Texas Hill Country Blog

McDonalds
April 22, 2010

Like most, we do crave an occasional McDonalds now and then.  My favorite is the Double Cheeseburger but the Big Mac is a close second, must be the picture more then anything!!

Our McDonalds in Fredericksburg has always been consistent and quick, the food usually warm and fresh, just the way we expect it.

But my last couple of visits have not been good at all and the last visit was worth writing about.   

I did order the #1 (Big Mac combo) at the drive-in and on my way back to the office I ate some of the fries.  They were tasteless and slightly warm but knowing I shouldn’t eat them all anyway, it wasn’t hard to put them down.  When I arrived at the office I took out my Big Mac and immediately noticed the meat was extremely small and after  taking a couple of bites I noticed there was no cheese and 1 pickle and very little sauce.  It was bad enough to call the restaurant and complain.

I was told by the manager that they were cutting back!!!   The Big Mac was only to have 1 slice of cheese and 2 pickles now.  WHAT???????  McDonalds Cutting Back are you kidding????

Come take a break today????  Give me a Break!!!!!

BLUER+BIGGER=BEAUTIFUL BLUEBONNETS IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
April 13, 2010

Have you noticed how big, blue, and beautiful the bluebonnets are this year? Do take a drive to Fredericksburg, Llano, and Mason.  We also found a super road for wildflowers if you have interest; from Mason head toward Menard on 29 and turn right when you get to 1222 heading east back to 87, then head to Katemcy on 1222 to Fredonia, then 71 to Pontotoc.  Open the link below to enjoy pictures from our roadtrip.  Enjoy,  Sherman D. Durst

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=161358&id=288750519476&ref=mf

COME ON IN, THE WATER IS JUST FINE

  If you continue to watch CNN, FOX, and CNBC or read all the economic newspapers and magazines, you can infiltrate your brain and your common sense with a lot of negativity.  Negativity related to jobs, money, the economy, the government, the warring political parties, and all of the other reasons why everything is so bad. Fortunately living in the Texas Hill Country, you could be immune to these negative pressures which expect everyone to stand still and add to the problems of the day, as opposed to realizing that life goes on.

The Gillespie County MLS which covers real estate sales in Gillespie, Mason, Blanco, Llano and a few other counties, indicates that people are positive about the real estate markets in the Texas Hill Country.  Real estate sales have traditionally moved in cycles for well over 100 years.  2006 was the highest year of sales of all time, while we have watched the market come down, 2010 is shaping up as a rather good year.Homes sales in Gillespie County year to date are at 42 in comparison to 31 at the same time last year, which is just over $10,000,000 in sales as opposed to $6.7M YTD in 2009.  Thus far, 9 ranch sales have occurred in Gillespie County compared to 5 at this time last year with total dollars being up 71%.In the entire MLS, home unit sales are up 48% over last year and the total dollars are up almost 100%.  The total unit sales in the entire MLS are up 50% over last year and the total dollar sales are up 100%. 

We understand that this is not reflective of the entire country, but in our smaller world, the conservative attitudes, the fiscal responsibility of our banks, governmental entities, and individuals have proven to be the reason for our financial well-being.

Our lenders are lending, our home inspectors are inspecting, our appraisers are appraising, our surveyors are surveying, and buyers and sellers are making sales happen.  Watch the roadways and streets of our Hill Country towns any day of the week, and people are creating commerce.  Maybe it’s not what it was over the course of the past 5-years, but in an overall sense the Hill Country economy is doing just fine. 

So if you chose to watch and read all the negativity, then sit on the shore and wait; for you will miss the boat of prosperity as it leaves the shoreline. 

Here at Fredericksburg Realty we’ve been helping sellers sell and buyers buy since 1965.  We’ve experienced all of the ups & downs the market brings.  If you need up to the minute advice on the market, we have the technological tools to help you make the right decision in your real estate life.  So come on in, the water is just fine.

Sailing away,

Sherman D. Durst  

ALL REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL
April 7, 2010

  An old saying that is still true today; all real estate is local and the single most important factor to consider when it is time to list or sell, use a local REALTOR from the community.            

Professional agents are driven by the same values you expect:  we love what we do, and we want to be the best.  We learn the market and stay up with the latest trends, information & changes, and listings in our market.  We have the answers when it comes to value and the local connections to secure a successful closing.The local professional REALTOR is constantly seeking ways to be better.  We preview new listings, sold properties, attend local real estate caravans, interact with lenders, title companies, attorneys, inspectors, surveyors, and many other real estate partners that are involved in a transaction.

The local professional focuses on what they do best.  We don’t travel 200 miles from our home base to show properties in an area where we are unfamiliar with properties, standards, or local customs.  We know our strengths and employ the tools that work best for you.

The professional REALTOR communicates with people, one on one.  In today’s technological driven society where “service” can be a foreign word, REALTORS work directly with the people they serve: the buyers and sellers.  Computers, information, advertising and marketing will never replace the local REALTOR who knows the market, who is aware of the local changes, listens, values others opinions, communicates daily with industry partners, and keeps you informed.

With all of this in mind, why would anyone hire an out of town agent to sell a property in a local market?  In small towns relationships continue to be of utmost importance and reputations are made every day in the way each person conducts their business. 

Something to think about,  Sherman D. Durst 

THE CLOCK IS TICKING
April 6, 2010

 Numerous tax deductions are available for the real  estate buyer,  the home owner, the investor, or the farmer/rancher.  In every case, it is always best to work with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to insure that you have taken every advantage the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) makes available.  For homeowners with loans, there is a number of mortgage related deductions.  The interest on your mortgage is tax deductible for either your main home or second home.  Even second mortgages can have deductions for home equity loans.  When you purchased, you may have paid  ‘points’ or certain fees to a lender to receive a loan and these fees might be deductible as well.

Be prepared when meeting with your CPA by taking along a copy of the final HUD closing statement.  This will typically give your accountant the necessary information to help you take full advantage of any savings.

In 2009 certain home improvements became deductible if such improvements were aimed at lowering your energy bills.  If you purchased in 2009, then you may be eligible for the first time homebuyer tax credit.  Certain restrictions apply, but if you purchased between Jan. 1 and Nov. 6, 2009 you are entitled to a tax credit worth up to $8,000. 

Even longtime homeowners who have lived in the same home for five consecutive years out the last eight years, could possibly qualify for $6,500 tax credit on purchases made after Nov. 6.  Certain regulations and income levels again apply.

At the end of this month, the first time homebuyer’s tax credit for up to $8,000 was extended and affects homes purchased after Nov. 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010.  There are certain regulations that apply as far as income, home price, and default measures if you sell the home within three years of purchase.  There is also a move-up tax credit worth up to $6,500. 

The April 30 deadline may not be extended, so your opportunity is here right now.  You do not have to close the sale by April 30^th, but you must have signed escrowed contract.  If you are a first time homebuyer, then you should be talking to a lender right away to assure all of your necessary qualifications and paperwork are complete.  Most lenders will know the rules and will walk you thru the process.

Go luck…Sherman D. Durst

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