PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – SEPTEMBER 2024

October 10, 2024 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Corpus Christi Housing Report for September 2024.

Our active listing median prices have dipped the past month to $487,000 which is actually a 25.2% increase from where it was compared to last September at this time! CCAR shows us the data that has risen for active listings t0 36.6% with a total of 321 properties this past month compared to September 2023 while inventory also rose to 11.9 compared to 6.6 last year at this time.

Days on the market for sale increased this past month with an average of 143 days and the highest categories for sales with 22.2% of all the sales being priced between $300,000 – $399,000 and $750,000 – $999,999. The market is still softening a bit as we head into the holidays with properties available across many pricing areas. Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.7% between September 2023 and September 2024, down from an annual increase of 1.7% in the 12 months to August 2024. Excluding energy and unprocessed food, the CPI went up by 2.4% in the 12 months to September 2024. The current federal funds rate is 4.75% to 5.00%. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) set this target range at its September 17–18, 2024 meeting. This was a 50 basis point decrease, or 0.50 percentage point, from the previous rate.

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 Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi August 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Corpus Christi Foreclosures, home maintenance, Investment Property, Mortgages, Padre Island Business Association, Padre Isles POA, Palmilla Beach Resort and Golf Club, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home, Whitecap Development Project, Whitecap NPI

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – JULY 2024

August 14, 2024 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Corpus Christi Housing Report for July 2024.

Our active listing median prices have risen the past month to $427,500 which is actually a 0.6% increase from where it was compared to last July at this time! CCAR shows us the data that has risen for active listings t0 42.7% with a total of 324 properties this past month compared to July 2023 while inventory also rose to 11.2 compared to 5.7 last year at this time.

Days on the market for sale increased this past month with an average of 110 days and the highest categories for sales with 23.3% of all the sales being priced between $500,000 – $749,999. The market continues to stay stable so far into 2024 with properties available across many pricing areas. Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The median estimate (year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted) for the consumer price index (CPI) for the month of July 2024 is 3.0%. If 3.0% is the actual year-over-year increase in the CPI, it will match the number from the previous month.

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 Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi July 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Corpus Christi Foreclosures, Investment Property, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, North Padre Island Beaches, North Padre Island Marina, North Padre Real Estate, realtors, selling a home, Water Exchange Bridge, Whitecap Development Project, Whitecap NPI

Reduced Mortgage Rates Aren’t Enticing Buyers

August 4, 2024 By manager

Though there have been only modest increases in house buying activity, borrowing costs have dropped to their lowest point in over a year.Although mortgage rates have dropped recently, prospective homeowners are exercising caution rather than jumping back into the market to take advantage of the lower rates. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage’s average rate this week was 6.47%.

The number of mortgage applications for home purchases is still notably lower, despite the fact that mortgage rates are at their lowest point in over a year. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, applications rose by just 1% last week and are still 11% lower than they were a year ago.

Joel Kan, the MBA’s deputy chief economist, states that “despite the downward movement in rates, purchase activity only saw small gains, with an increase in conventional purchase applications offset by decreases in government purchase applications.” “In certain regions of the country, the inventory of homes for sale is starting to rise gradually, and potential reductions in interest rates may be delaying the entry of buyers into the market.”

Those who are purchasing a home are saving money, especially as compared to last autumn when the average mortgage rate was significantly higher. For instance, assuming a 20% down payment on a $400,000 property, a monthly mortgage payment at this week’s 6.47% average would equal almost $2,016, according to Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®. However when interest rates reached a record high of 7.79% in October 2023, the monthly mortgage payment was $3,420. According to Lautz, that is almost $285 more per month than the prices as of this week.

She continues, “Weekly mortgage rates are at their lowest level since May 2023.” The largest drop in mortgage interest rates in a single week has occurred in the last nine months. Those who refrained from purchasing a home while waiting for interest rates to drop: those rates have now dropped.

According to senior economist Sam Khater of Freddie Mac, the drop in mortgage rates should start to entice potential homebuyers and “pique their interest in making a move.” Furthermore, some current homeowners are already taking advantage of the opportunity to refinance thanks to the rate cut; the market share of mortgage applications for refinancing has reached nearly 42%, the largest since March 2022.

Article created from NAR

Filed Under: Mortgages, North Padre Island Beaches, North Padre Island Marina, North Padre Real Estate, Padre Island Business Association, Real Time MLS, realtors, rentals, selling a home, Whitecap NPI, windstorm insurance

Padre Island – Corpus Christi Update July 2024

July 26, 2024 By manager

Padre Island is undertaking an inspiring journey,
harmoniously integrating development with conservation
to preserve the essence of our Island.

I am delighted to share a significant development
regarding our cherished Packery Channel and the Michael
J. Ellis Seawall. This summer, we are set to embark on a
transformative project that will see sand moved southward
to expand and enrich the beach along the Michael J. Ellis
Seawall. There is now a secured permit from the Corps of
Engineers that allows for the sand to be moved laterally
along the beach. This initiative comes after careful
planning and coordination. Previously, we were limited to
pushing sand from the dune line out to the mean high tide
line. This restriction led to the natural buildup of sand on
the north side of Packery Channel, where the beach
widens due to the prevailing currents depositing sand at
the jetty.

To address this, starting in September, the careful process
of transporting the sand by truck from its current location
to Ellis Beach will begin. This strategic move will not only
enhance our beach’s aesthetic appeal but also bolster its
useability and resilience against natural forces.

Additionally, I am pleased to announce that funds have
been approved to improve Commodore Park. There has
been an allocated $400,000 to develop detailed designs
for various parts of the park, including phases 1A, 1B, and
2, as well as the Community Center. Initial concepts for a
new skatepark will also be created. This funding still needs
the approval from Council but marks a promising step
towards enhancing our community spaces.
We are committed to ensuring that our beaches and parks
remain beautiful, welcoming spaces for all to enjoy. Thank
you for your patience and support as we undertake these
important endeavors to improve our coastline and the
Island community.
We are also making great strides in improving our Island’s
infrastructure. The City has recently completed work on
Tesoro, Captain Kidd, and Blackbeard streets. Currently,
our city crews are working on Barataria and will soon start
on Coral Vine, Jessamine, Allamanda, Tamarisk,
Seagrape, and Broomsedge. The estimated value of the
streets improvements on the Island performed by in house
city crews is $1.9 million. These upgrades are essential for
ensuring safe and accessible roads for all residents and
visitors.
The City of Corpus Christi is looking for your opinion
through a public survey to help identify potential uses for
existing sales tax money. The survey is set to close on
Sunday, June 23. Your valuable feedback will help shape
our great City. For more information about the Type A

Sales Tax Reauthorization and to participate in the survey,
visit
www.cctexas.com/sales-tax-reauthorization.

As always, I express my appreciation for your steadfast
support and commitment. My door is always open to hear
your voice and concerns. Feel free to reach out at 361-
826-3100 or by email at paulette.guajardo@cctexas.com.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, corpus christi, Golf Cart Rules, Harbor Bridge, Investment Property, Mayor Paulette Guajardo, mustang island, Packery Channel, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, Restaurants, selling a home, spring break, Todd Hunter Tagged With: padre island, padre island homes

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – JUNE 2024

July 13, 2024 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Corpus Christi Housing Report for June 2024.

Our active listing median prices have risen the past month to $476,000 which is actually a 10.8% increase from where it was compared to last June at this time! CCAR shows us the data that has risen for active listings t0 49.3% with a total of 327 properties this past month compared to June 2023 while inventory also rose to 10.5 compared to 4.3 last year at this time.

Days on the market for sale decreased this past month with an average of 81 days and the highest categories for sales with 32.4% of all the sales being priced between $500,000 – $749,999. The market is very stable so far into 2024 with properties available across many pricing areas. Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

Forecasts for the June Consumer Price Index report agree that overall inflation continued to soften in June, thanks to falling prices for energy and used cars. Inflation has fallen dramatically from its peak of 9.1% in 2022. Still, the Federal Reserve has said it is awaiting more confidence that price pressures are easing toward its target before it begins to cut interest rates and loosen monetary policy.

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 Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi June 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, mustang island, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, North Padre Real Estate, Padre Island Business Association, Padre Isles POA, property taxes, selling a home, Whitecap Development Project, Whitecap NPI, windstorm insurance

BBB Scam Alert

July 1, 2024 By manager

BBB Scam Alert: Young adults and recent graduates are common targets for employment scams!

The summer season is an exciting time for many young adults as they enter the workforce
following high school or college graduation. Unfortunately, not all job postings found online
are legitimate and many fraudulent employers specifically target young adults with entry-
level professional positions that offer a high salary and flexible working hours.
BBB’s 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report found employment scams are the second riskiest
consumer scam in the nation with a median loss of $1,995 and a 5% increase in exposure
as compared to the previous year. In Texas, consumers reported more than $750,000 lost
to these scams since 2023. Across all age groups, employment scams tend to impact those
between 18-34 years old the most.

While the majority of reports BBB receives are regarding fraudulent employers promoting
data entry or package reshipment positions, graphic designer, secret shopper, and human
resources offers are also frequently used. All reports include a work-from-home or remote
working capability, often with flexible working hours and an hourly or monthly pay
significantly higher than standard.

Contact is made most often through email from someone claiming to represent a made-up
or impersonated company who came across the recipient’s email through a job board,
LinkedIn, or in response to an application they sent in. Shortly afterward, the conversation
will move to an online messaging system such as Skype or Telegram to arrange and
conduct an interview. The interview is conducted entirely through text and finishes with an
immediate job offer starting the very next day. After accepting the job offer, employment
scams progress down different paths depending on the position and industry.

To help identify fraudulent jobs for the most common types of positions, BBB provides the
following breakdown for two broad categories:
Data Entry, Administrative Assistant, Clerical or Secretarial Positions
Fake checks are a common tactic for these positions in an employment scam. Once an offer
is accepted, the scammer claims that the company will provide them with a check they can
use to set up their home office. The check is either emailed or mailed directly to the
employee’s address, and they follow instructions to deposit it into their account and provide
proof afterward.

Once deposited, the scam may progress down two different paths:
 The representative claims that a mistake on the check resulted in the employee
being overpaid. They often blame this on a logical typing error, such as accidentally
adding an extra zero, so $300 became $3,000. The scammer asks the new employee
to return the extra money immediately through a direct payment method such as
mobile banking app, gift card or wire transfer.
 The representative will direct the employee to a third-party vendor they must use to
purchase their office equipment. The website often appears legitimate, and the
employee can easily find all the required products. When it comes time to pay, the
total cost precisely matches the amount of money provided in the check, and the
employee inputs their banking information to finalize the purchase.
In either case, the victim's bank eventually detects the check as a fake, and the employee
loses the amount of money they returned or used to purchase the office equipment, which

is never received. When they try to contact the representative again, all messages go
unanswered and social media profiles previously used to establish credibility are
deactivated. Additionally, banks often freeze, or in worst cases cancel, the accounts
associated with a fraudulent or counterfeit check deposit as a precautionary measure,
resulting in additional challenges the victim must overcome when recovering.
Package Reshipment, Quality Inspection or Product Distribution Positions
All these positions require from an applicant is a valid home address and their time, making
them very appealing to a wide range of people. They often advertise a base monthly pay
between $2,000 – $4,000, with additional bonuses per package shipped to its next
destination. Most victims who encounter this scam receive and ship packages as they expect
until it comes time for their first paycheck – only they never receive any money. When they
attempt to log in to an employee dashboard, they find their account locked and all their
messages go unanswered.
According to the FBI, reshipping scams can involve con artists who use stolen credit cards to
buy expensive items. Instead of shipping the item directly to their address, they use a “re-
shipper” to send the package overseas. Package reshipment positions may also be handling
stolen goods or laundered money, resulting in victims of this scam unknowingly
participating in illegal activity.

Avoiding Employment Scams
Evaluate work-from-home opportunities. The transition to remote work has created
many opportunities for legitimate and fraudulent businesses. While many work-from-home
job openings are honest, it is essential to critically evaluate the hiring process of any
company offering this type of employment. Be wary of companies that require the applicant
to download a specific mobile app to communicate, conduct the entirety of the interview
through text or chat, or do not provide a physical address for the business.
Verify contact details. BBB recommends verifying that the address provided matches the
business and that the phone number is in service. It is common for scammers to use
addresses for vacant lots or other companies and a phone number that is either fabricated
or not in service. At a minimum, verify that at least two contact methods will get you in
touch with company representatives.

Research the company. Spend time researching a company's reputation and legitimacy
before agreeing to work for them. Check BBB.org to see if they are listed, and search online
for reviews from previous employees or customers. If the offer is coming from a well-known
company, check their official job board to verify the position is listed and use the posted
contact methods to reach out to the hiring team.

Be wary of immediate offers and start dates. Any pressure to sign or onboard
immediately indicates that the company may not be legitimate. Choosing a place to work is
an important decision that most legitimate companies understand requires time to consider.
Be especially wary if the position is offered without an interview or promises a significant
income if the employee pays for coaching, training or certifications. If the hiring team
threatens the job will go to the next candidate unless you make an immediate decision, it
might be best to walk away.
For more information visit BBB.org.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, buying a home, chamber of commerce, Charities, Golf Cart Rules, Hurricane Aide, Hurricane Hanna, Mortgages, mustang island, Packery Channel, property taxes, Scam Alert, selling a home, spring cleaning, Water Exchange Bridge, Whitecap Development Project, Whitecap NPI, windstorm insurance

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – APRIL 2024

May 23, 2024 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for April 2024.

Our active listing median prices have slightly dipped the past month to $460,000 which is actually a 17.4% increase from where it was compared to last April at this time! CCAR shows us the data that has decreased slightly for active listings by 71.3% with a total of 286 properties this past month compared to April 2023 while inventory Has stayed stable at 9.6 compared to 3.7 last year at this time.

Days on the market for sale decreased this past month with an average of 80 days and the highest categories for sales with 32.4% of all the sales being priced between $400,000 – $499,999. The market is still staying very stable so far into 2024 with properties available across many pricing areas. Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The April 2024 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report rose by a softer-than-expected 0.3% month-over-month (MoM) and 3.4% year-over-year (YOY). Inflation eased as smaller gains in services (e.g., food services) costs offset the continued strong rises in rent and gasoline prices.

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!

North Padre Island March 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Mortgages, North Padre Island, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home, spring cleaning, Water Exchange Bridge, Whitecap Development Project, Whitecap NPI

NORTH PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – MARCH 2024

April 23, 2024 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for March 2024.

Our active listing median prices have risen the past month to $480,000 this past month which is an 13.6% decrease from where it was compared to last March at this time! CCAR shows us the data that is increasing for active listings by 82.9% with a total of 278 properties this past month while inventory Has risen at 9.8 compared to 3.1 last year at this time.

Days on the market for sale increased this past month with an average of 90 days and the highest categories for sales with 32.2% of all the sales being priced between $400,000 – $399,999. The market is still staying very stable so far into 2024 with properties available across many pricing areas. North Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The consumer price index climbed 3.5% year over year in March, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, faster than February’s 3.2% pace. Economists surveyed by FactSet had expected an annual increase of 3.4%.

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!

North Padre Island March 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, home maintenance, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Real Estate, port aransas, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home, Whitecap Development Project, Whitecap NPI

BBB Scam Alert: Investment Scams Cost Texas Residents

April 9, 2024 By manager

Within the first two months of 2024, Texas residents have reported nearly $500,000 lost to
investment scams to BBB Scam Tracker, with many reports detailing new promotional
tactics scammers are using that encourage investors to participate in the scheme. By
framing an investment opportunity with ‘New Year’ discounts on service, withdrawal, and
tax fees, some Texas residents have lost more than $100,000 and cannot recover their
funds. BBB’s 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report found investment and cryptocurrency scams
are the No. 1 riskiest scam North American consumers encountered last year. 80% of people
who were targeted by this scam lost money with a median loss of $3,800.

Investment scams are not modern inventions, but many new technologies are making it
easier than ever for anyone to enter the investment scene, opening countless opportunities
for legitimate and fraudulent traders. Using the reach and engagement of social media, con
artists create highly engaging content and position themselves as an expert source of
information, capitalizing on confusing financial terms and unclear processes. Some of the
primary sources scammers use to find a potential target include:

 Canvasing social media community groups that focus on investments or
cryptocurrencies and proactively contact people who ask questions.
 Creating short-form video content that demonstrates their successes while investing,
often by showing large bundles of cash or a lavish lifestyle.
 Establishing a romantic link with a target then directing them to an investment
opportunity, leaning heavily on flattery and disguising their true intentions under the
veil of an online relationship.

Using sophisticated systems designed to appear like legitimate investment dashboards,
scammers mislead their target into believing their initial investment is creating huge
returns. Encouraged by what they can see with their own eyes, investors listen to the
recommendations of the scammer to invest more of their money into the fraudulent fund
with many liquidating financial assets, taking out personal loans, or refinancing their homes.
The assumption is they’ll easily be able to recover once they withdraw their funds.
Unfortunately, when they attempt to withdraw their money, many victims learn that the
‘trader’ is a fraud.

After attempting to withdraw, investors may be charged a series of service, withdrawal, or
tax fees before the money is released to their accounts, and the rates of these charges do
not reflect the promotional offer used when they initially signed up for the service. When the
fees are paid, the scammer disappears with the remaining investment, access to the
dashboard is disabled, and many deactivate the social media accounts they used to initiate
contact. Alternatively, the scammer takes these actions immediately after the withdrawal
request is made without charging additional fees. In some of the costliest cases, the
scammer continually charges progressively higher fees to withdraw, claiming that the total
deposit in the fund must first meet a predetermined level before it can be accessed or that
additional services must be paid.

