A great cup of coffee is a short drive from Alamo Ranch homes. Robby and Neesha Grubbs realized back in 2008 that San Antonio needed a truly amazing coffee shop. Locals desired a specialty coffee shop with a knowledgeable staff, excellent beans, and a top notch brewing technique. This all became a reality when Local Coffee cafe’ opened and the success of the first location warranted more. A rise in repeat customers meant that owners could open their own roasting facility called Merit Roasting Co. This gave Robby and Neesha the chance to select the finest beans, roast them, and create their own brewing techniques.

Owners of Gehan Homes Go to Local Coffee

There are now six Local Coffee cafes around San Antonio, but the one located closest to Alamo Ranch homes is the Medical Center location at 7338 Louis Pasteur Drive #204. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sundays 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Stop in on your way to work, meet a friend for a cup of coffee, or come in to study in the evenings. Those who live in one of the Gehan Homes can also feel free to purchase some whole bean coffee to brew at home. Read more about this company, purchase coffee, sweets, and other gifts, and find all Local Coffee locations. 

It’s getting kind of corny on Helotes property and residents love it that way. An area rich in tradition, folks living in Helotes welcome the Cornyval Festival each spring with enthusiasm. This year the fun falls on Thursday, May 4th through Sunday, May 7th. Found at the Helotes Cornyval Festival Grounds off Leslie Road a variety of attractions await.

The 2017 festivities mark the 52nd year of celebrating the corn harvest season. Helotes property owners are in store for a wild array of entertainment. Two stages set the scene for music and dancing. An all star line up of performers are getting ready to hit the stage. Kids of all ages enjoy the entertainment in the Family Area. Travel back in time and interact with an amazing animated dinosaur. Magicians are mesmerizing with slights of hand and tricks of the trade. Find a great spot at the finish line for the pig races.

Everyone Living in Helotes Will Enjoy the Entertainment and Food

Nearby, there’s some real action happening in the rodeo. Crowds enthusiastically cheer and groan in reaction to what’s going on inside the pen. Steer roping, bull riding, bronc riding, and barrel racing bring out the cowboy in everyone. For almost 30 years the rodeo has added a bit of rowdy gaiety to Cornyval.

Thrill seekers find what they are looking for in the carnival area. Rides range from the fast and furious Sizzler to the massive but laid back Gondola Ferris Wheel. Check the schedule for pricing specials including daily wristbands, dollar rides, and 2 for 1 rides.

There’s so much to see and do during the Cornyval Festival. Pack up the kids and don’t forget grandma. Be sure to bring a camera to capture all the memories in the making, and get ready for some action packed family fun! 

When hunger strikes near Wortham Oaks homes, folks head on over to the Wrapitude Gourmet Wraps, Burgers, and Beers. Here big juicy burgers are second to none. Tempting choices include the Greek Pesto, Big Kahuna and Hickory BBQ. Those who prefer to control their own destiny can build their own burger with a variety of toppings. Wraps are wonderfully refreshing. Start the roll up with one of five flavored tortillas such as chipotle, spinach, and garlic herb. Specialty options featured at the eatery are the Trillium Tuna and Cali Club. Sandwiches satisfy as well. Hearty appetites dig into the Beef Dip or BBQ Pork. Youngsters wanting lunch have their very own menu to pick from. Selections include sandwiches, wraps, chicken strips, quesadillas and more. An onsite playground is ready and waiting for after mealtime play.

People from CalAtlantic Homes Also Love the Great Beer Selection

Craft beers are free flowing and an easy camaraderie fills the beer garden. Lagers, hard ciders, stouts and ales are well represented. Favorite brews to savor by residents of CalAtlantic homes include Hop Venom and Laurelwood Free Range Red.

Located at 23210 FM 3009 in San Antonio, Wrapitude Gourmet Wraps, Burgers, and Beers is conveniently close to Wortham Oaks homes. The doors open at 11 a.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. 

