Blog
April 12, 2023
This photo of Austin was captured by George Miquilena. The original photo was cropped, text added and then combined with a photo of San Antonio that was purchased for use by IRC. Gross Domestic Product You undoubtedly have heard of the term “GDP”, meaning Gross Domestic Product. It’s a standard measure of a country’s output […]
September 23, 2021
Impact of COVID-19 on Commercial Real Estate So we are still in the grasp of Covid-19, and in San Antonio it seems we have all come to grips with this Next Normal. Many vaccinated, many not, many new infections, and thankfully, fewer deaths. What impact is this having on Commercial Real Estate? The big lockdown […]
May 17, 2021
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Foresite Commercial Real Estate (“Foresite”), a commercial leasing and investment sales firm and one of the largest property management companies in San Antonio, announced today that it has acquired the leasing, sales and management portfolio of Investment Realty Company (“IRC”). Founded in 1975, IRC is one of the longest serving commercial […]
March 29, 2021
Inflation is once again in the headlines. Is it here yet? Just around the corner? Those questions come from investors who remember the 10% inflation of the 1970’s, with gas lines, and mortgage rates peaking at 16% in 1981 in order to squash inflation and the economy along with it. Now, if you are asking […]
February 10, 2021
Let’s continue our January conversation about the Austin-San Antonio Corridor, a title coined by John Naisbett in his 1982 book, “Megatrends.” Remember the scene in White Christmas that went “Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters.” Could this possibly apply to San Antonio and Austin, sister cities on the I-35 corridor? Right now, Austin […]
February 4, 2021
Thoughts inspired by strategic coach, Dan Sullivan Move Forward and Leave the Past, in the Past There is an excitement in the air surrounding the New Year as we enter into 2021. To make this year the best yet, it is imperative to remain positive no matter the circumstances and take on a fresh perspective. […]
December 17, 2020
Its December, it’s the Holiday Season and Santa is comin’ to town! Next year, that is. And he’s “beginning to look a lot like” Amazon! This ubiquitous giant is buying up land, right here in River City. Now this does NOT come from the professionals involved in these transactions, all of whom have signed ironclad […]
September 8, 2020
Finding the right commercial builder for construction projects in San Antonio Texas isn’t always an easy task. A quick Google search will pull up plenty of options, but can you count on them for completing the job on budget, in time and with a high standard of quality? Having a general contractor on whom that […]
July 16, 2020
Photo by Matthias Zomer from Pexels What is an Exclusive Listing? There are a number of ways to sell a property, but which one is the best? It depends on the situation and who you ask, of course. But there are some distinct advantages to choosing an exclusive agency listing. What is an exclusive agency […]
May 1, 2020
We are still in the midst of the Covid-19 healthcare crisis, but it appears the worst of this first phase is over. Here in San Antonio, hospitalizations have dropped from 77 to 54 with only 3 on ventilators as of the end of April. So, San Antonio metro area has not been hit as hard […]
April 3, 2020
Many have been wondering what will happen to our economy with the various difficulties companies are encountering since the outbreak of COVID-19. With people choosing to stay out of public places as much as possible, businesses are forced to close their doors. As a result, many cannot make rent and employees are being laid off. […]
January 7, 2020
Happy New Year! It’s that time of year for Forecasts and Predictions. I have been a member for years of a Brokers Breakfast Group and each December we each make a forecast for the Year Ahead – will it be Better, the Same or Worse? This year the consensus was mostly the Same or Better, […]
November 5, 2019
Securing commercial real estate by lease or purchase can be a long and difficult process if you don’t have a qualified expert lending you a hand. There are several misconceptions about hiring a commercial broker, the main one being cost of services. Many brokers, including Investment Realty, do not charge hidden fees or upfront charges […]
September 26, 2019
The $391 million investment into Toyota’s San Antonio manufacturing plant is expected to enhance economic expansion in San Antonio, and the plant’s long-term performance and competitiveness. Although no additional jobs are tied to the investment, one of Toyota’s suppliers will see a boost in employment within the coming years. Aisin AW, a Japanese corporation that […]
July 11, 2019
This year, San Antonio was named the most affordable city with a population greater than 1 million. The Alamo City has no state income tax, no real winter and an amazing selection of food that keeps the population happy and their stomachs full. But just how affordable is the 7th largest U.S. city? A report […]
June 26, 2019
A frequent topic I see lately is the issue of Affordable Housing and property value in San Antonio. One of the biggest expenses of owning property, whether it’s your own home or a rental property, is property taxes. Home appreciation in San Antonio averaged about 4.3% last year, one of the highest rates in Texas. […]
