Amy Boehm Sellin' & Lovin' The Texas Hill Country Blog

Lawndry List

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:48:57 -0500

Hard to believe when you walk out and feel the temperature but it is actually fall in South Texas. I loved the weatherman this morning when he said temperature this weekend would be closer to normal, 85. 85 in the fall, geez, oh well the rain yesterday was really nice. We got over an inch at our house. And speaking of rain, as my grass cried out in ecstasy, I realized it was time to do something about that poor brown patch with some green sticking up here and there.

These are the three things that everyone should do in the fall to have a beautiful lawn in the spring (course this depends on if we get enough rain that we can actually water next year)

Reseed to cover bare patches and thicken your grass. Dense grass resists weeds, so lets make a beautiful carpet of deep soft green grass.
Fertilize now to strengthen it for next spring.
Use a core aerator to loosen compacted soil when the ground is moist. The loose soil will make your grass have a stronger root system.

So there's your weekend project for you and if you lawn looks really great next year invite us over for BBQ, OK?

New Standards for Texas Builders

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:40:59 -0500

Good News for your Buyers of new homes. The Texas Legislature has mandated that all new built homes in the state even if they are not in city limits have to be built by the International Residential Code standards beginning September, 2008.

The requiements for this code are three inspections by a 3rd party inspector. First inspection has to be of the foundation before pouring the concrete. Second inspection will be for framing and mechanical systems prior to being covered with sheetrock. Third will be the final inspection when the home is completed.

The Builder is responsible for hiring the Inspector who must have one of the following licenses: Licensed engineer, registered architect, a Texas Real Estate Commision Inspector or a 3rd party approved by the Texas Residential Construction Commission. The Builder is allowed to use different inspectors at different phases and also does not have to use only one type of inspector on each inspections.

This is great news for us that live in rural areas and have had some problems with builders not always doing their best work when they are outside the city limits.

Are You Covered by the FDIC?

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:35:02 -0500

Its a little scary out there right now. So I thought I would check and see what the FDIC covers and what it does not.

The FDIC protects checking and savings accounts, CD's, and money-market savings accounts, but not stocks, bonds or mutual shares even if you purchased them from a FDIC bank.

Your bank accounts are covered up to $100,000. IRA that are held in CD's and money market accounts are covered up to $250,000.

The best way to protect your money by dividing it up between banks. Putting it in different branches of the same bank will not guarantee protection of funds over the maximum guarantees. If it is really important to you to keep your money in the same bank, then do it by categories, i.e. Your name, your spouse's name, a joint accounty, trust accounts under someone other then you as beneficiary.

If you bank happens to fail, you should have access to your funds within 24 hours in most cases.

If you should have over the covered amount by the FDIC, generally you will recover 70 cents on the dollar. But let's don't go there. Make your money safe. Talk to your banker and find out what is the best strategy for you.

"Autumize" Your Home

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:16:42 -0500

Fall is here, but you would never know it here in good old Boerne. It's 90 and holding. Course the grass is dying and in the morning there is definitely a little chill in the air, but we can't pull out our sweaters yet.

But what we can do is get our homes ready! Things to do to "Autumize" your home.

Check all your windows and door locks for proper operation
Check all your faucets inside and out for leaks.
Make sure you have workikng nightlights at the top and bottom of stairs.
Have a heating professional come out and check your heating system
Have a chimney sweep check your wood burning stove, fireplace and chimneys
Seal air leaks around your home by caulking, sealing and weather stripping.
Check your home insulation. This sometimes gets over looked, but it really important for saving energy
Give your outdoor furniture a good cleaning before you put it up for the winter.

I am sure that there are other things that need to be done, so let's hear them.

First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:42:21 -0500

We have been hearing and know that it is coming to pass that mortgage loans are going to be harder to get. They are going to go back to old school, where you had to prove income, show your finances and put a hefty 20% down. Buyers are going to be held accountable for their actions and as realtors we are going to have to be part of that process.

