RE Newsline February - 2023

Page 2: Did You Know This About Lincoln And Lady Liberty?

Page 7: Happily Ever After and RIP

Page 8: Who Is SAAREB?

Page 11: Waterways in San Antonio

Page 12: From Southtown With Love

Page 15: Keep The Momentum Going

Page 16: Independent Real Estate Professionals (IREP)

Page 18: New Year Brings Fresh Fraud Schemes

Did You Know This About Lincoln And Lady Liberty?

In the course of browsing through the internet I have come across some interesting facts about people or events that were significant enough to have been recognized in history books. In many cases we have heard of these individuals or happenings through various studies in school or through some of the many sources of media present today but there are some facts that are not readily known about them.

Did you know, for example, that Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, known for freeing the slaves, was inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame? Prior to starting his career as a lawyer Lincoln worked in a local store in the town of New Salem in Sangamon County, Illinois and during that time participated in approximately 300 wrestling matches, losing only once over a 12 year period. During that time a group of bullies known as the Clary’s Grove Boys led by Jack Armstrong were terrorizing the town folk and especially any new settlers who had arrived there by forcing them into a barrel which they nailed shut and then rolled down a hill. The county’s residents were fed up with the group’s activities but were unable to do much about them. Armstrong, tired of hearing about how good Lincoln was at wrestling challenged him to a match which Lincoln won and when the rest of the group started to come after Lincoln, Armstrong called them off saying that Lincoln had won, fair and square. It is thought it was his ability to identify his opponent’s weaknesses in wrestling that led to his success in winning his presidential campaign.

While on the subject of Abraham Lincoln it is also interesting to note that he was a licensed bartender and once owned a bar in New Salem called Berry and Lincoln’s and that he is the only president to register a patent which was for a device that could be fitted to a boat to lift it high enough to raise it over shoals. He was also the only president up to that time to have a beard which he grew following a letter from an 11-year-old girl who wrote to suggest that since he looked so young he would do better in

his campaign for president if he had some whiskers. Though Lincoln passed the bar exam to become a lawyer he never earned a law degree but was totally self-taught. And, although he is considered by many to be our greatest president he had lost five elections before winning the presidency. Lincoln was invited to Gettysburg only to say a few words after the main speaker, Edward Everett, had finished speaking for two hours but it was Lincoln’s iconic 272-word speech “Four score and seven years ago…” that is now so well remembered. And, finally, following attempts to steal Lincoln’s coffin and hold it for ransom his grave had been moved 17 times between 1865 and 1901 to prevent any further attempts to do so.

And then there was the Statue of Liberty, the idea for which originated in 1865 with French historian Edouard de Laboulaye, an abolitionist and proponent of democracy who believed that funding the creation of a statue to celebrate the end of the Civil War in the United States and the beginning of freeing slaves might encourage support for democracy in France which was then under a dictatorship of Napoleon III, a nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, a statue maker who had been studying colossal statue design, agreed to attempt the project.

It is, however, interesting to note that Bartholdi did not originally craft this particular design for the United States but rather to be built as a lighthouse in the shape of a woman for the area where a channel was being dug between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea to establish the Suez Canal. But finding no interest from Khedive Ishma’il Pasha, the leader of Egypt, to fund such a project he changed the statue’s clothing design from Egyptian to Roman and moved on to Laboulaye’s proposal while seeking funding from the French and American governments but struck out there too. He then turned to the people of both countries and was able to find the money by charging people to watch the process of building the statue in Paris in

addition to using funds from public fees, various forms of entertainment, and a lottery.

America’s part of the project was to build the base upon which the statue would rest and to do that they opened an exhibit of the statue’s torch during the 1876 World’s Fair in Philadelphia and additionally used theatrical events, art exhibitions, auctions, and prizefights to raise the funds but were still falling short. Significant help came through American newspaper magnate, Joseph Pulitzer, who had the names of every contributor who donated any amount to support the project and most people would donate just to see their names in print.

While New York, in either Central Park or Prospect Park, was in contention for the statue’s site it was apparent that Philadelphia was also a possible site and when the fundraising slowed down in New York, Boston also made a bid for locating the statue in Boston Harbor. With a rivalry now in play an editorial in the New York Times read, “[Boston] proposes to take our neglected statue of Liberty and warm it over for her own use and glory. Boston has probably again overestimated her powers. This statue is dear to us, though we have never looked upon it, and no third rate town is going to step in and take it from us. Philadelphia tried to do that in 1876, and failed. Let Boston be warned . . . that she can’t have our Liberty ... that great lighthouse statue will be smashed into ... fragments before it shall be stuck up in Boston Harbor.”

