This time Josh is the subject. 
Josh is the newest member of the menagerie, a found cat who is still adjusting to being indoors. He stops to eat cat food whenever he happens to stroll by the bowl. The other two cats are starting to look positively gaunt next to him. But he is still a youngster, and I hope he tones it down so I don't have to feed him separately. That would be a huge hassle, and having three indoor cats is already proving to be a hassle.
I've never seen a cat sprawl on the floor like this. Maybe he thinks he's a terrier.
It's been a long time since I posted a gratuitous cat photo to my blog. So when I managed to get a photo of Kitty looking up at the camera lens, for once, I thought I'd better take advantage of it.
I spotted Kitty in a neighborhood I was driving through while previewing some homes for clients in 2004. It took me 20 minutes to calm her down enough to catch her and take her to the nearest vet. Although the vet said she was basically healthy, she was skinny and was missing most of the hair from her flanks down to her legs. After I took her home, I put her on a special diet for stressed-out felines, and within three months she looked healthy and beautiful, like she does now. I only feed her expensive, high-protein cat food and she is indoors all the time now.
Why "Kitty"? At the time, my husband disapproved of human names for cats. I wanted to call her Simone, but the only name she answers to is Kitty.
A good housing market is dependent on a good local economy. And the economy of San Antonio, Texas, seems to be doing well.
Out of 366 metropolitan areas, the San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan area had a gross metropolitan product of $82 billion in 2010. This metropolitan area includes eight counties, the most populated ones being Bexar, Guadalupe, and Comal Counties.
The figures were compiled and recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The GMP is similar to the Gross National Product, representing the total output of goods and services in a metropolitan area. Although the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area ranked 38th out of 366 markets, this means the economic output increased by 3.56% from 2009. In comparison, the national rate was 2.5% in 2010.
More good news for job seekers in San Antonio: it is rated one of the best cities for creating new retail jobs, according to a study conducted by American City Business Journals. For the last five years, 96,100 retail jobs have been added in San Antonio. This adds up to a growth rate of 4.12% according to the data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Mission San Jose was a successful generator of jobs in San Antonio in the 1700s
To sellers and home builders, it is bad news. Home sales are down in San Antonio, Texas, according to the San Antonio Board of Realtors. They decreased 11% in July from their July 2010 levels. In addition, the median price dropped 4% from the same time period, to $157,000. That means it is still very much a buyer's market.
“The housing market is still just sort of lumbering along,” remarked James Gaines, a research economist at Texas A&M University's Real Estate Center.
Up until the end of July, the number of home sales was off by 4.7% from last year's levels. They stood at 10,520, which wasn't too bad, considering. Last year's sales activity was boosted by the first-time home buyer tax credit. The credit was extended by one year for members of the military (and other federal employees) who had been deployed overseas in 2010. It expired on June 30.
Now it's time for some good news for sellers in the Alamo City: foreclosures are down by 17% in Bexar County, which encompasses the San Antonio metro. That is compared to last year's total for this time period. Sellers are finding it difficult to compete with foreclosures, and appraisers have been instructed to use foreclosures as sales comparables, further depressing prices.
Continuing low interest rates for mortgages spells good news for both buyers and sellers. Home buyers may find it easier to qualify for lower rates and can take advantage of the opportunity. If sellers can't sell their homes, maybe they will at least be able to refinance into a lower rate mortgage.
More good news for home buyers: 4111 Cactus Oak is for sale
Thinking of buying a waterfront home in the foothills of the Hill Country northeast area of San Antonio? Then you are not alone. Vacation and second homes are popular in Comal County, which includes picturesque New Braunfels and the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, as well as the east portion of Canyon Lake. Sales prices have been about the same since last year. The median price for homes and condos on the water, whether lakefront or riverfront, is $320,000.
What the relentless Texas drought has affected, however, is the time on the market of waterfront properties. The median time from listing to sale it up from 158 days in 2010 to 188 days. This reflects the fact that Canyon Lake and Guadalupe River water levels have dropped significantly.
The water levels have remained about the same, however, in Guadalupe County to the east. That's because the lower part of the Guadalupe is dammed in several places to make a series of small lakes, including Lake Dunlap, Lake McQueeney, Lake Placid, and Meadow Lake. These fishing and boating lakes are located between New Braunfels and IH 35 (the corridor from San Antonio to Austin) and Seguin, to the east of IH 10.
