A FAll Evening in Fort Worth

I brag about Fort Worth and it's offerings almost daily in this blog.  It seems that each time I get out and experience Fort Worth and it's offerings, I am more in awe of my city. 

Our museums in Fort Worth are some of the best in the country...probably in the world.  We are privileged to have people at the Amon Carter Museum who put together wonderfully unique shows that are not only fabulous art, but also offer a wealth of information about our country, it's history; the now and the past.

The new photography show that opens at the Amon Carter today is rich in reminders of the heritage of our country.  The journey through the industrial revolution and a look back in the days of the difficult times of  1930-1947 bring back memories of times that some experienced and others remember hearing their parent and grandparents describe.  The images are beautiful black and white, or sepia toned and each offers drama and evokes a mood, a feeling, or a memory.  If you have and opportunity....go and see it.  Better yet, make the time.  I will be returning again.

October 2, 2010–January 2, 2011

American Modern: Abbott, Evans, Bourke-White

This special exhibition showcases the work of three of America’s most beloved photographers—Berenice Abbott, Margaret Bourke-White, and Walker Evans—and offers new insight into the flourishing genre of documentary photography during the 1930s.

The Amon Carter is always no charge for it's shows.

After the wonderful art time, a friend and I took advantage of the great Fall temperatures and decided that we would like to dine outdoors...........and what luck we had..........
A popular spot in the Museum Place/So 7th area, Patrizio, had a great table out on the patio and we were able to take advantage of the views of people strolling by and people going into other shops and restaurants.  We commented that Fort Worth has everything that our larger, sister city of Dallas, has, but we do not have the noise, and we don't have to wait hours to get a great table on a Saturday night.

After dinner, we strolled the area and peered into the colorful windows at the trendy merchandise that so speaks of Fort Worth.  The area was still full of people having Gelatos, drinks, dining, and enjoying their condo balconies as we ended a great evening ............Ah...Fort Worth, a really GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK!

Wow....Did Fort Worth Have Rain.........So what did you do on Saturday?

On Friday, I drove through the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens and jumped out of the care for a few shot of one of my favorite Fort Worth parks.

I got this shot of the main rose garden with the fountain below.  I took it from the beautiful structure that was built by the WPA in the 1930s....You can see the old sign in my next photo. If you enlarge the photo, you can read about the project that has so benefited Fort Worth's Botanic Gardens. 

Wonder if there are any current so called Stimulus projects that will be this nice in the future.

And then on Saturday morning........the Heavens opened and Fort Worth had another really big rain...........The Will Rogers Complex was in the clouds and it's automatic lights were on at 9:30 AM....when my grandson and I were driving by....so I snapped this next photo.

How eery it looked at that time of the morning.

The rain continued to come down until well afternoon.....when everyone was inside watching the marathon of football games.  I drove back to the gardens later in the day........and this was the result.

Water droplets on the plants...

reminding me that things are all so clean after a rain.  Nature has a way of cleaning up things.........

For any information about a Fort Worth neighborhood, buying or selling homes, please contact me at your convenience.  http://www.diannearnette.com/

DiAnne Arnette Blogs Real Estate Tarrant County: What a Difference a Day Makes...........So how abo...

DiAnne Arnette Blogs Real Estate Tarrant County: What a Difference a Day Makes...........So how abo...: "We know that if we wait, something will happen eventually. However, if we actually do something, something may happen a lot quicker! So wh..."

What a Difference a Day Makes...........So how about a Year?

We know that if we wait, something will happen eventually.  However, if we actually do something, something may happen a lot quicker!  So why be in a hurry to buy a home right now?  Well....if you do nothing things Will Change....but they may not change the way you think

Remember the first time home buyer tax savings? It went away April 30, 2010.....and has not come back!
These photos of the Will Rogers Complex show just how fast things can change!

Two days ago, we had a sunny balmy day....and today .........
the rain has been pouring since early morning.



Keller Williams has a large research department that stays up to date on the latest real estate economic trends. 

Will Rogers Complex Sept. 25 morning





We know that we cannot control the National Economic trends, but we as individuals can chart our own trends and reach our goals.  The fact remains that home ownership is still a sound decision. And it is a fact that prices and interests rates are still at an all time low...
These are points to consider

At a Glance:

Why NOW is the Prime Time to Buy!

Near Schools, Near Shopping....priced less than 2 years ago!

Home affordability is at an all-time high. The                              
median mortgage payment on the median priced

home as a percentage of the median household

income is lower than it’s been in a generation.


