Everyone likes a story with a happy ending: Boy meets girl, they fall in love, get married and live happily ever after. The story is a little longer if boy and girl try to buy a short sale house and then live happily ever after. That story is not as simple. Patience is the main ingredient in any story involving a short sale.

First of all, a short sale is when the seller owes more than house can be sold for and the lender agrees to accept a loss on the house. President Obama recently announced further measures to help beleaguered homeowners, including encouraging lenders to accept short sales. The benefit of a short sale is that homeowners avoid foreclosure and the completely ruined credit that goes with it.

However, the "short" in short sale refers to the loss to the bank, not the quickness of the sale. Because buyers are dealing with the seller's lender as well as the seller, paperwork does not move quickly. "The problem is it's never clear who in a bank has the authority to approve a short sale," said Howard Glaser, a mortgage industry consultant in Washington and a former HUD official in a recent Associated Press article. Federal standards "would speed the process for buyers and sellers by making it more efficient."

The number of foreclosures continues to accelerate across the country. The AP reported that number of foreclosures was up 32 percent in April compared with the same month last year. Of course, the Austin foreclosure rate is not that high, but Central Texas is facing its fair share of the housing crisis.

The number of short sales, pre-foreclosure homes, on the market is likely to increase in the months ahead as the economy continues to be shaky. A short sale may be a good deal for a buyer, as in most cases the owner has stopped making payments and the home is vacant. It is in the lender's best interest to get the defaulted loan off the books and accept an offer, but that doesn't mean they will jump at any offer.

It can't be stressed enough the importance of having a qualified real estate agent, and that is certainly the case when dealing with short sales. If a buyer decides to make an offer on a short sale home, the real estate agent needs to do a little research. First, a title search will indicate how much is owed to the lender, who the lender is and whether there is more than one mortgage on the house. A buyer should know that complications can arise if more than one lender is involved.

Another thing the real estate agent needs to determine for the buyer is comparable recent sales in the same neighborhood. These, more than anything else, will help determine the best offer price for the house. For example, if a home is listed for $200,000, but the last sale in the neighborhood was for a home with the same square footage for $175,000, then the buyer can be confident in making a lower offer. The agent should include comparable sales in the offer package sent to the lender.

Although a short sale home is still in the seller/owner's name, everything from the offer to any repair addendum to the final close has to be approved by the lender. It is crucial that the seller's agent has good lines of communication with a lender representative, usually someone in the loss mitigation department, to move the process along.

There can be a happy ending with short sales for both the buyer, who can get a good deal, and the seller, who can be saved from foreclosure. The story on short sales, however, can be a long one.


Inside San Antonio is a small brokerage in central Texas. Their website provides information on San Antonio real estate along with information on San Antonio schools and a real estate blog.

In tough economic times, jobs become harder and harder to come by. As unemployment rates continue to rise, so does the number of stories of former CEOs just happy to get a barista job at Starbucks. While the job market is highly competitive right now, with thousands of jobs disappearing and very few being created, finding employment isn't impossible it may take a little longer, though, so it's important to get started as quickly as possible.

1.Focus on you.
Every person has their own individual set of skills, talents, and abilities they bring to the table. What are yours? Take some time to really evaluate your professional skills and experience, and make a list of your strengths and weaknesses, both professional and personal (because, let's be honest, very few people can effectively separate the two). Enlist the help of an objective friend or co-worker, as people often have a harder time evaluating themselves objectively.

2.Be open to new opportunities.
The past does not necessarily dictate the future this is especially true in a tight job market. When beginning the search for a new job, start at a very general level and identify (using that list of strengths and weaknesses you made) some job types or specific industries you would fit well in. If you're an excellent communicator with experience as a copy-writer, you may be able to transition into a PR or marketing job. Don't confine yourself to the industry you've always worked in, either most professional skills can parlay effectively across many industries, so remember to focus on your skills and abilities, as opposed to specific experience or industry knowledge.

3.Update your resume.
This is another task you'll want some help with. Your resume is basically you on paper it's the first impression a potential employer will have of you, so it had better be good. Style and design should be considered they don't have to be over-the-top, but just like your personal appearance, the appearance of your resume says a lot about you, whether you like it or not. Also, remember to focus on skill sets and specific results you've achieved, and don't be afraid to brag a little bit. An effective resume tells a prospective employer why they should hire you and what you can bring to their company, so it's value and importance cannot be overstated.

4.Get out there.
Finding a new job particularly in a down economy is not easy. You have to be proactive, creative, and persistent if you want to get ahead of the competition. Once you've found a list of jobs or companies you;d like to apply for, consider going in person to submit your resume and application you'll have a better chance of sticking out from the crowd, and possibly even speaking with someone right then and there.

5.Keep at it.
Job hunting is a time-consuming process that can get difficult and even tedious at times. But it's imperative that you stay positive don't let rejection get you down, instead, tell yourself that any job you don't get wasn't the right job for you. In time, if you're persistent, you'll find the right fit.


Inside San Antonio helps buyers in the central San Antonio real estate market. Their site provides visitors statistics on their San Antonio real estate blog along with information on San Antonio Texas real estate.

In a plan that promises to keep seven to nine million borrowers from losing their homes, the Obama administration announced its "Making Home Affordable" initiative. The Treasury Department released detailed guidelines about how it plans to help Americans refinance mortgages that would offer lower monthly payments.

A statement released by the Treasury Department said, "The present crisis is real, but temporary. As home prices fall, demand for housing will increase, and conditions will ultimately find a new balance. Yet in the absence of decisive action, we risk an intensifying spiral in which lenders foreclose, pushing area home prices still lower, reducing the value of household savings, and making it harder for all families to refinance."

To avoid intensifying the current downward spiral of the housing market, the Obama administration has a two-part plan. The first part addresses the need to modify the loans of up to four million struggling homeowners, while the second part helps five million borrowers refinance loans through government controlled Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The $75 billion plan includes the following five features (as stated in the Treasury Department document):

* A Home Affordable Modification Program to Reach Up to 3 to 4 Million At-Risk Homeowners

* Clear and Consistent Guidelines for Loan Modifications

* Requiring That Financial Stability Plan Recipients Use Treasury Guidelines for Loan Modifications

* Allowing Judicial Modifications of Home Mortgages During Bankruptcy When A Borrower Has No Other Options

* Requiring Strong Oversight, Reporting and Quarterly Meetings with Treasury, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve and HUD to Monitor Performance

* Strengthening FHA Programs and Providing Support for Local Communities

The clear and consistent guidelines state that borrowers will have to provide their most recent tax return and two pay stubs, as well as an "affidavit of financial hardship" to qualify for the loan modification program. The Making Home Affordable plan "will not provide money to speculators, and it will target support to the working homeowners who have made every possible effort to stay current on their mortgage payments."

This plan is particularly aimed at homeowner with upside down mortgages, where the value of the home has declined and a borrower owes more than the home is worth. In order to refinance banks usually require at least 20% home equity, but under the Treasury plan the government backed loans will help homeowners take advantage of the current low interest rates.

Other highlights of the plan include helping borrowers with high total debt (including car loans and credit cards) by requiring them to enter HUD-certified consumer debt counseling. However, mortgages over 729,750 will not be eligible. The target affordability rate is to make loans no more than 31% of a borrower's income. The plan, which will run through 2010, only includes loans which originated before January 1, 2009.

This plan brings together lenders, investors, servicers, borrowers, and the government in the hopes of making significant strides in stabilizing the housing market and thus bringing the economy out of the worst recession in decades. Perhaps as homeowners feel less vulnerable, spending will increase in other sectors of the economy.


Inside San Antonio real estate is a site that cover the San Antonio market. They have information on San Antonio school ratings and a blog on the San Antonio real estate market.

Not a first time home buyer? That's okay. Even veteran home buyers forget the particulars when pursuing the purchase of a new home. You may need a refresher, or you may be a first-time home buyer who wants to know the ropes. Either way, there are several items you'll want to be aware of even before you start looking for another home.

Follow the steps below so that you don't skip a beat in the process. This will ensure you are getting the very best deal possible on the purchase of your new home.

* Free credit report. Before you get started, order your free credit report from all three major credit reporting bureaus. They are Equifax, Trans Union and Experian. You can get a free one from each at www.annualcreditreport.com. By law, the credit bureaus are required to provide you with a free credit report every twelve months. Your goal will be to make sure you have the highest possible credit score. A high credit score will enable you to be approved for the lowest possible interest rate.

