Kendall

The holiday months translate to fast-paced shopping, fast-paced travel and unfortunately some fast-paced eating.  The one thing that does seem to slow down during the winter season is the housing market – but you could actually use the holiday season to your advantage and capitalize on having less competition in the market.  Here are some helpful tips for selling your home during the winter months from USA Today.

1. Remember the basics.
Maintenance, curb appeal and aggressive pricing are important no matter what season it is.

2. Think warm and cozy.
Use the winter to your advantage and stage your home to convey a cozy environment. Turning up the thermostat and having a fire in the fireplace are simple ways to portray a cozy and inviting home.

3. Neatly shoveled paths make a difference.
Keep sidewalks and driveways free and clear of ice and snow – it’s safer and looks better.  And if you remember our Snowmageddon 2011, you know that this tip is applicable to us here in North Texas!

4. Good lighting is essential.
The winter season means less daylight. Open blinds, drapes and shutters to let natural light pour in.

5. Tasteful holiday decorations can help.
Make your home stand out with holiday décor. But, keep decorations conservative and don’t overdo it on outdoor lighting.

For more information on how to fight the winter gloom, see the full article on USAToday.com.

And don’t forget our great list of 11 Reasons to Sell Your Home During the Holidays.

Cody

Halloween is over, which means (like it or not) the holiday season is upon us.  With all the parties and family events taking place in the next two months, many people decide to take their homes off the market or delay listing their home for sale until after the first of the year.  But the holiday season could actually be the ideal time to sell a home.  Here are a few reasons why:

1. Mortgage interest rates are at the lowest levels since World War II. 

2. People who look for a home during the holidays are serious, motivated buyers.

3. There are usually fewer homes on the market during the holiday season, so homes listed during that time have less competition, which could translate to a higher sales price.

4. Typically, the supply of homes for sale dramatically increases in January, which means there may be less demand for your home after the holidays.  Less demand means you’ll have to make your home more attractive to a buyer through price reductions, etc.

5. Homes show better when decorated for the holidays. 

6. Due to vacation schedules during the holidays, buyers have more time to look for homes, specifically during the weekday.

7. Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons, plus they must close before December 31 to claim a homestead exemption for their taxes.

8. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since many transferees may not be able to wait until Spring to buy, your home must be on the market now to capture that pool of potential buyers.

9. Even if your home is listed, you have the option to restrict showings on days you have holiday parties, out of town guests, etc. 

10. If your home sells during the holidays, your agent can provide for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year so your holiday season won’t be spent packing.

11. By selling now, you have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the Spring, when many more houses will be available for sale, which most likely means lower prices.  This could allow you to sell high and buy low!

Wondering how to make your home picture perfect for the holidays?  Our friends at Dr. Delphinium Designs & Events have helped transform several Ebby listings into magazine-worthy masterpieces.  Be sure to visit the Ebby Halliday YouTube channel for videos showing the creation of the ultimate autumn curb appeal, a Father-of-the-Bride-esque home for the holidays and an inviting and festive holiday living room.  You might pick up a few ideas for your own home.  A special thank you to Sean Gallagher Photography for the incredible photos. 

If you’re considering listing your home in the next few weeks, call an Ebby Associate today to learn more about the real estate market in your particular neighborhood.

To find an agent now, click here or call 888-298-1557.

Tom

Buying a new home is an exciting adventure, but finding the perfect home takes time and patience – at least until now. 

Many homebuyers are unaware of a great FHA program known as the 203K streamline.  This unique program allows for minor renovations and updating costs to be financed into the mortgage loan.  Often times, outdated homes enter the market at a great value, but despite the bargain, buyers may overlook the home because of the lack of funds or hassle of updating.  With the 203K streamline program, borrowers can get a great deal on a home and update it to their liking – from color of paint, new carpet style, energy efficient appliances, and even new countertops.

Below is a short list of items often completed with the 203K streamline program:

• Repair/Replacement of roofs, gutters, and downspouts
• Repair/Replacement/Upgrade of existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
• Repair/Replacement of plumbing and electrical systems
• Repair/Replacement of flooring
• Minor remodeling that does not involve structural repairs, such as kitchens
• Exterior and interior painting
• Weatherization, including storm windows and doors, insulation, weather stripping, etc.
• Purchase and installation of appliances, including free-standing ranges, refrigerators, washers and dryers, dishwashers, and microwaves
• Improvements for accessibility for persons with disabilities
• Replacement of windows and doors and exterior wall re-siding

As with most loan programs, there are restrictions applicable to FHA financing, but we are confident this program can help buyers create their perfect home.  And it is not limited to just purchases – refinances are eligible too! 

