If you have heard anything about the Dallas-Fort Worth real estate market lately, you know it is a seller’s market. Many homeowners are realizing that it may be time to put their houses on the market. There are many large companies moving their businesses to DFW, and with that comes lots of people looking to move to the Big D.
Some savvy buyers can look past some cosmetic issues and eyesores, but most potential homeowners, want a home that blows them away and offers a great first impression. We asked local real estate agents some questions to determine the 5 best ways to boost your home’s curb appeal in this competitive market and make more money when you sell your home.
1. Landscaping
Simple, yet beautiful landscaping can draw people’s attention to the beauty and potential of your home. Pick up a few potted flowers to add a pop of color. Lay down some fresh mulch. Have any spotty patches in your lawn or brown grass that you can’t seem to bring back to life? For a quick fix, contact a landscaper that offers sod installation services. A nice green lawn with fresh landscaping delivers that wow factor for a great first impression. The cherry on top is that the online pictures of your home will gather much more interest than a similar home without that little bit of extra love. These kinds of outdoor projects can be completed quickly and won’t break the bank.
2. Sprinkler System Repair & Installation
Does your home currently have a sprinkler system? This is a HUGE added bonus for your home. It is a wonderful investment that will help drive the sale of your house. The key thing here is that you want to make sure that it is in excellent working order. When is the last time you had a licensed irrigator come inspect it or provide maintenance or repair? Many people wait until their sprinkler system has an issue to call a professional sprinkler repair company. Stay on top of maintenance and have your sprinkler system serviced. You want to feel good about selling your home and know that you are giving the new homeowners a gift of an impeccably kept home.
Does your home not have a lawn sprinkler system? Get an estimate for a new sprinkler system installation and see if it is a good fit for sprucing up within your budget. If you are selling your home in a few years, a new sprinkler system could be a great investment. You can take control of your yard and have beautiful green grass and some bragging rights on your seller’s disclosure because you have a recently installed sprinkler system. Contact a local sprinkler company like H2O Sprinkler System in Irving, Texas and they can help guide you in making the best decision.
3. Drainage Installation
The rain poured down this year. This left many unsightly areas in North Texas homeowner’s landscaping. Nobody wants to see a big puddle (or the remnants of one). Make sure you find a drainage solution for your home before you put it on the market. With the recent storms, drainage concerns are fresh on people’s minds. They don’t want to worry about tracking in mud from a swampy yard, attracting bugs and mosquitoes, or even having potential foundation issues from poor drainage. Contact a company for drainage installation services to eliminate the problem.
4. Paint Your Door
According to Realtrends, homes with black front doors can sell up to $6,000 more than expected. A black door looks great on most homes and it is something that can be DIY. There are plenty of professional painters that can do the job for you as well. If black isn’t your thing, there are many colors that can really amp up the curb appeal. The realtors we asked think a red, blue, or green door may be the way to go.
5. Mark Your Territory
Replace or renovate your mailbox and add new contemporary house numbers to your curb or porch. This is one of our most affordable projects and something so simple can REALLY make a difference. A DIY mailbox renovation can be a fun project and add custom character to your house.
There are many easy things you can do to beautify your home and make it sell more quickly and for more money. Contact a professional if you aren’t a DIYer.
Check out some of the best places around to celebrate NYE near Dallas, Texas. No matter what kind of evening you are seeking, the DFW metroplex has an event that is perfect for you, including indoor swimming, fireworks, and two-stepping.
Okay, so everyone starts talking about this big event when the first of the year starts rolling around, but it is worth it? The short answer, yes. The key is to plan accordingly. We have heard too many stories of people sitting in an Uber, stuck in traffic, when the clock strikes midnight, or not getting home until 3 am because they couldn’t get out of a parking lot, due to crazy amounts of traffic. If you live outside of Dallas proper, the trick is to take the train. Arrive early, there are so many things to do nearby. There will be several watch parties and happy hours within blocks of the beautiful fireworks show.
The good news is, if you don’t want to get out with the crowds, you don’t have to. Stay in your comfy clothes and pop some popcorn and watch the show from the comfort of your own home by tuning to KXAS-TV (nbc5) and watch the live stream.
This Arlington, Texas event is HUGE. It is a bit different from the Dallas events because here you will find two-stepping and a PBR Texas Cowboy bar. You can listen to live music and view some FREE midnight fireworks.
While the fireworks are free, tickets for everything else are available here. Use the code “autumn” to receive $20 off.
Are you looking for some plans that don’t include paying a babysitter? Bring the kids along to Epic Waters for an NYE Swim Party. This indoor water park in Grand Prairie, Texas hosts an all-day affair. There will be raffles, duck races, a DJ and the “ball drops” at various times throughout the night, so they don’t leave anyone out due to early bedtimes. If you are feeling fancy, you can grub down on a prime rib buffet for $30.
Are you looking for a family-friendly place to look at Christmas lights this year? There are so many places to take the kids near the DFW Metroplex, but we have our favorite. Check out these three places to in Addison, Plano, and Westlake and feel a bit more festive.
