Dallas home buyers no longer have to wait for their tax return to benefit from the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit. Qualified FHA buyers now have the option of monetizing these funds.Through short-term bridge loans, Dallas home buyers can access the money immediately instead of amending their 2008 tax return or waiting to file in 2009. These home buyers then have the option of adding it to their FHA-required 3.5 percent down payment, covering closing costs or buying down their interest rate. 

Learn how you can take advantage of your Tax credit NOW by visiting TexasHomeCentral.com. Or just give me a call. I’m glad to help.

Search all Dallas homes for sale.

In Dallas: 

Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration
Two spectacular nights of fireworks will be held at Lone Star Park on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 following the live races, which begin at 5 p.m. on both days. In addition to the fireworks and racing there will be plenty of additional entertainment for the whole family such as pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors and much more.

Old-Fashioned Fourth
How did Dallas celebrate Independence Day from 1840 to 1910? Grab your picnic basket and bring the whole family to the Village to celebrate July 4th. Visit with characters in historic costumes, tour our historic buildings, play Victorian games and participate in hands-on activities. 10-3 pm. 

Lone Star State Classic Dog Show
The Lone Star State Classic is a four day dog show event that occurs twice each year (July and December). They have made a commitment to the region to provide the general public and the dog community throughout the world an opportunity to attend a major dog show event in the Dallas area. 

Fair Park Fourth
This 2nd annual Friends of Fair Park presents the Dr Pepper Snapple group FAIR PARK FOURTH event will provide fun for the entire family and will include a patriotic program, free admission to all the museums, musical performances, games, plenty of Fourth of July food favorites, and of course, you’ll have a magnificent view of the fireworks from inside the newly renovated Cotton Bowl! 4:30 to 10pm. FREE.

In Frisco:  

Frisco Freedom Fest
Frisco’s eighth annual Party in the Plaza features live music on stage, fireworks, bounce houses, face painting, strolling entertainers, a rock climbing wall, games, and more. 4 to 11 pm. Free. 

In McKinney:  

July 4th Community Parade
Join the City of McKinney for the opening of its celebration of July 4th with a community parade around the downtown square. Enjoy the “Hometown Heroes” parade celebrating heroism, patriotism and diversity in our community. The parade starts at Lamar & Tennessee (entrants will meet there at 9:30 a.m.) and travel west to Kentucky, south to Louisiana, then north again on Tennessee. Time 10:30-11:30 a.m. 

2009 Car Show
Celebrate Red, White and Boom by attending the 2009 Car Show. Registration begins at 8:30am-Noon with awards at 3 pm. Early registration will be $15 through June 26 and $25 at the show. Four select picks and a total of 103 trophies and/or plaques will be awarded. Random prize drawings including 50/50 cash prize pot, t-shirts and dash plaques. $500 Cash Prize Best of Show Car & Truck.  Time 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Red White & BOOM!
Afternoon to evening festivities take place at the Craig Ranch Soccer Complex. A kids’ area with games and inflatables, food vendors, live entertainment on the big stage, a flyover by the Flight of the Phoenix Escadrille, capped off by a fabulous fireworks show 

In Rockwall: 

4th Celebration on the Water
Fun at Lake Ray Hubbard on July 4th weekend! Reservations are required. 

4th of July Celebration
Have a Bang-up 4th of July at the City of Rockwall’s old-fashioned Independence Day Celebration with swimming, picnics and fireworks!  Bring a picnic lunch and/or dinner for your family and friends to enjoy at one of the city’s beautiful parks, then end your All-American day with a fireworks show synchronized to music beginning at 9 p.m. at Myers Park. 

In Flower Mound: 

Children’s Parade
Line up begins at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Eaton and Timber Creek Road. Decorated bikes, trikes, wagons, and strollers will parade a short route to the LISD School Administration Building, where free hot dogs, drinks, children’s activities, and live entertainment await.  Time 11:00 a.m. 

Fireworks Show
Fireworks begin at dusk. Gates will open at 7 p.m. The fireworks show and parking at Flower Mound High School are free. Music will be provided by the Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra. 

In Grapevine: 

Freedom Howls
Have a howling good time at the indoor and outdoor waterpark, and watch fireworks over Lake Grapevine from the front lawn with the whole family. It is sure to be an Independence Day for making memories together. 

Fourth of July Wine Trail
The Grapevine Wine Trail is coming July 4th weekend. Purchase your tickets now for either Saturday or Sunday. Tickets cost $45 plus tax pre-sale and $50 plus tax at the door. The wine trail will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. 

In Plano: 

Independence Day Parade
Start time to be announced, at Plano Senior HS. 

All-American 4th Fireworks
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and the whole family to help celebrate Independence Day 2009 at Plano’s All-American Fourth!  Spectacular fireworks can be seen as the show is choreographed to music and simulcast on 97.5 KLAK.

Local Market Monitor, a premier real estate forecasting company, has released its latest Home Price Forecast. Dallas-Plano-Irving and Fort Worth-Arlington areas are both in the top 10 housing markets for best expected performance. 