Work began on the statue in 1875 and it was finally completed in 1884, after which it was then disassembled into 350 individual parts and packed in 214 crates in preparation for its transatlantic voyage to New York in 1885 where it would be reassembled on Bedloe’s Island, a name which was later changed to Liberty Island. Of interest too, is that Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame was brought on as Bartholdi’s structural engineer to handle the framework for the statue, Also, although it did not ever happen, Thomas Edison in an interview after introducing the

phonograph told the reporters he would be creating a monster disc to place in the statue so she could deliver messages to the people.

However, the final success of the statue’s being built and safely shipped was not seen by all as a wonderous and a symbolic representation of “liberty” for all people. At the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty in October 1886 Women’s rights groups protested having the enormous female figure that was to represent liberty standing in the harbor when women did not have the liberty to vote. Other than the protesters who were circling the island in a boat, there were only two women in attendance at the unveiling, Bartholdi’s wife and the granddaughter of Ferdinand de Lesseps who engineered the Suez Canal. And Wikipedia notes that shortly after the dedication ceremony an African American newspaper, The Cleveland Gazette printed, "Liberty enlightening the world, indeed! The expression makes us sick. This government is a howling farce. It can not or rather does not protect its citizens within its own borders. Shove the Bartholdi statue, torch and all, into the ocean until the "liberty" of this country is such as to make it possible for an inoffensive and industrious colored man to earn a respectable living for himself and family, without being ku-kluxed, perhaps murdered, his daughter and wife outraged, and his property destroyed. The idea of the "liberty" of this country "enlightening the world," or even Patagonia, is ridiculous in the extreme.”

I believe there are two major take-aways from the material presented here, One, as with people we think we know well there can be a lot about them that we may not know and may never learn, Two, though we will always hear that the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States both country’s governments refused to use any of their monies to fund the project so it was actually a gift to the people of the United States from the people of France.

Pat Farrell / Senior Contributing Writer

2023 Texas REALTORS® 360 is back!

The Laredo Association of REALTORS® invites you to the Texas REALTORS® 360 Real Insights Regions 7 & 13 Annual Meeting!

It’s happening at La Posada Hotel in downtown Laredo, 1000 Zaragoza St., Laredo, Texas 78040 from March 30 until March 31. Tickets are $45 before Friday, Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. If you would like to book a hotel room, rates are $105 plus tax. You can call 1-800-4442099 to reserve and use code “TR360.”

The schedule is as follows:

Day 1: Mixer

• March 30 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

• Appetizers & Cocktails

• Live entertainment

• Opportunity to Network

• Market

Day 2: General Meeting

• March 31 from 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

• Breakfast & Lunch

• Meet with REALTOR® leaders

• Opportunity to network

• 2 hours of CE Credit

For more information, contact Monica Y. Reyes at ae_lar@laredorealtors.org.

JB Goodwin Chili Cook Off

Joe Chodash and Jennifer Boleman both with JB Goodwin

Arlene Patterson, Scott Peck, and Debra Perez with JB Goodwin

Stephanie Flores and Virginia Kramer with JB Goodwin

David Sirebrenik and Grant Bowman with JB Goodwin

Kassidy Miller, Susan Jones and Claire Vincent all with JB Goodwin

Kayle Hutchison and Jim Payne both with JB Goodwin

Nellie Eichler, JB Goodwin, Kourtney Helle and Suzette Keller both with Old Republic Title Nikki Nelson and Liliana “Lily” Tavares both with JB Goodwin Scan

Our Mission

THE WAY I SEE IT

Cathey Meyer / Contributing Writer

Happily Ever After and RIP

destinations. My one wedding was on a golf course, so a girl needs a fantasy. Wedding announcements have been replaced with excessive food reporting. Where did all the girls go? Online, of course; social media is the new wedding information gage, but I have no time to find a feed and get nosey.

In a sign of the aging times, what has increased in the publication is the rest in peace reporting. There comes a time and place when obituaries replaced the news of new lives, starting out with this was your life reading. The interpersonal Sunday read is filled with 11% of people I have some distant connection with, 4% of people I actually knew, 40% of people who did not want to leave too much money to their heirs and spent it on a way too long end of life eulogy, and 45% on folks who lived fascinating everyday lives. As I inch closer to posting my own RIP, I find myself studying obituaries just as I studied the bridal news.

The first question is photo or no photo? If you have a photo, do you use your best in life headshot or go out with one that actually shows your age appropriate face? Next, what information is actually of interest to folks with dull Sunday mornings nosing around strangers past lives? Does anyone really need to know your scout history, hobbies, love of animals, and bowling average? The preceded in death list is interesting but creepy when a 90 year old announces their parents preceded them

in death. Sometimes the obvious should RIP. If folks know you enjoyed multiple relationships in your wild lifetime, who do you include and who do you ghost— literally?