But it is not all bad news (really). Here is one thing that I have found that can help those first time homebuyers get into a home of their own. The Housing & Economic Recovery Act of 2008 has made a tax credit of $7500.00 available to qualified first time home buyers. This is available until July 1, 2009.

First Time Home Buyers are elgible by purchasing any kind of home as long as they close before July 1, 2009. You are considered a first time home buyer if you have not owned a principal residence in the last 3 years. The home must be your primary residence. If you are married this means both of you. Also there are income limits that you have to meet. (Be sure and check with your favorite mortgage person to figure out what those limits are).

To get the tax credit all you will have to do is claim it on you next years federal income tax. Now here is the kicker part. It does have to be repaid. The buyer will have 15 years without interest to repay or at the time of the sale of the house. Repayment starts 2 years after the buyer received the credit. The buyer will be giving the government a payment of $500.00 per year or pay the remainder due upon sale of the home. If the home is sold at a loss, the the balance is forgiven.

Since it is a tax credit and not a zero interest loan it does give you the benefit of reduction of tax liability the year it is claimed. If you want more information on the tax credit or just general information on mortgages let me recommend two people. Jay Gilmore at WR Starkey, jgilmore@wrstarkey.com or Tiffany Cloud at Realty Mortgage, tcloud@boernehomeloans.com. Great People that you should get to know if you are thinking about buying or know someone who is.

Deep in the Heart of Texas

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:29:43 -0500

River Mountain Ranch, 7.18 acres. This property has it all. Gorgeous Views, Awesome Building Location, Horses welcome, 3 HOA Parks on the Guadalupe River, Secluded and quiet, not to mention Boerne Schools. Your Dream Home could be sitting right here! For more information and pictures go to www.myboehmteam.com. MLS#744069 $115,000.00

Did You Know: Other Uses for Dryer Sheets, Part 2 :)

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:03:40 -0500

A few months ago I did a couple of Did You Know blogs and since I found some more information on what you can do with dryer sheets, I could not help myself, but bring those to you too. Real Estate is kind of not fun right now, so let's have some useful fun:

Hang a dryer sheet on your patio to repel mosquitos. I don't know about the rest of you, but if you have seen the size of South Texas mosquitos, I would put several sheets out. :)
You can eliminate static electricity from your tv and computer screen by wiping them with a USED sheet.
Put one in drawers, closet, lockers or under the seat of your car to help freshen the air.
Put a sheet at the bottom of your wastebaskets to keep them odor free, works well also for the bottom of a laundry basket or hamper.
To collect stray animal hairs, rub the area with a dryer sheet and they will be magnetically attracted to the sheet.
Elminate static electricity from venitian blinds and window coverings. This may also help to repel dust from those same items.

I have not tried all these out, but am planning on definitely trying the mosquito repellent out. Let me know what if you experiment with these ideas. Have a great day!

Things You Should Know to Help Your Credit Rating

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:47:22 -0500

I am sure that all of the Realtors will have ran into this problem with clients. The Clients are ready to start looking, go to the mortgage company to find out what they can afford only to find out that their credit rating is not good enough. Well I found out from one of our lenders that there are some sneaky little things that could be hurting your credit rating and you don't even know it. They seem benign and some not so benign, but there they are, eating away at your rate.

1. Unpaid fines such as library, parking tickets and traffic tickets. They can be turned into a private collection agency.

2. Opening a new account while applying for a loan,

3. Transferring credit card balances, but never really paying down the debt

4. Keeping high balances on your credit cards even though you pay on them every month and have never had a late payment.

5. Your behind on the credit card and you think settling the debt will be better for you, DON"T, settling a debt actually and not paying on time is worse on your credit rating. Keep paying, quit charging, get the debt taken care of.

