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

Pick of the Crop in The Vineyards

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:41:19 -0600

Gorgeous home with beautiful hardwood flooring in entry, living, dining, family, master and hallways. Tile in kitchen, bathroom & laundry. The open floor plan has a fireplace in the living room. Large windows accompany the back of the house to enjoy view of the backyard. This large corner lot has mature trees, a huge pergola a professional landscaping. Master bedroom closet has Container Store shelving - you will love it! Stove, microwave, hot water heater and disposal have all been updated. This property is located in The Vineyards, North San Antonio. For more pictures and information go to www.myboehmteam.com MLS#810359 $249900.00

Can You Afford that Little Home on the Corner?

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:58:17 -0600

How many times have you driven past that house, you just love it, kind of like the proverbial "doggie in the window", but can you afford it? Well let's take a moment and see.

If you were a bank the way they would make the decision that you can afford that "puppy" is with the housing expense to income ratio. That is 28% of your income can be used for a house payment, insurance and real estate taxes. This assumes that you are putting 20% down. Next you need to figure out what your other household bills such as credit cards, college loans, car loans etc. add up to. You need to keep this amount along with the house payment at or below 36% of your monthly income. For instance if you make $5000 a month, you could have a $1000 house payment (insurance and taxes included) as long as your other bills are not more then $800 a month.

Here's a tool on my website to figure out a mortgage payment and then you can use this information to find out if you can buy that cute little "puppy". MORTGAGE CALCULATOR

And of course as always please contact your favorite lender to make sure that you have all the current information.

1.31 acres in The Crossing

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:06:31 -0600

Great HOA includes access to the Guadalupe River, Tennis Courts, Park, Trails and a club house. Friendly Neighborhood. Easy access to I-10, 281 and Boerne. Beautiful mature trees. MLS#809773 $37,500. Located just off FM3351 between Bergheim & Kendalia. For more information and pictures go to www.myboehmteam.com

Signed, Sealed Now Deliver - First Time Homebuyers/Current Homeowners Credit

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:48:10 -0600

Last week I wrote about the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit being extended and the addition of the Current Homeowners Credit. Now that it is signed and ready to go I thought I would let you know what the differences were from that blog to the actual signed extension.

One of the changes is that the Current Homeowners Credit was called a refund, now it is a credit.

Clarification of the amount of the tax credit for First Time Homebuyers is the credit is for 10% of the purchase price of the house up to $8000.00. If you are a single income filer then you can receive up to the full amount if you earn up to $125,000. You can receive a partial amount if you earn over that but less then $145,00. If you file jointly you can receive up to the full amount if you earn up to $225,000, and a partial amount if you earn up to $245,000. Please be sure and consult your lender to get the full scoop on this.

So you now are asking what good will this tax credit do me? Well for one, know that you will not go to the closing table and receive the credit on your HUD statement nor will you receive a check at closing. The benefit of the tax credit is at tax time. You will receive a dollar for dollar credit on the amount you owe the IRS. If you owe $8000 and get the full credit, then you will owe the IRS nothing. If you owe the IRS $4000 and get the full credit you will receive a refund check for $4000. If you owe the IRS $9000 and receive the full credit then you will only have to write a check for $1000.

For more information on this credit, go the link above. But for the very best in depth information go to your lender to see what you qualify for and how best to implement it.

Boehm Team Member Named to National Association of Professional Women

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0600

Lora Carlisle, Adminstrative Assistant for The Boehm Team was recently named to the National Association of Professional Women. Amy, Dona & Rita of The Boehm Team all agree that this is an award well deserved. We love having Lora's smiling face in the office and know that things will not fall through the crack as long as Lora is there. She takes care of all of us from helping us find our way when we are out showing to making sure that all the paperwork is in the title company and ready for close. Thanks from The Boehm Team

IT PASSED! First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended.$6500 Refund for New Primary Residence

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:10:04 -0600

The Senate voted to 98-0 to extend the First Time Homebuyers Credit to April of 2010. It should be sent to the House for a vote sometime today. First Time Homebuyers will need to have a contract in place by the last day of April with a close by the last day of June to qualify.

In addition on this bill they have added $6500 refund for homeowners who will be buying a new homestead property. If the buyer has owned a primary residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8, they will qualify with some stipulations. The purchase price of the home can not be more then $800,000 and their income can not be more then $125,000 for an individual or $225,000 for a couple.

