Hurricane Season 2020

June 25, 2020 By

Hurricane season began June 1, and forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting above-normal hurricane activity in 2020, which means there could be three to six major hurricanes this year. With towns along the coast, Texas may face the storms head-on.

Hurricane season brings not only climate concerns but scammers as well. In the home repair business, “storm chasers” are untrustworthy contractors that travel to areas impacted by severe weather and go door to door offering to repair damage for low prices. Then, after receiving payment upfront, these storm chasers either leave without starting the projects or only partially complete it.

Along with the usual concerns associated with hurricane season, 2020 brings a new challenge in the form of COVID-19. NOAA warns that the pandemic can affect your ability to prepare for incoming hurricanes. Use these tips from the National Weather Service (NWS) and your Better Business Bureau to prepare for hurricane season and storm chasers:

  • Check your insurance policy. Checking your insurance before a storm hits can save you time and stress later. Contact your insurance agent to review what your policy covers and if you need more coverage. You should also take a detailed inventory of items in your home to make any necessary claims process more efficient.
  • Create a disaster kit. In the event of a severe hurricane, power may be lost, or roads shut down. Create a kit with bottled water, flashlights, batteries and nonperishable foods. Make sure your kit includes supplies for pets and infants, as well as prescription medications. Visit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at ready.gov/kit for a full list of disaster kit supplies.
  • Prepare your home. Minimize damage by tying or weighing down any items that could get blown away in strong winds. Cover windows and doors with impact-resistant shutters. You should also prepare an evacuation plan with your family in the event you need to leave your home.
  • Watch for storm chasers. After a storm hits and damage has been assessed, be wary of contractors going door to door in your area. Storm chasers often use high-pressure tactics, like offering a great deal that is only available that day. Ask any contractor that comes to your door for references or visit BBB.org to find trustworthy businesses to repair damage to your home or property.
  • Plan ahead. Because of COVID-19, supplies may be low and evacuation plans may need to be adjusted. The sooner you begin preparing for hurricane season, the easier it will be to handle the aftermath.

You can’t control the weather, but you can prepare for it! Visit BBB.org to find trustworthy contractors and go to weather.gov/safety/hurricane for more on hurricane safety.

Filed Under: corpus christi city council, Hurricane Aide, Hurricane Relief, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, windstorm insurance

CARES Small Business Relief

June 5, 2020 By

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed into law with the intent of helping those financially impacted by COVID-19. Small businesses, such as local restaurants and retailers, have struggled due to consumers spending increased time at home. In addition to relief for American workers, employees, and families, the CARES Act provides assistance to small businesses.
While Texas has begun allowing businesses to reopen, the road to recovery will still take time. If your small business is looking to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the CARES Act, here’s the information to keep in mind:

• Paycheck Protection Program. This program provides small businesses with loans to fund employee payments, including benefits, for up to eight weeks. Certain nonprofits can also apply, and funds can be used for paying rent, utilities, and interest on mortgages. Qualifying businesses can also convert the loans to grants, meaning the money will not have to be repaid.

• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs). All businesses with fewer than 500 employees (or more than 500 for certain industries) are eligible to apply for EIDLs. This loan advance can provide up to $10,000 for successful applications, which does not have to be paid back. If your business submits a successful application, the funds will be available within days.

• Business tax changes. Under the CARES Act, certain changes were made for business taxes. These changes include eligibility for employee retention tax credits, delaying payroll tax payments, claiming corporate alternative minimum tax credits, and more. Consult your business’ tax consultant to see which changes apply to your business. If you do not have a consultant, go to BBB.org to find trustworthy tax professionals.

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). FFCRA makes changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and sick leave for businesses and their employees. Covered employers must provide up to 80 hours of paid leave to all employees unable to work due to personal quarantine or COVID-19 symptoms. Up to 80 hours at two-thirds of the regular pay rate are provided to those unable to work while caring for a relative due to COVID-19. You can visit the Department of Labor’s website to learn more details about FFCRA.

Small businesses are the heart of communities across America. Encouraging those in your life to shop and eat at small businesses is a great way to stimulate local economies, but the CARES Act strives to provide extra protection for business owners and their employees. Visit the Small Business Administration at SBA.gov to learn more about what CARES can do for your business, and go to BBB.org to search for trustworthy small businesses in your area.

Filed Under: chamber of commerce, corpus christi business, corpus christi jobs, Hurricane Aide

Padre Island Housing Report – April 2020

May 21, 2020 By

Sellers Are Holding Eager Buyers Back as State Reopens:

This pandemic doesn’t appear to be spooking some potential homebuyers away. Sporting masks and gloves, they’re beginning to preview homes in person. BUT it is home sellers who may be keeping them back, from what we’re seeing.

