Kessler Neighbors United- To Make Cake!

My partner, Debra harbors secret fantasies of becoming a 50’s housewife. As a result, she is convinced she needs to finally learn how to cook. Her efforts started out innocent enough. A little pasta here, a fancy salad there. No big deal. But, things got out of hand last week when she told me she was determined to bake a cake. From scratch.

Lucky for us, we have the world’s best neighbors. No really. They really are the best neighbors in the world. And, some of the best people we know.

The Bishkin’s are an over-achieving bunch. When on a tour of their home, they nonchalantly pointed out all of the elements of their home that they either designed themselves or built themselves. This included cabinetry that they milled in the backyard and perfectly proportioned furniture they designed and built by hand. Needless to say, Type A is an understatement when it comes to the Bishkin family.

So, clearly we should have known better than to share with them Deb’s desire to bake a cake. Marylin leapt at the chance to help and invited us over for an evening of baking and friendship. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but honestly, had a wonderful time.

Did I mention this was from scratch? There was a lot of sifting and measuring and mixing. We were completely lost, but Marylin, Steve & 11 year old Zach guided us through the entire process flawlessly. I’ll admit, it was sort of embarrassing that Zach had to explain the process of zesting a lemon to two grown women, but we pushed through and accomplished an amazing feat. After 3 ½ hours of neighborly fellowship and lots of laughter, we marveled at the most beautiful cake I have ever seen. And, thanked our lucky stars that we have the best neighbors in the world.

Dori

Do Gay Owned and Operated Homes Sell Faster?

Do Gay owned and operated homes sell faster? In a word, yes. But, the reason they tend to sell faster applies to our straight friends, too.

As Hewitt & Habgood’s marketing boy genius, Steve Habgood taught me early in my career, marketing homes for sale is similar to marketing any other product. The three basic elements of marketing apply: Pricing, Packaging & Promotion. The main reason why Gay owned and operated house typically sell faster is in the “Packaging.”

Buying a home is an extremely emotional process for the buyer. It’s often visceral and romantic. Buyers are searching for a space in which they can enjoy life and seek comfort. They are pursuing a dream. The way in which a home is packaged and presented goes a long way in appealing to this intangible side of the buying process.

Let’s face it, that stuff you hear about the “Gay Gene?”- It’s true. There are some folks who just have “it.” There are some folks who have a creative side that most of us just don’t have. They know exactly where to place furniture, they know exactly what colors to choose and they know exactly what accent pillow to put on the fashionable sofa. But, in fairness, this special talent isn’t exclusively reserved for our Gay brothers & sisters. Straight folks get it too. Well…straight women anyway… ;-)


Dori

So, What does a Realtor do Anyway?

One of the most important roles I find myself taking on during a real estate transaction is that of Friend. Buying or Selling a home is quite often one of the most exciting and stressful events in a person’s life. They are either scared to death or super excited. There is rarely an in-between.

In the best of times, the client is a first time homebuyer, starting out their life, looking forward to the future, but in the worst of times, the client is forced to sell due to a break-up or divorce. They are heartbroken and bewildered. It’s my job to take them by the hand and lead them through. I’ll listen patiently, offer support and lend a shoulder. If I had to name the most important quality a good Realtor could possess under these circumstances, it is empathy. And, friendship.

All the best- Dori

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This Week in Mortgage Sports

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The Economic Outlook for 2009

The Economic Outlook for 2009

This Week in Mortgage Sports

This Week in Mortgage Sports

So What Does a Realtor Do, Anyway?

One of the roles I feel professionally compelled to fulfill is that of mitigator. I feel it is my responsibility to mitigate conflict. The sale or purchase of a home is a hyper-emotional process. As a result, tempers may flair or our instincts may be reactionary. Very often, I will present an offer to a seller only to find them combative or defensive. Those feelings can cause a seller to respond to the buyer in anger rather than civility.

It is my responsibility to stay calm and keep all parties on point. There is almost always a solution to the various conflicts that may occur during a real estate transaction and it's my job to find & implement the best way forward.

