shirley parks: Motivation Monday: Bringing Order Out of Chaos - 03/15/10 06:18 AM
Motivation Monday: Bringing Order Out of Chaos Motivational speaker Brian Tracy talks about goals, making choices and decisions, organizing your life, and getting your life under control. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shirley Parks Broker Sands Realty Serving San Antonio and surrounding areas, including North San Antonio, Alamo Heights, Boerne, Bulverde, Castle Hills, Champions, Fair Oaks Ranch, Garden Ridge, Helotes, Hill Country Village, Hollywood Park, Inwood, Olmos Park, Shavano Park, Stone Oak 210-414-0966 www.shirleyparks.com mysahomes@gmail.com … (8 comments)

shirley parks: Spring forward... fall back... yawn... - 03/13/10 10:40 AM
Spring forward... fall back... yawn...
I wish they would stop changing the time and confusing my dog.  Daylight savings time is an annoyance for me although a lot of other people seem to think it is a great idea.  Ok, I know I'm in the minority but I like the natural order of things and dislike monkeying around with things that don't need to be changed in the first place.
As the writer Rober Davies said in 1947: "I object to being told I am saving daylight when reason tells me I am doing nothing of the kind. I even object to the … (16 comments)

shirley parks: Cute House in Converse ~ Near Randolph AFB, Ft. Sam Houston - 03/10/10 04:04 AM
Cute house on quiet street in small neighborhood of Meadow Ridge.
*Mature Trees. *Open Floor Plan, *Ceramic Tile in Living Area, *Fireplace, *Window Seat in Breakfast Area, *French Doors open to Covered Back Porch, *Ceiling Fans. *New: *interior paint and molding, *kitchen lighting, *bathroom lighting, cabinet w/granite countertop *faux wood blinds. *Refrigerator, Washer & Dryer Convey! *Near Randolph AFB, convenient to Ft. Sam Houston, BAMC.
*Ask about $8,000 tax credit.
(6 comments)

shirley parks: Don't miss ABC World News tonight! - 03/09/10 02:18 AM
Don't Miss ABC World News tonight!
This morning on ABC's Good Morning America Diane Sawyer gave a brief tease for a news story that will be on tonight's broadcast of ABC World News.  I have a feeling that the story will be about San Antonio's own Gordon Hartman and his wonderful new amusement park, Morgan's Wonderland, that is designed for special needs kids.  Mr. Hartman's own special needs daughter, Morgan, is the inspiration for Morgan's Wonderland.
ABC World News airs at 5:30 on KSAT, channel 12, here in San Antonio.  If you have someone with special needs in your life or … (9 comments)

shirley parks: Ft. Sam Houston Medical Training Campus Progress - 03/09/10 01:26 AM
The first of three dorms has been completed at the new Medical Training Campus located on Ft. Sam Houston.  Students will start arriving at the facility in May.
The campus is part of the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission's (BRAC) plan to bring all armed forces enlisted medical training to Fort Sam.  When completed the campus will have three dorm buildings, five instructional facilities, a headquarters and administrative building, a fitness center and a dining hall.  The dining hall has already has been completed.
The dorm units were constructed at a plant in Belton and the building was assembled on Fort Sam Houston.
Completed … (0 comments)

shirley parks: Motivational Monday: What do you need to start doing? - 03/08/10 02:27 AM
What do you need to start doing to be successful? Advice from Glenda Feilen, motivational speaker: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Helping buyers and sellers in San Antonio and surrounding areas from Helotes to Schertz to Boerne and all areas in between including Alamo Heights, Bulverde, Castle Hills, Champions, Fair Oaks Ranch, Garden Ridge, Hill Country Village, Hollywood Park, Inwood, Olmos Park, Shavano Park, Stone Oak. Shirley ParksBrokerSands Realty210-414-0966email: mysahomes@gmail.com Call or email for information about the $8,000 tax credit. … (8 comments)

shirley parks: "If you can't say anything good" ~ A restaurant review - 03/02/10 12:54 PM
"If you can't say anything good about somebody, don't say anything at all."  I'm going to anyway!
My First Restaurant Review
Today I had an appointment to take my car in to be serviced and since it would take about 3 hours my husband followed me in his vehicle so we could go to lunch instead of hanging out at the dealership.
I was in the mood for Mexican food and Stephen spotted a new place, Hacienda Patron Mexican Restaurant at 459 McCarty, near the dealership.  Stephen loves "Mom and Pop" type restaurants but I like restaurants where I know the food will be good.  … (16 comments)

shirley parks: Will the home buyers tax credit be extended... again? - 02/22/10 09:53 AM
Will the home buyers tax credit be extended again?  What do you think?
 
