Jennifer Lewis

Hi Mark,

Have you considered Lake Highlands? Lake Highlands is very close to the lake, won't add much to your 15 minute commute, and is in Richardson ISD. With the Lakewood area, while you do get in Lakewood Elementary, the school district is still Dallas ISD. Dallas ISD has just come under some intense scrutiny after it was discovered they were over budget by $64 Million (+/- a few million).

In Lake Highlands, you can find some nice homes and get more per square foot than in Lakewood. There is a new development under construction at the corner of Walnut Hill and Skillman. It will be a mixed-use development and feature waterways, hiking & biking trails, an outdoor ampitheater. There were many apartments torn down to make way for this development. You can see a press release from May at http://www.lhaia.org/pdfs/2008/2008-05-20_PRG_LHTC_NR.pdf

Let me know if you want any more information on properties in this area, or any other area in and around Dallas. You can search for properties from my website, http://www.JenniferLewisHomes.com or we can get together to discuss your buying criteria and I'll do the work for you.

Best regards,
Jennifer Lewis
Jennifer Lewis Homes
214-328-5500
Jennifer@JenniferLewisHomes.com - Wed Oct 1 2008, 06:36

Hi Christina,
The map Naima has pasted is a great way to find out crime reports in any area of Dallas. I happen to live in 75218 and find it to be a very nice place to live. White Rock Lake is walking distance from many areas that may be of interest to you. Downtown Dallas is also very, very close.

If you are very concerned about safety, one place to consider is a gated community called the Enclave at White Rock. This is a community of 166 homes that has walking/jogging trails, two ponds with gorgeous fountains, and homes are only around 10 years old. Currenlty, there are only 3 homes on the market in this neighborhood, and I will list another home in this neighborhood on October 1. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, almost 2200 square feet, a study, 2 dining areas, and more.

If you're interested in knowing more about this area and maybe some other neighborhoods that you'd prefer, please contact me. I'd be happy to help!

Have a great day,
Jennifer Lewis
214-328-5500 http://www.JenniferLewisHomes.com
Jennifer@JenniferLewisHomes.com - Tue Aug 26 2008, 07:59

An exclusive buyer agreement is typical. However, if the agent had you sign an exclusive buying agreement to puchase the house that agent had listed, there may be an intermediary relationship here. This is legal, as long as you were given notification of the relationship.

That 6% commission does seem a bit high, but there is no set commission. It sounds like you're having some mixed feelings about this Realtor. Are you comfortable with this Realtor? Talk with him or her about your concerns. It's best to have clear communication so that you're on the same page. - Tue Jul 1 2008, 19:14

Hi Andrea,
If I were you, I'd look at my buying options first. Have you spoken to a loan officer yet to find out what your options are? There are many programs out there that may benefit you. If you want to talk to a loan officer, a good one to know is Scott Drescher with Prime Lending, http://www.drescherteam.com/default.asp/PrimeLending/

Buying a home definately has its advantages over renting. After one year of renting at $900, you'll throw away $10,800 that could've gone towards an investment in a home. Also, there are many tax benefits to owning a home.
I'd be happy to set up a search for you that will notify you when properties that may be of interest to you become available on the market. Or, visit my site http://www.JenniferLewisHomes.com and click on the property search link and set up your own search.
Please let me know if I can help.

Best regards,

Jennifer Lewis
Realtor, Broker-Owner, GRI
Jennifer Lewis Homes
214-328-5500
Jennifer@JenniferLewisHomes.com - Mon Jun 23 2008, 07:00

Here's an article from Newsweek that ranked America's high schools on a basis of AP & Cambridge tests taken divided by the number of graduating seniors
http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380
The top Dallas schools are: (The number is their rank on the list)
2. Talented and gifted
4. Science/Engineering magnet
15. Highland Park
127. White
518. Woodrow Wilson
527. Hillcrest
1044. Lake Highlands

Around Dallas (I only went up to 100)
16 H-B Woodlawn - Arlington
18. North Hills Prep - Irving
53. Diamond Hill-Jarvis - Fort Worth
94. Colleyville Heritage - Colleyville

Hope this helps.

Best,
Jennifer Lewis - Wed May 21 2008, 19:18