iTexas Realty Co. Blog

There must be over a thousand square feet of tile in this home and getting it all laid and grouted has taken the week!  The workers were able to get the master bathroom shower and tub surround tiled as well.  The multi-colored glass inset tile looks great.  The cultured marble counters were also installed in the secondary bathrooms.

On the exterior, quite a bit of flatwork was completed.  The driveway, front walkway and back porch were all poured.  Now you can really see where those flower beds will go on the front of the home!

The septic tank was also installed.  Talk about a critical addition!

Wood floor, granite countertop and tile backsplash are coming soon!

--Sara

Just when you thought that it was gone forever and that you were safe; here it comes, new to sunny San Antonoio:

A car in Harvest Gold. 

I looked all around the restaurant but he was no here to be found:

"Paging Mr. Powers"

"Mr. Austin Powers, please come move your car!"

Wait!  Maybe I'm wrong.  It's so hideous - almost diabolical!  Could it be the work of Dr. Evil?

"Paging Dr. Evil"

"Dr. Evil, please come move your car!"

I hope that everyone's Saturday is filled with delight in the "local color", whatever shade it may be!

--Sara

Coming down to the finishing line- many tradesmen are working to pull together all of the close-to-the-last elements. 

This is one of the stages where it's most exciting and at the same time it looks like it won't ever be completed.  There may be a few minor issues of the finish that become more disconcerting- until the final finish touch-up work is completed yet more weeks away- just before closing.  Workers are mixing tile mortar, screwing cabinets to the walls, installing back-ordered doors, starting the electrical trim-out; lighting fixtures are hung- most are straight, some will need adjusting,  There are some (not many) nicks and scratches in painted surfaces that will be invisible next week, a few miter joints that will need to be filled.  All-in-all, very routine and normal- nothing to worry about- all is well.

One of the things that most surprises people about living here in the San Antonio, Texas area is the number of wildflowers that we have growing in wonderful drifts along nearly every roadway.  Today, Steve and I passed along this beautiful area full of coreopsis and snapped a few. 

What could be more gorgeous for the Sunday than something that lasts so long and is so sunny that it makes you smile just to see them?

Steve and I have been reporting on the progress on one of our San Antonio home builds for the past few weeks.

When we finished with clients today, we zipped out to check on it for one of our out-of-town Buyers.  It is coming along wonderfully:

• The front walkway has been staked so you can see where future planting beds might be set
  
• Bronze lighting and fans have been installed
• Double doors to the Study have been hung
• Iron spindles are being installed on the staircase

I know that this family enjoys seeing their home's progress and wishes that they were here to walk their newly -painted rooms....

The building continues on this gorgeous San Antonio project.  For those friends who have been following the building here on our blog, you are finally being able to see more of the plan:

The cabinetry is no longer covered by painter's drop cloths and the rail has been stained to match the cabinets.  The front and side yards have been staked for the driveway and the the painting is now complete. It's amazing how, with every addition, you can see more of what the finished home will look like. 

Soon there will be over-sized tile laid, hardwood floors installed and the granite counter tops will be installed as well.  I can't wait!

We have some Buyers looking for new homes and always see something odd while we are out shopping...

It has been a quiet week here at the real estate office...

Internet shoppers and actual showings are both down, though we are staying busy with Buyers whom we hafve been in contact with for months. Our unseasonal and unsusual heat wave isn't helping showings at all. Steve and I have had a few military buyers making early buying/shopping trips and have relocation buyers arriving next week; but it's not until school lets out that the majority will arrive here in town to perk up our market.  We are expecting to see a stonger June than last year's for the move-up market.

In the meantime, rates are excellent.  This week's Texas Vet loan rate is is 4.85% and service members, current and former (not just "retired"), are eligible.  Conventional is also below 5% on a 30 year fixed. 

Have a wonderful week!

--Sara

It was a great evening to get out and check on the progress of one of our build sites.  It was later in the day and I didn't expect anyone to be there, but as I was leaving, I spotted this little woodland friend.

I'm sure that the people who will be living in the home will be delighted to be able to see deer in the backyard.

I've already warned them not to plant roses!

--Sara

When Steve and I had brunch with my Mom, yesterday, she brought me a gardenia for her garden.  What a heavenly scent!  It's sweet that she always remembers how much I adore them - so much that I was even wearing a gardenia perfume!

Steve and I had a wonderful Mother's Day today and hope that you all did, too.  For all of the Mom's out there and those who are thinking especially of their Mom today, here is a beautiful gardenia for you.  May it's beauty wash over you like a mother's love.

Although I'm not a big fan of author Suze Orman, every time I see this book title of hers (The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous and Broke), I have to smile a little.  But not as much as when I see a photo of the great northwest San Antonio home that was just placed under contract by one of my clients, who is indeed young and fabulous.  Inspirational even.

A little reminder to the under 30s: Just because you are young, doesn't mean that this is not the time to make strong and conservative financial choices that, when well-planned, will provide the basis of your financial future. The future is coming and trust me; finances will be a part of it. 

If you are lucky enough to live in an area with really economical housing like San Antonio, when are you going to make your move from Renter to Homeowner? It doesn't have to be now, but you do have to make a plan.  What's it going to be? 

Even if you think that you're a couple of years away from home ownership, right now, it's time to call your Realtor and make a plan.

--Sara