May 13, 2019
AT&T, once headquartered in San Antonio until 2008 before moving to Dallas, sold one of its corporate buildings recently to The University of Incarnate Word less than three months after it was placed on the market. The 347,426-square-foot building is conveniently located across the street from the University making it an optimal purchase for Incarnate […]
April 22, 2019
Pecan Springs brings you 11.35 acres of developed RV park with another 6 acres of undeveloped land for future use. Located near Floresville, TX and just minutes away from Eagle Ford Shale, Pecan Springs is a great opportunity for future investors or those looking to capitalize on the booming south Texas oil industry. Commercial road […]
April 12, 2019
Environment Texas, a citizen-based environmental advocacy project by Environment America, recently gave San Antonio a Solar Star rating for its continued advancement into the solar powered industry. The Alamo City ranked first in Texas and 7th in the country for installed solar capacity. CPS Energy celebrated with the city’s success. The large San Antonio based […]
February 22, 2019
There is a dramatic difference in what you can get for a home in Oakland, California versus San Antonio, Texas. It’s no secret that California’s home prices have reached levels rarely ever seen. In contrast, San Antonio saw the largest population boom in 2018 according to a Forbes report; however, the Alamo City still remains […]
February 12, 2019
A decade ago it was not uncommon to wait over a week for something you ordered online to be delivered to your door. However, when you look outside your window today you might see multiple delivery trucks combing your neighborhood to make their deliveries. Many of the items they carry could have been ordered as […]
January 24, 2019
Job growth remains strong in the Lone Star State, in fact more than any other state, with an increase of 391,800 for the year, according to the latest figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission. This is actually more than double California’s growth, with Florida running a close second to Texas. (I believe all 391,800 […]
December 28, 2018
As the new year approaches, commercial real estate industry execs, researchers and influencers expect several trends to dominate in the coming year. From online retailers breaking into brick-and-mortar to the rise of opportunity zones, here are the top trends IRC expects for 2019: 1. Opportunity Zone Programs Will Continue to Rise On December 12, President […]
December 20, 2018
I sense everyone is getting pretty nervous right now: 1. This has been a really long economic advance. 2. Trump’s election has enhanced and lengthened it. 3. Interest rates are rising, for now. 4. All believe we are in the Late Stable stage of the commercial real estate cycle. 5. I have seen investors putting […]
October 30, 2018
According to the 3rd annual Zillow Group Report on Consumer Housing Trends, millennials are most likely to have an offer fall through when trying to sell their home, make concessions or change the date of their closing. Sellers are now finding it more difficult to sell their home to millennials due to the timeline of […]
October 3, 2018
Tenant Representation is exactly how it sounds, a type of commercial real estate brokerage service where an agent focuses on the needs of the tenant, rather than the needs of the landlord. Your tenant representative has only one person in mind, you. Your benefit, needs, and interests are their top priority. Using a tenant representative […]
August 21, 2018
San Antonio, Dallas and Austin all made the top list of America’s Biggest Boomtowns by Magnify Money. The factors that make a boomtown comprise of industry growth, increasing employment opportunities and relocation. San Antonio beat Houston, currently at #11, in housing score, workforce & earning score and business growth making it #9 on the list. […]
August 9, 2018
Aerial Fulfillment Centers by Amazon could be the next big thing in logistics. The ecommerce giant recently received a patent for a floating warehouse design. Drones would take off and resupply at the aerial fulfillment centers to decrease time returning to ground locations. The aerial centers themselves would be supported by helium or heated air […]
May 29, 2018
Asking rents ended the first quarter of 2018 at $22.01- an all-time high. With a population growth of 2.0% last year, San Antonio’s economy continues to grow. Most recently, job growth increased at a 2.9% annualized rate over the three months through February, with the greatest job growth seen in manufacturing, mining and construction. Total […]
May 9, 2018
The Texas hospitality sector can expect continued growth this year. Approximately 200 hotels are under construction in the Lone Star State along with another 276 expected to break ground this year. Hurricane Harvey’s displacement of residents and raising Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) has the San Antonio hospitality sector taking off. Occupancy rates are expected […]
March 1, 2018