Consumer Reports:
Houston, Texas – January 2024
“[The trader] told me I could start investing with $200 and would get up to $2,000. He
would help set up my account and manage my trades [with] a 10% company fee off my
profits. I was told to send $200 to a Cash App account, and when the trade was supposedly
over, I was charged $575 to get my profits. When I paid that, I was told I needed to pay
$350 for IRS taxes. At that point, I did not pay any more money and told the person I was
going to report them. They deleted our conversation and blocked me.”

Cedar Park, Texas – February 2024
“They had a group on WhatsApp stating that they would teach you how to trade
cryptocurrency, and you can earn money from it using paired crypto contracts by setting up
an account and downloading a specific app. You can see your money growing in the account,
but once you try to request the funds, they tell you that you must pay a 33% tax fee to
receive the funds. I reluctantly paid it and still did not receive the funds. Eventually, they
told me that there was an error and that I would need to pay $500 to fix it. I stated that
this was a scam and was immediately removed from the group.”

Fort Worth, Texas – January 2024
“Initially approached off TikTok, they claimed there was a guaranteed investment growth of
15%. After the initial investment [of $3,000], I was hit with extortion when it came time to
withdraw the funds. They said I had to pay more to ‘unlock’ my funds to be transferred. I
did this hoping I wasn’t being scammed; I was wrong. They kept every dime I sent and then
ghosted me when I asked too many questions.”

To help Texas residents steer clear of investment scams, Better Business Bureau
recommends investors follow these guidelines:

Don’t fall for high-pressure or scare tactics. If a ‘trader’ contacts you, they may try to
convince you that you will only get high returns if you immediately invest in the fund. Be
wary of anyone using this type of language if you do not have a working relationship and
are confident they are legitimate. If you’ve already provided an initial investment, they may
threaten you with legal action if you do not pay additional fees. Recognize these signs as a
hallmark of a scam and avoid interacting with anyone who relies on high-pressure or scare
tactics.

Be skeptical of guaranteed returns. No legitimate trader can tell the future, and
unforeseen fluctuations in the market can make even the most stable funds have minimized
returns. Investing comes with an inherent risk, and scammers often try to encourage people
to enter the scene by guaranteeing a specific percentage or value that will be returned on
their investment. These tactics revolve around the get-rich-quick scheme and are another
example of – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Do your research. Especially when approached by someone unsolicited via social media,
take the time to research their name, business, or group online to see if anyone else has
encountered issues with them before. Check BBB Scam Tracker for consumer reports and
check if their company is listed, or Accredited, with the organization. BBB Accredited
Businesses are required to adhere to the organization’s Standards for Trust to maintain their
status, and one of the major elements of these standards is responsiveness.
Familiarize yourself with investment terms and processes. Consumers looking to
enter the investment scene are encouraged to familiarize themselves with standard
processes, terms, and systems to give them the knowledge they need to recognize
abnormal interactions. While it is unnecessary to become a financial expert, the ability to
speak conversationally about financial terms can help investors identify impostors and find
the right person for their needs.

If you’ve been a target of an investment scam, report your experience to Better Business
Bureau at BBB.org/ScamTracker. Information provided may prevent another person from
falling for these costly schemes.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, corpus christi jobs, cybersecurity, Hurricane Aide, Hurricane Hanna, Investment Property, selling a home, Todd Hunter

Flourishing Trends: Texas Real Estate Market Soars in February 2024

March 24, 2024 By manager

Flourishing Trends: Texas Real Estate Market Soars in February 2024

As February 2024 comes to a close, the Texas real estate market stands as a beacon of resilience and prosperity, reflecting a landscape marked by vibrant growth and promising opportunities. Amidst a backdrop of economic stability and burgeoning industries, the Lone Star State continues to attract investors, homeowners, and businesses alike, cementing its position as a powerhouse in the realm of real estate.

The consistent rise in property values across a range of market groups is one of the most notable aspects of the current situation. Demand for residential properties, from luxury estates to single-family houses, has significantly increased, pushing prices to all-time highs. This surge can be attributed to several factors, including a robust economy, favorable interest rates, and a steady influx of individuals relocating to Texas in pursuit of job opportunities and a high quality of life.

The real estate market has seen unparalleled activity in major metropolises like Austin, Dallas, and Houston, with sales volumes at previously unheard-of heights. Competitive bidding battles and quick transactions have resulted from the increased demand for residential properties caused by the attractiveness of living in an urban setting combined with a booming job market. Because of these advantageous circumstances, sellers frequently receive many offers over asking price, and buyers are encouraged to move quickly to secure their ideal houses in this fast-paced market.

Texas’s commercial real estate market is likewise seeing a boom, with renters and investors showing a keen interest in office buildings, retail stores, and industrial sites. The demand for commercial real estate assets has increased as a result of the state’s diversified economy, which is highlighted by strong industries like manufacturing, energy, technology, and healthcare. The increasing demand for office spaces and commercial properties in Texas is a result of corporations looking to establish or extend their presence in the state, offering developers and investors attractive prospects.

In addition, the Texas real estate industry is seeing a rebirth in terms of sustainability and creativity. Developers are responding to the changing tastes of contemporary consumers by integrating energy-efficient features and green building concepts into their projects, with an increasing focus on eco-friendly practices and smart technologies. Texas is leading the way in adopting environmentally friendly real estate techniques, with mixed-use complexes featuring sustainable design components and residential communities certified by LEED, thereby creating new benchmarks for the sector.

Looking ahead, the outlook for the Texas real estate market remains exceedingly optimistic, buoyed by favorable economic fundamentals and a steadfast commitment to innovation. While challenges may arise, such as fluctuations in interest rates or geopolitical uncertainties, the underlying strength of the state’s economy and its enduring appeal as a destination for homeowners and businesses will continue to drive growth and prosperity in the real estate sector.

In conclusion, February 2024 paints a picture of a thriving and dynamic real estate market in Texas, characterized by robust demand, rising property values, and a commitment to innovation and sustainability. As the state continues to chart a course towards prosperity, investors, homeowners, and businesses alike can find ample opportunities to thrive in this vibrant landscape.

Filed Under: buying a home, home maintenance, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Real Estate, property taxes, realtors, selling a home, spring cleaning, Whitecap Development Project

NORTH PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – FEBRUARY 2024

March 12, 2024 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for February 2024.

Our active listing median prices have dipped the past month to $403,700 this past month which is an 1.6% decrease from where it was compared to last Febuary at this time! CCAR shows us the data that is increasing for active listings by 82.3% with a total of 257 properties this past month while inventory Has risen at 8.6 compared to 2.8 last year at this time.

Days on the market for sale increased this past month with an average of 86 days and the highest categories for sales with 40.0% of all the sales being priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is still staying solid so far into 2024 with properties available across many pricing areas. North Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

We learned this morning that inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index was 0.4 percent in February and 3.2 percent over the past year. Core inflation, which leaves out volatile food and energy prices in order to better parse inflation’s underlying trend, was also 0.4 percent over the month and 3.8 percent over the last year.

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!

North Padre Island Febraury 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi business, Corpus Christi Foreclosures, home maintenance, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, North Padre Real Estate, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home, spring cleaning, Whitecap Development Project

Avoiding travel scams when planning for spring break

March 7, 2024 By manager

Spring break is a popular time for students to travel during a vacation from school. However, it
also presents an opportunity for scammers to offer fraudulent vacation rentals, flights, or hotels
designed to appeal to students and parents looking for a getaway. With spring break for many
Texas school districts occurring within the next month, BBB reminds consumers to be wary of
travel-related scams as they make their plans and finalize payments.

More than 55,000 travel, vacation, and timeshare fraud reports to the FTC in 2023 resulted in a
$120 million loss. Scammers often take advantage of consumer habits and capitalize on trending
internet searches, enticing consumers with great deals to popular destinations or all-inclusive
packages. While these scams persist year-round, they often increase in frequency during times of
the year that coincide with an increased interest in traveling, such as spring break and the holiday
or summer season.

To assist consumers in identifying and avoiding the most common travel scams, BBB provides
the following brief descriptions of the top five most-reported travel scams:

 Vacation rental con. These con artists lure in vacationers with the promise of low fees and great
amenities. The”owner” creates a false sense of urgency – such as telling potential clients that
another vacationer is interested in the rental – to get payment up before doing sufficient
research or questioning the ad’s legitimacy.
 “Free” vacation scams. When a cruise or travel company advertises a vacation as “free,” it does
not necessarily mean the trip is without cost or restrictions. Watch out for add-on fees for air
transportation, port charges, taxes, tips and other undisclosed fees.
 Hotel scams. When staying in a hotel, beware of scammers who use various techniques to
obtain credit card information, including fake front desk calls, free wi-fi connections and fake
food delivery.
 Third-party booking site scams. Use caution if you book your airfare, hotel, or other travel
arrangements through a third-party website. BBB Scam Tracker continues to receive reports of
scammers pretending to be online airline ticket brokers. In the most common version of the
scam, travelers pay with a credit card and, shortly after making the payment, receive a call from
the company asking to verify their name, address, banking information, or other personal details
– something a legitimate company would never do.

To avoid becoming a victim of a travel scam this spring break, Better Business Bureau
recommends prospective travelers follow these guidelines:

 Get trip details in writing. Before making a final payment, get all the trip details in writing.
Details should include the total cost, restrictions, cancellation penalties, and names of the
airlines and hotels. Also, review and keep a copy of the airline’s and hotel’s cancellation and
refund policies and the travel agency or booking site’s cancellation policies.
 Too-good-to-be-true deals. As is common in various scams, if the deal or discount seems too
good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use this tactic to lure in potential victims and use
aggressive “limited-time” language to entice travelers to pay before researching the business.

 Avoid wiring money or using a prepaid debit card. These payments are the same as sending
cash. Once the money is sent, there is no way to get it back. Consumers can dispute payments
provided via a credit card, making recovering funds a much simpler process.
 Call the rental owner. If you are not using a service that verifies properties and owners, do not
negotiate a rental solely by email. Many scammers don’t live locally. Speaking with the owner
on the phone and asking detailed questions about the property and local attractions will clarify
whether the listing is genuine. An owner with vague answers is a clear red flag.
 Unsolicited offers. Be cautious if you win a free trip without entering a contest or sweepstakes.
This is especially true if the offer is time-sensitive and requires the consumer to pay a processing
fee or risk it going to another “winner.” Check the official website of the company the offer
originates from to verify that it is legitimate.

For more tips on how to avoid travel scams, visit BBB.org/Travel.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a travel scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker.
Information provided could prevent another person from falling victim.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, Charities, corpus christi jobs, cybersecurity, home maintenance, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home, spring break

NORTH PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – JANUARY 2024

February 15, 2024 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for January 2024.

Our active listing median prices have dipped the past month to $356,000 this past month which is an 8.5% decrease from where it was compared to last January at this time! CCAR shows us the data that is increasing for active listings by 77.9% with a total of 233 properties this past month while inventory Has risen at 7.5 compared to 2.5 last year at this time.

Days on the market for sale increased this past month with an average of 84 days and the highest categories for sales with 31.3% of all the sales being priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is still holding quite well moving into 2024 with properties available across many pricing areas. North Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.9% on a year-over-year basis in January, following a 3.4% gain in December. The largest contributor to headline deceleration was lower year-over-year prices for gasoline in January (-4.0%) compared with December (+1.4%)

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!

North Padre Island November 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, corpus christi business, Investment Property, Mortgages, Padre Island Business Association, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, rentals, selling a home, Whitecap NPI

February 2024 Heart Health Month

February 4, 2024 By manager

The month of February is designated as Heart Month. This month strives to educate the
public about the importance of improving heart health. This endeavor aims to help people
identify and understand helpful adjustments that can be made to increase heart health. The term
“heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. In the United States, the most common
type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which can lead to heart attack. You can greatly
reduce your risk for heart disease through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medicine. There
are several everyday things that we can do in achieving healthier lives for 2024. With this
designation, both the American Heart Association along with the US Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) have put out some great information.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.
Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. The good news is that heart disease can
often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions.
Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for
people to make healthier choices. National trends show heart disease death rates are declining
more slowly than they have in the past, especially among adults ages 35 to 64. The CDC
Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and Million Hearts is focused on letting
younger adults know they are not immune to heart disease, but that they can reduce their risk—at
any age—through lifestyle changes and by managing medical conditions. For more information
and statistics about heart disease visit https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm.

Here are some tips from the CDC to take control of your heart health:
 Find time to be active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
 Make healthy eating a habit. Small changes in your eating habits can make a big
difference. Try making healthier versions of your favorite recipes by looking for ways to
lower sodium and trans-fat. Additionally, try to incorporate more fruits and vegetables.

 Quit tobacco. Smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products affects nearly every
organ in your body, including your heart. Visit the CDC website for great tips on how to
quit. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-
smoking/index.html?s_cid=OSH_tips_D9385

 Know your numbers. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are major risk factors for
heart disease. Ask your health care team to check your blood pressure and blood
cholesterol levels regularly and help you take steps to control your levels.
 Stick to the “script”. Taking your medications can be tough, especially if you feel fine.
However, focusing on your medication routine is important for managing and controlling
conditions that could put your heart at risk.

The American Heart Association (AHA) is an organization that helps bring heart health
knowledge, leadership, and resources to all levels of government. Whether it is the federal, state,
or local level, the AHA identifies ways of educating the public and develops systems of care that
work to help acute conditions, which will result in helping to improve the patient’s outcomes.
Many of these systems coordinate impacted people to help them recover, while also improving
the cost-effectiveness of their care. These systems of care generally are tailored by more
localized methods that focus on certain regions of the nation and individual states. The
Association uses collected data that helps a seamless transition from each stage of care. It is with
these types of awareness and outreach that they hope will save lives. If you would like to learn
more information about healthy tips on cardiovascular health, you can visit the American Heart
Association’s website at www.heart.org .

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: Barefoot Mardi Gras, Charities, corpus christi business, cybersecurity, home maintenance, Hurricane Aide, Hurricane Relief, Mortgages, North Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, padre island events, Real Time MLS, realtors, rentals, Restaurants, selling a home, spring cleaning, Todd Hunter

NORTH PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – DECEMBER 2023

January 23, 2024 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for December 2023.

Our active listing median prices have risen the past month to $465,750 this past month which is a whopping 34% increase from where it was compared to last December at this time! CCAR shows us the data that is increasing for active listings by 59.4% with a total of 212 properties this past month while inventory Has risen at 6.6 compared to 2.5 last year at this time.

Days on the market for sale increased this past month with an average of 62 days and the highest categories for sales with 27.3% of all the sales being priced between $500,000 – $749,999. The market is still holding quite well moving into 2024 with properties available across many pricing areas. North Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.4 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 306.746 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

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!

North Padre Island November 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, North Padre Island Marina, North Padre Real Estate, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home, Whitecap Development Project, Whitecap NPI

NORTH PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – NOVEMBER 2023

December 24, 2023 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for November 2023.

Our active listing median prices have stayed steady the past month to $400,000 this past month which is a 8.6% increase from where it was compared to last November at this time! CCAR shows us the data that is increasing for active listings by 70.2% with a total of 240 properties this past month while inventory Has risen at 7.3 compared to 2.6 last year at this time.

Days on the market for sale decreased this past month with an average of 42 days and the highest categories for sales with 42.9% of all the sales being priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is still quite stable moving into 2024 with properties available across many pricing areas. North Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in November on a seasonally adjusted basis, after being unchanged in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.1 percent before seasonal adjustment.

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!

North Padre Island November 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Investment Property, North Padre Real Estate, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home, Whitecap NPI

BBB Tip: Avoiding online purchase scams and impostors this holiday season

December 3, 2023 By manager

As the holiday season approaches, Better Business Bureau (BBB) urges consumers to
remain vigilant against a surge in online scams that could threaten their festive spirit.
During the past five years, Texas residents have reported losing $17.5 million to scams,
21% due to online purchases. BBB has identified online purchase scams as the No. 1 riskiest
scam encountered by North American consumers in both the 2021 and 2022 Scam Tracker
Risk Report, and are often enacted by impersonating reputable businesses.

Since 2018, losses to online purchase scams reported to BBB by Texas residents have
significantly increased during two times of the year – early spring and the holiday season – while the number of reports
peaks during the summer months. Often, a sense of urgency and the fear of missing out on a great deal
for a highly desired product are key influences if an online shopper loses money to a fraudulent seller. The holiday
season is a busy time for most people as they purchase gifts, make travel plans, prepare
holiday dinners, and get their homes ready for family and friends. In many cases, shoppers
do not have the time to verify the legitimacy of an online seller as thoroughly as they
typically do at other times of the year, and the existence of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and
other holiday promotions introduce difficulties in determining when a deal is “too good to
be true.”

“It is important for online shoppers to protect themselves while interacting with digital
marketplaces throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season when scammers
are out in force to take advantage of shoppers,” said Heather Massey, vice president of
communications and community relations for Better Business Bureau serving the Heart of
Texas.
No matter the scheme, a key tactic of scammers is to disguise themselves as a reputable
business or government agency (known as an impostor scam), and this strategy is more
successful during the holiday season. Impostor scams have been identified as the No. 1
most reported fraud to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network since 2017, with a median
loss of $1,000 in recent years. BBB’s 2022 Scam Tracker Risk Report found some of
the most commonly impersonated companies include Amazon, Geek Squad, Publishers
Clearing House, and the U.S. Postal Service. With more people ordering products online and
expecting deliveries, fraudulent notifications about shipping issues or suspicious activity on
an account from an impostor have a greater likelihood of being taken seriously, which often
means a greater chance of losing money or personal information.

