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NOTES FROM EAST TEXAS

The Journal.

Local perspective, practical advice, and stories from the place I call home.

65 articles

Lakefront home among mature trees, with a covered dock extending over the water.

August 31, 20268 MIN READ

Lake Cypress Springs, Texas Real Estate & Area Guide

Stone lakeside home among trees, with a covered pavilion and wooden dock extending over the water.

August 29, 20269 MIN READ

Lake Bob Sandlin, Texas Real Estate & Area Guide

Brick home with an attached garage, curved driveway, shaded porch, and flowering crepe myrtle.

August 28, 20264 MIN READ

Looking for a Newer Home in De Kalb, Texas? Take a Look at 1100 N FM 992

Aerial view of a brick country home with a long driveway, fenced grounds, detached outbuilding, and pond.

August 27, 20269 MIN READ

Selling a Home on Acreage in Northeast Texas: What Sellers Need to Know

Stone-and-brick home with a covered porch and lawn, with inspection tools in the foreground.

August 27, 20268 MIN READ

What Is the Option Period in Texas Real Estate? How the Termination Option Helps Buyers and Sellers

Brick house with an arched entry, landscaped shrubs, mature trees, and a broad front lawn.

August 25, 20268 MIN READ

How Long Are Homes Taking to Sell in Texarkana, Texas?

Brick-and-stone house with a manicured lawn and mature trees along a residential street.

August 22, 20269 MIN READ

New Boston TX Housing Market: Inventory, Prices & Days on Market

Stone-and-brick home with an arched entry and curved driveway among tall trees.

August 20, 20268 MIN READ

How Long Are Homes Taking to Sell in De Kalb, Texas?

Two homes: a white farmhouse beneath tall pines and a brick house with manicured hedges.

August 19, 20266 MIN READ

What $300,000 Buys You in New Boston vs. Texarkana, Texas

Aerial view of a tree-filled town with scattered homes, wooded land, and ponds.

August 2, 20265 MIN READ

Living in Bowie County, Texas: A Guide to the Communities That Make This Area Home

Brick house with a covered porch, arched windows, colorful flower beds, and a broad lawn.

July 21, 20263 MIN READ

Why You Should List Your Home Before Fall

Aerial view of a small town’s downtown, surrounded by tree-lined streets and homes.

June 18, 20263 MIN READ

Best Restaurants & Things to Do in New Boston, Texas (2026 Local Guide)

License plate display spelling FSJ above 903-667-3086.

May 8, 20262 MIN READ

Small Town Charm, Big Flavor: Discovering Front Street Junction Cafe & Grill

DeKalb city-limit sign showing a population of 1,699.

May 8, 20263 MIN READ

De Kalb, Texas: The Pride of East Texas

Lake Cypress Springs shoreline with pine-shaded homes, boats, and a welcome sign.

May 8, 20262 MIN READ

The Magic of Lake Cypress Springs: Texas' Best-Kept Waterfront Secret

Stone-and-stucco home overlooking a swimming pool with a shallow ledge and covered patio.

May 8, 20263 MIN READ

Why Colton Daffern is the Premier Choice for Real Estate in De Kalb and Bowie County

Redwater, Texas welcome sign beside a tree-lined road, with a Texas flag and police SUV.

May 5, 20262 MIN READ

Discovering Redwater, Texas: A Hidden Gem in Bowie County

Texarkana welcome sign marking the Texas-Arkansas border and the Bowie and Miller county line.

May 5, 20262 MIN READ

Texarkana, Texas: Which County Is It In?

Texas residential resale contract form with blank party and property fields, dated November 4, 2024.

May 5, 20263 MIN READ

Breaking Down the TREC Contract Changes

Gray house with a blue front door, SOLD sign, flower beds, and a camera on a tripod.

May 4, 20262 MIN READ

Why First Impressions Are Everything: The Real Value of Curb Appeal

Aerial view of rural pasture with a winding gravel drive and pond.

April 18, 20262 MIN READ

Buying Land in Texarkana, Texas: What Smart Buyers Know Before They Purchase (2026 Guide)

White-and-stone house beside a raised pool, broad patio, and wide stone steps.

