SA, Aug 17th Issue

Pending home sales rose 3.6 percent from May to June, marking five consecutive months of gains for the first time since July 2003, the National Association of Realtors said.

The gains were spurred by low interest rates and affordable home prices, and were strongest in the South (7.1 percent) and West (2.9 percent), NAR said. Month-over month gains in NAR's pending home sales index were more modest in the Midwest (0.8 percent) and Northeast (0.4 percent).

Looking back a year, the index was up 11.6 percent in the Midwest, 8.9 percent in the South, and 5.8

percent in the Northeast. In the West, however, NAR's pending home sales index was down 0.2 percent from a year ago.

A monthly rise in home prices and somewhat higher mortgage interest rates led to a "modest decline" in affordability in June, NAR said, but another index measuring affordability "remains very favorable."

Although the median existing single-family home price in June was $181,600, a family earning the median income of $60,700 could afford a home costing $289,100 with a 20 percent down payment and 25 percent of their gross income devoted

to mortgage payments.NAR has complained that recent

increases in the pending home sales index have not been providing all of the expected boost in closed transactions in subsequent months, in part because appraisals often come in under the contracted sales price.

The group has blamed the situation on new rules for appraisals conducted on loans slated for purchase or guarantee by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and called for their suspension.

Fannie and Freddie's regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and many appraisers and appraisal management companies, say market

forces, not the new rules, are more often the reason valuations come in below the contracted sales price.

Copyright 2009 Inman News

August 17, 2009www.theshowcaseusa.com

The Limelight Smartbox Portable Storage

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National News Clock Running Down on First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

PRSRT STDUS

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The ShowCase USA is now featuring Inman News, the leading source of independent real estate news, information, advice, research, opinion and commentary for industry professionals and consumers alike.

Pending Sales Up: Fifth Month In A RowStreak is longest since July 2003

Existing-home sales rose for the third consecutive month with inventory easing and home prices declining less sharply in June, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – increased 3.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of 4.89 million units in June from a downwardly revised pace of 4.72 million in May, but are 0.2 percent lower than the 4.90 million-unit level in June 2008.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, is hopeful about the gain. “The increase in existing-home sales occurred in all major regions of the country,” he said. “We expect a gradual uptrend in sales to continue

due to tax credit incentives and historically high affordability conditions. Despite the rise in closed transactions, many Realtors® are reporting lost sales as a result of new appraisal standards that went into effect May 1 of this year.”

A June survey of NAR members shows 37 percent experienced at least one lost sale as a result of the new Home Valuation Code of Conduct, with seven out of 10 reporting an increased use of out-of-area appraisers. Seventy percent of NAR appraiser members said consumers were paying higher fees, while 85 percent report a perceived reduction in

Launching AT&T’s* newest fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) network development for a multi-dwelling community in the region, The Broadway – San Antonio, the city’s most anticipated high-rise residential address, along with AT&T, today announced the signing of an AT&T Connected CommunitiesSM agreement. This agreement will bring cutting-edge, fiber-based AT&T U-verseSM TV, U-verse High Speed Internet and U-verse Voice services to The Broadway – San Antonio homeowners.

The agreement with The Broadway – San Antonio is part of the AT&T Connected Communities program, a strategic marketing initiative between AT&T and regional or national single-family builders, developers, real estate investment trusts, apartment ownership and management groups, and home owners’ associations to provide next-generation communications and entertainment solutions to residents.

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AT&T And The Broadway – San Antonio Sign Agreement For New Fiber-To-The-Node IP Network In Local High-Rise CommunityAT&T to Provide U-verse TV and Internet Services to Residents of Luxury Community

See BROADWAY, Page 4

See HOME SALES, Page 6

Existing-Home Sales Up Again

The ShowCase USA www.TheShowCaseUSA.comAugust 17, 20092

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The ShowCase USAwww.TheShowCaseUSA.com August 17, 2009 3

4 The Hearts And Hands Annual Golf Tournament

5 RE/MAX Strives Toward $100 Million Contribution Goal

10 Scott Myers, SABOR

11 Best Homes, Weichert, KB Home & SABOR

18 New Agents Welcomed!

19 Announcements and Calendar

LOCAL/STATE NEWS

NATIONAL NEWS

AGENT SIGHTINGS

AGENTS ON THE MOVE

INDUSTRY NEWS & EVENTS

Sales Pep TalkBy Paul Montelongo

Is High Pressure Selling For You?

8 Appraisal and AD&C Troubles Hamper Housing Recovery

8 New-Home Sales Rise 11% in June

9 ‘Second Look’ Program to Expand Mortgage Modifications

9 Retail Market Vacancy On The Rise

13 e-PRO® Program Helps Realtors® Provide Consumers with State-of-the-Art Services

15 Mortgage Rates Rise Slightly Along With Optimism on Housing

16 FHA Home Modification Program Will Help Thousands of Homeowners, Say Realtors®

16 Realtors® Applaud Appraisal Clarification as Good First Step

17 Clock Running Down on First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

As I travel and teach all across the world, I am frequently asked some very interesting questions about selling, business and life in general. For some odd reason, the following question surfaces more than I would have anticipated.

Q: "How do I sell without coming off as a high pressure sales person? That’s not my style and I am just not that kind of person."

I get this comment more than any other when it comes to selling and I think it is a very interesting reflection of the way most people perceive the profession of selling, including sales people themselves. In fact, I believe this question has its roots in a personal belief system that can be very disempowering to a professional sales person.

Typically, this sort of comment stems from a deep seated belief that sales people are pushy, intrusive, invasive, manipulative, (you pick the adjective), etc. and only want to make a sale at the expense of the customer and without regard for the buyer. It is akin to thinking all rich people are crooks.

Well, permit me to be very bold about the solution to this frequently asked question...GET OVER IT. Nothing could be further from the truth when you have earned the right to make the sale.

Therein lies the key…you have earned the right to ask for the sale. If you don’t feel like you have earned the right, anything less than earning the right to ask will feel aggressive and forceful.

Understand this is different from being persistent. You can be persistent in many ways that do not appear antagonistic. Please do not confuse determination with hostility.

A: more empowering belief for you to have as a professional sales person is:

YOU WiLL PROJeCT YOUR iNTeRNAL BeLieFS ON YOUR POTeNTiAL BUYeR

Please write that phrase down and tape it to your computer or tattoo it to your forehead if you must...

See HIGH PRESSURE, Page 6

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“The Broadway – San Antonio will be a premier luxury residence with an unmatched lifestyle of sophistication, convenience, and the latest technology,” said Bart Koontz, developer of The Broadway – San Antonio. “We wanted to provide an array of the finest products to meet the demands of our buyers. Thanks to the arrangement with AT&T, these state-of-the-art, fiber-based services will complement the incredible amenities and services of the building, and will help set the standard for high-rise living in this area.”

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“We’re thrilled to offer residents of The Broadway – San Antonio fully-networked homes from the moment they move in,” said Rick Hubbard, vice president of AT&T Connected Communities. “This agreement in San Antonio is part of a greater

nationwide initiative to help equip residents with the technology and service they need and expect in today’s digital world. This development truly speaks to Texas leaders’ commitment to community development and technological progress.”

AT&T Connected Communities continues to grow and support AT&T’s communication and entertainment services, as developers and builders across the nation look for ways to answer the demands of today’s residents.

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BROADWAY from Page 1

The Hearts and Hands annual Golf Outing and Benefit takes place on September 18, 2009. Please mark your calendars and plan to support this charitable event with your sponsorship and donations!

Hearts and Hands is a 501 (c) (3), non-profit charity formed by local Keller Williams REALTORS® for the purpose of reaching out to other San Antonio and

surrounding area non-profit organizations in need. Hearts and Hands contributed over $35,000 in 2008

to the following charities: The American Cancer Society (Camp Discovery), CASA (Child Advocates San Antonio), Returning Heroes Home, Hurricane Ike Victims, and KW Cares.

