• Single Family Homes
• Town Homes
• Duplexes
• Triplexes
• Four Plexes
• Condos (some restrictions on owner-occupancy and location)

Other program highlights of the Regions Bank 100% Financing Program for Doctors:

• 100% Mortgage Financing for stable markets (at this time, Dallas and Fort Worth Texas are considered stable markets).
• Valid employment agreement or contract is required – If self-employed, must have three year history (tax returns) of self-employement.
• No upfront or monthly PMI (mortgage insurance)
• Taxes and insurance are escrowed for all loans greater than 80% loan-to-value ratio.  Escrows may be waived for loans with less than or equal to an 80% loan to value ratio.
• Owner occupied properties only up to 100%.
• Regions has other programs available for second homes 90% LTV with no PMI up to 1.5 Million.
• Student loans excluded from debt-to-income ratio calculation if currently in deferment. 

Loan Terms available from Regions Bank on the 100% Mortgage Loan for Doctors:

• 3/1 ARM
• 5/1 ARM
• 7/1 ARM
• 10/1 ARM
• 15 and 30 Year Fixed Rates

Is The Regions Bank Doctor Program Available in other areas besides Dallas?

Yes!  Regions services 16 different states in the US:

• Texas
• Arkansas
• Louisiana
• Missouri
• Iowa
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Tennessee
• Mississippi
• Alabama
• Georgia
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Florida

If you are a doctor and would like to find out if you qualify for the Regions Bank 100% Mortgage Program for Doctors, contact John Olson for a free consultation and pre-approval. 

Obtaining pre-approval from a competent and knowledgeable loan officer should always be the first step of the homebuying process.  John is a veteran mortgage loan officer and has many other specialty programs to fit your needs!

 Contact John Olson at 214-678-2541 or 214-563-0171 or email him at john.olson@regions.com.   You may also complete the contact form below for priority processing:

In addition to CPAs, other professions eligible for the BBVA Compass Professional Program include:
• Attorneys
• Doctors / Physicians
• CEOs, CFOs, COOs or Chairmen of publicly traded companies.
• Executives in direct report to the CEO or Charman of publicly traded companies.

Is the BBVA Compass Professional Program available in other areas besides Dallas?

YES!  BBVA Compass offers this program in seven states:
• Texas
• New Mexico
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Alabama

Obtaining a quick pre-approval for a mortgage should always be the first step when shopping for a home. BBVA Compass has a very quick and easy pre-approval process. Their automated approval system allows for quick and streamlined loan pre-approvals with no application fee.
Please call Susan Hiatt at (214) 310-6066 to consult with her about this program and obtain a quick pre-approval. Or you can email her directly at susan.hiatt@bbvacompass.com .  Completing the contact form below will ensure priority processing.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are my own and are not reviewed approved or endorsed by BBVA Compass or any affiliate.  I have no affiliation with BBVA Compass and am only providing this information as a service to doctors/physicians and other professionals that may benefit. If you are a Dallas area physician in the market to purchase a home, please call me today at (972) 978-3553 or email me at johnjonesrealtor@gmail.com .

** GARDEN / ZERO LOT HOME WITH THREE BEDROOMS, GREAT DESIGN AND NICE PRIVATE PATIO **

** LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT! **

If you’ve been searching for the right home in the much coveted part of North Dallas off of Frankford Road in between Preston and the Dallas North Tollway, 17939 Windflower Way may be just what you’ve been looking for! 

17939 Windflower Way Dallas TX Front View

Aside from the great location with close access to both the Tollway and the George Bush Turnpike, the floorplan really stands out in this home.   With three bedrooms and two full baths (master downstairs and two additional bedrooms upstairs), this home has plenty of room for several people.

The home has two living areas: A large living area downstairs with an adjacent dining area plus a loft-style living area upstairs that overlooks the downstairs living area and could be used as a study.

