26 February 2010 San Antonio Realty Market Report

Quote of the Day: "A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams." ~ Unknown

San Antonio Real Estate Fact of the Day:  The 2009 property tax rate for the San Antonio, TX, North East Independent School District (NEISD) area was 2.731%. Consequently, in 2009, property tax on a $100,000 NEISD area home was $2,731.

Today's Realty News You Can Use: 

RealtyTimes is a great source for real estate current events.  Click here for this week's webcast.

San Antonio Express News reporter Jennifer Hiller is our favorite source for local realty news.  Her most recent article addresses San Antonio's initiatives to become a more energy efficient city.  Click here to read her brief, but highly informative article.

What's happening in San Antonio's homes for sale market today:

Today's stats continue to reflect the strong trend toward a highly active buyers' market for the Alamo City.

Single Family Detached Homes Listed For Sale Today: 11421 Inventory Increasing Rapidly

Single Family Detached Homes Listings Under Contract: 1738  - Increasing Rapidly

Median List Price: $175,000  - Stable

Average List Price: $266,849  - Slowly Drifting Down

Projected Average Sales Price For Listings Under Contract: $167,722 Slowly Drifting Down

San Antonio's Wonderous Weather:

It's a beautiful day in our neighborhoods.  It's partly cloudy with a coolish breeze and 57 degrees at 10:00 A.M.,  The forecasted high is 66 degrees and the forecasted low is 39 degrees.  We're standing at the door to a wonderful San Antonio outdoor weekend.  See you at the River Walk.

That's all for today's blog.

We love to hear what you think about our blogs. Your opinions, pro and/or con, recommendations, commendations, and condemnations (please be kind) are eagerly solicited.

Please visit our sanantoniohomequest.com website for all your San Antonio realty research needs.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, Texas. If you have questions, need San Antonio realty or mortgage loan advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8763, or E-mail us at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your San Antonio area home buying or selling needs.

25 February 2010 San Antonio Real Estate Market Report

25 February 2010 San Antonio Real Estate Market Report


Quote of the Day: "Good homes are still the best source of good humans."
--Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004)

San Antonio Real Estate Fact of the Day:  San Antonio is the Nation's 7th largest city.

Today's Realty News:  Three new San Antonio real estate websites were launched today for Army, Navy, Air Force, and other Uniformed Service home buyers and sellers.

Visit them at:   SanAntonioArmyPCS.com
                       SanAntonioAirForcePCS.com
                       SanAntonioNavyPCS.com

Basic allowance for housing (BAH) information is available on each site.

What's happening in San Antonio's homes for sale market.

Today's stats are continue to display a strong trend toward a highly active buyers' market for the Alamo City.

Single Family Detached Homes Listed For Sale Today: 11429 Inventory Increasing Rapidly

Single Family Detached Homes Listings Under Contract: 1735 Increasing Rapidly

Median List Price: $175,000 Stable

Average List Price: $266,467 Slowly Drifting Down

Projected Average Sales Price For Listings Under Contract: $165,606 Slowly Drifting Down

San Antonio's Wonderous Weather:

This week, San Antonio's weather has ranged from a rare light snow flurry on Tuesday, to a heavy frost this morning, to a comfortable 66 degrees at 4:30 in this afternoon.  The thermometer is tired from jumping up and down, but can rest a bit for the next seven days, with highs in the 60's and lows between 40 and 50.  Pastures have become lush with new growth and there's a hint of light green buds in some trees around the city.  The air smells sweet with spring scents.

That's all for today's blog.

We love to hear what you think about our blogs. Your opinions, pro and/or con, recommendations, commendations, and condemnations (please be kind) are eagerly solicited.

Please visit our sanantoniohomequest.com website for all your San Antonio realty research needs.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, Texas. If you have questions, need San Antonio realty or mortgage loan advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8763, or E-mail us at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your San Antonio area home buying or selling needs.

16 February 2010 San Antonio Real Estate Market Report

Quote of the Day: A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice. ~ Bill Cosby

Fact of the Day:  Approximately 50% of the population of the US is nearsighted.

Today's Realty News:  Jennifer Hiller is San Antonio's most prolific realty reporter.  Her excellent article in today's San Antonio Express News recaps this January's lackluster home sales start.  Click here to read the article.  Keep in mind that the article reflects San Antonio realty reality in that the local home sales market is relatively asleep in January, but usually wakes up active and hungry in mid-February. The following February stats are already showing a trend toward a highly active late winter/early spring buyers' market for the Alamo City. 

Single Family Detached Homes Listed For Sale Today:        11292 Inventory Increasing Rapidly
Single Family Detached Homes Listings Under Contract:       1585 Increasing Rapidly
Median List Price:                                                                 $175,000 Stable
Average List Price:                                                                $269,656 Stable
Projected Sales Price For Listings Under Contract:            $167,267 Decreasing Slowly

San Antonio's Wonderous Weather: 

After an exceptionally cold start (27.7 degrees in our back yard with ice in the bird bath), the air's warming quickly and the temp's heading for the low 60's this afternoon.  Warm, bright and clear - spring's near!

That's all for today's blog.

We love to hear what you think about our blogs. Your opinions, pro and/or con, recommendations, commendations, and condemnations (please be kind) are eagerly solicited.

Please visit our sanantoniohomequest.com website for all your San Antonio realty research needs.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, Texas. If you have questions, need San Antonio realty or mortgage loan advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8763, or E-mail us at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your San Antonio area home buying or selling needs.

14 February 2010 San Antonio Real Estate News You Can Use

Happy Valentines Day, dear Readers!

Quote of the Day:  Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love. ~ Albert Einstein

Fact of the Day:  Some 190 million Valentines are exchanged each year, according to the Greeting Card Association.
 
Today's Realty News:

In an excellent article in the San Antonio Express News, Jennifer Hiller writes about the recent rise in Bexar County/San Antonio residential property foreclosures.  Click here to read the article.

San Antonio Today:

It's a beautifully warm day in San Antonio.  If you're in the Alamo City, here's hoping you can get out and enjoy the sunshine.  If you're some place where it's cold and wet, here's hoping you're blessed with a warm house, an ample hot chocolate supply or a big box of Valentine candy, and someone to hug.

That's all for this blog.

We love to hear what you think about our blogs. Your opinions, pro and/or con, recommendations, commendations, and condemnations (please be kind)  are eagerly solicited.

Please visit our sanantoniohomequest.com website for all your San Antonio realty research needs.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, Texas. If you have questions, need San Antonio realty or mortgage loan advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8763, or E-mail us at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your San Antonio area home buying or selling needs.

San Antonio Resident Doctors 100% Mortgage Loans

San Antonio Resident Doctors 100% Mortgage Loans


There’s a new 100% home mortgage program available for San Antonio resident doctors.

After the Bank of America Physician Loan Program was suspended in March, 2009, it became virtually impossible for San Antonio area physicians to obtain 100% home mortgage loan financing. Now, there’s good news! A new program has just opened up that’s specifically designed to help qualified physicians, including medical students and residents, acquire a San Antonio area home.

