The "Right Size" Home

Work hard, buy a home, start a family and continue to upgrade your home until everyone has enough room. This has been the blueprint for lots of homeowners for the last fifty years but there is certainly a shift in thinking that could change all of that.
Interestingly, Americans live in much larger homes than most people in other countries throughout the world. The U.S. Census reported in 2006 that the average single family home completed had 2,469 square feet which was 769 feet more than in 1976.

Once the children are grown and have moved out, homeowners are finding they have too much room. Even if their home is paid for, they have higher property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance on the larger home than they'd have if they were living in the "right size" home.
Some homeowners state thaty they're keeping their larger home because it has luxury features that smaller homes don't have. There's a movement that seems to have started in the United States to find the "right size" home with the amenities and convenience that homeowners want.
This philosophy has been expressed by Sarah Susanka in her book Creating the Not So Big House. It proposes a house that "values quality over quantity with an emphasis on comfort and beauty, a high level of detail, and a floor plan designed for today's informal lifestyle."
                                                             Buy Sell Invest with Hart

SWAPO 2011 News...Notice of Public Hearing...Rush Creek Site...

REVISED POSTING:  ....... CORRECTION ........the City Council meeting for the Rush Creek Site will be Tuesday 1/24/12 at 6:30 PM:.... and NOT Jan 3rd as posted below. The City Council agenda was revised.

REMINDER the City Council meeting for the Rush Creek Site will be Tuesday 1/3/12 at 6:30 PM:

Chesapeake has filed a zoning request with the City of Arlington for the Rush Creek drill site located at the SW corner of Bowen and Bardin Roads.  The case numbers are:

ZA11-6 which is a zoning change from Planned Development (PD) to Office (O)
SUP11-9 which is the Specific Use Permit for gas drilling

Arlington City Council will take the recommendations of the P&Z Commission (meeting held December 7th which P&Z approved this site) and have a public hearing on the two cases on Tuesday 1/3/2012.  If you have concerns over having a industrial site in your neighborhood, please attend both meetings and let the P&Z Commissioners and the City Council members know how you feel about the Rush Creek drill site.
SWAPO Team

"This Year I'm Going To..."

Every year, it seems like the same things are on the list but this could be the year you really do invest in a rental home.
Rents are climbing, home prices are cheap and mortgage rates are low for even non-owner occupied properties. A $125,000 home with 20% down payment can easily have a $300 to $500 monthly cash flow after paying all of the expenses.
There are lots of investment strategies that work but one that is easy to understand and execute is to stay with below average price range homes in predominantly owner-occupied neighborhoods. These properties will appeal to the broadest range of tenants while you hold them and buyers when you're ready to sell.
Single family homes offer an opportunity to borrow high loan-to-value mortgages at fixed rates for long terms on appreciating assess with tax advantages and reasonable control
This is the year to make some real progress on your resolutions. First, invest some time learning about rental properties by attending a FREE webinar on January 4th at 7:00 PM Central time by national real estate speaker Pat Zaby. Click here to register.
                                          Buy Sell Invest with Hart

SWAPO 2011 News..........Notice of Public Hearing..............

                                                       Notice of Public Hearing

                                                      Case Number: SUP11-13

1)    Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing Date: 01/04/12

2)    City Council Public Hearing Date: 02/07/12

Applicant: Brad Pittman

Edge Barnett Operating Company LLC

Address: 4388 Vickery Boulevard, Suite 100

Fort Worth, Texas 76107

Telephone Number: 817-870-0130

Site Location: 4700 Eden Road generally located south of Eden Road and west

of U.S. 287 Highway.

Current Zoning: Village on the Green – Residential (VG-R)

Request: Specific Use Permit (SUP) for gas drilling

General Description of Applicant's Proposed Uses: Gas Drilling and Production

In considering this SUP request, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council must each hold a public hearing. Planning and Zoning Commission hearings are held no earlier than 5:30 p.m. and City Council hearings are held no earlier than 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 101 West Abram Street,  Arlington, Texas. All persons attending these hearings will be given an opportunity to present their spoken or written comments.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is charged with issuing a recommendation to the City Council concerning this SUP request and is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the first date shown above. The City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and First Reading vote on the second date shown above. The City Council is authorized to refuse this requested SUP, grant it, or make modifications to the request, as the City Council deems appropriate.

The City has a process in place for property owners wishing to submit a Petition of Opposition to an SUP request. The effect of such a petition, when it meets all City requirements, is to require a favorable vote of ¾ of all the members of the City Council to approve the requested SUP. The Petition must be received by the City Secretary’s Office before the close of the City Council Public Hearing at First Reading, although Petitions should be submitted as early as possible to allow proper verification. Persons

interested in submitting a protest are strongly encouraged to contact the Community Development and Planning Department for information on requirements concerning Petition verification and format. Official Petition forms are available from the Community Development and Planning Department which is located at City Hall.

Information on the SUP process is also available on CD&P’s webpage:

http://www.arlingtontx.gov/planning

Housing Trends Newsletter by David Hart December 2011

Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.

Please click on this link to view the Housing Trends DECEMBER - 2011 Newsletter http://dharthomes.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/

The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources.

Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by MLSs and the National Association of Realtors, U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, and REALTOR.com local community reports.

If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the “Home Evaluator” link for a free evaluation report:

http://dharthomes.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/dispContent.cfm?loadid=2&loadtype=0

Sound decisions can only be made with accurate and reliable information, and I am happy to be a trusted resource for you. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this monthly eNewsletter, and I look forward to answering any questions you may have and to the opportunity to be your REALTOR® in the future.

Sincerely yours,

David Hart
Keller Williams Realty
1301 S Bowen Road, Ste 125 Arlington TX 76013
817-937-8452

                                                   

                                                       Buy Sell Invest with Hart

Last Minute Gifts Without Shopping

What do they want? What do they need? Will it fit? Do they already have one? These are the common thoughts running through our minds when trying to find the perfect gift.
The gift of really listening with no interrupting, no daydreaming and no planning your response is exactly what people want when they have something important to say.
The gift of affection with appropriate hugs, kisses and pats on the back can demonstrate your love for family and friends better than words.
The gift of laughter by sharing cartoons and funny stories will say "I love to laugh with you."
The gift of a simple written note shows sincerity and real heartfelt sentiment that may be remembered for a lifetime and could even change a life.
The gift of a sincere compliment supports a person's need to be accepted and appreciated. "You look great in that color", "That was outstanding" or "I really enjoyed that" can make someone's day.
The gift of random kindness or good deeds like holding a door or allowing someone to move ahead of you in a checkout lane shows respect for others.
Your smile, however, may be your most rewarding gift. Invariably, the person receiving the smile will in turn, smile back. The gift you gave will now be given back to you. It will be the right size and you can always use one more.

                                              Buy Sell Invest with Hart 

Community News...Two Arlington Locations to Accept Recycled Trees

After the holidays are over, residents and businesses are encouraged to recycle Christmas trees. Read more at http://www.arlingtontx.gov/news/2011/archive_1211_08.html
For full details, view this message on the web:
https://local.nixle.com/alert/4766188/?sub_id=647819