Alamo Heights is a close-in subdivision in the north-central area of San Antonio, Texas, located south of Loop 410 and just north of downtown. It is an incorporated city in Bexar 
County, which includes the San Antonio metro area.
The bungalow-style home to the right is typical of the "Cottage District"; it recently sold for $320,000
The neighborhood is convenient to shopping, several good restaurants, parks, such as Brackenridge Park and the San Antonio Zoo, the Witte children's museum and McNay art museum, and numerous retail centers. There are many small service businesses and restaurants located on the main thoroughfare, Broadway. Trinity University and the University of the Incarnate Word are nearby.
The location close to Highway 281 is convenient for commuting to the rest of the city. Alamo Heights is also situated close to Fort Sam Houston and Brooke Army Medical Center, one of the area's largest employers.
The 3,800-square-foot home to the left was constructed in 1912 and sold recently for $750,000
The Alamo Heights Independent School District is considered the most prestigious school district in San Antonio. Neighborhood development began in the 1920s, thus, many of the homes are set on pier-and-beam foundations, while newer ones are on concrete slabs. There is a large range of prices and styles.
Some of the homes have swimming pools, but many are situated on city lots under 0.17 acre in size and were not built with parking areas; thus, the yards are too small for pools. Most of the homes have been remodeled and updated, except for many smaller bungalows and homes in the "Cottage District" of Alamo Heights. There are a few large homes built from the late 1990s up to 2008 on infill lots, but tear-downs are rare.
And as you can probably tell, Alamo Heights is another of my favorite neighborhoods!
When our friend Andrea came to visit from Italy, we drove to Santa Fe. On our last day there before heading back home to Texas, we visited the Puye cliff dwellings and drove around and through Chimayo. The amazing scenery made me think back to how when we crossed the state line, we had been chuckling at the license-plate motto: "New Mexico, Land of Enchantment."
Well, after a couple of days in New Mexico, I fell under its spell, too.
You all know how I feel about hummingbird moths. Or maybe you don't! If that's the case, here are some links to my previous posts about these unique moths:
The hummingbird moths are back in my garden - and in someone else's
San Antonio recorded 1,561 single-family home sales in September, according to the San Antonio Board of Realtors. That's a 2 percent decrease from the total for September 2008. Pending home sales in September numbered 1,494. That's about 11 percent more than at the same time in 2008.
There is an 8-month supply of homes on the market this fall in San Antonio, declared the Board of Realtors. Prices have remained stable, around the $151,000 median at the same time in 2008. The market is considered slightly better for buyers than sellers, and a hot July and August market showed that first-time buyers in particular were purchasing homes and taking advantage of the tax credit. Homes priced lower than $200,000 were the best-selling.
In the last 30 days, according to MLS statistics, 644- three-bedroom single-family homes sold for an average price of $139,400 in Bexar County.
Four-bedroom homes, numbering 295, sold for an average price of $212,200. The average time on the market for these two major segments of the real estate market was around four months.
To the left is an "average" 3-bedroom according to the MLS, and below is an average 4-bedroom. Actually, they are both above average in that their time on the market was significantly less than the average.
These numbers right off the MLS paint a slightly different picture than the broad-brush view, since statistics vary wildly by neighborhood, price range, and area of the rather large San Antonio metro. A balanced market is considered to be one in which there is a 6-month supply of inventory. These MLS numbers don't include many new homes, of course.
Average numbers obviously don't tell the whole story, although they give us a good overview. And home buyers want a home that is above average, anyway!
I have lots of favorite neighborhoods. Terrell Hills is one of them. It's not only a neighborhood, it's an incorporated city, located north of downtown and west of Fort Sam Houston. My favorite neighborhoods have one thing in common: lots of trees. The homes in Terrell Hills have trees and a lot of character, varying quite a bit in architectural style, size, and price. Most of the homes range from the high $200,000s to the $600,000s.
To the left is a cottage-style three-bedroom home with a covered patio and detached garage that sold for just under $200,000
The neighborhood includes two school districts: Alamo Heights Independent School District and North East Independent School District. There is not a huge difference in home prices between the two school districts, although Alamo Heights ISD is more prestigious.
Large lots are the norm in Terrell Hills, averaging at least 0.25 acre, and dotted with mature live oaks, pecans, and mesquites. The older homes have pier-and-beam foundations, while those built in the 1960s and later tend to be on concrete slabs.
