Texas real estate

For everyone still reeling from the tough San Antonio real estate (SARE) market in 2010, it’s now time to get up, dust yourself off, and look forward to a more promising 2010.

Don’t expect the market to surge ahead quickly, though, as regrouping from the last year’s national recession is going to take time. However, many real estate professionals are quite optimistic that 2010 will be a better year for anyone involved in the SARE industry.

The San Antonio (SA) Board of Realtors, in fact, has projected not only an increase in the number of home sales, but also price appreciation for SaARE. In other words, for everyone who has managed to survive last year’s hit, it’s going to be a much better year ahead.

There are some sticking points in the SARE market, make no doubt. For example, home builders are still finding it difficult to get financing to complete projects. And on the other side of the loan process, many would-be homeowners are still being turned down by banks for home loans. Short sales and foreclosures have no doubt had a negative impact on the lending industry over the past year, so it only makes sense that lending will continue to remain fairly tight during the upcoming year.

1. However, the SARE market for homes priced under $200,000 are sure to experience the biggest jump, both in sales and real estate appreciation. There is currently a 5.9-month supply of homes priced under $200,000 on the market; a six-month inventory is generally considered to a balanced market.

2. Combine that with low interest rates and the extension of the federal homebuyer tax credit, and there appears to be plenty of interested buyers entering the real estate market in 2010.

Homes priced over $1 million are still struggling, though, and will likely to continue to struggle throughout the upcoming year. In fact, this market is now inundated with a 61 month inventory of homes.

3. Many analysts see the upswing in the San Antonio real estate market to continue, as demand for homes usually coincides with consumer confidence, which has continued to improve over the last few months.

4. SA is also expected to see an increase in its real estate market because job losses continue to decline. As San Antonio starts creating new jobs in the upcoming year, San Antonio real estate demand will certainly follow suit. San Antonio recently announced the addition of thousands of new jobs in the military and private sector, which means that there will be an influx of workers looking for homes.

5. A recent study conducted by Metrostudy found that builders in San Antonio are expected to build about 8,000 homes this year, a nearly 12 percent increase from 2008. The sales incentives and discounts being offered by builders are sure to spur the growth of new homes sales throughout San Antonio, and are sure to help rebuild San Antonio’s bruised housing market.

By: Richard M Soto

Exceedingly abundantly is the way one could describe the Huntsville Alabama real estate market if one has to compare it with the rest of the home buying market across the nation. Things are GOOD down here in Huntsville. Ah, you must come and see this for your self!

With the local economy expecting to add another 16,000 high-paying jobs in the not to distant future, mainly through the Base realignment and Closure relocation (BRAC), the increase in new businesses in the Huntsville research park area, the continuing positive effects of Huntsville being a college town, the steady infusion of solid international companies like Toyota into the local economy all combined to keep the financial aspect of the city vibrant and on a mushrooming streak.

Healthy Property Values

The evidence is real: median home sale prices in 2008 has risen, sellers are getting prices near their asking price. Median sales prices increased nearly 8 percent last year to $169,573 – long-term price appreciation, a 67 percent increase in property values since 2000; all this under a period of low interest rates.

John Allen, president of the Huntsville-Madison County Builders Association said he wanted to get out the message that despite concerns raised by national reporting on a weak housing market, the Huntsville Alabama real estate market is strong and continues to grow. “We’re in unique economic times, and people see that and they worry about it,” Allen said. “But our numbers show we’re trending upward. We’re trying to allay their concerns for local real estate.” In fact, total homes sold in the Huntsville area increased 0.55% in February 2008 over February 2007, the only metro area in Alabama with positive growth.

To be Fear

Although Huntsville has largely avoided the housing crisis that has plagued large sections of the nation, and 2007 mark as the third-best year for the local housing market, 2008 is a bit behind that pace in several areas.

According to information provided by the local Realtors office through its Multiple Listing Service, so far in 2008 fewer homes have sold compared with the same period last year, homes are staying on the market longer, and the average sales price has fallen.

The MLS does not capture a number of transactions in which a Realtor is not used, but officials conceded today that there is a larger inventory of homes on the market – 2,816 in April compared with 2,268 in April 2007.

Currently, the Huntsville market has a seven-month inventory of homes. Inventory is calculated by dividing the number of homes listed for sale in a month by the number sold that month. The result shows, at the present rate, how long it would take to sell every listed home.

