the ranch lifestyle

Your Home is Under ContractWhat Now?

‘Tis the Season...for Chocolate!Morton’s Double Chocolate Mousse

Cordillera RanchReal Estate Report

Ideas To Make Your Events Sparkle

Holiday Entertaining

November | December 2012

The Ranch

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing. Produced by UpscaleRealEstateMarketing.com • 877.660.0996

Statistics reflect current data at time of printing. All information gathered from MLS and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Properties on the list have been listed/sold by various participants in the MLS. Sold properties reflect those that are publically recorded. Non-recorded sales are not able to be included.

DEBRA JANES LUXURY REAL ESTATE GROUP

DebraJanes.com

207 Riverwood 8178 +/- Sq. Ft. | 5 Bed | 5 Full + 1 Half Bath

$3,300,000

25 Augusta7299 +/- Sq. Ft. | 4 Bed | 4 Full + 2 Half Baths

$2,495,000

2825 Rio Cordillera6771 +/- Sq. Ft. | 7 Bed | 7 Bath

$2,425,000

603 Rio Cordillera4752 +/- Sq. Ft. | 4 Bed | 4 Full + 1 Half Bath

$995,000

907 Cordillera Trace5431 +/- Sq. Ft. | 5 Bed | 4 Full + 1 Half Bath

$1,795,000

$1,099,000

REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY IN CORDILLERA RANCH41 ACTIVE LISTINGS HIGH LOW AVERAGE MEDIANList Price $3,300,000 $449,900 $1,097,056 $845,000Square Feet 8178 3024 4706 4404Price/Square Foot $403.52 $120.06 $233.14 $203.67Cumulative Days On Market 1307 7 337 238Days On Market 587 7 184 152

SOLD IN THE LAST 12 MONTHSADDRESS SQFT TOTAL DAYS AGENT DAYS LIST PRICE $/SQFT CLOSE DATE ON MARKET ON MARKET 310 Park Rdg 2669 71 71 $389,000 $145.74 09/10/2012507 Cordillera Trce 2804 36 36 $528,000 $188.30 03/29/2012209 Lantana Hollow 3130 202 202 $565,000 $180.51 01/13/20122761 Rio Cordillera 3774 105 105 $695,000 $184.15 03/15/2012146 Riverwood 4643 10 10 $695,000 $149.68 10/05/2012219 Greystone Cir 4571 355 218 $749,000 $163.85 03/12/2012102 Driftwood 3466 212 212 $730,000 $210.61 10/31/201128 Granadilla 4031 345 345 $895,000 $222.02 09/27/2012106 Arroyo 4839 1326 403 $895,000 $184.95 10/23/20123126 Rio Cordillera 5110 822 225 $949,000 $185.71 06/06/2012117 Park Rdg 5287 213 213 $989,500 $187.15 10/12/2012603 Rio Cordillera 4752 1584 248 $995,000 $209.38 03/06/201240 Sun River 4692 969 230 $1,095,000 $233.37 01/03/2012700 Clubs Dr 5567 96 96 $1,595,000 $286.50 04/05/2012907 Cordillera Trace 5431 97 97 $1,795,000 $330.51 09/18/2012210 Riverwood 10568 91 91 $2,950,000 $279.14 06/04/2012

It is our pleasure to present to you our bi-monthly newsletter produced specifically for the residents of Cordillera Ranch! The Ranch Lifestyle will arrive with updated neighborhood real estate statistics

and happenings. As specialists in Cordillera Ranch real estate, it is our goal to empower you with information on the community. We look forward to hearing from you! Let us know how you like the

newsletter, and if we can supply any specific information regarding area real estate. From comparable properties, to a detailed list of what

is for sale, to a full valuation of YOUR property – we’re just a phone call or email away!

