The San Antonio new home communities of Hunters Pond, Laura Heights, Stillwater Ranch Caballo, Stillwater Ranch Hacienda and Wortham Oaks are giving residents even more reason to love San Antonio’s real estate market.

Wall Homes, which was established in 2005, currently has neighborhoods in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio.

Headquartered in Arlington, TX, Wall Homes specializes in single-family detached and attached homes. They are building their reputation on efficient and cost-effective construction so that they may provide their customers with greater value.

The customer-focused decisions are made by locally based division managers who interact daily with potential and existing homebuyers to provide one-of-a-kind customer service.

The new home communities of San Antonio offer the following features:

• Hunters Pond – Hunters Pond enjoys a convenient location near downtown San Antonio, the River Walk, the Alamo and Brooks Air Force Base. It is a family-oriented, master-planned community of playgrounds, sports fields and a park with greenbelts and a pond. Homes in Hunters Pond range from 1,195 to 2,675 square feet and prices range from $118,000 to over $175,000.
• Laura Heights – Laura Heights is located in the desirable northwest corridor of San Antonio. This community has plans for an amenity center with swimming pool, a children’s playground and soccer fields. Homes in Laura Heights range from 1,350 to 2,474+ square feet and prices range from $134,000 to over $179,000.
• Stillwater Ranch Caballo/Stillwater Ranch Hacienda – Stillwater Ranch Caballo and Stillwater Ranch Hacienda are situated in the northwest corridor of San Antonio. The master-planned communities feature more than 1,000 homesites, along with a grand entrance, wide streets and lush surroundings. Some of the amenities of these communities include miles of hiking and biking trails, an amenity center with a pool, basketball and tennis courts, creeks, ponds, a lake for fishing, an onsite elementary school and preserved open space. Homes in Stillwater Ranch Caballo range from 1,453 to 2,987+ square feet and prices range from the $170s to the $240s and up. Homes in Stillwater Ranch Hacienda range from 1,453 to 3,277+ square feet and prices range from the $177s to the $260s and up.
• Wortham Oaks – Wortham Oak is located on the northeast side of San Antonio and is conveniently located near Interstate 35 for downtown shopping. Wortham Oak offers custom-level standard features and style. Homes in Wortham Oaks range from 1,453 to 2,987+ square feet and prices range from the $165s to the $220s and up.

Do not put your blinders on after your offer has been accepted on your Highland Park home. Now is the time to - so to speak - roll up your sleeves and get dirty. Although your Highland Park home may seem perfect in your eyes, take a moment to remove those rose-colored glasses and think about your home inspection.

What?!? You’re not going to have an inspection?

Many homeowners become emotionally attached to their home, even before closing, and often forego a home inspection because everything looks so perfect. But it’s often those things that we can’t see that prove to be the most detrimental.

Take, for instance, water damage. Do you know what to look for and where to look for it? Or electrical problems. Are you skilled in the trade to understand a faulty electrical panel when you see it? A month after closing is not the best time to discover that your furnace is on its last leg.

Time to Call in a Professional

Retain the services of a Licensed Professional Engineer home inspector who will perform a thorough evaluation on your new home, inside and out. A home inspector is trained to identify subtle defects that are often not readily visible. Ask your realtor or friends and family for a referral, or contact the National Society of Building Inspection Engineers to find a local inspector.

Although your home inspection can cost upwards of $1,000, rest well knowing that this fee will buy you peace of mind and could even possibly save you big at closing in the form of a reduced selling price or repair credit.

What’s Involved in a Home Inspection

A qualified professional engineer home inspector will likely inspect the following areas:

• Interior (insulation, ventilation, lead paint, interior walls, floors)
• Exterior (roof, gutters, downspouts, windows)
• Structural defects (cracks in foundation, exterior and interior wall defects)
• Electrical (overloaded circuits, electrical switches, outlets, exposed wiring, electrical panel)
• Plumbing (fixtures, faucets, water leaks, condition of water supply pipes)
• Heating and Air Conditioning Systems (carbon monoxide emissions, heat exchanger, oil storage tank, heat distribution)

This past year has been good to many communities throughout San Antonio. As of July 2008, the neighborhoods of Stone Oak, the Dominion, Colonies North, Olympia and Olmos Park all posted the highest appreciation among San Antonio neighborhoods as compared to the same time one year ago.

