Have an inquiring mind about the market around town lately?  Here’s an update as of June 3, 2008:

So far this year, in San Antonio and areas included on our MLS

Single residential properties listed:                    17,389

Number of those sold:                                       7,292

Percentage sold:                                               41.93%

Average list price on those sold:                     $191,020

Average sale price on those sold:                    $183,607

Average days on market for sold:                              87

MLS % of sale price to list price:                        95.47%

Moran team % of sale price to list price:      98.68% 

We take pride in giving you the very best straightforward advice about what it takes to sell your property in any market, and our numbers prove it.  Ready to sell your home?  Call us.  We’ll get you moving.  210-325-6962.  www.SheilaMoranTeam.com

The “Man Cave”: A Real Estate Trend

If you grew up with brothers, male cousins or lots of boys in the neighborhood, you knew from long ago that there is always a boys’ club.  From tree-houses to tool sheds, the male gender has always managed to find a place to retreat, where they can read comic books, steal a smoke or a swig of something rot-gut, and celebrate bodily functions at will.Today, the grown-up versions of the “no girls allowed” set are turning their fondness for such hideaways into a real estate trend, in that “man caves” are finding their way into floor plans for new homes with some architects.  These big-boy versions of forts and clubhouses like those from childhood are meant to encourage “buddy bonding” and give the partakers a place to let it all hang out. For example, one of my friends constructed a separate “man cave” in his backyard.  It is a two story home, with a full bar, big screen, arcade and pool table downstairs, and what amounts to an efficiency apartment upstairs.  It sometimes functions as guest quarters, but there’s no mistaking that its purpose is to entertain his buddies on a regular basis, away from the main house and the distractions of a large, busy family.  While such ultimate shrines for celebrating being a guy are conceivable for some, it is not necessary to take out a second mortgage to create a man cave.  A basement, attic, garage, or even a spare bedroom can be a great place to start.  Check out some of the accessories that can turn almost any space into a man cave for him and his boys:·       

Wet bar·        Mini brewery·        Refrigerator (stocked with frosted mugs)·       

TV – any kind, but the bigger the better·       

Sports stuff – posters, bats, autographed basketballs, that ball he caught as a kid at the Cubs’ game…any sports stuff will do·       

Foosball·        Arcade games·        Pool tables·       

Dart boards·        Poker table·        Computer games

There is no limit to the ideas for creating a man cave.  All you need is a space and your imagination.  Need help?  Check out DIY Network’s regular Wednesday night broadcast, dedicated to man caves.  Here’s to being a guy!  Want your next home to include a space that lends itself to designing a man cave?  Call me, I’d love to help 210-325-6962, or www.SheilaMoranTeam.com

Summer’s here, time once again to keep the kids busy with fun and enriching activities. Here is a quick reference list for those of you seeking Vacation Bible School in the Garden Ridge area:

Northeast Bible Church
19185 FM 2252
Garden Ridge, Texas 78266
210-651-5462

VBS June 16-19, 6-8:15 p.m.

http://www.nebible.net/ehr/reso.htm

Bracken United Methodist Church
20377 FM 2252
Schertz, Texas 78266
830-606-6717

VBS July 14-18, 9-noon

http://bracken-umc.org

Triumphant Lutheran Church
21315 Bat Cave Road
Garden Ridge, Texas 78266
210-651-9090

VBS June 9-13, 9-noon

http://www.triumphantlutheran.org

Garden Ridge Church of Christ
19881 FM 2252
Garden Ridge, Texas
210-651-3480

VBS June 23-27, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
* Ages Pre-K through high school

http://www.grcoc.org

Schertz United Methodist Church
3460 Roy Richard Drive
Schertz, Texas 78154
210-658-3202

VBS July 20-24, 6-9 p.m.

http://www.schertzunitedmethodist.com

First Baptist Church of Schertz
600 Aero Avenue
Schertz, Texas 78154
210-658-3251

VBS July 7-11, 9-noon

http://www.fbcschertz.org

Crosspoint Fellowship Church
2600 Roy Richard Drive
Schertz, Texas 78154
210-658-6240

VBS July 21-24, 6-9 p.m.

http://crosspoint247.com

Schertz Church of Christ
501 Schertz Parkway
Schertz, Texas 78154
210-658-0269

VBS July 28-August 1, 7-9 p.m.
* Cradle roll through adults

http://www.schertzofc.org

One of our goals for our clients and future clients is to be a constant source of community information, for real estate needs as well as other things that are helpful. For additional details about Vacation Bible School in the Garden Ridge area, including costs, call the churces at the numbers provided or follow the links to their websites. Happy summer from the Sheila Moran Team!!

I had a client appreciation party this past Saturday.  I invited some of my very favorite and cherished past clients as well as the ones who refer me regularly.  We had a great time.  It was fun to see them “after the sale” as well as in a relaxed atmosphere.  We had each lady take a quick quiz to see what “character” she was.  After that was determined we sipped on mimosas and “malibu splashes”.  The bus pulled up and after a “wild” ride to the theatre…. (Let’s just say our Driver was lost and bold in his turns!) we arrived safe and sound.  We laughed, we cried but we all left with smiles on our faces…remembering the friendships and relationships that we have all had throughout the years; the ones cherished, and the ones happily forgotten. 

San Antonio and housing…have we been bombarded by too much national news?  I think so.  Funny that our facts state differently.  I just noticed today a very interesting report from Loan Performance HPI of Single Family Homes as reported by Inman News that San Antonio has indeed had a housing change.  Based on the report the change has been good news to Seller’s.  Noted was 4th quarter reports of percentage change.  Among the outstanding cities was Austin at .91 %, San Antonio at .12%…compared to Cleveland, Ohio with a -7.51% for the 4th quarter.  I’ll keep you posted on our great numbers.

Welcome to Sheila Moran’s Blog! This blog will provide you with valuable information, tips, and general insight into the real estate market in Garden Ridge. Visit my website at http://MORANSHEILA.topproducerwebsite.com.