17939 Windflower Way Family Room 1

17939 Windflower Way Dallas TX Family Room 1 view of vaulted ceiling

 And the home has several large windows which fill the rooms with natural light:

17939 Windflower Way Living Area angle view

17939 Windflower Way Dallas TX Family room and fireplace

And just outside the downstairs family room is a large, private patio great for entertaining:

17939 Windflower Way Dallas TX Patio

The master bedroom is located downstairs just off the family room and also has large windows that fill the room with lots of natural light

17939 Windflower Way Master Bedroom

This is a rare opportunity to own a three bedroom home in this area for less than $200,000. 

To schedule a time to view 17939 Windflower Way, contact John Jones directly at (972) 978-3553 or complete this quick contact form below and we will contact you promptly:

9743 Gatecrest Drive in Dallas, TX is a rare opportunity to own a large home in the southwest side of the White Rock North Subdivision walking distance to White Rock Elementary School.   And this home has quite a few unique upgrades that you won’t find in most homes in the area.

The owners have performed significant upgrades on the inside and out, including landscaping and this front sidewalk with steps.

The master bedroom is quite roomy and has two large closets.  The home has hardwood floors throughout most of the rooms with carpet in one of the two living areas. 

9743 Gatecrest Drive Dallas, TX Master Bedroom

Perhaps the most unique and exciting feature of this home is the large, two-story addition added by the current owner after they purchased it in 2005.  The addition features an oversized garage and a large room that could be used as a master suite, art or photography studio or a gameroom / media room. 

9743 Gatecrest Drive Dallas TX studio or extra bedroom

This room is currently being used as a photography studio by the current owner but the possibilities for the new owner are endless.  The room measures a stunning 27X23 feet, not including the stairs and large closet with its own separate HVAC unit.  Although this room does not have its own separate bathroom, plumbing is easily accessible and could be added quite easily.   You really have to see this room to get a feel for its massive size and tall ceiling.

The home has a total of three bedrooms downstairs with two full bathrooms:

9743 Gatecrest Drive Second bedroom

9743 Gatecrest Drive Third Bedroom

9743 Gatecrest Drive Bathroom 2

The kitchen and breakfast area lead to the second living area, which has a wood burning fireplace with a gas starter, built-in bookshelves and two small skylights that add a nice touch of natural light. 

9743 Gatecrest Drive Second Living Area

Both living areas are quite roomy and both also have areas that can be used as a formal dining space in addition to the large breakfast area that sits at the end of the galley kitchen.

9743 Gatecrest Drive Living and Dining area

9743 Gatecrest Drive Kitchen and breakfast area

You’ll love the look and feel of the updated kitchen cabinets!  Plus the kitchen has an electric range with oven as well as a second oven that’s built into the wall in the kitchen.

Summary of home features and specs for 9743 Gatecrest Drive Dallas, TX:

REDUCED TO $310,000!

Total Square Footage: 2708 Per Tax Rolls

Elementary School: White Rock Elementary (Walking Distance!)

Bedrooms: Total of three but the studio is listed as a fourth bedroom because it has a large closet of which part could easily be converted into a bathroom.

Bathrooms: Two full bathrooms

Garage: OVERSIZED 27X23 plus an extra storage closet.  Will easily fit two vehicles with room to spare.

Backyard: Very large with updated fence and large covered patio.

This is a rare opportunity that will NOT LAST LONG, so call John Jones to view this property today at (972) 978-3553 or complete the quick contact form below for a quick response

This program is only offered at BBVA Compass and is a unique opportunity for qualified Dallas area doctors/physicians and eligible professionals to obtain 95% mortgage financing on a home purchase.

 Program highlights of the Professional Program for physicians (Program rules are subject to change at any time without notice):

•  95% mortgage financing up to one million dollars for primary residences.
• NO PMI (private mortgage insurance) required!
• Eligible properties inclue Single Family, primary residences only.  Other property types are not allowed on this program and residence must be primary. 
• Student loan payments are NOT included in the debt-to-income ratio calculation if they are deferred for at least 12 months.
• Expansion of loan-to-value ratios for physicians that want to refinance an existing mortgage.
• BBVA Compass offers a free investment and insurance review with a wealth management professional.

