Summer may be real estate’s busy season, but there are plenty of reasons to continue your home search into the fall and winter seasons. Here in the Corpus Christi real estate market, there is still a good number of homes that are for sale for you to choose from later in the year.     The benefits of Buying a home in Corpus Christi at years end include the following: 1. Tax Savings Closing by the end of the year means that you can deduct mortgage interest, a VA funding fee, property taxes, points on your loan and interest costs.  In the beginning years of your mortgage, you are paying off a lot of interest, so these deductions can really add up. 2. Less Competition Since there are traditionally fewer people buying and moving in the fall and winter, that means you have less competition wi... 12/12/2014

Did you know that Corpus Christi TX has Waterfront Homes for Sale?   I lived in Texas all my life and never knew.  This is what I call "The best kept secret in Texas, called Corpus Christi."  This City is located on the Gulf of Mexico and it has beautiful beaches where you can drive on the beach for miles and miles.  It is a "little, big town."  There is lots to do and a great place to live! Here are a few Waterfront Homes for Sale in Corpus Christi.  You can live on North Padre Island, Downtown Corpus Christi, or Flour Bluff.  There are Waterfront Homes in all of these areas of town ranging in price from between $150,000 and up to over a million.   Trying to decide what area of Waterfront Homes in Corpus Christi you would be most interested in???  If so, ask yourself these 5 questions:... 02/25/2014

Congratulations!  You are Now a Homeowner!  What's next??? $$$$$$$ In the State of Texas if you live in your property on January 1st then you are able to file a Homestead Exemption.  What is this you ask??  Great Question and If Filed, It can lead to a few $$ Extra Dollars $$ each year in your Pocketbook.  This is a tax exemption for the property to be your Homestead, where you live.  This gives you approximately a 20% discount on your property taxes each year.  What does this mean to you?  Based on a property that has taxes of $3,000 per  year, it is a savings of about $600 per year.  That is an extra $50 a month for you.  It could mean an additional tank of gas, an airline ticket, a Cruise, Dinner and a Movie once a Month - I think you catch my drift. Where Do you Find this Homestead ... 12/17/2013

One of the most successful blog post I have written this year, was the ten things from my past or ten things from my present that you may not have known about me.  That was a lot of fun to write so I thought I would try again.  As I am enjoying the Christmas Season, getting together with family and friends, I am thinking of Christmas Traditions I have had with my family over the years.  Here are Ten Things I love to do once a year at Christmas. 1. Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels.  I mean the White Chocolate Covered Pretzels.  These are one of my favorite treats, and after you make them, you cannot eat just one! 2. Make Bon Bons.  My kids ask for these every year now.  I even have people from the local Title Companies asking me for them.  I made them one year and distributed them, just s... 12/17/2013

The Real Deals of Real Estate.....Let's Dish Extra Extra Read All About it!! You want to know the Real Deals of Real Estate.  Here are a few things you won't learn in Real Estate School.  Always knock on a closed door.  When a Realtor enters a home that is occupied they normally shout out "Hello, Realtor!"  I mean Shout this out!  You want to make sure if anyone is in the house, they know you are there.  You think this sounds simple, right?  Well one day I was showing a townhouse and an older lady was downstairs.  As I walked with the clients upstairs it was dark with all of the lights off and all of the doors were closed.  As I went from door to door, knocking on each one before I entered, I came to one that I noticed a light on as I entered.  I could hear someone stirring around but d... 11/27/2013

We offer the 5-Star Texas Advantage Program. The program, which is available for purchases and rate/term refinances, allows access to a 3% grant on FHA, VA, and USDA loans, reducing a borrower's down payment to .5% of their own funds. Loans are restricted to a maximum purchase price of $250,000, a minimum FICO of 600, maximum DTI of 45, and income limits per county guidelines, regardless of family size. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at 800 315 8803.   - 11/26/2013

We offer the 5-Star Texas Advantage Program. The program, which is available for purchases and rate/term refinances, allows access to a 3% grant on FHA, VA, and USDA loans, reducing a borrower's down payment to .5% of their own funds. Loans are restricted to a maximum purchase price of $250,000, a minimum FICO of 600, maximum DTI of 45, and income limits per county guidelines, regardless of family size. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at 800 315 8803. 11/01/2013

