Bank Robber Standoff at Costco in Plano

Now this is scary. Why, because this is MY Costco. And I sent my family up there yesterday to pick up the usual paper towels and TP and buy cheap gas. Maybe I need to tuck a few pit bulls in the car with them next time. (What in the world is a bank robber doing at Costco — stocking up on rubber gloves?)

Second Homes Rule, But The Lift Is Going Down

Well, thank God it didn’t. I will tell you had that happened to me last week en route from Fort Walton Beach Pensacola, I would still be drinking. (PS: Just finished a grand piece on Second Homes you will love in the July/August issue of D Home. Pop quiz: where do people buy more second homes, in the city or country?)

RE: What’s The Deal At The Stoneleigh Residences…I Mean Heritage?

Reader writes more:

“A real estate broker told me that they heard it was on hold.  They have not added a floor for several weeks.  It would be terrible to have an empty shell standing there for too long.”

People do hear wrong, even, God forgive me for saying this, Realtors.

Buy One House, Get One House Free

Only in California, of course. Maybe some Dallas developers ought to try this…(placing hand over mouth)…

What’s The Deal At The Stoneleigh Residences…I Mean Heritage?

A reader asks:

“Do you know what is going on with the Heritage at the Stoneleigh project?  Construction has been idled for several weeks.”

I don’t know but I want to. Anyone???

The Ocean (Gulf) (H2O) (Anything Liquid) Beckons

We just got back — now Amanda Tackette and fam are partaking of the house porn on southern Alabama’s coast! What is it about the water that makes us buy Real Estate in foreign countries, brave freezing water, just do about anything to have a patch of sand with a few waves lapping! Amanda tells us that where she is, half the homes were wiped out by Ivan, yet everyone’s all re-decorated and back. P.S. Since we’re writing on second homes for the next issue of D Home and Garden — get ready — I am going to ask Amanda to spy and tell me just who from Dallas is beaching it down yonder.

Buy Now, Buy Later?

Now, according to this article in MONEY and I think I agree. I have decided to sell an out of town property and buy an investment house in Dallas. Reason? I think we have seen the lowest interest rates we will see for awhile. A long while. When we were buying our first home in 1981, the Hunt brothers had cornered the silver market and interest rates were 18%. That slashed the size and cost of the homes we were looking at to two bedroom/one bath bungalowes. (Yes, I have a nice big home now, but we worked our way here home by home.) I didn’t get one piece of silver for a wedding gift, either, because folks could not even afford a sterling toothpick! (Wah, wah.) Anyhow, what do you think? Is this is a good time to sell? If I have an investment property in, say, San Antonio, should I lease it out or sell now? Would you buy in Dallas or park the cash?