How Much Cash Should You Put Down? When you're buying a home, you can put as much or as little of your own money into it as your finances dictate - from no-cash to all-cash. It depends on your available money and the practices of different lenders. A 5, 10, or 20% down payment are typical, and if you're shopping for a mortgage, you can bet lenders will more readily commit their money when you commit a healthy portion of yours. Less than 20%, and lenders generally take a harder look at your whole financial situation. They are also apt to require either private mortgage insurance (PMI), or the government backing of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or the Veterans Administration (VA) - all good and available options for buyers who simply don't have the 20% cash. Under the n... 10/08/2007

         Here Are Some Cool Moves for Buying a Home in a Hot Market Where homes are selling as fast as they come on the market, you might try one or more of the following ways to beat the competition to the front door: Bid realistically (near listing price) instead of hoping your seller will cave in to a low offer. Make your offer without strings (sale of previous home, home inspection, etc.) but only if you're certain your old home will sell quickly or the property is in move-in condition. Be flexible (within reason) to a seller's conditions concerning conveyable property, dates of closing and occupancy. Giving in a little may gain you a lot. We can help you find the best home for you in your price range, and we can start as soon as you're ready. E-mail us with details of your dream ho... 10/08/2007

        Do You Know How To Avoid Costly Delays When Getting A Loan?With lenders logjammed by new loans and refinancings, the smart strategy is to be realistic, plan ahead and use some finesse to help speed approval. From experience, we know that the process works best when you rely on an agent, and lenders appreciate the agent as a single source to turn to for answers. Besides hiring an agent, here are some smart suggestions for you: Pick the Best Lender. With our daily experience, we can help advise you on the most efficient and reputable lenders for you to compare. Write a Longer Contract. Most sellers realize getting a loan can take longer today. When writing the sales contract, consider a longer financing period, adding 15 to 30 days or more to the normal period. Also consider a con... 10/08/2007

        6 Ways to Maximize Small Living Space You can't stretch a foot to measure more than 12 inches, but you can make it look a yard wide, with a few simple tricks: Lighting. Forget window draperies. Place fluorescent lights behind valances, under cabinets, over work places. Forego floor lamps and mount wall lamps instead. Color. Keep to one, two or (at the most) three light colors that blend and flow from one room to another. Carpeting. Use one carpet color throughout the house. Mirrors. Double the size of a room and bring the outdoor window view inside with mirror walls. Mirror the lighting under kitchen cabinets. Built-ins. Wherever you can tuck a cabinet, shelf, or small table, you make awkward spots usable. Furnishings. Choose small-scale with simple lines furniture and place it ... 10/08/2007

     Your down payment and monthly income will, in part, determine how much home you can buy in today's market. But there are other factors to consider as well.Take interest rates, for example. When rates are low, the cost of financing goes down, leaving more money available to pay for the home itself.The state of the local and regional economy has an effect too. Business slow-downs are usually accompanied by lower, or at least stabilized, home prices -- an opportunity for you to get more for your money.Although you can't control interest rates and the economy, you can time your purchase to take advantage of them. And you can control several key factors to home affordability, including the type of mortgage you choose.In fact, there are lots of ways to stretch your home-buying dollars to... 10/08/2007

    Nothing is more important to a home's market value than its location. After all, appraisals are based not just on a home's features, but on recent sales prices of other similar homes in the same area.Are you thinking about buying a home in an area you're unfamiliar with? Do so with caution and with the help of a knowledgeable real estate professional.As your agent, we can tell you all about the area we serve. For example, we'll let you know if residents of a particular neighborhood have to put up with "cut through" rush-hour traffic. We can tell you if road construction or a housing development is planned for an area, which could improve -- or deflate -- a home's worth. We can also point out neighborhood amenities that you might particularly enjoy living with.If you think you've fou... 10/08/2007