March 26, 20263 MIN READ

How to Choose the Right Area When Buying a Home in Texarkana & Bowie County

Home entryway with black-framed glass doors, a patterned rug, and views of the lawn.

March 26, 20263 MIN READ

What Most Sellers Wish They Did Earlier

Brick-and-limestone entry with a covered stoop, double wood doors, landscaped grounds, and a glimpse of the garage.

March 26, 20269 MIN READ

Marketing A Luxury Home In Texarkana, Texas

Gabled limestone-and-stucco home with a two-car garage, broad lawn, and post oaks beside the street.

March 24, 20267 MIN READ

Choosing Between Texarkana, Wake Village And Lake Areas

Stone house with a dark metal roof, broad lawn, and curved driveway leading to the entrance.

March 14, 20266 MIN READ

Understanding Title Insurance in Texas: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know

White farmhouse with black metal roof, covered porch, wood double doors, flowering gardens, and a broad lawn.

March 7, 20265 MIN READ

Spring Is One of the Best Times to Sell a Home in East Texas — Here’s Why

Aerial view of wooded land with a winding dirt road and pond.

March 7, 20265 MIN READ

Buying Land in East Texas: What Buyers Need to Know Before Purchasing Acreage

Single-story brick ranch with an attached two-car garage, broad lawn, and mature oaks framing the roofline.

March 5, 20268 MIN READ

Wake Village, TX Lifestyle Guide For Commuters

Lakeside home with a flagstone patio and cedar dock beside clear water and a dense treeline.

February 19, 20266 MIN READ

Experience the Lake Cypress Springs Lifestyle & Luxury

Wooden lakeside dock with lounge chairs and a red motorboat beside a tree-lined shore.

February 5, 20267 MIN READ

Lake Bob Sandlin Living: What To Expect Day To Day

Large stone-and-timber lodge beside a swimming pool, framed by an overhanging tree and a gravel drive.

January 15, 20268 MIN READ

Texarkana vs. New Boston: Which Fits Your Home Search?

Large stone home with a three-car garage, landscaped beds, and a curved driveway.

January 12, 20262 MIN READ

Colton Daffern Awarded Bowie County REALTOR® of the Year for the Second Consecutive Year

Two-story brick mansion with a columned entrance, circular driveway, and large oak trees framing the facade.

January 1, 20266 MIN READ

FHA vs Conventional In Texarkana: Strongest Offer?

Open guest book and pen on a desk, with a white-columned red-brick building framed in the window.

December 18, 20257 MIN READ

Buyer Closing Costs in Texarkana: Line Items Explained

Single-story wood-and-stone house behind a dry creek landscape with ornamental grasses and boulders.

November 6, 202510 MIN READ

Drainage & Water‑Wise Landscaping in Texarkana

Three-story red-brick corner building with black balconies and large street-level windows.

October 16, 20256 MIN READ

How to Analyze Cap Rates and Rents in Texarkana

Large brick house with three steep gables, a covered entry, and broad stone steps between mature trees.

September 26, 20253 MIN READ

Pricing Your Home Right: Strategies for Today's Texarkana Market

Split view of a sunlit living room, bare on the left and furnished with a white sofa and plants on the right.

September 25, 20254 MIN READ

Virtual Staging Strategies to Sell Your Home Faster

Single-story brick building with a columned entrance, hipped roof, landscaping, and a curved driveway.

September 23, 20254 MIN READ

Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist for Texarkana, TX Homeowners

Large stone-and-timber house with steep slate roofs, glowing windows, and a curved cobblestone driveway at dusk.

September 12, 20255 MIN READ

Understanding Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Coverage

Curving path lined with trees leads to a pavilion beside a reflecting pond and large house.

August 31, 20253 MIN READ

Top Outdoor Activities to Experience in Simms, TX

Aerial view down a tree-lined town street between historic brick storefronts at sunset.