Sponsorship and donations will benefit the following non-profit organizations. The Miracle League of San Antonio is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league. To learn more about this organization, please visit their website at: www.miracleleagueofsanantonio.com.

The Fisher House Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides a home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill or injured patients receiving treatment at Wilford Hall Medical Center, a major Air Force medical facility. To learn more about this organization, please visit their website at: www.fisherhouseinc.org

If you have any questions, contact Roslyn Casey @ 210-710-3024.

The Hearts and Hands Annual Golf Tournament


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RE/MAX has kicked off one of the most ambitious charity campaigns in real estate history. The “$100 Million” campaign began in the second quarter of 2009 and is raising the bar for the company’s endeavor to support Children’s Miracle Network, the national non profit alliance of children’s hospitals providing healthcare regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. With contributions exceeding $93 million since 1992, it’s the goal of RE/MAX to maximize their global contribution to the $100 million mark.

Incorporating support of CMN and other charities into their business model, RE/MAX has been innovative in finding ways to increase funds to local children’s healthcare. Over half of all RE/MAX offices in Texas are

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RE/MAX Sales Associates are unique in that a majority of the donations received by Children’s Miracle Network from RE/MAX are the direct result of Associates’ hard work rather than solicited from customers. Founded in 1983, Children’s Miracle Network generates health care funds and awareness programs to benefit children. The nonprofit organization’s 170 participating hospitals across North America help 17 million children annually. In 2008, RE/MAX agents in North America raised over $8 million alone for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

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award bestowed by the RE/MAX International.

All the money raised by local RE/MAX Agents for Children's Miracle Network stays right here in San Antonio to benefit the Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital. Butch and Pepa Thomas, of RE/MAX North-San Antonio, already organized a RE/MAX Long Drive Early Qualifier Event at the Hawk Golf Club earlier this year to raise money for CMN. Also, the RE/MAX of Texas San Antonio Council is hosting their 4th Annual CMN Charity Golf Tournament this October.

“Our business is more than just about buying and selling homes. It’s about helping to create communities and supporting the families that make up those communities. Now more than ever, when economic hardships are forcing cut backs on charitable contributions across the country, it’s time for those with the means to step up to the plate and give back. We feel privileged to be able to assist patients across Texas in any way we can.”

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Above: RE/MAX of Texas CEO Richard Filip and Jeanne Filip accept the RE/MAX CMN Miracle Region Award on behalf of the Lone Star State.

RE/MAX Strives Toward $100 Million Contribution Goal

“...every agent makes an annual contribution to Children’s Miracle Network,...“


Whatever your beliefs are about sales, sales people and the selling process is exactly what you will project out onto your buyer. If you believe that sales people are pushy, guess what? You buyer will feel like you are being pushy. On the other hand if you genuinely feel that sales people are the most helpful, giving people on the planet, Viola….your prospect feels that vive from you.

All too often, sales trainers try to make selling a really complicated thing by teaching you all the questions, trial closes, tie downs, systems, counter objections, blah, blah, blah, blah. It makes me want to puke.

Let me break it down real simple for you. Share this piece of rocket science with all of your sales colleagues....here it goes...

YOU WiLL PROJeCT YOUR iNTeRNAL BeLieFS ON YOUR POTeNTiAL BUYeR

There it is again. No scripted sales systems, trial close terminology, tie down verbiage, or objection overturning strategy can replace your personal belief about who you are as a sales person.

Let me break it down even more for you.

No scripted sales systems, trial close terminology, tie down verbiage, or objection overturning strategy can replace your personal belief about who YOU BELIEVE you are as a sales person.

That's right. When you have a firm belief in who you are, what you stand for, and the immense value you offer as a human being to another human being, you will not be a pressure salesperson. That will be the most remote thing from your mind.

So it requires a few things on your part for sure...

1. Your clear intention to be helpful; to

sell with integrity and to be completely forthright with your prospect about the benefits of what you are selling. That requires you to think intently about what specific benefits for the buyer your product offers. It also requires that have given some deep thought about how you will communicate those benefits to your buyers.

2. A fair deal to match the buyer. A $2.00 loaf of bread is a fair deal and so is a $20 million jet.....for the right buyer. When you believe that your product is a very fair deal for your buyer, you will more easily be able to articulate that to your buyer. In fact, your very belief in the idea that you offer a fair deal will project out to your buyer.

3. Management of your internal beliefs about your profession. Selling is a noble, honest and viable profession in the world. I really can’t think of any profession that does not use the art and skills of selling. Since that is the case, it behooves you to amplify your thoughts about being a professional sales person.

4. Your belief in humanity...which really is code for your belief in yourself. I have heard all-to-often that “buyers are liars”. Well if you hold that belief, then guess who you will attract?

When you are able to clearly manage your beliefs about the profession of selling, your prospect picks up signals from you that are congruent and harmonious with your particular style of selling. Only then is it not high pressure… or you or them.

Until our paths cross again, take great care of yourself and your loved ones.

Paul Montelongo, is an international authority on sales motivation. He con-ducts corporate sales training programs, delivers inspirational keynote addresses and offers retreats for sales and manage-ment teams worldwide. Get free weekly electronic tips and learn more about Paul and his resources for sales professionals, at [email protected]

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appraisal quality.“Clearly the process needs to be

revised, but the most logical approach is to use appraisers with local expertise, industry designations and access to local data, who make a physical examination of the property and use apples-to-apples comparisons with nearby home sales,” Yun said. “In many cases, normal homes are being compared with distressed homes sold at a discount, which often are in subpar condition – this is causing real harm to both buyers and sellers.”

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 5.42 percent in June from 4.86 percent in May; the rate was 6.32 percent in June 2008. Mortgage interest rates have trended lower in recent weeks.

Total housing inventory at the end of June fell 0.7 percent to 3.82 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 9.4-month supply2 at the current sales pace, down from a 9.8-month supply in May. Raw inventory totals are 14.9 percent below

a year ago.“This is another hopeful sign – if we

can keep the volume of sales above the level of new inventory, prices could stabilize in many areas around the end of the year,” Yun said.

An NAR practitioner survey in June showed first-time buyers accounted for 29 percent of transactions, unchanged from May, and that the number of buyers looking at homes is up nearly 12 percentage points from June 2008.

NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth, said there are very good opportunities. “Despite some of the challenges, the housing market continues to demonstrate signs of recovery,” he said. “The temporary first-time buyer tax credit is clearly helping people make a decision and is contributing to the overall stimulus impact, but since it’s taking longer to close transactions, many would-be beneficiaries may not be able to take advantage of the credit before the December 1 expiration date. As a consequence, consumers need the expertise of Realtors® more than ever to navigate both the obstacles and opportunities in today’s market.”

The national median existing-home price3 for all housing types was $181,800 in June, which is 15.4 percent below June 2008. Distressed properties, which accounted for 31 percent of sales in June, continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes.

Single-family home sales rose 2.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.32 million in June from a level of 4.22 million in May, and are 0.2 percent higher than the 4.31 million-unit pace a year ago. The median existing single-family home price was $181,600 in June, which is 15.0 percent below June 2008.

Existing condominium and co-op sales jumped 14.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 570,000 units in June from 500,000 in May, but are 3.1 percent below the 588,000-unit level in June 2008. The median existing condo price4 was $183,300 in June, down 18.9 percent from a year ago.

Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast rose 2.5 percent to an annual pace of 820,000 in June, but are 4.7 percent below a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was

$249,400, down 5.9 percent from June 2008.

Existing-home sales in the Midwest increased 0.9 percent in June to a level of 1.10 million but are 1.8 percent lower than June 2008. The median price in the Midwest was $157,000, which is 9.1 percent below a year ago.