A homebuyer will also be able to claim the credit on their 2009 income tax even if they do not close until 2010.

So now we just sit back and wait to see if it passes the next stage.

Well now we know. President Obama did sign the bill so we are on our way. Call your favorite realtor or lender and find out how this can work for you.

FHA Streamlined 203 (k) Loan makes it easy to buy fixer uppers.

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:59:05 -0600

Have you been approved for an FHA loan but all the houses you have been seeing just seem to need a lot of work. Then it is time for you to go back to your loan officer and ask if you might be able to qualify for the FHA Streamlined 203(k) loan.

This loan keeps you from having two separate loans on your new home, no more short term loans to pay for repairs at an interest rate you don't even want to think about. As always there are rules and regulations on what repairs qualify, so you will have to work closely with your realtor, inspector and loan officer to make sure that this is going to work for you. But you could receive up to $35000 in additional loan money to improve or upgrade your new home before move-in. All combined in your original mortgage loan at the interest rate you applied for.

So give your favorite loan officer a call and see what they can do to help you. As you know our favorite loan offiers are Jay Gilmore with W.R. Starkey and Sarah Nelson at Wells Fargo Bank, Boerne. So give one of them a call or someone you know and trust.

Wurstfest in New Braunfels Starts This Weekend

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:42:42 -0500

Willkommen zum WURSTFEST

A unique celebration rich in German culture and full of Texas fun!
49th annual "Salute to Sausage" - Wurstfest
October 30th through November 8, 2009 in the German heritage center of Texas,
NEW BRAUNFELS

There is so much to do and so much to eat and drink at Wurstfest you just have to go or you would never believe that so many people could have so much fun in lederhosen. Over here in Boerne we have a lot of fun at Berges Fest, Father's Day Weekend, but the celebration in New Braunfels eclipses all festivals.

Some of the things you can do besides have some great sausage and beer, not to mention dancing The Chicken Dance are:

Visit Sophienburg Museum and check out the handblown German glas ornaments.
Tour the Conservation Plaza where they have 19 restored and furnishe dto period structures..
Heritage Village that showcases furniture by German Cabinetmakers
Circle Art Theatre featuring the melodram "Batwurst: Teh Adventures of Bratman & Robin"
Kenderhalle with special entertainment for the 5-12 year old set.
ARToberfest- area artist featured
The Wurst Craft Show & Sale in Texas

Not to mention all the live entertainment.

BOERNE VILLAGE BAND
Alex Meixner Band
Alpenfest
Gator the Clown
Joe Rogers Big Band
Kerry Christensen - Master Yodeler
and so many more!!

Your best bet is to go to this website for times and information, directions and an Admission Coupon. www.wurstfest.com

Oompa!!

November Texas Hill Country & Boerne Events

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:31:15 -0500

Be sure and check out the Free events below plus all the other fun things to do in Boerne.

November 7, 14, 21, 28 Honey Creek State Natural Area Guided Tour

November 7 1860 Style Vintage Base Ball - Boerne will host a home tournament called the Veteran's Cup at Herff Farm. Come out with your family and friends to enjoy a FREE afternoon event of old time baseball.

November 13-15 2009 Kid N Ewe Festival Celebrate the 21st Birthday Party for the Festival at the Kendall County Fairgrounds FREE

November 14 2nd Saturday Art & Wine 5-8 p.m. at the galleries of Boerne

November 14-15 Boerne Market Days, Downtown Boerne

November 15 Enchanted Springs Ranch Concert featuring Mike Blakely

November 15-23 Czech Pastry and Baking for the Holidays. Little Gretel Restaurant every day 7:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free Demonstrations

November 21 Boerne Dance Festival & Arts and Crafts Bazaar - Boerne Convention & Community Center

November 27-28 Dickens on Main, Festivities in downtown Boerne include food and drink booths, costumed shop keepers, wassail, arts and crafts, caroling, Santa, Biergarten, live entertainment and some late night shopping.

November 28 Thanksgiving Gratitude Ceremony, Cave Without a Name 6 p.m. muscial event

Boerne Texas Halloween Fun!

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:40:32 -0500

Come on over to Boerne for a fun day of Halloween Events at the Boerne Visitor's Center in front of Walmart. Something for everyone, young and young at heart. Then make your way down to the Haysterical Maze at Fabra Elementary on Johns Road for where you have to find your way through a Hay Maze. This benefits Fabra Elementary PTO. Also the Pumpkin Patch on Main Street at Veteran's Park will be selling out the last of its pumpkins and gourds. Help the First United Methodist Youth fund their mission trips and ski trip.

