Padre Island Housing Data – March 2022

April 16, 2022 By

The Local Real Estate Market prices moving up sharply this Spring 2022!
Corpus Christi Association of Realtors continues to show us the data that leans toward Prices Rising in median price homes while Inventory Has been Lowering the past month.

Days on the market for sale have decreased now to an average of 75 days on the market. 29.5% of all the sales in March were priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The Median Price of homes has risen additionally by 11.2% to a price of $395,000 compared to the same month in 2021. The market is certainly holding steady and it’s still a very good time to list your home with inventory still quite low and the spring buyers with cash are looking at getting in the market before Memorial Day.

Cheri Sperling is the owner of Coastline Properties with a dedicated team of agents specializing in residential listings, sales, and property management in the Padre Island real estate market. Coastline’s team is the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and an intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

 

Padre Island March 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-housing-report-march-2022

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, home maintenance, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors

National Donate Life Month

April 1, 2022 By

April is National Donate Life Month. This month is dedicated to educating and encouraging Americans to register as donors of organs, tissue, marrow, and blood. Donating is a generous act that saves thousands of lives annually.

Transplanting organs and tissue is one of the greatest and most successful medical procedures in the history of medicine. Organ transplantations offer patients a chance to give back to their families, friends, and communities. Your generosity can save as many as eight lives through organ donation, bring sight to others with cornea donations, and improve yet another 75 lives or more through tissue donation.

More than 40,000 lives were saved last year due to successful transplants. Organs that can be donated include the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, and intestines. Tissues that can be donated include arteries, bone marrow, eyes (corneas), cartilage, skin, soft tissue, veins, and heart valves and vessels. More than 106,000 men, women, and children are on the transplant waitlist currently. Furthermore, another person is added to the nation’s organ transplant waiting list every 9 minutes. To learn more information about organ donation and transplantation, please visit: https://www.organdonor.gov/.

Anyone can sign up to be a donor despite your age and medical history. In Texas, you can sign up to be a donor at https://www.donatelifetexas.org/register/. You can also sign up to be an organ donor when you apply or renew you Texas Driver’s license through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, too. Instructions to receive the Organ Donor designation on your Driver’s License can be found at https://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/organ-donor.php.

Another way to give is by donating blood. Blood donors save many lives every year. In our community, more than 120 people a day must donate blood to maintain the blood supply in the ten-county area served by the Coastal Bend Blood Center. To donate blood, you can find a location to donate blood at http://www.coastalbendbloodcenter.org. To learn more information about blood donation, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office.  Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

  Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces County (Part).  He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672

Filed Under: Hurricane Aide, Hurricane Hanna, Hurricane Relief, property taxes, spring cleaning, Todd Hunter, windstorm insurance

Padre Island Housing Data – February 2022

March 25, 2022 By

The Local Real Estate Market continues to stay in a very positive direction with prices!
The Coastline Team along with the Corpus Christi Association of Realtors continues to keep a sharp eye on market conditions…The 2 notable areas we continue to watch are the decrease in inventory, and a standard 30-year rate fixed mortgage now up a little over 1.5% from the start of the year averaging 4.56% according to BankRate.com

Days on the market for sale have increased now to an average of 103 days on the market. 41.8% of all the sales in January were priced between $200,000 – $399,999. The Median Price of homes has risen additionally by 8.3% to a price of $390,000. The market is certainly holding steady and it’s still a very good time to list your home with inventory still quite low and the spring buyers are already out looking.

Cheri Sperling is the owner of Coastline Properties with a dedicated team of agents specializing in residential listings, sales, and property management in the Padre Island real estate market. Coastline’s team is the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and an intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

 

Padre Island February 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-housing-report-jan-2022

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, home maintenance, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, property taxes, realtors, selling a home, spring break, spring cleaning

BBB Business: Cybersecurity Tips

March 17, 2022 By

BBB Business Tip: The top 5 cybersecurity practices every small business needs to do now

Cybercrime is a big problem for small businesses, and it’s only getting worse. According to McAfee Enterprise and FireEye’s latest report, Cybercrime in a Pandemic World: The Impact of COVID-19, 81% of global organizations have experienced increased cyber threats since the onset of the pandemic, and in 2020, the cost of cybercrimes reached approximately $4.2 billion, with small businesses being a popular target.

