Localism: Bexar County, TX

Curb Appeal and Selling Your House

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:43:11 -0600

Whether you are selling your house For Sale By Owner (FSBO) or listing it with an agent in MLS, make sure the curb appeal is as good as it can be.

Front Yard:

• Keep your lawn cut.

• Trim shrubbery and trim back limbs that touch the house

• Weed the yard and edge along the driveway, sidewalk, and curb.

• Plant new flowers. They look fresh and welcoming and are inexpensive.

• Get rid of any dead shrubs, tree limbs, and even stumps.

Driveway, Walkway, Front Porch:

• Clear driveway and clean any oil spots.

• Add exterior lighting. Inexpensive solar lights are easy to install and add a sense of warmth to the home.

• HOAs will not allow old cars in the yard but if you are in a non-HOA neighborhood, get rid of any old cars or junk in the driveway and yard.

• Clean out the garage. Get rid of anything you don't use and organize the rest.

• Power wash your home. It's cheaper than repainting. But don't power wash stucco.

• Touch up paint the exterior (and interior) of your home. If you don't have some of the original paint, buy a small can and touch up any scrapes or marks.

www.shirleyparks.remax-texas.com

Breakfast With Santa at The Woodward House

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:31:38 -0600

Breakfast With Santa

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Three seatings available -- Reservations Required

9:00 am -- 10:00 am -- 11:00 am

Adults $12.00 each -- Children $15.00 each

Includes breakfast, picture with Santa and admission to Santa's playground with games and prizes

Payable in advance by Check, Visa or Mastercard

The Woman's Club of San Antonio

1717 San Pedro Avenue at French

San Antonio, TX 78212

210-732-4811

Reservations Required

Christmas In The Mansion 2008

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:30:43 -0600

Christmas In The Mansion

Each year The Woman's Club of San Antonio opens the doors of The Woodward House, built in 1904 for the Annual Christmas In The Mansion

Dates for this year's event are:

Tuesday, December 2nd through Friday, December 5th, 2008

Luncheon at

11:15 am & 1:00 pm (reservations required)

Make your reservation now to come for lunch and shopping at The Woodward House located at 1717 San Pedro Avenue. Parking is available at the San Pedro Little Theatre with a Free Shuttle to transport you to and from the Mansion.

Shopping Hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Browse the "Christmas Bazaar" on the 2nd floor featuring wonderful specialty items from participating Texas vendors. In the Bake Shop (1st floor) you can purchase Cakes, Cookies, Pies, Breads, Cinnamon Rolls and our Special Gingerbread House Kits. You'll be amazed by the selection of gifts available in The Boutique (1st floor) affordably priced.

Luncheon and Christmas Bazaar is $23.00

Reservations Required

Payable in Advance by Check, Mastercard or Visa

Make Reservations at 210-732-4811

You don't own the home until the loan closes...

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:11:16 -0600

Home buyer; I know you're excited about the new home and I wrote something similar in the past about it, but I want to re-emphasis.... You don't know want to jeopardize the buying of your house during the loan process. When your Realtor and loan officer tell you not to make any major purchases until the loan is funded, we do it for you, really. There is always another time during the loan process when your credit and bank accounts are checked for verification, you have to have what you've offered in the contract. You having the money for the down-payment could have played a role in your offer being accepted. Why jeopardize that? Do not buy, buy, buy, period, especially in today's economy, but more important; do not make any major purchases until you are funded, period.

Just my two cents to help you wear the badge of "homeowner!"

Little Things Matter When Selling Your Home

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:30:42 -0600

Paying Attention to Details

When preparing your house for listing, you may overlook details that need attention. After all, you live there every day, and your eye may not see things the way a prospective buyer sees them. You may have spent thousands of dollars on new countertops or on a new roof, but you may ignore simple things that need to be addressed.

The front yard, walkway, and entrance are the first things potential buyers will see. If these appear unkempt, the first impression will be a negative one. When buyers enter the house, if it doesn't smell and look fresh; the carpet vacuumed, furniture dusted and polished, and rooms decluttered, the buyer will think you don't take care of your house. Wiping down door frames and walls, cleaning windows, polishing appliances will help your house sparkle.

Stop by the any garden shop here in San Antonio, Maldanado's, Milberger's, or whatever is nearby and ask which seasonal flowers or plants they recommend. Stop by a few open houses and get idea of what other sellers may be doing to make their homes more appealing to buyers.

Your home will have a better chance of selling quicker and getting a better offer if you pay attention to all the details.