As Thanksgiving approaches, I am sitting here thinking about all the things that I have to be thankful for this year. As a real estate broker, I am very thankful that I am still in business. Even in our small community, I know of other realtors that have had to seek employment elsewhere in order to make ends meet. Some brokers have sold their businesses, or gone to work for other brokers, I am thankful that I still want to and can keep my doors open. Sales are definitely down from last year, the traffic and the calls are half of what they were. All the sales classes and books say numbers equate to sales, the more people you talk to or see, the more likely you'll be able to sell something. I have confidence that things will improve, new opportunities will present themselves, I need to be ready and willing to change.
I am thankful for a loving considerate spouse, who continues to plug away at his job in the Health Care Industry, even though the future may hold turmoil ahead for that industry. My children continue to bless me with grandchildren (new bundles of joy Jack and Ruthie!). That joy is indescribable.
As Bandera County's Veterans Service Officer, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the veterans of this county and am extremely thankful for their service to this country. What I do for them pales in comparison to what they do for us.
As a citizen of the United States, I am thankful for the freedoms that I have to express myself and to have my own business, doing what I love, unencumbered.
Take time today and on Thanksgiving to tell those you love how important they are to you, and how grateful you are for knowing them.
As I grow older, it seems as though the years just fly by- it wasn't really a whole year ago that we were planning on attending the Chamber of Commerce's biggest fundraiser of the year, Hunters Bar b que. Where did all the time go? I was so involved in doing those things that produce business that I hardly noticed what day and month it was. Course, my busyness was helped by the fact that my daughter and new grandson had moved in with us temporarily. That would tend to distract anyone, including me.
Now I barely have two weeks to get it together for the 47th Annual Hunters Bar b que and Outdoor Expo, taking place at Mansfield Park on Friday, November 6th 2009. Originally started by the local businesses of Bandera in appreciation for the hundreds of hunters that desend on the county once hunting season starts, it became the mainstay of the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce ever since.
The festivites begin at 3PM and continue until 10PM, with exhibitors and crafters showing their wares, both related to hunting and hunters and those of us that stay at the campsite( meaning clothing, jewelry, edible concoctions, stuff to soften and beautify us while we wait for our heroes). There are also booths to occupy the very young, aspiring hunters as well.
A beef brisket meal with tea and dessert is $10 for age 12 and older, $8 for age 3-11 and under 3 is free. Live music while you eat so that you have energy to bid on the auction items that begins at 7PM. Each year there is a raffle, this year is no different, with most of the items for the hunter.
For more on this year's Bar b que, call 830-796-3280 or go to www.banderatex.com for a run down of all the events and a map to the park. Bring your appetites and your cash- all proceeds benefit the myriad of special events that Bandera County hosts, the Bandera County Junior Livestock Show, Memorial Day Parade, Riverfest, Celebrate Bandera, CCRA Rodeo, and the Veterans Day Parade, to name a few. I'll see ya there!
My how time flies! Another year has come and gone, but wait, you still have time to make it to Bandera, Texas for our annual "Celebrate Bandera" spectacular. Events have already kicked off at Mansfield Park with the Circle of Life Powwow and the Cowboy Mounted Shooters this evening at 7PM.
A don't miss starts at 11AM with the Longhorn Cattle Drive through downtown Bandera. All around the Courthouse are arts and crafts booths and food booths to satisfy the hunger in you. At City Park from 12noon to 6PM will be the Brazos Bottom Cowographers, the Buffalo Soldiers, Concho Cowboys, San Antonio Living History and Interactive Childrens Activities.
The Wild West Show starts at 5:30pm at Mansfield Park, with Bull Riding at 8pm. On Sunday, the fun continues with an Invitational Tie Down Roping, Barrel Racing shootout and NPBR Bull riding at 7pm.
For more info on this weekend's events, please see www.celebratebandera.com or call 830-796-4447, or 1-800-364-3833. It's not to late to head on over- we'll save a place for ya!
The Bandera Honors Veterans Committee is geared up to hold its 4th Annual Veterans Day celebration this Saturday, November 8th starting at 9:30AM with the flag raising ceremony at the Bandera County Courthouse.
The Committee will honor local veterans as well as local elected officials after the flag raising, to include County Judge Richard Evans, and County Commissioners and City Mayor. Guest speaker will be Bridadier General Victor M. Ortiz, Jr. US Army who resides in Castroville. After the ceremony, a parade will commence down Main Street starting at 11AM. Lunch will be served for all the veterans of the county and distinguished guests after the parade.
There will be several vendors in place at the courthouse, including non profit agencies and Texas Veterans Commission representatives to help veterans find employment and services in the area. I will be there as Bandera County Veteran Service Officer to speak to veterans about VA services that they are entitled to, and how to go about receiving those benefits.
I look forward to the celebration and getting the opportunity to meet the veterans and their families. Please join us for this important day of honor for those who sacrificed so much for our well being and freedoms. To contact me with your VA related questions, please call me at 830-460-1643.
It's hard to believe another year has passed, and it's time again for Hunter's Bar B Que. This years big event is this Friday, October 31- Halloween to those of us trick or treaters.
This is the event that kicks off the deer hunting season in South Texas, and locals and visitors from far and wide celebrate the extravaganza.
The doors open at 3 PM for those of us who can't wait to partake in the delicious bar b que beef and sausage, and hopefully, dessert. Live entertainment is also in store for your listening pleasure, while you eat and visit with both old and new friends.
Vendors will line the hall with their wares, from trucks and hunting equipment, to salsa and jewelry. A silent auction and a live auction will keep you busy and attentive- don't miss out on these bargains.
There may be a chill in the air, but the Mansfield Park Showbarn will definitely heat up your surroundings. For info on vendors and times of events, check www.banderahuntersbba.com or call 830-796-3280.
The Medina Lake Annual Cajun Festival has always had a special place in my heart. Fifteen years ago, my future husband and I had our first date at the Cajun Festival. I had also just moved to Lakehills with my 2 children and had never attended the event before that day. I got all dressed up in my best party dress, and I took along my 12 year old son for a chaperon. Can't be too careful, I worked with this guy, but didn't know him well. I also had volunteered to work on the food line, handing out crawfish etoufee, jumbalaya, and bread pudding (my fav). I soon found out party dresses were passe at the festival.
Well, the rest is history, the date was a success- we ended up getting married a year and a half later, and have made the Cajun Festival an annual tradition in our house. This year we ran into alot of the old friends, and some new ones as well. The music is , impossible to sit still and just listen. The weather cooperated this year- usually it is beyond hot without much relief.
The founders of the Festival, Bob and Barbara Caswell were everywhere, directing the numerous volunteers and visiting with their numerous friends. Bob in no way lets his battle with MS stop his enthusiasm for all things Cajun.
You missed a really great event if you didn't make it to Lakehills Texas and the Cajun Festival yesterday. So, mark the fourth Saturday of September on your calendar for 2009, for great food, great music, and a cajun good time.
Another Labor Day weekend is upon us, time to head to Bandera Texas where the cowboy never dies- time again for another "Celebrate Bandera" extravaganza. I don't mean a small get together, I mean mega celebration, The Bandera County Chamber of Commerce, The Convention and Vistors Bureau, the Bandera Business Association, the Dude Ranches, the Watering Holes, and numerous Bandera Businesses pull out the stops when it comes to jamming the weekend full of activities.
The big kickoff begins Saturday, August 30, at 11AM with the Longhorn Cattle Drive and Parade down Mainstreet Bandera. The streets are lined 3 deep in anticipation of the yearly trek of some 50 longhorns, none of which stray from their intended destination. Quite a feat, considering all the screaming fans as they strole by. After the parade, time to spend your hard earned cash at the Bandera Courthouse where the lawn is filled with vendors and artisans displaying their unique designs, such as hand-made jewelry, barnwood furniture and fixtures, quilts and handbags, military and religious goods, and plenty of food and refreshments to replenish your energy.
The Dude Ranches are hosting several events throughout the day, the Flying L Ranch presents "Historical Reenactments, the Dixie Dude Ranch is presenting the"Circle of Life Intertribal Pow Wow", the Medina River Ranch Resort is presenting the "Cowboy Capital Mounted Shooters", on Saturday and Sunday nite is the "National Professional Bull Riders Challenge".