Another study revealed that 88% of small business owners felt their businesses was vulnerable to a cyberattack, stating they didn’t believe they had enough resources to protect themselves adequately.

The good news? You can take measures to protect your small business, and you should do so promptly.

Cybersecurity threats are on the rise

According to recent research from Accenture, companies experienced an average of 270 cyberattacks in 2021, a 31% increase from 2020. Of these 270 attacks, which included unauthorized access of data, applications, services, networks, or devices, 29 were successful, compared to an average of 22 successful attacks in 2020.

These numbers reflect the broader trend of an increasingly unsafe world. As technology advances and becomes more interconnected, cyberattacks are becoming more difficult to defend against, resulting in more and more small businesses becoming the victims of cybercrime.

Some of the trending cybersecurity concerns that experts say to be aware of in 2022 include:

  • Ransomware
  • Security holes in cloud-based systems, like email and online platforms
  • Advanced Persistent Threats (APT)
  • High-profile IoT (internet of things) hacks
  • Increased attacks on work-from-home computers/networks due to unpatched systems and architecture weaknesses
  • Social-engineering scams
  • Increased attacks on organizations’ supply chains

The only way to protect your small business from cybercrime is to take preventative action. Cybersecurity is no longer an option – it’s a necessity. It’s time to gather your team and develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy for your small business.

Five cybersecurity practices every small business needs to follow 

Cyberattacks are a constant threat to businesses of all sizes. Small businesses are particularly susceptible to data breaches and cyberattacks because they are not always equipped with the proper tools and resources to combat these threats. However, there are still some valuable steps you can take to protect your business. Here are five cybersecurity practices every small business should implement right away:

Train all employees in cybersecurity best practices

One of the most critical security measures for small businesses is training all employees on the best cybersecurity practices. This ensures that your employees understand the risks associated with accessing company data and systems, and it provides them with the knowledge and tools necessary to protect themselves from cybercrime.

To effectively educate your employees, provide them with clear cybersecurity policies that outline the risks, the defenses in place and the steps they can take to protect themselves. You can also offer formal cybersecurity training programs to ensure they are up to date on the latest threats and solutions.

Implement role-based access control (RBAC)

One of the most effective ways to protect your data and systems from cyberattacks is implementing role-based access control (RBAC). RBAC allows you to assign specific permissions to different employees based on their role in the company, controlling who has access to what data.

For instance, you can grant certain employees access to the company’s email system, and grant others access to the company’s digital sales platform. This ensures that employees only have access to the systems and data required to do their job.

This also prevents employees from accessing sensitive data that they don’t need, which reduces their risk of becoming a victim of data theft.

Initiate automated remote backup and data recovery

Protecting data is one of the most crucial cybersecurity practices for small businesses. One of the best ways to protect your data from cyberattacks is by initiating automated remote backup and data recovery, which allows you to store an extra copy of your data offsite in a secure location.

An automated remote backup and data recovery solution not only safeguards your data from cyberattacks, but it also provides you with the ability to restore your data in the event of a data breach.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

MFA requires users to provide additional information to prove their identity when accessing company data and systems beyond just their username and password. This additional information may include a code texted to your mobile device, a thumbprint, etc.

MFA makes it significantly more difficult for cybercriminals to access your data and systems, providing an added layer of security if a cybercriminal circumvents your password. While MFA used to stop at two-factor authentication, it now typically involves several steps to ensure the person trying to gain access is who they claim to be.

Secure your Wi-Fi networks

Finally, one of the most crucial cybersecurity practices for small businesses is properly securing your Wi-Fi networks to ensure your employees are connecting to a safe network when they access the internet through your business.

You can secure your Wi-Fi networks by using a VPN to encrypt internet traffic that passes through, using a firewall to block cybercriminals and using a host intrusion prevention system (HIPS) to detect and block cyberattacks.

