Can you trust online price estimates for your home?

Have you ever entered your address into a website that claims it will tell you how much your property is worth right now? And have you ever been shocked at the number it calculates? As it turns out, many of those websites don’t have access to important information about your property and instead use data that might not be so accurate. In fact, these popular websites explain the limitations with their own data in their disclaimers—which you can read for yourself in this free flier. A Texas REALTOR® is the best source for real estate information online or in person, especially when it comes to helping you determine how much your home is worth. They also have a lot of other useful advice about buying, selling, or leasing property in Texas, and they’ve shared some of it for this free guide, Now that’s a smart move. Check it out and then contact a Texas REALTOR® for more useful—and accurate—information.

Price Reduced! 210 W. Mezquite South Padre Island

Looking for a Bayside Residential Lot? Check out 210 W. Mezquite, price reduced to $89,000!

What to know about student debt and homebuying

A couple of friends of mine are having a year full of major life milestones: Their wedding this fall is quickly approaching. One of them just finished her first year of teaching after going back to school for a master’s degree. And, now, they’re closing on their first home this month. They were able to make it all happen, but for many who are in similar situations, the idea of buying a home after incurring a significant amount of student debt, whether from undergraduate or graduate programs, can seem like a major challenge. A new survey from the National Association of REALTORS® reported that 71% of non-homeowners polled believe that student debt is delaying them from buying a home. Much is made of millennials' homeownership trends and preferences, but only recently has the effect of student debt started to garner more attention. Senator Elizabeth Warren addressed the topic specifically during the 2016 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C., last month. From an individual standpoint, one of the most important things to keep in mind when entering the homebuying process with student debt is your debt-to-income ratio. It’s not always calculated quite the same—sometimes student debt is included as a percentage of the current balance rather than monthly payments—but generally, it’s the percentage of monthly income that’s spent on all debts (auto loans, credit cards, etc.), not just student loans. In the case of my friends, they were lucky enough to have a lender who worked with them to lower that ratio to the point where they could qualify for the home they had in mind. Some common ways to lower your debt-to-income ratio include paying down credit cards, getting car loans down to 10 payments or fewer (the point at which some lenders will exclude it from the ratio), finding new sources of income (can you add freelance work?), or if you have a partner, moving debt around might be an option. A debt-to-income ratio of 36% or less is ideal, but in some cases lenders will consider up to a 43% ratio. Your REALTOR® may suggest other ways that apply to your situation. It can be hard to reduce your debt-to-income ratio while paying student loans—not to mention saving for a downpayment—but taking the long view of your finances and managing your ratio now can pay off in the future when you’re ready to start the homebuying process.

