SOLD – 239 Lone Star
It is definitely looking like it’s turning into a Sellers’ Market for nicely renovated homes in the urban core. This wonderful home went under contract after four days of being on the market and receiving two offers at the same time. The seller was pleased with the sale and a great new owner should be moving in this weekend. Keep an eye on the Lone Star Neighborhood as it continues to become the next hot neighborhood for buyers.
What do turkey legs, numerous cups of beer, and throngs of people have to do with historic conservation? More than you may know. The Southside Reporter posted this article yesterday detailing San Antonio Conservation Society’s historic rehab grant program and how money from A Night in Old San Antonio (the event with the beer, turkey legs, and folks) helps make the grants possible. The article also lays out the requirements needed in applying for a grant.
Using the proceeds from its 2012 “A Night In Old San Antonio” event and in keeping with its mission, the San Antonio Conservation Society is accepting applications for grants to individuals and organizations for restoration or rehabilitation of residential or commercial structures in the San Antonio area that are at least 50 years old.
The deadline for all entries is 4:30 p.m. Sept. 28. Grant recipients will be notified by Dec. 3.
The Conservation Society began awarding grants in 1990. Examples of grant projects funded in past years include restoration or rehabilitation of roofs, foundations, windows, plaster, facades, chimneys, front doors, porches and stonework.
Since 2000, the society has awarded $1.8 million to individuals and organizations through its grants programs.
SOLD - 117 Panama in Lavaca
I recently sold this wonderfuly renovated home in Lavaca. My client, CVF Homes, continues to provide newly renovated homes at affordable prices.
239 Lone Star 78204
Recently renovated historic home in the hip Lone Star Neighborhood. 3 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. Renovations include refinished floors, new interior paint, electrical upgrades, updated bathrooms, HVAC, updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, washer & dryer, attic conversion, and a security system. Open floor plan flows into the sleek kitchen with breakfast bar. French doors open to a deck and a large back yard. Perfect for entertaining. Move-in ready and waiting for you.
Click on the photo for more pictures and information about the house.
This article introduces the idea of “defensive lending” as a main reason that underwriting is so difficult. “”Defensive lending is the mortgage equivalent of defensive medicine,” where doctors run more tests than needed to reduce litigation risk. “Rather that more medical tests, mortgage lenders are adding underwriting requirements and program restrictions to avoid overstepping a sometimes ambiguous line” that will trigger penalties from Fannie, Freddie, or FHA.”
WASHINGTON — Two federal agencies with far-reaching influence over the mortgage market are working on a problem that could affect the ability of many consumers to obtain a home loan: How to encourage private lenders to ease up on their underwriting restrictions that go beyond what the agencies themselves require for mortgage approvals.
Both the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees giant investors Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration, which runs the low-down-payment FHA program, are considering steps they might take to persuade lenders to open the mortgage spigots a little wider.
Together, Fannie, Freddie and the FHA account for 90%-plus of all home loan funding. The focus of their little-publicized reform projects: the “overlay” rules many lenders have adopted that call for extra fees, larger down payments and higher credit scores than Fannie, Freddie or the FHA require.
531 Devine St. 78210
Wonderful two bedroom and two bathroom home in Historic Lavaca. This home was renovated in 2007 to include foundation repairs, metal roof, and double pane windows throughout. An architecturally designed complementary addition was built to add modern amenities such as a master bath, dressing area with walk-in closet, laundry area, and a screen porch. Large lot includes a storage building. Great location in the neighborhood with easy access to Hwy 281.
Click on the photo for more pictures and information about the house.
The Express-News is reporting today that the rumored store at The Quarry will really open. Who’s planning on being there for opening day? I’m looking forward to checking it out although I’ll admit I don’t plan to camp out like the guy mentioned in the story.
Trader Joe's
Mark your calendars Trader Joe’s fans, the grocer plans to open its first location in San Antonio at 8 a.m. Oct. 19. And one fan already has planned to camp out to ensure he’s the first in line.
Chuck Hernandez, who is the owner of an organic catering service in San Antonio called Arugula Catering, said that he became familiar with Trader Joe’s while studying in California. He said that a tight-knit community exists among people who are familiar with the grocer.
“These are my people at Trader Joe’s. It’s what I grew up with. If you see people with a Trader Joe’s tote, you’re going to stop and talk to them. It’s a strong community of people.”