Both the volume of sales and the median prices of waterfront homes in Guadalupe County increased from last summer's levels. As interest rates remain low and the summer heat starts to subside from its record heights, I suspect even more people will be buying waterfront property in this area.
Some guy wading in the Guadalupe River
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I specialize in residential properties in the north San Antonio metro and northeast to Schertz, Cibolo and New Braunfels; homes on 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 living in Hawaii for a few years and then in England. I managed a rental property in Hawaii and invested in real estate in England, so my market niche became helping home buyers and sellers with rental properties and relocations. 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. I specialize in selling homes in established neighborhoods such as Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Olmos Park, Northwood and Northridge, Terrell Heights, Shavano Park, Hunters Creek, Churchill Estates, and Elm Creek, as well as in the Cibolo/Schertz area, where I live. I also help buyers and sellers in Wilson, Guadalupe, and Comal counties, since I love the Guadalupe River area around New Braunfels, Lake McQueeney, and Seguin.
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 finding homes for rehabbing and remodeling in some of San Antonio's beautiful older neighborhoods. I often work with buyers, since I love finding the "right" property, but also like the creativity and challenges of marketing homes for sale.
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.
San Antonio's diversified economy also benefits from jobs in the oil and gas industry, especially thanks to the Eagle Ford Shale play. In addition, the South Texas Medical Center employs nearly 28,000 people, and the University of Texas Health Science Center contributes biotech research while training future healthcare professionals.
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. I provide relocation guides with neighborhood information to home buyers relocating here.
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 a couple who retired to San Antonio to be near their children and grandchildren:
Robin expertly guided us through relocation from Maryland to Texas. She found us an excellent local real estate agent in Maryland who helped us sell our home during one of the worst real estate markets in recorded history. Robin then rented her Corpus Christi beachfront condo to us while our household goods were in storage and transit. When we were ready to purchase, Robin found us the retirement home of our dreams with a beautiful inground pool in a nice, quiet neighborhood in north San Antonio.
She knows San Antonio as only a native Texan can, and tackles any problem that arises with her amazingly extensive network of experienced maintenance people. As we enjoy our retirement playing in the pool with our granddaughter; we say, "Thank you, Robin!!"
And an update from them:
It's been a year since we signed the papers to buy our home. How amazingly fast time goes by! We've been blessed with a happy life and loving family, but we're happier now than we've ever been. Thank you so much, our dearest Robin, for all you've done to make our retirement dreams come true. You truly are the best!!!
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 first-time buyer who was excited about moving out of an apartment, although she will miss the pool (that'll be in her next home!):
Working with you was very easy. I met with two realtors before you but really liked the fact that you asked for what was most important to me in a house (meaning bathrooms, yard, kitchen...) and did not laugh that it was "the feel" when you walk in. You did not push me to try things outside of my comfort and gave subjective opinions when some of my "feelings" were a little out there (i.e. the bank owned house needing A LOT of work, with a great yard).
It truly was a pleasant experience and I would definitely recommend you and use your knowledge in the future.
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 a golf-course lot, both near the Medical Center:
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, planning to add more to their portfolio in 2010:
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 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 attorney 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 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.
From a captain in the US Air Force:
I have moved many times in my life, and without a doubt, Robin is the best realtor I have ever worked with. She helped me purchase one home, sell another, and found long-term tenants for a rental property on two separate occasions. Robin is a gifted communicator and you couldn’t ask for a better advocate whether buying or selling. She knows the business and has always earned her keep by looking out for my best interests. She’s the first person you should call for any real estate need in the San Antonio area!
From the wife of a US Army chaplain whose family PCSed to San Antonio from Virginia:
I would recommend you to anyone, and I feel like the lucky one, because you're still the one I contact when I need help...finding a service person or information I misplaced etc. :) I only wish they made all realtors like you. I wish we could take you with us each move we make!
From a first-time home buyer who relocated from California with her husband in the Air Force:
What sets Robin apart from her peers is her ability to anticipate your needs. Robin was always one step ahead of us as she directed my husband and I through the experience of buying our first home. As a military family living on the west coast Robin's efficiently and reliability were invaluable to us. When the time comes to sell our wonderful home there will be no other realtor I even consider calling!
P.S. We are STILL very much in love with our home!
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