Shirley's San Antonio Real Estate Blog: April 2008

What is FICO 850? Very simply, FICO scores range from a low of 300 to a high of 850. FICO 850 is the numerical representation of a perfect credit score.

Since the early 1970s, most of the consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) have been using computers to aggregate all the information that comes into them each day from creditors everywhere.

Each of the three major CRAs has a partnership with (F)air, (I)saac & (Co)mpany (FICO). Assuming your credit report is identical at all three CRAs, your score should also be the same at all three. Often, however, the various CRAs have different (and sometimes conflicting) information about you that will lead them to report slightly different, and in some cases widely different, credit scores for you.

Who's Perfect? According to Fair, Isaac, not too many people. Approximately 11% of the population has a FICO score of 800+, with just 1% or so achieving the magic 850 number.

FICO Score	Your Interest Rate	Payment
720-850	5.76%	$876
700-719	5.88%	$888
675-699	6.42%	$940
620-674	7.57%	$1,056
560-619	8.53%	$1,157
500-559	9.29%	$1,238
Actual Rates (Source Fair Isaac)

De-Cluttering Your Home Before Listing

Whenever I list a house that is part of an estate, I am always a little saddened to see all the things a couple or a person has collected during their lifetime that will now be sold to strangers with the unsold items donated to Goodwill. Many times the survivors want very little of what is left to them by a relative.  People collect an amazing amount of "stuff," and many people collect a lot of "junk."  Some people even hoard "stuff" and "junk" which creates a big problem for themselves and their loved ones.  If you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it. Before a home is listed for sale, consider the following:

• If you don't need it, sell it, donate it, or throw it away.
• Remove all books from bookcases.
• Pack up the knickknacks.
• Clear everything off the kitchen counters.
• Put items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
• Use this process as a head-start on the packing you will need to do anyway.

FIESTA EVENTS

FIESTA OYSTER BAKE

This popular celebration originated in 1916 with a gathering of a small group of St. Mary's University alumni and has become one of the biggest Fiesta events, marking this year as its 92^nd anniversary. Come and enjoy the more than 100,000 oysters, served raw, baked or fried and fifty food booths serving mouth watering fajitas, sausage on a stick, egg rolls, hamburgers and chicken on a stick. Don't miss the official start on Friday Family Night as half the grounds are opened to food and beverage booths, children's games, entertainment stages, and a spectacular fireworks finale.

Location: St. Mary's University Campus, One Camino Santa Maria

Date: April 18 & 19th

Time: Fri. 5-11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Admission: $16 in advance, $20 at the gate. Children 12 and under, free. Limited on campus parking $10.

Contact: 210-436-3324, http://www.oysterbake.com/

FIESTAS FANTASIAS AT MARKET SQUARE

This event is for the eclectic music lover who appreciates hot musical talent, ranging in styles from Tejano, Norteno, Conjunto, Latin Jazz, Country Western and International music. With its wide array of over thirty food booths to choose from, such as traditional Mexican cuisine, turkey legs, hamburgers, roasted corn, funnel cakes, fresh fruit drinks, beer, sodas, water and margaritas, it's sure to delight every family member around. 

Location: Market Square - 514 W. Commerce, San Antonio, Texas 78205

Date: Friday, April 18 through Sunday, April 27. 

Time: Ten days from 10:00 a.m. to midnight daily

Contact: 210-212-8423, http://www.fiesta.org/

TEXAS CAVALIERS RIVER PARADE

Thousands of enthusiastic spectators gather on the banks of the San Antonio River to enjoy the beautifully decorated barges with their thousands of twinkling lights, festive bands, and colorfully costumed participants.

Location: River Walk

Date: Mon. April 21

Time: 7:30- 9:30 p.m.

Contact: 210-227-5191, http://www.texascavaliers.org/home.aspx

FORD MARIACHI FESTIVAL

Marching bands on water? Not exactly. Local middle school and high school Mariachi Bands perform on floating barges along the River Walk, so come and enjoy the fun!

Location: River Walk

Date: April 22-25th

Time: 7 - 10 p.m.

Contact: 210-227-4262, http://www.paseodelrio.com/

A TASTE OF THE NORTHSIDE AND FIESTA OPEN

Avoid downtown traffic and enjoy fine wine and great food under the bright stars of the Texas Hill Country at this laid-back Fiesta event that benefits babies and toddlers with disabilities. Join the 6^th annual Fiesta Open golf tournament at 8:30 a.m. and stay on through the night to enjoy live music and fun!

Location:  Canyon Springs Golf Club, 24400 Clubhouse Rd.

Date: April 23rd

Time: 6-10 p.m.

Contact: 210-227-5191, 210-826-4492, www.brightonsa.org

NIOSA- A NIGHT IN OLD SAN ANTONIO

Join in the fun at the largest historic preservation festival of the nation where over 100,000 visitors gather to celebrate San Antonio's unique heritage at A Night in Old San Antonio. Enjoy the entertainment featuring fifteen heritage-themed stages representing the diverse groups that make-up good ol' San Antonio.  

Location: La Villita  

Date: April 24-27th  

Time: 5:30 -10:30 p.m.  

Admission: $10 in advance, $12 at the gate, $2 children 6-12 yrs. Or $1.50 advance  

Contact: 210-226-5188, http://www.niosa.org/

2008 BATTLE OF FLOWERS PARADE  

Enjoy the event that started it all. It is the only parade in the United States produced entirely by women, all of whom are volunteers. The Parade this year will be televised by KABB FOX-29. In keeping with the original purpose of the parade, honoring the heroes of the Alamo, participants place a floral tribute on the lawn as they pass in front of the Alamo.

Location: Broadway @ Josephine through downtown San Antonio to Martin @ Santa Rosa.

Date: April 24th

Time: 12:45 p.m.  

Contact: 210-822-2929, http://www.battleofflowers.org/

THE FIESTA FLAMBEAU PARADE  

This is Fiesta's largest illuminated night parade. Best known as the "People's Parade," this march showcases local entries and groups from as far as Hawaii, Oregon, New Jersey, and Mexico. And let's not forget the parade's featured start-off band, University of Texas' Longhorn band.

Date: April 26

Time: 7:45- 10:30 p.m.

Admission: $15 for Alamo Grandstands, Cenotaph stands, Alamo Street Bleachers-North (Travis/Houston), Alamo Street Bleachers-South (Crockett/Commerce) and Alamo Plaza Bleachers. Maverick and Broadway Bleacher tickets are $12. To purchase tickets by mail, send your request with $3 postage and handling to the Fiesta Flambeau Parade Association, attention TICKETS, P.O. Box 15277, San Antonio, TX 78212. The Flambeau ticket line is 735-6644. Visit http://www.fiestaflambeau.org/for additional bleacher sales information or credit card purchases. For street chair information go to www.fiesta-sa.org.

Contact: 210-227-5191, http://www.fiesta-sa.org/, http://www.fiestaflambeau.org/

The Importance of Curb Appeal

The first view, the first impression, a buyer has of your house is the curbside view so it is very important to make sure your home has great curb appeal.  After all, no matter how wonderful the interior of a home is, if a buyer declines to view the interior based on the appearance of the exterior,  your house will stay on the market longer and you may get a lower offer than you would otherwise. 
 

• Keep sidewalks cleared.
• Mow, water, weed, and edge the lawn.
• Paint faded window trim.
• Since the color yellow evokes a buying emotion, plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together.  Marigolds are an inexpensive yet attractive option.
• Trim bushes, especially the ones near the house. 
• Make sure your house number can be clearly read.