Boerne Land a Good Investment?

Submitted by: Jack Jones, Realtor- Boerne Office

Hill Country landowners (and folks thinking about becoming landowners) will be encouraged by a recent article written by Dr. Charles Gilliland, a research economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M.

In the January issue of “Tierra Grande”, Dr. Gilliland writes that land prices in Texas increased in 2006 by 18% over the previous year. That means that prices saw double-digit increases in each of the past four years.

Getting top-heavy? The article suggests otherwise. Here are some of the points Dr. Gilliland makes:

• Many people are paying cash for land, so there’s not the danger inherent in a highly leveraged market.
• Texas’ population is expected to increase by 16% in the next ten years, which means the demand for land (and prices) will increase as well.
• The population over 65 will increase, and many of those are increasingly well off and in the market for land to enjoy as a place to live and invest in.
• The Texas land market, while at record levels, is according to historical statistics not over-heated.
• Other parts of the country are seeing land prices much higher than Texas, and folks from other states are turning to Texas as a good place to invest!

Bradfield Properties’ experience in the Boerne area certainly confirms these findings. The beauty of the Texas Hill Country, the culture and quality of life here in the wide open spaces and the proximity to San Antonio combine to attract more and more people to Boerne, Texas, as the place to personally grow, raise kids and enjoy life!

Bright Lights, Big City

Submitted by: Barbara Blackburn, Realtor- Bulverde Office

Are you thinking about heading back downtown? If you are attracted to the bright lights and big city energy you are not alone. Downtown areas across the country are enjoying a revitalization and San Antonio is no exception. One of the most popular downtown addresses is right on the river walk, the La Cascada Condominium located at 230 Dwyer just a block south of the courthouse. Stroll along the riverwalk south toward the King William area for the relaxing beauty of the riverside landscaping or take a short walk north and you will find yourself at the heart of the dining, shopping and entertainment center of San Antonio. Enjoy it all from the last penthouse available at La Cascada, this southwest corner unit has a wrap around balcony with awesome sunsets and views to the south, west and east. Ride up one level to the rooftop patio and pool to gaze at the bright lights of the San Antonio skyline, beautiful both day and night.

Drive Right Out to Heaven, Texas Style

Submitted by: Rex Blackburn, Realtor - Bulverde Office

Take a 10 minute drive north out Blanco Rd to Ammann Rd, turn right and you’ll see that work is underway at the new Stonefield Subdivision. The main and only road into Stonefield is being cut this week, weather permitting of course. Soon you’ll be able to just drive right in and pick out your very own slice of heaven, if you’re one of the lucky 6, that is. That’s right, Stonefield is only offering 6 tracts, approximately 10 acres each tract. Build your home among majestic old oaks, some tracts have views, one tract has a pond and old windmill.

Technology is Changing the Face of Real Estate

Submitted by: Ruben Cortez, Realtor - Churchill Office

Almost every day there is a new and exciting method to the madness of buying or selling Real Estate. Gone are the days when the Realtor had all the information on a property and the customer was at the mercy of the Realtor and owner of the property. With the click of a mouse, the consumer can find out as much or more information as any Realtor. Consumers demand it and they have the ability to make choices as never before. Try it! www.bradfieldproperties.com! On this site you will find out information about any property in San Antonio and the surrounding area that is listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Once, only Realtors had access to this information, but because of Technology, almost anyone can access this system in some fashion. There are many other systems out there to help you find information, moving to another city? Try www.realtor.com. Not always as up-to-date as direct access to MLS but better than most systems. With all the Technology today, you can buy a home over the Internet without ever seeing the actual property! Crazy? Ten years ago, who would have ever thought of buying anything under the sun on E-Bay? Crazy like a fox! Next time. Some dangers of the new and improved Technology.

Packing Tips

Submitted by: Gail Legnon - New Braunfels Office

Moving can be a stressful time for anyone but, by using a few tips it may be easier. Don’t be afraid to start packing early! You may want to pack the items you are not using. Take inventory of your belongings before they’re packed, you may need to file an insurance claim later. Don’t pack it if you don’t need it. Have a garage sale. Don’t be afraid to invest in high quality packing boxes and use the same size boxes. Pack all boxes to capacity so they are not easily crushed. Label all boxes before packing or immediately after packing. Check with your insurance agent to ensure you’ll be covered through your homeowner’s policy during the move. Never pack combustibles, food or liquids. These items could cause damage and void your insurance policy. Every member should pack a few nights worth of clothing, prescription drugs, toiletries, a towel and other personal items. It may be a while before you can unpack again. Don’t forget to include a small tool kit for assembling furniture, etc.

