3 Fun and Cool Things To Do This Weekend in Schertz and Cibolo

Looking for the perfect way to spend your weekend in Schertz / Cibolo? We've got you covered with three fantastic events that cater to a variety of interests, from classic cars and art to romantic picnics and family-friendly nature exploration. Check out these three events, happening this weekend:   1. The 2nd Annual Car Show and Art with Buffs Venue: Samuel Clemens High School, 1001 Elbel Road, Schertz, TX Date: Saturday, October 14 Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Get ready for an automotive and artistic extravaganza at Samuel Clemens High School! The 2nd Annual Car Show and Art with Buffs event promises a day filled with excitement. The car show, taking place in the front parking lot off of 1001 Elbel Road (across from the library), features a stunning display of classic and custom vehicles. If you have a unique ride, consider entering it for a $25.00 donation. For art enthusiasts of all ages, there's another treat in store. Art sessions will be available, allowing you to unleash your creativity. Join in the artistic fun for a fee of $25.00 per session. It's a perfect blend of automotive excellence and artistic expression that's sure to make your Saturday unforgettable. Tickets and details here.   2. Pop-Up Picnic Park Date for Couples (Cibolo Area, Self-Guided) Date: Sunday, October 15 (takes approximately 7 hours) Place: Crescent Bend Nature Park, 12780 West Schaefer Road, Cibolo, TX 78108 Ready for a romantic and self-guided adventure? Experience a delightful Pop-Up Picnic in the Park Date for Couples in the scenic Cibolo Area. Your date night includes a range of activities that you can complete at your own pace. All you need is your mobile device and an internet connection to access your Digital Date Nite Box. Here's what's included: Time: Enjoy a discount code toward food delivery to your park of choice. Service: Custom couple e-coupons for added fun. Giving: Digital love jar (and optional bonus virtual vision board). Touch: Engage in couple games. Affirmation: Special messages for your love jar to make your date memorable. This unique date night experience is based on the 10 love styles and includes activities centered around wellness, faith, communication, finances, and empowerment. The best part? Tickets for this creative date night event are available for a donation of your choice, valued over $20. All donations support the mission of bringing fun outdoor dates for couples. Tickets and details here.   3. Nature Discovery Series - Crescent Bend Nature Park: Discover Early Texans Location: Crescent Bend Nature Park, 12805 W. Schaefer Road, Schertz, TX, 78154 Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023 Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am For families with young explorers, the Nature Discovery Series is a fantastic way to connect with nature. Held at Crescent Bend Nature Park, this free program is ideal for elementary-aged children, but siblings of all ages are welcome. Texas Master Naturalist volunteers will lead the themed program, "Discover Early Texans." Encourage your kids to ask questions, explore, and grow their knowledge of nature. Join in at 10:00 am and set off on an exciting adventure in our own backyard. Make the most of your weekend in Shertz and Cibolo by experiencing these diverse and engaging events. From classic cars to romantic picnics and nature discovery, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Don't miss out on these exciting opportunities, and have a wonderful weekend! Tickets and details here.  Got questions about these events, or anything about Schertz / Cibolo? Ask the resident experts! We're Ben and Elsa De La Cruz, your local guide (and Realtors). We love talking about the local area, events, attractions, the real estate market... and more! Reach out, let's talk.  Learn more about the market trends, local info, home listings, schools, businesses, demographics and more for Schertz or Cibolo.    

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Texas new home market is “finding its footing” as sales peak

