Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Choosing a San Antonio Subdivision

If you've been considering a move to San Antonio, there are several important things to consider. Perhaps you aren't sure if you want to live in a busy city. Maybe you're even thinking about moving to a more private setting. There are a variety of real estate opportunities in San Antonio and there are hundreds of available homes. No matter what kind of home you are looking for, you can find it in San Antonio's beautiful subdivisions.

When you begin exploring San Antonio's subdivisions, ask your real estate agent to help you locate an area that meets your needs. Your San Antonio real estate agent can map out the area according to the subdivisions that might work for you. Compare commutes from various locations and see if the subdivision's amenities match your lifestyle and your pocket book.

San Antonio housing includes apartments, lofts, condos, townhomes, single family residences, farms and ranches. Some of the older suburbs of San Antonio are in high demand, and most are to the north of the city, up into the hills. One of these popular subdivisions is Alamo Heights because of the school district there. According to history, the San Antonio suburbs came into existence because of flooding many, many years ago. People migrated to homes in the hills to escape the flooding and build a secure future.

Alamo Heights continues to boast the highest priced homes and it not just because of the demand for that particular school district. It is close to downtown and has much less traffic. Alamo Heights is in a great central location with amenities within easy reach.

Another popular San Antonio subdivision is beautiful Terrell Hills. Olmos Park has gorgeous historical homes and mansions. This area is part of the original suburbs that developed after World War II. If you want a fixer upper there is Beacon Hill, where homes are full of character. There are dozens of subdivisions in San Antonio and each one offers its own unique style and character to the community.

Depending on your price range and where your lifestyle leads you, one of these older subdivisions may be right for you. Whether you want an old historic home that needs a little TLC or a beautiful mansion in the hills, San Antonio has it all. Ask your real estate agent to guide you through a detailed exploration of the subdivisions in the Heights and the Hills of the city.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Add Curb Appeal to Your San Antonio Home

Do you want to make your home stand out from the competition in the San Antonio real estate market? When you are looking to sell, there are few things more important than curb appeal. If your home looks beautiful on the exterior, potential buyers will take notice and want to see your home’s interior. If you are trying to sell your home in San Antonio, try these simple tips to add curb appeal that will draw attention for every buyer that passes by.

1. Keep the Yard Clean and Well Groomed.

Even if you aren’t the kind of home owner who obsesses over having the perfect lawn, you should take notice of the condition of your front yard when you are trying to sell your house. Just doing some general home maintenance can increase your chances of making the sell. Make it a habit to mow your lawn at least once each week during the spring and summer months. You should also edge around side walks and the drive way at least twice each month, but preferably every time you mow. You should also add a fresh layer of mulch to any flower beds in the yard.

2. Keep Trees and Bushes Trimmed

If your entryway is crowded out by stray limbs from trees and bushes, take some time to trim them up. Clear the path to your front door so it feels welcoming to every potential buyer. While you are clearing away stray limbs, take time to trim any bushes so they look even and symmetrical.

3. Add A Touch of Paint

Perhaps it has been years since your San Antonio home had a fresh coat of paint. If you take the time to just paint the trim, it can make the home look brighter. If your home’s exterior really needs a face lift, consider hiring a professional to come in and repaint the entire house. By changing the paint color, front door, and existing outdoor lighting and hardware, you can make an old home look brand new in no time at all.

4. Add Splashes of Color

Don’t forget to add color into your landscaping. Make your home come alive by adding brightly colored flowers. Plant entire flower beds or line the sidewalks with beautiful rose bushes. Add hanging baskets full of beautiful geraniums or cascading ivy. Adding plants will make your home feel more inviting and it will show potential home buyers that you care enough about your home to keep it looking bright and beautiful.

When you decide to sell your San Antonio home, don’t forget to add curb appeal with a few little changes to the house’s exterior. Just planting some flowers, mowing the lawn, or giving the house a fresh coat of paint can provide the extra push to help your San Antonio real estate sell quickly.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Get Your San Antonio Home Ready to Sell

When you decide to sell your San Antonio home, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process. As buyers travel through dozens of potential homes, you want yours to stand out as they best house on the market. Is this possible, even when your home leaves a lot to be desired? Absolutely! There are several ways you can prepare your home so that potential buyers will run for their checkbooks. In just a few days, you can give your home a small makeover that will make it stand out among other San Antonio real estate. Follow this easy guide to get your home ready to sell.