With $1.2 million reported lost across nearly 1,400 reports, the impact of online purchase scams on
Texas residents this year has already broken 5- year records, and the holiday season will likely
see these numbers increase. While BBB is concerned about these record-breaking numbers, they do not
reflect the emotional, physical, and mental stress associated with falling victim to a scam, nor the
long-lasting effects it has on an individual’s confidence to navigate a complex marketplace without
being taken advantage of.

“Our goal is to empower consumers to recognize the signs of a scam and to give them the
confidence to trust themselves when something doesn’t feel right,” said Massey. “Research
conducted by BBB found that nearly 75% of people who encountered a scam but did not
lose money simply felt something wasn’t right about the situation, so they walked away. The
next two most powerful defenses are to be generally aware of scam tactics and to research
the offer.”
This holiday season, BBB provides the following tips to help Texas residents avoid online
scams, impostors, and counterfeit items:
Use protected payment methods. BBB research found that people who pay with a credit
card or PayPal are more likely to recover their funds after sending money to a scammer.
However, with PayPal, a buyer should not send money using the platform’s Friends and
Family method. If an online seller directs you to use PayPal’s Friends and Family method, it
is most likely a scam because they know PayPal’s protection policies do not cover money
sent through that system in the same way as a business transaction.

Be wary of social media ads. Social media is a great way to stay connected with friends
and family, and it is also a great way to get exposed to a lot of different products that
appeal to you. However, not everything advertised on a social media platform is legitimate,
and scammers can easily create sponsored advertisements that will appear on your news
feed. If interacting with a social media ad, take a minute to verify it has routed you to the
right website. Better yet, go directly to the website on your own and search for the
advertised product.

Avoid links provided in unsolicited emails or text messages. If you receive an
unsolicited text message with a link, avoid following it. In many cases, there is no way of
knowing where that link will direct you, and even if you arrive at a website that appears to
look official, it could very well be a lookalike website. It may automatically download
malware on your device. If you receive a notification regarding suspicious activity on an
online account, verify the facts by contacting the company using a known and trusted
method, such as their official mobile app or the contact number on a recent bill.

Review protection policies. Become familiar with the protection policies established by
the agency or company you are being contacted by. Many companies and government
agencies prohibit their official representatives from asking you to verify personal or account
information over the phone or through email. If you ever have doubts about someone’s
legitimacy, it is best to hang up and contact the company through another method to
double-check that everything is in order.

Verify you are at the right website. Pay close attention to see if any special characters
are replacing letters, such as the Greek alpha (α) instead of ‘a’, and the domain and
subdomain match the official company website. While looking through the URL, take a
second to verify the website is secured. Poor grammar is also a good indication that a
scammer may have put together a website hastily. However, this is something that they are
getting better at avoiding, due in large part to AI content creation tools. Check the age of
the domain – a well-known company isn’t likely to have just registered their website in the
past few years.

For more information about how to avoid holiday-related marketplace issues this year,
visit BBB.org/Holiday.
If you or someone you know has been affected by a scam or unethical business practice,
report it to BBB through an official business complaint or Scam Tracker report. Information
provided may help another person from being affected and assist BBB in recognizing trends
in marketplace behavior.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, buying a home, chamber of commerce, corpus christi business, corpus christi jobs, cybersecurity, Holiday Parties, Investment Property, Mortgages, North Padre Real Estate, padre island events, selling a home, Water Exchange Bridge, Whitecap Development Project

NORTH PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – OCTOBER 2023

November 13, 2023 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for October 2023.

Our active listing median prices have risen the past month to $450,000 this past month which is a 9.8% increase from where it was compared to last October at this time! CCAR shows us the data that is increasing for active listings by 60.8% with a total of 246 properties this past month while inventory Has risen at 7.2 compared to 2.8 last year during the month of October.

Days on the market for sale increased this past month with an average of 72 days and the highest categories for sales with 33.3 % of all the sales being priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is still quite stable moving into our short winter with properties available across many pricing areas. North Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The median estimate (year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted) for the consumer price index (CPI) for the month of October 2023 is 3.3%. If 3.3% is the actual year-over-year increase in the CPI, it will mark the first decline in the consumer price index relative to the previous month since June 2023. This begins to show that inflation may be softening a bit as we head into the end of 2023.

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!

North Padre Island October 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi jobs, Corpus Christi Schools, home maintenance, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, North Padre Real Estate, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home, Whitecap Development Project, Whitecap NPI

TEXAS HOUSING REPORT – AUGUST 2023

October 19, 2023 By manager

The residential real estate market in Texas had a successful month in August. Total home sales increased by 9.5 percent on the consumer side and construction permits increased by 5.3 percent on the supplier side despite continuously high loan rates. After seven straight increases, the median price fell amid the growth for the first time. Although the price decline appeared significant, it was just $800 and might be an indication of a balanced market. The housing market does not indicate any big turbulence anytime soon because many sellers are trapped with pandemic-era low rates and many purchasers are finding it difficult to keep up with rising costs. Rebounded Home Sales Speed up Market Time by Two Days Amid a slowdown in the real estate industry, Texas’ total home sales improved from last month’s
three-year low after reaching over 27,000 transactions in August. The sales activity picked up at an impressive rate of 9.5 percent month-over-month (MOM), albeit the activity level was still 8 percent lower than last year’s reading. Sales ticked up uniformly this month in all four major metros, growing between 0.8 percent to 9.7 percent.

READ FULL REPORT HERE FROM TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY (CLICK HERE)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Real Estate, realtors, rentals, selling a home, Whitecap NPI

NORTH PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – SEPTEMBER 2023

October 12, 2023 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for September 2023.

Our active listing median prices slightly dipped the past month to $389,500 this past month which is a 4.5% decrease from where it was compared to last September at this time! CCAR shows us the data that is rising for active listings by 65% with a total of 236 properties this past month while inventory Has risen at 6.6 compared to 2.6 last year during the month of September.

Days on the market for sale dipped this past month with an average of 51 days and the highest categories for sales with 34.6 % of all the sales being priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is stable moving into fall with properties available across many pricing areas. North Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI has started sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed inflation rose 0.4% over last month and 3.7% over the prior year on a headline basis in September, a deceleration from August’s 0.6% month-over-month increase and in line with August’s 3.7% annual rise. Both measures were slightly higher than economist forecasts for a 0.3% month-over-month increase and a 3.6% annual increase, according to data from Bloomberg.

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!

North Padre Island September 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Investment Property, mustang island, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, North Padre Real Estate, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home, Water Exchange Bridge, Whitecap Development Project

NORTH PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – JULY 2023

August 18, 2023 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for July 2023. Our active listing median prices rose the past month to $425,000 this past month which is a 17.6% increase from where it was compared to last July at this time!
CCAR shows us the data that significantly rising for active listings by 44.5% with a total of 2224 properties this past month while inventory Has risen at 5.5 compared to 2.8 last year during the month of July.

Days on the market for sale are declining from last month with an average of 47 days and the highest categories for sales with 31.0% of all the sales being priced between $500,000 – $749,999. The market is moving forward nicely this summer with properties available across many pricing areas. North Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is set up to start sales of their lots in Phase 1, If you haven’t visited their trailer yet be sure to contact us so that we can get you a priority visit with them.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2 percent in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.2 percent before seasonal adjustment.

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!

North Padre Island July 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, North Padre Real Estate, realtors, selling a home, Whitecap Development Project, Whitecap NPI Tagged With: north padre island, padre island new homes

Home Sales Declining While Prices Soar to Record Highs

July 21, 2023 By Cheri Sperling

As the housing market struggles with a severe inventory constraint, existing-home sales continued to decline in June, while home buyers push up prices showing significant demand.

The most recent housing data from the National Association of REALTORS® shows that the median sale price of an existing property in June was $410,200, the second-highest amount ever seen in the previous 24 years. According to NAR data, the record high of $413,800 was achieved a year ago. According to Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the NAR, home sales decreased in June, while home prices remained stable across most of the nation. “Limited supply continues to encourage multiple offers, with one-third of homes selling for more than the asking price.”

Homes are moving quickly off the market: According to NAR data, 76% of houses that were sold in June were available for less than a month. There were only the market for an average of 18 days.

Despite Obstacles, Buyers Are Confident

The majority of Americans still seem eager to buy a home despite high home prices, high mortgage rates, and a lack of housing options. The most recent Mortgage Service Index from TD Bank shows that 54% of consumers believe that the moment is right to make a purchase. However, the survey also reveals that home buyers are anxious, listing inventories and mortgage rates as two of their top stresses.

The scarcity of available properties is an issue for prospective buyers of real estate: At 1.08 million units, the total housing inventory at the end of June remained historically low. According to data from NAR, inventory is down 13.6% from a year earlier. Yun claims that there aren’t enough houses available for purchase. “A doubling of inventory can be easily absorbed by the market.”

However, recent data from the Census Bureau reveal that new home construction was down last month and isn’t making up the difference. Following four consecutive months of growth, production of single-family homes fell by 7% annually in June. The National Association of Home Builders attributed a decline in homebuilding activity and worsening affordability conditions for purchasers to higher construction costs and rising mortgage rates.

Regional Breakdown

Sales varied across the country last month, with the Northeast posting gains, the Midwest holding steady, and the South and West reporting decreasing sales, NAR’s report shows. All four regions recorded year-over-year sales declines.

Northeast: Existing-home sales rose 2% month over month to an annual rate of 510,000 but are down 21.5% from a year ago. Median price: $475,300, up 4.9% from the prior year.
Midwest: Sales were unchanged from a month ago at an annual rate of 990,000, falling 19.5% from one year ago. Median price: $311,800, up 2.1% from June 2022.
South: Sales decreased 5.4% from May to an annual rate of 1.91 million, a decrease of 16.2% compared to the previous year. Median price: $366,600, down 1.2% from a year ago.
West: Sales fell 5.1% from the previous month to an annual rate of 750,000, down 22.7% from a year ago. Median price: $606,500, down 3.4% from June 2022.

Data sourced from NAR

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, Better Business Bureau, home maintenance, Investment Property, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, North Padre Island Marina, North Padre Real Estate, Real Time MLS, selling a home, Whitecap NPI Tagged With: north padre island

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – MAY 2023

June 19, 2023 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Housing Report for May 2023. Our active listing median prices rose quite a bit the past month to $460,273 this past month which is 20.3% increase than where it was compared to last April at this time!
CCAR shows us the data that significantly rising for active listings by 73.8% with a total of 186 properties this past month while inventory Has risen at 4.2 compared to 1.9 last year during the month of May.

Days on the market for sale are declining from last month with an average of 60 days and the highest category for sales with 31.8% of all the sales being priced between $400,000 – $499,999. The market is heating up as we are moving into the summer. The Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI will be selling properties soon as constructions continues to boom on Padre island. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1 percent in May, down from 0.4 percent in April, while the yearly rate rose 4 percent, compared to 4.9 percent in April, the lowest yearly inflation rate since March 2021. Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged this past week, skipping an increase after raising rates 10 times in a row since March 2022. Still, policymakers predicted that they might need to raise rates two more times this year to keep driving inflation downward.

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 May 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island Marina, realtors, selling a home, Water Exchange Bridge, Whitecap Development Project, Whitecap NPI

2023 Home Improvement Tips

May 25, 2023 By manager

Create a Budget. Most home improvement projects end up being over budget by 10%. To avoid costly surprises during the process of improving your home, be sure to reserve 10-15% of your budget to cover unknown expenses.

Get Multiple Estimates. It’s important to meet with at least three contractors and request detailed estimates in writing from each. Be sure to walk with them through your home to show them the exact project for the most accurate estimate.

Contact References. One of the most important steps in the home improvement process is contacting a contractor’s references. The best way to avoid disappointing or unfinished work in your home is to contact references and ask if the contractor performed quality work on time and within budget. Did any issues arise, and if so, how were they taken care of?

Check With BBB. Always search for a contractor or home improvement business at bbb.org to find out important business information, read reviews or complaints, and make sure they’re a legitimate business. Don’t forget to check the licenses and registration status of any contractor you hire to do work in your home.

Review the Contract. Make sure the contract is written, dated, and signed by both you and the contractor. Be sure the contractor provides the start date and the date of “substantial completion.” The contract must provide a detailed description of the work to be done and materials involved. Laws vary between states so be sure to review what is legally required to be in your contract per your state.

Verify Insurance. Ask for the contractor’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Coverage sheet proving the insurance is in place, as well as the coverage page for the Commercial General Liability policy (CGL). Request that the contractor add you as an additional insured on the policy to protect you if a worker injures himself on your property.

Check the Permits. Always check to make sure the contractor has obtained all building, plumbing and electrical permits required. If a contractor avoids pulling the permits himself, this is a major red flag.

Stay Up-To-Date. If any changes arise that involve an increase in cost or change in work, ask the contractor for a “change order” to fill out and sign. It should provide the original contract price, a detailed description of the new work, its cost, and the updated total, signed and dated by both parties.

Red Flags

Door-to-Door Contractors. If a contractor appears on your doorstep and claims they are doing work in your neighborhood or they have “extra materials,” it’s best to decline any offer for work. Reliable businesses will give you time to do your research before committing.

Pulling Permits. If a contractor asks that you pull the permit for your home improvement project, it may be a red flag that the contractor isn’t properly bonded and insured. Legitimate contractors are responsible for getting all required permits for the job.

Payment Upfront. If a contractor asks for payment upfront, this is a major red flag. Never pay a contractor in cash, use a credit card or check. A trustworthy contractor should accept a payment plan of one-third upfront, one-third halfway through completion, and one-third when the project has been successfully completed.

Using a Lender. If a contractor pressures you into using his preferred lender, this is typically a red flag. If you need to take a loan out to pay for the project, research lenders on your own and be sure to review interest fees, terms of agreement, and more.

Inaccessible. If you can’t verify the contractor’s contact information, location, or credentials, this is a major red flag. You should be able to find information online about the contractor, his business, and his contact information.

Article Published via Better Business Bureau

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, corpus christi business, Local Schools, North Padre Island, Scam Alert, selling a home, windstorm insurance

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – APRIL 2023

May 15, 2023 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Housing Report for April 2023. Our active listing median prices dipped slightly the past month to $390,000 this past month which is 0.8% less than where it was compared to last April at this time!
CCAR shows us the data that significantly rising for active listings by 62.8% with a total of 166 properties this past month while inventory Has risen at 3.6 compared to 1.8 last year during the month of April.

Days on the market for sale are increasing from last month with an average of 88 days and the highest category for sales with 36.0% of all the sales being priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is staying quite strong as we move closer to summer. The consumer price index rose 4.9% in April 2023, the smallest increase in two years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Wednesday in a monthly inflation report. The FED still showing signs of inflation continue to slow down if not holding steady. The Summer Housing market is right around the corner, and we are anticipating an extremely busy season.

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 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, home maintenance, Investment Property, Mortgages, Padre Island Business Association, Palmilla Beach Resort and Golf Club, realtors, selling a home, Water Exchange Bridge, Whitecap Development Project, windstorm insurance

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – MARCH 2023

April 14, 2023 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Housing Report for March 2023. Our active listing median prices continue to rise the past month to $425,000 this past month which is 7.3& above where it was compared to last March at this time!
CCAR shows us the data that significantly rising for active listings by 54.6% with a total of 153 properties this past month while inventory Has risen at 3.1 compared to 1.8 last year during the month of March.

Days on the market for sale are steady from last month with an average of 79 days and the highest category for sales with 34.0% of all the sales being priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is keeping pace as we move deeper into Spring. The consumer price index eased to 5% in March 2023 on an annual basis, down from 6% in February, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation report. The FED still showing signs of inflation that is slowing a bit now. The Spring Housing market is well underway, and we are anticipating a very busy season.

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 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home, spring cleaning, Whitecap Development Project

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – JANUARY 2023

February 21, 2023 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Housing Report for January 2023. Our active listing median prices have stayed very stable through the holidays at $370,000 this past month which is exactly where it was compared to last January at this time!
CCAR continues to show us the data that shows active listings rising 25.7 % with a total of 132 properties this past month while inventory Has stayed steady at 2.6 compared to 1.8 last year during the month of Janaury.

Days on the market for sale have had a slight rise to an average of 63 days on the market and the highest category for sales with 37.5% of all the sales was priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is still holding up quite well for the beginning of the year as we head toward Spring Break. CPI Data has shown inflation is still lowering, and the fed still seems committed to getting inflation down to 2% and continues to signal more .25 basis points likely coming by the first quarter of 2023.

Soon, the spring housing market will begin, and we’ll probably want to know what to anticipate. The home market in 2023 might feel more like a nobody’s market after several years of a clear sellers’ market. More buyer advantages and slower home sales are something we anticipate. On the economic front, supply chain problems have started to get better and should keep getting better in the coming year. As interest rates and inflation reduce disposable income, we can anticipate the following five to six months to be sluggish. But the flooring and home improvement sectors will experience tremendous growth over the next five to six years.

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 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, cybersecurity, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, property taxes, Real Time MLS, selling a home

Real Estate Scammers on Social Media

February 15, 2023 By manager

In the news A Coastal Bend real estate agent spoke about a recent scam on social media.

There are criminals targeting renters and future homeowners through Facebook Marketplace.

We are seeing sales listings that they are scraping from zillow, trulia and personal websites being targeted by a scammer claiming to be the homeowner.