HomesUSA.com reports Days on Market, Sales Prices, Pending Sales stabilizing HomesUSA.com reports Days on Market, Sales Prices, Pending Sales stabilizing The Texas new home market is “finding its footing” as sales peak with Days on Market, average prices, and pending sales all stabilizing, according to the monthly HomesUSA.com New Home Sales Report released today by its author, Ben Caballero, the nation’s top-ranked real estate agent and HomesUSA.com CEO. The HomesUSA.com New Home Sales Report uses Multiple Listing Service data – the most complete, current, and accurate information – from the Realtor Associations of North Texas, Houston Austin, and San Antonio. The 3-month moving average of new home MLS sales in Texas’ four largest markets for August was 5,450 versus 5,649 new homes sold in July. “Considering the interest rate headwinds and market seasonality, Texas’ new home market is finding its footing,” said Caballero. “By every measure – Days on Market, sales activity and average prices – new homes numbers are stabilizing yet remain impressive,” he added. While the overall new home price average among the 4 largest Texas markets was $2,000 lower in August than July, Caballero noted prices have shown stability throughout 2023. In Texas' top four markets, last month's 3-month moving average new home price was $460,060 versus $462,363 in July. Dallas-Ft. Worth's 3-month moving average new home price in August was up slightly, $500,320 versus $499,115 in July. Austin’s average new home price last month also was higher, $539,095 versus $536,842 in July. Last month's 3-month moving average of new home prices in Houston and San Antonio were lower: Houston’s average new home price was $424,368 versus $427,191 in July, while San Antonio’s average price of a new home in August was $372,120 versus $379,374 in July. “As the Texas economy continues to outpace the nation, builders continue to support Texas’ growth with great new homes, despite the economic and municipal obstacles in their path,” said Caballero. According to the HomesUSA.com New Home Sales Index, the pace of new home sales picked up in San Antonio, Houston and slightly in Austin as Days on Market improved. New homes stayed on the market in Dallas a bit longer, which posted a higher DOM average for August. Overall, the DOM in Texas has been trending stable. The average number of days to sell a new home in Texas’ four major home markets in August was 105.58 days versus 106.67 days in July. The DOM in Houston last month was 99.18 versus 102.97 days in July. Austin’s DOM in August was 93.70 versus 94.76 in July, and the DOM in San Antonio last month was 91.47 versus 97.81 days in July. The DOM in Dallas-Ft. Worth last month was higher at 124.06 versus 119.94 days in July. Pending new home sales in Texas’ four largest markets were down again last month. The 3-month moving average of pending new home sales in August was 6,096 versus 6,473 in July. Active listings continue to stabilize, with the 3-month moving average for active listings of new homes in Texas' top four markets last month totaling 27,305 versus 26,662 new homes in July. HomesUSA.com is sharing its New Home Sales Report and New Home Sales Index before the Commerce Department releases its nationwide New Residential Sales Report for August, set for Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 10:00 am Eastern. The HomesUSA.com monthly report is based on closed sales recorded inside the MLSs by the 10th day of the following month. Sales reported late by agents are not included. The report features 3-month and 12-month moving averages for six essential market data, including Days on Market, sales volume, sales prices, a sales-to-list price ratio, pending sales, and active listings. Caballero explained the 3-month moving average indices track market seasonality, while the 12-month moving average removes the seasonality and tracks the longer trend. Days on Market – New Homes in Texas (Exclusive Data) The HomesUSA.com New Home Sales Index showed the 3-month moving average of Days on Market decreased in three of the four major new home markets in August. Houston’s DOM was 99.18 days versus 102.97 days in July. In Austin, the DOM decreased to 93.70 days versus 94.76 days in July. In San Antonio, the DOM was 91.47 days versus 97.81 days in July. Dallas-Ft. Worth was the exception, as the DOM increased to 124.06 days from 119.94 days in July. Caballero points out that new homes have significantly higher Days on Market or DOM than existing homes because most are listed while under construction. (See Chart 1: Texas New Homes Days on Market) Texas New Home Sales Data Based on all available local MLS data, total new home sales in three of the four major new home markets were lower last month, according to the 3-month moving average. In Dallas-Ft. Worth, new home sales decreased to 1,885 versus 1,975 in July. In Houston, August’s total sales were 1,760 versus 1,875 in July. In Austin, new home sales also decreased in August to 876 versus 918 in July. San Antonio was the anomaly, as new home sales in August rose to 929 versus 882 in July. (See Chart 2: Texas New Home Sales) Texas New Home Prices The average price of new homes in two of the four major new home markets were higher last month. In Dallas-Ft. Worth, the 3-month moving average price for new homes increased in August to $500,320 from $499,115 in July. Austin's 3-month moving average price also rose in August to $539,095 from $536,842 in July. In Houston, the average new home price was lower in August at $424,368 versus $427,191 in July. In San Antonio, the average new home price also decreased in August to $372,120 versus $379,374 in July. (See Chart 3: Texas New Home Prices) Texas Sales-to-List Price Ratio Cumulative new home sales appear to be stabilizing near 100 percent of the asking price. The 3-month moving average of the sales-to-list price ratio for August was 97.98 versus 97.97 percent in July. Dallas-Ft. Worth’s ratio was 98.26 versus 98.17 percent in July. In Houston, the ratio was 98.35 versus 98.30 percent in July. In Austin, the sales-to-price ratio in August was 97.79 versus 97.53 percent in July. San Antonio's ratio in August was 96.91 versus 97.34 percent in July. (See Chart 4: Texas Sales-to-List Price Ratio) Texas Pending New Homes Sales Data Based on local MLS data, pending new home sales decreased in all four Texas major markets last month. Data shows pending sales in August were 6,096 versus 6,473 in July. In Dallas-Ft. Worth, pending new home sales last month were 2,200 versus 2,372 in July. In Houston, pending new home sales in August decreased to 1,839 versus 1,938 in July. In Austin, pending new home sales in August were 1,171 versus 1,233 in July. In San Antonio, pending sales last month were 886 versus 930 in July. (See Chart 5: Texas Pending New Home Sales) Texas Active Listings for New Homes Data from the four largest Texas MLSs also shows the 3-month moving average for active listings increased in August to 27,305 versus 26,662 in July. Last month, all four Texas major markets posted higher active listings. Dallas-Ft. Worth's active listings in August were 6,050 versus 5,814 in July. Last month's active listings in Houston were 11,342 versus 11,162 in July. In Austin, active listings in August increased to 5,405 from 5,294 in July. In San Antonio, active listings increased in August to 4,508 versus 4,393 in July. (See Chart 6: Texas Active Listings and Chart A: 12-Month Moving Averages) What does all this mean for you?  If you are reclocating to San Antonio or moving up to new home, now is great time to buy a newly-built home. And if you're a military servicemember, you can get additional benefits and low (or even no-) downpayment. As the San Antonio New Construction and Military Homebuying Specialists, we want to help you get into the home you deserve. Call us today and let's talk. *Note: Texas data denotes a combination of its four largest new home markets – Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Austin and San Antonio, which comprises the vast majority of new home sales and MLS data statewide. Credit to original publisher Ben Caballero and HomesUSA.com®    

