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Archives for July 2017

Why You Want to Live in Weatherford, TX

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Weatherford, TX is just 25 miles west of Fort Worth in Parker County. The city gets its name from Thomas Jefferson Weatherford, a state senator from Dallas. Known for having many peaches, Texas Legislature has proclaimed Weatherford as the Peach Capital of Texas. The Cutting Horse Association and its affiliates hold competitions there and nearby Silverado. This led to the city’s second nickname: the Cutting Horse Capital.

The city is filled with historic buildings as it contains more than 60 Queen Ann, Victorian, and other breathtaking homes. Built in 1886, its most famous building is the Parker County Courthouse. You’ll find the recently renovated courthouse in the center of downtown.

Families looking for new homes in DFW will want to take a look at Weatherford as it has a rich heritage and a diversity of events year-round.

Awesome Special Events in Weatherford

Consider its nickname, it’s no surprise one of the more popular events is the Parker County Peach Festival held at Historic Downtown on the second Saturday in July. Everyone will find something to do with more than 200 arts, crafts, food, and activity booths; three live stages filled with all kinds of entertainment, Peach Pedal Bike Ride; “42” Domino Tourney; and children’s activities. Live music will have you dancing throughout the festival.

On 4th of July, head to Spark in the Park at Heritage Park or anywhere within three miles to watch fireworks. Enjoy live music performances, bounce houses, and food vendors, and children’s attractions

Weatherford Concerts in the Park presents a variety of free concerts at Heritage Park Amphitheater. Sway to music in a park atmosphere and chomp on delicious munchies. Concert goers can bring their own beer.

Going to the movies has never been more fun than at the Dive-In Theater and Weatherford Movies in the Park. Dive-In theater shows movies at sundown by the poolside. Heritage Park Amphitheater is the place to go for Movies in the Park where food vendors are on hand. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to make yourself comfortable.

Not all the events take place during warm weather season. When it turns colder, you’ll want to head to Christmas on the Square. It’s an annual holiday festival with a Christmas Parade, carriage rides, ice sculptures, and many activities for everyone.

For times you want something to do between events, check out these places:

  • Gardens: Clark Gardens Botanical Parks and Chandor Gardens
  • Doss Heritage and Cultural Center: Learn about western heritage
  • National Vietnam War Museum: Take a historical trip
  • Capernaum Village: Replica of a first century village
  • Wineries: Stop by for a tasting
  • Vintage Car Museum: Houses a rotating collection of classic cars

Cool Facts About Weatherford

The cost of living in Texas is lower than many states. And Weatherford’s cost of living is 7.8 percent, lower than the U.S. average. New jobs have grown by 0.93 percent and unemployment is 4.4 percent, lower than the national average of 5.2 percent.

With a population around 30,000 people, it like living small town Texas with more resources. You also get more home for your money with the median price of a home is $157,000. For the past decade, home appreciation grew by 20 percent and it went up by 5.3 percent in just 12 months.

New Homes in Weatherford, TX

In searching for new homes in DFW, check out Bedinger Place in Weatherford. It’s not far from the historic part of the city. The homes in this area range from 1,800 to 3,200 sq. ft. with the price range in the affordable $200s. You have many floor plan options that can be customized.

Visit Sandlin Homes Bedinger Place model home anytime Mon. through Sat. from 11 am to 7 pm and Sun from 1 to 7 pm. Although closed on Thu. and Fri., you can call to make an appointment to come in on either of those days.

Sandlin Homes in Bendinger Place
2012 Old Foundry Rd.
Weatherford, TX 76087
214-282-9387

5 Best Breweries You Want to See in Fort Worth

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The weather outside is so frightful as it’s darn hot. If hitting the pool isn’t your thing, you may enjoy visiting a Fort Worth brewery or two. Learning how breweries craft beer can be a fascinating experience. Tour these places to see how all the equipment churn out liquid gold turning them into tasty drinks.

Check the brewery’s website to find out their hours, prices, and offerings. Some have set days and times for tours. Others more of an open house than a tour. They’re all worth a trip. There’s one catch. You must be at least 21 to sample their wares.

The Collective Brewing Project
112 St. Louis Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104
www.collectivebrew.com

You can find this company’s funky (their words!) beer south of downtown, but if funky isn’t your thing, they serve clean (their words again!) beer. Visit their website to find out what’s on tap. They also hold a variety of events, such as beer yoga and Velo Funk (a collaboration between Velo Gold Bicycles and the Collective.)

