~San Antonio Homes~Gardens of Hollywood Park~ - 04/30/09 09:27 AM
  Currently there are 5 homes for sale in the Gardens of Hollywood Park, a community of garden homes located inside Loop 1604 near Hwy 281.  These homes are perfect for the young professional or for baby boomers who may be downsizing; both may be looking for luxury amenities without the hassle of caring for a large yard.  Each home has a nice patio and small yard large enough for when your doggie wants to go outside for awhile.  Built by Prestidge Homes, the floorplans are open and provide lots of natural light.

www.shirleyparks.com



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Wordless Wednesday~Just for Fun~First Makeover~Age 12 - 04/29/09 10:37 AM
 
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San Antonio: Annual Spring Tour of Homes - 04/28/09 09:20 PM
The Greater San Antonio Builders Association annual Spring Tour of Homes begins this Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  This event lasts for two weekends so if you can't make it this weekend, maybe you can plan to attend next weekend.  The beautiful neighborhoods on the tour include include Anaqua Springs, Cibolo Canyons, Cordillera Ranch, Huntington at Shavano, Menger Springs, Rogers Ranch, Stone Creek Ranch, The Falls at Clementson Ranch and The Heights at Stone Creek.
Visit 6 homes and get a chance to win $1,000.
For more information and a map, click here.



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San Antonio: Air Force Village Retirement Community - 04/28/09 09:08 PM
A $145 million expansion is planned for San Antonio's Air Force Village, a retirement community located off US 90 outside of Loop 1604.
The first phase of the development, The Gardens at Air Force Village, will be built by Sitterle Homes.  Construction on 45 ranch style homes will start in August.  The development will offer residents two bedroom homes ranging from 1679 square feet to 2285 square feet.  The cost to residents is a one time residency fee ranging from $100,000 to $345,000.  There will also be a monthly fee ranging from $1600 to $4100.  The fees provide all maintenance as well … (9 comments)

Buying a Bank Owned Home - 04/27/09 10:19 PM

Via Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty):
                                                                                                                                                     
In a recent article I wrote about buying a foreclosed home or potential foreclosure property, I discussed the various ways in which you could obtain ownership of a foreclosure. Here is a quick summary of the three scenarios:
A pre-foreclosure where you buy directly from the home owner before the bank takes over. At an auction where you may be in competition with other buyers. From a Real Estate company or the bank itself. This is known as an REO aka Real Estate owned. Here is what you need to … (3 comments)

Changes Planned at USAA - 04/25/09 09:32 PM
USAA is moving 240 jobs to San Antonio.  USAA plans to close the Sacramento office and downsize it's office in Norfolk VA in a move to consolidate their real estate and reduce operating expenses.
There are about 625 employees in Sacramento and 475 in Norfolk. Some of those decided not to make the move and will be given severance packages. About 550 people will remain with USAA and work at one of four USAA office centers, 240 to San Antonio, 75 to Colorado Springs, 145 to Phoenix, and 90 to Tampa, Florida.
The USAA center in San Antonio is massive and … (6 comments)

High Speed Rail for Texas - 04/25/09 09:30 PM
President Obama has unveiled new components of a plan to build a nationwide high-speed rail system that includes Texas.
The plan would use $8 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and up to $5 billion over five years from the federal budget as a "down payment" to implement the program.
 The Federal Railroad Administration is projected to begin awarding the first round of grants by late summer of this year.
There are 10 major corridors the administration is interested in.
The corridors are in California, Washington-Oregon, Texas-Oklahoma-Arkansas, the Gulf Coast including New Orleans and Atlanta, Florida, the Great Lakes centered on Chicago, the … (2 comments)

