Understanding the Important Role Manufacturing Plays in San Antonio’s Economy and Housing Market
June 28, 2008
San Antonio’s thriving manufacturing industry has had a positive impact on San Antonio’s overall economy and housing market.
Forbes.com recently ranked San Antonio as the nation’s second top recession-proof city, and the strong manufacturing presence in the San Antonio area, which continues to grow thanks to heavy hitters such as Toyota Motor Manufacturing and Texas Machining Enterprises putting down roots here, is one of the reasons why.
An increase in the manufacturing industry in San Antonio means more jobs. And more jobs mean a stronger economy. And a stronger economy means a healthy housing market. It’s a simple formula that San Antonio has nailed. And as long as the manufacturing industry chooses San Antonio as their home, the residents of San Antonio will continue to reap the rewards in many different ways.
San Antonio Manufacturers Association
These factors influencing San Antonio’s overall, vibrant economy are recognized and supported by the San Antonio Manufacturers Association (SAMA). Started in 1914, this organization serves as an advocate for the San Antonio manufacturing community.
It serves to “proactively monitor manufacturing-related topics and participate in local government; promote manufacturing to enhance its perception in the community; provide educational opportunities to benefit its members and their workforce; and to create forums for business to business networking opportunities.”
SAMA promotes the interests of San Antonio’s manufacturing industry, and also educates the public on the importance of consuming more goods and wares that are manufactured, prepared or produced in San Antonio.
SAMA provides education for those in the industrial and business community, as well as the general public. It also provides information vital to the manufacturing industry, such as new rules, regulations and ordinances which affect them.
SAMA members are represented in various, strategic organizations which help to plan various events, fund raisers, trade shows and seminars throughout the year.
Some of the Reasons Why We Love San Antonio
June 16, 2008
With an average temperature of 70 degrees and 300 days of sunshine every year, it’s no wonder why people flock to San Antonio. It’s the abundant excitement, opportunities and growth, however, that make them settle down and stay awhile.
Just the Facts
San Antonio is the third fastest-growing city in the US, the fastest growing city in Texas and the seventh largest city in the US.
Forbes.com recently ranked San Antonio as the nation’s second top recession-proof city.
More than 26 million people visit San Antonio every year. It is one of the safest and most affordable cities in the US and was rated as one of the top 25 cities in the US for the arts, according to American Style magazine.
Travel Smart has ranked San Antonio as one of the most culturally fascinating cities in the US.
Relocate America recently ranked San Antonio as the second top place to live in 2008.
San Antonio was named as one of America’s favorite cities by Travel + Leisure magazine.
The Reasons for San Antonio’s Success
More than 1.2 million people call San Antonio home, and for good reason. Plenty of new job opportunities, a strong economy, low-crime rates, a strong business sector, a low cost of living and affordable housing have earned San Antonio the reputation for being the center of new opportunities and growth.
Its unique position of being centrally located between the east and west coasts, and close to other, major cities, has made San Antonio the midpoint of more than 50 percent of goods flowing between the US and Mexico. Many, non-stop flights to Mexico each day further facilitate the transport of goods between the US and Mexico.
Home prices in San Antonio fall typically 30 percent below the national median and are often less than half the cost of comparable homes in other major US cities.
Residents and visitors to San Antonio can enjoy some of the 68 miles of hiking and biking trails and some of the 11,000 acres of urban parks, including San Pedro Park.
Some of the state’s most visited destinations are found in San Antonio, including The Alamo, The River Walk, Sea World San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio Zoo and Fiesta San Antonio.
Some of San Antonio’s famous shopping venues include the El Mercado shopping district and the San Marcos Outlet Mall.
Tips for Getting Your San Antonio Home Sold
June 12, 2008
Let’s face it. It’s no longer a seller’s market. Gone (at least for the immediate future) are the days of homes priced greatly above their appraised value and homes flying off the market in a matter of days.
Homes in Leon Valley remain on the market for an average of 90 to 120 days. That’s three to four months of waiting, wondering and agonizing over whether your home will sell. To expedite this process, and to attract potential home buyers, there are few, basic things to take care of:
Price it Right
If you have time to spare and selling your home quickly is not a priority, then by all means, price it higher and be prepared to wait. However, if you’re like most people selling their home, you want a quick sell. Therefore, the bottom line is: price it right! With the help of a local real estate agent, determine the appraised value of the home, research other homes in Bexar County area that have sold in the last few months and price it aggressively. When determining a sale price for your home, remember that the difference between a competitively priced home and one that is overpriced is often the sold sign in the front yard.
