Just Listed - 5524 Thornberry Drive

Just Listed - 5524 Thronberry Drive, Fort Worth

Offered for Sale by the Grove Team

$162,500 - Keller ISD

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Impeccably maintained three bedroom , two bath home with study situated on 1-story! The floorplan lends itself to entertaining with its open concept and expansive kitchen complete with ample counter space, cabinets for storage and island.  Split bedrooms allow for privacy to the master retreat featuring en suite bath.  Located in Keller ISD, this home allows for easy access to schools, shopping and restaurants in a quiet neighborhood with no thru traffic.

To schedule a showing, call the Grove Team, Keller Williams at (817) 337-0000

Video Tour - 2700 Triangle Leaf Drive

Video Tour - 2700 Triangle Leaf Drive

Just Listed by the Grove Team, Keller Williams

Offered for sale, $259,500

View the Tour

Amazing floorplan and finishes throughout!  Impeccably maintained and perfect for entertaining. Vaulted ceilings, open concept, handscraped wood floors, ample amount of closets and storage with so much more.

Invite friends over for movie night to enjoy the media room.  Enjoy a private dinner party or holiday parties in the large kitchen featuring granite counters, stainless appliances and butlers pantry.  Escape to the master retreat with en suite bath. 

Call the Grove Team, Keller Williams Realty

(817) 337-0000

Is There a Housing Market Bubble?

Prices of houses are on the rise and it is a great thing.  Americans lost about $8 trillion in net worth in their homes between 2008 and 2010.  Americans that were underwater on their mortgages are resurfacing with positive equity.  This allows them to either sell the home or refinance at a lower rate.

With the increase in home prices, the question of housing "bubbles" has also resurfaced.  Is the housing recovery sustainable or are we having another housing bubble that will burst?

In order to to qualify as a bubble there must me a capacity to "burst".  A bubble bursts when a lot of people decide to sell at the same time, and they need or want to do it quickly.  To get a bubble to burst there must be a massive imbalance between supply and demand.  Either the supply increases too much, buyer demand drops off precipitously or both happen simultaneously. 

Here are some conditions that could cause a significant price decline in house prices:

1.  There is a massive increase in sellers putting their homes on the market at the same time
     and are determined to sell quickly.
   
     .  This is unlikely unless we have a big recession that leads to massive layoffs again.

2.  Home builders grossly overbuild and have to cut prices to stay solvent.

     .  Currently, home builders can not get enough loans to overbuild the market.    
     .  While new home construction is increasing, it is still historically low.

3.  There is a massive decrease in the number of buyers.

      .  Dodd-Frank is limiting the number of people who can buy homes, but American enthusiasm for
         owning a home is gaining each month.
      .  Mortgage rates are unlikely to go high enough to significantly dampen demand.
      .  Eliminating the mortgage interest deduction would not impact many American families, as they
         do not benefit from this tax deductions and don't make buying decision for this reason.

It appears there is no cause for concern about a bubble forming in home prices.  We are presently witnessing a quick rebound from the low prices that were a result of the massive sell-off from 2008-2011.  Low inventories in many communities are driving the prices higher.  It will likely be years before the home building industry gets access to sufficient capital to overbuild.  Today's buyers are putting more cash into their purchase and owners with low leverage are less likely to be forced to sell to avoid foreclosure.  However, as in any market. the housing market could have the unexpected change that nobody could predict.  If consumers develop a sudden aversion to stainless steel appliances and not buy any homes unless they have harvest gold or avocado green instead, all bets are off for the housing market. 


 

Get Ready to Show In An Hour

If your home is on the market it is a good idea to have a plan to get it ready to show quickly when you receive the showing appointment call .  Here are some quick check points to get "ready to show" in less than an hour. 

KITCHEN

Clear all clutter from counters and tables.  If you can not put everything in its place quickly, store in bins or bags out of the way.  Wipe down counters and appliances to clear food stains and dust.  Put dirty dishes in dishwasher and clean sink and faucet.  Put away all food items. Wipe up food stains from floor.  Sweep floor with broom or power sweeper.  Take out garbage and recycling. Turn on all Lights.