Vitruvian Lights in Addison
Vitruvian Park is a walking trail that surrounds a man-made lake in Addison. No matter which direction you look in, you will see a beautiful display of colorful lights. As many as 500 trees are lined from stump to stem with beautiful Christmas lights. You can take a stroll near the water and see the reflection bouncing off the surface of the lake. What makes this event even better? It’s 100% free, even the parking.
It’s fun for families, friends, or even a romantic date night. Some evenings, there are live bands and food trucks, check out the Vitruvian Lights calendar to see when special events take place.
Deerfield Holiday Lights in Plano
If you have lived in DFW for more than a few years, chances are, you have heard of Deerfield Lights Display. Believe it or not, this is a subdivision in Plano that has come together to spread a little holiday cheer to their community. This neighborhood really knows the meaning of community spirit.
They offer carriage rides and even Segway tours when reserved in advance. Santa will be there for kids (or adults on the nice list) from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. There is a tree lighting ceremony and hot cocoa and treats will be sold as well. For more background on The Story of Deerfield’s Tradition of Holiday Lighting or event details, you can visit their website. In short, check out this block of festive houses for a spectacular display of lights that is fun for the whole family.
Also, if you are looking for an easy way to give back this year, bring your spare change to benefit the Change for Children’s Program.
The Town of Westlake Annual Tree Lighting
If you are looking for something more subdued, but just as beautiful as other similar events nearby, you need to go to The Town of Westlake Annual Tree Lighting. They promise a magical evening for guests of all ages. You can expect a beautiful tree lighting ceremony, bounce houses, live reindeer to pet, and even an old-fashioned cakewalk. There will be local food tastings from local restaurants, holiday music, and cookie decorating. To top it off, there will be hot cocoa, cider, and live musical performances.
Plus, you can’t forget about pictures with Santa.
The Dallas area offers so many wonderful Christmas lights displays. It is easy to find something that is nearby, but in our opinion, these three places are the best of the best and definitely worth your time.
Looking for the best Thai food in the Dallas Metroplex? Some might think that Irving residents don’t have access to incredible Thai food! That assumption would be wrong. Dwayne and Jeanna West like to cook at home or out on the grill some evenings, but they can’t help but find themselves at one of their favorite Thai spots at least several times a month. They definitely consider themselves to be small town foodies, with Thai food being one of their favorite meals. We asked them to name their top three and after much debate, they begrudgingly gave us the names of their three favorite Thai Restaurants. We might have to revisit this topic or add to it later down the road. But for now, we will stick to these three fine establishments.
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This is the one thing the Dwayne and Jeanna agreed on instantly. This is not only their favorite Thai restaurant but one of their favorite restaurants in all of the DFW metroplex. Not only is it delicious but they offer tons of healthy options. Jeanna says “It’s fresh, healthy. and the atmosphere is uplifting. If we need a little pick me up, that’s where we go.” We asked Jeanna for her favorite dish and without hesitation, she said it was the sea bass. Malai Kitchen’s seabass is poached in garlic lemongrass and served with baby bok choy, thin rice noodles, and crushed peanuts. But don’t take her word for it, go try it out. If sea bass isn’t your thing, or maybe seafood in general, the iron pot green curry chicken is wonderful.
If you have a sweet tooth, this is definitely a place where you need to save room for dessert. Their signature Mango Sticky Rice is as pretty as it is delicious. It is served with fresh mangos, so it’s healthy right? They also have a Coconut Cream Pie that is worth every single calorie. Malai Kitchen should be at the top of your list for new restaurants to try out. This is our number one pick for the best Thai around.
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Let’s talk donuts y’all! It’s a fair statement to say that Texans know donuts. Luckily, it seems that there are donut shops in every neighborhood and on every other corner. While there probably isn’t such a thing as a bad donut, some donut shops are better than others. Let’s talk about the top donut shops in the Dallas metroplex.
Hypnotic Donuts is home of Dallas’ original craft donut. They have now opened a second location in Denton, Texas right off of the square. Yelpers have agreed that their three best menu items are the chicken biscuits, the Evil Elvis, and the Canadian Healthcare. These are the donuts that may make you take a pause before you take your first bite because of their beauty and Instagram worthiness.
If you’re from the South, you need no further explanation of what a good chicken biscuit is. If you are not from the South, get down to Hypnotic Donuts and try one out for yourself. A description really wouldn’t do it justice.
Let’s talk about the Evil Elvis for a moment, they took Elvis’ favorite snack and turned it into a delicious donut that has bananas, peanut butter, bacon, and honey. This is another one you must try for yourself.
While their menu is unique and seemingly limitless, the last donut up for discussion is the Canadian Healthcare. This donut is a long john with maple icing, a full strip of bacon, and syrup on top.
While it’s no surprise, it seems that bacon really does make everything better. Don’t take our word for it, get out and go try one (or five) for yourself.
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