It’s no secret that malls across America have seen a decrease in visitors over the years due to rising online purchasing trends. While large malls may not see the growth that Amazon has seen, they can offer the customer a much more unique interactive experience. As seen in the recent Super Bowl commercials, the Mall […]
February 8, 2018
With a .3% price decrease last month, commercial real estate prices continue to see a drop as we head further into 2018. “The declines over the last three quarters have been mild and more of a stagnation than a decline,” Ten-X Senior Quantitative Strategist Chris Muoio said. Two things can be chalked up for the […]
December 19, 2017
Unmanned stores across China are attracting the convenience-seeking shopper. With such a massive population to appeal to, it’s no secret that convenience and easy access would be a top priority for China’s retail market. Cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence, computer vision and biometric recognition that tracks a shopper’s movements are all new technologies currently […]
November 27, 2017
The launch of the iPhone X and online competition is expected to make it even harder on brick-and-mortar stores this holiday season. Holiday apparel sales are expected to drop for the first time since 2008. Specialty retail, department stores and footwear retailers are all expected to take a .4% dip in sales. According to Morgan […]
November 17, 2017
Amazon Treasure Trucks offer large discounted prices when you order the item online through the Amazon app. The Treasure Truck offers consumers the chance to take advantage of huge discounted prices on items that are advertised that day. The consumer will order the item and pick a time and place for pick up. However, a […]
November 13, 2017
Top online retailers are moving their way into physical retail. Award winning retail architect, Kenne Shepherd shared his thoughts on the top online retail stores that are pushing into brick-and-mortar. Amazon No other online retailer on this list has the same potential of impacting the San Antonio commercial real estate sector as Amazon. The top […]
September 19, 2017
Baby Boomers may be somewhat to blame for continued housing inventory shortages. Boomers are reluctant to sell which leaves Millennials, also known as Generation Y, with fewer properties to choose from. The new Housing Shortage Study from realtor.com mentioned there is data behind the shortage of homes. Boomers hold a 78% stake in homeownership compared […]
August 29, 2017
The acre is the basic measure of real estate area in the United States and there are 640 of them in a square mile. Then, next smaller unit is the square foot, and there are 43,560 of them in an acre. Property leases and sales are measured in square feet and even the area of […]
August 23, 2017
Urgent healthcare centers are popping up everywhere in San Antonio. However, urgent care centers may have become so popular that they may be overbuilding. Studies continue to show the growth of urgent care and how they rely on convenience and cost friendly options to stay afloat. Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, recently came out […]
August 18, 2017
Choosing to own or lease a property is a major concern for private practices, and more physicians are learning each day that investing in real estate is a smart move. Leasing offers the lowest initial occupancy cost and the least amount of capital risk for those seeking property. Healthcare’s move to retail has been a […]
July 6, 2017
Although Millennials dine out more than any other age group, they frequently use more coupons and online offers to grab a cheaper meal. Approximately 42% of food spending by millennials is devoted to restaurant dining, but the data also suggests they are cautious about their spending and tend to pinch pennies. Acosta, a CPG consultancy, […]
June 30, 2017
Construction is officially underway on the $16M SoFlo arts area center which was first proposed by the Linda Pace foundation almost two years ago. The site is located near the South Flores and Camp streets at 150 Camp St. A collection of over 800 paintings, sculptures, and other art pieces from various artists both domestic […]
June 22, 2017
It is becoming evident amid the changing foreign investment climate that investors, looking to diversify their strategies and targets, like the Lone Star state. Texas now outpaces California and the entire country in foreign investment % relative to sales volume. Last year alone foreign investment totaled $5B, 15% of total sales according to Costar. More […]
June 14, 2017
Unlike a typical office environment, co-working spaces consist of members who work for separate entities, ventures and projects. Many may even own their own small business and simply need a quiet place to work. Co-Working Space is currently in its “golden era” and shared office space is expected to grow significantly within the next several […]
May 25, 2017
Northgate Mall, designed by John Graham Jr, defined the classic mall look. Graham’s design for the mall spread across the country and has become the standard among many large mall shopping centers. However, Northgate is now struggling to hold onto its former glory days. In the 21st century, hundreds of malls have closed their stores […]
May 23, 2017
President Trump seeks to lower corporate tax rates to 15% from its current rate of 35% in hopes of eventually pushing U.S. long-term growth rate up to 3% from 2%. In comparison to other countries, the United States has the highest coporate tax rate within the 35-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Other countries […]
