Christmas in the Square – Frisco, TX

The 2008 Christmas in the Square is going to be bigger and better than before, with over 450,000 visitors expected over the holiday season!

The largest choreographed holiday lights and music display in Texas is combined with family-oriented activities to produce a "signature destination event" for Frisco.
Carriage Rides, Adventure Railroad Trackless Train, Games2U Mobile video gaming theater,
Santa Claus and Santa’s Gift Shop are just some of the activites you and your family can enjoy!
Christmas in the Square lights and music will continue each evening (5:30 - 10:00) through January 1, 2009.

For more information visit http://www.friscosquare.com/.

Snow Globes at Willowbend – Plano,TX

Since their debut four years ago, The Snow Globes have become a must-see family tradition at The Shops at Willow Bend. This year's theme, The Polar Express, lets visitors experience the wondrous Polar Express train with multi-sensory sights and sounds.

Visit the Snow Globes, November 7th through December 24th, where you can play in the engine room with the train whistle, get "snowed on" inside the giant snow globe and be transported to the North Pole in this spectacular interactive experience. Get your family photo taken aboard The Polar Express as well as the traditional visit and photo with Santa.

For more information visit http://www.shopwillowbend.com/.

White Christmas - Allen, TX

Friends of Allen Public Library are hosting a free screening of the classic, White Christmas on Thursday, December 16 - 7:00 p.m.

Christmas would not be as bright without a White Christmas. In 1954, Paramount Studios debuted its new film process, VistaVision, which enhances the film’s visual splendor. Combining the music of Irving Berlin with the performances of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen, and Rosemary Clooney, this is a holiday treat that everyone will enjoy. Introduce your children to this timeless film.

A holiday gift you will not want to miss: "May your days be merry and bright; and may all your Christmases be white."

For more information, call Tom Keener at 214-509-4911 or email tkeener@cityofallen.org.

BOLD ACTION KEY TO SOLVING HOUSING CRISIS, ECONOMIST SAYS

Although recent government efforts to improve America’s housing markets have proven less than effective, renowned economist Dr. Mark Dotzour says bold government action can get the market back on track.

In an article released today, the chief economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University offers a four-part solution to fixing the housing crisis, one that involves more than simply devising ways to keep people in their homes.

Four Possible Solutions:

1. Curtail supply of new homes on the market.
2. Slow down homes coming back into the market through foreclosure.
3. Incentivize investors to buy and rent properties to tenants.
4. Lower mortgage rates to be in line with the Ten Year Treasury bond.

Dr. Dotzour simplified the crisis to be an issue of too much supply and not enough demand which needs to be reversed. Lenders recognize the necessity of loan programs for investors to absorb the current housing glut.

This would be positive news for those looking for a place to invest their money. Real estate has remained a solid investment and will continue to be a sound investment. With lower interest rates and possible incentives to investors, this could turn into an opportune time to invest in residential real estate.

Dotzour's article is available at http://recenter.tamu.edu/pdf/1884.pdf.

Fair Park Holiday Lights - December 13th & 14th

Bedazzle the holidays this year with music, lights, horse-drawn carriage rides, outdoor holiday movies at the Cotton Bowl, Dallas Wind Symphony concerts, plus free admission to the Fair Park museums and more at the Fair Park Holiday Lights. This two-day holiday festival will be held on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 on the grounds of Fair Park.

Thousands of LED lights will be shining throughout the park during the holiday season! The family-friendly event will feature the Official City of Dallas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday at 6 p.m., and there will be a special candlelight tribute to the men and women serving in the military both nights at that time.

Come enjoy free admission to all Fair Park museums from 3 – 7 p.m. For more information visit http://www.fairpark.org/ .

Treasury Eyeing 4.5% Mortgages?

News that the Treasury Department may use Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's influence on mortgage markets to push interest rates on home loans down to 4.5 percent has raised hopes for a boost in home sales but sparked debate on whether it's wise to prop up housing prices.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Treasury is considering using Fannie, Freddie and other government-sponsored entities to purchase securities backed by mortgages at a price equivalent to a rate of 4.5 percent.

Treasury officials have not commented, but the Federal Reserve announced a similar program on Nov. 25, saying it would spend $600 billion to buy mortgage-backed securities and debt issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae.

The announcement brought down interest rates on conforming loans by about 1 percent and sent mortgage applications soaring.

Each 1 percent reduction in mortgage interest rate gives home buyers about 10 percent more purchasing power. That can not only get buyers off the fence, but also prop up home prices.
This intiative, coupled with the $7,500 Homebuyer Tax Credit, could mean great news for buyers and sellers alike!

Would you like more information? Contact donna@donnabthomas.com.

Top 11 Reasons Your Seller Should List During the Holidays

11. By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer
during the spring, when many more houses are on the market for less money!

10. You can sell now for more money and we will provide for a delayed closing or
extended occupancy until early next year!

9. Even though your house will be on the market, you still have the option to restrict
showings during the six or seven days around the Holidays!

8. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since
transferees cannot wait until spring to buy, you need to be on the market during
the Holidays to capture the market!

7. Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons!

6. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays than they do
during a working week!

5. Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays, so they are more likely to
pay your price!

4. Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays!

3. Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less
demand for your particular home! Less demand means less money for you!

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less
competition means more money for you!

And the number ONE reason why your Seller should list during the Holidays...

1. People who look for homes during the Holidays are more serious buyers!

Would you like more information about selling your home? Contact donna@donnabthomas.com.