Fortune's Top 500 Companies Includes 4 in San Antonio - 04/23/09 06:10 PM
Fortune Magazine's latest list of the top 500 companies ranked by revenue include 4 San Antonio corporations.
Valero Energy Corporation, an oil refiner, ranked 10th on the list, reporting $118.2 billion in revenues in 2008. Another refiner Tesoro Energy Corporation ranked 91st on the list with reported revenues of $28 billion. USAA, a financial services and insurance company, ranked 207th on the list with revenues of $12.9 billion.
First timer NuStar Energy LP (NYSE: NS) ranked 485th on the list with reported revenue of $4.8 billion. NuStar owns and operates pipelines, crude oil storage units and asphalt refining assets. NuStar acquired … (0 comments)

~Wind Power Coming to San Antonio~ - 04/23/09 05:52 PM
By the end of the year E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) will have completed construction on its' Papalote Creek wind farm, located in San Patricio County north of Corpus Christi.  The wind farm will have 109 wind turbines that will produce 179.85 megawatts of power and will be able to power over 50,000 homes.  
The city of San Antonio's CPS Energy, the nation's largest municipally owned energy company, provides both gas and electric service to our city.  Last year EC&R and CPS Energy signed a fifteen year agreement to buy most of the energy output from the Papalote Creek wind … (4 comments)

~French Door Refrigerators~ - 04/22/09 10:27 PM
                                 ~Updating your kitchen?  Thinking of replacing your refrigerator with a newer style?  French-door refrigerators are a fairly new to the kitchen appliance scene.  They are becoming very popular and are often seen on television decorating shows.   The design combines side-by-side refrigerator doors (French doors) with a single pull-out freezer drawer below.  They normally have large storage areas for deli items, beverage chillers and other compartments for keeping the fridge organized. 
When we bought a new refrigerator a few years ago, this type refrigerator was priced over $3000 but recently I have seen them advertised for less than $2000.  We got a … (7 comments)

Is This an Appropriate Book for a Teen Age Girl? - 04/21/09 10:18 PM
My granddaughter, Emma, will have her 15th birthday tomorrow.  When I called last week to find out what she wanted for her birthday she said she wanted a book and two American Girl dolls.  She collects American Girl dolls and she always wants a book, always... but I was taken aback to hear what book she wanted, "The Year of Living Biblically." I had expected to hear something more typically teenage.
After I got over the shock, out of curiosity I read the introduction to the book online and then went to Barnes & Noble and flipped through it just to make sure it was … (8 comments)

~April 22~Views From Space~ - 04/21/09 09:33 PM
If you are celebrating Earth Day, here is an interesting way to celebrate.  Even if you are not celebrating Earth Day, you can join me in celebrating my granddaughter's birthday, also on April 22, by watching a special high definition feed from NASA TV.  Views of our beautiful planet will be transmitted by cameras aboard the International Space Station. 
The HD views can be seen on April 22 from 6 to 9 a.m., from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. EDT. You can find the schedule of Earth Day programming on NASA TV, and information about satellite coordinates … (2 comments)

~San Antonio Homes in Rogers Ranch~ - 04/21/09 09:32 AM
Rogers Ranch is an environmentally sensitive community recognized by the city of San Antonio. This upscale community is located north of 1604 and Bitters.  Residents of enjoy amenities such as: 
Footpaths and acres of greenbelts Large, treed homesites Convenient to the airport and medical center Nearby shopping, dining, and entertainment Close to major highways for an easy commute Seven homes sold in the past month in Rogers Ranch.


To search the MLS for homes in San Antonio click here:  www.shirleyparks.com



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Using My VA Home Loan - 04/20/09 09:27 PM

Via Roland Woodworth "Clarksville-Fort Campbell Area Realtor" (Exit Realty Clarksville):
One advantage to having served our great country is the VA Home Loan. This is a 100% Loan - Plus the VA Funding Fee. 2.15% First time use and no down payment 3.3%  Second time use and no down payment 0% for Disabled Veterans with service-connected disabilities. If you do have a down payment, the funding fee can be reduced based on the amount of down payment. You lender can provide more details on this. Rates vary for Reservist and National Guard members. 2.4% First time use and no down payment 3.3%  Second time … (2 comments)

