san antonio: Are Buyer's Greedy? - 05/20/13 08:00 AM
I tend to work with many first time home buyers and I'm finding that in most cases they're saying things like......
My Lender said the Seller pays for Closing Costs If they didn't want to give up that flat screen maybe they should have removed it before listing the house. You said, what is attached is included, didn't you? No, I won't pay for the Survey. If the Seller wants to sell the house they should pay for it...... Yadi yadi yadi
Because I represent both Sellers and Buyers, on different transactions, and am a Certified Negotiation Expert, I can safely … (9 comments)

san antonio: Energy Efficient Mortgages On the Rise - 05/07/13 10:35 PM
What do EEMs and Utility rates have in common? Everything!
As energy rates rise, so does the demand for Energy Efficient Mortgages. But while FHA and VA are offering these, there is still resistence in the markeplace by lender and real estate practitioners. Why? Most likey due to lack of knowledge and expertise. After all, if you could buy a $250,000 house with an electric bill of $250/mo (avg yearly) verses a $260,000 house with a $45/mo electric bill, which house would you buy?
 
It's a no brainer, but lets look at the math to explain
for those who are … (3 comments)

san antonio: Should There Be a REALTOR Rating System? - 05/07/13 08:48 PM
 
If you think about it, most anything of value has a rating system. These days Yelp and Zagat seem to be pretty popular resources to evaluate a restaurant or business before giving patronage. Angie's List is a pretty good option but I don't like the business model being based on paid membership because that in itself taints the feedback. I've been told some people pay for an annual membership on behalf of another with the requirement that they post a good rating for them. Now of course the old standard. BBB still exists which is probably still considered the best … (12 comments)

san antonio: Earth Day Celebrations in San Antonio, Texas - 04/23/13 12:38 AM

Living in San Antonio has been a joy and I especially love our traditions and hill country views. One of the reasons I am passionate about green is to sustain our living for future generations to enjoy as well.  While it takes a village, a village is one person times many.  So this blog is for you, the one person, who thinks they aren't making enough of a difference or can't. 
Consider signing up for PracticallyGreen.com to learn more about your personal capabilities. Its a self-test of current green and ideas for improvement.
Want to save a little gas?  Buyers should  use … (5 comments)

san antonio: What's the Deal With Fiesta Pins? - 04/22/13 11:40 AM
 

As I sit and watch the 2013 Texas Cavalier's Parade I think about how wonderful it is to live in such a cultural and exciting city.  Founded in 1891, the World Famous Fiesta was kicked off to honor the events at the Alamo.
In 1906 the Queen of the Order of the Alamo was created to celebrate the honor of those who fell to the cause of Texas' independence.
In 1914 the Battle of the Flowers organization was created and hosts what is my favorite parade, held Friday during the day.
In 1926 we had the formation of the … (5 comments)

san antonio: Year of the Snake - Asian New Year Festival 2013 - 01/28/13 09:16 PM
Being a military Brat I love exploring cultures. One of my favorite places to do that is right here in sunny, beautiful San Antonio, Texas - just another reason why to retire here!  If you too are military and are thinking about moving here, ask me about my "Military" promotion.
The UTSA Institure of Texan Cultures celebrates Asian New Year annually at its wide open indoor/outdoor facilty.  Bonus, while you are there you can explore the center itself, showcasing the many cultures that have settled in our great state of Texas. 
ASIAN NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
Saturday, February 16, 2013
UTSA Institute … (8 comments)

san antonio: Are You Stuck in a Box? - 01/28/13 08:28 PM
We've all heard that all-too-familiar saying, "Think Outside the Box," but what does that really mean?
Real Estate Coaches and Brokers say it, so Realtors buy into it - "Don't re-invent the wheel."  We farm by neighborhood, type - condo, multi-family, etc., we may even have a good SEO program with our website or blog, but do we ever really "Think Outside the Box? Shift our paradigm? If our Coach, Broker, and colleagues believe we should think one way, how can we actually explore something unique? 
I could share my shift but then I'd just be giving you a new  box. … (10 comments)

