Don’t be hesitant about writing your first post in the Rain. Jump Right In! The water is fine in the Rain. The most important thing is letting the others members know that you’re on board, and ready to begin your blogging adventure. Roy Kelly, our top male point contributor in the Rain, recently mentioned that he noticed that many first timers have yet to write their first post in the Rain. I would encourage each and every new member, and even those Rainers, who have been missing in Action for a while to come on back and jump right in with a post in January. You might even want to consider participating in the top contests for the month, Lynn’s Jump Start Contest for 2017, or Debbie’s Ringing and Singing in the Rain for 2017.   It’s a great way to get started and to rack up some quick p... 01/06/2017

9315 Gillcross Way San Antonio, TX 78250 AWESOME Garden Home with UPDATES. Great 3 bed 2.5 bath home with attached garage. Interior boasts an updated kitchen with granite counter tops and beautiful backsplash. New flooring on both levels with fresh paint inside and out. Backyard w/privacy fence offers a great space for relaxing or entertaining guests. New roof July 2016. Great location within minutes of coveted schools, shopping, and quick access to 1604 and 151. Schedule a showing today! Brandon Ramirez512-409-8522The Ben Kinney Team /  Keller Williams 01/03/2017

So, what exactly is a Ghost Member? It used to be a new member, who got zero comments on their posts, or members who were not engaging other AR members, but lately, I have noticed that many new members haven’t taken the time to upload a photo of themselves or write a short summary of the services that they offer and provide to their consumers. Why would you ever want to be a “Ghost Member”?I remember the first time I signed up and logged into Active Rain. I was amazed at the number of points that I was getting just for logging in and adding my photo. Then, I decided to write that first post the same night, and I came back a wrote a brief summary of who I was, and the services that I offered. I noticed that I had earned an astonishing 2000 points in just two hours of work. Like others in... 01/02/2017

Despite the consistently tight market with a low inventory of just over three months, the number of homes that sold in the San Antonio market area continues to skyrocket over last year’s figures for November with a total of 2,115 homes being sold, which showed a substantial 23 percent increase year-over -year, according to the latest statistics released by the Multiple Listing Service Report from the San Antonio Board of REALTORS®(SABOR).  Both the average and median prices for November also reached record highs for November sales. The average price had a 10 percent increase over last year for $238,347, while the median price came in at $199,400 for a 9 percent increase. There were 400 more homes sold in November 2016 than this same time last year, and 2000 more additional homes sold fo... 12/31/2016

Many of you know and acknowledge that the Greatest Gift of all time was God sending his Son into this world to save sinful men and women. As a man of faith, I am truly thankful and grateful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  But, what is the greatest gift that you can personally give your family and friends this Christmas? LOVE. Yes, Give Love this Christmas! Remember, John 3:16. “For God so loved the world…..” It’s not always about the money or material things. Giving yourself, your time, and your LOVE is priceless! “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always ... 12/24/2016

 So what should you do when your permanent change of station order to San Antonio arrives? One of the most important questions that you have to settle is whether to buy a home or to choose military housing. For most people, buying a home is a fulfillment of a great dream. It is one of the largest investments one will ever make.However, buying a home for military families tend to be more complicated because they move frequently and sometimes with short notice.  So, should you buy or not? Here are some reasons why you should consider purchasing your own home. Location OptionsWhen you buy your own home in San Antonio, you have the freedom to choose the neighborhood where you are going to stay.  Does your family prefer an urban or a country lifestyle? These options may not be available with... 12/22/2016

It has taken longer to reach the Million Point Club than it did to surpass the 500K mark. But, this month, I finally reached that celebrated Millionaire Point Club. I joined Active Rain in 2011 for the networking opportunities, the relationships with other professionals from across the country, the educational resources from other members and AR University, and to build an online presence to help grow my real estate business.  I strongly believed in blogging back then, and I still do, although I haven’t been able to contribute as often as I would like. Therefore, one of my top goals for 2017 is to get back into the building up that online presence, and renewing the many friendships that I have made here in the Rain.  I do wish to thank all the Active Rain members, who gave me the encour... 12/21/2016

