Jul. 11, 2010 - Nice One Story, 4 Bdrm Home Near Rec Center

15118 EAGLE GROVE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78232 -- $169,900

This property offers a great location & schools plus nearby community rec center with pool and tennis. The house is situated on a large 1/3 acre landscaped lot heavily treed. The huge covered patio sets the stage for summer fun and outdoor grilling! Inside you'll find 4 bedrooms plus a study with a full wall of built-ins. Also, there is a Florida room with access to the covered patio!  Features include wood flooring & Berber carpet, solar screens; updates include ceramic tile in baths, fixtures, one water saver toilet, interior paint, range, microwave, dishwasher, and some kitchen fixtures. The roof is approximately three years old, and there is a new wood floor in the kitchen and breakfast area.  Exterior features include a Leaf-Guard gutter system, full sprinkler system and storage building. There are two dining areas and one large living area with a fireplace flanked by windows and access to the patio. This property is well built & there’s room for all!  

Jun. 24, 2010 - The perfect house for entertaining with large deck/balcony, mature trees and a beautiful pool.

BEN BRUSH 14302

VIRTUAL TOUR LINK:  O

http://tours.imprev.net/03782F07/38/67338/1258155/index.ipv

One-story contemporary with lots of windows, high ceilings & huge rooms! Living room has clerestory windows, wet bar & soaring fireplace. Love the space this kitchen/dining area offer! All rooms are oversized including the bedrooms! Living room can accommodate dining area, too. This house is perfect for entertaining both inside & out as it flows onto the huge multi-level deck which overlooks the award-winning pool! 2009 Updates include 16 SEER HVAC system, dishwasher, new security system with window sensors; other recent updates include garage door, front entry doors, French & sliding doors; and most windows in kit & LR. No carpet--all tile! Mature trees and palm trees and the lot adjoins rec center park – just walk out the back gate and go to tennis courts, volley ball & sports courts, playground & community pool.

Jun. 16, 2010 - A Home With Outstanding Features & Ready For Move-in.

 14622 SNIP SAN ANTONIO, TX 78248, $335,000.00

14622 Snip, San Antonio, TX 78248--MLS#837769--$335,000/Churchill Estates

Stunning design and incredible elegance offering so much:  beautiful NW views, Chicago brick

exterior, extra-wide bricked entry, soaring ceilings, niches, impressive fixtures. Lower level is

comprised of master with oversized luxurious bath featuring extensive vanities and whirlpool tub; separate formal living and dining areas, study, den and awesome kitchen/breakfast area. Three bedrooms on upper level each with private bath! Customized throughout! Two

fireplaces, wet bar, glass blocks, patio, mature landscaping, pond! Ceramic tile throughout

except bedrooms and upper hallway. Three heating/cooling units and internal pest control.

Jun. 16, 2010 - Home In Wonderful Condition With Open Floor Plan & High Ceilings.

This beautiful single story garden home is in excellent condition & shows so beautifully with a pleasing decor, open floor plan & high ceilings! Great closet space, ceramic tile & fresh paint. The tiled kitchen has stainless steel appliances and gas cooking and is bright & cheerful!  The separate oversized dining room is hard to find!  There’s a small private patio off the kitchen just perfect for morning coffee. For convenience, you find a large pantry/utility room and a rear entry garage. Such a great area with a neighborhood rec center and nearby Huebner Elementary School. One could not ask for anything more in a garden home in this price range.

15022 Polynesian, San Antonio, Texas, 78248 -- $200,000/MLS#842654

Jun. 10, 2010 - Cost Based Home Improvement Projects

 RELATING COST TO VALUE ON YOUR PROPERTY

What should be the first improvement to make when improving a property for sale purposes?  Let's start with some low cost items just to get an idea about relating cost to value (these are estimates at this time):

