The “Best Places for Military Retirement: Second Careers” list pinpoints U.S. metro areas that are more likely to offer employment opportunities for military retirees, while still maximizing military benefits and providing a high quality of life. Here’s the complete top 10 list:

1. Oklahoma City, Okla.
2. Norfolk, Va.
3. Richmond, Va.
4. Austin, Texas
5. San Antonio, Texas
6. Madison, Wis.
7. Philadelphia
8. Raleigh, N.C.
9. Omaha, Neb.
10. Manchester, N.H

According to the Department of Defense, there are approximately 2 million military retirees as of 2010: 73% enlisted and 27% officers. And they generally retire from the service early in life at the average age of 39 for enlisted service members and 46 for officers.

“Swapping military boots for civilian shoes is a big change, but in this era of high unemployment, being prepared is even more critical to a successful transition,” says June Walbert, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner at USAA and a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves. “The goal of this study is to help military retirees with their civilian job search while encouraging them to think about what financial changes lie ahead and the choices that need to be made as the result of a new career, such as replacing life insurance or rolling over a Thrift Savings Plan account to an IRA.”

Ward Carroll, editor of Military.com and also a military retiree, added, “Military retirees bring highly employable skills to the table, but in addition to facing a tough job market many need help translating those skills to the civilian workplace. This list can help take some guesswork out of a job search by pinpointing places likely to offer second careers matching a military retiree’s expertise.”

USAA and Military.com, the largest military and veteran membership organization, commissioned Sperling’s BestPlaces to develop the list. Researchers reviewed 379 major U.S. metropolitan areas and considered several variables, including these:

• Employment opportunities and sectors that align with military skill sets, such as defense, engineering, medical services and aviation, as well as the overall jobs climate based on unemployment rate and number of small businesses.
• Proximity to a military installation and a VA hospital or clinic, military installation amenities and state taxation on military pensions.
• General quality of life and pocketbook issues, such as affordability, housing costs, crime rate, sales taxes and climate.

Each of the variables was weighted based on importance to military retirees seeking second careers, and each metro area was ranked based on its total points for all variables. Metro areas with unemployment rates more than 1% above the national average were excluded. Metro areas with median housing costs 40% above the national median were excluded from the overall top 10, medium and small metros lists.

These are the top markets, the research company concludes:

1. Raleigh-Cary, N.C.
2. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas
3. Austin-Round Rock, Texas
4. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tenn.
5. San Antonio, Texas
6. Colorado Springs, Colo.
7. Albuquerque, N.M.
8. Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, Colo.
9. Springfield, Mo.
10. Indianapolis-Carmel, Ind.

Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy

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The website recently named its top 25 most affordable housing markets based on how well median income matches up to median home prices.

According to CNNMoney, San Antonio has a median household income of $55,958 and a median home price of $145,900.

“The city of “Remember the Alamo” has made great strides in diversifying its economy. Key components of strength are now the tourism, bio-medical and financial services industries. In addition, it’s a center of higher education and a major military center with 75,000 servicemen and women stationed in the city.

Jobs keep people coming to the city and a high quality of life encourages them to stay, said Mayor Julian Castro. Costs here are low and homebuyers can choose from a large stock of single-family properties at a median price of around $140,000.”

If you’re relocating to San Antonio or already live here and would like to work with a Texas Affordable Housing Specialist register below.

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This announcement represents the single largest financing initiative for state homebuyer funds in the 27- year history of the program and serves as the state’s response to the recent expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credit. Funds will also be available for down payment and closing cost assistance, helping families overcome what is often the biggest obstacle to buying a home.

“Today’s initial release of up to $500 million in homebuyer funds sounds a clarion call to all Texans who have longed to buy a home of their own but thought it was beyond their reach,” said Michael Gerber, TDHCA Executive Director. “The demand for homeownership in our state remains high, as evidenced by the popularity of the homebuyer tax credit, and TDHCA is ready to meet this demand with safe, reliable lending products for qualifying borrowers. Not everyone who wants to buy a home is ready to do so, but for those households who are prepared this represents perhaps their greatest opportunity ever to buy a home. I encourage any interested Texan to not pass up this chance.”

Interest rates on these 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans will either be 4.99 percent or 5.74 percent, depending on which of two types of loans the borrower selects: assisted loans, which will feature the higher rate but also offer down payment and closing cost assistance up to 5 percent of the mortgage amount in the form of a 30-year repayable second lien; and unassisted loans, at the lower interest rate but with no additional funds for down payment and closing cost assistance.

Gerber pointed out that no monthly payments are due on the down payment portion of the assisted loan, and therefore will not be required to be included in the borrower’s debt-to-income-ratios. However, the loan is due and payable upon sale, refinance or payoff of the original mortgage loan.