~Fiesta San Antonio~Fiesta Flambeau Parade~ - 04/18/09 11:39 PM
On the final Saturday evening of Fiesta, the Fiesta Flambeau Parade will light up beautiful downtown San Antonio. When the sun goes down, the streets come to life with this wonderful parade of lights.  More than 500,000 people will view the sights and sounds of "America's Largest Illuminated Night Parade" complete with marching bands and lighted floats.  The parade is also televised and many people will watch it from home.
~Viva Fiesta, Y'all~



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~San Antonio Fiesta~Battle of Flowers Parade~ - 04/18/09 11:18 PM
The Battle of Flowers Parade is held on the last Friday of San Antonio Fiesta. For 2009, the parade will be April 24.  This day is also my birthday and a holiday for most of San Antonio.  Maybe I should clarify that: It is not a holiday because of my birthday; it is a holiday because of the Battle of Flowers Parade.  As with all the other events, there is a lot of history behind this parade.  Many businesses shut down for the day as do all the schools and colleges. The parade is broadcast on television and it is one of the … (1 comments)

Fiesta~Texas Cavaliers River Parade - 04/18/09 11:00 PM
The Texas Cavaliers River Parade is one of the highlights at Fiesta San Antonio and will take place on Monday night, April 20, this year.  Bands and costumed participants ride on a water parade down the San Antonio river on professionally decorated barges.  These "floating islands," festooned with  seemingly millions of twinkling lights, float down the San Antonio River entertaining spectators who are seated outdoors under the stars. You can purchase tickets to the best seats but many spectators will see the parade free from restaurants, hotels, bridges and open public areas along the river. 
During Fiesta, the Texas Cavaliers unveil the Fiesta King Antonio at a … (0 comments)

Fiesta "Night in Old San Antonio" - 04/18/09 09:58 PM
A very popular Fiesta event is NIOSA, or Night in Old San Antonio.  Every year there seems to be a debate over how it should be pronounced, "ni-osa" or "ne-osa" but the debate is never concluded!  NIOSA lasts for most of Fiesta and is a carnival of food from all over the world as well as drinks, including alcohol.  It seems to get more crowded every year but it a lot of fun, especially if you have never attended.  It is held in La Villita, in the King William District, on the River Walk, and by the Tower of the Americas. 
Cascarones … (0 comments)

~Fiesta Oyster Bake~ - 04/18/09 09:26 AM
In San Antonio "Fiesta" means a party for the entire city.  This year our Fiesta may get some rain but since there are eleven days of food, music, parades, and entertainment, hopefully we will have some sunny days as well.
During the 11 days of partying, it is estimated that 3.5 million people will attend the various Fiesta events. Traditionally the big party gets things going with fireworks at Fort Sam Houston and the new King Antonio is induction ceremony is held at the Alamo.
On the first Friday and Saturday nights of Fiesta, the Fiesta Oyster Bake is hosted by St. Mary's … (11 comments)

~Earth Day, April 22~ - 04/17/09 09:05 PM
Every year I celebrate April 22, not because it is Earth Day but because it is my granddaughter's birthday.  If you would like to celebrate Earth Day this year, here is a great way to do so and get free movie tickets to boot.  
If you visit any participating KB Home community Saturday through April 26, you will receive two flyers that can be redeemed online for free movie tickets tothe Disney movie, EARTH.  KB Home and Disney have teamed up before with the Disney Dream Rooms, Disney-themed children's bedrooms available to KB Home homebuyers.
The movie EARTH is the new release from Disneynature which opens Wednesday, April … (10 comments)

One story 3/2/2 in Preston Hollow - 04/17/09 07:49 AM


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~Do You Want to Smile?~ - 04/15/09 09:10 PM
If you want to smile, click here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq6b9bMBXpg


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At Least We Don't Eat The Drywall - 04/15/09 08:48 PM
 
Via Jay Markanich (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):
This is another difficult post to write.  Because of its content.  It is frightful, for which I apologize.
The beat goes on and on regarding the 500 million pounds or so of poisonous Chinese drywall.  It is affecting more and more homes, now estimated at over 100,000, and more and more people, and was apparently used for over four years.  Its damage continues.  If you missed my first two posts on it you can catch up here:
January 29 -- http://activerain.com/blogsview/895160/I-Think-We-Need-To-Recall-China
March 21 -- http://activerain.com/blogsview/994937/Update-Chinese-Drywall-The-Lawyers-Have-Landed
It is a very serious problem.  It … (1 comments)

Fannie Mae Announces Their "DU Refi Plus Program!!!!" - 04/13/09 10:04 PM

Via Larry Bettag - Cherry Creek Mortgage:
It's awesome....it's long overdue, and it's time.  Fannie Mae, finally, last week, announce that it has taken steps to put things in place to allow it's current customers to refinance even though the equity may not be there anymore. 
What does this mean?
If you had put 20% down to buy your home, but today's value shows that the equity is less than the 20% you can still refinance without having to worry about your home appraising out.  For example, if you bought a 300,000 dollar home and borrowered 240,000 when you purchased your home, … (3 comments)

Add Yourself to GeoFollow a New Twitter Directory - 04/13/09 10:02 PM

Via Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty):
For all you Twitter fanatics here is a new Twitter directory to add yourself to. GeoFollow is a location based Twitter Directory.
This is a directory that you will want to get listed on ASAP! - The tweeple on Geofollow first will be listed first. The quicker you list yourself the higher you will appear in your city and state’s listings.
GeoFollow allows you to list yourself geographically, and categorically, by simply sending a twitter reply:
Send a reply to @geofollow in this format:
@geofollow your city, your State Your Zip #tag1 … (3 comments)

~Speechless Sunday~Happy Easter~The Road to Emmaus~ - 04/12/09 12:20 AM

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~Grammar Rules~ - 04/11/09 10:59 PM
Tonight I asked my husband to read a post I had written for my very first contest entry on AR.  Now, I am used to being the one correcting the grammar of the male of the species but tonight my husband pointed out a perceived parenthesis-comma conflict in my post.  After some light but lively debate over grammar rules, hubby googled and proclaimed that he was right.   Well, ok then... I will change it.  My grammar skills seem to be declining; maybe I have early onset Grammar Dementia. (No offense to anyone intended.)
Actually, if you look back at the Illuminated Manuscripts produced … (10 comments)

San Antonio Jobs - 04/11/09 10:41 PM
A new report from the Brookings Institute says that San Antonio jobs are moving away from downtown. In addition to San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth were all cities reported to have decentralization of employment in an 8 year period between 1998 and 2006.
The number of jobs located within three miles of downtown San Antonio decreased by 3.2% during that time but the number of jobs located 10 or more miles away from downtown jumped 6.3% according to the report.  In 2006, 14.7% of local jobs were within 3 miles of downtown, 55.7% of jobs were 3 - 10 miles from downtown and 29.6% were 10 or more … (1 comments)

~The Quarry at Iron Mountain~ - 04/11/09 10:25 PM
If you a looking for a newly built home in north San Antonio, KB Home has now opened a new model home for viewing in their development of the Quarry at Iron Mountain.  They have 10 new floor plans in this community; one and two story homes with 2620 square feet to 5211 square feet; 3 - 5 bedrooms; and 3 car garages are available. 
The sales office is located at 1207 Andover Bay and is open every day 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
 


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The Nation's Largest Homebuilder - 04/11/09 10:05 PM
Centex and Pulte Homes are two of the largest homebuilders in San Antonio.  This week Pulte Homes announced that they are buying Centex Corporation.  The new company will operate under the Pulte name.
This merger will create the largest homebuilder, not only in San Antonio, but in the entire nation.  Pulte is currently building eleven neighborhoods in the San Antonio area while Centex is building in 26 neighborhoods. 
Centex neighborhoods include Blackhawk at Bulverde Village on the far North Side; the Summit of Lost Creek in Boerne; and The Park at University Hills in Northwest San Antonio.
Pulte neighborhoods include several in the Alamo Ranch … (1 comments)

