Real Estate Predictions

Submitted by: Kathy Moore Cloud - Boerne Office

Boerne, Texas is on a high growth corridor Northwest of San Antonio, Texas on Interstate l0. I couldn’t agree more with Gary Ashton’s interview in an RISMEDIA article by Dr. Cliff Baird November 2l, 2007. Although Ashton is in Nashville, he expresses a sentiment heard throughout our own local real estate market as well for the immediate future (next l2 months).

“The past couple of years were definitely sellers markets and now the tide has turned towards a buyer’s market but the sellers are not at a point where they have to take huge losses to move their homes. Expectations are becoming more reasonable. Sellers are realizing that there may be longer days on the market than before but the homes are still selling. Thankfully I notice more realistic listing prices. We will have the seasonal lows around November, December and January and demand will increase again around February, March and April and through the rest of the summer."

The level of the demand will, to some extent, be determined by the media’s perception of the real estate market. The reports in the media are based on reality but they have created a perception that the problem is actually much worse which the public then absorbs as fact. They then perpetuate this belief by making the perception reality. It is the ultimate self-fulfilling prophesy. It’s a vicious cycle and has turned the buyer’s state of mind in to a “wait and see” mode.

The long term effects of this hesitant buyer will be to create a seller’s market when consumer confidence returns and the pent up demand is released. As the number of buyers flood back on to the market, the demand increases and the sales rise, days on the market is then reduced…and we will return once again to the seller’s market. Thus the cycle completes itself. It always does.

A spokesperson from the Brinks family reminds us all “real estate is the greatest lifelong investment there has ever been and ever will be”. Indeed! Our Real Estate business grows yearly for the Cloud Group thru personal referrals and web based lead generation which is powerful. The Cloud Group growth and personal referral client base is a direct reflection of the power of our personal services and professional knowledge. We are proud to be part of the largest Independent Brokerage of South Texas. Bradfield Properties’ longevity speaks volumes in this type market both to us as Realtors and to our clients. For more information, please visit me at www.bradfieldproperties.com/kathymoorecloud or send me a message at kathymoorecloud@BradfieldProperties.com .

Arrowhead

Submitted By: Jilla Sayyadi - Stone Oak Office

$264,900
MLS #: 682149
Subdivision: Arrowhead
4 BR/2.5 BA
2-Car Garage

Relax by the pool, or sit on the game room balcony and enjoy the city views, 4 bedrooms, 2 and half bath, master down with plantation shutters, master bath has whirlpool and double vanity. 4 sides brick, custom ceramic tile through out, formal dining room, study and game room. Stainless steel Refrigerator, Storage building, patio furniture and few other small items stay with the house. For more information contact Jilly Sayyadi at bradfieldproperties.com/JillaSayyadi.

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Rolling Meadows

Submitted by: Brenda Alexander - Stone Oak Office

$187,000

MLS#681946

Loop 1604 & Nagodoches

4BR/2.5BA

2-Car Garage

Often parents find that the investment into a home is more cost-effective than a school dormitory or apartment for their college bound children, especially if they will be in-place for an extended period of time. Such is the case with this wonderful property, now for sale in the northeast area of San Antonio. After completion of the Bachelor/Master programs, the financial end should be a "wash" on the cost of housing for the student and very possibly some extra dollars (a little or a lot - depends on the deal) in mom and dad's pockets to boot! Adding icing to the cake, is that the

student/child secured employment in their newly developed field of expertise and have a job in another state! So, are these sellers motivated? You Bet! Contact Brenda Alexander at bradfieldproperties.com/BrendaAlexander for a private showing today - you can certainly get in, in time to enjoy that fireplace and big backyard for the Holidays!

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Happy Thanksgiving - We appreciate you!

Submitted by: Reagan Greer - Broker

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday season, the management team of Bradfield Properties would like to thank all those who have entrusted their real estate needs with our professional team of Realtors. Whether buying or selling property, the process can be overwhelming as well as time consuming and a part of our job is to help in creating a smooth and trouble-free transaction for our clients and customers. As the numbers of individuals reviewing our website grows, technology continues to provide an easy and convenient method to gather and share information.

The National Association of Realtors estimates that 80% of today’s buyers of property start on the internet. We are pleased you have found our site and our blog useful as your search and review options.

As we enjoy the fall weather, remember to have your AC/heating unit checked out, take advantage of the timing to fertilize and prune your lawn/foliage and keep your gutters clear as leaves fall. Home maintenance ultimately can pay dividends down the road.