TDHCA’s First Time Homebuyer Program offers qualifying households who have not owned a home in the previous three years an opportunity to obtain reliable mortgage loans who might otherwise resort to subprime loans or exotic mortgage products. Eligible households can earn up to 115 percent of the area median family income, depending on the number of individuals living in the home, as long as all other program requirements are met.

Loans are available through the program’s network of over 45 participating lending institutions with more than 235 branches located throughout the state. Applicants must qualify under FHA, RHS, VA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac guidelines.

According to Gerber, the extraordinary volume of homebuyer funds also has the potential to make a major economic impact in communities throughout the state. He cited a study from the National Association of Home Builders that estimates that the one-year local impact of constructing 100 single-family homes in a typical metropolitan area includes 324 local jobs, $21.1 million in local income, and $2.2 million in taxes and other revenue for local governments.

Texans wanting additional information are encouraged to visit the Texas First Time Homebuyer Program Web site at www.myfirsttexashome.com or call 1-(800) 792-1119 to learn more about income and eligibility requirements, loan guidelines, or to find a participating lender.

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Think lead paint doesn’t affect your business? Think again.

A new rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that all renovation and repair contractors working in pre-1978 homes, schools, and day care centers who disrupt more than six square feet of lead paint are required to become EPA Certified in lead-safe work practices. Contractors are required to take a one-day training course and firms must send a short application to the EPA. If not, they could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines in the future.

Steve Owens, Assistant Administrator of the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said there is a simple reason for the new rule: protecting people’s health, especially children.

“Childhood lead poisoning is a preventable disease, and our goal is to eliminate it,” said Steve Owens.

Many contractors think the issue of lead paint poisoning went away years ago, or that they are doing all that needs to be done to avoid it. But lead paint poisoning isn’t just about eating paint chips, and even contractors who think they are doing a good job may not be working in a lead-safe manner. In fact, new research shows that contractors like plumbers, electricians, painters and window replacement experts can inadvertently expose children to harmful levels of lead from invisible dust disturbed during jobs they perform every day.

“The greatest risk is for young children living in homes during renovations,” said Owens. “One study found they were 30% more likely to have unsafe levels of lead in their blood than kids in homes where renovations were not occurring. So it’s very important that contractors learn how to work lead-safe and that families hire lead-safe certified contractors.”

A pregnant woman exposed to lead can transfer lead to her fetus. The irreversible damages of lead poisoning can lead to a range of effects from memory loss and diminished motor skills to behavioral and learning disabilities.

Those who work on pre-1978 homes, apartments, schools, day care centers and other places where children spend time, from large and small contractors to building services professionals, will have to take the necessary steps to become lead-safe certified. Firms must register with the EPA and pay a fee. Individuals must take a one-day training course from an EPA-accredited training provider to become a certified renovator. Renovator training is also available via e-learning. This option allows trainers to provide much of the course content online, making it more convenient for many renovators. EPA certification is good for five years.

“Getting lead-safe certified is it the right thing to do for contractors, their customers, and their employees, and especially for the children who spend time near spaces that are being renovated,” said Owens.

Steve Owens says that the EPA is mindful of the small added costs that may result from complying with this important rule. To that end, he said the EPA is launching a consumer campaign designed to raise awareness of the dangers of lead paint poisoning, and encourage consumers to choose only contractors who are Lead-Safe Certified.

4. San Antonio, TX

Market Health Indicator: 43.1

2009 Total Building Permits: 6,099

2010 Building Permit Forecast: 7,341

Military installations account for three of the four biggest employers here–Lackland Air Force Base, Fort Sam Houston, and Randolph Air Force Base. They have helped keep the region’s unemployment rate a relatively low 7.11%, though the area did lose some jobs last year due to weakness in manufacturing. This trend is expected to turn around in 2010; a 2.3% increase in jobs is projected. Household growth has also been strong here. It came in at 2.2% in 2009 and should continue at that rate in 2010. With relatively affordable housing and a growing economy, San Antonio has earned a reputation as a great place to live. It is expected to gain another 2.2% of households in 2010. Single-family permits rose 20 percent during the fourth quarter of last year. Market Intelligence expects total building permits to rise at a 20% rate in 2010, reaching 7,341. By comparison, San Antonio produced 10,261 total building permits in 2008.

5. Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville, SC
6. Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO
7. Huntsville, AL
8. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
9. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
10. Eugene-Springfield, OR
11. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
12. Richmond, VA
13. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
14. Colorado Springs, CO
15. Myrtle Beach-North Myrtle Beach-Conway, SC
16. Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA
17. Wilmington, NC
18. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
19. Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC
20. Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Read the entire article “The 20 Healthiest Housing Markets for 2010″ at BuilderOnline.com

TriStone Homes will be offering plans from 1,348 to 2,963 square feet from the $140’s to $180’s with multiple elevation, structural and customization options to provide diversity in the curb appeal.  Many plans have oversized front porches and covered back patios with a mix of materials including brick, stone, siding and board & batten. “Although the exteriors may have a nostalgic look, the interiors are designed for today’s lifestyles,” says Tony Di Giosia, Vice President of Product Development for TriStone Homes. “Features include open plans with architectural details such as high ceilings, arched openings, rounded corners and display niches.”