For more tips on how to maximize small business cybersecurity, visit BBB.org/Cybersecurity.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, COVID-19 Virus, cybersecurity, property taxes, Real Time MLS, Retail Tax, Scam Alert

Padre Island Ready For Spring Break 2022

March 6, 2022 By

Thousands Expected to Visit Area Attractions and Beaches March 5 to March 20

Thousands of visitors are expected to visit area attractions and beaches over Spring Break 2022, according to the city of Corpus Christi.
The Gulf beaches will be patrolled by lifeguards in mobile units. To be mindful of surf and rip current conditions, visitors should watch and follow the flag warning system. All Gulf beach access roads are marked with flags.
From Zahn Road to Newport Pass, a lane for emergency vehicles will be built on the Gulf coastline.
For underage drinking and DWI enforcement, the Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) will set up an Island command center and deploy patrol units on the beach.

Aquarius Street and other critical intersections along Park Road 22, such as Whitecap Boulevard, Commodores Drive, and State Highway, will be monitored by the CCPD. Motorists are urged to leave early for their trip because delays are possible.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has restored the I-37 northbound Labonte Park exit ramp, removing the requirement for a northbound diversion to get to the park.
The SH 358 (South Padre Island Drive) Ramp Reversal Project will stop lane closures for Spring Break in an effort to decrease traffic congestion during the holiday.

The Port Aransas ferry operations will operate at full capacity and are prepared to respond to any surge in late-night traffic. For the latest information and wait times, visit https://twitter.com/PortA_Ferry.

City parks, swimming pools (Collier Pool and Natatorium) will be open with free admission.

Stay connected by visiting Facebook @citygov and Twitter @cityofcc.

Filed Under: Barefoot Mardi Gras, BeachWalk Development, corpus christi, Holiday Parties, spring break, spring cleaning, Water Exchange Bridge

Top workplace trends for 2022

February 25, 2022 By

BBB Business Tip: 

Small business owners understand better than anyone the impact that COVID-19 has had on the daily workplace. In an instant, millions of jobs went remote in 2020, and remote working continued to be the norm in 2021. When offices and businesses began to reopen, the Great Resignation of 2021 occurred. Many employees chose to remain at home or move to new cities, leaving business owners to fill in the gaps as best as possible.

So, what will 2022 bring to the workplace? Here are some of the trends that are expected to define the daily workplace in the coming year and beyond.

Hybrid or remote work

Even though many Americans have been vaccinated against COVID-19, many businesses continue with a remote or hybrid approach to work whenever possible. According to WeWork, approximately four out of five C-suite executives approve of employees splitting time between the office and remote work, and for a good reason. Location-agnostic work has allowed employees greater freedom and control when balancing multiple responsibilities. Remote work means saving money on overhead costs for business owners, from office space to coffee supplies.

With the stress of the pandemic and a high rate of burnout wearing on the workforce, some companies may let their employees continue to log in from home in 2022. Others may experiment with a hybrid framework that brings workers into the office a couple of days a week.

Focus on centralized communication

Work teams are now distributed across different time zones and continents, making centralized communication essential. With instant messaging, email and other forms of communication popping up all day, some workers may be experiencing communication overload. Focusing on centralized communication can cut through the noise and increase productivity.

A survey by ReportLinker shows that workers feel pressured to respond to instant messaging, which disrupts their workflow. When instant messaging became the primary way to communicate at work, this pressure became even more apparent. Centralized communication through email or more sophisticated software and video tools can resolve this conflict.

According to a recent McKinsey report, connected employees experience a 20-25% increase in productivity, which is done through the implementation of social tools that enhance communication and collaboration.

Prioritizing workplace wellbeing

It’s hard to define workplace wellbeing when many employees work remotely. Now, the kitchen table often doubles as an office place. Sitting in uncomfortable furniture, extending work hours and removing the boundary between work and home can place undue stress on workers’ personal and professional lives.

Addressing workplace wellness in your small business includes keeping workers comfortable and productive while working remotely. It also involves enforcing the importance of work-life balance.

A 2021 Wellable Employee Wellness Industry Trends Report reveals that 88% of employers invest more in mental health initiatives. The survey also enumerates other ways companies are investing in workplace wellness, whether that workplace is a home, an office or a retail store:

  • Telemedicine – 87% of employers
  • Stress management/resilience – 81% of employers
  • Meditation and mindfulness – 69% of employers

These results indicate that employers have recognized the need to support employees in traditional workplaces and their homes. Workplace wellness will remain critical in 2022, and watch for more programs geared towards wellness and how it relates to recruitment and retention to emerge in the coming years.

