FUN PICTURES FROM YESTERDAY’S SNOW IN THE HILL COUNTRY
February 24th, 2010 categories: Comfort Community News, Views & Faces
Here are a few pictures from yesterday’s snow:
Tailgate Party in the Hill Country with Frosty
Snow Chilled Longhorn
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KERRVILLE REAL ESTATE SALES DOWN FOR 2009
January 6th, 2010 categories: Assessing the Local Market
Not surprisingly, real estates sales were down in the Kerrville area during 2009. There were 442 sales in 2009 totalling $80.013 Million as compared with 512 totalling $99.687 Million in 2008. Average days on market increased from 174 days in 2008 to 188 in 2009 and Average List/Sold Price declined from 94.33% in 2008 to 92.33% in 2009. Overall, the market was down 20% for the year … No surprise given the economic slowdown last year.
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BOERNE SALES UP FOR JUNE, SLIGHTLY DOWN FOR JULY
August 3rd, 2009 categories: Assessing the Local Market
Boerne Real Estate Sales are up for the Summer so far. Total Sales for June & July were $29.9 million as compared with $25.7 last year during the same period.
The number of total sales for June & July was up by 7; however, days on market increased from 138 to 200 from July, 2008 to July, 2009 reflecting increased inventories. Pending sales as of August 3, 2009, total just over $11.2 million.
We watch the Boerne market daily. If you have something specific that you are interested, we’d love to help you find what you are looking for.
Recently, we were contacted by a gentlemen. He had previously been in contact with a listing agent on a property, tried to make an offer, but did not get the property as there were competing bids. The moral of the story (as he found out) is that Buyers need their own representation. It eliminates conflicts of interest and it provides you, the buyer, with the best market information possible.
Our goal is to EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS BY GIVING YOU ABOVE & BEYOND SERVICE.
We’d love to visit with you. Call us at 830-995-2511.
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REAL ESTATES SALES IN COMFORT, TX STILL LAGGING IN JUNE & JULY
August 3rd, 2009 categories: Assessing the Local Market
There were 4 residential sales in the Comfort ISD totaling just under $1.2 Million during the month of July selling at 94% of List Price. Inventory has been surprisingly low this Summer … so sales are down.
However, during the last several weeks we’ve seen a number of new properties come on the market. Be sure and check our MLS Search engine to find out about those properties.
One recent buyer client told us that we provided them with the BEST experience that they EVER had with a real estate agent! Our goal is to EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS WITH ABOVE & BEYOND SERVICE!
Our offices are located in Comfort but we sell from San Antonio to Kerrville, from Bandera to Fredericksburg. Give us a call. We’d love to help! 830-995-2511.
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KERR COUNTY REAL ESTATES SALES – SUMMER SO FAR ABOUT EQUAL TO LAST
August 3rd, 2009 categories: Assessing the Local Market
Real Estate Sales in Kerr County during the month of July slowed a bit. Sales amounted to $11.1 Million as compared with $13.5 Million a year earlier, down from June’s increase.
It would seem that the Kerr County market is continuing to adapt to the changing, slower market as we take a closer look at other available data. List/Sales Price decreased from 95% in July, 2008 to 93% in July, 2009 meaning that buyers are still getting better deals, overall. Inventory, which as been very high (there were 1121 Active listings as of July 31, 2009 as compared with 923 a year earlier) is finally seeing some improvement. Days on market, a number that tells us how long it takes an average property to sell, decreased from 168 in July, 2008 to 152 in July, 2009.
Our Motto is “Connecting Buyers & Sellers for a Win/Win Result”. We work hard to bring YOU the results you want! Ask us , we’ll tell you how! We can be reached at 830-995-2511.
