Category Archives: Real estate market news

Hot Dallas Agents: Richard Soto of VIP Realty is Kind of a VIP Himself!

Written by Candy Evans on May 10, 2012

Meet Richard Soto, owner/broker of VIP Realty here in Dallas. Richard has an interesting story: he is an agent who spends more time on marketing and SEO than he actually does selling. That’s because Richard is an extremely tech-savvy agent, and he knows where his business comes from: the web. Whether it’s Dallas homes for sale, Fort Worth real estate or Dallas Condos, Richard always tries to maximize his listings’ SEO, he says: that’s job one! In fact, our interview was conducted via video shot at Richard’s desk when he was down in Houston, then emailed me. Love it!

North Texas Mansion Champ D’Or Closed Monday: Meet the New Owners

Written by Candy Evans on May 3, 2012

Could they be buying it as a second or third home?

Champ d’Or closed Monday, April 30, according to Laura Brady of Concierge Auctions. Which means it is official: Shirley and Al Goldfield no longer own the Hickory Creek mega mansion they have been trying to sell almost since the day they completed the 40,000 square foot plus home. Talk about things you might regret: I saw Realtor Marilyn Hoffman a few weeks ago at the patron party for the Dallas Art Fair. She told me she once brought Mr. Goldfield an offer for $44 million he turned down. Another high profile agent tells me he was almost kicked out of the house when he offered to take the listing for an asking price of no more than $29 million back in 2009. We know Champ sold at auction a month ago at a reserve starting at $10.3 million, which means that was the minimum bidding price. Do you recall the story I wrote with another luxury real estate auction house when I asked what would happen if the reserve was not even met?

Posted in CandysDirt.com, Dallas real estate news, emerging real estate markets, House Candy, Real estate market news, Second Shelters | Tagged Al Goldfield, Champ D'Or, Dallas Art Fair, Laura Brady, Marilyn Hoffman, Mr Goldfield, real estate | Leave a comment

Time For an Easter Egg Hunt in One of Dallas’ Most Beautiful ‘Hoods: Happy Easter from SecondShelters.com

Written by Candy Evans on April 8, 2012

I cannot think of a better place for your Easter egg hunt than this lush lush LUSH backyard oasis snuggled away over at 4612 Watagua in Bluffview.Well maybe not snuggled: the home is actually on a ridge, has great topography and I felt like I was back in the hills of Napa! I know they say the Hill Country begins in Oak Cliff, but sometimes, when I’m in Bluffview, I think it starts right there. Built in 2000, this 7863 square foot home has gone through three owners all of who have added more, more and more to make it perfect. Great example: The Casita, built by current owners/sellers in 2007, which rests along the eastern edge of the site. It has a living area, powder bath plus fully appointed bath with double lavatory, IT’S OWN LAUNDRY FACILITY! How cool is that, guestst can do their own laundry or snack up in the efficiency kitchen. Even better: a Juliette balcony overlooks the front grounds while the dining area looks over a terraced outdoor banquette and the croquet lawn. I am going to ask if I can buy The Casita and just live there!

Posted in California, Celebrity Homes, Dallas real estate news, emerging real estate markets, Real estate market news, Second Shelters | Tagged Bath, Dallas real estate news, Easter Egg, Efficiency Kitchen, Far Niente Winery, Harold Weidner | 1 Comment

Champ d’Or Mansion in Denton County, Texas Auctioned Off, SOLD!

Written by Candy Evans on April 1, 2012

I have been on pins and needles waiting out this auction, bugging Robbie Briggs and Laura Brady at Concierge Actions all day yesterday. At about eight p.m. Friday night Robbie Briggs emailed me that “It was a fascinating process, and it appears to be successful.” Saturday morning I heard from Laura Brady who said — “we haven’t released details to anyone… the high bidder has formally requested confidentiality about their name and the high bid amount.” Which means the house did sell, we just don’t know for how much and who it sold to.