When realtors list home photos and details about the house become public, so it’s easy for scammers to steal them and put them on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

The scammer has the tendency to attract interested people by posting the property with a very attractive rate where people will see it and be very eager to take action and contact the poster. They use very persuasive language creating urgency for buyers to act fast.

Its prime season for scammers, so if you are in the market for a new home, make sure to look out for red flags and double check a listing you may see on Facebook or Craigslist with other sites before you inquire about it.

The scammer usually does not answer phone calls, they push you to contact them through email or text. They are very aggressive with trying to get deposits from you as well. They don’t want to let you see the house, which is a super red flag. So please report incidents like this directly when you see it taking place.

It’s always best to do your homework before renting or buying, ask the right questions, and if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. He suggests if you do see an ad like this, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can check the legitimacy for you. Let’s all look out for each other!

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

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – DECEMBER 2022

January 15, 2023 By Cheri Sperling

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Housing Report for December 2022. Our active listing median prices have slightly dipped to $353,250 this past month which is a fall of 3.8% compared to last December at this time!
CCAR continues to show us the data that shows active listings rising 36 % with a total of 136 properties this past month while inventory Has a slight decline to 2.6 compared to 1.7 last year during the month of December.

Days on the market for sale have slightly fallen to an average of 50 days on the market and the highest category for sales with 32.3% of all the sales was priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is holding steady which is normal after the Holidays. CPI Data has shown inflation is still lowering, and the fed still seems committed to getting inflation down to 2% and continue to signal more rate hikes to come.

Coastline Properties has been weathering the conditions of different markets since 1995. Prices are falling as more properties enter the market.A survey by Homes USA shows that new home prices have decreased recently.

The adjustment occurs in the midst of a market slump brought on by increased mortgage rates and the earlier increase in prices. Builders are therefore providing greater incentives to purchasers in an effort to enhance sales as inventory rises and new homes take longer to sell.

Real estate company HomesUSA, based in Dallas, analyzes data from multiple listing services and three-month averages for sales, pricing, active listings, and other metrics. This previous week saw a low in mortgage application volume as high mortgage rates continued to harm the housing market.

In 2021, new homes weren’t being added to the MLS since they were selling so quickly. The demand for homes was at its highest and most intense from spring 2020 through spring 2022. The patterns we are currently observing indicate that the local slowdown in new house sales might not just be a seasonal blip. Construction is being curtailed by builders as the market weakens. The houses you can currently see were started when the market was different. You can observe the results of those who entered into contracts only to have to cancel them when interest rates increased.

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 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Corpus Christi Foreclosures, corpus christi jobs, home maintenance, Investment Property, Mortgages, mustang island, New Homes Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, padre island events, selling a home, Water Exchange Bridge

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – NOVEMBER 2022

December 21, 2022 By Cheri Sperling

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)

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

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – OCTOBER 2022

November 16, 2022 By Cheri Sperling

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)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Investment Property, Mortgages, North Padre Island, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – AUGUST 2022

September 19, 2022 By Cheri Sperling

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)

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

TIPS FOR WHEN A HOMEOWNER PASSES AWAY

September 16, 2022 By Cheri Sperling

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.

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.
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.
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

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

Padre Island Housing Report – June 2022

July 19, 2022 By Cheri Sperling

The Local Real Estate Market active listings have jumped up by 36.7% the past month!
Corpus Christi Association of Realtors continues to show us the data that leans toward Prices slightly Rising in median price homes while Inventory Has been rising the past month.

Days on the market for sale have stayed steady at an average of 79 days on the market. 28.8% of all the sales in March were priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The Median Price of homes has risen additionally by 1.8% to a price of $420,000 compared to the same month in 2021. The market is stable at the moment, the fed will make its rate decision by next week and this could influence the buyers out there to make their decisions before summer’s end.

Many of us brokers have seen it all before, Coastline has been weathering the conditions of different markets since 1995. It’s a good time to get prepared and if you are a homeowner currently as we are now in Hurricane Season, it’s a great time to make sure your insurance and plans are in order for a potentially big season of storms ahead according to NOAA.

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 June 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, home maintenance, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, realtors, selling a home, windstorm insurance

Padre Island Housing Report – May 2022

June 24, 2022 By Cheri Sperling

The Real Estate Market continues to soften a bit with Mortgages rates getting bumped up now due to the Federal Reserve raising rates 75 basis points. Padre Island, is still hot for relocations & second homes, things are definitely shifting more and more each day now with more uncertainty in the world.

Stock market conditions are still uneasy out there and America is taking a much slower approach to big purchasing decisions given our inflation report coming out with a CPI at levels we haven’t seen in decades.

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 May 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, home maintenance, Hurricane Aide, Hurricane Hanna, Hurricane Relief, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, realtors, selling a home

Padre Island Housing Data – April 2022

May 26, 2022 By Cheri Sperling

America’s home buying binge seems to be coming to an end. Our specific area, Padre Island, is still hot for relocations & second homes, but we are starting to sense a shift and data is beginning to support this sense.

Home sales have tumbled for the third month. Cash buyers are beginning to be fewer and disappearing. Even though mortgage rates eased this past week many buyers are pulling back from the housing market. The stock market is scaring people. Where is our economy going?

Before long, and we’ve seen this before, there will come a time when buyers and sellers are not knocking down a sellers door. Many of we real estate brokerages are beginning to prepare for the upcoming market changes. Our real estate inventory is beginning to rise, ever so slightly, and fewer sold/closings.

We’ve been here before…..get prepared.

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 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, port aransas, property taxes, realtors, selling a home, windstorm insurance

Padre Island Housing Data – February 2022

March 25, 2022 By Cheri Sperling

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)

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

Padre Island Housing Data – January 2022

February 13, 2022 By Cheri Sperling

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)

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

3 Things To Think About Before You Sell

January 15, 2022 By Cheri Sperling

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

Prep For The Cold?

December 27, 2021 By whitneynoble

BREAKING NEWS: Winter is upon us. “So what” you say? We live in S. Texas – it’s always warm, sunny, driveway drinks and pool parties weather around here. MYTH. We can and do get freezes! Who remembers last February? That was pretty extra and as atypical as it was, history CAN repeat itself.

I know we’re all tempted to start purchasing heat lamps and tents for our palms and delicate landscaping, but if you are among the majority who have children, pets, or anything with a heartbeat living under your roof, it’s best to learn from last year’s unfortunately scary and chilly events that to be prepared for inside is the best thing you can do.

Here are the top 5 ways to plan ahead to alleviate some of the discomforts of inclement weather.

GENERATOR – get one. Any one. Small one, big one, an automatic one, propane tank one, whole-home, portable…red one, blue one, get one, run run. You will not want the precious food (or beer) in your fridge to spoil, and you want to be able to at least turn on a small-space portable heater. IF your fridge isn’t going to run on the generator you have, pull out what’s important to you and put it outside! You have a FREE freezer on your patio.
PIPE INSULATION – remember having no water? Or worse yet, no water AND a burst line? Head to your favorite hardware store and grab some pipe insulation. Know where your main water line is and make sure you have enough insulation (or in a clutch situation, blanket and lots of duct tape) to wrap it. Let your faucets drip slowly to keep that water moving, and it is less likely to freeze. In the unfortunate event of a burst, turn them off immediately.
HEAT SOURCE – if you failed to grab that generator, have a backup plan! If you have a fireplace, stockpile wood (and keep the flue closed when not in use!). Gas cooktops? Make sure you have a lighter to spark that bad boy up. If you followed rule #2, you’ll have water to boil for noodles, baby bottles, sponge bath…and while I give you a moment to get your mind out of the gutter…clear THEM, too! If there is debris in them, that melting ice could drip into your attic. Make sure your doors and windows have tight seals to keep drafts out.
CHARGERS – have your battery packs ALL juiced up so you do not end up with a dead cell phone and no way to communicate with the outside world. Or no way to keep yourself entertained…Netflix never sounded so good. Furthermore, have a full tank of gas in your car in the event you DO need to charge your devices from there!
STOCK UP – on weighted blankets, board games, books, wool socks, candles, beef jerky (a personal favorite but any non-perishable protein of your preference!), water (and wine…), flashlights and batteries, first-aid kit, and perhaps make an extra effort at making nice with your neighbors. Sometimes they’re the real saviors with a hot pot of coffee or a quick shower.

I repeat: we CAN and DO freeze! Stick to this top 5 list first, and pray we can save it all for 2072.

Filed Under: Barefoot Mardi Gras, buying a home, Hurricane Aide, Investment Property, New Homes Padre Island, selling a home, spring cleaning, windstorm insurance

Padre Island Housing Data – November 2021

December 17, 2021 By Cheri Sperling

The Local Real Estate Market is still going strong as we turn the corner into 2022!
Low inventory, consistent low interest rates that are still holding right now until the first quarter of 2022, where will see a likely small rate hike according the recent FED meeting.

Days on the market for sale has decreased to an average of 33 days on the market. 48.8% of all the sales in November were priced between $300,000 – $499,999. Median Price of homes has risen slightly by 10.8% to a price of $384,000. The market is certainly holding steady and it’s a still a phenomenal time to list your home with inventory nearing it’s lowest point of the year with increased buyers looking for their dream homes.

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 2021 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Investment Property, Mortgages, Padre Isles POA, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home

Great Tips for Holiday House Hunting

December 3, 2021 By whitneynoble

This time of year typically marks the unofficial time people begin thinking about the holidays. After Halloween, time seems to speed up and before we know it the holiday parties, charity functions and the like set in for familes. Real estate activity during the holiday season is typically discouraged because of the challenges posed on both sides of a transaction.

For sellers, there is the inconvenience of having to keep the home clean; leaving on a moment’s notice for showings; and limiting holiday entertaining. For buyers, there may be limited access to houses if sellers place showing restrictions due to personal schedules and commitments.

However there are some advantages and other considerations that both sides should keep in mind.

Buyers will find fewer homes on the market, but the homes that are available have highly motivated sellers. This may provide a better negotiating climate, and there is less likely to be the type of competition for homes you see during high season. In turn, sellers will find equally motivated buyers, and may find that offers and closings move more quickly. What this means is, bargains and negotiations are plentiful this time of year if you are working with a savvy real estate agent in corpus christi.

Holiday sellers should curb large plans to entertain, have family & friends stay over, or do excessive decorating. Focus on showing off the features of your home that will appeal to a buyer – not your family decorations and holiday traditions. It sounds like a less attractive holiday, but the dividends will more than pay for themselves. Remember to always keep a mindset of a buyer in mind. Have a Happy and healthy holiday season!

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, Holiday Parties, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, padre island events, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home

8 Surprising Facts About Identity Theft

November 19, 2021 By manager

BBB Tips:

Communication, work, school, shopping and even doctor’s visits have undergone massive digital transformations in the past year. Identity thieves are evolving right alongside us to better exploit victims in an increasingly digital world. The result is a sharp rise in both the number of fraud incidents and the amount of money lost ($712 billion in 2020 according to the Aite Group).

Check out these eight facts illustrating the scale of the identity theft crisis. Then, assess your risk and craft a plan to protect your identity.

Fraud and identity theft rose by 45% from 2019 to 2020.

Life changed dramatically last year. Confusion over the COVID-19 pandemic collided with rapid transitions to remote work and learning. At the same time, many consumers lost jobs and loved ones. Together, these factors contributed to a sharp rise in scams, fraud and identity theft–nearly doubling the number of identity theft reports consumers submitted to the FTC in 2019.

29% of all reports submitted to the FTC were about identity theft.

Consumers nationwide submitted 1.4 million reports of identity theft to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network. Identity theft was the most reported incident, topping common scam types like impostor and online purchase scams.

Reports of thieves taking over accounts have increased 72% since 2019.

As more services shift online, consumers’ private information shifts as well. One consequence is a rise in data breaches for businesses and account takeovers for consumers. A study by Javelin Strategy & Research discovered that not only are account takeovers growing, they also have a higher risk of financial loss.

Millennials are now the most common target for identity theft.

Consumers between the ages of 30 to 39 made up the largest share of reported identity theft victims in 2020, and they remain the most common reporters of identity theft so far this year as well.

23,651 identity theft incidents affected people below the age of 19.

Unfortunately, children aren’t safe from identity theft, and it often takes longer to recognize identity theft has occurred when victims are young. Some thieves may even get away with the scheme for years before they’re caught, so it’s never too early to monitor a credit report.

Social media users are 30% more likely to fall victim to identity theft.

Thieves can learn tons of valuable information about their potential victims just by glancing at social media. Even taking a Facebook quiz can increase your exposure to identity theft by collecting information that helps thieves hack into your accounts. Plus, thieves frequently contact victims through social media.

Most consumers underestimate their risk for identity theft.

An Experian survey discovered most consumers don’t really believe they’re at risk for identity theft. Consumers don’t fully grasp the size of their digital footprint. Others feel poor credit makes them unattractive to thieves. In reality, sharing personal information on social media, using a public wi-fi network and even sharing login information with friends and family can increase your chances of falling victim.

Identity theft has lasting emotional effects on victims.

Identity theft takes a major toll on victims’ mental health. Repairing accounts, requesting refunds and enhancing privacy safeguards can cause stress, fatigue and even depression. The emotional effects can impact work, school and relationships, and past victims are more likely to experience identity theft again.

Identity theft is a major risk to anyone with a paper trail or a digital footprint. In other words, everyone has some level of risk. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to protect yourself. Ensure you practice good digital hygiene by following BBB’s guide to data privacy.

If you have been a victim of identity theft, report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and to BBB Scam Tracker.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, buying a home, Padre Island Business Association, property taxes, Restaurants, Scam Alert, selling a home

Padre Island Housing Data – October 2021

November 5, 2021 By Cheri Sperling

The Local Real Estate Market is still doing well as we head into 2022!
Low inventory, bidding wars, and with continued low interest rates holding right now, this looks to be another stellar year for home buyers, investors and sellers alike!

Days on the market for sale has decreased to an average of 35 days on the market. 25% of all the sales in October were priced between $200,000 – $299,999. Median Price of homes has risen slightly by 3.6% to a price of $309,250. The market is certainly holding steady and it’s a great time to find that dream home you have been waiting for or cash out that equity. We are here to serve all your real estate needs.

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 2021 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, home maintenance, Investment Property, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, property taxes, selling a home

Know Before You Owe

September 21, 2021 By Cheri Sperling

When you are a Buyer, knowledge is power. And The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau knows that. They have worked diligently to make the loan process more transparent. The forms discussed below (the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure) were introduced to present less confusing information as to ensure consumers understand the terms of their loan and the fees they’re paying. Know before you owe!

To walk the walk, you have to talk the talk. Here is the new lingo and the new forms.

Let’s talk Terminology:

A lender is now a “Creditor”

The Good Faith Estimate (GFE) is now the “Loan Estimate” or LE for short.

HUD or Settlement Statement is now your “Closing Disclosure” or CD for short.

The GFE was meant to provide the buyer with a really good idea of what they’d be bringing to closing and the terms of their loan. But the rules behind its successor, the LE, are stricter and provide higher financial accuracy to the buyer. It includes the interest rate, fees for both creditor and third-party services (ie: appraisals, title insurance, closing costs, etc.)

Before you do anything, shop around for a lender and get prequalified for a loan. There’s little advantage to visiting with a Real Estate Agent until you know what you can afford.

First, you get prequalified, then you work with a Realtor who finds you the perfect home, and then comes your Loan Estimate.

SIX ELEMENTS TO GET THE LOAN ESTIMATE

The consumer’s name
The consumer’s income
The consumer’s SSN to obtain a credit report (creditor shopping will NOT affect credit rating)
Property address
An estimate of the value of the property
The mortgage loan amount sought

CLARIFY!

The prequal is NOT a Loan Estimate. If the consumer/buyer requests a preapproval or prequalification and provides 5 of these 6 elements in their application, the creditor will provide the prequalification, but is not yet obligated to provide the LE.

Only when the consumer provides all six elements of the application, the creditor must get the LE to the consumer within 3 Federal Business days (if the creditor is open on Saturday, then Saturday counts). Once provided, the LE holds true for 10 days once a property has been determined.

The home does not actually have to be under contract at this point, but it greatly benefits the buyer if it is. Without knowing which title company the contract will be at, your creditor can’t know the exact fees. With the new LE, the liability and financial accuracy weighs much heavier on the creditor than it did in the past. So what if there are differences presented on your final CD than those on your LE? There are zero tolerance fees, and fees that fall between a 10% tolerance. So if there is a difference between your CD and your LE, depending on which category the miscalculation falls under, the creditor may have to pay.

Moral is, sellers want strong buyers. Preapproval from a creditor shows just that, which is why it’s critical to get that first. Present that to your Realtor, house hunt, get under contract, and request the LE. Leave the rest to your happy and knowledgeable Realtor.

We’ll leave the changes to the consummation (the new term for closing) for a later discussion…

Filed Under: buying a home, corpus christi, home maintenance, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, realtors, selling a home Tagged With: corpus christi homes, mortgages, new construction padre island

BBB Scam Alert: Watch out for false promises as eviction moratorium nears end

September 5, 2021 By manager

The eviction moratorium has been extended through October 3, but that doesn’t mean scammers have postponed their tricks. Con artists often take advantage of the confusion and stress surrounding significant events. With more than 450,000 Texans behind on their rent, the moratorium’s end is a perfect hook.

How the Scam Works

As the eviction moratorium winds down, watch out for scammers offering loans, peddling credit repair services, or promoting government programs. These cons are a way to trick desperate people out of money they don’t have.

