PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – NOVEMBER 2022

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Housing Report for November 2022. Our active listing median prices have fallen to $369,000 this past month which is a fall of 3.9% compared to last November at this time!
CCAR continues to show us the data that shows active listings rising 39.6 % with a total of 148 properties this past month while inventory Has a slight decline to 2.7 compared to 1.8 last year during the month of November.

Days on the market for sale have risen to an average of 54 days on the market and the highest category for sales with 31.4% of all the sales was priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market has softened a bit which is very typical for the Holidays. CPI Data has shown inflation is still lowering, and the fed still seems hawkish with their latest rate hike of .50 % with a commitment to continue raising rates until they get to see solid downward pressure on inflation with the upcoming March 2023 meeting.

Coastline Properties has been weathering the conditions of different markets since 1995. Our market is very unique and the word over the bridge and up North is “Padre Island is on the move.” There is more dirt turning on our little sandbar right now than we have seen in decades, exciting times ahead for residents.

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 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-housing-report-november-2022

A Second Causeway To Padre Island ??

A delegation from North Padre Island will consult with TxDOT representatives in December to discuss the need for a second causeway between the island and Corpus Christi’s mainland. Although many locals have been considering it for years, the new expansion is giving the project greater momentum. District 23 State Representative Todd Hunter remarked, “The Port Aransas, Padre Island, Flour Bluff Zone, it’s one of the largest real estate areas currently.” Growth that was hardly noticeable twenty, ten, or even five years ago when Ted Mandel, a retired man, chose the island lifestyle. Mandel predicted that there would be more visitors and residents and that everyone would encounter traffic bottlenecks on weekends during the summer and spring vacation. Mandel claimed to have observed the drawbacks of having a single causeway.

Ted Mandel urged. “How many reminders do we need? One of the electricity poles on the causeway back there fell just a week ago,” someone said.
Owner of Hard Knocks Rod Lewis remarked, “It’s not just a safety problem. But if you close those specific lanes and people can’t get here, it’s a problem for businesses.
The decision to lead the charge to start construction on a second causeway was made by Mandel and Hunter.

You’re noticing more traffic, remarked Hunter. You’re beginning to notice various weather patterns that demonstrate the need for and the gravity of having evacuations, so occasionally the timing simply happens. A causeway has been considered in the past starting at Roddfield Road, going along Yorktown Boulevard through Flour Bluff, and crossing the Laguna Madre. Hunter stated, “We have a group looking at several areas. To even start addressing the issues of whether, when, how much, and who will pay for a second causeway, numerous studies, including wildlife studies, are required.

Padre Island’s Hardknocks Sports Bar & Grill will host a meeting on December 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
TxDOT representatives are anticipated to attend a second meeting at Hardknocks on December 15 from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
In January’s legislative session, Hunter said he wants to be ready to speak with other state members.
Because there is a transportation need for the entire state of Texas as well as the local area, Hunter added, “We’re going to start looking at funding places statewide.”

Article Originated in Caller Times

BBB Tip: How to avoid purchasing fake tickets to events

As another Texas summer with record-breaking heat ends and the beginning of the Fall
season approaches, many people will be looking to get out and enjoy themselves at various
events across the state. Residents may be planning on watching their favorite sports team
compete this season or attending a concert featuring a famous musician. With the prices of
tickets to major events increasing and the ever-present threat of con artists capitalizing on
marketplace trends, BBB recommends consumers exercise caution when searching for and
purchasing tickets to their next event.

While most people know to be careful when purchasing tickets off a third-party website or
reseller, recent reports to BBB Scam Tracker show a concerning trend of scammers
disguising themselves as reputable ticket sellers when interacting with the victim. These
schemes often leverage the credibility of companies such as Ticketmaster to convince
victims to provide payment for tickets that are either fake, for the wrong event or priced
significantly higher than the going rate. Some may also advertise discounted tickets for
high-priced seats or sections, which turns out to be false once the tickets are received, or
the purchaser arrives at the venue.

In many worst-case scenarios, a consumer who is provided a fake ticket plans an entire
weekend around the event, including travel costs and a hotel room, only to be turned away
at the entrance. Victims may also find that the credit or debit card used to pay for the
tickets has a series of charges they do not recognize, resulting in them having to cancel the
card and dispute those transactions with their bank to varying degrees of success.
To help prevent fraudulent sellers from interrupting your event plans, Better Business
Bureau provides the following tips:

 Purchase directly from the venue whenever possible. Many consumers
automatically go to a secondary resale market to purchase tickets for an upcoming
event before first checking with the venue. Going directly to the venue may not only
save money but is also a way to ensure that a purchase is for a valid ticket. Venues
also often include what secondary resale organization they are listing their tickets on,
giving consumers an additional layer of protection from purchasing fake tickets.

 Consider your source. There is a significant difference between purchasing a ticket
from a professional ticket broker and a ticket scalper. While dealing with the latter
may result in obtaining valid tickets, the risk of encountering a scammer is
significantly greater. Always exercise caution when purchasing from sources that are
not members of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB) or Better Business
Bureau.