Mortgage rates are at rock bottom. It’s hard to

imagine interest rates going much lower, and

when they start to inch back upwards, monthly

payments and total loan costs will spike upwards.


Home prices are back on the rise. After declining

for 30 months, home prices are trending back

This home is priced below its tax value!
Seller is willing to negotiate!

upward. The time get in to the market is NOW!         


Sellers are motivated. This means that buyers

have the upper hand! From banks looking to

dispose of foreclosed properties to homeowners

who are fiercely competing among an excess of

housing inventory, buyers have untold choices and

negotiating power.


Financing is readily available! Banks are back

in the game and ready to lend to well-qualified

buyers.


Owning vs. renting is increasingly favorable.

Since 2009, the average principal and interest

payment has fallen below the average rental rates,

and the gap is now wider than it’s been in the past

22 years.


Home ownership is still at the core of the

American Dream! Owning a home is critical

to financial stability and wealth building. It’s

a forced savings account, a place to live and a

fabulous tax deduction.

For First time buyers...........if you have a stable job and are still renting.  Take a step toward investigating the costs and the benefits of home ownership. If you have owned before and want to move to a larger home, we may be able to get you that move..........Talk about it with a REALTOR.
If you are in trouble with your mortgage, or being forced to consider leaving your home........DON'T DO THIS until you call me and we discuss your problem.  There is a lot of help that I can offer.

Fort Worth is Great ...September is Cooling...Finally!

Beautiful Minnie at Fort Woof

Fort Worth is great in September! We can see evidence of Fall beginning to come and the dogs are enjoying the great, best in the country dog park, Fort Woof, on these cooler afternoons.

Today, in my real estate outings, I could not help but marvel at how the clouds are changing as Fall approaches on this FIRST DAY OF FALL!

Will Rogers Complex...look at these clouds welcoming Fall
I took this photo when on my way home at 5:00 PM!

I saw neighborhoods as more beautiful, fall colors in the yards, and the grass looking a little greener with the cooler high eighty degree days rather than all 90 and above!

I meandered my way home through the Arts district and stopped to take this photo of the Will Rogers complex because the clouds were so distinctive.  Rain was in the distant forecast, but the clouds were enough for me!

Real Estate seems to have a little boost this week. I have a previous client who is purchasing in the Eagle Mountain Lake area, and we have looked at homes this week and hope to make a decision by the weekend.  The compliment of past clients who are repeating clients makes me so happy!  I try to make each and every client feel important, and they truly are important to me.  These clients left Fort Worth and are returning............home!  Fort Worth, that's home for them.

Fort more information about Fort Worth neighborhoods, please contact me at anytime.

DiAnne Arnette Blogs Real Estate Tarrant County: Fort Worth is Great ...September is Cooling...Fina...

DiAnne Arnette Blogs Real Estate Tarrant County: Fort Worth is Great ...September is Cooling...Fina...: "Beautiful Minnie at Fort Woof Fort Worth is great in September! We can see evidence of Fall beginning to come and the dogs are enjoying th..."

Fort Worth Downtown, Always Active and Interesting!



Downtown Fort Worth from The Tower Outdoor Patio

Downtown Fort Worth is a weekend destination that always has something new and exciting to see and participate in. This past weekend, there was a Festival-like atmosphere with antique cars, music and free Prostate Screenings for me.  They were very creative in combining the antique car show with a vital men's health issue, and the turn out was great. 

It seems that almost every weekend, during the day and early evening you will hear music and see lots of people milling around. Parking is easy and there are restaurants for every taste. With so many Historical buildings and just plain interesting views, the area is always teaming with photographers.

I was listing a condo in The Tower (1 bedroom, 2 living, great view on the 20th floor) and with the activity that I could see below, it just made me realize again, what a great place Fort Worth is and how lucky we are to live here.


                                             

Entry into #2006 condo

500 Throckmorton is the premier condo complex. The best location and most luxurious of all of the downtown complexes.  The location can't be topped, and the 24 hour security and staff are friendly and curteous.  It is a great place to live no matter what your age.  The unit that I listed has 2 covered parking spots which is a valuable asset! 

The price is great..........much more affordable than you might think...

So, if you or someone you know may be thinking of a new lifestyle, this might be one to consider.

I will be happy to schedule a showing anytime...DiAnne Arnette 817 925-6540

Fitness Center





Tarrant County Texas Foundation Issues or Not.....information for the buyer and seller

Have you ever been in a home that seemed to have a slight slope in a floor?  Maybe you can't see it, but you feel it...........This is a little information that may help you when you own or may be looking to purchase a home.