The program offers:

• 100% financing - no money down
• no private mortgage insurance (PMI)
• lower monthly payments
• thousands saved over the life of the loan
• more home for income

Easy qualification and special underwriting for physicians with good credit allows:

• student loans deferred for months are NOT counted in qualifying ratios
• purchase before starting a new position
• qualifying using future income
• purchase of ingle family homes, town homes, lofts, and condos

It’s a great opportunity for members of San Antonio’s medical community. For more information, contact us.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

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10 February 2010 San Antonio Real Estate News You Can Use

Quote Of the Day:  "Rumor travels faster, but it don't stay put as long as truth."  - Will Rogers

San Antonio Happenings: 

Chocolate Day - Saturday, February 13 at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Chocolate fans of any age, this is for you! We're celebrating our annual Chocolate Day on Saturday, February 13 with special chocolate "flavored" activities from 10 am - 2 pm. Have some coco-licious fun while learning a thing or two about one of the most cherished sweets of all time!  Click here for info.

San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo - February 4 - 21.  Click here for info.

Realty News, Views, & Opinions: 

If you're closely following San Antonio's realty market, you've no doubt noted a fairly consistent news, views, and opinions trend.  Just about everybody who should know is predicting an exceptionally lively late winter and early spring Alamo City area residential sales season.  Are they right on or just piling on unfounded marketing hype? 

Of course, since it hasn't happened yet, the success of this year's early high season market remains to be seen.  That said, there are an exceptional number of positive indicators in play right now.  Briefly, they are:

• Two home purchase Federal tax credits - the extended up to $8000 credit for first time home buyers and the new $6500 credit for move up home buyers - will likely have significant impact on closed sales through June.
• Mortgage interest rates remain at close to record lows.
• FHA mortgage loan seekers will be rushing to purchase their homes before FHA loans become more expensive and harder to acquire due to new FHA lending policies scheduled to take effect in the spring or early summer.  Click here for a nice USA Today article explaining the new rules.
• The Base Realignment and Closing Program will reward Military City USA with a larger than usual influx of military members and their families seeking good places to live. 
• San Antonio's home prices are exceptionally stable and affordable.
• San Antonio's economy is growing.
• Recently, San Antonio has been recognized by many reliable economists as one of the Nation's inflation proof cities.

So, what's to be believed?  Although San Antonio's late winter and early spring realty market has yet to be proven, considering the positive indicators, it's highly likely to be a boomer!

We love to hear what you think about our blogs.  Your opinions, pro and con, recommendations, and commendations are eagerly solicited.

Please visit our sanantoniohomequest.com website for all your San Antonio realty research needs.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, Texas. If you have questions, need San Antonio realty or mortgage loan advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8763, or E-mail us at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your San Antonio area home buying or selling needs.

When the Football Season Ends, San Antonio's Real Estate Market Heats Up

Quote of the Day:  "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers

News Flash:  When the Football Season Ends, San Antonio's Real Estate Market Heats Up

Hey, San Antonio home sellers and buyers, we've just passed a significant event that might mean more to you than you realize.  While Super Bowl adrenaline ebbed from your bodies, and dopamine satisfaction faded from the brains of Saints fans, San Antonio's realty market kicked into high gear.  It's a fact borne out by years of sales data!  Right after the Super Bowl, San Antonio home buying and selling gets serious. 

On this first day after Super Bowl 2010, San Antonio has an ample inventory of resale homes and, according to the latest analysis, an unusually low supply of newly constructed homes.  Although the market favors buyers right now, there's reason to believe it might drift toward a balanced or even a seller's market as the newest crop of highly motivated buyers rushes to write home purchase contracts before the April 30 Federal home buyer tax credit deadline.

If the Federal home buyer tax credit program is news to you, click here to get the facts from the IRS.

Here's the message.  You're on the right track if you're contemplating buying or selling a San Antonio home, but you'd better get moving because you might get run over if you just sit there.

As always, we solicit your comments and recommendations about this blog.

Please visit us at our sanantoniohomequest.com website for all your San Antonio realty research needs.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, Texas. If you have questions, need San Antonio realty or mortgage loan advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8763, or E-mail us at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

4 February 2010 San Antonio Real Estate News You Can Use

Some Quick Takes:

• Over 80% of today's home buyers start their search on the Internet and only seek the services of  a real estate agent at the point where they need to supplement what they've already learned using Internet realty research tools.
• Today's best Realtors run a consumer-focused and consumer-driven business, seeing their clients as drivers and themselves as navigators.
• Far too many home buyers have their cart before their horse by starting their home search visiting listings before talking with lenders and determining their home purchase affordability ceiling.

 Nifty news to know:

Our February 2010 Real Estate Update  has just been published.  Go here for lots of exceptionally useful realty information.

As always, we solicit your comments and recommendations about our blogs. 

Please visit us at our sanantoniohomequest.com website for all your San Antonio realty research needs.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, Texas. If you have questions, need San Antonio realty or mortgage loan advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8763, or E-mail us at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

2 February 2010 San Antonio Realty News You Can Use

What can we expect from this month's San Antonio's realty market.  Historically, February is typically a very active month for both sellers and buyers.   This February, resale home inventory should increase significantly as sellers rush their properties to market hoping the recently extended and expanded Federal home buyer tax credit programs will cause an exceptionally strong  late winter and early spring home buying trend.

Although  February is typically one of San Antonio's most active months for home buyers, three factors promise to make February 2010 an exceptionally busy month.  First, the previously mentioned Federal tax credit programs are expected to significantly increase buyer activity.  Second, the military's first wave of Base Realignment and Closing Program personnel will be arriving to look for homes. Third, mortgage interest rates remain historically low for qualified buyers.

Will this February's increased sales offset San Antonio's rapidly increasing resale home inventory thus putting an end to the city's protracted buyers' market.  Only time will tell, but home sellers can take heart in knowing that February will likely bring an unusually large number of ready, willing, and able buyers.

Home buyers and sellers should always be encouraged about the reality of San Antonio realty.  It's strong! Why? Because the Alamo City remains one of the Nation’s healthiest large metropolitan economies and projections for 2010 indicate the area’s immediate future is highly favorable for strong economic growth, low unemployment, and a continuing strong infusion of the monetary and human resources needed to build an even more economically vibrant city.

For data lovers, here are the relevant market indicators for San Antonio single-family detached homes as of 2 February 2010.

There are 11059 active listings compared to 11783 last year. The inventory is rapidly increasing. That’s a good sign for home buyers.

The average sales price for the most recent closings is $180,704 compared to $188,292 last year. The drop in average sales price has, for the most part, been driven by the purchase of a large number of less expensive properties by home buyers capitalizing on the Federal home buyer tax credit programs. It remains to be seen how the market will fare after the program ends on 30 April 2010.

Average cumulative days-on-the-market (CDOM) for the most recent sales is 133 compared to 142 last year. During 2009, CDOM figures were unacceptably high, but have recently trended downward. That’s a positive sign for San Antonio home sellers specifically, and the city's realty market, generally.

Industry analysts see these data as reflecting a housing market continuing to strongly favor buyers over sellers.

That’s all for our February 2010 San Antonio realty market report. We encourage comments and recommendations about this report. 

Please visit us at our sanantoniohomequest.com website for all your San Antonio realty research needs.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, Texas. If you have questions, need San Antonio realty or mortgage loan advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8763, or E-mail us at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

1 February 2010 San Antonio Real Estate News You Can Use

San Antonio Express News carries a very informative article by Creighton Welch addressing the status of San Antonio's mid-winter residential realty market on the eve of the typically much more active late winter/spring home marketing season.  Click it to see it.

Click here for this week's RealtyTimes.com's realty and mortgage lending news webcast.  This is one of the web's most comprehensive and informative realty market updates for home buyers and sellers.

