Southlake Real Estate Blog

According to Forbes, the Dallas Texas Area Real Estate is seeing an end to the nation-wide economic recession. Though jobs through out the country have been lost over the last three years, the Southlake and Colleyville areas right outside of Dallas/Fort Worth have held strong, and are now even showing signs of improvement.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area Real Estate Market

Between December 2007 and December 2009, jobs in the Dallas area rose .98% more than any other major city-and job numbers are projected to jump another 7.19% in the next three. Overall, the trend in job growth shines strongly for a predicted stronger real estate economy, as well.

Beyond the Southlake and Colleyville, TX Market Stats

Forbes picked the Dallas area-which includes Southlake and Colleyville-as well as the Austin, San Antonia and Houston areas that are faring well and turning around with strong economies.

The oil state also is faring well because of its energy, technology, government and education industries, which in turn supports a strong, steady and growing housing economy.

Learn More About Southlake and Colleyville TX Homes For Sale

Relocating to the Southlake Texas area is a wonderful choice right now, as home prices have held steady and home equity has not plummeted like in other cities around the country and investing in Colleyville TX real estate is almost certain to hold strong value. Would you like to learn more? Feel free to contact me, Sharon Hodnett, your Southlake and Colleyville TX real estate expert, or request my Southlake Real Estate Buying Guide to learn tips and advice for making your home buying process smooth and easy.

Until next time,
Sharon

I was very excited to open my mail this morning and see a letter from Century 21 Real Estate-I had known that my Southlake Real Estate Team had preformed very well this year; however, until I opened the official letter I didn’t realize quite how well we had done.

Not only were we the #1  real estate team for January 2010, with sales over $1.0 Million and listing over $8.2 Million,  we are also up 92.87% from this time last year.

All of the Southlake Real Estate Agents are extremely proud and happy all of our hard work this past year has paid off for our Southlake home sellers, as well as all of the wonderful Southlake home buyers we work for.  We are all blessed to have such wonderful clients.

Southlake Texas Real Estate

Are you looking for a Southlake Texas real estate agent? Why trust the Southlake TX home buying or selling  Southlake Texas real estate to just anyone-especially in such a slow market?

Team Hodnett Southlake real estate is currently ranked as the number one Team in a two state region for the Century 21 System. We have been recognized by Texas Monthly as one of the “Super Agents”,  named “FIVE STAR REALTOR – “BEST IN CLIENT SATISFACTION” per the Fort Worth Business Press and have an eight member team of Certified Relocation Specialists and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists.

Ready to search Southlake Texas homes for sale? Only trust the experts; let Team Hodnett take care of you and all your real estate needs.

Until next time,

Sharon

I recently had the pleasure of speaking at the at the “Night Of Champions”, sponsored by C21, as part of Diwali, the 5 day New Year’s celebration for Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Diwali is also known as “The Festival of Lights” because part of the celebration involves lighting small clay lamps with oil to signify good over evil within an individual. The celebration is quite breathtaking and I was honored to be a part of it.

So you may be asking, why is a Southlake Real Estate Agent speaking at a New Year’s celebration? Another big part of Diwali is the start of the financial year, and celebrating business offers business owners good luck in the following year.

What gems of wisdom can Team Hodnett Southlake and Colleyville  real estate offer? Since I have been licensed for 20 years, a Hud agent for 5 years, raised 5 children and enjoy 5 grandchildren, I offered a bit of advice to anyone wanting to become a Southlake, TX REALTOR by touching on topics many starting out in the Southlake and Colleyville real estate market may not realize:

• You will need constant education to stay on top of the game and actually make money. Just like Tiger Woods has a coach even now that he is a pro player, an expert Colleyville real estate agent needs to constantly study his or her chosen market.

• Stay positive. There will always be ups and downs in the market. Don’t stress if the market is doing badly; just do your best, stay on top of your game; and provide outstanding customer service-the clients will come.

• You have to spend money to make money. I know it sounds cliche, but it is true. Take people to lunch, net work, reward referrals immediately, do newsletters, use your database, and make yourself stand out as a trust worthy  professional Southlake Buyers and Sellers real estate agent.

• Take a look at some of the real estate agents you admire or would like to mimic. Many years ago I took a look at what the top REALTORS were doing and tried to see what the common denominator was. I quickly realized that all the big agents had builders and did build jobs, so I quickly worked towards teaming with a Colleyville real estate builder. Sales shot through the roof after I was able to land my first production builder account.