Alamo Heights Jewel

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:05:42 -0500

Adorable cottage style house with guest home in the middle of Alamo Heights. House and Guest House have been completely remodeled. Hardwood floors, granite countertops, fireplace in living room, privacy fence, covered patio and updated landscaping make this home a must have! Split floor plan with sun room. This house is just perfect with the guest house as 4^th bedroom or game room or just a little getaway. Come see it today and love it. Washer, dryer and refrigerator in kitchen convey. Located in the highly coveted Alamo Heights area of San Antonio, TX MLS#806889, $450,000

Great Little Rental in Cowboy Capitol

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:51:26 -0500

A home in the country just 1 mile from downtown Bandera. Great little 3/1.5 rental for just $700.00 a month. For more information go to www.myboehmteam.com MLS#806826. There is so much to do in Bandera with the new little water park down the road along with Medina River and all the cute stores in Bandera.

River Mountain Ranch Lot

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:48:24 -0500

7.69 acre Residential lot located in River Mountain Ranch. Great area with Boerne ISD schools, HOA Guadalupe River Parks & horses welcomed. Lots of wild life and great open views. Come build your dream home. River Mountain Ranch is located Northeast of Boerne off of Hwy 474. MLS#806437 $115,000. For more pictures and information go to www.myboehmteam.com

Let's Treat & Leave the Tricks

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:44:01 -0500

All the little ghosts, goblins, Transformers and Britney Spears will soon be showing up at your door! Are you ready? You've bought the individually wrapped candy, so what next.

Declutter your front yard. Make sure that your yard is clear of debris as well as water hoses, flower pots or anything that someone might be able to trip over.

Lights. Porch lights and yard lights will let all the little trick or treaters know your home as well as keep them from falling down.

Safe Decoration. Consider using Jack O'Lanterns with battery powered candles instead of real candles . If you choose to use real candles, keep the Jack O'Lantern up and out of the way of possible bumps or decorations it could catch on fire.

Puppy Treats: All the noise and commotion will not be a treat for your family pet, so keep them somewhere away from all the activity, so they don't get scared or scare the little ones.

Don't Trick yourself. Take the extra treats to work the next week and get them out of your house. Otherwise we know where they will end up. :).

And #1: Have fun, think about dressing up too, Trick or Treaters get a kick out of Harry Potter or The Lion King answering the door.

Boerne ISD Homecoming Schedule

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:02:03 -0500

CHAMPION HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING EVENTS:

October 15 6:30 p.m. Champion High School Homecoming Parade.

October 16 3:40 Champion High School Pep Rally, CHS Gym

October 16 7:30 p.m. Homecoming Football game and Homecoming Events, Boerne ISD Football Field

BOERNE HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMNING EVENTS:

October 19 6:00-8:00 p.m. First Annual BHS Chili Cook Off, on the home side of the stadium

October 19 8:00 p.m. "Let's Glow Greyhound" Pep Rally

October 20th 6:00 p.m. Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Campus tours and refreshments to follow

October 22 6:00 p.m. BHS Homecoming Parade starting at the stadium and finishing at the Gazebo. Pep Rally to follow.

October 23, 3:40, Homecoming Pep Rally at BHS Gym

October 23 7:30 Homecoming Football game and Homecoming Events, Boerne ISD Football Field

Come on out and support our home town teams.

ALERT: First Time Buyers Homeowner Incentive ends November 30

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:55:59 -0500

Get off the Fence, Part 2:

The tax credit of up to $8000.00 is expiring November 30th. Millions of other first time home buyers have taken advantage, its time for you to find that home and get it under contract. Stop waiting for prices to go down, homes probably will not go down signficantly to offset not taking advantage of the tax credit.

Check with your mortgage person and get your paperwork in order, so that if you find that perfect first home you are ready! One of our favorite mortgage people is Jay Gilmore with WR Starkey,

Gustavo Arredondo Design

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:07:03 -0500

Impressive Gustavo Arrendondo design in the prestigious Cordillera Ranch Subdivision. Italian travertine floors, knotty alder cabinetry, stainless Viking & Bosch Appliances. Double ovens, Sub Zero Refrigerator, granite countertops, walk-in safe room. A 1500 s.f. deck compliments the outdoor kitchen for your entertaining needs. Sterling Technology programmable lighting throughout. Enjoy the walking distance to the River Parks. This property backs up to the greenbelt with an amazing view of the Texas Hill Country. MLS#802329 $1,150,000.00 For more information and pictures go to www.myboehmteam.com

Did you ever want to live in a Park?