The forecast surveys 300 U.S. housing markets and predicts market behavior over the next 12 months. It identifies markets where home prices will continue to drop as well as stable markets with opportunities for growth. 

According to the forecast, among the largest US markets-identified as those with populations greater than 600,000-the 10 markets with the best expected performance in home price are:

Baton Rouge, LA
Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY
Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX
Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
Oklahoma City, OK
Rochester, NY
San Antonio, TX
Syracuse, NY
Tulsa, OK
Wichita, KS 

These top housing markets did not experience the housing booms seen in California, Nevada and Florida a few years ago. Home prices in these areas are generally below the US average and reflect where the recession has so far had a relatively mild impact. Steady economic growth and price appreciation have helped these markets remain stable.

While the Dallas News is reporting Dallas-Fort Worth home prices have fallen to 1990 levels, the latest report from the Brookings Institution reports the Dallas-Fort Worth area is one of the top three housing markets in the country.

Dallas-Fort Worth ranked third among metro areas that have been least affected by falling home prices.

The Brookings report is based on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s quarterly House Price Index, which tracks values of homes mortgaged by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and is part of a comprehensive nationwide study on the economic health of metropolitan areas nationwide.

According to the price index, Dallas-Fort Worth home prices increased slightly in the first quarter of 2009 compared with those in the first quarter of 2008.

According to Brookings, 38 of the top 100 metro areas avoided home price declines over the last year, while prices nationwide dipped 6 percent.

Best U.S. Housing Markets:

1. Houston, TX

2. Buffalo, NY

3. Dallas Fort Worth, TX

4. Wichita, KS

5. Greenville, SC

Worst U.S. Housing Markets:

1. Stockton, CA

2. Las Vegas, NV

3. Modesto, CA

4. Riverside, CA

5. Cape Coral, FL

In Dallas: 

Texas Rangers vs San Diego Padres
Don’t miss baseball at Rangers Park Fri-Sat at 7:05pm.

KidsArts/Kids’ Works: A Cosmic Art Odyssey
Strait from the vivid imaginations of the KidsArt 2009 summer campers, the exhibit features painting, photography, sculpture and more with an out-of-this-world theme.

Teen Driving Camp
SKILLZ for Life Camp Sponsored by DFW Audi will have hands-on accident avoidance training class at Texas Motor Speedway for Teens and their Parents.     

In Frisco: 

Roughriders Baseball 
Don’t miss a fun night of baseball when the Roughriders take on Corpus Christi on Saturday night at 7pm at the Dr Pepper Ball Park. 

In McKinley: 

Pioneer Roots
Come learn about the first immigrants to North Texas in the 1830’s, they were mostly from Tennessee, Kentucky, the Carolinas, and other Upper Southern and Midwestern states.  This new exhibit reflects first person stories from North Texas pioneers, and highlights the three distinct waves of immigration.

Horse Show
There will be a Morgan Horse Club of Texas horse show at Meyers Park and Events Center on June 28, 2009.  For information contact Steve Klonowski at 972-843-0377

In Grapeview

Great Train Robberies 
Some locals may say “it ain’t safe to ride the train”  But it’s all in fun though-come and enjoy the staged train robberies every Saturday and Sunday on the Grapeview to Fort Worth trip.  There are desperate desperados lurking just outside Grapeview to put on this great show of wacky fun.

A million questions arise when you consider buying a Dallas home. Many buyers don’t want to have to talk with a Realtor in the beginning stages and look for answers online. You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers. TexasHomeCentral.com is the most comprehensive website for Dallas home buyers!!

Learn about our Dallas communities and why you would want to live there…Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Plano, Flower Mound, Rockwall and Grapevine. Get a Free relocation package and comprehensive school reports.

Our Dallas home Buyer Tips and Articles provide valuable information on everything from agency to home inspections, saving your down payment, organizing your move, credit scores, The $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and more.

Get a free foreclosure list, search all Dallas homes for sale and set-up an automated search.

I am always available to answer your questions, but visit TexasHomeCentral.com as often as you like. When you are ready, I am here to help you buy the Dallas home of your dreams.

Dallas has done it again!! We’ve made another ‘BEST’ list. this time we are on Forbes, ‘Best Cities For Recession Recovery’.  Forbes looked at such things as a diverse economy and heavy growth coming from education and health care in recent years. they also used data on gross domestic product from Moody’s Economy.com, unemployment and employment from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, home prices and affordability from the National Association of Homebuilders, and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Data are for Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Cities topping the list are not in states that experienced the massive real estate bubble such as California, Nevada and Florida.  Austin and San Antonio also made the top ten.

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas

Current GDP: $274.6 billion
End of 2010: $287.9 billion (projected)
Unemployment: 6%

A combination of technology companies like Texas Instruments, communications firms like AT&T and energy companies like TXU (the subject of a $45 billion leveraged buyout in 2007), and the generally strong Texas economy, mean that Dallas is on firm footing for recovery. According to the much-watched Case-Shiller index of home prices, real estate in Dallas has fallen less from its peak than any of the other 19 cities tracked by the index.