Visit us at sanantoniohomequest.com for all your realty needs. We're Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. You can call us at (210) 863-2661, (210) 867-8743, or (800) 201-9145 or E-mail us at kelleybus@aol.com or swkrealtor@aol.com.

San Antonio's Most Romantic Restaurants

This is a little off topic, but looking ahead to Valentine's Day on Sunday, February 14th, here's some information that might come in handy if you're searching for San Antonio's most romantic restaurants.  Click for the list.

Outside the city, but close enough for a short drive to wonderful downtown Bulverde, is Mike's in the Village, a bistro and wine bar.  Mike's features some of the San Antonio area's best food in an intimate, cozy old town setting.  It's a great place for a Valentine's Day get away.  Click to visit Mike's website.

Back to San Antonio real estate, visit us at sanantoniohomequest.com for all your realty needs.  We're Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio.  You can call us at (210) 863-2661, (210) 867-8743, or (800) 201-9145 or E-mail us at kelleybus@aol.com or swkrealtor@aol.com.

Where's San Antonio's Realty Market Going!

What's happening in this year's San Antonio's mid-winter realty market?  It's relatively active right now and seems to be drifting toward a very active spring season. Typically, that means there will be more homes for sale, list prices will increase, and sales volume will likely be higher than usual especially this year because buyers will be rushing to take advantage of the Federal home buyer tax credit programs. As for the summer realty market season, it's too early to tell if it will more or less active than usual, but, undoubtedly, activity will be dependent on the success or failure of national economic recovery initiatives.

April 30, 2010 is an important date for home sellers and buyers to keep in mind.  Why?  Under the new law, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2010 and close on the home by June 30, 2010 to qualify for claiming the Federal home buyer tax credit benefits.  Consequently, anyone seriously contemplating selling a home this year should get  the property on the market right away, particularly if it's worth $200,000 or less.  That's a high demand price category for San Antonio homes and, if a home is in good condition, it's likely to sell quickly. 

Anyone wanting to buy a home this year should move fast to avoid missing the 30 April deadline.  Of course, before jumping into a purchase agreement, a buyer should consult a Realtor® or visit the tax credit website to make sure he or she qualifies for the credit.

Aside from the home buyer tax credit issue, here's something about San Antonio's annual realty market cycle that both home sellers and buyers should keep in mind.  Decades of recorded sales data prove conclusively that market activity usually peaks in May, June, or July, then falls off rapidly after August.  List prices usually adjust downward during the fall and early winter selling season, available home inventory usually goes down, days on the market will increase, and there will be far fewer monthly closings than during the summer peak season.  After a long winter's rest, the market will start stirring again in February and March.

Realtor® and consumer comments and opinions are, as always, solicited about this, or any article, posted on this blog.  We love to discuss and don't mind a fuss.  The more views and news we can solicit, the better. 

We're Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy.  Visit our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com website for anything and everything San Antonio realty. If you have questions, need realty or mortgage loan advice or assistance, or just want to chat, call us at (800) 201-9145, (210) 863-2661, or (210) 867-8743, or E-mail us at kelleybus@aol.com or swkrealtor@aol.com.

25 January 2010 San Antonio Real Estate News You Can Use

Jennifer Hiller reports in the San Antonio Express News about the positive impact the new J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa has had, and will have, on north side San Antonio growth.  Click to read Jennifer's article.  It's super news for homeowners in the area, especially golfers.

If you're keeping up with the national realty and mortgage news, nothing beats RealtyTimes' weekly webcast.  Go here for some very informative viewing.

Visit our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com website for anything and everything San Antonio realty.  If you have questions, need realty or mortgage loan advice or assistance, or just want to chat, call us at (800) 201-9145, (210) 863-2661, or (210) 867-8743, or E-mail us at kelleybus@aol.com or swkrealtor@aol.com.

24 January 2010 San Antonio Real Estate News You Can Use

In 2009, the most popular loan in the San Antonio area was likely a FHA loan.  This year, FHA loans will be more costly than last year.  Alan Zibel, the Associated Press (AP) real estate writer has written a very easy to read article about the he increased FHA fees.  Click to read his article entitled "Federal Housing Administration to Raise Fees."

Summarizing the fee increases:

• the up front mortgage incurance premium (MIP) fee has risen from 1.75% to 2.25% of the loan
• the minimum credit score requirement is now 580, however some FHA lenders might accept a lower  score, but only if the buyer places more money down

We will help you with mortgage loan questions and anything realty.  Visit our website at SanAntonioHomeQuest.com, call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8743 or (800) 201-9145 or E-mail us at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com.

22 January 2010 San Antonio Real Estate News You Can Use

The San Antonio Business Journal reports "Sitterle Homes has bucked a national trend in the residential real estate market" by "wrapping up a successful sales year in 2009."  Sitterle is one of the San Antonio's oldest and most highly respected new home builders.  Sitterle has been in business over 45 years and is one of the area's few remaining locally owned and operated residential construction enterprises.  Most of the others were acquired in recent years by large national home building corporations.  Click to read the article.

The San Antonio Express News carries an interesting article of  local and outside job seekers.  It reports that "three companies based in the San Antonio area are ranked among the “100 Best Companies to Work For” for 2010 in the Feb. 8 issue of Fortune magazine."  The companies are NuStar Energy L.P. (ranked number 21), the Scooter Store (ranked number 38), and USAA (ranked number 45).  This is just another example of recent high ratings received by members of San Antonio's business community.  Click to read the article.
If you have questions or comments about this blog or if you need realty or mortage loan advice or assistance, please contact us.

Here's how we serve you. If you are a home buyer, our goal is to help you find the best property, in the best neighborhood for the best price and under terms and conditions most favorable to you.

If you’re a home seller, our goal is optimize your selling power by helping you price your property competitively and by promoting it extensively via a broad array of highly effective realty marketing techniques.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. Call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8743 or (800) 201-9145 or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

Visit Our Website Read Our Newsletter Ask Us A Question

21 January 2010 San Antonio Realty News You Can Use

There's a very timely San Antonio Express News article addressing the recent strong upturn in San Antonio’s residential realty market. Click to read the article.


On the downturn side, the San Antonio Express News carries an Associated Press (AP) article reporting that, nationally, home building fell 4% in December.  Click to read the article.  Although the the AP article doesn't specifically address San Antonio's new home market, San Antonio area buyers can expect to find a lower than usual inventory of new construction homes this spring. 

Weakened new home competition will be a welcome incentive for San Antonio area homeowners contemplating selling their homes.  Consequently, the shortage of new construction homes will likely be offset by an ample inventory of newly listed resale homes. 

It's currently a buyers' market and, all things considered, the market will likely favor buyers at least into the summer.

If you have questions or comments about this blog or if you need realty or mortage loan advice or assistance, please contact us.

Here's how we serve you.  If you are a home buyer, our goal is to help you find the best property, in the best neighborhood for the best price and under terms and conditions most favorable to you.

If you’re a home seller, our goal is optimize your selling power by helping you price your property competitively and by promoting it extensively via a broad array of highly effective realty marketing techniques.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. Call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8743 or (800) 201-9145 or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

Visit Our Website Read Our Newsletter Ask Us A Question

San Antonio Resident Doctors 100% Mortgage Loans

There’s a new 100% home mortgage program available for San Antonio resident doctors.

After the Bank of America Physician Loan Program was suspended in March, 2009, it became virtually impossible for San Antonio area physicians to obtain 100% home mortgage loan financing. Now, there’s good news! A new program has just opened up that’s specifically designed to help qualified physicians, including medical students and residents, acquire a San Antonio area home.

