Shirley's San Antonio Real Estate Blog: October 2008

Cybersecurity Awareness Month at UTSA

Cybersecurity is a subject we are all concerned about, especially those who do online banking or enter personal information on a website.  It is good to know there are resources for learning more about how to protect ourselves and our online information.

The UTSA Office of Information Technology's Information Security Office will host activities in support of Cybersecurity Awareness Month.  The event was created by the US Department  of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance. 

The program focuses on the following concerns of information security: phishing, MySpace/Facebook, password creation and PC safety. UTSA events will feature lectures by information security professionals, a specialized Web site, and informational posters and bookmarks.

Below is the schedule of events.  The events are open to the public.

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2-3:15 p.m.
University Center Bexar Room (1.102), 1604 Campus
FBI Special Agent Christopher Lamb
"The History of Hacking and Present Cybersecurity Threats"

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2-3 p.m.
Business Building University Room (2.06.04), 1604 Campus
Homero Torres, UTSA Information Security Office
"Phish of the Day: Hacker's Delight"

Thursday, Oct. 23, 3:30-4:45 p.m.
Business Building University Room (2.06.04), 1604 Campus
Nicole Beebe, Assistant Professor of Information Systems, UTSA College of Business
"Discovering the Digital Footprints You Leave Behind"

Friday, Oct. 24, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
University Center Bexar Room (1.102)
Jesse Hernandez, Infrastructure Assurance Student Association
"Online @ UTSA: How Safe Are You?"

Tuesday Oct. 28, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Frio Street Building Room 2.520, Downtown Campus
Homero Torres, UTSA Information Security Office
"Phish of the Day: Hacker's Delight"

View the full activities schedule and information security tips at the UTSA Cybersecurity Web site.

If you love Texas history and are a fan of historical re-enactment, the San Antonio Living History Association has two more events scheduled before the end of 2008 that you are sure to enjoy. 

 The "Battle of Concepcion" - Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, The historical encampment, demonstrations and battle will take place across from Mission Concepcion at St. Peter-St. Joseph Children's Home, 919 Mission Road. FREE admission. 

 The "Battle of Bexar and Capitulation of General Cos" - Saturday, December 6, 2008, 10:00AM-4:00 PM, presented in Maverick Plaza and at the Cos House in historic La Villita.  FREE admission.

For membership in SALHA to help support and promote living history interpretation, there are several tax-deductible membership levels:  Student ($10); Associate ($15); Regular ($25); Family ($35); Supporting ($50); Benefactor ($100); Program Sponsor ($500+); or Event Sponsor ($1,000+). 

All programs are free public educational programs. For more information call (210) 273-1730.

This new and popular restaurant is always crowded.  We often stop in after church on Saturday night.  I didn't know they also serve breakfast... we will try it out.

Early voting for the November 4 Joint General and Special Election begins Monday, October 20 in San Antonio and ends Friday, October 31. 

                                                                                                
Deaf and hard of hearing voters can vote using Deaflink technology at Henry Guerra Library, John Igo Library, Julia Semmes Library, Lion's Field, McCreless Library and the Bexar County Justice Center.

Early voting sites are located at the Bexar County Courthouse and 39 other locations throughout the city.

                                                                                  
If you do not know where to vote, contact the Office of the City Clerk at (210) 207-7253 or the Bexar County Voter Registration Office at (210) 335-6625 or check the website www.sanantonio.gov/clerk.

Green Spring Valley is a popular well-established neighborhood located off Bulverde Rd. inside Loop 1604.  Schools are in desired the North East Independent School District.  Neighborhood amenities include a community center, pool, tennis, basketball, volleyball, playground and trails.  This is a comfortable and friendly neighborhood conducive to walking your dog(s) or walking for exercise.

Currently there are five homes listed on the MLS in Green Spring Valley ranging from $149,000 for a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage home with 1816 square feet to $240,000 for a brand new 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage home with 2190 square feet.

To view homes in Green Spring Valley call me or visit my website at www.shirleyparks.com  .

Stonewall Ranch is an upscale gated community located across I-10 from the Dominion, San Antonio's most prestigious neighborhood.  Surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and featuring  25 acres of greenbelt, mature oaks, and amenities such as a state of the art recreation center, Stonewall Ranch is in a country setting but convenient to employers such as the South Texas Medical Center and USAA.

Currently there are 23 homes listed for sale on the San Antonio MLS in Stonewall Ranch.  They range from $249,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage home with 2119 square feet up to $459,000 for a 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 2 car garage home with 3683 square feet.

 To see any of these homes call me or visit my website at www.shirleyparks.com.

Nationwide home prices have dropped 10.9 percent in the last year, according to the latest Loan Performance National Home Price Index, which compared prices from July 2008 to July 2007.