About This Activity Scheduled for the 4th of June, 2016, the 2016 Summer Longest Causeway Run & Fitness Walk will follow a 6.2 mile (10K) course starting at Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark on South Padre Island, continuing on to the Queen Isabella Causeway and over the Laguna Madre Bay and ending in front of the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center in Port Isabel. Awards ceremony will be held immediately following the event at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center. RUN STARTS at 7:00 A.M. WALK STARTS at 7:30 A.M. Event details and schedule OVERALL CASH PRIZES: Overall Male & Female Cash prizes: 1st place will pay $500.00 to each; 2nd place $300.00 each; and 3rd place $200.00 each. Overall Male & Female winners will be ineligible for medals in their respective age divisions. RACE COURSE: 10K (6.2 mi.) Starts at Schlitterbahn Waterpark on South Padre Island and ends at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center (309 E. Railroad Ave.) in Port Isabel. One major incline. Water stations at the end of the Causeway, 1 other location, and at the end of the race. There will be police protection and EMS services. The run is USA Track and Field certified: Certification TX15005WG. RUN STARTS at 7:00 A.M. WALK STARTS at 7:30 A.M. ABSOLUTELY NO PETS ALLOWED. FITNESS WALK COURSE: This course starts at the Schlitterbahn parking lot, then left on to Park Road 100 and on to the Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge, on to Highway 100 one block, then left at Tarnava St. ending at the finish line in the parking lot of the Port Isabel Historic Museum (adjacent to the PIECC). THIS IS NOT A RACE. IT IS A PARTICIPATION WALK. Participation medals will be presented to those walkers crossing the finish line. ABSOLUTELY NO PETS. LATE REGISTRATION IN PERSON: Friday, June 3, 2016, 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center (PIECC), 309 E. Railroad St., Port Isabel. THERE WILL NOT BE ANY LATE REGISTRATIONS OR CHECK-INS THE MORNING OF THE RACE. LATE FEE: Add $5 for runners only. No credit card use during late registration. NO REFUNDS. T-SHIRTS & RUNNERS' BIB/CHIP PICKUP: Participants may check in at the Port Isabel Chamber office Mon.-Thurs. the week of the event from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to pick up their T-shirts and walker wristbands. RUNNERS TIMING CHIPS AND BIBS WILL BE HANDED OUT AT LATE REGISTRATION FRIDAY AT THE PIECC. T-SHIRTS ARE GUARANTEED TO THE FIRST 1,000 PARTICIPANTS TO CHECK IN. SIZES CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. YOU MUST WEAR YOUR ASSIGNED RUNNERS/WALKERS BIB/WRISTBAND TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE CAUSEWAY. AWARDS & PRESENTATIONS CASH AWARD TO OVERALL FIRST THREE PLACES BOTH MALE & FEMALE RUNNERS! $500- 1st; $300- 2nd; $200- 3rd!Awards will be given to the overall male and female winners as well as to first through third place winners in each male and female age division of the 10K. Awards ceremony immediately following the race and scoring at Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center. Refreshments for participants will be available. Overall Male & Female winners will be ineligible for medals in their respective age divisions. PARKING & SHUTTLE SERVICE Shuttle service will be available starting at 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning from the PIECC to the start line at Schlitterbahn. Shuttles will also transport participants from the PIECC back to Schlitterbahn at the end of the race for vehicle pick up. You must be wearing a PICC Causeway Run & Fitness bib or wristband to use the shuttle bus back to Schlitterbahn at the end of the race. Please expect delays with the buses. ABSOLUTELY NO PETS ARE ALLOWED IN THE RUN OR WALK! YOU MUST WEAR YOUR EVENT BIB/WRISTBAND TO BOARD THE BUSES.

What "fiduciary" means and how it applies to your real estate transaction

I read the most incredible thing this morning: Some financial advisers can put their own interests above yours. That's right ... as long as that financial professional recommends an investment that is "suitable," he or she can suggest a fund with higher costs to you (and higher commissions for the adviser) than a cheaper fund that may be a better option for you. Though that is shocking to me, I am encouraged by the following: 1. Many financial advisers adhere to a higher standard that puts the interests of the client above those of the adviser. 2. New rules are in the works to require this higher standard for advisers and brokers who work with retirement accounts. More good news for anyone buying, selling, or leasing real estate: When you receive agency services from a licensed real estate agent or broker in Texas, that professional is required by law to put your interests above his or her own. It's called a "fiduciary" relationship. Even better news when you hire a real estate agent or broker who is also a Texas REALTOR®: All REALTORS® pledge to abide by a Code of Ethics that holds REALTORS® to an even higher standard than what's required by law. To make sure you're getting the highest level of professionalism, make sure your agent or broker is also a Texas REALTOR®.

Why every real estate agent isn't a REALTOR

If you're planning to buy, sell, or lease property, you're probably in the market for a real estate professional to help you through the process. But you may be stuck on who to choose. Depending on where you live, there may be many people interested in your business. Here's one way to make it easier on yourself: Find a Texas REALTOR®. Not all real estate agents are Texas REALTORS® Anyone who wants to sell real estate in Texas must get licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). To obtain a license, someone must pass the real estate licensing exam, and after passing, must take real estate education classes. But these actions don't make someone a Texas REALTOR®. How does someone become a Texas REALTOR®? After obtaining his or her real estate license, the license holder can join the local association of REALTORS®, the state-level association of REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS®. Only then may someone be called a REALTOR®. What makes a Texas REALTOR® different? REALTORS® follow a Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics outlines how REALTORS® should serve consumers, and this consumer-oriented code holds REALTORS® to a high standard of professional behavior. Membership in the Texas Association of REALTORS® has added benefits. Texas REALTORS® have exclusive access to more than 100 forms for many types of real estate transactions that other real estate agents don't have. These forms can help you avoid legal problems down the line.

National Day of Prayer

The community is invited to gather in prayer on Thursday, May 5th at 10:00am on the front steps of South Padre Island City Hall.