The Eleventh Steet Cowboy Bar is hosting "The Doug Moreland Showw", "Jake Hooker and The Outsiders", and Leon Rausch and The Texas Playboys, check www.celebratebandera.com for other groups and venues.
This is one event you don't want to miss, folks, so mark your calendar, pick up your jeans and starched shirts from the cleaners, polish your boots and head on over to the "Cowboy Capital of the World" for the best time, the best food, and the best entertainment this side of the Rocky Mountains!
Last night, the Silver Sage Community Center, and Bandera Honors Veterans, put on a program for Veterans, which I, as the Bandera County Veterans Service Officer, was a participant. Being that I have only been the Service Officer for Bandera for one year, this was the first seminar that I had a part in. There were several participants, the Texas Veterans Commission, the VA Hospital System, The Veterans Administration, the Texas Veterans Land Board, TVC Employment Counselors from San Antonio and Kerrville, the American Legion from Bandera and Lakehills Chapters, and a VA approved loan officer. All of these representatives were there for two hours to explain their jobs and to answer veterans questions, and to assit them in filing for benefits.
Besides myself, there were Service Officers from Gillespie County and Kerr County. I had a table setup with VA benefit books, important phone numbers for the veterans and their dependents, relevent website addresses, and info on real estate properties that would qualify for a Tx-Vet loan.
I was amazed at how crowded the room was, I'm not sure of the count, but somewhere around 100-150 had attended, and they all had questions. I even got up in front of the group to say a few words about Veteran Service Officers and what they do (will explain in a subsequent post). A big deal for me because I dislike public speaking. I better get used to it because I'm sure we'll be doing this again next year.
I also was pleasantly surprised when I was the last table to fold up to leave, because I had so many stop by my table to say hello, and to let me know how their request for evaluation for benefits was going. I also talked real estate with several people that wanted to use their low,low interest rate offered by the Veterans Land Board- 7.2% with 5% down, such a great deal!
Some of the veterans and their spouses drove 100+ miles to be there, just for the chance to speak with VA and TVC staff. Everyone got their questions answered, and felt good about the event and what it accomplished. I look forward to meeting again with those that need my help, and hopefully, I will find them land or a home they will want to use their VA benefits to buy!
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Many of my clients have commented and asked about HR 3221 and the changes in the mortgage industry and for homeowners in general. Here are some of the changes explained by a San Antonio Loan Officer.
"If we don't change direction soon, we'll end up where we're going." This quip by Prof Irwin Corey, an American vaudeville comic and actor, seems to mirror the mindset of many government agencies dealing with the regulation and facilitation of the housing and finance industries. Change is the name of the game, today, and some say it's barely half-time.
Congress passed, and the president signed into law, HR 3221 (the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008) at the end of July. This law has many provisions and it's not my intention to discuss them all. Here's a highlight of some of the changes...
Registration / Licensure of all originators: This provision requires all originators to be licensed/registered with the National Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (except Federally Chartered Institutions). Although this will be a logistical nightmare for some in the industry, it should help "clean up" the industry.
Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers: This provision allows for any first time homebuyer who purchases/purchased between the dates of April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009 (it's in effect now) receive a $7,500 tax credit for the year in which they bought their home. This is a tax credit and not a tax deduction and is paid back to the IRS over the next 15 years (or sooner if the property becomes a rental home). There is no interest charged on the tax credit funds which are repaid. As always, there are some exceptions. I am not a CPA, but I was told on an industry conference call that this will not affect alternative minimum taxation and phases out above $150,000 combined, married annual income. I would imagine there are other implications, so check with your tax advisor to find out how it would affect you, specifically. Either way, an interest free loan from the IRS doesn't happen every day!
Conventional Loan Limits Increased: The formula for determining loan limits in high cost areas was adjusted, but it shouldn't affect us here in TX.
Fannie/Freddie Oversight: This provision establishes a new federal regulator with powers similar to a Federal Bank regulator to oversee the activities of Fannie and Freddie. The funding source for this regulator and the associated funds is being paid for by an additional 4.2 basis point fee added to loan interest rates.
Fannie/Freddie Stability: This provision authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to extend lines of credit and to, if necessary, purchase equity in Fannie or Freddie to ensure solvency and calm the credit markets.