• Landscaping - If you spend $320 on improving your exterior appearance, such as the lawn, shrubbery, trees, flowers, etc., your return should be in the area of $1,500;                               
• Cleaning and de-cluttering:  $200 cost/$1,600 price increase;
• Lighting:  "make it bright" $220 cost/$1,275 price increase;
• Home Staging:  Not the same as decorating $315 cost/$1,785 price increase;
• Repair Plumbing: $375 cost/$1,220 price increase;
• Deck: Midrange wood: 82% ROI (return on investment);
• Roofing: Mid-range 66% ROI;
• Siding:: Mid-range vinyl: 81% ROI, Upscale foam-backed vinyl 80% ROI.  Upscale  fiber cement 87% ROI;
• Windows: Upscale vinyl 79% ROI. Mid-range vinyl 77% ROI, Mid-range wood 78% ROI;
• Kitchen: Mid-range minor remodel 80% ROI, Mid-range major remodel 76% ROI; and
• Bathroom: Mid-range 63% ROI.

Again, just a reminder that these are estimates at this point in time and may vary according to geographic area and market conditions.

Source: Brewer/Skye 

Jun. 9, 2010 - Outstanding Home Adjoins Voelker Park Greenway.

2327 Preakness, San Antonio, TX 78248--$240,000/MLS#836842

Great property in great condition! Beautiful greenbelt lot adjoining Voelker Park Greenway! Big beautiful trees in huge backyard--great for fun & outdoor entertaining! All BRs up with good closet space. Note sizes of bedrooms. Well-designed island kitchen w/nice cabinetry. Tile in gallery-like entry, kit areas,den & baths. Nice decor, attractive window treatments. You will love it! Security & sprinkler systems, gas heat, great landscaping. Gated community, neighborhood rec center, nearby Huebner Elementary School all in the great desirable neighborhood of Churchill Estates!

Jun. 9, 2010 - Single Story Flowing Floor Plan W/Split Master.

14619 Dauber, San Antonio, TX 78248--$244,000/MLS#836696

 Beautiful, flowing open floorplan in this SINGLE STORY featuring split master * 2LIV/2DIN * big kitchen/casual dining area & den all with view of covered porch & backyard * crown molding * tiled fireplace surround * JennAire cooktop * fridge, washer & dryer stay * beautiful tile in entry, kit areas & den * large master suite with outside access * stucco exterior & many huge trees * sprinkler & security systems * high ceilings thru-out & excellent closet space * great neighborhood & area * Huebner Elem * community rec center . . . all in desirable Churchill Estates

May. 11, 2010 - Class & Style Stand Out Everywhere On This Home

15031 Bridlewood Drive, Boerne, Texas, 78006--MLS#832879 $1,500,000

First time on the market for this custom one-of-a kind home offering a blend of class & style with the utmost in quality and new techniques! Beautiful tile and custom wood flooring (master). The master bath is basically luxurious with a huge walk-in shower, whirlpool tub, twin vanities & a lot of elbow room. You’ll find quality cabinetry thru-out and top-of-line appliances in the kitchen which is complete with casual dining area, desk area and built-in hutch. Separate study/office & separate garden/exercise room. There are scenic country views from each room. 900+sqf oversized garage + 3 car 20x40 tiled porte cochere. Ionic water purification system and private well; aerobic septic; extensive sprinkler system; stocked pond; 3 horses allowed. Handsome stone exterior with red tile roof. Private electronic gate to property within a gated community.  All of this on 9+ acres of beautiful countryside with Boerne, Leon Springs and San Antonio at your fingertips.

Apr. 29, 2010 - One Owner Home In Established Residential Subdivision

 5314 King George, San Antonio, TX 78229, MLS#832126--$149,000--

Well constructed one-owner home in established area on a big beautiful lot with giant trees! So comfortable with no steps, large curved breakfast area in cheerful kitchen which overlooks the tree-shaded front yard. Entry has full mirrored wall and terrazo flooring which extends into hallway and baths. Wood paneling, fireplace in den, lots of built-ins. The large mastersuite has access to the covered patio. The utility room is spacious with sink and handy closet. You’ll love the big front and backyards and the huge trees . . . so great during the hot summer months. You’ll also appreciate the style and character of this home – not one of the new cookie-cutter homes you find packed into new neighborhoods. Just minutes away from the medical center and easy access to major shopping areas.