For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, BBB Scam Tracker has seen numerous reports of phony “pandemic relief” grants or government programs that allegedly provide funding to people impacted by the pandemic. Once you “qualify for the grant,” the scammer will ask you to pay a processing or delivery fee to receive your funds. Of course, the grant doesn’t exist, and if you pay upfront, you just gave money to scammers.

Advance fee loans, debt relief and credit repair scams work in a similar way. They promise a loan – or to repair your credit – for an upfront fee. No matter how much you may need it, don’t be tempted by “guaranteed loans” or impossible services, such as removing late payments or bankruptcy, from your credit report.

This recent BBB Scam Tracker report describes a situation more people will likely encounter as the eviction moratorium nears. “I’d been in a desperate financial situation for a few weeks now, so I had been looking for loans and being denied left and right,” the scam victim told BBB. The victim received a call from a loan provider, saying their loan application had finally been accepted. There was just one catch: before the company could release the money, the borrow had to increase their credit score. Fortunately, this company had a way to help. “The way they would do that is they would send money to my account and then all I would have to do is send it back and that would boost my score.” Of course, the scammers never actually transferred the money. When the victim “sent back” the funds, they transferred $1,000 into the hands of scammers and caused their account to overdraft.

Protect yourself from this scam:

Double-check any government program before you sign up. If an organization is offering you a grant or relief funds, get to know them before agreeing to anything. Take a close look at their website and read reviews. If you think you might be dealing with an impostor, find the official contact information and call the company to verify the offer is legitimate.

Be wary of out-of-the-blue calls, emails or text messages claiming to be from the government. In general, the government will not contact you using these methods unless you have granted permission.

Think something seems suspicious? Reach out to the agency directly. If you doubt that a government representative is legitimate, hang up the phone or stop emailing. Then, report the suspicious calls or messages. Make sure the agency is real. Scammers often make up names of agencies or grants.

Do not pay any money for a “free” government grant or program. It is not free if there is a fee involved. A real government agency will not ask for an advanced processing fee. Instead, find out if the grant is legitimate by checking Grants.gov.

Advance fees are a concern. Not all businesses promising to help you repair bad credit are scams, but if you are asked to pay in advance, that’s a big red flag. In both the U.S. and Canada, credit repair and debt relief companies can only collect their fee after performing the promised services.

Avoid guarantees and unusual payment methods. Genuine lenders never guarantee a loan in advance. They will check your credit score and other documents before providing an interest rate or loan amount and will not ask you to pay an upfront fee. Fees are never paid via gift cards, CashApp, or prepaid debit cards. Unusual payment methods and payments to an individual are a big tip-off.

Get further insight by reading BBB’s tips on loans and credit repair services on BBB.org and learn more about government impostor scams during COVID-19.

If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, Charities, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, property taxes, Scam Alert, selling a home

Net-Zero Home?

August 23, 2021 By whitneynoble

Despite the sounds of it, this term does not apply to selling your home and seeing a fat ZERO on the Monies Owed to Seller at closing. This is FAR from a financial “wash” actually. It refers to energy efficiency! By definition, a net-zero home produces as much energy as it consumes. Most of us would agree that part of being a homeowner is watching our spending – trying to cut back on our utility bills is a big part of that. Seeing as most of us likely are unable to attain this completely, we can still utilize aspects that could help put a little jingle in the boat savings piggy bank.

Building Envelope – This is the physical separator between the conditioned and unconditioned spaces of your home. Ever see the sun through those minor gaps in your doors? Seal that up! Although your neighbors appreciate you cooling down the cul-de-sac, your energy bill doesn’t. Other areas to check are leaky ductwork and gaps in attic insulation (and wall insulation if you’re building a home).

Windows – If you’re like many Island residents with an older home, this may apply to you. By upgrading to double-paned, glazed, low-E windows, you’ll not only be saving energy, but you’ll also be better protected in the event of a hurricane. Go the extra mile by purchasing nice shades, too.

Lighting and Fixtures – Wherever possible, swap out your bulbs and fixtures for energy-efficient LED lighting. Install energy-saving ceiling fans in bedrooms and main living areas to assist your AC system with that extra boost of circulation.

Heating and Cooling – This is a big one as it accounts for well over 50% of interior energy bills. When your systems need replacing, do your homework. Three main areas to research: 1) AFUE rating; the closer to 100%, the more efficient; 2) SEER rating; a score of 16 SEER or higher is considered efficient; 3) Output Capacity; two-stage and variable-speed systems are the most energy-efficient. Consider installing a smart thermostat that will automatically adjust to your needs.

Green Power – Check your energy provider as they may offer an opt-in program for renewable energy sources.

YOUR Habits – Be mindful of our own usage and habits. A few tricks: 1) Close your blinds, curtains, or shutters on hot days and switch on your AC before the peak of the heat so it doesn’t have to work as hard. 2) Close off rooms you’re not using. 3) If you’re bad at turning off lights, install sensors in rooms like bathrooms and outside. 4) Remind your family members of the importance of turning off appliances when they’re finished with them.

Reduce your energy footprint as you’re able! Small changes can make a big difference. You can be comfortable, healthy, sustainable, AND no longer live in fear of the monthly mailbox utility bill. Live the COOL life.

Filed Under: buying a home, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, realtors, selling a home

The Hidden Eviction Win at the Supreme Court

July 7, 2021 By Cheri Sperling

Hi All!

It has been a monumental week for the CDC eviction ban, and a flurry of media stories may have rightfully left folks a bit confused, to say the least!

So, let me try and break it down for us. Despite some misguided headlines, there actually was some excellent news this week on this very issue.

As you know, the Trump White House directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to act during the pandemic health emergency to ban all evictions nationwide. The CDC under President Trump and then President Biden extended the moratorium several times, most recently through July 31st.

With the National Association of REALTORS backing and guidance, the Georgia and Alabama Associations of REALTORS sued in federal court, claiming the CDC lacked statutory authority to ban all evictions.

The was a strategic decision by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). In May, a federal judge struck down the ban as unlawful NATIONWIDE! Although the case was won, the judge issued a stay of her ruling pending an appeal by the government, of course!

With so many housing providers suffering under a financial strain, NAR immediately appealed to the D.C. Circuit Court and then to the Supreme Court to lift the stay.

Now, this is where it gets interesting. This week, four Supreme Court justices voted to end the stay immediately and, therefore, the eviction ban. They agreed with all the merits of the case – that the CDC acted unlawfully!

A fifth justice also agreed on the merits, BUT he wanted the ban in place through the end of July to allow more time for an orderly transition – if that makes sense.

The bottom line: A majority of Supreme Court justices are now on the record agreeing with the merits of the case that the CDC exceeded its existing statutory authority to bank all evictions.

So, even though the ban is here for a few more weeks, it is still a BIG win for property rights with the help of the National Association of REALTORS.

The CDC should not be able to do this again in a future emergence without going through Congress. AND, for the FIRST time, the CDC eviction bank is coming to an end.

At an Eviction Prevention Summit yesterday at the White House with Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice, she said ‘Following the CDC’s announcement last week of an instant, one-month extension of the eviction moratorium until July 31st, the Administration announced a series of actions to stabilize families and prevent evictions, including steps to encourage state and local governments to disburse the more than $46 billion in emergency rental assistance made available to assist households in need.’

NAR is pleased with the Administration’s effort to deploy rental assistance to struggling property owners much more speedily.

The NAR team fought for and helped secure billions in rental assistance in 2020. They reached almost every single member of Congress on the issue and held meetings with the White House. One of the most influential members of Congress said it would not have happened without NAR’s influence. GO, REALTORS!!! This is Who We Are…

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

Padre Island Housing Data – February 2021

March 16, 2021 By Cheri Sperling

It has been roughly a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States, and more people than ever are buying residential real estate in vacation housing markets.

In a study of counties that have seen the largest uptick of homebuyers and subsequently, home value – the top 10 are all in either vacation destinations or relatively affordable areas of big cities. That’s in line with the country’s sweeping work-from-home mandates put in place last March, which allowed millions of people with the capital to buy a property realizing they could work – and live – anywhere.

A demand for second homes across the country has skyrocketed since last January. What remains to be seen is how the continued vaccine rollout and expected economic stimulus checks impacts the larger metro areas’ housing markets. With most people receiving immunizations from COVID-19, more workplaces opening up to their employees – in turn, drawing them back to the city to avoid commuting from suburbs and vacation areas such as Padre Island and Port Aransas.

Mortgage rates continue to increase as the economy improves with the labor market and vaccinations continuing to roll out and additional stimulus spending. Even as mortgage rates rise modestly, the housing market remains healthy on the brink of spring home-buying season.

Homebuyer’s demand is strong, and for homeowners who have not refinanced but are looking to do so, they have not yet lost the opportunity. Cash-out refi’s have exploded. Many economists expect home prices to keep growing.

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 2021 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Filed Under: realtors, selling a home, spring cleaning

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SELLER’S DISCLOSURE FORM

March 6, 2021 By whitneynoble

This one form, filled out by the seller of a property, is more important than you may have realized. I compare it to a hard hat at a construction site. Seems overly precautious until a large piece of material falls from above and suddenly you’re awfully glad you had that protection!

In 1993, this form became mandatory, exclaiming that “Texans would be bound to truth in selling their homes…is designed to protect Realtors from the burgeoning number of ‘failure to disclosure’ lawsuits…the bill would require sellers to complete a disclosure form detailing the condition of the house, property and certain equipment within the house.”

What is it?

This statement is a disclosure of the condition of the property in compliance with the seller Disclosure Act. This statement is a disclosure of the condition and information concerning the property, known by the seller. Unless otherwise advised, the seller does not possess any expertise in construction, architecture, engineering, foundation, roof, or any other specific area related to the construction or condition of the improvements on the property or the land. This statement is not a warranty of any kind by the seller and is not a substitute for any inspections or warranties the buyer may wish to obtain. NOTE: For sale my owners are also legally required to provide this form.

Can your agent help you fill it out?

No. As Realtors, this would infringe on our duties to abide by the National Association of Realtors “Code of Ethics and standards of practice.” We are not lawyers and cannot give any advice or interpret any law regarding what the form says or means. If there are any questions, sellers need to consult an attorney.

Both TAR and TREC have a seller’s disclosure notice. Which to use?

Both forms are in compliance with the law. With that said, the TAR form is far preferred. It asks more questions, is far more thorough, is easier to fill out, spells out specific safety hazards the TREC form does not, is more useful for buyers and is designed to serve as a better risk-reduction tool for sellers. It is in your best interest as the seller to ask your agent to provide you with the TAR form.

Who is exempt from filling this form out?

There are 11 exceptions, but the most common are:

A builder of a new home
A trustee or executor of an estate
The lender after foreclosing on a property
Duplex owners

Even though these types of sellers (and a few others) are not required to provide a disclosure notice, they still must disclose any known material defects. Requirements of Section 5.008, all sellers have an obligation to disclose known defects about the property. Failure to do so exposes them to liability under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act or other civil laws.

What about previous death in the property?

The statute does not require disclosure of deaths by natural causes, suicide, or accidents unrelated to the condition of the property.

Previous Inspection Reports

If a seller bought the home within the past 4 years OR if a seller receives a copy of an inspection report from a buyer but the contract with that buyer falls through, the seller and brokers should consider sharing the report and they have a duty to disclose any known material defects. Possession of a prior inspection report may be evidence of the seller’s or broker’s knowledge of a known defect, although no law requires that the report must be provided.

Consequences When Sellers Don’t Disclose

A seller who doesn’t disclose known defects can be sued by the buyer after the defect is discovered. As a seller, you don’t want to look back after closing!

If a court finds the seller responsible, they may be required to:

Repairs and other damages resulting from the undisclosed defect
Pay the buyer’s attorney’s fees and costs of the lawsuit
Take back the house if the court invalidates or rescinds the sale
Punishment for punitive damages of failure to disclose defects

A surprise birthday party is fun…a surprise moldy house is not! Use of this form may result in fewer surprises to the buyer after closing and less liability for the agents and the seller(s). Don’t make your home sale any more challenging than need be. A seller’s accurate and honest disclosure is worth it.

Filed Under: buying a home, New Homes Padre Island, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home

Color Pyschology: How they Effect Emotional States!

January 26, 2021 By whitneynoble

Have you ever come home to find that your house has been broken into, your husband has canceled your recordings of The Bachelor, and it appears as though your “big bad guard dog” has actually led the robber to the fine china? I truly have “seen red” before. And I bet you have, too.

So how do colors affect human emotion and reaction? Company owners, home decorators, web designers, have all recently been paying more attention to not only what colors to choose, but why to choose them. Color psychology is now known to play a larger role in marketing, design and branding. Perhaps as homeowners, we, too, should choose wisely. The colors you choose for your spaces can actually play a role in your mood and temperament.

Black begs power and authority. You wouldn’t bully the karateka sporting the black belt.

For the home: Choose an accent wall in your home office and paint it black! Own your work space, and make it be known that you’re the boss in there! It will demand dominance.

White symbolizes purity, innocence, and sterility. Wouldn’t it just seem odd to baptize a baby in a red gown? Or to paint the walls of an operating room a dirty tone of split pea soup?

For the home: If you have a case of kitchen OCD, a white kitchen is a necessity. White will make the kitchen appear larger (and it IS the heart of the house, so the bigger, the better!), but the more sterile this room feels, the better. Perhaps your guests don’t want to question whether their food was prepared in a germ breeding ground, as white countertops and cabinets are no hiding place for grease splatters or red wine rings.

Red brings about feelings of passion and rage. Studies also show that it increases circulation, action, and exudes an empowering masculine energy.

For the home: Assuming most households do have at least one man in them, perhaps use red as an accent color: Red pillows, a red door, red vases. Does your house have a man cave? Red that room!

Orange has the tendency to elicit increase in energy and optimism. Think of the fruit – it’s bright, sweet, makes you want to do an Irish jig.

For the home: If you have a home gym, this is the PERFECT place for this color. It will likely give you that needed boost an extra shot of espresso may provide…without the calories!

Yellow sometimes enhances concentration, but can lead to irritability and anxiety. Just because it’s gender neutral doesn’t mean you should paint your nursery this color. Studies have shown that the same baby will cry more in a yellow room than in a blue room.

For the home: As with red, use this color as an accent. If you just love the color, a downstairs powder room would be a nice place to put yellow on the walls. It will add a kiss of zest to the first floor. Consider the sun…it’s always nice when it’s out, but you never want to stare at it!

Green…ahhhh green. It’s natural…relaxing…can’t you smell the fresh cut grass? Not only does green bring you down to earth, but it can symbolize greed and envy. So, use green wisely.

For the home: Incorporate green by using indoor plants! Plants will bring the outdoors in, and studies have shown plants and flowers will reduce stress and improve general well-being. You wouldn’t bring your sick friend a gerbil, right? You’d bring them a fresh bouquet! If you’d rather bring green in another way, go with a nice pale green for the living room.

Blue has a similar effect as green. You feel calm around blue. It symbolizes loyalty and peace. Straight from Wikipedia, “In 2000, Glasgow installed blue street lighting in certain neighborhoods and subsequently reported the anecdotal finding of reduced crime in these areas.”

For the home: I’d choose a navy blue as an accent wall in the dining room, or a light blue for a bedroom. If you’re like most, your bedroom is the one place you can really go to unwind. Blue will allow you to feel soothed and restful. Light up a beach wood candle, and you’re in heaven! Just don’t go painting clouds on the ceiling. Then you’ve taken it too far.

Purple is the color of royalty, wealth, and sometimes romance. In ancient healing therapies, the color psychology behind purple was believed to treat skin problems, and purple crystals were used for both emotional and physical healing.

For the home: If it is believed to aid in skin therapy, what better place for a purple paint job than the master bathroom? Maybe the good purple vibes will work their magic and make you forever beauteous. If that’s not what you’re about, picture a relaxing lavender scented bath. Purple is also said to spark the imagination. I know many people do their best thinking in the bathroom!

Pink makes people think of love and romance. But it also brings about a sense of nurturing and immaturity – the silly, playful kind.

For the home: A little girl’s bedroom is the obvious choice here. But I think another less obvious space would be lighter maroon color in a playroom. This may help mold creative thoughts and visionary children.

Now go grab some color swatches, and create your own desired household aura!

Filed Under: home maintenance, realtors, selling a home, Uncategorized

Design Trends in 2021

January 7, 2021 By whitneynoble

“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

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

November 9, 2020 By Cheri Sperling

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

Padre Island Housing Report – September 2020

October 13, 2020 By Cheri Sperling

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

CONSEQUENTIALLY CONTINGENT

September 22, 2020 By whitneynoble

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 – July 2020

August 8, 2020 By Cheri Sperling

The end of July, the median sale price on homes was 311,500 which is an increase of10.3% over last month here on Padre Island compared to last year at this time.

New land development projects continue to increase with the completion of Starbucks Coffee house at the development near the JFK causeway bridge called packery pointe. Also coming is a new development at Marker 37 than will bring a real fun coastal flair to the area.

Days on the market for sale has decreased to an average of 81 days on the market. 23.1% of all the sales in July were priced between $300,000 – $399,999. Closed Sales were up a whopping 50% in the month of July. The market is a soaring right now, there are some great bargains out there and with the interest rates holding low now is your chance to upgrade to that 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 July 2020 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

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

Real Estate on Padre Island

July 20, 2020 By Cheri Sperling

Do you know what a SELLER’S MARKET is? It occurs when demand exceeds supply, or there are more buyers seeking to purchase properties than there are available properties on the market. This often leads to multiple buyers interested in a single property, resulting in bidding wars.

