Shirley's San Antonio Real Estate Blog: May 2008

MILITARY SPOUSE DAY 2008

At the White House Celebration this month, both President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates touched on enhancing benefits for military families. The President said that he hoped Congress would move quickly to pass legislation that would expand child care, create new authorities to appoint qualified spouses into civil service jobs and provide

educational opportunities and job training for military spouses. The President spoke about the initiative to allow service members to transfer GI Bill benefits to their spouses and children. He said "This legislation is moving.  I hope to be able to sign it as soon as possible. It is the absolute right thing to do.  It should send a clear message that we care for you, we respect you and we love you." Secretary Gates explained he had heard from spouses at Ft. Hood, Texas how important the transferability of benefits was to military families and he urged the President to propose legislation.

Enhanced education benefits for military spouses can include the transfer of GI Bill benefits, tuition assistance for spouses, and expanded educational opportunities and job training, and eligibility for in-state tuition. The present Montgomery GI Bill allows some service members in specific career fields to transfer a portion of their benefit to spouses in lieu of a portion of a reenlistment bonus. There are several bills in both the House and Senate that promote enhancements to the GI Bill. Several call for the transfer of benefits. It is hoped the final crafting of legislation will recognize the sacrifices that military families make in support of their service member and the importance of education in recruiting and retaining service members and families.

Proclamation by the President

May 5, 2008

MILITARY SPOUSE DAY, 2008
 
- - - - - - -
 
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
 
A PROCLAMATION

      Military spouses embody the courage, nobility of duty, and love of country that inspire every American.  On Military Spouse Day, we pay tribute to the husbands and wives who support their spouses in America's Armed Forces during times of war and peace.
 
     The legacy of military spouses began when colonial Americans were fighting for independence.  Martha Washington boosted the morale of her husband's troops by visiting battlefields and tending to the wounded.  Since then, members of our Armed Forces have served our Nation accompanied by the steadfast love and support of their spouses and families.
 
     While our men and women in uniform are protecting our country's founding ideals of liberty, democracy, and justice, their spouses live with uncommon challenges, endure sleepless nights, and spend long periods raising children alone.  Many military spouses are also committed volunteers, serving other military families and local communities.  Our Nation benefits from the sacrifices of our military families, and we are inspired by their courage, strength, and leadership.
 
     On Military Spouse Day and throughout the year, we honor the commitment spouses have made to freedom's cause.  To learn about ways to support our troops and their spouses and families, I encourage all Americans to visit http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/.
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 9, 2008, as Military Spouse Day.  I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities and by expressing their gratitude to the husbands and wives of those serving in the United States Armed Forces.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Buying a Home in San Antonio

If you're like most people, buying a home is the biggest investment you will make. Although it can an exciting adventure, it can be very time-consuming and costly if you're not familiar with all aspects of the process. My comprehensive, personal services can save you both time and money as well as make the experience a more enjoyable one.  So whether you're buying a starter home, your dream home or an investment property, why not take advantage of our my experience as a local market experts for San Antonio? If I can help you with your real estate needs, please call me at 210-414-0966 or if you want to search MLS listings, go to my website:  www.shirleyparks.com . I serve all of north San Antonio including Alamo Heights, Boerne, Castle Hills, Fair Oaks Ranch,  Helotes,  Hill Country Village, Hollywood Park, Inwood, Olmos Park, Shavano Park, Terrell Hills, Alamo Ranch, Anaqua Springs, Bluffview, Canyon Springs, Cavalo Creek Estates, Century Oaks Estates, Champions Ridge, Churchill Estates, Cibolo Canyons, Castle Hills, Cordillera Ranch, Deerfield, Elm Creek, Encino Park, Indian Springs, Stone Oak, Oakwell Farms, Rogers Ranch, Sonterra, Summerglen, The Dominion, Timberwood Park, Vineyard, Shavano Park.

Drinking sweet tea is one of the oldest and most exceptional of Southern traditions. As Dolly Parton's character in Steel Magnolias puts it, it's the "house wine of the South." The South reveres its traditions, and sweet tea is one of them. As an April Fools' Day prank in 2003, Georgia State Rep. John Noel introduced a bill that would have made it a misdemeanor for a restaurant owner not to include sweet tea on the menu.

Southern Sweet Tea Recipe

For Simple Syrup:
* 4 cups sugar
* 2 cups water

For Tea:
* 4 cups water
* 8-10 regular-sized or 3 "family sized" bags orange pekoe Lipton tea (I prefer loose tea)
* Pinch of baking soda (if preferred; I never add the soda)
* Additional water

Pour 2 cups of water and 4 cups of sugar into a saucepan and stir together. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and stir until thickened. Turn off heat, and set aside.

