The Neighborhood

The holidays were spectacular

The holidays were spectacular in Tour 18 Dallas! This is one neighbors magnificent light display!

Mrs. O'Leary

Life is a journey and in each decade we seem to reinvent ourselves. That’s the great thing about what you do, and who you are. As my wife would say - why do people identify so much with what they do - versus who they are inside? Our jobs define us. But in the end all that matters is who we are.

 

Nothing else matters.

 

I may have to give her literary credit for that one, as it's from her latest book. But it's true. I'm a real estate professional by trade right now, but before that I was VP of Sales for a major technology company. Before that, a teacher. Before that, a student, and so on.

It's all a process of learning and growing. But who we are, is far more important than the careers that we perform. 

 

I remember those days as a teacher with gladness, because in those days I was reading to kids, and coaching kids. Children are so easy to communicate with, because everything is real. It's a major blessing to be surrounded by them every day. They teach us so much, and challenge us in different ways. Teachers have the power and influence in their positions, to change the life of a child.

We are supporting a dinner delivery program to local teachers to make their lives a little bit easier. Educators give so much time and energy to their kids. For many children a teacher will be a pivotal influencer in their life. I remember visiting my hometown and stopping to see Mrs. O'leary, my 4th grade teacher. She was about 80 when I stopped by her small house, surprising her. But she remembered  me after all those years. And I remembered her. 

 

Thank a teacher today! 

Real Estate 101

Texas is still one of the hottest markets in the nation, and the home varies remain high.  Real estate experts who are working hard, are selling homes.  This is the hottest year I've had, ever/  Summer showings have been a little slow but even that is optimistic because people are traveling, spending money, and spending a lot of quality time with their families.  This is the reason for the summer slowdown.  In fall, we expect a high amount of traffic through the luxury home communities, and plan on some super innovative marketing.  We're using You Tube, and the internet to move homes.  Reaching out globally is working!

Lantana, a great place to live!

Lantana is one of the coolest places on earth. We've been selling homes all over the metroplex and particularly Flower Mound, and Lantana is one of those little gems you find once in awhile - an idyllic city within a city. I can see why Flower Mound was rated one of the best places to live in the nation by Money Magazine. Driving past horse farms, and sleepy country roads, you have to wonder if this is a little slice of heaven. It's a place where most people would want to come to escape, and I cant believe we're lucky enough (blessed) to actually live here. Heres a picture of our latest house for sale right across from a beautiful park, and a pool. We'll lease it to a family or sell it. One of the best features surrounding this neighborhood are miles of natural hiking and biking trails that extend back into the woods. For triathletes, kids, or trail runners like my wife, it's the best.

Million Dollar Homes are Selling like hot cakes!

I know the doom and gloom of the economists would lead you to believe that the housing market is in a slump.  And of course that's true, in most of the country.  But Texas is the best investment today! Fortune magazine reported Texas recently to be one of the most undervalued areas for real estate in the world.  And if your spending Euro's against dollars, Texas is way more than just undervalued. It's a bargain hunter's playground. 

That's why we now market our inventory of luxury homes in European Countries.  We are placing ads in European Newspapers, online, and on blogs.  Spreading the message beyond the tools that every Realtor in America uses which is realtor.com. If you'd like to invest in an estate in Texas, check out these properties:

Click here to view Complete Tour Listings for All of these homes:
http://www.obeo.com/Public/Search/AgentSearchResults.aspx?agent=70359

4504 Tour 18 Drive

6009 Pine Valley

8805 Baltusrol Drive

8600 Baltusrol Drive

5600 Pine Valley

4508 Tour 18 Drive

5605 Southern Hills Drive

Blogging in suburbia

So, before I get ribbing too bad from the guys, I feel it important to add this disclaimer - the picture was
the wife's idea. The tux was for an event we went to for a great friend, mentor, and neighbor - Bill Arnold.

He and his wife celebrated their anniversary and it was a grand affair, black tie. My wife looked gorgeous, the food was great and we were honored to be invited. Bill and his wife travel the world. Really, to crazy places that most people have no interest in going to. They're also warriors for the Kingdom, and are an amazing couple. We sold their house and they move out of "the hood" so he'll no longer be a minute away from my doorstep. Still, I've got a feeling this friendship is one that will last a long time. Some friends are in your life for a season, and some forever. If I could figure out this blog thing I'd post a photo of his house with the just sold sign out front. Let's see what happens.
I'm a blog neophyte right now.