Some may choose to put off selling their homes in the fall, but here are some great reasons for listing your home to sell this fall that make sense. The Demand is StrongThe latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National Association of REALTORS®(NAR) shows that buyer demand remains very strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing and able to purchase...and are in the market right now! The local San Antonio, Texas market still remains competitive for buyers. There is Less Competition NowHousing supply is still under the 6 month supply that is needed for a normal balanced housing market. This means, in most states, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in that market. This is good news for home prices. However, additional... 12/06/2016

Did you just recently get a PCS order to move to San Antonio TX? Your mind is probably on overdrive wondering about the where, how and what of the situation. This is the perfect time for you to enlist my help, as I have been through what you are going through, I get it, I understand the stress and all that is involved. But first, breathe - and take in the excitement of moving to the 7th largest city in the nation! San Antonio has plenty to offer you and your family. With its nickname being “Military City USA”, you can safely assume that the military is embedded right at the core of the city’s culture, economy, industry, way of life and more importantly, its people. You will feel right at home in no time! :)Next, consider the following things to help you get started with your PCS move to... 11/20/2016

 3103 Sonora Mesa (Was) For Sale Redland Estates Redland Estates is about one-half mile from the interesection of Loop 1604 and Redland Road. The gated community contains less than one-hundred fifty homes. Served by the North East Independent School District, this community is just a short commute for shopping and entertainment locations in north central San Antonio. Not far from San Antonio International Airport too. Exterior for 3103 Sonora Mesa  This is a one-story, three side brick home. There is some slope on the front which is great for moving water away from the foundation. There is full lawn irrigation system. The back yard has mature trees. Not semi mature but real mature. Since I'm not a plant guy I will not hazard a guess as to how old the trees are, but they've been around a... 11/17/2016

Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.1. Prices Will Continue to RiseCoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that home prices have appreciated by 5.7% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 5.3% over the next year. The Home Price Expectation Survey polls a distinguished panel of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts. Their most recent report projects home values to appreciate by more than 3.5% a year for the next 5 years. The bottom in home prices has come and gone. Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to IncreaseFreddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows ... 11/15/2016

I wish to take this opportunity to Thank all the veterans who have served our country. SAN ANTONIO - Veteran’s Day is Friday and dozens of restaurants and companies will be extending a thank you to the men and women who have served in the country’s armed forces with deals, discounts and freebies.Most companies require some form of military identification to receive the Veteran’s Day deal. Calling ahead is always a good idea to make sure the restaurant is participating.Some of the San Antonio locations offering discounts and freebies can be found below. All discounts and specials are for Friday unless otherwise stated.54th Street Bar and Grill: Veterans and active duty military get any free entree up to $12 for dine-in only.The Alamo: Offering free audio and Battlefield tours to all acti... 11/11/2016

Taking note of your home’s issues is easy. Knowing which improvements will pay off can be a little more complicated. The last thing you want is to invest in an upgrade that neither raises the value of your property nor make it more appealing to buyers.From cosmetic fixes to energy-efficient upgrades to basic maintenance, Home Improvement Leads shares which projects are sure to pay off down the road.Kitchen or Bath Remodel Kitchen and baths can be the fulcrum of a home sale. These rooms get a good deal of traffic and need to be functional and up-to-date. Buyers also know how big of a project updating these rooms can be—and they prefer not to look down the barrel of an intimidating overhaul the second they sign the contract.Even if you can’t afford a whole bathroom or kitchen remodel, rep... 11/09/2016

Anyone associated with the real estate profession knows that homeowners and potential buyers alike are more concerned with energy efficiency today than ever before. Considering that roughly 40 percent of existing homes are over 45 years old, that means renovations are necessary in order to make this dream a reality. Whether your client is thinking about putting their home on the market now or simply wanting to decrease their current utility bills, these energy saving ideas for remodeling the home from Home Improvement Leads are sure to give them exactly what they’re looking for.Energy AuditIf your client’s home improvement goal is for energy efficiency, then it’s important to have an energy audit performed on the home prior to making any renovations. These audits—also called a home ener... 11/04/2016

