Wordless Wednesday - Camouflauge Expert - 03/31/10 11:20 PM
I love to watch the birds out the window from my breakfast room. 
They have really been tweeting up a storm in the Hornbeak Preserve behind our house.   This little crested guy was well camouflaged by the bare branches and I was unable to get as clear photo of him. 
You can barely see him at the top center of the photo.  At least he's safe from neighborhood cats!

--Sara
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SELLER's UPDATE- SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - 03/29/10 11:12 PM
"What If It's Not Convenient To Show My House?"
It has been getting busier this past week with showings and agent inquiries increasing. 
If you have a showing request, be careful to try to find a time to show.  We had a Realtor this past week who was refused a showing by the Seller who knew several days in advance that the Buyer would be in town that weekend and was intending to purchase, liked their neighborhood and was well-qualified. 
Unfortunately, the Seller had company in town and felt it would be inconvenient for them to leave the house for … (14 comments)

Is This Neighborly? - 03/28/10 11:27 PM
It would be so much easier if neighbors helped Sellers. 
Steve and I were out previewing a home and on the other side of the street was the most awe-inspiring house - it actually looks better in the photos than in person!). 
Surely, the peeling paint on the siding, lack of yard maintenance, 5 cars (with plenty of room for more), and the major repair going on in the street should have been noticed by the Homeowner's Association - believe it or not, there is one in this neighborhood!
If I were the Seller, I would have to call the … (8 comments)

My Builder Has No Taste - 03/28/10 11:06 PM
This weekend we spent a little time replacing some small and uninteresting light fixtures.  Although our home is only 5 years old, the fixtures are brass and they just aren't as "new" looking as another finish choice would be.  It's better, considering our other improvements to go with a bronze finish.  I spotted a nice new style at Lowes - $32. for a 2-pack.  Sold!
Today, Steve installed new exterior lights (the builder model is on the left and the new one is on the right),.  Isn't it an improvement, both in style, size and finish color?

--Sara
 
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Field of Wildflowers - Speechless Sunday - 03/28/10 10:46 PM
Yesterday, we were showing homes in Schertz, Texas and along the road we spotted this pretty field of wildflowers.  It's such a beautiful Spring here in the San Antonio area that there never seems to be enough time to enjoy the gorgeous weekend sights and activities! 

I hope that your weekend was fulled with nature and relaxation!
 
--Sara
 
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I Know What You Did Last Night - 03/28/10 01:09 PM
Or do I?  I never know what my mom is up to.
Steve and I spent Friday night at the Emergency Room at Metropolitan Methodist here in San Antonio.  My mom had a fall on Monday night and decided that Friday in the late afternoon was a good time to tell me about it!  She was experiencing dizziness, headaches and nausea and didn't know that those were signs of concussion.  Oh boy!
The staff at the hospital was fantastic - from the nice young woman in Admissions to the doctors there, they took care of everything, including the CAT scan.  There … (7 comments)

The Building Continues in San Antonio! - 03/26/10 08:44 AM
Of course, we're talking about one particular building:  This new residence for our out-of-state Buyers is scheduled to be completed in June and is coming together nicely. (View last week's photos).
The home is now completely sheathed and partially sided with cement-fiber board. 
The stone will be added in the weeks to come. 
The sheathing is on and the window installation is complete. 
The interior work is progressing and the staircase has just been started - those temporary stairs look pretty scary and there is no way that I'm going up them!
The roofing material shoud be coming next.
 
"Picnik … (3 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - Seen along the road - 03/25/10 12:00 AM
Yesterday, I was caught at a light along the Loop 1604 frontage road here in north central San Antonio and as I looked out my car window, I spied some bluebonnets and other wildflowers. 

A lot of time, newcomers to San Antonio, Texas don't realize how excited we get about the wildflowers - the city mowing schedule works around them!  This photo shows how green our area will be for until about Thanksgiving when we have our "dry" season.  It's a truly beautiful area!
 