Location, Location, Location

Most of these neighborhoods had one thing in common: they are close to major highways and the downtown San Antonio area. It appears that San Antonio buyers are also searching for convenient access to shopping and services.

Stone Oak, for example, saw the highest appreciation rate among those neighborhoods listed, with the average sales prices increasing by 29 percent, from $194,325 to $250,659.

A city in itself, Stone Oak is a master planned community with its own services, schools, churches and offices. A new Methodist Hospital is also currently under construction.

Stone Oak boasts many shopping areas and business parks, including the Village at Stone Oak, Rolling Oaks Mall, The Shops at La Cantera, The Rim and Northwoods. The Shops at La Cantera include many, high-end retailers, such as Dillards, Neiman Marcus and Macy’s.

Buyers Looking for a Peaceful Respite

Olmos Park appears to attract buyers to its stately, old homes, and peaceful neighborhoods of mature trees and stunning landscaping. Olmos Park homes range anywhere from 50 to 85 years old. Sales prices in Olmos Park saw a 5.4 percent increase since June 2007.

Luxury Still Remains Popular

Perhaps the most luxurious neighborhood on this list, The Dominion, also experienced a 12.2 percent increase in its average sales price, from $820,019 to $920,261. Buyers seem to be attracted to the luxurious lifestyle that The Dominion offers, including its top-rated golf course and country club, and its close proximity to the massive retail developments of The Rim and La Cantera. The growth of the Medical Center may also be another reason for The Dominion’s increased popularity.

Colonies North posted an average sales price increase of 8.6 percent, from $141,740 to $153,890. This is likely due to the popularity of house flipping in this area.

Don’t ever underestimate the value of your Irving home’s walls. Although this may not be a feature of your home that buyers inspect upon entering, the condition and appearance of your Irving home’s walls can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of a room.

Start Peeling!

Your favorite floral wallpaper may not bode well with home buyers. Sure, it took you an entire weekend to hang and it sure looks like a French countryside, but the bottom line is that your taste is not likely the same as buyers who will be walking through your home.

And no one – and I mean no one – wants the task of removing wallpaper when they move in. So, unfortunately, this task falls upon you. Just remember as you sweat, scrape, peel and curse under your breath that all of this hard work will pay off in the form of more offers.

Patch, Sand, Paint and Repeat

Filling old nail holes, repairing cracks and giving the walls a fresh coat of paint is sure to impress buyers. Keep the paint neutral and stay consistent with paint colors throughout the house. Choosing complimentary paint colors will allow for a more natural flow as buyers walk from room to room.

Don’t forget the details, either. Replace cracked or worn switch plates and touch up baseboards, crown molding and chair rails.

Don’t Forget The Ceiling!

Many homeowners, when painting rooms, often neglect the ceiling. Remember that the ceiling is an important part of the room, too. A light, neutral ceiling color will lighten and brighten the room and make it appear larger and more open.

If your home has outdated popcorn ceilings, it’s time to scrape them off. Popcorn ceilings date a home and add nothing to the aesthetics of a room. Bottom line: scrape it and paint it for maximum impact!

There are many accolades that have been bestowed upon Centex Homes just over the last few years. Perhaps it’s because of their commitment to energy efficiency, their extensive expertise, their premier, community locations or their commitment to an exceptional homeowner experience. Whatever the reason, the homebuilding industry has taken notice of Centex Homes and their commitment to building quality homes throughout San Antonio.

In 2006, JD Power & Associates ranked Centex Homes as having the “Highest Customer Satisfaction with New Home Builders in San Antonio.” This award, which holds one of the highest honors in the home building industry, is based upon many factors, including:

• Warranty/customer service
• Price/value
• Home readiness
• Physical design elements
• Sales staff
• Design center
• Quality of workmanship/materials
• Recreational facilities
• Construction manager
• Location

Some of Centex Homes’ newest home communities in San Antonio include:

• Monticello Ranch – Monticello Ranch is located in Northwest San Antonio, and is part of the highly desired Northside Independent School District. Prices start from the $130s to the $170s.

