What you can buy for $250,000 in the Dallas Fort Worth areaBeing that our average price range here in Dallas-Fort Worth is around $250,000 I thought you might be interested to see what you can get for your money here in Texas.  I have a lot of people that I know moving out of California(I'll put a few on here from Cali just for some comparison) and they are AMAZED at how large a home you can get here in Texas.  Some of the Cali cities I have lived in also.If you are considering relocating here to Fort Worth call me.  I am knowledgeable with relocation having done it myself. There are a lot of opportunities here for jobs, careers, startups you name it. You also can have the best of both worlds. Coyboys, culture, country, city, lake, river, ocean(5 hour drive but still...), forest, hills,... 09/14/2016

 3 Reasons I use video to sale your home.   I enjoy  producing quality videos right from my smart phone to market  my listings. I have a great time editing photos, adding music and narrating.  It's fun and this is a great tool for marketing.  It's no no secret that video marketing is becoming such a hot trend.  The top three reasons I use video to sale your home? Video Marketing Improves SEO Power & Higher EngagementI'm not referring to only my power to share and dominate social media.  Once I create a short movie clip of your home and post to my you tube as well as other social media sites you can share with your friends, family and sphere.  This video will definitely have more prospective buyers viewing the details of your home.     Higher Retention Rates Viewers actually spend more t... 09/13/2016

When you begin planning a kitchen renovation project, you may have no idea how much your ideal vision might cost. The answer will likely depend on several factors, including the size of your space, what you will do to it, and your budget. In the end, the price of a renovation should largely be driven by your own choices.  You have two major cost categories.  Labor and Materials.  Labor can be as much as 60% of the total cost of a renovation and remember that cost leaves when the job is finished.  So you should consider this when considering your return on investment and how much value this renovation will bring to the home.  Cheap labor is just that.  Hiring people that have a low skill sets can end up being a huge costly mistake.  Here's an example: a $10/hr guy that takes 20 hours to ... 08/22/2016

Once a buyer gets a home in contract that's when the real work begins.  I'll bet you never considered, as home buyer you would become a seller, even before you took possession of your new home?For the buyer and the buyers representative, at least in Texas, the day after the contract is executed the option period begins.  Inspections need to be ordered and repairs, if any arise, negotiated with the seller.  There are usually something that is an issue for the buyer even in new construction.BUYERS FIRST SALE:While this is going on the buyer makes a sale to the lenders underwriter on two fronts.  One, the buyer is credit worthy and  is able to repay the loan.  Two, the property must meet the lenders criteria for the loan.BUYERS SECOND SALE:  The appraisal is ordered by the lenders underwri... 08/22/2016

Nestled in the vibrant town of Fort Worth, the Candleridge Neighborhood offers natures' beauty of the spacious greenbelt Candleridge Park, while still providing the big city conveniences that are just down the street.   4200 French Lake is your Zen Paradise that sits on almost a half acre lot and is surrounded by mature trees. This house has been fabulously well-maintained and has recent updates of over $30,000 that include new HVAC units (16 & 20 SEER), Energy Efficient Windows, Low Flush Toilets & Much More! Are you looking for an open floor-plan? 4200 French Lake has an open floor-plan that connects the living, dining & sitting room and is made complete with a wet bar, fireplace, & a wall of windows into the backyard. The kitchen is a chefs delight that has tons of storage & counter ... 06/27/2016

   This Saturday, June 18, 2016, men in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are being asked to put on a pair of high-heeled shoes and "take the pledge and walk one mile in protest of domestic violence." For details visit the website at www.safehaventc.org/walk-a-mile-2016.  High-heeled walkers will meet at The Woodshed Smokehouse located at 3201 Riverfront Drive, Fort Worth. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and end around noon. You don't have to prove you're man to put on a pair of high-heeled shoes and if you abuse, you're no man at all! "Violence and Arms can never resolvethe problems of men." --- Pope John Paul II "The Violence Against Women's Act is so important.It provides money to train the cop on the beat,to train the judges that this is a new day,that we won't tolerate this violenceand to ... 06/17/2016

