Getting a Home Mortgage

Is Getting a Home Mortgage Still Too Difficult? There is an old saying that applies - "Never say never". Are you ready to buy a home? Then get the right folks on your side and guidance on HOW to get a mortgage. What is the worst that can happen? If the answer is no, then the question changes to "what to do to make it happen?". If we accept the idea that there is nothing like owning your own home and set the goal as getting there, then the mortgage process follows. The mortgage market has been tight but I think we will see that change - again. If you are ready, let's just do it. More in today's article

Rates gone up

Mortgage Interest Rates Just Went Up… Should I Wait to Buy? No one really knows where rates will be next year. But - once they go up your buying power goes down. Home prices go up - your buying power goes down. Paying rent while you wait does pay off a mortgage - just now yours. So - ready to buy? Bottom line - the waiting game is gambling that a rate or price move will go your way. It can be a pretty expensive loss if it goes wrong. I would be glad to talk with you on the subject, meanwhile - checkout today's article

Reasons to Hire a Professional

5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional When Buying & Selling! Of course you would expect a real estate agent to agree with that - it is our job! But, for whatever it is worth, I believed in that before I became a REALTOR. Yeap - for real. I bought and sold homes and never did it on my own. I figured there are many areas where knowledge is power and where I could get into serious trouble not knowing what I am doing. For me, same with selling my cars - I don't. I trade them and avoid the potential headaches. Anyway, that is off subject. Checkout today's article and see what you think. I am here and ready to help you when you are ready.

We Welcome Everyone


Outdated Kitchen

Thinking of Selling? Don’t Overlook an Outdated Kitchen, Buyers Won’t. I have seen it many time - houses that sit because of a kitchen - or prices eventually lowered - because of a kitchen. You have competition when selling. The new home builders have professionals designing and marketing and your neighbors have updated (and enjoyed the new kitchen while they lived there) and when buyers are looking - impressions count! I remember our first home - a couple years before we sold we completely remodeled the kitchen. As the story goes, the first couple that visited bought - and she loved the kitchen! More in the article today

Existing Home Sales

Existing Home Sales Surge Forward Through Fall [INFOGRAPHIC]. First, my usual reminder - real estate is local. These reports are not. Always best to check with a local real estate professional in your neck of the woods or cal me if you need help finding someone local. IMO, there is still a pent up demand that will take the market to new heights. The seesaw over the election is behind us and we know who the next President will be. So here we are - and it is a great time to buy the first home and become an owner and a good time to sell/buy and move into your next home up or down. It is just a great time for real estate! Checkout today's infographic and more

Interest Rates Increasing

Why Are Mortgage Interest Rates Increasing? Essentially, it is the law of supply and demand. No, not the supply of homes on the market. It is the supply of money and where investors are placing (or moving ) their money. Read more in today's article.


5 Reasons to Sell Now

Winter Is Coming… 5 Reasons to Sell Now! Well, winter is not all snow and ice in different parts of the country. In San Antonio I believe I have seen snow twice - maybe. The first time it was more like a loose salt shaker sprinkling here and there. But, it does get cold here - and folks still buy and sell homes! Right now is a great opportunity to sell - fewer available homes means less competition. And buyers - now is the time. Rates have moved up a little, prices are moving up - and, if you are thinking 30 year mortgage (or even 15 year) now is the time to get the rates that make a newer home affordable. Read today's report

WE HAVE A NEW NAME

Today the new domain ".blog" became available to the general public. We are pleased to announce that our blog formerly published as  www.cannistra.com  is now  www.SanAntonioRealEstate.blog

If you have followed us by RSS, you do need to resubscribe. That's it - we will continue to bring you the latest in real estate in San Antonio and from around the country.

Thank you for your visits and for following us on RSS or by email.  Al

Homes Sales

Homes Across the Country Are Selling Fast! [INFOGRAPHIC] - and my usual reminder, real estate is local - very local. Best to work with a REALTOR in your area. If you need help finding one, I will use our network to find someone for you. There is no cost to you for this service. Let me know how I can help. Meanwhile, checkout today's report

Empty Nest No More

From Empty Nest to Full House… Multi-generational Families Are Back! And, personally, I like that. Actually, it was quite the norm in my family both as a child and later years as an adult with roles reversed. A popular new home feature - and request - is an extra bedroom for a parent,  parents and even the grands! Sometimes, even a 2 or 3 room suite is the request. Whatever the need, there are builders who can work with you and our residential construction expertise facilitates a cost effective build for your new home. Have a look at today's multi-generation family

Singing Hills

Visited a great area today up in Spring Branch just off 281 and North of 46. The Developer and the Builders did a great job informing real estate agents about the community and it's development. We toured two new homes today by Jeffrey Harrison Homes / Ashton Woods Homes. If you are interested in buying a new home, call me - I would be happy to show them to you. Here are a few pictures from today's event.




Do you have TMI?

You Can Never Have TMI about PMI. OK - in English - Too Much Information (TMI) about Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). Today's buyers and sellers are more informed and have access to much more information than only a generation ago. But, there is usually more to learn and that is why working with a professional has it's benefits. Check out today's article for more on this

Housing Sales

A Lack of Listings Remains 'Huge' Challenge in the Market. More sellers are needed as buyers step up and want to buy. It makes sense to sell and buy right now. Prices are good - and the low interest rates may not be there tomorrow. Who knows what will happen. Now is the time to buy and lock in low rates - or sell and buy your next home for the same reason. Have a look at today's article

6 Reasons to Sell During the Holidays

Why Waiting Until After the Holidays to Sell Isn’t a Smart Decision. Checkout the report of the day - there are actually compelling reasons why it is smart to sell during the holidays. They may surprise you!

