Liz Voss's blog

How to Look for the Right San Antonio Real Estate Listings

Written by Liz Voss.

One thing that is evident in San Antonio real estate listings is that there are homes available in just about any price range. Some properties are available at around $50 per square foot, but there are others as high as $300. As might be expected, the high dollar homes move off the San Antonio real estate listings much slower than other homes do.

San Antonio Real Estate Listings - Style of Home

The styles of homes available in San Antonio real estate listings are as varied as anywhere in the country. Texas ranch styles are still popular and Mediterranean homes make up many of the higher end real estate listings, but you will find many wonderful properties to satisfy whatever tastes you may have.

If you are in the market for a home, it is certain that you can find what you want in San Antonio real estate listings. The first move to make is to locate a real estate agent you are comfortable with and who is familiar with the housing market in the area. Choosing an agent is the single most important thing you can do when shopping for a home.

San Antonio Real Estate Listings - Preparing for Home Shopping

Preparation before speaking to an agent will help to speed along your home shopping process. One of the first questions you will be asked is the amount you will be expecting to spend on a home. Being preapproved for a loan is the best way to save both your and the agent's time when you begin to look. If you are selling one home to buy another, the agent will be able to help you price your current residence and market it also.

If you know the type of amenities you want in a home, be sure to make your agent aware. With school age children, you should have some choices of where you prefer they attend. The same is true if there are some sections of the city you prefer to be located in for work or just have a special preference.

The more selections you have that are definite, the sooner you will see real estate that will be of interest to you. You may also find that some agents are more knowledgeable of the type of properties you are looking for than others are. Don't be afraid to ask questions of anyone you are considering using as your realtor, as it can save a lot of time and frustration.

Serious shoppers can find the ideal home when they take the time to specify their needs.

2012 Promises More for San Antonio Real Estate Companies

Written by Liz Voss.

 

In 2006, San Antonio real estate companies saw a boom in sales.

 

Because of the national decline in the economy, that boom was short lived, but there are indications that 2012 can signal a return of activity in the market. The slow progression of the economic recovery will temper what would otherwise be a very hot market in not only the state, but also the nation in general.

Notwithstanding, indicators point to a growth for San Antonio real estate companies in the city, Bexar county, and outlying areas. Three of the primary reasons why anticipation and promise are high are:

1. Employment - Higher than the national average

2. Growth - Steady, not falling off as in many metropolitan areas

3. Home Prices - More reasonable than the national average for a city

Low Mortgage Rates Prompt Sales for San Antonio Real Estate Companies

Because mortgage rates have stayed low, there has never been a better time to purchase a home as San Antonio real estate companies have been suggesting for some time. Employment opportunities in San Antonio make buying a home the right move for most young families. The Eagle Ford Shale oil play to the south promises to be the next major gas and oil play in the country. It is pumping money into the community and creating a demand for workers.

 

Home Inventory with San Antonio Real Estate Companies

 

2012 promises to see more resale of existing homes, but San Antonio real estate companies are finding more activity among builders of new homes, too. The number of homes currently for sale is approximately 1,400 less than at this same time last year, showing that the demand is eating into any excess product. With less than 10,000 homes on the market, inventory is extremely low, but it should rise as more homes come on line in the next few months.

Low inventory is an indicator that the market is shifting to a six-month supply range, or in more meaningful terms, a balanced market. It has been several years since such a condition has existed in San Antonio. What this indicates is that neither the seller nor the buyer has a distinct advantage.

While closings this year have produced a slightly lower average dollar amount than was true last year, the prices are already beginning to rise, heading toward spring. By early summer, indicators show a slight advantage to the seller and prices promise to be above last summer's returns. The five-month average for a listing to be on the market should also decrease this year.

If you will be making a move my area call me for a short consultantion at 1-866-549-8677, or visit www.LizVossRealEstate.com.

San Antonio REALTOR, the Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Use One

It is puzzling why anyone would consider purchasing a home in the area without using a San Antonio REALTOR. There are many more positive reasons to spend the little extra for an agent when selling or buying real estate in San Antonio.

Just a few reasons why you will profit from using a professional San Antonio REALTOR are:

1. More choices when buying real estate

More than 90% of homes for sale appear in the MLS (multiple listing service). If you want to know what properties are available, the MLS is the authority on San Antonio real estate and any other metropolitan area.

