Real estate and other stuff

head_left_image

Alamo Heights: a great place to live in San Antonio, Texas

Alamo Heights is a close-in subdivision in the north-central area of San Antonio, Texas, located south of Loop 410 and just north of downtown. It is an incorporated city in Bexar Cottage home in Alamo HeightsCounty, which includes the San Antonio metro area.

The bungalow-style home to the right is typical of the "Cottage District"; it recently sold for $320,000

The neighborhood is convenient to shopping, several good restaurants, parks, such as Brackenridge Park and the San Antonio Zoo, the Witte children's museum and McNay art museum, and numerous retail centers. There are many small service businesses and restaurants located on the main thoroughfare, Broadway. Trinity University and the University of the Incarnate Word are nearby.

The location close to Highway 281 is convenient for commuting to the rest of the city. Alamo Heights is also situated close to Fort Sam Houston and Brooke Army Medical Center, one of the area's largest employers.Larger home in Alamo Heights

The 3,800-square-foot home to the left was constructed in 1912 and sold recently for $750,000

The Alamo Heights Independent School District is considered the most prestigious school district in San Antonio. Neighborhood development began in the 1920s, thus, many of the homes are set on pier-and-beam foundations, while newer ones are on concrete slabs. There is a large range of prices and styles.

Some of the homes have swimming pools, but many are situated on city lots under 0.17 acre in size and were not built with parking areas; thus, the yards are too small for pools. Most of the homes have been remodeled and updated, except for many smaller bungalows and homes in the "Cottage District" of Alamo Heights. There are a few large homes built from the late 1990s up to 2008 on infill lots, but tear-downs are rare.

And as you can probably tell, Alamo Heights is another of my favorite neighborhoods!

 

Robin Rogers, Realtor, Broker-owner, ABR, TRC, CRS

Also Cat Owner, Photographer, Smartass, Aspiring World-Class Drummer

Silverbridge Realty Why not subscribe to this lovely blog?

4 comments • Robin Rogers, CRS: fun and professional real estate agent and investment adviser • October 28 2009 06:04PM

Wordless Wednesday: enchanting landscapes

New Mexico mesa

New Mexico mountains

When our friend Andrea came to visit from Italy, we drove to Santa Fe. On our last day there before heading back home to Texas, we visited the Puye cliff dwellings and drove around and through Chimayo. The amazing scenery made me think back to how when we crossed the state line, we had been chuckling at the license-plate motto: "New Mexico, Land of Enchantment."

Well, after a couple of days in New Mexico, I fell under its spell, too.

 

Robin Rogers, Realtor, Broker-owner, ABR, TRC, CRS

Also Cat Owner, Photographer, Smartass, Aspiring World-Class Drummer

Silverbridge Realty Why not subscribe to this lovely blog?

15 comments • Robin Rogers, CRS: fun and professional real estate agent and investment adviser • October 28 2009 11:20AM

are you an out of state or out of country investor

The low low low asking prices of real estate in Detroit are well-known. Plus, TIME magazine is focusing on the city as part of a year-long study, so more investors are becoming aware of the city as a long-term investment possibility.

Russ has some valuable advice for them in his post:

Via Russ Ravary - Michigan Homes for sale - Michigan Real estate & Mortgage info (Remerica Hometown One):

 and have a few thousand bucks to invest.  But is Detroit the place to invest your money? Sure you may have never heard of such low home prices.  Yes homes in your country or state may be much higher.  In fact they may be hundred of thousands of dollars higher.  But just because a home is $500 or $1000 or $10,000 doesn't mean it is a bargain.

  • What will be your return on investment?
  • what will be your downside?
  • what will it cost to bring up to code or to saleable condition?
  • what is Detroit and rental market like?
  • what will it take for your investment to be worth more money?
  • what are local professional investors doing in the City of Detroit.

I myself would not buy investment homes in the City of Detroit.  I would put my families or friend's money there either.  I don't know of any investors that have done well in the City of Detroit.  In the suburbs yes, but not in the city. 

