Southlake Real Estate Blog

This years Spring Tour of New Homes sponsored by the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association is sure to be a big hit. New homes will be open for tour on the dates of April 19-20, 25-27 and May 2-4, 2008.

Trophy Club Jewel on Tour

The must see luxury home on this year’s tour is the stunning Trophy Club home built by Glendale Custom Homes. With a base price of $1,289,000, this elegant new custom built Trophy Club entry #79 is located at 8 Heatherstone Drive in the Knoll section and is sure to turn heads at this years new home tour event.

Lavish Trophy Club New Home Features

This impeccable home boasts a beautiful, treed, golf-course lot. The grand foyer gives way to a luxurious, curved staircase. Offering a separate guest suite with an outside entry, your guest may not want to leave the comfort of their Trophy Club oasis. The gourmet kitchen offers the warmth of solid-surface granite counter-tops, stainless steel Viking appliances, custom-milled cabinets, a large island and service bar. The butler pantry has proper wine storage facilities. Enter the inviting family room where friends and family are sure to spill over into the covered patio with a fireplace. The mudroom has custom-milled lockers with a bench.

Entertain in Elegance

To compliment the covered patio with fireplace, this 6452 square foot luxury home is the perfect setting for entertaining. Complete with game room, media room with soundproofing and pool; this is the ultimate home for parties and events.

Directions to 8 Heatherstone Drive

Take Highway 114 to Trophy Club Drive. Go north on Trophy Club Drive, and turn right on Indian Creek Drive. Turn right on Greenhill Trail. Enter through the gates into The Knoll. For more information on the location of this home or any other home on the tour, be sure to use the convenient area map.

Have questions About the Ft. Worth Spring Tour of Homes?

Just leave a comment and we will answer your questions about this home or any home on this year’s new home tour.

Until my next post,

Sharon

Your NE Tarrant County Real Estate Expert

A Texas Winter Wonderland!

We had a winter wonderland at my house last Thursday! I have not seen a blizzard in Texas since I was a young child. As the huge snowflakes began to fall about noon, I let all the office staff go home. We are not set up with the proper equipment to drive on ice and snow. It was treacherous by the time I reached the red light in front of my subdivision where I slid right through the intersection. Thankfully there was very little traffic so no damage was done.

A Texas Snowman

I decided to take the rest of the day off to enjoy the weather. When I looked out my dining room window, I had second thoughts. I was not sure I wanted to brave the cold. I am so glad I did. It felt good to get out and act like a kid. After all, it may never snow like that again. A neighbor and her little girl came over to take pictures of the snowman Mike and I built. An avocado skin made great eyes and a friendly smiling mouth. The cowboy hat was the perfect touch for a Texas Snowman! He even had a mustache!

Acting Like Kids

I made about 15 snowballs in anticipation of a fast and furious snowball fight. I lined them up on top of the bushes. Mike and I had a great time dodging snowballs and giggling like kids. It really helped to have my arsenal ready. We even had an avalanche off the roof. The snow was so heavy, my lovely backyard awning collapsed.

Making Memories

What a wonderful afternoon! I have some great memories and I got better acquainted with my neighbors. In this busy world we live in, it is hard to take time to smell the roses. I am one of the worst examples of achieving balance in life. I love my work and it takes priority over my own health, nutrition and exercise not to mention just plain fun like last Thursday.

New Found Priorities!

My mom always told me “If you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will”. It is good to be reminded of that. With renewed motivation I am seeing a nutritionist and a new physician who claims I can feel like a young woman again. I am holding them to that! I know I have to do my part. It will be interesting to see in the next six months how my new commitment plays out! Life is too short. Have some fun and take care of yourselves.

Sharon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2008
Sharon Hodnett, Realtor
CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc.
112 State Street, #218
Southlake, TX 76092
Office: 817.994.7152
Cell: 817.994.7152
Fax: 817.481.8839
Email: Sharon@TeamHodnett.com

SOUTHLAKE REAL ESTATE TEAM RECIEVES TOP HONOR

Team Hodnett Recognized As World Wide Leader

At a special awards banquet held at the beautiful Fort Worth Petroleum Club February 25th, Mike Bowman was named the #1 CENTURY 21 office in the world for the 13th time. Sharon Hodnett was named #1 Team for the two state region of Texas and Louisiana. Sharon’s Team also holds the #21 Team position in the CENTURY 21 system world wide.

About Sharon Hodnett/CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc.