* Inaccuracies, negative info or inquiries. Comb through your credit reports for any information you perceive as being inaccurate, negative information that is incorrect and inquiries that you did not approve. If you find items that need repair, circle them and note them as being inaccurate, wrong negative information or unapproved inquiries. Send a letter to each of the credit reporting bureaus with a copy of the credit reporting pages that apply, along with any support documentation. Send a copy only, and keep the originals for your own files. The credit reporting bureaus have 30 days to respond. If you don't find anything that needs repair, then proceed to the 4th bullet.

* Ready, set, go! Once the credit reporting agencies make the updates and corrections, you are ready to move forward.

* Home wish list. You'll want to identify everything that you want in a home. Include the geographic location, school district or school, square footage, number of bedrooms/bathrooms/garages, style of home (ranch vs. multi-level or others), hardwood floors, type of kitchen (eat-in vs. formal) and anything else you can think of. Include amenities like a central vac, built-in microwave or heat pump. All this will allow you a basis to begin your house hunting venture.

* Get pre-approved. Licensed real estate agents will typically not help you look for a home without being pre-approved for a home loan. Do yourself a favor in order to get the best rate possible by shopping around. If you request interest rates from several lenders within a ten-day or less window, it usually does not negatively impact your credit score. Check out the company's reputation. You can do a search on the FCC website at www.fcc.gov, check with the Better Business Bureau and contact the Federal Banking Commission to see if you find any negative information about the company. Make sure you get the interest rate in writing, along with ALL fees prior to agreeing to proceed with the loan. Once you find a lender you think you can trust, get pre-approved for your home loan.

* How much are you pre-approved for? Getting pre-approved for a home loan will tell you how much you are pre-approved for and will give you a gauge as to how much you will want to invest in a new home. Decide how much you will want to invest overall and how much your down payment will be.

* Find a licensed real estate agent. Some people prefer to interview real estate agents to see what each might do for them. Others just want to sign up with the top seller of the real estate agency. It's your call. If you decide to interview agents, just be sure you have a list of questions and expectations you present to each. Decide on an agent you want to use and sign the buyer's agreement.

* So many homes, so little time. Your licensed real estate agent should provide you with a list of homes that meet your criteria and be willing to take you to shop around. Your agent should also provide you with a comparative market analysis for each home you are interested in, so that you may make a competitive offer.

* Other offers? Once you decide to make an offer on a home, ask your agent about whether they know the seller's motivation - bankruptcy, estate sale, etc. Also, ask if there are any other offers, liens, easements, zoning changes and neighborhood crime.

* Scrutinize the Seller's Disclosure. Make note of how old the following are: roof, central heat/air, electrical and plumbing. Depending on the age and condition of each, these may be bargaining points in negotiations.

* Make an offer. At this point, you should have as much information as possible about the home prior to inspections. You should be informed enough to make the first offer.
* Select a title company. Once the seller accepts your offer, you'll need to select a title company. The real estate agent may tell you that their user uses specific companies for the inspections, but theirs is not always the cheapest or best. By law, you can shop around for your own. Just make sure they have a good reputation.

* Inspections, warranty, insurance, lead paint. Depending upon the inspections your lender will require, you'll probably want to schedule a home inspection and termite inspection. A home warranty may be another purchase you'll want to consider. Homeowner's insurance will be required. If the home was build prior to 1957, get it tested for lead paint. Again, shop around for the best rates and reputable companies.

* Be there. Be in attendance at all inspections. Make note of everything you see that needs repair or presents a health risk - e.g., moisture, mold, pests.

* Negotiate. If you find anything that legitimately should be used in negotiations, then negotiate. Present a new offer. Exchange the repairs for money off the purchase price, or require that the repairs be done and keep the purchase price. The lender may require that the repairs or improvements be done prior to closing, anyway, so consider your lender's expectations in the negotiations.

* Plan the move. Once your final offer is approved, you'll know the closing date. Prepare your family for the move - e.g., boxes, take time off, hire a moving company.
* Final walkthrough. When you do your final walkthrough, make sure to note anything that was not taken care of. If there are repairs that were not completed as agreed upon, don't sign on the dotted until they are done.

