Hey, Internet, why are you such a tease?

I admit it … I got sucked in. I was poking around on Zillow when a photo of a beautiful bathroom caught my attention. A little tag at the top said, “Estimate: $15,500.” Wow! I was instantly transported to daydream mode, imagining this stunning bathroom in my home. Then, like a needle scratching across a record, a user comment below the photo jerked me back to reality. “Lots o’ luck,” said this person, identifying him or herself as a remodeling professional. The remodeler projected that the cost was off by at least 100%. Another commenter pegged the price at about $60,000. Daydream over. I should’ve known better. Zillow is an interesting website. But I know their “zestimates” for home values are all over the place, often wrong by 20% or more. I’ve seen them designate the University of Texas as a nearby neighborhood to Lakeway. (Hey, it’s only about a seven-hour walk!) Still, for a second there, I thought I could update my 1960s-era bathroom into a modern dream bathroom for a quarter of the real cost. In the future, if I want to know what a bathroom remodel will set me back, I’ll ask a contractor. Just like when I’m ready to sell my home and want to know what it’s worth—or I’m looking to buy and need to know if one neighborhood is near another—I’ll contact an expert who really knows what's going on ... I'll talk to a Texas REALTOR®.

END OF AN ERA: SPI bids farewell to Pinkerton, Evans

By PAMELA CODY Special to the PRESS SPI farewell to Pinkerton and Evans pic2-10-30-14A farewell reception for outgoing South Padre Island Mayor Robert Pinkerton and Councilperson JoAnn Evans was held at the Isla Grand Beach Resort on the Island last Wednesday, with family, friends, local first responders and members of the community gathering to celebrate the pair’s years of service to the city. Evans, arriving with her husband and looking relaxed and happy, had a frightening moment briefly before the festivities began; a short choking fit had attendees momentarily alarmed, but she recovered after a few minutes with a little assistance and some water.

This home has all the bells and whistles!

This is a 4/3 located in a quiet neighborhood and only a 10 minute drive to the white sandy beaches of South Padre Island. This home is truly top of the line! Granite counter tops, sound system, reverse osmosis, underground utilities, irrigation system and hurricane impact windows. Mature landscaping includes fruit trees, limes, oranges, avocados and a herb and tomato garden! Imagine yourself relaxing in the private backyard or taking a dip in the pool, whichever you choose, you are sure to fall in love with this one.

Zombie Halloween Walk

Vote YES on Proposition 1

What you need to know about Prop. 1

Did you know that the Texas Association of REALTORS® is supporting a proposition on the November ballot? Prop 1 is money for non-tolled roadways with NO new taxes and NO new debt. If passed, Proposition 1 will help: • Make Texas roadways safer • Ease congestion • Reduce wear and tear • Increase jobs • Lessen the state’s reliance on debt Texas REALTORS®, we need you to help spread the word and get out and vote. Nov. 4 is Election Day. Additional resources for Prop 1 – TexansForProp1.com | MoveTexasForward.com |TexasFuture.com

Booming mosquito population prompts spraying

By JACOB LOPEZ Port Isabel-South Padre PRESS

Mosquito crane-flyIn the ongoing war against mosquitoes, local communities have struck a critical blow against the blood-thirsty pests. Adrian Rodriguez, public information officer for the City of South Padre Island, said the Island is spraying “every morning at 4 a.m.” and in the evenings “whenever the wind isn’t blowing.” Rodriguez explained that strong winds would simply blow the spray right off the Island. A press release issued by the City of SPI reads, “Due to recent heavy rains, the South Padre Island Environmental Health Services Department (EHSD) larvicided standing water on the entire Island.”

South Padre Island Farmers Markets

South Padre Island Farmers Markets 8505 Padre Boulevard South Padre Island, TX 78597 956 545 0296

NAMAR Event Center Starting: Feb 02, 2014 Every Sunday From: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Admission: FREE Bring the whole family to the South Padre Island farmer’s market. This family-friendly event brings seasonal fresh produce, corn fed beef, specialty foods and more to the Namar Event Center every Sunday.