May 8, 2017
Rep. Ron Simmons refused pleas to halt his bill that would ban linkage fees on residential builders. Simmons stood his ground on the house floor and was opposed to any new tax that would make the price of affordable housing increase. “We’re just saying that we’re not going to have linkage fees that put the […]
April 27, 2017
A recent survey by CentSai, a financial wellness website, shows that millennials would much prefer to work with a real estate agent or mortgage lender face to face, over 70% respectively, as opposed to with online professionals due to reasons such as personal touch, handholding, and local knowledge. A recent Ellie Mae survey showed similar […]
April 18, 2017
Companies across the world spend billions of dollars every year to increase their social media presence. For example, Red Bull live-streamed a man skydiving from space and shared it all over their social networks. Companies will go to extreme links to get their brand out there and Facebook seems to be the preferred platform of […]
March 31, 2017
Six Flags Fiesta Texas is bringing some exciting new changes to its San Antonio park. Jeffrey Siebert, Fiesta Texas President, said new rides, shows and technology will debut over the next few years and park guests will be amazed at what the future holds. This coming season, Fiesta Texas will see a new Mardi Gras […]
March 15, 2017
The 2008 Great Recession brought much hardship for the nation but not for the city of San Antonio. Brooking’s Metro Monitor report showed San Antonio as one of 11 U.S cities that made gains between 2010 and 2015. Brooking’s report focuses on researching metropolitan economies and showed San Antonio as performing above average in total […]
March 13, 2017
Increasing interest rates and the appreciation of home values have led to the biggest percentage in median household income, currently at a 16% high not seen since 2010, income now needing to be allocated for home mortgages. Zillow Chief economist, Dr. Svenja Gudell notes that we still have room to grow on a nationwide basis […]
The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) recently showed a surge in confidence for home buyers. Now is “a good time” to buy or sell a home because optimism and confidence are higher than ever before. “The latest post-election surge in optimism puts the HPSI at its highest level since its starting point in […]
March 10, 2017
A new shopping concept, brought to you by Walmart, has come to the small town of Crowley, TX. This small town sits right by Interstate 35, a prime area for Walmart to set up its new 2,500 square foot convenience store. Walmart doesn’t want to reinvent the convenience store, merely tweak and make it better. […]
The Hudson Valley Mall, located on a hilltop in Kingston, N.Y., was an enjoyable avenue for spending time on a weekend. Strolling through the various shops and large outlets like JC Penney and Macy’s soon became a thing of the past for the Hudson Valley Mall. JC Penny and Macy’s decided to close up shop […]
February 8, 2017
The Dow Jones has reached 20,000 and reached the milestone in the fastest 1,000-point jump in history. This event is indicative of a few real estate developments moving forward into the new year. President Trump’s promise to bring back manufacturing jobs and plants back to the country, as well as his corporate tax and regulation […]
January 31, 2017
Millennials are many things, one of them being thrifty. In a recent survey by Better Homes & Gardens magazine, millennials proved to be focused on building equity, learning about do-it-yourself home improvement, and preferring patience, and frugality rather than overstretching by taking out a large loan to purchase a move-in ready home with all of […]
January 20, 2017
With Class A apartment construction steadily rising in the last few years, rents have continually risen higher, and higher, so much so that one in four working renters is paying 50% or more of their income monthly. “Inclusionary Zoning” would require developers to allow for a certain number of units to be priced accordingly in […]
January 5, 2017
The rise in popularity of drones in recent months has prompted questions pertaining to air rights, actionable interference, avigation easements, and nuisance claims. “Droneports” similar in structure to airports may become a reality on the near future, unlike their larger scale counterparts these stations will be located in urban areas. Although research and development of […]
December 21, 2016
In response to the shifting retail landscape in regards to online shopping and the record breaking holiday sales numbers that have continually risen year after year, Amazon has picked up the pace to complete their supply-chain network to reach optimum delivery time. Amazon has added 26 new distribution warehouses to its global network in the […]
December 9, 2016
Most folks, understandably, do not walk down a mixed-use space and think about the careful balance it took to make the complex use of retail, multifamily, and office, a successful mixed-use space. Not all real estate properties are the same, a retail space where customer service is key, will commonly be accompanied by a percent […]