— Debra & Natalie

DEBRA JANES’ LISTINGS IN CORDILLERA RANCH

NATALIE BIGGERSLicensed Realtor Associate

[email protected]

DEBRA JANESLuxury [email protected]

Asyourrealestateagentwilltellyou–acontractisjustthefirststepinthehome-sellingprocess.Beforeyoustartpackingyouneedtoclearseveralmorehurdles.Itmaysurprisemanysellerstolearnthatcontractsfalloutforavarietyofreasonsbeforetheyevergettotheclosingtable. InTexas,thefirst10to14daysofthecontractareusuallythe“optionperiod.”Thebuyerwilloffertheselleranominaloptionfeetosecureanoptionperiodwherethebuyerhastimetoperforminspectionsonthehomeandhastherighttobackoutofthecontractforanyreason.Thisliterallymeansthatthebuyercansimplychangetheirmindandbackoutofthecontract.Whileitisnottypicalforthebuyertobackoutforseeminglynoreason,itdoeshappen.Amorefrequentreasonthatabuyermaybackoutduringtheoptionperiodisthatthebuyeruncoverssomethingintheinspectionthatconcernsthemaboutthequalityofthehomeorthecostsassociatedwithrepairinganyoftheissuesunearthedbytheinspector.In

addition,issuesregardingtaxrate,propertyowner’sassociationfees,adjacentpropertyzoningissuesandaraftofotherconcernsmayariseduringtheoptionperiodwhenthebuyerandtheiragentaredoingtheir“duediligence”ontheproperty. Duringtheoptionperiod,sellersmaycontinuetoshowthepropertyinhopesofgettingaback-upcontract.Thismeansthatthehomeshouldcontinuetobein“showingcondition.”Itbehoovesthesellertocontinuetomarketandshowthepropertyincasetheoriginalbuyerbacksoutduringtheoptionperiod.Astheoldsayinggoes,“Don’tputallyoureggsinonebasket.”Ifanothercontractcomesalongthesellercannegotiatethatcontractandthatbuyeristhenintheback-upposition.Theoriginalbuyerhasthefirst“option”onthehomeandcandecidewhethertheywanttoproceedwiththepurchase. Oncetheoptionperiodhurdleiscleared,therearestillafewmorechallengesahead.Ifthebuyer

requiresaloan,thefinancingmustbeapprovedbythelendinginstitution.Mostbuyerswillhaveapreliminary“loanapproval”documentpresentedaspartoftheoriginaloffer.However,thefinalloanapprovalisamorestringentprocessandcanhaveseveralsnagsalongtheway.Somebuyersdonotrealizetheimpactoftheiractionsduringtheloanapprovalprocess.Anychangestoincome,financialpositionordebtburdenincurredduringloanapprovalmaymakethecurrentloanapplicationnullandvoid.Oneexampleisanoverlyzealousbuyerwhorushesoutandpurchasesnewfurnishingsfortheirnewhome,thuschangingtheirfinancialanddebtposition.Inaddition,ifthebuyercannotqualifyforaloanwithaninterestratebeloworequaltothemaximuminterestratespecifiedinthecontract,theycanrefusetheloanandbackoutofthecontract. Dependingonwhatwasincludedinthecontract,therearedatesbywhichthebuyermustreceive

acopyofthepropertyowner’sdocumentsandacopyofthepropertysurvey.Again,theseareimportantdatesthatifnotmetcangivethebuyeralegitimatewaytobackoutofthecontract.Afterthesehurdlesarepassed,thesellercanfeelmoreconfidentinstartingtopackandmovingonwiththeirlife–figurativelyandliterally!

FordHolidayRiverParade&LightingCeremony

RiverWalk,November23rd

TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com

Letthefestivitiesbegin!SanAntonio’sholiday

seasoniskickedoffeachyearwithstyle!The

spectacularone-hourparadealongtheRiverWalk

featuresprofessionallydecoratedfloats,celebrities,

livelybandsandlavishcostumes.Theparadeis

precededbytheLightingCeremonyduringwhich

1.4milliontwinklinglightsareilluminated.

CoolJazz&SmoothSoul

FrostBankPlazaClub,November30th

214.641.7695|CoolJazzForever.com

Makeitafestivedatenightwithdinner,dancing

andentertainmentwithproceedsbenefittingthe

Mosaic/SouthCentralTexasgroupwhichassists

adultswithintellectualdisabilities.Featuringjazz/

R&BvocalistMarcStaggers,theeventwillalsopay

atributetosoullegendLutherVandross.