On the right is an updated and expanded four-bedroom, four-bath home with swimming pool that sold in the $650,000 range
There is a wide range of home prices, from "tear-downs" to some of San Antonio's most expensive mansions. Many of the homes have swimming pools. Most of the homes have been remodeled and updated, but the interiors might still be considered out of date because of lower ceilings and more interior walls than are used today. Others are larger homes built from the late 1990s up to the present on lots from which the original homes have been removed.
Whenever I am near Fort Sam Houston, Brackenridge Park or the zoo, or heading south from downtown, I like to take a detour through Terrell Hills.
Some recent posts:
Bad MLS photos: come on, agents, would it kill you to use a flash?
Friday's Fotos: an often overlooked insect on a delicious plant
Speechless Sunday: another strange being appears in my garden in Cibolo - Schertz, Texas
Fed up with real estate? Want to make big money working from home? Check it out!
Friday fun! Advertising a listing on the MLS with lots of--okay, four--photos
Did President Obama deserve to win the Nobel Peace Prize?
A sad comment on our industry: another Realtor attempts celebrity estate hoax
After the rains - what appeared in our garden in Cibolo - Schertz, Texas
My roof is leaking, and more rain is on the way to the Cibolo - Schertz area
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I specialize in residential properties in the north San Antonio metro and Schertz - Cibolo areas, second homes near the Guadalupe River, military relocations, and rehabbing older homes
I was born in Texas and grew up in San Antonio. I came back to my hometown in 2003 after moving to Hawaii in 1990 and then England in 1996. I managed a rental property in Hawaii and invested in real estate in England, so my market niche became property management and sales of single- and multi-family homes. San Antonio changed a lot in the 14 years I was away, and continues to grow and diversify--geographically and culturally. Despite its healthy economy, the cost of living here is still low compared to similar-sized cities, and real estate is very affordable.
I enjoy working with international clients who are attracted to San Antonio and the Hill Country for their excellent investment possibilities and vacation properties, especially waterfront homes. I am an Advisor for the National Association of Residential Real Estate Investment Advisors (NARREIA). I also work with military transferrees, relocations, and foreign buyers who are delighted to find out how much real estate they can buy in affordable San Antonio. I'm a Certified Residential Specialist and an Accredited Buyers Representative, and have a Transnational Referral Certification.
I work mainly in the northwest, north-central, and northeast sections of San Antonio, Bexar County, as well as in the Cibolo/Schertz area, where I live. I also help buyers and sellers in Guadalupe and Comal counties, and I love the Guadalupe River area around New Braunfels and Lake McQueeney.
I recently joined the By Referal Only network, becoming a real estate consultant for my clients' lives!
I specialize in buying and selling single-family homes, many for residential investment as rental properties, and helping with relocations, including military, to the San Antonio area. I also help with rehabbing and remodeling in some of San Antonio's beautiful older neighborhoods. I mainly work with buyers, since I love finding the "right" property, but also really enjoy the marketing side of listing homes for sale or rent.
I especially enjoy welcoming people to San Antonio who are relocating here in the military or with a job transfer and need to find a home in a city they may not be familiar with. San Antonio has several military installations, including Fort Sam Houston Army Base, home of the world-renowned Brooke Army Medical Center; Lackland AFB, where most of the Air Force trainees go at one time or another and Wilford Hall VA hospital is located; Randolph AFB, with its pilot training; and the former Brooks AFB, now Brooks City Base and host to a Centers for Disease Control facility.
For my investor clients, I take the long-term approach to invest in single-family homes for break-even or positive cash flow and/or future appreciation. Rehabs and remodeling projects can be rewarding; especially those that could be rented after, or even during, rehabbing to take advantage of lower capital gains rates after one year's ownership. All of the properties I help my clients acquire must have features that would appeal to both good-quality tenants as well as future home buyers for resale purposes.
I look for good investment properties in the northeast and northwest parts of the San Antonio metropolitan area, near major employers and the Medical Center, which is where I grew up and where I still work with a lot of my investor clients. Neighborhoods close to Fort Sam Houston and Randolph AFB are others that attract tenants. The city is growing in practically every direction now, but I still have a fondness for the older neighborhoods with lots of trees.
For sellers, I am a convert to staging to make a vacant home more appealing and I offer this service. Most buyers--and prospective tenants--are unable to see past the cosmetic issues of a house. I'll give my recommendations for preparing a home for sale or lease, and I have assembled a terrific team of people who do excellent work for a reasonable price. I want every home I list for sale or lease to look better than the competition.