san antonio: Romeo & Juliet - May 1, 2013 - 01/15/13 05:54 AM
Wed, May 1, 2013
7:30pm
Majestic Theatre
(Courtesy of www.artsa.com)  
Mejia Ballet International’s program, “Romeo and Juliet,” will feature Mejia’s most popular works “Jeux” set to music by Claude Debussy, Webern Pieces set to music by Anton Webern, “Café Victoria” set to the Tango “Contrabajisimo” by Astor Piazzolla and “Romeo and Juliet” set to Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet fantasy overture.
Russian prima ballerina Olga Pavlova graduated from the famed Bolshoi Ballet Academy and has toured in more than 30 countries and danced principal roles in 54 ballets. Pavlova’s lyricism and warmth are wonderfully suited to the ill-fated Juliet. … (6 comments)

san antonio: Should a Realtor Give Financial Advice? - 01/13/13 11:12 PM
Edited 04/29/2021
 
As Realtors we wear many hats, including but not limited to helping buyers prepare for the process of home buying, financially and emotionally. Buying a house is a big deal!   That means we pre-qualify them but to what extent do we go?
My Lady (Buyer Story)
I have been working with a highly intelligent but slightly scatter brained Buyer who emailed to me after an exhausting day of home touring:  "Thank you for all your hard work and time to show me homes today. I am sorry but I was offended and felt judged by your financial advice today.  I don't … (97 comments)

san antonio: 365 Green Tips for 2013 - 01/13/13 09:30 PM
Since I'm committed to using Facebook for PR, I decided on January 9th to post a daily GREEN Tip. To play catch up from Jan 1 to Jan 9, I posted 9 things you can do to green up your life. My good friend Scott Godzyk suggested I blog it because he really enjoyed how simple it is to make a few choices that will improve energy, air, and earth.  So, just for you Scott, here it is!
I'm going to start posting things to do to improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and eco friendly living. Since we are in … (2 comments)

san antonio: What's a Bill Miller? - 12/18/12 11:08 PM

I moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1998 & began to notice Bill Miller BBQ signs on what seemed like every street corner. It has a pig, chicken, and cow on it. After taking the plunge and buying the family meal deal, I came to appreciate the value Bill Miller Bar-B-Que offers our city.
Every time I work with an out-of-town client they always ask the same thing, "What's a Bill Miller?" or "What's up with this Biller Miller restaurant?" as if its some type of cult restaurant (with 67 locations I used to have the same weird thought, and … (24 comments)

san antonio: "A Christmas Story" Live @ Woodlawn Theater - Review - 12/18/12 10:43 PM
If you are looking to start a new holiday tradition with your family or just looking for something fun to do, then check out A Christmas Story at Woodlawn Theatre.
I blogged "A Christmas Story" Live - Woodlawn Theatre, San Antonio Texas recently that I would come back and write a review since I purchased family tickets.
The cast starred Cutter Grant as Ralphie Parker, who stole the show with his unexpected sneezing causing some of the children in the show to laugh.   The actors are local, many of which trained by the Magik Children's Theatre. The show was cute, entertaining, and … (2 comments)

san antonio: Inman News Quotes Cathy Bureau on FHA Anti-Flipping Blog - 12/16/12 10:05 PM
Historically speaking (double entendre intended), when an investor purchases a home (cash or financed) they are not permitted to re-sell that home within 90 days, known as the "FHA Anti-Flipping Rule."  As a Realtor it concerns me greatly because while it is intended to protect consumers it is actually an anti-consumer problem in that it encourages hard money lending and non-insured loans. 
Last December I blogged the FHA Anti-Flipping rule after reading an Inman News article announcing the Obama waiver extension.   Ken Harney, with Inman News & Washington Post discovered it,  FHA Extends Temporary Waiver of Anti-Flipping Rule: Investors Still Strong … (12 comments)

san antonio: Christmas at the Historic San Fernando Cathedral (Est. 1731) - 12/16/12 09:34 AM
One of our oldest churches that still operates today is San Fernando Cathedral, founded in 1731. 
Their website describes it as the oldest, continuously functioning religious community in the State of Texas. The Cathedral building has the added distinction of being the oldest standing church building in Texas, and for all of its more than 281 years, has been serving the people of the Archdiocese and San Antonio. For almost 95 years, San Fernando served as the church for all of the religious denominations of San Antonio as the Catholic Church was the only recognized religion of the Spanish and … (1 comments)