Remove tags from the tea bags, and tie strings to the handle of a wooden spoon, near the bowl. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Turn off the heat, and place the tea-tied wooden spoon in the pan with a pinch of baking soda (It smooths out the tea's tannins.). Once it's suitably darkened, and still hot, pull out the spoon. (Refrain from squeezing the teabags, as that clouds the tea.)

Stir 1 cup of the sugar syrup into the tea until it's thoroughly blended. Pour the mixture into a 1 gallon glass or metal pitcher, and fill to the top with water. Stir, and chill in the refrigerator. Pour the remaining sugar syrup into a glass jar, and cover.

Once the tea has cooled, serve it in glasses 2/3 filled with ice, with sugar syrup on the side so that guests may sweeten according to their own taste.

Color feeds the eye and has both physiological and psychological effect on the viewer. The following provides a brief description of what each color conveys psychologically and how it can affect the viewer physically.

Blue	Blue is a favorite color of both males and females. Depending on the shade, blues can relax, soothe, and make us feel more spiritual and centered. Blue is often intuitively chosen for bedrooms for just this reason. It also improves productivity, so a good blue might be the right choice for a child's room where they will be studying. Blue is also considered to be a clean color, so it works well in bathrooms and laundry areas but it does not work well in kitchens.  When blues are used in connection with food, they can have the effect of suppressing appetite, (which could be a good thing if you want to lose weight.)
Red	Red has the opposite effect of blue; it increases blood pressure and respiration rate. Red also makes people lose track of time and stimulates the appetite. Red is a powerful color so it´s is generally best used as an accent. However, certain shades like orange-red and brown-red may be muted; they are cozy, comforting earth colors like terra cottas, brick, and cinnabar. Using red in decorating makes a powerful statement, so red furniture and accessories should be clean and in good condition.
Yellow	Yellow tends to cause more eye fatigue than any other color. It increases metabolism. Although people also tend to lose their temper more often in yellow rooms, yellow often makes many people feel cheerful, energetic, and happy. Yellow is not considered a good color for a baby's room. Buttery shades are easier to live with long term than bright, sunflower yellow. The range of yellows is vast and some lend themselves more readily to decorating schemes than others. Yellows also frequently prompt more opinionated feelings than other colors. People who like it really like it and people who don´t like it tend to dislike it intensely.
Green	Greens represent a vast range of natural colors and for that reason appeal to many. Like blue, greens tend to calm and relax; it´s a healing color. It is often used in hospitals For interior color schemes, olive and sage greens seem to be appealing because of their neutral character. Lighter shades of both are easy to live with for a long time. Both combine well with many colors. Dark greens are favored as traditional banker´s colors like burgundy, ruby, and sapphire blue. Yellow greens and muddy greens are relatively unpopular.
Orange	Oranges are warm, welcoming, and vital. Melon, tangerine, and yellow-orange mango are bright, cheerful, and tend to improve appetite. Used in kitchens, breakfast nooks, and dining rooms, orange shades can be very comfortable.
Purple	Historically, purple is the color of kings. It may arguably be the most opulent of colors, and often connotes mystery or spirituality. Purples run the range of the red-purple such as eggplant to the blue-purples of a summer sky at sunset. Saturated purple is a dense, dark color that can provide a potent punch of color with great impact. As a tint, purple tends to lavender and is one of the daintier colors favored by many young girls. In certain shades, it can become a subtle, but very flexible neutral.
Black	Black denotes submissiveness.  For this reason it is used by priests and nuns to symbolize submissiveness to God.  Many people also find black to be a timeless color, classy and sophisticated. Black is not a good choice for interior painting since painting over black generally takes more than two coats of paint, which makes it a nuisance to cover later. In mixing a neutral room with some pieces of black furniture, the effect can be very elegant, and provide a contemporary twist for a traditional room. Black used with a mix of white and brights often looks very modern.  If you don't want to use black in decorating, remember that using one accent piece in black grounds the room.
Pink	Pink is an interesting color because it has the cultural associations of being feminine, but it goes farther than that. Research shows that pink rooms reduce angry behavior at least temporarily. Some attempts have been made to use pink in prisons to control aggressive prisoners. Pink generally is a comfort color and is favored by many for its sweet, childlike appeal. It´s a good choice for a young child´s room; young girls often like pink and lavender combinations.
Grey	Grey tends to enhance creativity, which can make it a good color for offices and studios. Grey is also favored as an executive color. As a neutral, grey provides an unobtrusive background for an infinite number of color combinations. Greys on walls are often very liveable for a long while, provide an flexible neutral background for furnishings, and can be extremely stylish. Greys can be buttoned down and traditional, modern and contemporary, or beach house friendly.
Brown	Brown connotes security, credibility, and reassurance. It also tends to be soothing and comfortable. Browns wear well and are good for rooms that get a lot of use like family rooms. Browns also work well with spicy or warm colors. Like greys, browns span a broad range of neutrals and, depending on the shade, are appropriate for almost any room. Combined with unexpected colors like pale blue or fuscia, browns can be exciting and sophisticated.

