Real Estate News Source by Digital Publisher

Vol.II, No.23

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December 1, 2016

SABOR to Install 2017 Leadership on December 8th

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID San Antonio, Texas Paid Permit #1590

The San Antonio Board of REALTORS® is pleased to announce its 2017 leadership team. These individuals which include members of the 2017 Board of Directors and Executive Committee will be installed during the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® Installation and Awards Brunch on Thursday, December 8th at the Pearl Stable. Michele Bunting Ross will preside as the 2017 Chairman of the Board for the San Antonio Board of REALTORS®. Ross is a 2012 graduate of the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program and holds the Accredited Buyer ’s Representative designation,

Certified Residential Specialist designation and Graduate REALTORS® Institute designation. Ross has also served on the Texas Association of REALTORS® Professional Standards Committee, SABOR’s Government Affairs Committee and as a City Councilperson for the City of Shavano Park. Ross is the broker/owner of Bunting Ross Realty. Yvette Allen will serve as SABOR’s 2017 Chair-Elect. She holds the GRI designation and is a 2009 graduate of the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program. She has served on the SABOR Board of Directors since 2011. In 2010 she held the position of chairman of the Young Professionals Network, in 2013 she was the chairman of SABOR’s REALTOR® Rally and in 2016 she is the vice chair of SABOR’s TREPAC Committee. She has also served on the Member Benefits Committee for the Texas Association of REALTORS®. Allen is the broker/owner of Real Estate 210. Lorena Peña will serve as SABOR’s Secretary /Treasurer in 2017. Peña was the 2012 chairman of the Young Professionals Network and in

2013 she was the chairman of the REALTOR® Image Committee. In addition to her work with SABOR, Peña has held a Board position with the Junior League of San Antonio for three years and is currently the Immediate Past President. Peña has been a REALTOR® since 2002 and is a REALTOR®/Partner at The Osburn Peña Group of RE/MAX Preferred REALTORS®. Kim Bragman will begin her second three-year term with the Board of Directors in 2017 and her first year on the Executive Committee as a Member-at-Large. Bragman is a REALTOR® with Phyllis Browning Company with nine years of experience in the industry. She served as chairman of the Education committee at SABOR in 2013 and is a 2011 graduate of the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program. Marty Hutchison will serve on the Executive Committee as a Member-at-Large in 2017. Currently with Property Management Services of Texas, Inc., he has actively served at SABOR for a number of years including as chair of the Property Management committee and as a member of the

Bylaws and Government Affairs committees. He has also served on committees with the Texas Association of REALTORS® and is a 2009 Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program graduate. Bob Jacobs will be the Immediate Past Chairman in 2017. Jacobs is a 25-year veteran of the real estate industry and received the SABOR REALTOR® Broker of the Year award in 2012. He is a 2010 graduate of the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program and holds the Certified Residential Specialist designation and the Graduate REALTORS® Institute designation. He has served on numerous committees at SABOR including MLS and Governmental Affairs. He has been on the Board of Directors since 2012 and he is currently the broker/owner of RE/MAX Associates located in North Central San Antonio. Richard Alcorta will begin his three-year term on the Board of Directors in 2017. Alcorta is a REALTOR® with Covenant Partners Realty and the 2016 chairman of the Young Professionals Network. He has also served as a member of the TREPAC committee, Budget and Finance committee and the Global

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Business Council. He has been licensed since 2006. Cortney Gill with GSG Property Management will also begin her three-year term on the Board of Directors in 2017. Specializing in property management, she has been licensed since 2000. She has participated in the Property Management Committee and the TREPAC committee at SABOR. She has also played an active role with the National Association of Residential Property Managers including serving on their Board. She is a 2015 graduate of the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program. K. Duncan Martin II will begin his second three-year term on the Board of Directors in 2017. Martin is a REALTOR® with

December 1, 2016

Niblock Company, Inc., REALTORS® and is a past chairman of the MLS committee at SABOR. He has served on several other committees including Government Affairs, Professional Development and Communications. He holds the Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer ’s Representative and Certified International Property Specialist designations. He is a 2011 graduate of the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program and received SABOR’s REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year award in 2014. Patsy Oakley will begin her second threeyear term on the Board of Directors in 2017. Oakley is a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Associates and has been licensed since 1981. She has served on both the Property Management Committee and the Political Advocacy subcommittee and as chairman of the TREPAC

Committee. She has also participated as a member of the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of REALTORS®. She is a 2005 graduate of the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program. Kim Young with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Bradfield Properties will begin her threeyear term on the Board of Directors in 2017. She has served on the Government Affairs and Professional Development committees at SABOR as well as the Professional Standards Committee for the Texas Association of REALTORS®. She holds the Certified Residential Specialist and Accredited Buyer ’s Representative designations and the e-Pro certification.