SantaBoogie5K

HemisFairParkArchPlaza,December1st

210.223.3101|Facebook.com/SanAntonioSantaBoogie

Ifyou’reaveteranoforganized,timedruns,you

mightthinkthey’reallprettymuchthesame.

However,whenisthelasttimeyourana5Kina

Santasuit?!Adultsandkidsofallagesarewelcome

toparticipate,andyourregistrationfeeincludes

afullSantasuit(shirt,pants,belt,hatandbeard)!

Prizestobeawardedinmultiplecategories.Better

practiceyour“Ho,Ho,Ho”….

PoinsettiaBall

HyattRegencyontheRiverWalk,December13th

210.785.5850

ThisgalabenefitforFriendsofHospiceSanAntonio

isanelegantdinneranddanceaffairtolendaidto

patientsofChristusVNAHospiceinneedoffinancial

assistance.Musicalentertainmentbythepopular

RickCavenderBandissuretogeteveryoneontheir

feettodance!

pARTyatSAMA

SanAntonioMuseumofArt,December14th

210.978.8100|SAMuseum.org

SAMA’sSecondFridayHappyHourbringslovers

ofarttogethertomixandmingleovercocktails,

withmusicinspiredbyRostrosdeMaria.Heldatthe

GloriaGaltRiverLanding,theeventisfreewithpaid

museumadmissionandfeaturesacashbar.

NOVEMBER|DECEMBER2012

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

FeaturingMorton’sTheSteakhouse210.228.0700|Mortons.com

In Good Taste Event Calendar

Undoubtedlysomeofthejoysofthebusyholidayseasonarethepartiesandcelebrationsthatcomealongwithit.Whetheryou’realreadyaveteranparty-giverlookingforsomenewinspirationforthisyear,ormoreofanon-hostingparty-goerconsideringentertainingyourownguests,seewhatwe’vecompiledforsomefunandfestivecelebrations!

Retro Cocktail Party Justastheclassiccocktailhascomebackintofavorandwe’reallobsessedwithTV’sMad Men,putaninnovativetwistonyourcocktailpartythisyear.Setthemoodwithholidaymusicfromthe60s.(Amazon.comsellsanUltra-Lounge: Christmas CocktailsCDfeaturingcroonerssuchasPeggyLee,DeanMartinandRayAnthony.)Encouragegueststoarriveinsuitsandsmartdresses(hatsaplus)soyoualllookthepart.Goretrowiththemenu:deviledeggs,shrimpcocktail,cheeseballs,kebabsandmarinatedolives.Cocktails?Rolloutasnazzybarcartcompletewithvintagecocktailshakerandservealltheoldgreats:TomCollins,Sidecar,Manhattan,OldFashionedandmore.

Hanukkah Dinner LightupyourambiancewithanodtotheFestivalofLights–havecandlesburningbeautifullythroughoutyourhome.Decoratewithsparklingblues,silversandgolds.Sprinklefoil-coveredchocolategeltanddreidelsaboutthetableandincludefloralcenterpiecesofwhiteandbluewinterflowerssuchasnarcissus,tulipsandhyacinths.FoodsthathavebeenbakedorfriedinoilarecentraltotheHanukkahfeast,soserveasavorybeefbrisket,latkes,challahbreadandsufganiyotfordessert.Thereareanumberofdeliciouskosherwinesavailablenow,andthey’remorereadilyfoundinstores.

Holiday Brunch Nothingbringsfamiliestogetherforaspecialoccasionlikeafestivebrunch.Withtime-honoredholidaytunespipingthroughthespeakersandtheseasonalscentsofclovesandallspicepermeatingthehome,yourguestswillfeellikethey’vesteppedintoawinterwonderland.Askeveryonetobringawrappedornamentforanornamentexchange.Haveholidaycraftsandactivitiestokeepthechildrenoccupied.Lettheflavorsoftheseasondictateyourmenu:cranberrypancakes,maplebaconquiche,smokedsalmonandcreamcheesestrata,pumpkinBelgianwaffles,warmseafoodsaladandmore.