December 8, 2016
According to two reports, one from the S&P/CoreLogic and another by ATTOM Data Solutions, owner of RealtyTrac, homeowner wealth in the United States has more than doubled from $6.1 trillion in 2011 to $12.7 in 2016. In contrast, the number of homeowners who are significantly behind on their mortgage is currently 6 million, half of […]
December 2, 2016
Texas was ranked 4th in Forbes’ annual Best State for Business List, up two spots from last year. The state placed within the top eight for economic climate, business costs, labor supply, and growth prospects. Although Utah, North Carolina, and Nebraska took the first, second, and third place in the overall rankings, respectively, in terms […]
November 16, 2016
HEB and Walmart (NYSE:WMT) will slow down expansion in San Antonio to two andzero new locations, respectively, in the upcoming 2017 fiscal year. This change in the retail market will create for an opportunity where smaller, and ambitious specialty retailers such as Natural Grocers (NYSE:NGVC), now known as Mercado Del Pueblo, Aldi, Lidl, and Trader […]
November 7, 2016
Economic growth, increasing investment and development activity, as well as consistent cap rates are solidifying San Antonio’s place as an “up-and-coming” real estate investment market. Some notable investment deals made so far this year involve the Alamo Ranch Power Center, Sonterra Village, Sonterra Blue, and recently the 276-unit Boardwalk Med Center. Regardless of micro dips […]
November 2, 2016
San Antonio’s continued population growth and increasing commercial activity have prompted development across the city, the following are a few such projects. As of Spring 2017, 200 acres of retail, multifamily, and single family residences are expected to begin the groundbreaking process, the development is located at the southwest intersection on Potranco and 1604. At […]
November 1, 2016
Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corp. is currently facing a newly arisen shortfall of funding for Civic Park in downtown San Antonio. Of the original $58 Million USD budgeted to build out the park, now only $21 Million USD, provided for by the city, are at hand. HPARC CEO Andres Andujar has a plan to […]
October 21, 2016
In response to consumer attitudes becoming increasingly enthusiastic towards online shopping, Walmart (WMT -.41%) has begun to adapt its strategy accordingly and has plans to take on Amazon head on (AMZN -1.17%) in the next year. Walmart has seen a consecutive eight quarters of consistent sales growth in recent years, has just finalized its acquisition […]
October 19, 2016
With customers preferring to shop online, rather than in-store, has led H-E-B expansion to 14 additional zip codes in San Antonio. H-E-B has partnered with the app-based company Shipt to deliver groceries within the hour of the customer submitting their grocery order online. Shipt will be servicing Cibolo, Converse, Helotes, Kirby, Live Oak, Universal City, Schertz […]
October 17, 2016
Oversaturation in the San Antonio multifamily market has been on everyone’s minds as construction and permits have continued to rise quarter after quarter, however economic developments in the city make it clear that the absorption for new construction will be there. According to the Marcus & Millichap report for Multifamily in the 3Q, San Antonio […]
October 12, 2016
A combination of investors getting out priced in other markets, and shifting their attention from the increasingly aggressive, and costly multifamily market have driven San Antonio retail investment activity up significantly in recent months. These factors in addition to the industrial markets limited supply, retail property possessing sustainable rents, and value add opportunities also have […]
October 3, 2016
San Antonio’s Northwest retail submarkets have some of the fastest-growing demographics and new retail construction. Local Coffee, one of many business, is expanding to the northwestern submarkets due to the steady increase in household incomes, strong employment presence, and population growth. According to Local Coffee owner Robby Grubbs, the company will be opening two locations […]
September 28, 2016
USAA has signed leases for Vista Corporate Center and Westridge Two at La Cantera office complex, located in the northwestern submarket. The two office buildings combined are 286,400 square feet. USAA is planning to relocate 1,500 employees from the information technology and the banking departments to the new spaces in fall 2017. Burke, Katie. “USAA […]
September 21, 2016
Nissei Plastic Industrial Co. Ltd., a Japanese company, purchased 9 acres along Lyster Road and Brooks City Base from Brooks City Development Authority to build a plant. In 1947, Nissei Plastic was founded and refers to itself as an injection molding machines developer and manufacturer of composite material, molds, measuring instruments and auto-molding systems. This […]
September 1, 2016
The 100 year old San Antonio Zoo reached an all-time record of 1.2 million guests passing though the park’s gates this past 12 months. The zoo was able to create a new buzz by improving or creating new animal habitats, restaurant and retail spaces. With this all-time record, new interest of investment has taken place […]
August 25, 2016