Many landlords believe that they cannot reject any applicant for any reason, that they have to accept the first one to come along with the money or risk the grief of a lawsuit or Fair Housing complaint. Not so. There are numerous legitimate, businesslike reasons to reject a prospective tenant because of past or present behavior.

1. Unsatisfactory references from landlords, employers and/or personal references. These could include reports of repeated disturbance of their neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of their homes; reports of gambling, prostitution, drug dealing or drug manufacturing; damage to the property beyond normal wear and tear; reports of violence or threats to landlords or neighbors; allowing people not listed on the lease or rental agreement to live in the property; failure to give proper notice when vacating the property; or a landlord who would not rent to them again.

2. Evictions.

3. Frequent moves. You have to decide what constitutes frequent moves and apply the same criteria to every applicant.

4. Bad credit report. If a report shows they are not current with any bill, have been turned over to a collection agency, have been sued for a debt, or have a judgment for a debt, that is grounds to reject. These do not have to be debts connected in any way with housing.

5. Too short a time on the job. As with frequent moves, you have to decide what too short a time is and apply the same criteria to every applicant.

6. Too new to the area. There is nothing to say you have to rent to people who have just moved to town. Be careful, though, many times these would be excellent tenants and the time and long distance call expense of checking them out could pay big dividends.

7. No verifiable source of income.

8. Too many vehicles. Lots of cars can be a real source of irritation to neighbors and make the entire neighborhood look bad. Chances are, if they have more than one vehicle for every adult they spend a lot of time broken and being fixed. That means they could be in pieces in the front yard.

9. Too many people for the property. Be extremely careful with this. Before the familial status protection clause of the Fair Housing Act, you could discriminate on this basis without fear of any problems. Not any more. Now the same criteria must be applied without regard to the age of the inhabitant. Be sure it is applied equally to all applicants.

10. Drug users. They must be current drug users. If they are in a drug treatment program and no longer use drugs, the Federal Government considers them handicapped and protected by the Fair Housing Act.

11. Pets.

12. Any evidence of illegal activity. You must be able to come up with some kind of satisfactory evidence. I don't know what that would be, every case would be different. Certainly a letter from the police department warning a previous landlord of their illegal activity and threatening to close the property is considered sufficient evidence.

13. History of late rental payments.

14. Insufficient income. You must set up objective criteria applied equally to each applicant. Insufficient income could reasonably be if the scheduled rent exceeded 35% of their gross monthly income.

For example, if the rent is $1000, their gross monthly income must be at least $2857.14.

You can require proof of all income. Be careful, though, if you are willing to accept only one member of a married couple to supply the total dollar income, you must be willing to accept the same of unmarried, co-tenants that share the housing. Under fair housing law you cannot require that unmarried people meet different income requirements than married people.

15. Too many debts. Even if their gross income is sufficient, they may have so many other debts that they would be hard pressed to make all the payments. A rule of thumb might be that all contracted debts, including rent, cannot exceed 50% of their gross income. Contracted debts would be such things as credit card payments, car payments, loans, etc. Those would not be cable TV, water and garbage, telephone, or other utilities.

16. Conviction of a crime which was a threat to property in the past five years. Included in this could be drunk driving convictions, burglary convictions, robbery convictions, and other such misbehaviors.

17. Conviction for the manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance in the past five years.

The best way to proceed is to post a list of the acceptable rental criteria and hand it to each applicant. You can use the list above, but under no circumstances is it intended to be legal advice. Check with an attorney who is familiar with the Landlord/Tenant Law before posting or handing out anything like a list of acceptable criteria for applicants.

Laws change constantly, and what you don't know can and will hurt you.

Excerpted from "Profitable Tenant Selection" by Robert Cain.

Lost Creek Ranch is a new Centex subdivision currently under development, located on Ralph Fair Road, about 2 miles north of I-10, 5 miles outside Loop 1604. This relaxing community offers residents the luxury of Hill Country living located close to the city of San Antonio.