• The Oaks at Monticello Ranch – This home community, coming August 9^th, is the newest community within Monticello Ranch. Located in Northwest San Antonio, just outside Loop 1604, Monticello Ranch includes a recreation complex with a community pool and a play area. Prices are TBD.
• Lost Creek Ranch – Lost Creek Ranch is located about two miles north of Interstate 10 and is five miles outside of Loop 1604. It is also part of the desirable Boerne Independent School District. Prices start from the $140s to the $180s.
• The Park at University Hills – The Park at University Hills is located just one-half mile from Interstate 10, and is also located near the Medical Center, UTSA and USAA. It is located in the highly desirable Northwest area of San Antonio and is part of the Northside Independent School District. Prices start from the $140s to the $180s.

Baby boomers are the name of the game when it comes to Austin real estate. Retirement living has become a very lucrative market for developers as older Americans are choosing Austin as their place to retire.

Why Austin?

The warm temperatures, the strong economy and the affordable cost of living all seem to play a part when considering the reasons why retirees choose Austin.

The top reason, however, is Austin’s affordable housing market. It used to be that seniors automatically moved to California, Florida and Arizona when retiring; however, the high cost of living, coupled with the equally high cost of real estate in these states, has made many seniors rethink their decisions.

Information from the 2005 US Census Bureau data shows that Texas was the number two state for retirees to relocate (following just behind Florida).

It also shows that in 2005, Texas attracted 6.8 percent of seniors who were relocating from somewhere else.

Housing Options to Suit Every Lifestyle and Budget

Austin developers are responding to this trend by offering seniors a variety of housing options to suit any lifestyle and budget.

Active adult communities are gaining popularity, as seniors often want to lead an active lifestyle throughout retirement. Heritage Oaks in Georgetown and the Woodlands Baptist Retirement Community are two of the newest, active adult communities.

Many of the active adult communities are conveniently situated on golf courses or lakes, and have swimming pools, walking and biking trails, fitness centers, clubhouses and plenty of community activities and events. They are also maintenance free, which is an attractive option for many seniors.

Continuing care retirement communities also remain a popular choice for seniors in the Austin area. These types of residences have independent housing, yet also provide assisted living should they need it. Many of these communities also offer on-site health care.th

Two such communities include Querencia at Barton Creek and Longhorn Village near Steiner Ranch.

Some of the communities which are strictly assisted living also help seniors with daily activities and chores, such as bathing, dressing and meal delivery.

Homebuyers in San Antonio will love what Medallion Homes has done for the new housing market. The three, newest communities to hit the already-hot San Antonio market are The Summit at Alamo Ranch, the Hills at Alamo Ranch and Panther Creek.

Medallion Homes, in addition to providing homebuyers with exceptional design and construction, is committed to environmentally building practices. In fact, Medallion Homes leads the nation in building science technology. What does that mean for Medallion home buyers?

• Energy efficient homes which qualify for the ENERGY STAR label
• Lower utility bills via energy efficient features
• Comfort and quiet via tight construction, better windows and improved insulation
• A better environment because ENERGY STAR qualified homes consume less energy
• Healthier indoor air via proper ventilation and tight construction
• Independent verification via strict, energy efficient guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency

Medallion Homes also received the Energy Value Housing “Builder of the Year 2000” award by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, the US Department of Energy and Professional Builder Magazine.

The Summit at Alamo Ranch

The Summit at Alamo Ranch offers luxurious living and oversized homesites. Prices range from the $210s to the $310s.

The Hills at Alamo Ranch

The Hills at Alamo Ranch is a master-planned community which offers amenities such as a community pool and cabana, as well as lush surroundings, wide sidewalks and a pedestrian-friendly parkway. Prices range from the $180s to the $250s.

Panther Creek

Panther Creek is a centrally located community which offers convenient access to Loop 1604, Highway 281 and Stone Oak. Some of the amenities of Panther Creek include a family-friendly swimming pool and a recreation center. Homes range in price from the $180s to the $250s.

You’ve finally done it. You’ve found your dream Coppell home and you want to put in an offer. So what’s the best way to negotiate?

Do your homework

The first order of business is to determine who is in the stronger position – the buyer (you) or the seller?

For example, the seller may have the stronger position if the local real estate market is strong and homes in the area are selling quickly. They may also be in the stronger position if they aren’t in a rush to move (i.e., they can wait it out a better offer) or if similar houses in the neighborhood have sold for above or near their asking prices.