Most everyone will agree that our military service members have made a huge sacrifice serving in the Armed Forces, but what about the families who standby and support them while they are away from home? President Obama has stated that, "Our nation owes each day of security and freedom that we enjoy to the members of our Armed Forces and their families. Behind our brave service men and women, there are family members and loved ones who share in their sacrifice and provide unending support."Therefore, every year the President has signed a proclamation declaring that month of November be Military Family Month. This annual proclamation marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of the Military Family in which the Department of Defense and the nation will honor the commitment and sacrif... 11/02/2016

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you probably have a mile-long list of questions and concerns about the selling process. While the essential minor repair jobs and renovations that you need to be completed before putting a house on the market vary from home to home, most homeowners simply want to achieve the highest possible sale price for their property. There are plenty of ways you can increase the sale value of your home and the choices can be overwhelming, so Home Improvement Leads have narrowed it down for you. Here are some of our top picks for home improvement projects that will increase the sale value of your home.New kitchenHomeowners with restricted time-lines and budgets can often choose only one or two major home renovation projects before selling. If this is the c... 11/02/2016

Making a Permanent Change of Station(PCS) can be a big deal especially if you have never been stationed in San Antonio before, but it doesn’t have to be when you have a local Military Relocation Professional, who is willing and available to help to make your move with little or no hassle. Port San Antonio consists of three major posts, Fort Sam Houston, TX, home of the Combat Medic and military medical training center for all branches of service, Lackland Air Force Base, home of the Air Force Basic Airmen Training, and Randolph Air Force Base, known as "the Showplace of the Air Force" because of the Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture in which all structures including hangars were constructed.Fort Sam Houston is located northeast of downtown San Antonio, and Randolph AFB is loca... 11/01/2016

While recovering from our Great Recession, and the Big Shale Oil Boom in Texas, the demand for single family homes is on the rise, but inventory remains at an all time low. Consequently, prices are rising, and affordable homes are beginning to decline. Driven by population and economic growth, Texas has been a leading state for domestic migration since the mid 2000’s, only yielding the top spot to Florida in 2015. The mass majority have come from California, and Texas has also been among the top five states for international migration.  Why are they coming to Texas? The low cost of living, strong economic growth due to the most recent oil boom, and the lightly regulated commercial environment have attracted businesses and people to the state. Affordable homes have always been those home... 10/23/2016

Spring Vistas in San Antonio 78251 Spring Vistas in San Antonio 78251 zip code is a west side community of over 1,700 single family detached homes. The location of Spring Vistas is very convenient for those wishing to live, work, or commute from west and northwest San Antonio. Where is Spring Vistas? Spring Vistas is west of Loop 410 and north of Potranco Road. It's a short commute to SeaWorld, Lackland AFB, La Cantera, and The Rim. What Are Homes Like in Spring Vistas Homes in Sierra Vista are near the median sales price for homes sold in San Antonio, which is around $200,000. Currently, all available homes on the market in Sierra Vista are offered at prices less than $200,000. Use the link below to see available homes in Sierra Vista. See Homes Available in Sierra Vista HereWhat Schoo... 10/15/2016

Building Human Towers Building human towers is a competitive event. The videos below are from the event in the Catalonia area of Spain. The event combines strength, agility, teamwork, daring, and luck. These towers are several degrees more difficult than what we see performed by cheerleaders in the US. If you have a few minutes to spare check these videos. Background and History of the Concurs de Castells Concurs de Castells-2016The video below, shows one of the groups actually building and dismantling the human tower. This is quite a feat with contests being conducted every two years.  The people in the stands really seem to get into it. Interesting to see what passes for fun in different parts of the world. I'm guessing they would find baseball to slow and boring. We don't all have to... 10/14/2016