In the South, existing-home sales rose 4.0 percent to an annual pace of 1.81 million in June but are 3.7 percent below a year ago. The median price in the South was $163,200, down 11.9 percent from June 2008.

Existing-home sales in the West improved by 6.4 percent to an annual rate of 1.16 million in June, and are 11.5 percent higher than June 2008. The median price in the West was $214,800, which is 24.9 percent below a year ago.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Copyright National Association of REALTORS. Reprinted with permission.

HOME SALES from Page 1

HIGH PRESSURE from Page 3

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Inappropriate appraisal practices and the acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) lending crisis that has choked off credit for home builders threaten to prolong the current housing and economic downturn, NAHB told Congress on July 23.

Testifying before the House Small Business Committee's Subcommittee on Finance and Tax, NAHB Chairman Joe Robson said these two issues “are placing enormous pressure on home builders’ bottom lines and, for many, endangering their ability to survive the economic downturn. Additional credit resources could be extremely helpful to them and other small businesses to bridge the divide and survive to the eventual economic recovery.”

While stabilized new and existing home sales, a declining inventory of unsold homes and a four-month increase in single-family housing starts are among signs that the housing downturn is bottoming out, Robson said the appraisal and credit crunch problems are headwinds that continue to buffet any significant housing recovery.

“The inappropriate use of distressed and foreclosed sales as comparables in determining new home

values is needlessly driving down home prices and forestalling an economic recovery,” he said, citing a recent NAHB survey that found 26% of builders losing sales because appraisals on their homes are coming in below the contract sales price.

These appraisal practices are a major contributing factor to the current AD&C credit crisis. Falling appraised values for land and subdivisions under development have led some financial institutions to stop lending to developers and builders, to demand additional equity and even to call performing loans.

NAHB is calling on housing and federal financial regulators to adopt clear, concise regulatory guidelines that will allow appraisers to develop realistic valuations based on sales that are truly comparable.

To maximize the ability of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help home builders and other small businesses gain access to credit, NAHB recommends increasing funding and the loan size for the America’s Recovery Capital loan program, he said.

This program offers small businesses guaranteed deferred-payment, interest-free loans of up to $35,000 that can be used to pay principal and interest on

existing loans; qualify small business debt, including mortgages; and for other purposes. The $255 million program continues through Sept. 30, 2010 or until its funding is exhausted.

NAHB also supports proposed improvements to the SBA 7(a) program, which provides capital for a range of purposes — including construction and supplies — to increase the participation of non-traditional lenders in SBA programs.

Finally, Robson commended the committee’s proposal to establish a supplemental loan assistance program to complement the lending initiatives currently administered by the SBA. A primary objective of this program would be to target businesses with capital needs in excess of $10 million.

“Like all small businesses, home builders vary in size and many would find much greater benefit from a program that would expand and increase loans for businesses with higher capital needs,” said Robson.

For more information, e-mail Greg Brown at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8421.The above article has been provided to you compliments of NAHB and Nation’s Builder News.

Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 11% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000 units, according to U.S. Commerce Department figures released on July 27. Coming on the heels of an upwardly revised number for May, the gain marks a third consecutive month of improved sales activity.

"The June report is good news that indicates the nation's housing market may be in the process of turning the corner," said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson. "That said, the key to moving us out of recession is to get Americans back to work. Congress and the Administration should know that housing can be a significant generator of good jobs. We need to make housing a priority in the recovery process, otherwise we could continue to bounce along a bottom for some time."

"The big gain in home sales last month was reflected in three out of four regions and helped shrink the inventory of new homes for sale to its lowest level in years," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "Even so, the pace of home sales in June 2009 was still more than 21% off the pace of sales in the same month last year, so we still have quite a way to go. The concern now is that complicating factors — particularly job losses, appraisal issues that are torpedoing more than a quarter of new-home sales, and the impending expiration of the first-time buyer tax credit — threaten to stifle the positive momentum."

The number of newly built homes on the market declined for a 26th consecutive month in June, falling 4.1% to 281,000 units. This marks a relatively thin 8.8-month supply at the current sales pace.

New-home sales rose by double-digits in the Northeast (29.2%), Midwest (43.1%) and West (22.6%) in June but declined 5.3% in the South, which is the country's largest housing market.

The above article has been provided to you compliments of NAHB and Nation’s Builder News.

Appraisal and AD&C Troubles Hamper Housing Recovery

New-Home Sales Rise 11% in June

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After being hit earlier this year with the closures of national retailers such as Circuit City, Mervyn’s and Linens N’ Things, the faltering economy continued to impact the local retail market over the past three months. Sportsman’s Warehouse, for example, vacated its 47,000 square-foot store location at The Legacy after having closed the location at Westover Marketplace last year. According to the survey of nearly 44.5 million square feet of area retail space conducted by the research department of local commercial real estate company NAI REOC Partners, the San Antonio retail vacancy rate climbed to 14.5% at the close of the second quarter, which is a marked increase from the 11.4% vacancy rate recorded a year ago.

“Large vacancies left behind by victims of the national recession reduce the need for additional new space. Speculative development continues to expand the citywide inventory but at a dramatically reduced pace compared to last year,” says Keith McRee, CCIM, Vice President, NAI REOC Partners. The market grew by more than 3.5 million square feet last year but less than 849,000 square feet of new retail space has been delivered to the area in the first half of this year with less than 250,000 square feet expected to come online by year’s end. In the second quarter, nearly 677,000 square feet of new retail space came online led by the addition of Woodlake Crossing (305,231 sf) featuring Target, Ross

Dress for Less, PetCo, Best Buy and several others.

The successful pre-leasing of the new northeast power center contributed to the 366,981 square feet of positive net absorption experienced in the second quarter. “Positive absorption is a good sign, especially after dipping into the red last quarter, but new supply still outpaced demand which resulted in the higher vacancy rate compared to 13.8% last quarter,” says Kim Gatley, Senior Vice President and Director of Research for NAI REOC Partners. New supply in the Far North Central sector included The Shops at Overlook (51,350 sf) which came online without any tenants and The Pinnacle at Encino Commons (123,500 sf) which came online anchored by Spectrum Fitness Club. In the Core North Central sector, construction was completed on a portion of the Alon Town Centre which delivered 64,854 square feet of ground floor retail space in Buildings 100-300. Quarry Village was also added into Core North Central inventory with a tenant roster including West Elm, Five Guys Burgers, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Red Mango Frozen Yogurt and others. In the Northwest sector, The Ridge at Loop 1604 & Lockhill Selma made its debut and will feature the Ivy Lounge and Area 31. In the CBD, The Vistana – a fourteen-story residential project, opened with 23,314 square feet

Retail Market Vacancy On The Rise

See VACANCY, Page 12

A new Second Look Program from the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America (MICA) may provide help to troubled home owners who are not able to qualify for federal assistance under the Obama Administration’s Making Home Affordable program.

Making Home Affordable, announced in March, helps home owners at risk of losing their homes to modify their mortgages by reducing the monthly payment to more sustainable levels. MICA’s Second Look Program builds on the Administration’s program by providing an additional review to home owners who have been denied a modification of a loan that is not owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Lenders use a net present value (NPV) test to determine whether a non-GSE loan is eligible for a loan modification. These loans can include jumbo mortgages, loans on investors’ balance sheets or loans that have been packaged into private-label mortgage securities.

Given how some NPV models are mathematically structured, it may appear that loans that have mortgage insurance are better off going into foreclosure. To help offset these results, the Second Look Program allows lenders to send a claim that has been rejected under the NPV test to a mortgage insurer who can choose to provide an advance claim payment to help permit the loan to be modified.

Although MICA has not provided an estimate of how many home owners it expects to help under its new program, the organization, working in conjunction with loan servicers, was able to prevent nearly 100,000 people from losing their homes in 2008.

