D

D Sale of the Week: Posh and Perfect Perch on Princess

God knows I love houses, and there are many in the Naked City that make me want to chain myself to the bedpost. Forever. But 3757 Princess Ln. just won my heart. This home is so gorgeous that I’ve heard even the appraisers are fanning themselves. It’s a pristine, 4,092-square-foot, post mid-century ranch built in 1972. Last year it was gutted by a dynamic design/contractor duo who have it finished to perfection, with careful attention to detail and smooth, clean design. The formica-worshipping kitchen was completely removed; stone taken from around the great room fireplace (replaced with granite) lines a tree in the lush backyard. The east wing offers three large bedrooms and two full baths; the west wing has two bedrooms, including an enormous master with sitting room, formerly bedroom No. 6. In between formals, kitchen with mammoth granite slab, glassed-in sun room with stained concrete floor—it is light and airy everywhere. $624,900. Agent: Alice Simonton for Ebby Halliday: 972.380.3202

It’s Official: DMN Announces Sawbuck/A.H. Belo Internet Real Estate Partnership

The Dallas Morning News announced this morning what we’ve been reporting for days:

A.H. Belo Corporation, publisher of The Dallas Morning News, is investing in Sawbuck Realty, an online real estate broker that will bring its services this year into A.H. Belo’s territories in Southern California, Rhode Island and North Texas.

Sawbuck is expected to announce today that A.H. Belo has joined Sawbuck’s two co-founders, Guy Wolcott and Steve Barnes, in a $2 million round of investment in the young company. The individual contributions were not disclosed.

I’m in a conference call with A.H. Belo and Sawbuck Realty right now. As soon as it’s done we’ll get you audio from that call. Until then, jump for the interesting part of the DMN story: (more…)

The Real Estalker Pens Up Preston Holler

I love Mama — now more than ever for the nice write-up of 5323 Park Lane. (And she called me the dee-voon Dallas real estate gossip — you betcha!) Read every morsel of her delicious verbiage (”Holler”, “terlits”) then check out the comments — boy are they bad. But her copy purely sings, here’s my fave line:

“Preston Holler is one of Dallas’ finer and most expensive neighborhoods where many of the swank streets are lined with mansions that make Beverly Hills look like the damn ghetto.”

You’ve got it right on, Mama! And margaritas on every corner.

Between The Lines at D’s Best Realtor Party

D Magazine celebrated it’s annual “Best Realtor” issue last night at the Melrose Hotel, and the event (as well as location!) was splendid. Everyone was there, and I’ll post the photos as soon as they are ready. Wanted to give you a few snippets of the hottest talk:

-All the agents have been emailing each other about the Dallas Morning News’ as yet un-announced (but future) alliance with Sawbuck Realty, an on-line broker. “Stab your mother” was one of the phrases I hard tossed.

-The national market has bottomed out. Dallas never got bad, so it didn’t have to bottom.

-Dallas is one of the most verbally energetic real estate markets in the country — we talk real estate 24/7.

-Some agents, like Jeff Duffey, are having their best year ever.

-Dave Perry-Miller has a fabulous new Preston Hollow listing

-Is Ebby Halliday at all concerned about the Sawbuck/DMN alliance? “I’ve seen it all,” said Mary Frances Burleson, “heard it all, nothing anyone does can ever surprise me.”

-Think it’s hard selling homes in Dallas? Try helping your daughter find an apartment in NYC. Unless you are spending $3 million or more, NYC agents do not fetch you in a limo. Under $3,000,000: count on wearing out a lot of shoe leather.

-Trying to get a home over $100,000 to sell? Install granite counter-tops — like a ticket to sales contract heaven.