So what are the best sollutions? They are almost always found somewhere in the middle. To me, residential real estate transactions are not a zero sum game. There shouldn't be a winner and a loser. I feel best when all parites are happy on closing day.

All the best- Dori

This Week in Mortgage Sports

This Week in Mortgage Sports

Santa Fe Meets Kessler Park

Bill & Russ weren’t in the market for a home when I called to tell them about a rare Spanish Colonial Revival about to hit the market in Kessler. The minute they saw it, they jumped at the chance to restore it.

What they purchased was a blank slate. What they created is a work of art.

Their design direction is simple, honest & respectful to the period. For the kitchen they chose an architecturally bold statement. There are no traditional cabinets, instead the uppers are open shelves braced by decorative wrought iron. The kitchen also features Jerusalem Gold Limestone countertops, a farmhouse sink & an exposed beam painted rusty orange.

Unique custom finishes are present in almost every corner of the home and Russ & Bill’s passion for straightforward, orderly presentations are on full display. From the moldings, to the millwork to the cast glass windows, every detail is perfection. And, nowhere is this more apparent than in the master bath where the wide open space features a freestanding, antique copper tub.

Bill & Russ are currently putting the finishing touches on another home in the popular North Oak Cliff neighborhood of Stevens Park Village. Check back often as I will feature their new product in the coming months.

For more information on the design services provided by Peters-Cates Design, please find them under the Friends section of DoriWarner.com.

All the best- Dori

This Week in Mortgage Sports

This Week in Mortgage Sports

Dallas Real Estate Remains Strong

Great article from Forbes magazine naming Dallas as one of the top ten cities with the most bang for the buck.

http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/10/10/cities-buck-economy-forbeslife-cx_ab_1010realestate.html

This Week in Mortgage Sports

This Week in Mortgage Sports

Featured Listing- 10431 Shadow Bend Dr

Contemporary meets Texas Hill Country in this updated 3 bedroom, 2.5 Bath, 3 living area townhome with great outdoor entertaining and gardening areas. Architectural details include clerestory windows, Saltillo tile floors, wood-burning fireplace, and screened-in porch with flagstone floors & views of the serene pool. Updates include newer double-pane windows, plantation shutters, and antique vanities with vessel sinks in two of the baths. The kitchen offers granite counters, extensive custom cabinets, stainless appliances, and opens to the second living area/breakfast room. Additional features: private pool with deck, front courtyard, mature trees & landscaping, abundant storage, and NO HOAs!

Ropes

I was recently selected to participate in the Leadership MetroTex program. This is a program sponsored by the MetroTex Association of Realtors in an effort to identify and motivate leadership in the Realtor association community. It is an honor to be selected for this program and with only two days under my belt, I can honestly say that it promises to be life changing.

The very first program day was a "Ropes Course." I had no idea what to expect going in.

The morning of the Ropes Course, I boarded the bus with 30 strangers. That evening, I drove back with 30 friends.

There is no modesty during a ropes course. You are forced to push and pull your fellow participants in ways and places that, under other circumstances, would prove to be embarassing. You are put into sittuations that require authentic teamwork, foresight, planning and sacrafice. You are forced to push yourself outside of your natural limitations and comfort levels. Once you emerge from these challenges, you are stronger, more courageous, wiser and humbled. I absolutely loved the experience and recomend it to anyone given the opportunity.

All the best- Dori

Steven Park Estates meets Joel & Dean

When I first met Joel & Dean at a Kessler Park open house, I was immediately impressed with their directness. Joel has a boyish face and Dean has an irrestibly jolly demeanor, but I was quick to learn that they do not approach anything as novices. These guys are smart and talented and deliberate. And, they are also two of the nicest guys you will ever meet.

Like many Kessler/Stevens Park buyers, Joel and Dean were torn between purchasing a home that had already been updated or one with which they could add their own stamp. After much soul searching and a study of the available inventory, they decided on the latter.