So what are you waiting for?  To learn more about this great program, find us at hometeammortgage.com and contact a qualified loan officer today!

Tom Parker is president of Home Team Mortgage, Ebby Halliday’s in-house mortgage source, and a regular contributor to the Ebby Blog.  Contact Tom at tom@tlpoffice.com or 972-665-1900.

Cody

Celebrity homes and high end, over-the-top luxury homes are always great eye candy.  And given that it’s almost time for trick or treating, we thought we had to share this delicious morsel. 

It’s the library of the most luxurious building in Manila, Philippines, Trump Tower, and it was designed by none other than Hermès.   In fact, it’s the very first Hermès interior design for a public project.  And given that the famed French fashion house recently launched an extended home line, you can now have furniture and coasters to match your Birkin.  Would you have it any other way?

The Trump Tower in Manila also includes hi rise condos designed by the likes of Versace and Missoni.  Learn more at CPP-Luxury.com.

Cody

For all you creative types out there, here’s a real doozy of an idea for decorating your home for Halloween – and step to it, you only have 1 week before the big night. 

Many of you may have seen this home, as it has become quite the YouTube sensation, but nevertheless, enjoy the video below.  You may just be inspired to create your own fabulous Halloween light display, or, at the very least, enjoy a few minutes of toe-tapping fun:

Cody

Luxury Portfolio International has released the latest edition of the Luxury Portfolio International Magazine.  The newest edition is mailed and distributed to affluent consumers through Luxury Portfolio’s network in more than 35 countries and sold on newsstands in over 50 countries.  The publication features a selection of the world’s most exclusive properties from around the globe.

Luxury enthusiasts can read about timely and relevant topics such as the recent resurgence in high-end vacation rental properties and the latest luxury trends in categories such as innovation, exploration and relaxation.  The magazine also highlights a stunning array of luxury homes from Beverly Hills, CA to Sardinia, Italy and gives readers a unique perspective from some of the most elite home designers.

In addition to its regular distribution, this edition of the Luxury Portfolio International Magazine will be circulated at many high profile luxury design events this fall including: High Point Market, a premier event for top design professionals held October 22-27 in High Point, North Carolina; The Luxury Property Show in London, England held November 1-2, which attracts nearly 5,000 high end real estate investors from the UK, Europe and the Middle East; The Luxury Properties Showcase held in Beijing, China November 3-4; and The Greystone Mansion Show House in Beverly Hills, CA in December, where Luxury Portfolio will serve as the exclusive national real estate sponsor.

“We could not be more thrilled to share the latest edition of our magazine,” notes President of Luxury Portfolio International Paul Boomsma.  “With the addition of some of the most breathtaking global properties, we hope to captivate consumer audiences from around the world and feed the growing interest in luxury trends.”

The Ebby Halliday Companies are proud to be founding members and the exclusive Dallas affiliates of Luxury Portfolio International.  All luxury homes represented by Ebby Halliday, Realtors, Dave Perry-Miller & Associates and Ellen Terry, Realtors benefit from the extensive national and global distribution of the new magazine, which directs traffic to the award-winning website, LuxuryPortfolio.com.  In addition, the companies have several current listings featured in this edition of the magazine.

To view the latest issue in its entirety, click here.  To learn more about Luxury Portfolio International, visit LuxuryPortfolio.com.

Luxury Portfolio International is the luxury face of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the larges global network of premier locally branded companies dominated by many of the world’s most powerful independent luxury brokerages.  Luxury Portfolio International attracts a global audience of visitors from over 200 countries/territories every month and annually markets over 25,000 luxury homes to over 1.2 million high-net-worth visitors. 

Cody

It’s that time of year when we all turn to thoughts of football watching parties and holiday gatherings.  And even though the temperatures are still a little warm, you’ve probably noticed the colorful pumpkins and gourds popping up in front of grocery stores and garden centers near you.

And while many of us would love to bring that fall feeling into our own homes, there’s always the question of where to find great ideas.  We can help with that.

Over the past several years, we’ve teamed up with our good friends at Dr. Delphinium Designs & Events to decorate homes for some of our seasonal ad campaigns.  And we’ve collected quite an array of amazing ideas.  So this year we’ve decided to compile our fall homes and present them to you as inspiration for your own fall looks or as a guide to recreate the looks entirely. 

To see the photo gallery of Fall Home Decorating Ideas, visit the Ebby Halliday Facebook page here.

And because sometimes the greatest exercise of creativity is knowing when to call a professional, you can always take a cue from us and call Dr. D to make your home look amazing!  Find them at drdelphinium.com or call 214-522-9911.