Design Trends in 2021

January 7, 2021 By

destrends2016

“This home is so ’70s.” How many times have we heard a home identified by a year based on its appearance and finishes? Well, 2021 will be no different, as fun and fresh designs are sure to be trending.

Outdoors, Indoors

Here on the Island, we practically live outdoors most of the year! Designs are beginning to recognize this. Homeowners are working on bringing the outside in with things like plants, and double doors, and also purchasing furniture that can be used both indoors and out. Create a fluid space where the indoor outdoor living concept is seamless.

Geometric Tiles

Tile backsplashes aren’t a new concept, but what we expect to see in 2021 are using the tiles to create more geometric patterns that feature fluid movement. New materials for this are coming onto the scene such as cement and wood. Whether it is a backsplash, an intricately patterned floor or a countertop, fluid geometry is eye-catching and coming in strong this year.

White Appliances

With so many homeowners going with the trending white cabinets, white appliances just blend right in. Also, many are becoming tired of the maintenance from the marks and handprints that are so evident and inevitable that show up on stainless steel appliances. Try Ice White from Whirlpool. Slate kitchen appliances can also bring a classic and modern look and are gaining momentum.

Metallics, Metals, and Minerals

All trends come back around, and the 1950s and 1970s are hot fashion trends in 2019, and this will also translate to the home. Gold and metallic finishes are exceedingly popular right now. Retro bling, shine, and polished geodes will rock your home (pun intended). Accessorize with oversized bowls of fools gold, big chunks of quartz, or even unpolished semi-precious stones turned into door pulls. Go au natural!

Chevron is Out

Herringbone, Chevron, Zig-Zag, the fun and often colorful pattern was so 2020. If you are still a fan of it, try putting it in easily removable ways, such as an area rug or throw blanket. Don’t stick it up on a large wall. Instead, try solid-colored, textured fabrics, or even animal hide is in!

Bye Brass

Brass hardware is one design element that almost immediately outdates a home. Hardware is one incredibly easy and inexpensive way to update! To replace brass hardware or other knobs, be sure to choose a size that will cover the “footprint” of whatever is currently installed. For 2021, try brushed or satin nickel hardware. Magic.

Fake Wall Treatments

Solids are back. 2021 interior design approaches emphasize authenticity. The prevalent use of natural materials (back to minerals, above) goes back to midcentury modern design. That means it may be time to get rid of the fake wall treatments such as Tuscan paint finishes and marbled columns. Use a solid paint! It’s chic, clean, and IN.

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, home maintenance, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home, spring cleaning, Upper Padre Island

Padre Island Housing Report – November 2020

December 21, 2020 By

3 Trends seem to be driving this fast-paced market!
Low inventory, bidding wars, and cheap mortgage rates are giving home buyers a sense of FOMA – fear of missing out – and heating up the competition.

To our surprise, the housing market has not only recovered but roared past pre-pandemic levels. Mortgage rates remain at record lows. Pending home sales are up over 20% from a year ago and the buyer traffic is up over 32% which ups the mortgage applications as well. This winter may be the best
ever for the housing market.

Days on the market for sale has decreased to an average of 78 days on the market. 45.4% of all the sales in November were priced between $200,000 – $399,999. Closed Sales were up a whopping 109.4% in the month of September. The market is certainly remaining strong with the interest rates still holding it’s a great time to find that dream home you have been waiting for or cash out that equity. We would be glad to navigate you to success!

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 November 2020 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

 


padre-island-housing-report-september-2020

Filed Under: Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, North Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors

Padre Island Updates from Greg Smith, District 4

December 11, 2020 By

One of the important issues facing the Island is Short Term Rentals of homes.  Currently, Corpus Christi does not have an ordinance addressing STR’s as they are growing in popularity across the nation and particularly on the Island.  The Island Strategic Action Committee that advises Council has set up a subcommittee that has been meeting for recommendations and will address STR’s in their December meeting.  The PIPOA has sent out a questionnaire to homeowners for their input with a December 1 deadline.  The advice that the City Council receives from both of these organizations will have a significant impact on the City’s direction on any ordinance addressing short-term rentals.

