Here are the real estate statistics for March as far back as MLS makes available.  Check this blog regularly as I will comtinue to post statistics for months, quarters, and years.  The nembers are very telling and useful in analysing what's happening in a market.  Fell free to contact me in you have any questions or comments. Total Listed # Sold % Sold Avg Asking Price Avg Sale Price Sale Price/List Price Ratio Days on Market 2008 3,374 1,324 39.24% $190,936.00 $184,268.00 96.51% 89 2007 3,851 2,036 52.87% $180,514.00 $176,236.00 97.63% 67 2006 3,273 2,252 68.81% $169,123.00 $165,769.00 98.02% 63 2005 3,157 1,879 59.52% $145,785.00 $141,983.00 97.39% 77 2004 2,908 1,629 56.02% $141,609.00 $137,606.00 97.17% 100 04/03/2008

 FIESTA EVENTS FIESTA OYSTER BAKEThis popular celebration originated in 1916 with a gathering of a small group of St. Mary's University alumni and has become one of the biggest Fiesta events, marking this year as its 92nd anniversary. Come and enjoy the more than 100,000 oysters, served raw, baked or fried and fifty food booths serving mouth watering fajitas, sausage on a stick, egg rolls, hamburgers and chicken on a stick. Don't miss the official start on Friday Family Night as half the grounds are opened to food and beverage booths, children's games, entertainment stages, and a spectacular fireworks finale. Location: St. Mary's University Campus, One Camino Santa MariaDate: April 18 & 19thTime: Fri. 5-11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.Admission: $16 in advance, $20 at the gate. Children 12... 04/02/2008

The Importance of Curb AppealThe first view, the first impression, a buyer has of your house is the curbside view so it is very important to make sure your home has great curb appeal.  After all, no matter how wonderful the interior of a home is, if a buyer declines to view the interior based on the appearance of the exterior,  your house will stay on the market longer and you may get a lower offer than you would otherwise.  Keep sidewalks cleared. Mow, water, weed, and edge the lawn. Paint faded window trim. Since the color yellow evokes a buying emotion, plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together.  Marigolds are an inexpensive yet attractive option. Trim bushes, especially the ones near the house. Make sure your house number can be clearly read.   04/01/2008

If you drive on Bulverde Road north of 1604, you have probably noticed the beginning of a 4 phase construction process that will widen the road and improve driving conditions.  Here is a synopsis of the phases:Phase 1 - Widen the section from Evans Road north past the Stone Oak Parkway intersection to Marshall Road.  It will have 2 lanes in each direction as well as a center lane.  Along this stretch, you have several residential communities (including Fossil Creek & Cibolo Canyons), a newly built upscale apartment complex (The Mansions at TPC), and the entrances to Lady Bird Johnson Highschool (scheduled to open in August 2008) and the TPC Golf Courses & JW Marriott Hotel (Scheduled to Open in 2010).Phase 2 - Widen a 1.5 mile section from Marshall Road north to Highway 281.  Along this... 03/31/2008

Here are some numbers for the sale of single-family residential homes in our area for the month of February 2005 to 2008.Homes ListedHomes Sold% SoldAVG List Price AVG Sale PriceRatio20083,0371,07435.36184,258177,48796.3220073,1161,56850.32183,026178,42797.4920062,4891,55762.56165,250161,73897.8720052,4211,34855.68154,068149,80797.23yr vs. yr% change% change% change% change2008 vs. 2007-2.5353-31.50510.6731-0.52682008 vs. 200622.0169-31.021211.50269.73742008 vs. 200525.4440-20.326419.595218.4771In 2008, we sold 31.5% fewer homes than in 2007, 31% fewer than in 2006, and 20% fewer than in 2005.  However, the average sale prices for those homes decreased only from 2007 to 2008 and only by about half a percent.  Prices are up 18% compared with 2005 and almost 10% compared with 2006.  The n... 03/30/2008

     I tasted  Gene Griesemer's goat cheese at the Grey Forest Farmers Market last spring.  After years of eating the disappointing store-bought product, Gene's cheese was so refreshingly natural and delicious that I drove all the way to West Wind Dairy Goats  in Seguin to buy more!            Gene makes fresh cheese every day, using milk he collects each morning from mainly Alpine goats he raises and cares for sustainably.  (I had the pleasure of meeting the happy, healthy girls.)  The cheese doesn't contain antibiotics or growth hormones, preservatives, coloring, or other modifiers.  Organically-grown herbs and vegetables are used to make several excellent herbed flavors; be sure to taste all of them!  My favorite is the plain goat cheese, which I like to eat the way people do in Prov... 03/30/2008