To read the press release announcing the Second Look Program, click here.

For more information, e-mail Bill Renner at [email protected], or call him at 800-368-5242 x8597.


‘Second Look’ Program to Expand Mortgage Modifications

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Scott Myers 30th AnniversaryLeft: Scott Myers addressing the sales staff expressing appreciation to agents

such as Mike Singleton, Janie Smith, Brenda Scott, Quirino Mata all who have

been with the company for many years. In background on big screen is a

congratulatory letter from Tom Kunz, CEO of Century 21.

Above: Agents Susan Widsten, Quirino Mata, Mike Whitfield, and Chuck Blair.

Above: Dorothy Ybarra, Jim Bailey, Brenda Scott, Toby Cisneroz, Janie Smith and Richard House,

Main Lead Coordinator.

Above: Scott Myers and wife Joan cutting the cake.

Above: Judy and Tony Hrycko. Judy was the office Administrative Assistant for 11 years retiring in 2007.

Left: Florence Terrell pins a REALTOR “R” pin onto her son at the July New Member Orientation at SABOR.

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Best Homes GMAC Real Estate Deliver Fans

Above: KB Home sales counselor Mike Trollinger and construction superintendent

Rudy Requejo, both from the Mesa Creek community, are helping beautify San

Antonio by participating in a recent Adopt-A-Highway clean up event.

KB Home at the Adopt-A-Highway clean up event

Have photos?Send them to

[email protected]

Above: The twins Ben Baca and Joe Acosta with Best Homes GMAC Real Estate

prepare to deliver fans purchased by office agents to a local fire department to

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Above: Cindy Mitchell, Weichert, Realtors, Lisa Kaye & Associates with her niece, Abigial Klein, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. They were at the Off Training Camp Party held at the Alamodome.

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of ground floor retail space which will feature an IHOP Café.

Aside from the gains produced in the newly completed centers, activity within existing centers overall remains relatively slow but leases are still being signed. Planet Fitness, for example, leased 25,574 square feet at Leon Creek Shopping Center and Trinity Title of Texas leased 9,888 square feet at La Arcata Retail Center. “When the economy slows, landlords focus on retaining existing tenants,” says Bryan Parman, Vice President, NAI REOC Partners. Renewals and extensions led second quarter activity including Big Lots (29,875 sf) at Bandera Festival.

Although the recession was in full swing in other parts of the country last year at this time, the San Antonio market remained largely unaffected and continued moving through a strong expansion phase through the end of last year. The impact of higher-priced new projects floated up average rental rates and now that the market is feeling the impact of a sluggish economy, quoted rental rates have begun to reflect the downturn. At the close of the second quarter, the citywide average quoted triple net rental rate for retail space in San Antonio inched up to $18.33 per square foot annually. Compared to a year ago, the average rent is up eighty-six cents or 4.9% increase but the ten-cent gain over last quarter registers a growth rate of less than one percent. “Rental rate increases or decreases typically lag behind changes

in vacancy but we are seeing quoted rents flatten and concessions increase,” says Ty West, CCIM, Vice President, NAI REOC Partners.

Looking at specific property types, all experienced annual growth but some showed declines over the quarter. The citywide average quoted rental rate for Power Center space increased twenty-two cents compared to a year ago for a slight annual increase of less than one percent but slipped back down six cents compared to last quarter to settle at $25.33 at the close of second quarter. Likewise, the average rental rate for Strip Centers increased thirty-eight cents compared to a year ago for a modest annual increase of 2.4% but backed down three cents compared to last quarter to remain at $16.33 per square foot. The average quoted rental rate for Neighborhood Centers

climbed to $14.20 – up seven cents from last quarter and twenty cents or 1.4% compared to last year at this time while the average cost for Community

Center space skyrocketed to $18.09 – up eleven cents over last quarter and $1.52 or 9.2% compared to a year ago before the addition of new centers such as Stone Ridge Shopping Center and Alon Town Centre.

In terms of vacancy, all property types experienced increased vacancy compared to last year at this time. The citywide vacancy rate for Regional Malls increased from 4.9% a year ago to 9.6% last quarter to 10.4% at the close of the second quarter. Vacancy among area Power Centers increased from 5.0% to 9.3% to 10.3%. Similarly, the vacancy rate for Community Center space climbed to 11.9% compared to 10.5% last quarter and 8.2% a year ago

while Neighborhood Center vacancy softened to 18.7% compared to 18.3% last quarter and 17.4% a year ago. Finally, the citywide vacancy rate for Strip Centers went from 17.0% last year at this time to 21.6% last quarter but saw some improvement to close the second quarter at 21.2%.

“Easing construction will certainly help the market recover by reducing the pressure created from new supply but store closures will continue to present a challenge through the remainder of the year,” warns Sandra Rogers, Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing & New Business, NAI REOC Partners. Smith & Hawken, high-end retailer of outdoor furniture and accessories and a division of parent company Scott’s Miracle-Gro Co., will close all 56 locations by the end of the year including the 11,500 square-foot store located at 330 E. Basse in the newly completed Quarry Village. More closures could come from Eddie Bauer since the upscale outdoor clothing retailer filed for Chapter 11 putting the future of its store locations at Huebner Oaks and Village of Stone Oak on shaky ground.

“Overall, the market is doing as well as can be expected, despite the grim forecast,” says Gatley. “Developers have pulled back, lenders are working with landlords, landlords are working with tenants, retailers are scaling back and discounting prices – everyone is doing what they can to ride out the downturn while waiting for the return of the consumer.”

VACANCY from Page 9

NAI REOC Partners I 7800 IH-10 West, Suite 800 I San Antonio, Texas 78230 I 210.524.4000 I www.naireocpartners.com

NAI REOC PARTNERS San Antonio Retail Market Second Quarter 2009

21.6% last quarter but saw some improvement to close the second quarter at 21.2%.

“Easing construction will certainly help the market recover by reducing the pressure created

from new supply but store closures will continue to present a challenge through the remainder of

the year,” warns Sandra Rogers, Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing & New Business,

NAI REOC Partners. Smith & Hawken, high-end retailer of outdoor furniture and accessories

and a division of parent company Scott’s Miracle-Gro Co., will close all 56 locations by the end

of the year including the 11,500 square-foot store located at 330 E. Basse in the newly completed

Quarry Village. More closures could come from Eddie Bauer since the upscale outdoor clothing

retailer filed for Chapter 11 putting the future of its store locations at Huebner Oaks and Village

of Stone Oak on shaky ground.

“Overall, the market is doing as well as can be expected, despite the grim forecast,” says Gatley.

“Developers have pulled back, lenders are working with landlords, landlords are working with

tenants, retailers are scaling back and discounting prices – everyone is doing what they can to

ride out the downturn while waiting for the return of the consumer.”

2Q 2009 Total Total % Avg. QuotedSubmarket Inventory Vacant SF Vacant Rent Rate

CORE NC 8,157,700 1,375,229 16.9% $20.15

FAR NC 4,582,315 765,943 16.7% $23.67

NE 7,956,096 1,345,697 16.9% $14.85

NW 14,184,548 1,568,527 11.1% $17.75

CBD 1,257,849 218,126 17.3% $24.34

SOUTH 4,268,611 556,223 13.0% $16.61

FAR WEST 4,051,239 600,069 14.8% $18.03

Totals 44,458,358 6,429,814 14.5% $18.33Source: NAI REOC Partners


View the virtual issue online at www.theshowcaseusa.com

As today’s dynamic Internet environment continues to transform the business of real estate, the National Association of Realtors® is helping its members best serve their clients by updating its e-PRO® Technology Certification Course. Through the program, Realtors® learn about the Internet business principles they need to assist home buyers and sellers and thrive in today’s ever-changing online real estate market.

NAR worked closely with InternetCrusade®, the course provider, to design a concentrated and highly interactive program. The new version includes Web 2.0 enhancements to current learning tools and the integration of concepts throughout each module.