Step 1 - Take a Step Back
It’s hard to be objective about a house that has been your home for years. What buyers will perceive as “junk”, you might call “memorabilia”. If you want to get a true look at your house, you need to take a step back and disassociate yourself from it for a few hours. Disconnect from your emotions and view your home as a product that you want to sell. How can you make it more desirable? Walk through each room and make a list of the pros and cons of your home. Then brainstorm for ways to play up to pros and diminish the cons.

Step 2 - Pack up the Personal Belongings

You don’t have to pack up your entire house, but remove the personal belongings such as memorabilia, family photos, or travel souvenirs. You want buyers to picture themselves in your home, not imagine you and your family living there as they gaze at your personal photos. Make your San Antonio home stand out from the rest by taking out personal items so it appeals to every potential buyer.

Step 3 - Clean Out the Clutter

No one wants to live in a dirty home. Make your home appear spotless by getting rid of all your clutter. Now is the perfect home to purge your possessions before the move. If you don’t use it, get rid of it. If you do use it and it still looks cluttered, pack it up and store it away until you move to your next home. Nothing deters potential buyers more than a cluttered home. Don’t forget to declutter hidden spaces too. People love to snoop when they look through your home, so make sure your spices are arranged neatly and your linen closet is clean and organized.

Step 4 - Make it Smell Nice!

When you’re trying to sell your San Antonio home, you probably don’t think about how it smells. If you have pets or small children who need frequent diaper changes, smells will inevitably be a part of your daily life. Prepare your home for potential buyers by opening the windows and letting that San Antonio breeze gently waft through your home for a few hours before you show it. You can also burn a scented candle or spray air freshener lightly in each room. Avoid cooking fish or other smelly dishes right before you show your house. If you aren’t sure if your home smells okay, leave for a few hours and then come back and take a sniff. You might be surprised at the smells you often overlook.

Selling your San Antonio home is a big task, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow these easy steps to get your home ready for potential buyers and you will be at the closing table in no time.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Do You Dream of Upgrading to a New Home?

Are you thinking about selling your home? Many home owners are hesitant to try to sell in the current market, but they also realize that now is the perfect time to upgrade to a newer, larger home. As foreclosures and short sales increase, San Antonio home buyers can take advantage of some of the best prices in years.

If you want to sell your current home and upgrade to the house you‘ve always wanted, don’t assume it’s an impossible dream. With the help of an experienced real estate agent, it is possible to sell in this market.

Your first step should be evaluating exactly what your property is worth. You can take advantage of several resources to make this determination. Begin by learning the tax value of your home. You can often find this online through searchable county databases.

The local MLS is another helpful tool for getting information on comparable properties on the market in the San Antonio area. The MLS will give you information about the homes that have sold in the last year and the homes that are currently available for purchase. Your real estate agent can access these listings and help you evaluate the San Antonio market.

As you evaluate your property, you will want to look at several aspects of comparable sells. Pay close attention to key factors such as square footage, location, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. This will give you helpful clues as to what your home is actually worth. Location is particularly important in determining a property’s value. Appraisers will typically evaluate other comparable homes in a one mile radius to help determine the value of a property. Follow their lead and learn about the homes in your neighborhood. If there is a diverse mix of homes in your area, you might want to expand your search to a wider area.

Work with your real estate agent to get an accurate view of your home’s value. There are many buyers in the San Antonio area right now, so it is a great time to put your home on the market. You may want to spruce up the property before you list it and your real estate agent can give you advice on any changes that would increase your home’s value in the eye’s of potential buyers.

Once you place your house on the market, begin to search for your new home. Your real estate agent can help you sell your current property and find the home you’ve always dreamed of. While the task of selling and buying may seem daunting, a knowledgeable real estate professional will know exactly what steps you should take to insure the process is smooth and stress free.

San Antonio is a beautiful place to live and as the economy continues to do well despite national trends, it presents the perfect opportunity for people to start over in a new home. Whether you are looking to upgrade to a larger home or downsize to more affordable property, today is the perfect day to get started!