Dallas Dirt

The City of Dallas' largest-ever bond package passed in May 2024, but what happens now? Jenny Nicewander, Director of the City of Dallas Office of Bond and Construction Management joins host April Towery on this episode of Dallas Dirt to discuss next steps, that massive police training facility, and why these millions of dollars won't fix your potholes.

In this conversation, Candy Evans and JP Piccinini discuss the recent NAR settlement and its impact on real estate agents. They touch on topics such as the high commissions charged by agents, the need for more professionalism in the industry, and the importance of education and training for agents. They also discuss the role of real estate associations, the value of using a full-time agent, and the potential for major changes in the real estate industry.

How does a Realtor survive such a landmark case as the National Association of Realtors class action lawsuit? Work harder, says Jim Fite, President and CEO of Century 21 Judge Fite Realty. The veteran shares his insights on the history of real estate and the current lawsuits affecting the industry. Plus, the long-time broker emphasizes the importance of communication and training for real estate professionals and highlights the fiduciary relationship between agents and clients.

In this episode of Dallas Dirt, city hall editor April Towery sat down with Council Member Adam Balzaldua to discuss homelessness, the controversial Forward Dallas, and the challenges his southern Dallas district faces.

On this episode of Dallas Dirt, host Candy Evans sat down with New Leaf Custom Homes founder Scott Powell to offer an insightful look at the custom home building process. A native of Lake Highlands, Powell and his wife Melissa are the youthful driving forces behind the success of New Leaf Custom Homes in North Texas.

He discusses the challenges of finding lots in Dallas and the trend of remodeling homes. Powell emphasizes the need for proper planning and design upfront to manage budgets and avoid costly changes later on. He also talks about the integration of their pool company and the benefits of having in-house designers and architects. 

Brent Jackson, founder of HiFab Homes, joins the Dallas Dirt podcast to discuss an innovative solution to affordable housing — high-quality, efficient, and well-designed modular homes. Headquartered in Grand Prairie, HiFab Homes has collaborated with Lake | Flato, the San Antonio-based architectural firm known for sustainable and modern design, to create these factory-produced homes. HiFab Homes prioritizes speed and design, with homes being built in 21 days on the line and 45 days in the field. HiFab Homes aims to reduce waste and environmental impact in the construction industry.

On this episode of Dallas Dirt, the conversation revolves around office conversions in commercial real estate. It's no secret that office buildings across the country are sitting half-vacant, but this trio of an architect, a commercial real estate broker, and a land use consultant says adaptive reuse is the answer. Join host Candy Evans as she sits down with Founding Principle of Vision Architecture Studio Kevin Wallace, President of Metcalfe Commercial Realty Tom Metcalfe, and Masterplan President Dallas Cothrum to discuss how the commercial office sector can learn from lessons from retail post-2008 and how these office conversions to residential can help answer the call for middle-sector housing.

Fresh off federal income tax season comes your local appraisal board notices and inevitable property taxes. On this episode of Dallas Dirt, host Candy Evans sat down with founder and CEO of propertytax.io Glenn Goodrich to get a handle on how and why your home is appraised. They discuss the surprising ways appraisal districts assess a home's value and how to protest it.

Yes, another episode about Forward Dallas. On this Dallas Dirt, guest host April Towery spoke to one of the committee members who helped draft the controversial Forward Dallas, the comprehensive land use plan that is seemingly turning residents against the city. Opponents have accused the city staff of having an agenda, but guest Nathaniel Barrett points out it was the Comprehensive Land Use Committee that made the recommendations that seem to have upset active homeowners in affluent Preston Hollow and nearby single-family neighborhoods.

Your kids have taken field trips here. Probably, you did too. But the future of the city's oldest park and collection of late-1800s buildings is uncertain. Come May 26, Old City Park will change hands from the Dallas County Heritage Society to the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation department. In this episode of Dallas Dirt, senior columnist Karen Eubank sat down with Dallas County Heritage Society CEO Michael Meadows to understand what happened to the park's beloved donkeys Willie and Waylon, why the park was losing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and what's possible for this Dallas park.