South Padre Island Farmers Market

SPI Farmers’ Market Every Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Shores 8605 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island, TX

34th Annual Ladies Kingfish Tournament on South Padre Island

Registration is underway! Find out more information about the Ladies Kingfish Tournament on South Padre Island by visiting their website.

Why you should ask for the seller’s phone number

I like my house, but I think I like the guy who sold it to us better. After my wife and I closed on our house 13 years ago, we walked into the kitchen and found a wonderful surprise left by the previous owner: manuals to the appliances, previous utility bills, cans of paint, and a hand-drawn map of the sprinkler system’s zones. This information has been indispensable as paint peeled, sprinklers leaked, and other systems needed maintenance. But one thing he left-something I never would’ve asked for-has proven more valuable: his phone number. That’s right, the guy voluntarily left his cell number and said to call with any questions. And I have. Most recently, I needed blueprints. Before we started building an addition, our architect mentioned how it would be easier to draw his initial plans if only he had the house’s blueprints. So, more than 10 years after we last saw each other, I called Tim, who not only sold us the house but had it custom built for his family. A few days later, the blueprints arrived in the mail. Not everyone’s going to find a seller as willing to help as we did, but you’ll never know if you don’t ask. So after you shake hands at the closing, ask the sellers to share their knowledge about the house-and maybe their cell number.

3 industry-changing legislative wins for you and your clients

Thanks to one of the most successful legislative session in recent history, Texans will have the chance on the November ballot to ban real estate transfer taxes and increase the homestead exemption. Plus, a bill to save Texas real estate brokers $200 per year is waiting for Gov. Abbott’s approval. Click here to learn more about these and several other legislative successes for Texas REALTORS®.

How land is selling in your market

Would you like to own a piece of Texas? What about 20 acres of it? If so, you would be among the thousands of landowners this year who purchased a small tract of land in Texas (yes, 20 acres is small by our standards). So, how much does a small tract of land cost in different regions of the state? Find out in the 2015 Texas Small Land Sales Report. This 18-page report from the Texas Association of REALTORS® explains how small land sales differ across the state by price and size.

What happens when the seller won’t make repairs?

I made an offer on a home, and an inspector found several things that need to be repaired that weren’t listed on the seller’s disclosure. The seller refuses to make the repairs. Doesn’t he have to? No. A professional inspection will often reveal items in need of repair that the seller didn’t know about. When that happens, you can propose an amendment to the contract requesting that the seller make specific repairs. However, the seller is not obligated to accept the amendment to make repairs. If he does not accept the amendment, and if your contract includes a termination option, you have the right to terminate the contract prior to the option period’s expiration date.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Artificial Reef Program

Please go to Facebook and Like the Texas Parks & Wildlife Artificial Reef program. The site shows where the reefing project will be and organizations and City’s that supported this project. https://www.facebook.com/TexasParksAndWildlifeArtificialReefProgram The Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Texas hosts commercial and recreational fishing and diving and plays an important role in local economies. It provides vital habitat for marine life of all types and links us with the ocean through an interconnected environment. Artificial reefs enhance this marine environment by providing additional habitat needed by marine life. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Artificial Reef Program, funded through industry partnerships and grants, creates and enhances this critical marine habitat to benefit Texans and the natural environment.