Apr. 29, 2010 - Clutter-Free 4 Year Old Home In TOP CONDITION.

22315 Mesa Knl, San Antonio, Texas, 78258--MLS#816247/$210,000

Absolutely clutter-free 4 year old home & in great condition . . . remote lower master suite/3 BRs & huge gameroom on upper level. Living Room  could transition to Dining Room if desired. Upgraded kitchen with granite countertops & stainless steel appliances. Blinds thru-out & tremendous storage areas. So light & bright. Nicely landscaped grounds & covered patio. Gated area near elementary & middle schools.

Mar. 13, 2010 - Get real good-faith estimate on closing fees

MAKE SURE TO GET REAL GOOD-FAITH ESTIMATE ON CLOSING FEES

The Federal Goverrnment is attempting to eliminate consumer surprises on closing fees.  In their benevolent efforts, they have opened the door to another problem.  On January 1, 2010, lenders nationwide are required to issue new good faith estimates to applicants that cover loan fees and settlement charges.

These new regulations put out by the Department of Housing and Urban Development require lenders to be accurate on their fees charged to an applicant and they should be the same loan fees and
settlement charges that are presented at closing.

The purpose behind these new regulations is to eliminate the intentional over/under estimation of fees.  Lenders would lowball fees to lure applicants away from a competitor and then surprise them with new higher fees at closing.  In the past lenders were not penalized for lowballing loan fees initially and then shocking the consumer at closing.  January 1, 2010, which is the date the new regulations were introduced was suppose to eliminate lender fee abuse.  When the fees exceeded the GFE that were set in the beginning, the lender was to pick up the overage. 

The new GFE was suppose to allow the consumer to shop around and see if any other lender had lower fees and loan terms.  In comparison shopping, all figures shown to the applicant were to be the same at closing.  Consumer groups were happy and the lenders were grudgingly giving the OK but complaining that January 1, was too short a time for them to implement the new regulations.

What is happening presently, is lenders and many loan officers are not using the new price-bound GFE forms but instead are using work sheets that are legal requirement free.  This allows those lenders and loan officers to lowball and continue their bait-and-switch game.  These worksheets are used when the applicant does not provide all of the necessary information to complete a new GFE form.  An example would be not giving the address of the property to be purchased.

Loan Officers and lenders are complaining that HUD is forcing them to be 100% accurate on their fees and this is not possible early on in the application process.  Loan officers are saying these worksheets are useable when consumers are "just" shopping around.  Later on these same consumers would get a new GFE when they are serious and are ready to purchase the designated property.

Updated guidelines may be necessary if these worksheets become a problem in the housing industry.  Shoppers should demand a new GFE when dealing with a lender or loan officer.  If they donot comply, move on to another lender or loan officer.

Source: SABJ/Skye

Mar. 1, 2010 - Home & Garden Show

Home & Garden Show – February 27, 2010

We attended the Home & Garden Show at the Alamo Dome on Saturday,

February 27, 2010.  It was pleasantly appealing to people interested in both indoor and outdoor plants as well as floor tile, wood flooring, windows, caulking, tile grout cleaning, swimming pools, hot tubs of all sizes, wood

cabinets in all price ranges, renovation and repair companies, residential

entry doors, wrought iron doors and fences and more.

It was a real treat to be exposed to the many new features in the live plant

world as well as the residential construction material and architecture.  A

bonus to it all was the clear sunny day. 

Feb. 15, 2010 - Rules promise to give borrowers heads up on credit nicks

I read an article in the San Antonio Business Journal recently by Ken Harney which I found interesting and also very important to consumers.  Below is the essence of the article.  Joe Skye

More Help For Borrowers Needing Credit :   In late December, the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") and the Federal Reserve published regulations designed to safeguard loan applicants from needless overcharges on interest rates caused by erroneous or outdated negative information in their national credit bureau files. 