Be Greedy when other are Fearful
Given the current housing situation, this could be a buyers Interest rates are low and home prices are relatively cheap. There is a large inventory of homes on the Huntsville market and that makes bargaining in your favor. Let the seller agree to pay closing cost, fix repairs and make general improvements on the home before you buy.

Practice this wise saying: Be greedy when others are fearful. The Huntsville BRAC effect will be soon felt. A fresh group of people are coming to Huntsville and the city is going to see a bounce in the home prices as demand increases. Happy Buying!

By: Earnest Young

What a year to be in real estate! I think I am one of the last Realtors left! The last 18 months have seen an exodus of real estate agents from the business, and the ones who remain are truly the ones you want to be working with. This is a professional’s market, and now more than ever, you need a great Realtor to help you with your real estate needs. But what is in store for real estate in 2010?

Next year, we can expect somewhat of a roller-coaster ride for real estate, in general. We have a lot of good and a lot of not-so-good on the periphery, so how can you manage yourself and your home and investments as good as possible? Or will 2010 finally be the year that you jump into the real estate market for good? Let’s look at the good and the bad, and discuss both relative to each market segment out there (buyers, sellers, investors, etc).

First, the bad:

2010 will feature more of the same from bank foreclosures and short sales. In their most recent statistics, according to NAR about 25% of all transactions in America right now are distressed properties. Obviously things are different here in San Diego, where that number feels like 100%, but really is closer to about 2/3 of all sales, and it changes from area to area throughout the county. Because of a lack of cohesion and cooperation on the part of the banks and also on the part of government regulation, getting anything done with a bank in 2009 was (and is) pretty darn difficult. True, systems are in place and getting further refined, and more people are getting employed to take on the workload at the banks to get used to dealing with so many short sales, however, this has been a work in progress for the past 3 years and will continue to be so for 2010 and beyond.

In fact, there were a record number of Notice of Defaults (NOD’s) posted this last month, and with loan modifications becoming less and less apparent (meaning the banks just aren’t doing very many at all of these) expect there to be a consistent flow of more and more short sales and foreclosures. Furthermore, there are several ALT-A loans (what people have been calling the next wave of bad loans) where the borrowers of these types of loans will see their loan readjust to an unaffordable amount, causing further increasing pressure on defaults and foreclosures. More than anything, doing a short sale has in my opinion become an acceptable social construction. Doing a short sale is now commonplace and not as stigmatized as is has been for the past few years; the same goes for foreclosure as well. A vast amount people have gotten involved in a bad loan or a bad investment that there is no hesitation anymore in holding on to the home.

The trend now is to stop making payments and live in the property as long as possible then dump the property, and deal with the aftermath accordingly. Perception has shifted and I predict a heavy increase of short sales for 2010. I only hope that the banks are ready for it. Moreover, the IRS has an exemption on the tax you would typically pay on any forgiven debt for your primary residence. This is one of the main reasons folks have decided to do a short sale in the first place (among other benefits). This exemption is set to expire at the end of 2010, and this will be a cause for many homeowners who were just thinking about doing a short sale to get them to take action. You will want to consult a professional to get some real answers when it comes to a short sale, and you can contact me if you need that kind of help today.

Foreclosures as well as short sales will continue to be a big part of the available inventory throughout 2010, and I do not see them going away anytime soon. Expect this trend of massive distress sale (short sale and foreclosure) inventory to last well into 2012 or 2013.

Regarding the luxury real estate market and commercial real estate market; both of whom have struggled in 2009, they will continue to do so in 2010. I feel that the effect from the economic and market downturn will become even more pronounced for both of these market segments well into 2011 and on. For high end homes, perceptions are changing people are beginning to live more within their means. This recession has taught many a lesson on the excesses that had become commonplace over the past decade. Also, due to lending guideline changes, buyers who could normally afford an expensive loan can no longer qualify for it. More than anything, most people in this price point just aren’t ready to take the risk, or have lost their money and means to do so. As a result, the lack of sales in high end areas of San Diego reflects these trends. I am seeing that people with money are taking advantage of more lucrative deals at the lesser price points, and everything above a million still has yet to see the bottom. To cap it off, lending at this price point has just begun to turnaround; for most of this year it has been difficult to get financing for high end homes, even with a 50% down payments! Conclusively, I would not recommend entering the real estate market at any price point over $1 Million in 2010, unless you found one of those great deals that everyone is talking about (but very few actually find). Ultimately, I think there is just too much downside and risk here and not enough reward.