* Closing. When you go to the closing, scrutinize your Declarations sheet to ensure that you are only paying for what you agreed to pay for. If it looks good, give your John Hancock and close on your house.

* Happy home owning. This is a no-brainer. Time to move into that house and make it a home!

Inside San Antonio is a small real estate company in San Antonio. Their site has general information about San Antonio real estate along with information on San Antonio schools. They also provide market statistics on their San Antonio real estate blog.

It is almost that time of year again, the time when school lets out and families start planning summer vacations. If your family is like others, you try to get creative and try new things. You want to go different places, see new things and have new memories.

For a new twist on your vacation, why not try vacationing at a dude ranch? It can be adventurous, fun and exciting. The Dixie Dude Ranch in Bandera, Texas is just right outside San Antonio, in the hill country. The ranch is an old time stock ranch that offers vacations. The dude ranch is still in operation and has been for five generations.

Visitors at the dude ranch can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, dancing, hayrides and much more. The ranch offers 20 different units within duplex cabins, cottages and a two story bunkhouse. All of the cabins have air conditioning, private baths and a few even have fireplaces for those who love sitting in front of a fire. All the accommodations are rustic, but very comfortable!

The dude ranch has a fishing pond for its guests to fish in, only rule is it is a catch and release pond, the ranch will even provide the gear you need to fish!

Each day when the dinner bell rings, visitors are treated to a real dude ranch feast! All meals are cooked from scratch, just like they did it in the old days.

Visitors can also hike the trails and hunt for fossils, arrowheads and even check out an old Range War cemetery.

There are many attractions around the dude ranch for your family to see. The Frontier Times Museum is located in Bandera. There is the Cowboy Artists of America Museum just down the road in Kerrville. If caves are your thing, you may want to visit the "Cave without a name" in Boerne. Take the family for a day in the park at Sea World or Fiesta Texas, just down the road in San Antonio.

There are plenty of fun things to do at the dude ranch. It is a unique vacation idea, and something that gets you and your family away from the big city and fast pace.

Spending time with your family outside, without bright lights, loud music and cars could be just what your family is looking for.

Roast marshmallows over a campfire and telling stories, whether it is ghost stories or just old family memories. Take a family ride on horseback and enjoy the great outdoors and all of the beauty that the hill country has to offer.

If you're tired and sore after your long horseback ride, take advantage of one of the two massage therapists the ranch has on hand. They can be very therapeutic and relaxing.

If you love animals, Dixie Dude Ranch is the place to be. They have cattle, horses, goats and everything a working dude ranch needs. There is also lots of wildlife to see. Everything from deer to coyote and maybe a bob cat or two!


Jill works with Inside San Antonio. Their site helps buyers and sellers interested in San Antonio Tx real estate. Their site has information on San Antonio schools and a blog covering the San Antonio real estate market.

Savvy investors across the U.S. have been watching the real estate market to see which ones look like they will soon hit bottom and begin bouncing back from all the foreclosures. There are several that are experiencing either a slowdown in falling prices or are bouncing back already. These are the markets that are the least risky to invest in real estate.

Charlotte, NC - Real estate prices in Charlotte are down $50,000 from where they were a year ago, but up $26,000 from January of this year. The average list price started at $270,680 last year, but is now down to $224.465. The yield from the list price is down only 2.33% from a year ago. The median home price in this city is around $185,600. That's up 6.4% from last year.

Oklahoma City, OK - Real estate prices are remaining fairly steady in Oklahoma City. What's interesting about this market is that it never really experienced the spike in home values and the subsequent nose dive like many of the other major U.S. cities. Foreclosures are up, but, contrary to other U.S. cities, home values have only declined somewhat. The average sale price is $139.632, down by 6.35% from the same time last year. The median home price is $134,400, up 12.1% from last year.

Portland, OR - Real estate prices in Portland have fallen around 19% since they hit an all-time high in July 2008. The median sale price of a home in this city in July 2008 was $174,000. Today, the same home will sell for $141,000. The number of homes on the market is down from its peak in 2008 where 4,495 homes were available for sale. Today, the number is 3,523. That's a 22% decline in homes for sale. Only 8% of homes on the market are sold today compared to 14% of homes sold in 2008.