Providing luxury home buyers and sellers in the Southlake and Colleyville, Texas and the greater Northeast Tarrant County Texas community full-service real estate solutions, Sharon Hodnett and her Team delivers impeccable customer care to their clients by offering a team of four experienced agents and administrative specialists, and a commitment to world-class service. Sharon Hodnett is a certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and currently ranked #1 Team for the CENTURY 21 Region for Texas/Louisiana. Named “TEXAS SUPER REAL ESTATE AGENT as featured in the TEXAS MONTHLY Named “FIVE STAR REALTOR - “BEST IN CLIENT SATISFACTION” per the Fort Worth Business Press, Ms. Hodnett is a Certified Relocation Specialist. Sharon and Team Hodnett are headquartered in Southlake, Texas.
For additional information regarding Sharon Hodnett, send an email to Sharon@TeamHodnett.com, visit her Web site at www.TeamHodnett.com, or call (817) 994-7152.

# # #

This past weekend Michael Garabedian held his Passport to Luxury Home Tour and it was a tremendous success. As a follow up to my previous post Garabedian Properties Passport To Luxury Home Tour, I want to thank Michael and his fine staff for allowing Team Hodnett to partner in this wonderful event by serving as host for several of Michael’s exquisite homes.

Terrific Prizes Provided by Garabedian Properties

In case you missed this event, Garabedian Properties awarded several prizes at the conclusion of the Passport Luxury Home including tickets to a future Hannah Montana movie and a Nintendo wii game console with extra game controllers.

Photos from this past weekend’s Southlake Passport to Luxury Home Tour

Names of the winners will be added to this post soon.

Custom Built Southlake and Keller Luxury Homes on Parade

Mark your calendars for the Passport To Luxury Home Tour which will be held on January 26th & 27th from Noon to 3pm. Brought to you by Garabedian Properties, Team Hodnett is acting as host for several of the finest luxury estate homes in Tarrant County. Friends, families and guest are invited to attend this spectacular tour. Garabedian Properties will have representatives at each of their homes to answer your  questions and offer you a personal tour of these exquisite homes. Garabedian is opening up all of their luxury homes to debut their new styles, floor plans and custom crafted features.

Don’t Forget Your Passport!

Be sure to download your Passport right here or you can pick up a Passport on the Tour. The download provides a map and details of the tour.  As you visit each Garbedian luxury home don’t forget to have your Passport validated by a Team Hodnett agent or on of the Garabedian tour representatives.  Once you have received all 5 validations, turn your completed Passport to one the Garabedian representatives. Please pay close attention to all rules, conditions and deadlines for an opportunity to win one of two outstanding prizes.

Passport To Luxury Home Tour Prizes

Prizes consist of a Hannah Montana 3-D Concert Movie Package (tickets and prizes) Or a Nintendo Wii consol and game pack. Winners will be announced during the Radio Disney Party which will be held Sunday, January 27th from 2 to 4pm on Sunday the 27th at one of our designated homes.  Check your Passport for complete details on the drawing location.

Contact any member of Team Hodnett or call at Southlake office if you have questions or require additional information. I encourage you to be the first to comment and let me know your thoughts on the direction of the Southlake luxury real estate market.

Until my next post,

Sharon

Now more than ever the wealthy are increasingly becoming citizens of the world. Driven by a weaker US dollar, more wealthy foreign home buyers will continue to view U.S. real estate as the ultimate bargain. The common elements these international buyers seek are areas which offer attractive lifestyles and sound real estate investment opportunities. At the same time, more wealthy Americans will entertain a second home or possibly a retirement home purchase abroad. Many of the “super-rich” seek tax shelters in locations which will increase real estate purchases at the über level.

Key points:

• Major US markets like the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex offer a growing opportunity and interest from the international home buying segment due its market resilience.
• More wealthy American home buyers are seeking to make an overseas real estate purchase for 1. obvious tax reasons and 2. a lifestyle change and chance for more privacy.
• Those with the have-yachts desire to distance themselves from the have-nots. There is a growing disparity between the super-wealthy and those with less income producing power will cause some of the super-rich live a life “under the radar.”
• Greater exclusivity is the name of the game. This means remote exotic international locations primarily serviced by private air strips, deep-water yacht clubs and heliports are growing in popularity. Hot international locales might include Costa Rica, Baja Mexico and other warm water climates possessing solid real estate investment opportunities.
• Many wealthy international and American real estate buyers are careful to buy “green” meaning they are eco-sensitive home buyers. The green wealthy buyers are looking for properties built with Eco-friendly systems that incorporate energy-efficient HVAC systems, building materials made from recycled products and many other earth-friendly products that reduce a “carbor footprint.”

