CENTER POINT - FULL OF HISTORY AND VACATION OPPORTUNITIES
November 14th, 2008 categories: Places to Go & Things to Do
Center Point is on the Guadalupe River eight miles southeast of Kerrville in southeastern Kerr County. Dr. Charles de Ganahl opened the first post office in Center Point (in his home) in November 1859. He called it Zanzenburg in honor of his ancestral home in Austria. The next postmaster renamed the growing community Center Point likely because the settlement was halfway between Kerrville and Comfort, as well as halfway between Fredericksburg and Bandera.
The Guadalupe River is dammed at Center Point providing a wonderful place for public swimming. It features a waterfall that flows even in drought.
Antiquers will find a fun place to stop on the main thoroughfare through the town of Center Point, FM 480, just across from the current post office location.
Continuing south on FM 1480, you will pass the historic Center Point Cemetary where many Texas Rangers are buried. Continuing further on FM 1480 is Verde Creek, one of the prettiest creeks in the Hill Country. It crosses FM 1480 several times as you make your way to Camp Verde. It is a very pretty drive very much worth your time. The following is a picture off the back porch of the Cabin on Verde Creek, a vacation rental that we manage. For more information and/or to check on availability, Click Here.
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SET ASIDE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH TO BE AT CHRISTMAS IN COMFORT
November 13th, 2008 categories: Local Events
Thanksgiving is just around the corner … so be sure and set aside the Saturday after Thanksgiving to be at CHRISTMAS IN COMFORT.
About 15,000 people are expected to visit Comfort, Texas for its 23rd annual CHRISTMAS IN COMFORT event which is being held on Saturday, November 29th from 10 a.m - 9 p.m.
High Street and 7th Street are lined with over 150 booths with arts and crafts, gift items, food and fun. Live music is played all day long. Also, for the kids, Santa will be present for pictures and there will be a petting zoo. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, Comfort’s spectacular evening parade.
Stay tuned for more details … but be sure and set aside the date. The whole day is a blast and the parade is something you DEFINITELY won’t want to miss!
If you are in need of a Comfort-able Place to Stay for that weekend, 2 of our 3 rentals are still available.
Click Here for more information.
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DON’T MISS COMFORT’S GIRL’S NIGHT OUT - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH, 4-9PM
November 13th, 2008 categories: Local Events
This Tuesday evening, November 18th, is Comfort’s Girl’s Night Out. Twenty-Five participating stores will be open late (until 9 p.m) and will be offering food and door prizes.
It’s a whole lot of fun and a great opportunity to work on your holiday shopping.
Ding, Ding, Ding! This is our 100th post on MoovingThoughts.com website.
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DO YOU WANT TO AVOID FORECLOSURE? NEW LOAN MODIFICATION PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
November 11th, 2008 categories: Real Estate Resourcing, Uncategorized
The federal government announced new regulations to take effect December 15th to help troubled homeowners by speeding up the process for renegotiating thousands of delinquent loans held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
To qualify, borrowers would have to
- Be at least three months behind on their home loans
- Need to owe 90 percent or more than the home is currently worth
Investors who do not occupy their homes and those who have filed for bankruptcy are excluded from this plan.
Borrowers would get help in several ways:
- The interest rate could be reduced so that a homeowner would not have to pay more than 38 percent of their income on housing expenses
- The loan could be extended from 30 years to 40 years
- Some of the principal amount could be deferred interest-free
We can help you negotiate a loan modification or forbearance plan, help you find a quick buyer for your property and/or work to negotiate a short sale solution with your current Lender. Fill out the form below and we’ll help you determine which scenario you can qualify for.
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KERRVILLE AREA SALES - OCTOBER
November 6th, 2008 categories: Assessing the Local Market
Sales in the Kerrville area were WAY down during October. Total sales in the entire Kerrville MLS totalled $21.06 Million last October. This year, they were $12.42 Million.