BATHROOMS

Brush toilet quickly and flush.  Clean off counter and put all product inside vanity.  Lock away all medicines.  Clean mirror with window cleaner.  Quickly wipe down floor area, especially in corners.  Hang new towels. Turn on lights.

BEDROOMS

Make bed.  Hang/put away all clothes and shoes in back of closet. Run power sweeper over floors. Open window treatments.  Turn on lights. 

LIVING ROOM/DEN/DINING ROOM/STUDY

Clear clutter, dust all flat surfaces, including electronics.  Store small electronics in a secure place.  Fluff pillows, fold throws. Run power sweeper over floors. Open window treatments.  Turn on all lights.

MISCELLANEOUS

Lock up pets or take them with you.

Community Storehouse

Summer is traditionally a difficult time for the Community Storehouse because many people's schedules are disrupted and they forget to donate. 

The Storehouse has initiated the "13" in "13" program in which donors commit to a reoccurring donation each month of $13 in 2013.  If you would like to donate monthly, go to www.communitystorehouse.org  or call 817-431-3340.

The Community Storehouse is also seeking donations of food.  Items needed include individual cans of fruit, jelly, rice sides, pasta sides, peanut butter, refried beans, chili, tuna, baked beans, pudding mix, Jell-O, canned pasta, macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, mustard, mayonnaise, popcorn, ketchup, sloppy joe, salsa, muffin mixes, Kool-Aid, instant oatmeal, cereal bars, granola bars and crackers. 

Remedies for deadly heat: more than just staying hydrated

 Some parts of the country are experiencing record high temperatures this summer. Las Vegas hit 117 degrees and Phoenix topped the charts at 119 degrees. Salt Lake City also hit the triple digits as did several areas in California. Dry heat or not, residents and visitors were undoubtedly feeling it, and anytime the mercury gets remotely close to these temperatures, staying hydrated is of paramount importance.

This is especially the case for anyone participating in outdoor activities or any sort of exercise program. Our bodies produce sweat in order to regulate our core body temperature. As the moisture that appears on your skin evaporates, you cool off. In fact, human beings are the most effective mammal when it comes to regulating our body temperature. At the extreme, an adult can sweat as much as two to four liters per hour.   All of this water needs to be replaced, but remember that when you sweat you are not just losing water, you are also losing minerals such as sodium and potassium.

Hyponatremia symptoms are similar to those of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and are often overlooked. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include nausea, muscle cramps, disorientation, confusion, seizures, coma and death. To avoid this condition, medical authorities advise marathon runners to consume extra salt and this advice should also be considered by anyone exposed to excessive heat. Salt is critical in maintaining hydration.
 .
As we age, our kidneys become less efficient at conserving salt when the body is stressed and common medications such as diuretics greatly increase that risk. That's one of the reasons that during severe high temperatures news accounts most often refer to elderly victims of the heat.

The proper balance of electrolytes in the human body is essential for normal function of the cells and organs. Electrolytes help to regulate cardiovascular and neurological functions, fluid balance and oxygen delivery.
Ideally, anyone engaging in outdoor activity in the heat or even an indoor exercise program should drink 8 to 12 ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes during a session. If exercising exceeds an hour, a beverage that contains salt and an energy carbohydrate is far superior to plain water. The recommended concentration of salt in a fluid replacement beverage is one quarter teaspoon per liter. Most sports drinks contain salt, although the amount is not quite that high. Anyone can make an alternative to commercial fluid replacement beverages easily by adding one quarter to one half teaspoon of salt per liter or 32 ounces of water.

Every day, more and more Americans are motivated to start exercise programs. Physical fitness is a state of good health resulting from regular exercise and good nutrition. When you exercise, your body's metabolism works at a much higher rate, breaking down and regenerating tissues and creating waste metabolites that need to be flushed out of your system. However, regardless of your level of activity, you still need to maintain good hydration.

