iTexas Realty Co. Blog: May 2010

This evening I was reading a post by Russel Ray in San Diego,  Russel tells us that he has had quite a weekend in which his automobile had been immobilized - not once, but twice.  I notice that Russel seemed to take this all in stride and that got me thinking.

So often, when things like this happen, people get really upset and I can understand the frustration.  In my life, things have not always been so smooth (and helping people by and sell homes in San Antonio, Texas can have a few, ahhh, challenges).  So, I've learned to look at these things a different way than many. 

I am grateful-

I know that sounds a little kooky, but if a bit of car trouble is the worst thing that happens in the day, I can deal with it.  After all, no one was hurt, not one is ill, no animals were injured and no bankruptcy will ensue.

How often do we let little things seem like big things and forget how blessed we truly are? 

I have this question for all of our friends (It seemed appropriate for a Sunday.):

Even on a day with aggravations: How many people would gladly trade places with you? 

To have your wonderful spouse, to enjoy your amazing children, to have your great family and friends, to have your health, to do a job that you love, or to have the opportunities that you enjoy?

Steve and I received an interesting comment on one of our posts the other day.  I found that I couldn't agree with it.  The commenter wrote that we must be enjoying the beautiful scenery before Texas went all hot, dry and brown.  Hmmm....

Hot, dry and brown isn't really a summer here.  There are some hot days and some dry days, but brown days?   Not here. For those who have not been here to San Antonio, I took this photo tonight.  It is May 30th and the view of the Hornbeck Preserve from our back patio will look like this until some of the leaves fall.  Please note all of the green that can be viewed in the canyon.  When we move this summer, we will really miss this view most of all.

Here in Texas, we use a contract clause called an "Option Period" when writing a residential re-sale contract.  It is a period of generally 5-10 days that a Buyer uses to perform their due diligence: Inspections crime stats, sex offender data base, questions regarding an adjacent vacant tract of land, etc.  The Buyer pays for this privilege and the amount is negotiated between the Buyer and Seller.  $100 would be a typical fee to purchase a 5 day Option Period on a $150,00 home.

The Option Period gives the Buyer an UNRESTRICTED right to cancel- that's right, UNRESTRICTED. 

The Buyer does not even have to give a reason.  Today, I had to call one of our Sellers and let them know that although we had been verbally advised, three days ago, that the prospective Buyer of their home would be canceling their contract to purchase; the Notice of Buyer's Termination of Contract had not been received and that the Buyer's Option Period had expired at 12:01am on May 29th.  My Sellers are familiar with all of the relevant dates as I had sent them a contract time-line.  Once the Option Period is completed, the property becomes a PENDING SALE.

Buyers and Sellers: Please remember that all agreements in Texas real estate MUST be in writing to be binding!

The situation is so disappointing as I had advised the Buyer's agent via text message on May 28th that we were still awaiting the Notice of Buyer's Termination of Contract and she responded that it would be there the following day - the final day of the Buyer's OPTION PERIOD.  Now, unless the Buyer can get a letter stating that they can no longer qualify for the loan, the Seller is likely to retain their Earnest Money

Please bear in mind that the Seller isn't running a scam to keep the Buyer's Earnest Money, the Seller is simply trying to get the house sold.  The Buyer has tied up the property for a time, potentially limiting other Buyers, as other Buyers may be reticent to write an offer when a contract is already in place. 

This morning, I posted the property as Pending (Pending Showing For Back Up, specifically), as it is a requirement of the San Antonio Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service Rules for property status changes to be updated within 24 hours.  I am not happy to see the Buyer potentially lose their Earnest Money, but my legal obligation in this instance is to the Sellers and the Sellers' best interest.

It is the Buyer's agent's job to help the Buyer comply with contract deadlines that will affect the Buyer. Missing those deadlines can cost the Buyer money and worse, potentially expose that Buyer to a lawsuit for specific performance - the court-ordered purchase of a property that they already decided they didn't want.

