Real estate blog entries tagged with texas by Robin Rogers, CRS, TRC, MRP - Real Estate Investment Adviser (Robin Rogers, Silverbridge Realty, San Antonio, Texas)

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texas: San Antonio set to gain even more jobs, courtesy of BRAC and Fort Sam Houston - 09/11/10 02:19 PM

How many people are relocating to San Antonio to work at or around Fort Sam Houston in the next few years? It depends. The number could be as many as 12,000, comprising both military and civilian workers.
Whatever the final head count, the folks who move to San Antonio as a result of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission consolidation will give a boost to the housing market for home sales, builders, and investors in rental properties.
Fort Sam, as it's known locally, is poised to be the center of the military's medical training programs. Brooke Army Medical Center, right next … (5 comments)

texas: Programs, Incentives and 91 Reasons To Buy In Texas - 09/11/10 02:12 PM

Greg apparently likes to do research. So do I. But I haven't had enough time lately to do quite this much research!
Greg has done a thorough round-up of many of the programs available in Texas to help people buy homes. Not only that, but it helps people with homes listed for sale in Texas. Click the links below to check out what is available in your city or county.

The $8,000.00 Tax credit brought truckloads of buyers to the market. Many of our listings sold to buyers that qualified for this incentive, but now that the tax credit has finally … (2 comments)

texas: Hummingbird flight studies from my garden in Cibolo, Texas - 09/05/10 06:16 AM

These photographs of hummingbirds silhouetted against an evening sky were taken when a thunderstorm had just finished rumbling away. There were three of them, doing their aerial acrobatics and trying to prevent each other from getting to the feeder. Hummingbirds don't flap their wings like other birds--they move them in a figure-eight formation. This is why they are the only birds capable of flying backwards.

… (14 comments)

texas: Investing in real estate? Be wise like an owl, not quick like a bunny - 09/03/10 06:42 AM

Greg Nino recently posted has some great advice, some of it tactfully worded, for prospective investors in real estate.
Like Greg, I have heard it all before, and I don't spend time working with investors who won't provide proof of the following important criteria:
- ability to follow through on a purchase with cash or financing already in place
- loyalty; or at least appreciation for all my research, expense, and time to check out properties on their behalf
- most of all, that they'll listen when I tell them what neighborhoods they won't make any money in.
The low prices for real … (4 comments)

texas: Sysco breaks ground on its new facility in Schertz, Texas - 08/31/10 11:23 AM

On August 14, Sysco broke ground for a huge new distribution center in Schertz. The 635,000-square-foot facility will help the giant food service distributor consolidate its existing San Antonio and Round Rock facilities. About 600 people will be employed there, half of them relocating from the existing facilities.
Sysco is projected to be the largest taxpayer for the city of Schertz, according to the city mayor, Hal Baldwin, when the new distribution center opens in late 2011. Schertz, located northeast of the San Antonio metro, is eagerly anticipating the opening of the new center.
The company, based in Houston, is the nation's largest food service distributor. The facility … (4 comments)

texas: Sold! Charming English Tudor style home in Monticello Park: 314 Club Drive, San Antonio, TX 78201 - 08/30/10 11:45 AM

This lovely home is located in the historic Monticello Park neighborhood, where homes built in the late '20s and ’30s hearken back to Italianate Revival villas and Tudor cottages, with the occasional Mediterranean manse thrown in for good measure. Stone and stucco are the norm, and the interior details and architectural styles have given this area the name Deco District.
If your web browser doesn't display the Real Estate Show above, you can still view it by clicking here. Also, be sure to check out the Details tab for information on the home's features and neighborhood amenities.
… (5 comments)

texas: Is it okay for a real estate company to require new surveys on all sales? - 08/25/10 12:11 PM