Coming Soon to the Southlake Real Estate Blog?

In the future expect to read about the “Passport To Luxury Home Tour” presented in cooperation with Garabedian Properties. If you have a topical request for the Southlake Real Estate blog, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you would like to read about.

I encourage you to be the first to comment and let me know your thoughts on the direction of the Southlake luxury real estate market.

Until my next post,

Sharon

Look For Improvement in the Southlake Real Estate Market in 08

While the overall confidence and vitality of the national housing market remains less than stellar, the Southlake and Colleyville luxury housing market should continue to rebound in 2008. Because luxury buyers are typically insulated from the economic pressures associated with lower housing price points, I predict better than average demand should return to the Tarrant County luxury housing market in mid to late 2008. We can thank the wealthy for their ability to continue to grow their fortunes in spite of less than ideal national economic circumstances.

Dodging the “R” Word

Mind you, all it takes is the prolonged use of the “R” word (recession) by the media or the unthinkable (a terrorist event) and the US economy will be quickly impacted by these events. Short of these serious events, expect our local luxury home market to “turn the corner” in 2008. There will be some softening at the entry levels of the luxury market as many “wannabe affluent” attempt to reach for luxury homes that they really couldn’t afford to purchase. Knowledgeable Southlake luxury home buyers empowered with information and partnered with an expert Tarrant County luxury real estate agent should have no problem locating the home of their dreams.

Dallas Luxury Real Estate Makes the Forbes “Blue-Chip” List

Forbes.com recent release of their “Blue-Chip” US Neighborhoods only confirms what has been a known fact all along – prestigious real estate is a sound investment. These luxury communities were identified by Forbes as the top performing real estate investment communities in the nation:

• Pacific Palisades on the Westside of LA
• Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive area
• Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue And 70th Street
• University Park in Dallas
• Philadelphia’s Walnut Street And Third Street
• Houston’s West University Place
• Atlanta’s Ponce De Leon Avenue And Oakdale Road area
• Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek Parkway And Massachusetts Avenue area
• Phoenix’s Village On The Lakes And Taliverde area
• Miami’s Brickell Avenue And 13th Street area
• San Francisco’s El Camino Del Mar And Lake Street

Real Estate is Bought and Sold on a Local Level!

While the Tarrant County luxury real estate market was not identified by Forbes, many of the same local economic dynamics that impact our local Southlake luxury market also affects the University Park area in Dallas. When evaluating real estate news “sound-bites” about the US real estate market, remember - real estate is bought and sold on a local level and each market is different. I recommend you analyze your market to know where the “hot” opportunities are located and remember - we are here to lend our expertise. Yes – foreclosures are occurring and the best opportunities for real estate investors exist at the opposite ends of the spectrum—luxury and foreclosure properties.

Future Post - What’s Coming to the Southlake Real Estate Blog?

Expect to read about how the wealthy approach buying and selling real estate from an “international” perspective, the impact of “Buying Green” in real estate and finally the desire for the wealthy to live a more private life. If you have a request for a topic for this blog, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you would like to read about.

Be the first comment and let me know your thoughts on our Tarrant County real estate market and where you think it is headed for 2008.

Until my next post,

Sharon

The Southlake Real Estate Market Has Changed

No doubt about it, the NE Tarrant County real estate market has changed over the last 6 months. In fact, recent data from the North East Texas Real Estate Information Systems (NETREIS) indicates existing home prices are down 7% this year in the greater DFW area - plus it’s taking longer for properties to sale. NE Tarrant County is now experiencing what has been occurring around our country for the last year, a market slowdown. With that said, Southlake and Colleyville luxury home sellers must accurately price their homes the moment they are listed. Otherwise, expect your NE Tarrant home to languish on the market without prospective home buyers and their offers!

Insiders Tips to Pricing/Marketing Your Southlake/Colleyville Luxury Home

Because our market has changed so much, price reductions are now the norm for many properties. Drive around your typical Southlake or Colleyville neighborhood and you’ll see sign after sign that says, “PRICE REDUCTION”! If you’re about to list your Southlake or Colleyville luxury home, you can avoid this malaise by pricing your home right to begin with.

Here are a few NE Tarrant County insider home seller tips to consider:

• Again - it is absolutely critical to “Price Your Home Accurately” when you list your home. Price reductions send messages to potential buyers that your overpriced home is undesirable. Once the price is reduced, NEVER launch a price reduction marketing campaign. If you do, you send signals to buyers that your home is all but unmarketable.