  You've picked a terrific time to buy a new home! Interest rates are affordable and sellers are motivated! Add to that scenario a thorough knowledge of how to use financing to buy more house for less money and your position becomes positively unbeatable. But how do you get that kind of knowledge? That's where we can help. It's all in our special report, OPTIONS: 10 Savvy Ways To Pay For A House Today. This indispensable report tells you how different loan programs can help you build equity fast, minimize monthly payments, reduce your interest rate, and so much more. To read our report, simply click the link. There's no obligation! The more information you have, the greater your buying power. And we have a wealth of information we'll be happy to share with you at no cost whatsoever. Let... 10/08/2007

If you're needing to buy or sell a home, let Eric D. Bolton, c/o 97 help you out. Call Eric today for a FREE HOME MARKET ANALYSIS to see what your home might be sold for if it was put on the market today. If you're looking to buy a home, contact Eric and he can help you find that perfect home you are looking for to watch the Aggies every Saturday. Former Students can qualify for 4% Broker Commision. Just visit my website at for more information. Former t-sips can qualify for 16% Broker Commission. Gig' Em!! 10/06/2007

Annoying Neighbor  #16: Nosey Neighbor(vicinus-committo) The typical nosey neighbor has the bad habit of looking over the six foot fence between your properties, yet he is only five and a half feet tall. He's always getting his paper in the morning when you leave and watering his grass when you get home from work. Always "notices" when you have guests over and likes to use the phrase "Hey Buddy!" a lot.  If this describes your neighbor, contact Eric D. Bolton, REALTOR for an FREE HOME VALUE CONSULTATION, right away! Call 210.918.0307 TODAY!Are You Getting Tired Of Your Current Neighbors? Eric D. Bolton can help you alleviate that problem.  Call Eric today for a FREE HOME MARKET ANALYSIS. Eric D. Bolton, REALTORCENTURY 21 Howard Shelf & Associateseric@ericdbolton.comwww.ericdbolton.com/h... 10/06/2007

San Antonio's real estate market continues to run contrary to many of the large cities on the coast, and is still chugging along. Although days on market have lengthened from last year, and there are 33% more homes for sale, and prices are drifting downward from 25% appreciation levels in some neighborhoods, it has just begun to be a buyer's market. Rental income is still positive, especially with fewer entry-level home buyers able to qualify for admittedly dodgy mortgages. Forbes.com listed San Antonio as fourth on its list for home sellers; sixth for best overall housing markets.The San Antonio Board of Realtors figures show that sales of single-family homes are only down 7% from 2006. Appreciation of 7% in turn overall from the same time period may not sound earth-shattering, but San... 09/27/2007

 A report I just heard says, SOME apartment complexes have been denying applicants because of heavy tattoos and body piercings.  According to the fair housing officials with San Antonio city government and the Federal government, it may be unfair but it is NOT ILLEGAL unless the tattoos have religious or racial significance. As a long time Realtor, I was surprised by this, because Fair Housing is something I have been taught and practiced for many years.  I personally do not like tattoos or piercings  (except pierced earrings) but never dreamed someone could be denied because of them.  This is a very interesting story aired on WOAI News and the public response has been very engaging.  Everyone has an opinion on this.The complex's policy is to ban anyone with head or neck tattoos, or tat... 09/26/2007

Neal The Real Deal Bloom with his exclusive phone interview with the star of A&E's Flip this House-San AntonioIn case some of you might not know it but I have a few partners and we have acquired property for investment reasons. We either flip..rent or hold the Real Estate we acquire. Lately I have been very intrigued about some the these shows on television about flipping property. Now ......I understand that most of the country is fighting a market that we have not seen in a long time.About a year ago I started to watch A&E's Flip this House-San Antonio. I wanted to see what other ideas I could pick up and also see how real these shows were. While I was out of town I had some down time and decided to go onto my computer and read up a little about how these guys actually are able to be ... 09/18/2007

