Texans for Prop 1 #TxProp1

City of South Padre Island Blood Drive

22nd Annual World's Championship Shrimp Cook-Off

Sea Turtle Inc. Throwback to the Beginning: The 70's!

Make your house look bigger without removing walls

Instead of just asking me to help with his kitchen remodel, my friend made me an offer I couldn't refuse: Want to come over and knock down a wall? While that's one way to make your house feel bigger, it's probably not the best option if you're putting your house on the market. Here are a few easier ways to add a sense of space. Cut the clutter Everyone knows they should do this, but few people go far enough. Don't put books and magazines in neat piles-get rid of them. Put knickknacks in storage, and pare down your furniture. It's better to have a few large pieces than several small ones. Take a walk Every house has natural paths, from the kitchen to the dining room or from the living room to the bathroom, and these walkways must be clear. You may not mind detouring around a large sectional to get from the TV room to the kitchen, but buyers will think your TV room isn't big enough. Look around Related to clear walkways are clear views. Keep tall furniture like bookshelves away from doorways, and pull back the shower curtain to expose the entire bathroom. Don't block any part of windows, sliding glass doors, or French doors. Pick the right paint If you plan to repaint some rooms, choose colors that feel cool, such as light blue or light green. Add light Not only will light colors create a sense of openness, actual light helps, too. Open curtains or blinds to let in sunlight, and consider adding a lamp to dark corners. When you're done with these changes, ask for objective feedback from your Texas REALTOR®. He or she will know what buyers will focus on when they enter your house and which rooms might need more work. Of course, if you do decide you want knock down a wall, give me a call. I'll bring my sledgehammer.

5 seller safety tips

When you're selling your property, there's one important thing you shouldn't ignore: your safety. While it's unlikely you'll experience issues, there are a few precautions you can take to avoid problems. Hire a Texas REALTOR®. If you sell your property on your own, how will you vet strangers who want to see it? Texas REALTORS® often manage that guesswork by assessing prospects and handling viewing appointments around your schedule. Store your valuables. Before your house is shown to prospective buyers, you may want to put valuable items like cash or jewelry in a safe-deposit box, or temporarily house your high-quality electronics in a storage facility. And put those valuable items away before your Texas REALTOR® takes photos so your listing doesn't attract people interested in these items rather than your property. Put away your prescriptions. Lock up your prescription medication or keep it with you when you leave for showings or an open house, since it's another item that criminals often target. Pack up your family photos. Storing these photos is often recommended for staging, but it can also be a safety measure. People touring your home don't need to know your personal details, like the size of your family or what your kids look like. Make prospective buyers go through your Texas REALTOR®. A for sale sign in your yard might attract people who will ring your doorbell to ask about viewing your property. Don't let people enter your home in these circumstances. Instead, have them contact your Texas REALTOR® to set up an appointment. Your Texas REALTOR® may have other tips to help you stay safe as a seller, and will ensure you have a smooth sale.

"Night at the Casbah"

Day of the Dead Celebration - Port Isabel, TX

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Madre presents Boots 'n Bling Casino Night!

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Madre presents Boots 'n Bling Casino Night! This year's annual gala will feature casino style games, a taste of the Laguna Madre with hors d'oeuvres from several local restaurants, music, and a live auction! So bling up your boots & join us for a fun night to support the children of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Madre! Individual tickets are $40, Couples $75.

#TxProp1

I didn't buy the house. Can I get a refund for the inspection?

I was under contract to purchase a home, but the deal fell through. Before the contract terminated, I had the property inspected. Can I get a refund for the inspection since I didn't buy the house? Generally, no. To have a chance at recovering your inspection fee without an agreement with the seller to pay the fee, you would first have to demonstrate that the deal fell through due to the seller's default. Then you may be able to convince a court to award you the fee as part of the damages that you incurred based on the seller's default. However, should you decide under Paragraph 15 of the TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale) to terminate the contract and receive the earnest money, you would have no further recourse to pursue the inspection fee.

The new law that addresses creeping property-tax rates

American poet Carl Sandburg once reflected on the creeping of fog, how it "comes on little cat feet." That type of stealth is fine for the weather but not for Texas property-tax policy. Many Texans get sticker shock from their property-tax bills. They get an even bigger shock when they discover that their local taxing jurisdiction-municipality, county, school district-raised tax rates without their knowledge. Members of the Texas Legislature have heard the outcry from Texans. You want a more transparent process and stricter requirements to approve tax-rate increases. This year, legislators took a major step to address this issue. Effective Jan. 1, 2016, a local taxing unit must have a supermajority to approve a property-tax rate increase. That means at least 60% of the unit's members must vote in favor of the increase. Furthermore, all property-tax changes will be posted in an easily accessible and consumer-friendly manner. This new law didn't get a lot of attention last session but could have a significant impact on your wallet. Taxing jurisdictions will no longer be able to hide behind voice votes, simple majorities, and ambiguous public notices to increase tax rates. Each year tens of thousands of Texans show up at central appraisal district offices to protest the values assessed on their property. But almost no one attends the budget hearings where property-tax rates are set. This new law enables citizens to take a more active role in setting their tax rates and helps them understand why their elected officials feel a rate increase is necessary. We know taxes are necessary for communities to fund government services. However, increases should be done in a judicious, transparent manner-not approved in a stealthy manner, creeping up on little cat feet.

501 Ladies Night Out

Keep up with the changes in the real estate market

Say you bought your home seven years ago and you’re ready to move. You’re thinking of selling on your own. After all, you remember most of the steps in the process, and things couldn’t have changed that much since then, could they? Well, here are just a few differences … A new law requires disclosure about fluctuating water levels if the property adjoins certain bodies of water. Last month, there were revisions to the Condominium Resale Certificate. Websites will now tell you how much your home is supposedly worth. (They’re often wrong by tens of thousands of dollars.) The increased energy exploration in parts of Texas has meant negotiations regarding mineral rights in many transactions. New laws have changed the rights of property owners in homeowners associations. Not many transactions were done with electronic signatures seven years ago. Several key components of the closing process are set to change tomorrow. Yes, really … tomorrow, October 3. So while none of these and other changes technically prevent you from selling your home on your own, don’t you think you’d be better off hiring a Texas REALTOR®?

Rock 'N Roll Halloween

City of South Padre Island Blood Drive

5 to-dos for first-time homebuyers

You've decided that your first home should have three bedrooms and a big yard, but what other steps have you taken? There are a few other tasks you'll be glad you took care of before submitting an offer. Determine what's important to you. Create a list of your must-have features and refer to it when viewing properties. Your priorities may change, but it can be a good starting point. Ask for documents. If you're viewing property in a homeowners association, for example, request a copy of the HOA rules to review and ensure you're willing to abide by them. Look into assistance programs. You may qualify for homebuyer-assistance programs based on your profession, income, or the property's location. Consider all expenses. When calculating your housing budget, be sure to factor in expenses like taxes, insurance, utilities, and commuting costs. Think about resale value. You may appreciate a home's unique features or location, but will potential buyers love them when you're ready to sell? One of the easiest tasks you'll want to take care of when you're ready to buy your first home is to hire a Texas REALTOR®. These professionals have the experience and knowledge to help you reach your real estate goals.