• WORK, WORK, WORK. Though I have been a Colleyville and Southlake REALTOR for 20 years and Team Hodnett real estate is doing very well in our not so great economy, I still work 12 hour days, with only Sundays off. Why? Because that is what it takes to be the best.

To find business success in Selling Colleyville property, you must constantly study, analyze, and market Colleyville homes for sale. I must put in the leg work and the time, but it all pays off because when a Southlake home buyer or Colleyville property seller comes to Team Hodnett, there is no question I can’t answer, and no situation I can’t handle for them. That is the key to superior customer service in Colleyville real estate; let your clients enjoy the ride while you take care of everything else.

I was so honored to take a part of the Diwali celebration and to share my business advice with everyone there. It was truly a very special and fun night. Should you find you have questions about Southlake  home buying, Southlake and Colleyville relocation, or want to browse the Southlake and Colleyville MLS home search, feel free to contact me, Sharon Hodnett, your Southlake and Colleyville expert REALTOR.

Until next time,
Sharon

Serving the needs of our Southlake and Colleyville clients is indeed a tremendous honor. Team Hodnett is firmly committed to delivering the absolute best Southlake real estate experience in our area. When you succeed, we succeed and apparently that success has been noticed by our peers in the greater Metroplex area. Team Hodnett has been selected to participate in a Metroplex real estate power panel event scheduled for November 20th at the Colleyville Convention Center on 5301 Riverwalk Drive in Colleyville. We are so excited to take part in this event along with many of our outstanding peers who have been fortunate enough to experience similar success in 2008. This special power panel event is sponsored by Metroplex real estate stalwarts and they include:

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Custom Built Southlake and Keller Luxury Homes on Parade

Mark your calendars for the Passport To Luxury Home Tour which will be held on January 26th & 27th from Noon to 3pm. Brought to you by Garabedian Properties, Team Hodnett is acting as host for several of the finest luxury estate homes in Tarrant County. Friends, families and guest are invited to attend this spectacular tour. Garabedian Properties will have representatives at each of their homes to answer your  questions and offer you a personal tour of these exquisite homes. Garabedian is opening up all of their luxury homes to debut their new styles, floor plans and custom crafted features.

Don’t Forget Your Passport!

Be sure to download your Passport right here or you can pick up a Passport on the Tour. The download provides a map and details of the tour.  As you visit each Garbedian luxury home don’t forget to have your Passport validated by a Team Hodnett agent or on of the Garabedian tour representatives.  Once you have received all 5 validations, turn your completed Passport to one the Garabedian representatives. Please pay close attention to all rules, conditions and deadlines for an opportunity to win one of two outstanding prizes.

Passport To Luxury Home Tour Prizes

Prizes consist of a Hannah Montana 3-D Concert Movie Package (tickets and prizes) Or a Nintendo Wii consol and game pack. Winners will be announced during the Radio Disney Party which will be held Sunday, January 27th from 2 to 4pm on Sunday the 27th at one of our designated homes.  Check your Passport for complete details on the drawing location.

Contact any member of Team Hodnett or call at Southlake office if you have questions or require additional information. I encourage you to be the first to comment and let me know your thoughts on the direction of the Southlake luxury real estate market.

Until my next post,

Sharon

Now more than ever the wealthy are increasingly becoming citizens of the world. Driven by a weaker US dollar, more wealthy foreign home buyers will continue to view U.S. real estate as the ultimate bargain. The common elements these international buyers seek are areas which offer attractive lifestyles and sound real estate investment opportunities. At the same time, more wealthy Americans will entertain a second home or possibly a retirement home purchase abroad. Many of the “super-rich” seek tax shelters in locations which will increase real estate purchases at the über level.

Key points:

• Major US markets like the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex offer a growing opportunity and interest from the international home buying segment due its market resilience.
• More wealthy American home buyers are seeking to make an overseas real estate purchase for 1. obvious tax reasons and 2. a lifestyle change and chance for more privacy.
• Those with the have-yachts desire to distance themselves from the have-nots. There is a growing disparity between the super-wealthy and those with less income producing power will cause some of the super-rich live a life “under the radar.”
• Greater exclusivity is the name of the game. This means remote exotic international locations primarily serviced by private air strips, deep-water yacht clubs and heliports are growing in popularity. Hot international locales might include Costa Rica, Baja Mexico and other warm water climates possessing solid real estate investment opportunities.
• Many wealthy international and American real estate buyers are careful to buy “green” meaning they are eco-sensitive home buyers. The green wealthy buyers are looking for properties built with Eco-friendly systems that incorporate energy-efficient HVAC systems, building materials made from recycled products and many other earth-friendly products that reduce a “carbor footprint.”