The program offers:

100% financing - no money down
no private mortgage insurance (PMI)
lower monthly payments
thousands saved over the life of the loan
more home for income

Easy qualification and special underwriting for physicians with good credit allows:

student loans deferred for months are NOT counted in qualifying ratios
purchase before starting a new position
qualifying using future income
purchase of ingle family homes, town homes, lofts, and condos

It’s a great opportunity for members of San Antonio’s medical community. For more information, contact us.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

Visit Our Web Site View OurNewsletter Ask Me A Question

What's In Store For San Antonio's 2010 Home Buyer?

If you’re you’re hoping to buy a San Antonio area home in 2010, congratulations! You’ll find a housing market that decidedly gives you a buyer’s advantage.

Why? There’s a large inventory of quality resale homes. Although creeping upward, mortgage loan rates remain at a near historic low. For those who qualify, the Federal government’s home buyer incentive program is literally paying people to buy homes. There’s more information about that program here:

http://www.realtor.org/home_buyers_and_sellers/2009_first_time_home_buyer_tax_credit

There’s a slight downside if you’re hoping to purchase a new construction home. The inventory of available newly built homes is unusually low. Consequently, if the new home demand outpaces supply, the builders will likely offer fewer buyer incentives.

San Antonio’s exceptionally vibrant economy and perennially stable housing market make it hard to resist buying a home here, so, don’t try - buy!

We’re here to help. Our goal is to help you find you the best home, in the best neighborhood, for the best price, and under terms and conditions most favorable for you.

Contact us. We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8743 or (800) 201-9145, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

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January 11, 2010 San Antonio Realty News You Can Use

Click to see RealtyTimes' latest webcast addressing the status of the national real estate market.  That's the big picture.

To focus in on San Antonio's realty market, click to see a very timely SanAntonioExpressNews article about San Antonio's realty market trends.

Check out our website for latest listings and other good stuff about San Antonio real estate. 

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

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100% Mortgage Program For San Antonio Physician Home Buyers

There’s a new 100% home mortgage program available for San Antonio physicians.

After the Bank of America Physician Loan Program was suspended in March, 2009, it became virtually impossible for San Antonio area physicians to obtain 100% home mortgage loan financing. Now, there’s good news! A new program has just opened up that’s specifically designed to help qualified physicians, including medical students and residents, acquire a San Antonio area home.

The program offers:

100% financing - no money down
no private mortgage insurance (PMI)
lower monthly payments
thousands saved over the life of the loan
more home for income

Easy qualification and special underwriting for physicians with good credit allows:

student loans deferred for months are NOT counted in qualifying ratios
purchase before starting a new position
qualifying using future income
purchase of ingle family homes, town homes, lofts, and condos

It’s a great opportunity for members of San Antonio’s medical community. For more information, contact us.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

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December 28, 2009 San Antonio Realty News You Can Use

Here are some interesting news items for San Antonio home buyers or sellers:

10 Trouble Spots to Consider When Purchasing a Foreclosed Home  from RISMEDIA

Tax credits play a big role in boosting sales from SanAntonioExpressNews

Bexar foreclosure filings at a record high from SanAntonioExpressNews

For honest straight talk about San Antonio realty stuff, contact us.  We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.


For more information about San Antonio real estate, you can

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San Antonio Realty News You Can Use

RealtyTimes has this interesting article about "How To Save To Buy A Home."  Click to check it out.

If you're interested in buying a condo, this Associated Press article in the San Antonio ExpressNews is both informative and a little troubling.  Go here.

For more information about San Antonio real estate, you can

Visit Our Web Site View Our Newsletter Ask Us A Question

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

December 2009 San Antonio Realty Market Report

“May you live in interesting times.” Is it a blessing or a curse?

Across the Nation this year, home buying and selling has been interesting to say the least. Cursed with excessive foreclosures, rigid mortgage lending requirements, lackluster job markets, sluggish home sales and rapidly falling home values, is it any wonder that home buyers and sellers, not to mention their Realtors®, are tired of the curses of 2009’s interesting times.

It’s not so in San Antonio! The Alamo City will close 2009 having one of the Nation’s healthiest large metropolitan economies. Projections for 2010 indicate the area’s immediate future is highly favorable for strong economic growth, low unemployment, and a continuing strong infusion of the monetary and human resources needed to build an even more economically vibrant city.

That said, this year, San Antonio’s housing market was punched around a bit by the national economic downturn. Although home foreclosures went up and average home values went slightly down, recent Federal economic recovery initiatives (like the Tax Credit Program For Home Buyers) appear to be slowing and perhaps reversing those trends.

Here are the relevant market indicators for San Antonio single-family detached homes as of December 8, 2009:

There are 10977 active listings compared to 12603 last year. The inventory is decreasing slowly. That’s a good sign for home sellers and indicates a healthy trend toward achieving a balanced housing supply.

The average sales price for the most recent closings is $180,040 compared to $186,084 last year. The drop in average sales price has, for the most part, been driven by the purchase of a large number of less expensive properties by first time home buyers capitalizing on the recent up to $8000 First Time Home Buyer Federal Tax Credit Program. It remains to be seen how the recent continuation and expansion of the program will impact on San Antonio’s housing market.

The average cumulative days-on-the-market (CDOM) for the most recent sales is 127 compared to 117 last year. During 2009, CDOM figures have been unacceptably high, but have recently trended downward. That’s a positive sign for San Antonio home sellers specifically, and the realty market, generally.

Industry analysts see these data as reflecting a housing market continuing to strongly favor buyers over sellers but trending toward a more balanced market in late winter or early next spring.

That’s all for our December 2009 San Antonio realty market report. In closing, we wish you and yours the happiest of holidays and a healthy and prosperous new year.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, Texas. If you have questions, need San Antonio realty or mortgage loan advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8763, or E-mail us at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with our home buying or selling needs.

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San Antonio Realtors® Know More Than Real Estate

There are always a few people in any community that seem to know everyone. In San Antonio, that’s us!

In our business of studying the San Antonio real estate market, we get to meet new people every day. We meet dentists, contractors, business owners, service people, nannies, restaurant owners, and executives. As people who meet new people, one of our favorite things is to connect people that we know.

If you are ever in need of a great recommendation for a San Antonio metropolitan area contractor, restaurant, babysitter, or anything in between, please contact us! We live in such a great community of wonderful people, and we love to help people connect to each other!

And of course, we are always your best resource for your San Antonio area real estate needs.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8743, or (800) 201-9145 or send us an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

For more information about San Antonio,

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Coming soon, look for our new websites for San Antonio physician loans, San Antonio Army PCS, San Antonio Air Force PCS, and San Antonio Navy PCS.

Best Market Ever For AD Military & Veterans Buying A San Antonio Home

Now that the Federal home buyer tax credit program has been expanded and improved, it’s time for San Antonio area veterans and active military personnel to profit from it. Low interest VA, FHA, Texas Vet and other financing programs, along with the tax credit, an ample new and resale home inventory, and a strong buyer’s market, give powerful incentives for present and former uniformed service home buyers to take advantage of what’s likely to be a once in a lifetime San Antonio home buying opportunity.

So, if you’re a veteran or active duty member who’s considering buying a first time home or moving from a current home, don’t miss this wonderful chance to capitalize on your government benefits.