Parking in downtown San Antonio can be a struggle. Two people are trying to change this view. GrayStreet Partners and AREA Real Estate are coming up with various strategies to help with this need. GrayStreet Partners is renovating Travis Park Plaza parking garage by emphasizing different modes of transportation. They are looking at investing in […]
August 18, 2016
Going beyond apparel, JCPenny is expanding their home-goods selection. Customers are spending more money on home beautification and JCPenny is looking to improve in this sector. During the third quarter JCPenny will add dishwashers and other major appliances to 1,000 stores. With 1,200 major appliances online, customers will be able to smoothly order online and […]
August 12, 2016
With Razors being cheaper to purchase online though companies such as Harry’s Shave Subscriptions and Dollar Shave Club, retailers are having a difficult time selling the product they already have on the shelves. Drumroll…, a different edge on selling razor products, Target and Harry’s decided to team up to offer online subscriptions for Harry’s shaving […]
August 3, 2016
Ever feel like big brother is watching over you? According to the “Rich Relevance ‘Creepy or Cool?’ Survey”, Seventy- Five Percent did not like the idea of being greeted by name after a store identified the consumer though facial recognition technology. Most consumers do enjoy using fingerprint technology, scanning products, receiving pop up offers, digital […]
July 29, 2016
So many mistakes can happen when handling money manually. The slightest difference, in the amount, or a number out of place can have huge effect on the overall spreadsheet. At DDR Corp. Tenants can make their payments online and track reports though SnapPay RE. According to Kevin Moss, DDR’s Chief Information Officer, there is a […]
July 21, 2016
While Bed Bath & Beyond same-store sales declined by 50 basis points versus the same quarter a year ago, adding omni-channel trappings to Bed Bath & Beyond stores are helping boost sales. CEO Steven Tamares, has been evolving Bed Bath & Beyond stores by integrating physical and digital capabilities to create an experiential shopping culture, […]
January 20, 2016
In Fireman’s predictions you see a great support for the millennial ideals and workplace environment needs. Fireman expects us to see an increase in companies focus on creating a health-conscious environment. From the standing desk, healthy choice vending machines and even on-site exercise equipment, companies are expected to further support healthy living for their employees. […]
November 19, 2015
Over the past few years San Antonio has seen an increase in the amount of health food stores. With the additions of Whole Food’s Market, Sprouts Farmer’s Market, Traders Joe’s Alamo City and Blue Star Provisions residents have a few options when it comes to where they get their groceries. The newest to join the […]
November 5, 2015
San Antonio has made serious plans for the Downtown area growth. The city currently has over 4,000 new housing units either open or under construction. The growth of the downtown area has been considered part of the reason that San Antonio has seen an increase in millennial residents. According to Forbes.com San Antonio has experienced […]
October 22, 2015
Saving is very important for your future but most people don’t realize that saving starts with having a proper budget. Even if you manage to put money away on a regular basis, if you don’t manage your other income well, you will probably end up having to dip into your savings account from time to […]
October 8, 2015
If you are in the business world you are probably familiar with the importance of networking. It’s something we all do, even when we don’t realize it. One of the biggest tools you have when networking is your business card. There are a lot of people that say the typical business card is a thing […]
September 21, 2015
Realtor.com shared its list of the hottest zip codes in America earlier this month. According to economic data, homes in these 10 zip codes sell 4 to 9 times faster than the national average and spend 20 days less on the market. Among this list is San Antonio’s North Central 78247. This reminds readers that […]
August 20, 2015
Most adult Americans have some sort of debt, regardless of the source; student loans, car loans, home loan, credit cards, etc., everyone would like to have less. Often the most costly source of debt is credit card debt. Credit cards are constantly charging you interest and that $100 purchase could end up costing you double […]
February 20, 2015
Texas has been a major leader in economic growth for the country and 2015 promises to be no different. Texas CEO Magazine’s 2015 Economic Forecast: Momentum published at the end of 2014 examined the Industry wide look at Texas’ economy as well as predictions for next year. 4 economic panels took place in November in […]
December 26, 2014
With so many shopping options available to consumers, between the endless quantity of online retailers and brick and mortar stores, retailers have to find a way to stand out against their competition. If you have the same prices, same merchandise and are relatively the same distance away from the consumer you have to find ways […]
November 10, 2014
