Paula Christo

Many people are overwhelmed when it comes to choosing a realtor. They 'settle' for their brother in law, the lady at work's friend, or someone they just happen to catch on phone duty. Here are some ideas and recommendations for choosing a realtor - to buy or sell.

I would suggest you 'interview' two or three agents. This is what I would suggest you ask them:
1. How much experience do they have? How many houses did they sell last year and in what price range? Do they work alone or with a team?

2. FOR SELLERS: What will they do to market your home? All agents put a sign in the yard and put it in the mls. See what they do and ask them why they chose those particular marketing methods. (ie internet, home magazine books, open houses, etc)

FOR BUYERS: What do they do to help you find a home? How do they feel about working with buyers?

3. See if you connect with them. This is the most important criteria. Do you feel like they can be trusted? Will they communicate with you frequently on the status of your listing or buying transaction? Also do you think they will be honest with you?

Hope this helps!

"STATE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD"

Regarding Inwood Subdivison

San Antonio, Texas

2008

Texas has been very lucky compared to the rest of the country. San Antonio has fared well in Texas, and Inwood has done well in San Antonio. Homes continue to sell in Inwood and have actually gone up 1% in price per square foot. The days on market did increase, however. The homes that did sell were updated, staged, in great condition, and priced right. The feedback I hear from many buyers agents after showing in Inwood is that many of the homes are not updated like other comparable neighborhoods. Keep this in mind if you are considering selling anytime soon. You can refer back to your Inwood newsletters, or access the blog on my website for ideas on how to update your home.

• Between January 1, 2008 and January 1, 2009, there were 39 homes in the neighborhood that were sold. (In 2007, there were 25 homes sold.)
• The Sold Prices ranged from $327,000 to $1,037,000.
• The average List Price was $537,064. The average sales price was $517,075.
• The average sale price per square foot was $134.00. Of course, there were variances between The Bend, The Estates, and the Custom areas. Please note: There were ten homes that sold in the Estates during 2009, which may have skewed the price psf toward the higher end. The average in the estates was $142.00 psf.
• The Days on Market of sold homes ranged from 3 day to 399 days. The average Days on Market for sold houses was 83. (Up from 58 in 2007)

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I have lived in Texas for thirty years now, so I guess I am almost a native. Even when I lived in New Mexico, I was so close to the border that as soon as I said "HIIIIIII" everyone said I talked like a "Texan". My grandparents and family members always lived in Texas. The football stadium in Robert Lee, Texas was named after my great grandfather - Dr. Griffith. I had grandparents in Quanah, Texas and Daingerfield, Texas. Texas really is a unique state. A friend of mine sent me this list, and I got a kick out of it. How many of these towns have you visited? Do you have any other towns to add to the list? Let me know.

Need to be cheered up?

Happy, Texas 79042
Pep , Texas 79353
Smiley, Texas 78159
Paradise , Texas 76073
Rainbow , Texas 76077
Sweet Home , Texas 77987
Comfort, Texas 78013
Friendship, Texas 76530

Love the Sun?

Sun City , Texas 78628
Sunrise , Texas 76661
Sunset, Texas 76270
Sundown, Texas 79372
Sunray , Texas 79086
Sunny Side , Texas 77423

Want something to eat?

Bacon , Texas 76301
Noodle , Texas 79536
Oatmeal , Texas 78605
Turkey , Texas 79261
Trout, Te xas 75789
Sugar Land , Texas 77479
Salty, Texas 76567
Rice , Texas 75155
Sweetwater, Texas 79556

Why travel to other cities? Texas has them all!

Detroit , Texas 75436
Colorado City, Texas 79512
Cleveland , Texas 77327
Dayton, Texas 77535
Denver City , Texas 79323
Klondike , Texas 75448
Nevada , Texas 75173
Memphis , Texas 79245
Miami, Texas 79059
Boston , Texas 75570
Santa Fe , Texas 77517
Tennessee Colony, Texas 75861
Reno , Texas 75462

Feel like traveling outside the country? Don't bother buying a plane ticket!

Athens , Texas 75751
Canadian, Texas 79014
China , Texas 77613
Egypt , Texas 77436
Ireland , Texas 76538
Turkey , Texas 79261
London , Texas 76854
New London , Texas 75682
Paris, Texas 75460

No need to travel to Washington D.C.

Whitehouse , Texas 75791

We even have a city named after our planet!

Earth , Texas 79031

And a city named after our State!

Texas City , Texas 77590

Exhausted?

Energy , Texas 76452

Cold?

Blanket , Texas 76432
Winters, Texas

Like to read about History?

