Something More Precious Than a Beautiful Day. - 10/31/09 05:45 PM

It was a spectacular, sunny day in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands,
but our high point wasn't the great day, or the friendly people, but a note from a just-closed client, here in San Antonio, Texas, thanking us and saying that her family couldn't have gotten into their new house without our persistence working through the process.  Notes like that are precious to us. 
It made our day!  --Sara and Steve
 
 
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Hornbeak Preserve- in Stone Oak- San Antonio - 10/25/09 11:49 PM



Here in Texas, we love to enjoy all the local flora and fauna.
We live on the upper edge of the Hornbeak Preserve, a 13 acre nature area on the west side of Stone Oak.  It is the little jewel of our neighborhood.  When we moved to this home 5 years ago we were thrilled to live on the edge of a beautiful canyon filled with trees, birds and four-legged creatures.  Our big covered patio allows us to relax in the shade, sip a Margarita (favorite drink of San Antonians), and look out at the trees and birds in the … (2 comments)

Burgers at Bobby J's - 10/25/09 10:45 PM

Where the Locals Eat In and Around San Antonio
 
What: Bobby J's -"Old Fashion Hamburgers"
Where: In Helotes, just northwest of San Antonio, on Bandera Road, outside the 1604 Loop.
13247 Hwy 16Helotes, Texas 78023(1 1/2 miles north of Loop 1604)Phone: (210) 695-4941
www.bobbyjsburgers.com
RATED: Pretty good! 
WHY: Funky atmosphere, good music, reasonable prices- oh, and the 'burgers' are terrific!  How do you want that burger? The selections are nearly endless, and sizes range up to 4 1/2 pounds! You will need extra napkins...
The cashier talked me into the 'patty melt' with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut- de-licious!
 
 
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Vote Early and Often? NO, but in Texas, the "Early" Part is True. - 10/20/09 05:54 PM

What's important to you and Texas' future? Now is the time to take a stand and VOTE EARLY! Early voting for registered voters is made easy in Texas; in person, by mail, by FAX, and even drive-up voting. (IS THIS A GREAT STATE OR WHAT?)  Early voting is from October 19th - 30th this year for State, County and Local initiatives.
If you already know that you're registered: GO VOTE!   Be sure that you know, What's on The Ballot?Otherwise, here are some helpful links for additional information:
More Details on Early Voting in Texas Am I Registered and Where Do I … (4 comments)

Jump into San Antonio. The Market's Just Fine, Thank you. - 10/18/09 09:36 PM
We just got the new 'stat's from the San Antonio Board of Realtors (year over year - September 30, 2009). 
I'll TRY not to bore you with all of the numbers- but all San Antonians can be thankful that our market has remained stable throughout the "financial melt-down" and related woes in real estate nation-wide.
The median price was FLAT here- no change from last year-to-date. The 'average' price was down only 1%.  Lender-owned sales (ytd), are only 10% of our volume.  Up to about the end of June sales volume (units sold) was down 10%, but since then sales have improved to nearly par with last year. 
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It's Butterfly Month in South Texas - San Antonio - 10/18/09 08:54 PM
We're not just all about Longhorn Steers & such...Texas is the #1 state for Butterflies! 
Yep- Butterflies.  425 species of the 725 known in the US reside here- or pass through at least, during migration.  Yeah, some migrate from as far as the tropics at this time of year.  We actually have people flocking here to spot the cute little critters, and that's not too hard, since the butterflies seem to flock too!  This last week seems to have been the height of the season, with swarms all over the place. 
Butterfly gardens are springing up all across the state, especially in … (5 comments)

Cajun-Spiced Fried Chicken for the Realtor's Soul - 10/16/09 08:45 PM
It's (maybe) the end of the Real Estate evening and I have kicked off my heels and slipped into some tacky sweats. 
I wait, somewhat impatiently, but with tremendous anticipation for dinner.  My husband (who you can tell has phenomenal job security), has promised to fry me some Cajun-spiced fried chicken.  Having Steve cook me dinner is just about the highest form of pleasure at the end of a long day, but waiting for it gives me time to stop and reflect on all of the things with which I am so blessed:
A wonderful family - fun, intelligent adult children and darling … (9 comments)

A 21st Anniversary Reflection - Here's What it Takes - 10/14/09 03:56 PM




Staying happily married is easy!   Really!   Here's what it takes:
Get Lucky - By this I mean, find the right woman.  I admit, this is not always a result of skill.  Try as you might, it's not easy to figure out the opposite sex, even if you have an advanced degree in psychiatry.  Admit it, we're all wired differently- and then we (they) change over the years!
Guys: Realize this - Women have their own cult.  They have a manual that is passed down from generation to generation that only they get to see (and share with their friends).  … (1 comments)

Thousand Oaks area, San Antonio, Texas 78247 - SOLD! $148,000 - 10/11/09 07:02 PM
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Updated in Heritage Meadows, San Antonio, Texas 78245 SOLD $120,000 - 10/11/09 06:13 PM
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San Antonio - Great little Investment home, Now Off the Market! - 10/10/09 01:47 PM
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How Friendly is Too Friendly? - 10/10/09 12:18 AM
It's always an adventure  when we're out showing property to our clients, especially when they are from out of state and we're trying to give them a little of the flavor of Texas. 

Not so long ago, Steve and I were house-hunting with Carlos, his wife Arlina and their charming family, including 2 teenagers; and driving through a new home development.  We came to the home that we wanted to view and it was apparent by the light in Arlina's eyes that it was the just right one.  It had space for everyone, an open kitchen, a big master bedroom and trees in the yard; perfect for the landscaping that … (8 comments)

RAIN CAMP: 4 TIPS FOR NEW BLOGGERS! - 10/07/09 05:57 PM
There was a fabulous panel this morning at RainCamp. A lot is being discussed, but for the Beginning Bloggers:
One of the questions that was proposed to the panel:
What is your #1 tip for people getting started with blogging? Jim Reppond - Use spell check. Read, read and re-read. Your presentation reflects on your professionalism.
Rhonda Porter - Give it 6-12 months. It takes time to get comfortable with the medium and get yourself out there.
Coutney Cooper - be cautious about what you post as it reflects on your professionalism.
Jo Soss - Don't be afraid to pick up the phone or to otherwise … (6 comments)

PATIENCE IS A POWERFUL FORCE! - 10/06/09 09:59 PM
Today, I was in-flight on my way with Steve to RainCamp and I got so bored.  I had nothing to do but get out a notebook and reflect on my lack of PATIENCE.

It's ironic that when I was a kid in California, patience was such a focus of my parents.  Phrases like "maybe tomorrow" and "we'll see" were life's constants.  As much as it exasperated me, I am now reaping the benefits of PATIENCE.  In our San Antonio real estate office, more and more, I am reminding my Buyers and Sellers to be PATIENT because...
PATIENCE IS A POWERFUL FORCE!
I … (9 comments)