In a SELLERS’S MARKET, properties priced well and look good, don’t stay listed for too long. Many properties sell in just weeks

For much of the last decade, the real estate market has been….well, not really in the greatest shape. Home sellers have had to do everything short of staging a three-ring circus in the front yard in order to attract buyers and throwing in their firstborn child to seal the deal.

Over the course of the past few months, though, there’s been quite the turnaround, to the point wherein many parts of the country we’re now in what is known as a ‘true’ SELLER’S MARKET.

The drop in interest rates, which allows more people to qualify to buy homes, or to afford more expensive homes has been a major factor.

The BEST way to make sure you’re taking full advantage of a SELLER’S MARKET is to work with an experienced local REALTOR. Your REALTOR will help you know just how high you can price a property, and what offers are worth a second look.

Homeowners, the real estate market on Padre Island is HOT and now is a great time to sell. Interest rates are low and there are more buyers than inventory. Let us help you find your perfect gem!

~ Cheri Sperling

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

Padre Island Housing Report – April 2020

May 21, 2020 By Cheri Sperling

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)

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 Cheri Sperling

TWIA 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 windstorm insurance association

Texas Quarterly Housing Report for 1st Quarter of 2020

April 29, 2020 By Cheri Sperling

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 whitneynoble

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

Padre Island Housing Report March 2020

March 12, 2020 By Cheri Sperling

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 Cheri Sperling

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)

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

Padre Island Housing Report Dec 2019

January 16, 2020 By Cheri Sperling

As of the end of December, there were a number of waterfront homes on Padre Island, For Sale. The pricing ranged from $293,000 to $4,500,000.

There are many dry lot homes on Padre Island, For Sale.
The pricing ranges from $200,000 to $950,000.

Days on the market for sale has decreased to an average of 103 days on the market. 42.9% of all the sales in December were priced between $200,000 – $299,999. Closed Sales were up 2.9% in the month of December. People are eager to get the New Decade started.

2020 Will be a fabulous year for buyers, sellers and investors. Interest rates are supposed to remain low. A few new loan programs are coming out. Lots of new devlepment 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 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 are the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

Padre Island December 2019 Data (Click Pic below for PDF)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, New Homes Padre Island, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, selling a home

Padre Island Housing Report Nov 2019

December 12, 2019 By Cheri Sperling

As of the end of November, there were 80 waterfront homes on Padre Island, For Sale. The pricing ranged from $298,000 to $4,500,000.

There are 73 day lot homes on Padre Island, For Sale.
The pricing ranges from $200,000 to $950,000.

Days on the market for sale has risen to an average of 141 days on the market. 35.5% of all the sales in November were priced between $200,000 – $299,999. No closings over $500,000 in the entire month of November. Sales were down 25.6% in the month of November. I believe people are thinking holidays.

We are looking forward to a much better 2020. Interest rates are supposed to remain low. A few new loan programs are coming out. Lots of new things happening on Padre Island. Happy Holidays!!

Cheri Sperling is 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 are the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

Padre Island November 2019 Data (Click Pic below for PDF)

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

Padre Island Housing Report September 2019

October 25, 2019 By Cheri Sperling

The Corpus Christi Association of REALTORS (CCAR) September market report for Padre Island shows the Median Price at $299,990 which is UP from September 2018 ($289,700)

The inventory levels are up a bit. Dry lot homes continue their dominance in active listings over the water front homes. Our closed sales were up in September which is typical because sales in July/August would be closing in September. The Island grocery store is in construction at this time. Waves Resort has stepped up their game and doing extremely well with their presentations, look and services.

Cheri Sperling is 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 are the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

Padre Island September 2019 Data (Click Pic below for PDF)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, North Padre Island, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home Tagged With: padre island, padre island new homes

Padre Island Housing Report August 2019

September 24, 2019 By Cheri Sperling

Total housing sales through the MLS corrected upward in July after declines the previous two months. Despite the monthly jump, the sales pace shows signs of slowing. The Median List price is now $285,000.

Continued concerns about global economic growth and trade uncertainty pulled interest rates down for the ninth consecutive month. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporations 30-year fixed-rate dropped below 3.8%. Refinance mortgage applications, which are more sensitive to interest rate fluctuations, have doubled since year end.

Days on the Market: July was approx 94 days. August approx 139 days.
Median List Price: July was $282,450 August approx $285,000
Closed Sales: July up 7.7% August down 18.3%

Coastline Properties has been on the Island since 1995. We strive to set the standard in our industry and inspire others by raising the bar on providing exception real estate knowledge and savvy!
Come Coast Awhile……right here!

Padre Island August 2019 Data (Click Pic below for PDF)

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

North Padre Island Housing Report – July 2019

August 21, 2019 By Cheri Sperling

Recently an agent described the current real estate market as, squirrely. As the market has softened, buyers are more finicky and more selective, and right now many sellers have unrealistic expectations of their home’s worth. The bottom line is, homes MUST be priced right.

The condominium and townhomes sales have dipped and inventory continues to increase. The homes sales have risen on Padre Island, somewhat, and the housing inventory continues in rising. Buyers have access to more properties not just here but statewide. However, working with a local Texas REALTOR in the market one is considering will ensure a Buyer or Seller the most accurate information and guidance to buying or selling a property. That professional will know the geographic area and can guide a buyer or a seller with much local information .

Coastline Properties has been on the Island since 1995. We strive to set the standard in our industry and inspire others by raising the bar on providing exception real estate knowledge and savvy!
Come Coast Awhile……right here!

Padre Island July 2019 Data (Click Pic below for PDF)

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

North Padre Island Housing Report – June 2019

July 22, 2019 By Cheri Sperling

If you are looking to Purchase or List a home on Padre Island…Ask for the ONLY Padre Island EXPERTS!

If you are considering property in Corpus Christi, the most affordable properties are located on Padre Island. Padre Island has the most affordable waterfront properties around. We sit on the warm Gulf of Mexico with miles of beaches and that isn’t including the long sandbar islands of Port Aransas and San Jose Island.

Many savvy real estate investors have retired early in their lives by investing in some of the best real estate markets on Padre Island. Our real estate market offers an excellent mix of opportunities such as catering to the student market from the college, military market at our base and our tourism market.

Our local economy and demographics makes Padre Island housing market incredibly stable, insulating from wild price swings while guaranteeing decent returns. Whether buying an investment property or wanting to own an owner-occupied home…Coastline Properties can answer your questions. whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro you probably realize the most important factor that will determine your success is a working with a seasoned local real estate company.

Coastline Properties has been on the Island since 1995. We strive to set the standard in our industry and inspire others by raising the bar on providing exception real estate knowledge and savvy!
Come Coast Awhile……right here!

Padre Island June 2019 Data (Click Pic below for PDF)

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

REAL ESTATE TRENDS IN 2019

July 6, 2019 By whitneynoble

Now that we’re halfway through the year, 2019 is revealing some trends that may interest any of you potential seller(s) or buyer(s). And some may surprise you! I’ll skip the hashtags and rhetoric, and get straight to them.

PRICES ARE RISING. Albeit slowly, but they are on the up. Isn’t that why we own? Real estate is meant to be an appreciating asset, so this makes us happy. For sellers, this means you can expect to net a little more than perhaps you expected. As mom would say, don’t spend it all in one place. But, be aware of the competition, price accordingly, and do not get discouraged if you’re not getting as much activity as you’d like. Due to higher prices, there may be fewer buyers and therefore fewer showing appointments and offers. Be patient, it will come. Because, what this means for buyers is…you need to save a bit longer and perhaps sacrifice a “want” or two. Concentrate more on your “needs” than “what would be nice” in a home. Be in close touch with your lender, understand the numbers, what is expected of you throughout the process, and take the time to save up for what it is you want.

MILLENNIALS! Don’t cringe, they are your friends…they are your BUYERS! Move aside, baby boomers and Gen Xers! The Millennials are now older, have stable careers, and currently account for roughly 45% of home purchases! This so happens to be at a good time, as baby boomers are downsizing and/or retiring. As a seller, keep these things in mind when speaking to your agent about marketing. Millennials shop online – be sure your hired agent has taken professional photos, has spent quality time on a detailed property description, and truly knows about your home, as once it gets input in to the local MLS, the internet sites such as Zillow, Trulia, and the like pick it up. If it doesn’t look or sound enticing, they’ll quickly move on. If you can, prep your home to be more energy efficient and maintenance free as possible. We’re seeing a movement toward quality over size, so declutter, brighten up, and maybe replace that oven with one that can be operated by a phone application. Buyers, know what you want and be quick when you are in fact ready…if you like it, your friends will, too! And do not forget to use an experienced real estate agent. It is a free service to YOU!

We’ve talked on this topic before, but the interest rates are higher than they’ve been in recent years’ past. Despite grumblings, it’s actually a good thing! To help stabilize the strong economy and rising inflation during the past few years, the Federal Reserve increased short-term interest rates. It’s somewhat natural to see a trickle-down effect to the bank level like what we’re seeing now with mortgage interest rates. What it means in short is that more people are willing to spend and borrow money. We just need to know how to react to this as a seller and a buyer. Sellers, your home may be on the market a bit longer, so plan for this by maybe listing a bit earlier than you may otherwise would have wanted to. Your best bet is to hire a local agent who understands the current market. They’ll help you set expectations for how much you can make and how long you’ll have to wait for the right offer. Buyers, taking out a mortgage is like getting married – you’re going to be together a long time! It’s normal to need to take a moment to make this commitment, especially when the rates are higher than they may have wanted. Believe it or not, rates are still relatively low. If you’re not buying with cash, check with your lender on the terms of a conventional 15-year fixed-rate mortgage. You may find that route beneficial.

Maybe all this sounds great, but you currently have no interest in selling or purchasing. It’s still good news for you! Prices are supposed to continue to steadily increase by 2-6% by 2020. People are spending money, employment rates are high, and cash-buyers are becoming more common. There is no reason to believe a crash is anywhere in sight. So kick your feet up and breathe easy!

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Mortgages, North Padre Island, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home

Save and Spend Smartly

June 12, 2019 By whitneynoble

It’s hot here on Padre Island, and I’m not talking just the high temperatures. It is real estate’s steamy season, and properties are being listed and sold faster than season tickets at the ‘bahn. With the active market, it’s critical to take a look at your spending. How can you be assured you’re not wasting money? Here are some smart tips on how to save and spend during peak purchase season. Do not fall victim to these common money mistakes.

BUYERS:

DO NOT overpay. Unless you find yourself in a bidding war for the home of your absolute dreams, there is not a single home like it, and you do not plan to leave, ever ever ever, do not pay over the appraised value. Note: Do not get this number from the tax office, get this from an actual appraiser who visits the home and runs their own detailed determination of real value.

DO get an inspection. It’s worth the couple hundred dollars. Do your due diligence and know what you’re buying. If there is a deficiency on a large ticket item, it’s best to find out ahead of time so you can budget for it in the future or you can ask the seller to help right the wrong. You do not want to find these deficiencies later, once the sale is over, and you haven’t budgeted for them.

DO NOT make a lowball offer. Negotiating is normal, and it’s okay to not offer full price. But if you’re interested enough to make an offer, make sure it’s worth your time and the seller’s time. Your agent will be able to give their best advice as to what a good offer price would be, based on comparables and their knowledge of the market and area.

DO lender shop. Different lenders can offer different rates. Shop around, see with whom you can save and where.

DO NOT make large purchases prior to closing. This is a huge expensive mistake, as it can alter your credit score and can actually take you from having loan approval to not. You can lose your property and in turn gain something of expense (whatever it was that you bought, albeit a car, boat, etc.).

SELLERS:

DO NOT remodel what won’t pay off. If you’re going to do some upgrading prior to listing your property, spend money in the kitchen. This is a room that’s important. Otherwise, less expensive updates you can do include painting, new hardware, fixtures and carpet. Gutting bathrooms and shellacking your garage floor is likely not worth the pay off.

DO price properly. Your listing agent will be able to guide you to a proper sales price, so use their knowledge! You’re paying them, after all. If your property is priced too high, it’s likely to not sell as quickly, wasting your money on months of bills, taxes, mortgage payments, etc.

DO NOT reject reasonable offers. Letting your emotions get in the way of your sale can be tough, but you do not want to push qualified buyers away because you’re not remembering that this is in fact business. At the very least, provide a counter offer.

DO disclose. If there are issues that you do know about, it’s the law to disclose known deficiencies. If you do not, this could turn in to a lawsuit. Talk about expensive!

Try to keep these Dos and Don’ts in mind this summer and in to the fall, and you will be free from the most expensive mistakes that buyers and sellers tend to make. You work hard for your money, so keep your dollars where they will work for YOU!

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

Tax Time 2019

April 15, 2019 By whitneynoble

Your home is likely your largest asset, and therefore, deserves special attention at tax time. Be sure you’re handling them correctly this year, using these tips!

Deduct from the correct year:

Here, we’re billed in arrears on our taxes, which can be confusing when taking the tax deduction. You’ll want to be sure to enter the amount you actually paid in that tax year, no matter what the date on your tax bill says. Because of this, it can be easy to confuse your payments and actually claim the incorrect amount.

Note: If taxes were paid from your escrow account, do not just deduct the amount escrowed. That’s because sometimes the amount you pay from this account can be a little bit higher or a little bit lower. Your lender will align the two to make sure they end up matching.

For example: Your property taxes were $6,000. Your lender collected $5,800. Or, maybe your lender collected $6,200. You’ll deduct $6,000, the actual taxes paid. This number will be the amount noted on your Form 1098.

Deduct your mortgage interest:

A home mortgage interest deduction allows you, the taxpayers who owns your home, to write off any interest you paid on a loan secured by your home (main home or a second home). The loan may be a mortgage, a line of credit, or a home equity loan. This allows you to reduce your taxable income by the amount of interest paid on the loan.

Note: You must file Form 1040 and itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040), and prove your mortgage is a secured debt on a qualified home in which you own.

Exceptions: You cannot deduct mortgage interest on a mortgage that is over $1,000,000, or you have over $100,000 in home equity debt.

Refinanced?

If you’ve refinanced, you’ll be deducting points over the life of your new loan (as opposed to your regular mortgage, where you’ve been deducting points based on what you paid your lender to secure your mortgage over the course of your loan’s life – 15 years, 30 years…)

For example: Let’s say you paid $3,000 in points for a refinance of 30 years. You’ll divide 3,000 by 30 and pay $100 a year.

Went green?

If you made any energy improvements, such as installing solar electric, solar water heater, geothermal, any energy-efficient systems…you may be able to take a 10% tax credit up to a certain dollar amount. However, these are one-time credits. If you claimed your new energy-efficient windows last year, you can’t do it again.

Note: See Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits

Don’t forget to:

Keep track of your home-related expenses.
Track your capital gains (If you sold your main home last year, you’ll have to pay capital gains taxes on your profit from that sale). Keep your receipts as long as you own the property plus three years.
Deduct your home office (If you’re eligible, you can deduct $5 per sq. ft. up to 300 feet, or up to $1,500 a year).
Keep your mortgage payoff statements forever. You never know when you may need that proof.
Keep your appraisal or valuation used to calculate depreciation as long as you’re the owner plus three years.
Keep your property tax payment, year-end mortgage statement, PMI payment, and energy tax credit receipt for three years after the due date of the return showing the deduction.

Filed Under: North Padre Island, property taxes, realtors, Retail Tax, selling a home, spring cleaning

North Padre Island Housing Report – March 2019

April 6, 2019 By Cheri Sperling

If you are looking to Purchase or List a home on Padre Island…Ask for the ONLY Padre Island EXPERTS!

Look at this!! The Median priced homes on Padre Island this past March have gone up 19.4% compared to March 2018! That’s good news! However, we are stilling having rain with the fronts moving through and the number of Active listings has fallen. People don’t want to list when it’s rainy and ugly out there AND people don’t want to buy when it’s rainy and ugly. Where’s the sunshine?

The active market in March were homes priced $200,000 to $399,999. The higher end homes seem to continue to sit. Maybe a showing here and a showing there – but sales in the higher end is extremely slow.

Come on Spring…we are ready for you!! ~Cheri Sperling

Our Coastline team lists and sells throughout the Texas Coastal Bend – but we Specialize and are considered the area Experts on Padre Island. When you think about Real Estate on Padre Island, everyone thinks about Coastline Properties. Come Coast Awhile….with us!!

Padre Island March 2019 Data (Click Pic below for PDF)

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, mustang island, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, realtors, selling a home, Upper Padre, Upper Padre Island

North Padre Island Housing Report – November 2018

December 11, 2018 By admin

If you are looking to Purchase or List a home on Padre Island…Ask for the ONLY Padre Island EXPERTS!

* The Island pricing has dipped since Labor Day in September. We also are seeing it the number of listing that are reducing pricing on a daily basis, particularly the new construction.
* Our ACTIVE listings are still slightly down – and, I attribute to the fact that as normal we head into the Holidays and people usually place a hold on buying/selling commensurately to wait until after the first of the year. Spring is the typical time frame for the uptick in activity.

* The higher priced homes, over $500,000 are still struggling as of this time. Not as many buyers in that range at this time. If a Seller receives a contract he needs to try and make it work because the competition priced over the $500,000 mark have Seller’s that want to move onward and may be more negotiable.

Our Coastline team lists and sells throughout the Texas Coastal Bend – but we Specialize and are considered the area Experts on Padre Island. When you think about Real Estate on Padre Island, everyone thinks about Coastline Properties. Come Coast Awhile….with us!!