The good news is that I received an offer on one of my listings today.
The bad news is that the buyer is requesting a brand-new survey at the seller's expense, even though we already have an original of the survey done in 2001. It was acceptable to the title company when my client bought the house.
When I called the agent with my client's counter-offer and reminded her that we have a survey, she said, "Oh, my company always requires a new survey."
"Huh?" I said brilliantly.
"Yes, we always get them, because of all the lawsuits about encroachments."
Oh, … (17 comments)

texas: Sold! Another beautifully updated home in Hollywood Park: 379 Donella, San Antonio, Texas 78232 - 08/13/10 01:43 PM

Got deer? If not, just move to popular Hollywood Park, on the north side of the San Antonio metro area. Homes here are on large, tree-studded lots, and deer roam happily, coexisting with joggers and dog walkers. This home was completely remodeled, so the happy new owners can watch the deer through the windows of their gourmet kitchen!
If your web browser doesn't display the Real Estate Show above, you can still view it by clicking here. Also, be sure to check out the Details tab for information on the home's features and neighborhood amenities.
… (8 comments)

texas: It's another dragonfly Friday! - 08/13/10 11:27 AM

Wouldn't you like to impress your friends with more facts about dragonflies? Here are some:
- The maximum speed of large dragonflies is around 25 to 30 miles an hour. The average cruising speed is about 10 mph.
- Dragonflies rely on their eyesight more than on their sense of touch or smell, unlike other insects, so their antennae are small and inconspicuous.
- The largest dragonfly today is found in Costa Rica. Its wingspan is 7.5 inches. This is considerably less than the wingspan of a fossil dragonfly: 3 feet!
… (15 comments)

texas: San Antonio housing market statistics for the first half of 2010 - 08/13/10 03:02 AM

Here's a quick rundown of the mid-year statistics on the San Antonio metro real estate market:
San Antonio’s builders got busy in the first six months of 2010, as construction began on 4,227 new homes. This is an increase of 929 units from the same time a year earlier.
Home buyers bought 8,146 homes by the end of June, down from 8,989 in the first half of 2009.
The number of foreclosure homes at auction fell to 1,255 after they went up to 1,520 in July.
For mid-year, there has been a 13% increase of home sales, to 9,387. A solid … (1 comments)

texas: The beauties of ground cover in your yard - 08/11/10 11:15 AM

Here in San Antonio, home owners are gradually turning from grass to xeriscaping and ground covers to save water. I replaced a large section of Bermuda grass with xeriscaping perennials and mulch in my organic garden in Cibolo. One of the bonuses is that many plants native to the San Antonio area are not only drought-resistant, but the flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Mint is a pretty good ground cover--it grows quickly and doesn't mind the South Texas heat. Plus you can use it to make mojitos.
Here's a good article with information on replacing your high-maintenance (and thirsty) grass with ground covers.
Low-Maintenance … (6 comments)

texas: Is this a good sign, or a bad sign? - 08/01/10 03:41 AM

I showed some more homes to a delightful couple on Saturday afternoon who had been looking for a fixer-upper to remodel and sell, since the husband is an experienced general contractor. I have been working with them for several months, and their lease will be up in October. They are on an automatic listing system, and on the weekends they drive by the homes that look interesting to see if they like the location.
The neighborhoods they like are some of my favorites, too: Terrell Hills, Northwood, Northridge, and Bel Meade, in the north-central part of San Antonio near Fort Sam Houston, … (17 comments)

texas: Drive-bys and how to handle them - 07/26/10 09:06 AM

I was inspired by a recent post about agents suspected of hiding homes from their buyers, instead of showing all the homes their clients are interested in.
Many of my buyers have never been to San Antonio, or at least only once or twice. They haven't had much time to search for homes on the internet before we set out to look at some, and they don't know the neighborhoods. Folks in the military being transferred to Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB, or Randolph AFB can be on a very tight deadline, too. Often, they have just met me for the … (40 comments)

texas: What's the most important thing about a rental property? - 07/26/10 03:01 AM