After sixteen years it’s happening, the Water Exchange Bridge is under construction.  It has been quite a saga and one that came down to the wire.  When first proposed in 2004 the project was strictly water exchange consisting of large culverts that would not have allowed boat passage but would have had significant water movement that would greatly improve the water quality in the main canals.  As time went on plans were changed to elevating the bridge providing boat, golf cart and pedestrian access to both sides of the road.  To protect taxpayers from a “Bridge to Nowhere” it has been the City’s position that the canal should be dug first or monies escrowed.  This was reinforced by the original developer’s financial and legal issues on the adjacent property.  In 2017 the City bid the project contingent on the canal being built or sufficient funds escrowed to build it.  Twice the contract was extended to allow more time for the developers to come through on their side.  Then in 2019, the bridge was bid again with a six-month notice to proceed clause that allowed time for the canal to be built.  Part of the agreement was when the canal was substantially complete the City would issue a notice to proceed for construction.  The months kept passing by and still no activity on the Canal.  Finally, the dirt began to fly and one day before the contract was set to expire I walked the site with Peter Zanoni, the City Manager and he declared the canal digging substantially complete.  The rest is history and the bridge is on the way.

When the water exchange bridge is complete expect to see a complete change in the water quality in the main canals.  Currently, there is little to no circulation, creating oxygen-deprived, warm, stagnant water body hence the need for aerators operated by the PIPOA.  About 2/3 of the time water is coming in the Packery from the Gulf of Mexico.  The circulation pattern in the Bay causes some of the flow in from the Gulf to return through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel.  The result will be cleaner, higher oxygen levels and cooler water in the canals with the majority of water flow from the Gulf rather than the Laguna Madre.

Another issue the City is tackling is improving our air service.  With new executive leadership at the CVB and Airport the City is now actively soliciting airlines to add direct flights to destinations other than Houston and Dallas.  Management met with eleven airlines last month in Denver and was favorably received. An important part of this initiative is to change our culture from Corpus Christi being a “drive market” to promoting us also a fly destination with an emphasis on our Gulf Beaches.  This is a complete change in how we operated in the past.  With this alteration our airport is already outpacing other airports in these Covid ravaged times.  This bodes well for the future as we adjust to the pandemic.

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, corpus christi business, corpus christi city council, North Padre Island, Todd Hunter, Water Exchange Bridge

Common Holiday Scams

November 19, 2020 By

BBB Column

The holiday season is here! Although the pandemic will certainly change how we prepare, consumers are still planning to shop and celebrate. Unfortunately, scammers are also ready for the holidays. With your mind on finding the perfect gifts and best deals, they hope you won’t be watching for fraud. Use these tips from your Better Business Bureau to avoid common holiday scams this year:

Seasonal employment scams.

Many companies and industries hire extra employees during the holidays to help with increased business. This is a perfect opportunity for scammers to put out fake help wanted ads. Use these tips to stay safe while looking for seasonal job opportunities:

  • Know the signs. Being aware of the red flags of employment scams can help you avoid them. Employers asking for upfront payment for a job, job offers without interviews and big money for small jobs are all major signs of employment scams.
  • Don’t work before you’re hired. A legitimate company will not ask you to begin a project before hiring you. Before starting any work, ask for an offer letter or for confirmation in writing. This should include details about the job and compensation.

Hot Toy Scams

Each year, a few toys are more popular than the rest, and when they begin to sell out in stores, parents look elsewhere to find them. They might find a legitimate-looking website that claims to have them, maybe even on sale! Unfortunately, after purchasing the toy, it never arrives, and they discover the website and offers were fake. These tips can keep your wallet safe when searching for this year’s hot toys:

  • Buy from reputable retailers. Buying directly from stores, in-person and online, that you know and trust is the best way to avoid being scammed. You can go to their business profile on bbb.org to find their rating and customer reviews. Also, be sure their website has valid customer service information.
  • Watch for extra-low prices. Unreasonably low prices and discounts are often red flags of a scam. Remember, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Delivery Scams

Delivery scams and package theft can take several forms. They may be phishing emails from scammers posing as the delivery company, or fake “missed delivery” tags, which attempt to get your personal information. Some consumers find that packages are stolen off their doorstep before they arrive home from work. To avoid these situations, use these tips:

  • Take precautions. If you are having a fragile or valuable item delivered, purchase shipping insurance. You can also track packages, or request that a signature be required for the package to be delivered.
  • Watch for emails about missed deliveries. Most legitimate delivery services leave a missed delivery notice on your door. An email could be a phishing scam.

Have safe and happy holidays, from everyone at BBB serving the Heart of Texas!

 

Filed Under: chamber of commerce, Charities, Holiday Parties, Local Food, Scam Alert

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Fall to New Low: 2.78%

November 9, 2020 By

freddie-mac-rates-november-2020

For the 12th time this year, mortgage rates have hit a record low. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to an average of 2.78%, the lowest ever recorded in Freddie Mac’s books dating back to 1971.

Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, attributed the record-low rates this week to “economic and political ambiguity.”

“Despite the uncertainty that we’ve all experienced this year,” he said, “the housing market, buoyed by low rates, continues to be a bright spot.”

Consumers are saving much more than they were before the rise of the pandemic—nearly 14% of their disposable income, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Personal income also rose 6% in September compared to a year earlier. “With people saving more than ever before, home buying is more attractive, although home prices continue to rise,” writes Nadia Evangelou, a research economist, on NAR’s Economists’ Outlook blog. “Meanwhile, these ultra-low mortgage rates significantly lower mortgage payments, making housing more affordable than a year earlier in many areas.”

For example, in the Washington, D.C., metro area, home prices have jumped nearly 12% compared to a year earlier, Evangelou says. However, due to low mortgage rates, the monthly payment on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is lower than a year ago, averaging $1,820.

The housing market is also getting a boost from an improving job market. This week’s labor market report showed that the U.S. added another 638,000 in net job gains. The unemployment rate now stands at 6.9%. Since the April lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic, about 12.1 million jobs have been recovered. Another 10 million jobs are needed to return to pre-pandemic levels, says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. Residential construction and contracting trades added a major bulk of the jobs last month at 23,800, Yun says.

Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending Nov. 5:

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: Averaged 2.78%, with an average 0.7 point, falling from last week’s 2.81% average. The previous all-time low for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was set in October with an average of 2.80%. A year ago, 30-year rates averaged 3.69%.
  • 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: Averaged 2.32%, with an average 0.6 point, unchanged from last week. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 3.13%.
  • 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: Averaged 2.89%, with an average 0.3 point, rising slightly from last week’s 2.88% average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 3.39%.

Freddie Mac reports average commitment rates along with points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage.

Reported by Realtor Magazine

Filed Under: Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Mortgages, Padre Island Business Association, property taxes, realtors, selling a home

National Government Related Impostor Scams

October 25, 2020 By

BBB Column

It is no secret that COVID-19 has brought confusion along with concern. This confusion provides opportunities for scammers to target consumers in new, creative ways. A recent study from BBB shows that reports on government impostor scams have decreased, but the pandemic has allowed for these scams to take new forms that may be more difficult to recognize. From posing as CDC officials to preying on CARES funds, impostors are once again taking advantage of trying times.

A recent survey from AARP showed that 44% of people in the U.S. have been contacted by someone posing as a government employee. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also reports $450 million dollars lost to government impostor scams since 2015. Last year, reports of scammers posing as IRS agents dropped, while scammers posing as Social Security Administration (SSA) employees quadrupled.

In 2019, Texans submitted 10% of Scam Tracker reports on government impostor scams. And while reports are decreasing nationally, Texas has seen an increase of 35% in the first six months of 2020 over all of 2019. Recognizing these scams can be crucial to Texans’ financial safety.

Different versions of this scam may include promises of a fake government grant, and the grant “winner” simply needs to pay a fee or provide personal information. Then, the scammer disappears, and the grant never arrives. In other versions, the scammer calls victims pretending to be from the IRS or SSA, claiming there is unpaid money and the consumer will be arrested until they pay off the debt in full. Government impostors often use fear tactics to pressure people into acting quickly, and spoof caller ID to appear legitimate.

Government impostor scams can be costly and reporting them is an important factor in preventing them for others. Use this information from your Better Business Bureau on how to properly report government fraud:

  • IRS: The Internal Revenue Service advises people to fill out the “IRS Impersonation Scam” form on the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Impersonation’s website, tigta.gov.
  • Social Security: The Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration (SSA IG) has its own online form to take complaints about frauds impersonating the SSA.
  • Federal Trade Commission: Contact the FTC at 877-FTC-HELP or ftc.gov.
  • Internet Crime Complaint Center: Reach the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov/complaint.
  • Cellphone carrier: which may offer free services such as scam call identification and blocking, ID monitoring, a second phone number to give out to businesses so you can use your main number for close friends or a new number if you get too many spam calls.
  • BBB Scam Tracker: File a report on BBB.org/ScamTracker to let others in your area know to watch for this scam.

Visit us at BBB.org/FakeGov to view the full report.

Filed Under: chamber of commerce, Charities, property taxes, Retail Tax, Scam Alert

Padre Island Housing Report – September 2020

October 13, 2020 By

With the Close of September, the median sale price on residential homes was 270,000 which is a decrease of 9.1% here on Padre Island compared to last year at this time.

