The Dominion Lifestyle

The Dominion

March | April 2012

210.573.4040 dj@gvtc.com DebraJanes.com

For everything real estate...call Debra Janes

DOMINION HILLTOP ~ SOFT CONTEMPORARY 5 Carriage Hills • 6980 +/- Sq. Ft. • 5 Bed | 8 1/2 Bath • $3,200,000 • 1.1 Acre View Lot

Your Home’s Must-Have Luxury

High atop a hill overlooking The Dominion, a stunning soft contemporary design awaits. Serene organic interior finishes set the mood and a wide-open floor plan is perfect for entertaining. Enjoy sunsets through large banks of glass & relax in the spa-like living areas inside. Tiered pools & gorgeous landscaped grounds surround an outdoor grilling area overlooking a fabulous guest house that can also be an open-air pool pavilion. Master wing is exceptional offering two definite and separate master baths. Simply Amazing!

Debra Janes and Associates

Today’s Internet Age

Are Realtors Still Necessary?

Impress Your Dinner Guests Perry’s Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes Michael Schultz specializing in Farm and Ranch marketing and sales has joined forces with Debra Janes and her Associates to serve you completely in all of your real estate endeavors.

Michael also has previous experience in luxury marketing and sales. He currently represents Mike Holloway Custom Homes and will host Holloway’s 2012 Parade of Homes entry. Hablo Español.

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

The Dominion

Real Estate Report

In Good Taste

Event Calendar

Featuring Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille 210.558.6161 | PerrysSteakhouse.com

MARCH | APRIL 2012

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake INGREDIENTS: 1/2 Tbs. red onion, finely diced 1/2 tsp. chives, chopped pinch ground black pepper 1/2 tsp. garlic salt 1/2 tsp. Tabasco 1/2 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 egg, beaten well 1/4 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs) 8 oz. jumbo lump crab meat, drained PROCEDURE: 1. In a stainless steel mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except for the crabmeat and Panko bread crumbs.

2. Mix ingredients together well.

3. Once ingredients are mixed together well, add the Panko bread crumbs.

4. After the breadcrumbs are incorporated, gently fold in your jumbo lump crab meat.

5. Do not mash or break the crabmeat.

6. You want the crabmeat to stay in nice jumbo lumps.

7. Gently roll into 3 oz. balls, and lightly flatten down just a little.

8. Follow breading procedure of flour, egg wash and Panko breadcrumbs.

9. Fry the crab cake at 350 degrees until golden brown.

10. Place two pieces of jumbo lump crab meat on top of the crab cakes.

11. Place two pieces of fried onion on top and in the middle of two crab cakes.

12. Garnish with chopped parsley and chive sprig.

Yield: 4 crab cakes

IN OUTDOOR KITCHENS? The hottest trend in kitchen design is right in your own backyard. Outdoor kitchens today are fully-functional cooking areas, ideal for entertaining your friends and family. As a seamless extension of your indoor living area, they provide additional space for relaxation, cooking and dining.

Outdoor kitchens bring the entertainment experience to the outside of the home.

Some of the popular items people request to complete their outdoor kitchen are high-performance grills, warming units, weather-tight cabinetry with storage drawers, and refrigerators.

Outdoor kitchens have become so popular that many high-end homebuilders now offer them as a standard feature to entice buyers, ranging from built-in grills with brick

or stone enclosures to full-service kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and sinks.

TAKING THE INDOORS OUT Many homeowners are searching for ways to create the ultimate in backyard living. While an oversized flat-screen TV, swim-up pool bar, rock speakers with surround sound and putting green have become common in luxury homes, so has the outdoor kitchen. The possibilities in your outdoor kitchen amenities have grown from a simple built-in grill to an entire space dedicated to the gourmet chef in the household. Built-in wine storage, under-cabinet beer kegs with built-in taps, ice makers, rotisserie spits, woks and even a wood-burning pizza oven are options.

found a home online? realtors are more valuable than ever

A lot has been said about the impact of technology on the residential real estate business. Some people have predicted that technology will circumvent the role of your REALTOR®. After all, information is readily available 24/7/365 to anyone with a mouse. You don’t have to leave your house, you don’t have to get dressed; it’s all there.

Theoretically, like eBay, someone could initiate and complete a transaction electronically. You could see streaming video of the property and fall in love. You could write an offer and email it to the seller for consideration and approval. It’s certainly possible to apply for the loan and secure approval using PDF documents. The escrow officer could transmit paperwork electronically, and you could wire funds for the closing.

However, those components of the transaction are merely the tip of the iceberg. They are essential ingredients, but they aren’t the significant and meaningful things that still need to be done. In reality, the advancements in technology have actually strengthened the role and importance of a REALTOR® in the sale or purchase of property.

The National Association of REALTORS® reports approximately eight out of ten buyers start their house-hunting search on the Internet before they make contact with an agent. Prior to the Internet, buyers sought out REALTORS® to find out what was on the market. Now, that information is available to consumers along with virtual 24/7 open houses on many of the listings.

The old role as “show and tell” people, where agents delivered information to prospects and clients, made them easily replaceable.

Customers had a hard time differentiating between various licensees and appreciating their value. The new role in this new “high tech” era

AN ISLAND PARADISE The grill is often the focal point of the outdoor kitchen. Today’s high-end grills offer a host of well-engineered features to make cooking on them as consistent and convenient as cooking on an indoor range or in an oven, such as large grilling surfaces, multi-zoned burners and convenient side burners.

You can choose a freestanding grill or one built into an island. Grilling islands come in two forms: permanently installed custom-built masonry islands and semi-custom prefabricated units.

Permanent islands are customized to meet your needs and afford the most flexibility in terms of design and materials. You can use the same stone or brick as your patio

is far more complex and valuable to clients. It’s turning into a “high tech and high touch” environment.

Agents and brokers are consultants, advisors, and educators. They are professional negotiators whose actions, leadership and efforts are in their client’s best interests acting as their fiduciary. Real estate, by definition, is highly emotional, extremely complicated, and most often adversarial, because the interests of the buyer and the seller are polarized.

New research has shown that buyers and sellers depend on professional representation. They are looking for someone who is a skillful negotiator and a committed advocate. Both parties to a transaction are looking for a real estate agent who can manage the contingencies and details surrounding the sale to ensure their compliance. They also want their REALTOR® to accompany them at inspections and the close of escrow.

Even if a buyer and a seller were capable and knowledgeable enough to be in a position to wear all of the necessary hats involved in the transaction, and even if they had the time and resources, they would still be at a distinct disadvantage. One of the most valuable benefits of being represented by a REALTOR® is the broker’s capacity to act as a “third party” to the transaction. The principals to the transaction often lack the objectivity and skills to respond and react properly without risk of jeopardizing the sale.

From a different perspective, despite any preconceived notions about the advantages of information readily available on the Internet, buyers and sellers need to understand and recognize the limitations of home valuation search engines. The key to sound buying and selling decisions is not the presentation or receipt of information; it is the interpretation of market data. Almost anyone can search for a list of houses for sale or recent solds in an area and there’s certainly an overabundance of data available through a variety of high tech sources. But few people have the talents and skills to make the best decisions out of all of the data.

or house exterior for the island base.

Prefabricated islands cost considerably less than custom islands and don’t require a building permit. They can be delivered, hooked up and ready to go in a day.

With this information in mind, you can start planning your outdoor kitchen design.

Some grill and grilling island manufacturers offer design plans, or you can work with a contractor or appliance distributor to create your own custom design. As our gorgeous spring is in full swing, it’s time to really get cooking!

Since buyers prefer to buy low, and sellers like to sell high, it takes a skilled professional to consult with their client to determine “Reality Based Pricing” that represents a good value. Sellers also need professional representation to develop a tangible marketing plan to help assure that the house will be sold in the seller’s preferred time frame. Sellers are still looking for merchandising and staging recommendations along with evidence of hard work and a diligent effort by the agent.

What do clients want from their REALTOR® that they can’t get on the Internet? They want someone who is savvy about current market knowledge and trends. More importantly, they’re looking for someone who will listen and understand their wants and needs.

The key to today and tomorrow’s successful transactions is the relationship between the client and their REALTOR®. It’s all about the relationship. The proper selection of an advocate for your transaction can make the critical difference between success and failure in your sale or acquisition.

North Star Gives North Star Mall, March 22nd 800.343.7220 | NorthStarMall.com Guests will enjoy a reveal of spring fashions by Saks Fifth Avenue, a lively DJ, delicious cocktails and exquisite bites, plus earn a chance to win from an array of prizes from North Star retailers. This special evening is in recognition of six leading women and their charitable initiatives with proceeds benefiting the ladies’ chosen charities.

Dog Days in Spring San Antonio Botanical Garden, March 24th – 25th 210.207.3250 | SABOT.org Bring your leashed four-legged family member and share a gorgeous day within one of San Antonio’s most beautiful locations. Let your pooch pal around with other doggie friends while you mix and mingle with fellow animal lovers. Your $5 donation will be collected and given to local animal non-profit organizations.

Fiesta San Antonio Various venues, April 19th – 29th 210.227.5191 | Fiesta-SA.org With 11 days filled with over 100 official events, this year’s Fiesta promises something for everyone!

Parades, concerts, coronations, athletic events, art exhibits and more are all waiting for you. Even better, it’s a “Party with a Purpose” because each official event is produced by a local non-profit organization or military unit.

Boerne Wild West Day Enchanted Springs Ranch, April 21st 830.249.8222 | BoerneWildWestDay.com Get your “cowboy on” with a fun-filled day of family entertainment. Enjoy live music, cow roping and bull riding, pony and wagon rides, storytelling, gunfights, good eats and plenty of activities and attractions to get you tuckered out!

A Taste of the Northside Club at Sonterra, April 25th 210.491.9888 | BrightonSA.org Your favorite Northside restaurants will tempt you with delectable samplings along with a variety of wine tastings and Silver Eagle beers. Groove to the music of Blue Finger Disco, The Stan Wayne Band and Sam Riggs Band. Proceeds benefit Brighton Center which serves children with developmental delays and their families. Bon appetit!

In Good Taste

Event Calendar

Featuring Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille 210.558.6161 | PerrysSteakhouse.com

MARCH | APRIL 2012

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake INGREDIENTS: 1/2 Tbs. red onion, finely diced 1/2 tsp. chives, chopped pinch ground black pepper 1/2 tsp. garlic salt 1/2 tsp. Tabasco 1/2 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 egg, beaten well 1/4 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs) 8 oz. jumbo lump crab meat, drained PROCEDURE: 1. In a stainless steel mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except for the crabmeat and Panko bread crumbs.

2. Mix ingredients together well.

3. Once ingredients are mixed together well, add the Panko bread crumbs.

4. After the breadcrumbs are incorporated, gently fold in your jumbo lump crab meat.

5. Do not mash or break the crabmeat.

6. You want the crabmeat to stay in nice jumbo lumps.

7. Gently roll into 3 oz. balls, and lightly flatten down just a little.

8. Follow breading procedure of flour, egg wash and Panko breadcrumbs.

9. Fry the crab cake at 350 degrees until golden brown.

10. Place two pieces of jumbo lump crab meat on top of the crab cakes.

11. Place two pieces of fried onion on top and in the middle of two crab cakes.

12. Garnish with chopped parsley and chive sprig.

Yield: 4 crab cakes

IN OUTDOOR KITCHENS? The hottest trend in kitchen design is right in your own backyard. Outdoor kitchens today are fully-functional cooking areas, ideal for entertaining your friends and family. As a seamless extension of your indoor living area, they provide additional space for relaxation, cooking and dining.

Outdoor kitchens bring the entertainment experience to the outside of the home.

Some of the popular items people request to complete their outdoor kitchen are high-performance grills, warming units, weather-tight cabinetry with storage drawers, and refrigerators.

Outdoor kitchens have become so popular that many high-end homebuilders now offer them as a standard feature to entice buyers, ranging from built-in grills with brick

or stone enclosures to full-service kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and sinks.

TAKING THE INDOORS OUT Many homeowners are searching for ways to create the ultimate in backyard living. While an oversized flat-screen TV, swim-up pool bar, rock speakers with surround sound and putting green have become common in luxury homes, so has the outdoor kitchen. The possibilities in your outdoor kitchen amenities have grown from a simple built-in grill to an entire space dedicated to the gourmet chef in the household. Built-in wine storage, under-cabinet beer kegs with built-in taps, ice makers, rotisserie spits, woks and even a wood-burning pizza oven are options.

found a home online? realtors are more valuable than ever

A lot has been said about the impact of technology on the residential real estate business. Some people have predicted that technology will circumvent the role of your REALTOR®. After all, information is readily available 24/7/365 to anyone with a mouse. You don’t have to leave your house, you don’t have to get dressed; it’s all there.

Theoretically, like eBay, someone could initiate and complete a transaction electronically. You could see streaming video of the property and fall in love. You could write an offer and email it to the seller for consideration and approval. It’s certainly possible to apply for the loan and secure approval using PDF documents. The escrow officer could transmit paperwork electronically, and you could wire funds for the closing.

However, those components of the transaction are merely the tip of the iceberg. They are essential ingredients, but they aren’t the significant and meaningful things that still need to be done. In reality, the advancements in technology have actually strengthened the role and importance of a REALTOR® in the sale or purchase of property.

The National Association of REALTORS® reports approximately eight out of ten buyers start their house-hunting search on the Internet before they make contact with an agent. Prior to the Internet, buyers sought out REALTORS® to find out what was on the market. Now, that information is available to consumers along with virtual 24/7 open houses on many of the listings.

The old role as “show and tell” people, where agents delivered information to prospects and clients, made them easily replaceable.

Customers had a hard time differentiating between various licensees and appreciating their value. The new role in this new “high tech” era

AN ISLAND PARADISE The grill is often the focal point of the outdoor kitchen. Today’s high-end grills offer a host of well-engineered features to make cooking on them as consistent and convenient as cooking on an indoor range or in an oven, such as large grilling surfaces, multi-zoned burners and convenient side burners.

You can choose a freestanding grill or one built into an island. Grilling islands come in two forms: permanently installed custom-built masonry islands and semi-custom prefabricated units.

Permanent islands are customized to meet your needs and afford the most flexibility in terms of design and materials. You can use the same stone or brick as your patio

is far more complex and valuable to clients. It’s turning into a “high tech and high touch” environment.

Agents and brokers are consultants, advisors, and educators. They are professional negotiators whose actions, leadership and efforts are in their client’s best interests acting as their fiduciary. Real estate, by definition, is highly emotional, extremely complicated, and most often adversarial, because the interests of the buyer and the seller are polarized.

New research has shown that buyers and sellers depend on professional representation. They are looking for someone who is a skillful negotiator and a committed advocate. Both parties to a transaction are looking for a real estate agent who can manage the contingencies and details surrounding the sale to ensure their compliance. They also want their REALTOR® to accompany them at inspections and the close of escrow.

Even if a buyer and a seller were capable and knowledgeable enough to be in a position to wear all of the necessary hats involved in the transaction, and even if they had the time and resources, they would still be at a distinct disadvantage. One of the most valuable benefits of being represented by a REALTOR® is the broker’s capacity to act as a “third party” to the transaction. The principals to the transaction often lack the objectivity and skills to respond and react properly without risk of jeopardizing the sale.

From a different perspective, despite any preconceived notions about the advantages of information readily available on the Internet, buyers and sellers need to understand and recognize the limitations of home valuation search engines. The key to sound buying and selling decisions is not the presentation or receipt of information; it is the interpretation of market data. Almost anyone can search for a list of houses for sale or recent solds in an area and there’s certainly an overabundance of data available through a variety of high tech sources. But few people have the talents and skills to make the best decisions out of all of the data.

or house exterior for the island base.

Prefabricated islands cost considerably less than custom islands and don’t require a building permit. They can be delivered, hooked up and ready to go in a day.

With this information in mind, you can start planning your outdoor kitchen design.

Some grill and grilling island manufacturers offer design plans, or you can work with a contractor or appliance distributor to create your own custom design. As our gorgeous spring is in full swing, it’s time to really get cooking!

Since buyers prefer to buy low, and sellers like to sell high, it takes a skilled professional to consult with their client to determine “Reality Based Pricing” that represents a good value. Sellers also need professional representation to develop a tangible marketing plan to help assure that the house will be sold in the seller’s preferred time frame. Sellers are still looking for merchandising and staging recommendations along with evidence of hard work and a diligent effort by the agent.

What do clients want from their REALTOR® that they can’t get on the Internet? They want someone who is savvy about current market knowledge and trends. More importantly, they’re looking for someone who will listen and understand their wants and needs.

The key to today and tomorrow’s successful transactions is the relationship between the client and their REALTOR®. It’s all about the relationship. The proper selection of an advocate for your transaction can make the critical difference between success and failure in your sale or acquisition.

North Star Gives North Star Mall, March 22nd 800.343.7220 | NorthStarMall.com Guests will enjoy a reveal of spring fashions by Saks Fifth Avenue, a lively DJ, delicious cocktails and exquisite bites, plus earn a chance to win from an array of prizes from North Star retailers. This special evening is in recognition of six leading women and their charitable initiatives with proceeds benefiting the ladies’ chosen charities.

Dog Days in Spring San Antonio Botanical Garden, March 24th – 25th 210.207.3250 | SABOT.org Bring your leashed four-legged family member and share a gorgeous day within one of San Antonio’s most beautiful locations. Let your pooch pal around with other doggie friends while you mix and mingle with fellow animal lovers. Your $5 donation will be collected and given to local animal non-profit organizations.

Fiesta San Antonio Various venues, April 19th – 29th 210.227.5191 | Fiesta-SA.org With 11 days filled with over 100 official events, this year’s Fiesta promises something for everyone!

Parades, concerts, coronations, athletic events, art exhibits and more are all waiting for you. Even better, it’s a “Party with a Purpose” because each official event is produced by a local non-profit organization or military unit.

Boerne Wild West Day Enchanted Springs Ranch, April 21st 830.249.8222 | BoerneWildWestDay.com Get your “cowboy on” with a fun-filled day of family entertainment. Enjoy live music, cow roping and bull riding, pony and wagon rides, storytelling, gunfights, good eats and plenty of activities and attractions to get you tuckered out!

A Taste of the Northside Club at Sonterra, April 25th 210.491.9888 | BrightonSA.org Your favorite Northside restaurants will tempt you with delectable samplings along with a variety of wine tastings and Silver Eagle beers. Groove to the music of Blue Finger Disco, The Stan Wayne Band and Sam Riggs Band. Proceeds benefit Brighton Center which serves children with developmental delays and their families. Bon appetit!

The Dominion

March | April 2012

210.573.4040 dj@gvtc.com DebraJanes.com

For everything real estate...call Debra Janes

DOMINION HILLTOP ~ SOFT CONTEMPORARY 5 Carriage Hills • 6980 +/- Sq. Ft. • 5 Bed | 8 1/2 Bath • $3,200,000 • 1.1 Acre View Lot

Your Home’s Must-Have Luxury

High atop a hill overlooking The Dominion, a stunning soft contemporary design awaits. Serene organic interior finishes set the mood and a wide-open floor plan is perfect for entertaining. Enjoy sunsets through large banks of glass & relax in the spa-like living areas inside. Tiered pools & gorgeous landscaped grounds surround an outdoor grilling area overlooking a fabulous guest house that can also be an open-air pool pavilion. Master wing is exceptional offering two definite and separate master baths. Simply Amazing!

Debra Janes and Associates

Today’s Internet Age

Are Realtors Still Necessary?

Impress Your Dinner Guests Perry’s Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes Michael Schultz specializing in Farm and Ranch marketing and sales has joined forces with Debra Janes and her Associates to serve you completely in all of your real estate endeavors.

Michael also has previous experience in luxury marketing and sales. He currently represents Mike Holloway Custom Homes and will host Holloway’s 2012 Parade of Homes entry. Hablo Español.

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

The Dominion

Real Estate Report