The percentage decreases according to each category were as follows:
As was also seen in the Boerne area (see ARTICLE: BOERNE SALES IN OCTOBER), the Average Residential Sales Price increased ($199,413 in October, 2007 to $231,557 in October, 2008). This was NOT due to an overall increase in the market but RATHER to an increase in the value of the homes that ARE selling. The conclusion: There are fewer buyers in the lower price ranges. Not surprising given the tightening in the financial markets. Stricter guidelines, higher downpayments, and higher credit scores are now being required and that is affecting the lower priced homes the most.
For opportunities in the overall market, read my article, CONSEQUENCES OF THE BAILOUT - REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES.
Just remember, in every market there are opportunities. We are seeing more and more of them each week and anticipate by the end of the year, there will be a large number of them.
If you are interested in the Kerrville/Center Point/Comfort/Boerne markets, please give us a call (830-995-2511). We’d love to hear what it is that you are looking for you and then help you find it.
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BOERNE TOTAL SALES IN OCTOBER DOWN BY $2.9M
November 6th, 2008 categories: Assessing the Local Market
Total sales were down in Boerne last month in every category. Residential sales were down (but not by much) - 94% of last year’s sales. Lots and Acreage came in very low at 36% of last year’s sales. Commercial (Improved Properties) were 90% of last year’s sales. There were NO Farm & Ranch sales during the month of October in Boerne.
The interesting piece of data: Even though the number of Residential Sales was down by 7, the Average Residential Sales Price rose from $323,850 in October, 2007 to$448,500 in October, 2008. That was NOT due to an overall increase in the market value. It was because more HIGHER priced homes were selling than lower ones.
Summary:
DOWN MARKETS: Lower priced homes, unimproved land & Farm & Ranch.
RELATIVELY STABLE MARKETS: Higher priced Homes and Commercial (improved).
In the present market, it is important to have the most up-to-date information possible. Please give us a call if you are considering a purchase or sale anywhere along the I-10 Corridor of the Hill Country (Boerne-Comfort-Kerrville Fredericksburg markets).
It would be our pleasure to serve you. 830-995-2511
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Comfort ISD - October Sales
November 6th, 2008 categories: Assessing the Local Market
Residential Sales were up in Comfort during October, 2008 as compared to last year although overall sales were down … again due to fewer lots/acreage and ranches sold.
Total Sales Volume last month (October 2008) in the Comfort ISD area was$565,000 as compared to $1,080,982 during October 2007.
Not surprising given all the tumult in the financial markets during October. During that time, people generally “put on hold” all of their critical decisions.
People seem to be adjusting as we have noticed an increase in activity during the last several weeks. We would expect that to continue as the election is now over and we are continuing to see lower prices at the gas pump.
To search Comfort real estate, Click Here.
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WHY THE REPUBLICANS ARE OUT AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE IN: MY MOOVING THOUGHTS
November 6th, 2008 categories: Assessing the Local Market
I guess most of America is either elated or downright depressed this week given the outcome of the election.
A lot of people are speculating on why Obama won … what contributed to his popularity and what has sent the Republicans packing.
Here are a few of my thoughts:
1. People generally are moving away from loyalty to a political party and are voting on issues that are important to them.
It amazed me during this election how many people that characteristically would have voted for a candidate of a political party were open to voting for either of the candidates. Many did not know who they would vote for even up to the last several days. I believe that most Americans are truly sick of party politics and just want the leader that they perceive will represent their interests best.
2. The Economy was (no doubt) the #1 issue even though most people don’t actually understand how the economy works.
As someone that was “schooled” in Economics in College and has continued to follow the market and economic picture as a whole for some time, it has always amazed me how uniformed the general population is concerning how the Economy actually works and functions.
In this election (as in all elections), the President either gets credit or is blamed for the condition of the Economy. Actually, the president’s policies are only a small part of the equation. Congress, the Fed, world events, technology, the ability of American businesses to compete in the world market, etc. all have MAJOR roles in determining the condition of the Economy. It really is silly to give credit/blame to the President alone.
Regardless, Bush got blamed for the current economic situations and so the Republican’s became “out of favor.” President Bush simply failed at defending his decisions while in office. Leadership is defined not only by your decisions but by your ability to convince others to follow you. Essentially, you have to have charisma and be a good communicator in order to get others to follow you. President Bush has been entirely too passive on that front which is interesting given the fact that the majority of Americans have accumulated more, spent more and lived at a generally high standard of living during his term.