The rules require lenders to alert consumers whenever derogatory credit data cause them to be charged higher rates, higher down payments or less than optimal terms on a "risk-based pricing" system.  Risk-based pricing tied to credit scores is standard practice for home mortgages, credit cards, auto loans and most other financial products offered to the public.  Generally, the higher your credit score, the lower the rates and fees you're quoted.  The lower your scores, the higher your costs of credit.

The problem, though, is that credit bureau files sometimes contain junk entries-mistaken or outdated reports of late payments, unpaid bills, charge-offs and judgments that can  make one's credit scores lower.  Consumers have the right to correct these errors, but most of the time, they don't know they exist.

In past years, the only way consumers found out that a problem existed was by receiving a rejection letter from the lender turning down their mortgage request.  Then, Federal Law guaranteed them the right to receive an "adverse action" notice, advising them to check their credit files for possible errors.  Because of the rapid spread of risk-based pricing systems, less and less applicants were declined loans.  Lenders raised rates to compensate for low credit scores.  All of the subprime mortgage industry charged low credit score borrowers much more than consumers with high credit scores. This activity, more than anything else caused the housing industry to burst.

Congress became concerned when many loan applicants were being hit with excessive rates for frivilous reasons.  In 2003, Congress passed the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act ("FACTA").  Besides introducing a long list of reforms, FACTA introduced a free annual credit report for all.  It also directed the FTC and the FED to revise the "risk-based pricing notice" for mortgagors and loan applicants whenever their credit scores opened the way for high interest rates and other adverse terms.  The reasoning behind the actions of FACTA was to make the consumer aware of credit complications before they signed off on a binding set of documents   This legislation was signed into law on December 4, 2003.  Who knows how many subprime mortgages could have been avoided if risk-based pricing notices had been available to the consumer in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

The FTC and the FED never came up with draft proposals to implement Congressional mandate until May 2008.  19 months later on December 22, 2009, the agencies came out with final regulations for lenders.  They still will not be effective for another year. What will risk-based pricing notices mean for consumers applying for mortgages?  Some lenders will begin phasing in the new notice system before January 1, 2011.  Home mortgage lenders will probably provide consumers with notices of credit scores, a bar graph showing where their scores rank against others, the name and contact information for the credit bureau that provided the information, key items that might have lowered the score.  Guidance on how to correct mistakes in credit files.

Ask your lender how pricing is handled when your scores come in low.   Request a free credit report in advance of your application by visiting this website:  www.annualcreditreport.com.   All major mortgage sources have raised their credit score cutoffs for the best rate quotes and fees. 

Source:  Ken Harney, SA Business Journal

Feb. 10, 2010 - 10 Home Features Buyers Want

TODAY'S BUYERS

Feb. 10, 2010 - Being The Person Who Has The Energy To Give

Here's a great article by Joeann Fossland whom I highly respect.  Hope you enjoy this!

BEING THE PERSON WHO Has the energy to give... I know you know this……You have to take care of yourself FIRST!!!! ALWAYS. You can only give to others in proportion to what you have. If you are tired, scared, frantic or beat up…you don’t have much to offer the people you want to serve. And, even though you know this, why do I keep talking with people who are making half as much working twice as hard and are just plain tired?…..Why is it so hard to stop and re-center, focus and begin in the beginning? And that beginning is to nurture and love you. Yes, it may sound selfish and that’s what I want you to claim in 2010-Extreme Selfishness in taking care of YOUR NEEDS. I have enjoyed and learned from the books and recordings I have of Esther & Jerry Hicks and the teachings of Abraham-where the recent Law of Attraction work all started. I read their latest book, The Vortex: Where the Law of Attraction Assembles All Cooperative Relationships, on our Hawaiian vacation. It was so calming to sit on the beach and think about where and what I was resisting in my life and see how to let go, so the resistance didn’t distract me or get me stuck from getting the things I REALLY want. Here is a quote from Abraham’s Teachings, “Your greatest value to others is when you are joyful. Your greatest value to others is when you are connected. Your greatest value to others is to be radiantly healthy. Your greatest value to others is when you are happy. Your greatest value to others is to have and to be and do all the things that are very important to you. And as you are living that and vibrating that and oozing that and radiating that - then you are a catalyst that is inspiring others to an awareness of that.” Abraham-Hicks Isn’t that wonderful? Can you take it in? Your job is to take care of YOU…so you can serve the people in your life you want to serve. Here are a few ways to take better care of yourself: Take at least one full day off each week Schedule the time for vacations whether it’s a staycation or a trip around the world! Put regular appointments on your calendar for the things that nourish you: watching the sunset, reading, massages, getting together with people you love, playing tennis, golf….OK, hopefully you get the idea. Ask others to help you! Give up things that don’t give you joy anymore Take up a centering practice: mediatation, yoga, exercise Eat well Stop habits that numb you or injure you Start and end each day with an awareness of what you DO have and what you are grateful for You are the most valuable asset to your business (and your life!). If your life is not calm and happy most of the time, stop and see what you can do. IT IS UP TO YOU!!!!!!