These days, lots of sellers who can't sell their homes quickly may decide to rent them out until sales prices go up. And buyers are taking advantage of the historically low interest rates to invest in rental properties in San Antonio.
There are two important things: the tenants and the property itself. What's the best way to have a successful experience as a landlord? Start looking for the best tenants by offering them an appealing home.
Many people are scared of owning and managing* their own rental property because of the horror stories they have heard about bad tenants. If you provide an attractive, clean home for … (8 comments)

texas: Sold! Lovely home for sale at 511 Saint Xavier, San Antonio, Texas 78232 - and it has a pool! - 07/24/10 09:38 AM

Located on a cul-de-sac in the gated Mission Ridge neighborhood on San Antonio's north side, this spacious home has been updated and made even more luxurious. The master suite is on the ground floor, and four guest bedrooms and two more full bathrooms are upstairs. Best of all, with the hottest days of summer approaching, is the swimming pool with waterfall-spa. The home is surrounded by mature landscaping, bright flowers, and mature oak trees, adding to its considerable charm.
Check out the Real Estate Show:

If your browser doesn't display the show above, you can view it by clicking this link.
… (6 comments)

texas: Advice for the Cheapskate Homeowner: How to Wash Your Driveway - 07/23/10 02:29 AM

Lots of people seem to be on a pressure washing kick right now. This time of the year in south Texas, hackberries and wild persimmons fall and get mashed on driveways, staining them. From Judy Chapman in Orlando, here's more advice on making your driveway look nice again.

Here in the land of palm trees, summer afternoon gushers, and high humidity, our driveways tend to get gray with mold and mildew.
When it gets yucky enough, our kindly homeowners association sends love letters letting us know it’s time to pressure wash our driveways.
Once, I did it myself by borrowing my neighbor’s very … (3 comments)

texas: Dragonfly day Friday - 07/23/10 02:06 AM

Here are some more facts about my favorite beneficial insect, the dragonfly:
Although it has six legs, just like other insects, a dragonfly can't walk, but just uses its legs for grasping. A dragonfly has multifaceted, compound eyes made up of around 30,000 separate lenses. People who love to spot dragonflies go oding, similar to those who go birding, for Odonata. Oding aficianados (oders?) can keep busy in Texas: nearly half of the 457 US species of dragonfly live in Texas. A dragonfly might look scary, especially to a mosquito or termite, but it won't bite or sting you. In fact, if it … (10 comments)

texas: The heart of a rose - 07/18/10 07:12 AM

I planted two rose bushes this spring in my organic garden in Cibolo, Texas. They are both heritage roses from the Antique Rose Emporium, and so far, I am very happy with them. This one has had fewer flowers than the other, probably because it is in partial shade until late afternoon.
They are antique roses, so the full blooms don't have the typical tea rose shape you see in florists' arrangements. Instead, they open quickly to show their hearts, and they smell wonderful. In a couple of days, the petals will have crinkled up and blown away.
… (12 comments)

texas: Guess what this is in my garden in Cibolo, Texas? - 07/12/10 04:00 AM

This is growing in my organic garden in Cibolo, Texas. Here are some hints to help you with your guesses:
- The name is derived from some gardens near Rome that belonged to the pope
- This is the New World variety, not the true European version, which has been around for thousands of years
- Herbie Hancock referenced it on one of his compositions, which was sampled by Us3 and covered by Pat Metheny
… (6 comments)

texas: Foreclosure postings in San Antonio, Texas - 07/12/10 02:38 AM

More and more distressed home owners in the San Antonio area are seeing their home values falling below their mortgage balances: in other words, negative equity. According to Foreclosure Listing Service, Inc., there were 7,721 foreclosures on residential properties posted in Bexar County from January to June 2010. At least 20 percent of them were on homes in which the loan amount was more than the appraised value.
In the same period last year, the percentage of upside-down homes was 13. Going from 939 to 1,552 upside-down homes is not a good sign. It's an increase of 65%. This puts the San Antonio … (1 comments)

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