San Antonio's North East Independent School Distict's newest High School, Lady Bird Johnson, is scheduled to open for the first day of school this fall...despite construction delays caused by high rainfall in 2007.  This will bring much needed relief for the very crowded Reagan High School, which has over 3000 students.Some say that Johnson looks more like a University than a highschool!  It is definitely Texas-Sized...3000 Student Capacity125 Classrooms1000 Parking Spaces750 Seat Cafateria750 Seat AuditoriumThe School colors will be Columbia Blue & Navy & the Mascot will be the "Johnson Jaguar".  So far, the boundaries for attendance are North of 1604 & East of HWY 281.  Several neighborhoods west of 281 will also attend.For more information visit http://www.neisd.net/johnson/  03/28/2008

If you're in the Air Force, chances are you've been to Lackland Air Force Base for basic training, but if you are coming to San Antonio for a longer stay, you might be interested in this overview of the local housing market. Lackland is located on the west/southwest part of San Antonio, where for a long time new residential development has languished. Many of the neighborhoods close to the base were built in the 60s and 70s, before Kelly AFB was decommissioned, and prices today range around $50,000 to $80,000. These include Lackland Terrace (and other neighborhoods with the name "Lackland"), Indian Creek, Valley Hi, and Sky Harbor. Shopping and restaurants are readily available at Ingram Park Mall off Loop 410 (San Antonio's "inner" loop) and at South Park Mall, off S.W. Military Drive.... 03/27/2008

 Today I saw that CNN.Money just ranked San Antonio, Texas number 34 out of 100 of the best places to live and launch business in, is the United States.  This is great news to hear if you are involved in real estate.  I am a big fan of San Antonio and enjoy doing business in the area.  I highly recommend looking into real estate here.         03/26/2008

Waterford Heights is a luxury and exclusive gated community within the magnificent community of The Heights at Stone Oak offering you and your family an opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet in a tranquil environment that is only 15 minutes from the best schools, shopping, and entertainment. Each home site consists of one to one and one-half acres on which to build your dream home.The Heights at Stone Oak is conveniently located in the fastest growing quarter of San Antonio's primary residential area.  This gated community of approximately 1,200 home sites is only 25 minutes from the San Antonio International Airport and located within the North East Independent School District (NEISD). In addition, you'll find a tranquility within the gates that will welcome you to the lifestyle you so ... 03/25/2008

Everyone seems to notice that most of the nation's real estate markets are stuck in a slump. At the same time, we continue to see reports that say that San Antonio's residential real estate market showed it's third best year ever in 2007. The local economy and military community have shown stability and growth as well.The real estate inventory in 2008 is higher with slower sales, with more homes on the market. Although it seems like people keep hearing about how bad the timing is to buy, certainly it is no secret that now we are seeing a buyers market... Interest rates have come down lately to around 5.5% for a 30 year fixed rate, and still people are holding off- missing their opportunity. 03/24/2008

 Why buy Real Estate in San Antonio TX?  While the rest of the nation is still struggling its way through the Real Estate crunch, San Antonio continues to push forward. Prices may not be shooting through the roof and that's a good thing. During the price boom on 2001-2005, many cities "enjoyed" their Real Estate prices jumping 25% every six months. San Antonio remained a slower yet stable Real Estate environment. In 2004, the average price of a single-family home was about $123,000.  At the end of 2007, the average price was nearly $155,000;  This may not be the big 300% growth rate many cities enjoyed from 2002-2005; however, take a look at the other direction their home prices have now taken. With many more companies planting their roots in San Antonio, leading to an additional 15,000... 03/24/2008

  As a National Mortgage Banker, Ascent Home Loans has provided innovative lending solutions for over 10 years. With our state of the art technology, I can give you quick loan decisions when you need to refinance, or fast pre-approvals that will give you that edge when negotiating for a new home. At Ascent Home Loans of Santa Rosa CA, I want to help you make the right choices when it comes to selecting the correct mortgage for you and your family. How do I do this?  I listen to my clients. With the right questions being asked, a client can provide a wealth of information on their future home loan and investment needs. I unlike other lenders, help you choose the right loan program that best fits your needs, not ours. Now, I can be like other every other mortgage company and tell you we h... 03/21/2008