Dallas - Fort Worth Home Resales Report

What’s your Dallas-Fort Worth home worth?

In Dallas: 

Bug Hunt Garden Walk
Discover bugs in their living rooms as we hunt in the soil, under leaves, and on bark. See familiar ones you might find in your backyard and learn about new, colorful creatures. 

Market to Menu cooking Demonstration
The cooking demonstrations will incorporate fresh Texas ingredients directly from the farmers markets, giving consumers an opportunity to taste and buy Texas produce and food. 

Hoop It Up
The largest 3 on 3 basketball tour in the world will be coming to the Rangers Stadium. Deadline for contestant entry is June 15th. 

Justin Bua Exhibition
More than 30 works by groundbreaking artist Justin Bua will be on display. Internationally known for his best-selling collection of fine art posters, Justin’s most recognized piece is The DJ. 

Fathers Day Favorites
Chorale Sounds featuring the Arts District Chorale. Celebrate Father’s Day with ragtime and Dixieland favorites. 

Fathers Day At Lone Star Park
The first 200 men (age 21 and over) to enter through the Grandstand admission gates will have the opportunity to win a propane gas grill in Lone Star Park’s Father’s Day Fishing Contest. The first contestant to catch the specially marked fish in the special Father’s Day fish tank located in the Courtyard of Champions wins. Each angler will have five minutes of fishing to win the grand prize. 

In Frisco: 

U.S. Youth Soccer Region III Championships
The top 184 US Youth Soccer Boys and Girls teams, including about 20 teams from host North Texas State Soccer Association. 

Farmers Market
Locally grown fresh produce to help keep you family healthy! 

Dorsett Football Camp
Anthony Dorsett, Jr., son of legendary Cowboys RB Tony Dorsett, and former Minnesota Viking Jake Reed along with other professional players will coach and mentor boys and girls age 8-18 in a progressive two-day non-contact football camp. 

Roughriders Baseball
Playing Corpus Christi on Saturday. 

FC Dallas
Takes on the Columbus Crew on Saturday. 

In McKinney: 

Flamefest Soccer Tournament
Competitive Soccer Tournament for U10 academy teams/U11-U19 Competitive teams. Craig Ranch Soccer Complex. 

March of Dimes Poker Tournament
No-Limit Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament fundraiser winner will receive a $10,000 seat to the world series of poker for Texas Holdem. 

Father’s Day Fun Fest
5K Run, Car Show and Fishing. Stonebridge Beach Club.

 In Rockwall: 

Farmers Market
The Farmers Market offers locally grown produce, herbs, fresh cut flowers and roasted coffee. And many of the Old Town Shoppes on the Square open early offering special promotions for Mkt. Saturday patrons!  

In Grapevine: 

Texas Coin Show
At Grapevine Convention Center.

Fathers Day Train
THE DADDY OF ALL TRAINS! Treat your dad to a fun-filled day on the train! All fathers ride FREE on Sunday, June 21, 2009 when accompanied by their families.

Grapevine Opry
One of the premier live county music shows in the nation, the Grapevine Opry has established a tradition of excellence seldom equaled for this type show in the country music industry.

Fun Things to Do In and Around Dallas - Weekend of June 13-14 2009

 In Dallas: 

All My Sons
World War II drama depicting the lives of two American families that are torn apart by the repercussions of the war. 

Variations
The Work of Cecilia Thurman in the Main Gallery. 

Senior Softball USA
Calling all softball lovers. Come out and see the Texas State Championships and root for your favorite team. 

Lee & Grant
Explore the lives of the two most famous Civil War generals. This nationally traveling exhibit includes Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant’s photographs, clothing, documents and more. 

Winged Jewels: Dragonfly Workshop
Discover the amazing lifecycle of this highly beneficial insect. See many of them during our annual workshop, which includes a tour of Texas Discovery Gardens and Fair Park in search of dragonflies. 

In McKinney: 

Garage Giveaway
McKinney Fellowship Bible Church. The church will look like a giant garage sale, but everything is free for the taking! 

In Rockwall: 

Farmers Market
The Farmers Market offers locally grown produce, herbs, fresh cut flowers and roasted coffee. And many of the Old Town Shoppes on the Square open early offering special promotions for Mkt. Saturday patrons! 

In Grapevine: 

Great Train Robberies
Some locals will tell you, “it ain’t safe to ride the train.” It’s all in fun though - enjoy the staged train robberies every Saturday and Sunday on the Grapevine to Fort Worth trip. 

Grapevine Opry
One of the premier live county music shows in the nation, the Grapevine Opry has established a tradition of excellence seldom equaled for this type show in the country music industry. 

Flag Day Celebration
Annual Flag Day Celebration on Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m. at the Gazebo. 

In Plano: 

Surf the Bowl - Tribute Bands to the Good, Good, Good Vibrations!
Tribute Bands will keep the ‘Good, good, good, good vibrations’ Going all summer long!