North Texas Expressway Project - Upcoming Lane Closures

Mid-Cities LANE CLOSURES AHEAD!

For more information on the North Texas Expressway Project and lane closures, visit the Grove Team blog for update.

1) HURST SHOULDER CLOSURE: The right shoulder of westbound SH 183 from Hurstview Dr to Precinct Line Rd will be closed.

Dates: Tuesday,March 22 to Thursday, March 24 Times: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

2) HURST FRONTAGE ROAD:The east and westbound frontage road of SH 183 from Hurstview Dr to Precinct Line Rd will have the right lane closed.

Dates: Tuesday, March 22 to Thursday,March 23 Times: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

3) HURST SHOULDER CLOSURE: The right shoulder of the eastbound on-ramp at Precinct Line Rd will be closed.

Dates: Tuesday March 22 to Thursday March 24 Times: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Considering buying or selling soon? For the most up to date information on your neighborhood, reach us direct, (817) 337-0000.

Customized Real Estate Service

You deserve customized real estate service and we deliver it.

Like tracking your home's value. As real estate professionals, we monitor the critical information that affects your area's home values.

Are you curious about your neighborhood value or thinking about making a move? As local market area experts, we would be happy to provide you and your family with updates on the most recent activity in your neighborhood.

Don't have a home to sell? That is okay too - we can provide you with a market report on the neighborhoods you are interested in!

All of our reports and summaries are FREE, with no obligation. Call us, (817) 337-0000 or visit us online www.groveteam.com.

Changes to Your Insurance Coverage: Considerations

Jonathan Kobler
Jonathan@AFagency.com

214.215.6750

If you are like me, you are finding it hard to believe that the first quarter of 2011 is almost complete. And I’m sure you have experienced many changes already this year, some larger than others. But have you considered how these changes might affect how you are currently insured on your home and personal belongings? As an insurance agent, I encourage my clients to contact me for the major changes that occur in their lives, and I have highlighted some of the most common life changes below:

1. Home Additions, Updates, or Repairs
a. We make changes to our home with the intention of increasing its value – ROI !!
b. Are you sure you are covered for the additional value (i.e. room addition, wood flooring) or potential hazards (i.e. pool)?
(Ask one of the knowledgeable members of the Grove Team for some of the best updates you can make for increasing value to your home)
c. Keep your Receipts & Permits – You could be missing out on SIGNIFICANT Savings (i.e. New Roof, Security Systems, complete electrical rewiring)

2. Marriage / Anniversary
a. Price of Diamonds, Gold, Silver have gone up drastically in the past couple years.
b. If you are a newlywed, make sure you’ve added a jewelry floater to your homeowners policy for your wedding ring. That way if you lose it, you can be reimbursed so you can replace it!
c. If you have been married awhile, you might be surprise at the DRASTIC increase in value of your ring, jewelry. Get a current appraisal and make sure you are insuring your valuable jewelry for what its worth!

3. New Child
a. If something were to happen to you would your spouse and children be prepared to take on the additional financial obligations?
b. Andy Fuller (AF Insurance Agent/Owner) is a product of life insurance. He lost his father when he was 4. His childhood and college was assisted by a life insurance policy.
c. How much life insurance do you need? I can provide you with a worksheet that helps to determine the appropriate amount of Life Insurance for your family.

4. Teenage Driver
a. Put your teenager on your auto policy. Rather than setting up an independent policy for your teen driver, put them on your auto insurance policy as an additional driver. In this way, all the discounts applied to your policies will be passed on to them.
b. Pay your teenager to get good grades. Here's a creative tip — find out how much you save if your teenager gets a good grade point average and pass it on to them.
c. Enforce safe driving habits - Use safety restraints, minimize distractions (Texting, Music, Food)

For questions on any of the above, please feel free to contact me!

The Grove Team would like to extend our continued appreciation to Jonathan Kobler at the AF Agency. His commitment to his clients is unparalleled. Contact Jonathan for all of your insurance needs today - 214.215.6750

For more information on the local market, buying and selling, call the Grove Team direct - 817.337.0000

Packing and transporting tips for do-it-yourselfer movers

The economy is moving again - and so are Americans. About 38 million people moved to new locations, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Warm weather locales seem to be top-of-mind these days.