	Base Plan Prices From $140s-$180s
	Best New Home Value In The Area!!
	Acclaimed Boerne ISD Schools
	No San Antonio City Taxes
	A beautiful Hill Country Community

		The Sequoia
	2,556 Sq.Ft. 4 Bedrooms 2 Full /1 Half Bath 2 Living Areas 2 Dining Areas 2 Car Garage 2 Story Master Bedroom Downstairs		Priced From:      $175,500

San Antonio continues to offer affordable homes prices and a stable job market.

To search for home listings in San Antonio go to www.shirleyparks.com or call me at 210-414-0966.

The most honored woman in the Bible is the mother and great emphasis is placed upon the influence of mothers. The word "mother" or "mothers" appears in the Bible approximately 300 times, and the word "mother-in-law" appears 11 times... always in reference to Naomi, mother-in-law of Ruth. The phrase "And his mother was . . ." appears 20 times in II Kings and II Chronicles. The phrase underlines the importance attached to the mothers of kings. Often the queen-mother is more honored than the queen-wife.  The love of children was deep in the hearts of the Hebrew women, and the mother was regarded with deep reverence. 

In more recent times, "All that I am or ever hope to be" remarked Abraham Lincoln "I owe to my angel Mother." George Washington declared, "I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education which I received from my mother." Jewish people have a proverb about mothers that is even more eloquent: "God could not be everywhere and therefore He made mothers."

Washington Irving reminds us about how important mothers are to us: "A mother is the truest friend we have when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts."

I was happy to receive gifts and phone calls from my children today and the memory of my own beloved mother was in my heart, as it is every day. 

If buyers tell me they want to live in Terrell Hills, it is an indication to me that they want to live near downtown in an urban setting "inside Loop 410."  In light of that, I find it amusing that almost a century ago Terrell Hills was considered "a remote rural area."  In researching the history of the city of Terrell Hills, I found the following information on the Terrell Hills website:

"In 1919, a group of six families and 3 bachelors were organized with a desire to emigrate from the City of San Antonio and settle in a remote rural area. They selected a 24 acre tract that was formerly Terrell Farms. The southern boundary was Terrell Road, Garraty Road to the north, and western border being Eldon Road. The eastern border was Fort Sam Houston and what is now Harry Wurzbach.

Dr. Terrell agreed to lay water main and gas lines from N. New Braunfels Avenue to the area and a 50 foot gravel road was arranged. The gravel road was an extension of Elizabeth Road from N. New Braunfels Avenue.

Each member of the group signed a contract dated January 5th, 1920 and duly recorded in the County records, that within five years they would settle and build a home within the 24 acre tract. There were some interesting stipulations in the contract; some a reminder of how archaic those times were. The male members of the agreement were to comprise the governing body, each having one vote. One of the bachelors dropped out saying he did not want to live there.

In 1939, Maury Maverick was seeking election as Mayor of the City of San Antonio. He made it known that he would take those silk stocking areas in the City of San Antonio and tax the hell out of them. With that advance notice and the leadership of Pat Swearingen, Terrell Hills held a an election on March 25th to decide the fate of the township. Terrell Hills was incorporated on March 31, 1939 and received the charter as "Town of Terrell Hills". Maury Maverick took office on June 1st but was powerless to override the town charter.

W.L. Matthews was the first mayor of the township and the first council meeting took place on May 11, 1939. The first election of officials was held on April 15, 1939. Elections were then held every other year until 1955, at which time annual elections began.

All services to residents at the time incorporation were being paid for by individual residents, which was judged unsatisfactory. It was agreed that improvements would necessitate regularly paid employees, which in turn would require some form of taxation. It was the unanimous opinion of the council that no action should be taken at that time that would require the levying of a general property tax.

By 1941, the frequency of the meetings increased and in October 1942, the council resolved to meet regularly on the first Monday of each calendar month. Also at this meeting, the first city employee (a deputy marshal, to be paid $40 per month plus whatever he could solicit from the citizens) was authorized. The resolution notwithstanding, monthly meetings did not begin until February 1943.

The southern boundary of Burr Road was finalized in April of 1945. In July of 1945, San Antonio once again attempted to take in both Terrell Hills and Alamo Heights. The 4th Court of Appeals upheld the law that ultimately would not allow San Antonio to overtake any incorporated township already within the borders of the growing metropolitan city. There was some consideration of consolidating Terrell Hills and Alamo Heights but that idea was never acted upon.

The period of 1949 through 1952 saw a steady growth of population. During this period, citizens committees were formed, paid employees of the township were established and an office space was rented in the firehouse. By March 3, 1952, the town population grew to more than 600 inhabitants.

      Excerpts from "San Antonio Lawyers"   by W.L. Matthews     Terrell Hills first Mayor