Ones For Real Estate: Cruises Among Ways Realtors Are Convincing Sellers To Accept Offers
Todd Tramonte is a DFW realtor who says he has resorted to offering sellers cruise vacations in order to entice them to accept his clients' offers.
Watch CBS News
Todd Tramonte is a DFW realtor who says he has resorted to offering sellers cruise vacations in order to entice them to accept his clients' offers.
With the skyrocketing prices of real estate in North Texas and homes selling faster than they can get on the market, many are asking if what we are seeing in DFW is a bubble effect.
"Lumber is about tripled from a year ago, and there are some big problems there with the tariffs that are attached to it still," said Phil Crone, Executive Officer of the Dallas Builders Association.
Though housing prices have soared in many parts of the country, and inventory is way down, real estate sales may still be stronger in 2021.
"Going to an open house sometimes feels like you're pulling up to a party," said Rachel Laviola.
Social distancing, stay at home orders and the shift to working from home during the pandemic has significantly impacted the real estate industry.
Not even the holidays can slow down the housing market in DFW right now. Many realtors tell CBS 11 News that out-of-state buyers are driving the demand.
Devin Hall, 44, pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon to conspiracy to commit bribery of an agent of local government receiving federal benefits.
"Social distancing behaviors are having an impact on the home buying process, but agents, buyers and sellers are adapting through the use of technology," Jeff Tucker, an economist for Zillow, said.
The coronavirus is changing almost every aspect of life, including the way homeowners protest property taxes.
Looking to make some extra cash? You're not alone. A recent survey found more than 40% of Americans have some type of side hustle.
After agent fees and closing costs, Americans nationwide can spend nearly $21,000 to prepare their homes to be sold.
One of the most sought after buildings in Fort Worth is on the market.
Property valuation notices for 2019 started arriving in mailboxes in Tarrant County this week.
Whether you are on the prowl for a new place or not, sometimes it can be entertaining to check out a luxury real estate listing to see what kind of houses those with money can afford.
It was revealed on Tuesday that HGTV is the new owner of the iconic house used for exterior shots in "The Brady Bunch." The final sale price has not been announced.
U.S home prices rose rapidly in May, a trend that is thwarting some would-be buyers and pulling down home sales.
"I'm heartbroken, because I like Toys R Us. I always shop there for Christmas. I guess now I'll go online and start shopping."
Long-term U.S. mortgage rates were flat to lower this week. The benchmark 30-year rate marked its fourth decline in the past five weeks.
The Ebby Halliday Companies, touted as the largest independently owned residential real estate company in Texas, has been sold to HomeServices of America.
The Ebby Halliday portfolio of companies brands will continue to operate under their current brand names.
Authorities handed out around 2,000 masks for protection as people living near Hawaii's Kilauea volcano braced for pulverized rock, glass and crystal to rain down.
Earthquakes damaged roads and buildings on Hawaii's Big Island as ash emissions continued to stream from Kilauea volcano.
Authorities reported a new fissure opened from the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, bringing the number of cracks in the ground spitting out lava and toxic gas to nearly 20.
A Hawaii volcano that sputtered lava for a week, forced around 2,000 residents to evacuate and threatened a geothermal plant now threatens to blow its top in the coming days or weeks.
In the battle for U.S. Senate, Republican Ken Paxton visits Washington while Democrat James Talarico campaigns in North Texas and talks about Texas barbecue.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson discusses what he hopes will happen to Dallas City Hall.
What appeared to be an open-and-shut case for Texas investigators turned out to be a twisted murder plot involving victim Alyssa Beard's ex-boyfriend Andrew Beard and his fiancée Holly Elkins – who detectives say was the mastermind.
Jurors heard wrenching testimony from teammates and saw graphic autopsy evidence as the defense worked to counter the prosecution's case.
Police in Toledo, Ohio, reported that there were believed to be at least two shooters. No suspects have been arrested.
Jurors heard wrenching testimony from teammates and saw graphic autopsy evidence as the defense worked to counter the prosecution's case.
A Flood Watch is in effect until 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Follow our live blog for updates from the courtroom.
After years of silence, customers' complaints lead to Paxton's first rooftop solar lawsuit as his tenure winds down.
The longtime firefighter spent his final months trying to secure a lifesaving transplant for his wife as both faced serious health crises.
Drivers towed from a Fort Worth CVS may be eligible for refunds after an I-Team investigation found questions over whether the tow company had authorization to operate in the lot.
