6218 COLONY CREEK

Totally redone single story charmer complete in every way – new roof, new paint in & out, new carpet, new microwave, fully landscaped. Beautiful open floorplan with impressive architectural detail . . . curved entry wall, high ceilings, plant ledges, corner fireplace, open walls from kitchen to living and dining areas. Peaceful master suite with arched window, high ceiling and luxury bath complete with separate tub & shower and double vanity. Really nice soft-toned neutral color throughout with white trim. Enjoy the outdoors on the pergola covered patio which overlooks the tree-shaded backyard. Well maintained grounds with full sprinkler system.

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$7,500 TAX CREDIT FOR FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS!

Here it is, a way to cut costs in the tax area of our lives and, believe it or not, very few buyers are taking notice of this savings feature in buying a house.  Who can use an extra $7,500 to redecorate their house, get a new paint job, new carpeting or some wood flooring?  The answer is: all of us. 

Keep in mind that this is a tax credit or reduction in taxes which in turn would free up funds to use elsewhere.  The purchase must be completed between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009.  Another aspect is that the $7,500 tax credit must be paid back over 15 years but with no interest.  It amounts to an interest free loan. 

Please contact Mary or Joe Skye for further details on the $7,500 tax credit.

Source: David Fialk/RISMedia/IRS Newswire/Skye

real estate,buy,sell,house,home,realtor,agent,san antonio,market,relocating

Here is some timely advice we would like to pass on from Kate Leonard, Senior Loan Officer with SWBC.  We enjoy working with Kate as she provides professional and efficient service to our buyers:

It's that time again...time to start gathering all of that dreaded documentation to send to good old Uncle Sam! Recent stats say the IRS audited 1 out of every 97 returns last year, so it pays to be careful. And even though this may seem like a very painful process, taking just a few simple steps right now will make your tax filing far easier and more accurate.

Keep it together. Make a quick list of all the documents or statements that were needed to complete your return last year--or call your tax planning professional for a checklist. Use this as a checklist to make sure you have a good start on the documents you may need this year. As you receive tax documents in the mail, grab your checklist, and mark the item as received. Then, keep all of the tax documents together in a large file or envelope marked "2007 TAXES."

Do the math. According to the IRS, the most common mistake on tax returns is bad math--from transposed numbers to downright incorrect data. And with one document leading to the other, those errors can make a huge impact. And even if you use tax software, you're not off the hook--since they only add the info YOU put in. Double-check entries carefully.

Every last cent. The IRS receives copies of your Form 1099 earnings each tax season. So, they know how much you make in interest and dividend income, and they will use that info to double-check your filing information. Make sure you collect all your earnings statements and document them on your return.

Sign on the line. It sounds almost silly, but forgetting to sign a return is actually a fairly common oversight. And the IRS won't process a return that doesn't have a signature. So, make sure you sign to avoid resubmitting your paperwork and possibly paying late-filing fees.

Remember, there isn't a lot of room for error when you're dealing with the IRS. A slight miscalculation could mean the difference between getting a return and writing a check--or worse, paying a penalty. It pays to work with a tax professional. If you need a referral, contact us—we’ll be happy to help!

Source:  SWBC/Leonard/Skye

real estate,buy,sell,house,home,realtor,agent,san antonio,market,relocating

One of the Benefits of Catching the Next Wave in the Corridor!

Catching the next wave in the South Central Texas corridor (San Antonio-Austin-Temple-Belton, TX) will result in the employment of approximately 1,000,000 individuals.  This should be a major reason for moving ahead as rapidly as possible with the WAVE.  Many obstacles lie in the path to completion --such as funding, education and legislation.  A thousand mile journey begins with the first step!

Source: UT Austin iC2 Institute-Smithson/Adams/Stacy/Evans/Skye

Here is some timely advice we would like to pass on from Kate Leonard, Senior Loan Officer with SWBC.  We enjoy working with Kate as she provides professional and efficient service to our buyers:

It's that time again...time to start gathering all of that dreaded documentation to send to good old Uncle Sam! Recent stats say the IRS audited 1 out of every 97 returns last year, so it pays to be careful. And even though this may seem like a very painful process, taking just a few simple steps right now will make your tax filing far easier and more accurate.

Keep it together. Make a quick list of all the documents or statements that were needed to complete your return last year--or call your tax planning professional for a checklist. Use this as a checklist to make sure you have a good start on the documents you may need this year. As you receive tax documents in the mail, grab your checklist, and mark the item as received. Then, keep all of the tax documents together in a large file or envelope marked "2007 TAXES."

Do the math. According to the IRS, the most common mistake on tax returns is bad math--from transposed numbers to downright incorrect data. And with one document leading to the other, those errors can make a huge impact. And even if you use tax software, you're not off the hook--since they only add the info YOU put in. Double-check entries carefully.

Every last cent. The IRS receives copies of your Form 1099 earnings each tax season. So, they know how much you make in interest and dividend income, and they will use that info to double-check your filing information. Make sure you collect all your earnings statements and document them on your return.

Sign on the line. It sounds almost silly, but forgetting to sign a return is actually a fairly common oversight. And the IRS won't process a return that doesn't have a signature. So, make sure you sign to avoid resubmitting your paperwork and possibly paying late-filing fees.