Again, we appreciate your interest in our services and wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving 2007.

For my money, I’d rather concentrate on the facts

Submitted by: Naomi Weckesser - Manager - Boerne Office

While we continuously hear the moaning and groaning of down turns in the housing and economic predictors from sources on a national level, I find it incredible that we hear so little from our state or local media about the real facts. However, in the October issue of Tierra Grande, Journal of the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, Steve H. Murdock, a research fellow with the Real Estate Center, proves my perspective and opinion on concentrating on the facts.

Mr. Murdock’s Demography article, Here We GROW Again, clearly shows that …”Texas’ population had a larger numerical increase from 2000 to 2006 than any other state and a growth rate (12.7) twice that of the nation.” Additionally, San Antonio is among three cities in Texas with the largest increases, at 33,000 new neighbors.

I won’t deny the tight squeeze being felt by our East and West coast populations, but here in Texas, and particularly in the Hill Country, we’ve still got plenty of room to grow, so Come On Down. We’ve got lots of room for new neighbors and this means plenty of opportunities for existing friends to sell, move up, and move around! Call our Boerne office at 830-816-9400 to speak to a Real Estate Professional to assist you in your sale or buying needs.

Real Estate Auction – A Viable Alternative?

Submitted By: Stewart Larsen - Boerne Office

In a recent observation by Ina Steiner on AuctionBytes.com, October 22, 2007, we note that Ina sees… Real Estate Auctions Contribute to Live Auction Growth.

According to Ina Steiner, and in a recent survey, forty-seven percent of auctioneers that responded, reported an increase in gross sales receipts in the first three quarters of 2007. Additionally, Ina states, residential real estate auctions continue to be one of the fastest growing segments of the live auction industry with an estimated growth of 3.1% since the end of the second quarter. During this same period, commercial and industrial real estate auction has grown 2.9%.

Locally, we see real estate auctions on the rise as well. As noted by David Hendricks in Business Section D of the San Antonio Express-News, October 20, 2007, recently an auction of the McAllister house was conducted. Although bids submitted did not result in a sale, we recognize this as a viable alternative to conventional sales practices and are realizing our need, as REALTORS® to expand our marketing efforts in this arena. Having already experimented with this method of exposure and potential avenue for a sale, my own comfort level with real estate auctioning is growing at a very positive rate. For more information, visit me in our Boerne office or go to www.bradfieldproperties.com/stewartlarsen .

Seven Ways Sellers Can Ensure a Good First Impression

Submitted by: Rebecca Lowther-Marketing Department

There are many things sellers have to remember when selling a home. Keeping everything looking clean and tidy can be daunting and its easy to let the little things slide. Here are 7 things that could go unnoticed in all the flurry activity.

7 Things To Remember When Selling a Home:
1. Clean window treatments and windows: Wash the drapes or at least shake them out and dust any shutters or blinds. Dirty window treatments can make a home smell musty and can wreak havoc on allergy sufferers. Run over the windows with glass cleaner to make them gleam and let in the light. And don’t forget the window sills!
2. Dust ceiling fans: Ceiling fans accumulate dust fast and can make an otherwise tidy room look dirty. Run a damp paper towel over the blades to remove any dust that’s collected there.
3. Clean the baseboards: Use a a damp cloth to get rid of dust and marks from shoes. Touch up chipped paint.
4. Check for cobwebs: Carefully inspect ceilings, especially high ones, and eradicate any cobwebs.
5. Use candles and air fresheners to make your home smell inviting: We all grow accustomed to the smells in our house, whether its our beloved family pet, the fish we had for dinner or just the smells that accompany an older home. Although these odors might be faint, they can be quite noticeable to someone whose never been in your home. A fresh smelling candle or a few puffs of odor eliminating air freshener will keep your home smelling as good as it looks. But remember, overdoing it with air freshener and candles can scare people away just as quickly as bad smells, so use sparingly.
6. Pay attention to the front door: It must be clean and inviting. Use a household cleaner to get rid of any scuffs, smudges and fingerprints. Also, make sure the step and doormat are clean and tidy. Sweep away any leaves or bugs that may have been blown there.
7. Curb appeal: Mow, edge and weed the yard. Plant flowers for a splash of color. If you make your home inviting from the driveway, people will know you take care of it before they even walk in the door.

These little things may seem nit-picky, but they could make or break a first impression. Let people see your beautiful home, not the dust!