Javier Marin Tres Cabezas Colosales

Visit monumental sculptures by world renowned artist Javier Marin. Placed on-site just off the Causeway in the Queen Isabella Memorial Park through May 2015. Javier Marín has developed a solid career as a visual artist for the last 30 years, holding over 90 solo exhibitions and more than 200 collective shows in Mexico, the USA, Canada, and several countries in South America, Asia and Europe. His artwork can be found in numerous public collections including the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Blake-Purnell Collection, the Malba-Fundación Constantini Buenos Aires (Argentina), amongst others.

SPI Birding & Nature Center

SPI Birding & Nature Center From: Sep 14, 2014 – Oct 26, 2014 Every Sunday Starting: 12:30 PM Explore the boardwalks over the bay and learn about the our incredible variety of birds and mammals.

New Listing! Oyster Cove #69B Port Isabel. TX 78578

Check out my new listing! It is perfect for the avid fisherman!

A LANDMARK RESTORED: Grant paves way for hotel

Port Isabel-South Padre PRESS

Congressman Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville) along with U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Regional Director Pedro Garza announced a $1.2 million grant for the acquisition and renovation of the Yacht Club Hotel in Port Isabel. The announcement came Wednesday, Oct. 8. The Yacht Club Hotel on North Yturria Street is the future site of the Culinary Arts Institute of Port Isabel. According to a press release issued by the office of Congressman Vela, “The EDA grant will support the re-purposing of the Yacht Club Hotel and restore the landmark to its original state.

Will my soon-to-be-ex-spouse have to sign the contracts, too?

My wife and I bought a house together a few years ago, and now we’re getting divorced. Neither of us wants to keep the house, so we’ve agreed to hire a real estate broker to list the property. Will we both have to sign the contract to work with the broker? Would we both have to sign to accept an offer? Most likely, yes to both questions. Assuming both you and your wife own the property, any real estate broker will need authorization from both of you to market and sell the property. A signed listing agreement between both of you and the real estate broker will provide the necessary authorization. Additionally, any offer to purchase the property will need to be signed by both of you in order to be considered accepted. Keep in mind that if divorce proceedings have already been initiated, you will need to inform your attorneys, if any, about the plans to sell the property so that they can obtain any necessary authorization from the divorce court.

5 safety concerns to address when selling your home

Selling your home means making it available to as many potential buyers as possible. Are you ready to have people you don't know looking through your house? Here are a few safety-related questions you should consider when you're ready to sell: Where will your property information be posted online? If there’s a lockbox for the keys, who will have access to it? Who will be present during showings and open houses? Which of your valuables should be locked up, and which personal items removed? What should you do if someone stops by to see the home without an appointment? If you have concerns about the safety of your property and your family while your home is on the market, talk with a Texas REALTOR®. He or she can recommend ways to protect you and your property.

Perfect Island Hideaway

Sunchase beachfront #225 This second floor condo is located in an exclusive gated, two-story complex located in the center of town, within easy walking distance of dining and shopping areas. Sunchase Beachfront has tropical landscaping with pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, weight room and laundry room. Don't wait, make this condo your own tropical hideaway!

Great Commercial Property in Port Isabel, TX

1504 Highway 100 Port Isabel, TX 78578 3 acres of land with a car wash located in the heart of Port Isabel! This lot has 95 linear feet of frontage on Highway 100. This is a great opportunity to add a restaurant, shopping center and more!

