Wayne Johnson Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper Realtors

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.

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

Tuscany Hills is about one-half mile north of Loop 1604. It is one of the Vineyard communities west of Huebner Road. Situated between The Province and The Renaissance, Tuscany Hills has some of the most impressive homes in the Vineyard. There is one gated entry from Huebner Road. This subdivision has fifty-six (56) custom built homes.

Some of the most recognizable custom builders in the area have built homes in this area. Monticello Homes, Mike Holloway, McNair Homes, Prestige Homes, and Steve Heflin are among the builders who have built in Tuscany Hills.

I think the name of the subdivision, Tuscany Hills, is used to evoke images of European villas dotting gently rolling hills, with a good supply of trees and vegetation. The designers and builders have done a pretty good job of capturing the European look and feel in the exterior of these homes.

The San Antonio version of Tuscany Hills has some hills and trees. The hills are pretty rocky so some effort has been expended in getting in topsoil for the landscaping. The lots in Tuscany Hills are larger than typical suburban lots, but not overly so. Most of the lots are on hills that provided the builders challenges in construction of the homes, but also opportunities to develop some unique multi-level design solutions.

Five of Tuscany Hills have been sold in 2009. The prices ranged from $560,000 for a four bedroom-3,500+ square foot model, to $847,500 for a four bedroom, slightly over 4,200 square foot home. There are two homes on the market currently.

If you are looking for luxury living in the north central area of San Antonio, Tuscany Hills 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

The Renaissance