I have been wondering if the home buyers tax credit that expires at the end of April will be extended again. 
Today I saw an article by Nick Timiraos in The Wall Street Journal that says representatives of the housing industry are lobbying for another extension.  But he says that "some experts.....who supported the earlier credits, think the time has come to let it go."
The first tax credit of $7500 was passed in 2008 and required first-time home buyers to repay the credit over 15 years. Then in 2009, … (17 comments)

shirley parks: Construction in Texas to rise in 2010 - 02/12/10 12:37 PM
According to a report released this week by McGraw-Hill Construction, construction in Texas is expected to rise in 2010.
The 2010 Texas Construction Outlook reports the value of construction starts in Texas will rise 16% to $52.5 billion.  Also, growth is projected for 5 Texas cities:  Austin 30%, Houston 17%, Dallas 16%, El Paso 8%, and San Antonio (6%).
The report says:
• Housing starts in Texas are expected to rise 31% to $21.8 billion
• Non-residential construction starts will slip 1% to $17.6 billion because of slight reductions in commercial and industrial real estate activity
• Federal stimulus funding will boost public works and utilities … (6 comments)

shirley parks: San Antonio Homes: Emerald Forest - 02/07/10 10:00 AM
The community of Emerald Forest is located just outside Loop 1604 near Bulverde Road.  This is a neighborhood of beautiful custom built homes set on treed lots.  Amenities include a 24 hour staffed security entrance, pool, tennis, clubhouse, park and playground, and trails for walking or jogging.
Emerald Forest is in the desired North East Independent School District.  Students attend Bulverde Creek Elementary School, Tejeda Middle School, and the brand new state-of-the-art Lady Bird Johnson High School.  Schools should be verified and schools are subject to capping.  NEISD Website
To search MLS go to my website www.shirleyparks.com
(2 comments)

shirley parks: San Antonio rodeo trail riders ~ I know you were wondering! - 02/04/10 08:32 AM
San Antonio rodeo trail riders ~ I know you were wondering!

The state of Texas has been getting a soaking this week.  Nature has given us very long drink of cold water along with lots of mist and murkiness.  I have mostly stayed home all toasty and warm throughout our mini monsoon but I have been thinking about all the trail riders braving the weather on their long journey on horseback for the San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo.  I have been wondering how many trail rides there are and where they all originate.  It looks like a lot of fun but I don't know if … (10 comments)

shirley parks: What Do Homebuyers Want Now? Newest Trends - 02/01/10 06:20 AM
What do homebuyers want now?
Home designers and builders speaking at the International Builders Show held recently in Las Vegas reported that today's buyers want cost-effective features and don't want things that have no lasting value.  That sounds like a smart idea.
Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group here in San Antonio says that it's all about family togetherness - casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces. Avid Ratings conducts an annual survey of buyer preferences. Paul Cardis, CEO, says that these are the new must-haves for buyers:
Large kitchens with islands Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows. Home offices Main-floor master suite Outdoor living space … (16 comments)

shirley parks: Fannie Mae to pay closing cost on foreclosures - 01/31/10 08:38 AM
FannieMae to pay closing cost on foreclosures
Fannie Mae has announced that it will pay the closing costs on purchases of foreclosed homes in its inventory.  Buyers of qualified properties will either get up to 3.5 percent in closing costs or an equal amount for the purchase of new appliances by using the Home Path program and closing by May 1.Fannie Mae is doing this to clear out the approximately 50,000 properties in its inventory.  They are listed on HomePath.com, the Web site created by Fannie Mae last year to sell the growing number of foreclosed homes. The goal is to attract qualified buyers, reduce inventory of vacant … (11 comments)

