warranty is no longer in place.  You are going to finally take out that orange formica in the kitchen and replace it with granite.  I have a great database of professionals that have provided me or my clients with excellent service.  Instead of calling a national company that is going to charge you a potentially unfair price for service, giv... 01/02/2011

This came via email from the Highland Village Police Department.  If you have information, see the contact information at the end of the post. Do you recognize this person or vehicle?"The person in these photos is wanted for questioning in the burglary of a Shops at Highland Village business on the evening of Thursday, December 23rd between the hours of 10:30pm and 11:30pm.SubjectWhite male, 40-45 years old and approximately 5'10" to 6'0" tall weighing 210 - 230 pounds, greyish brown hair short on the sides and back and parted on the right. Subject was wearing light colored blue jeans with tennis style shoes, blue ballcap, and a blue (golf style) pullover windbreaker. Subject appeared to have covered his face with a white "Gaiter" while committing the offense and traveling to and from h... 12/29/2010

As I was driving through the city of Highland Village, Texas, I started thinking how much I love the area that I live and work in.  It's easy to be thankful for all we have this time of year but when there are so many daily reminders, I started thinking about all the reasons I love where I live! 1.  It's hard not to find Santa at every turn, at every event and causing kids to be panicked and frantic just at the mention of his name.  We have seen Santa six times and it hasn't gotten any easier for my 16 month old (pictured here).  This was a morning with Santa at the local paint-your-own-pottery store, Color Me Mine.  Each kid painted a mug or plate complete with story time with Santa. 2.  After a few years off, the city fire department started back with their tradition of Santa riding ... 12/23/2010

Highland Village, TX We specialize in locating BARGAIN homes and will fight for our buyers to get the lowest prices possible. Here you will find the lowest priced homes on the market including bank owned homes, foreclosures, HUD homes, REOs, short sales, and more. Many agents just want to work a deal for you (or for them), but I like to be in your corner to get you the absolute lowest price possible. We're always looking out for your best interests when buying a home by recommending not only the lowest cost service providers, but also the ones that offer the best value. Most agents I meet don't like to work foreclosure and short sale properties due to the extra work involved and often at a reduced commission for them. We work to get you the the best properties at the lowest price and wa... 11/21/2010

I was out showing homes yesterday in the wet and dreary weather and walked into a toasty warm model home to grab a key.  I was greeted by an assistant when I asked for the key to a particular home.  The other sales person who was with a client jumped up out of her seat and rushed over to me and said "Are you a REALTOR?"  I told her I was and then she mouthed and in an ever-so-slight whisper said "There's a 2% bonus on that house!!"  I already knew that since it was on the MLS printout but I was curious what she wanted my response to be.  Cartwheels, tongue wagging, shock and surprise?   Bonuses to me are silly.  While extra money for doing the same amount of work is fantastic, I would never specifically point my clients in the direction of a home that would not work for them.  I once ha... 10/24/2010

You mess with the deer, you get the antlers! When I moved to Texas in 2001, one of my first purchases was a red Texas Rangers baseball cap.  It has been nine LONG years of watching crappy baseball to get to six outs away to a WORLD SERIES!!!  Who would have known!? I was talking with a neighbor a few weeks ago before the Rangers took on Tampa Bay.  I asked her if she was going to watch the game and she replied "I don't know.  I was on the bandwagon a few years ago when the Mavericks went all the way to the Finals and then lost.  I was so disappointed." It got me thinking about how to manage the ups and downs of real estate.  When friends or family ask how business is going, at any given time my responses might be "Swamped...Slow...Great". I learned early on that you can't get too excite... 10/22/2010

It's that time again! I don't know about you, but when I set out to find something specific at a garage sale, I find things that I just can't live without! Saturday, October 16 at Castlewood in Highland Village is the semi-annual community garage sale.  Participating families are encouraged to place balloons out on their mailbox.  Sale starts at 8 am.  Rise and shine everyone!! 10/15/2010