“Realtors® are industry innovators who continue to reshape the trade through new business models,” said NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “Realtors® want to stay up-to-date on new and emerging technologies, and NAR and InternetCrusade® have developed the all-new e-PRO® with this in mind.”

The e-PRO® Certification course is designed for individuals who are already online, but want to better understand how to develop and maintain a customer base over the Internet. The all-new e-PRO® will teach Realtors® everything from the basics of online marketing to in-depth information on social networking/Web 2.0 and how to succeed in the new cyber world. Program graduates are encouraged to participate in the e-PRO® community and the e-PRO® Referral Network to

ensure continued success in online real estate. Highlights of the new program include:

-Options and requirements to get connected-E-mail communication and marketing

practices-Legal and ethical standards for conducting real

estate business on the Internet-How to create and maintain an Internet

marketing and practices plan

In addition, new e-PRO® registrants will enjoy complimentary access to a new, stand-alone Web 2.0 & Social Media Course for REALTORS®developed by the e-PRO® course providers. Students will be able to take a more comprehensive look at Web 2.0 concepts and how they apply to their online real estate presence.

“Technology has transformed the way Realtors® do business,” said Bob Goldberg, senior vice president of NAR Marketing, Business Development & Commercial Services. “The all-new e-PRO® is unlike any other professional certification or designation course available. This version keeps Realtors® on the cutting edge by building on the previous format and adding material relevant for today’s Internet and social media realities.”

For a limited time, as part of the association’s Right Tools Right Now initiative, NAR is introducing the all-new e-PRO® at a special price of $299 for members, a $60 savings on the regular member price of $359. This includes complimentary access to the new Web 2.0 and

Social Media Course for REALTORS®. This special offer will be available through October 16, 2009. To support members who have already achieved their certification, current e-PRO® graduates can access the new course and take the Web 2.0 and Social Media Course for REALTORS® at a special rate of $79. The Web 2.0 & Social Media Course for REALTORS® can also be purchased as a stand-alone course for $99. More information is available at www.eProNAR.com.

e-PRO® is designed specifically for real estate professionals, but anyone can take the course. However, the use of the e-PRO® Certification and logo is reserved exclusively for Realtors® who have completed the program. Continuing education credit is available in many states for e-PRO® students.

e-PRO® is offered through NAR’s REALTOR Benefits® Program. The program offers practical solutions for Realtors® on the products and services they use every day. The program includes offerings from nearly 30 companies, in a variety of categories, recognized as leaders in their respective industries.



e-PRO® Program Helps Realtors® Provide Consumers with State-of-the-Art Services


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Mega Camp: Thursday August 27 – Friday Aug 28 at Austin Convention CenterMega Technology Camp: Wednesday Aug 26Please Contact Amy Clifton for more informationby August 3, 2009at [email protected] or (210) 581-5846

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*This guarantee is conditioned upon credit approval and starts with the timely receipt of all required informa-tion provided by the borrower or any third party. The information may include, but is not limited to, purchase contract (if applicable), an acceptable appraisal, a clear preliminary title, survey, inspections, documentation for income and assets, third party verifi cations, and proper insurance coverage. Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC cannot be held responsible for any required documentation that is not received in a timely manner.

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Optimism that the economy may be stabilizing pushed up bond yields last week, and mortgage interest rates rose along with them, according to Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac's chief economist.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.25% for the week ending on July 30, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, up slightly from 5.20% during the prior week, but down significantly from 6.52% one year earlier.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.69%, up from 4.68% the week before. Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages climbed almost imperceptibly from 4.74% to 4.75% and one-year ARMS increased from 4.77% to 4.80%.

The financial markets last week derived their optimism on conditions in the nation housing market from a number of sources, including the Federal Reserve, which reported weakness in most of its districts, but also signs of improvement, especially in sales of entry-level homes profiting from the availability of the first-time home buyer tax credit. (For a related story in this issue of NBN, click here.)

“Other economic reports confirm that the housing market may indeed be bottoming out,” said Nothaft. "New home sales rose for the third consecutive month in June to an annual pace of 384,000 homes, the most since November 2008, and the number of new houses on the market fell to the lowest amount since February 1999, according to the Department of Commerce,” he said.

“Sales of existing homes also showed a three-

month gain to 4.89 million, the most since October 2008,” said Nothaft, “and the share of distressed homes fell to 31% compared to almost half at the beginning of the year, the National Association of Realtors® reported.”

The news media widely reported last week that the housing industry was starting to see some signs of recovery, but analysts said that the upturn so far is tentative, with home builders facing such difficult obstacles as the continuation of rising

unemployment and low consumer confidence, more foreclosures and a dearth of credit to build and produce more housing.

News coverage focused on the findings of

the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller price index, which showed 10- and 20-city composite prices of single-family homes rising 0.5% from April to May, the first monthly increase since 2006.

However, at an annual rate those indexes declined 16.8% and 17.1%, respectively, according to the May data, which showed the index improving for the fourth consecutive month after a steep decline that commenced in the fall of 2005.

“While many indicators are showing signs of life in the U.S. housing market, we should remember that on a year-over-year basis home prices are still down about 17% on average across all metro areas, so we likely do have a way to go before we see sustained home price appreciation,” said David Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor.

Economists who have been forecasting that the economy would start growing again in the second half of this year received encouraging news from the Commerce Department on July 31 showing that GDP declined at an annual rate of 1% during this year’s second quarter, better than expected, following a 6.4% rate of decline in the first three months of the year.

Forecasters are also expecting unemployment to continue to rise into next year, eventually exceeding 10%, despite the turnaround in growth.


Mortgage Rates Rise Slightly Along With Optimism on Housing

“Other economic

reports confirm that the

housing market may indeed

be bottoming out,”


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The following is a statement by National Association of Realtors® President Charles McMillan:

“NAR and our 1.2 million members are pleased that the Federal Housing Finance Agency has instructed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to take action to clarify confusion over the new Home Valuation Code of Conduct for home appraisers implemented this past May.

“Our members were experiencing delayed and lost sales because of poor appraisals conducted often by inexperienced appraisers who were not familiar with the area. The ramifications were so great to our members and to the housing industry that I personally met with the New York Attorney General’s office and with the head of the FHFA to share our concerns.

“In those meetings I shared an NAR survey that found 76 percent of our members, representing both buyers and sellers, had experienced an increase in appraisal time since the new HVCC rules were enacted. Similarly, 71 percent of Realtors® noted an increase in the use of appraisers who were not from the local area. These factors often adversely affected the sale or the sales process, which occasionally resulted in the loss of a sale or a homeowner’s inability to refinance into today’s lower rates. I expressed our serious concern in the meetings.

“We took this information, and our concerns, to those organizations responsible for the changes and we are pleased that they listened. Today Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued clear guidance on two very important points that we raised in our meetings. First, the guidance states that lenders should use appraisers who have clear experience in the geographic area. Second, it clarifies that appraisers are not prohibited from talking to real estate agents.

“NAR has asked Congress and the FHFA to immediately implement an 18-month moratorium on the new HVCC rules to further address unintended consequences of this new rule. We will continue to push for this, but are pleased that this first step was taken today.”



The following is a statement by National Association of Realtors® President Charles McMillan:

“NAR would like to congratulate and thank Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and Federal Housing Administration Commissioner Dave Stevens for implementing the FHA–Making Home Affordable Loan Modification Program. This newly enhanced program will help struggling homeowners who qualify to significantly reduce their monthly mortgage payments and keep the home they worked so hard to obtain.

“As Secretary Donovan noted, this is another tool the federal government is providing to help homeowners avoid foreclosures by making mortgage payments more affordable. These changes expand the Obama administration’s Making Home Affordable Loan Modification Program to include FHA borrowers, and Realtors® are optimistic that this will have

positive implications for thousands of homeowners.