shirley parks: Desperately Seeking a Reputable Painter? - 01/15/10 04:14 AM
I have a client who recently had the interior of his house painted by an relative's friend who needed work.  This "friend" painted the house but not in the color requested, didn't prepare the surface, use a primer, or tape off edges.  My client has no recourse since this "painter" wasn't bonded and is no longer in town.  A lot of people, including my husband and I, have had bad experiences with painters, home repairmen, electricians, roofers, etc., resulting from shoddy work, shoddy materials, disappearing after aking for money and getting it; leaving a mess in their wake.  We now have connections with a good and trustworthy contractor … (11 comments)

shirley parks: Fireplace Safety - 01/10/10 07:27 AM
Fireplace Safety
Most of my clients wouldn't consider buying a home without a fireplace although we seldom get a chance to actually use a fireplace here in South Texas.  This year is different.  We have had a few nights with freezing temperatures already and are likely to have a few more before before we welcome springtime.  Now is the time to enjoy your fireplace but do it safely.
Use your fireplace safely:
Burn only seasoned hardwood like oak, ash, or maple in your fireplace.. Do not burn trash, cardboard boxes or Christmas trees which burn unevenly and may even emit poisonous gases or cause … (5 comments)

shirley parks: "Baby, it's cold outside"... protect your plants - 01/06/10 01:27 PM
"Baby, it's cold outside"... protect your plants
San Antonio enjoyed a mild winter last year with month after month of sunny days, high blue skies, and lovely weather.  Not so this year.  Like the rest of the country, we are experiencing cold weather with freezing temperatures on some nights.  Gardeners should keep an eye on weather forecasts and be prepared for a freeze.  Help your plants survive freezing temperatures with these simple steps:
    ~ Remember to water if your plants need it. Move delicate potted plants indoors, especially tropical plants.  If you are unsure if they should be moved indoors, then move them indoors anyway.
    ~ Give … (16 comments)

shirley parks: San Antonio Calendar ~ January 4 - 10, 2010 - 01/02/10 04:38 AM
San Antonio Calendar of Events ~ January 4 - January 10, 2010
Art in the Garden: Featuring John Henry
Visual Arts
07/16/2009 - 06/01/2010 at San Antonio Botanical Garden
Culinary Delights
Visual Arts - Photography, Cultural Centers - Museums
09/05/2009 - 02/21/2010 at San Antonio Museum of Art
Saturday Morning Discovery
Entertainment - Events, Visual Arts
09/05/2009 - 05/22/2010 at Southwest School of Art & Craft
Exhibition: Onstage in Amsterdam: Prints from the Schouwburg Theatre
Cultural Centers - Museums, Cultural Centers - Art/Visual
09/09/2009 - 01/17/2010 at McNay Art Museum
75 Years of Dance
Entertainment - Events, Entertainment - Activities, Performing … (4 comments)

shirley parks: What does it take to make a grown man cry? - 01/01/10 04:00 PM
What does it take to make a grown man cry?
Well, Stephen didn't actually cry but I know he was disappointed.  Several days ago our 64" tv went out or at least the special bulb that is in it went out and a Best Buy tech can't come out and replace it until Jan. 4.  My husband was so looking forward to watching FOOTBALL this week-end.  He was forced to watch on the tv in our bedroom, a room that I had early in our marriage declared as a sports-free zone.
Stephen woke up with seasonal Mountain Cedar Fever this morning and ended up spending … (13 comments)

shirley parks: Texas Appliance Rebate Program - 12/30/09 10:38 AM
Texas Appliance Rebate Program
The State of Texas will begin issuing $23 million in federal appliance purchase rebates in March.
Texas rebates will be among the most generous in the country. A new EnergyStar-labeled refrigerator is eligible for a $240 mail-in rebate. Consumers who recycle their old appliances and provide proof can get another $75. New refrigerator rebates in California are just $75 and Consumers are required to recycle their older appliances and don't get anything extra for doing so.
The program will bring meaningful energy savings since most appliances have made big gain in efficiency in the last ten years.  New central air conditioning will bring the biggest … (8 comments)

shirley parks: Do you ever feel like "The Invisible Woman (or Man)"?~this will make you think... - 12/27/09 07:01 AM
Do you ever feel like "The Invisible Woman"? This will make you look at things in a different way... … (14 comments)

 
Shirley Parks, Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate (Sands Realty 210-414-0966)

Shirley Parks

Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

San Antonio, TX

More about me…

Sands Realty 210-414-0966

Address: San Antonio, TX

Office: (210) 414-0966

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.


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