For commercial real estate, we have yet to see the bottom as well. For one, the economic downturn has caused many businesses to close up shop, which increases vacancies and decreases the money realized by the commercial property owner. This also causes property values to decline as commercial property is valued based on the income it generates. There will continue to be a lull in this regard for most commercial real estate until the economy begins to rebound and jobs are created in mass. Secondly, many property owners have refinanced their commercial real estate loans in the past few years, and these loans are going to be called due, which is especially problematic for those properties worth less now than what is owed to the bank. As such, we will see more and more commercial property being foreclosed and sold via a short sale (which simply has not been happening anywhere near the levels of residential real estate). I personally haven’t seen a significant enough decline in most commercial property values to call a bottom in 2010. This trend will continue for the next few years as commercial real estate tends to lag residential, generally speaking. I believe we are seeing only the beginning of what is to come. That said, I feel there is immense opportunity in this regard. I am beginning to see great income property that was not realistically priced prior, but is now selling at price points where the owner can cash flow with a modest amount down. I would keep my watchful eye on this market segment.

Importantly, the economy itself will also play a major role in both the local and national real estate recovery. We have seen how real estate got us into this mess, and it will also be one of the first industries to get us out. Although we have begun to see many signs of improvement, we aren’t out of the woods just yet. The issue at hand now is focused on job creation. Upon economic recovery, the creation of jobs will allow for substantial growth and appreciation in real estate.

The good:

2009 was the year where (most of) the market bottomed out. For any median priced property or lower, we saw the bottom of the market reached in early spring of this year. Since then, we have been experiencing a lack of inventory which has increased demand and caused price stability, and in certain areas, price appreciation. What I can buy in Chula Vista, El Cajon, or North Park today costs more than it did earlier this year. Again, we are seeing that perception shift and the mentality of buying a home has changed. As a result, the buyers are out in droves. Multiple offers are a normalcy and it is challenging for an active buyer because of the competition in the marketplace. Furthermore, interest rates are seriously phenomenal and I wouldn’t expect them to be this low for that much longer.

All that money that’s being printed and the debt that the US is taking on is going to have a serious impact on inflation. This increase of inflation will indeed increase interest rates (the reason being is that inflation means the dollar is worth less. If the dollar becomes worth less, the interest rate on a home mortgage needs to increase to take into account the loss of value that the dollar has incurred – this is simply cause and effect). I am sure the fed will try to hold this off as long as possible, but if you are in the market to buy a home, why not do it now? Prices are fresh off their bottom and with rates like these, one would look back in the future and say “why the heck did I not do anything when I had the chance!! Now everyone is rich and I am still renting a studio in Claremont!”

To make things even sweeter, the Government extended the first time home buyer credit to mid 2010, and also included a credit for move-up buyers to help stimulate this other important aspect of the market. (For more on this, call me)

On a separate note, people have come up to me on numerous occasions throughout the year talking about a shadow inventory of REO/Foreclosure/Repossessed homes that the banks are holding on to. These people say this because they are going to wait until the banks dump all that inventory on the market with the intention of then buying a property to get a smokin’ deal. To those people I will say this: ITS NOT GONNA HAPPEN. Banks are conducting a “controlled asset release”. They are slowly going to be releasing their large supply of foreclosed homes on the market little by little over a long span of time. This is a GREAT thing because it preserves value and keeps the prices from dropping anymore. This makes all current homeowners happier and more confident in general. It is absolutely necessary in this market, and it is one of the few things that the banks are doing RIGHT, in my opinion. This strategy is the one reason why you should get comfortable with foreclosures. There are so many of them (and they keep coming) that it will take a long time to absorb and sell off all of these non performing assets. As such, I see foreclosures as a large part of the total amount of transactions continuing for at least the next 18-24 months.

Moreover, earlier I spoke of the ALT-A loans that will be coming due and re-setting. Many people believe that this round of mortgage resets in the next few years are going to be much worse than before. It is important to note that the size and scale of these loans are not as large (or bad) as the sub-prime loans that began the mortgage meltdown mess. Yes, they are a problem, but as many experts in the industry have been saying, the worst is behind us and the issue now is how to pick up the pieces and make this picture whole again.

Lastly, from the beginning of 2008 we saw nearly all real estate development seize in all parts of the country. The population has not stopped growing, but the development of new homes has for the past 2 years been flat-lining. Expect to see the home builders and developers begin to get back on their feet now that prices have begun to hit their support. The fact that there has been no new building is a testament to the overbuilding that had occurred in the years prior to 2008, and since then the remainder has either been sold off on the cheap or absorbed organically. Regardless, new development is going to be needed sooner rather than later to catch up with demand, but this lack of building has also been one of the other reasons for price support in the market generally speaking.