• When you first list your NE Tarrant County home for sale, have your Southlake real estate agent “debut” your property on Friday. Recent research and data indicates Friday is the very best day to have your home hit the local MLS! The absolute worst days are Mondays and Thursdays.

• When pricing your home accurately, make sure it falls within the correct pricing “categories”. Internet-based home buyers are more savvy web searchers today. Typically, searches are segmented in $25K to $50K increments. If your recommended home value is $551K based on a market analysis (CMA), it is recommend you list your home at $550K so your home falls in the $525K to $550K price point.

• Before you list your home for sale, have your agent search your “hyper-local” neighborhood to determine if there are “foreclosure properties” on the market. If so, it is recommended you hold off listing the home until that foreclosure home is off the market as foreclosure homes are typically difficult to compete against and set a bad precedent for home values in your area.

• To attract as many potential buyers as possible, we place your Southlake luxury home on many websites, including Craigslist. It’s all about marketing your NE Tarrant County home to as many “eyeballs” as possible!

What has been your experience in our lagging real estate market and tell us how you overcame your obstacles to successfully market your home? Are you thinking about listing your home for sale? If so, ask us any questions you might have about marketing your Southlake luxury home.

Until my next post,

Sharon

Spice up your Christmas Holiday at the Gaylord Texan Hotel!

The Lone Star Christmas event is now taking place at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center through January 5th. It features a variety of fun free holiday activities for your entire family! Inside this spacious Grapevine Hotel, visitors will discover 1.2 million twinkling holiday lights, magical model train sets, a 40-foot tall Christmas tree, and a life-size Gingerbread House, just to name a few. And don’t be surprised if you run into Santa, Mrs. Claus, a live reindeer, or a variety of strolling holiday entertainers!

ICE! at The Gaylord Texan Hotel

If you’re ready for an ice cold treat, be sure to visit the ICE! exhibit at the hotel. Gaylord Texan’s popular ICE! exhibit features 2 million pounds of ice, hand-carved by visiting artisans from Harbin, China. Visitors of the 14,000-square-foot exhibit will also discover a three-level ice slide, a gingerbread family, penguins, a walk-through Nativity scene, and so much more. Tickets to the ICE! exhibit are $10.00 and $20.00. For more ticket information, go here>>

Tell Us About Your Visit!

If you go to the ICE! exhibit and the Gaylord Texan Hotel, be sure to leave a comment and tell everyone what you liked best about your experience!

Until my next post,

Sharon

Below are the final five sought-after amenities and features for Southlake and Colleyville Luxury Home Buyers

• Your Personal Spa Retreat and Gym – No longer just a remote room filled with a treadmill, bright lights and mirrors on one wall, today’s well-appointed luxury home gyms and spas are far more sophisticated. No doubt these spa-like amenities have undergone an extreme makeover. The luxury homeowner now demands their home epitomize a complete health and wellness center. Resort-style amenities include steam and message rooms along with rooms dedicated for a Yoga and/or Pilates studio. Gone are outdated hot tubs for static relaxation. Active luxury homeowners demand indoor lap pools and half court basketball gyms to remain physically fit.

• Concierge services – No longer restricted to condo-hotels and condominium owners, concierge services are a reality for today’s luxury homeowner. Builders and developers are aligning their resources to incorporate the growing demand for onsite concierge services. From providing in-home chefs to booking dinner reservations, concierge services offer the luxury homeowner time saving services like picking up your dry cleaning or purchasing opera tickets.

• Home Theaters – A home theater or media room remains a fixture for must-have luxury home amenities. However, today’s home theater far surpasses those of the most sophisticated local public theater. Equipped with theater-size screens, these light-controlled venues typically offer 6.1 digital surround sound, Crestron A/V Controls along with the latest high-tech gadgets to entertain. Stocked with plush reclining seats and easy to access fully-stocked refreshment centers, today’s media room can easily accommodate larger groups of family and friends.

• Home elevators – Accessibility to all areas of your luxury is a must. Particularly if the residents are more mature. Plus – as lot sizes in our area diminish, the need for vertical construction will be a priority. Luxury homes equipped with elevators are becoming a matter of convenience as well as necessity for the typical Southlake or Colleyville luxury home buyer.

• Outdoor Living Spaces – Another must have feature for luxury homes is outdoor living spaces decked with all manner of amenities. Offering luxury buyers comfortable amenities like a fireplace, ceiling fans, wired surround sound, flat panel TV and built in appliances such as gas grill and refrigerator are the norm in our area.

Do You have a Favorite Luxury Amenity Omitted from my List?

If so, tell me your favorite luxury home feature or amenity.

Until my next post,

Sharon