We can help.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs. For more information about San Antonio real estate, you can

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San Antonio Home Buyers Should Always Consider Using A Buyer's Agent

At sanantoniohomequest.com, we believe an educated home buyer is a wise buyer. That's why we have compiled a series of easy to remember essential hints for our home buyer guests. This one's always a hit:

 The buyer should always consider using a buyer's agent.
Why? The buyer's agent is ethically, professionally, and legally obligated to put the buyer's interests first. By using a buyer'sw agent, the buyer avoids the risks and pitfalls of working through a listing agent representing the seller. And, the buyer's agent's services are provided at no additional cost to be buyer.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.


For more information about San Antonio real estate, you can

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New Home Near Ft. Sam Houston and Randolph AFB For $1603 San Antonio O-5 BAH

Hey, San Antonio active duty O-5!

For your $1603.00 with dependents BAH, you can comfortably afford a brand new 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage home close to Fort Sam Houston and Randolph Air Force Base.

There are also 15 resale home listings in the area that fall within your BAH affordability range.

For more information, click here, tell us about your home ownership wants and needs and we’ll send you all matching listings around Fort Sam Houston and Randolph Air Force Base.

Visit My Web Site

View My Newsletter

Ask Me A Question

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

Put A San Antonio Realtor® To Work For You

It’s no secret that the average consumer turns first to the Internet for home buying and selling information. Why not? It’s the world’s largest library. It’s free and easy to use. It’s chocked full of stats, advice, articles, bulletins, blogs and opinions, not to mention a lot of nutty rants, raves and ruminations. It’s no wonder why, after weaving through the web in search for honest, consistent information, the average realty consumer ends up bewitched, bothered, and bewildered.

Arguably, it’s too risky to trust the Internet if you’re looking for timely and reliable information about something so risky, expensive, and complicated as a real estate deal.

So, who can you trust?

The answer is close at hand. Just contact a local Realtor®. Don’t be shy. A Realtor® won’t try to rope you in, put you in a head lock, or make you do anything you’re not willing to do. A Realtor® will be pleased to answer your questions in hopes of developing a trusting and long term relationship with you.

So, if you’re hopelessly wrapped in the Internet’s realty web, don’t hesitate to ask a Realtor® to cut you loose. You won’t be sorry.

We’ll always be the Realtors® first in line to help you.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

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New San Antonio Physician 100% Home Loan

There’s a new 100% home mortgage program available for San Antonio physicians.

After the Bank of America Physician Loan Program was suspended in March, 2009, it became virtually impossible for San Antonio area physicians to obtain 100% home mortgage loan financing. Now, there’s good news! A new program has just opened up that’s specifically designed to help qualified physicians, including medical students and residents, acquire a San Antonio area home.

The program offers:

100% financing - no money down
No private mortgage insurance (PMI)

• lower monthly payments
• thousands saved over the life of the loan
• more home for income

Easy qualification and special underwriting for physicians with good credit

• student loans deferred for months are NOT counted in qualifying ratios
• allows purchase before starting a new position
• allows qualifying using future income

Single family homes, town homes, lofts, and condos acceptable

It's a great opportunity for members of San Antonio's medical community.  For more information, contact us.

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

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Updated 2009/2010 San Antonio Homebuyer Tax Credit On YouTube

If you're tired of reading the sometimes confusing articles about the expanded and extended 2009/2010 Federal Tax Credit Program For Home Buyers, you'll find this YouTube video to be worth a thousand words.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMzTpn3FvA8

For more information about San Antonio real estate, you can:

Visit My Web Site View My Newsletter Ask Me A Question

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

Brand New Home Near Ft Sam Houston and Randolph AFB For $1257 Monthly E-6 BAH

Hey, active duty E-6!

For your $1257.00 BAH, you can comfortably afford a brand new 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage home close to Fort Sam Houston and Randolph Air Force Base.

There are also 120 resale home listings that you can easily afford with your $1257.00 BAH entitlement.

For more information, click here , tell us about your home ownership wants and needs and we'll send you all matching listings around Fort Sam Houston and Randolph Air Force Base.

Visit My Web Site

View My Newsletter

Ask Me A Question

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

2009 San Antonio, Texas, BAH For Army, Navy, Airforce, Marine Corps, and USCG

This blog is of interest to Navy, Army, Airforce, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel on orders to Fort Sam Houston, Randolph AFB, Lackland AFB, Brooks City Base, and associated military sub-installations.

The following link for calculating your San Antonio BAH is provided compliments the San Antonio Home Quest Realty Services Team.

Click to calculate your San Antonio BAH for 2009.

Call us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8743 or send an E-mail to kelleybus@aol.com and we’ll match your BAH with homes for sale or rent near your San Antonio duty station. All we need to know is your rank and basic home ownership requirements (bedrooms, baths, 1 or 2 story home, garage spaces, and any other wants and needs you want us to search for).

We answer all inquiries as promptly as possible.  Click here to post your SanAntonioHomeQuestions.
Visit us at sanantoniohomequest.com for all your San Antonio area realty needs.

November 2009 San Antonio Realty Market Report

During the last 12 months, San Antonio has consistently ranked as either number 1 or 2 among the Nation’s leading large city economies. Notably, in October 2009, the Alamo City was ranked in Business Week and by the Brookings Institution as having the strongest metropolitan economy in the Nation. Also, a little more than a year ago in a Forbes Magazine study, the city finished second to Oklahoma City for the title of the having the Nation’s top economy..

Although not totally immune, San Antonio has escaped the current recession’s worst effects because its economy is driven by relatively recession proof sectors such as health care and insurance.

Strong Federal sector activity is also a major contributing factor. The infusion of manpower, money, and material resources associated with the area’s Military Base Realignment and Closing (BRAC) construction projects has served to mostly offset the national recession’s local impact. For at least two more years, the flood of BRAC resources will continue to enhance and stimulate San Antonio’s economic growth.

Considering the above, it’s not surprising that all key indicators are positive for San Antonio’s vitality for the indefinite future.

What about San Antonio’s housing market? Strong economies drive strong housing demand, and, in light of San Antonio’s thriving economy, realty market analysts expect San Antonio to have one of the Nation’s healthiest housing markets for months to come.

That’s not surprising. During good economic times and even during the current recession, San Antonio’s housing market has been recognized for its relative stability. Quoting the Brookings Institution’s Alan Berube, San Antonio didn’t participate in “the ridiculous run-up in housing prices” that caused catastrophic meltdowns when the Nation’s real estate bubble burst. “San Antonio didn’t lose as much in the first place, so it could be ready to turn around sooner,” he said.

Basically, the secondary impacts of the National recession have caused San Antonio’s housing market to experience an atypical and, hopefully, a short term downturn.

The downturn is reflected in these key market indicators for San Antonio single family detached homes as of today - November 7, 2009:

• There are 11025 active listings as compared to 12919 last year. The inventory is decreasing slowly. That’s usually a good sign for sellers and indicates a healthy trend toward achieving a balanced housing supply.

• The average list price for the most recent sales is $174,901 as compared to $194,962 at the same time last year. The average sale price for most recent sales is $168,084 as compared to last year’s $185,87l. For San Antonio, these figures represent an atypical and unusually drastic drop in home sale prices. The drop is undoubtedly driven by the purchase of a large number of less expensive properties by first time home buyers capitalizing on the up to $8000 First Time Home Buyer Federal Tax Credit Program. It remains to be seen how the recent continuation and expansion of the program will impact on San Antonio’s housing market.

• The average number of days on the market (DOM) for the most recent sales is 128 as compared to 117 last year. DOM figures have been unacceptably high for the last year but have started to trend downward. That’s a positive sign for San Antonio’s home market.