The Covid trend of online funeral participation continues. I have never logged on to a live, not in person service because I usually get distracted by something else on The Goggle and forget why I got online in the first place. I am just distressed this is now actually a thing to do. Reading the who, what, where of services is just like scanning wedding reception locations and honeymoon destinations. The times may have changed, but I am slow to the party.

The best way to handle both wedding and death announcements is to follow my friend, Greg’s, technique. I missed his wedding, so when I visited them a short time after the celebration, he handed me his wedding announcement. It was full of accomplishments I never knew he attained. When I looked at him in disbelief and he burst out laughing. None of it was true but he wanted to entertain the random reader back in the day. He used the same misinformation in his RIP only the embellishment was much grander in a life well lived in his fantasy world. He was just ahead of internet misinformation.

RIP to information as we knew it in the past (and wedding announcements). Time to embrace my devices for news. sports and those who enjoyed a life well lived.

GUEST COLUMN

Brian Paris / SAAREB

Who Is SAAREB?

Who Is SAAREB? The San Antonio Association of Real Estate Brokers (SAAREB) is a non-profit organization that is focused on closing the home ownership gap for African American families in the Alamo City. Although the word Brokers is part of our name, anyone in the Real Estate profession is encouraged to become a member. Membership with SAAREB also allows you to become a member of TAREB (our Texas organization) and NAREB (our national organization). Our sister organization, the Women’s Council of SAAREB has the task of Educating, Elevating and Empowering the women (and men) in Real Estate.

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Established in 1947, NAREB® is the oldest and largest minority real estate trade association in America. Its mission is to enhance the economic improve -

ment of its members and the minority community it serves. Members are known as REALTISTS® and focus on serving the under-served and developing creative and effective methods of opening the doors to promote democracy in housing, regardless of race, creed or color.

What is the gap? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the rate of African American homeownership was 44.1% at the close of 2020, while the rate of white homeownership was 74.5%— proof of the significant gap. As a comparison, Hispanic home ownership rates was 48.5% during the same period.

Why the gap? There are several reasons why African American home ownership lags other racial demographics. African American home ownership has long been a challenge due to several factors, from racial discrimination to a lack of

access to resources. One of the most prominent reasons for the gap in home ownership between African Americans and other racial groups is the legacy of redlining. During the 20th century, African American neighborhoods were redlined, meaning that banks refused to lend money to people living in these areas. This meant that African Americans were unable to secure mortgages, thus preventing them from buying homes in their own neighborhoods. Additionally, African Americans historically have had lower incomes than other racial groups, making it harder to save up for a down payment and to secure a loan. Finally, African Americans are more likely to be victims of predatory lending practices, which can further increase the difficulty of finding a loan. All these factors contribute to the gap in home ownership between African Americans and other racial groups.

Our mission for SAAREB is to provide education to change the mindset that “home ownership is not for me.” As we in the industry know, the idea of home ownership does not start once you have a 640+ credit score and 10k in the bank. It starts with the MINDSET of how to manage money in your formative years,

when you get your first job, get your first credit card, or have the first idea of how money works. We have classes in the pipeline to talk to the 17+ audience on how to manage money.

We have categorized our classes into 3 main topics:

OBTAIN – All the steps to prepare the participants to obtain a home, including downpayment assistance, budgeting, banking, credit, and anything else that can help families take just 1 step closer to home ownership.

MAINTAIN - Now that you have purchased a home, what are the things you need to know to maintain it. Things like how a $5 air conditioning filter can prevent a premature $5000 AC replacement.

RETAIN – Topics to discuss how to keep the home in the family, estate planning, having a will etc.

For more information about SAAREB and to see what is on our calendar for 2023, please visit our website at www.saareb.com or email me at bmparis@hotmail.com. I am looking forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events or at one of our membership meetings on the first Monday of the month at SABOR!

Directions Home Loan and Lunch and Learn

Mark Jones, Directions Home Loan, and Thomas Hines, Reliance Residential Realty

Easton Crafts and Daniel Wayt, both with Directions Home Loan

Brenda Vorhis and Bryan Jones both with Nestfinders, and Nova Vorhis with Directions Home Loan

Laura Medlin and Yvonne Godina both with Directions Home Loan

GUEST COLUMN

Aly Crawford / Contributing Writer

Waterways in San Antonio

How many stories does your family have that involve water? I'm not talking about the summer of '76 pool story or that time my 4 year-old self slipped in the shower and had to get stitches because I busted my chin wide open, but the stories involving natural water. The water flowing and moving all around us. Most don't pay much mind. But, the rain, rivers, hurricanes and low water crossings make up a surprisingly significant part of my story.