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Publisher/President.....Courtney Smith Sales & Marketing .............Candi Meyer Cell - 557-8722 Contributing Writers: ......Cathey Meyer ..................................................Pat Farrell Columnists........................M’Lissa Steel ..........................................Scott Jauregui ...............................................Bob Jacobs Internet Marketing.................Jo Falkner Photographer........................Joyce Orts

(210) 508-0888 Real Estate NewsSource is not responsible for the opinions or facts expressed by non-staff writers or for errors and any byproducts in advertising or editorial copy. REALTOR® is a registered trademark. The word REALTOR® sometimes appears in this paper without the registered trademark symbol (®), for the purpose of saving space. Wherever the word REALTOR appears in this space, the registered trademark should be assumed.

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December 1, 2016

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From The Chairman’s Desk By Bob Jacobs Chairman, San Antonio Board of REALTORS®

It Has Been a Wonderful Year With 2016 coming to an end, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to serve you as Chairman of the Board for SABOR. It has been a busy year, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It’s hard to believe another year is over, but there is also a great sense of accomplishment in knowing so much has been achieved in the last 12 months. This year our membership has grown to over 10,000 REALTORS®, we had our very first Fiesta medal and we launched a newly redesigned website for members to help them access information and other resources more easily. This year we also celebrated 100 years of the REALTOR® brand in San Antonio. We commemorated the occasion throughout the year with reminders of the past and on October 7, we gathered with hundreds of SABOR members at the Briscoe Western Art Museum for dancing, drinks and other refreshments. We had no shortage of events and programs this year. In February, SABOR hosted REALTOR® Rally which featured nationally recognized speakers like Jared

James, Nobu Hata, and Leigh Brown. At this year’s General Membership Breakfast we had the honor of hearing Mayor Ivy Taylor speak to our membership and we even got a group selfie with her. In addition, SABOR hosted a meet and greet with area Mayors and Justices of the Peace. We also beat out the Austin Board of REALTORS® in a competition to see who could get the most participation in a Call for Action this summer. SABOR members also showed they care for the community through several charitable activities this year. Many of you rolled up your sleeves to participate in a Habitat for Humanity Build in April. Members also participated in a uniform drive, a holiday toy drive and a few holiday events benefitting the kids at SAMMinistries. In honor of our 100th anniversary of the REALTOR® brand, several of you helped prepare and serve dinner for 100 residents at the SAMM shelter and many also contributed to our campaign for REALTORS® to each give $100 to SAMMinistries. In addition, SABOR was able to donate over $20,000

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to the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families from the proceeds of last year’s Heroes Welcome Home program. This year has also been a year of recognition for SABOR. We received the 2015 Education Program of the Year Award from the Texas Association of REALTORS® for our Rookie to Pro class. In November, the National Association of REALTORS® awarded SABOR with the “Don’t Risk It Award” for an outstanding legal video. I have had the honor to speak on behalf of SABOR at various events this year, including the Mayor’s Housing Summit, as well as countless other oppor-

tunities around the city and outlying areas to provide a voice for the local real estate industry. As Chairman, I have also been able to contribute to numerous news stories involving SABOR and our activities, as well as provide 52 articles to the San Antonio Express News Sunday Real Estate section. This year has been marked with so many great successes for SABOR and I cannot wait to see what will be accomplished in 2017. It has been such an honor to serve as SABOR’s 2016 Chairman of the Board. I thank you for all your support and your determination to make the San Antonio area a great place for real estate!

Kari Utz, Apartment & Relocation Center announces the birth of Avery Scott Utz.

Owners and agents of Phillips & Associates Realty, taking at the charity luncheon for Ronald McDonald House at GSABA on November 10th. Buffy Carr, Kaitlynn McFatter, Jessica Koenig, Stacy Barton Dana Phillips, Lana Koenig, Tom Phillips with Ronald McDonald!

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December 1, 2016

Champions School of Real Estate Luncheon

Ruben Medrano, BHHS Don Johnson, Shane Brysch, RE/MAX Integrity and Hind Abdallah, BHHS Don Johnson.

Veronica Clarke, RE/MAX Platinum, Laurie Hawkins, Reliance Residential Realty, Brian Johnson, BHHS Don Johnson and Daniel Pedroza, Keller Williams City View.

Summer Gribble and Michelle Haag, both with Reliance Residential Realty.