Remember, there isn't a lot of room for error when you're dealing with the IRS. A slight miscalculation could mean the difference between getting a return and writing a check--or worse, paying a penalty. It pays to work with a tax professional. If you need a referral, contact us—we’ll be happy to help!

Source:  SWBC/Leonard/Skye

Did you know . . .

The cost to renovate and expand The Majestic and The Charline McComb Empire Theatres was approximately $15 million.  Since re-opening on September 13, 1989, there have been approximately 3,831 performances with an approximate total attendance of 4,564,776 and the operating cost paid by taxpayers has been $0.00. 

Yes, that's right . . . zero taxpayer dollars.  We are enthusiastic theatre goers, and we love these two theatres!  We schedule our theatre attendance as appointments and truly experience the enjoyment these two establishments offer.  We like to leave the office about 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., go downtown and have dinner on the RiverWalk or in one of San Antonio's great downtown restaurants and then go to the show! Our favorite shows are the Broadway productions, and we have been season ticketholders of the the Broadway Series for many years. 

This is just another "Star of San Antonio" we like to promote and encourage you to give it a try, too.  If you do, we hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

real estate,buy,sell,house,home,realtor,agent,san antonio,market,relocatingAttachment:

DESPITE HIGH GAS PRICES, MORE BUYERS WANT OVERSIZED GARAGES

Home buyers in increasing numbers want garages with two or more spaces in their homes. Since the last survey taken regarding this item in 2004 by the National Association of REALTORS, oversize garages saw the biggest growth in terms of what recent buyers considered very important in a home, gaining 16 percentage points to 57%. In the 2007 Profile of Buyers' Home Feature Preferences, among buyers who purchased homes without this feature, 56% of them said they would have paid more for an oversize garage, compared to only 6% in the 2004 survey.

Hardwood floors and granite countertops each gained 7 percentage points, with 28% and 23%, respectively, of buyers viewing these features as "very important". Gaining 6 percentage points was cable/satellite TV-ready, at 46%.

Energy efficiency was more important to new-home buyers than buyers of existing homes, with 65% of new-home buyers saying it was very important compared to 39% of buyers of existing homes. Older buyers placed a higher priority on energy efficiency than did younger buyers.

From 2004 to 2006, the size of the typical home purchased increased by about 100 sqf to 1,840 sqf while the median number of bedrooms dropped from four to three during the same period. The median home age reported in the current survey is 12 years, down from 15 years in 2004.

More than half of home buyers believe their home has high investment potential, and another four out of ten believe it has moderate investment potential. Only 3% felt their home's investment potential was low. Six out of ten recent home buyers took on remodeling or home improvement projects within three months of their purchase. Close to half of home buyers who remodeled or made improvements updated their kitchen, and nearly half remodeled or improved a bathroom. New homeowners spent a median of $4,350 on home improvement or remodeling projects undertaken within three months of purchase.

"The fact that a majority of home buyers quickly remodel key areas of their homes ties into the fact that their home is a good, long-term investment," said Paul Bishop, NAR manager of real estate research. "Regardless of market conditions in the short term, when purchased for the long term, housing is one of the safest investments consumers can make."

Source: NAR, Skye

Why Do Some Homes Sell Quicker Than Others?

They are priced right.  Pricing is usually the number one determinant as to how long a home will be on the market.  Obviously, the property has to be priced competitively, but do not set the price based upon what you heard a neighbor received for their home. Adjacent homes can be radically different. They both may have the same floor plans, but improvements, a more desirable location in the neighborhood and other seemingly small variations can make a significant difference when it comes to price. Also, how a home is staged for the market carries a great deal of weight in the ultimate price received.

 In considering the right price, one of the most important traits you need is objectivity.  Homeowners, naturally, have an emotional attachment to their home, and because of their feelings they oftentimes overestimate what their home is worth.  Despite the attachment, try to be practical and logical. Make a competitive study of recent sales that are comparable to your home. Evaluate price per square foot, age, condition and location.  Also functional obsolescence and major updating could have a great impact upon pricing. 

Remember, that the value of your home can be impacted by developments that are not yet in place.  Is there vacant land nearby? If so, what businesses or structures will be erected there in the future? Is it a desirable addition to the neighborhood? If there is vacant land, visit the local planning and zoning commission to see what might be built. You can always call a local real estate professional who knows your neighborhood to explain the elements that go into pricing and why.  Ask that person about a CMA (comparative market analysis) and what it means. 

Source:  Mitchener/Skye

Mary and Joe Skye are real estate consultants devoted to serving those who desire to buy or sell a home.  They share a common goal of serving buyers and sellers above and beyond expectations.  It is this keen desire to serve and develop relationships that motivates them to constantly be aware of any opportunity to better serve their customers. 

Mary and Joe in striving to do the extraordinary differentiate themselves from the ordinary with the result being that approximately 85-90% of their business is referral and repeat business.  It is with this in mind that Mary and Joe offer their real estate expertise to all buyers and sellers who need real estate assistance.  In today's challenging marketplace you need someone with a proven record - you need the SKYE TEAM.  Let their 40+ years of combined experience in the real estate industry work for YOU!  

Come on and enjoy this great South Texas adventure in Real Estate.  Feel free to add your comments and suggestions.  Check out Mary and Joe's website at:  www.TxHomeSearch.com.

 DESIGNATIONS:  ABR,CRB,CRS,ePro,GRI