Driving down the road during a thunderstorm, I’ve driven through a puddle that turned out to be about a foot deeper than I thought. My brother-in-law had to be rescued from a car in a low water crossing. I’ve unsuccessfully used a trash bag poncho to keep myself dry driving my Jeep through a storm. When I was in highschool my dad saved a man caught in the floodwaters on Lake Dunlap. I just keep remembering more and more! But why?

It turns out that San Antonio has a lot going on with water. Have you ever noticed when you’re driving northbound on highway 281 after leaving downtown, just past the curves in the road around Trinity and Incarnate Word University, you can see a massive sleek stone structure off to the right? This little section of the road is elevated too. You don’t even really notice until you think about how the tops of the trees are right along the roadway and little glimpses of the basin below peak through. Olmos Basin is one of many strategic locations in town where dams, overflows and rain diverting culverts attempt to subdue the flood waters that barrel through San Antonio. Though you may be tempted to think that these flood and weather events are happening more frequently recently, even the early settlers of San Antonio struggled to cope with our flash flood prone landscape. We have records of mas -

sive destructive floods taking out early instructure, homes, and people. Even the location of the Alamo is connected to water. Mission San Antonio was moved to its third, and current location, in 1724 because of flooding caused by a hurricane. Records show that the flooding in 1921 was the cause for new plans to be drafted on the Olmos Dam. Since then, authorities that manage the river have been working to keep San Antonioians out of the rising waters by building dams, water diverting culverts and tunnels that channel the force of water in a better direction. But all this water still flows.

For every inch of rain that falls in San Antonio over half a gallon can be collected from just one square foot of space, and with an average rainfall of 33 inches per year, that is a lot of water. The steep terrain dropping off of the rolling hills of the Edwards Plateau to our northeast, our shallow soils over limestone beds, and narrow creek channels, mean that runoff quickly moves the only way it can: downhill. Olmos Basin sits just behind the Olmos Dam and fills with hundreds of thousands of gallons of water during rain events. Various golf courses, city parks and creeks take the blow during heavy rainfalls, retaining water in holding ponds or send -

ing it down the San Antonio and Medina Rivers. Since the birth and growth of San Antonio in the late 1800s homesites, streets, lawns, and parking lots have continued to grow in both size and number. The often impermeable flat surfaces get water flowing and moving and have been adding to our tricky flash flood management. Designers of parking lots and the managers of our rivers build structures that interrupt and divert the sheet flow. Water moves into creeks running between neighborhoods and weaving through parks. Since our rain events often happen suddenly, flash flooding causes water to race through San Antonio. Flood waters can damage property and generally interfere with our daily happenings. Only then do we gripe about the road flooding and low water crossings and notice the pools of water.

Three days later the roads are open, parks are hosting birthday parties and the Riverwalk is alive with tourists. Our daily patterns emerge yet again and an entire dam hides from view. We may take for granted the Riverwalk, Olmos Dam, Salado Creek, Brackenridge Park and so many more well positioned water management systems, but our lives and homes are undoubtedly benefited by their existence.

HAPPY CRITIC

Karen Evans / Contributing Writer

From Southtown With Love

La Frite is a favorite restaurant of mine in Southtown because of the fantastic food, delightful service, and charming bistro atmosphere. I am honored to present the mother and son team that created this classic dining space, Icy, and Miles Donnelly.

Happy Critic: What is the story behind La Frite, and what inspired you to become restaurant owners?

Miles: Back in 2008, when we were figuring out what I would do with my life, I worked here as a server for Damien Watel when he owned this little jewel. My dad had just become sick and was not able to work anymore. Was I supposed to go to professional school? What do I do? At that moment, the restaurant came up for sale. I was excited about La Frtie possibly becoming our family business. I approached my parents, and we started discussing buying the restaurant to provide for our family. That "moment" turned into our new

adventure that included the food and people we love.

Happy Critic: What is it like as a mother and son team?

Miles: It's phenomenal! We like being part of a family unit. Our family loves happiness in the kitchen, which is how my brother Rick and I grew up. I love supporting my family and doing this together.

Happy Critic: What makes La Frite so great?

Miles: Honestly, it is us; we love each other and get along great. Our interaction and respect for each other, our staff, and our guests are critical. Everyone here is such an essential part of our success. Our Executive Chef, dishwasher, and prep people have been here for the 15 years we have been open. We are family.

Happy Critic: Tell me about your food from heaven menu.

