iTexas Realty Co. Blog: October 2009

Here in Texas, we love to enjoy all the local flora and fauna.

We live on the upper edge of the Hornbeak Preserve, a 13 acre nature area on the west side of Stone Oak.  It is the little jewel of our neighborhood.  When we moved to this home 5 years ago we were thrilled to live on the edge of a beautiful canyon filled with trees, birds and four-legged creatures.  Our big covered patio allows us to relax in the shade, sip a Margarita (favorite drink of San Antonians), and look out at the trees and birds in the canyon... Ah, it's a Texas Paradise!

People often talk about how great the Stone Oak area is, but don't talk know how much wildlife can be enjoyed here: We see pairs of cardinals, sparrows, and other species less identifiable- got to get out that field guide from the Audubon Society!

Sometimes late at night, especially during the full moon, we can faintly hear the coyotes yip and howl from the base of the canyon.  Occasionally they dart across a street, dashing for cover in the brush- they are not very social outside of their playgroup!  Then there are the deer, and the armadillos... they could be there somewhere- right?

 Just another thing we love about having a home in Stone Oak, in San Antonio!

Reproducible photo courtesy of www.saaudubon.org

Where the Locals Eat in and Around San Antonio

What: Bobby J's -"Old Fashion Hamburgers"

Where: In Helotes, just northwest of San Antonio, on Bandera Road, outside the 1604 Loop.

13247 Hwy 16
Helotes, Texas 78023
(1 1/2 miles north of Loop 1604)
Phone: (210) 695-4941

www.bobbyjsburgers.com

RATED: WOW! 

WHY: Funky atmosphere, good music, reasonable prices- oh, and the 'burgers' are terrific!  How do you want that burger? The selections are nearly endless, and sizes range up to 4 1/2 pounds! You will need extra napkins...

The cashier talked me into the 'patty melt' with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut- de-licious!

***WARNING***: This is not the place for your low-fat, low cholesterol diet; but if you're looking for a tasty burger, home-cut fries and a beer or soft drink, this is it!

Award Winning

San Antonio Express News
Critic's Choice Awards
2002, 2004, 2007

Helotes Best Burgers & Fries
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

Be sure to visit Bobby J's website at www.bobbyjsburgers.com for a map, directions, and information on their hours and extensive menu offerings!

One more reason make  your home in San Antonio!

What's important to you and Texas' future? Now is the time to take a stand and VOTE EARLY! Early voting for registered voters is made easy in Texas; in person, by mail, by FAX, and even drive-up voting. (IS THIS A GREAT STATE OR WHAT?)  Early voting is from October 19th - 30^th this year for State, County and Local initiatives.

If you already know that you're registered: GO VOTE!   Be sure that you know, What's on The Ballot?Otherwise, here are some helpful links for additional information:

• More Details on Early Voting in Texas
• Am I Registered and Where Do I Vote?                                                                 
• Important 2009 Election Dates
• General Voter Information

There are important constitutional amendments on the ballot that affect Texas Homeowners.  Be sure to check them out and HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS.

(Images courtesy of GIFanimations.com)

We just got the new 'stat's from the San Antonio Board of Realtors (year over year - September 30, 2009). 

I'll TRY not to bore you with all of the numbers- but all San Antonians can be thankful that our market has remained stable throughout the "financial melt-down" and related woes in real estate nation-wide.

• The median price was FLAT here- no change from last year-to-date.
• The 'average' price was down only 1%. 
• Lender-owned sales (ytd), are only 10% of our volume. 

Up to about the end of June sales volume (units sold) was down 10%, but since then sales have improved to nearly par with last year. 

One last note: Our inventory is only 8 month's supply and demand is steadily improving.  Rates are excellent and the selection of beautiful neighborhoods in San Antonio is very appealing.  It's a great time to buy or sell.

We're not just all about Longhorn Steers & such...Texas is the #1 state for Butterflies! 

Yep- Butterflies.  425 species of the 725 known in the US reside here- or pass through at least, during migration.  Yeah, some migrate from as far as the tropics at this time of year.  We actually have people flocking here to spot the cute little critters, and that's not too hard, since the butterflies seem to flock too!  This last week seems to have been the height of the season, with swarms all over the place. 

Butterfly gardens are springing up all across the state, especially in San Antonio. With the right plantings (see your local Garden Center) even your home can become a butterfly magnet.  So now we have another season-

"Butterfly Season"

(Images courtesy of GIFanimations.com)

It's (maybe) the end of the Real Estate evening and I have kicked off my heels and slipped into some tacky sweats. 

I wait, somewhat impatiently, but with tremendous anticipation for dinner.  My husband (who you can tell has phenomenal job security), has promised to fry me some Cajun-spiced fried chicken.  Having Steve cook me dinner is just about the highest form of pleasure at the end of a long day, but waiting for it gives me time to stop and reflect on all of the things with which I am so blessed:

A wonderful family - fun, intelligent adult children and darling granddaughters.

A career that's never dull and my husband as my partner.

Great friends and great clients (Really!).

The vibrant and multifaceted city of San Antonio to call our home.

Although the San Antonio real estate day can get pretty hectic, and the quiet times are scarce, I feel that we are so blessed to do this work.  This work in which we have such a tremendous influence on the lives of individuals and families and have the opportunity to share in their joy.  It's almost as satisfying as Cajun-spiced fried chicken at the end of the day.

Thanks to GIFAnimations.com for images.

Staying happily married is easy!   Really!   Here's what it takes:

Get Lucky - By this I mean, find the right woman.  I admit, this is not always a result of skill.  Try as you might, it's not easy to figure out the opposite sex, even if you have an advanced degree in psychiatry.  Admit it, we're all wired differently- and then we (they) change over the years!

Guys: Realize this - Women have their own cult.  They have a manual that is passed down from generation to generation that only they get to see (and share with their friends).  It's the Marriage Rules Book.  You have no choice but to acquiesce to the Rules.  Compromise is big in keeping the love of your life (and by association, yourself), happy.  Key phases are:  "you were right", "yes dear", and "I'm sorry". 

Some "Experts" say you must work at marriage- NOT SO!  If it's work, then you're not having fun.  It should be FUN! 

OK, life can be tough- but living it as well as you can, every day, with a wonderful woman by your side is one of the greatest rewards you will ever, ever have.  Count your blessings and give her a hug!

                                                                                                                                                  Steve

Today, I was in-flight on my way with Steve to RainCamp and I got so bored.  I had nothing to do but get out a notebook and reflect on my lack of PATIENCE.

It's ironic that when I was a kid in California, patience was such a focus of my parents.  Phrases like "maybe tomorrow" and "we'll see" were life's constants.  As much as it exasperated me, I am now reaping the benefits of PATIENCE.  In our San Antonio real estate office, more and more, I am reminding my Buyers and Sellers to be PATIENT because...

PATIENCE IS A POWERFUL FORCE!

I think that when we consider our own level of PATIENCE, it is important to contemplate the following possibility:  Even if you don't think that you're IMPATIENT, you may not be PATIENT, and...

PATIENCE IS A POWERFUL FORCE!

PATIENCE allows you to use SILENCE

PATIENCE allows you time to THINK

PATIENCE allows you to work your PLAN

PATIENCE allows you to pace NEGOTIATION

PATIENCE allows you to work with PEOPLE

PATIENCE allows you moments of SERENITY

PATIENCE allows you to view OPPORTUNITY

In this business where people rely so heavily on our knowledge and professionalism:  God grant me PATIENCE and I need it right now because...

PATIENCE IS A POWERFUL FORCE!