North Texas Home Sales Up 18% in July

Despite high temperatures and current national economic news, the North Texas housing market made a huge rebound in July.

In a report released by the Texas A&M Real Estate Center single family home sales were up 18% in July 2011 compared to July 2010. While most experts expected an increase in sales very few saw an increase of this level.

“I think this proves that the North Texas area can rebound out of the housing slump sooner than other parts of the country,” said Patricia Szot, 2011 MetroTex President. “The most important factor to any real estate market is consumer confidence and we are starting to see that confidence return in DFW.”

Most areas of North Texas showed a marked increase in sales last month but the largest increase occurred in Denton County with a 36% boost compared to 2010.

“Despite incredible affordability and the lowest interest rates we will ever see there are some obstacles being discussed in Washington that could have a big impact on the industry, said Szot. “Any changes to eliminate the mortgage interest deduction or a mandatory 20% down payment on a qualified residential mortgage would be major threats to stabilizing the housing market.

6 ways to save money on school supplies.

1. Don't buy what you don't need

 

Every year parents make the mistake of going shopping for supplies before taking inventory of what they already have at home.

2. Check out swapping sites for freebies

swap.com and swapmamas.com are great places for scoring freebies such as clothes, shoes, books, backpacks and more

3. Three ways to save on tax-free weekend

 

In addition to getting the tax savings look for back to school discounts and additional coupons to get further savings.

4. Get thrifty

Shopping at second hand or consignment stores could be a good way to save money. You can often find new items with the price tags still attached at these stores. People have brought them in either because they were the wrong size or their kids didn't like them.

5. Download textbooks

Textbooks can be one of the most costly school supply items. The campus bookstore most likely will have the highest markup. Search online for better prices. You can also download textbooks for less. You can save 50% or more off the cost off a new textbook by downloading it from CafeScribe. You can also rent textbooks from "Kindle Textbook Rentals" for 30 days to a year for 80% off the price for the paper books.

 

6. Always look for free shipping

 

Make sure to look for free shipping offers if you buy school supplies online. Freeshipping.org will tell you which websites are offering free shipping for back to school.

 

DFW Named one of 10 Best-Performing Major Housing Markets

DFW ranked number four in a Clear Capital report of the high performing real estate markets in the U.S.  The ten highest performing major market metros are expected to improve their performance over the first half of the year, with five of the top 10 even expected to see modest gains, reports Clear Capital in its latest monthly Home Data Index.

While housing prices in the first half of the year were mostly negative among the metro areas, Clear Capital says the market is showing signs of stabilizing.

Top Performers
The following are the highest performing major markets based on first half 2011 data (January through June) and second half forecast, according to Clear Capital.

1. Washington, D.C.-Arlington, Va.
2. New York-Long Island, N.Y.-No. New Jersey, N.J.
3. Orlando
4. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas5. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.
6. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Mass.
7. Honolulu
8. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, Calif.
9. Rochester, N.Y.
10. Memphis, Tenn.

Yet, only five of these markets are expected to boast home price gains in the second half of 2011: Washington, D.C., New York, Orlando, Dallas, and San Francisco, according to Clear Capital.

Worst-Performing Markets
Meanwhile, the lowest performing markets were Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Va.; Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, Ohio; and Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn., according to Clear Capital.

“While most individual markets are also projected to post losses for the year, it is clear prices have begun to level off and are not exhibiting as much volatility as we’ve seen since the downturn began,” says Alex Villacorta, director of research and analytics at Clear Capital.

Source: “Clear Capital Home Data Index Forecast Reveals Further Price Declines for Second Half of 2011,” Clear Capital (July 8, 2011)

Woodrow QB Hangs On To Lead In Online Poll

Woodrow Wilson High School quarterback Piers Christian held the lead in online polling to recognize the region’s best high school football players in districts 4A and 5A last week.

Woodrow quarterback Piers Christian — Photo by Gloria West

Woodrow Wilson fans did their best rallying to put Christian out front.

Christian led the field with 6,860 votes. His closest competitor, Jeff Thomas of Duncanville, recieved 5,657 clicks. Third place went to Corey Coleman of Richardson with 539 votes. there’s your perspective.
Nice job, Woodrow Nation and Piers Christian, voted the top high school footballer in a preview of the 2011 season.

Fourth Annual Blondes vs. Brunettes Powder Puff Football Game on Saturday, August 6 at SMU

A $25 donation or more will get you a ticket to the big game at SMU’s Westcott Field and after-party at Bryan Street Tavern on Saturday, August 6th. Kick-Off is at 7:30pm and is presented by Bud Light. Blondes vs. Brunettes Dallas is a powder-puff football game hosted as a way of raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Dallas. BvB is a personal way for young professionals across the country to raise awareness and donations to help eradicate this grave disease. For more information visit http://bvbdallas.org/.