Industry analysts see these data as reflecting a housing market continuing to strongly favor buyers over sellers but trending toward a more balanced market in late winter or early next spring.

That’s all for our November 2009 San Antonio realty market report. In closing, we wish you a wonderful month and a happy and safe Veterans Day and Thanksgiving holiday.

For More Information:

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Ask Me A Question

We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. If you have questions, need San Antonio area realty or mortgage advice or assistance, or just want to chat, please call us at (210) 863-2661 or 867-8743, or send an E-mail to swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com. Our SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team is always ready to help you with your home buying or selling needs.

San Antonio Army PCS Home Buyer Rewards

There’s a special benefit for active duty and retired Air Force members and other public servants using the services of the SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team.

Specifically, if you are an active duty or retired military member or family member, or a government civil service or public service employee or family member, you are eligible for SanAntonioHomeQuest’s Public Service Reward Program . To qualify, all you have to do is use our buyer representation services to purchase a San Antonio area residence from 1 October 2009 to 30 April 2010. Upon closing your home purchase, you’ll receive a cash back reward based on your home’s purchase price.

For more information, contact Randy or Stephanie Kelley, Realtors®, Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. Visit our website at SanAntonioHomeQuest.com . Call us at (210) 863-2661, (210) 867-8743, (800) 201-9145, or E-mail us kelleybus@aol.com and swkrealtor@aol.com.

San Antonio Air Force PCS Home Buyer Rewards

There’s a special benefit for active duty and retired Air Force members and other public servants using the services of the SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team.

Specifically, if you are an active duty or retired military member or family member, or a government civil service or public service employee or family member, you are eligible for SanAntonioHomeQuest’s Public Service Reward Program . To qualify, all you have to do is use our buyer representation services to purchase a San Antonio area residence from 1 October 2009 to 30 April 2010. Upon closing your home purchase, you’ll receive a cash back reward based on your home’s purchase price.

For more information, contact Randy or Stephanie Kelley, Realtors®, Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. Visit our website at SanAntonioHomeQuest.com . Call us at (210) 863-2661, (210) 867-8743, (800) 201-9145, or E-mail us at kelleybus@aol.com and swkrealtor@aol.com.

Time For San Antonio Home Renters To Buy

Who do you know right now that is renting? With so many opportunities for first-time San Antonio area home buyers, everyone who is renting should at least explore what opportunities may be available. Sellers are now helping buyers with down payments, buying down rates, concessions, and much more! Who do you know that might want to learn more?

The real estate market changes quickly, so don’t let your friends miss out on this fantastic opportunity. Email or call us today with the names and contact information of people we may be able to help.

Contact Randy or Stephanie Kelley, Realtors®, Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, for all your realty needs.

Ask us about our buyer reward cash bonus program.

Visit our website at SanAntonioHomeQuest.com . You can call us at (210) 863-2661, (210) 867-8743, (800) 201-9145, or E-mail us at kelleybus@aol.com and swkrealtor@aol.com .

Who Does Your San Antonio Realty Agent Represent?

At sanantoniohomequest.com, we believe an educated home buyer is a wise buyer. That’s why we've compiled a series of easy to remember essential hints for our home buyer guests. Here’s a really important hint:

Be cautious when a real estate professional doesn’t promptly disclose exactly who he or she is representing. Insist on written disclosure.

Why? Because Texas law requires real estate professionals to give written notice disclosing who represents whom in Texas real estate transactions.

There is an exception. New home builder site sales representatives aren’t required to provide the notice since it’s evident they represent their builder employers.

If you have questions or need advice or assistance with your San Antonio area realty needs, please call or send and E-mail. We'lll be happy to help.

Contact Randy or Stephanie Kelley, Realtorsd(R), Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. Ask us about our buyer reward cash bonus program. Visit our website at SanAntonioHomeQuest.com. You can call us at (210) 863-2661, (210) 867-8743, (800) 201-9145, or E-mail us at kelleybus@aol.com or swkrealtor@aol.com.

Rental Home For PCS To Randolph AFB or Ft Sam Houston

Conveniently located within comfortable commute range of Randolph Air Force Base ( Randolph AFB ) and Fort Sam Houston ( Ft Sam Houston ), at $975,00 per month, 616 Rittiman is a great refurbished rental home opportunity. Click to see details.

Time's Short For The $8000 Tax Credit For San Antonio Home Buyers

Thanks to Melissa Kulikoff, Senior Loan Officer at Supreme Lending, San Antonio, for the following alert for buyers hoping to close their purchase in time to qualify for the up to $8000 first time home buyer Federal tax credit.

Quoting Melissa -

"Let’s take a look at our November time line for closings.

The tax credit expires the Monday after Thanksgiving. I’ve checked with several title companies and most of them are NOT open Friday.Therefore, your deal must be clear to close with docs drawn Wednesday 11/25 to close on 11/30.

Is your closer going to be able to get closing document approval that quickly and still close & fund on 11/30? Better ask now!

Are you a VA buyer? Please remember VA appraisers have 10 days to provide the appraisal report. That means if a VA appraisal is ordered for you on the 2nd, it might not arrive until the 16th……..not a lot of time for the lender to review the appraisal and issue a clear to close authorization to your title company.

If you have a real estate agent and aren’t sure where your closing stands, call your him or her right away. A $8000 federal tax credit is a lot of money. Make sure everything’s being done to insure you close on your purchase by midnight 30 November.

Please contact me right away if you’re a buyer who is still “shopping” for a lender.

Time is running out. Contracts I receive after 11/10 will likely create heartburn for all involved trying to close before the credit expires." ___________________________________________________________________________

You can contact Melissa at Melissa.Kulikoff@supremelending.com, telephone 210 807-6850 or 210 807-6851.

If you have realty questions or need realty advice or assistance, contact a member of the SanAntonioHomeQuest.com Realty Solutions Team at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com, telephone 210 863-2661 or 210 867-8743.

Buying A Newly Constructed San Antonio Home - Don't Get Mortgage Pre-Approval

At sanantoniohomequest.com, we believe an educated home buyer is a wise buyer. That's why we have compiled a series of easy to remember essential hints for our home buyer guests. Here's a popular one.
If you might buy a newly constructed San Antonio home, get loan pre-qualified, but not pre-approved.

Why?

Keep this in mind. As a marketing strategy, almost all production home builders offer significant buyer incentives tied to using a select lender and title company. That's because the builder either owns outright, partially owns, or otherwise receives financial benefits from the designated lender and title company. Consequently, if your plan is to buy a new home from a builder and, if you will need a mortgage loan to do so, it is better to get loan pre-qualification but not a loan pre-approval.

Here's the reason why.

You'll have to submit a lot of paperwork and pay for a credit check to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan of any type. Then, if you decide to buy a newly constructed home, in order to get the buyer incentives offered by the builder, you'll have to submit the same paperwork and pay for another credit check to obtain your mortgage loan from the builder's select lender. In essence, you'll double your effort and your credit check costs.

So, what should you do?

If you don't know the maximum loan you can obtain based on your income, credit history, and debt, you might still ask a lender to qualify you. Any lender will qualify you, usually over the telephone or on the Internet. Pre-qualification doesn't involve paying for a credit check. It's essentially an estimate. Lender's do pre-qualifications as a marketing technique, in hopes of establishing a relationship leading eventually to selling you a loan.

Or, you can go to sanantoniohomequest.com and use our mortgage calculators to do the pre-qualification calculations yourself, for many different loan types.

If you have questions, or need advice this, or other realty purchase issues, please call or send an E-mail.