Before striking a pipeline, causing a natural gas leak and subsequent explosion, an engineering firm did follow proper protocol to begin work at a Dallas apartment building.
A North Texas foster family says a legal gray area in Texas' Baby Moses law led to the child being returned to biological relatives.
As he battles terminal cancer, a Fort Worth fire captain says the state's workers' comp system has failed him — and he's far from alone.
A Kennedale couple says their leased solar panels stopped producing power and became a costly burden after years of unfulfilled promises.
In the battle for U.S. Senate, Republican Ken Paxton visits Washington while Democrat James Talarico campaigns in North Texas and talks about Texas barbecue.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson discusses what he hopes will happen to Dallas City Hall.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said relocating to another downtown building would cost much less than repairing the current Dallas City Hall. "The numbers have now been proven multiple times to be accurate, and it would be very costly to stay, and so I would be in favor, for sure, of us saving the taxpayers considerable money by leaving this obsolete building," said Johnson. He also says that deals have not yet been finalized for the Mavericks and Stars. "The Valley View site that the Mavericks are looking at, it's in Dallas, that's a good thing," Johnson said. "Let's start with that. But as far as the Stars are concerned, that negotiations from my understanding, it is a letter of intent. It is not a final deal. It's a step, but not a final step."
As President Trump prepares to watch the New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden, officials are planning for a heightened security posture, sources said.
Gov. Abbott spoke on efforts to control the screwworm after the flesh-eating parasite was found in Texas.
Target, which embarked on a turnaround plan under its new CEO earlier this year, reported an increase in first-quarter sales Wednesday.
During the program's first year, it will be offered at about 65 to 75 hospitals that handle about a quarter of births in the state and largely serve low-income patients, Newsom's office said.
Bimbo Bakeries USA employs over 20,000 people and has been headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania, for the past 17 years.
This explosion is among several similar incidents across North Texas that raise questions about why hazardous natural gas leaks keep happening
Zoox, owned by Amazon, produces its own autonomous vehicles that it says are built for passengers, not drivers.
Dr. Peter Stafford was working with a missionary group in the Congo when he came down with the virus last month.
The FDA is moving ahead with a safety study of the abortion pill mifepristone, a senior FDA official confirmed to CBS News, a step that could create a path for the Trump administration to restrict access to the medication.
The head of the World Health Organization says Ebola has killed at least 7 people in Congo, but the U.N. agency says it knows the epidemic "is much larger."
The most recent week of data from Dallas County Health and Human Services shows a 50% increase in positive flu cases.
The cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has docked at the Dutch port of Rotterdam for disinfection, wrapping up a troubled journey that put world health authorities on alert.
After sharing management of the arena for decades, the Mavericks are now in full control.
Target, which embarked on a turnaround plan under its new CEO earlier this year, reported an increase in first-quarter sales Wednesday.
Expensive tickets, trouble getting visas and anti-American sentiment may all be contributing to underwhelming demand.
Herring said that in the year before tariffs, used car sales were just under half of his business at his dealership in Irving; Now, they are nearly 75 percent.
Bimbo Bakeries USA employs over 20,000 people and has been headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania, for the past 17 years.
Golden Tempo made Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner and the second woman to train a Belmont Stakes winner.
Problems with processing visas had earlier led Iran to move its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico.
Bueckers tied Ogunbowale's franchise record of 14 assists in a game.
As President Trump prepares to watch the New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden, officials are planning for a heightened security posture, sources said.
Ned Jarrett was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011 after 50 career wins on the sport's top circuit.
Anthony Head played librarian and mentor Rupert Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and recently appeared in "Ted Lasso."
Peabo Bryson, a two-time Grammy-winning singer and songwriter known for Disney movie hits "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Whole New World," has died at age 75.
President Trump said he is considering replacing the Freedom 250 concert series with a rally after many artists dropped out.
Sonny Rollins, the legendary tenor saxophonist known for his bold tone and constant experimentation, has died at 95.
The American Music Awards celebrate fan favorites in the music world and feature performances from multiple artists.
The Red Bull Flugtag Airshow returned to Las Colinas on Saturday after a 12-year hiatus. Teams are tasked with constructing a flying machine and putting it to the test. It's estimated that around 25,000 people attended the event.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit babies at Texas Health locations across North Texas celebrated Valentine's Day.
As Anthony Davis prepared for his debut game at the AAC, Dallas Mavericks fans took to the arena to protest the controversial trade.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.