Icy: We get our food fresh from vendors every day. We don't have freezer space; we cook the food when we get it. Steak a

Poive with green peppercorn sauce is so tasty. I think it is a meal you eat that you will never forget. We added the spectacular mussels in the worldly sauces served with frites, which have become our signature dishes. There is a person for every mussel sauce on the menu. There is a customer for every item on the menu, and we did not change it at all; we just added to it. We added daily specials, the shrimp risotto, curry lamb shank, and rabbit, which became La Frite favorites.

Happy Critic: I am sure everyone will agree with me.....the secret ingredient to La Frite's success is LOVE!

728 S, Alamo in Southtown | 210224-7555 | 11:30 -2 pm TuesdayFriday | 6-10 pm TuesdaySaturday Dinner Wine Beer & Bubbles | Reservations and Walkins Welcome - LaFriteSA.com

FANTASTIC FOODIE FINDS

Here are some appreciative words written by our Happy Critic Cheerleaders about their favorite local finds.

PHARM TABLE

Pharm Table is one of the best restaurants I have been to for plant-based meals that serve to heal the body, warm the soul, and with the added secret ingredient, LOVE, you can't go wrong.

That, coupled with exceptional; service, makes this a go-to stop for dining. The lovely outside patio and the interior of this restaurant have a fresh, clean feel. The food at Pharm Table is plant-based, with the option to add meat. They have created antiinflammatory dishes by removing wheat, dairy, refined sugar, and processed foods. Still, they have added spices from all over the globe, which provide a culinary explosion of delight in your mouth! I adore their Signature Dish, Detoxing Kitchari, with curried lentils and seasonal greens. I always add avocado because everything tastes better with avocado. Even Chocolate Mousse!Ask for Chef Elizabeth and let her know the Happy Critic sent you!

BAR LORETTA IS THE BOMB!

As I said, Bar Loretta is the bomb! The owner Roger Herr continues to provide superb food, top-notch bartenders, and servers. Each time I have had a wonderful experience. As soon as my head pops in, the staff is friendly and welcoming. And I appreciate the extra care. Every time I walk through the doors, I see familiar faces of friends enjoying themselves, and I like that!!! The menu is simple and bright, and I like that too!

So take my advice and get there as fast as you can!

Brandon Bowman, Hollywood Crawford Garage Doors

Gregory Walcoff, Sales Rep for Barton Carpets at the SABOR for the Leadership Module.

Thomas Hines, Reliance Residential Realty, Christi Hines, Directions Home Loan and Perry Messer, Old Republic Title.

GUEST COLUMN

Karen Evans / Contributing Writer

The Accidental Innkeeper

It was a blessing when I met this unique property's Innkeeper. We have been friends and cohorts ever since. I have had the privilege of cooking breakfast for some of his notable guests, participating in a B & B recipe competition nationwide, curating local art shows, and talking about San Antonio over food with many newly made friends. He is a father of three, a community builder, a real estate investor, and a visionary. The Riverwalk could not ask for a better steward.

Dr. Roland Cavazos, also known as the "Accidental Innkeeper," truthfully never meant to get into the business. "I must pay homage to Arthur Darling Zucht, III, also known as A.D. He was ahead of his time, a third-generation dentist and the first Innkeeper. It takes a specific person to fix and care for these old homes. If he had not taken care of this property, it would have become a vacant lot or a condo development. It's a weird coincidence that we were both dentists, but as a dentist, I am used to improving things, taking care of things, and being very creative. I got the bug to move Downtown and

have a home on the river. I stayed at the Inn, went on a balloon ride with A.D., and exchanged stories of our common interests. I was hooked. Then, like a miracle, The Inn and the other properties came up for sale. If I have to buy the whole property, I will have to operate it too. Well, A.D. did it, and I will too! I read the reviews and did what had to be done. I love unique things. It comforts me to think about how many families used these rooms and porches over the years, and it's still serving for shelter and enjoyment. The Inn became an extraordinary passion for me." And the rest is history.

The Inn on the Riverwalk is tucked away on a peaceful stretch of the San Antonio Riverwalk, surrounded by walking trails, ducks, Downtown, and Southtown. The Inn consists of three early 1900-era homes featuring 13 luxury suites at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac nestled under a canopy of trees. After eight years as the Innkeeper, Roland, his stellar staff, and guests from all over are still enjoying this 107-year-old property. Mia, the sweet Corgi, is the Inns welcoming party, and the custom-built chicken

coop renders fresh farm eggs daily. Nothing like waking up to the smell of home cooking! Breakfast is served in the main house dining room each morning and is simply delicious. The creative kitchen staff serves up crispy french toast, scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, and huevos rancheros, to name a few. There is always coffee and flavored water available in the big house. Roland joins his guests for breakfast most mornings, telling stories and recommending delicious local eateries and destinations.

Recently there has been a new appreciation for Bed and Breakfasts. The ideas are endless! People are looking for smaller properties where special memories can be made with their families, friends, and colleagues. In addition, Roland recently acquired a 200-year-old Log Cabin brought to San Antonio by developer Tracy Hammer in the late 90s from Tennessee. It had been rebuilt log by log and restored into an authentic Log Cabin style Bed and Breakfast for groups and special events. The entire property is ideal for corporate events, small business mixers, luncheons, Reunions, and intimate weddings.

While cooking at the Inn, I made pancakes on Sundays! My recipe is out of this world! I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did!!!

Simple and Fluffy Pancakes

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups whole milk

1/4 cup melted butter

2 teaspoons pure vanilla

1 large egg

1. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the milk, slightly cooled melted butter, vanilla, and egg.

2. Use a wire whisk to mix the wet ingredients before slowly folding them into the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. (It's okay if there are a couple of lumps) If the batter is too thick, add a couple of tablespoons of extra milk,

3. Set the batter aside and allow it to rest while heating your pan or griddle.

4. Heat a nonstick griddle over low-medium heat and wipe over with a bit of butter. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto the griddle/pan and spread out gently into a round shape with the back of your ladle.

5. When the underside is golden and bubbles appear on the surface, flip with a spatula and cook until golden. Repeat with the remaining batter,

6. Serve with maple syrup, whipped cream, or honey. Or your desire.

For Information:

Inn on the Riverwalk, 129 Woodward Place, San Antonio, Texas 78204

210-225-6333 | 800-730-0019

innkeeper@innontheriverwalk.com

NARPM

Keep The Momentum

NARPM is excited to say that we had an awesome start to 2023 and don’t have time to let up on the gas pedal. Our January Chapter meeting and educational event had a great turn out with every seat in the house filled. At this meeting our members and guests received complimentary agent head shots, great food, a vision board party and our speaker of the month (just in time for tax time) was a CPA that shared tax strategies. Thank you to all who were in attendance. This would not have been possible without your participation.

As we steadily approach March, we have other news to share. On March 22nd, we will be participating in REALTOR® Day at the Texas State Capital. NARPM will

be sponsoring their own bus to ensure that NARPM is well represented in Austin. This is the opportunity to meet with our legislators in person to discuss private property ownership issues and our responsibilities in our industry. Our mission is to “Fill the Bus” so if you are interested in joining us, please visit our calendar of events to register.

Also, March 29th, is our next scheduled Chapter meeting and educational event where it will be all about HOA’s to include an update on how SB1588 has affected us since its introduction in 2021 (being presented by a Texas Attorney). If you haven’t made it in up to now, this meeting would be the time to come check us out or get reacquainted with

us. First visit with us is Free! If you are looking to be a part of a property management organization, gain industry knowledge, earn a designation, learn about volunteer opportunities, social events or become a NARPM Advocacy Fund investor, this is the place for you. We have fun and get the job done. In fact, check us out and like our Facebook page. There you will find an updated events calendar, registration information and pictures of past events. If you missed out on our Habitat for Humanity Landscaping Day in February, there will be another time to join us in the latter part of the year. So, get connected now. If you are already a member, don’t forget to tell your peers, office personnel, or someone you feel would benefit from what we have to offer.

We are always stronger in numbers and your time, energy and contribution doesn’t go unnoticed. This is how leaders are made, how policies are introduced and taken to the next level, how chapters grow, and how

industry improves.

Well, that’s about all I have for you this month and hope you will consider joining us at one or more of our upcoming events.

March & April calendar of events:

Mar 22 REALTOR Day at the Texas State Capitol

Mar 29 Chapter Meeting & Educational Event

Apr 12 Office Social

Apr 25 Broker Owner Conference

*2023 will be filled with new educational classes, speakers, and more opportunities for charitable events. Do not miss your opportunity to serve, gain industry knowledge, and make new friendships. If you are interested in joining or would like to discuss what we are all about, do not hesitate to reach out to us.

For membership information or our calendar of events please visit: http://www.sanarpm.wildap ricot.org

Brenda Davila / SAMAC, NARPM President

GUEST COLUMN

Sopfiela Grannum/ President of IREP

Independent Real Estate Professionals (IREP)

“The purpose of IREP is to provide a forum for the exchange of information common to REALTORS®, supporting Affiliates and Associates of the Real Estate Industry. To provide opportunities to combine resources for the benefit of all IREP members.” I have had the privilege of repeating these words every third Tuesday of the month in the SABOR auditorium at 11:30 am for the past two years.

I’m privileged to say the Officers of the organization are Sandra Largos of JPAR San Antonio as Vice President, Gwen Derry of Old Republic Title as Secretary, and Pat Farrell of Pat Farrell, REALTOR® as Treasurer. These beautiful and inspiring women standing with me, along with our committee members, strive to add value for IREP members, and all involved by keeping the member needs and

desires on top of mind. IREP brings Real Estate awareness to agents of Independent Brokerages to enhance the networking opportunities among members, to exchange listing information at each meeting, and to share information and knowledge related to the sales of real estate and changes in real estate law, contracts, financing, and other real estate matters.

With so many real estate professionals of different ages, creeds, backgrounds, and varying levels of knowledge from SABOR members that are on The Board of Directors, MLS Committee, Diversity Committee, SAAREB members, NARPM members, TRLP alumni, NAHREP and more in the room, IREP is a melting pot of expertise, connections, and encouragement for all to learn from. As the 2023 IREP President, fellow

REALTOR®, MLS member, 2023 TRLP student holding designations in GRI and TAHS this year I have a sense of excitement, security, and adventure, knowing that IREP will be significantly more impactful than ever before by contributing to the public through volunteering and participating in community events that highlight education on how to obtain homeownership, ways to save money when maintaining a home and options for retaining the home during uncertain times.

We aim to bring more awareness of IREP and its member benefits through our monthly speakers and sponsors that address topics on the resources you have as a SABOR member to include free lead generation, business planning, new construction lending, best ways to use the MLS, overcoming doubt, downpayment assistance and more. And in the month of May instead of our annual member BBQ we will be having our first membership drive Cookoff that is sure to be a delicious event, and let me not forget the live interactive safety defense demonstrations and gun safety event in September for REALTOR® Safety Month just to name a few of the programs.

IREP has a family feel rec -

ognizing birthdays, anniversaries, and other impactful occasions in the members' lives. In December we take the opportunity to acknowledge Members, Speakers, and Sponsors at our yearly New Officers Installation & Holiday Party, where we come together in fellowship playing games, winning prizes, laughter, and good food after a yearlong of leadership activities.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank SABOR for providing a space for IREP’S monthly meetings for education, lunch, and networking. IREP would like to invite you to reach out to Pat Farrell @ Pat@PatFarrell.com for an application to qualify and pay the $30 yearly membership dues. If you would like to help IREP continue to add value for its members by becoming a future IREP Speaker or Sponsor, please reach us at irepsanantonio@gmail.com.

Stay connected with IREP through our Facebook page “Independent Real Estate Professionals”. We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us” Oliver Holmes

27-Apr

28-Apr

GUEST COLUMN

Kara McGregor / Sr. Vice President, Independence

New Year Brings Fresh Fraud Schemes

Real estate transactions continue to be a target for increasingly sophisticated forms of fraud, and there’s a new game in town involving fraudulent sellers. I spent some time with our leadership team at Independence Title, a room full of experts in title, escrow, and legal matters, to put together some good information and best practices for our real estate community.

Some of these newly emerging scams are very evolved, with criminals researching public records to identify properties and owners and obtaining fake ID’s and other falsified documents. Typically, they contact a Realtor to list the property in order to legitimize the sale. The property is often listed below market rate for a quick sale, preferably cash. Communications are typically via email and text, although some fraudster sellers have communicated by phone, and the scammer

generally insists on a remote closing. Very often these criminals act intimidating, hurried, and pushy.

As the first point of contact for these types of scams, Realtors should be aware of specific red flags, and adopt a few best practices:

• Request an in-person meeting or Zoom with the proposed seller. Consider it a red flag if a purported seller is reluctant to communicate face-to-face.

• At listing, ask the sellers for copies of past closing documents (e.g., title policy, survey, etc.). Consider it a red flag if they cannot produce any documentation of the purchase.

• Check seller names and addresses against the tax records and via internet search, and reach

out independently to sellers at the address shown in the public records if possible.

• Check seller names against deed records (your title company should be able to help you pull this information).

• Consider utilizing DocuSignID or another document platform that supports knowledgebased authentication (KBA) to execute documents

• Talk to your title company about their seller verification procedures and advise the title company as to the specifics of any red flags you have encountered.

• Ask your title company about processes or security measures they have in place to detect fraud and protect money transfers. Make sure you’re working with a company that subscribes to a fraud protection service to ensure secure transmittal of wiring instructions.

• Be alert and trust your instincts!

We will continue to be a resource for Realtors in these matters. Please contact your Independence Title team with any questions or concerns. We must all work together to protect the integrity of our real estate community!

Several members of Realty Executives of SA gathered at Old Republic Title Co for a Contract & Title briefing.