Spring Fresh: There is more than one kind of spring cleaning.... - 04/11/09 09:09 PM
I have never entered a contest on ActiveRain and although I waited until the eleventh hour, I am excited to post my entry in Sally Cheeseman's contest: "Spring Cleaning & Fresh Ideas For Changing Times"!
From the study of history we can see that Changing Times is something the world has experienced from the beginning.  While that is interesting, we are concerned here with Changing Times within our own lifetime.
Can you remember being a kid?  I certainly can, especially the excitement and curiosity only a kid can have with new experiences: Birthdays and being a year older, starting school, the … (11 comments)

Toxic Beauty - 04/11/09 09:31 AM
Oleander and Mountain Laurel are just two of the flowering plants that we see in abundance in our San Antonio neighborhoods.  Although beautiful, these plants are also poisonous to pets, if ingested. Pets should be monitored when left outdoors around these plants. 
Even daffodils, hydrangeas, and geraniums can be toxic to pets. Some signs of toxicity in pets are vomiting, diarrhea, panting and drooling, lethargy, weakness, disorientation, seizure, loss of coordination, rash, swelling (especially in the face and paws), and difficulty breathing.
 
To read more about toxic plants and pets Click Here!
 


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First Time Home Buyers - 04/10/09 12:28 PM
First-time homebuyers who purchase a home between January 1, 2009 and November 30 , 2009 may be eligible for a tax credit of $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is lower. The home purchased must be your principal residence and you must live in it for three years.  If you sell the home before that time, you will lose the benefit.
The $8,000 is a tax credit and not a tax deduction.  It decreases your tax liability and you receive the full credit even if you do not owe any taxes.
The tax credit "phases out" for individuals making … (4 comments)

San Antonio Neighborhoods~Deerfield~78248 - 04/06/09 09:12 PM
Deerfield is an upscale development in north central San Antonio, located inside Loop 1604 near Huebner and Bitters.  It is convenient to the South Texas Medical Center, medical facilites at Stone Oak, Tesoro, Valero Energy, and USAA.  Neighborhood amenities, great schools, nearby churches, restaurants, and entertainment make this a very desireable neighborhood to call home. 
There are currently 26 homes listed for sale in MLS: 


 

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Gardening with Non-Native Texas Plants~Purple Fountain Grass - 04/04/09 11:20 PM
~I love Purple Fountain Grass, my favorite of the ornamental grasses.  As an accent, it lends vitality to any landscape. The arching appearance of the grass is light and graceful and beautiful.  This fast growing grass is not a Texas native; rather, it is native to the tropical regions of Africa.  The drawback of Purple Fountain Grass is that it is sensitive to cold weather.  It may not come back again the second year so it must be treated as an annual.  Here in San Antonio it is possible that it may come back again since we don't have a lot of cold weather but … (15 comments)

Gardening with Native Texas Plants~Possumhaw - 04/04/09 11:18 PM
The POSSUMHAW (Ilex decidua) is well known for it's red-orange berries that can be seen in San Antonio and the Hill Country in the wintertime.  Also known as a Yaupon Holly, this shrub has little white blooms in the spring and then clusters of spectacular red or orange berries appear on the stems in fall and winter after the leaves have fallen.
The Possumhaw or Yaupon Holly is easy to grow in any type of soil and is drought resistant.  It can be planted in full sun or half day sun.  Great for birdwatchers: The plant will attract birds to your yard … (8 comments)

Gardening with Native Texas Plants~Texas Betony - 04/04/09 11:14 PM
TEXAS BETONY (Stachys coccinea) is a wonderful plant for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard.  Although it grows wild in moist conditions in the mountain crevices of the Trans-Pecos, it also grows well in dry, or even drought, conditions once it is established.  Texas Betony makes a great border plant.  Reddish orange tubular shaped flowers bloom profusely in Spring but once the hot days of Summer are underway, it goes away until Fall when it blooms once again.
Texas Betony is known as a favorite nectar plant for hummingbirds and Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies. It also has pungently scented leaves that deer will … (5 comments)