Welcome to Boerne

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:05:58 -0500

Welcome to Boerne and a beautiful home. Enjoy comfortable living in this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath complete with 4 sides masonry and lovely covered patio. Tile in entry way and kitchen, decorator colors, lots of space with huge pantry. Large master bedroom and master closet. This home has updated light fixtures and ceiling fans. It just feels like home! Refrigerator and microwave convey, $2000 floor allowance for you to make the flooring as you like. For more pictures and information go to www.myboehmteam.com. MLS#741509, $205000.00

Nothing Slow About this Property

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:26:51 -0500

Immaculate home with updated kitchen and breakfast bar. Stainless steel appliances, Silestone counters with undermount sink, 42" maple cabinets with pull-out storage and stow-away garbage storage. Large walk-in pantry and laundry room as well. Large private yard with plenty of trees and outside storage. Large gameroom, Guestroom with bathroom attached. Walk to community pool and recreation area. MLS#740347 $269000.00. for more pictures and information go to www.myboehmteam.com

Back to School For Realtors Too

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:34:18 -0500

OK, so the market has slowed, what are we going to do about it?

I have been reading and everyone has advice, but it seems to me the very best advice is to have as many quality listings as possible and aggressively market those properties. The Internet being the number one place to do this.

Speaking of internet advertising, did you know that the number one way to drive traffic to your website is through magazine ads. I hear from agents and know from experience that print ads don't sell property, they appease your seller and put your name in the public eye. But marketing your website can bring lots of traffic to you. A research company called JupiterResearch found that 2 out of 3 website visitors said that they found the link in a magazine ad. So make that url address in your print ads larger!!!

So ladies and gentlemen go work your sphere of influence and find out from friends and family who needs to sell and build your inventory. Market that URL!

It's Tuesday, And I'm Already Tired

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:38:57 -0500

I don't know about all of you, but this has been a tiring summer. Lots of listings, thank goodness, but this seems to make the buyers more confused on what they want.

Summer is/was hot with little rain, but we did get over 3 inches in the last two days and praying for more. But cloudy days make me tired.

School starts next week, so we have to keep a lookout for those school zones and buses. I will be getting my first grader to school which is going to be so much fun. Its wonderful to see your little ones when the light bulb turns on for something new.

Plus the San Antonio Real Estate Board have decided to change MLS and I need a light bulb to turn on for me!! Who has time to learn a new system, though it is suppose to be easier/faster then the old MLS. I'm too tired to have to learn something new.

Fun things have been happening around The Boehm Team. As you know we just added our newest agent, Rita Garza, who I introduced to you last week. Well my assistant, Lora's son, Ryan graduated from A&M on 8/8/08. Lora being the overly proud mother that she is, is still beaming. Course she wanted me to let all of you know that if you were looking for a recent Business Graduate from A&M to hire, Ryan is available RIGHT NOW!!! Lora also added a new member to her household by taking in her nephew, Dylan who will be going to the new Boerne Champion High School for the next 3 years. So she is really tired.

As everyone knows football season is around the corner. I received this football schedule, I hope the link works for you. Its the Big 12 Football Schedule.Click here for printable PDF file Speaking football, watching all the Olympics has made me tired too.....

OK, enough complaining, its almost 5:00 WHOOP!!!

Do you know a good Drip Campaign/Contact Manager Program

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:08:09 -0500

Hey everyone

Need some help. I work with a team and we need a good contact management with a drip campaign program that is online. We are currenlty using top producer, but you can not assign leads to a specific person within my top producer. The solution from top producer is that each member of the team needs their own top producer, but that would mean that my assistant would have to move a lead from my lead contact person to my Buyer's agent or myself when they become a prospect. All the notes we have, all the information would have to be duplicated every time the person moves up our ladder of work distibution.

So if you have any ideas please let me know, its getting a little frustrating right now.

Thanks a bunch

Amy

Paradise Now

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:04:02 -0500

This is an amazing home! Immaculate 3/2 with the look of a Designer! Upgraded fixtures, colors and wood flooring throughout the downstairs. Open Floor plan with fireplace in living, large kitchen space with island that opens to the living area. Beautiful dining adjacent to kitchen. Eat in breakfast area. Mature trees in the backyard off lots of shade. $1000.00 floor allowance for upstairs w/acceptable offer. Neighborhood pool & amenities. For more pictures and information go to www.myboehmteam.com MLS#736496 $188500.00