 
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FIRE! Watch out for Those Blasted Ants! - 03/24/10 10:46 PM
I love Spring: The bluebonnets The birdsThe trees leafing out Now, all that's overToday, I saw the first mound of sandy-looking dirt. Ugh! if you've lived in San Antonio, Texas, you know that anything that looks like that in your grass or flower beds is a nest of fire ants.    They look small but they pack a wallop - you can be itching for DAYS and miserable.  You don't want the kids anywhere near them!  

Those vipers of the soil.  Those*&^#^&%%! Well, you get the picture.  Luckily, many of the local stores have what you need to keep … (4 comments)

Monday, 3-22-10 Seller Update - 03/22/10 07:37 PM

This past week was quiet as so many people were out of town on Spring Break or spending their weekend watching one of the 20 games on.  We did see some weekend showings, but no written offers. 
This week, we should be seeing more Buyers getting out and seeing San Antonio, Texas homes.  One factor in this spring season is that the tax credit is due to expire soon.  Buyers who want to take advantage, must have a home under contract by April 30, 2010. 
Bear in mind that with this Buyer's market and Buyer uncertainty about both the national … (1 comments)

Progress Continues on San Antonio Build - 03/22/10 12:28 AM
It's exciting to see our Buyer's San Antonio, Texas house being built.  Last week's photos show how nicely these panel-built homes come together. 
Already, you can see the form really mature as the windows are in and the sheathing and cement fiberboard siding are being installed.  Our Buyers are looking forward to seeing more as their new home comes together! Next is the roof.  The home is scheduled to be completed in June, just in time for the new owner's transfer.
Please keep checking back to see more photos as the building continues!
 
"Picnik Show" … (2 comments)

Calling All Car Guys (and Gals) - 03/22/10 12:00 AM
"Picnik Show" Create a free slideshow with Picnik!  
Every Friday night at about 5pm, people start gathering, with and without cars, at this San Antonio, Texas parking lot to show off their rides and socialize.  If you take Loop 1604 to Topperwein, right outside the Loop, you'll find it.  There is often live music - once when we were there, a great Elvis impersonator.  it's all family fun, so bring everyone out - grab a burger at Biff's and have a great time!
 
--Steve
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For the Birds - Speechless Sunday - 03/21/10 10:02 PM
We had some beautiful sunny days this week in San Antonio, Texas.
One of the things that I love about working in my Stone Oak home office is that the view of the Hornbeck Preserve in the canyon behind our house in the Peak at Promontory. 

This week, as spring came roaring back it brought even more birds with it.

From my office window, here are some more of my feathered friends:

--Sara
 
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Using Larger-Scale Wall Decor - 03/21/10 09:32 PM
One of my Buyers was just talking with me recently about decor trends here in the San Antonio area. 
Of course, we have a lot of beautiful model homes here and my Buyer had asked me to photograph one of the homes that we had seen in a community north of Blanco Road and Loop 1604: Canyon Ranch Estates.
The size of the wall decor (which may not necessarily be "art"), and associated accessories was of special interest as it is larger than many home buyers (and those interested in selling their homes), may be accustomed. 
When you are assessing the … (5 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - Texas State Flower is the Bluebonnet - 03/17/10 10:13 PM
Deep in the heart of Texas... OK, along almost every Hill Country highway in Texas; including those around wildflower-rich San Antonio, are the most beautiful blue wildflowers flowers that you will ever see.

The Texas Bluebonnet is a type of lupen and grows rampant thorough-out much of the state in the Spring.  One Bluebonnet is so pretty, but often you will see a whole field of them, that pop of bright blue with white - against the green.
Steve took this photo today in the Hornbeck Preserve behind our home in San Antonio (we'll miss the views when it sells).  … (9 comments)

Home Under Construction in San Antonio! - 03/14/10 11:52 PM

It is always exciting to see a new home being built for our clients.  This gorgeous residence-in-the-making is in Canyon Ranch Estates.  When complete in June 2010, it will be over 4700 square feet!

You can see the big oaks on the lot and the arch-top windows that have been installed.  I can't wait to see it when they get the roof on. (The shingles are already on the lot.).  That's when you really see it come together!
 
 
 
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Glenwood Property Owner's Association Amenity Center Bulverde (San Antonio area), Texas - 03/14/10 11:36 PM

 
Not far from the San Antonio, Texas intersection of Loop 1604 and Blanco Road is charming Bulverde. 
 