What Are HUD Homes? What are HUD homes is a common question I hear from home buyers? First of all it is helpful to know what HUD is. HUD is the acronym for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a government agency that provides public housing services through national programs. This department also oversees the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Now that you have a better understanding of what HUD is I can better answer the question of what are HUD homes. HUD homes are HUD real estate owned (REO) 1-to-4 unit residential properties. These homes are foreclosed on and HUD becomes the owner and then puts them on the market for sale to recoup the loss on the foreclosure claim. What are HUD Homes & Can I Buy One? Pretty much anyone that has cash or is qualified for a loan c... 06/27/2013

The Top 35 Items to Include In Your Hurricane First Aid Kit This is the second article in our series of how to be prepared for a hurricane and it lists the top 35 items to include in your hurricane first aid kit. Activated charcoal Adhesive tape After Bite Antiseptic spray Antibiotic ointment packets x 10 Alcohol-based hand sanitizer or germicidal wipes Antacid tablet or liquid Band aids - assorted sizes Bleach - great for cleanup Burn Gel – Burn ointment to prevent infection Cough, Cold & Allergy Medicines Disposable safety razor Elastic Bandage – Ace Bandage – compression bandage Eye wash solution to flush the eyes First Aid Manual Gauze pads & Gauze rolls - various sizes for covering larger wounds Headache medicine & pain reliever such as ibuprofen or aspirin Heart Burn, Indigestion,... 06/24/2013

The Top 15 Items to Include in Your Hurricane Survival Kit As we are now at the start of hurricane season and experiencing tropical storm Andrea I felt it only fitting to discuss how to be prepared for Hurricanes in a series of articles. The first article in our series will discuss the Top 15 Items to Include in Your Hurricane Survival Kit!     Hurricane Survival Kit item #1 is Water! Keeping hydrated is extremely important and since most often during a hurricane you won’t have access to your normal water supply having a 3-7 day supply of water is imperative. The suggested amount is one gallon per person per day. Remember that your pets will need water too! Non-perishable food. Some items I have included in our hurricane survival kit are peanut butter, crackers, trail mixes, granola bar... 06/20/2013

Living The Life...."Island Style" in Corpus Christi  means different things to different folks.  Some like properties with very low maintenance like this one located at 13630 Whitecap Blvd. in Corpus Christi Texas.  Lots of Island homes have rock front yards.  This home is 4 sides brick with lots of architectural features from  the moment you walk into the front door through the entry and into the living areas.  This home is afford-ably priced at $239,900 and is just minutes away from Texas beaches and the Gulf of Mexico. Corpus Christi is a great place to live because it is like a little big town.  We have two shopping malls, lots of fine dining, movie theatres, a ball park, soon to be home of Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi, The Texas State Aquarium, The USS Lexington, Naval Air Station ... 06/04/2013

4153 Harry Street used in a rental scam.  I recently had one of my listings used as a potential rental home in a rental scheme on Craigslist.  This property was NEVER going to be a rental, the folks selling the home were doing just that...selling, not renting their home.  I have had so many calls from interested renters that went by and saw my name on the sign that I have lost track, but it numbers over 50.  The people (just being polite) using my listing in their rental scam even used my pictures and verbage from the MLS in their fraudulent rental ads.  One of the potential victims forwarded me some of the information sent to them by this scammer, I have removed my client's name but the rest is verbatim: From: craigslist 3776845089 To: 3b5c4392022e... 05/16/2013

‘All American Home Source Realty, LLC’ Announces Custom Real Estate Services for Military Families in Corpus Christi, TX CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, May 13, 2013 – While many families will be looking forward to fun in the sun and long days at the beach, the fast approaching summer will soon bring the busiest time of the year for relocating military families. Thankfully, for those executing orders for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) this year, there is a new real estate source for our service members and their loved ones. All American Home Source Realty, LLC recently incorporated in the Corpus Christi area and provides military relocation services to help military clients buy, sell, and rent homes both locally in Corpus Christi, TX and through a networked approach across the country. Now, no... 05/13/2013

  Top 5 Picks of What to Do in Corpus Christi April 26-28th What to do in Corpus Christi the weekend of April 26-28th? From Rodeos to professional built sandcastles there is lots of fun options of things to do in the Corpus Christi area. Here are our top 5 picks of What to do in Corpus Christi this weekend!   1. Buc Day Festival & Stripes Carnival Starting this Friday going through May 5th come join the fun including a professional rodeo, parades and of course amusements and rides! Buc Days takes place on Shoreline Blvd. at Kinney Street, Corpus Christi Bayfront. For more information you can visit their website at http://www.bucdays.com   2. Disney on Ice Come see your favorite princesses at Disney on Ice: Rockin' Ever After! On Friday there is a 7:30 pm show, Saturday offers a 1:30 and... 04/26/2013