If you’re in the mood for really great Mexican food near Valley Ranch homes, head to 7 Salsas. For the last decade, this restaurant has been serving up the best of Mexican cuisine for everyone in the area. The relaxed atmosphere is great for a relaxing happy hour with coworkers, a chill date night, or a meal with friends. Come in for happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. and take advantage of daily specials. Monday it’s $2 margaritas. On Tuesday, get an enchilada dinner for $4.99. Women from DR Horton Homes at Valley Ranch will want to plan to be at 7 Salsas on Thursdays, for Ladies Night and $4 margaritas.

Celebrate DR Horton Homes at Valley Ranch with Catering from 7 Salsas

The 7 Salsas menu is quite extensive, with something to tempt anyone’s appetite. Be sure to try the especiales de la casa. Try pollo poblano, a chicken breast stuffed with jack cheese and poblano chiles, then topped with poblano sauce and served with rice and borracho beans, and Mexican rice. Michelle’s tampiquena is strips of rib eye steak, stewed in a mild chile sauce and served up with beans, rice, and guacamole. There are so many more dishes to choose from, including Tex-Mex combinations, seafood, vegetarian options, and street tacos. They’ll also cater for parties at Valley Ranch homes. Leave the cooking to the experts and relax, knowing the food is in good hands.

Visit 7 Salsas to see the full menu, all the daily specials, and learn about catering options. 

If you’re touring Alamo Ranch homes and considering one by Wilshire homes, then the golf club to join is the Alamo Golf Club. Located just a few miles away, this club is great for beginners and experienced golfers alike. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, and there are lots of ways to improve your game. Try the pitch and putt course. The longest hole is 81 yards, so it’s the perfect way to practice your short game. Play all day for just $7. Players over 65, under 18, or military can play for $5. The full 18-hole course takes a little over three hours to play, making for a relaxing afternoon. If you can’t spare that much time, opt for the nine-hole version.

Kids and Adults from Wilshire Homes at Alamo Ranch Take Lessons and Go to Golf Clinics

Adults and kids who want more in-depth instruction can attend one of the weekly drop-in clinics. There are special sessions for juniors and adults. Alamo Golf Club pros Trey Gainous and James Gimmestad lead the sessions, which cost $17 for adults or $10 for juniors. Private lessons are also available for one-on-one instruction.

Golfers from Alamo Ranch homes can play golf throughout the day. The club opens at sunrise. During March, April, October and November, the course closes at 10 p.m. From May 1st through September 30th, the club is open Sunday through Thursday until 10 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m. The course closes at 9 p.m. from December 1st through February 28th.

Visit Alamo Golf Club to schedule a tee time, sign up for private lessons, and see the current calendar of events and specials. 

Take a break from the hustle of city life and head to Bulverde Oaks Nature Preserve. Located just a short drive away from Wortham Oaks homes, the preserve is a 31-acre sanctuary for local wildlife. Green Spaces Alliance received the preserve as a gift in 2010. Since then, the alliance has worked with volunteers to create walking paths for visitors around the city. Benches for relaxing in this natural oasis, as well as picnic areas, are also planned.

Residents of Chesmar Homes Can Participate in the Monthly Nature Walk

Each month, from September to June, a naturalist leads a public hike on the first Saturday of the month. The next one will be held on May 6th from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The tour follows along the mile-long pathway. See the bee hives, meadow planted with flowers attractive to bees, a bird blind, and the stock pond. Participants should keep their eyes open for wildlife sightings. This is a great way to introduce children from Wortham Oaks homes to the wonders of nature. Dogs are also welcome to come along. Tours are offered free of charge, though the alliance depends on donations to continue its preservation work. Reservations are required and can be made online.

Chesmar Homes offer their residents a beautiful home environment. Come visit Bulverde Oaks Nature Preserve to relax in nature and learn about the creatures that live here. 

If you are active or retired military interested in purchasing a home, you should definitely look into different types of VA loans. Since the 2008 downturn, lenders have tightened qualifications and eliminated certain types of loans. Those eliminated include the no-down payment loan. However, if you opt for a VA loan, you can get this type of loan, as long as you have a qualifying income level and good enough credit. Another great benefit with VA loans is that the closing costs are limited. Sometimes the seller will even pay them. You do have to have earnest money, which is typically put down after the contract is signed to purchase a house.