“The key to our growth has been the experience we provide our home buyers,” says Nancy Campbell, Vice President of Sales for TriStone Homes. “We focus on keeping the buyer at the center of the process through the entire journey from lot selection to closing.  It’s something unexpected in the price range we build.”

Lot holds are currently being accepted for Saddle Creek Ranch, with sales and construction officially starting February 14th.  Anticipated completion of the model home is mid-April. For more information on building a new home with TriStone Homes at Saddle Creek Ranch in Cibolo register below.

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The move will open a new pool of homes to first-time homebuyers who have been losing bids to cash buyers, but shouldn’t have much effect on home prices, analysts said.

“Opening up to FHA buyers means I can sell it to anybody. That’s big,” said investor Bruce May, owner of SoCal Homes.

FHA buyers made up 28.1 percent of the market in San Diego County, and 50.1 percent in Riverside County, according to real estate data firm DataQuick. Analysts said cash buyers take up much of the rest of the market, and many of them are speculators and investors. The new rule will connect the two groups.

“Give the consumers as many options as possible,” said Nathan Moeder, a real estate economist with the London Group. “Someone who’s buying an investment property to flip it, isn’t buying a junk property where there’s holes in the walls. From the consumer side, I’d be happy about that.”

The new rules limit seller’s profits to 20 percent above the purchase cost, unless an independent appraiser confirms that renovations and repairs justify the higher price.

“They didn’t want to facilitate speculators,” said Mark Goldman, an instructor at San Diego State University.

May thinks this move will grow the number of transactions in coming months: More buyers for investors will motivate investors to buy and renovate more houses.

“It should be good for everybody and the economy,” he said.

Written by Eric Wolff from the North County Times

Here’s the actual PDF from HUD that makes it official and takes you through the details.

San Antonio is also ranked 4th on FinestExpert.com’s list of the best cities for long-term property investment in 2010.

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FinestExpert.com named Dallas-Fort Worth as the hottest real estate investment market for 2010.

After analyzing more than 10,000 real estate markets to identify stable, growth-oriented for investors, San Francisco-based FinestExpert.com formed its first top-10 hottest real estate investment market list for 2010.

Analysts looked at more than low home prices and focused on areas with strong employment, rental markets and growth as offset by foreclosures to determine which markets had the best opportunities. If investors only looked at bargain prices, most would flock to into the “rust-belt” markets such as Cleveland and Detroit.

According to the rankings, the top 20 markets are considered good “buy-and-hold” real estate investment markets, as opposed to quick “fix-and-flip.” Because of the distinction, the top markets needed properties with positive cash-flow, which includes home prices, hyper-local rents, taxes, insurance and other operating expenses.

On a scale to 1,000, a good cash-flow deal is rated at 850. The top-10 list also documents “discounted properties” or how many listings and the percentage of total listings selling for at least 10% their estimated value.

“Everyone wants a deal, no matter what market they are in. FinestExpert.com tracks property prices and values to compute an effective ‘discount’ for every property, thus allowing users to easily find the golden nuggets,” said Robert Boyer, co-founder of FinestExperts.com.

The top-10 markets are:

• 1. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington,TX: 4,206 discounted properties, 773 cashflow positive

• 2. Houston, TX: 5,563 discounted properties, 1,500+ cashflow positive

• 3. Tulsa, OK: 905 discounted properties, 211 cashflow positive

• 4. San Antonio, TX: 3,547 discounted properties, 496 cashflow positive

• 5. Salt Lake City, UT: 1,137 discounted properties, 22 cashflow positive

• 6. Phoenix, AZ: 8,426 discounted properties, 2,000+ cashflow positive

• 7. Indianapolis-Carmel, IN: 1,257 discounted properties, 299 cashflow positive

• 8. Denver-Aurora, CO: 6,449 discounted properties, 562 cashflow positive

• 9. Oklahoma City, OK: 1,085 discounted properties, 212 cashflow positive

• 10. Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC: 3,348 discounted properties, 296 cashflow positive

Written By Jon Prior from HousingWire.com

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The drawing is March 27 and you can enter the free drawing here.

Unlike our federal government’s giveaway (the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit) you don’t have to be a first timer for United Lending’s drawing. But you do have to be at least 18 years old and purchasing a primary residence in Texas.

Aristides Priakos, senior loan originator and financial analyst with United Lending says the company may draw more than one name for the $5,000 award.

Good luck!

Jennifer Hiller – Express News