So what to do now?

So for investors, proceed with caution. The best deals are the ones at the bottom part of the market (under $250,000), or the larger commercial developments where the principal investor/developer ran out of money. I won’t divulge my best sources in this newsletter, but call me for the most lucrative deal sources and property lists for San Diego.

For Sellers, 2010 will actually be a great time to sell. Inventory is down to a 2 month supply currently in most parts of San Diego, meaning that it is a seller’s market. As such, most places are beginning to see an increase in value. Buyers are eager to find and buy good property, and there is a lot of competition out there, so your property will get a lot of action (assuming it is below $700,000) – anything higher is more and more challenging as you increase in purchase price – so if you are one of those homeowners thinking of selling a high priced home – get out now while you still can.

For buyers: 2010 will be a year of ups and downs, but for the most part, there really hasn’t been an opportunity like this for quite some time. We are going to see some record months and then some real dead months depending on market swings (heavily tied to the financing of loans). Getting a loan through will continue to be difficult, but not as bad as it has been in 2009. Affordability is at a 30 year high, and the interest rates are at near-historic lows. As more and more people realize the opportunity at hand, more buyers will enter the market which will help to further stabilize the market and increase purchase prices. I predict a low, single digit appreciation for most zip codes across the board for San Diego in 2010. It is a phenomenal time to consider making your first purchase, or selling your home to move up to a bigger home for your growing family. I am actually finishing up a book specifically geared towards first time home buyers which will help guide you throughout each step of the process. My book is going to be available in the 1st quarter of 2010, available on Amazon.com, and will be a great help for anyone looking to buy their first home. For more information on this, call or email me anytime.

All in all, 2010 will be a weird year in real estate. I don’t see an overarching trend to work off of because all market segments are correcting at differing timescales and with different intensities. Further, the government and banks are continuing to tinker with processes that attempt to increase efficiencies with short sales, foreclosures, and loan modifications, and the results will be mixed. I am positive there will be some unexpected surprises and anomalies, but the bottom line is this: if you need help in real estate, use a professional and give us a call anytime. We are here to help you realize success.

May you experience health, wealth and joy in 2010. We look forward to hearing from you and happy to help you or any of your friends who need solid professional service, advice or assistance. If you know of someone who can benefit from our level of service, send us their information and we will follow up and take great care of them.

By: Michael Justin Wolf

Seeking out a suitable budget priced property can be quite a challenge in recent times, but with a large number of affordable housing options being offered through San Antonio foreclosures, home buyers can now own a property at a great bargain deal in one of the most livable cities in the US.

Benefits of buying a property in San Antonio?

The second largest city in the US state of Texas, San Antonio offers various unique benefits to home buyers, some of which have been listed below:

o Incentives for prospective home owners – The city has launched the Homeowners Incentive program(HIP) under which first time home buyers who are interested in purchasing San Antonio foreclosures, can qualify for tax credit benefits and low interest housing loans.

o Nationally ranking schools – The city offers quality educational facilities through nationally ranking schools like St Anthony Catholic High School which make the place one of the best cities to raise a family in.

o Low cost of living – In contrast with the various residential amenities in the city such as good neighborhood utilities, premium healthcare and quality educational facilities the region has a very low and highly affordable cost of living.

How to purchase a property through San Antonio Foreclosures?

The set of guidelines will help prospective buyers in purchasing a budget priced property through San Antonio foreclosures successfully:

1. Understand the foreclosure process – In order to ensure that you make a satisfactory and bargain home purchase start out by researching the web for foreclosure related information through real estate and bank websites.

2. Source the most recent foreclosed homes – Get the latest information on San Antonio foreclosures through online foreclosure tracking services, local and state newspaper classifieds and business journals and by visiting the county office.

3. Select appropriate properties – From the information sourced by you, select a small number of properties that meet your price range as well as housing criterions.

4. Compare features and prices – Now narrow down on the best suited bargain deal from the selection by making an intensive comparison of the features of the properties with their asking prices.

5. Get the house examined – Now that you have zeroed in on a property, get the house examined by a professional inspector to ensure that it is in a good condition and has a clean history with no liens or back taxes.

6. Propose a reasonable offer – Finally negotiate with the sellers for a lower asking price and try to reduce transfer taxes and the amount of down payment.