I’m Stephanie Kelley, Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS®), Graduate Realty Institute (GRI ®). I’m a Realtor ® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. You can visit me at sanantoniohomequest.com, call me at (210) 867-8743 or (210) 863-2661, or E-mail me at swkrealtor@aol.com.

Buying A San Antonio Home - Get Loan Prequalified

At sanantoniohomequest.com, we believe an educated home buyer is a wise buyer. That’s why we’ve compiled a series of easy to remember essential hints for our home buyer guests.

Here’s one of our most popular hints:

To know how much home you can afford, get loan pre-qualified; and, if you plan to buy a resale property, get loan pre-approved.

On the other hand, if you might buy a new construction property, get loan pre-qualified, but not pre-approved. Why? Because you’ll duplicate your loan pre-approval time and expense if the new home builder attaches your buyer incentives to using his preferred lender.

So, for now, let’s concentrate on the loan pre-qualification issue.

The wise buyer knows his or her home affordability range and a mortgage lender can help with that decision.

So, what should you do?

I recommend that you start by qualifying with more than one lender. Ask each lender for a good faith estimate (GFE) of costs associated with the loan or loans (like a VA vs FHA vs conventional) you might procure. Select the lender that offers to give you the best deal.

When you’re ready to buy a resale property, ask your most promising lender for a loan pre-approval letter. At that time, your selected lender will run a credit check on you, which you will either pay for up front or be charged for at closing.

Your Realtor® should send along your loan pre-approval letter with your resale property purchase offer. Just having your loan pre-approval might make you the winning bidder in a bidding war.

Call me or send an E-mail if you have questions.


I’m Stephanie Kelley, Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS®), Graduate Realty Institute (GRI ®). I’m a Realtor ® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. You can visit me at sanantoniohomequest.com, call me at (210) 867-8743 or (210) 863-2661, or E-mail me at swkrealtor@aol.com.

To Buy Or Lease A San Antonio Home - That Is The Question

So, you're new in town and planning on eventually buying a San Antonio home; but you're considering renting an apartment or house while you scout out the area.

Temporarily renting might be a reasonable course, but, before you leap into a lease, first do some homework. Remember, while renting, you run the risk of missing your best buying opportunities while tied down by a lease. Consequently, renting at the wrong time can cost you money for a long time. 

So, here’s what you need to know.

First, is it a buyer’s market or a seller’s market? If it’s a buyer’s market, think twice about renting.

Second, are the mortgage interest rates very favorable and what are the projections? If the rates are low, but projected to increase, think twice about renting.

Third, are home values appreciating or depreciating? If the values are depreciating and projected to go lower, then renting and waiting for the market to reach bottom might work well.

Fourth, are the prices for homes for sale going up or down. If they’re going up, then consider buying a home right away before prices go higher. If prices are going down, you should either buy now or wait for the market to reach bottom.

Fifth, keep in mind that all realty markets have fairly predictable seasonal activity cycles. Find out the best months to purchase a San Antonio home. If you’re in a low sales month, you should forget renting and take advantage of your stronger position as a buyer by capitalizing on a weak market.

Here’s where you can go to get information to help you make your rent vs. buy decision.

If you have time, use the Internet to search for local realty news at sites like mysa.com or Realty Times. Use sites like Trulia.com to ask questions of local realty experts and visit their blogs .

Ask a trusted friend or business associate to refer you to their favorite realty agent or mortgage lender. Don’t hesitate to call for advice. A Realtor® and a lender should always be willing to help, hoping someday you’ll use their services. In the unlikely event that someone gets pushy or uses a hard sell technique, you can always say “no thanks” and go away.

I’m available to help you make your rent vs. buy decision. I’m Stephanie Kelley, Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS®), Graduate Realty Institute (GRI ®). I’m a Realtor ® at Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. You can visit me at sanantoniohomequest.com, call me at (210) 867-8743 or (210) 863-2661, or E-mail me at swkrealtor@aol.com.

$8000 First Time Home Buyer Extension Possible For San Antonio Texas Servicemembers

This article is thanks to Shannon Collier, Senior Loan Officer, WR Starkey, Mortgage, San Antonio. Shannon's contact information follows the article.

A slew of professionals tied to the housing sector made eager pleas to Congress last week requesting the $8000 first time homebuyer tax credit be extended. The benefit was part of the stimulus plan and is set to expire the end of November. The White House indicated the program “helped the economy” and led to “quite a bit of success” and noted consideration of extending the program. There are additional proposals in the Senate to not only extend the program but also to increase the tax credit and remove the first time homebuyer qualification. Unfortunately the cost to extend the credit is around $1 billion per month. This has politicians from both sides of the isle concerned. The House voted Thursday to extend the credit for American service members another 12 months. Both parties have members pushing for the extension to apply to all purchasers. Analysts indicate some sort of extension is very likely.

Shannon Collier
Senior Loan Officer
12500 San Pedro Ave., Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78216
Work: 210-545-9300
Fax: 866-703-8734
Cell: 210-725-8470
scollier@wrstarkey.com
http://www.shannoncollier.com/

San Antonio BRAC Relocation Home Search

In the coming months, thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families will relocate to the San Antonio area in conjunction with Base Realignment and Closing (BRAC) initiatives.  Well qualified San Antonio real estate specialists are prepared to service the realty needs of our new BRAC neighbors.

My San Antonio Home Quest Realty Solutions Team is leading the way.

Contact me if you have questions or need advice about San Antonio's realty market.  Ask me about the latest San Antonio BRAC developments.  Describe your homeownership wants and needs and I'll send you the most current matching listings directly from the San Antonio Multiple Listings Service (MLS).

I'm Stephanie Kelley, Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS®), Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI®).  Visit me at SanAntonioHomeQuest.com, call me at (210) 863-2661 or (800) 201-9145, E-mail me at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com.

$8,000 Federal Tax Credit Hammer Coming Down for San Antonio Home Buyers

Rapid Read Summary:

The tax credit deadline is November 30, 2009.
There’s no time left to build a new home.
There’s very little time left to contract to purchase a home using a mortgage loan.
There’s still time to purchase a home with cash.
An experienced Realtor® might be able to help beat the deadline.

For most first time San Antonio home buyers (and for those not owning a home in the last 3 years), the hammer is coming down too soon on the opportunity to take advantage of the $8,000 Federal First Time Home Buyer Income Tax Credit Program.

The program’s deadline for closing on a home purchase is November 30, 2009.

As of 10 October 2009, with only 51 days left, there’s no chance for a home buyer to have a new home constructed and completed by 30 November.

Using a mortgage loan, it takes an average of 45 days to do everything needed to close on the purchase of a resale home. Consequently, some lenders and title companies are already telling home buyers that it’s unlikely they can successfully close their purchase by November 30 unless the’ve already filed an executed purchase contract at the title company and are well into the loan approval process.

A cash buyer can usually expect to close much sooner than 45 days after executing a home purchase contract; however, every day that goes by without having a purchase contract in hand lessens the chance of closing the sale by 30 November.

If you are eligible for the $8,000 tax credit, but haven’t started your home search, contact us right away. We’ll do everything we can help you beat the November 30 deadline.

We are Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors(R), Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio. Visit us at sanantoniohomequest.com , phone us at (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8743, and E-mail us at swkrealtor@aol.com or kelleybus@aol.com.