“Until foreclosures have been significantly reduced and housing inventory reaches a more normal level, there can be no true housing recovery. The FHA–HAMP program will go a long way in achieving these important goals by helping FHA servicers bring mortgages current, buy down loans by up to 30 percent of the unpaid principal balance, and defer these amounts until the first mortgage is paid off.

“The actions taken over the past several months are beginning to help stabilize the housing market. Now, helping more families stay current on their mortgage and remain in their homes will reduce the impact of foreclosures on families and communities.

“Moving forward, NAR will continue to call on Congress and the Obama administration to expand the first-time home buyer tax credit to all home buyers and to continue

efforts to streamline the short-sale process. Along with the expanded loan modification program, addressing these issues will help reduce foreclosures and housing inventory, and stabilize home values.”


Copyrigh t Nat iona l Associa t ion of REALTORS. Reprinted with permission.

FHA Home Modification Program Will Help Thousands of Homeowners, Say Realtors®

Realtors® Applaud Appraisal Clarification as Good First Step


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With the clock running down on the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and less than four months to go, builders are urging qualified prospective buyers to start the sales process long before the Nov. 30 deadline.

Faulty appraisals that have been using foreclosed properties as comparables for new homes have been slowing down the sales process in many instances, builders warn, creating hiccups in the financing stage that can often push the closing date much later than originally expected.

First-time buyers should also anticipate tighter lending standards that generally don’t allow 100% financing, making buyers responsible for coming up with enough money prior to their purchase to meet required downpayment and closing costs.

For these two reasons alone, young families considering becoming home owners should be advised to start the process long before they put a bid on a new home. As part of that effort, builders can provide key educational information on the home buying process — including financing and closing — that their customers need to ensure that they occupy their new home in time to claim the tax credit.

Assistance on Upfront Costs Available in 16 StatesFor home buyers who need assistance with

downpayment and closing costs, some state housing finance agencies are able to provide a short-term loan based on the home buyer’s qualification for the federal tax credit.

Sixteen state housing finance agencies — in Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia — are participating in loan programs to help facilitate home sales for first-time home buyers in their area.

Each state is different and qualifications and restrictions vary among the programs.

Home buyers should be warned, however, that there are organizations or individuals who are providing this service who are not legally permitted to do so. If the organization is a unit of state government, such as a state housing finance agency, it is safe to say that it is reputable.

Otherwise, a home buyer should check with their local Better Business Bureau or through a state or local government’s department of consumer affairs to ensure that the program they are working with is legitimate.

Remind Buyers of Requirements, Special CircumstancesAlthough the tax credit has three requirements

listed for home buyers to qualify — status as a first-time home buyer, timeframe in which the home must be purchased and income limits — it is sometimes not that simple. Specific situations — such as those involving the sale of a home between related individuals or prior ownership of a mobile home as a primary residence — may result in a buyer’s disqualification from claiming the credit.

In a statement released last week, the Internal

Revenue Service (IRS) warned taxpayers to beware of first-time home buyer tax credit fraud. Home buyers who may be unsure of their status on claiming the tax credit should seek professional advice from a certified public accountant or an enrolled agent licensed by the federal government.

Home buyers who may need additional information can find answers to frequently asked questions about the tax credit at www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.

For further information, e-mail [email protected] at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8061; or contact Rob Dietz, x8285.


Clock Running Down on First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit


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Yarbrough Trevino Bustamante Haecker O’Brien Starr Ramirez Ramirez Griffith

Sandi YarbroughRE/MAX North-San Antonio

welcomes Sandi Yarbrough to their Hardy Oak location. Seven of Sandi's 10 years in San Antonio have been spent in Stone Oak where she lives, volunteers, and co-owns StoneOakinfo.com, the community website for the Stone Oak/North San Antonio area. Sandi holds a B.B.A in Marketing, but also has a music background. She has been a soloist in San Antonio, Austin, Ft.Worth, Arlington, and Wichita, Kansas, and has been a member of the San Antonio Choral Society. Sandi has been a private voice teacher for 15 years, and leads a youth choir at her church. She enjoys playing tennis, watching movies, and spending time with her husband, Greg, and their 3 teenage children. Sandi is thrilled to be part of RE/MAX North-SA and is looking forward to helping others find a place to call "home." Sandi can be reached at 210.643.8778 or at [email protected].

RE/MAX North- San Antonio

Alamo Absolute Realty

SellSmart Lone Star Real Estate

RESource One

ERA D. Lee Edwards Realty, Inc.

Ronnie TrevinoAlamo Absolute Realty has been

busy selectively recruiting and hiring top recommended Agents, including Ronnie Trevino.

In 2008 Ronnie Treviño obtained a Texas Real Estate License to address international clients with their many questions of the San Antonio real estate market. During his preliminary real estate endeavor, Ronnie Treviño sought the guidance and expertise of Rodney Bustamante of Austin Absolute Realty. Together, they created a premier real estate service for San Antonio clients. Mr. Treviño provides expertise for

Your Business is Our Business

.COM“The Voice for Real Estate in San Antonio”

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Rodney BustamanteRodney Bustamante is the Owner/

Broker of Alamo Absolute Realty in San Antonio, Texas, and Austin Absolute Realty in Austin. Rodney is a HUD Foreclosure Registered Broker, an Ambassador for Austin's Greater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the Government Affairs Committee with the Austin Board of Realtors.

To contact Rodney Bustamante, call 512-535-1134, or e-mail [email protected].

Arlene haeckerSellSmart Lone Star Real Estate

welcomes new agent Arlene Haecker to the SellSmart team. Arlene retired after 24 years of civil service at Kelly AFB and is eager to begin her new career in real estate. She can be reached at (210) 213-4590 where she can help save her clients money with the SellSmart programs for buyers and sellers.

Lyn O’BrienERA D. Lee Edwards Realty, Inc. is

pleased to announce that Lyn O’Brien has joined their team as a licensed Texas Realtor.

In addition to being a licensed Realtor, she is also a Professional Stager. This gives O’Brien an advantage when helping Sellers prepare their homes to go on the market. Her expertise goes

above the typical real estate agent’s staging knowledge and allows her to give her clients a higher level of service.

“We are so excited to have Lyn on our team,” said Aja Edwards, Sales Manager. “She’s a great team player and a wonderful person to be around! She’s a true asset to our company!”

Call O’Brien at the ERA office 830-620-7653 or her cell phone at 830-708-4410.

buyers, sellers, and investors locally and abroad.

To contact Ronnie Trevino, call 210-410-5384 or e-mail [email protected].

Craig StarrWe are pleased to announce our

newest member of the Resource One Team. Craig is a Licensed Real Estate Agent and will be transitioning to Property Manager. Craig proudly served four years in the U.S. Marine Corp where he developed a winning attitude of "Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome". Upon completion of his honorable service time, he pursued his college education and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from the University of Phoenix.

Craig has many years of experience working with buyers and sellers and is a “Multi-Million Dollar Producer” in Real Estate. This great combination of attitude, education, experience, and persistence is “key” to the success of any real estate company.

Ramirez , Ramirez & griffithRESource One would like to

welcome Three experienced real estate professionals to their team in New Braunfels. Jessica and Michael have been in the real estate industry for over five years and have been active in the San Antonio and surrounding areas before moving to RESource One.

Michael will oversee the property management operations of the business

and will be responsible for the day to day operations. His expertise and knowledge will definitely be an asset to our company.

Jessica will manage the Residential Sales and Marketing while providing “Phenomenal” Real Estate Service to our Clients and Customers. Jessica will continue to serve the San Antonio market, but will focus on increasing her presence in the New Braunfels community.

Russ Griffith joins the team as Sales Manager serving the real estate community for 17 years. He is focused on training & education and will be an asset to the growth of the company. He is active in both SABOR and TAR, and has served on multiple committees for many years.