Consider the Area in Which You’re Selling
Taking time to evaluate the local market, or hiring a well-qualified real estate agent to do it for you, will enable you to get a better feel of what to expect. For example, homes prices in Leon Valley are up 5% from last year and the greatest activity is among repeat buyers. Having this important information in your back pocket will allow you to better gauge your market and determine your marketing strategy and pricing strategy.
Spruce It Up for a Quick Sell
Clean the carpets, pain the walls, pull the weeds and hide the junk. It may seem obvious to take care of these matters, but important details are often overlooked by sellers at the expense of selling their home. Ask yourself the following questions: Is my home bright, clean and clear of clutter? Are my home’s features accentuated? Walk through your home and try to envision it from a buyer’s eye. Is it welcoming and easy to walk through? Taking the time to tend to the small details can often mean less time on the market and more money in your pocket.
San Antonio – An Exceptional Meeting Place for Professionals
June 12, 2008
San Antonio has become a major convention destination, thanks to its thriving business and industry, its convenient air service and its gorgeous surroundings, venues and accommodations.
San Antonio’s venues offer a variety of setups for corporate meetings, trade shows and conventions, just to name a few.
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
This amazing building encompasses the excitement and opportunities that San Antonio has to offer. Located on the famed River Walk, this impressive, contemporary structure features over 600,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, 440,000 square feet of exhibit space, 63 breakout rooms and three ballrooms totaling 99,000 square feet.
The Lila Cockrell Theatre for the Performing Arts, which is located within the convention center, seats over 2,500 people.
Other features of this facility include an executive assembly room with interpreting rooms for international meetings, outdoor locations for receptions and banquets and exceptional catering services by the highly sought-after RK Group.
The San Antonio River flows gracefully through the convention center, providing an unrivaled sense of luxury and beauty. Some of the other highlights of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center include river taxi setups, event patios, walkways, scenic plazas, walkways and beautifully landscaped areas and waterfalls.
Alamode
Just a short walk from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center is the Alamode, a multi-purpose venue featuring 160,000 square feet of floor space and 30,000 square feet of conference space.
Lavish Surroundings
Both the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and the Alamode are conveniently located near more than 35,000 hotel rooms, as well as the River Walk, the Alamo, La Villita, and a plethora of malls, boutiques, galleries, restaurants and nightlife destinations.
Three-hundred properties surrounding both the convention center and the Alamode offer a variety of accommodations, including meeting hotels, family-style hotels and lavish resorts with award-winning golf courses and luxurious spas.
The Opportunities of Alamo Heights
June 4, 2008
Alamo Heights is a quiet, suburban haven with a warm, old-fashioned, family-oriented feeling. Alamo Heights, which is known as “the friendliest city in Texas,” is located just two miles from downtown San Antonio.
Major roadways into the city include Interstates 35, 10, 410 and U.S. Route 281, all of which allow for an easy drive into the city. In fact, most residents of Alamo Heights enjoy a commute of less than 20 minutes. Most residents of Alamo Heights are involved in education, health and social services, professional services, finance and insurance industries.
Homes in Alamo Heights
This residential suburbia has a diverse selection of homes in a wide variety of prices. Most of the single-family homes in Alamo Heights consist of two-story, traditional homes on quiet, tree-lined streets, although Mediterranean, contemporary, Spanish and ranch style homes are popular, too.
Beautifully restored, historic homes are a common site in Alamo Heights, as are newer, contemporary homes.
Single-family homes start in the low $100,000s, while condominiums and townhomes typically range in price from the low $100,000s to the mid $500,000s. Luxurious estates on spacious lots in private communities range in price from the mid $700,000s to over $1 million. There are also many land lots available for custom development.
Local Sites in Alamo Heights
Some of Alamo Heights’ local points of interest include the Alamo Quarry Market, which boasts a nice array of shopping, dining and entertainment and the Quarry Golf Club, which was ranked “Top 10 of America’s Greatest Courses in Texas” by Golf Digest.
Nearby San Antonio also provides residents of Alamo Heights with a fine array of arts, entertainment, nightlife, dining and shopping. Some of San Antonio’s famous attractions include San Pedro Park, which provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including a pool and playground, The Alamo, the King William Historic District, the San Antonio Children’s Museum, The San Antonio Museum of Art and the Fort Sam Houston Museum.