Jan. 26, 2010 - TOP 10 MUST-HAVE FEATURES IN TODAY'S NEW HOMES

10 features that buyers are saying they want in a new home:

http://rismedia.com/2010-01-24/top-10-must-have-features-in-todays-new-homes/print/

 It's going to be an exciting year in San Antonio, TX!

                                                                           Joe Skye, skye@txhomesearch.com

Jan. 13, 2010 - Ideal Lot For Building A Large Home. 2018 Pipestone Dr.

Nice building site in very convenient North Central location near Hwy 281 & Thousand Oaks.  Recently surveyed/135 front wide x 150 deep.  Level with trees, low traffic (no thru street). Thousand Oaks to Ledge View to Parkstone to Pipestone -- drive by, check it out, build your new home. Some utilities on site.

Jan. 13, 2010 - San Antonio Single Family Home Listing 11430 Rousseau St.

11430 Rousseau Street, San Antonio, Texas, 78251

Ready for your occupancy . . .  three bedroom or two bedroom and study/office with French doors! Easy access single story with no steps, too! Updated throughout with new carpet, new paint, new kitchen countertops, new blinds, new ductwork! Big backyard with mature trees and covered patio and big oversized single garage. Conveniently located with easy access to Loop 1604, Potranco, Hwy 151 and W. Military.  SeaWorld is just around the corner! Schools are Stevens HS, Vale MS and Lewis Elementary.  Priced at only $95,500 . . . and even less than that if you qualify for the tax credit of $8,000! See it today!

Jan. 13, 2010 - Listing At 706 Kenilworth Blvd

This delightful 3 bedroom/1.5 bath Northridge single story with a great open floorplan will go to the top of your list! You’ll find Saltillo and ceramic tile flooring in the living and dining areas and carpet in the bedrooms. It features an updated kitchen with tile countertops & backsplash, upgraded light fixtures and hardware, skylights and double lavatories in the half bath! The expansive living and dining areas offer great versatility and are perfect for entertaining. The roof was replaced within the recent past. Towering pecan trees, two patiod an extra driveway accent the huge lot. The single garage is finished and has a large workshop and tons of storage space.  All of this plus an outstanding location and Alamo Heights ISD!

Jan. 13, 2010 - Property Listed On Hunters Dove In San Antonio, Texas. 3611 Hunters Dove.

3611 Hunters Dove, San Antonio, TX 78230--MLS#815179--$275,000

Spacious split level w/4th bdrm (built-in desk) & full bath on main level . . . master (overlooking backyard) and 2 bdrms w/bath between (facing front) just a few steps up . . . all nice big rooms. Open Living Room with wet bar, fireplace, French doors to office & gameroom; spacious and accommodating Dining Room. Wood & wood laminate flooring, lots of windows and light. Double pane windows, dual HVAC, sprinkler & security systems. Beautiful large cul-de-sac lot with mature trees, 2 balconies (1 off master). Oversized garage with workshop and extra storage. Great neighborhood with optional rec center. Great location and very desirable area. 4 Bedrooms/3 Baths and complete with office and gameroom.