Coming Soon to the Southlake Real Estate Blog?

In the future expect to read about the “Passport To Luxury Home Tour” presented in cooperation with Garabedian Properties. If you have a topical request for the Southlake Real Estate blog, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you would like to read about.

I encourage you to be the first to comment and let me know your thoughts on the direction of the Southlake luxury real estate market.

Until my next post,

Sharon

Look For Improvement in the Southlake Real Estate Market in 08

While the overall confidence and vitality of the national housing market remains less than stellar, the Southlake and Colleyville luxury housing market should continue to rebound in 2008. Because luxury buyers are typically insulated from the economic pressures associated with lower housing price points, I predict better than average demand should return to the Tarrant County luxury housing market in mid to late 2008. We can thank the wealthy for their ability to continue to grow their fortunes in spite of less than ideal national economic circumstances.

Dodging the “R” Word

Mind you, all it takes is the prolonged use of the “R” word (recession) by the media or the unthinkable (a terrorist event) and the US economy will be quickly impacted by these events. Short of these serious events, expect our local luxury home market to “turn the corner” in 2008. There will be some softening at the entry levels of the luxury market as many “wannabe affluent” attempt to reach for luxury homes that they really couldn’t afford to purchase. Knowledgeable Southlake luxury home buyers empowered with information and partnered with an expert Tarrant County luxury real estate agent should have no problem locating the home of their dreams.

Dallas Luxury Real Estate Makes the Forbes “Blue-Chip” List

Forbes.com recent release of their “Blue-Chip” US Neighborhoods only confirms what has been a known fact all along – prestigious real estate is a sound investment. These luxury communities were identified by Forbes as the top performing real estate investment communities in the nation:

• Pacific Palisades on the Westside of LA
• Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive area
• Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue And 70th Street
• University Park in Dallas
• Philadelphia’s Walnut Street And Third Street
• Houston’s West University Place
• Atlanta’s Ponce De Leon Avenue And Oakdale Road area
• Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek Parkway And Massachusetts Avenue area
• Phoenix’s Village On The Lakes And Taliverde area
• Miami’s Brickell Avenue And 13th Street area
• San Francisco’s El Camino Del Mar And Lake Street

Real Estate is Bought and Sold on a Local Level!

While the Tarrant County luxury real estate market was not identified by Forbes, many of the same local economic dynamics that impact our local Southlake luxury market also affects the University Park area in Dallas. When evaluating real estate news “sound-bites” about the US real estate market, remember – real estate is bought and sold on a local level and each market is different. I recommend you analyze your market to know where the “hot” opportunities are located and remember – we are here to lend our expertise. Yes – foreclosures are occurring and the best opportunities for real estate investors exist at the opposite ends of the spectrum—luxury and foreclosure properties.

Future Post – What’s Coming to the Southlake Real Estate Blog?

Expect to read about how the wealthy approach buying and selling real estate from an “international” perspective, the impact of “Buying Green” in real estate and finally the desire for the wealthy to live a more private life. If you have a request for a topic for this blog, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you would like to read about.

Be the first comment and let me know your thoughts on our Tarrant County real estate market and where you think it is headed for 2008.

Until my next post,

Sharon

Below are the final five sought-after amenities and features for Southlake and Colleyville Luxury Home Buyers

• Your Personal Spa Retreat and Gym – No longer just a remote room filled with a treadmill, bright lights and mirrors on one wall, today’s well-appointed luxury home gyms and spas are far more sophisticated. No doubt these spa-like amenities have undergone an extreme makeover. The luxury homeowner now demands their home epitomize a complete health and wellness center. Resort-style amenities include steam and message rooms along with rooms dedicated for a Yoga and/or Pilates studio. Gone are outdated hot tubs for static relaxation. Active luxury homeowners demand indoor lap pools and half court basketball gyms to remain physically fit.