Finding homes that are not listed in the MLS is like looking for a needle in a haystack. You can spend countless hours and gas dollars driving around seeking to locate "For Sale by Owner" signs and miss out on the home you want while doing so.

A San Antonio REALTOR can pinpoint properties that are in the budget amount you have set and with specific features that are important to you, such as number of baths and bedrooms, size of the lot, and restrictive covenants that may apply.

2. Find more realistic market value homes

Most people who purchase homes don't understand why or how the asking price is set. The San Antonio REALTOR knows what other comparable homes have been listed for and what their contract sales prices were.

Sellers cannot expect to get a price significantly higher than the market value as set by other sales when listing with an agent. Buying directly from a homeowner is risky if you don't have realistic comps to other home values so that you can identify a reasonable asking price and a property that will appraise high enough for lender approval.

3. Protection on your purchase

Attempting to buy a home directly from the owner puts you in a fragile position because some things might not be disclosed that have a direct bearing on price and desirability of a structure.

While the closing attorneys will most likely cover the legal issues, the San Antonio REALTOR will cover the investigative work to assure you get the best value for your money and are aware of any existing situations with the property.

Because a San Antonio REALTOR is a trained professional who works in the real estate business on a daily basis, he/she knows what pitfalls to look for and what securities to be certain are set in place to protect both seller and buyer.

4. Knowledge of the City and Demographics

One of the best reasons for using a San Antonio REALTOR is the insight that can be gained into not only the housing market but the city in general. Whether you are interested in what resale value a home might have or the schools and industry in the area, a San Antonio REALTOR knows many of the answers because it is their business to do so.

As your representative, your San Antonio REALTOR will be your confidant to make sure you go into the home acquisition with your eyes open. This will limit the number of surprises you have after the closing.

Real Estate in San Antonio - A Plus for Texas Home Seekers

People planning to relocate to Texas generally find themselves comparing cities like Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. Naturally there are some draws that attract people to certain cities, and here are a few regarding real estate in San Antonio Texas .

Weather in San Antonio

If you are considering purchasing San Antonio real estate, you should be aware the climate is typically considered to be sub-tropical. You can expect mild winters and long summers, great for those who love to garden and spend time outdoors.

April, May, and June are typically rainy just before the heat sets in and remains from July to September and into October. November brings a cool change, and in December the first taste of winter arrives. For those who are not fond of harsh winters and snow, San Antonio real estate is most likely in their comfort zone.

San Antonio Entertainment and Attractions

There's pretty much something for everyone when it comes to entertainment in San Antonio, which is big draw to those seeking to purchase real estate in the Texas area. One of the biggest draws to San Antonio is the Alamo, which is the #1 most visited attraction.

The River Walk comes in a close 2nd and offers many shops, bars, and restaurants. During the holidays the meandering walk offers the festival of lights. In the summer months, visitors can partake of the local flavor and enjoy flamenco and folklorico music.

The Ameson River Theater located in the River Walk is host to the annual Fiesta Noche del Rio which draws attendees from across the country; the fiesta holds the record as the oldest outdoor performance in the U.S. having been held since 1958.

There are also many museums, parks, the San Antonio Zoo, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World, and Splashtown.

Traffic and Transportation in San Antonio

One of the most often asked questions from those considering San Antonio real estate regards the traffic situation. Many don't realize that San Antonio is the 2nd largest city in Texas and the 7th largest city in the U.S.

The San Antonio freeway system is already very advanced, and the city also stays abreast of the booming growth of real estate and population in the area by making sure the roadway system can accommodate. Overall the traffic is considered mild compared to many other large cities across the U.S. that aren't even as big as San Antonio.

If you are a cyclist considering purchasing real estate in San Antonio, you'll be happy to know there are about 136 miles of bicycle lanes and off and on road paths. You can enjoy a trail ride along the San Antonio River or in the city's many parks. San Antonio holds the designation as a Bronze-Level Bike Friendly Community.

Proximity for Travel

Another big plus for real estate shoppers in San Antonio is its proximity to other travel destinations. Weekend excursions can take you to the Corpus Christi beaches, only two hours away. You can always jaunt down to Mexico from Brownsville or Laredo. Other nearby destinations include Buchanan Dam, Horseshoe Bay, Marble Falls, Sunrise Beach, and Fredericksburg.

Anyone making the decision of where to buy real estate in Texas should definitely give San Antonio a consideration. It offers big city conveniences without the associated hassles. It is a fun place to visit, and a great place to live.