By Barbara Newton   Nu Home Source Realty    Dallas  Real  Estate  Forum Before they approve you for a home mortgage, lenders want to be sure that you will be able to repay it.  They will take a detailed look at your financial situation to determine this.  There are several things you can do to improve your chances of getting approved for a home mortgage.  Not only will these actions help your approval they will also prepare you for managing your home mortgage payments once you obtain the home mortgage. The first thing you should do is check your credit.  Make sure that there is no inaccurate information on your credit report.  This includes accounts that do not belong to you and accounts that are reported inaccurately.  Your credit report will come with instructions for disputing inac... 02/25/2007

When an offer is made on a house, it usually accompanied with a check.  This check is what is known as an earnest money deposit, made to let the seller know that the buyer is earnest in his or her attempt to purchase the home.  An earnest money deposit distinguishes serious buyers from those who aren’t so sure about the purchase. The deposit amount is different from one purchase to the next.  Many factors can sway the amount of the deposit.  In seller’s markets, earnest money deposits are often larger than in buyer’s markets.  This is because properties tend to have more inquiries in seller’s markets.  Thus, it takes a little more to convince the seller to accept a certain offer. In a steady or buyer’s market, you shouldn’t make an earnest money deposit in an amount that is greater than... 02/25/2007

 In the early history of Fort Worth Texas one area of Downtown Fort Worth was known as Hell's Half Acre. This location was one of the most notorious high crime Red Light District. Hell's Half Acre started during the city's heyday as a stop for cowboys taking cattle to Kansas in the early 1870s. As the Half Acre became more popular the area covered more than two acres and the level of crime and violence also grew. It wasn't until a Baptist Preacher named J. Frank Norris in 1911 began to link certain businessmen with property in the Acre and he announced their names from the pulpit at the First Baptist Church in Fort Worth. As the battle against Hell's Half Acres heated up in 1912, Norris's church was burned to the ground.  Norris continued the attacks on the Acre but accomplished little ... 02/20/2007

For those familiar with the Westside of Fort Worth one of the landmarks is Camp Bowie Boulevard. Camp Bowie is the famous Red Brick Road. The Boulevard starts at the intersection of 7th Street and University and continues west then become Camp Bowie West. Camp Bowie has been a favorite place for young people to go cruising for decades. In the 60's and part of the 70's Griff's was the place to meet people. That was when I was growing up. Now the place to hang out must be the Sonic Drive In. The old Ridglea Theater is another landmark on the Boulevard. It is just west of the intersection of Camp Bowie and Bryant Irvin Road. It once was the picture show but now is a place where bands play. Most of the bands that play at the Ridglea are bands that teenagers listen to. However, about 3 years... 02/20/2007

The Cowtown Marathon - Every year in late February the annual Cowtown Marathon is held. Thousands of people run the marathon - half marathon -the 10K or the 5K. I for one have never finished the marathon only because I did not enter. I use to be a runner but one day I quit running and haven't run since. However, I do enjoy watching the runners in the marathon. There is just something special about people that have what it takes to run the marathon. Most runners are not running against other runner but are running to prove to what ever it is within that they can finish. How great it must feel to attempt a marathon and finish. My hat is off to all those who enter the race! If you get a chance to see the runners give them a hand because they are trying. Have great race runners I will be ch... 02/20/2007

Texas Christian University the home of the Horn Frogs. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, TCU was founded in 1873. TCU has an enrollment of over 8800 students. TCU offers 100 undergraduate majors, 20 graduate degrees in 54 areas and 12 doctoral fields of study. TCU ranks in the top 5% of the 3,500 universities and colleges in the nation.Stop by for a visit and see if TCU isn't a great place!GO HORN FROGS! 02/19/2007

 The oldest Botanical Gardens in Texas is located in Fort Worth, The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens is located on University Drive just south of the Will Roger Center. The gardens consist of 109 acres and is home to over 2,500 species of native and exotic plants. There are 21 specialty gardens including the famous Rose Garden and the world-renowned Japanese Garden.Visit the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens for outdoor enjoyment and relaxation. 02/19/2007

Give me a home where the buffalo roam. That can be the Fort Worth Nature Center located in the city limits of Northwest Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Nature Center has a little bit of everything from forests, prairies, wetlands and plenty of wildlife. Besure to plan a day to enjoy nature at it's best and bring some comfortable shoes. It is a great place to take in the fresh air and listen to the sounds of nature. For more information check the Fort Worth Nartue Center out at http://www.fwnaturecenter.org/.  02/17/2007

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is located in Fort Worth, Texas. The museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring and documenting the lives of women who have distinguished themselves while exemplifying the pioneer spirit of the American West. The next time you are in Fort Worth stop by the Museum and learn more about the great women who have helped tame the west. The museum is at 1720 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 02/12/2007

The Kimbell opened in 1972. The museum is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding modern public art-gallery facilities in the world. The Kimbell Art Museum's holdings range in period from antiquity to the 20th century, including masterpieces by Duccio, Fra Angelico, Mantegna, Caravaggio, El Greco, La Tour, Rubens, Velázquez, Rembrandt, Houdon, Goya, David, Monet, Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse, and Mondrian.The Kimbell Art Museum located at 3333 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth.Admission to the permanent collection is free. There is a charge for Special Exhibitions.A trip to Fort Worth should include a visit to the Kimbell. 02/12/2007

The Sid Richardson Museum is home to a collection of Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell works. In 1942 Sid Richardson the legendary Texas oilman began collecting the works of Remington and Russell. In November of 2006 the Museum completed a year long renovation. The museum is located at 309 Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas. Admission is free.Hope to see you at the Sid Richardson Museum next time you are in Fort Worth!Rick Irving 02/12/2007