"The patterns we're seeing through 2010 consumer truck rentals mirrors what the Census Bureau reported in 2009 - folks are moving out of the Midwest and Northeast and into sunny markets," says Don Mikes, vice president of truck rental for Penske. "Seven out of the top 10 moving destinations last year were in southern or warmer climates." The company's top 10 moving destinations for 2010 were:

1. Atlanta

2. Dallas/Fort Worth

3. Phoenix

4. Orlando

5. Chicago

6. Houston

7. Seattle

8. Denver

9. Sarasota, Fla.

10. Charlotte, N.C.

If you're planning a move to any state this year, Penske, who has been renting out moving trucks to do-it-yourselfers for more than 40 years, offers some advice:

* For long-distance moves, a moving truck is a must. But even if you're just moving across town, renting a moving truck makes sense. Making multiple trips can be exhausting - not to mention the gas you'll use and the greenhouse gases your vehicle will emit on multiple trips. Reserve your truck at least two weeks in advance of moving day - Penske guarantees a truck for every reservation. A 12- or 16-foot truck works for moving a few large items or the contents of a small condo or apartment. For guidance on larger moves and which truck to choose, visit www.PenskeTruckRental.com.

* Pack in increments. Start early to avoid the stress of last-minute rushing. It's OK to leave a box open in case you need something you've packed inside it; it's much easier to tape a box shut on moving day than it is to pack at the last moment.

* Buy sturdy boxes in a variety of sizes, along with foam and bubble wrap to protect fragile items. You'll also need a good supply of packing tape and markers for sealing boxes.

* Make sure you have moving blankets and hand trucks on moving day to make the process easier.

* Purge before packing. It's much easier to throw away, donate, sell or give away items that you don't need than it is to pack them and move them. As a rule of thumb, if you haven't used something in the past 12 months - or it's still packed in a box from the last time you moved - you can probably get rid of it.

* Label boxes as you pack. First, list the room that the contents belong in, and, if necessary, a few details such as "glass," "fragile" or "dishes." As you load the truck, try to keep boxes from each room grouped together.

* Load the heaviest items onto the truck first to create a sturdy base, then start stacking on top.

* Moving trucks are taller, wider and heavier than the passenger vehicles you are used to driving. They require more distance to stop. Be extra careful driving your moving truck, especially after it's loaded. Be aware of low-hanging tree branches and building overhangs, and use caution when cornering. Park only in well-lit areas and keep the rear door padlocked and the passenger compartment doors locked.

Finally, create a travel bag for moving day and keep important paperwork, credit cards, identification, a change of clothes, beverages and snacks close at hand. You can find more moving tips at www.PenskeTruckRental.com.


For more information on moving, buying or selling real estate contact the Grove Team, (817) 337-0000 or find us online, www.groveteam.com.

Five Weekend Projects

(ARA) - After a long, hard winter across most of the country, people are looking forward to the rites of spring. And one of those cherished activities is the great American remodeling project.

Joe the Pro (Joe Sainz), a building expert with Bosch Power Tools and Accessories, suggests five DIY projects to add to your to-do list that will help improve the beauty of your home.

* Update flooring: If you just bought a home or you're looking to update your current floor, you may face the task of removing old linoleum. To tackle the job, consider an oscillating multi-tool that includes a scraping blade accessory. Use the oscillating tool to scrape linoleum from the subfloor; use your free hand to peel back the old floor covering. Try to collect large strips.

* Add remodeling electrical boxes: The home theater room is a great place to gather the family. For a professional look with telecom or media wiring, outline and cut holes for remodeling boxes that can be placed in cabinets or walls and finished with an appropriate trim plate. To avoid studs, use a hammer to tap lightly on a wall to locate hollow areas between wall supports or use a high-quality stud finder.

* Remove trim, baseboards or molding: Removal of trim is a tough job if you want to save it for future use. The oscillating tool does a nice job removing caulk and old adhesive, then allows the user to slide a blade accessory between the trim and the wall to cut nails and remove trim intact.

