What if you want to buy a condo, do they even allow dogs and cats? I know pets are considered part of the family and I have started a San Antonio Dog-Friendly Condos for Sale list that identifies the amenities and services geared towards families with pets.

More and more you will see people with their faithful companion going everywhere with them, to work, to the park, to dinner, vacations, just everywhere. You will see some pet parents with their faithful dog a leash, sometimes you will see their dog or cat in their expensive designer Coach Pet carrier.

When you and your fur-babies live in the burbs in a single family home, there usually is few, if any restrictions. (Most single family homes and/or subdivisions have few if any restrictions on pets.) But when you desire the urban lifestyle, the condiminium lifestyle, one question comes up... How do I care for my pets?

First off, you must also consider whether the condo has any pet restrictions that apply to your dogs and cats. Maybe they allow only small dogs and cats. Maybe they limit the pets to 1 per unit. Whatever the case, you need to know before you fall in love with a particular condo what the pet restrictions are. That is where we come in, put me and my dog Milo to work for you!

Call me your Pet Friendly Realtor, by Randy Watson at 210-744-4514

This weeks loan rates are: 3.56% fixed rate for Home loans and for Land loans 7.25% fixed rate for 30 years. Texas VLB Home loans must originate from a participating private lender, while the land loans originates directly through the Texas VLB. Additional home loan rate discounts are available to qualifying disable veterans.

For more information or to find out if you are eligible, visit the Texas Veterans Land Board of call them at: 512.463.5060.

Thank you for serving!

The City of San Antonio has placed residents in Stage 1 of Drought Restrictions. What this means is that San Antonio homeowners are only allowed to water their lawns 1 day per week. Watering with a sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed once a week before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. on your assigned day, as determined by your address.

No watering on weekends with a sprinkler, soaker hose or irrigation system. Areas without a street address, such as medians and neighborhood entryways, water on Wednesday.

Watering with a hand-held hose, watering can, and/or soaker hose (these methods are allowed any time, on any day) and makes targetted watering more precise.

You are encouraged to reduce your overall San Antonio water consumption.

by Randy Watson

Down here in South Texas, our summers heat up daily to over 100 degrees and occasionally touch the 110 degree mark. Our winters aren't so bad though. To help keep your house cool in the summer, you need to try to keep the sunshine from hitting the house. In the winter time you want to try to let as much sun hit the house to warm it. Deciduous trees (trees that lose all of their leaves each fall) save energy in summer by shading the house. While evergreen trees and shrubs save energy by slowing cold winds in the winter.

Planting the right tree in the right place is the key to saving energy with trees. Trees planted on the west, south and east sides of your home or building provide shade from the sun during the hottest times of the day, reducing the load on your air conditioning system. Reducing the load on your air conditioning system will save you energy. You will also have a more comfortable home.

Plant trees far enough away from sidewalks, driveways, and buildings so the crown has room to develop. Consider power line location when planting a tree. Trees that grow into power lines cause electrical outages, increased line maintenance costs and pruning.

Mature trees add value to a home, but, carefully select the right tree for the location. Keep in mind your lawn turf may suffer from the shade. Good luck!

by Randy Watson

Are you an investor looking for what to do with your money? Did you know that some builders will sell you their model home in the community and rent it back from you while they continue to develop the subdivision? Do you want rental income from your real estate investment, without the typical maintenance headaches, when you buy a builder model for lease-back.

Well, there are some San Antonio new home builders that will do just that. New Home Builder's model show homes are typically built in the more desirable lots and usually have all the luxury upgrades like gourmet chef's kitchens, top of the line cabinets & state of the art appliances, granite countertops, upgraded floorings and ornate trim moldings.

This type of real estate investment may be considered a commercial investment and might typically requires 20-25% downpayment to qualify for an investment loan. San Antonio builders lease model home back from you for up to 2-3 years or possibly longer. Click to learn more about the San Antonio new home builder lease-back of model home opportunity.

This builder leaseback concept may fit into your portfolio, however I would advise you to carefully weigh the pro's and con's about this type of investment. As with all investments there are risks.

For more San Antonio real estate information, please contact call Mission Realty at 210-319-4960.

Texas May Owe You Some Money

Many Texans have unclaimed property from forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, security deposits and utility refunds.