• Concierge services – No longer restricted to condo-hotels and condominium owners, concierge services are a reality for today’s luxury homeowner. Builders and developers are aligning their resources to incorporate the growing demand for onsite concierge services. From providing in-home chefs to booking dinner reservations, concierge services offer the luxury homeowner time saving services like picking up your dry cleaning or purchasing opera tickets.

• Home Theaters – A home theater or media room remains a fixture for must-have luxury home amenities. However, today’s home theater far surpasses those of the most sophisticated local public theater. Equipped with theater-size screens, these light-controlled venues typically offer 6.1 digital surround sound, Crestron A/V Controls along with the latest high-tech gadgets to entertain. Stocked with plush reclining seats and easy to access fully-stocked refreshment centers, today’s media room can easily accommodate larger groups of family and friends.

• Home elevators – Accessibility to all areas of your luxury is a must. Particularly if the residents are more mature. Plus – as lot sizes in our area diminish, the need for vertical construction will be a priority. Luxury homes equipped with elevators are becoming a matter of convenience as well as necessity for the typical Southlake or Colleyville luxury home buyer.

• Outdoor Living Spaces – Another must have feature for luxury homes is outdoor living spaces decked with all manner of amenities. Offering luxury buyers comfortable amenities like a fireplace, ceiling fans, wired surround sound, flat panel TV and built in appliances such as gas grill and refrigerator are the norm in our area.

Do You have a Favorite Luxury Amenity Omitted from my List?

If so, tell me your favorite luxury home feature or amenity.

Until my next post,

Sharon

From posh in-home spas to 5-star rated gourmet kitchens, today’s Southlake and Colleyville luxury home buyers are searching for all the creature comforts normally associated with a luxurious five diamond hotel. Now add these amenities normally found inside a luxury home and place them outside in outdoor living spaces and you have the total package. Other conveniences and features like in-home elevators, ultra-comfortable home theaters and a pristine multi-car garage and you’re closer to the amenities a luxury home buyer desires in their abode.

The Top Ten Must-have Amenities and Features for the Discerning Southlake Luxury Home Buyer

Sharon’s list of favorite luxury home amenities includes:

• Hobby spaces – With more free-time for hobbies, today’s more mature Southlake luxury buyers are quickly approaching their retirement years. Having convenient access to multiple specialty rooms to accommodate each spouses’ hobby is a must. These rooms should be outfitted with the tools and space required for today’s active mature luxury homeowner. From rooms dedicated to stamp and coin collecting to scrap booking and woodworking, these rooms should be secure, organized and tailored to provide an outlet for the creative needs of the luxury homeowner.

• High-tech homes – Today’s Southlake luxury home buyer seeks every available technology “bell and whistle” including pre-wired security systems and remote wireless access to control audio, video and lighting. Other high-tech features include multiple settings for entertainment as well as commercial-grade, high-speed 24/7 Internet connectivity. Given our chance for an occasional ice storm, pre-wired backup generators are in high demand as well.

• Pampered autos – Today’s successful Colleyville or Southlake corporate executive and luxury home buyer typically has a stable of collector autos in tow. For the most avid of car connoisseurs, especially those living on confined lots, having the amenities needed to maintain and detail a fleet of expensive cars can be a challenge. Preferred amenities include indoor lifts, bays devoted to an indoor car wash along with storage for onsite maintenance are no longer extravagant to the luxury homeowner. No doubt, these luxury home buyers spare no expense for their collection of priceless vehicles.

• Ultra-gourmet kitchens – Professional-grade kitchens are another must-have feature. Luxury buyers desire their kitchen to be loaded with commercial quality walk-in refrigerators, multiple dishwashers and stoves one would expect to find in a five-star restaurant. What with the growing popularity of home entertaining, these appliances are no longer options but are the norm for in-home chefs and even the novice gourmet cook in the family.

• Wine cellars and tasting rooms – Many of today’s Southlake luxury home buyers are also connoisseurs of fine wines. The vast majority of Southlake luxury homes come equipped with a climate-controlled wine cellar. Adjacent tasting rooms equipped with sinks and buckets for wine sampling are also in high demand as well.

Do You Have a Must-have Luxury Home Amenity?

If so, what is your favorite luxury amenity or feature? How would you rank my list in the order of preference? I look forward to your response!

Stay tuned for the final 5 must-have amenities for Southlake and Colleyville luxury home buyers in my next post,

Sharon