San Antonio, Texas Real Estate Blog & Market News - Richard Soto

Benefits of Energy Efficient Homes

Energy efficiency means exactly what it sounds like ‒‒ doing more by using less energy. When it comes to your home, energy efficiency can bring several benefits, not the least being a more comfortable home that stays mild in the harshest summer weather and the deepest winter chills. And the benefits of owning an energy-efficient home aren’t just good for you and your family. They’re good for your wallet, your neighborhood, and even the nation.

Environmentally Friendly

When your home is energy efficient, you get the benefit of a clear conscience. You know that you are creating and emitting less energy and lowering your carbon footprint. Energy efficient homes put less waste into the atmosphere and cause less waste product from utility providers.

Less…

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Are You Ready to Invest in Commercial Real Estate?

The commercial real estate market in San Antonio has certainly been on the uptick in recent months, thanks to a rebounding economy and lower unemployment rates.  So it may be time to, once again, consider investing in the commercial real estate market.

Before you dive in, however, it may be best to first ask yourself a few questions to determine if you are ready to invest in the commercial real estate market or if you should wait by the sidelines a bit longer:

Am I prepared to manage commercial real estate?

For many people interested in commercial real estate, the biggest roadblock is managing the properties. Yes, you can certainly pay someone to do this for you, but then you are cutting out a large portion of your investment return. Instead, it may…

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Thinking of Selling? Consider a Pre-Home Inspection

There are often an endless number of things to fret over when selling a property. And, for most homeowners, the pinnacle of stress usually comes during the home inspection. Often times, home inspections can cost sellers money, and even a real estate deal. So, it only makes sense to consider a pre-inspection when selling your home as to eliminate the stress of a home inspection.

What is a pre-home inspection?

A pre-home inspection is a home inspection paid for by the seller before listing their home for sale. Instead of waiting to find out a home’s problems when the buyer requests a home inspection, the seller has a home inspection completed before they even list their home. There’s nothing quite like having the shock of a poor home inspection hit you…

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Why an Experienced Realtor is Invaluable

Selling a home is often a stressful endeavor, so finding ways to reduce that stress is almost always appreciated by homeowners. Although there are many things you simply can’t control when selling your home, such as market conditions and activity, there is something you can do to ease your stress level and make the process go much smoother: hire a great realtor with plenty of experience.

An experienced Realtor is, perhaps, never more appreciated than when a homeowner is able to sell his home for the best price and in the least amount of time. Here are just a few reasons why seller agents with experience are invaluable:

• An experienced agent will understand current and local market conditions and adjust her sales and marketing strategy to…

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Your San Antonio VA Mortgage Options

If you are one of the many military families moving to San Antonio, and you want to purchase a home, you will want to familiarize yourself with your VA mortgage options in San Antonio. San Antonio boasts a healthy and very affordable real estate market, so it is important to look into the many VA mortgage options in San Antonio available to military families. Although there are a number of programs available when it comes to VA mortgage options in San Antonio, we will discuss the two, primary types of loans: fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate loans.

VA Fixed-Rate Home Loans If you are looking for one of the easiest and simplest VA mortgage options in San Antonio, you will likely be looking into a VA fixed-rate home loan. A fixed-rate home loan will…

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The Top Reasons Why Living in a San Antonio Condo is Fabulous

San Antonio condo living is simply fabulous. From young professionals to small families and empty nesters, condo living is often a smart choice when it comes to San Antonio living. The condo market in San Antonio is alive and well, thanks to the many amenities and services offered in these residences. Here are the top reasons why living in a condo is a great choice and why it pays to take another look at the condo market in San Antonio:  

• Condos mean no maintenance and upkeep – If you want to own a home, but the idea of dealing with the maintenance and upkeep involved with owning a single-family home gives you a headache, then a condo may be perfect for you. Aside from the general upkeep of your home’s interior, a condo is a part of a building or…

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What to Look For, What to Ignore When House Hunting

As a buyer, it is important to be able to narrow down your home options when house hunting. But it is also important not to ignore a great home because you didn’t take the time to check out its potential. Here is a list of things you will want to pay close attention to when house hunting for a North Dallas property, and a list of things that you probably shouldn’t give too much of your time:

What to Look For

• Any signs of foundation problems (cracks in the foundation) - Foundation problems can be dramatic in terms of costs, and many home buyers simply don’t want to get caught up in a home with major problems, such as the foundation.
• Any signs of water problems (stained walls or ceilings) - If you see water marks anywhere on the ceilings in the home…

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Alamo Heights vs. Terrell Hills

If you are a San Antonio resident looking to make a move to a dynamic suburb, it is quite likely that both Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills are on the top of your list. When it comes to Alamo Heights vs. Terrell Hills, residents will have their favorite, for sure, but the truth of the matter is that both of these San Antonio cities are quite well known for their spectacular quality of life.

Here is the breakdown of why there are only winners in the Alamo Heights vs. Terrell Hills debate:

Alamo Heights • Alamo Heights is often referred to as the “friendliest city in Texas.” Need we say more? • Alamo Heights is close to San Antonio, thereby making it ideal for city professionals. The average commute time into the city from Alamo Heights is just 20…

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Key Strategies to Making a Great Decision When Buying

There are many decisions that must be made before purchasing a home. In fact, it may seem downright overwhelming to think of all the decisions that must be made. However, simply by answering a number of questions you can develop the strategies you need to move forward with your Spring Branch homepurchase:

• Am I able to move/Do I really want to move? Before you actually make the decision to buy, it is always best to decide if moving is actually the right decision for you. Are you in a good financial position to buy?  Is it feasible to buy at this time?  Have you talked with your family to make sure everyone is on the same page? Asking yourself whether you are realistically able to move or ready to move may seem like a no-brainer, but it pays to take a…

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San Antonio Luxury Real Estate is King in 2012

Who is set to have a stellar year in San Antonio in 2012? It looks like the luxury home sellers and builders are. According to the Houston Chronicle, luxury real estate numbers are outperforming other types of real estate sales. Custom builders see San Antonio in 2012 as a year to begin plans for a number of million-dollar spec homes. Real estate is picking up in San Antonio, but luxury real estate in San Antonio in 2012 will likely be the driving factor for San Antonio’s real estate market. Says James Gaines, a research economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University: “Who is the most recession-proof? High-income people who can more easily qualify for loans? Who can come up with more equity?”

Luxury Housing Median Rules

The San Antonio…

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