By: Celeste Faucher

Amazed I was this past week at the legislative events on Capitol Hill, especially the prevailing attitude of the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate regarding the controversial Senate Health Care Bill, which has seemed much less directed at pleasing a majority of the American electorate (the U.S. citizens these politicians supposedly represent) than the questionable Barack H. Obama, the only U.S. President in the history of the nation whose constitutional eligibility to be President has been successfully challenged by lawsuit in a U.S. District Court, but, subsequently, dismissed by a federal judge who obviously cared more about his political future than seeing basic justice done.

Does Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and his cronies, actually believe that the large majority of American voters (Democrats, Republicans, and Independents) want a health care program legislated that will create, in its wake, 111 new Executive branch bureaucracies, expanding the federal government by 30 percent of its current size by the scribble of Obama’s pen? One might wonder who, among the controlling Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives, really cares about the constitutional way the Framers of the American republic intended for the nation to be perpetuated in accordance with limited government. You really don’t have to be a bombastic Republican zealot, but, rather, a reasonable person, in order to detect the obvious economic flaws in the Democratic Party’s spendthrift approach to healthcare.

Historically, it’s really sort of like the way the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was imposed upon the nation. You know, the one that allowed the creation of the federal income tax and all other, subsequent, state income taxes? By all valid historical accounts, and simple common sense, I believe that it is proper to say that the infamous amendment was ratified without the genuine approval of a majority of the U.S. electorate. For what citizen, in her right mind, would have favored an un-apportioned federal tax imposed on a citizen’s income?

Well, until 1913, there was not a federal income tax, and the American nation had done pretty well up to that time in financing federal government with a consistently balanced budget using apportioned taxes. Un-apportioned federal and state taxation on the personal income of U.S. citizens was considered a blatant heresy, and was forbidden by the Founding Fathers in the U.S. Constitution. That’s why an illicit amendment had to be subtly crafted and imposed on the republic during the second decade of the 20th Century by a few powerful federal politicians and private bankers, through sheer Machiavellian chicanery, in order to make it, supposedly, lawful for the federal government to tax the American people by any means available. This was, basically, a pragmatic methodology to implement a secretly contrived agenda for the American republic to have an unlimited, but flawed, credit system in order to provide financial resources to assume an imperialistic Romanesque position in world affairs.

It took money, money, and more money, and a skyrocketing national debt, to incrementally erect over the ensuing decades the most feared offensive nuclear/conventional military on the earth. This involved the bribery and intimidation of unwilling nations into abiding by U.S. foreign policy through covert intelligence operations (effected by the paramilitary CIA and DIA)), and putting in place complex domestic computer/satellite surveillance operations in association with the private-sector telecommunications industry, which has been occurring since 1948.

The Federal Reserve System, and the 16th Amendment, were both imposed upon the American republic in 1913, and legislatively linked together to form the awful bases for eventual control over the American economy by an elite combination of powerful bankers and corporate capitalists. The origins of both dire entities are comprehensively presented with immaculate documentation in G. Edward Griffin’s tome, “The Creature from Jekyll Island,” which every American should read and study. According to the history of Western civilization, expanded knowledge of historical fact among any electorate produces an empowering of the People to change things for the better.

If a healthcare system is to be established for the well-being of all needy uninsured American citizens, it should be legally done by the will of the fifty U.S. states and territories in accordance with the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The federal government has no real power to supplant the authority of the several States by establishing a federal-run health care system, with powers not delegated expressly to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution. On the other hand, a medical system already in operation, which, by necessity, has been approved by the several states (such as the U.S. Veterans Healthcare System) could be easily expanded in scope, state-by-state, to provide all of the uninsured American citizens in the 50 states, territories, and possessions with good medical care according to the funding provided by the states and the federal government. This would in no way proscribe private healthcare plans from prospering. In fact, competition among the states in establishing the best-managed public healthcare would create jobs for physicians, pharmacists, medical technicians, engineers, architects, and construction workers.