 Research the seller/broker. Brokers who are members of NATB offer a 200%
purchase guarantee on tickets, protecting consumers that use their services.
Visit NATB.org to confirm you are interacting with a NATB-member resale company.

 Check for website encryption. It is good practice to always check for the lock
symbol in the website address, indicating a secured system is enabled on the site.
BBB strongly recommends against giving any banking information to websites that
are not secured.

 Know the refund policy. Only purchase tickets from a ticket reseller that clearly
details the purchase terms. Avoid sellers who do not disclose where the seats are located or where purchasers can pick up tickets. If the deal seems “too good to be
true,” trust your instincts and thoroughly investigate the seller before purchasing
tickets.

 Use protected payment options. Debit or gift cards, mobile banking apps and
cash transactions are risky due to difficulties recovering money if the tickets are
fake. BBB recommends using credit cards for all online purchases due to the
additional protections they offer consumers to obtain a refund.

 Verify tickets. If you doubt the authenticity of a purchased ticket, present it to the
“Will Call” or customer service center of the event venue. They will inform you if it is
legitimate or explain how a legitimate ticket for their venue should look.

If you have been a victim of a fake ticket scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker. Information
provided could prevent another person from falling victim.
For more information about ticket scams, visit BBB.org.

Truth about the Option Period in a Real Estate Contract!

Did you know?

Did you know the standard contract for buying a home in Texas contains a clause for an Option Period?

The Option Period is the time during which the buyer can cancel the contract for any reason, without penalties. A buyer pays for the option period, usually a small amount of $100 and for a standard of 10 days. During this 10 days, the buyer can run inspections and negotiate any repairs with the seller. If an agreement cannot be made, the buyer can back out of the contract with only losing the $100. If the buyer does purchase the property, the $100 is credited to them at closing.

One thing that many realtors, buyers and sellers often question is when the option period starts. A contract is executed and binding when both parties agree and have both signed the contract. This is considered the executed date which is written into the contract above the sellers and buyers signatures. The option period starts the next day.

Example: If a buyer and seller agree and sign on November 20, 2022, the option period would start on November 21, 2022 and end at midnight on November 30, 2022.

An option period is the best money a buyer can spend when purchasing a home!

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – OCTOBER 2022

The Local Real Estate Market active listing median prices have risen to $410,000 this past month compared to last October at this time!
Corpus Christi Association of Realtors continues to show us the data that shows prices have jumped significantly to 32.6% in median price homes while inventory Has been rising 2.9 compared to 2.2 last year during the month of October.

Days on the market for sale have lessened to an average of 41 days on the market and the highest category for sales with 34.2% of all the sales was priced between $500,000 – $749,999. The market is still stable but edgy as the Holiday season is here, we are keeping our eyes on those mortgage rates and whether the FED will raise benchmark interest rates this month. CPI Data has shown inflation to be cooling off a bit, no telling how markets will react but rest assured our Island is still going through its boom with all the construction projects underway.

Many of us brokers have seen it all before, Coastline has been weathering the conditions of different markets since 1995. Our market is very unique and the word over the bridge and up North is “Padre Island is on the move.” There is more dirt turning on our little sandbar right now than we have seen in decades, exciting times ahead for residents.

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 October 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-housing-report-september-2022

National Diabetes Awareness Month

Every year the month of November is recognized as Diabetes Awareness Month. The purpose of this month is to raise awareness regarding the disease since millions of Americans live with diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, 37.3 million Americans have diabetes. Additionally, 96 million people are categorized as pre-diabetic which is a condition where glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be considered diabetes. This is an important month to learn about diabetes due to the high number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes.

The objective of Diabetes Awareness Month is to increase public knowledge of diabetes. There are two types of diabetes. The first is Type 1 which accounts for 5-10% of all diabetes and is typically diagnosed in children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce insulin. The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is unknown, but it is generally thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and an immune system disorder that affects insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes are generally required to monitor their blood sugar levels closely and take insulin daily to survive. The other form of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes which is the most common form of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes develops over time and occurs when the body becomes insulin resistant, meaning it is unable to process insulin properly.

Currently, there is no cure for diabetes. However, Type 2 diabetes can be manageable and, in some instances, preventable. According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 2 diabetes can be managed by taking prescription medicines, following a healthy eating plan, reducing tobacco use, and exercising to ensure blood sugar levels are kept within a healthy range. Similarly, those who are pre-diabetic or who are at a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can delay or even prevent the onset of the disease by making changes towards living a healthier lifestyle.

For more information about diabetes, please visit the American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org.

Additionally, you visit the Texas Department of State Health Services to learn more about treatments for diabetes https://www.dshs.texas.gov/txdiabetes/.

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 part of Nueces County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.

BBB Tip: Donating wisely during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Every October, countries worldwide observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, focused on
increasing support and awareness of the most common cancer affecting women worldwide.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), breast cancer is the most common
cancer affecting women in the United States. In Texas, more than 19,000 new breast cancer
cases were diagnosed in 2019.

While medical advancements have continued to increase the survivability of those suffering
from breast cancer in high-income countries to a five-year survival rate of 90%, inequalities
in early detection, access and quality of care have resulted in a 66% survival rate in India
and a 40% rate in South Africa, according to the World Health Organization. Much work
remains to advance research efforts to find a cure and increase survivability worldwide, and
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to raise funds for the cause.