So remember to always drink plenty of water to beat heat, but also up your intake of electrolytes, particularly sodium and potassium.

(BPT)

The best kind of home improvements: high-impact, low-maintenance

The best kind of home improvements: high-impact, low-maintenance

Yes, everyone knows making home improvements is a worthy investment in your greatest material asset. Sure you want every improvement job done well with top-notch end results. But when all is said and done, do you really want to have to put a lot of effort and money into maintaining those improvements? For most people - whether they'll admit it or not - the answer is "no."

The best home improvements are the ones that not only enhance your home's value and livability, but also require little work from you afterward to keep them looking great and functioning well. If you're looking for high-impact, low-maintenance home improvements, consider these popular projects:

No-leak skylights

When it comes to an improvement that brightens your home, enhances its indoor air quality and boosts energy-efficiency, skylights deliver. Unfortunately, early skylights had a reputation for being leaky - a problem that simply doesn't occur with modern, no leak, energy-efficient skylights.  Pre-engineered flashing kits (the metal shield that surrounds any opening in a wall or roof) work with all types of roofs, from shingles to metal, to ensure a properly installed skylight won't leak.

Need further low-maintenance points to make the case for adding a skylight? Not only do modern skylights keep water out, they're energy efficient as well. Energy Star-qualified, no leak solar-powered fresh air skylights deliver fresh air through cost-effective passive ventilation. Adding remote-controlled, solar-powered blinds allows you to easily open or close a fresh air skylight and shade it when the sun hits that part of the roof, boosting the skylight's energy efficiency by 39 percent. Keep the shade open during cold weather to admit warmth and reduce heating costs. A 30 percent federal tax credit on both products and installation costs makes a skylight project even more appealing.

 Lighting upgrade

Older light fixtures not only look dated, they often use outdated, inefficient bulbs and are lacking in the energy-efficient emphasis that comes with newer fixtures. Upgrading lighting throughout your home is a great way to ensure you won't have to think about it again any time soon.

If a total lighting redesign is out of the question, you can still make your existing light fixtures lower maintenance simply by swapping out old, inefficient incandescent light bulbs with newer, electricity-sipping versions.

Vinyl siding

Wood, fiber cement, stucco, brick - there are nearly as many types of exterior siding as there are colors to paint it. When it comes to low- or no-maintenance siding, vinyl remains the gold standard. In fact, more new homes are built using vinyl siding than any other type of siding product.

While early versions of vinyl siding introduced in the 1950s earned criticism for being less lovely than wood, even those less sophisticated versions had staying power; it's possible to find homes in use today sporting vinyl siding that was added to the house in the 1970s or even earlier.

Vinyl siding never needs to be painted, and when properly installed provides exceptional shielding from the elements. New technology has made modern vinyl siding look better and last longer without fading issues associated with older versions of vinyl. It requires basic cleaning, and overall maintenance demands are much less than other types of siding.

(BPT)

Moving this summer? Navigate the peak season like a pro

Moving this summer? Navigate the peak season like a pro


Summer is busiest time of the year for home and business moves. In fact, an estimated 65 percent of the 43 million Americans who are moving this year will do so in the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

What does that mean for those with a move in the immediate future? Considering the fact that moving is ranked just behind death and divorce in terms of life's most stressful events, a summer move might mean stocking up on extra stress balls and taking a few extra deep breaths along the way.
A summer move also means that you need to plan further in advance and be more flexible with your move dates.

How do you begin to navigate the waters of the busiest moving season?

Kids rule: If hiring a sitter isn't an option on move day, get the kids involved as "supervisors." Help them with a simple checklist or turn a box into a "treasure chest" of their own belongings so the move becomes a positive experience for them.

Free Fido: If watching the kids weren't enough, try managing the dog as she tries to skirt through every open door. Ask a family friend to watch the animals, or consider boarding them for the day. The money spent is a good investment in reducing your overall stress.