Here in Tarrant County, we live with soils that expand and contract with the seasons.  The soil conditions change with the amount of moisture or lack of moisture in a given season.  Most experts recommend that owners keep a level amount of moisture around their foundations if possible.

So....what if your home or the home you are considering to purchase has this "tell-tale" sign of a slight slope?
First, it is a LAW that a seller disclose any reports that they have concerning a problem such as this.  There is a space on the Texas Seller's Disclosure that gives the seller the opportunity to note such problems.  Second, I always recommend, in fact, insist that my sellers get a new foundation report and offer it up front so that a buyer can see what an expert says about the situation.

Having a new report shows that the seller is aware of a 3rd party opinion, the buyer can see it, and then everyone is working with the same current information.  A buyer can always hire their own structural engineer to assess and report their findings.  If the buyer has sufficient interest in the home, they may want to negotitate for repairs, or they may want to have their own repairs made after their purchase.  The main thing to note is that in older pier and beam homes, the sloping is usually easily improved, if not totally correctable.  In a slab foundation, the issue is a bit more tricky....and I normally DO recommend an engineers report.

Vintage homes have normal sloping very often.............when a home has been there for 50+ years....even with a slight slope ....most likely it is not going to do a lot more shifting.  It is up the buyer and seller to negotiate how they will handle it...if anything is done at all.

This is information for you, and your friends if you ever need it.  Fort more information, please give me a call or contact me anytime.

DiAnne Arnette, Keller Williams Realty, Fort Worth
817 920-7700

dianne@diannearnette.com

END OF SUMMER AND THE REAL ESTATE IS BLAZING!

Here in Fort Worth at my Keller Williams office, we are all amazed at the calls that we are getting this week!  People who just noticed a new listing in Fort Worth, or folks who want to lease a home near a certain school.  ....Just as sure as the school calendar, when the tides turn to the beginning of school, people decide they need to move.........to or from the area!

Coincidentally, the end of Summer marks the time when motivated Sellers will be sure to consider a negotiated sales price, rather than the prospect of still having their home on the market in November!

My advise to BUYERS:  Get busy..........look, and make offers.  Your agent should be advising you on market values that are current.  Those values are your map to an offer.  MY advise to SELLERS:  Encourage your showings.  Don't be picky about the time notice of your appointment.........remember, unless they see it, they are not going to buy it!  When an offer comes in expect it to be low..........BUT just negotiate.  It is not a price or a deal until everyone has agreed.    If you do not have an offer within 10 showings, you need to step back and revisit the price of your home!  What is your exterior saying about your home........check the front door.  When you open the door, does it look inviting......lights on, ....as in the stage.....lights, camera, action!

We want the action on your home to result in an offer.  So get busy, and get aggressive about your home and what it says to your potential buyer!

Remember if you have real estate questions for Fort Worth, Texas area (Keller, Colleyville, Southlake etc.)
give me a call..........I want to help!

What's Going on in Texas? We are Talking Real Estate in Tarrant County/Fort Worth

From where I sit in Fort Worth, Texas (Keller Williams), I am looking at stats and wondering how in the world does the normal consumer feel about what they are seeing and hearing about local real estate?

The phone calls stopped by 1/2 when the tax credit for first time buyers expired recently.  On top of that, the lenders have really tightened their belts and it is much more difficult to get financing for any buyer. I have spoken and worked with buyers over the last 4 weeks who say they can buy...say they have approval....then when the pen and paper of a loan application meet.......the story changes.  Certainly not for everyone, but I am simply saying that the rules have changed.  Who knows when they will loosen...........

Now for what I refer to as my favorite quote, which I use in my marketing often: "I seldom recognized an opportunity until it had ceased to exist"....Mark Twain  We are in a fabulous market for folks who really are financially healthy..........Prices are low (and may be going down further), Interest is almost nonexistent, and Sellers will, (I repeat, WILL) negotiate.  This is a true opportunity and the buyer who has a desire to move to bigger.....or different.....has available a huge inventory of choice.  My pride of being a good agent, is the fact that I ALWAYS represent my client........and I am not shy about negotiations.  Just like in love, until you ask, you don't know!  So if you love that home and wonder if you could get a good or great deal.......I tell you to take the risk....go for it!  Don't sit on the sidelines.........which brings me to another of my favorite subjects...
SPORTS...
..........oh I will save that for another blog........but .....take a look at the Sooners and their projections if you have a moment........my dog Minnie already has her gameday outfit....!

Please contact me if you want to know more about Fort Worth and Tarrant County real estate.  I love calls and love to try to answer your questions.........