The State of Texas is safely holding more than $2.5 billion in cash and other valuables waiting for you to claim it. It's your money and even after many years, they still want you to get it back. It's never too late to make a claim.

If you are a Texan or ever lived in Texas, click here to learn more about how to find your long lost money or property.

Contact Randy Watson at 210-319-4960 for all your San Antonio real estate needs. Call me now!

Updated: Feb 10,2012

Comptrollers Economic Outlook

Housing:

• Thus far, Texas has weathered the national real estate crunch without significant damage to property values.
• A total of 4,446 building permits for single-family homes were issued in December 2011. In the 12 months ending in December 2011, 61,834 permits were issued, 2 percent fewer than one year ago.
• There were 3,507 multi-family building permits issued in December 2011. During the 12 months ending in December 2011, 30,180 permits were issued, 59 percent more than one year ago.
• In December 2011, sales of existing single-family homes increased by 12 percent from the previous month, to a total of 16,505. December 2011 home sales were 4 percent higher than in December 2010.
• In Texas, the median price for existing single-family homes decreased by 0.2 percent from December 2010 to December 2011.
• In December 2011, the Texas foreclosure rate was one in every 1,133 mortgages. This was substantially better than Nevadas one in 177, Californias one in 254, Arizonas one in 357 and Floridas one in 360.

Source: Susan Combs Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Christmas lights, baking and cooking huge meals, fires in the fire place, heating the home with portable or central heating systems are all part of winter and the holiday season. But, these items and activities may also increase the risk of fire in your home. Be espcially alert and watch your children and pets.

In the event of a fire, don't panic, get everyone out of the house, dial 911 or call the fire department.

There are some things that you can do to keep your family safe and help reduce the risk of fires.

1. Have your furnace and heat pumps serviced regularly.
2. Have Smoke and CO2 detectors installed and test your detectors regularly. Remember to change the batteries at least twice a year
3. Have a family escape plan and practice the plan with your family.
4. Don't leave the stove on or fires burning in the fireplace unattended.
5. When putting up the Christmas lights:

• Carefully inspect each string for cracks or damages to the lights, the cords, plugs and the light sockets. Do not use damaged light strings.
• Make sure when you buy a new set of lights that the box and light string are labeld with the UL label. Do not plug too many strings together, usually 3 is the recommended maximum.
• Unplug the Christmas lights when you go to bed or leave home.

6. When using portable space heaters:

• Inspect the cords and heater for damage. If damaged, do not use.
• Make sure there is plenty of space around the heater. Atleast 3 feet away from anything that can burn. (Including furniture and curtains)
• Do not use extension cords with any space heaters

7. Have a charged fire extinguisher assessible in your kitchen and garage. (But, don't put yourself in danger.)

Have a safe and Happy Holidays to Everyone and Merry Christmas to All!

For all your San Antonio real estate needs, Call me! Randy Watson of Mission Realty at 210-744-4514.

Administrative procedings for the eviction process will continue during this period, but families living in foreclosed homes may be permitted to remain through the holidays.

Homesowners that have loans which are backed by Fannie Mae can call 1-800-7FANNIE or visit www.knowyouroptions.com for more information.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) maintains that home sales are up, however a higher rate of contact failure may be holding back recovery. Realtor members reported to the NAR that contract failures jumped to 33% in October from 18% in September. Contract failures were only 8% a year ago.

Contract failures are cancellations caused by declined mortgage applications, failures in loan underwriting from appraised values coming in below the negotiated price, or other problems including home inspections and employment losses.

NAR President Moe Veissi said consumers can increase their odds of obtaining a mortgage by being aware of how credit scores are determined. “If you want to get a mortgage, dont buy a car or take on new installment debt or credit cards,” he said.

“Pay all your bills on time, maintain old credit lines and dont use more than 30 percent of your credit limit. Realtors can help you understand the issues surrounding access to affordable credit, in addition to helping you find the right home and negotiate terms,” Veissi said.

Freddie Mac reports national average commitment rate for a 30 year conventional fixed rate mortgage was a new record low of 4.07%, down from 4.11% in September. The national average commitment rate was 4.23% in October 2010.

The national median existing home price was $162,500, a 4.7% decrease from October 2010.The San Antonio, Texas median price of a single-family home was $149,500, a 1% decrease from October 2010.