Yesterday I attended the San Antonio Greater Chamber of Commerce luncheon where Mayor Castro talked about the "State of the City." 

The Mayor touched on many subjects, but here some highlights:

1. He's looking to create 20,000 new jobs in 2010!  He cited past years' and how San Antonio has faired compared to other parts of the nation and thinks we can continue adding new jobs in the city. 

2. Education is important to the growth of our city.  He wants to encourage students to graduate from high school and continue to college.  In his effort to bring education to the forefront Mayor Castro plans to visit all 76 middle schools in San Antonio. 

3. He touched on Mentoring Matters.  A mentoring program that guides students from career exploration to college.  Middle school students will be paired with adult professionals, with the hope that the match between student and mentor will continue through high school.  Some of the companies involved in the program are San Antonio Water System (SAWS), Rackspace and Broadway Bank.

 

4. Cyber security continues to boost San Antonio’s economy.  It is currently an $8 billion per year industry.

 

5. Continuing with the re-development of  HemisFair Park

6. Keeping San Antonio safe.  The city received a federal grant that allowed the hire of 50 new officers.

7. Exploring the future of mass transit in San Antonio

 

There is a lot of activity in city government and San Antonio's future continues to look bright.

Happy Tuesday!

As I look around my neighborhood I see more and more people putting out the recycle bin each week. :-) I’m pretty conscious about recycling and try to recycle everything. I always have to remind myself of the things that can’t be recycled (like plastic forks and spoons).  It’s pretty easy to recycle around the house, but it’s creating that habit!  You have to be mindful of what you are throwing in the trash.  I’ve read that San Antonio has the largest curb-side recycling program in Texas!  Isn’t that awesome?  Let’s continue doing our part in helping the earth and putting less in our landfills.

San Antonio is making it easy for us to recycle by providing bins.  If you need a bin call the San Antonio information line at 311. 

If you have a creative way of recycling share it!  I love to hear how other people make recycling work in their homes.

So here are the do’s and don’ts of recycling:

What you can recycle: 

• Aluminum cans
• Brown paper bags
• Flattened cardboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes, etc.)
• Catalogs, magazines and phone books
• White or colored paper
• Paperback books
• Envelopes and file folders
• Glass bottles and jars (jelly, mustard, mayonnaise, etc)
• Meat trays
• Newspapers and junk mail
• Plastic bottles and jugs (remove lids and rinse containers)
• Tin and steel cans
• Empty aerosol cans
• Paper towel/toilet paper cores
• Non-metallic gift wrap
• Prescription and medicine bottles

What you can’t recycle:

• Plastic bags including dry cleaning bags and outer wrap from products such as paper towels and bathroom tissue. (Please return to HEB.  The have bins at entrance) 
• Auto Parts and Motor Oil Containers
• Clothing and Shoes
• Diapers
• Plastic Utensils
• Syringes or Medical Items
• Paper towels/Tissue/Toilet Paper
•  Coat Hangers...plastic and wire (Take wire hangers to Pilgrims or Clothesline Cleaners and donate your plastic to Goodwill)
  

Click on www.sanantonio.gov/swmd/ to visit the SA waste management site for more information.

Are you thinking of remodeling your bathroom?  A bathroom remodel can be a solid investment, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report. A $15,000 bath remodel will recoup almost 75% of those costs when it’s time to sell your home, and a more extensive $50,000 job returns 70%. It’s important to keep this in mind – let’s say you have a house that could sell for $70,000 on a good day and your remodel cost is $15,000, you’re not going to have an $85,000 house.  You’re going to have $70,000 house with an expensive bathroom.  If you plan to sell your home in the very near future just make sure you are not pricing yourself out of the market.  A general rule of thumb is that you should only undertake a major remodeling project if you plan to stay in your home for at least three to five years.             

Here are some remodeling tips:

1. Create a plan, and stick to it

You need to thoroughly evaluate how you plan to use the space, what kinds of materials and fixtures you want, and how much you’re willing to spend.  Don’t begin your project until you have your plan.  No rush!  You don’t want to make decisions under duress. Once work has begun—refrain from changing your mind. Some contractors include clauses in their contracts that specify premium prices for changes to original plans.  It’s important everything between you and your contractor is in writing.  I watch too much People’s Court to know we no longer can assume a handshake is a deal! If planning isn’t your strong suit, consider hiring a designer. In addition to helping establish style and effective use of space, a professional designer makes sure all aspects of a project are harmonious so that contractors and installers are sequenced in an orderly fashion.

