Steve Shatsky - Dallas Real Estate & Short Sale Specialist

When I was living in New York for a few years, Tex-Mex Food and BBQ were parts of my diet that were lacking. Fortunately, I have been back in Dallas for nearly 5 years, REAL New York pizza is not lacking.

Sal's Pizza at 2525 Wycliff in Dallas (they also have a Legacy Drive location in Plano) is the best New York style pizza in Dallas, hands down. I have always heard that the secret to NY style pizza crust is in the water and that is why it is so difficult to find it here in Dallas. Well either Sal is importing his water from NYC or he's figured out a way around the water issue because his pizza and Italian entrees are not only great... they are authentic!

Sal's pizza is a NY style thing crust with a robust red sauce and mozzarella cheese. The crust has a softness to it so that you can curl and eat it. And any of the traditional toppings are available.

The pasta and chicken entrée's are all delicious and served with lots of sauce and a side salad. When you get a salad, be sure to ask for Sal's special house dressing. It is like a tomato/basil flavored dressing with tons of flavor... you'll never ask for ranch dressing again!

For dessert (yes, you need to save room). Be sure to get the cappuccino ice cream pie. The name says it all... and it is all that the name promises.

Rounding out the experience, Sal's is a family restaurant and the staff is always friendly and helpful. The prices are very reasonable and the portions are large enough that you can share depending onhow hungry you are.

Now if somone could just master real Tex-Mex or BBQ in NYC! :)

One thing that I have always liked about living in Dallas is that, unlike some smaller cities that I have lived in, Dallas continually attracts top artists in concert. The following upcoming concerts speak to the caliber of performers that add to the exceptional quality of life in North Texas:

Performer Date Venue

New Kids on the Block October 19 American Airlines Center

Janet Jackson w/ LL Cool J October 22 American Airlines Center

Tina Turner October 26 American Airlines Center

Part of what makes life in North Texas so rich is the opportunity to take advantage of the cultural activities that are available here. See a theatrical performance, go to a museum or attend a concert... they're all here for us to enjoy!

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Does buying a new home sound like music to your ears? Let me help you with all your real estate needs!

Call me today so that we can get started helping you to move forward.

A couple of weeks ago, the Dallas Business Journal ran an article (in which I was quoted) titled, "North Texas Realtor tally decreases slightly". Notice that the word "slightly" is featured in the title. The subtitle of the article also said a lot... "But housing market still better than most".

I have had the opportunity to speak with Katherine Cromer Brock at the Dallas Business Journal a few times since she took on the Real Estate reporting for that publication this summer and I have to say, I am very impressed with her. She clearly understands that you can present the facts about the current market in an honest and truthful way without making it sound like people should run as fast as they can away from real estate... because they shouldn't! A drop in the number of REALTORS® says something about the current market... and the fact that it is such a small drop, to me, says even more!

The headline says it all... the housing market in Dallas is still better than most. It's a great market for investors and homebuyers alike. It's even a good market for many home sellers. Why doesn't the rest of the media "get it"?

My job is to help spread that message (because it is true) and to identify opportunities for my clients so that they can capitalize on the opportunities in ANY market. This is the job of any REALTOR® and why buyers or sellers should work with a REALTOR® to address their real estate needs. After all, we're not just House Hunters, we're Real Estate Strategists!

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It's a great time to make a home purchase. The Dallas area hosuing market is, indeed, better than most. Inventory levels are high, mortgage financing is available and interest rates remain at historically low levels. Please allow me to assist you with all of your Real Estate needs. Let me show you why the Dallas area housing market is robust and now is an excellent time to buy or sell and move up to a new home. Contact me today and let me help you move forward!

I was reading an article this week about the most popular cars in the U.S. and how they are shifting from vehicles like large pick-ups and SUV's to smaller vehicles. Even the perennial sales champions like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are being outsold by small cars like the Honda Civic.

So my thought and question for the day is with people realizing the need to downsize their vehicles to save on gasoline costs, when will that same sort of logic filter down on a large scale to their housing choices?

Large houses take considerably more energy to light, heat, air condition and maintain than their smaller counterparts. Moving from my larger house to a condo half the size has more than halved my electricity and natural gas costs... a savings much greater than getting a car with better gas mileage would ever do.

I know that we are seeing more "Green" building, but one of the fastest and least expensive ways to reduce the costs of utilities and construction is to live in smaller spaces that those we have become spoiled with. Just as people are giving up their large SUV's and gas guzzlers, when will homebuyers start looking to "trade down" from McMansions to reasonably sized homes with lower ceiling heights, better insulation energy efficient systems?

Is it time for people to start looking at this option in the same way they are considering buying Smart Cars, Mini Coopers and Toyota Priuses?

Last night a friend and I had dinner at one of my favorite places. The Green Papaya Vietnamese Bistro, located at 3211 Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas, is not fancy and it's reasonably priced. It's one of those restaurants that is not highly promoted or hyped, but everyone seems to know of it and likes it... and for good reason.

The Green Papaya does an outstanding job of offering delicious food, prepared fresh, in generous portions and at very reasonable prices. It's hard not to like a place where two people can have a dinner with an appetizer and drink for around $30.

I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal at the Green Papaya. Some of my favorite items are their Spring Rolls. They are fresh, tasty and filling and come is several varieties. Split an order with a friend and you will be satisfied for an appetizer. Their Canh Chua soup is flavorful, hearty and filling as well. Their entrees are fresh and spicy without being too spicy. Last night, being on a diet, I had the Ga Nuong Xa. Described on the menu as Charcoal Broiled Chicken with Lemon Grass, served with Fresh Vegetables, this was delicious and a large enough portion that I brought half of it home with me.

If you decide to check out the Green Papaya for lunch you will find lunch sized portions for a reduced price. These portions will not leave you hungry... but like any dining experience there, they will have you wanting return again and again!

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Has the lure of historically low interest rates and high inventory levels tempted your appetite for a new home? It's a great time to indulge in a home purchase. Please allow me to assist you with all of your Real Estate needs. Let me show you why the Dallas area housing market is robust and now is an excellent time to buy or sell and move up to a new home. Contact me today and let me help you move forward!