San Antonio, TX - Real estate prices are gaining in this city. The median price for San Antonio homes were at their highest in 2007 at $141,500. The current median sale price for homes is $136,000, only $5,000 less two years later. Home listing prices have increased by $1,000 from March 11 to April 1 of this year.

Seattle, WA - Real estate prices are rising in Seattle. They are at the same place they were in September of 2008 and in April of 2006. Sales surged by 35% in March of this year, up 26% from March of last year. The median price of a home in Seattle is $387,450, up almost 13% from a year ago. This market is definitely on the upswing.

Raleigh, NC - Real estate prices have fallen in Raleigh to $210,000, down from $217,000 a year ago. The median home price is $201,800, which is up 6.3% from last year. Number of homes on the market is only up 200 from last year's figures - from 7909 to 8103. One interesting item to note about this city is the 5% growth it has experienced every year for the past five years. The number of jobs increased in Raleigh by 3500, which probably contributed to the city's growth.

insidesanantoniorealestate.com provides information about the San Antonio real estate market. Their site has information on San Antonio area schools along with a San Antonio real estate blog.

One of the most used rooms in a home is the kitchen. Family and friends gather in this room on a daily basis. It is important to the home owner or the potential buyer that the kitchen is up to date and inviting.

By updating your kitchen, you can add value to your home. You can do it yourself without spending thousands of dollars remodeling. It just takes some imagination and creativity.

Give walls new focus. Instead of building a cabinet into every blank wall, try hanging some inexpensive floating shelves. Floating shelves show no brackets or hardware, and appear to be "floating" on the wall. They can create a feeling of airiness while providing easy access to dinnerware or glasses.

If you want to update your backsplash, and don't want to spend a fortune, try using inexpensive ceramic tiles. Start with a basic field tile and randomly insert a few accent tiles. You can also make shaped patterns to highlight certain areas, such as behind your sink or your stove.

Flooring can also be a great place to make a dramatic change. You can install vinyl or linoleum tiles fairly easily without much experience, and they can dramatically change the appearance of the kitchen.

Another way to change the appearance of your kitchen is to remove the doors from wall hung cabinets. This can give the kitchen a casual country look. Homeowners can display their favorite glassware.

Homeowners can also freshen the kitchen by painting the walls, ceiling or by just adding fresh paint to trimwork or doors. Maybe there is a small splash of color in the floor you want to accent, by painting trimwork with the same color, this brings out the floor.

Replace worn laminate countertops. If the laminate is still in good shape, it can be tiled over. New oversize tiles (24 x 24 inches, 12 x 24 inches) are easy to work with and can make for a more continuous countertop with fewer grout joints.

Replacing old cabinet hardware with new is a great idea. It is like adding jewelry to your kitchen! All you need is a screwdriver and a few hours. Knobs and pulls come in many different styles and colors. Be sure to measure the distance between the holes on the old hardware. It is easiest if the screws for the new hardware are the same. Otherwise you will have to patch the old holes and drill new ones.

If you want to maximize your kitchen space, try to customize an unfinished island with attachments. You can purchase a small kitchen island from a home center and customize it to fit your needs. Add baskets, drawers and hangers. An island will keep your supplies all together and organized, making baking and cooking easier.

With a little imagination and time, you can transform the look of your kitchen while adding value to your home, and do it all on a limited budget.


Inside Realty works with buyers in Texas. Their site covers the San Antonio real estate market. They also provide visitors with a San Antonio real estate blog that has updated market statistics for the San Antonio market and information on schools in San Antonio

Sales jumped in San Antonio this month going from 828 to 1124. While the market is still down for the year this is a decent improvement. While sales are down 27.25 percent the average price is up 3.11 percent from last year going from 170,600 to 175,900. Below are stats for the last 3 years.

San Antonio currently seems to be one of the stronger markets around the country. But it still is much weaker than it was the last 2 years.
To read more market updates you can see our San Antonio real estate blog

1.) Appropriate Storage: Ample storage space provides the opportunity for a neat and tidy kitchen. The options available in today's cabinetry give homeowners a variety of ways to stay organized. These options include recycle bins, spike racks, pull-out trays, full extension drawers and cutlery dividers. These options help you follow the ever-important mantra of "a place for everything and everything in its place."