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, North Padre Island, realtors, selling a home

North Padre Island Housing Report Oct 2018

November 8, 2018 By Cheri Sperling

If you are looking to Purchase or List a home on Padre Island…Ask for the ONLY Padre Island EXPERTS!

* The Island pricing has dipped since Labor Day in September. We also are seeing it the number of listing that are reducing pricing on a daily basis, particularly the new construction.
* Our ACTIVE listings is down – and, I attribute to the fact we’re going into the holidays and many folks are going to wait until after the first of the year, nearer Spring and hope the real estate market on Padre Island begins to turn upward.
* The higher priced home, over $500,000 are struggling. Not as many buyers in that range at this time. If a Seller receives a contract he needs to try and make it work because the competition priced over the $500,000 mark have Seller’s that want to move onward and may be more negotiable.

Our Coastline team lists and sells throughout the Texas Coastal Bend – but we Specialize and are considered the area Experts on Padre Island. When you think about Real Estate on Padre Island, everyone thinks about Coastline Properties. Come Coast Awhile….with us!!

Filed Under: Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, realtors, selling a home Tagged With: north padre island, real estate data corpus christi, realtors in corpus christi

North Padre Island Housing Report – Sept. 2018

October 16, 2018 By Cheri Sperling

If you are looking to Purchase or List a home on Padre Island…Ask for the ONLY Padre Island EXPERTS!

* Median pricing on Padre Island raised 11.5% in the month of September 2018 compared to September 2017 pricing.
* We are down in Active homes For Sale on Padre Island today. Padre Island is down is Closed sales by 13% – closing only 40 in September 2018.
* If a property is priced correctly, it’s taking about 123 days, on the Average, to close. The supply of waterfront homes is down. Supply & Demand!

Our Coastline team lists and sells throughout the Texas Coastal Bend – but we Specialize and are considered the area Experts on Padre Island. When you think about Real Estate on Padre Island, everyone thinks about Coastline Properties. Come Coast Awhile….with us!!

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, realtors, selling a home Tagged With: north padre island, real estate data corpus christi, realtors in corpus christi

North Padre Island Housing Report – August 2018

September 16, 2018 By manager

If you are looking to Purchase or List a home on Padre Island…Ask for the ONLY Padre Island EXPERTS!

* The Median Priced home is down to $254,050 – down 16.4% compared to August 2017.
* The Active – Homes For Sale is down to 329 – down 7.6%.
Days on the Market: 110
Days to Close: 30
TOTAL 140 Days on the Market in 2018
16 days less than August 2017

Our Coastline team lists and sells throughout the Texas Coastal Bend – but we Specialize and are considered the area Experts on Padre Island. When you think about Real Estate on Padre Island, everyone thinks about Coastline Properties. Come Coast Awhile….with us!!

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

Padre Island Housing Market July 2018

August 10, 2018 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET IS HOLDING STEADY THIS SUMMER ON NORTH PADRE ISLAND. NEW LISTING ACTIVITY STILL BOLSTERING THE 200-400K RANGE STILL, WHICH COVERS THE MAJORITY OF THE MARKET. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEALTHY SUMMER 2018! GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

Filed Under: Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, mustang island, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, realtors, selling a home

Padre Island Housing Report June 2018

July 11, 2018 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET IS RED HOT AS SUMMER IS IN FULL SWING HERE ON NORTH PADRE ISLAND. NEW BUYER ACTIVITY STILL DOMINATING THE 200-400K RANGE STILL, WHICH COVERS THE MAJORITY OF THE MARKET. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT SUMMER 2018! GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

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

Padre Island Housing Report May 2018

June 10, 2018 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET IS REALLY PICKING UP STEAM AS SUMMER HEATS UP HERE ON NORTH PADRE ISLAND. LOTS OF NEW BUYER ACTIVITY IN THE THE 200-400K RANGE STILL, WHICH COVERS THE MAJORITY OF THE MARKET. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT SUMMER 2018! GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

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

National Market Data From NAR

March 4, 2018 By Cheri Sperling

EXISTING-HOME SALES SLIP 3.2 PERCENT in January 2018
Existing-home sales slumped for the second consecutive month in January and experienced their largest decline on an annual basis in over three years, according to the National Association of Realtors. All major regions saw an annual sales declines last month. The Buyer Traffic Index came in at 69 in January, up from 63 in January 2017.
GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

Filed Under: Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, New Homes Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, selling a home

THE “TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT”

February 24, 2018 By whitneynoble

Just before the New Year, President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. You’ve probably read a bit on the topic, but what does it mean for all you valued homeowners out there?

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) worked throughout the tax reform process, on behalf of all of us, to preserve the existing tax benefits of homeowners and investors. Although many areas of the old law were retained, there were also many changes. Let’s take a look at what is different – spark notes style.

Provisions Affecting Current and Prospective Homeowners:

Tax Rate Reductions – The new law, in general, provides lower tax rates for those filing individually. Although many will pay lower taxes, it is not a blanket rule. The tax rate schedule retains seven brackets with slightly lower marginal rates of 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. However, the current maximum rates on net capital gains remains the same. Over the next decade, the total size of the tax cut from the rate reductions equals more than $1.2 trillion.

Mortgage Interest Deduction – Now, for loans taken out, the new limit on deductible mortgage debt has been reduced from $1 million to $750,000. Current loans of up to $1 million are grandfathered. The final bill repealed the deduction for interest paid on home equity debt through the end of the year 2025. And if the proceeds are used to improve your property, interest is still deductible on home equity loans or second mortgages. Second homes? Interest remains deductable, but is still subject to the aforementioned limits.

Standard Deduction – The new standard deduction for single filers is $12,000 and $24,000 for joint returns (indexed for inflation). This significant increase will reduce the value of the mortgage interest and property tax deductions as tax incentives for homeownership.

Repeal of Personal Exemptions – Before, filers could deduct $4,150 in 2018 for the filer and their spouse and each dependent (if any). These exemptions have been repealed in the new law. This change alone mitigates (may even eliminate) the positive aspects of the higher standard deduction, as it would more than make up for the loss of not receiving personal exemptions.

Deduction for State and Local Taxes – Although Texas doesn’t have state taxes, the new bill allows an itemized deduction of up to $10,000 for the total of state and local property taxes and income or sales taxes.

Deduction for Casualty Losses – Now there is a deduction only if a loss is attributable to a presidentially-declared disaster.

Moving Expenses – The final bill repeals moving expense deduction and exclusion, except for members of the Armed Forces.

It sounds as though home ownership will continue to be a strong and stable driver for our economy. And NAR will continue to work hard for us. They said it best: “Home ownership is not a special interest, it is our common interest.”

Filed Under: Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi, North Padre Island, padre island events, property taxes, realtors, Retail Tax, selling a home Tagged With: tax cuts, taxes, trump administration

Padre Island Housing Report – January 2018

February 13, 2018 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET IS SLOWLY BUT SHOWING SOME SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT. WE ARE SEEING A LULL IN PRICING COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. THE DIFFERENCE IS THE SUPPLY AND DAYS ON MARKET ARE LOWER THAN PREVIOUS HIGHS, SHOWING AN UPWARD TREND IN BUYER DEMAND. LOTS OF NEW BUYER ACTIVITY IN THE THE 200-300K RANGE. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. LOOKING FORWARD TO HAPPY & HEALTHY 2018! GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

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

Padre Island Housing Report – Dec. 2017

January 24, 2018 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET IS SLOWLY BUT SURELY STARTING TO PICK UP IN THE NEW YEAR. WE ARE SEEING A LULL IN PRICING COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. THE DIFFERENCE IS THE SUPPLY AND DAYS ON MARKET ARE LOWER THAN PREVIOUS HIGHS, SHOWING AN UPWARD TREND IN BUYER DEMAND. LOTS OF NEW BUYER ACTIVITY IN THE THE 300K RANGE. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. LOOKING FORWARD TO HAPPY & HEALTHY 2018! GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

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

Padre Island Housing Report – November 2017

December 8, 2017 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET CONTINUES TO BE A BIT SLUGGISH AS WE CLOSE OUT THE YEAR WITH A SNOW DAY. WE ARE STILL SEEING LOTS OF NEW BUYER ACTIVITY IN THE THE 300K RANGE. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND,PORT ARANSAS & IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. LOOKING FORWARD TO CLOSING OUT 2017, WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY & HEALTHY HOLIDAY! GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

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

Padre Island Housing Report – September 2017

October 9, 2017 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET HAD A BIT OF SLOWING DOWN DOWN DUE TO HURRICANE HARVEY. AS WE MOVE PAST THE HURRICANE SEASON IN SUMMER 2017, WE ARE SEEING LOTS OF NEW BUYER ACTIVITY AS WE GET CLOSER TO HALLOWEEN. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT 4th QUARTER OF THE YEAR, GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

Filed Under: mustang island, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, realtors, selling a home

Padre Island Housing Report – July 2017

August 10, 2017 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET IS SHOWING GREAT PROMISE WITH MANY NEW LISTINGS, AS WE ARE IN THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER 2017. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT 3rd QUARTER OF THE YEAR, GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, property taxes, realtors, selling a home, Upper Padre, Upper Padre Island

Padre Island Housing Report – May 2017

June 9, 2017 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET IS SHOWING GREAT PROMISE WITH MANY NEW LISTINGS, AS WE MOVE INTO SUMMER TIME OF 2017. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. LOOKING FORWARD TO AN EVEN MORE EXCITING SUMMER AHEAD, GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

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

Padre IslandHousing Report – March 2017

April 7, 2017 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET CONTINUES TO BE HEATING UP AS WE MOVE INTO FULL SPRING TIME OF 2017, THE BEST WEATHER OF THE YEAR. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. LOOKING FORWARD TO AN EVEN MORE EXCITING SUMMER AHEAD, GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

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

North Padre Island Housing Report – February 2017

March 20, 2017 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET CONTINUES TO BE HEATING UP AS WE MOVE INTO SPRING OF 2017. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. LOOKING FORWARD TO AN EVEN MORE EXCITING SUMMER AHEAD, GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

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

2017 Great Year to Buy a Home?

January 24, 2017 By manager

46118737 – real estate sign in front of new house for sale

Just over 1000 homes are currently on the market in Corpus Christi. If the housing market doesn’t change, it would take just over four months to sell all those homes.

Real Estate Agent, David Garcia, who’s been selling homes for 16 years, says this is good news!

“It’s an excellent time to buy, you definitely want to take advantage of the low interest rates,” Garcia said. He says the housing market is based on supply and demand.

Out of those 1000 plus homes for sale, roughly 21% of them fall in the high demand category. Garcia says the most frequently purchased homes in Corpus Christi are right around $250,000. Although the supply for those homes is low, the demand is high.

Meaning, if you put your house on that market around that price range, it will sell very quickly.

Garcia says a recent survey found the median home price went up about 7% from 2015 to 2016.

He says that translates into a good return on investment. That’s not the only advantage to buying a home. Buyers also build equity and reap tax advantages

“Your net worth is 45 times greater owning a home vs renting,” Garcia said.

Another incentive to buy? Rent has gone up over the last year. On average, renters will spend slightly over 1000 a month for a single family.

“A lot of the industry experts are predicting 2017 to be a very good year in terms of sales,” Garcia said.

via KrisTv.com

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

6 New Years Resolutions For Buyers/Sellers

January 9, 2017 By Cheri Sperling

Here is our top 6 tips for the New Year

Eliminate & Simplify Your Home – Buyers out there are saving for their spring purchase, but why not start your efforts in January? This is an especially great time after the heaps of gifts that they have received. Plus, if they plan to sell your home, it will make selling the house and moving that much easier. It’s simple just start small and go room by room, designating areas for donations, things to be fixed and things to sell. The sooner you start, the better you’ll feel!
Make Your Home Safter – Do you have kids (even if they don’t!), then making your home safer all around is a great resolution to make. Commit to a regular safety maintenance schedule by checking smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly, ensuring you have fire extinguishers and preparing the family for emergencies such as weather disasters and fire. Always replenish emergency kits, bottled water and non-perishable food items throughout the year, too.
Make Your Home Smarter – Yep, that’s right! You may have just missed the boat on making your home safe when they bought your home, but it’s never too late. Some ways to make homes “smarter”? Smart home hubs like Amazon Echo, security video monitors like Ring and smart thermostats like Nest, and even smart plugs and bulbs to bring your home into the 21st century.
Consider Refinancing – Maybe its time to decrease your payments or lock in a low fixed mortgage rate through refinancing. Shopping around for the best rates is a great way to find one the lowest one that works for you and will make your wallet feel a lot better come 2018.
Get a Green Thumb – No, not go out and garden although an argument could be made for that as well. Change your light bulbs to energy-efficient LED ones. This will also help you save money. Another way to be greener is to clean the house with reusable cloths or old, clean rags versus wasteful paper towels (however, use good judgement for especially dirty messes).
Do Something to Help Someone – Yes, it is 2017… the election is over and we are still all just human beings. We must let go of the past no matter what side of the fence we sit and come together as a nation more than ever now. If all else fails and you can’t find anything you could do to help your fellow man, than for goodness sakes just smile a ton. Your mind will come around sooner or later!

Share these five tips with your friends and family and help them be better homeowners and prepared sellers when the time comes!

Happy New Year from your Coastline Properties Family!

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

North Padre Island Housing Report – November 2016

December 11, 2016 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET CONTINUES TO BE HEATING UP AS WE WRAP UP 2016. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON, GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

nov2016housingreportnorthpadreislandtexas

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

Proud To Be the Face of Padre Island Real Estate

November 9, 2016 By Cheri Sperling

We are so excited to be nominated for the 2nd year in a row from “The Bend Magazine” to be the Face of Padre Island Real Estate! This year has been a great year for Real Estate and we are eternally grateful to all of our clients for allowing us to serve them by giving them the absolute best service in the the industry! We look forward to another year ahead to give our current and future clients the very best attention and world class service.

OUR PLEDGE:

WE PLEDGE to be honest and always put my client’s interest first. WE GO BEYOND what the law requires. WE FIGHT for homeowners’ rights. OUR CLIENTS have a lot at stake. We owe it to them to be more than just an ordinary real estate agent. WE VOLUNTEER in our community, because we live there too. WE WORK HARD to create opportunities for more to people to afford homes. WE TAKE COURSES to increase our expertise and skill sets, so we can better serve you as a homebuyer, seller, or commercial property investor & rental property owner. WE ABIDE by a strict code of ethics. WE ARE PROTECTORS of our clients and insure they get the absolute best from us and their real estate transactions. WE GIVE to our community and support many charitable causes, not because we have to… because WE BELIEVE it is our duty to our community to give back to those in need. IN GOD WE TRUST!

Filed Under: buying a home, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, realtors, selling a home

Padre Island Housing Report – September 2016

October 25, 2016 By Cheri Sperling

THE HOUSING MARKET CONTINUES TO BOOM IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE ON PADRE ISLAND IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW AND GET A FULL PDF TO PRINT OUT TO KEEP TRACK OF THIS DATA. THE SUMMER IS OVER NOW AND WE ARE HEADING INTO THE HOLIDAYS, GIVE US A CALL AND DISCUSS THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO OWN A PIECE OF COASTAL TEXAS! (361) 949-0101

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

THE TIME OF THE TOWNHOUSE

October 14, 2016 By whitneynoble

islandtownhomes448x298 These dwellings are having their shining moment, thanks to an increased demand by both first-time buyers and Boomers alike! Both appear to be seeking the appeal for walkable communities in which the amenities are grand, you can get a great bang for your buck, and often less maintenance (big perk for both busy, young families and Boomers alike!).

Nationally, the number of townhouses built last year increased 18% percent over 2014. Here on the Island, the number is even more incredible!

70 townhomes were sold between September 15, 2015 – September 15, 2016

44 townhomes were sold between September 15, 2014 – September 15, 2015

That’s a whopping increase in townhome sales! The long-run prospects for townhouse construction are positive given the large numbers of homebuyers looking for high density “neighborhoods,” near the action (eh em, the new Marina District perhaps?) that offer proximity to the happenings along with community amenities.

Perk #1: Own That Land, You American Dreamer You!

What’s the main difference between a condo and a townhome you ask? It’s simple. As a condo owner, you own only your unit, nothing below or above you. As a townhome owner, you own the planet Earth beneath you, and the sky above you. And, as the Homeowners Association will nearly always maintain the complex grounds, you can be a lazy bum and still have a nice yard, albeit likely small.

Perk #2: That HOA Though…

So you own a nice patch of grass, or maybe a cute pom pom bush. Your HOA will take care of it! Many HOAs will even allow owners to plant that desired petunia border you’ve always dreamt of, just ask. So long as you pay your monthly dues, your grass will be mowed, your exterior painted, your roof re-shingled, your pool cleaned, your exterior insurance paid, and the list can go on. Now, each HOA will be different, and each will have a list of items they maintain and don’t maintain, so make sure you know what’s agreed upon and who does what in the yard. As many prefer to keep the fronts looking manicured and uniform, you may have to plant your Sneezewort Yarrow in the back.

Perk #3: Don’t Ever Leave!

When you buy a townhouse, it often comes with a community, and that community has amenities. Some developments have a pool, a laundry room, possibly boat slips (if on the canal) maybe a recreational room, etc. You may not have to leave but to go do your grocery shopping! This can be very appealing. And as an owner, you own a percentage of each of the common facilities.