Sarah Sanchez, Student, Cinderella Burns, Weichert Realtors, Corwin & Associates, Michelle Camargo, AMZ Realty and Faithful Carter, Noble Group Realty.

Corlis Clark, Student, Janet Clyde, BHHS Don Johnson and Ruben Rios and Ruth Rios, both with BHHS Don Johnson. Barbara Clark, Student.

Laurie Hawkins, Reliance Residential Realty and Natalie Powers, Champions School of Real Estate.

Victoria Subia, Champions School of Real Estate.

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December 1, 2016

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December 1, 2016

David Weekley Homes Open House at Shavano Highlands

Tracy Stockton, Kevin Hollister and Erin Harrington all with David Weekley Homes.

Monica Barrientos, Barrientos Properties, Rose Arredondo and Lisa Stanley, both of Coldwell Banker Dâ€™Ann Harper Realtors and Deane Gonzales, Noble Group.

Rupert Quesada, Gloria Quesada, Daniel Quesada, all Mitchell Realty and Diane Koenning, Guest.

Jack Krudwig, Becker Properties and wife, Lisa Krudwig.

Craig Loeffler, and Jo Lewis both of Phyllis Browning Company

James Rodgers, RE/MAX North and Crystal Munez, Full Spectrum.

Diane Lauer and Judy Mitchell, both with Keller Williams City View.

December 1, 2016

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The Way I See It By Cathey Meyer

Insured Glad Tiding As we conclude the month of giving thanks and enter the month of holiday giving, my gift to you at the conclusion of this most wonderful time of the year is a quickie reminder that health insurance is sometimes more of a theory than a guarantee. This gift may not seem like much now, but just wait until you need (heaven forbid) emergency care. One of my reasons for ‘early’ retirement from a healthy state entity was the guarantee of health insurance deep into my golden years. Best laid plans aside, when you least expect it, you need your insurance— after all that is what it is for—in theory. In the interest of space, you will be spared the gory details of the accident that caused blood to gush from my right eye. Do not worry, both my eye and my vision are back to pre-accident function. My wallet, however, took a hard four figure hit and will be dented well into 2017. What I considered to be pre-accident preparation was

only part of this journey. The postaccident insurance lesson still has me in a head scratch that will send me back to the doctor—now that I understand the term ‘in network’. By accident, ironically, days before my accident, I just happened to check what local hospitals were in the network of my new retirement insurance. Moments after the accident, I was rational enough to get myself to the hospital just two blocks from my accident location. Blood is an easy admit to any emergency room, but it did not hurt my case that it was 9 AM and the emergency room was not crowded. Of course, the first question from the admitting clerk was how I would be settling my bill. The blood was just a side show to the paperwork. I had the nice admitting clerk rummaging through my wallet. I could see enough that his knowing smile would prevent me from having to move on to another facility. That lowered my

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blood pressure considerably. We proceeded with pressure on my eye and the 50 pages of information required to protect my privacy as I answered all my most personal questions orally for the entire ward to hear. I was not going to quibble on privacy issues as I wanted my eye back to its normal blurry vision The doctor came in, spent five minutes detailing my puncture issue, declared it a clean puncture that would heal on its own and made me put some goop in my eye. The nice nurse checked my vision, gave me some more goop and sent me to the clerk. The clerk told me not to worry, my insurance was good and in less than 45 minutes, I was on my way with a blood shot eye, blurry vision and free goop. . . .or so I thought. The bills are now rolling in and the daily conversations with the very polite insurance people have been quite the education on never making a claim on your insurance. In my next life, I think I will explore the career of emergency room ‘something’ as best I can figure, they make about $800 an hour EACH. Here is your gift my friends and may you never need to use the advice: First, per my insurance company, no emergency room doctors are ‘in-network’ on any insurance plan. The odds are high you will be billed directly by their network and will be responsible for the entire bill. No matter how many nice people you visit with argu-

ing the charge, they all say the same thing and it is never, “Thank you for choosing our service.” Second, ALWAYS know which hospitals are ‘in-network’ on your plan. Most of us know this at home, but none of us check out the medical facilities of places where we plan to travel. The best advice I have received is to always know where you can go for health care in cities where you travel. The wrong emergency room could cost you a year of mortgage payments. Even my ‘in-network’ facility co-pay cost me more that any monthly car payment I ever made on the most expensive car I ever drove. Finally, put your emergency room information in writing and attach it somewhere on your body in case you are unconscious when you are randomly sent to a facility. Sometimes those life and death moments will result in a second life and death moment when the out-of-network bills start rolling into your monthly bill stack. I plan to write in a bold Sharpie on my abdomen area all necessary transport/doctor/IN NETWORK information when I travel. At this stage of my life, I have plenty of square footage to be very detailed across my tummy. Here is to good health in the new year and to NEVER needing the services of an emergency room. I will be paying monthly installments for a while on my recent visit, but as the nice insurance people always note, at least I can see as I write those checks.

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December 1, 2016

FirstCal Texas Open House

Jeff Cruz, FirstCal Mortgage and Chris Hart, FirstCal Mortgage

Guests, Brandy Belyeu and Raul DeLeon with Mandy Ramos, Mitchell Realty.

Ana Calzada, guest, Toni Sarzoza, Vortrex Realty, Debra Trimmer, Guest, Steven Maldonado, Vortex Realty and Cecilia Sosa, North American Title.

Doyle Fontenot, Gina Fontenot, Keller Williams Heritage, Chris Bond, King Realty, Letty Smith, ICON and Gloria Zarrate, Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

Lisa Cano, Keller Williams Heritage, JoDee Gilmore, eXp Realty.

Lacey McLimanda, RE/MAX North and German Perez, Keller Williams Heritage.

Patrick King, Keller WIlliams Legacy and Jeff Cameron, First Cal

Marisa Estavillo and Esmilda Guerra, both with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

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December 1, 2016

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December 1, 2016

Lorena Pena, RE/MAX Preferred and Bob Jacobs, RE/MAX Associates on Election Day.

Erika Ramon, Sitterle Homes and Megan Schauffelle, Highland Homes at the Fronterra Westpointe Open House.

Elaine Ludwig Ballard , after 50 years of selling real estate is semiretiring and her daughter Carla Haley, who has worked with her for 29 years has moved to Keller Williams Heritage. Taylor Organ and Kelli Pearson, both with Chicago Title enjoying the YPN Appy Hour.

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December 1, 2016

George Horace, Husband with Ruth Horace, Keller Williams Legacy at the PT50 Neon Party.

Cathy Delaney and Susan Rodriguez, both with Keller Williams Legacy at the Keller Williams Heritage Golf Event.

The CalAtlantic Home Team at Top Golf.

Ileania Mayen, CalAtlantic Homes and Heidi Frazier, Texas Platinum Properties.

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December 1, 2016

WCR November Luncheon

Charles Bamford, Alamo Zippy Shell and Gail Lamb, ERA Troy.

Mila Blanton, ERA Troy and Jeff Sourbeer, CalAtlantic Homes.

Tina Mattingly and Laura UribeTatum both with Movement Mortgage.

Pat Farrell, Slater Realtors and Carmen Soto, Ana Castro, Open Mortgage and Linsey Martin, Trinity Title. Ultimate Real Estate.

SABOR Award Winner!

Marietta Alba, President/Broker of Apartment & Relocation Center is thankful to receive The Lifetime Distinguished Service Award. Thank you to all the REALTORS and friends who supported and worked with us all these years.

(210) 493-1688 â€˘ (800) 598-1688 www.aptreloctr.com

Apartment rental assistance for long and short term needs. Corporate apartments.

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December 1, 2016

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December 1, 2016

By M'Lissa Steel President, Women’s Council of REALTORS, Hill Country

What a wonderful WCR Hill Country month we’ve had! We were able to send our 2017 officers: President Paula Durocher, President Elect Jan Boyle, and Treasurer Patti McDaniel to Orlando, Florida for the National Association of REALTORS® conference. There they were able to visit with other WCR people from around the nation and attend workshops that will help them as future leaders of our Network. At the November luncheon State WCR President Ethel O’Dell spoke about “WCR: Past, Present and Future.” She outlined how WCR came about in the 1930’s and has grown to empower women and men in developing their businesses as well as leadership skills. She addressed the direction WCR will be going in the next 2 years to keep up with changing times. WCR will become more of a “project based” commitment instead of year-long committee obligations. There will be fewer executive officers and the “Chapters” will become “Networks” as this more accurately describes our purpose. We later heard from Past Presidents

MaryAnn Carter (founding member and first president of WCR Hill Country), Chyrel Madden (3 term President and Presidential Advisor), Sidney Miller and Marie Gabriel. Each told a little about their term as President which was so interesting and enlightening. We’ve come a long way, baby! The following week State President Ethel O’Dell returned to install our 2017 WCR Hill Country Network President, Paula Durocher. Also attending was Ruby Johnson, WCR State 2017 District Vice President. The installation ceremony was held at Seekatz Opera House and was well attended by WCR members, Real Estate affiliates, family and friends. Stephanie Hornsby served as Mistress of Ceremonies and Chyrel Madden was Installation Officer for three of the 2017 officers: President Elect, Jan Boyle, Secretary Raquel Wallace Calderon, and Treasurer Patti McDaniel. During the event, Jeff Robinson, who served as Director of Affiliates and then, midyear, took on the additional responsibili-

ties of Membership Chairman, was presented the Affiliate of the Year award by 2015 Affiliate of the Year, Leigh Fetters. Throughout the year Jeff has worked diligently to develop better tracking systems of our members and has simplified the systems for the incoming Member Chairman, Pam Smartt. Jeff was honored to have his wife, Danielle and their three children attend the ceremony. Our Member of the Year, Yvonne Hoffmann, has worked in many capacities over the years for both WCR and the Four Rivers Association of REALTORS®. Presenting her award was Sally Singley. Yvonne currently serves as Programs & Education Chair and has agreed to continue to serve in this capacity for a third year. Our programming in 2016 included experts on the Comal County Economic Forecast, Home Staging, and REALTOR® Safety, as well as having breast cancer survivor, Leslie Mouton, address her personal experience. The 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year is Marie Gabriel, who has served as President of our WCR Chapter in addition to serving several roles with the Four Rivers Association of REALTORS®, as Texas Association of REALTORS® Political Action Committee (TREPAC) trustee, and is currently in the process of founding a chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers for the Hill Country area. She was presented her recognition by the 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year, Michelle Haag. Marie’s husband, Mark, was able to be there to see her receive this award. The 2016 Executive Line was honored as well. This year’s Executive team

included Secretary Michelle Haag, Treasurer Charlene Goree, President Elect Paula Durocher, President M’Lissa Steel, Immediate Past President, Marie Gabriel, Parliamentarian Pat Farrell, Presidential Advisor Chyrel Madden and Membership Chairman Jeff Robinson. M’Lissa Steel spoke about the 2016 year and the successes celebrated by the Chapter. Strategic Partners were awarded plaques for their dedication to the continuing good work of the Womens Council of REALTORS®. They Included Gold Partners Willowbend Mortgage, Gateway Mortgage and Honeybaked Ham. The Silver Strategic Partners honored were Interlinc Mortgage and Trinity Title. Glenda Schultz, Chairman of the 2016 Bras for a Cause (the 6th annual event) was introduced as well as the Co-Chair and founder of the New Braunfels Bras for a Cause, Sally Singley. This year $55,000 was donated to Pink Heals and the Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC) for their breast health center. Also, monies were deposited for use in hosting future Bras for a Cause events, as well as for future superb programming and educational opportunities for Women’s Council of REALTORS®, Hill Country Network. President’s Awards for exemplary service were presented by 2016 President M’Lissa Steel to Michelle Haag, Mark Hampton, and Pat Farrell. These three individuals have shown remarkable commitment to the success of WCR. It will be exciting to see what direction Women’s Council of REALTORS® goes in 2017! Best of luck!

“Realtor LLC vs. Sole Proprietor A Major Difference in Taxes”

4th Friday of the Month at Pericos Sonterra

508 W. Rhapsody San Antonio, Texas 78216

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December 1, 2016

Lisa Marie Heman, Home Team of America at the David Weekley Homes Grand Opening at the Enclave in Tobin Hill.

Barbara del Amo, Keller Williams Legacy and Ryan Turner, Scott Felder Homes at the PT50 event at Esperanza.

At SABOR we find Tim Brown, RE/MAX Corridor, Trudy Pape, Coldwell Banker Dâ€™Ann Harper Realtors, Diane Lauer, Keller Williams City View, Marty Hutchison, Property Management Services and Michelle Ellis, Phyllis Browning Company enjoying tacos provided by the Austin Board of Realtors who lost the bet to have the most participation in the call to action for HB3700.

Frank Cordova, Keller Williams Legacy and Richard Alcorta, Covenant Partners at the YPN Appy Hour.

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December 1, 2016

Back To Basics By Jo Falkner

The Lowdown on Lawns Ever wondered why exactly you have a lawn or even why they are so popular in US culture? What makes a carpet of grass so attractive to homebuyers and homeowners: is it truly only for aesthetic, or does it serve a functional purpose? The seeds of this typical feature of many US homes sprout from a fertile history through agriculture and nostalgia, starting hundreds of years ago. The first mention of lawns existing was around 1100 CE in modernday Britain but became more prominent around the 16th century. The term, “lawn”, is thought to be derived from the early English word, “launde”, which was denoted a natural field, glen, or meadow for pastoral people to graze their herds of livestock. Being natural lawnmowers of the age, these grazing animals took care of the overgrown fields of the wealthy elite, establishing a symbiosis of sorts. The lords and ladies of the land in turn had fresh meat provided

to them, and the common folk were able to freely feed their granted animals on the lands. It wasn’t until after the US Civil War when lawns started to grow into the hearts of the American people. With Frederick Law Olmsted’s invention of the famous push mower in the late 1860s, this planted the seeds for what is now known as the standard of the American Dream: Suburbia. Many influential people touted the importance of having an inviting lawn, including Andrew Jackson Downing and Frank J. Scott (sound familiar?) saying, “A smooth, closely shaven surface of grass is by far the most essential element of beauty on the grounds of a suburban house…Let your lawn be your home's velvet robe, and your flowers its not too promiscuous decoration.” During the aftermath of World War II, the idea of Suburbia grew to its most popular. The founding of various Levittowns in the US and Puerto

Rico established the suburbs as an idea of a conformed and safe area for those returning home from the war. In 1947, the first Levittown in Connecticut held over 17,000 homes with plush and lush grass in the front of every single house, contrasting drastically with the common urban environment. Many builders thereafter followed in Levittown’s footsteps, and other homebuyers of the time wanted the same luxurious lawn that many others had. It represented to many people the success, wealth, and comfortable conformity they desired. Lawns serve not only as a status symbol and an earmark of nostalgia, but also benefit homeowners today beyond the previously mentioned. For one, they provide a relatively safe and personal space for semi-privacy (and a green space echoing the elite of centuries past). This creates a place for camaraderie with neighbors, whether it is for parties, games, or social gatherings. With the plants providing ground cover, the roots deter soil erosion and encourage oxygen production for the world at large. What’s more, the homogeny that lawns promise makes for easier landscape architecture and gives comfort in a sense of unity with one’s neighbor. However, with the pros are cons of having and maintaining a lawn itself. The typical lawn generally requires more watering and more chemical pesticides in addition to

gasoline and other hazards known to be harmful to humans in order to maintain. However, to talk simply of chemicals would not suffice. A majority of the grasses used in modern American lawns are foreign in origin (Kentucky Bluegrass, for example, is a common European grass that was imported). These grasses are out of their natural habitat and require more attentive care than native plants would. Yet we care to ensure our grass remains verdant enough to keep its “natural” beauty despite its unnatural placement, proven through the over $40 billion in lawn care the US spends every year. Xeriscaping and other solutions (i.e. gravel “lawns”, native weeds, etc.) have addressed these concerns. In a recent article from Real Estate NewsSource, an article from #AskTheJaphets cited the importance of these alternatives for lawns. With fresh water availability falling and with food costs steadily rising, maybe relaxing on the importance of having under-utilized land would serve better than the tedious maintenance most of us suffer throughout the seasons. Take for example in the Monte Vista district in San Antonio, there are several houses that use their land to grow food and wildflowers instead of the prescribed lawn. Perhaps following in their example is worth consideration… as the original purpose for a lawn has long outgrown its former lofty status.

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December 1, 2016

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December 1, 2016

CalAtlantic Homes at Top Golf

Daniel Quesada, Elsa Cantu,,Tiffany Wilson and Michelle Thompson all of Mitchell Realty,.

BernNadette Williams and Jeff Sourbeer, both CalAtlantic Homes.

Misty Wood, Keller Williams City View,

Rossana Correa and Greg Smith, both with Keller Williams City View.

Tim Hinojosa CalAtlantic Homes and Kyle Handy, Handy Realty.

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December 1, 2016

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CalAtlantic Homes at Top Golf

Alice Ruiz, Alicia Ruiz Properties.

Todd Broshard, US Realty Pros, with Russell Deiley, Marisa Cortez, and Bob Russell all of Real Living Best Homes

Johnnie Childs, eXp Realty, with Trudy Pape and Lori Stipetich both of Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper.

Joni Jones, Sherrie Troche and Theresa Sanchez all of Cal Atlantic

Nations Lending Corporation Is Now Hiring Loan Officers And Processors

If you’d like to work with this great team, contact our office today! Office: 210.453.5880 84 NE Loop 410, Suite 115, San Antonio, TX 78216 sanantonio.nlcloans.com Aldo Del Giudice, Branch Manager NMLS# 292837 Branch NMLS# 1246424 Corporate NMLS# 32416

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December 1, 2016

SABOR Dinner at SAMM Shelter Treedy Chapa, Chapa & Fuller Realty, Linsey Martin, Trinity Title, Michele Bunting Ross, Bunting Ross Realty and Bryan Rubio, Landlord Property Management.

Linda Zimmerhanzel, Drayton Realty and Tina Amerson, Keller Williams Boerne.

Jane Manning, Apartment & Relocation Center and Lorena Pena, RE/MAX Preferred.

Bob Jacobs, RE/MAX Associates, Treedy Chapa, Chapa & Fuller Realty and Brad Dawson, Movement Mortgage.

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Monticello Homes, founded in 1994, is a custom home builder that has since its inception been consistently recognized for its outstanding interior, exterior and product design along with being the recipient of many other awards in a variety of categories. Monticello was the home of Thomas Jefferson who was one of our Founding Fathers, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States of America. Wayne Moravits was inspired by the design of Monticello and its historical significance when founding Monticello Homes in 1994. Since that time, he has made it the company’s mission to strive to design and build homes that are architecturally beautiful, but at the same time functional for families to

December 1, 2016

“build memories for a lifetime”. Although essentially a custom home builder, Monticello has developed numerous plans for families to choose from and customize to their needs. Monticello will also build on your lot, whether it is out in the hill country or within an established gated subdivision or master planned community. Monticello continues to also offer inventory homes for those who do not have the time required to wait for completion of a custom home. A major focus for Monticello Homes is to create a perfect balance between superior livability and maximum sustainability which they accomplish through use of ecofriendly materials, award winning designs and energy efficiency. The company's homes feature all highend, whole-house wiring needed for

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today’s electronic and entertainment needs. They also include weather stripped exterior doors, insulated water lines in exterior areas, expandable foam at doors, windows, base plates and wire/pipe penetrations, high efficiency air conditioning and, of course, programmable thermostats. Monticello features highend stainless steel appliances and a gas cook top in all of their homes. Homeowners can select from large sliding glass doors that open to expanded outdoor living spaces or customized home theatre rooms. As most Monticello homes are custom built, they reflect the owner's tastes and are compatible with their lifestyle. Special design features could include oversized arched windows and openings, rounded corners, custom ceiling treatments and lighting, along with gourmet kitchen options. Owners may choose from a myriad of products and inclusions such as decorative shelves, preferred flooring materials and interior and exterior colors and textures. Through all these selections and those for exterior elevation materials, which may include stone, stucco, brick and wood, the finished product is a home which is unique and specific to the desires and tastes of the new owners and compliments the surrounding area. Attesting to the product design excellence of Monticello

Homes are the vast number of industry awards and accolades garnered during the various Summit Awards, Star Awards and previous Parades of Homes. Some awards to mention include Grand Award Custom Builder, Best Product Custom Design, Best Architectural Design and the coveted President’s Award, which is given to the most outstanding residence. REALTORS®, if your buyers are in the market for a custom home or they would like to see the current inventory and plans for homes you need look no further than the numerous home site locations and the multitude of offerings through Monticello Homes. There are currently homes available in Bentley Manor ($450s), Shavano Highlands ($580s), The Heights at Stone Oak – Estancia ($480s), Park Hill ($430s) and The Reserve ($540s). Additional locations where Monticello Homes is building include Esperanza in Boerne ($380s), Kinder Ranch - The Village ($390s) and the Estates ($520s), Johnson Ranch ($480s), and Napa Oaks ($370s). Their newest model and neighborhood is the Reserve at Vintage Oaks in New Braunfels, which is a build on your lot neighborhood but they will have select inventory homes available as well. For more information about Monticello Homes or to see current locations and plans go to monticellohomes.com.

SABOR Keeping Posted

December 1, 2016

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December 1, 2016

SABOR Keeping Posted

December 1, 2016

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December 1, 2016

SABOR Keeping Posted

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December 1, 2016

RE/MAX Associates in San Antonio is Growing and Improving

ELKINS

RYSER

RE/MAX Associates in San Antonio has announced the addition of Kathleen Elkins and Stuart Ryser. RE/MAX is also announcing that Fran Driskell has recently earned her Real Estate Broker’s license, and David Harder has earned his Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation. “We are pleased to be adding two more sales professionals of such high caliber to our office,” says RE/MAX Associates Bob Jacobs, Broker/Owner. “Both Kathleen and Stuart are extremely customer-service oriented and both have a track record of accomplishment in their prior endeavors. Fran and David are ultimate REALTORS and their advancements are in the real estate industry are well deserved. Kathleen is a retired nurse. In real estate Kathleen has earned the Certified Military Relocation Specialist (CMRS) designation. She will be specializing in

DRISKELL

HARDER

residential listings and sales. Stuart is from Oklahoma and graduated from North Eastern Oklahoma University with degrees in Management and Marketing. Listing and selling residential real estate is his passion. Working with buyers and sellers he has earned the respect of his past clients. Fran has been a licensed REALTOR since 1982 and has now earned her Real Estate Broker’s license in 2016. She has been affiliated with RE/MAX for the past 18 years. Fran has been and is currently a successful residential real estate agent; formerly a sales manager, and is currently “a trusted advisor” to her RE/MAX broker. David became licensed in 1996 and earned his Broker’s license in 2009. Earning his CRS has helped David become an even greater asset to The Harder Team (with wife Lisa Weissgarber-Harder).

Willams Joins eXp Realty eXp Realty, the Agent Owned Cloud Brokerage, is honored to welcome Herman V. Williams as a new Agent O w n e r . Herman began Real Estate after retiring WILLIAMS from the Air Force in 2012. He and his wife Cris are both retired officers and live in San Antonio with their daughter Timber. His hobbies includes ballroom dancing, sailing, diving and wilderness survival. His family

is greatly involved with both local and international missions outreach. As an ordained minister, involvement within the social and religious community has impacted lives. His work with youth programs, counseling and direct involvement within his zone of influence has helped to improve standards of living and satisfaction with his clients, friends and neighbors. Although he misses his island home of Okinawa Japan, Herman is enjoying the friendship, loyalty and patriotism of the great state of Texas. To learn more about eXp Realty, visit www.ExplodeYourCareer.com

CENTURY 21 Scott Myers Welcomes Alvarez-Swartz CENTURY 21 Scott Myers, Realtors is pleased to announce Pearl Alvarez-Swartz has joined its firm as a sales associate. She will specialize in residential property sales in the San A ntonio/Hondo/ ALVAREZCastroville/ Medina area. She recently joined Century 21 Scott Myers after working for two years with

another firm. "We are thrilled to have Pearl join our team," said Scott Myers of Century 21 Scott Myers, Realtors. "It’s an exciting time to be with the CENTURY 21 System as we increase our market presence in San Antonio/Hondo/ Castroville/ Medina." Myers added, "We saw within three minutes of meeting with Pearl that she embodied the quality service culture that our office and Century 21 lives by. We are proud to have her on our team.”

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December 1, 2016

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Mantooth Joins Matlock Homes Matlock Homes is happy to welcome Candice Mantooth into the Matlock Homes Family. Candice joins the Matlock Homes Sales Team and will be helping families purMANTOOTH chase their dream home in Rhine Valley Subdivision in Schertz, TX. Candice has several years of new homes sales experience, general

real estate experience and experience in construction material sales. Candice is a native of San Antonio and graduated from Cornerstone High School and attended UTSA. Some of her hobbies include playing the piano, working out, outdoor activities, spending time with family and friends and is also involved in raising awareness against domestic violence. Stop by and visit Candice at 9882 Mulhouse Drive, Schertz, TX or call Candice at 210-999-0449 to schedule a showing.

Full Spectrum Realty Welcomes New Agents

PARKER

PUENTE

Mark Parker is detail oriented, and has worked on many blue-chip marketing accounts on the local, regional and national

levels, including Procter & Gamble, General Mills, Burger King, Sprint Mobile Communications, Alltel Communications and The United States Air Force. Welcome Mark! Jennifer Puente has lived in San Antonio for the past 30 years. She is recently retired from the U. S. Postal Service. She served as a Postmaster since 1986. She has an extensive background in customer service. Welcome Jennifer!

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December 1, 2016

Hill Country WCR November Meeting

Leigh Fetters, Insurance Professional and Raquel Wallace, Keller Williams Heritage and M’Lissa Steel, eProperty Realty.

Ethel O’Dell, Speaker.

Texas

Paula Durocher, Keller Williams New Braunfels and Jeff Robinson, Stewart Title.

Chapter

President,

Marie Gabriel Limestone Country Properties, Mary Ann Carter, Mary Ann Carter Realty, Ethel O’Dell, Texas Chapter President, Speaker, Chyrel Madden, Century 21 Randall Morris, Sidney Miller 1031 Exchange and M’Lissa Steel, eProperty Realty.

Sue Massari Young, Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty and Jan Boyle, Keller Williams Heritage.

Yvonne Hoffmann, Reliance Residential Realty and Glenda Schulz, Home Warranty Professional.

Mark Hampton, Century 21 Randall Morris and Michell Haag Reliance Residential Realty.

Joyce Killian and Valerie Rickett, both with Stewart Title.