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How Inflation Affects Mortgage Rates

When you read about the housing market in the news, you might see something about a recent decision made by the Federal Reserve (the Fed). But how does this decision affect you and your plans to buy a home? Here's what you need to know.The Fed is trying hard to reduce inflation. And even though there’s been 12 straight months where inflation has cooled (see graph below), the most recent data shows it’s still higher than the Fed’s target of 2%: While you may have been hoping the Fed would stop their hikes since they’re making progress on their goal of bringing down inflation, they don’t want to stop too soon, and risk inflation climbing back up as a result. Because of this, the Fed decided to increase the Federal Funds Rate again last week. As Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Fed, says:“We remain committed to bringing inflation back to our 2 percent goal and to keeping longer-term inflation expectations well anchored.” Greg McBride, Senior VP, and Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, explains how high inflation and a strong economy play into the Fed’s recent decision:“Inflation remains stubbornly high. The economy has been remarkably resilient, the labor market is still robust, but that may be contributing to the stubbornly high inflation. So, Fed has to pump the brakes a bit more.”Even though a Federal Fund Rate hike by the Fed doesn’t directly dictate what happens with mortgage rates, it does have an impact. As a recent article from Fortune says:“The federal funds rate is an interest rate that banks charge other banks when they lend one another money . . . When inflation is running high, the Fed will increase rates to increase the cost of borrowing and slow down the economy. When it’s too low, they’ll lower rates to stimulate the economy and get things moving again.”How All of This Affects You In the simplest sense, when inflation is high, mortgage rates are also high. But, if the Fed succeeds in bringing down inflation, it could ultimately lead to lower mortgage rates, making it more affordable for you to buy a home.This graph helps illustrate that point by showing that when inflation decreases, mortgage rates typically go down, too (see graph below): As the data above shows, inflation (shown in the blue trend line) is slowly coming down and, based on historical trends, mortgage rates (shown in the green trend line) are likely to follow. McBride says this about the future of mortgage rates:“With the backdrop of easing inflation pressures, we should see more consistent declines in mortgage rates as the year progresses, particularly if the economy and labor market slow noticeably.”Bottom LineWhat happens to mortgage rates depends on inflation. If inflation cools down, mortgage rates should go down too. Count on a real estate professional you can trust for expert advice on housing market changes and what they mean for you.

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