Wednesday, July 9, 2014



As inventory continues to decrease, it's important to put your best foot forward with your initial offer. 

If you want to write a compelling offer, keep these three steps in mind:

Decide on the right price
Real estate markets are localized, so the sale price of a home across town may have little to do with what a home in another area of town is worth. You can determine the right price by finding out how the property compares to similar homes nearby, what Texas REALTORS® call “comps.” Comps are an important part of determining price because they reflect neighborhood conditions. Y.
Show sellers you’re serious
Hitting the sellers’ perfect price does not guarantee they will accept your offer. Homeowners will consider the amount of earnest money in the proposed contract as well. A higher number shows a higher level of sincerity about the purchase and may place your offer above others. Keep the total cost of Seller concessions in mind. If you don't need the cash to close for title fees, HOA transfer fees, survey, and loan fees (AKA closing costs)...don't ask for them! 
Be flexible
Some sellers may have a strong preference for when they close on the sale. If you can meet their timeline, your offer gains strength. And when you can help it, stay away from contingencies, or make them as moderate as you can. Why? Put yourself in the seller’s shoes. A slightly lower offer may be more attractive than a higher offer that’s contingent on the buyers needing to sell their own home.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Texas has 3 of TOP TEN "cheapest" PLACES to LIVE in the US!


Temple, TexasCity Population: 69,148   #2 Temple, population: 69,148 



Wichita Falls, TexasCity Population: 104,552




#3 Wichita Falls, population: 101,552 
Harlingen, TexasCity Population: 65,679



#10 Harlingen... population: 65,679
SAN ANTONIO -- When it comes to cheap living, don't mess with Texas, according to a Kiplinger real estate report. Three of the 10 cheapest cities in the U.S. can be found in the Lone Star State. Several Texas cities, including San Marcos, McAllen and San Antonio, didn't crack the top 10 but ranked very highly for affordability nonetheless.
The findings reported that Texas is ranked one of the most affordable places to live in.
The report screened out cities with populations below 50,000, and based their findings based on the Council for Community and Economic Research's calculations of living expenses in urban areas, taking into consideration the cost of living measures for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services.
All 10 finalists share one similarity and that is super-affordable housing options for both renters and homeowners.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Forbes Magazine: San Antonio is the hottest city for millenials in the emerging Southwest

1. San AntonioThe city topping the list hits the appeal trifecta: a dynamic economy, employment opportunities and affordable living. Reasons cited for picking San Antonio ranged from “I think it would be a safe city to raise a family” to “It is expanding every day and providing new job opportunities, the atmosphere is great, and there are a lot of activities to do and festivities to join.”
Everyone knows that the Southwest is warm this time of year, but today the region is hot. Its time has finally come. Millions of Hispanic-American families (whose ethnic/racial group makes up 17 percent of the U.S. population) are putting down roots there, and Latin millennials are putting Latin flair into its cities, places and spaces.
To get specific, the new American centers of gravity are California and Texas. It’s not simply because they have the two largest populations, with just over 38 million people in California and 26 million–plus in Texas. And it’s not because of Hollywood or Dallas, Silicon Valley or even the constantly trending #SXSW.
Those two states, as well as Arizona and New Mexico, are the new capitals of influence. They’re not just border states (although that’s an important factor); they’re also a frontier between the America that we were and the America we’re rapidly becoming. Some 52 million Americans today identify as Hispanic, and 50,000 of them will turn 18 each month for the next two decades. These millennials have real clout, both for their spending power now and for their ability to influence what comes next. Marketers especially should start paying attention.
We undertook a study of 804 Hispanic and non-Hispanic Americans ages 18 to 34 in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas earlier this year. Among other questions, we asked them which cities in the Southwest will be the best places for their generation. Their answers were illuminating and based on where they currently live, where they had gone to college or would like to go, the media, and their friends and families. (These were open-ended queries, by the way, so it’s not as if we supplied our list and asked them to prioritize their “where.”) We all need to be keeping an eye on these cities as we think about where #nextgen will flourish. (Three commonalities: They are ethnic, affordable and youthful, including college towns as one anchor.)
Contributor

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Ai Realty's Newest Rehab...let us Buy or Sell your home!!!

Check out our newest rehab in San Antonio. We are always looking to buy distressed properties, so if you or anyone you know has a home to sell for CASH, and fast...give me a call at (210) 201-1996!

We also work with Buyers, Sellers and Renters at Ai Realty


Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Map your neighborhood home prices!

Do you want to know what median home prices are in your area? Check out this interactive map!

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Watch the World Cup Here!!!


World Soccer Bars has an amazing website for all you Soccer Lovers...Check out the local San Antonio bar scene, while watching your favorite team at the WORLD CUP!!!


Visit their LINK to search for locations in your neighborhood. 



Freetail Brewing Co.
4035 N. Loop 1604 W. Ste 105
210-395-4974
Flynns Bar & Patio
8123 Broadway
2109018883
GS 1221
1221 broadway, suite 116
210.251.3184
The Lion and Rose
842 NW Loop 410
210-798-4154

San Antonio Schools...some of the states most expensive!


Often the first criteria a homeowner sets is the school the child will attend. Do you keep your property taxes in mind when establishing an affordable house payment? Take a look at the chart below to see if your school made the list!


Search Again Search again   
DISTRICTCAMPUSCOUNTYCAMPUS TYPEADJUSTED COSTDescending
JUDSON ISDJUDSON HIGH SCHOOLBEXARSECONDARY$97,130,504Details   
NORTHSIDE ISDWILLIAM J. BRENNAN HIGH SCHOOLBEXARSECONDARY$88,444,512Details   
NORTHSIDE ISDLOUIS D. BRANDEIS HIGH SCHOOLBEXARSECONDARY$70,724,424Details   
NORTH EAST ISDJOHNSON HIGH SCHOOLBEXARSECONDARY$70,368,208Details   
SOUTH SAN ANTONIO ISDSOUTH SAN ANTONIO HIGH SCHOOLBEXARSECONDARY$46,075,588Details   
NORTHSIDE ISDDOLPH BRISCOE MIDDLE SCHOOLBEXARMIDDLE$39,728,348Details   
NORTHSIDE ISDDR. HECTOR P. GARCIA MIDDLE SCHOOLBEXARMIDDLE$39,469,312Details   
NORTHSIDE ISDWALLACE B. JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOLBEXARMIDDLE$33,704,580Details   
NORTHSIDE ISDROBERT L. VALE MIDDLE SCHOOLBEXARMIDDLE$32,389,972Details   
NORTH EAST ISDLOPEZ MIDDLE SCHOOLBEXARMIDDLE$30,849,742Details   
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