And when the store opens, Hernandez already has plans to be the first one there.
“I’m going to be the first in line with the first dollar,” he said. “I’m camping out.”
The 11,000-square-foot store will be located at the former West Elm furniture store at the Quarry Village and construction is expected to start sometime this month, said Alison Mochizuki, spokeswoman for the California-based grocery chain.
The San Antonio opening is part of the company’s aggressive expansion into Texas. Trader Joe’s signed the lease for the store at the Quarry Village in March. Other locations the grocer has announced for the Lone Star state are in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano and The Woodlands, according to the company’s website.
“Trader Joe’s is very excited to open a new location in San Antonio. It’s a wonderful community filled with foodies,” Mochizuki said.
The locations at The Woodlands and Fort Worth are slated to open Friday, according to the company’s website. The Austin location, which was the most recent store announced, is set to open in 2014.
Hiring for general staff at the San Antonio store is anticipated to start sometime closer to September. How many people the grocer is looking to hire hasn’t been released, but already Trader Joe’s is accepting applications for management positions for the San Antonio store.
Trader Joe’s got its start in 1958 and has more than 360 stores in 32 states. The chain is known for its specialty foods, private labels and quirky atmosphere, which includes employees who wear brightly colored Hawaiian shirts.
It has amassed a cult following, especially in areas where it’s absent. A Facebook group page called San Antonio Needs a Trader Joe’s has more than 620 members.
When it was reported that the grocer had plans for a store in the Alamo City several expressed pleasure about the news.
Some posted, “Yippee!” and “Hallelujah!” Others claimed to do the happy dance.
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Trader-Joe-s-to-open-Oct-19-3628695.php#ixzz1xi3oCymW
Tonight was the Grand Opening of the much anticipated Alamo Street Eat ~ Bar. Steve and Jody Newman have transformed the former Acapulco Drive Inn into Southtown’s newest place to see and be seen. Judging by tonight’s crowd it was the place to be on a comfortable April evening. The venue will be open Tuesday through Sunday and will feature a rotating mixture of at least three to four of San Antonio’s finest Food Trucks. And of course it wouldn’t be a proper Southtown hang-out if it didn’t include a good selection of draft beers.
See the photos below for more details:
Alamo Street Eat ~ Bar in the shadow of the Tower of Americas
Hours of Operation
Tonight's Selection of Food Trucks
Two of tonight's Food Trucks
Jason Dady (sans backwards baseball cap) brought his DUK Truck
Tonight's Draft Beer and Wine Selection
Decisions decisions!
Street scene
314 Madison 78204
Contemporary construction in the center of the King William Historic District. This luxurious and spacious home has it all. A gourmet kitchen is at the heart of the open floor plan which allows for wonderful entertaining or simply spending a quiet evening in. The private master retreat features a dressing room wrapped with California Closets, two restful balconies, and a well appointed bath. The pool, yard, and patios provide great spaces for outdoor living. Impeccable condition and centrally located.
Click on the photo for more pictures and information about the home.
The recently cleared plot of land at the intersection of West Guenther and South Flores will soon feature an apartment development, The Viceroy. I drive by this intersection almost daily as my office is located just a few blocks south at the intersection of Cevallos and South Flores. I’ll enjoy watching this project go up as much as I’m enjoying watching Steel House Lofts going up now. The Viceroy, Steel House Lofts, and Cevallos Lofts will greatly increase the density in the area and bring with them new amenities for the neighborhood. The developer of The Viceroy, Landbridge Partners, recently successfully rezoned the old Lone Star Brewery. Keep your eyes on my post and I’ll update as I learn more about the plans for the brewery.
***UPDATE*** The new name for the location is The 1010. I’ve added them to my list of Places to Rent in Downtown and Southtown.
Below is the recent story run in The Express-News. The link to the story is also at the bottom of the post.
The Viceroy, drawing provided by developer
Historically, every king needed a viceroy.
So it’s appropriate that the King William area welcomes The Viceroy, a mixed-used development in the Southtown neighborhood that broke ground on Tuesday at the corner of West Guenther and South Flores streets.
The 48,000-square-foot building will have about 5,800 square feet of commercial space on the first floor, which could be used as light office or retail space, said Sunshine Thacker, the owner of Landbridge Partners, the project’s developer.
