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Mortgage rates have taken a significant dip, nearing the lowest levels in 50 years. Couple that news with April’s 7.6% rise in home sales, and the end result is an opportune time to buy a house.

Due to Europe’s recent financial troubles, investors have been channeling more money into a safer option – U.S. Treasury Bonds. Rates on these bonds are often used to attract investors. However, because investors have been buying bonds without needing extra enticement, these rates have begun to fall. Closely connected with mortgage rates, falling bond rates have triggered falling mortgage rates.

Many homebuyers — anticipating rising mortgage rates and the tax credit expiration — have had strong incentives to purchase homes over the past few months. Thus, it was no surprise that pre-owned home sales rose 7.6% in April. Economists are hopeful that the recent month-to-month home sales increases will continue as worried overseas investors keep  U.S. mortgage rates lower than expected.

Taking advantage of today’s unforeseen opportunity could save homebuyers a significant amount of money, since minor mortgage rate dips can drastically reduce monthly fees. ABC news explains, “If you take a home valued at $400,000 with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, a one-point decline in your mortgage rate can cut about $200 off what you pay ever month.”

For more information, visit abcnews.com or watch the video below.

Last week the Dallas Morning News published an economic snapshot of the local housing market. In case you missed the paper, we’ve gathered the data for you.

Real estate experts share mixed opinions about the latest report:

“So far so good. I’ve been watching the foreclosure postings closely as well as the supply of new and existing homes. If, for some reason, there was an accumulation of unsold inventory this summer, that could put pressure on prices, but I’m not seeing that now.”

-Ted Wilson, Residential Strategies Inc.

“Everyone should be cautious in declaring the housing market to have bottomed. So much of the data just don’t support it — foreclosures, the shadow inventory, new home sales running roughly half of the long-term norm level, expected sales declines after the tax credit expires.”

-James Gaines, economist, the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M

“For the first time in two years, all of the home price indicators for Dallas are moving in the same way — up. Some of the gain could have to do with the types of houses folks are buying. The increasing number of higher-priced home sales this year will drag median prices higher.”

- Steve Brown, real estate editor, The Dallas Morning News

The home inspection is a crucial step in the home buying and selling process. Before beginning, read these insightful tips from top realtor Shell Stegall.

Q: Why do I need a home inspection?

Shell: Having a home inspection is similar to seeing a family practice physician. If inspectors see red flags, they’ll recommend a specialist — such as a structural engineer, electrician, plumber or roofer.

Buyers: With limited time to view the house,  buyers can only get a general feeling about the home’s condition.  The inspection, which takes 3-6 hours, will help buyers uncover important information about wiring, ventilation and insulation, sewage, and more.

Sellers: A recent inspection report and receipts for any subsequent repairs will give buyers more confidence, which can lead to higher offers and also speed up the selling process.

Q: When do I call a home inspector?

Shell: Once a home is placed under contract, the inspection is completed during the “Option Period”. During this time of negotiations, the buyer diligently determines whether the property has been well-maintained.

Q: How do I find a home inspector?

Shell: The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) publishes an online list of licensed inspectors. I have a table of inspectors that I feel are very trustworthy and thorough. I share that information with my clients and know they’ll be in excellent hands.

Q: How should I prepare for a home inspection?

Shell: Preparation varies for buyers and sellers.

Buyers: Prepare a list of questions to ask. Your realtor can help you determine key issues to discuss. After the inspection, the inspector will review the results with you and address any of your concerns.

Sellers: Clear the access to your HVAC system. For those with pier & beam foundations, clear the access to the crawl hatch. Also, clean out areas under the sink so the inspector can examine the plumbing fixtures. If your electrical panel is hidden, leave a note with its location.

For further assistance from an expert realtor, contact Shell Stegall.

Dallas-Fort Worth’s industrial market “may have turned the corner,” writes Steve Brown of the Dallas Morning News. According to his report, industrial leasing agents predict a net gain throughout 2010.

Jean Russo, a senior director for Cushman & Wakefield, offered a very grounded perspective. ”I think we are seeing more activity in the market,” she said. “Sure, we need more deals to come through the pipeline. But you have to start somewhere.”

Less than 13 percent of DFW’s industrial space is vacant, which is 2 percent better than two years ago.

Find the detailed report at dallasnews.com.

A 5.2-acre public green space for Dallas residents and visitors to enjoy. A connection between Uptown, Downtown, and the Arts District. A place for concerts, restaurants, gardens, and games. The new Woodall Rodgers Park — which is approximately 10% complete — will draw all ages from all directions to the heart of Dallas.

Making our city more pedestrian friendly, this project will further increase the value of Uptown and Downtown real estate. As rich cultural activities attract people to the area, the demand for these neighborhoods’ apartments, condominiums, and town homes will increase significantly. Now — before the park has been completed — is an ideal time to invest.