They had recently finished the renovation of a slick, contemporary Oak Lawn Townhome and were looking for a change of pace. They decided on a distinctive Tudor, situated on a winding lot in the heart of Stevens Park Estates. Virtually untouched since it's original construction, they have set about a painstaking restoration. A labor of love in tribute to the home's outstanding construction, design and setting.

The facade offers classic Tudor design elements, including steep gables, stone insets and a massive fireplace. The interior of the home offers coved ceilings, arched doorways and narrow board hardwoods. It is Joel and Dean's task and goal to update the home with attention to detail and respect for the home's period. In this, they are succeeding.

The connection to history is most apparant in the kitchen. There, they have incorporated vintage inspired AGA appliances against custom, inset cabinetry. This kitchen is truly one of the most unique and fitting I have seen in Kessler/Stevens Park.

With the downstairs now complete, one can appreciate how seamlessly Joel and Dean are executing their design direction. They have created a comfortable and informal space that is quite proud of it's past. The masculine furnishings are complimented by soft paint colors and rich hardwoods.

The home is still a work in progress. The upstairs is next. Stay tuned to find out what kind of master-suite they create! If it's anything like the downstairs, the space will be crisp and modern while maintaining a connection to the home's pre-war past.

All the Best- Dori

Why Shelter Mortgage Remains Strong

Here is another great post from Christian Johnson
with Shelter Mortgage:


Shelter Mortgage

This Week in Mortgage Sports

Hi All:

Here is a great persepctive from Superman,
aka-Christian Johnson with Shelter Mortgage.

http://editor.ne16.com/he/vo.aspx?FileID=68ee1db8-9b29-438b-9dbf-2fb4f0727072&MemberID=216718398&MailID=6179202

Why I Love Selling Residential Real Estate

Several years back I took a particuarly reflective trip to my hometown of Phoenix, Az. I was at a crossroads in my adult life. I was assessing and revaluating. What did I want the rest of my life to look like? I knew that I wanted to be of service and I knew that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of hardworking people.

I decided to drive by the house in which I grew up.

When I pulled up to the house, I noticed the front door was open. I decided to go up and knock on the screen door. A short, older gay man came to greet me. His expression was kind and welcoming. Before I could finish explaining who I was and why I was there, he invited me in, somehow sensing how important this was to me. Without prompting and completely unexpectedly, I cried.

Suddenly it was December, 1980 and my family and me were putting up the Christmas tree. It was an artificial tree from JC Pennys and it was older than I was. The color coded tips of the branches were barely visible from years of assembly. I could see my new bicycle under the tree, pieced together with parts handed down from my older brothers. It was all my mother could afford and it was all I could do to contain my excitement.

I could see my dog Buster rushing to greet me. He was given to me on Christmas morning in the 3rd grade. I had begged my Mom for a puppy that year and she desparately tried to refuse. On her way to work on Christmas Eve, she stopped by the grocery store to pick up something for she and the other nurses to eat that evening. Outside of the store were free puppies to anyone who would take them. I suppose it was divine inspiration that caused my mom to take him that night. She brought Buster, a six week old mut to the hospital that night in a cardboard box, determined to bring her youngest daughter this little creature. She and the other nurses had to take turns watching over him, trying in vain to keep him quiet. On Christmas morning, 1980, my Mom brought Buster into our lives, where he would remain a loyal companion for the next 15 years.

I could hear my friends and me filling the house with laughter, splashing in the pool and listening to pop music on my boombox. I could see a younger version of my mother moving through the house, doing the best she could with little money and little sleep.

Walking in the front door brought back memories all at once difficult and crushing, triumphant and inspirational. This was more than just a house. This was all that I am.

It was that afternoon that I decided that I must become a Realtor. I understood that houses were more than just bricks and mortar. They are part of who we are. They provide shelter to more than just our physical selves.

This is why I feel such tremendous gratitude for my career. To navigate people through the purchase or sale of a home is an intimate experience. To be a part of it is one of the greatest gifts life has given me.

All the Best- Dori