Currently, only less than 30 percent of all of the 20+ million eligible American Veterans use the 250 existing VA medical centers throughout the nation. Expanding the VA system by building new medical centers in the various states would allow all veterans and non-veteran American citizens to have access to good healthcare. If, perchance, employed American non-veterans, capable of affording private healthcare, would opt to use such a public facility, they would be required to pay a share of cost for the services and medicines rendered to them. Working, tax paying American citizens unable to afford private healthcare would be automatically eligible to receive public medical assistance, without charge. What should be publicly regulated, state-by-state, is the pharmaceutical industry so that all medicines and prescription drugs are easily accessible for the general public, and that no one gets wealthy off of the development of life-saving drugs. As such state supported university laboratories should be adequately funded to research new drugs

In sum, I believe that it is entirely better to suffer in liberty the consequences of human choice within a republic, being the lifestyle derived of personal volition, either, adverse or pleasant, than to have good health served up on a silver platter at the expense and burden of decadent dictatorial government. The sage Henry David Thoreau wisely wrote in his “Essay on Civil Disobedience,” “that government is best that governs least,” and while the citizen unschooled in constitutional law might think that the federal government has legitimate power to dictatorially impose upon the people what the Framers reserved only to the States, such exercise of power is deceitful and totally without law and merit.

By: Norton Nowlin

The economic outlook for Austin generally mirrors the Texas forecast: local job and population growth outperforms the national economy. The Texas Workforce Commission predicts 3.1% job growth, while local economist Angelos Angelou predicts 2.3%. The unemployment rate for December 2007 was estimated at 3.6%, down from 5.1% in the Austin area during October 2006.

Austin population growth is driven by the high quality of life in the region, with the area being ranked as the top destination for relocating singles and families by several publications. Also, MSN recently ranked Austin as “The Greenest City in America” , continuing a string of “best ofs” for the city. Located on the Interstate 35 Corridor, the city has grown in population the 3rd fastest in America this decade, with Ft. Worth first and San Antonio fourth, according to data from the U.S Census Bureau. Population growth of 42,000 is projected for 2008, down from a high of about 60,000 experienced in 2006, according to the Austin-American Statesman.

Demand in the local real estate market is down as compared to 2006 but is still positive, with generally more houses on the market. Angelou predicts that if local homebuilders react to negative national trends, housing starts in Austin will fall while the local market is still healthy and homes are still in demand, which would then create a low inventory of new homes for sale. The result, he predicts, would be an increase in demand for rental housing such as apartments and result in a spike in rental prices.

Another indicator of the local real estate market is how much work property inspectors are doing, since their work is usually in demand when real property changes hands. According to my survey of inspectors, most say their number of inspections has dropped more than 50% since September 2007. Many did say, however, that the drop could be seasonal and that demand for their service should increase by May 2008.

Most job growth should appear in Austin’s traditional strong areas, like government, education, and health services. As the state capital and seat of Travis County, local, state, and federal government employs more than 150,000 workers, and that’s expected to increase, according to Texas A & M’s Real Estate Center. As an education hub, with the University of Texas and more than 20 other colleges within 30 miles, and several large public school districts, Austin will need more education workers. The “Live Music Capital of the World” continues to employ many in the leisure and hospitality industry, and large healthcare employers like Seton and St. David’s are expected to add workers.

With the quality of life high and the population continuing to increase, Austin should see positive job growth through 2009.

By: Eric Bramlett

Made up of several neighborhoods in the heart of West Lake Hills, the Rob Roy subdivision has grown in many cycles, with the first development beginning in 1982. It’s nestled between Lake Austin and the Capital of Texas Highway, just north of Bee Caves Road. The subdivision is ideal for families, as the gated neighborhood boasts a private security patrol at all hours, so residents will feel safe at all hours.

The neighborhood’s selection of custom homes are nestled on estate-sized lots, usually of an acre or more, with well-maintained grounds and scenic views of the Hill Country. Homes vary in architectural style from traditional to modern, but many offer similar exterior features like native stone. From 2009 until mid-2010, home prices ranged from $485,000 to more than $4 million, while sizes ranged from 2,500 to 7,300 square feet.

As a resident of the Rob Roy neighborhood, you’ll need to become a member of the Homeowner’s Association that requires a reasonable yearly fee. The association helps protect residents’ property investments and also organizes several community events throughout the year. More information, including a calendar of events and neighborhood news can be found on the association’s website.

To enjoy the beauty of the area, spend a day at the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, which is less than two miles away. The 227-acre area consists of more than two miles of hiking trails that wind through grasslands, woodlands, and streamside habitats. To help keep the natural beauty of the area, picnics, pets, and bikes are prohibited in the preserve. The Emma Long Metropolitan Park is three miles away and is known as one of the largest parks in the city. It features barbeque pits, picnic shelters, volleyball and basketball courts, and more than 10 miles of trails.