Click below to watch a video overview of the exciting project, or visit woodallrodgerspark.org for more information.

To see the original article, visit nbcdfw.com.

Real estate traditions are changing quickly, and innovative agents are leading the way. Embracing creativity, technology, and teamwork, these real estate experts are busting out of the old box to offer customers exceptional service.

Take Keith Newman, for example. He’s currently working with the owners of 6539 Northport, an impressive five-bedroom in Preston Hollow. This home has everything a buyer could want — beamed ceilings and hand scraped hardwoods, a gorgeous lot with a stone pool and spa, a downstairs master retreat, a game room, a media room… even a hobby room. The place is priceless, but a very interested buyer has one main concern: the side driveway and the back garage bays may be too tight.

Understanding the out-of-town buyer’s apprehension, Keith headed to the Northport home — Flip camera in hand — to prove that the hurdle need not hinder. Keith’s colleague Elly Holder filmed as he carefully maneuvered his seller’s brand new BMW X6 into the garage, then back out, then in, then back out.

In Keith’s light-hearted words, “We hit nothing and ran over no one.” Once the tag-team got a handle on themselves (they had a blast making the video), they emailed the evidence to the buyer and waited to hear back. Watch the funny footage of their adventure below:

Time will tell whether this prospective buyer will be the home’s new owner. Regardless, one thing’s for sure: Keith and Elly are committed to going above and beyond on behalf of their clients.

For extraordinary real estate service, visit briggsfreeman.com.

According to the Foreclosure Listing Service, the Metroplex’s foreclosure filings have fallen 12 percent, down from 5,553 filings at the April auction to 4,861 at the upcoming May auction. Filings have decreased 21 percent from the foreclosure peak in March, and Dallas County’s filings are 15 percent lower than they were in April 2009.

Of course, the large number of foreclosures still translates to heartache for thousands. George Roddy Sr., president of Foreclosure Listing Service Inc., understands the difficulty that many families are facing. “To be forced to leave your home is one of the most devastating moments in a family’s life, especially in the American society where we have so much pride in home ownership.”

Scott Norman, president-elect of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association, remains rather optimistic about Texas’ stabilization and growth. He recently commented, “The mortgage market in Texas – I don’t think it’s an exaggeration – is the healthiest in the nation. We are in significantly better shape.”

Read more at bizjournals.com and dallasnews.com.

Texas  and California top the nation, each home to 57 Fortune 500 headquarters. DFW’s Exxon Mobil, formerly the  largest corporation, surrendered its #1 spot to Wal-Mart and now ranks #2. Overall, the DFW metroplex boasts 24 of Texas’ 57 headquarters.

The Dallas Business Journal provides the complete list:

No. 2 Exxon Mobil Irving
No. 7 AT&T Dallas
No. 111 Fluor Irving
No. 120 AMR Corp. Fort Worth
No. 126 Kimberly-Clark Irving
No. 133 J.C. Penney Plano
No. 167 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Fort Worth
No. 208 Dean Foods Dallas
No. 223 Texas Instruments Dallas
No. 229 Southwest Airlines Dallas
No. 246 Energy Future Holdings Dallas
No. 253 Tenet Healthcare Dallas
No. 255 GameStop Grapevine
No. 258 XTO Energy Fort Worth
No. 327 Commercial Metals Irving
No. 341 Affiliated Computer Services Dallas
No. 378 Dr Pepper Snapple Group Plano
No. 388 Energy Transfer Equity Dallas
No. 414 Celanese Dallas
No. 424 Atmos Energy Dallas
No. 431 Holly Dallas
No. 473 Flowserve Irving
No. 481 RadioShack Fort Wort

The annual Spring Home Tour has arrived! This Saturday and Sunday you have an opportunity to tour hundreds of houses throughout Dallas’ premier neighborhoods. Explore prized properties in Highland Park, University Park, Bluffview, Greenway Parks, Greenway Crest, Preston Hollow, and more.

For your convenience, the event has been divided into several more specific subcategories, such as the Hike-and-Bike Tour, the Beautiful Estates Tour, and the Great Outdoor Living Tour.

Don’t miss this chance to step inside extraordinary homes and find one that feels just right. Visit briggsfreeman.com for the full list of tours.

Forbes recently reported the 10 Best Cities for Borrowers — the metros where “homebuyers get better average mortgage rates, and fewer borrowers are headed for foreclosures.” Three Texas cities made the list: Houston (#2), Dallas (#3), and San Antonio (#5). Because these cities escaped the housing market’s major boom-bust catastrophe, local borrowers have been less prone to underwater mortgages. Of course, stronger housing markets lead to more liberal lending.

To read a detailed account about the factors contributing to this study, visit forbes.com.