Natural Look Is In For Home Decor
February 12, 2008
By JESSIE MILLIGAN
FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
What’s in store for home decor in 2008? Expect to see a lot of anything that looks “natural.” Slubby undyed linen upholstery. Neutral-colored natural-fiber rugs. Tables made to look like logs.
“Anything that looks like something that helps save the environment will be big,” says Amy Larrabee, spokeswoman for the Color Marketing Group in Annapolis, Md. “It does not necessarily have to be better for the environment, but it will look that way.”
We’ll see textured neutral backdrops-sofas and tables-punctuated with bright and bold color-saturated accessories, the non-profit color-marketing group predicts.
Average HOA Costs In San Antonio
February 11, 2008
Annual homeowners association fees can include a transfer fee, reserve or capital improvement fee as well as monthly, quarterly or annual dues.
They differ by size, the number of homes in an association, and the amenities provided.
Transfer fee for single-family home
$100 to $150 one time
Annual dues for single-family homes
0-99 units: $250-$400 without a gate or other amenities and $500-$700 with an entrance gate Pools
100-299 units: $250-$400 without a pool; $350-$500 with a pool 300-699 units with a pool: $450-$600 700+ units with a pool: $350-$500
Condos and Townhomes
$150-$250 per month, which usually includes waste disposal and water service
Source: Spectrum Association Management and Glenn Clarke
San Antonio 2007 Housing Stats
February 9, 2008
As you can see the total number of sales for 2007 dropped 9 percent but the median price went up 5 percent compared to a year ago.
Technorati Tags: San Antonio Housing Market, San Antonio MLS Stats, San Antonio Real Estate, San Antonio Homes
Easy Ways to Go Green Around the House
February 8, 2008
You don’t have to be a complete tree hugger to want to go green. But now that it’s becoming increasingly clear that global warming is a very real problem, why wouldn’t you want to reduce your impact on the environment?
If the threat of global warming doesn’t spur you into action, perhaps this fact will: Most of the actions you can take to green your home are easy. And while they save energy and other valuable resources, they also save you a little or even a lot of green (read: money). I’m not expecting you to go off the grid, start raising all your own food, or anything that extreme. These are just easy changes that can be made around your house now to make a big difference.
Some Builders Have A Deal For Potential Buyers: Price Protection Guarantees
February 7, 2008
NEW YORK — As the housing slump drags on, some builders have a deal for potential buyers: Sign a contract, and if the cost of comparable homes drops before closing, you get the lower price.
Companies including KB Home and Ryland Group hope such “price protection” guarantees will lessen consumers’ paralyzing fears about buying real estate whose value is falling and get them to the dotted line, bring in much-needed cash and reduce high cancellation rates.
3 Smart Reasons to Schedule a Home Inspection
February 6, 2008
Whether your in the market buying a new home or maybe an older home, the door should always be open to a home inspection–before buying. Home inspections help you spot potential problems with a house–ranging from dry rot to termites, and from faulty wiring to bad plumbing. That information not only saves you future headaches, but it can also be used as leverage when negotiating the price of a home.
Here’s a look at the top three ways home inspections can help buyers:
Banks Make it Tougher to Get a Loan
February 5, 2008
The January 2008 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices addressed changes in the supply of, and demand for, bank loans to businesses and households over the past three months.1 Special questions in the survey queried banks about changes in terms on commercial real estate loans during 2007, expected changes in asset quality in 2008, and loss-mitigation strategies on residential mortgage loans. In addition, the survey included a new set of recurring questions regarding revolving home equity lines of credit. This article is based on responses from fifty-six domestic banks and twenty-three foreign banking institutions.
Your Property May Now Be In The Floodplain?
February 4, 2008
Beginning the last week of January and first two weeks of February, the San Antonio River Authority (SARA), in partnership with the Bexar Regional Watershed Management (BRWM), will host a series of public meetings to officially distribute the updated Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain maps, otherwise known as Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs). These public meetings will be the start of FEMA’s official 90-day public comment period for appeals and protests.
During this period, the community and/or other interested parties may refute the data shown on the DFIRMs with a formal objection. This formal objection is known as an appeal or protest. The main focus of these meetings will be to provide information to the public about the creation of the DFIRMs and explain how to formally appeal or protest the new floodplain maps.
What Should I Do With My Pets?
February 2, 2008
If you own a pet, remember that not every potential buyer is familiar or comfortable with all types of pets. Buyers can be frightened or turned off when viewing a home where a pet is present if you don’t take certain steps.
A barking dog may sound bigger than it really is, so it makes more sense to prepare a prospective buyer than to scare him. In order to make the showing agent and his client aware of the animal’s existence, the agent can list the information in the local MLS agent remarks and also with the showing service. State where the animal is located and whether it is okay to enter that area. Additionally, make a note and place it on the door of the area where the animal is kept.
Remodeling That Pays You Back
February 1, 2008
Upgrading your home is always appealing, but which enhancements really get you a good return for your money when it’s time to sell? The 2007 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling magazine and REALTOR® Magazine has the answer. San Antonio numbers are listed below.
| Project | Project Job Cost: | Resale Value: | Cost Recouped: |
| Siding Replacement | $12,926 | $14,472 | 112.0% |
| Deck Addition (Wood) | $9,048 | $9,362 | 103.5% |
| Window Replacement | $10,172 | $9,851 | 96.8% |
| Kitchen Remodel | $20,121 | $19,128 | 95.1% |
Visit CostvsValue.com for more information.
Technorati Tags: Remodeling, Home Project, Real Estate, San Antonio Real Estate