You, the buyer, however, may be in the stronger position if the local real estate market is weak, or if comparable homes in the neighborhood are being sold for below their asking price. It is also important to find out how long the home has been sitting on the market. In other words, a house that has been on the market for an extended time will likely have homeowners who are anxious to sell.

Finally, you will always be in a stronger position – especially in a multiple offer scenario – if you are pre-qualified for a mortgage.

Make an Educated Offer

You, along with your real estate agent, will need to find out what comparable homes in the area are selling for, if there are any repairs that need to be addressed and what appliances and fixtures you want to be included with the home. You will also likely ask that the offer is contingent upon the house passing the home inspection.

All of this information will allow you to be better prepared when making your initial offer. After the initial offer has been submitted to the seller, he or she will either counteroffer, accept your offer or decline your offer.

Be prepared to go back and forth numerous times during the negotiation process. Happy negotiating!

Just some of the words which have been used to describe downtown Austin include casual, cosmopolitan, chic, fashionable and artistic. Whatever words are used, one thing’s for sure. This progressive area has plenty of excitement!

Downtown Austin’s Business Community

More than 6,000 people reside in downtown Austin, and daytime employees top out at nearly 90,000. Getting in and out of the city is no problem with plenty of bus routes through Capital Metro, efficient expressways and useful bicycle and pedestrian paths.

The success of Opportunity Austin, which was implemented in 1993 by the Economic Development Council of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, was an important catalyst for Austin. The program was designed to kick start the economy and create jobs. The overall goal was to attract new businesses, retain existing businesses and stimulate earnings.

Downtown Austin is now a thriving city which is home to many, top law firms, financial institutions, non-profit companies, technology companies and governmental agencies. It is also the world headquarters for Whole Foods Market, Silicon Labs and GSD & M.

Downtown Austin’s Entertainment Scene

Downtown Austin is brimming with fine restaurants, theaters, museums, world-class shopping, outdoor activities and an eclectic entertainment scene. More than 300 retailers provide residents and visitors alike with unique shopping opportunities.

Downtown Austin also has 20 museums, more than 125 restaurants, 50 art galleries and more than 60 live music venues.

Republic Square, Brush Square and Wooldridge Square were Austin’s first parks and are still enjoyed by many today. Other popular, outdoor attractions include the Lady Bird hike & bike trail, the Auditorium Shores and Zilker Park.

Austin also offers some of the finest public and private elementary and secondary schools, and has great residential choices – from single family homes to condos and townhomes – to accommodate its diverse population.

Sitting atop the Omni Fort Worth Hotel are the prestigious condominium residences of 1301 Throckmorton. These luxury residences, which are currently selling, provide residents with exceptional interiors, stunning skyline views and resident-only privileges, along with the benefits of downtown Forth Worth living.

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Welcome home

1301 Throckmorton allows residents to choose from three finished packages to suit a variety of tastes, including a Traditional Series, a Transitional Series and a Contemporary Series. A resident-only pool and a private, garden terrace overlooking the city are just a few of 1301 Throckmorton’s many, outstanding perks.

Residents of 1301 Throckmorton also enjoy use of the fully-equipped fitness center, a multi-purpose entertainment room with its own kitchen, and private, on-site storage. Personalized hospitality and superior services, such as in-room dining, housekeeping, valet parking and concierge service, provide residences with the finest in high-rise condominium living.

Hotel Amenities

Residents of 1301 Throckmorton also enjoy the many amenities of the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, such as the business center, the Mokara salon and spa and the full-service fitness center.

Exceptional performing arts, the museums of the Cultural District and the fantastic array of dining, shopping and entertainment found throughout downtown Fort Worth are all just minutes from 1301 Throckmorton.

A fine selection of restaurants is located within the Omni Forth Worth Hotel, including Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Wine Thief wine bar, Whiskey & Rye sports bar, Cast Iron Grill and a full-service Starbucks.

The Excellence of Omni Hotels

Omni Hotels, which has hotels and residences throughout the U.S., has been ranked as Highest Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains three times since 2000 by J.D. Power & Associates North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study.

The developers have described 1301 Throckmorton as having a “bold taste of Texas hospitality. “ They have also described the design of 1301 Throckmorton as having a “rustic, yet defined feel.”