Selling Your Home in San Antonio

Submitted by: Patricia DeCordova, Realtor - Stone Oak Office

Planning on listing your home this Spring or Summer? Boy, you’ve hit the Jackpot! San Antonio has never enjoyed such a vibrant and fast paced Real Estate market as we have today. As a home seller, your timing is impeccable!

You may have read in magazines such a Fortune and CNN Business that San Antonio is “On a Roll”. Our healthy local economy, lower costs of living and mild climate have propelled our city onto the national map for corporate relocation and new investment. The finance gurus have mentioned San Antonio in stellar terms with regard to steady growth in housing demand and retail expansion.

All this “Buzz” about our city translates into solid home prices and less time on the market for many home sellers. Of course, the general Real Estate dictum applies here. Location rules! Then my famous rule of the four “C’s”. Condition, Clean, Curb and Clutter! A homeowner cannot pick up a house and move it to a better location but they can certainly perform miracles in the exterior and interior appearance.

Make sure everything is in working order. Condition counts! Clean every surface especially baths and kitchens. Curb appeal is critical to buyers that are driving the neighborhood. Toss out those old flower pots and invest in a new doormat. Your home will appear more spacious without all the clutter we manager to collect over time. Pack up your Hummel collection, make sure toys are off the floor and kitchen counters look sleek and tidy.

Keep in mind your house will be viewed by millions of potential buyers on the Internet. The amount of people that begin their home search on the Internet is enormous. As a seller, hiring a REALTOR that is Internet savvy cannot be overstated. The photos and text description created by your REALTOR will bean important selling tool on the web that can make or break the image you wish to create. Ask your REALTOR if they are a member of the REALTOR.com Web Marketing Group. Members are able to greatly enhance your listing via additional photos, special text and graphic features.

Is it easy to market and sell homes? It is not. But, taking the first step by calling a professional REALTOR is a wise move that’s easy.

"Top Dollar" Home Makeovers

Submitted by: Patricia DeCordova, Realtor - Stone Oak Office

We all love those dramatic TV programs that within an hour transform a rather boring looking home into a showplace. They’re fun to watch, the end result is stunning and offer us inspiration for our own homes. However, the producers have an unlimited budget, an army of qualified workers nor a spouse that says, “ I hate that color”.

But your home is reality an money has wings. Here are some ideas to increase the value of your home, make it more efficient and update your look.

Start with the kitchen and bath if you want bang for your buck when selling. First, lose the outdated wallpaper. Nothing says yesterday like your mom’s striped wallpaper. Now it’s easy to remove with a spray gel remover and a small tool that you roll over the paper. The stuff practically falls off. So, now you’ve got a bare wall. Your choices are to have texture sprayed on the walls, then paint or install the modern wallpapers that appear to have a texture or a subtle finish. Use a neutral color that will combine with appliances, cabinets and window treatments.

Consider painting the cabinets if they need it. Or replace the doors if you have the budget. Check out all the new designs for cabinet pulls. Brushed chrome is very popular now. Don’t go for “cutesy” here. Think traditional. The extra deep kitchen sinks are fabulous looking, not too pricey and very useful. A new kitchen faucet makes a big splash with buyers. Dishwashers are relatively inexpensive and improve the look and function in your kitchen. Look for a white or bisque color.

Baths are a sanctuary for many these days and get more design attention than ever. Again, simple and clean lines are the theme here. Choose a neutral color palette when buying towels, shower curtain and accessories. New towel bars, light fixtures and faucets can all be replaced without breaking the bank.

Good rules to follow: Concentrate on one room at a time. Look through home design magazines first to “Find your Style”. Check out several home improvement stores for ideas. Places like Target have lots of home design items too. Calculate all the stuff you plan to buy beforehand to get a total on your project. Then prepare to enjoy your home makeover!