RESource One is located at 1040 N. Walnut Ave., Suite A, New Braunfels, 78130 - Telephone 830.626.1144

ATTENTION: New agents in the office? Moving to a new office?

Send a bio (no more than 150 words) along with a

photograph to [email protected]


GSABA AnnouncementsParade of Homes, 2006 Terramont New City LivingOVERVIEW

The Parade of Homes is San Antonio’s premier new home event, conducted by the Greater San Antonio Builders Association to provide ideas and information in an attractive community with a variety of spectacular houses by San Antonio builders. Attendance for touring these fully-decorated dream homes during the annual event ranges from 20,000 to 30,000. Each year GSABA varies the Parade site, providing new and exciting locales for visitors to experience.THIS YEAR’S EVENT

Visit the 2009 Parade of Homes brought to you by CPS Energy. The event is scheduled for September 5th, through September 13th, at “Terramont”, a stunning guarded and gated estate community with some of the best hilltop views of the San Antonio skyline. The developer, Southerland Properties, is no “rookie” to this prestigious event; they graciously hosted the 2000 Parade of Homes at River Crossing, and the 2001 Parade of Homes at Summerglen.DATES/TIMESFriday, September 4 - Preview Party 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.Saturday, September 5 - Monday, September 7 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.Tuesday, September 8 - REALTOR Day (SABOR REALTORS ONLY) 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.Tuesday, September 8 - Thursday, September 10 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.Friday, September 11 - DATE NIGHT 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.Saturday, September 12 - Sunday, September 13 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.TICKETS Preview Party:

Join us as we kick off the Parade of Homes and get the first look at these masterpieces. $75 per person, to include full catered buffets, an array of beverages, and live music. Two complimentary drink tickets will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Parade of Homes: $12 adult at the gate; $10 presale at local “Home Depot” locations$8 child age 5-12 (no presale discount) ATTRACTIONS

Visit each of the vendor displays in the Home

Products Tent. Register to win a brand new car, compliments of North Park Lincoln. Call (210) 696-3800, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.sabuilders.com.BUILDERS

CkC Custom Homes, Genesis Custom Homes, L Nunez Signature Homes, Mattern & Fitzgerald Custom Builders, Stadler Custom Homes, Stonewall Custom Homes, and Uptmore Custom Homes.

SABOR NEWS YOU CAN USE

Realtors Got Talent!*Thursday, August 27th, 6:30 – 10:00 p.m. at •Josephine TheatreCocktails and hors d’oeuvres•Program begins promptly at 7:30 p.m.•Tickets $40•Area REALTORS® will compete for $500 •GRAND PRIZEIf you can sing, dance, act, play an instrument •or perform some other type of talent, WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU! Enter to win $500!Advertising opportunities available!•Contact Janelle Chapman at 210-593-1200 Ext. •121 for details

TAR Annual Convention & Trade ExpoTAR Annual Convention & Trade Expo For complete details log on to TAR and go to Events/Convention!Location: Dallas, TexasDate: Sun, September 13, 2009Time: 9:00 AM end Date: Tue, September 15, 2009end Time: 5:00 PM

Independence Title Administrative Staff Honored by TLTA

Independence Title is proud to announce numerous honors awarded to members of its administrative staff by the Texas Land Title Association at the annual convention held in San Antonio in June. For the second year in a row, the TLTA Title Person of the Year Award went to a member of Independence Title. Bruce Liesman, ITC’s Vice President/General

Counsel, received the honor this year. Independence Title’s President/COO Brian Pitman received the honor in 2008. Additionally, Pitman was named President-Elect for the current year and will serve as TLTA president in 2010. Jason Bragg, San Antonio Area Manager, also served on this year’s Young Title Professionals Panel. Independence Title Company is proud of the efforts of its administrative team as they volunteer their time to be an active voice for the industry.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August:

27th REALTORS Got Talent! 6:30pm - 10:00pm @ Josephine Theater, Email: [email protected] Tickets $40, Area REALTORS will compete for $500

September:4thPoH Preview Party 5:00pm-11:00pm @ Terramont Contact: [email protected] (210) 696-3800

8th PoH REALTOR Day 9:00am-12:00pm @ Terramont Contact: [email protected] (210) 696-3800

Industry News & Events

Visit www.theshowcaseusa.com for more events.

The ShowCase is published semimonthly. The ShowCase is not responsible for opinions or facts expressed by non-staff writers or for errors and any by products in advertising or editorial copy. REALTOR® is a registered trademark. The word REALTOR® sometimes appears without the registered trademark symbol (®), for the purpose of saving space. Wherever the word REALTOR appears in this paper, the registered trademark should be assumed. We welcome submissions of photos, press releases or articles be sent to Gerald Wright at [email protected].

San Antonio & Austin

Sales: 210-722-9650 | Design: 210-488-7307

Office: (210) 493-5554

Managing PartnerCara Diaz | [email protected]

VP of Sales & MarketingKelea Piper | [email protected]

Newspaper Designer Gerald Wright | [email protected]

We proudly support the following organizations

San Antonio

Pitman Liesman Bragg

©2009 KB Home (KBH). Equal housing opportunity. Payment of Broker Co-op requires Broker to accompany and register buyer on first visit and comply with Broker Co-op Agreement. NAHB Research Center certifi cation is not a representation, warranty or guarantee by Research Center of contractor performance. Quick-move-in homes may require up to 90 days for move in. Many features/upgrades are included in the cost of home. Buyer may be required to pay for any additional features/upgrades and is responsible for all taxes, insurance and other fees. Plans, inventory pricing, fi nancing, terms, avail-

ability and specifi cations subject to change/prior sale without notice and may vary by neighborhood, homesite location and home series. Square footage is approximate. Exterior photos show upgraded landscaping/options and may not represent communities’ lowest priced homes. Photo does not depict racial preference. See sales representative for details. 7/31/09

Broker Co-op Welcome.

Put a quick move-in KB home on your back-to-school shopping list.

Your clients can own a wonderful new KB home-today! With spacious floor plans filled with the kinds of features they’re looking for, KB Home is sure to be on their back-to-school shopping list. So don’t wait! Start making that list by checking out all the great homes that are available today!

For more quick-move-in homes, visit kbhome.com or kbcasa.com today!

Saddle MountainTake Hwy. 281 North past 1604. Turn left on Evans Rd. and go approx. 1.5 mi. to community on right. (210) 497-15771435 Osnats Point $258,8342-story home with 2,720 sq. ft., 3 bdrms, 2.5 baths and loft. Radiant barrier roof sheathing, covered patio, luxury kitchen with Silestone counters and master bath with 42-in. separate marble tub with tile splash and shower with tile surround. 1418 Saddle Blanket $216,4011-story home with 2,124 sq. ft., 4 bdrms and 2 baths. Mas-ter bath with 42-in. separate marble tub with tile splash and shower with tile surround, rounded drywall corners, 3-ft extended garage, pre-plumbing for water softener. 1423 Saddle Blanket $258,3642-story home with 2,787 sq. ft., 4 bdrms, 3 baths and loft. Covered patio, rounded drywall corners, 9-ft. fi rst-fl oor ceilings, 42-in. upper kitchen cabinets, Silestone counter-tops and master bath with a 42-in. separate marble tub with tile splash and shower with tile surround. 1406 Saddle Blanket $249,5872-story home with 2665 sq. ft., 4 bdrms and 2.5 baths. 9-ft. fi rst-fl oor ceilings, covered patio, sprinkler system, and radiant barrier roof sheathing. Luxury kitchen with 42-in. upper kitchen cabinets and Silestone countertops.