It is a great community with a county feel and has some wonderful custom home neighborhoods like Glenwood.
 
 
Glenwood is a small community and has a beautiful amenity center for the neighborhood.
 
 
"Picnik Show" Create a free slideshow with Picnik!  
Click to see one of the gorgeous Mediterranean homes for sale in Glenwood.
 
 
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Selling San Antonio, Texas Homes is a Labor of Love - 03/14/10 11:11 PM
It's Sunday night at 10:15 and I am pre-negotiating an offer for one of our Sellers. I have been working on it for hours as I want to give our Seller the most accurate data, including both up-to-the-minute Buyer and Seller closing cost estimates, and discuss a strategy for getting an offer on their beautiful San Antonio, Texas home.  This way our Sellers have the information that they need to make an informed decision regarding the sale of their home. This fits the definition of an "urgent situation", and is cause to be working after hours, so that I can act … (3 comments)

Get Set for a Weekend at the Park - 03/12/10 11:39 PM
We're expecting a beautiful weekend here in San Antonio, Texas and as the weather is expected to be sunny and in the upper 70's.  Ahh!
It's going to be a beautiful day to head to the park and take a break from house-hunting.  Here are some photos taken today, to inspire you to get outdoors - take a walk, bring the dog, have a picnic.  Just get out there and enjoy the day.

Life is great here in San Antonio!
 
 
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Speechless Sunday in Barcelona - 03/07/10 11:59 PM

I love night photography. 
 
 
That doesn't mean that I have any skill at it,  but I can dream of the nights to come when I will wander the streets of the architecturally fascinating cities of Europe, photographing the marvels of the night-time.
 
This beautiful corner building with all of it's columns and swags in in Barcelona, off of Las Ramblas.
 
 
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San Antonio Texas Super Street - 03/07/10 11:34 PM
The ‘Super Street' proposal for relieving congestion on Texas Highway 281 north of the 1604 loop is moving forward.
Funding was approved for this project on March 23rd, 2009.  Funding will come from a combination of funds from the federal stimulus, Advanced Transportation District, and City of San Antonio.  It was projected that construction would start in late 2009 and take about nine months to complete.
This project is vital to easing traffic on Highway 281 north of 1604 in North Central San Antonio and has been eagerly awaited by both residents and commuters.  Although we have all been watching … (0 comments)

Are your FACTS just Fantasies? - 03/07/10 11:04 PM
Finding information from various sources that support your pre-conceived notions does not make them FACTS.
If your FANTASY says you can buy a distressed home in San Antonio, Texas for pennies on the dollar, you might be disappointed to learn that you do not want to live in a distressed home, or spend the money to fix it- or live in that neighborhood. 
There is always a good reason why homes sell for “pennies on the dollar”-
 
What do you think those reasons might be?
 
It is highly unlikely that Goldilocks decided to move the Bear family to … (8 comments)

Look 5 Years Younger in 5 Days! Free! - 03/07/10 07:09 PM
When I looked in my mirror this evening, I noticed that I looked younger! Refreshed! Relaxed!
No pills, no creams, no surgery and no dollars spent! 
Easy as it sounds, I honestly don't recommend it.  You too can have these fabulous results by spending the better part of 3 days in bed.  It has been so discouraging.  Aside from brief interludes when I can get something done, I am behind on my blogging, behind on my bookkeeping, and behind on getting our house ready to sell.
I have to say though - I am grateful not to feel worse.  At … (6 comments)

First, Get Rid of All the Flowered Drapes - 03/06/10 10:15 PM
I love draperies.  For me they make our San Antonio home look different from anyone else's home.
Right now, I am looking at the the most beautiful botanical Waverly print, a coral floral damask taken from a Colonial Williamsburg print: It's alive with dogwood foliage and blooms, kangaroo paw, tigridia, violas (popular flowers of colonial times) and a few butterflies floating by on a soft breeze.  They fit so gracefully with our bedroom antiques and the dark, scraped, hardwood floors.  They should be perfect for the room.  I spent hours sewing them with a 7 inch "pipe organ" pleat to suit … (13 comments)