san antonio: Live Nativity - San Antonio, Texas - 12/13/12 10:32 AM
Lo Esperamos: A Family-Friendly, Bilingual, Live Nativity
Lo Esperamos is a beautiful live Nativity put on by St. John’s Lutheran Church, Grace, and Our Savior; it translates to “We are waiting”. Attendees will go through the same journey that Mary and Joseph did, complete with Roman centurion, shepherds, wise men, live animals, and of course the Holy family. A simple meal and hot beverages will be provided. This is a free, family-friend, bilingual event. Lo Esperamos provides a wonderful setting in which to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. 
Saint John's Live Nativity Web Site   Event Details   When: … (13 comments)

san antonio: The Best Holiday Lights in Greater San Antonio, Texas - 12/13/12 10:15 AM
I have to admit that I truly love driving around looking at lights. When we first moved to San Antonio we asked around, where is the best place to see good lights? 
We were told Windcrest by person after person.  This is what City Lights has to say about Windcrest, the City of.
A tradition since the 1950s, San Antonio residents and visitors enjoy viewing the dazzling Christmas lights in the City of Windcrest annual Light Up. Thousands drive through the Windcrest streets in awe of the amazing Christmas light displays. A contest is held by the city to select the … (4 comments)

san antonio: Historic Guided Running & Walking Tours - Downtown Holiday Lights - 12/11/12 11:02 PM
Historic Guided Running and Walking Tours - Downtown Holiday Lights - Dec. 6th
 
The annual Downtown Holiday Lights is Thursday, Dec. 6th at 6:00 pm.
Runners or walkers are invited to take a 90 minute tour of San Antonio's historic sites while lit up for the Holidays.
The registration fee is $15.00 per person and you can register online here
or  Downtown Holiday Lights Tour Registration Form
The Tour starts and finishes at historic Casa Navarro, 228 S. Laredo. 
 
 
For more information about historical events in San Antonio, visit the Historical Preservation Committee website, San Antonio.gov.
 
… (5 comments)

san antonio: Top 10 Reasons Why to Buy a Historic Home in San Antonio, Texas - 12/11/12 10:55 PM
One of the elements of GREEN living is sustainable living. Meaning, if you can buy a home for a lower price than to build, reduce new consumption, reduce landfill, re-use materials, and improve decaying communities, you can achieve sustainability.  But one of the cool things about sustainable living is that you could live in a unique community offering interesting things to do, especially around the holidays.  In fact, you could take a Guided Tour of Holiday Lights!
One of my favorite websites that goes hand-in-hand with this idea is WalkScore.com.  By living in a sustainable community you can enrich your life. … (1 comments)

san antonio: "A Christmas Story" Live - Woodlawn Theatre, San Antonio Texas - 12/10/12 10:44 PM
I can't think of a better "Off-Off Broadway" production to see this holiday season other than "A Christmas Story." One of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time is now playing live at the historic Woodlawn Theatre.
If you know me, you know I love anything historical so this show brings together a historical venue with a 1930's themed show.  Check back with me next week to see my review!
A CHRISTMAS STORY A young boy named Ralphie Parker only wants one thing for Christmas: a Red Ryder BB gun. However, he is not sure he will ever make it … (7 comments)

san antonio: What Not to Do When Selling Your Home - 11/06/12 11:50 PM
I came across an article, "Top 10 Worst Home-Showing Offenses: by the National Association of REALTORS®.  I thought I'd share the article with a few "Solutions."
Share Your Favorite Home-Showings Story Below!  
1. Leftover home owners By far, one of the top offenses cited by buyer’s agents was home owners still lingering around when agents arrived with clients to preview the home. Awkward encounters ranged from buyers finding sellers taking a shower, asleep in the bed, to even the “stalker sellers” who liked to follow buyers and the agent all over the home to see what they thought.
Solution 1:  … (11 comments)