Things to do in Corpus Christi the Weekend of April 5, 2013 As always there are plenty of things to do in Corpus Christi the weekend of April 5, 2013.       Friday Activities in Corpus Christi The Corpus Christi Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is hosting a documentary film of the architect Philip Johnson. It will be shown Friday at 7 P.M. in the Art Museum of South Texas auditorium. The film is open to the public. ArtWalk is also taking place this week! Imani Winds will perform at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville at 7:30 P.M. in the Frank C. Smith Recital hall. This is a free event. The Wizard of Oz will be performed at The Harbor Playhouse at 7:30 P.M. on Friday. The cost is $6/$13 or $16. Bud Whittington will be providing music for a senior dance from 6:30-9:30 P.M.... 04/05/2013

Austria’s Largest Steelmaker Coming to Corpus Christi Port of Corpus Christi will be site to their new iron ore processing facility. Voestalpine, Austria’s largest steelmaker announced it has decided on the Port of Corpus Christi as the home of its new $700 million iron ore processing facility. Some of the reasons the company chose Corpus Christi for its new location is access to cheap shale gas, a deepwater port, the local political support and Texas’ carbon emissions standards. Hopefully in April a long-term lease agreement with the Port of Corpus Christi will be worked out as well as regulatory approval from state and federal environmental agencies. Voestalpine is hopeful that operations could begin by 2016. This is wonderful news for Corpus Christi. They propose the plant will provi... 03/30/2013

Easter Weekend in Corpus Christi There are plenty of festivities this Easter weekend in Corpus Christi. The Easter Bunny will still be at the mall this Easter weekend in Corpus Christi The Easter Bunny will be at the La Palmera mall Friday and Saturday during normal mall hours to meet with children and take pictures with them. Fish Fry/Bake Sale Easter Weekend in Corpus Christi Calvary First Baptist Church is hosting a fish fry Friday from 11 am to 2 pm. It will take place at the H.C. Dilworth fellowship hall and costs only $7. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is hosting their annual Easter Bake Sale Friday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm in the church hall. Items cost $1.50-$25. Easter Crafts this Easter Weekend in Corpus Christi Michaels Craft Store is having a family craft event Saturday f... 03/28/2013

Important Documents To Keep With You When PCSing Don’t let the movers pack these important documents I’ve heard horror stories from friends when moving about important documents they needed that were packed by the movers. One of my friends told me about a time when they were PCSing back to the states from Japan. They needed their visas to travel and to get back into the states. She thought she had put them to the side but somehow they ended up getting packed. Boy did that lead to a huge mess, tons of added stress and work going through boxes. Fortunately they found them prior to their boxes being put into cartons and sent across the ocean. If not that could have been disastrous. Some suggestions I have for important documents to keep with you when PCSing are passports, birth certificate... 03/27/2013

Tax Breaks for Homeowners So you’re a homeowner, you better read this list of tax breaks for homeowners! Working on taxes made me think to share some helpful Tax Breaks for Homeowners. This is just meant to be a helpful place to start as I’m not an accountant so double check with a professional when preparing your taxes. 1.       Mortgage Interest Deduction- Tax Breaks For Homeowners This is probably the top tax break for homeowners to take advantage of.  When you first start paying your mortgage a very large portion of what you are paying is the interest and you can deduct all of that on your taxes. Your lender will issue you a 1098 so you know exactly how much you can deduct. 2.        Mortgage Insurance Premiums- Tax Breaks For Homeowners If your mortgage loan-to-value ratio is great... 03/25/2013

Staging Your Home For Sale Staging your home for sale is one of the final steps in getting your home ready for sale. Staging your home for sale goes beyond just de-cluttering and painting. You want to highlight your home’s strengths, downplay its weaknesses and appeal to the greatest number of buyers. Staging your home for sale includes arranging furniture and creating a mood in your rooms. Here are a few easy to follow tips when staging your home for sale: Furniture Groupings When Staging Your Home for Sale When placing your furniture float it away from your walls. Place your furniture so that it creates cozy conversational areas and allows for a natural traffic flow throughout the room. This will make a room seem friendlier and open it up and seem larger.   Musical Furniture When Stag... 03/24/2013