August 10, 20255 MIN READ

Top Neighborhoods to Invest in De Kalb TX This Year

White farmhouse with steep gables, a stone walkway, clipped lawn, and two large framing trees.

August 4, 20255 MIN READ

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Home in Redwater TX

Colton Daffern’s Luxury Homes Certification from the Residential Real Estate Council.

August 3, 20252 MIN READ

Colton Daffern Earns Prestigious Luxury Homes Certification from Residential Real Estate Council

Open-plan living room with a stone fireplace, exposed timber beams, and large windows overlooking a golf course.

July 20, 20255 MIN READ

Home Design Trends in Texarkana Tx

Modern single-story home with a dark metal roof, glowing windows, and a landscaped lawn beneath trees.

July 14, 20255 MIN READ

How Technology is Changing the Homebuying Process in Avery, TX

White cottage with a deep porch, flower-lined walkway, and hanging baskets.

June 30, 20255 MIN READ

Staging Tips for a Quick Sale in Simms, TX

Modern white house with solar panels, large windows, and a stepping-stone path through a landscaped courtyard.

May 30, 20254 MIN READ

Eco-Friendly Home Upgrades That Add Value in Maud, TX

A dirt lane curves through fenced golden fields toward a large solitary tree.

May 18, 20252 MIN READ

Rural Land Financing in Texas: Essential Buyer Insights

Luxury bathroom with freestanding tub, light wood vanity, and large windows overlooking green fields.

May 18, 20252 MIN READ

Luxury Spa Bathrooms & Bedrooms: Elevating Home Design in Texas

Kitchen with warm wood cabinetry, a large marble island, brass pendant lights, and stainless-steel appliances.

May 18, 20252 MIN READ

Inside the Luxury Chef’s Kitchen: Viking Appliances & Elevated Design

Lakeside home among tall trees, with a covered boat dock and boat at golden hour.

May 18, 20252 MIN READ

How to Successfully List Lakefront Property on Lake Cypress Springs, Texas

Stone house with steep gabled roofs and glowing windows, framed by mature trees and a broad lawn.

May 18, 20252 MIN READ

Do Home Improvements Really Pay Off When Selling in Texas?

Brick and stone home beside a lit swimming pool and spa at dusk, with a covered outdoor kitchen.

May 18, 20252 MIN READ

Top Luxury Backyard Design Trends in Texas

Aerial view of rural fields and woods with two ponds and scattered farm buildings.

May 18, 20252 MIN READ

Buying Land in Texas: What You Need to Know Before You Invest

Freeform swimming pool and raised spa with a stone patio, lounge chairs, and wooded lawn.

May 18, 20252 MIN READ

Do Pools and Spas Add Value in Texas Real Estate? Here’s What to Know

Wood-sided country home with a dark metal roof and wraparound porch in an open field

May 18, 20252 MIN READ

Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home in Texas? (2025 Edition)

Large two-story home with a swimming pool, detached outbuilding, landscaped grounds, and sweeping lawns.

May 18, 20252 MIN READ

Tips for First-Time Homebuyers in Texas

White farmhouse with a wraparound porch, flower gardens, and a driveway beneath mature trees.

May 15, 20254 MIN READ

Key Questions to Ask During an Open House in De Kalb, TX

Winding paths cross a landscaped golf course beside a lake and colorful water park.

May 1, 20255 MIN READ

Family-Friendly Activities in Redwater, TX for All Ages

Tree-lined residential street with white picket fences, porch-fronted houses, and glowing lampposts at dusk.

April 8, 20255 MIN READ

Your Guide to Buying a Home in New Boston, TX

Wall-mounted white thermostat in a bright living room with floor-to-ceiling windows.

March 31, 20255 MIN READ

Must-Have Smart Home Features for New Boston, TX Homeowners

Home entrance with a dark wood double door, stone columns, and lantern lights.

March 4, 20252 MIN READ

Listing your property with Colton Daffern

A winding pond reflects leafy trees and rolling green lawns beneath a clear blue sky.

February 26, 20256 MIN READ

Texarkana TX Parks: Your Guide to the City's Best Green Spaces

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