Texas International Fishing Tournament (TIFT)

Scheduled to be held July 29 -Aug. 2, 2015 the 76th TIFT is expected to attract as many as 1500 anglers and more than 500 boats during its two days of fishing activities. TIFT is open to anglers of all ages and levels of experience. And remember, when it comes to big catches, luck often wins over skill! We hope to see you at the 76th! Surrounded by the sparkling waters of the Laguna Madre Bay and Gulf of Mexico, Port Isabel and South Padre Island play host to Texas’ largest saltwater fishing tournament—the Texas International Fishing Tournament. The tournament starts with late registration on Wednesday and Thursday with a special Playday for junior anglers on Thursday. For more information, visit: http://tift.org/

3 homebuying myths busted

Buying a home can be complicated, so it's easy to get misinformation about the process. A Texas REALTOR® can help you avoid problems, but here's some clarification about a few false assumptions. Myth: I can use sites that list home values to figure out a fair offer price. Truth: There are a lot of sites online that offer estimates of how much a home is worth, but they're not always reliable sources. If you use them to come up with an offer, you may end up spending more than you need to. A Texas REALTOR® has access to accurate information about your market, other homes sold in the area, and property features, which can help you arrive at an appropriate offer price. Myth: Sellers have to fix issues noted in an inspection report. Truth: They don't-even if you ask them to. Repairs are a negotiable item like other terms of a contract. If a seller does not agree to make requested repairs and your contract includes a termination option, you have the right to terminate the contract prior to the option period's expiration. Myth: A seller has to accept my full-price (or above full-price) offer. Truth: A seller is not bound to accept any offer, even at full price or above. A seller may choose to accept an offer because of other favorable terms, such as an earlier closing date.

5 lessons for the second-time homebuyer

We've only been homeowners for three years, but even that short time has offered my husband and me lots of lessons that we're using as we buy our next home. These are some of the ways our perspectives have changed from being first-time homebuyers to second-timers. Paint colors really don't matter much. I made the mistake of not looking past cosmetic features that are easily changed, like outdated fixtures or unusual paint colors. This caused us to pass up several homes and potentially lengthened our home search. Ask about repair work. We didn't ask many questions about repairs and maintenance that had been completed on properties when shopping for our first home. Finding out when the roof was replaced or whether the HVAC system was still under warranty could have saved us time and money. Now we ask. Priorities may change. ​The criteria that lead you to your first home may not be what you seek in your next one. I initially wanted a large backyard, until I had to mow one. And we were fine buying a home that required us to join the homeowners association, but now we'd prefer a home in a neighborhood with fewer restrictions. Get your financing in order early. During our first home purchase, we made the mistake of starting to look for homes before getting a prequalification or preapproval letter to share with sellers. This time around, we started talking with a mortgage broker first. Always work with a Texas REALTOR®. Just as your financial situation may have changed in the past few years, it's possible that the housing market may have changed, too. A Texas REALTOR® has the experience and knowledge about the current market to help you find the home that fits your needs ... and you may learn a thing or two in the process.

Laguna Vista, TX – Featured in the Valley Morning Star

Little Town is Tops Laguna Vista one of the best for retirees By KAYLEIGH SOMMER Staff Writer | Posted 22 hours ago LAGUNA VISTA – It’s almost like you can’t afford not to live here. John Karcanes and his wife Linda have lived in Laguna Vista for about 12 years and they love everything about it. “We’ve been wondering when it will get discovered,” Karcanes said. The little town by the bay, home to Winter Tex-ans, retirees and families, has finally made the big time. The online publication MarketWatch.com has named the town one of the top 10 coastal towns where people can afford to retire. The site does not rank the 10 towns. The publication describes the town as a small residential community on the southernmost Texas coast near beautiful South Padre Island, Harlingen and Port Isabel. “This popular resort area has a very warm winter climate and is increasingly home to many retirees as well as vacationers,” the website states. As one of the most affordable retirement spots, the median home sale price is about $150,000. The National Association of Realtors put the national median home price at $196,900 at the end of 2013. The Karcanes said Laguna Vista exuded appeal as soon as they set foot in the city limits with its location, climate and affordability. The Karcanes, who are originally from Minnesota, said the area had every-thing they needed, the right weather, affordable housing and a plethora of activities they can enjoy. “We had a former neighbor purchase property here and they needed help moving,” he said. They were in town only one day when Linda looked at her husband and insisted they move here, too. So they did and now they live here all year round on a beautiful golf course property with a small lake view. “We’re going to live here for the rest our lives,” Karcanes said. A complete version of this story can be found at www.MyValleyStar.com ksommer@valleystar.com

Is your house worth that much?

It has happened again. A for sale sign went up in my neighborhood, and when I saw the asking price for the home, my eyes went wide. I couldn’t believe that house was worth so much. It turns out buyers were thinking the same thing. More than two months later, the owners are still trying to sell their property. The price has been reduced several times-more than 20% from the original number. Meanwhile, other nearby homes have come on the market and sold-some in a week’s time. How can you avoid a scenario like this? Start by working with a Texas REALTOR®. Your REALTOR® knows has in-depth experience and knowledge of the activity and values in your neighborhood. By looking at data with him or her, you can come up with a price and strategy to sell your house for the highest possible amount … without it lingering on the market.

I’m the back-up buyer. When does my option period start?

A seller accepted my back-up offer on a home that’s currently under contract to another buyer. I paid for a 10-day option to terminate, but when do my 10 days start? I don’t know if I’ll even get the chance to purchase the house. You have the option to terminate at any time while you’re in the back-up position. The option period specified in Paragraph 23 of the contract-10 days, in your case-doesn’t start until your contract becomes the primary contract, which is the date you receive notice from the seller of the termination of the first contract.

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