I have to be a little more specific why not to buy in Detroit

  1. poor school system in the city of Detroit.  Nobody will want to move to Detroit from the suburbs because the school system is so bad and unsafe for their kids. 
  2. High crime statistics
  3. High home and car insurance rates
  4. Poor city services in my opinion
  5. high property taxes - they could be as high as $3000 for that $500 property - hard to get the high property taxes reduced.
  6. Detroit is unfriendly for investors and property managers - hard to evict and landlord is responsible for people leaving cars or dumping garbage or leaving personal property to be removed.  have to board up the house when vacant.
  7. when home is vacant very likely the furnace, the copper plumbing, and the hot water heater will be stolen.  Anything valuable has a chance of "walking"  how will an out of town investor know when the tenant is gone?
  8. too many great investment homes in the suburbs which will give a better return on investment.  Sure not $500 but you'll still have a home intact when it is vacant 

My advice buy in a city that the homes will increase in value quicker.  Call me if you want to know what makes a good investment home.

May life treat you and your family well today. 

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

search metro detroit homes    Search Michigan Lake homes  Search Metro Detroit foreclosures

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

 

Robin Rogers, Realtor, Broker-owner, ABR, TRC, CRS

Also Cat Owner, Photographer, Smartass, Aspiring World-Class Drummer

Silverbridge Realty Why not subscribe to this lovely blog?

0 comments • Robin Rogers, CRS: fun and professional real estate agent and investment adviser • October 28 2009 08:47AM

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CONVENTION

This is a very useful post from Donna! I'm going to the NAR convention for the first time in San Diego, and I appreciate her helpful tips on how to make the most of it.

Via Donna J Stephens (Prudential Ambassador Real Estate Co.):

I have been to Nebraska State Conventions, National Association of REALTORS® Conventions, CRS Sellabrations®, and Prudential's Conventions. I was on the committee that plans the Nebraska REALTORS® Convention for several years and Chaired the Committee in 2001. (Nebraska hosts over 800 REALTORS® at their convention. The cost of the convention is figured in our Association dues and is free to the members who pre-register and attend.)

As with most things in life, it's up to you to find value in attending a convention. You get to choose how to spend your time. I will tell you how I plan ahead for conventions and how I have made the most of my time at them.

First you select the convention you want to attend. If you sign up early you can usually save lots of money. You can also save money by watching the airline fares and buying your ticket when rates are down. Another way to save money is to find a quality hotel near the convention hotel. I like to attend with REALTOR® girl friends and share the cost of the room. Besides it's more fun when you have someone to laugh with.

When I get the schedule for the convention I go through it with a fine tooth comb. I like to use a highlighter and select the classes, instructors, WCR and CRS meetings, meals, and parties that most interest me. I seek advise from seasoned REALTORS® so I don't miss out on anything exceptional. For instance, seasoned REALTORS® know the best parties and how to get a ticket, like certain banks or CRS parties at National Convention. They know the extraordinary instructors and popular classes to take. If they have been to that city they will coach you on touristy stuff.

After I select the events that most interest me I sit down with my calendar and see how many of them I can fit into it. Some things will conflict and I will have to choose. It's so much easier to plan this ahead of time! If I am visiting a new city, I plan tourist time. When I went to Washington DC for the first time I planned a couple extra days to see the city. I usually take a kazillion photos. Okay, now you need to add camera and batteries to your list of things to take.

Watch for some classes that may be offered prior to the scheduled convention dates. Often a one or two day course for CRS is offered in advance of the convention. These cost extra, in my opinion, because they are worth it. If you are interested in getting your CRS designation you may want to plan to go early and attend these classes. Again, this takes planning ahead!

There are many things to do that are included in your convention registration fee. Conventions offer generous vendors displaying their wares, offering expert advise and giving away hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars worth of prizes in drawings. TAKE LOTS OF BUSINESS CARDS! Drop them in the fishbowls/baskets for the drawings. You can't win if you don't enter! My cousin/real estate partner, Marlene, won a television while at the CRS Sellabration®  in Hawaii in 2008!

