Want to see the future and current projects that are transforming San Antonio’s central city? Check out this amazing new website that was recently launched. This is a comprehensive list with lots of wonderful information and photos. Thank you for your tremendous effort, Todd Morey and Lorenzo Gomez. Urbantonio.
How’s the market? Hot!
This recent article was posted in the San Antonio Business Journal about the residential real estate market in San Antonio. While the article focuses mostly on Alamo Heights I can attest that the seller’s market discussed is also happening in the downtown and central city neighborhoods. It has been my experience recently both on the listing and buying side that desirable homes that are priced well will receive multiple offers. The title of the article says it best, “The pace is back.”
“The Pace is Back.”
By Shari L. Biediger for San Antonio Business Journal
A co-founder of the boutique firm Nix Realty, Kate Park recently showed a charming 4-3-2 on a tree-lined street in Alamo Heights, only to receive a text message from the listing agent while walking back to her car.
The house just received an offer from another buyer — one who had not yet seen the property.
“The pace is back,” says Park. “It is fun.
Turn down those thermostats. Local home sales are heating up faster than the patio furniture cushions on a sizzling, summer day. And not just in the popular pockets of the past. Some of the city’s sleeper markets are awakening.
“The number of days on the market continues to drop, average sales prices continue to increase, while months in inventory continue to decrease,” says Steven Gragg, chairman of the San Antonio Board of Realtors. “Last year was a really good year. And now, within the first quarter of 2013, we are 15 percent ahead of 2012.”
Ready to pounce
It’s a trend that began last summer, says Park.
“The pace was fast in 2012 for the same three months, March to May,” says Park. “But this year, it seems as though there are more properties selling with multiple offers, which usually equates to the seller getting closer to their asking price, or even more than their ask in a few cases.”
Low interest rates and higher consumer confidence are drivers. It doesn’t hurt that election year has passed.
NEW LISTING – 514 Madison St 78204 – $545,000
LISTING – 514 Madison St 78204 – King William Historic District
This two story Queen Anne home sits on a double lot just steps away from the River Walk in Historic King William. Double wrap around porches provide the perfect vantage point to watch the Fiesta King William Fair & Parade. The home features high ceilings, tall windows, beautiful hardwood floors, space for attic expansion, & a grand entry with elegant stairway. The family room overlooks the spacious yard shaded by mature trees. The detached two car garage off S. Alamo has a second story studio & full bath.
NEW LISTING – 239 Lone Star 78204 – $155,000
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.
NEW LISTING – 531 Devine St. 78210 – $149,900
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.
Southtown’s Food Truck Park Opens – Alamo Street Eat ~ Bar
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
NEW LISTING – 314 Madison 78204 – $850,000
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.
Cool new blog, The Rivard Report
Robert Rivard, formerly with The Express-News, has launched a new blog devoted to extending the discussion to all things related to San Antonio’s revitalization of our downtown core. Check it out here. You can also sign up to be a contributor.
San Antonio’s New Streetcar System, Coming Soon
Our city leaders, county leaders, and VIA have secured the funds to begin construction of San Antonio’s new streetcar system. Vianna Davila explains in this article for the Express-News how they were able to do it.
Local funds for streetcar found
Two lines, four directions — without federal help.
By Vianna Davila, San Antonio Express-News, Thursday, November 10, 2011
County and VIA Metropolitan Transit officials have identified enough local funds to build the city’s first two streetcar lines without help from the federal government.
They will announce the funding strategies and how they cobbled together the $59 million they needed to finish the system at a news conference today.The total cost for VIA’s expansion is $239 million, which includes money for two downtown streetcar lines running north and east, and west and south, plus a slew of other transit projects in and beyond downtown.
San Antonio’s Streetcar Suburbs
As San Antonio begins to rebuild our streetcar system it’s important to reflect on how the streetcars of the past helped shape our center city. This is a good piece written by Christine Vina.
Building San Antonio: The streetcar suburbs of old and new
Written by Christine Vina and posted in the San Antonio Express-News on November 27, 2011
If you take a look at the streetcar map of early 1920s San Antonio, it is quite easy to identify the neighborhoods that were connected by the 19 different streetcar lines that existed at the time. If one lived or worked within the original 36 square miles of the city (roughly the area bounded by Hildebrand Avenue, Rio Grande, Division/Morill Avenues, and 19th/24th streets), you were ‘free’ to travel around the city, and the local commerce located along these major transit routes offered additional economic development benefits to the community.