Veteran's Day

We thank you for your service and your sacrifices. And we thank your family.

The Whole Truth And

The Truth About Housing Affordability... "From a purely economic perspective, this is one of the best times in American history to buy a home." Seriously folks, I do not know that there has been a better time - and the question is, when will it turn. Of course, by the time we all realize it has turned, it will become more expensive and the opportunities change. Realistically, not everyone can be a homeowner but we are the USA and it would be nice to see a higher number of folks enjoying the American Dream. Checkout today's article and then Go For It!

Do you believe?

The Dangers of “Tight Mortgage Credit” Headlines -  "Did you know that the average down payment among first–time homebuyers is 6% and it's 13–14% for repeat buyers…It's possible to put down even less." Of course, we all trust the news media - NOT.  So it is important to spread the news about the real options and if you or someone you know is thinking about buying, have no fear. Work with professionals and give it a try. You will have a monthly note to pay of course - but the alternative is a rent payment which typically goes up and at the end of 30 years provides you with a stack of receipts - and the rent due again next month. Read today's report

Marry first or Buy?

It’s Not Always Marriage Before Mortgage. Interesting situation - spend money on a wedding or use it for a down-payment?  Spend money on the wedding and the honeymoon or keep it close and buy the house? Or, one buys the house with the other to move in after marriage. Or, both buy the house together and marry later. Whatever works for you is the answer! Checkout today's article

Sell?

Sometimes I think the real estate market sounds just like the stock market. We hear buy or we hear sell - the bulls and the bears. Well, from the experts - NAR Reports Show Now Is a Great Time to Sell! If I had to define the timing by market, I go with "it's local" - so get you a REALTOR professional in your market to guide you. But, any time is the right time if you are ready. Even as we move into the holidays many arguments can be made for listing now! And, before I got into real estate, I thought holidays were a bad time (it's that parental influence thing). Anyhow, checkout today's report and see what you think. Call me if you would like to discuss it.

It's about TIME

The Difference an Hour Makes This Fall [INFOGRAPHIC] - OK, just having  a little fun with today's title. But, the  good news is we get back that one hour of sleep we gave up this spring! Time has many meanings actually. And the "right" time is something only each individual can decide. Deciding where to live - or whether to rent or own - all at the right time. Making that decision is your call but if I can help provide the information to help you get there, then we are doing good. I would like to see everybody own their own home (sorry landlords) and if you follow my blog here you will find many reasons why. So, for now - if this is your time and you need help, call me. If you prefer to work with another REALTOR professional, don't pass up the opportunity to be an "owner". Go for it and drop me a note and let me know how it feels to have your own place.

Elder Fraud

Today I had the privilege of attending a presentation by Joanne Woodruff, a prosecutor with the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. The presentation was hosted by the folks at Independence Hill in Stone Oak. Bexar County has amazing community outreach and today's presentation did not disappoint. It is sad that there are crooks out there deliberately targeting seniors but they exist. We are fortunate that our county provides prosecutors who specialize in Elder Fraud and you can read more about it here:  Elder Fraud Bexar County   and at the TDCAA journal. If you are a senior or know someone that is and are in need of real estate assistance, I have experience with my own mom and a special place on my website talking more about it. You may be surprised at just who is the new owner of my mom's ring - the story is on the website!

Millennial Living

Think All Millennials Live in Their Parent's Basement? Think Again! Well, for one thing, we don't have many basements in this part of the country....   OK, back to the point. For many reasons millennials may have stayed in the nest longer than their previous generation but what is wrong with that? It might even be retro actually. Like all generations there comes a time to move on and begin the adventure - and more millennials are now doing just that. Their move changes the housing market creating the need for more rentals and for more homes and condos. We have seen a huge jump in first time buyers entering the market and that means a boost to the economy benefiting all of us. Personally, I look forward to helping first timers (it's a specialty of mine) and helping them through the process and eventually seeing the joy when walking through their new home that first time! Checkout today's article

GO CUBS - 2016 WORLD CHAMPS

Late night blog post...   It has been 108 YEARS since we could say the CUBS are World Champions! And, we are proud to say it. (I was born and raised in Chicago)

Own and Move?

How Long Do Families Stay in a Home? Of course there are averages - and then the anomalies that we have all seen. I had a long time friend who stayed 63 years in the family house and a client who stayed less than a year! The bottom line is whatever is right for you and your family works! Many things happen along the way such as change in family size, relocation, etc. When it happens to a great number of folks at the same time we see an impact on the housing market. It could be good or bad and it may create opportunity along the way. Today's report gives an expanded explanation on that. Check it out

Buyer's Agent

Buying a Home? 4 Demands to Make on Your Real Estate Agent. Some agents focus on buyers only. Other agents prefer to work with sellers. Then there are those, like myself who prefer to work with both. In my opinion, working with either gives me a better understanding the needs of both and better serving my clients. Each is an opportunity to continue to learn and experience! But, today we are talking about the needs of a buyer. The brief article explains the basics that you should expect from the REALTOR you will be working with. We do it that way! Check it out and call me when you are ready to talk about your new home!