Wayne Johnson Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper Realtors

The Vineyard is one of San Antonio's great North Central communities.

The Renaissance is one of the six subdivisions in the Vineyard. The Renaissance is about a quarter of a mile north of Loop 1604. It has one gated entry point and can only be entered by turning west from Huebner Road. The Renaissance has the second most home sites, two hundred nine (209), in the Vineyard. New homes are still being built in this community.

Recent sales in the Renaissance range from $190,500 for a three bedroom, 1,918 square foot house, to a $431,650 for a four bedroom, 3,809 square foot house. Both houses were sold within the past twelve (12) months. During the past twelve months, fourteen (14) homes have sold in the Renaissance. The Renaissance has the widest range of home prices within the Vineyard community.

Builders in this area have included Prestige Homes, Highland Homes, John Connell Custom Homes, David Weekley Homes, and Mercedes Homes.

There are ten (10) houses currently available for sale, ranging in price from $294.000 to $494,000.

If you are looking for luxury living in the north central area of San Antonio, The Renaissance or one of the other great communities in the Vineyard should be on your list to see. Call me if I can help you with your search.

Links to other Vineyard related websites:

The Vineyard

Napa Forest and Sienna Woods

The Enclave

The Province

Tuscany Hills

Higher education in the San Antonio area is big. We have number of institutions that provide a variety of courses and degree program.

At the two-year college level we have Alamo Colleges(formerly San Antonio Community College), with its five campuses around the city. Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, St. Phillip's College, and San Antonio College.

Most of the following schools have both undergraduate, and post graduate degree programs:

• Baptist University of the Americas
• Our Lady of the Lake University
• St. Mary's University
• University of Texas at San Antonio
• University of the Incarnate Word
• Texas A&M University-San Antonio
• Trinity University
• Webster University

In addition to the schools listed above, the University of Texas has a School of Health Professions. The military has programs at several facilities throughout the area for training in the medical area.

Having good educational facilites is certainly helpful in attracting employers to an area. I certainly think our college and university level schools add in making San Antonio a great destination city for companies looking to open facilities in San Antonio and the surrounding area.

Is buying a house now in your best interests? The answer is, it depends on your situation.

If you can truthfully answer yes, to most of the following questions, it may be in your best interests to buy a house now.

• Do you have available money to pay a downpayment of at least 3.5% of the sales price of the house you are considering to buy?
• Do you also have available money to pay the pre-paid expenses and administrative fees(closing costs) required for the purchase of a house?
• Are the prospects good that your job is secure for the next few years?
• Are the prospects good that you will not be relocating to another city during the next 2-3 years?
• Can you find a house that you like, that will only require a mortgage payment of about 30% of your monthly income?

Every person or family has criteria that should be used to help guide the decision about buying a home. There is on one answer that will fit every situation person or family.

Work with a Realtor and Loan Officer to help you decide if buying a house is a good idea for you. Just because a tax refund maybe available, that is not a reason to buy a house.

Usually teeming with young players sweating and practicing, you know fall is coming to an end when the field is cleared on an autumn afternoon.

Home Buyers get two tax credit options.

The recently approved Bill, which is named "The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009"approved by the Congress and signed into law by the President last week, provides two ways to get a tax credit based on the purchase of real estate.

Here are links to information that explain the Program:

• Tax Credit at a Glance
• First Time Buyers-FAQ
• Repeat Buyers-FAQ

Get with your realtor and loan officer to determine how this act affects you.

Call on me if I can help you with your Real Estate needs in San Antonio or around the free world.