FHA Rescue/Hope Now: These two programs are designed, in different ways, to help those experiencing serious delinquency or feeling a serious house payment crunch. The exact details of how the plans will be administered (and the details of the plan itself) have not yet been ironed out. More to follow when it's known.
FHA Modernization: Ok, here's the biggie. As of the end of September, FHA will no longer insure loans which involve Seller Funded Down Payment Assistance (SFDPA). This doesn't sound like such a big deal until you consider that over 1/3rd of First Time Homebuyers who use FHA for financing utilize SFDPA, because if they can't pay the entire down-payment themselves, get a gift from a blood relative, receive Down payment Assistance from a community or grant based program (will be used up quickly), receive the money from their employer, or borrow the money out of their retirement, that's the only option left. So, in order to buy a home with little to no money down after the end of September, borrowers will have to be VA eligible, find and qualify for community grant money, have such high credit scores and reserves that they can qualify for one of the very few and far between portfolio zero down home loans, or have an employer or relative willing to GIVE them the down payment. As if that doesn't tighten up things, enough, they are increasing the minimum down payment requirement from 3-3.5%, while also raising upfront and monthly mortgage insurance payments. I can understand needing to change some of the requirements for SFDPA or providing a 1-2% down program which requires a stronger credit profile, but HUD insists that if these changes aren't made, then they will have to be supplemented by taxpayers to the tune of $1.4 billion in 2009.
HUD also sites that loans with SFDPA suffer almost 3 times the delinquency rates as traditional FHA loans. I'm not sure what the best answer is, but I do know that for millions of Americans who have the ability to reliably make a house payment and be responsible home owners, if they do not close on a FHA loan by the end of September, they will no longer be able to purchase a home without a sizeable down-payment, thus taking them out of the housing market until their savings or industry changes allow them to purchase. These loans are not inherently bad. Proper budgeting and planning before the purchase of a home and working with a mortgage professional who desires to see you in a good position go along way to ensuring a happy homeownership experience.
It's a buyer's market, San Antonio (and most of Texas) have seen stable real-estate markets (albeit a little slower), the IRS is offering $7,500 interest free "loans", you can still utilize SFDPA and move in with little to no money down up to $332,500, and all this while rates are historically low. Although no one can predict the future, it would seem that the rest of August and September would be an excellent opportunity for FHA buyers (especially first time homebuyers) to realize the American dream and become homeowners before the process becomes even more difficult.
So change is still (and will continue to be) the name of the game. The upside is that with change comes opportunity. Ramsay Clark once said, "Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let's love turbulence and use it for change." I think he's got something there.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
The Medina Lake Annual Cajun Festival has always had a special place in my heart. Fifteen years ago, my future husband and I had our first date at the Cajun Festival. I had also just moved to Lakehills with my 2 children and had never attended the event before that day. I got all dressed up in my best party dress, and I took along my 12 year old son for a chaperon. Can't be too careful, I worked with this guy, but didn't know him well. I also had volunteered to work on the food line, handing out crawfish etoufee, jumbalaya, and bread pudding (my fav). I soon found out party dresses were passe at the festival.
Another Labor Day weekend is upon us, time to head to Bandera Texas where the cowboy never dies- time again for another "Celebrate Bandera" extravaganza. I don't mean a small get together, I mean mega celebration, The Bandera County Chamber of Commerce, The Convention and Vistors Bureau, the Bandera Business Association, the Dude Ranches, the Watering Holes, and numerous Bandera Businesses pull out the stops when it comes to jamming the weekend full of activities.
Last night, the Silver Sage Community Center, and Bandera Honors Veterans, put on a program for Veterans, which I, as the Bandera County Veterans Service Officer, was a participant. Being that I have only been the Service Officer for Bandera for one year, this was the first seminar that I had a part in. There were several participants, the Texas Veterans Commission, the VA Hospital System, The Veterans Administration, the Texas Veterans Land Board, TVC Employment Counselors from San Antonio and Kerrville, the American Legion from Bandera and Lakehills Chapters, and a VA approved loan officer. All of these representatives were there for two hours to explain their jobs and to answer veterans questions, and to assit them in filing for benefits.
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