Northern Hills Estate Sale- liquidating everything lots of great items 14014 Fairway Oaks Dr Thursday March 20 9am-4pm, Friday 21st 9-4, Sat 22nd, everything must go by 3pm!14014 Fairway Oaks DrDealers welcome to make lot offers.GREAT selection of furniture including Ethan Allen, Nearly new King size Denver Mattress box/mattress, rolltop desk,  Victorian Glass (antique. collectible), china, books, antique secretary desk, 35" color TV w/oak stand, Gas BBQ grill, kitchen stuff, 1945 solid maple dining table w/4 beautiful apholstered chairs, LaZBoy electric lift chair (for elderly/handicapped), PC 2y/o Computer, fax, printer, flatscreen monitor, many lamps,  reclining sofa, MORE MORE MORE.  Don't miss this!  Leaving state so everything has to go.  Thursday March 20 9am-4pm, Friday 21st 9-4... 03/18/2008

When you move to SAn Antonio, you'll most likely be opening accounts with City Public Services, our electricity, garbage service, and natural gas provider, and the San Antonio Water System, our water and sewage provider.  Check out their websites.  CPS energy and SAWS offer a variety of rebates that help your green decisions save money.  CPS rebate information is available here: CPS RebatesCPS also offers a nifty energy consumption simulator you can use to see how changes in your habits affect your bill: Energy CalculatorSAWS rebate information is available here: SAWS Rebates  03/17/2008

 ABOUT LUMINARIA Luminaria is the first annual all day and evening celebration of San Antonio premiere artists and art organizations giving citizens of the community a chance to experience the city's diverse cultures through observing and participating in our world-class artistic heritage. Through visual, performing, multi-media, theatre, dance, music and other artistic forms, audiences will be engaged throughout San Antonio in a free, world-class celebration of the arts. Luminaria is intended to be a cohesive celebration of the arts through a creative atmosphere showcasing San Antonio's diverse artistic community.An artist-driven celebration of the arts, Luminaria is an unprecedented collaboration of over 40 non-profit organizations that will come together for 1 day to celebrate the d... 03/15/2008

"Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!"Dorothy unknowingly started a litany of the menegarie of wildlife found at our beloved San Antonio Zoo.I fell in love with the zoo when I was a child. I have pictures of me with my Aunt Missy sitting under orange umbrellas near the hippo habitat when I was not much bigger than the Madagascan lemurs across the way. My children think those pictures are sooooo old. However, the zoo pre-dates my birth by 62 years.Stared in 1914, the zoo grew from just a few animals donated by Colonel George Brackenridge, to the habitats and educational centers that encompass it today. Over 3500 animals, representing 750 species, call it home.Enthusiasm for the zoo is wild, no pun intended. Every time I go, there is something new to discover. Last year, my daughters were e... 03/10/2008

What's in a name? Or, rather, what's in a nickname?A nickname indicates familiarity, or affection.I've had a lifelong disdain for the makeover that my grandmother gave my name. Christened "Camille Elizabeth", a parental decision which I have always appreciated, my grandmother called me "Cammie Liz". I had to let her get away with it. But just anyone else try it, and watch out! It was important to name my children nickname-free names: Claire, Gina. Our third is Mary Teresa, at the insistance of my husband. I love her name, but I find even myself calling her "M.T.", and I could probably make up a hundred more nicknames from those two words if I had to.Nicknames are not all bad, though. They can be a sign of affection. My sister and I, both born in the wrong decade, have shortened Dean Mar... 03/10/2008

Lasting 10 days, with 100 events, and with 3,500,000 revelers attending, Fiesta San Antonio is a real Texas sized festival.  For more than a century Fiesta has taken place to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.  This year marks the 117th anniversary of the celebration. The Texas Cavaliers River Parade, the most unique parade in the United States, is one of the premier events at Fiesta® San Antonio each year. Festive bands and costumed participants wind down the San Antonio river on professionally decorated barges.  These "floating islands," festooned with twinkling lights, float down the San Antonio River entertaining delighted spectators who are seated under the stars on a spring evening. While 17,000 reserve tickets are available, a great majorit... 03/10/2008

an Antonio truly captures the spirit of Texas. Now the ninth largest city in the United States, the city has retained its sense of history and tradition, while carefully blending in cosmopolitan progress. The city has always been a crossroads and a meeting place. Sounds and flavors of Native America, Old Mexico, Germany, the Wild West, Africa and the Deep South mingle and merge. Close to eight million visitors a year delight in the discovery of San Antonio's charms.Just a few of the places you'll want to visit:The Alamo La Villita, one of the original San Antonio settlements Market Square, the largest Mexican Marketplace outside of Mexico Steves Homestead in the King William Historic District The Riverwalk The historic San Antonio missions Fort Sam Houston The San Antonio Zoo The McNay ... 03/10/2008