Made in the Shade

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:07:14 -0500

Bright and lovely home on a quiet Street waiting for you! Open Floorplan with fireplace in living area. The Master Bedroom is located downstairs and has a full bath. The High ceilings & Loft create a spacious area for you to enjoy. Great kitchen with wonderful counter space. Fresh pain inside and out! Just replaced flooring. Super Clean! Mature trees, landscaping was just added to create a warm and beautiful home. Check it out, you will love it! MLS#736361 $122,900. For more pictures and information go to www.myboehmteam.com

The Boehm Team Adds a New Buyer's Agent

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:58:30 -0500

Please welcome the newest member to The Boehm Team, Rita Garza. Rita has been a realtor for a year now and loves working with clients to help them find the perfect home. She is also a personal trainer so she knows how to keep you on your toes, not to mention that I am sure that she will whip The Boehm Team into shape in no time at all. Rita is also a former cheerleader who still judges competitions around the state. Rita graduated from the University of Texas, San Antonio.

We are very blessed that Rita agreed to come on over to Boerne and join our team and we look forward to a fruitful and fun partnership.

A Little Jewel on the Southside

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:31:45 -0500

A new listing just in from our newest Team Member, Rita Garza. More about her later.

Perfect home for first time homebuyers with big living and dining are in an open floorplan. Utility room is located inside the kitchen. The master bath has a wonderful walk in closet. The Backyard is the perfect size. This home is located in a quiet 4 year old neighborhood with easy access to 90 & 410. Close to Lackland AFB. MLS#736476 $95,000 for more information and pictures go to www.myboehmteam.com

Mediterreanean New Construction/Amazing Price

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:27:15 -0500

It just doesn't get better than this! Custom Mediterranean style on one acre, close to town! All one story, 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 2 half baths. This wonderful open floorplan has a gourmet kitchen with stainless appliances and granite countertops. Top of the line with a tile roof and travertine & hardwood flooring. Outside you will find a 640s.f. cabana with a full kitchen & bath. Cabana bath opens to patio making this backyard perfect for a pool. Entertaining could not be easier with large covered patio, cabana & a gameroom located up, Great trees! Rod iron fencing secures the property. Construction is under way, schedule to be finished end of summer. For more pictures and information go to www.myboehmteam.com

Texas is #1

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:02:06 -0500

According to CNBC, Texas is number 1 in economic health and growth. Texas Ranked #1 for Economy, #1 in transportation, #3 Cost of Living, #12 in the quality of our workforce & #20 in Business Friendliness. There are other categories also. You can find this at www.cnbc.com.

Any Texan will tell you that we are #1 and always have been, didn't have to wait for any website to tell us that. Here are a few other things that we are proud to say are Texas Born.

We are the home of Dell & Compaq computers, Dr. Pepper, Whataburger, Fritos and the very first Rodeo ever. Not to mention we have a diverse ecological areas where you can drive from the Piney Woods of East Texas to the Deserts of West Texas or the Coastal areas of South course it will take you a couple of days or more since we are the 2nd biggest state in the Union.

As you have seen on many a bumper sticker here in the Great State of Texas, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast I could". I did marry a Texan which I think actually gives me citizenship in the Great State of Texas, not to mention he is an Aggie, WHOOP!!

Cleared and Ready for your Home

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:32:17 -0500

This gorgeous lot has 3.69 acres already cleared and waiting for your Texas Hill Country Home. The lot has lots of mature oaks and is conveniently located on Rio Cordillera just minutes from FM3351 and an easy commute to San Antonio. Not to mention the Guadalupe River Ranch and the Clubs of Cordillera. Come on over and build the home of your dreams, it's worth it. For more information and pictures go to www.myboehmteam.com MLS#732471 $175,500.00

Made to Order, Comfortable & Convenient

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:29:39 -0500

Amazing & Perfect! Super Clean and ready for you. 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths w/ Gameroom! Open Floorplan w/ Breakfast area, Large pantry, Formal Dining/ living combo, Fireplace accompanies family room. Lots of storage and huge closet space! Mature trees and landscaping. Covered patio in front and back, Updated light fixtures, ceiling fans, 2"wood blinds. Playscapes in back yard remain unless buyer doesn't want them. Close to I10 & Boerne schools! It's what you've been waiting for. For more pictures and information go to www.myboehmteam.com