Are investors missing out on opportunity in San Antonio because it remains in the shadow of Dallas, Houston and Austin? Some people think currently that’s the case. San Antonio continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Gabriel Silverstein recently said in an article for Real Estate Bisnow, that “If San […]
October 17, 2014
In late September it was it was disclosed that Richard Branson of the Virgin Group gives unlimited vacation days to his staff of nearly 200 employees. This has raised an interesting question: Is working less, more? If people only work to complete the tasks they have and are allowed to enjoy personal time when tasks […]
October 15, 2014
You may have noticed lately that your email and TV commercials have been flooded with announcements about discounts and specials at your favorite casual dining restaurants. According to Bloomberg Businessweek this is related to the decrease in Restaurant spending that hits restaurants after the Labor Day holiday. Restaurants typically are more expensive then meals prepared […]
October 2, 2014
Build it and they will come? Depending on what you’re building and who “they” are, this may not be the case. Millennials are not connecting with the home buying industry. Home buyers are starting to recognize the reasons behind this disconnect. Commitment They want flexibility. A house is an expensive lifetime commitment. This is a […]
July 7, 2014
Our blog has discussed at lot about how to stand out in an interview and improve your chances of receiving a job offer but what happens when you get the job and it’s not what you expect? Jada A. Graves touches on this in her article “Congrats! Your New Job Is a Nightmare.” While it […]
June 24, 2014
For ten years ChiefExcutive.net has published an annual report of the best and worst states for business based on a survey of over 500 CEO’s in the U.S. In the past ten years Texas has continued to remain the best overall state for business. Texas’s steady economy and state group has even inspired action from […]
April 24, 2014
Shannon Clark recently published a fitness article on Lifehack.org titled 5 Things That Crush Your Motivation, these relate to many different things. Strong motivation is essential to reach any goal. Regardless of what your motivation is (money, reputation, health, family) it’s important to recognize it and use it as your most powerful tool. As important […]
April 11, 2014
You’re preparing to binge watch your favorite show on Netflix after a long week and as you push play instead of getting entertainment, you get frustrated. The icon on the screen spinning around and around….”Loading” and in the worst cases you wait and get the prompt that says, your internet connection is too slow are […]
February 25, 2014
If you enjoy our blog The Real Estate Council of San Antonio is another great source for information concerning local real estate. Here are 5 amazing facts about San Antonio’s Real Estate Industry and its influence on our economy. It generates approximately 1/7 of the area’s economic output. It employs 120,000 people in the San […]
January 9, 2014
There are so many benefits to shopping on secure online websites. First there is the convenience of not having to leave your home to fight traffic, packed parking lots and long lines. Then there is the easy savings. With search engines like dealoz.com that search prices for you on multiple sites then presents results showing […]
October 11, 2013
How many times have you asked someone a question only to have them respond, “I don’t know. Google it”? Google has defiantly become one of the quickest and most used methods of obtaining answers to our questions. Here are a few tips to make searching even easier: 1. Use the minus sign ( – )when […]
July 24, 2013
Urgent: Requiring immediate action or attention. Essential: Absolutely necessary; extremely important. Is this a part of your daily routine. Can it be postponed? If both of those answers are yes, then, the task may an be essential one. Could not completing this task cause you to lose a client or a deal? Are there time […]
July 16, 2013
Recently there was a very interesting article in the NY Times, Mom and Dad, Let’s Talk Real Estate by Constance Rosenblum. I found the article addressed some issues for which people should prepare. The article focused on how to have the conversation with your family about what will happen to assets or estate in the […]
June 28, 2013
Lifehack.com recently posted an article by Jill Harness, The Importance of Breaks at Work. According to the article even a 30 second microbreak can increase your productivity up to 13%. Currently only 1 in 3 people take a lunch break and the other 2 in 3 either snack at their desk and continue working or […]
April 3, 2013
If you’re looking for a job right now, there is no better place to be than Texas and very few cities outpace San Antonio. That’s the key finding of a new study analyzing regional job growth by the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution. Of the nation’s Top 100 cities, only 14 had surpassed pre-recession employment levels […]
March 28, 2013
The article in the San Antonio Express News on Wednesday highlights the direct impact of Eagle Ford Shale – $61 Billion 20 county area 116,000 jobs Projections included that by 2022 – 14 county area would support over 89,000 jobs and approximately 4,600 will work in the “food services and drinking industry” to cater to […]
