About Comal County, TX

TEXAS CITIES DOMINATE LIST OF TOP PERFORMERS

For the most part Texas has dodged the proverbial bullet when it comes to real estate woes that have plagued other states and communities across the nation for the past couple of years. While there are foreclosures, HUD Homes, REO's, short sales and other distress housing situations occurring, they are not as tragic as in other markets. There are markets in Texas where property values have even increased. With an average appreciation rate over the past few years of about 5%, Texas has not had bursting bubbles and crashing markets. Poised for leading a comeback in terms of economic development and real estate stability, several Texas cities have ranked highly in a recent survey.

LOS ANGELES (Milken Institute) – Texas metros, led by number one Austin–Round Rock, claimed four of the top five spots and nine of the top 16 in the 2009 Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners Best-Performing Cities Index.

Also making the list were Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood (2), McAllen-Edinburg-Mission (4), Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown (5), San Antonio (11), Fort Worth–Arlington (12), Dallas-Plano-Irving (13), El Paso (14) and Corpus Christi (16). Austin–Round Rock was the first metro to ever be ranked number one twice on the index, the last time being in 2000.

But it doesn't stop there. Nine other Texas metros made the top 25 out of the 124 smallest metros that were studied. Those were Midland (1), Longview (2), Tyler (4), Odessa (5), College Station–Bryan (14), Texarkana (17), Waco (18), Laredo (20) and Abilene (21). Leaders in this year’s index, which ranks U.S. metros based on their ability to create and sustain jobs, are all metros that succeeded in avoiding the worst of economic declines driven by falling housing markets and job losses in manufacturing and global trade.

Regional economic factors also strongly influenced the rankings this year, with the oil and gas sector, technology and alternative energy providing stability among metros in Texas, North Carolina, Washington and Louisiana. Another factor helping Texas metros move up in the rankings is the state’s favorable business climate and its ability to attract jobs and corporations away from higher-cost states.

It's a great time to invest in real estate in the Lone Star State! For all your real estate needs in the Texas Hill Country contact EXIT Hill Country Realty today!

Don't miss Lost Maples- The leaves are turning

11/18/09 Report: The front that went by on Monday took a lot of Maple leaves off the trees. After they turn any wind or rain is hard on the trees. We did get some near freezing temperatures the last two nights that will complete the turn on the twenty percent of the Maples that haven't turned yet.

This will also get the Red Oaks turning and the lacy Oaks should start looking better as well. The East Trl still has the best color and the one mile drive into the Park still looks good. The West Trail is just starting to show some color as the Red Oaks are starting to turn and a few Lacy Oaks looked to be starting. The west Trail should look very good about the first and/or second week of December.

The high temperatures are predicted to be in the high sixties and low seventies this week and low forties to high thirties for the low temperatures. Just a bit like fall should be.

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If you are new to Texas be sure to plan a trip to Lost Maples. If you have been here for awhile load up the family and plan a fun day over to Lost Maples.

Localism Blog for Texas by Ceil & Carl Winters - If you should need a home inspection please call us. We live in the Texas Hill Country

Try to visit on a week day if possible, as weekends have been very crowded,

37221 FM 187
Vanderpool TX 78885
830/966-3413

History: Lost Maples State Natural Area covers 2174.2 scenic acres in Bandera and Real Counties, north of Vanderpool on the Sabinal River

Link: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lost_maples/

2009 Foliage Color Change Report.

Free Thanksgiving Dinner for Seniors is This Friday November 20th.

Dear Seniors New Braunfels, Texas

Thanksgiving Dinner for seniors at the Comal County Senior Citizens Center is coming up THIS Friday. This event is sponsored by the Senior Center and the Scooter Store for seniors ages 50 and older.

This annual tradition in New Braunfels TX would not be possible without the donations and volunteer support of the Scooter Store and its employees.

The dinner is set for this Friday from 11:30 to 12:30 at the Comal County Senior Center on Landa Street. No reservations are needed, but again, the dinner is THIS Friday November 20th. for seniors age 50 and older. For more information call 629-4547.

Blog Information: New Braunfels TX, Localism News

It's time to share and give thanks!

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Ceil's Sunday Night Rant!

Do we really know what a dollar bill is really worth?

Is your dollar bill getting bigger or is it shrinking?

Have you noticed that every time you pick up an item in the grocery store that once cost 50 cents is now $1.00. Now, I ask who is in control? Who would have thought the price of bread and a gallon of milk would cost over $5.00. The only thing you see in the store is hot dogs for under a dollar and the bin is always empty. Does that tell you something?

Who's in control?
You and I can debate that till the cows come home, but it's true our government is out of control. I don't see any indications that we are better off then we were two years ago. Everywhere we go folks are discussing, the economy, jobs,healthcare and our out of control government.

Who's out of touch? Hard working folks (if you are fortunate and have a job) or folks up in Washington collecting a big fat paycheck, deciding who gets what? I say the folks in Washington are out of touch. Most of them have all the money they would ever need or want so it makes no difference to them what a dollar is worth, its all about power.

This is my rant for Sunday evening.

Ceil Winters wife of the best home inspector in our area. Keep selling houses so Carl can keep inspecting houses so we can continue to pay our elected officials a salary and keep the economy going (even if the value of the dollar is shrinking). This is just my opinion and Sunday night rant.

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How do you know ~~~ without a Home Inspection?

When a property is sold in "AS IS" condition , how do you know without a Home Inspection what you are really getting.

It is up to you the Buyer to take action to satisfy yourself that the property is worth the money. it may be well worth your while to consider a Home Inspection. You could possibly end up spending more then you had anticipated.

The Question: What is the true condition of the home? It may be worth to spend a couple hundred dollars (depending on the size of the home) to "know what your getting and if there may be some costly defects or repairs.

One Example:

The Attic

The attic will tell a history. The attic is an area not to be overlooked.

You could find broken trusses or rafters or that they had not been installed properly. You can find stress cracks that would hinder the integrity. (very important)

*Proper insulation is an important factor. Without going up into the attic you would never know if it were propertly insulated.

*Rodent damage would be found if squirrels, mice or rats had been in the attic.

Did you know? Rodents can cause severe damage and may even cause a fire. Rodents have been known to

eat the plastic from wiring.

We specifically look for leaks around the chimney.

Looking for evidence of water, stains on the wood is a good indication of leaks

and water damage.

Yes, the roof may look just fine from the outside, but if there are leaks it will be evident when you climp up into the attic and look for signs of damage.

This is just ONE EMAMPLE of a specific part of the home. If there are defects would YOU NOT WANT TO KNOW before you purchase?

With homes that have been in foreclosure, sitting for months unoccupied, it may be well worth your while to consider a Home Insnpection. You could end up spending more in repairs or replacement then you had anticipated.

Localism Blog for New Braunfels and Canyon Lake Texas November 15, 2009. Need a home inspection, call Carl Winters at 830-660-0131. Member of Activerain Real Estate Network, Certified by TREC, License #3630 (since 1994) Complete Inspection Service.

Thank You Carl and Ceil Winters

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