Those who love golf will find themselves nearby many courses, including the award-winning Barton Creek Resort and Spa. The property opened in 1986 and is made up of four challenging courses, as well as the Barton Creek Golf Academy, which can help players enhance their game. Aside from golf, the resort boasts indoor and outdoor pools, a tennis court, 18-hole miniature golf course and luxurious spa.

Residents of the Rob Roy neighborhood will also be nearby several opportunities for entertainment, including the Barton Creek Square Mall that is three miles away. It features upscale anchor stores like J.C. Penney and Macy’s, as well as specialty retail stores, dining venues, and a large movie theater. The Village at Westlake Shopping Center is an equal distance away and is home to Barnes and Noble, Old Navy, Santa Fe Optical, and many dining establishments.

Some are drawn to the neighborhood because of its proximity to the award-winning Eanes Independent School District. Schools in this district are known for their excellent curriculum and extra-curricular activities, and have won many national and local awards. Young children will attend Bridge Point, Forest Trail, or Barton Creek Elementary schools. West Ridge Middle School and West Lake High School are also nearby the area. Additionally, the nationally acclaimed St. Stephen’s Episcopal School is located just 3 miles away and draws students from throughout the area.

By: Brian Talley

Grapevine, TX is located just northwest of the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and just south and east of Grapevine lake. The location is a major attraction for people who enjoy lake activities, those that travel, and those that like to shop. Grapevine is known around the area for having a great downtown atmosphere that is home to all kinds of shops, 6 wineries and it hosts festivals throughout the year. The Grapevine Mills Mall also attracts shoppers and movie goers from all over the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. In fact, in 2007, CNN Money rated Grapevine, TX as one of the most suitable areas in which to live in America.

Not only is Grapevine a fun town with great shopping and lake activities, but it also offers a variety of different types of homes for sale in Grapevine Texas. From contemporary to modern, from quaint neighborhoods to homes with acreage for sale, Grapevine, TX has a lot of offer area residents.

To an amateur homeowner, finding Grapevine homes for sale is exciting, challenging and rewarding. Of course, the physical location of your home is essential in order for you to be able to fully enjoy everything it has to offer. Near downtown, there are many established neighborhoods with historic Grapevine homes for sale to choose from. Another option for finding a Grapevine Texas homes for sale, is moving away from the downtown area and looking at homes that have some land or are located on the water. Since Grapevine Lake is just north of the city, there are homes for sale in Grapevine on or near the water or others that have 1-2 acres or more on the outskirts of town.

With so many options and different types of homes for sale in Grapevine, it is important for one to find a skillful and helpful real estate agent to help one out with the process. A good REALTOR© is especially useful since he or she will be able to pull market information, properly negotiate the purchase price and concessions with the seller, and oversee the entire purchase process of your new Grapevine, TX home to make sure it goes smoothly.

Buying a new home in Grapevine, TX, is never an easy task since there are so many options to choose from. By knowing everything you can about grapevine homes for sale or working with a professional real estate agent familiar with the Grapevine market, you will be better suited to find the right homes and get a great deal on your purchase.

By: Jerad Rector

Money is not just a necessity nowadays; it has become a supplement for sustaining wealth and luxury. Anybody of practical reason who’s being asked will have to say that riches should provide for the next generations. Having this thought in mind, everyone are craving for millions even teenagers earn and work out to look forward the future having a house with a large open space, elegant fa?ade and wheels in the garage. Yet there are only few steps, hints of answers revealed by these millionaires global wide.

Before you can manage a large amount of money learn to handle the coins in your hand. Lisa Van Duesen, a Vietnamese now a mini mogul at US was once sunk in debt and penniless. She sold her house and mortgages an amount of $ 200,000, paid her debt and move to settle in the green pasture of US. They sacrifice from eating lavish foods and satiated in rice and soy sauce as their everyday meal. She worked hard as a real estate broker after college and invested her money to real estate properties that soon earned her 40% equity. Learning fro her work, she buys and sells using the bank’s money wisely placing them according to her needs. She purchase whatever that has value and can be sold with interest and plan it financially. She recovered from having sky-high debts to rising assets using only what she has into a profitable cause.

Follow your parent’s advice, earn a degree.

Education is a key factor in understanding how money talks and that are by having one potential, being knowledgeable. Invest in your mind. Acquiring a degree is gearing yourself with skill that can be used and valuable in the market. Arturo Gonzalez, son of the Mexican railroad worker dreamt of making it on top. He has promised himself of two possibilities in his life, Harvard or Bust. Later on he was accepted and pulled himself with ambition to Harvard Law School. He then land a job in San Francisco based law firm and has an income about $ 740,000 in 2003, according to the American Lawyer Magazine. This undeniable manifest how education could earn you a living.

