U.S. News and World Report just published their 2009 list of the best high schools across the country, based on the analysis of 21,000 high schools.  As a Texas Realtor, I know how important schools are to the buyers I serve all over the suburban and rural communities around Dallas and Fort Worth.  School rankings have an important role in directing a home buyer search.  They also play a vital role in the resale potential of a home.  Congratulations to the following schools for making the list, and to the many other Texas schools to be honored:

(In alphabetical order)

Coppell High School

Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts

Gunter High School

Highland Park High School

Jack E. Singley Academy of Irving

JJ Pearce High School, Richardson

North Hills Prep, Dallas

Pegasus Charter School, Dallas

Richardson High School

Dallas TAG and half a dozen magnet schools in Dallas

Whitewright High School

Wolfe City High School

You can find the entire list of Texas schools that were honorably mentioned at the link to US News and World Report, http://www.usnews.com/directories/high-schools/index_html/state_id+TX

From all of us on the Keith Dobbs Team at RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs to the administrators, teachers, parents, and students of these fine schools - we honor your accomplishments and we thank you for your service to our North Texas region.

Have a blessed day!

Ronda

Recently, we had an unfortunate event on the way home from a Colorado vacation.  Our transmission blew and we were stranded on Highway 287 between Electra, TX and Wichita Falls, TX.  The local police came by within the first half hour.  He determined that nobody was injured in our one-car accident.  He determined that my Husband had been able to safely pull the car over to the shoulder and out of oncoming traffic.  He reminded us how 'lucky' we were to have broken down when it was only 85-degrees - which admittedly is cool for Texas on August 1st.  He made sure we had a tow truck requested.  And then, he left.  REALLY?

We sat on the side of the highway for the next two hours waiting for that tow truck.  We had no bottled water left in the car.  My son and I felt scared by the 18-wheelers that stayed in the right hand lane, precariously close to our vehicle.  The sun set and our 15-hour road trip turned into a 20 hour day. There are no facilities along the side of the road.  This was not a great day.

Because my Husband is a retired Texas police officer, I almost didn't write this blog.  But, it isn't a bash on them.  I know they are following policy.  Our situation wasn't as bad as it could have been, and we worked very hard to maintain a sense of humor about the day.  But, on behalf of families who get stranded on our highways and byways, I think that more funding should be given to the local police and state troopers so that they can do a bit more in the way of family care at a time of need after a wreck or break-down. A few supplies or services to help make an uncomfortable situation a little easier.  If you have any ideas, please attach to them to this blog and hopefully, something will stick.  I will start it off:

1.  A cooler of bottled water should be in the back of each patrol car.

2.  A brochure from the Chamber of Commerce with the numbers of local hotels.
3.  A list of the local dealerships and mechanics shops.
4.  A public service announcement campaign to get people to shift over to the left lane when they come across a vehicle broken down in the right shoulder of a highway (only about 50% of vehicles made an effort to move over).

Have a blessed day!

Ronda

Ronda Allen - Realtor, Life Coach, and Certified Purchasing Manager

CEO of comingsoonhomes.com

RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs

Keith Dobbs Team

www.keithdobbs.com

From time to time, there come buyers for whom a property does not currently exist in the MLS.  I have three such instances right now.  If you know of someone who has a home that fits the criteria for any of these three buyers, please reach out and let them know to contact me.  I may have found their buyer:

1.  Burleson, TX - 2-story home needed with two master bedrooms, with pool.  Price in the neighborhood of $250k.  Home that fits criteria without a pool must have pool-sized yard and sell closer to $200k.  Buyer from Fort Worth has parents moving in with her family.

2.  Prosper, TX - 2-story home over 3700sf with gameroom and media room selling $350,000 to $375,000. 4 or 5-bedrooms, and .30 acre yard or greater.  Lakes of La Cima preferred, but will consider another neighborhood.  Buyers from Coppell are ready to move up this Summer.  Flexible on close date.  Still have home to sell that is just being listed this month.

3.  Little Elm, TX - single story home of at least 1,000 square feet of living space.  Must be brick and must have two bathrooms and at least 2 bedrooms.  Year built 1999 or newer.  Buyer must use USDA loan program and needs full 6% contribution from seller toward closing costs.  Can offer $84,000 for the right house.  Flexible on closing date.  First time home buyer living in local area with parents currently.  Fully approved for loan.  House must geographically fit into the USDA loan program.

These are valid buyers, approved to write an offer today, for whom I have files and no properties to show based on homes in the MLS.  Builders, homeowners, and the public at large are welcome to contact me about properties for these buyers. 

Have a blessed day!
Ronda


Ronda Allen-Keith Dobbs Team
Realtor and Certified Purchasing Manager
RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs
972-816-4369

Occasionally, there is a break in scheduling that leaves even a busy agent with some free time.  Since my hobby is also my career, I'd rather talk real estate than hit the mall.  I had a buyer cancel at the last minute today due to illness.  So, from 10:30am to 1:30pm CST on 5-12-09, feel free to contact me to ask any question you might have about real estate in DFW.  

There are no dumb questions.  Get creative.  Want me to blog about a specific topic?  Send it to me.  

Have a blessed day!
Ronda



Ronda Allen-Keith Dobbs Team
Realtor, Certified Purchasing Manager
RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs
   

Have a blessed day, and stay safe out there!  Here is the recall notice in case you didn't see it or didn't remember to register your refrigerator to receive the recall notice. 
Ronda

Ronda Allen, Realtor
Certified Purchasing Manager
The Keith Dobbs Team at RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs
  

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10, 2009 Release # 09-145

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 533-9817 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Maytag Recalls Refrigerators Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product.

Name of product: Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand refrigerators

Units: About 1.6 million

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa

Hazard: An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 16 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

Description: The recall includes certain Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand side by side and top freezer refrigerators. The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner and have the following model and serial number combinations:

Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from January 2001 through January 2004 for between about $350 and $1600.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should not return the refrigerator to the retailer where it was purchased.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Maytag toll-free at (866) 533-9817 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.repair.maytag.com

2009 will be a year of change for many agents.  Some will stay and forge ahead.  Others will get out of the business and seek new opportunities.  And, some agents will stay in the business of helping people sell and buy homes, but do it under the umbrella of a different brokerage firm or open their own brokerage firm.  Agents are self-employed and can stop to take an assessment of their business periodically.  It's smart for any business to do that. 

The internet makes it pretty easy to find your agent.  Just google them. 

Did you know that there is an amphibious ship under construction in a shipyard in Louisiana that contains 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center?  The U.S.S. New York weathered Hurricane Katrina and Rita, too, and is due to be commissioned into the Navy Fleet sometime next year.  

If you are looking for a tangible way to honor veterans on this Veterans Day, go to www.ussnewyork.org and shop.  The Admiral responsible for the commissioning of this vessel for the Navy is doing a fundraiser to raise money for the events of the week during the official commissioning ceremony in New York when the ship is done.