I have found conventions useful in quality and selection of classes. You will find free/included courses on technology, forclosures, buyers, sellers, you name it, it can probably be found. Here's the link for the National Convention. Check it out!

To get the most out of networking at convention, I plan a small gift with my business card to pass out to REALTORS® that I personally meet. One year I took a Dumdum sucker and put a tag on it that said something like, "Don't be a Dumdum, call Donna with your referrals" and my card was attached. Another time I had a friend make fishing flies and my note said, "Cast your referrals to Donna". Go to lunches, meetings, classes and always sit with people you don't know. Meet new people and pass out your cards. Tell them about your business and ask about theirs. Meeting new people with similar interests is fun! Networking brings you business. Referrals are great! It's awesome to send referrals to people you have met!

CONVENTION TRIPS ARE TAX DEDUCTABLE! TALK TO YOUR TAX GUY!

Most important Things to take with you:

  • COMFORTABLE SHOES FOR WALKING!
  • CAMERA & BATTERIES
  • A COUPLE HUNDRED BUSINESS CARDS

Yes there is value in attending a convention.

It takes some planning ahead and using your plan once you get there.

"I am never too busy for you or your referrals!"  

Donna J Stephens, CRS, GRI

Prudential Ambassador Real Estate, 13340 California Street Omaha, NE 68154

 (402) 598-5117

 

Robin Rogers, Realtor, Broker-owner, ABR, TRC, CRS

Also Cat Owner, Photographer, Smartass, Aspiring World-Class Drummer

Silverbridge Realty Why not subscribe to this lovely blog?

1 comment • Robin Rogers, CRS: fun and professional real estate agent and investment adviser • October 25 2009 03:18PM

Speechless Sunday: a hummingbird moth found on my first morning in Santa Fe

hummingbird moth hovering over cashmere bouquet blooms

You all know how I feel about hummingbird moths. Or maybe you don't! If that's the case, here are some links to my previous posts about these unique moths:

Hummingbird moth

The hummingbird moths are back in my garden - and in someone else's

Hummingbird moth entertains visitors to the Big Apple

 

Robin Rogers, Realtor, Broker-owner, ABR, TRC, CRS

Also Cat Owner, Photographer, Smartass, Aspiring World-Class Drummer

Silverbridge Realty Why not subscribe to this lovely blog?

11 comments • Robin Rogers, CRS: fun and professional real estate agent and investment adviser • October 25 2009 02:48PM

The San Antonio housing market is tilted towards buyers -- and sellers

San Antonio recorded 1,561 single-family home sales in September, according to the San Antonio Board of Realtors. That's a 2 percent decrease from the total for September 2008. Pending home sales in September numbered 1,494. That's about 11 percent more than at the same time in 2008.

There is an 8-month supply of homes on the market this fall in San Antonio, declared the Board of Realtors. Prices have remained stable, around the $151,000 median at the same time in 2008. The market is considered slightly better for buyers than sellers, and a hot July and August market showed that first-time buyers in particular were purchasing homes and taking advantage of the tax credit. Homes priced lower than $200,000 were the best-selling.

average 3-bedroom sold in last 30 daysIn the last 30 days, according to MLS statistics, 644- three-bedroom single-family homes sold for an average price of $139,400 in Bexar County.

Four-bedroom homes, numbering 295, sold for an average price of $212,200. The average time on the market for these two major segments of the real estate market was around four months.

To the left is an "average" 3-bedroom according to the MLS, and below is an average 4-bedroom. Actually, they are both above average in that their time on the market was significantly less than the average.

average 4-bedroom sold in last 30 days

 

These numbers right off the MLS paint a slightly different picture than the broad-brush view, since statistics vary wildly by neighborhood, price range, and area of the rather large San Antonio metro. A balanced market is considered to be one in which there is a 6-month supply of inventory. These MLS numbers don't include many new homes, of course.

Average numbers obviously don't tell the whole story, although they give us a good overview. And home buyers want a home that is above average, anyway!

 

Robin Rogers, Realtor, Broker-owner, ABR, TRC, CRS

Also Cat Owner, Photographer, Smartass, Aspiring World-Class Drummer

Silverbridge Realty Why not subscribe to this lovely blog?

