Dallas Dirt

Parks may seem like a luxury, but what value do city parks bring? In this episode of Dallas Dirt, April Towery asks Rudy Karimi, the District 14 Parks and Recreation Board member for the City of Dallas, that question on the heels of a massive $345 million bond package proposed to voters.

"World-class cities prioritize parks," Karimi said. They discuss the importance of parks for the city's development, the recently approved bond package for parks, which will go before Dallas voters on May 4, 2024, and the public engagement process for a proposed skate park in Dallas. They also touch on the master plan for Old City Park, opportunities for combining parks with housing, and upcoming upgrades to recreation centers. 

If you live in Dallas, you may not know about the Forward Dallas land use plan, but you’ve probably heard the rumor about that “zoning thing that will allow apartment buildings in single-family neighborhoods.” On this episode of the Dallas Dirt podcast, we bust that myth and several others about this city planning initiative, and trace down the source of confusion.

CandysDirt.com Dallas City Hall Editor April Towery sits down with Interim Director of Planning + Urban Design Andrea Gilles and Chief Planner Patrick Blaydes to discuss what’s become a controversial land use plan titled “Forward Dallas.”

“Did someone die in this house,?” is a natural curiosity question. If it’s an old home, the answer is yes. But what exactly is it that scares people from buying a so-called "murder home"? Tune in to this episode of the Dallas Dirt podcast, where guest host Shelby Skrhak discusses true crime and murder homes with Dallas Realtors Heather Guild and Elena Richey. As longtime friends, Heather and Elena look at true crime through a real estate lens as hosts of their Crime Estate podcast. They share how to disclose that a death has taken place on site and offer do's and don'ts for staging a so-called "murder home." 

Shelby dives into details of some of Dallas's most notorious murder homes, including the Rowlett home where convicted murderer Darlie Routier killed her two sons, and the Wylie home where Candy Montgomery was acquitted of slashing her friend Betty Gore with an axe. Fans of true crime will want to tune into this real estate-focused episode.

When your name is Dallas, you root for the city,' but Dallas is losing people to the suburbs because of politics, says Dallas real estate consultant Dallas Cothrum. The land use expert calls out poor practices by city councils past, highlighting the Trinity East natural gas drilling controversy and its lasting impact on Dallas in this packed episode of the Dallas Dirt podcast with Candy Evans.

In this Dallas Dirt podcast, Candy Evans discusses estate jewelry with Lyn Skibell, owner of Skibell Fine Jewelry. They explore repurposing inherited jewelry, emphasizing the sentimental value and creative possibilities of turning something that’s not your style into something you love. The conversation also touches on the importance of updated jewelry appraisals for insurance and highlights the current trend of individuality in jewelry preferences. 

Dallas City Council Member Chad West joins CandyDirt.com City Hall Editor April Towery for a frank discussion on the lack of affordable housing in Dallas. West calls out a "shady" meeting, and discusses priorities for an upcoming city bond — a hot topic being debated among the council right now. 

The world of Dallas real estate is ever-evolving, and staying at the forefront requires insights from industry leaders. Dallas Dirt did a deep dive into the real estate landscape in Dallas versus Austin with Jerry Mooty, the CEO and principal of Texas @properties Christie’s International Real Estate Office. In this interview, Mooty discusses the launch of @properties Christie's International Real Estate, its growth in Austin, the company's new Sports and Entertainment division, and what athletes are looking for in Dallas real estate. Host Candy Evans also touched on Mooty's familial connection to the Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Jones, and asked Mooty for his personal opinions on the Dallas real estate market for 2024. 

Join Tam Pham, a seasoned general contractor and visionary founder of “Steel Toe Stiletto”, as she shares insights into the art and science of preserving Dallas' most neglected historic homes.

“I’ve proven over and over that I can take a shanty and turn it into a show house,” Pham says.

From navigating stringent preservation guidelines to overcoming structural intricacies, Pham’s expertise shines as she discusses the delicate dance between preserving the past and embracing modern functionality.

“I think every old home deserved to be saved,” Pham says.

Dallas mortgage banker, Lisa Peters of Cardinal, financial offers inside or tips for securing the best mortgage rate for your home, cleaning up your credit report, and a surprising source of free money from the government. Host Candy Evans, and Peters gab about the surprising growth areas in Dallas Fort Worth And offer perspective as long time Dallas residents On this episode of Dallas Dirt. You’ll learn a few things from this conversational episode.