Perk #4: Save Some $$

Although this isn’t a steadfast rule here on Padre, townhouses can be less expensive than single-family residences. Townhouses sometimes have the fancy upgrades built right in that you otherwise couldn’t afford in a house, like granite countertops, high-end appliances, or eco-friendly materials. And although they are often multilevel that share a side wall or two with another unit, they can have as many bedrooms and bathrooms as will fit in the floor plan, just like a single-family house. The point is, you can get a lot of the same stuff in a townhouse that you can find in a regular house, but you typically pay less for it.

Perk #5: Tight-Knit Community

Having Mrs. Kravitz nearby isn’t always a bad thing! With units that are close, and parking areas that may be shared, it’s possible that you and your neighbors see and know what’s going on with one another. As most townhomes on the Island do not allow short-term rentals, the neighborhood is often more stable in terms of less turnover and more face familiarity. This can be desirable for the young family who needs neighborly help watching kids, or the more “medically fragile” older couple who may find peace of mind knowing that their neighbors could check on them if they go sight unseen for a day or two. Travel a lot? Now Nosie Nelly doesn’t seem so bad, as she’ll be able to stink eye anyone who looks out of sorts lurking around your townhome.

With 84 townhomes currently for sale on the Island, maybe it’s time to pay them some attention!

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

Padre Island Housing Report June 2016

July 13, 2016 By Cheri Sperling

The Housing Market is Hot,Hot, Hot right now. Take a look at the statistics on what’s happening here on Padre Island in Corpus Christi, TX. Click on the Picture below and get a full PDF to print out to keep track of this data. The summer is going by fast, give us a call and discuss the many opportunities to own a piece of coastal Texas! (361) 949-0101

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

Hydrostatic Testing

June 1, 2016 By whitneynoble

You got your home under contract! You’re so excited, a buyer loves your home as much as you do! Then, inspections are set up. The three inspections typically performed on a home here are the general inspection, the pest inspection, and the plumbing inspection.

It’s this last one that seems to be an inspection that, as of late, has been causing some unease among sellers.

Fear not, sellers! The truth is, this is not at all a scary or intrusive test. But it is an important one. The only way to calm a fear or unease is to be well informed. Here I’ll break it down so that when the time comes, as either a buyer or a seller, this test is nothing to think twice about.

Definition: A hydrostatic test is a way in which pressure vessels can be tested for strength and leaks.

Don’t let the word pressure fool you. There is a common misconception that pressure is put on your system during this test. That is far from the truth. What the plumber does is quite simple. They will find your sewer cleanout/sanitary drain pipe and insert a testball/balloon into the piping and inflate it near the perimeter of the foundation. Next, they’ll simply fill the system up with water. They will then find a commode and/or shower on the lowest level and monitor the water levels. If the water maintains its level (they’ll typically watch for roughly 15 minutes) then there are no leaks! IF the water happens to fall, there is indication of a leak somewhere in the system.

Leaks often occur when foundations have shifted. Because we are built on sand here on the Island, it’s relatively rare to have a failed hydrostatic test as foundations move less on sand. In the case of a failed test, the next step is to find where the leak actually is. That test is slightly more involved, but still not dangerous to the system. An Isolation Test is what should be scheduled next, and this test finds the actual source of the leak. It’s smart to have a different plumber perform this test to eliminate the possible suspicion of an intentional failed test to get more business (as the isolation test is far more expensive).

The entire inspection/hydrostatic test takes roughly 20 minutes. Like a ninja in the night, you may not even know they were there! Our local plumbers are knowledgeable, true professionals who are happy to answer your questions or concerns.

Note: This test typically costs around $85, and only a licensed plumber is to perform this inspection.

Did you know? A hydrostatic test is DIFFERENT than a static test. They are sometimes accidentally interchangeably used in casual conversation regarding the plumbing inspection, and there’s where some confusion can occur in terms of whether pressure is put on your system during a hydrostatic test. A STATIC test is what indicates pressure, and you can do it yourself – it’s a gauge that you can purchase at any hardware store that you screw on to your hose bib. Then, turn the water on and the gage will tell you how much pressure it is outputting. Don’t let a static test be confused with a hydrostatic test.

Filed Under: home maintenance, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, realtors, selling a home, Upper Padre

6 Smart Reasons to Buy a Home in 2016

January 4, 2016 By Cheri Sperling

Is it really 2016 already? For those of you who happen to be planning on buying a home in the new year—or even just trying to—there’s a whole lot to celebrate. Why? A variety of financial vectors have dovetailed to make this the perfect storm for home buyers to get out there and make an (winning) offer. Here are six home-buying reasons to be thankful while ringing in the new year:

Reason No. 1: Interest rates are still at record lows

Even though they may creep up at any moment, it’s nonetheless a fact that interest rates on home loans are at historic lows, with a 30-year fixed-rate home loan still hovering around 4%.

“Remember 18.5% in the ’80s?” asks Tom Postilio, a real estate broker with Douglas Elliman Real Estate and a star of HGTV’s “Selling New York.”“It is likely that we’ll never see interest rates this low again. So while prices are high in some markets, the savings in interest payments could easily amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage.”

Reason No. 2: Rents have skyrocketed

Another reason home buyers are lucky is that rents are going up, up, up! (This, on the other hand, is a reason not to be thankful if you’re a renter.) In fact, rents outpaced home values in 20 of the 35 biggest housing markets in 2015. What’s more, according to the2015 Rent.com Rental Market Report, 88% of property managers raised their rent in the past 12 months, and an 8% hike is predicted for 2016.

“In most metropolitan cities, monthly rent is comparable to that of a monthly mortgage payment, sometimes more,” says Heather Garriock, mortgage agent for The Mortgage Group. “Doesn’t it make more sense to put those monthly chunks of money into your own appreciating asset rather than handing it over to your landlord and saying goodbye to it forever?”

Reason No. 3: Home prices are stabilizing

For the first time in years, prices that have been climbing steadily upward are stabilizing, restoring a level playing field that helps buyers drive a harder bargain with sellers, even in heated markets.

“Local markets vary, but generally we are experiencing a cooling period,” says Postilio. “At this moment, buyers have the opportunity to capitalize on this.”

Reason No. 4: Down payments don’t need to break the bank

Probably the biggest obstacle that prevents renters from becoming homeowners is pulling together a down payment. But today, that chunk of change can be smaller, thanks to a variety of programs to help home buyers. For instance, the new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Home Possible Advantage Program allows for a 3% down payment for credit scores as low as 620.

Reason No. 5: Mortgage insurance is a deal, too

If you do decide to put less than 20% down on a home, you are then required to have mortgage insurance (basically in case you default). A workaround to handle this, however, is to take out a loan from the Federal Housing Administration—a government mortgage insurer that backs loans with down payments as low as 3.5% and credit scores as low as 580. The fees are way down from 1.35% to 0.85% of the mortgage balance, meaning your monthly mortgage total will be significantly lower if you fund it this way. In fact, the FHA predicts this 37% annual premium cut will bring 250,000 first-time buyers into the market. Why not be one of them?

Reason No. 6: You’ll reap major tax breaks

Please, Mr. Postman Tax laws continue to favor homeowners, so you’re not just buying a place to live—you’re getting a tax break! The biggest one is that unless your home loan is more than $1 million, you can deduct all the monthly interest you are paying on that loan. Homeowners may also deduct certain home-related expenses and home property taxes.

via realtor.com

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, North Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, selling a home

5 Real Estate Trends That Will Dominate 2016

December 21, 2015 By Cheri Sperling

real-estate-2016

This year may have marked the best for housing since 2007, but the market will likely get even rosier in 2016, according to a recent real estate forecast by realtor.com®. One of the main drivers behind the brighter 2016 is the projection that employment will continue to grow, which will add to consumers’ wallets and allow them to purchase their first home or upgrade to a new one. Realtor.com® highlights the following housing predictions for 2016:

‘Normal’ is coming.

Expect a healthy growth in home sales and prices – at a slower pace than in 2015. “This slowdown is not an indication of a problem—it’s just a return to normalcy,” writes Jonathan Smoke, realtor.com®’s chief economist. “We’ve lived through 15 years of truly abnormal trends, and after working off the devastating effects of the housing bust, we’re finally seeing signs of more normal conditions.” New construction and distressed sales are expected to return to more historical levels, and home prices are expected to follow at “more normal rates consistent with a more balanced market.”

Generational buying trends shape up.

Young adults’ presence on the housing market has been largely predicted for years, but 2016 may finally be the year they make a move in a larger way. Millennials represented nearly 2 billion sales in 2015 – one-third of home buyers. They are expected to continue to be a major buying pool in 2016 with the majority of buyers between ages 25 and 34 expected to be first-time home buyers next year. But two other generations will also have a big presence in 2016: financially recovering GenXers and older baby boomers who are entering retirement, realtor.com® notes. “Since most of these people are already homeowners, they’ll play a double role, boosting the market as both sellers and buyers,” Smoke notes. “Gen Xers are in their prime earning years and thus able to relocate to better neighborhoods for their families. Older boomers are approaching (or already in) retirement and seeking to downsize and lock in a lower cost of living.”

New-home construction focuses more on affordability.

Builders have been faced with higher land costs, limited labor, and concerns about the demand of the entry-level market. As such, they have shifted to constructing more higher-priced homes, which has caused new-home prices to rise significantly faster than existing-home prices. In 2016, they likely will shift to more affordable product to cater to the entry-level buyers. “We are already seeing a decline in new-home prices for new contracts signed this fall,” notes Smoke. “In addition, credit access is improving enough to make the first-time buyer segment more attractive to builders.”

Higher mortgage rates.

Mortgage rates will likely be volatile in 2016. But the recent move by the Federal Reserve to guide interest rates higher should push mortgage rates higher in the new year than the historical lows they have been at for years. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will likely end 2016 about 60 basis points higher than today’s level. “That level of increase is manageable, as consumers will have multiple tactics to mitigate some of that increase,” Smoke says. “However, higher rates will drive monthly payments higher, and, along with that, debt-to-income ratios will also go higher.” The markets with the highest home prices will see the effects from the higher rates the most.

Rents to go up even higher.

Rental costs are skyrocketing, and the costs are likely to only go up in the new year. More than 85 percent of the nation’s markets have rents that exceed 30 percent of the income of renting households. “Rents are accelerating at a more rapid pace than home prices, which are moderating,” Smoke says. “Because of this, it is more affordable to buy in more than three-quarters of the U.S. However, for the majority of renting households, buying is not a near-term option due to poor household credit scores, limited savings, and lack of documentable stable income of the kind necessary to qualify for a mortgage today.”

Source: “The 5 Real Estate Trends That Will Shape 2016,” realtor.com® (Dec. 16, 2015)

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Mortgages, North Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home

THE REVERSE MORTGAGE, REVISED!

December 2, 2015 By whitneynoble

It’s no longer just a refinance tool, but now also for use with purchases!

First let’s review what a reverse mortgage is. It’s a loan available to homeowners who are at least 62 years old, where instead of making monthly payments to a lender, the lender makes payments to the borrower. The idea is to aid elders and retirees who have wealth in their homes, but have limited income, to cover their basic living expenses and health care expenses.

BUT there is a new program that we should know about. It is called the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for Purchase product. This can greatly enhance the real estate service options we can offer our senior customers who would like to purchase a new home while still maintaining their retirement goals. Many mortgage companies in our Coastal Bend now have departments offering this option, which could be valuable for many seniors looking to relocate closer to family members, downsize, upgrade, or move to an active adult community.

This is an exciting option for qualified homeowners who are purchasing a home. This mortgage option allows homeowners to keep the home in their name while not having any monthly payments.

Who qualifies?

If you are 62 or older, will use the home as your primary residence, have no federal debt delinquency, can pay annual property taxes and homeowners insurance, vow to keep the property presentable, the property meets FHA guidelines, and agree to participate in a counseling session, YOU are qualified!

So how does it work?

When bundling the HECM with a new home purchase, the buyer can buy the property by mixing the HECM loan proceeds along with the proceeds from their previous home sale and/or savings to complete the transaction.

For example: Charlie is looking to downsize. He receives $700,000 from the sale of his home. He buys a home for $300,000. HECM loans Charlie $160,000 ($10,000 to cover closing costs). Charlie puts $150,000 as his downpayment. The remaining $400,000 goes straight into Charlie’s pocket!

It involves financing that doesn’t require monthly principal and interest mortgage payments
It includes increased purchasing power for those who are upsizing or downsizing
It has a streamlined closing process as the buyers are purchasing and getting a HECM all in one transaction
It may include supplemental income to support a better retirement, including a growing line-of-credit

Repayment

Just like other loans, the HECM loan must be repaid. But it is unlike traditional loans in that this repayment isn’t due until the owner has sold the home, no longer uses it as their primary residence, or passes away. When one of these scenarios occurs, the HECM and any accrued interest and mortgage insurance must be paid, but the perk is that the homeowner will never pay more than the home’s market value at the time of repayment.

So run, don’t walk! Your dream retirement home is waiting…

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

Coastline Properties – The Face of Padre Island Real Estate

November 10, 2015 By Cheri Sperling

We are delighted to have been nominated “The Face of Island Real Estate” in this months Issue of The Bend Magazine.

It’s incredible to discover so many other community leaders that are making waves in the Coastal Bend by being dedicated to their profession. We salute all those businesses out there that truly understand the nature of customer service and work so tirelessly to care for and understand their clients needs. Thank You Corpus Christi!!

The Bend Magazine – November 2015

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

Major Changes Coming to Mortgage Disclosures

July 3, 2015 By whitneynoble

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE

“Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is “timing”

it waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.”

― Fulton J. Sheen

Come October 1, there are major changes coming to mortgage disclosures that I would like to share with you. Buyers, sellers, loan officers, title companies and real estate agents will all be affected.

No longer will there be a HUD-1 Settlement Statement or a Good Faith Estimate from a buyer’s lender. Both forms are going “bye-bye,” as is the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) disclosure form. Replacing them are two new forms: the Closing Disclosure and the Loan Estimate.

Why does this affect anyone aside from those on the real estate, lender, title side? Because there are also new rules for the closing procedure, where the buyers and sellers tolerance come into play, as closing delays are almost unavoidable for the first few months.

One rule requires all forms to be ready three (business) days prior to closing. The National Association of Realtors recommends all closing documents are actually ready an entire week prior to closing, or “consummation” as is the new verbiage (yes, chuckling is OK). So if everything is ready seven days prior to consummation, when you go into the three-day period, there are likely no changes to make. Because making changes as the countdown ensues comes with a cumbersome set of hurdles.

Everyone involved in the transaction is under pressure to get everything squared away earlier than in the past. Currently, the settlement statement can be completed and approved just hours before closing. Gone are those days. And as aforementioned, the buyers and sellers have to be cooperative, because if last-minute changes are made, a new three-day waiting period kicks in. Are there exceptions you ask? Yes! Bona fide financial emergencies such as the imminent sale of the consumer’s home at foreclosure. Any financial emergency must be accompanied by a written statement and will be very fact intensive.

The good news is, this doesn’t affect cash buyers, and many Realtors, Lenders, and Title Companies are taking the time and courses to get familiar with this new system and forms so we are ready! Communication will be KEY. But patience, grasshopper, good things come to those who wait.

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi business, Mortgages, selling a home

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Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Corpus Christi Housing Report for September 2024.

Padre Island Corpus Christi August 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Corpus Christi Housing Report for July 2024.

Padre Island Corpus Christi July 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Corpus Christi Housing Report for June 2024.

Padre Island Corpus Christi June 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for April 2024.

North Padre Island March 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for March 2024.

North Padre Island March 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for February 2024.

North Padre Island Febraury 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for January 2024.

North Padre Island November 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for December 2023.

North Padre Island November 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for November 2023.

North Padre Island November 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for October 2023.

North Padre Island October 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the North Padre Island Housing Report for September 2023.

North Padre Island September 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

North Padre Island July 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Regional Breakdown

Padre Island May 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

Red Flags

Padre Island April 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

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Padre Island January 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

In the news A Coastal Bend real estate agent spoke about a recent scam on social media.

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

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

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

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.

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

The Local Real Estate Market active listings have jumped up by 36.7% the past month! Corpus Christi Association of Realtors continues to show us the data that leans toward Prices slightly Rising in median price homes while Inventory Has been rising the past month.

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

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

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

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

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

The Local Real Estate Market is still going strong as we turn the corner into 2022! Low inventory, consistent low interest rates that are still holding right now until the first quarter of 2022, where will see a likely small rate hike according the recent FED meeting.

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

The Local Real Estate Market is still doing well as we head into 2022! Low inventory, bidding wars, and with continued low interest rates holding right now, this looks to be another stellar year for home buyers, investors and sellers alike!

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

It has been roughly a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States, and more people than ever are buying residential real estate in vacation housing markets.

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

Outdoors, Indoors

Geometric Tiles

White Appliances

Metallics, Metals, and Minerals

Chevron is Out

Bye Brass

Fake Wall Treatments

The Local Real Estate Market active listings have jumped up by 36.7% the past month!
Corpus Christi Association of Realtors continues to show us the data that leans toward Prices slightly Rising in median price homes while Inventory Has been rising the past month.

The Local Real Estate Market is still going strong as we turn the corner into 2022!
Low inventory, consistent low interest rates that are still holding right now until the first quarter of 2022, where will see a likely small rate hike according the recent FED meeting.

The Local Real Estate Market is still doing well as we head into 2022!
Low inventory, bidding wars, and with continued low interest rates holding right now, this looks to be another stellar year for home buyers, investors and sellers alike!