Cody

It’s going to be a beautiful weekend and there’s no better place to start your Open House Search than the Ebby Open House Search page!  This weekend you’ll find almost 250 to choose from!  Happy touring!

Cody

It’s official.  The first time homebuyer tax credit has been extended - President Obama has now signed the bill into law! 

First time homebuyers are eligible for the $8,000 tax credit if they sign a contract by April 30 and close by June 30.  In addition, this new bill extends the credit beyond first time buyers.  Those who are buying a new home and have lived in their current home at least 5 years are eligible for up to a $6,500 tax credit.

To see all the fine print about eligibility, restrictions, etc, click here.

Learn more about today’s signing from CNN.com here.

Cody

Today, The House approved the measure to extend the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit by a 403-12 vote.  President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law tomorrow morning.

This legislation will extend the tax credit to contracts signed by April 30 and closed by June 30.  In addition, it also creates a $6,500 credit for those who buy a home after living in their current house for at least five years. 

You can learn more details at CNN.com here.  And find specifics on the extenstion and addition to the tax credit bill from the National Association of Realtors’ Government Affairs Division here.

Cody

Terri Wheeler, manager of the Ebby Halliday Southwest Dallas/Ellis Co. office along with her office staff, recently hosted an Associate appreciation breakfast in honor of their Third Quarter 2009 achievements. 

“Our office is comprised of some of the most talented and dedicated Realtors in our area who work tirelessly to provide their clients with the preeminent customer service the Ebby name is known for,” said Terri.  “This was just a small way for us to say ‘thank you’ to them for their dedication.”

 
To make the breakfast even more meaningful, Terri hosted the event at the Duncanville High School Culinary Arts Dining Room, with catering and service provided by the DHS Culinary Arts Department students, supervised by teacher Faye Blackmon.  Associates also enjoyed a presentation from Tammy Kuykendahll, director of public relations for Duncanville ISD.

 
“Ebby Halliday was founded on three points of service; service to the client, service to the industry and service to the community – and we kept the community aspect in mind when choosing a location for our breakfast,” added Terri.  “Our office has always been a big supporter of Duncanville I.S.D, and this was an excellent way for us to show our support for the students.  I also have to say that the food was outstanding, they do an incredible job!”

 
Associates also enjoyed brief presentations from several members of the Ebby Halliday corporate office including CFO, Ron Burgert, Vice President and Director of Sales Offices, Betty Misko, e-Resource Manager, Pamela Young as well as Ebby Halliday herself.

 
“We’re so proud of all of you for your efforts this past quarter,” said Ebby.  “It’s because of you that our company is ranked as the #1 independently owned residential real estate company in Texas and among the top ten companies nationwide.  We appreciate each and every one of you.”

Cody

The back page of yesterday’s Business Section of The Dallas Morning News was quite impressive.  It was filled with incredible homes listed by the Highland Park and Preston Center offices of Dave Perry-Miller & Associates.  They also announced some impressive statistics for the last six months. 

If you missed yesterday’s ad, you can see all the great homes (we loved how the glowing home at 6608 Forest Creek, pictured above, jumped off the page) here.

Cody

Dallas and shopping go hand-in-hand.  It’s the home of the iconic Neiman Marcus, America’s oldest shopping center, Highland Park Village, and the world-famous NorthPark Center was the very first covered shopping mall in the United States.  Dallas also boasts more shopping centers per capita than any other major U.S. city. 

So it’s no surprise that Dallasites have combined their love of shopping with something else near and dear to their hearts - philanthropy.

Now through November 8, you can exercise your Amex and benefit The Family Place, one of the favorite charities of The Ebby Halliday Companies.  To participate, simply purchase a Partners Card at a participating retailer for only $60 (100% of the $60 card purchase goes directly to support The Family Place programs and services for victims of domestic violence in our community).  The card is redeemable at more than 750 participating retailers and restaurants for a generous 20% discount.  It’s that simple.

And to help you understand what the purchase of the Partners Card can accomplish, check this out:

1 card provides an infant diapers for three weeks and one night of shelter for a woman and her child.

 

5 cards provide eight telephone crisis lines, 24/7 for four weeks and a two-month DART family bus pass so women and their children have transportation.

 

And 10 cards provide a family medical supplies and prescriptions for four months and emergency shelter, food and counseling for two children for one week.

If for some reason you’re still on the fence, be sure and check out the list of participating retailers - we’re talking everyone from The Container Store, Pottery Barn and J. Crew to Armani, Ferragamo, Gucci, Tod’s and Versace. 

See the complete list here (you can purchase a Partners Card at all stores in bold print). 

Let’s not forget that it’s almost time to start Christmas shopping.  Why not do it early and beat the crowds, enjoy 20% off and help women and children in need?  Does it get any better?

Happy shopping!

Cody

There’s no better place to start your weekend Open House Search than the Ebby Open House Search page!  This weekend you’ll find more than 200 to choose from!  Happy touring & Happy Halloween!

Cody

Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour on Sunday - everyone enjoy the extra hour of the weekend and have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Cody

We posted a few weeks ago that the first shipment of Ebby roses was ready for sale.  Then we posted about 15 minutes later that they had sold out!

Today, Jack Walter of Kimbrew-Walter Roses, Inc. in Grand Saline arrived at the Ebby Corporate office to personally deliver the first official shipment of the yellow Ebby rose.  You couldn’t miss him - besides driving a van filled with rose bushes, his personalized license plate read “ROSES-2″. 

For those of you who don’t know, here’s the full story of The Ebby Rose:

There are many ways to honor a person like Ebby Halliday, who has accomplished so much in her life. The more traditional ways are to present them with awards, have a city or state proclaim a day for them or organize an event in their honor. During 2005, the Company’s 60th anniversary year, Ebby experienced many honors like these. However, one honor she received was very different – and really stood out.

 

That year, Ebby was presented with the “Ebby” rose that was named in her honor. The rose is a striking, deep yellow rose that is as vibrant as the woman it is named after. Its color was chosen for her love of the color yellow. Ebby frequently wears yellow and has a passion for yellow roses. Also, a favorite song of Ebby and her late husband, Maurice Acers, was “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” and even today that song is often played when she is introduced at events.

 

The Ebby rose is recorded with the International Registry of Roses and several “first edition” rose bushes were planted at the Dallas Arboretum, which also was the location of the presentation ceremony.

 

The Ebby rose is a unique and beautiful honor for a woman who embodies those qualities every day, and it also now serves as a visual testament to her in the many North Texas communities in which it will be planted.

 

Our apologies to those that weren’t able to get a rose in this time - we’ll keep you posted on the next shipment!

Cody

Ebby Halliday founded her company on three points of service; service to the client, service to the industry and service to the community.  That’s why the Ebby’s Young Professionals group has teamed up with the North Texas Food Bank to help feed needy families in our local communities this holiday season. 

The NTFB has reported that donations are down by 40% this year, which means there’s an even greater need.

And making your donation has never been easier!  Simply visit the online donation page here and make your monetary contribution.  Even the smallest amount can help - every $1 donated provides 4 meals for the hungry!

And for those of you who would like to make some extra room in your pantry by getting rid of non-perishable food you already have, feel free to bring your donations by the Ebby’s Little White House office in Preston Center, located at 5999 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, 75225, November 5-7 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m..

Thank you in advance to everyone for their help and donations for this worthy cause.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW