L to R: Parents Anne and Rick Connor, Student of the Month Kiera Connor, LHS Principal Jim Baker, LNR Youth Committee Chair Sue Bowman, and club president Dirk Dahlke.
LNR Youth Committee Chair Sue Bowman and Lewisville High School principal Jim Baker recognized Kiera Connor as the October 2021 Student of the Month at last week's meeting, while the honoree's parents proudly looked on. Kiera's list of accomplishments is truly astounding, and her award clearly well-deserved. Among her many achievements, she is the current student body president at Lewisville High School, has been a kindness ambassador for four years, and served as Vice President of the Interact club. Academically, she is ranked #59 out of 1007 in her graduating class. Baker praised Kiera for her leadership of the student body, from academics to social engagement, and her sincere care and concern for her peers.
Rotarian Steve Cox (left) with guest speaker Dr. Randy Guttery (center) and LNR club president Dirk Dahlke.
Real estate expert Dr. Randy Guttery shared his insights on the continued increase in housing prices in the DFW Metroplex as the guest speaker at last week's meeting, and indicated that the trend likely will continue a few more years.
The median price of a single family residence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is $358,400, up 27.7% year-over-year from July 2020 to July 2021, but housing is still affordable compared to other parts of the country, Guttery said. The increasing demand for homes and decreasing supply stem from numerous factors, including a lower cost of living (Texas is 10% below the national average), rapid population growth (the population of Denton County is expected to double by 2050), and the growing number of corporate offices in the area. (The DFW Metroplex is home to 24 Fortune 500 companies, placing the region third behind New York City and Chicago.)
The fact that Texas has no state income tax also has made Dallas and Denton Counties particularly appealing to people migrating to the area from other parts of the country. More than 100,000 people moved to Texas in 2020, and the combination of inward moves and a high retention rate has made Texas #1 in domestic migration. We can anticipate future homeowner demand, Guttery added, because Texas was #1 in under 18 population growth for the last decade. Other factors driving population growth in the area include low labor costs, high international trade, an excellent industry mix, quality schools, two of the largest airports in the world, and easy access to major interstates and railroad spurs.
In addition, prospective homeowners are eager to capitalize on current low interest rates, which have dipped to 2.25% and 3% for a 15-year or 30-year fixed mortgage. For this reason, investors also are buying houses in bulk, reducing the number of available homes on the market. A normal housing market for resales is a six month supply, but the current supply in the DFW area is only three weeks, and there is only a five-week supply for new homes, Guttery said. (Lewisville homes are on the market an average of only three days.) Barring a black swan event, Guttery anticipates the upward trend in housing costs will continue for the next few years, which is good news for locals choosing to stay put and watch the equity value of their residence increase even further.
Carol Longacre picked the winning Joker card on behalf of her good friend and longtime Rotarian Spud Newton at last week's club meeting. Congrats to the duo on claiming the pot!
Want to become a Paul Harris Fellow or move up another level? From September 1 - December 31, 2021, for each dollar you give ($250 - $500) through the Rotary Foundation to the Annual Program Fund "share," District 5790 will match that with points. Since you already pay into the Paul Harris Foundation with your club membership dues, you could achieve Paul Harris status for as little as $250! The program is offered only once a year, and you don't want to miss this great opportunity. For more information, contact Steve Cox at stevec@door.net.
If you want credit for a make-up, contact LNR Membership chair Terry Russell to let him know when and where you attended another Rotary club meeting, or the date and service activity that you participated in to count as a make up. You have two weeks before and two weeks after a missed meeting to make up for your absence. Make-ups are a great way to meet Rotarians from other clubs and become more engaged with the outreach activities we do in the local community!
Club Information
Wednesdays at 12:00 PM
Bistecca - An Italian Steakhouse
2300 Highland Village Rd.
Highland Village, TX 75077 United States of America
Please continue to pray for Leslie Thompson's step-mother, Regina, who continues to experience issues with her heart rate that are delaying the remaining chemotherapy treatments she is undergoing for breast cancer.
For any other prayer requests, please send to Audrey Stansbury at audreystansbury@gmail.com.
