Kevin Caskey-Dallas Real Estate Expert

I have had several potential clients call me to ask if now was a good time to sell in Lake Highlands...or buy for that matter...and the answer is yes. We have continued to be one of the strongest markets in the country. Homes that do not have issues are selling very quickly and the other are just taking a little extra effort on the agent's part.

Values continue to increase so I continue to tell buyers to purchase before the price point eliminates the option for many first time home buyers. I was fortunate enough to list the home next door to me and I had a buyer within 24 hours prior to it going into MLS because it was an affordable renovation opportunity.

Overall, life is good in Lake Highlands.

We are finally seeing the signs of long awaited retail growth in Lake Highlands!

Town Center...The apartments are gone and the dirt work is being done at the location of the new Town Center so that has excited many of the residents...this is at Skillman and Walnut Hill.

Audelia/Walnut Hill...The structure of the new Walgreens is up and they are scheduled to open in January. THEE Greetings is open and business is booming...congrats to Tony & David! Walmart Neighborhood Market is closing but they are looking for a higher end grocer to replace or some other possible tenants. Overall, things are improving.

Please let me know if you ever have questions because I am always happy to talk about Lake Highlands.

I have had many people in the community express sympathy towards our industry and the lack of business. They have formed their opinions from the mass media reporting that the real estate market is terrible. Also, our President did not help matters when he broke in to regularly scheduled television to report to all of us that the sky was falling as a result of the mortgage situation...did I really have to hear that during my regularly scheduled programming. So, no wonder people have that impression.

The Dallas market is good and my neighborhood of Lake Highlands in probably one of the best markets in the country, so I feel very blessed. My production has been right on track with last year but I typically have had an increase over the past seven years in the business. I cut back on my marketing budget to allow for an overall increase from last years numbers but am looking forward to increasing that budget for 2009. Thank goodness this election will be over in a few days and we can get back to normal...did I say normal.

Now don't get me wrong, things are much tougher than ever before but I just have to work a little harder and be a little more creative. Because of that, it really is not business as usual.

Thank goodness that National Night Out in Texas has been permanently changed from the first Tuesday in August (hotter than Hell!) to the first Tuesday in October (actually bearable most years). I was in charge of The Lake Highlands Estates Neighborhood Association National Night Out and we had a fantastic evening with close to 300 neighbors in attendance! There was a slight chill in the air and some neighbors actually stayed the entire length of the event...because they were not melting. We had two huge bounce houses/slides, a petting zoo, choo choo, snow cones, hot dogs, & the Wallace Elementary Dad's band providing music. I have to say that it was one of the best events the area has ever seen.

Thanks again to the National Night Out people for catering to us Texans and our sometimes unbearable heat...finally.

In order to get the big picture you must know a little history on the area. Lake Highlands is situated just North of White Rock Lake in Dallas and has some of the most desireable topography inside the loop. The area is desireable to families with children because the school system is exceptional for public schools. We have many young couples moving back that grew up in Lake Highlands and simply cannot find another place they would rather be.

Renovation has always been very welcome but many residents do not approve of the recent rush of new construction by certain builders. Many of the concerns come from the older population that are happy with tiny bathrooms and even smaller closets so they really do not even understand the need for these huge, high dollar properties. I personally welcome them with open arms if they produce a product that enhances the area and specific location. Mark Dann is one of the builders in the area that produces an exceptional product and most neighbors are very happy when they see his sign go up on a recently emptied lot. We are happy to see the "good builders" but I would have to warn any "bad builder" to stay away because we have a very outspoken community that will send you packing very quickly.

Our retail is about to boom in a big way but that will be the subject of my next blog.