San Antonio, TX

Nationwide home prices have dropped 10.9 percent in the last year, according to the latest Loan Performance National Home Price Index, which compared prices from July 2008 to July 2007.

The drops are starting to finally flatten out. Loan Performance compared the current national picture to the home price declines in Texas and Massachusettes in the 80s and early 90s, a decline which took two years to bottom out.

California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona continue to lead the race to the bottom in the Loan Performance HPI. Home prices in the Los Angeles area dropped nearly 28 percent in the last year.

Meanwhile, Texas continues to sail through the crisis relatively unaffected.

Austin had the best price appreciation of any city in the U.S., at 4.15 percent. Houston's price appreciation was 4.12 percent, San Antonio 3.53 percent, and Dallas 2.17 percent.

Life is good in Texas.

The members of the Christopher Columbus Italian Society of San Antonio, Texas will top off a week long celebration of events with their annual Genuine Spahetti and Meatball dinner on Sunday, October 12^th. Spaghetti and meatballs will be served from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and homemade Italian desserts such as cannoli, pizzelle, and spumoni ice cream will be available. You can dine in or order carry-out (bring your own container). The all day event will include music, Italian dancers, an antique car display, art show, craft booths, and a Bocci tournament. For the children there will be a moonwalk, balloon characters, and face painting.

The Society is recognized as one of the oldest, if not the oldest, Italian-American organization in the United States and has been in continuous existence for one hundred and ten years. The goal of the Society is to maintain the Italian heritage and culture.

The dinner is open to the public. Proceeds will go to the charitable causes of the Society. Since 1890 the Christopher Columbus Italian Society has provided charitable services to the San Antonio Community. Fundraisers have provided services such as shoes for the St. Peter and St. Joseph Orphanage, an annual dinner for the homeless, a room at Santa Rosa Children's hospital, the 100 Club fundraiser for fallen police/fire and sheriff officers families, Rudy Franco Dinner, support of the Saint Francesco di Paola Catholic Church and free Italian classes.

Located near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Martin Street. Log onto the web site for admission information and directions: http://www.ccis-satx.org/

Home Staging Manager of Texas offers a "Unique Staging Program" that places quality individuals who have gorgeous furniture into luxury homes as Home Managers. With a Professional Interior designer staging the furniture to look like a Model Home.

Under this program, we take care of the landscaping, and Pool/Jacuzzi maintenance, Window Cleaning, Maid Service, and Utilities. We maintain the home at all times to insure that it shows like a Model Home. Before you think that means paying large fees for furniture
rental, and interior design we have a twist . . .

. . .the staging is FREE !!!

In the most recent monthly review of the Texas economy by the Real Estate Center at Teas A&M university San Antonio continues to rank high in categories from employment to affordability.

Texas' economy continues to gain jobs while the nations' economy is losing them. San Antonio, Texas is at a 2% increase in employment growth when looked at from the time frame of August 07 - to August 08.

Texas as a whole is the fastest growing state in population and is estimated to increase 13.6 million by the year 2030. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin are expected to DOUBLE in size.

Texas is 2nd to Florida as a favorite place to retire to.
You can read more about it here.

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Looking for more information on San Antonio Real Estate? www.KristinMoran.com to search for homes in San Antonio or anywhere throughout South Texas.

Kristin Moran, RE/MAX Access - The Moran Team "Sisters that sell", (210)313-7397, Kristin@KristinMoran.com.

Buy or sell from me, use our truck for free!

• Preparing Your Home for Sale
Ask your agent for suggestions on preparing your home for sale. Generally, you will want to move out any bulky or excess furniture; make sure your home is sparkling clean, de-cluttered, and odor free before the lockbox is put on the door.

• Repairs Before Selling
Not all resale repairs will net a payoff. You don't want to spend a lot of money on improvements but you do want to repair obvious and neglected maintenance problems.

• Home Staging
You can either hire a professional stager (it is worth the money,) ask your agent to help stage, or stage it yourself. You will probably get a better and/or quicker offer for your home if it is staged.

• Home Pricing
Do not choose an agent based on suggested sales price. Some agents may overbid each other to get the listing only to lower the price later. Do not overprice your home. Homes that are overpriced often sell for less than market value and stay on the market longer.

• Net Profits from Selling
Ask for to preliminary net sheets, one with a low price and one with a high price. This way you can be prepared for the worst but hope for the best.