NEW LISTING – 140 Callaghan Ave 78210 – $417,000

140 Callaghan Ave 78210 - Lavaca Historic District

140 Callaghan Ave 78210 – Lavaca Historic District

Newly priced for VA financing.  This home, built in 2007, is centrally located in the Lavaca Historic District. It features a second floor master suite that opens onto a large balcony with commanding views of downtown & the Tower of the Americas. The downstairs floor plan provides wonderful entertaining space with open flow among the kitchen, living, & dining rooms. Also downstairs is a fourth bedroom or media room. The corner lot is fenced and has a workshop and carport that can accommodate up to four cars. **Click on the photo for more listing information and photos.**

See San Antonio’s Future, Now

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.

Housing Inventory in San Antonio Hits Six Year Low

Homes that are priced well and in good condition are flying off the shelves. Multiple offers and short days on the market are now the norm. This article was posted in Real Estate Newsline.

Housing inventory in San Antonio hit a six year low in September with just 4.6 months of inventory. Homes spent an average of only 70 days on market and 97 percent of homes sold for list price. According to the San Antonio Board of REALTORS (SABOR) Multiple Listing Service Report, a total of 2,031 homes were purchased during the month, which is a 20 percent increase from September 2012.

“We have seen our inventory getting smaller and smaller all year, making this more of a competitive market,” said Steven Gragg, 2013 Chairman of the Board. “Low inventory could result in sellers receiving multiple bids on homes located in prime locations or being able to sell closer to their asking price.”

According to the National Association of REALTORS, the Texas housing market largely avoided the crisis other states experienced over the past few years, crediting Texas’ vibrant job market and growing population. Texas has also seen substantial declines in foreclosure notices filed. In fact, according to Realty Trac, between July and September, Texas experienced a decline of 44.6 percent in foreclosure filings, compared to 29 percent nationwide.

The average price in San Antonio of a home sold in September 2013 was $205,728 and the median price was $168,700, both seven percent increases from the same month in 2012. Year-to-date the average also increased by seven percent to $207,103 and the median grew by six percent, to $169,900.

The price breakdowns showed a slight increase in September from previous months for homes sold in the low range (below $200,000), with those accounting for 62.24 percent. Homes price in the mid-range (between $200,000 and $500,000) made up 33.97 percent of sales and homes costing over $500,000 accounted for 3.69 percent of homes sold.

“Interest rates have been at historic lows for some time now allowing many people to take advantage of the opportunity. Although the rates have started to inch up, they still remain below five percent making home buying affordable for a wide range of people,” said Angela Shields, SABOR President and CEO.

 

NEW LISTING – 514 Madison St 78204 – $545,000

514 Madison St 78204

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.

 

 

Conservation Society offers historic rehab grant money

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.

Conservation Society offers historic rehab grant money

Special to the Southside Reporter

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.

NEW LISTING – 239 Lone Star 78204 – $155,000

Curtis Bowers King William Lavaca Southtown Lone Star San Antonio Listings For Sale Front Porch Realty, LLC

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

Curtis Bowers King William Lavaca Southtown San Antonio Listings For Sale

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.

So this Trader Joe’s thing is really happening

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.

 

Curtis Bowers Front Porch Realty LLC Trader Joes Quarry San Antonio

Trader Joe's

 

Trader Joe’s to open Oct. 19

By Valentino Lucio
Tuesday, June 12, 2012

 

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

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:

Curtis Bowers Southtown Food Truck Alamo Street Eat Bar

Alamo Street Eat ~ Bar in the shadow of the Tower of Americas

Curtis Bowers Southtown Food Truck Alamo Street Eat Bar

Hours of Operation

Curtis Bowers Southtown Food Truck Alamo Street Eat Bar

Tonight's Selection of Food Trucks

Curtis Bowers Southtown Food Truck Alamo Street Eat Bar

Two of tonight's Food Trucks

Curtis Bowers Southtown Food Truck Alamo Street Eat Bar

Jason Dady (sans backwards baseball cap) brought his DUK Truck

Curtis Bowers Southtown Food Truck Alamo Street Eat Bar

Tonight's Draft Beer and Wine Selection

Curtis Bowers Southtown Food Truck Alamo Street Eat Bar

Decisions decisions!

Curtis Bowers Southtown Food Truck Alamo Street Eat Bar

Street scene

NEW LISTING – 314 Madison 78204 – $850,000

Curtis Bowers King William Lavaca Southtown San Antonio Listings Front Porch Realty LLC

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.