5 tips to hire the right moving company

It’s a great feeling when you've found the property of your dreams. It’s not such a great feeling to start planning how you’ll move your belongings into it. Hiring movers can help you take some of the stress out of your move, but only if you find the right one. In addition to review and ratings websites, word-of-mouth recommendations are a good way to identify your options. Your Texas Realtor is another great resource for learning about reputable movers in your area. Once you have a few companies in mind, narrow down the competition with these tips. Three is the magic number Choosing one company without doing your research could lead to a frustrating experience, but calling a dozen moving companies for estimates can take too much time. Instead, decide on at least three companies you want to learn more about. You’ll get a good sense for average rates and offerings for your area. You may even be able to use their estimates to your advantage later. Get an in-person assessment Most people aren’t a good judge of how much stuff they have, and while some companies have online tools that create an estimate using your best guess, you should ask your picks to visit your home and take inventory for an accurate estimate. During an in-person assessment, you’ll be asked about what you’re planning to take, the moving supplies you need, and about your heavy or fragile items. Your movers will need to know the layout of your new property, too, so don’t forget to tell them about the three flights of stairs or that they’ll have to park on the street. Ask questions There are plenty of questions you can ask depending on your situation, but make sure to get answers to these in particular: Are you licensed for in- or out-of-state moves? The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles licenses moving companies, which must have an active TxDMV certificate on file to operate legally. Find out if a company is licensed at apps.txdmv.gov/apps/mccs/truckstop. What type of insurance do you carry? (They should at least carry workers’ compensation insurance.) What insurance coverage do you offer for my belongings? (valuation or replacement coverage) Can I pack myself? Will my items be covered if so? Is your crew bonded? (protection in case of employee theft, vandalism) Are there items you won’t transport? (light bulbs, batteries, gas) Don’t hold back information Be upfront about what you need your movers to do, whether it’s packing and unloading, assembling or dissembling items, or heavy lifting. You may think you can get a deal by glossing over details, but you’ll ultimately pay more for your hidden extras, and your movers won’t be pleased. Negotiate the deal You’ll receive an estimate from your moving companies based on several factors, such as the distance of the move and the potential gas expense, the weight or square footage that your items will use in the moving van, and labor costs. This is where having more than one estimate will come in handy. Don’t be afraid to tell your top pick if you’ve received a lower estimate that appeals to you, or roughly how much you want to spend. Look for other areas in which you can negotiate, such as free junk-hauling services or reduced rates for extra supplies or a different move date. Your movers can be a huge help, but only if you put in the effort to choose the right one.

Just Listed!

123 Golf House Rd. Laguna Vista, TX 78578 This is another beautiful custom home built by Bubba Vann of Gallery Built Homes. The backyard is a tropical paradise with has the safety of a gated, heated pool as well as a hot tub and fire pit. The private backyard provides you with cool breezes and afternoon shade. The inside of the home boasts vaulted ceilings, custom cabinets and granite counters in the kitchen and restrooms. Don't miss your opportunity to own a piece of tropical paradise!

5 design trends for new homes

Privacy, personal elements, and practicality are a few of the features that buyers purchasing new homes desire, according to experts interviewed by Builder magazine. Here’s what designs those experts say are popular this year. Private outdoor spaces. Buyers are looking for outdoor areas that have some privacy from nearby houses. Outdoor “rooms.” These covered outdoor spaces adjoin interior rooms but provide access to outside. Personal touches. Those buyers purchasing new or existing homes are looking for ways to introduce their personal touch in a home, typically through custom fixtures, flooring, and kitchen designs. More room in the garage. Cars aren’t the only items homeowners store in garages. Buyers are looking for extra space to expand their storage options. Small and efficient. Some buyers are looking at smaller homes seeking energy efficiency and functional spaces. Read about nine other design trends in “14 New-Home Design Trends for 2014” on Builder magazine’s website.

Bands on the Beach

Come on over and listen to the live music and watch the fireworks during Bands on the Beach! September 5th – October 31st every Friday & Saturday at 7pm at Clayton’s Beach Bar.

Sand Castle Days

South Padre Island Sand Castle Days, my favorite event of the year! Join everyone at Clayton’s (the biggest beach bar in Texas) and check out the amazing sand sculptures. October 3-5

Port Isabel Lighthouse Market Days

While you’re at the Port Isabel Lighthouse Market Days on October 11th, make sure you take advantage of the $1 admission to the museums!