* Replace broken tile: Broken tiles happen - in foyers, kitchens and bathrooms. Spring is a great time to finally remove these long-broken pieces to have complete, perfect alignment again. Use a grout saw to remove grout from around the chipped tile. From there, you can use a pry bar or chisel to remove the old tile. If you can't remove it as a whole piece, put a towel over the chipped tile and use a hammer to break it up. Remove the old adhesive to ensure the new tile can be placed level with adjoining tiles. Use a quality adhesive to place the new tile and apply grout, being careful to match the original grout's color and texture.

* Repaint exterior trim: Now that the snow and cold temperatures have receded, it's time to clean up your window and door trim. Scrape and refurbish paint and stained surfaces, checking for any loose or missing nails, screws or splintered boards. In addition, use a power washer to remove dirt and debris from porches or concrete surfaces.

Joe the Pro always advises professionals and DIYers alike to use eye protection and leather or construction-grade gloves. He also reminds experienced and novice builders to use quality tools and accessories for better results. You only want to do the job once, so make sure your first effort is your best effort.


Considering some springs projects before putting your home on the market? Contact the Grove Team to discuss the best options for high impact, low cost updates. Reach us at the office, (817) 337-0000 or online www.groveteam.com.

Daylight Savings - Spring Forward Sunday

Change batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors!

Sunday is the first day of Daylight Saving Time. Remember to set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. Also, it’s important to change and test the batteries in your home’s smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, which you should do at least twice a year, when the time changes.

Home fires injure and kill thousands each year. You can help prevent these needless fire deaths and injuries by remembering this step when you change your clocks. Please be sure to remind your friends, family and neighbors to do the same. If you have questions regarding smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors, contact your local fire and rescue department.

Three steps to ensure you get the best deal when buying a house

(ARA) - Ample inventory, low mortgage rates and motivated sellers - all these key elements are present in real estate markets across the country, indicating it's still a great time to buy a house. If you're thinking of buying a house - whether it's new or existing, your first home or your fifth - you can help ensure you get the best possible deal by doing a few things before you get down to serious shopping.

1. Check your credit

You might think that getting pre-approved for a mortgage is your first step in home-shopping, and it is an important one. But before you talk to a potential lender, you should check your credit report and score - because the mortgage company certainly will. Your credit score is a reflection of your credit status, and one that potential lenders will consider when assessing your credit worthiness. Knowing your credit standing can make you better prepared to secure the best possible conditions and rates for a home loan.

It's a good idea to monitor your credit for a while before making a move to apply for a mortgage. Websites like freecreditscore.com allow you to access your credit score when you enroll in credit monitoring. By monitoring your credit, you'll be able to see how changes in your credit report can affect your score, and you'll receive credit score alerts whenever your score changes.

2. Capitalize on lender competition

When it's time to apply for a mortgage, many people turn to the banks they're used to dealing with on a regular basis. While banks are definitely a familiar source of home financing, they're not the only one. Even after the mortgage crisis, you'll still find many companies in the home loan field. Wading through the plethora of claims from lending companies can be time consuming - but well worth it.

Despite the credit crunch - or perhaps because of it - competition is fierce among lenders to work with the best-qualified buyers. That means if your credit score and report are good, you could be in a position to snag the loan terms and interest rates reserved for the most-desirable borrowers. But you'll still have to compare rates and offers from a number of companies.

Be sure to thoroughly investigate any lender you're considering applying with; the Internet is a great resource. Check out the Better Business Bureau website to see if the lender has any complaints against them, and type the name into your search engine to see if they've made the news - in a good or bad way.

3. Leverage a Realtor relationship

It's true that many would-be homebuyers are now using the Internet to facilitate their search. Yet 79 percent of all buyers last year purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker, according to the National Association of Realtors.

While it is possible to buy a home without the aid of a Realtor, working with one has several benefits. Realtors strive to be experts about the communities they work in, so a Realtor can provide you with valuable advice on home prices, schools, recreation and businesses, as well as other information about the area you're interested in. Another bonus - as a buyer, you pay the Realtor nothing. He or she will share a percentage of the commission the home sellers pay to their Realtor.

Buying a house is a big investment - the biggest most people make in their lives - but with some preparation and smart negotiations, you can ensure you're well positioned to take advantage of the current buyers' market.

Are you ready to dive into the market and start the home buying process? Contact the Grove Team direct, (817) 337-0000 or visit our website, www.groveteam.com to get the process started. Our team is dedicated to serving you through the home buying process.