Hyperfocus on employee retention

As a business owner, you are likely wondering if the Great Resignation will continue in 2022. To keep their employees on board, many companies are focusing more on retention efforts. These efforts are essential, as 73% of surveyed workers were considering quitting their jobs, according to Joblist, underlining the importance of understanding what motivates workers and how to keep them satisfied to avoid losing them to the competition.

Some ways companies can revitalize their retention strategies include:

  • Implement or continue using performance reviews to give and solicit feedback
  • Implement career development strategies, including succession plans for employees looking to grow in their current role
  • Encourage employees to take time off to recharge

Human resources personnel and small business owners can also directly ask employees what would make their work or workplace more inviting.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are more critical than ever, with approximately 79% of companies planning to increase their DEI budgets in 2022, per a Traliant report. Companies that emphasize inclusivity and innovation make every employee feel respected and valued. According to a recent Glassdoor survey, 76% of job searchers want diversity in the workplace.

Inclusivity efforts may require you to honestly assess where your organization currently stands. Then, you can create a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that your current and future workers will value.

Keep up with current trends with help from BBB

Keeping workers productive and healthy in the office, warehouse, or at home is just one of the ways small businesses can keep up with the latest trends in 2022. Furthermore, businesses can prevent communication overload by centralizing communication, and they can improve employee retention by providing clear career development paths. Following these trends can improve morale and help small businesses recruit new team members in the coming year.

In addition to following these workplace trends in 2022, it’s also helpful to understand the trends that will drive small business growth in the coming year and beyond.

For more business tips to make the most out of 2022, visit BBB.org/SmallBusiness.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, corpus christi business, corpus christi jobs, Local Food, Packery Channel, Restaurants, Scam Alert, spring break

Padre Island Housing Data – January 2022

February 13, 2022 By

The Local Real Estate Market has started the year off in a positive direction with prices!
As we monitor the market closely…The 2 notable areas to watch are the amount of inventory nearing lows, and a standard 30-year rate fixed mortgage up a little over 1% from last month as we eagerly await the FED’s decision by end of the 1st quarter regarding tapering and its possible impact on market conditions.

Days on the market for sale have decreased to an average of 68 days on the market. 39% of all the sales in January were priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The Median Price of homes has risen substantially by 23.6% to a price of $370,000. The market is certainly holding steady and it’s still a decent time to list your home with inventory still quite low and the spring buyers are already out looking.

Cheri Sperling is the owner of Coastline Properties with a dedicated team of agents specializing in residential listings, sales, and property management in the Padre Island real estate market. Coastline’s team is the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and an intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

 

Padre Island January 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-housing-report-jan-2022

Filed Under: Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, home maintenance, Local Schools, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home

It’s 2022, but what’s in? New vs. Existing Homes

February 5, 2022 By

Padre Island Corpus Christi

….started developing in the 70’s, and with numerous projects including a new water exchange bridge and a marina, the island is becoming the most valuable real estate in the city. It seems like building your dream home has been on the upward trend. But what are the advantages of an existing home? A buyer has one of two options: Embrace the new or embrace the existing. Here are some variables that outline the pros of each!

Character and Uniqueness

New: Build the character that you want! Do you like the bay windows of a Victorian, the half-timbering of a Tudor, and a central chimney of a Colonial home? You have the liberty to mix and match!

Existing: You get true history, vintage hardware, and maybe a hidden crawl space! Personality shines through, as this house is less likely to look like your neighbors.

Bang for your buck

New: If you’re building, you can choose which materials to splurge on, and where to cut costs. Go for brick on the exterior, but laminate floors on the interior. If a huge crystal chandelier in your entry reigns supreme, consider offsetting your must-haves with less expensive detailing in other areas.

Existing: You can often get a larger, older home for less per square foot than you might pay in a new home. Looking to gain a little profit? Flip it!

Quality Craftsmanship

New: Builders have fine-tuned their skills and in a timely manner! The average 3-bedroom house can go up in about 4-5 months. Here, you can get efficiency, and have it done quickly.

Existing: In years past, craftsmanship was an art and materials are more likely to be the real deal: Brick, hardwood floors, custom molding.

Desirable Location

New: You have options! Keep in mind, acting fast is important as there are fewer and fewer lots to buy, or houses to renovate or demolish. With the right vision and plan, you can have the location of your dreams.