Positive attitude towards life spiced with perseverance.

Behavior towards work and the optimism that boost up your moral after you tried hart. Starting a small business is already hard enough, to most of people especially when the resources is scarce and debts is high, study shows 20% are struggling small enterprise, according to SBA ( Small Business Administration office of Advocacy).

Rossie Herman, 42 and a resident of Tomball, Texas had experience a lot of struggle just to get her she is now. She took all the risk even placing her in $ 75,000 debt going form one credit card to another which normally happens to about 46% of small business as of 1998, SBA says. She is a manicurist who has two daughters to raise and convicted herself to get out from debt. Often people slam their door in her face during her marketing strategy of house to house delivery.” It was frustrating and tough”, she admitted. Yet willingness to succeed paid off. The key there is not by quitting but pursuing.

Invest and Save.

The problem of the most entrepreneurs are recognizing only on what goes in the pocket but not knowing what goes out. Spend only what is not more than your budget and compromise from it. Save, save and play out to invest it when the economy is not shaky. One of Oprah’s best advices during her talk show is that a good financial planner must always sign their own checks. This is to monitor what is left and what needs to be saved or else you’ll end up bankrupt without even knowing it.

Time is always essential.

Multi tasking is the best way of achieving your goals in a short time, this means use your potential in dividing the task to others while focusing on what needs to be done. Most of us try to do a lot of things in a short amount of time and end up finishing nothing at all. Always get your priorities straight and focused baring in mind that investing on it will profit you in the end.

By: Daegan Smith

Fresh-squeezed Cloud Juice – That is what the sign said at Tank Town, which is the only place in the country I know of that sells bottled rain water. This is a place to the west of Dripping Springs, TX that has metal roofs to collect rainfall and tanks to store it. I love it, but there is a lot more to the story than good bottled water.

The folks at Tank Town have a novelty, but the idea didn’t come from the desire for a catchy slogan or better tasting water – those were just a couple of side benefits. Richard Heinichen got the idea of collecting rainfall to sell as bottled water while installing rainfall collection systems. As water becomes more scarce and in higher demand as rural areas grow, rainfall harvesting is one of the most practical ways to supply a home with water. Not only homes, but businesses too can benefit from rainfall harvesting.

According to Heinichen, you can capture about 550 gallons of water if one inch of rain falls on a 1000 square foot collection surface. Think a little more about this. How much surface area does the roof on a house have? How about a barn or a shed? What about a school or a Home Depot? If you’re in Dripping Springs or many other parts of central Texas, you know that you will average somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 inches of rainfall each year. Several thousand feet of surface area can catch a lot of water. This water can be used for irrigation and for household use including drinking (with proper treatment).

As more homes are being built around Dripping Springs and in northern Hays and western Travis Counties, the demand for water has put a strain on the supply. The Edwards Aquifer is seeing higher and higher demand. The local lakes can only hold so much water. In the extended drought we’re in, wells have been running dry in some areas. Many people buying real estate in northern Hays and western Travis Counties will not have water available to them from a local provider. A new well can easily cost $15,000. That money can go a long way with a rainfall harvesting system.

Say a school district is building a new high school. There will probably be fields for baseball, football, soccer and softball and all of them will need to be watered. Think about the surface area of the roof of a high school. The school must have at least the same amount (or more) roof area as a football field. A football field, including the end zones, has about 57,600 square feet of surface area. If a school has that much, just how much rain water could be collected in a year? Probably much more than could be stored. Could a high school rely on collected rainfall for all its needs? Doubtful, but it certainly would reduce the amount that would need to be purchased from a city or county.

Look at Home Depot or Lowe’s. They are huge and they both have garden centers. Why pay for water that has chlorine and fluoride in it when they could use rain water in their garden centers? Another benefit is that the rainfall being harvested wouldn’t make it onto the pavement, meaning it wouldn’t run into the detention pond.

Growth in the Austin and Dripping Springs area is going to be huge over the next 10 years and beyond. Our local water resources will not be able to keep up with the growth. Conservation measures will have to go into effect for Lake Travis and the Edwards Aquifer. Anyone building a home or commercial property who has the room for the storage tanks should seriously consider harvesting rainfall.

Fresh-squeezed Cloud Juice is a registered trademark and is used with the permission of Tank Town.

By: Sam Chapman