It's a rule, right? That when you go on vacation, that's when the phone rings with the most important business? I just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only member of this club! I know I'm not...I have two listings right now, personally. Thankfully, my agents are way more active that I am... One has a contract and is well into contingent on financing status and one has no contract yet. I promise, when I went to the lake last weekend (family reunion) is when that agent (on the deal with a deal) was really needing my help on some time sensitive things. Not Thursday before I left. Not Friday when I left the lake and went to civilization (Wal-Mart) and checked messages and returned calls. No. It was Saturday when I was stuck (yay) on the boat in the middle of East Texas with no cell towers ... 06/06/2016

Buying your own home first is one of the happiest times of your life! However, a lot of paperwork and time goes into it and finding a lender with great reviews will ease much of the stress. But, the satisfaction you get from your first home closing is something you will never forget! Being a  Fort Worth Texas First Time Home Buyer makes you have to consider your options before you buy. The first thing you will need to consider is what your long-term goals are with being a home owner and how your goals fit in with that plan. One goal could be to stop paying rent that just increases after every lease you renew. The benefits of being a Fort Worth Texas First Time Home Buyer greatly outweighs renting for the following reasons:           Greater privacy.          Homes typically increase in ... 05/18/2016

Price is different than valueI've heard, “A home is worth what someone will pay for it” but doesn’t always apply to real estate.  In reality, a home is worth what an underwriter says it's worth. Why? Because nearly nine of 10 homes are financed by a mortgage, and lenders will lend no more than what an appraiser says a house is worth along with the final approval of the underwriter of the loan.If the contract price is higher than the appraised value, the buyer, and/or seller must figure out how to make up the difference or the deal is dead. Appraisal issues kill about 11% of the deals in todays market.One way to think about the difference between price and value is longevity. Prices reflect temporary shifts in supply and demand — like tight inventories or heightened demand due to low-int... 05/07/2016

Don't Let Family Pet Smells Turn Potential Buyers Away! Earlier today I showed a property to a buyer just outside of Parker County. Nice home nestled on a wooded lot. Once I opened the door I was about knocked out by the smell. It's not often that a home smells this awful.Do you have a house filled with pets? I love pets and so do most home buyers. However, a home that smells strongly of your family pet can be a huge turn off to potential buyers. Have you noticed after you've given your carpet a good cleaning, pet odors can linger in your home?Here are are few ideas to help you get rid of that unwanted lingering scent. White Vinegar If you are cleaning a urine spot, choose white vinegar. White vinegar is highly alkaline, and can deodorize areas marked with urine. This will neutralize th... 04/21/2016

Prepare Yourself Before Shopping For Your New Fort Worth HomeIn our Fort Worth housing market you need to prepare yourself before you begin your home buying process. For those of you that have previously purchased a home this time could be a totally different experience.During the first few weeks of Spring your home buying process may become complicated. Purchasing residential pre-owned housing with our current inventory in Fort Worth could become a competitive experience for unprepared home buyers.1. Know your credit score and how this will affect your purchasing power.You can obtain a free credit report online and view the entries. If you notice an account with the wrong information you should contact the reporting company by writing a letter to address this issue. Send a copy to the ... 04/21/2016

This amazing 4 bedroom and 3 bath home is the perfect place to call home. This home has very large living room for entertaining with gorgeous wood floors. The home has plenty of windows for natural lighting and a huge back yard. There is a large barn in the back for extra storage. You don’t want to miss this one! Click here for Virtual Tour 04/11/2016

 If your dreams don't scare youTHEY ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH!!!--- Author Unknown   RULE #1 Adrenaline Junkies MUST Stay Alive!   Texas is a State of Mind Where Cowboys Don't Mind Getting their Butts Kicked!  What did the City Slicker Chick do with the $25.00 her boss gave her to go out and have a ball in Fort Worth, right after she relocated to Texas? It was the 8th day of April, 1997. I gave $25.00 to a Cowboy and asked him to take me for a ride down the streets in Fort Worth. He took the money and I hopped on with the help of some strangers who thought I was nuts, but I did it anyways, and had the best adrenaline rush ever!!!  --- Patricia Feager  This City Slicker didn't know that bulls can buck!!! But what I didn't know didn't hurt because the bull didn't buck and the cowboy earned his m... 04/07/2016