Gardening with Native Texas Plants~Pyramid Bush - 04/04/09 11:09 PM
Gardening with Native Texas Plants
~The PYRAMID BUSH (Melochia tomentosa) can add a lot to the curb appeal of a home.  A member of the  Chocolate family, the plant is a small, slender, compact shrub, best used as a border plant in flower beds where they add color. In nature, the Pyramid Bush is found growing in  sandy or rocky soil in the mesquite thickets and dry stream beds of South Texas.  If you are looking for a plant to use in xeriscaping this is an excellent choice. It grows quickly and provides lots of color in the summertime.  
It only takes the Pyramid Bush … (5 comments)

Gardening with Native Texas Plants~Chomonque - 04/04/09 10:05 PM
The lightly fragrant Winter blossoms of the CHOMONQUE (Gochnatia hypoleuca) attract honeybees and butterflies.  This native Texas plant is little-known and grows to a height of 6 - 8 feet tall.  The leaves are a deep green color on the outer surface but underneath they are a contrasting white color and feltlike.  In the wild it grows on caliche and gravel and is extremely drought and heat tolerant.  It is also freeze resistant and doesn't require a lot of care. 
If you want a serious butterfly garden the Chomonque plant is a must.  Butterflies that are attracted to this plant include the Painted Lady, Red … (3 comments)

~Do you get a kiss every day?~ - 04/04/09 03:06 PM
Today's Oprah show was about men and women, relationships and attraction.  I tuned in about halfway through at my daughter's urging.  She is interested in stuff like this since she isn't married and likes discussing it with me. 
Toward the end, the guest on the show, a doctor, made the statement that "kissing frequency is a direct indicator of happiness." And "It turns out that couples who kiss and cuddle regularly are eight times less likely to be stressed and depressed than couples who don't get that," she says. "You have to have a minimum of a 10-second kiss every day." … (19 comments)

San Antonio Home Sales Report - 04/03/09 04:41 PM



-courtesy San Antonio Board of Realtors
Whether you are a buyer or a seller, it is important that each client receives the best service possible.  I am passionate about my profession and am totally committed to my clients.  Specializing in north San Antonio's most in-demand neighborhoods, I stay current on trends and what's going on in the market.   www.shirleyparks.com
 


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~Camp Medicine~ - 04/02/09 10:05 PM
Via the grapevine is the usual way I learn about the comings and goings of my extended family.  But yesterday I read in my hometown's online newspaper that this summer a niece of mine, a high school sophomore, will be attending an interesting sounding camp that I have never heard of.  The name of the camp is Camp Medicine. I thought I would pass the information along in case anyone else is interested.
Camp Medicine is a 10 day pre-medical or pre-veterinary program for high school students at St. George's University in Grenada, West Indies.  It is for students who are … (10 comments)

 
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Shirley Parks Broker 210-414-0966 San Antonio TX Homes for Sale

San Antonio, TX

More about me…

Sands Realty 210-414-0966

Address: San Antonio, TX

Office Phone: (210) 414-0966

Email Me

Sands Realty is a San Antonio-based independent residential real estate company committed to excellent service and exacting standards of honesty and integrity in conducting business. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We serve all areas of San Antonio, including Alamo Heights, Alamo Ranch, Boerne, Bulverde, Castle Hills, Champions, Cibolo, Converse, Deerfield, The Dominion, Encino Park, Fair Oaks Ranch, Garden Ridge, Helotes, Hill Country Village, Hollywood Park, Inwood, Leon Springs, Monte Vista, Northwest San Antonio, North Central San Antonio, Northwood, Olmos Park, Rogers Ranch, Schertz, Shavano Creek, Shavano Park, Sonterra, Stone Oak, Terrell Hills, Universal City, Ft. Sam Houston, and Randolph AFB. We proudly assist clients in every price range throughout the greater San Antonio metropolitan area as well as across the nation. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Through our real estate web site, www.shirleyparks.com, you have the ability to search virtually every home for sale in the San Antonio area.


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