3. Obama was able to effectively link McCain with Bush.
Since the Economy was the #1 issue and Bush was blamed for it, Obama was able to effectively link McCain with Bush and thus McCain was defeated on that front.
4. People have a “HURRY UP AND DO SOMETHING” mindset when things start getting hard. Obama represents “DOING SOMETHING” to most people.
Obama’s chant for CHANGE won over thoroughly given rising gas prices, the Financial Bailout and the war. However, change for change sake is not necessarily a good motivation. It is my opinion that the consequences of what will truly change are not generally understood by most people. The election of Obama will give a mandate to Congress that his policies are desired by the American population and his plan of action includes a lot of spending.
The problem is that if you increase spending, it’s got to come from somewhere. We’re already overspending on bailing out the Financial System. Adding additional spending is ludicrous. Taxes will have to increase. Even though the Democrats emphasize that the increases will only be felt by the wealthy, that means that the wealthy will have less to invest in the overall economy … which ultimately impacts the individual in terms of the quantity of jobs, overall prices, interest rates, etc. Most people just don’t understand that.
All of that is not to endorse the Republican agenda as the Republican way has its downside too. Business is driven largely by greed so excesses can occur (as we’ve seen with this year’s Financial System Meltdown).
It seems that we just cycle back and forth between political parties (Democrats to Republicans to Democrats etc.) with no real balance achieved.
5. Obama fills a void that Bush left open. He is, in fact, a GOOD communicator (whether he truly “Leads” well is yet to be seen).
No doubt, whether you agree with his policies or not, Obama’s personality is way more appealing than McCain’s. He speaks with a cadence similar to a Southern Baptist preacher and he is likeable. His charm won, Hands Down!
6. Other issues (e.g., moral and religious) took the back seat to the Economy.
How Obama stands on issues that historically have been important to most Republicans (e.g., abortion, religious freedoms, and gun control) were generally overlooked as being secondary issues even though he likely have great impact on these issues during his term of office.
~~
My favorite saying has become “IT IS WHAT IT IS.” Like it or not, the reality is that we have elected a new administration. The Republicans are out and the Democrats are in.
What we can do is hope (and pray) that the any changes that do, in fact, occur will be for the good (made with a long term perspective) and not for evil (made with political agendas and a short term focus).
Change takes time though. So, for now, we continue to move forward with the information that we have. The rest, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
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HUD IS OFFERING $100 DOWNPAYMENT INITIATIVE ON HUD HOMES
November 4th, 2008 categories: Real Estate Resourcing
It’s a great time to Purchase a HUD Home with FHA financing!
HUD is offering a $100 Down Payment Initiative for owner occupants purchasing a HUD Home with FHA financing (with full price offers). This incentive is also available to owner occupant purchasers who obtain a FHA Home Repair loan (203K).
You must have a registered broker/agent in order to put a bid on a HUD home … so once you find one that you are interested in, give me a call and I can not only show you the house but help you through the entire process.
Here is the link to search for HUD homes.
Remember, Don’t forget to take down my phone so you can find your way back once you’ve found a HUD home your interested in!
Happy HUD Hunting!
Julie Kathryn Quest-Brooks
210-535-9463
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LADIES: Hunting Season is Now Open! HOW ABOUT A WEEKEND OF FUN FOR YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS!
November 4th, 2008 categories: Places to Go & Things to Do
Since hunting season is now officially open in Texas (as of November 1st), it’s time for all you “hunting widows” to take a weekend retreat to the Hill Country while your guys are OH SO very preoccupied with deer blinds, deer calls, deer smells, camo clothes, gun cleanings, etc. etc. (ad nauseum).
So … Call all your girlfriends and let’s schedule a “Girl’s Weekend” for you in the Hill Country!
We have four accomodations all in the Kerrville-Comfort-Center Point vicinity to choose from. Great Shopping, Wineries, Beautiful Scenery and LOTS OF FUN await you. Click Here to find out about our locations.
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