5 comments • Robin Rogers, CRS: fun and professional real estate agent and investment adviser • October 25 2009 09:49AM

Debt To Income Changes Announced Today, This Is Urgent

Monthly payment scheduleMelissa has some news we should all know about, since so many mortgage loans are being insured by FHA these days.

Via Melissa Kulikoff (Texas Loan Officer):

Via Melissa Kulikoff (Texas Loan Officer):

Debt to income ratio maximums are being changed for FHA effective today.  All loans with Debt Ratios that exceed 50% must fund by 11/30/2009.  These loans must also be locked by November 1st.  If they do not fund, no lock extensions will be granted. 

The debt to income ratio is the percentage of the borrowers gross income that goes towards their mortgage payment and other debts.  In the past, we were able to close FHA loans with ratios at 55% and higher, rarely over 60%.

I urge you to contact your loan officer and find out what their policy is.  This is also going to cause another wave of applicants with higher ratios scrambling to close by 11/30 regardless of whether they are a first time home buyer or not.  Some banks may allow you to go a few days past the deadline, but not mine.

I also heard that Conventional debt to income ratios are going to be limited to 45% regardless of down payment in December.  Right now, with 20% down on a Conventional loans we can exceed 55% with strong credit.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I rather be the first one out to notify my AR friends.

As always, please feel free to contact me with comments or questions regarding this post.

 

 

Melissa Kulikoff
Texas Loan Officer

Residential Lending Services
cell: 210-849-9030
email: melissa@mkulikoff.com
For Home Loan Information

 

 

 

Robin Rogers, Realtor, Broker-owner, ABR, TRC, CRS

Also Cat Owner, Photographer, Smartass, Aspiring World-Class Drummer

Silverbridge Realty Why not subscribe to this lovely blog?

4 comments • Robin Rogers, CRS: fun and professional real estate agent and investment adviser • October 23 2009 04:42PM

Terrell Hills: a great place to live in San Antonio, Texas

I have lots of favorite neighborhoods. Terrell Hills is one of them. It's not only a neighborhood, it's an incorporated city, located north of downtown and west of Fort Sam Houston. My favorite neighborhoods have one thing in common: lots of trees. The homes in Terrell Hills have trees and a lot of character, varying quite a bit in architectural style, size, and price. Most of the homes range from the high $200,000s to the $600,000s.

Home in Terrell Hills

To the left is a cottage-style three-bedroom home with a covered patio and detached garage that sold for just under $200,000

The neighborhood includes two school districts: Alamo Heights Independent School District and North East Independent School District. There is not a huge difference in home prices between the two school districts, although Alamo Heights ISD is more prestigious.

Large lots are the norm in Terrell Hills, averaging at least 0.25 acre, and dotted with mature live oaks, pecans, and mesquites. The older homes have pier-and-beam foundations, while those built in the 1960s and later tend to be on concrete slabs.

Home in Terrell Hills

 

On the right is an updated and expanded four-bedroom, four-bath home with swimming pool that sold in the $650,000 range

There is a wide range of home prices, from "tear-downs" to some of San Antonio's most expensive mansions. Many of the homes have swimming pools. Most of the homes have been remodeled and updated, but the interiors might still be considered out of date because of lower ceilings and more interior walls than are used today. Others are larger homes built from the late 1990s up to the present on lots from which the original homes have been removed.

Whenever I am near Fort Sam Houston, Brackenridge Park or the zoo, or heading south from downtown, I like to take a detour through Terrell Hills.

Some recent posts:

Bad MLS photos: come on, agents, would it kill you to use a flash?

Friday's Fotos: an often overlooked insect on a delicious plant

Speechless Sunday: another strange being appears in my garden in Cibolo - Schertz, Texas

Fed up with real estate? Want to make big money working from home? Check it out!

Friday fun! Advertising a listing on the MLS with lots of--okay, four--photos

Did President Obama deserve to win the Nobel Peace Prize?