   11 Actions to take during your home buying process in Fort Worth Texas.   In our Fort Worth housing market you need to prepare yourself  before you begin your home buying process.  For those of you that have previously purchased a home this could be a totally different experience.  It's the first week of Spring and your home buying process could become complicated.  Our residential pre owned housing inventory in Ft. Worth is beginning to become a competitive experience for unprepared home buyers.   11 Actions to take before your home buying process begins with me in Fort Worth.   1.  Know your credit score and how this will affect your purchasing power.  You can obtain a free credit report online and view the entries. If you notice an account with the wrong information you should con... 03/21/2016

Buying a house is often the biggest purchase a person will make. When making a decision of this magnitude, the last thing you want is to walk away from your closing day with buyer’s remorse. One way to avoid any regret after buying a home is to make a list of things you do not want in a house. Here are 4 things you might put on your ‘do not want’ list: Swimming Pool: The cost and hassle of constant maintenance, cleaning and upkeep may not be worth it to you and your family. Keep in mind, if you decide you don’t want the pool anymore, you must get the pool filled in with cement. Basement: Think about what you would need and use this space for – is it space that will sit idle? How much are you willing to spend to make it a living space? Keep in mind the potential problems with basements: ... 03/21/2016

Pending sale 8912 Sunny Hollow in Fort Worth. SOLD 3/22/2016Contract executed, home inspection went well, appraisal completed.  Both parties have full filled their obligations. We are locked in now and waiting for our closing appointment.  The Fort Worth housing market is very active this time of year.  If your thinking of selling your home or considering purchasing this spring give me a call to discuss your options.  03/15/2016

Great 2 story brick home on over sized corner lot in Candleridge. New wood plank tiled flooring in main living areas. Floor to ceiling stone fireplace in 2nd living with plenty of natural lighting leads to eat in kitchen with island. Upstairs is an open game room over looking the yard. Spacious master suite has many windows, separate shower and double sinks. Selling AS IS.Click here for Virtual Tour 03/04/2016

Great 2 story brick home on over sized corner lot in Candleridge. New wood plank tiled flooring in main living areas. Floor to ceiling stone fireplace in 2nd living with plenty of natural lighting leads to eat in kitchen with island and sliding glass doors to very large backyard. Upstairs is an open game room over looking the yard. Spacious master suite has many windows, separate shower and double sinks. Selling AS IS. Must see!Click here for Virtual Tour 02/26/2016

Barbara Newton Selling Agent Nu Home Source Realty Forth Worth, TX 817-846-5093 direct    Barbara.newton@nhsfortworth.com email Hello! My name is Barbara Newton. I help families all over Fort Worth buy and sell their properties. I especially love to work with first time home buyers looking to begin building equity now and make that investment in themselves. It’s no big secret that oftentimes single females making a purchase can feel timid. I know firsthand that there are times when being a single female making any kind of purchase can make you feel slightly venerable, and maybe a little… well, uncomfortable. It doesn’t seem to matter if it’s a car, a computer or especially a new home. I have been in that spot may times in my life and as a full-time, full-service Realtor, I’m here to put... 02/19/2016

Real Estate is all about relationships & understanding people.  In a real estate transaction there are many people involved from the home sellers & buyers to the loan officers and title agents.  Being able to understand the way each party works and communicates and being able to effectively make all of these moving parts work together is a true talent.Your Real Estate professional will work hard to build a relationship with each working party of the transaction.  It is likely that your Real Estate professional may even have a prior working relationships with other parties such as the loan officer or  the other agent and can therefore make the home selling and buying process that much smoother.You may never understand all the thoughts and reactions and emotional triggers going on inside ... 02/18/2016