Santa Anna , Texas
Goliad , Texas
Alamo , Texas
Gun Barrel City, Texas
Robert lee, Texas

Need Office Supplies?

Staples, Texas 78670

Men are from Mars, women are from Venus , Texas 76084

You guessed it..it's on the state line..

Texline , Texas 79087

For the kids...

Kermit , Texas 79745
Elmo , Texas 75118
Nemo , Texas 76070
Tarzan , Texas 79783
Winnie , Texas 77665
Sylvester, Texas 79560

Other city names in Texas , to make you smile.....

Frognot, Texas 75424
Bigfoot , Texas 78005
Hogeye, Texas 75423
Cactus , Texas 79013
Notrees , Texas 79759
Best, Texas 76932
Veribest , Texas 76886
Kickapoo, Texas 75763
Dime Box , Texas 77853
Old Dime Box , Texas 77853
Telephone, Texas 75488
Telegraph , Texas 76883
Whiteface , Texas 79379
Twitty, Texas 79079

And last but not least, the Anti-Al Gore City

Kilgore , Texas 75662

And our favorites...

Cut n Shoot, Texas
Gun Barrell City , Texas
Hoop And Holler, Texas
Ding Dong, Texas and, of course,
Muleshoe , Texas

If you have questions about updated flood maps, a good place to check is bexarfloodfacts.org. These flood plain maps, which were created with the aid of aerial photography, topographic maps, and a computerized geographical info system will not become official until they are approved by FEMA. However, it is a good reference site. Another website to access is floodsmart.gov.

Note from Paula:
Bill and Becky Kulesza have been building custom homes in San Antonio for over 20 years. Bill is the builder, and Becky is the interior decorator. They are currently working on updating several homes in upscale neighborhoods around San Antonio. Their personal home is currently for sale, and is an excellent example of the quaility of work that they do. See their home at www.115UpperBalcones.com. This article was written by Becky at my request. Hope it helps!

Boost Your Home's Value- Update!!

Are you looking to update your home to increase its resale value? Do you want a new fresh look that will also build equity? Then now is the time to remodel, or update your home.

Kitchens and bathrooms add maximum value for the decorating dollar. These rooms can be completely re-done or just the basics.

Trends in kitchens are for granite countertops, tile or marble backsplashes with designer accents. Glass tiles in a myriad of colors are being used for accents or backsplashes, even whole walls. Painted cabinets are still tops, but dark stains are gaining in popularity with pewter or oil rubbed bronze cabinet pulls or knobs. Top demands are for new stainless steel appliances, especially gas cook tops. An under counter sink and a new light fixture would complete a kitchen re-do.

Master bathrooms trends are for new cabinets that look like furniture, granite countertops with under counter or vessel sinks. Tumbled marble or travertine spa showers and rain heads are popular. Remove plate mirrors for framed mirrors with new light fixtures or recessed lighting, and eliminate fur downs and light valances to open up your bathroom.

Outdoor living areas are in demand because they allow you to add additional space for entertaining to your home. You can add an outdoor fireplace, or an outdoor kitchen. Add casual seating and an outdoor rug and you have an outdoor living space.

The top requests for updates are :

•· Remove Your Wallpaper-All wallpaper looks dated.

•· Repaint-Choose caramel, khaki, camel, or latte, over beige or white. French blue, Mossy Green and Dark Gold are very current complementary colors. Repainting is an easy way to update. Choose new accessories, area rugs, or throw pillows to complete the new look.

•· Install Granite Countertops-in the kitchen and/or the bathrooms with tumbled marble or tile backsplashes. There are lots of options for designer accents here! Metal, such as pewter or copper, glass tiles, stone and marble make beautiful accents in backsplashes.

•· Replace Your Carpet-Choose "frieze" carpet over plush, or better yet, add wood or tile floors.

•· Replace Brass Fixtures-Replace your bath fixtures with "oil rubbed bronze" or satin nickel. Remember to replace light fixtures and towel bars too.

•· Skip Trowel the Walls for an updated texture. This adds textural interest and showcases those new paint colors!

•· Add Outdoor "Living Spaces". Serve up your outdoor kitchen with a stainless steel barbeque grill, refrigerator, and sink. Put them in a brick or rock island with a granite top on a flagstone patio. Complete with a freestanding fireplace.

A professional remodeler or designer can save you time, money and headaches! Whether you just re-paint and add cabinet knobs, or re-do an entire kitchen, updating can be fun and exciting.

Rebecca Kulesza

Bill Kulesza Homes and Remodeling

210-218-9011