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:55:21 -0500

Well here's your chance!

Amazing hill country setting with the most impressive views of the hill country. This 29 acre ranch is located 10 minutes from I-10 and backs up to a 4000 acre ranch. There are two stock ponds, caliche, culverted roads and is completely fenced with electric gate. This property is cleared and ready for your dream home. Horses welcomed. Located just north of Boerne, MLS#802561 $399,000.00 For more pictures and information go to www.myboehmteam.com

Boerne October Events

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:36:13 -0500

October 3,10, 17, 24, 31 Honey Creek State National Area Tour - Meet at the Rust Building at 9a.m.

October 9-11 Key to the Hills Rod Run - Downtown Plaza

October 10-11 Boerne Market Days - This month it is located on the old courthouse and new courthouse lawn

October 10 2nd Saturday Art & Wine Event, join several of the gallers from 5-8 p.m. in downtown Boerne for Art and wine.

October 18 Enchanted Spring Ranch Concert featuring Pauline Reese.

October 24-25 Key to the Hills Antique Show - Kendall County Fair Grounds

October 24 5th Annual Boerne Wild West Day - sponsored by the Rotary Club of Boerne, admission $6-10 or buy online for less. Funfilled day at Enchanted Springs Ranch

October 29 Fall Festival Concert - Boerne Middle School Auditorium at 7 p.m. Free to the Public

October 31 Harvest Moon Celebration - Call the Boerne Visitor Center for more information and check out this link.

The Ants Go Marching Up to the Surface!!

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:28:40 -0500

Its raining in Boerne, Thank You Lord. As you know from previous posts rain has been in short supply here in the Texas Hill Country, but it finally has started to rain and things are perking up. Course we still have those pesky water restrictions, because it will take a lot more rain to raise the aquifer to a level to get us out.

But no one told the ants that we needed more rain, or they just don't care, because they are hurrying out of the ground and building their little mounds above. Just walk out in any backyard lately and your liable to hit a land mine (ant hill). So I thought it was time to find some ways to get rid of those critters. Here is what I found, hope one works for you.

Natural Ants Control Tips

Fire ants: non toxic way to kill them is plain old instant Grits. The ants eat them, then go for water the grits expand inside them & they die, they can't expel gas, & you don't worry about pets getting poisoned. Just sprinkle & go. I heard this works and little boys love to watch!
For those of you following this blog you will remember all the fun and useful things that we found awhile back to use dryer sheets for besides putting then in the dryer, so here's one more for you. To keep ants from getting into your hummingbird feeders, take a dryer sheet and wrap around the hanger with a rubber band. The ants won't come near it.
To keep ants from entering the house (or anywhere else) sprinkle baby powder on door and window sills, The ants won't cross and it is safe around pets and children. Bonus, smells nice too! I have heard that salt works for this way too, but doesn't smell as nice.
To keep the ants out of your sugar bowl put a piece of lemon peel in it. Or use Splenda and don't worry because its in a package :)
How to get rid of the stinging from a fire ant. Take 1 tsp. of Meat Tenderizer Seasoning put in a little bowl and add a drop of water. Mix until pasty like and add to spot where the fire ant bite. This works on other stinging pests too, including jelly fish. Had to use this one down South Padre at the first of the summer on my little one. :(
Put orange peels in ant holes and add water. Have to wonder why this would work!
For sugar ants, (the little black ones) mix equal parts of sugar and borax, mix with water to a paste, dab in areas where ants like to visit. It dehydrates them. Outside, sprinkle the solution around known ant colonies.
To keep ants away from your pets food outside put some vaseline (in a circle) around the pets bowl. The ants will not cross it!
Or you could try this one for your pet's food bowl, put the bowl inside of tin pan wider then the bowl. Fill the pan with water and the ants can't get to the bowl of food. Course my dog would just drink the water and the ants would have free access to the food.

OK now that you are rid of the ants, enjoy the rain!!!