Doctors/Physicians Eligible for the 95% Mortgage Financing Program include:

• Resident or practicing physicians.
• Oral surgeons

Other Eligible Professions include:

•  Attorneys
• Certified Public Accountants

Is the BBVA Compass Professional Program available in other areas besides Dallas?

YES! BBVA Compass offers this program in seven states:

• Texas
• New Mexico
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Alabama

The first step in the homebuying process should always be mortgage pre-approval.  BBVA Compass makes pre-approval fast and easy.   Their automated approval system allows for quick and streamlined loan pre-approvals with no application fee. 

To consult with a BBVA Compass loan professional about this program, please email Susan Hiatt at susan.hiatt@bbvacompass.com  Completing the contact form below will ensure priority processing. 

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are my own and are not reviewed approved or endorsed by BBVA Compass or any affiliate.  I have no affiliation with BBVA Compass and am only providing this information as a service to doctors/physicians and other professionals that may benefit.  If you are a Dallas area physician in the market to purchase a home, please call me today at (972) 978-3553 or email me at johnjonesrealtor@gmail.com .

Qualified military personnel, foreign service workers and members of the intelligence community have until April 30, 2011 to secure an executed purchase contract and until June 30, 2011 to close the transaction.

This special program for veterans and military servicemembers was signed into law as part of the original extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit that went into effect on November 6, 2009.

DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED SERVICEMEMBERS
Per the legislation, a “qualified servicemember” means a uniformed servicemember of the military, a member of the U.S. foreign service or the intelligence community who was called to an extended period of oveerseas service for at least 90 days between December 1, 2008 and May 1, 2010.  (For those that were not called for extended service, the deadline to execute a purchase contract was April 30, 2010 and the closing deadline is September 30, 2010.)

A member of the military, foreign service or intelligence community who was called for extended duty of at least 90 days but was unable to complete this term due to medical reasons MAY still qualify for the extended deadline.

Consult with a licensed tax accountant to make sure you qualify.  I am not an attorney or a CPA and cannot give legal or tax advice!

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE VETERANS $8,000 FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT:

• The amount of the tax credit is the LESSER of $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price of the home.  For example, a qualified individual who purchases a home for $68,000 will receive a tax credit of $6,800, not the full $8,000. 
• The home purchased must be a primary residence.
• The income limit to qualify for the tax credit is $125,000 for single filers and $225,000 for married filers.   Single and married filers who make more than this may qualify for a reduced tax credit amount.
• Home must be priced at $800,000 or less.
• Must be a first-time homebuyer (meaning cannot have owned a home in the last three years).
• Non-first time homebuyers may qualify for the move-up tax credit of $6,500. 

QUALIFIED VETERANS:  This opportunity to get the $8,000 tax credit will end on April 30th.   All qualified veterans must have a home under written contract by April 30th but do not have to close the transaction until June 30, 2011.

For more information or to set up a customized home search, please call John Jones at (972) 978-3553 or fill out the quick contact form:

LINKS TO ADDITIONAL INFO:

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/home.html

If so, you'll want to take advantage of this opportunity to have your photo taken by one of Dallas' premier professional photographers for a substantially lower fee than he normally charges clients. 

On Wednesday, November 10, Jason Janik will offer headshots to local area real estate industry professionals for $50.  The price will include 15 minutes of time in his private studio located at his home in Lake Highlands (Audelia/Northwest Highway area).  

Normally Jason charges anywhere from a few hundred on up to over a thousand dollars for corporate headshots.  But for one day only, he's offering this special price for local real estate professionals. 

Here are some samples of some work he's done with previous clients:

To register for this event, please contact Jason at 214-535-1062 or email him at the link provided on his website at www.janikphoto.com

OR you can fill out the quick registration form on my website and he will call and/or email you a conformation.