Martin House Brewing Company
220 S. Sylvania Ave., Ste. 209, Fort Worth, TX 76111
www.martinhousebrewing.com

Martin House Brewing doesn’t provide a typical tour. Rather, they call theirs more of an open house where you can see their brewery equipment while sampling beers. With food trucks on site selling food, you can grab a meal and sit inside or outside.

They provide games like ladder golf, washers, and cornhole. Since there’s no seating, you can bring your own games, chairs, tables, and shades to enjoy outdoors.

Panther Island Brewing
501 N. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76164
www.pantherislandbrewing.com

Visit Panther Island’s Tap Room for live music, games, food trucks, games on the big screen, and a view of Downtown from the patio. Located on the corner of North Main and NW 4th street, the brewer is across the street from the historic Fort Worth Power and Light power plant. Fans of Allergeez, Cannonball, Tailgater, and IPf’nA (Imperial Indian pale ale) won’t want to miss this.

Rahr and Sons Brewery
701 Galveston. Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104
www.rahrbrewing.com

A tour of the 30,000-foot brewery includes free beer samples. They have picnic tables so you can sit for a spell while savoring your suds. If you’re lucky enough to get Rahr and Sons Founder Fritz Rahr as your tour guide, he’ll treat you to some great stories.

If you don’t eat before your visit, some Fort Worth restaurants serve food at the brewery. You may see an artist showing work or sample some goodies from a bakery.

Wild Acre Brewing Co.
1734 E. El Paso St, Suite 190, Fort Worth, TX 76102
www.wildacrebrewing.com

Wild Acre has a tap room in an old, historic brick warehouse. It features a 50-foot brick and wood custom-designed bar and promises spectacular views of the brewery and outdoor beer garden. The brewery has four beers: Soul Pleasure, Billy Jenkins Session Bock, Tarantula Hawk, and Moonlight Shine. Wild Acre features 24 taps and three televisions. Sounds like the makings of a memorable stop!

Bonus: Trinity River Distillery
1734 E. El Paso St, Suite 130, Fort Worth, TX 76102
www.trinityriverdistillery.com

Although this distillery doesn’t make beer, it’s worth mentioning because it’s right by Wild Acre Brewing Co. You may be able to visit both places in one trip. Trinity River Distiller makes Silver Star Whiskey and vodka with Texas rainwater. Founded in 2011 by U.S. Navy Veterans, TRD is based in Ranch Style Beans plant, a Texas landmark built in 1913. At TRD, you can learn how their system harvests and filters rain.

One of the nice things about living in DFW homes is that there’s so much to do as you have Fort Worth, Dallas, and all the cities in between. If you go by a Fort Worth brewery to try craft beer or we’re missing one from the list, drop us a line to let us know.

In the meantime, if you’re looking to move to DFW or find a new home, you can search for new DFW homes here.

New Homebuyers Dealing with Student Loan Debt, This Will Make You Happy

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National Association of Realtors Research Department and SALT have published the results of Student Loan Debt and Housing Report. This survey looks at how student loan debt affects buying a new home. Of those responding, 71 percent say student loans are the primary reason they put off buying a home. This includes those who are on schedule in repaying their student loans.

Furthermore, student loans have been a factor when a customer applies for a mortgage. But all has changed thanks to Federal Housing Administration and Fannie Mae.

FHA has reduced the 2 percent of the outstanding debt for deferred loans to 1 percent. Prior to the change, lenders would include the 2 percent of the student loan amount in the debt-to-income calculation. In other words, for every $10k owed, the homebuyer would pay $200.

One percent may not sound like much, but it adds up especially with a large student loan debt. According to Student Loan Hero, the average student loan debt for the class of 2016 is $37,172. Two percent of that is $743. Half of that, or 1 percent, is $371. That’s a big chunk of change.

And like the sales people like to say … that’s not all!

Fannie Mae has announced three options that will help borrowers with student loan debt. The most impressive thing about this is that it’s possible for individuals who weren’t the students to be involved.

Student Loan Cash-Out Refinance

Homeowners can convert student loans into housing debt that has a lower interest rate. They do this by refinancing their home through a Fannie Mae-backed lender. They use the equity from their home to pay off student loans. The advantage of this option is that borrowers don’t pay the typical additional fees that come with cash-out refinancing.

This applies to mortgage refinancing to pay student loans. Thus, a parent could refinance a home to pay off the child’s student loan debt. It even doesn’t have to be a family member who pays off the debt.

