Dallas: The Rising Star Of The U.S. Housing Market

There is a reason Dallas is headlining recent reports on the U.S. real estate market. The Texas city, after all, has been performing extremely well in the first three months of 2017. And Realtor.com has ranked the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex fourth in its March market hotness index, further cementing the “very hot” status of the city.

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But as industry observers note, it is not all surprising to see Dallas emerge as one of the hottest performing real estate markets this year. Although the city was not included in most outlook reports on must-watch housing markets for 2017, Dallas has been creating a buzz since August last year with its “relatively quick sales and strong demand.” In fact, a 2016 National Association of Realtor study revealed that Dallas ranked second in the top 10 list of metro cities where there’s the biggest need for single-family housing.

The shortage of inventory homes in the city is just one of the signs that the Dallas housing market is on the upswing. And market forecasters anticipate that with the increasing demand for homes in Dallas, housing prices will also rise for the rest of the year.

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Although Dallas has always been a lucrative real estate market, the 2008 financial crisis hit the property market hard. And it took years before the Big D finally recovered. These days though, there’s no doubt that Dallas, for the next two to three years, will only offer golden opportunities to property developers, real estate investors, and home buyers and sellers.

Follow this Grand Homes Twitter page to keep track of the latest news and developments in the Dallas real estate market.

Road To Sustainability: Building Energy Efficient Homes

In designing or remodeling homes, the US Environmental Protection Agency – and all environment advocates, for that matter – recommend practices toward energy efficient houses.

There are numerous ways to work toward energy efficiency.

One is purchasing energy-efficient appliances and lighting, and by installing renewable energy systems, such as solar-powered electricity and water heating.

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However, a whole-house systems approach would be a better alternative. It involves viewing the house as an energy system with various interdependent parts affected by different factors, namely, resident behaviors, conditions of the location, and climate.

The objective is to maximize the home’s energy efficiency by going beyond using advanced appliances and lighting. The house framing, roof, insulation, air sealing, daylighting, windows, doors, and skylights are also designed optimally and with sustainability in mind.

Grand Homes, a Dallas-based home construction and community building company, was awarded the Energy Star Certified Homes Market Leader Award back in 2015 in recognition of its dedication to constructing quality energy efficient homes.

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In that year, the firm built more than 300 Energy Star Certified homes, akin to planting more than 14,000 tree seedlings, reducing oil consumption by around 1,300 barrels, or eliminating 117 cars from the roads.

Founded in 1986 by Stephen H. Brooks, Grand Homes’s first community, The Collections at Valley Ranch, was an instant success. The company has since become a respected name, charming the market with innovative, award-winning architectural designs. For more interesting reads about the industry, visit the company’s official website.

A Homeowner's Guide To Choosing The Best Front Porch Lighting

Choosing the right lighting for the front porch is critical as the fixtures need to withstand outside conditions. Many homebuilders have already adjusted their designs to protect outdoor light fixtures, but homeowners still need to do their research to ensure proper lighting. Listed below are a few tips and suggestions.

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Consider security: When designing one’s front porch, safety and security should always be the number one priority. Homeowners should speak with their developer in placing fixtures around the front entrance, pathways, stairs, and other dark corners around the property. Developers do work with homeowners in creating designs that fit their budget.

Consider style: After ensuring the home’s safety, homeowners can then embrace their style preference. Usually, front porches are seen as an extension of the home, so their design reflects whatever architecture is already evident. Still, homeowners can choose to design their porches quite differently from their exterior.

Consider wattage: Fixtures dictate the type of bulb that will be used. There is actually no hard or fast rule regarding wattage although the highly recommended are LED or CFL lights. There are also many energy-saving options one can consider, although again, these lights must be adjusted to the light fixture itself. Homeowners can speak with their developer in creating fixtures that can suit their preferred light wattage.

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Homeowners should remember that outdoor light covers need to be regularly washed, normally once a month. This is to prevent any interference with lighting and reduce the risk of any health or safety hazard.

Grand Homes has been developing beautiful homes in Dallas, Texas, for years. Its homebuilding expertise is trusted by hundreds of investors and homeowners. Learn more when you visit this website.

A Tip Sheet On The Difference Among a Balcony, Porch, Veranda, And Patio

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Many houses, particularly those built in the Southern states, have an outside space for family members to enjoy. These spaces can take the form of a porch, veranda, patio, or balcony . Knowing the difference among them can empower homeowners in decisions over space optimization:

Porch: This is a covered shelter at the front of the house or building. The external walls of the space are connected to the building but can be enclosed in certain new designs. This has a cultural significance for many Southern families as, in the days of yore, visitors and guests were received in this area before being led into the house.

Balcony: This is a platform outside a house, typically enclosed by walls or balustrades and supported by console brackets. Balconies are usually set above the ground floor and are not meant for social gatherings or entertainment purposes. They are typically small and are used for other purposes such as gardens, viewing areas, hanging clothes, etc.

Veranda: This is a roofed platform at the outside of the house. It is level with the ground floor and sometimes is enclosed by a railing.

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Patio: This is the paved outdoor area adjoining the house. Many homeowners use this for dining or recreation. Families in the south typically enjoy stone exteriors in their patios, but other designs can include concrete, brick, tiles, or cobbles. Patios are considered the "second living room" as they are heavily decorated with outdoor furniture and varied plants.

Many traditional houses have one if not all four of these outdoor spaces.

Grand Homes is based in Dallas, Texas and has been building extraordinary homes with innovative designs for more than two decades. Learn more when you follow this Twitter account.