Space it out: Often homeowners will move all their furniture into one room to save time for their movers. This can be a cost savings for boxes, but when it comes to furniture it can slow the move down. A good moving company will use stretch wrap to protect furniture, so when packed tightly together into one room the pieces have to be moved twice to properly prepare for the move. Go ahead and consolidate boxes, but save yourself the hassle and leave furniture where it lives.

Picture this: Photos are often the last thing to be packed because it seems safer to just leave them hanging until they are ready to be moved. In truth, they often delay a move because movers have to remove them to get furniture past. This time ask your movers to provide you with-the appropriate packing materials in advance and pack your photos yourself. It's often light lifting, and it's a fun way to relive memories while thinking about life's next great adventure.

(BPT)

Eight easy ways to organize - and maximize - a small bath

Eight easy ways to organize - and maximize - a small bath

The bath serves a variety of uses, from a functional room to a serene sanctuary, a storage facility to a salon. And, whether you enjoy it yourself or share with the family, every bathroom is in need of one major thing - organization. To help keep your bath feeling more serene and less insane, follow these eight ideas to help improve your organization, maximize space and even add a bit of style.

1.Supersize your shower. You don't need to remodel - or even use a tool - to increase the size of your shower space. Simply swap your straight shower rod with a curved version.

2.Take back the tub. From shampoo and shower gel, duckies and boats, the bathtub often needs to store a variety of items. While shower caddies or shelves are great solutions, you can also make your own. Reuse your straight shower rod - but install it across the back wall of the tub. Next, use shower rod hooks to hang a variety of plastic baskets, creating instant storage for each member of the family.

3. Maximize with dual-function. Dual-function products are perfect for smaller baths, since they offer added benefits without taking up more space. Update your current toilet paper holder, towel bars and in-shower shelves with newer versions that integrate grab bars.

4. Clean closets. If you have a closet in your bathroom, fully utilize its storage potential. Use labeled - and preferably see-through - bins on the floor and for higher-up shelves to keep smaller items neat, organized and easily accessible. Designate the middle shelves for frequently used linens. Finally, the inside of the closet door can be a potential location for added storage space. Hang a shoe rack and you'll instantly have a dozen pouches to hold smaller items.

5. Hidden helpers. While space underneath the vanity offers room for storage, this area is a glutton for disorganization. Remove everything and toss any items you don't need. Next, use baskets or bins to create places for everything. Don't forget that the back of the doors can also be added locations to install hooks or shelves

6. Shelves for storage. Don't limit the vertical surfaces of your bathroom for mirrors and decor (especially if you don't have a closet) - try installing wall shelves. Choose from a variety of options - from smaller, decorative shelves that can hold perfume and toiletries - to larger hotel shelves that provide the perfect storage location for towels.

7. Get hooked. It's one of the major pet peeves in the bathroom: towels and clothes on the floor. Solve this problem by installing robe hooks. They are inexpensive, easy to install and come in a variety of styles and finishes to match your bathroom. If you share your bath with children, be sure to install a few lower on the wall, within reach of little hands.

8. Hotel inspiration. The next time you're staying in a hotel, take note of the amenities offered - and incorporate them into your bathroom for added functionality and organization. Did you love using the wall-mounted, magnifying mirror? Enjoy the convenience of storing the hair dryer on the wall? These same bath accessories are available for your home - so install and enjoy.

(BPT)

Video Tour - 8000 Kandy Lane

Video Tour - 8000 Kandy

View the Tour

Just listed by the Grove Team, Keller Williams! Stunning renovation by TK Homes, LLC! Located on corner lot and minutes from acclaimed Green Valley Elementary, neighborhood parks and trails. Freshly painted inside and out, this home offers four bedrooms plus study on 1-story. This home has been updated throughout with new wood laminate floors, carpet, tile in utility, baths and kitchen. Kitchen and baths have been completed renovated, new fixtures added, updated HVAC, electrical, and more!

Contact the Grove Team, Keller Williams Realty, (817) 337-0000 to schedule a showing of this lovely home.  Find us online, www.groveteam.com