2. Keep the same footprint

No matter the size and scope of your planned bathroom, you can save major expense by not rearranging walls, and by locating any new plumbing fixtures near existing plumbing pipes. You’ll not only save on the demolition and reconstruction that moving walls and pipes require, you’ll reduce the amount of dust and debris your project generates.

3. Make lighting a priority

When it comes to adding comforts, your first thoughts might be multiple shower heads and fancy fixtures. But few items make a bathroom more satisfying than lighting designed for everyday grooming. You can install lighting for a fraction of the cost of pricier amenities.

4. Clear the air

Because bathroom ventilation systems are basically hidden, they usually don’t appear on a must-have list. Nevertheless, bathroom ventilation is essential for removing excess humidity that fogs mirrors, makes bathroom floors slippery, and contributes to the growth of mildew and mold. Controlling mold and humidity is especially important for maintaining healthy indoor air quality and protecting the value of your home. Remember excess humidity can damage cabinets and painted finishes.

5. Think storage

Adding storage to the bath can be a challenge but there are ways you can do it. Think vertically. Freestanding, multi-tiered shelf units designed to fit over toilet tanks turns unused wall area into storage. Install shelves over towel bars to use blank wall space. Think moveable. Inexpensive woven baskets set on the floor are stylish ways to hold towels. A floor-stand coat rack can be used to hang drying towels, bath robes, or clothes.  Think utility. Adding a slide-out tray to vanity cabinet compartments gives you full access to stored items and prevents lesser-used items from being lost or forgotten.                                                                                                                   

6. Contribute a little sweat equity                                                                                                                     You can shave labor costs by doing some of the work yourself.  Again, discuss this with your contractor; the agreement you both sign should specify what projects you’ll assume responsibility for. Some easy DIY projects: paint walls and trim and install towel bars and shelves.

7. Use low-cost design for high visual impact

If you’d like to add visual zest to your bathroom but are concerned about creating a one-of-a-kind look that might put off a future buyer, go neutral.  Neutral colors for permanent fixtures and surfaces. Then add pizzazz in items that are easily changed, such as shower curtains, window treatments, towels and throw rugs. These relatively low-cost decorative touches provide tons of personality but are easy to redo whenever you want.

Are you ready to remodel?  About 5 years ago I decided to remodel both my master bathroom and the guest bath.  I hired someone to do the work and within 2 weeks I was the owner of two remodeled bathrooms.  When I went to sell my house I did make my money back, but most importantly I loved the fact that my bathrooms no longer had carpet!  Here are some before and after pictures.

  

                                                          

To save money I didn't replace the master tub just did some decorative title all around it.

HUD currently offers a $100 down payment program.  WOW!

Here's the scoop on the program:
1. You must live in the home.  Realtor lingo: owner occupied

2. You must offer the full asking price

3. Your loan must be financed with FHA insured financing

4. HUD will give up to 3% for closing costs - another savings for you!

5. You will need to give earnest money.  The earnest money is credited back to you at the time of  closing. A house priced at:
$50,000 and under earnest money is $500
$51,000 and up earnest money is $1000
 
In San Antonio,Texas we currently have approximately 57 HUD homes available for purchase.  There are about 75 homes under contract.

40 of the homes currently on the market are under $100,000!

Between the HUD program and the home buyer tax credit it might be a good time for you to consider buying a home.

Call me today and let's see if we can find you the perfect HUD home!

Each year many of us make a list of New Years resolutions.  Everyone's list varies, but if yours included getting healthy or more fit, helping a non-profit, spending more time having fun and/or trying new things I have just the event!

Come out and support SAMMinistries as Studio VIDA! Dance Fusion Fitness works us out with fun music and great dance steps.

To participate, please bring a new or gently used coat or jacket and $4.00.  Five Star cleaners will collect and clean all of the coats and jackets and give them to SAMMinistries and Christian Assistance Ministry to disburse them to those in great need.

Location Details:

Place: Club Rio
           13307 San Pedro (Bitters Road exit)

Date: Saturday, January 9, 2010

Time: Registration is from 9:00AM - 10:00AM
          Zumbathon will start at 10:00AM to 11:30AM


The 1, 2, 3's of Zumba:
1. Easy to follow dance moves
2. Calorie burning
3. Workout to Latin music (bring your dance moves)
4. Not your normal workout, but fun!

Are you ready to Zumba?