And here's a link to his blog post about the one day headshot event on November 10, 2010

The CF Concert Series was started in 2007 as a small effort organized by a few local music fans with a personal interest in helping to find better treatments and a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis, or CF, is a life‐threatening genetic disease affecting approximately 70,000 children and adults. However, there is no government funding for CF research. All research and progress towards finding better treatments and a cure rely on funding from community events and fundraisers.

The series, held annually at the historic Granada Theater in Dallas, TX, aims to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis with an emphasis on adult research. Since the first concert in 2007, the CFCS and its participants, such as Rhett Miller of the Old 97's, have helped to raise almost $100,000 towards the cause.

The CF Concert Series is put on by the Breathe Easy Foundation (BEF). The goal of both the CFCS and the Breathe Easy Foundation is to help raise awareness of the disease and funding for the great strides being made towards CF research. All BEF proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

This year's line-up of performers includes Rhett Miller, solo artist and front man for the alt-country band The Old 97′s, Ben Kweller, successful solo artist and former front man for Radish, as well as John Pedigo and Taylor Young of The O's.  Gordon Keith, local TV personality and host of the morning drive-show on KTCK SportsRadio, 1310 AM "The Ticket" will be the emcee.

A silent auction will also be held with all proceeds benefitting the CF Foundation.   

Home Page for CF Concert Series

Purchase Tickets

This Facebook Like Button Plugin for Wordpress is available for free download. 

There are some additional Facebook Like Button plugins avaiable, but based on the feedback and rankings, this one seems to be the most reliable.  

I intalled it on my DFW Real Estate News site this morning and it seems to be working fine.  It appears that the installation installed the like button on all previous pages, but I had to go back and update each previous blog post in order to make it appear on those.  **UPDATE** The plugin appears to have retroactively added the button to all of my previous posts.  I guess the server needed another cup of coffee :)

Either way, I'm just happy to have it now.  So add the Facebook Like Button to your Wordpress blog today with this handy plugin! 

The plugin requires Wordpress 2.9 or higher. 

LINKS:

Read About and Download Facebook Like Button Plugin for Wordpress

Installation Instructions

FAQ

Screenshots

This time, he wrote about some myths and fallacies related to air conditioning, including the funny myth that criminals sometimes escape through air ducts. 

Enjoy!

_________

Since the seasons are changing, now is the time to discuss some fallacies related to air conditioning.

•-          Misting systems that precool your outside AC condensing unit.

They do work only if the water is pure.  Tap water contains minerals that build up a layer of calcium on your AC coil.  This degrades the efficiency of the AC and cannot be cleaned off.  This is the same build-up you get on glass ware called water spots.  Over time, the build-up can get quite thick and ruins your AC condenser unit.

•-          Room air coolers that use "glacier blocks" that you chill in your house refrigerator.

The manufacture claims you can save money by raising your AC thermostat setting and comfortably cool your bedroom.  First, it won't cool long and won't cool anything more than the area few feet in front of it. This appliance blows air across a "glacier" block of ice.  Second, one must prechill these glacier blocks of ice in the refrigerator. This results in additional heat added to your kitchen equal to the heat removed by the Room air coolers. No help to your central AC system here.

•-          Turning the AC thermostat down to 55 degrees to speed up the cooling of your house.

The AC unit is not like a gas pedal on a car.  It does not work harder the farther you push it. It is more like an on/off switch. Either it runs or stops running when it cools the room.  Very, very few house AC systems do work harder the further you push the thermostat down. Very few expensive systems.

•-          Crawling through ductwork is an easy way for a crook to escape.

The movies make this look easy.  First, the layer of dust you inhale would keep you sneezing for a week. Ductwork is filthy. Second, most ductwork is too small to fit through.  The ducts have sharp turns that you must negotiate, and its pitch black inside. The points of sharp screws would tear you up. Thirdly, ductwork is not very strong and would bend and fall apart with the weight of an escapee inside. Between the sneezing and the banging of crawling through ductwork, it would not be a quiet escape.