February 21, 2013
There’s a lot to look forward to in the housing market this year according to Mark Dotzour, chief economist of the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. During his presentation at Winter Meeting last Tuesday, Dotzour explained why he thinks Texas REALTORS® should be optimistic about the future of housing and economic growth. A […]
February 4, 2013
It’s possible to divest yourself of appreciated investment real estate or rental property but defer the tax liability. Such strategies may be less risky from a tax perspective now that the Taxpayer Relief act has made capital gains tax rates permanent. Nevertheless, tread carefully if you’re considering a deferral strategy such as the following: Installment […]
Losses from investment real estate or rental property are passive by definition — unless you’re a real estate professional. Then you can deduct real estate activity losses in full. To qualify as a real estate professional, you must annually perform: More than 50% of your personal services in real property trades or businesses in which […]
January 15, 2013
The Eagle Ford Shale is turning out to be more than an oil boom. It’s also a shot in the wallet, pulling up personal income in counties across the region — some of the poorest in the state. With a sudden abundance of well-paying oil field jobs, counties with Eagle Ford Shale wells permitted or […]
January 11, 2013
The acquisition increases 7-Eleven stores’ footprint in San Antonio, where the country’s largest convenience retailer recently purchased 25 stores as part of its acquisition from TETCO Inc. It also adds to 7-Eleven’s growing fuel wholesale-delivery business because the acquisition includes gasoline distribution to 150 dealer-operated sites. “We continue to build our presence in a rapidly […]
A new report released by Trulia points out, “2013’s Top 10 Healthiest Housing Markets’. It reviews the largest housing markets in the country based on what Trulia identifies as the three fundamental characteristics of a healthy housing market: strong job growth; low, but manageable, vacancy rates; and low foreclosure inventory. These are the best housing markets for […]
January 10, 2013
Richard Fisher, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, discusses how the Texas pro-business attitude should be emulated throughout the country to encourage businesses to invest and to foster economic growth. Video Link
January 9, 2013
Job growth, sales tax collections — both from business and consumer purchases — as well as automobile sales, signal that the Texas economy has emerged from the recent recession. Another indicator that the state’s economy has been comparatively healthy was the U.S. Census Bureau report that Texas added more people (421,000) than any other state […]
January 7, 2013
The Alamo City seems to be growing in popularity as a top spot to visit according to Orbitz, an online travel company. San Antonio ranked number nine on a Top 10 list for Top U.S. Travel Destinations for 2012, beating Miami. This is the city’s first time on the list and experts say a healthy […]
December 12, 2012
The Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas play is expected to continue to have a significant economic impact on roughly two-dozen South Texas counties. Wood Mackenzie, a global research firm specializing in energy and metals, has issued new analysis which indicates that companies will invest $28 billion in capitalexpenditures in the Eagle Ford in 2013. Callan […]
April 18, 2012
Rising rents and a healthier job market are inspiring more people to consider buying. Builders are responding to the demand by laying plans for more homes this year than at any other point in past 31/2 years. And banks are helping both by approving more loans. All that points to a better year for the housing market — […]
March 5, 2012
Excerpts from Dr. Mark Dotzour’s presentation at the CCIM Symposium in Austin, TX Jan. 31st To visualize the U.S. economy, picture a Jack-in-the-Box. Turn the crank, generate energy, and watch the crank pop up and release that energy. Watch how creating more energy produces job growth. People are still working and have a desire to […]
January 11, 2012
Home builders are expected to start at least 10 percent more homes in 2012 than they did last year — the first double-digit bump for the industry since the 2006 market peak and subsequent downturn. And the Eagle Ford Shale play in South Texas could provide more opportunity for the local real estate industry. It’s […]
January 4, 2012
Texas added far more jobs than any other state in the country in the past five years. Nationwide, only six of the 50 states have more retail jobs today than they did at the end of 2006. That’s according to an analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics by On Numbers, a […]
June 18, 2010
Commercial real estate investors reveal both frustration and disappointment at the lack of quality buying opportunities that many expected would have materialized by now, according to the second quarter 2010 findings of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Korpacz Real Estate Investor Survey. The report notes that the unknown speed and strength of the economic recovery has many investors anxious, […]
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