The drops are starting to finally flatten out. Loan Performance compared the current national picture to the home price declines in Texas and Massachusettes in the 80s and early 90s, a decline which took two years to bottom out.

California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona continue to lead the race to the bottom in the Loan Performance HPI. Home prices in the Los Angeles area dropped nearly 28 percent in the last year.

Meanwhile, Texas continues to sail through the crisis relatively unaffected.

Austin had the best price appreciation of any city in the U.S., at 4.15 percent. Houston's price appreciation was 4.12 percent, San Antonio 3.53 percent, and Dallas 2.17 percent.

Life is good in Texas.

•        Preparing Your Home for Sale
Ask your agent for suggestions on preparing your home for sale. Generally, you will want to move out any bulky or excess furniture; make sure your home is sparkling clean, de-cluttered, and odor free before the lockbox is put on the door.

•        Repairs Before Selling
Not all resale repairs will net a payoff. You don't want to spend a lot of money on improvements but you do want to repair obvious and neglected maintenance problems.

•        Home Staging
You can either hire a professional stager (it is worth the money,) ask your agent to help stage, or stage it yourself. You will probably get a better and/or quicker offer for your home if it is staged.

•        Home Pricing
Do not choose an agent based on suggested sales price. Some agents may overbid each other to get the listing only to lower the price later. Do not overprice your home. Homes that are overpriced often sell for less than market value and stay on the market longer.

•        Net Profits from Selling
Ask for to preliminary net sheets, one with a low price and one with a high price. This way you can be prepared for the worst but hope for the best.

The 22nd Annual Gruene Music & Wine Fest - October 10 to October

The Gruene Misic & Wine Fest will be held this week-end in the town of Gruene, located "halfway between San Antonio and Austin and a little behind the times."  Whether you are new to the area or have lived her for a while, you are sure to enjoy this event and this little town.  They "have been gently resisting change since 1872" and you will see why.

This Americana event benefiting local charities will be featuring the best in live Texas music and the best in Texas food and wines at Gruene Hall and The Grapevine. All three days will be filled with vintner and music events, wine & food samplings, and the Great Guitar Auction.

Friday, October 10 -- Featuring music and meet 'n' greet photo op with the Flatlanders, catered dinner by the Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar, silent auction, wine tastings by three Texas wineries, and the Great Guitar Auction where signed guitars by some of Texas' greatest artists will be auctioned to the highest bidder. Limited seating by advanced ticket. Admission includes The Flatlanders concert later that evening after 9 pm. For more information visit the Gruene Music & Wine Fest website.

Saturday, October 11 -- The 22nd Annual Gruene Music & Wine Fest - Texas Tastings & Tunes

Noon to 6:00 pm

The Grapevine, located in Historic Gruene, features the largest selection of Texas wines in the state for daily tasting. Texas Vintners including Chisholm Trail Winery, D'Vine Wines (Austin), Fawncrest Vineyard, Grape Creek Vineyard, Haak Winery, Llano Estacado Winery, Lost Creek Vineyards, McPherson Cellars, Pleasant Hill Winery, Purple Possum Winery, Texas Hills Vineyard, Val Verde Winery , Al's Gourmet Nuts, Howard's Yummies, Messina Olive Tree, and The Grapevine will have sample tastings and products for sale.

Authentic Texas tunes by featured artists will accompany the tastings. Come by The Grape Stomp.

Sunday October 12 --  Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist in Gruene Hall
10:30 am - 12:00 pm

In the tradition of a New Orleans-style gospel brunch, Gruene is serving up awesome and inspiring gospel music along with a delicious buffet catered by the Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar.  For information or to purchase tickets, visit www.gruenehall.com, call (830) 629-5077 or toll free from San Antonio (830) 606-1601, or stop by Gruene Hall in person. Advance tickets are recommended.

I have often thought it interesting that the accordian is prominent in both Mexican and German music.  Actually, accordian music is incorporated into other ethnic music as well.  The annual International Accordion Festival  will be held October 10 to October 12 in the beautiful downtown Riverwalk area on the grounds of historic La Villita located just 3 miles south of the Alamo.  It's not Lawrence Welk!  The event features accordian performances, workshops, open mic sessions, accordion jams, and a fun area for young people and families.  There will be three stages with ensembles from around the world playing everything from "Celtic to Creole, Conjunto to Quebecois, Cowboy to Klezmer, Chamame to Chicken Scratch and much, much more."  In the workshop area, there will be informal sessions and performances featuring master artists and their music in a personal setting where the public will be able to interact with them.  It is a big outdoor festival lasting three days.  There will be dancing, ethnic foods, merchandise booths, and fun for the entire family.  Free admission on Saturday and Sunday.   More info here. Or call: 210-865-8578