Top Luxury Agent Jason Glast Sets

New San Antonio Real Estate Record San Antonio, Texas

Top luxury real estate agent Jason Glast, with Jason Glast Group and Phyllis Browning Company, is proud to share that in 2022, he set a San Antonioarea record with an average sales price of $2.1 million.*

“I’m honored to have set the area record for highest average sale last year. We used to rarely have a sale over $2 million so this shows just how much the San Antonio market has grown. I’ve got to thank our wonderful team Jason Glast Group, our broker Phyllis Browning Company, our clients, friends, and family.” Jason shared about his past year.

Jason Glast is a licensed attorney and accomplished Realtor with an insider’s knowledge of the San Antonio-area luxury market. In 2020, he founded Jason Glast Group with several agents at Phyllis Browning Company. Jason specializes in the luxury residential

market. He has the highest average sales price of any Realtor in the San Antonio-area since he began his career in 2003.

He is proud to have a robust sales history in a diverse range of luxury neighborhoods including Terrell Hills, Boerne, The Dominion, Alamo Heights, Elm Creek, Inwood, Shavano Park, Monte Vista, Olmos Park, Inverness, Stone Oak and more. *minimum 10 sales

Jason Glast Group (JGG) sold more than $98.8 million on 81 sales in 2022. No real estate team in the greater San Antonioarea has ever averaged more than a million dollars per sale on that many transactions - JGG averaged a total of $1.2 million dollars per sale in the past 12 months. JGG is the number one sales team within South Texas’ premier luxury real estate brokerage, Phyllis Browning Company.

2022

Vs.

In challenging economic times, it’s important to choose home improvement investments that pay off when it’s time to sell. New garage doors continue to offer the highest return on investment both in San Antonio and nationally, according to the latest survey from Remodeling Magazine.

Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost Vs. Value Report shows that replacing a garage door is the top home improvement option for return on investment for the second year in a row in San Antonio and the best value nationally for the sixth year in a row.

New garage doors returned more than 94 percent of the job cost upon resale in 2022, based on the installation of a new door priced just under $4,000

for a foam-insulated 16-foot-by-7-foot door and new tracks. More information on the report is available at www.costvsvalue.com.

“Garage doors make sense financially, especially in current economic conditions,” said Randy Oliver, president of Hollywood-Crawford Garage Door Company. “It’s an improvement with a lot of other benefits too, including relatively low cost and an instant boost in curb appeal.”

Garage doors are often used as the primary entrance, covering up to 40% of the front elevation of some homes, which allows homeowners to greatly improve the function, value and curb appeal of their home by just replacing their garage door.

Report shows garage

Residential overhead doors are available in a wide variety of styles, colors, materials, and insulation values, with looks for every exterior and price ranges for every budget. Homeowners can choose from materials including aluminum, glass, faux wood, real wood, steel with a stained wood look, insulated steel, fiberglass, and even vinyl garage doors for harsh environments.

Hollywood-Crawford also furnishes doors made with specialty materials, including reclaimed barn wood, Corten steel, composite faux wood materials and full-view aluminum garage doors with a variety of insulated and non-insulated glass panels. Explore how a new garage door

can transform the look of your home at the Hollywood-Crawford showroom, located in San Antonio at 11234 Gordon Rd., with more than 40 beautiful, full-sized garage doors on display to help you choose the right door for your home.

You can also use the virtual tools online at www.HollywoodCrawford.com. Simply upload a photo of your home or choose a house with similar structure and style, and select from many options to build a door unique to your needs.

To learn more about how a garage door can quickly, easily and affordably boost your home’s curb appeal, visit online at www.hollywoodcrawford.com or call 210-494-3434.

Remodeling Magazine’s

Cost

Value

doors offer the best resale value among home improvements in San Antonio

Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors 11th Annual Chili Cookoff

Chili of the Gods Participants

Diego Echererri, Rio City Real Estate Inspections, Carlos Rodo, Maxine 1 Home Inspections, and Mike Morissette, Wooden Thumb Inspection The Harper

Chili Cookoff Participants in their Halloween costumes

Jennifer Helliums, Kristin Wingard, Chelsea Roberts, Stephanie Ryan, Mary Evans all with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors San Marcos, Texas

Richard Gonzales, Sidney Hernandez, Jennifer Lago, Kourtney Helle, Cindy Pena, Brittany Coppage, Gale Blakeman and Lindsey Martin all with Old Republic Title

Valerie Wilshire, Michelle Lebherz, Krista Wilson, Susan Taylor, Sonia Longoria, Amanda Kulow and Celeste Smith all with Independence Title Jene Rand, Pat Busby and Miguel Herrera all with Coldwell Banker

Kelsey Nichols with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors San Marcos,