Debbie Downer Does Real Estate — Really Bad Stuff

Realtors, be careful out there. Maybe bullet proof vests and helmuts for all???

Jim Lovell, Apollo 13: His Place For Weekend Fun

The five round windows depict a story from each of Jim’s space flights.

Where The Staubach Clan Will Be Enjoying The Fourth

At their lake house on Lake LBJ?

Weekend House Porn: Country French on Lake LBJ

I think I am in love. Think of the toys! But I’m a little worried by that “priced upon request”. You know what they say — if you have to ask “how much”, likely you cannot afford it!

Coeur D’Alene House Porn

Coeur D’Alene

Current temp: 84 degrees.

Coeur D’Alene

Had a bit of rain in late May, early June.

Coeur D’Alene

Lake Coeur D’Alene is a glacial lake and connects with the Spokane River. Totally God’s country.

More Coeur D’Alene

Looks like Lincoln Logs. But they are $3 million dollar homes.

Coeur D’Alene, Idaho

Here’s the Dave Perry-Miller team en route to Black Rock Development in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho — one of the nation’s fastest-growing top vacation and second home locations. This is Black Rock owner Marshall Chesrown’s new Lear with only about 40 hours on her — the smooth four hour ride whisked Dave Perry-Miller and top team members Charles Carneal, Jr., Susie Swanson, Courtney Jubinsky and the adorable Gene Schulle from Love Field straight to the Coeur D’Alene FBO where all the private jets land. Next we are climbing aboard his helicopter for a land tour — Charlie and Gene in headsets.

RE: 4321 St. Johns

Info thus far: the buyer is from Oklahoma, and Irmgard Arthur is in Europe, having left town after this sale for a rest.

Lone Star Funds Lika The Subprime Bargains

Interesting.

Fill ‘Er Up: High Fuel Prices Could Be A Boom For Downtown Condos

I won’t cringe anymore when I hear about a new downtown condo coming up after reading this.

Green, Cancer, Sex, Secret, Sex

This NYT article tells us how to beef up listings with words that manage to grab all the attention.

HOT OFF THE PRESS: 4321 St. Johns Drive SOLD

That $15 million lot otherwise known as Norma Hunt’s property – the one Lamar bought after they married to erect their dream home but never got around to building. The lot fronts on two creeks and is the only undeveloped land left in the area…1.77 acres… on market for $15 million. I hear it sold for somewhere around $12.5. Please note I’ve worked my fingers to the bone for this information; none of it came from the listing agent’s office — Eleanor Mowery Sheets. (What rock have you been living under?) Allie Beth Allman gets part of this sweet deal since Irmgard Arthur represented the buyers. Rolling up my sleeves to find out who bought it…

Erin Mathews Versus Doris Jacobs

Both are gorgeous, highly stylish women. Erin was featured in Vogue recently, Doris well could be. (And I know Doris loves Etro, one of my faves. But Erin also loves Armani. Tough.) Both have beautiful children and listings. So…  which super agent has more style, Erin or Doris?

Second-House Porn

Having a second home is really the best — you have your old but faithful Mother Ship home base — which has undergone a few re-dos, a nip and tuck, maybe a few “filler” additions. (Maybe she’s even been to re-hab, but mums the word.) Then you have a fresh, sleek, perfectly-proportioned second you stash away in the country — or smack in the middle of downtown. (Those mistress elevators at the Vendome are not an urban myth.)  The July/August ‘08 D Home & Garden is loaded with second homes I swear will make you drool with lust. Facts: In 2006, vacation and investment home sales gobbled 36 percent of all existing and new residential Real Estate transactions, according to the National Association of Realtors. That was down from 40 percent in 2005, but singling out vacation home sales alone, NAR reports a record 1.07 million sales in 2006 over 1.02 million in 2005. And get this: 35% of people are paying cash for their second homes. Median vacation home price in 2006: $200,000. Thanks to our healthy local economy, second home developers love Texans. They know Texas is one of the last hold-outs where they can find people who have the resources to buy second, third and sometimes fourth properties. This week we’ll visit, among other places, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho and Skywater at Horseshoe Bay. But to get you started on the drool, here’s an opener: Clint Eastwood’s Tehama Carmel, 125 miles outside of San Francisco, lots starting at a mere $2.8 with a $20 million spec going up and, just found out today, a smattering of Texans from D/FW, Houston and Texarcana among the owners.

RE: Latest Rumor On Where George Bush Is Going To Live

I am a terrible tease. (Love it!) OK, the winner is Amanda on the latest “where are the Bushes going to live/” rumor… RUMOR ONLY: Far north Dallas, North Dallas Forty. Five minutes for an escape via 190.

$6 Million In 30 Days

That’s what Mark Cain over at DPM-Ebby has sold in the last thirty. He is most definitely not complaining about any “downturn” in the Real Estate market. In fact, he and Trey Bounds are going door-to-door in Preston Hollow, knocking on doors, seeking an acre lot tear down. Better be careful, boys — folks may think you are Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons on a mission…

Overdue House Porn

The Inside Story: this house is residential but mere walking distance to Oak Lawn and Uptown. Besides, I kind of like the owners....

East Dallas (Real Estate) Is Hot

Jeff Duffey, Coldwell Banker, tells me properties are going going gone with an average of 15 days on the market to go under contract:

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Laura Bush* Helps Out With Local Sales

This may be better than the economic stimulus check! “Laura Bush” helping boost home sales at local open houses…but oh, read the fine print.

Back At The Ranch, Foreclosure Woes Of The Rich & (Sort Of) Famous

From Zillow.

AT& T Release

The Dallas Real Estate community is on fire with this one… (more…)

Get Your Listings Ready To Go

700 potential sales coming our way: