Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction…Is This Important?

Posted on August 25, 2011 by papesellssatx

When the holidays are over and the new year rings in, the next big hurdle to overcome is the dreaded income taxes.

If you own a house and itemize, have you ever taken the mortgage interest deduction (MID)?  What difference did taking the deduction make, if any, at tax time?

For those millions who itemize their taxes and are homeowners, how important is it to you to deduct your mortgage interest?

Are you aware there are some talk that mortgage interest deduction (MID), or some portion of it, is on the table for a cut in the grand bargain over the debt ceiling debate? 

Major changes tohome ownership tax benefits like the mortgage interest deduction could adversely affect the wealth of middle and lower income families and make it harder for them to achieve their dreams of homeownership.

Two-thirds of all families who take the MID earn less than $100,000. Reducing or eliminating this crucial benefit would mean a tax increase for American home owners, who already pay 80 to 90 percent of U.S. federal income tax.

There’s no question we’re dealing with difficult issues when it comes to the future of our nation’s economy.

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Hot on Hatch Peppers

Posted on August 4, 2011 by papesellssatx

San Antonio is not only “hot” temperature wise, it is also “hot” on Hatch Peppers.  Even though the peppers are grown in Hatch, New Mexico, San Antonio is all a buzz about the peppers. 

There are huge roasters turning out deliously roasted peppers ready for your culinary imagination.  How does Roasted Hatch Salsa, Hatch and Pesto Pasta, or Hatch Bloody sound to you?  YUM!   Try these receipes.

Join in the Hatch madness.

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Attention Foodies

Posted on July 29, 2011 by papesellssatx

Since tropical storm Don is avoiding coming to San Antonio be sure to make it out to the Boardwalk on Bulverde this weekend, July 29-31.  Great food from food trucks, music, beer and the best part…no admission fee.  Check it out!  The Boardwalk on Bulverde

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Handy Tool

Posted on July 29, 2011 by papesellssatx

Scan and save on your homescreen for quick and easy access when house shopping in San Antonio, TX.

San Antonio, TX Homes

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Selling Preventions to Avoid

Posted on July 29, 2011 by papesellssatx

We all feel our house are the best on the market and have a monetary value fixed to it.  It’s human nature. The reality is the monetary value you have arrived at may not be the one the buyers in the market today are willing to pay. 

So the question to you is “Are you willing to price your house to sell…OR are you willing to stay in your house?”.

Listing price does not = value

When the house down the street is listed at a higher price than you would have thought…don’t get too excited to list yours at the same or close to.  The house may be way overpriced and creating buyers to overlook your house completely.

Pricing competitively = more potential buyers

Many sellers feel they are not loosing anything by setting the price high as they can always go down.  When in reality the first four (4) weeks your house is on the market is the most critical time period.  Even if you price your house 10% over the market value the property will appeal to only 30% of the market.  Is 30% good enough for you? 

When a buyer sees the house has been on the market for several months the first question they ask is…”What’s wrong with it?”.  Why would you even want a buyer to have that question in their mind?

An important fact to remember is mortgages are based on fair market value.  The house has to appraise for the sale price; otherwise you’re back to square one in the negotiating process or putting the house back on the market, if the buyer is not willing to pay the difference out of pocket.  Would you pay more for a house that does not appraise?

Hit the market as a “hot” property. Priced right more buyers will be interested which will lead to a quicker sale.

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Housing is Rockin’ n Rollin’ in San Antonio

Posted on May 31, 2011 by papesellssatx

San Antonio continues to move forward in growth trends and employment according to Forbes which ranked San Antonio#4 in Best City for jobs and growth.

The housing market is no different as April marketing reports show the local average price of a single family residence is $181,016 an increase of 4% from April 2010 and up from the $179,035 reported in February 2011. 

 The good news continues with the local median price of a single family residence at $147,000 up 3% from April 2010 and up from the $146,000 reported in February 2011.

April single family residential sales were 1,439. 

There is currently eight (8) months of inventory on the market which indicates we are very healthy.  In fact we are in a very low bracket for foreclosures according to national statistics.  This is a topic which continues to be an educational process for those relocating to San Antonio.

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It’s Great live in San Antonio!

Posted on March 23, 2011 by papesellssatx

If you are considering a move…make that move now!  With Spring in the air, low interest rates and super inventory; what are you waiting for?

The real estate market in San Antonio is doing great for 2011.  Our average home price is up 5% from 2010 and the median home price is up 2%.

To learn more of what is happening take a look at the February 2011 Marketing report. 

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Sunday In The Park at Pearl

Posted on March 21, 2011 by papesellssatx

What a great afternoon at the first Sunday at the Park at Pearl.  The day was perfect with partly cloudy skies and warm temperatures to welcome the first day of Spring in San Antonio and at Pearl.

Everyone was geared up to see what all of the hoopla was about and they weren’t disappointed.  There was something for everyone.  Fun activities for the kiddos, food and drink for those needing refreshments, and great music to just sit and relax listenting to.

All of the restaurants were open also, including the “new” CIA Bakery and Cafe which is must to stop by and enjoy a cup of java and some delicious baked goodies or a sandwich.

The Sunday event will continue through the Spring season and entry to the grounds and music is free.  If you feel adventurous, try out one of the new bike rentals and take a spin downtown or to Brackenridge Park.  If biking isn’t your cup of tea…take a leisurely stroll along the San Antonio River. 

So much to do…so little time.  Be sure to put make time for this and put on your calendar as you would not want to miss out on this.

Here’s a little taste of what to expect…

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Green Is In Today

Posted on March 17, 2011 by papesellssatx

As most of you know by now…today is St. Patrick’s Day.  A day when the “wearing of green” is the color to wear, least you be pinched affectionately; however some like to carry this a bit too far.

Towns and cities all over the world celebrate this religious holiday and San Antonio is right up there with the best.  On Saturday there was the St. Patrick’s Day parade and then we dye our San Antonio river a shamrock green. 

There are restaurants offering their Irish dishes such as corned beef and cabbage with lots of green beer to wash it down.  St. Patricks Day is one of the leading days for consumption of alcohol in the United States, and is typically one of the busiest days of the year for bars and restaurants.  Who would have thought?

This celebration has transformed itself significantly throughtout the years when Saint Patrick’s Day was made an official feast day in the early 17th century, and has gradually become a celebration of Irish culture in general.

I wonder what St. Patrick would think of how this day is celebrated today and how the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, which is is said he used to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish, and the wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a ubiquitous feature of the day.

Hears to St. Patrick and to the Luck of the Irish!  Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

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Great Things From Dr. Pauly Bergweiler

Posted on March 10, 2011 by papesellssatx

The first time I encountered Dr. Pauly Bergweiler I was sceptible and did not know if I wanted to partake in what he had to offer.  Since I was not a huge fan of what he was offering and a friend of mine was, I decided to partake anyway and give it a try.  What a wonderful surprise and find it was!

If you are like me and not a huge fan of german Riesling wines, you will be once you try Dr. Pauly Bergweiler’s Noble House; a Riesling Qualitatswein Mosel.  This is a wine which will delight the palate with its ripe peach and apricot aroma and mineral taste so typical of the Mosel slate terrior.  So refreshing and not so sweet…just right!

My first experience was at a restaurant, then had a most delightful surprise when ordering wine at a movie.  I did hit a stumbling block when trying to find the wine for my own personal comsumption at home.  I went to several stores without any luck.  They hadn’t even heard of it.  Searching the internet was not fruitful as well.

Then there was a find that set my heart a flutter as I strolled through the wine in World Market.  To my surprise and elation…there it was…the green bottle with the bold yellow label which read “Noble House”!  I was in heaven.  Even better was the affordability of this wine which is great for an everyday wine with so much to give.

Since that time I have shared this wine with many friends…those who love riesling and those who, like I was, sceptible.  The result has been overwhelming!  Everyone has loved it…and I hope you take the opportunity to do so as well.

Let Dr. Pauly Bergweiler’s Noble House into your wine world.  You will be glad you did.  CHEERS!

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