Ridglea Hills is an addition of couse located in some "hills". The "hills" are not really much to talk about and are not hills as most folks would think of. However, in Fort Worth we call them "hills". The area is several miles West of Downtown Fort Worth just South of Camp Bowie. Most of the homes in the area were built in the 1950's. The area has 2 small lakes with homes built around them and nice mature trees. The neighborhood is a nice place to walk but walking is limited to the street since there are no sidewalks. The area offers easy access to I-20 and I-30 and it is only minutes to two large Malls. 02/11/2007

Rivercrest is an area surrounding the Rivercrest Country Club in West Fort Worth.  The area is located on a Bluff overlooking the Trinity River. Just a few miles from downtown Fort Worth and North of Camp Bowie Blvd. There are many homes in the Million Dollar range in this area. The streets are lined with lovely trees and the sidewalks are a favorite place for residents to walk and enjoy the beautiful golf course. 02/11/2007

Arlington Heights is located in West Fort Worth. It is a few miles west of Downtown. The eastern edge of Arlington Height is along Montgomery Street when the Cultural District and the Will Rogers Complex is located. Some of Arlington Heights is located on what was once Camp Bowie. Camp Bowie was an U.S. Army Training Camp during World War I. Some of the interesting sites in Arlington Heights are Arlington Heights High School and HEB's Central Market. Many of the homes in the Arlington Heights area were built between 1920 and 1950. Most are single story with many of those being 2 or 3 bedrooms and 1 or 2 bath. Square footage ranges between 800 and 2400 for most of the area. It is a delightful area to live. 02/11/2007

   If you're in the Job Market, a great resource is The Dallas / Fort Worth Star Telegram Newspaper.....  The Dallas  / Fort Worth area is a great place to live and work!!  We have great weather most of the year, we have affordable homes to fit almost any budget, we have great schools and awesome amenities to fit any lifestyle!!  I have a special VIP Program for people moving to this area....I can download all your criteria into my computer program linked to the MLS and you will receive any home that meets your criteria as it is posted to the MLS system.  It's interactive so you can make notes on your likes and dislikes and delete homes that you want to eliminate.  I can do a search within a specific area of your choice as well.If you are interested in my VIP Program,  please give me a ... 01/21/2007

Cattle Raisers Museum is located in the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Foundation building at 1301 West Seventh Street, Fort Worth, Texas. The museum exhibits highlight the history of Cattle Raising in Texas. A visit to the museum will be time well spent. While you are in Fort Worth be sure to grab a Hamburger at Kincaid's located at 4901 Cam Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth. Be sure and tell them Dusty sent you! After you finish your hamburger drive a few more blocks west of Kincaid's and stop by our United Country Real Estate office at 6040 Camp Bowie Boulevard Suite One and pick up the latest edition of our United County Catalogs and Real Estate Bulletins.Dusty IrvingUnited Country Real EstateFort Worth, Texas 01/17/2007

When I was growing up in Fort Worth downtown was the center of everything. All the shopping, all the large theaters and all the businesses were located downtown. Then as the city grew and malls were built downtown Fort Worth was no longer the center of commerce and activity. But now thanks to the Bass Family and others Downtown Fort Worth is the Epicenter of whats happening in Fort Worth. If you have a need to be entertained downtown Fort Worth is the place to go. The Crown Jewel of Fort Worth is the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall.  Here is what the Fort Worth Star-Telegram had to say about the Bass "The Bass Performance Hall has made Fort Worth a different city, and has changed lives here, both on communal and individual levels...A building that has made itself the heart ... 01/14/2007

It is here again! The 111th Edition of The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Every January Fort Worth comes alive with Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs, Rabbits and Chickens. Over 20,000 animals will be exhibited to determine the best of the best. A trip to the Stock Show would not be complete without going to the Midway and the Rodeo. As a matter of fact the Fort Worth Stock Show is the home of the World's Original Indoor Rodeo. Enjoy your trip to the Stock Show. There are some good places to eat when you are in town. For Great Texas Bar-B-Que - Angelo's  is the most popular place. A trip to the Stockyards in North side should include a Mexican meal at Joe T. Garcia's and for the Best Steak in town I think you should eat at Cattlemen's Steak House. While you are in Fort Worth drop by our off... 01/13/2007

In my 24 plus years as a Real Estate Broker I have worked with a lot of investors. About 10 years ago I started attending a Real Estate Investor group in Dallas. There are now several groups in Dallas and a few groups in Fort Worth. I have become an active participant in a group that meets every Saturday morning.  The other group was known by most people as "Newbies at Lubys" which met  from about 11:30 AM until about 1:15 or 1:30 PM. This group was meeting at the Luby's Cafeteria located at 251 University Drive, Fort Worth, Tx 76107. Luby's closed several weeks ago. Now the group is meeting at the "Swanky Shack". The Swanky Shack is located at 2813 Race Street, Fort Worth, Tx 76111. The group was started by B.D. Adkins. B.D. is a great leader, a great mentor and is very knowledgeable i... 01/13/2007

With the quality of life improving in our neighbourhood the prices of real estate is increasing. We do everything possible to help you to buy or sell your real estate and make it a profitable deal for both parties. The increase in prices of real estate in based on the law of supply and demand. Presently, our area has a big demand for real estate while the availability of houses. Adding to this is the stringent laws adopted by the local authorities on environmental impacts and objections from the local communities on new constructions, lesser homes are being constructed. Those who have moved in to our neighbourhood do not want to move out as it is very conducive to healthy living. With the economy in our state improving more jobs are created thus the demand for housing too increases.   N... 01/11/2007