Ways to Save Money While It All Goes in our Tank

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:34:20 -0500

This morning when I was watching Good Morning America, an interview with T. Boone Pickens was being played. This respected oil man (if there is such a thing) was talking about how if something is not done, mainly us changing our ways and converting from the need of using oil to using natural gas and wind. (OK, I'm serious, this is not a joke. I just spent a little time with college boys at my assistance's house and well need I say more....) Anyway back on topic. If we don't start changing our ways we will be looking at $6-7 gas next summer and just keep going up according to Pickens and our only hope is to lobby our government to look into alternatives. As a realtor as I have blogged about before, we just have to keep driving, so I guess we will have to get political, but between now and then here are some tips I found.

Start stocking up on non-perishable at the grocery store etc. Watch for sales and buy extras instead of just when you need them.

Eat out on only special occasion (geez that will be hard for a person who never gets home before 6 or 7)

Don't buy bottled water, tap water is cheaper and apparently there have actually been studies that show that bottle water is no better then tap in some cases. My kids are going to hate this one.

Raise your thermostat (we talked about this one before)

Skip the latte, make it at home (This one is not happening around here, but its the thought that counts right?)

I am sure that there are other people who can add a whole lot more of tips to save money to buy gas!! Bring them on.

Dang It Didn't Appraise Out

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:48:50 -0500

In the last month I have had two homes not appraise for the sale price! You can blame my CMA or you can take in consideration that one owner had a lot of emotional value placed on her home and really wanted a price a little higher then I thought would work and the other one was a fairly new home in a subdivision that the builder had just dumped his last two homes for a really low price. Well there goes that market according to the appraiser.

Sellers don't always understand and sometimes realtors, including me, don't always understand the process that the appraiser uses to come up with his/her report. Here's a few things we all have to keep in mind. The appraiser is completely independent of the realtor, buyer, seller and the lender. They are held to guidelines set by Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and Fannie Mae.

The appraiser uses comparables from the same area and also the size of the home to find a fair market value that have sold in the last 6 months. As much as our sellers would like views, pools, upgrades, etc. don't really add their full value to the value of a home. Apparently upgrades in a newer home actually add more value to a home then upgrades in an older home. I can only think that is because upgrades to an older home just bring it up to current standards where upgrades in an newer home make it above standards. (Sure some appraiser can clarify that one for us a little better).

So with 700-800 new homes fixing to hit the market in the San Antonio area with the AT&T move, we all better get ready for some changes in those CMA's or at least get our sellers ready to have their home on the market for a little bit longer then what we have seen in the past.

OK, I'm closing, How do I get Utilities

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:09:40 -0500

If your a realtor, I know you hear this question almost every time you close a property. Who are the utility companies etc? Well I found this website. It doesn't necessarily work for smaller communities, ie. Boerne. It doesn't even mention Guadalupe Valley Telephone or Cable company as an alternative, but I think if you live in a larger area, this could really work for your clients. www.whitefence.com. You can schedule all your utiltities or at least get the phone numbers. It also does a comparison in those places where there might actually be competition for phone and cable service. You could even use this site if you are not moving and just want to find out what those other companies have to offer. You might find a great deal, who knows! There is even a place to do a change of address form, and other needs such as maid service (I wish), lawn service (how come we have this and we don't have maid service, Glen!) and other helpful information whether you are moving or not. Course you can always just call your realtor and I'm sure they will have the answer. :)

Country Comfort, City Convenience

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:06:58 -0500

Adorable home located convenient to I-10. Fresh paint inside and out, updated with laminate wood flooring & tile. Galley kitchen and breakfast area, 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Fireplace in living room adds charm and warmth. Back deck is great for entertaining all located on almost 1/2 ac. Well wooded in front and back with mature trees. Neighborhood amenities include tennis court, pool and clubhouse. MLS#726080 $139,900.00 For more pictures and information please go to www.myboehmteam.com