There are countless ways to contribute, and consumers help raise millions of dollars each
year, often by purchasing “pink ribbon” items. Many donors also contribute directly to a
charity focused on breast cancer. However, just because a charity is advertising that
proceeds benefit breast cancer research or awareness does not automatically mean you are
donating wisely. When deciding which charity to donate to, be sure to ask critical questions
such as:

 How much money goes to breast cancer programs and services?
 What breast cancer programs or services are supported by the organization?
 Is the money being used for breast cancer awareness, treatment or research?

If awareness, what are the efforts made to raise awareness, and to what effect? If
research, what aspects of breast cancer are being researched, and how are the
findings contributing to ending breast cancer? What is the charity doing to assist the
medical professionals treating those who have breast cancer?
BBB recommends exercising caution when choosing a charity to support and offers the
following tips from BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance:

Shop smart. Some companies donate a portion of the sale of specific items designated with
pink ribbons or packaging. When shopping for “pink ribbon” items, see if the promotion is
transparent about which charity it will benefit and how much of the purchase will be
donated. Watch out for vague claims of proceeds benefiting unspecified charities.

Check the charity. Charities accredited with BBB Wise Giving Alliance meet the 20 BBB
Charity Standards. If you are considering donating to a charity that is unfamiliar to you, go
to Give.org to view its charity report or find trustworthy organizations. When researching a
charity, pay close attention to its name, as some questionable charities may use names
similar to those of established organizations.

Participate carefully. Some charities host fundraising events in addition to marketing
promotions. If this interests you, gather all the important information before signing up. Is
there a participation fee or are you required to sign up a minimum number of sponsors? Is
the event being hosted in person or virtual? Always research the charity or group organizing
the event before you register.

Take action. If your preferred charity is not holding any events or promotions during
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, contact them directly to see how you can volunteer or
donate on your own time. Every type of contribution helps!
To view charity reports and find more wise giving tips, visit Give.org.

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – SEPTEMBER 2022

The Local Real Estate Market active listing median prices have risen to $409,450 this past month compared to last September at this time!
Corpus Christi Association of Realtors continues to show us the data that shows prices up 11.6% in median price homes while inventory Has been rising 2.7 compared to 2.0 last year during the month of September.

Days on the market for sale have risen to an average of 49 days on the market and the highest category for sales with 24.2% of all the sales was priced between $500,000 – $749,999. The market is stable but cooling off quite a bit now as we head toward the holidays, we are keeping our eyes on those mortgage rates and whether the FED will raise benchmark interest rates in their November 2022 meeting.

Many of us brokers have seen it all before, Coastline has been weathering the conditions of different markets since 1995. Our market is very unique and the word over the bridge and up North is “Padre Island is on the move.” There is more dirt turning on our little sandbar right now than we have seen in decades, exciting times ahead for residents.

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 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-housing-report-september-2022

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – AUGUST 2022

The housing market on Padre Island this year is like sitting in the shade in August; slightly cooler but still fairly warm. We are seeing some slowdown and some increase in new listings. We saw listed homes reducing – even before the Labor Day holiday this year.

It is true, that homes are starting to take a little longer to sell, and of course, that means sellers reducing their asking price. The pandemic led to a surge in demand as so many Texans wanted larger homes and more space. Millennial buyers also entered the market. The lower interest rates several months back enticed buyers into the market. We also saw a lot of activity in new home construction but also a lot of remodeling. Normally you see one or the other….not both at the same time.

Homes now are taking a little longer to sell. The elephant in the room will be what it will take to get inflation back in order. Typically, the more one fights inflation, the more likely you are to go into recession. Consumer confidence is slowing things down which is reflected in our housing sales. We have weathered downturns and crashes before. Even with the home price growth this past year we’ve experienced, we’re still relatively more affordable than the other coasts. August was a decent month on Padre Island. I believe the reduced price levels we’re at now are more reflective of where they’re going to be for a while.

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 July 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

TIPS FOR WHEN A HOMEOWNER PASSES AWAY

The home changes hands.  It could pass to a surviving spouse or child whose name is on the deed, or be bequeathed to the family as part of the homeowner’s estate.  Often  times, the family simply wants to sell the property.

  1. Talk to the Executor:  The deceased homeowner’s will should name an executor.  Only that person can make financial decisions for the estate, including setting the asking price.
  2. If No Will….if the homeowner died without a will, the estate may go to probate court.  The purpose of court involvement is to protect the rights of the family, those entitle to receive property, and the creditors of the deceased person’s estate, according to the Texas Bar Association.  State law governs who inherits what if the estate has no will.
  3. Bill to Pay?….The estate is required to pay outstanding debts.  The executor must make sure the estate has enough money to cover them.  Texas is one of nine community property states, meaning relatives may be required to pay off the deceased person’s debt.  One will want to make sure there is nothing preventing the sale of the property.

It is stressful to handle the paperwork and make decisions while mourning.  Always be understanding and sympathetic.

~ Cheri Sperling, Owner Coastline Properties