Posted in Celebrity Homes, Dallas real estate news, emerging real estate markets, Famous Architects, House Candy, Real Estate, Real estate market news, Realtor news, Second home trends, Second Shelters | Tagged Champ d' Or, Concierge, Concierge Auctions, Confidentiality Clause, Denton County Appraisal District Champ DOr, Laura Brady, Robbie Briggs | Leave a comment

Second Home Sales Surged in 2011 by 65%, Vaca Home Sales Up by 7%

Written by Candy Evans on March 30, 2012

It had to happen sooner or later, especially with prices slashed and dashed by 40 to almost 60% in some markets. But sales of second homes, some vacation, most investment, shot up in 2011. The combined sales of vaca and investment homes was at the highest it has been in this country since 2005. The NAR says purchases of investment homes rose by more than 64%. Buyers rushed in to take advantage of those slashed prices and low finance rates, when, that is, they could obtain financing. Meantime, sales of vacation homes were up 7 percent.

Posted in Beach Homes, Dallas real estate news, emerging real estate markets, Real estate market news, Second home trends, Second Shelters | Tagged Calistoga Ranch, Investment, Investment Buyers, Lawrence Yun, vacation home sales | 3 Comments

When the Second Home is Better Than The First: Sean Payton Buys $3.4 Million Vaquero House Complete With Lit Up Disco!

Written by Candy Evans on March 9, 2012

It’s official, he owns dirt in the Lone Star State. Sean Payton and fam are now card-carrying Texans! In early January, Sean and his wife bought a stunning 7,785 square foot home in a delicious part of Vaquero that is honestly one of the most beautiful homes I’ve seen out there, maybe anywhere. I mean, no offense NOLA, but you would not find a house like this in Louisiana. No way Jose. PLEASE check out this slide show for detailed photos. Continue reading →

Posted in CandysDirt.com, Celebrity Homes, Dallas real estate news, House Candy, Real estate market news, Second home trends, Second Shelters | Tagged Brazos Court, Dallas real estate news, January Sean, Slide Show, Stunning Square Foot, Vaquero | Comments Off

Ellen Terry’s New Week at Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International: Dallas Real Estate Agent News

Written by Candy Evans on December 7, 2011

As This may be of interest to my Dallas readers. Much more, including a forthcoming statement from Dave Perry-Miller, on CandysDirt, where you will find all the local real estate news in North Texas on the ONLY real estate blog in town! I told you Saturday/Sunday, Ellen Terry has made the move from Ebby Halliday – her high end boutique firm was purchased by Ebby in 1995 — to Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International. This comes just a month after Ebby folded her firm into the Dave Perry-Miller brand — told you about that one first, too! Well, today was Ellen’s first day at Briggs Freeman, she said, since I broke the news of her departure over the weekend!

Posted in Real estate market news, Realtor news, Second Shelters | Tagged Briggs Freeman, Briggs Freeman Sothebys International, Ellen Terry, Hopefully Caroline Summers Ellen, Robbie Briggs, Robbie Briggsnbspjust | 1 Comment

Does The Star’s Bankruptcy Mean Tom Hicks is Downsizing and Tom Gaglardi is Moving to Dallas?

Written by Candy Evans on September 16, 2011

Update: It seems all these sports teams buying, selling and going belly-up are very good for the local real estate market. Remember, it brought Chuck Greenberg to Vaquero! This post is also on CandysDirt.com.

Posted in Celebrity Homes, Dallas real estate news, Real Estate, Real estate market news, Second Shelters | Tagged Chuck Greenberg, Dallas Morning News, Dallas Stars, Forbes Billionaires List, Robert Schlegel, Sutton Place Hotels, Tom Gaglardi, Western Hockey League | Comments Off

Winter Spring Summer and Fall, All You Have To Do is Call — Carole King’s Idaho Ranch Now a Blue Light Special

Written by Candy Evans on August 30, 2011

The price has been slashed from $16 million to just $11.5 for this amazing ranch spread one hour and a half north of the sleepy Ketchum/Sun Valley ski community of Hemingway fame. Located in the tiny town of Stanley, Idaho, and how cute is that name? (Not to be Debbie Downer, but Hemingway did commit suicide in Ketchum, which is really the town’s only claim to fame.) Prices soft in the Sun Valley environs these days; I hear there are tons of deals to steal.