Home Buyer's Tax Credit Changes Possible For San Antonio Buyers

Home Buyer’s Tax Credit Changes Possible

The first major change to the $8,000 home buyer’s tax credit began moving through Congress the last week of September, giving hope to real estate and building groups pushing for extension of the entire program before it expires November 30, 2009.

House Ways and Means Committee chairman, Congressman Charles Rangel, a New York Democrat, combined several smaller bills into the “Service Members Home Ownership Act of 2009″, with a floor vote expected soon.

The bill is intended to correct a flaw in the original tax credit legislation: By requiring buyers to occupy and own their first home for 36 months to fully qualify for the credit, the program creates serious problems when military, Foreign Service and intelligence agency personnel are transferred overseas.

During their absence, they are not occupants of their houses, and sometimes have to rent them out or sell. Any of these events make them ineligible to retain the $8,000 credit under current law. Ineligible buyers must then repay the credit to the IRS.

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer, sponsor of one of the bills consolidated into Rangel’s, said “it is absurd that thousands of Americans serving our country, away from friends and family … must choose between their service work and home ownership.”

The Ways and Means committee’s bill would waive the repayment requirement when a service member must sell a home within the 36 month period because of a transfer to a new duty station or overseas, and would count service-related absences toward the 36 month requirement.

Another provision in the bill would extend the $8,000 credit for another year for personnel who may have missed out on claiming the credit because they thought they wouldn’t qualify due to an overseas posting.

The credit for these individuals would be extended to November 30, 2010 from November 30, 2009, provided the served outside the U.S. for at least 90 days during calendar year 2009.

The bill, which has bipartisan support, could be sent to the Senate for action as early as next week, Congressional sources told Realty Times.

More important for the housing market overall, however, is the precedent set by the bill’s extension of the credit for an extra year. It’s not a far leap from that position to a general extension of the entire $8,000 credit program to the same date.

The National Association of Realtors, National Association of Home Builders and the Mortgage Bankers Association jointly sponsored an ad campaign aimed at convincing Congress to give the credit program another year.

Extracted From Realty Times and Written by Kenneth R. Harney


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Clean Windows Sell San Antonio Homes

Hey, home seller!  Here's an essential marketing tip for you. 

Always remember that the prospective home buyer's first view of your house can make or break a sales opportunity, so always make sure your home's windows give an enticing wink.

Here's how to make sure your home has welcoming, glittering windows.

Read this article from the San Antonio Express News, Sunday, December 9, 2001, written by Maribel Zimmerman. I dug it out of my archives, because so many of my home selling clients have asked for it and found it really works!

Cleaning windows: Simple Steps To A Clearer Outlook by Maribel Zimmerman

Some windows look like they were cleaned with a good amount of spit and an oily mechanics rag. Sticky fingers and wet noses pressed to the glass can wreak havoc on your view, too. But some windows look worse after they've been cleaned. Why? What could possibly have gone wrong? Plenty.

Hastily pursuing the perfect view can mean forgetting the most important credos of crystal-clear windows: clean water and the right tools. So, how do you get windows to sparkle the first time? It's really not that hard.

There are several ways to do the job right. Commercial cleaning solutions can work well, but are not necessary for the job. Old fashioned household cleaners are plentiful in most homes - and expensive.

Experts at Anderson-Windows suggest beginning with the right stuff: rubber gloves; two buckets or one bucket with two wells; sudsy ammonia; white vinegar; rubbing alcohol; several clean, dry rags; a squeegee; and a ladder, if necessary.

Now follow these steps to the best view you've ever enjoyed:

1. First, read and follow manufacturer's instructions on each cleaning agent and all tools before beginning. In addition, use extreme caution when using ladders and working around open windows to maintain safe operation and avoid injury. If elevation devices are required, do not use furniture, only equipment intended for that purpose, including ladders, scaffolding, and step stools. And, follow all manufacturers' instructions for safe operation.

2. Fill both buckets with 1 to 2 gallons of the hottest water your gloved hands can stand. Use caution in handling hot water to avoid burns and scalding.

3. In one of the two buckets, add one cup each of ammonia,and vinegar, plus two tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and stir. The latter will help water evaporate faster and add that twinkle factor.

4. Begin at the top of the house, at the top of the window.

5. Wipe the entire surface with the solution. If necessary, bugs, stickers and stubborn marks can be removed using a new straightedge blade, being careful to avoid personal injury or damage to the window. Once the dirt is removed, wipe the window a second time with the clear water.

6. Immediately squeegee the window, using a rag to wipe the squeegee dry after each swipe. This will limit the streaks caused by wet lines of water at the squeegee's edge and eliminate dripping onto your sparkling windows with wet tools.

7. Use a clean cloth to wipe only the wet corners and the sill.

Some extra tips

Again use extreme caution when working around open window openings. Never leave a window unattended, especially when children are present. Falls may result in serious injury or death.

Try swiping in only one direction - horizontal or vertical on the inside of the house, and the other direction on the outside. If you do find streaks, you'll know which side needs to be redone.

Change the water often to eliminate streaks.

Tie a rope to the squeegee and secure it to the ladder or your belt in case you drop it. Letting the solution dry onto the window while you climb down to retrieve your tools could be the difference in sparkle and debacle.

Try cleaning the windows on cloudy, but dry days. Sunlight dries the solution too fast and makes streaks more likely.

Really dirty windows may need to be rinsed with the garden hose, but be prepared to clean them immediately. Hard water stains can be stubborn.

For more information about windows, including maintenance, repair and replacement, contact the Greater San Antonio Builders Association at (210) 696-3800 for a free copy of the Remodelors Council directory.

The Greater San Antonio Builders Association is a local trade association that offers opportunities to its members to display their products and services.

It makes no representations expressed or implied, regarding the qualifications of its members or the quality of their products and services, but invites you to examine them for yourself at www.sabuilders.com

Maribel Zimmerman is an architectural representative for Black Millwork Co, Inc., a member of the Greater San Antonio Builder Association Remodelors Council

This is the recipe for sparkly windows - Read the article, too!
1 cup ammonia (sudsy)

1 cup vinegar (white)

2 Tablespoons Rubbing Alcohol

plus 1 to 2 gallons hot water ( stir it all together)

After removing the dirt, wipe with clear water only, then squeegee.

End of Article

I'm Stephanie Kelley, Realtor ©, ABR, CRS, GRI, at SanAntonioHomeQuest.com, Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, Texas.  I'm here to help you with all your realty needs.  You can contact me at
(800) 201-9145 or (210) 863-2661 and at swkrealtor@aol.com.

55 Days Left For San Antonio Home Purchase $8000 Tax Credit

Oh, no!  There are only 55 days left  to qualify for the $8000 IRS tax credit for first time home buyers (and for home buyers not owning a home in the last 3 years).

If you can take advantage of this fabulous benefit and you’re not already under a San Antonio home purchase contract, then you’re seriously running out of time to do all the stuff you need to do in order to close on your purchase by the 30 November deadline.

Don’t delay, start your home search today.

We’ll help make your home purchase as quick and trouble free as possible. We’re Stephanie and Randy Kelley, Realtors ©, at SanAntonioHomeQuest.com, Keller Williams Legacy, San Antonio, Texas. Contact us at (800) 201-9145 or (210) 863-2661 or (210) 867-8743 or at kelleybus@aol.com or swkrealtor@aol.com .

San Antonio Texas Homes, Values, and Stats

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San Antonio Home Values By ZIP Code

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Find out what’s going on in the real estate market in the San Antonio neighborhood where you live or where you want to live. Market Snapshop will keep you updated with the latest information!

It's free and without obligation on your part.

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