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OUR REAL ESTATE STRATEGY: CONNECTING BUYERS & SELLERS FOR A WIN/WIN RESULT
July 20th, 2009 categories: Real Estate Resourcing
What separates a good real estate agent from a really GREAT one? I am an observer by nature and I am always observing agents to determine who the good ones are and who are not. Quite honestly, there are times when I look at listings that I am about to show to a client and I cringe after I notice who the listing agent is. I do that because, as in all businesses, there are real estate agents who are not pleasant to deal with, who aren’t very efficient at doing their job (my #1 pet peeve), and, in terms of their negotiating techniques on behalf of their clients, they are operating at a 2 or 3 year old level. “This is MINE and you can’t have it!”
Our tag line for our business is: “Connecting Buyers & Sellers for a Win/Win Result.” It pretty much sums up who we are and how we do business. First, our belief is that the real estate business is about matching willing buyers and willing sellers. We’re not trying to convince anyone to do anything they don’t want to do. Secondly, we believe that we can do that that in a win/win way for all.
There are some in the real estate business who would take exception to our strategy about the win/win aspect and say that representation is exclusively about getting your client the very best deal (e.g., it’s not a win/win, but a win/lose, with the “win” in favor of MY client and the lose in favor of YOUR client). Another way of saying it is, “We absolutely won’t leave anything on the table.”
While it certainly IS our goal to get our client the very best deal possible (and we really are quite good at it), the problem with the Win/Lose approach is that it creates an adversarial relationship between the parties. Win/Lose negotiators often have strong egos and they have an extremely limited view of what the client’s REAL interests are. To say it a different way, they are negotiating based from their own ego, not in the true interest of the client. Even though the strategy sounds like a good idea for the client, quite often the results are less than what you might expect. The problem is that adversarial negotiating quite often ends up in compromise in order to get the deal done and so … sometimes they win, sometimes they lose. And sometimes the adversarial relationship continues … even into the courts.
The alternative way of negotiating is based on interests. It’s a bigger picture view and it provides for many more possible solutions. The truth is that people and situations are complex and every transaction has multiple factors that influence whether a person is getting a good deal or not. For example, who wants a great price on something that doesn’t interest them? or work for their family?
What we are trying to do is match interests and so we we feel like it is our job (and we spend most of our time observing and anticipating) what the changing interests of both parties are so that we can create a contractual agreement that both parties want to live up to. Sometimes, the hardest task is getting people to “see outside the box” … that their interests truly are being served with the creative solution that we are offering. See future articles with the keyword, “Interest Based Negotiations” for further elaboration the subject.
Connecting Buyers & Sellers for a Win/Win Result: It’s what we do. It’s who we are. And, it takes advantage of what people truthfully want to do. It is our feeling that if we are creative in putting deals together, we will get much better results than the next guy … and those results will be win/win for all!
If you are looking for win/win results, give us a call at 830-995-2511. We’d love to visit with you.
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REAL ESTATE SALES IN KERR COUNTY: $5.7 MILLION FOR MONTH OF MAY, $33 MILLION FOR YEAR SO FAR
June 2nd, 2009 categories: Assessing the Local Market
Given the recessionary climate that we have been in this last year, every one is watching and waiting for the real estate market to turn around. Will it happen this month? Will it be next?
There have been some statistics showing encouragement of late … particularly, the stock market that has been leveling out, consumer confidence is rising, and interest rates are continuing to be very low.
Most people in real estate will tell you that there has been a significant increase in traffic this last month. Real Estate sales normally begin to increase in the month of May as Summer is traditionally the high season for moving.
In Kerr County, there were 35 sales totaling $5,676,350 during the month of May as compared with 59 sales totaling $11,879,775 during the same period last year. Still significantly down; however, encouraging from the previous months.
For the year so far, here’s the data for Kerr County:
170 units sold totaling just over $33 million as compared with $273 units totaling $53.8 million. That’s 103 Units down for a total of just over $20 million! WOW! That’s quite an impact on the overall economy and particularly those in real estate.
We remain encouraged though. Things are looking up! As of June 2, There are currently 70 Listings totaling $15.7 Million in Kerr County listed as pending or active with a contingency.