We’ve started finding buyers ready, willing, and able, and some sellers have been the ones who have pulled their properties, changed their minds – at this time.

Yes, you can see April new listings plunged through the week of May 2nd. It seems the number of properties on the market had kind of paused.

Many buyers increased their online looking of properties using virtual tools. Good real estate professionals stepped up offerings of 3D and virtual tours online as well as video walkthroughs in real-time to interested buyers. Real estate professionals would visit the properties and walk around the property over a live video chat with their interested buyer.

But, we believe as states start to reopen more so, more homebuyers may be wanting to see those properties in-person. They are willing to take proper steps to wear masks and definitely social distancing. Times are changing folks – and your true professionals are ready for you.

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 April 2020 Data (Click Pic below for PDF)


padre-island-housing-report-april-2020

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, COVID-19 Virus, Mortgages, realtors, selling a home

TWIA News 2020

May 6, 2020 By

did-you-know-pxbyTWIA NEWS…….

Windstorm Certificates of Compliance (WPI-8’s & WPI-8-Cs) are an important eligibility requirement for TWIA as well as some private insurance companies. The process for coastal property owners to certify completed structural improvements will change next month. The process to certify new and ongoing improvements will not change.

WHAT’S CHANGING?

Beginning June 1, 2020, the windstorm certification process, the process that produces a Certificate of Compliance (WP1-8), will be administered solely by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). At that time:

  • TWIA will stop accepting applications for Certificates of Compliance for completed improvements. • May 31, 2020 is the last day TWIA will accept applications for Certificates of Compliance. Paper applications mailed to TWIA must be postmarked on or before that date for them to be processed by TWIA. • TDI will begin issuing Certificates of Compliance for completed improvements. TOI will continue to issue Certificates of Compliance for new and ongoing improvements.

This change and effective date are required by legislation passed in 2019 by the Texas Legislature (Senate Bill 615 and House Bill 1900). HOW WILL THIS BENEFIT PROPERTY OWNERS? TD1 already administers the Windstorm Inspection Program and is a regulatory agency. Consolidating the certification process and TD1 will:

  • Reduce property owner confusion on where to obtain a Certificate of Compliance. • Provide additional oversight to the certification process for completed improvements.

Make all future Certificates of Compliance searchable on the TDI online database. Property owners with a Certificate of Compliance issued by TWIA (WPI-8-C) can contact TWIA for a copy.

WILL TWIA CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE (WPI-8-C) STILL BE VALID AFTER JUNE 1?

Yes. Certificate of Compliance issued by TWIA will remain valid and property owners will not have to recertify those same structures to remain eligible for TWIA insurance, unless they update the structures after being certified.

QUESTIONS?

To learn more, please read these frequently asked questions, available on the TWIA website. One may also visit Changes at TWIA webpage for additional details about this and other legislative changes affecting TWIA.

 

Filed Under: home maintenance, Hurricane Aide, Hurricane Relief, Mortgages, North Padre Island, property taxes, realtors, selling a home, windstorm insurance Tagged With:

Texas Quarterly Housing Report for 1st Quarter of 2020

April 29, 2020 By

Homes sales and median home prices across Texas experienced a moderate increase in the first quarter of 2020, according to the 2020 Texas Quarterly Housing Report released Wednesday by Texas REALTORS®.  Although this time period includes the beginning stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, the statistical representation of its impact on the Texas housing market will be made more apparent in the second and third quarters of the years.

The housing statistics for the first three months of the year show the continuation of more than a decade of growth in the Texas housing market.  However, the rapid growth of the ‘global’ pandemic we are facing is poised to affect this momentum. Before this unprecedented event and the economic downturn and shelter-in-place orders, our biggest market concern was the lack of affordable housing to meet the demand.

during the first quarter of 2020, 75,052 homes were sold in Texas. Statewide, the median price increased by 5.1% to $241,500.  The largest percentage of homes sold ACROSS the state was in the $200,000-$299,000 price range.

Because of COVID-19, many sellers have been pulling their listings to wait out the quarantine.  This will only add to our housing shortage and strained inventory availability.  Sales are anticipated to drastically drop.  In the long-term, there will be continued demand within the Texas housing market as long as the job market is able to rebound quickly they are saying.

The good news is we went into the disruption with positive velocity and will be ready to come out the other side with a swift recovery.  In the meantime, opportunities are everywhere, and we Texans always outperform expectations

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, COVID-19 Virus, home maintenance, Mortgages, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home

2020 State of Padre Island Real Estate

April 21, 2020 By

A new decade can bring excitement, anticipation, and chatter of changes. But one thing that doesn’t seem to change is what’s most important in the real estate market: As we real estate experts commonly quip, it all comes down to three simple things: Location, location, location! And lucky for us, that’s the one absolute permanent asset we have – our sparkling coast and sunny skies. Not only is Texas itself seeing exponential growth, so are we here on the Island.