A sad comment on our industry: another Realtor attempts celebrity estate hoax

After the rains - what appeared in our garden in Cibolo - Schertz, Texas

My roof is leaking, and more rain is on the way to the Cibolo - Schertz area

 

Robin Rogers, Realtor, Broker-owner, ABR, TRC, CRS

Also Cat Owner, Photographer, Smartass, Aspiring World-Class Drummer

Silverbridge Realty Why not subscribe to this lovely blog?

7 comments • Robin Rogers, CRS: fun and professional real estate agent and investment adviser • October 22 2009 06:40PM

Life Before ActiveRain...And Now!!! What a Long Strange Trip It's Been!

Craig's journey speaks to all of us 'Rainers. From a hopeless/homeless person on the mean streets to a high-flying top producer, he shows what you can accomplish with a can-do attitude, stick-to-it-iveness, and some ace Photoshop skills.

All he needs to do now is modify the seats in the Craigster-1 and the sky is the limit!

Read his heartfelt, lavishly illustrated story and just try to keep a straight face  the tears back.

Via Craig Rutman North Carolina (Raleigh Area) Realtor (Home Buyer and Seller Specialist):

 

Before ActiveRain I was just another starving Realtor looking for a listing in all the wrong places….

Looking for a listing in all the wrong places...You know that old song!

As I started making friends here in the Rain, I grew my referral base and got my first listing referral…..

This one should sell quickly!

Then, before I knew it, I had over 100 subscribers, lots of new friends and referral partners,  and my business grew and grew.

It was then that I traded in my old car…

My first car!

… for a new one…

My new car!

I was even able to afford the Craigster-1 with all the business I was getting from my efforts here in ActiveRain…

The Craigster 1

Now, I’m happy, fat and content….

All because of ActiveRain!

I can't believe I ate the whoe thing!

 

Bookmark and Share

Subscribe to my Blog!

Follow me on Twitter!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Read my blog at AmericanTowns.com!

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

 

Robin Rogers, Realtor, Broker-owner, ABR, TRC, CRS

Also Cat Owner, Photographer, Smartass, Aspiring World-Class Drummer

Silverbridge Realty Why not subscribe to this lovely blog?

11 comments • Robin Rogers, CRS: fun and professional real estate agent and investment adviser • October 21 2009 06:24PM

Bad MLS photos: come on, agents, would it kill you to use a flash?

Recently, I have been on the hunt for a third rental property for one client and the next home for another client to remodel. In the process, I have looked at literally hundreds of listings on the MLS. And in more than a few, I have found photos that raised more questions than thedark photo of a tuby answered.

 

 

How about a nice gloomy bubble bath?

dark photo of a house

 

 

Can't you just imagine the kids playing out here? Maybe they already are, but you just can't see them.

It's past their bedtime anyway.

   

 

 

   

small dark photo of a living room

 

This photo to the right of what might be a fireplace in what might be a living room is the actual size on the MLS.

 

But it's humongous compared to the one below, which the copyright information can't even fit on. I think it's a photo of a kitchen.

tiny photo of a kitchen

 

 

 

 

Maybe it's a kitchen in a birdhouse!

 

Some recent posts:

Friday's Fotos: an often overlooked insect on a delicious plant

Speechless Sunday: another strange being appears in my garden in Cibolo - Schertz, Texas

Fed up with real estate? Want to make big money working from home? Check it out!

Friday fun! Advertising a listing on the MLS with lots of--okay, four--photos

Did President Obama deserve to win the Nobel Peace Prize?

A sad comment on our industry: another Realtor attempts celebrity estate hoax

After the rains - what appeared in our garden in Cibolo - Schertz, Texas

My roof is leaking, and more rain is on the way to the Cibolo - Schertz area

Dollhouse is back! Good stuff to watch on TV

 

Robin Rogers, Realtor, Broker-owner, ABR, TRC, CRS

Also Cat Owner, Photographer, Smartass, Aspiring World-Class Drummer

Silverbridge Realty Why not subscribe to this lovely blog?

13 comments • Robin Rogers, CRS: fun and professional real estate agent and investment adviser • October 19 2009 05:48PM