2.) Hiding Places: A common trend in today's kitchen design is being able to hide appliances and unsightly items such as trash cans. Today, homeowners are hiding trashcans behind decorative cabinet doors with roll out capabilities. Special counter top storage cabinets are also available to store appliances, such as mixers, toaster and blenders, behind closed doors. Being able to tuck these items away reduces the cluttered look of the countertop and appears clean and tidy.

3.) Space Makers: Homeowners today are keen on using every square inch of their cabinet space for slide-ins and pull-outs. Also popular with homeowners are large pull-out drawers for pots and pan. With these unique additions, maximizing the organization of your cabinets is easier than ever before.

4.) Natural Countertops: Natural materials such as granite and quartz are strong choices for countertops because of their lifetime durability and low maintenance appeal. In spite of their cost, they have become increasingly popular choices for perimeter counter tops, islands, and peninsulas and bar tops. The biggest challenge for granite and stone products is their porous nature, which requires a sealant.

5.) Decorative Counters: Right in line with the choice of natural countertops is decorative counters. While in the same category, these choices are distinctly different. The selection of decorative countertops applies to the type and style of stone you choose. With the countertop being the focal point of the kitchen, you can amplify the look and feel of your kitchen with the right countertop selection. A manifest of its natural formation in the earth, no two slabs of granite are the same. With hundreds of colors and an endless range of possibilities, selecting the countertop with the right decorative edge is a must for your kitchen remodel.

6.) Dual-Fuel Range: Dual fuel ranges provide the perfect combination for cooking aficionados. With a cooking range fueled by natural gas and an electric oven, you have the best of both worlds at your hands. With the capacity to surface cook with gas and bake and broil with electric, you have the optimum temperature controlling abilities suitable for each type of cooking.

7.) French Door Refrigerator: Among the trendy and sleek trends of today is the French door refrigerator. These refrigerators feature two side-by-side doors as the fridge area and a large bottom drawer for the freezer. Appealing features include extra-large deli storage areas, beverage chillers and various other organizational amenities depending on the model chosen. While the latest trend in color is the stainless steel models, these refrigerators are also available in classic colors of white, black and bisque.

8.) Induction Cooktop: Although expensive, induction cooktops are the latest trend in the cooking industry. With induction technology, it is possible to boil a pot of water in 30 seconds. Induction cooktops use electromagnetic energy to heat the food inside the pan rather than heating the pan itself. If you have a busy on the go lifestyle with little time to cook, an induction cooktop is a must have for your kitchen!

9.) Classy Décor: Small decorative touches can make a big difference in your kitchen. Years ago, kitchens were very sanitary and free from decorative appeal. Today, homeowners are using kitchen décor to highlight the quality and appeal of their home. Options for adding décor include ornate tile backsplashes, textured finishes and overlays. Lighted cabinetry or spotlights to showcase specialty dishes or décor have become increasingly popular as well.

10.) Your Own Island: Nothing beats having your own island in the center of your kitchen. Islands are a common theme in many kitchen remodels and the trend continues to be strong, primarily due to their functionality and usefulness. Kitchen islands can serve as additional working space or cooking space by adding a cook top. They also provide a decorative edge by providing space to display decorative pieces that give your kitchen that extra touch. A recent trend in kitchen islands is to accent the cabinetry in a different finish from the other cabinets, providing a touch of versatility and class.


Inside San Antonio helps buyers and sellers looking for homes in San Antonio. Their website covers San Antonio real estate. They also publish a blog with detailed San Antonio real estate statistics.

The stats are published for the San Antonio real estate market. There were 828 sales. This was 41 percent lower than the number of sales San Antonio saw 2 years ago (1421) and 33 percent lower than than the number of sales seen last year (1235). One interesting side note is that the average sales price is up 7.87 percent compared to last year. The months of inventory is 7.8 which indicates a buyers market but is not as bad as some other markets around the country.
It looks like the market came down for a lot of different markets this January. And although the market has been down for awhile January seemed to be an outlier. Hopefully the market will improve next month with low interest rates and the government new $8000 tax credit. More statistics at San Antonio Real Estate Blog stats provided by San Antonio Real Estate