Lots of Island Developments are on the move now, and the preliminary signage for the new Park Road 22 bridge has been posted and we are about to see our Island start making headlines across the state of Texas.

Days on the market for sale has decreased to an average of 78 days on the market. 36.5% of all the sales in September were priced between $200,000 – $299,999. Closed Sales were up an incredible 16.4% in the month of September. The market has cooled off a bit with school starting up, there are still some great bargains out there, and with the interest rates still holding it’s a great time to find that dream home you have been waiting for.

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 September 2020 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

 


padre-island-housing-report-september-2020

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, home maintenance, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home

Padre/Mustang Island Area Development Plan Online

October 9, 2020 By

Welcome to the Padre/Mustang Island Area Development Plan Online Open House!

Click on the Image Below to get involved and have your voice regarding the future plans for our community. This public input to collect all responses will be available until midnight on October 15th, 2020.



Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, chamber of commerce, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi business, Local Schools, mustang island, North Padre Island Marina, Packery Channel, Padre Island Business Association, padre island events, Padre Isles POA

CONSEQUENTIALLY CONTINGENT

September 22, 2020 By

22869326 - coming to an agreement through negotiation illustrated by three road or street signs with the words you want, i want, negotiate

The C word – it’s not well understood, so it’s not well liked. But, we should no longer feel the need to whisper it only in dark shadows after certain hours. Unless you’re a first-time home buyer or have been renting, there’s a chance you’ll need to sell your home before purchasing a new one. And the safest way for a buyer to do this is through a contingency. Let it be known, this is a beautiful risk and has pretty perks, so for those of you who see the glass half full, this one’s for you. For the rest, as they say, pour your liquid into a smaller cup and no longer fear this scenario.

 

What does it Mean?

By definition, it means a future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty. In real estate, this clause defines a condition or action that must be met in order for a real estate contract to become binding (as aforementioned, with a home sale contingency in place, the transaction is dependent upon the sale of the buyer’s home). The contingency becomes part of a binding sales contract when both parties agree to the terms and sign the contract.

Why is it Risky?

To Sellers: the main risk is that there is no guarantee that the home will sell. Before agreeing to a contingency, a seller may want to do their due diligence, for instance: is the home already for sale, is the list price attractive, what’s the sales time for homes in the neighborhood.

To Buyers: Buyers must still spend the same amount of money on home inspections, repair negotiations, appraisal fee (to name a few) and the buyer does not get these monies back if the deal falls through due to their property not selling on time. Also, because sellers are taking a gamble of sorts of the buyers ability to sell their current property, buyers need to make their offer as attractive as possible so that the seller will consider this risk.
What are the Benefits?

To Sellers: One major benefit is that the home can continue to be shown, and the seller can continue to receive offers. If the seller accepts a written offer, the seller is required to notify the buyer of such acceptance.  Per the contract, the buyer has a specified amount of time (say, 2-3 days) to either remove the contingency and put down additional earnest money, or the contract terminates automatically and the earnest money is refunded to the buyer. A home sale contingency might also be a good thing if the seller has had the property on the market for a while and is unable to find a buyer. A contract with a contingency is still a contract, and there is a chance that the property will sell.

To Buyers: A home sale contingency gives buyers the opportunity to not miss out on the home they want, while allowing them time to sell their property. This way, buyers can avoid owning two homes and holding two mortgages at one time while waiting for their own home to sell. A home sale contingency can allow the buyer to sell their property with peace of mind knowing their next purchase is already in motion.
Why is it Misunderstood?

Many may only see the risks and not truly understand the benefits. Home sale contingencies protect buyers who want to sell one home before purchasing another. Upon receiving or writing a contract involving a contingency, it is important to review and understand the terms of the sale. This is something your real estate agent should be able to explain in detail to you. Fear not the world of contingencies, as knowledge is power!

 

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, selling a home

Padre Island Housing Report – August 2020

September 7, 2020 By

At The End of August, the median sale price on residential homes was 335,000 which is an increase of 17.1% over last month here on Padre Island compared to last year at this time.

We are still trucking along here with many developments either under construction or set to go. The last round of approved funding was committed for the new Park Road 22 Bridge which is set to begin construction shortly.

Days on the market for sale has decreased to an average of 91 days on the market. 29.2% of all the sales in August were priced between $200,000 – $299,999. Closed Sales were up an incredible 69% in the month of August. The market is absolutely scorching right now, there are still some great bargains out there and with the interest rates still holding its a great time to find that dream home you have been waiting for.

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 August 2020 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

 


padre-island-housing-report-august-2020

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, Real Time MLS, realtors
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