Still Water Sports Camp - Alamo City Golf Tournament

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:57:31 -0500

Those of you who live in the San Antonio area and love children, this is an amazing camp for children. The focus of the camp is for young athletes to learn more about their sport in a wholesome christian atmosphere. The camp prices our less then what you normally see because of the intense fundraising and all the volunteer hours given to the camp. More then 50% of the children are on scholarship. So if you like to golf, love children and think athletics is a good thing for them, come on over and play in the tournament or better yet volunteer at the camp next summer.

Please read the following note from Mike Moehrig, the founder of the camp.

San Antonio Friends of Still Water,

We are excited to announce our upcoming Alamo City Golf Tourney in support of Still Water Sports Camp! This is a special invitation request- please respond in next 3 weeks if you are interested in participating.

Special thank you to all of you who have already committed to hole sponsorships and teams- we are off to the best start in the history of our tournaments in San Antonio. I'm attaching a flyer for your review and dispersement- we need your help getting the word out!

Thank you each so much for your past support over the past 3 years to make this an extraordinary tournament. As most of you know, our finances are on a month to month basis & we rely heavily on monthly donors and 12 major fundraising events to raise our budget each year.

Please consider ways you may help to get teams and sponsorships for this event. We are thankful & honored to be able to serve beside each of you in this capacity in servicing youth at our camps across Texas.

For those of you who may be interested in viewing God's work through Still Water this past summer, please see attached Annual Report.

We hope to be able to see each of you again this year. Please call or email if you feel like you may be able to put a team or a sponsorship together this year.

For Christ & His Kingdom,

William Matthew Moehrig
Founder
mattm@swcm.org
http://www.stillwatersportscamp.com

National Preparedness Month - Are you prepared in an emergency?

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:08:51 -0500

Do you know what to do in the case of tornado, an earthquake (what are those, I live in Texas :) ) or a blackout?

The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) wants to make sure you're prepared in the event of an emergency. FEMA's website http://www.ready.gov you can find all the things that you will need in any emergency for yourself, your loved ones and your pets.

The website is very user friendly. You can download a list of the items that you will need for your emergency kit. Let your friends and family know about the site so that everyone you care about will be ready in case of an emergency.

Majestic Ranch Arts Foundation Open House Saturday!

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:39:08 -0500

In conjunction with Second Saturday in Boerne, Majestic Ranch Arts Foundation is having an Open House. The Ranch is located west of Boerne on Hwy 46, a very short drive to enjoy some amazing art. They offer lessons also. Don't forget to spend some time in town at the galleries who are also part of Second Saturday.

ClubCorp Chairty Classic 2009 tomorrow!

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:26:40 -0500

Do you love to golf, Do you love to give back to the community! Well here's your chance to do both. Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club are hosting a golf tournament to benefit several different charities as you can see below. So come on out play some golf, have a really nice lunch and a lovely dinner while giving back to your community. Lots of fun to be had with some special events too.

Sitting on the Fence, Why not Build One (Buy a Home)

Amy Boehm (Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:39:03 -0500

Its a great time to be a first time homebuyer. There are so many different reasons and advantages to buying a home right now starting with low interest rates and lower house prices.

But be careful prices have stabilized and will be starting to rise again soon along with the interest rates. Don't forget that the $8,000 tax credit will also be ending November 30, 2009

Reasons A First Time Homebuyer should jump off the fence!

Did you know you can raise your net worth by buying a home. The U.S. Federal Reserve Board of Consumer Finance states that the average net worth of a renter was $4,000 and for a homeowner is $184,400. One of the best ways to increase your personal wealth is by owning a home, paying the mortgage down and increasing home appreciation (equity). Not to mention tax deductions that you will receive which you do not get by being a renter.

I know that home appreciation has not been that great in the last year or so, but normally in our area it is 6% and probably will work its way back to there in a few years. The average appreciation between 1950 and 2002 was 4.8% in the United States, so owning a home is a good investment.

And don't forget that $8000 tax credit for first time homebuyers. If you pay points to lower your interest rate you will also receive a tax benefit.

One major long range reason for owning your home for tax reasons is mortgage interest, PMI insurance & real estate taxes. Other items you can possibly deduct include moving expenses when a job is involved and home improvements that improve energy efficiency. (Always check with your tax professional to see what you can deduct).

So think about jumping off that fence and building a lovely fence around your new home. Contact a good financial advisor and a realtor and start moving!