Fordrinks,cafésaulait,BloodyMarysandMimosasarealwaysinorder.ForaholidaytwistontheMimosa,substituteorangejuiceforpomegranatejuice.

Elegant Dinner Party Thisistheopportunitytobringoutyourbestchinaandcrystalandgoalloutwithasumptuousfeastforanintimategathering.Invitegueststocomeintheirfinestholidayattireandserveamenuthatstandsuptotheelegantoccasionyou’representing.Tryoystersoup,asage-encrustedribroast,roastedrosemaryandgarlicpotatoes,Yorkshirepudding,creamedspinachandadecadentchocolatepeppermintcheesecakefordessert.Toaddtothefestivities,includesomeChampagnetastingasanactivity.Testyourguestswithablindtasting,orsimplygiveguestsaratingsystemandleteveryonechoosetheirfavorites.

Caroling Party Ifyou’realittleshyaboutsingingtoyourneighbors(don’tbe,they’llloveit!),organizeatriptoanursinghomeorhospital.Acarolingpartyistheperfectwaytoblendthesoundsandtheflavorsoftheholidaysintoafuntradition.Whenyourguestsarrive,warmuptheirtummiesandtheirthroatswithacasualbuffet.Thinkplentyofhothorsd’oeuvres,perhapsabakedham,butternutsquashsoupandsteamingloavesofcrustybread.Preparecustomsongbooksforcarolersandsupplyeveryonewithacandleandwaxprotector.Afterallthecarolingfunisdone,everyonecomesbacktoyourhometoenjoyeggnog,spicedappleciderandalargearrayofChristmascookiesinfrontofacozyfire.

INGREDIENTS:• 11/2cupsheavycream• 6ouncessemisweetorbittersweetdarkchocolate,preferably Belgian,choppedintosmallpieces• 1tablespoonplus11/2teaspoonsunsweetenedcocoa powder• 1/2cupeggwhites(from3to4largeeggs)or1/2cup pasteurizedeggwhites• 1/8teaspooncreamoftartar• 1/8teaspoonsalt• 1/4cupsugar• whippedcream,forserving

INSTRUCTIONS:• Inasaucepan,bring3/4cupofthecreamtoaboilover medium-highheat.• Putthechocolateandcocoainaheat-proofglassbowland pourthehotcreamoverthem.Letthemixturestandforabout 1minuteandthenwhiskuntilblended.Besuretobreakupany clumpsofthecocoa.Setasideatroomtemperatureforabout 45minutes,whiskingoccasionallytokeepthemixturesmooth. Thechocolateneedstocoolto80°F.• Inachilled,drybowlofanelectricmixerfittedwiththewhisk attachment,beattheeggwhitesonhighspeedfor10to20 secondsoruntiltheybegintofoam.Addthecreamoftartar andsaltandbeatforabout1minutelongeroruntilsoftpeaks form.• Sprinklethesugaroverthewhitesandcontinuetobeatfor 1to2minuteslongeroruntilthepeaksarestiffbutnotdry. Atthispoint,themixerwillmakea“wop,wop,wop”sound.• Foldthewhitesintothecooledchocolate(makesureit’sno warmerthan80°Fbeforeaddingthewhites).• Pourtheremainingheavycreamintothebowlofthemixer andbeatwiththewhiskattachmentonhighspeedforabout 2minutesoruntilsoftpeaksform.Foldthewhippedcreaminto thechocolate.Donotworryifafewflecksofwhitesremainin thechocolate.• Coverthebowlwithplasticwrapandrefrigerateforatleast 4hoursorovernight.Servethemoussespoonedondessert platesorinbowls.Topeachservingwithalittlewhipped cream.AtMorton’sthemousseispipedintoservingdishes usingapastrybagfittedwithastartip.

Your Home’s Under Contract! TIME TO START PACKING?