Choose the Right VA Loan for Your Plans

Once you’ve decided to go with a VA loan, the next thing to think about is the structure of the loan. You can get several types of VA loans. The first is the fixed-rate mortgage. This is a good one if you need to be able to depend on your monthly payment staying the same. An adjustable-rate mortgage might be a good idea if you are not planning on staying in the home for too long. Keep in mind that the interest can go up as much as one percentage point a year, and only five points over the life of the loan. Jumbo loans are available for homes that cost more than $417,000, which is the maximum the VA will finance with no down payment. The way these work is that the VA will finance the first $417,000 for no money down, then the purchaser would put 25% down on the amount of the loan over $417,000. This is a great way to finance the purchase of a large luxury home.

Please get in touch with our office to discuss the type of VA loan that’s right for your home-buying plans. We have many years of experience in the San Antonio market and with helping military home buyers find the home of their dreams.

So you’re thinking of relocating to San Antonio. That’s great! There are so many things to love about this city, from amazing food to great teams, from fabulous shopping to incredible natural beauty. San Antonio has it all, yet manages to still feel like a small, friendly town. If you’ve just arrived and are itching to get started touring San Antonio real estate, wait a minute. Before you start looking at houses, interview a few real estate agents. You’re looking for someone who knows the city well, of course, but you also want someone who understands your needs. You need to feel confident that you and your agent communicate well with each other. It’s especially recommended that first-time home buyers hire a good real estate agent. The homebuying process can be complicated, and you want someone to help guide you through the process.

Buyer’s Representation Will Get You the Best Deal on San Antonio Real Estate

The other big reason you want a good agent on your side as a buyer is that the listing agent for a house will be working for the seller. As a buyer, you need someone on your team. A buyer’s agent is negotiating on your behalf, for the most competitive price possible. An important note about buyer’s representation: the seller pays the commission to the agent, not the buyer. Hiring an experienced agent is a win-win for the buyer: you get a professional on our side, and the service is free.

Please give our office a call  210-860-1775 to discuss relocating to San Antonio. We’d be happy to help you find the best home in San Antonio!

A San Antonio military relocation is often welcomed news to families. This beautiful city has affordable housing, much to keep everyone busy, and a true appreciation for military members and their families. The military history in this city goes back several hundred years. Today, San Antonio is home to four top notch military installations.

Find an Affordable San Antonio Home Close to Your Assignment

Nearly every aerospace medical officer goes through a San Antonio military relocation. Brooks City-Base is home to the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine as well as the 311th Human Systems Wing. Fort Sam Houston houses many Army units and includes the Army Medical School. Basic training for the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard takes place at Lackland Air Force Base. Lastly, Randolph Air Force Base serves as a training facility for pilots, navigators, and electronic warfare officers.

Residents go above and beyond in welcoming military members moving to San Antonio. This is partly because many people who have retired from the armed forces call San Antonio home. The weather here is mild, the city is affordable and lovely, and there are many military facilities to serve present and past personnel. Fort Sam Houston is home to The San Antonio Military Medical Center. This facility includes the only Burn Center for the military and is also leading the pack in researching and treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

Saving for a down payment is a challenge for many people buying a house for the first time. Especially for those renting in an expensive market, getting a 20 percent down payment can be quite difficult. Fortunately, for first time San Antonio home buyers there are several down payment assistance programs. The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) assists first time buyers, buyers with low to moderate incomes, as well as buyers who work in several different careers. These include teachers, peace officers, fire fighters, veterans, and correctional officers. The program provides 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. Down payment assistance may be up to 5% of the total loan. The TSAHC also offers a tax credit of up to $2,000 for interest paid on a mortgage.

Down Payment Assistance Programs Are Open to First Time Buyers

There are other sources of down payment assistance for first time San Antonio home buyers. Some banks and credit unions offer no or low down payment loans. These are mostly open to buyers who meet income requirements. Buyers who opt for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan may use gifts from family members to meet the 3.5% down payment requirement.

Get more information about programs for first time buyers through the TSAHC. Feel free to give our office a call to learn more about down payment assistance and programs for first time buyers.