Debt Paid by Others

Borrowers can increase their chances of receiving a home loan when their debt-to-income ratio is excluded from calculations. That can happen when someone else pays the borrower’s non-mortgage debt. For example, if a borrower’s parents are paying the borrower’s student loan, auto loan, or credit card debt, then the debt-to-income ratio from these debts will be exempt.

To take this route, the borrower will need to provide documentation showing a third party making payments for more than 12 months. Employers may pay off student loans as it would count as debt paid by others.

Student Debt Payment Recalculation

Previously, lenders backed by Fannie Mae assumed that borrowers with student loan debt paid at least 1 percent of their loan balance. Instead of assuming, lenders can see the actual loan payments on credit reports. This increases borrowers’ chances of qualifying for a mortgage especially when it’s lower than 1 percent of their loan balance.

Some borrowers pay less than 1 percent of their loan balance because of federal student loan programs. These allow students to pay based on their income, instead of the typical 10-year repayment plan.

These changes from Fannie Mae and FHA make homeownership a reality for those still paying student loans. So those with student loan debt may want to talk to mortgage lenders and start looking at new homes in DFW.

Why North Richland Hills is a Great Place to Call Home

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Located in the Fort Worth suburbs in Tarrant County, North Richland Hills offers excellent access to all the amenities you need and want nearby. With a population of almost 70,000, residents enjoy the warmth and friendliness of small city living with a wealth of resources. They have access to 800 acres of parks including Tipps Canine Hollow Dog Park, a tennis center, 30 miles of hike and bike trails, high-quality schools, and a diversity of new homes.

After reviewing more than 300 communities in the Dallas / Fort Worth area, The Dallas Morning News has selected North Richland Hills as one of the 10 best neighborhoods in DFW. The premier DFW newspaper looked at home affordability, safety, schools, pet-friendliness, things to do, shopping, walkability, commute, and parks. Furthermore, the TEXRail commuter service coming soon will ease commutes.

People shopping around for new homes in DFW will want to add NRH as one of the places to consider. And here are five more reasons why it’d be a great place to live.

Iron Horse Golf Course

Famed golf course designer Dick Phelps designed the award-winning Iron Horse Golf Course on Skylark Circle. Golf Digest has given the golf course a sought-after 4-star rating. The 70-par, 6,700-yard course features two creeks, a railroad theme, driving range, and a clubhouse with casual dining and upscale banquet facilities great for special events.

NRH2O Family Water Park

Consistently one of the top water parks in the U.S., NRH20 offers all-day fun for the family. There, you can jump into the ever-popular big wave pool and float on the lazy river. People can host parties there or attend special events, such as dive-in movies and fireworks.

There’s something for everyone. The Tadpole Swimming Hole is a water playground for the youngest family members. A five-level interactive water playground will keep everyone busy for a bit. Of course, lots of slides provide thrills of all levels.

NYTEX Sports Centre

NYTEX Sports Centre has all kinds of sports happening, including some that you don’t see every day. Want to try fencing? Take lessons and join the fencing club. Ever see a roller derby match? You can as the Dallas Derby Devils competes there.

You can watch Lone Star Brahmas, a North American Hockey League team, play there. North American 3 Hockey League’s Texas Brahamas also hosts their games in the center. To top it off, ZuRoma lets you watch games while you dine on fine Sicilian food.

The facility offers hockey camps, hockey leagues, ice skating lessons, and public skating. Summer camps cover multiple sports including volleyball, basketball, soccer, and dodgeball.

The Maker Spot

Not too many cities have a place that allows people get their creative juices flowing like North Richland Hills public library’s The Maker Spot. It’s a high-tech center where you can create videos, music, quilts, 3D printed objects, and more. Kids ages 4 through 9 can check out kits. Take a gander at their event calendar for classes and programs covering everything from robotics to Arduino (electronics platform).

NRH Centre

NRH Centre features swimming pools, classes, programs for kids, personal training, and massage therapy. This multi-purpose recreation facility has sports leagues and day camps for kids. Residents ages 55 and up can enter the NRH Senior Center Seniors in a separate entrance. The center contains meeting rooms, game rooms, arts and crafts, and many other amenities.

This is just a short list of the many things you can do in North Richland Hills. You may also want to look into the NRH Community Garden and Sounds of Spring Concert Series. Remember, you’re only a few minutes to an hour away from museums, adventures, shopping, and other fun places in DFW.

Browse DFW homes at Cambridge Place in North Richland Hills from Sandlin Homes.