Future job growth in Corpus Christi over the next ten years is predicted to be 25%. Unemployment rates are down, home prices are up, and the Texas economy is strong. As the state keeps attracting new businesses and cranking out jobs, these trends are only likely to improve.

The Island, known in large for its tourism, has seen and will continue to see phenomenal growth over the past few years. With new industry and population increases, it’s no wonder the real estate market is healthy and busier than ever.

So what if you wanted to buy or sell here? By comparing these price trends, you’ll have a good idea of where the market could be heading. The median listing and sold property prices (below) are calculated based on the market activity each month. Our Island is valuable!

Listed vs. Sold

It’s important to understand the difference between “list price” (what sellers are asking for) and “sold price” (what buyers are actually paying).

Let’s break it down!

FOR SALE – through February 15, 2020

Interior Homes

  • 68 homes currently listed for sale

Statistics

  • Low price – $200,000
  • High price – $785,000
  • Average price – $375,258
  • Average square footage – 2,255

Waterfront Homes

  • 81 homes listed for sale

Statistics

  • Low price – $309,900
  • High price – $4,500,000
  • Average price – $671,596
  • Average square footage – 2,505

SOLD HOMES – January through February 15, 2020

Interior Homes

  • 16 sold interior homes in the first month and a half of 2020

Statistics

  • Low price – $201,250
  • High Price – $383,000
  • Average price – $286,522
  • Average square footage – 1,878

Waterfront Homes

  • 15 sold waterfront homes in the first month and a half of 2020 (up 216% from the same timeframe in 2019; 6 houses)

Statistics

  • Low price – $250,000
  • High price – $825,000
  • Average price – $454,833
  • Average square footage – 2,096
Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, North Padre Island, port aransas, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home

Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Update

April 6, 2020 By

Good morning,

As part of our commitment to providing our members with the information necessary to address the COVID-19 crisis, we would like to invite you to listen in to our Chamber Update on the CARES Act. This call will take place on Tuesday, April 7th at 1:00 PM Central.

Our guest speaker for the call is Kris Denzel, Senior Director for Policy with the United States Chamber of Commerce. Kris will be on the call to walk us through provisions in the CARES Act that are designed for our members and explain how to apply.

You can join us by dialing in at: (346) 248-7799 or via Zoom at: https://zoom.us/j/553643721?pwd=dGNSNU5OZmd2SW1HcERiaGNMK094Zz09

Meeting ID: 553 643 721
Password: 019633

Filed Under: chamber of commerce, COVID-19 Virus

Corona Virus Shelter In Place , Lockdown, Self-Quarantine

March 24, 2020 By

#COVID19NEWs Corona Virus News

Here is an informative video that shares with you the difference between “Shelter in Place, a Lockdown & Self Quarantine!

Here is more information from the city of Corpus Christi Texas regarding the COVID-19 Corona Virus.

http://www.cctexas.com/coronavirus

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

https://www.nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus

Stay Safe Everyone… Coastline Properties Team!

Filed Under: COVID-19 Virus, Hurricane Aide, Local Schools, North Padre Island, padre island events, port aransas, spring break

Padre Island Housing Report March 2020

March 12, 2020 By

The end of February, the median sale price on homes was 326,500 which is an increase of 2.9% over last month here on Padre Island.

New land development projects continue to increase with the building of a new Starbucks Coffee house at the development near the JFK causeway bridge called packery pointe.

Days on the market for sale has decreased to an average of 93 days on the market. 31.8% of all the sales in February were priced between $300,000 – $399,999. Closed Sales were flat 0% in the month of February. The market is a bit soft but spring is nearly here!

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 2020 Data (Click Pic below for PDF)


padre-island-housing-report-december-2019

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Mortgages, mustang island, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, property taxes, realtors, selling a home

Padre Island Housing Report February 2020

February 12, 2020 By

The end of January, there were many available properties for sale on Padre Island

Days on the market for sale has increased to an average of 148 days on the market. 41.2% of all the sales in January were priced between $200,000 – $299,999. Closed Sales were up 43.2% in the month of January. The market is certainly on it’s way up.

Interest rates are supposed to remain low. We will be updating buyers with the increase of new loan programs are coming out. Lots of new development projects are happening on Padre Island including the New Park Rd. 22 which has gone through its final approval at City Council and construction should begin sometime after spring break.

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 2020 Data (Click Pic below for PDF)


padre-island-housing-report-december-2019

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home
« Previous Page
Next Page »