People are learning to accept our new market conditions. Prices are being lowered! People are getting creative! We’re all working harder! Real Estate always comes back around!!!
With every obstacle is an opportunity for a change for the better! We’re doing our best to work smarter for our clients! And, as you can see, we are actively watching the real estate market so that we can provide YOU with the best information. Give us a call 830-995-2511 for more information and to find out how we can help you with your purchase or sale in the Hill Country. We are members of the San Antonio, Kerrville & Gillespie MLS services and so can help you anywhere in that market area!
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PRICEY HOME SALES IN BOERNE CONTRIBUTED TO STELLAR SALES FIGURES FOR JANUARY & FEBRUARY
March 5th, 2009 categories: Assessing the Local Market
Four home sales totaling $7.1 Million contributed to better than average sales figures for the Boerne area during the months of January and February. One might actually use the word, “STELLAR” if comparing these statistics with the national market .
All in all, there were a total of 40 sales that amounted to $17 Million during the months of January and February as compared with 59 sales totalling $18.7 Million during the same time period the previous year.
Based on these figures, it appears that the Boerne market may be on the road to recovery. Good news for anyone that has been sitting on the fence waiting for the market to recover before placing their home on the market. If that’s you, give us a call and we’d be happy to give you a free market analysis for your home.
And, if you are interested in buying in the Boerne area, we’d love to represent you. Our number is 830-995-2511.
Our encouragement to you in this market: Get good advice! Move in peace! Live in Freedom!
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The Kerrville Real Estate Market Faring Much Like Wall Street
March 4th, 2009 categories: Assessing the Local Market
On Monday, the Dow Jones industrial average fell to 6,763 — the lowest close for the Dow since April, 1997. The 300-point drop Monday leaves the index more than 52 percent below its record high of 14,164.53 set in October 2007.
The Texas Hill Country real estate market, while still doing better than the national market, is experiencing a similar decline as that of Wall Street. Kerrville, Texas Real Estate Sales in January & February 2009 totaled just $7.67 million, equivalent to just 46.7% of last year’s sales.
It is commonly understood that in an unstable environment, “Big Ticket Items” get hit the worste. People delay purchases … especially big ones until they feel more certain about the future. Real Estate certainly is one of the “Big Ticket Items” that is suffering in the current economic environment.
What will it take to create a more certain future? I imagine just time. In our opinion, the real estate market, like the stock market, was due a “correction.” People get caught up in the frenzy and make unwise decisions … not based on fundamentals. The good side to a correction is people start making sensible decisions about how they spend their money. And, the ones that don’t OVERREACT can seize opportunities. When the market is down, deals can be found more easily!
The good news is that, historically, real estate has been one of the best places to invest money in uncertain times. Real estate is a “real” asset … meaning it is a tangible, real asset … It can’t be taken away … It’s not just on paper!
We believe that it is time for many who have lost money in the stock market to consider investing in real estate.
The Texas Hill Country is still one of the best places in the country to invest. Tourism and retail sales are still strong.
Our encouragement to you is: Live fully and yet wisely! And keep the long term perspective!
We’d love to help you find your Hill Country dream home! Give us a call at 830-995-2511.
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KERR COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS
April 30th, 2008 categories: Relocating to the Hill Country
Information Source: Kerr County Official Public Records
Kerr County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 43,653. Its county seat is Kerrville.
Kerr County is named for James Kerr, a congressman of the Republic of Texas
As of the census² of 2000, there were 43,653 people, 17,813 households, and 12,308 families residing in the county. The population density was 15/km² (40/mi²). There were 20,228 housing units at an average density of 7/km² (18/mi²).
The racial makeup of the county was 88.89% White, 1.78% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.60% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. 19.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 17,813 households out of which 25.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 22.20% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 24.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,283, and the median income for a family was $40,713. Males had a median income of $27,425 versus $21,149 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,767. About 10.30% of families and 14.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.60% of those under age 18 and 8.40% of those age 65 or over.
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