Often REALTORS come upon homes that have been too extensively upgraded for their neighborhoods.  Home owners read that remodeling kitchens and bathrooms return the most for the money spent, but if you live in a 100-150,000 dollar neighborhood, it isn't likely you will see your return for a 40,000 dollar kitchen upgrade.  Keep your house within the limits of your neighborhood and your upgrades will be fine.  You do not want to be the biggest and best on the block... not if you plan to sell.  Having 300,000 dollars worth of house in a 150,000 dollar neighborhood just will not sell for 300,000.  Those who can afford that price will move where the avg price is 300,000 and those who are looking at the neighborhood will simply pass you by.  On the other hand, if you are in a neighborhood that... 09/16/2007

Sales of existing homes is taking longer than in previous 12 months, because of more homes being on the market and number of buyers not increasing.  The negative news of mortgage loans has also had an effect on buyers getting loans this year.  Manipulative loans that allowed otherwise unqualified or underqualified buyers to purchase homes has come back to bite lenders.  While one hundred percent financing loans have pretty much disappeared, there are still telelvision commercials out there coaxing buyers to move into a 150,000 dollar home for only 750 a month.  All I can advise is DON'T DO IT!  Look at the fine print of these loans and ask your real estate agent to recommend a lender you can talk to about what these loans entail.  Once the grace periods on these low entry loans is over,... 09/16/2007

San Antonio's skyline will soon be home to several new luxury high-rise condo developments.  In a city known for it's expansive land and single-family homes, the high-rise phenomenon is a relatively new concept in the Alamo City.  The Vidorra - This 20+ story downtown tower features condominiums and penthouses.  There is an attached parking garage as well as a 24 hour concierge, spa, fitness center, pool, coffee bar, business center, guest suites, and even a delightful rooftop garden.  As with most high-rise condos there is also - you guessed it - incredible views.  Although not complete, the Vidorra has a sales center & furnished model to tour.The Broadway - Located in the prestigious Alamo Heights area, The Broadway offers close proximity to trendy restaurants, nightlife & boutiques. ... 09/10/2007

San Antonio's real estate market may be down slightly from last year. However, the single-family home market remains resilient, according to statistics released by the San Antonio Board of Realtors (SABOR). There were 13,763 sales of existing single-family homes year-to-date, which is down 7 percent from this same period a year ago. However, at $182,872, the average price of these homes is up 7 percent from this same time last year. Statistics compare home sales from January to July. SABOR official say that although the number of sales in 2007 through July may be down in comparison to 2006, the number of home sales so far this year is similar to levels in 2004 and 2005 and continues to reflect a strong and healthy real estate market. SABOR report that the San Antonio market currently ha... 08/31/2007

Looking for Northside ISD information? It is Here. --John 08/23/2007

According to a 2006 survey by the National Association of Realtors, the average selling price of a For Sale By Owner transaction fetched 16% less than those represented by Realtors.  Why?  Good question. Real estate is very much localized.  What is good in one neighborhood, may not be the case in another.  So if you have a similar home to a friend across town, or a few blocks over, your home can be several thousand dollars higher or lower than theirs.  How would you know this, right? They're basically the same home after all.... Realtors price homes based on actual sales data from similar homes in your immediate vicinity.  Meaning YOUR neighborhood if at all possible.  So if you are planning on selling it yourself, be informed.  Ask a Realtor if you know one, but please be upfront about... 08/20/2007

Saturday, August 18 2007 - Arroyo Crossing at Alamo Ranch is having a Home & Auto show.  Vendors such as Bjorns and Cavender Toyota will be having demonstrations and drawings for prizes.  THSU, the home builder, will also have 5 homes open to the public for viewing.  They are a green builder and have developed the neighborhood in cooperation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to preserve the natural surroundings and trails.Show time is from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sat., August 18, 2007Current plans range from about $240k - $270k, plus great buyer incentives.  Stop by, ask for John King!John can be reached at (210)445-2631 for more information. 08/18/2007

Just when Central Texas didn't need more rain, Erin paid us a visit.  Check it out.San Antonio is just under the text box right under the words San Antonio, TX.  They got hammered 08/16/2007