Stage RunFrom I-10 West, take Exit 551/Boerne Stage Rd./Leon Springs and turn left on access road. At light, turn left on Boerne Stage Rd., drive under overpass and continue approx. .3 mi. Turn right on Baywater Stage, right on Rustic Coach and right on Midway Depot to sales center. (210) 698-94598102 Royal Field $208,4702-story home with 3,266 sq. ft., 3 bdrms, and 2.5 baths. 9-ft. fi rst fl oor ceilings, French doors, 6-panel Colonial doors, bay window at nook, and 30-yr. composition shingles.8114 Royal Field $183,8851-story home with 2,070 sq. ft., 4 bdrms, and 2 baths. 9-ft. ceilings, 42-in. upper kitchen cabinets, extended cabinet with knee space at master bath, 2-in. faux wood blinds, extended covered patio, and sprinkler system.

Quarry at Iron MountainTake Hwy. 281 North to Sonterra Blvd. exit. Head west approx. .5 mi. to Hardy Oak and turn right. Community entrance is on right. (210) 495-531219211 Boltmore Bay $289,6802-story home with 3,421 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and game room. 9-ft. fi rst-fl oor ceilings, 8-ft. entry door with sidelight, covered patio, and radiant barrier roof sheath-ing. The luxury kitchen features 42-in. upper kitchen cabi-nets, stunning backsplash, and granite countertops.

BOERNETrails at Herff RanchFrom San Antonio take I-10 west, exit US Bus. 87 (#542) and head north. Turn right on Hwy 46 east. Go approx. 2 mi. past Herff Rd. and turn right on Herff Ranch Blvd., right on Lasso Falls and right on Lone Star to the sales center. (830) 816-5071117 Cactus Pear $350,122 2-story home with 3,903 sq. ft., 4 bdrms and 2.5 baths. Radiant barrier roof sheathing, sprinkler system, covered patio, media niche, gas fi replace with ceramic tile sur-round, luxury kitchen with Silestone® countertops, and master bath with separate tub and shower with tile sur-round.

LIVE OAKAuburn Hills at WoodcrestTake IH-35 North and exit O’Connor Rd., turn right and follow for approximately 1 mi. Turn left on For-est Bluff into the community. (210) 599-0783 6525 Ashby Point $135,030 1-story home with 1,520 sq. ft., 3 bdrms, and 2 baths. 9-ft. ceilings, upgraded master bath, deluxe interior trim package, 50-gallon water heater, 6-panel Colonial inte-rior doors, enhanced elevation and radiant barrier roof sheathing.

SCHERTZThe Links at Scenic HillsTake IH-35 North, exit FM 1103 and stay on access road. Turn right on Country Club Blvd. (Northcliff e) and follow to the end to the community entrance. (830) 620-45365756 Columbia $127,0701-story home with 1,708 sq. ft., 3 bdrms, and 2 baths. Up-graded master bath, Silestone kitchen countertops and 2-panel Camden interior doors.

NORTH CENTRALFox GroveTake 1604 East to Green Mountain Rd., turn left. Turn left on Evans Rd. and left on Dusty Canyon into the community. (210) 497-36784430 Semora Oak $168,560FORMER MODEL HOME. 1-story home with 1,708 sq. ft., 3 bdrms, and 2 baths. 9-ft. fi rst-fl oor ceilings, 2-panel Santa Fe interior doors, 8-ft. entry door with Kwikset hardware, Whirlpool appliances, covered patio, radiant barrier roof sheathing, sprinkler system, gutters, extended garage and security system.

Woods of AlonTake IH-10 West to Boerne Stage Rd. Turn left on access road, then left at light. Go under overpass to entrance at bridge on right. (210) 698-94592919 Zurich $273,6731-story home with 2,018 sq. ft., 3 bdrms and 2 baths. 9-ft. ceilings, rounded drywall corners, sprinkler system, 30-yr. composition shingles, and radiant barrier roof sheathing. Kitchen has 42-in. upper kitchen cabinets, Silestone coun-tertops, and appliances. Master bath features raised panel maple cabinets and a 42-in. separate marble tub with tile splash and shower with tile surround. 2903 Zurich $332,9792-story home with 2,787 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, den and loft. 4-sides masonry, 30-year shingles, radiant barrier roof sheathing, covered patio, sprinkler system, extended garage, 9-ft. fi rst-fl oor ceilings, cabinets at laundry room, 2-in. wood blinds, and rounded drywall corners. The luxury kitchen has 42-in. upper cabinets, Silestone countertops and backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a walk-in pantry. The downstairs master suite has an upgraded mas-ter bath with a 42-in. separate marble tub with tile splash and shower with tile surround.

NORTHWESTCobblestoneFrom SL 1604 West, exit Culebra and turn right. Go approx. 3 mi. to entrance on the left. Or from Hwy. 151 West, take SL 1604 North. Exit Culebra and turn left. Go approx. 3 mi. to entrance on the left. (210) 688-014513111 Joseph Phelps $208,6602-story home with 3,386 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and loft. 9-ft. fi rst-fl oor ceilings, upgraded master bath, upgrad-ed bath 2, Silestone countertops, rounded drywall corners and radiant barrier roof sheathing.13235 Joseph Phelps $189,8492-story home with 2,655 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and loft. 9-ft. fi rst-fl oor ceilings, upgraded master bath, buff et, pre-plumbing for water softener, 2-panel interior doors and gutters.

Mesa CreekFrom I-410 SW Loop, take Hwy. 90 West. Stay on ac-cess road and turn right on Kriewald Rd. to commu-nity on right. (210) 670-486510039 Emerald Sun $100,4511-story home with 1,265 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, and 2 baths. Deluxe interior trim package, pre-plumbing for water soft-ener, laminate kitchen countertops, covered patio, radiant barrier roof sheathing and 2-panel Santa Fe doors.

Enclave at LakesideFrom Loop 410 West, exit Hwy. 151 and continue on access road. Turn left on Ingram Rd. and left on Lakeside Pkwy. to community on right. (210) 645-4463623 Scarlet Ibis $112,8082-story home with 1,364 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, and 2.5 baths. 2-panel interior doors, radiant barrier roof sheathing and covered patio.702 Scarlet Ibis $118,4542-story home with 1,489 sq. ft., 3 bdrms, 2.5 baths and loft. Bathroom storage package, 50-gallon water heater, 2-in. faux wood blinds, 6-panel Colonial interior doors, 30-yr. dimensional shingles and radiant barrier roof sheathing.630 Scarlet Ibis $120,2872-story home with 1,489 sq. ft., 3 bdrms, 2.5 baths and loft. Deluxe interior trim package, upgraded maple cabinets, bathroom storage package, and covered patio.

Sundance TrailsSL1604 West to Potranco Rd. Turn right on Potranco and follow approx. 3.2 mi. to community entrance on left. (210) 679-72431314 Sun Garden $184,1451-story home with 1,975 sq. ft., 3 bdrms, and 2 baths. Brick exterior, radiant barrier roof sheathing, 9-ft. ceilings, stain-less steel appliances, 42-in. upper kitchen cabinets, 42-in. separate marble tub and shower in master bath.1302 Sundance Fall $153,6521-story home with 1,639 sq. ft., 3 bdrms, 2 baths and den. Upgraded master bath and covered patio.13335 Sun Sierra $129,0501-story home with 1,520 sq. ft., 3 bdrms, and 2 baths. 9-ft. ceilings, Santa Fe interior doors, covered patio, security system, radiant barrier roof sheathing, upgraded master bath, and upgraded bath 2.1110 Star Glade $121,6801-story home with 1,385 sq. ft., 4 bdrms, and 2 baths. De-luxe interior trim package, laminate countertops, double compartment stainless steel sink, pre-plumbing for water softener, covered patio, radiant barrier roof sheathing and 30-year composition shingles.

Sales Center Hours:Mon-Sun. 10am - 7pm

Fox Grove Cobblestone Woods of Alon Mesa Creek

Documents

SA, Aug 17th Issue