From the buyer, and then later the seller, of a duplex:
I wanted to share the fantastic experience I had working with Robin Rogers buying my first investment property in Texas. I found Robin's contact information from an article, gave her a call and within a day or so we were in action over phone and e-mail looking for my investment property. Robin is a fantastic communicator, always quickly answering my questions via e-mail. She connected me with extremely helpful folks (inspector, appraiser, property manager) who all worked closely with Robin and myself to make my long distance investment process very smooth.
From a couple in the Air Force who saw the home I found for them for the first time when they arrived to move into it:
We love the house and the area. We couldn't be happier! We very much appreciate all your help in finding it.
From the sellers of a home I managed and subsequently listed for sale (a couple of my many clients whom I've never had the pleasure of meeting):
We have truly enjoyed working with you and we truly appreciate all of your hard work. I know you are moving away from the property management business but if any of your clients ever ask for a business reference, don't hesitate to give them my name.
From the sellers of a home and lot, both near the Medical Center, who transferred out of state:
Where do we begin? We will start with a huge thank you for making the real estate business simplified! You made everything seamless! From our very first interaction as buyers a few years ago to our recent transaction as sellers, you have been not only a wealth of resourceful information, but also courteous, patient, and determined. With everyone's busy schedule these days, what a client wants and needs is someone who can break down the complicated real estate jargon, set reasonable expectations, and possess good follow-through. You absolutely shined in every one of those aspects!
From the buyers of two rental homes so far, the second of which they have not seen (and since they moved out of the country, they may never see):
If there's a Robin Rogers fan club, sign us up! When we found Robin's name through an internet search for San Antonio Realtors, we had no idea what a terrific experience was in store for us. As out-of-towners, we depended on Robin's expertise to guide us through the San Antonio real estate market. Both times we worked with Robin to buy rental properties, Robin steered us to winner houses that quickly generated income for us. Her advice was unbiased and spot on, and her commitment to us and our expectations was unsurpassed. You would be hard pressed to find a more competent and caring Realtor in San Antonio.
From anxious first-time home buyers from California who wanted to move closer to the kids' grandparents in Schertz:
I want to say thank you so much for all of the help you have given us. You were so wonderful throughout the process and found us great lenders as well. We couldn't have made it without you, so thank you so much!
From an investor in the military from Chicago whose wife is from San Antonio:
What was I looking for in a Realtor? I'm concerned about a few things. They have to deal with a lot of investors. I think it's a completely different thing for a buyer's Realtor to deal with someone looking to buy a house they will live in compared to a house they will rent out. They have to respond to your calls, emails, questions and concerns in a timely manner. This goes without saying, but I was surprised that I have called or emailed at least three other active Realtors and did not receive calls back from them. Obviously a Realtor needs to be familiar with the area, neighborhoods, schools, crime statistics, where appreciation is most likely to occur, and basically which neighborhoods are improving and which are declining. My other requirement is that the Realtor doesn't agree with me all the time. I would like my ideas to be thoughtfully challenged. I don't want to be surrounded by people who do nothing but agree with me. Why do I need another me? I require someone who ultimately carries out my will, but who helps to clarify my thoughts and plans by not blindly agreeing with me on everything.
I was lucky to find Robin Rogers. I Googled San Antonio investment Realtor and found her blog as well as some articles she had written for the National Association of Residential Real Estate Investment Advisors (NARREIA). Got that? It's a mouthful. I liked her right off the bat for a few reasons: she responded to me very quickly and we opened up with a very nice conversation about my investing goals and what she was able to provide; she understands the area; she spends time blogging and connecting with other bloggers which, I think, is like a form of continuing education; she owns investment properties herself; and she independently offers her advice even when she knows it is different than my thoughts.
Robin has been great about dealing with the seller, sending me listings that I may be interested in, and having a great network to recommend to me. She recommended a great inspector, which helped me to get a new roof from the seller, as well as a mortgage broker, accountant, and handyman. These were particularly helpful since I was new to the area.
If you're looking for a Realtor that focuses on investment properties, I would recommend looking for someone that has these traits. If you're in the San Antonio area, you should contact Robin and see if she would be a good fit for you. Check out her blog at activerain, and check out her Web site for more information.
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