San Antonio's Mendez Family gets their own Reality TV show... "Texas Trocas"

I am sure we have all experienced driving down the highway and passing one of those glorious big rigs, giving them the standard arm gesture that is quickly followed by the often very loud TOOT of the air horn!

And while that is satisfaction enough, I often find myself intrigued by the massive amounts of wheels, chrome, lights and decorative paint that are these wheeled masterpieces.

The show, called “Texas Trocas”, will be a spanish-language show and will premiere on Sept. 15. Texas Chrome Shop is promoting the show this week at the Great American Trucking Show.
Raul Mendez, co-owner of Triple R Diesel and the Texas Chrome Shop, says each episode will show the transformation of a custom truck from start to finish. The other element of the show is the family’s interactions during the custom builds.

“Texas Trocas” will feature Raul and his brother Roland, along with their parents and their wives.
In each episode, a customer will come to the shop, present their ideas and needs for their truck, along with their budget and deadline for completion, and the shop will tear it down and build back the custom rig.

Weird Texas Traditions

One of my favorite memories growing up in the Texas Dance Team World was Homecoming MUMS!!! Sadly, I do not have any pictures from my highschool days (though I'm sure once my mother sees this post, she will did out some throwback photos). What I can share, is some remarkable young folks, proudly showing off their enormous masterpieces.

For those, non Texas...here's the skinny on the Homecoming Mum: (courtesy of themumshop.com)

Evolution of the mum
The NCAA recognizes the University of Missouri as the official place of birth of homecoming. In 1911, Mizzou athletic director Chester Brewer encouraged alumni to attend the game, and he gave them incentive to attend by having a huge celebration around the game that included parades and rallies.
At some point not too long after this first homecoming celebration in Missouri, the tradition of a boy giving a chrysanthemum to his homecoming date as a corsage was born in Texas. For decades, mums were simple, comprised of just a small flower with perhaps a few ribbons.
In the 1970s, homecoming mums became more elaborate and have continued to grow to the mammoth size they are today. Now they include a huge flower (albeit a silk flower has replaced the real chrysanthemum as the centerpiece), tons of large ribbons, charms, bows, bells, cowbells, stuffed animals, perhaps the high school mascot, and even LED lights in some cases! Even guys have their own version of the mum, called the garter – an elastic band worn around the upper arm that has the same features as the mum only on a much smaller scale.

 

Labor Day 2014, San Antonio events for the holiday weekend!

My SA has put together a comprehensive list of activities for your weekend enjoyment! Click HERE!!!

   

http://www.samargaritameltdown.com/

http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/labor-day-arts-crafts-show

http://www.laborfestsa.com/

 

http://www.peopleenespanol.com/festival

 

Ever wonder what San Antonio Real Estate was like in the 1800's? I was curious...and stumbled across a book written in 1890, which details just what to expect when visiting or moving to our great city.

San Antonio de Bexar: A Guide and History  

Check out a great excerpt from the Real Estate Section, along with our current historic home listings!!! 

Historic Homes built prior to 1900 HERE!

San Antonio Universities make Forbes Best in America List

You don't have to look far from home for a great education... 

Another win for San Antonio, TX. 

Our colleges are among the best in the USA.  

Check out this LINK for the full list of Texas schools

Trinity University Rank: 132 Location: San Antonio, Texas Tuition: $48,630 Student population: 2,458

University of Texas at San Antonio Rank: 641 Location: San Antonio, Texas Tuition: $29,172 Student population: 30,474

St. Mary's University Rank: 101 Location: San Antonio, Texas Tuition: $38,192 Student population: 3,941

What did she say???

A Short Guide to Real Estate Lingo

 

closing costs -- the entire package of miscellaneous expenses paid by the buyer and the seller when the real estate deal closes. These costs include the brokerage commission, mortgage-related fees, escrow or attorney's settlement charges, transfer taxes, recording fees, title insurance and so on. Closing costs are generally paid through escrow.

CMA -- comparative market analysis or competitive market analysis. A CMA is a report that shows prices of homes that are comparable to a subject home and that were recently sold, are currently on the market or were on the market, but not sold within the listing period.

contingency -- a provision of an agreement that keeps the agreement from being fully legally binding until a certain condition is met. One example is a buyer's contractual right to obtain a professional home inspection before purchasing the home.

fixture -- anything of value that is permanently attached to or a part of real property. (Real estate is legally called "real property," while movables are called "personal property.") Examples of fixtures include installed wall-to-wall carpeting, light fixtures, window coverings, landscaping and so on. Fixtures are a frequent subject of buyer and seller disputes. When in doubt, get it in writing.

listing -- an agreement between a real estate broker and a home owner that allows the broker to market and arrange for the sale of the owner's home. The word "listing" is also used to refer to the for-sale home itself. A home being sold by the owner without a real estate agent isn't a "listing."

lock box -- locked key-holding device affixed to a for-sale home so real estate professionals can gain entry into the home after obtaining permission from the listing agent

MLS -- Multiple Listing Service. An MLS is an organization that collects, compiles and distributes information about homes listed for sale by its members, who are real estate brokers. Membership isn't open to the general public, although selected MLS data may be sold to real estate listings Web sites. MLS's are local or regional. There is no MLS covering the whole country.

REALTOR® -- a real estate broker or sales associate who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. Not all real estate agents are REALTORS®.

title insurance -- an insurance policy that protects a lender's or owner's interest in real property from assorted types of unexpected or fraudulent claims of ownership. It's customary for the buyer to pay for the lender's title insurance policy.

Copyright © by Move, Inc.

Green Building is Here to Stay: The San Antonio Green Program

There are many Green Home available for Sale. Check them out HERE!!!

The exploding market for sustainable, environmentally friendly building products – along with expanding educational opportunities for builders and remodelers – has accelerated green building’s acceptance by home owners and the building industry. A recent NAHB-McGraw Hill Construction Survey indicates that more than half of NAHB’s members – who build more than 80 percent of the homes in this country- will incorporate green practices into the development, design and construction of new homes in the next two years.

About Green Building 

 

The Build San Antonio Green™ Program (BSAG)

Build San Antonio Green is helping it’s members and the building industry move the practice of green building into the mainstream in San Antonio. The program includes a green home verification and certification program, a variety of green educational offerings, advocacy on green building issues, and tools and resources for its members. Build San Antonio Green is a voluntary local green building program that has certified over 350 homes.
Green building is everywhere and San Antonio is no exception. San Antonio has a local green building program that was created specifically for our climate and environmental conditions. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Build San Antonio Green has a simple checklist that can be incorporated into most new homes however, the checklist is “living,” so it can be modified to best suite the comfort level of the homeowner.

The Build San Antonio Green™ program focuses on five areas of sustainability:

	Materials are valued for durability, local origins, reusability, and least environmenttal impact during the manufacturing process.
	Energy Efficiency provides monthly savings through measures such as passive solar design, effective insulation, efficient appliances, lighting, heating and cooling, and the use of renewable energy.
	Water Conservation is employed indoors and out, with measures ranging from low flow showerheads and water-saving washers to xeriscaping and rainwater catchment.
	Health is enhanced as a result of proper ventilation (mold minimization), reduced particulate matter, and minimal to no toxic compounds in materials such as paint, adhesives, pest control and floor coverings.
	Site Development includes initial decisions to locate near amenities and public transit, obtain maximum solar and shade benefits, as well as minimize land disturbance and erosion.