Elena Garrett, Realtor in Dallas Texas - My Blog

Residential and Investment Properties in Dallas - Fort Worth

Elena Garrett, Realtor in Dallas Texas - My Blog

Funny But Realistic New Year Resolutions

We all know the secret to New Year’s resolutions actually coming true: make them realistic, make them specific, and break the big “life overhaul” dreams into small, manageable steps. (Because “reinvent myself by February” rarely survives past Week One.) So if you’re staring at a blank page thinking, “Okay…but what Read more…


The Emotional Hangover From the COVID Economy — And What it Means for Real Estate Decisions in 2026

By Elena Garrett, December 2025 Across the DFW real estate market — buyers, sellers, landlords, builders, and flippers alike — many people are still mentally anchored and longing for to the COVID-era market of 2021–2022. Not just the memories, but the expectations that those conditions were somehow “normal” — while Read more…


Will It Be a Flip or a Flop? DFW Flipper Year-End Update

By Elena Garrett, December 2025 Most flippers think this: “If I buy a house under 70% ARV (after repair value)… and then install the right countertops… put in new gray LVP floors… paint everything in white/gray… add canned lights… replace the old windows/toilets/doors… and don’t overspend or make mistakes… I’ll Read more…


DFW Rental Profitability – Table of Zip Codes December 2025

By Elena Garrett, Dec 2025 One of the biggest challenges I see with first-time and newer real estate buy-and-hold investors isn’t lack of enthusiasm or motivation—it’s lack of clear “no” criteria in their search for homes. Most people start their search by scrolling listings that look good, like clean photos, Read more…


TX Home Sellers Year End Update – 2025

Home Market Prices in North Texas – What Exactly Happened? Most home sellers are asking themselves: “Why aren’t prices going up like they did in 2021?” Here’s what the numbers show: 2021–early 2022: Prices jumped fast Multiple offers were common Buyers rushed and overpaid Late 2022–2025: Prices stopped climbing Prices Read more…


TX Home Buyer Year End Update – 2025

Have home prices reached their lowest point at the end of the 2025? Maybe. Most buyers these days are asking themselves: “If I buy now, am I going to overpay?” We looked at real sales prices in Dallas–Fort Worth area (Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant counties) over the last three years, Read more…


Budget and Credit Conscious Homebuyer Guide 2026 – Dallas Fort Worth And Beyond

by Elena Garrett, Nov 2025 1. Renting Isn’t the Problem — Staying Stuck In a Rental Rat Race Is If you’re renting because life threw you a curveball — income interruption, medical bills, credit dings, divorce, job change, self-employment, immigration status, whatever — you’re not alone. But you are losing Read more…


Thanksgiving 2025 Real Estate Update

by Elena Garrett, November 2025 Here’s a quick roundup of what’s been moving in the real estate and mortgage world as we head into the holiday season. 1. Home Sales Picked Up Again in October 2025 October marked the second straight month of growth in residential closings.Buyers took advantage of Read more…


Homes Under $250k That Make Strong Rental Opportunities (Turnkey + Light Rehab)

by Elena Garrett, November 2025 If you’re looking to expand your rental portfolio without hunting through the entire MLS, we maintain a continuously updated list of homes under $250,000 that work well for both turnkey rentals and light cosmetic rehab opportunities. These homes are typically in stable, high-demand rental areas Read more…


Why Buying a Home in November or December Can Save You Thousands in Cash

by Elena Garrett, Nov 2025 Most people, when they dream about buying a home, think the “good deal” comes from finding a lower interest rate… or catching a lucky break in the market. But guess what? The interest rate is only PART of the conversation.Sometimes the bigger part is this: Read more…