It's a shame -and all over a simple, one page notice to the Seller.

--Sara

It's amazing how much change happens in just a few days:

• Door hardware installed
• Shoe molding installed for tiled areas
  
http://activerain.com/action/blogs_admin/write/1669522#
• Switch plates and outlets installed
  
• Shutters hung
• Finish plumbing hardware installed
  
• Granite installation has begun on top of some cabinets

Take a look!

Now if the builder can just complete the granite, paint the shutters, lay some carpet and wood floor and finish the touch up paint, it'll be done!

Today, we had such a beautiful June day, perfect for a little drive down a country road, just outside of the city limits of San Antonio.  I loved the curve of this road - hugged by the trees and lines with wildflowers.

This past week in real estate wasn't so tranquil (lending issues were truly tiresome), and I am looking forward to the idea that next week, there will be something wonderful just a bit further and around the corner...

Sara

Steve and I have been working on a building project for some nice people who are relocating here to San Antonio, Texas.  They have lived in the area before and are looking forward to being back in our friendly city.  They are building a home and that requires a lot of follow-upand communication when the Buyers are out-of-state.  We check up on the home-in-progress every week (It's looking great!), and today, we received a note from the builder's sales office:

Thanks Sara!

I wish more of our Realtors were as thorough and involved for their clients as you and Steve have been.

Steve Coker, McMillin Homes

Well, isn't that nice!

It's a daily adventure here in Real Estate!  Today, I received this e-mail message

Hello there,

We can have your room/Apt or house rented or sold in no time for free.  Our service helps people looking to rent or sell their rooms/Apt or house, we do it free.  If you are still looking to rent or sell your room/Apt or home visit our site.
We also do Homes,Sublets,Roomates,Shares,and Apartments

ThankYou
Rick


since 2003

Aren't you glad that you don't have my job? I receive tons of these crazy offers every day!  Aside from the grammatical impropriety, and the lack of mandatory brokerage information in the e-mail solicitation (a violation of the Texas Real Estate License Act), who really believes that people work hard for no pay? 

Well, let me think....

No one. 

Although all of the Realtors® that I know have volunteer commitments or charities of choice (Steve and I really admire the work of Habitat for Humanity and Heifer International), we all help people with the big financial decisions of buying and selling  homes.  We're thankful to earn our living working hard, with some of the greatest people we've ever met and we're proud to offer full service, full-time. 

To all of our People:  Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives.

--Sara

Here in San Antonio, Texas, we love to have tile and hardwood as floor finishes, with carpeting being out of fashion, everywhere but in the bedrooms or upstairs living spaces (for noise control).

Darker neutrals (darker than shown in this photo), are popular for walls and floors. Think latte shades.  These are great to pair with accent walls in darker and more dramatic colors and marry surprisingly well with many color selections as well as sophisticated pales if that is your choice.

Baseboards, crown moldings, doors and casings are also being painted in darker shades than the white trim shown in the above illustration.  We are seeing shades that range from a creamy or grayed off-white to a pale khaki color in some very high style applications.

Dark cabinets are a very forward trend.  Dark Alders (smooth or knotty in grain), maples, and even oaks are going dark in shades from a medium to dark walnut color to espresso (more brown) and an especially elegant and surprisingly understated choice: Ebonized (black tones).

Counter tops are going granite and more builders are offering it as a standard feature.  Silestone, Corian, etc are losing popularity due to the richness of the granite and the beautiful and vibrant accent colors within the stone that may be used to add more flair to your home.

Even bathroom vanity tops are going granite - and those that are not, are frequently being done in colors warmer than the standard whites.  Vanities may also be done in medium to dark vanity materials, especially in a home more planned for sophisticated color schemes.

Decor choices are a lot to decide on your own and not all of the builders are working with a great decorator who can assist you with the right choices.  Steve and I work with all of our Buyers (and even some of our Sellers), on decor choices that will suit you and provide lasting beauty and style in your new home, while staying within your budget.  That's a tall order!

--Sara

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