Existing: More times than not, the fabulous locations were snatched up a long time ago. Location, location, location. You’ve heard it a thousand times. But that’s because it’s important! Here on Padre Island, the first homes built probably have the best views and the biggest lots.

Test of Time

New: You don’t have to wonder how previous owners treated the property. If you maintain your home and property, it is probably going to last you a very long time. The ball is in your courtyard!

Existing: If the home is still standing, something was done right! This goes hand in hand with the craftsmanship. If properly built, that house will last to see many generations play capture the flag and to host decades of turkey dinners.

Landscaping

New: You have a blank canvas! Plant the trees, bushes, and flowers that you want to see grow over the years. Prefer the maintenance-free kind of yard? Rock out with a rock garden.

Existing: Mature landscaping can be a huge advantage to buyers and sellers. It takes many years for trees to grow big! The older the home, the bigger the trees. They provide privacy, shade, curb appeal, and heck, they can even increase the value of the home!

Grandfather Clauses

New: Your home will be up-to-date with all the most recent requirements.

Existing: When a new zoning ordinance or code comes into effect, these older homes will likely be granted a grandfather clause, meaning they are not in violation of the law. For instance, you may be given a grandfathered rate of flood insurance in a place where the risk of flood has since increased. Always ask about grandfather clauses on an older property – you may be pleasantly surprised by what advantages you have over your neighbors!

There is so much to consider, and lots of options awaiting you on Padre Island. Best of luck in your adventures!

Filed Under: Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, North Padre Island Beaches, Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi Tagged With: ,

3 Things To Think About Before You Sell

January 15, 2022 By

It’s exciting to put your house on the market. It can also be nerve-wracking. How do you make sense of all the options and decisions? There are a few things to bear in mind:

Is it Time and Money Well Spent?

Be aware that you may not be able to recoup all of your remodeling costs when you sell your home with a remodeled 1970’s style bathroom for exampe. Some remodeling decisions, such as using out-of-style materials, make it more difficult to sell a home. Other improvements may be required to attract any reasonable offers. Additional considerations include the condition of surrounding homes for sale, the home’s price range, and whether current market conditions favor buyers or sellers.

What Benefits Every Household

It pays to keep your home clean, uncluttered, appealing, and free of small annoyances, regardless of its size, age, price, or location. A fresh coat of paint and a few potted plants go a long way toward making a good first impression. Sticking doors, an overgrown yard, or dripping faucets, on the other hand, can turn buyers off before they ever give your property a chance.

Don’t Mistake the Importance of This

Your asking price is perhaps the most crucial issue. A figure that is too high may discourage offers and leave the property unsold, while a number that is too low may create a bidding battle that drives offers higher than you ever imagined. Elements outside your control may also dictate price, such as market conditions and time constraints to sell.

Your REALTOR® is the trusted professional who can guide you through the entire process of selling your home.

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, home maintenance, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, realtors, rentals, selling a home, spring cleaning

Padre Island Housing Data – Dec 2021

January 11, 2022 By

WHAT DO SUPPLY AND DEMAND TELL US ABOUT TODAY’S HOUSING MARKET?

There’s a well-known economic theory – the law of supply and demand. Elevated demand persisted as homes averaged roughly one month on the market and after multiple offers coming in. When demand for an item is high, prices rise. When the supply of the item increases, prices fall. Of course, when demand is VERY HIGH and supply is VERY LOW, prices can rise significantly.

If you’re waiting to enter the market because you’re expecting prices to drop, you may end up paying more in the long run. Even if price increases occur at a slower rate this coming year, prices are still projected to rise. That means the property of your dreams will likely cost even more in 2022.
The bottom line is, high demand and very low supply on Padre Island are what’s driving property prices in today’s real estate market. And while prices may increase at a slower pace in the coming months, experts still expect them to rise.

If you’re a potential real estate buyer, connect with your trusted REALTOR today to discuss what that could mean for you if you wait even longer. It’s a seller’s market and they feel if you don’t buy their property, the next one will.

Cheri Sperling is the owner of Coastline Properties with a dedicated team of agents specializing in residential listings, sales, and property management in the Padre Island real estate market. Coastline’s team is the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and an intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

Padre Island December 2021 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-housing-report-dec-2021

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, home maintenance, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, rentals
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