Volume 9, Issue 9: March 2017
BOERNE business monthly
NEW HOME INTERIOR STORE BRINGS BIG STYLE TO BOERNE
+
HIDDEN TREASURES: Tax Strategies & Deductions That Can Boost Your Refund PENSIONS: 3 Big Considerations
LOCAL NEWS & INFO
for home. for school. for business.
Boerne is wired
for healthcare. for safety. for life.
As part of the GVTC GigaRegion®, Boerne is wired with an extensive network of fiber optics connecting home, business and city agencies with the ultimate technology. It’s blazing fast. It’s revolutionary.
gvtc.com/gigaregion
www.eggersscapital.com 114 E. Highland Boerne, Texas 78006
210.526.0057
1.888.511.1211
Eggerss Capital Management (ECM) is a fee-only Registered Investment Advisory firm specializing in financial planning and wealth management for individuals and institutions. Stocks
Bonds
ETFs
Mutual Funds
Alternative Investments boernebusinessmonthly.com
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publisher's note March makes me happy for so many reasons, but the main one is the beginning of daylight savings time! Oh how I love longer days and warmer weather. This issue we feature The Furniture House, a great new home interior store that offers everything from fabulous cuspublisher LAUREN TUTTLE STUMBERG director of sales & marketing RUSTY MEADOR art direction DISTINCT MEDIA, LLC for more information 210.219.6735
tomizable furniture to design services. Check out the article starting on page 16. As the weather gets warmer the local calendar of events starts filling up with fun events for the whole family to enjoy, so be sure to get out and enjoy all that Boerne has to offer this month. Also in this issue, Prakash Ravi of ADKF shares with us some hidden tax treasures you might want to take note of as you are preparing your tax returns, Karl Eggerss educates us on pensions, and so much more. I hope you enjoy this March issue of BBM!
Lauren Stumberg Publisher
LAUREN@DISTINCT-GRAPHICS.COM
WWW.BOERNEBUSINESSMONTHLY.COM
Exceptional, individualized personal service. It’s what a place as unique as Boerne should expect from a bank. the jefferson bank — boerne financial team For more than 70 years, we have taken pride in being an independent, community bank dedicated to meeting the needs of our customers. Whatever your financial need — personal, business, mortgage or wealth management — our team of bankers is right here in Boerne ready to assist you.
Julia Garza
Todd M. Schneider
Justin Boerner
Vice President Banking Center Manager Direct Dial: (830) 816-6310 jgarza@jeffersonbank.com
Vice President, Residential Mortgage Lending Direct Dial: (830) 816-6305 tschneider@jeffersonbank.com
Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer Direct Dial: (830) 816-6306 jboerner@jeffersonbank.com
NMLS# 812337
NMLS# 580478
Beca Short
Tori Sherrill
Vice President, Residential Mortgage Lending Direct Dial: (830) 816-6322 bshort@jeffersonbank.com
Banking Service Manager Direct Dial: (830) 816-6302 tsherrill@jeffersonbank.com
Susan (Susie) Allen Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer Direct Dial: (830) 816-6301 sallen@jeffersonbank.com NMLS# 797064
NMLS# 643777
JeffersonBank.com • (830) 816-6300 • 371 North Main • Boerne, TX 78006 Wealth Management and Insurance products are: Not FDIC Insured • Not a deposit • Not insured by any federal government agency • Not bank guaranteed • May lose value
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B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
This is personal to us. NMLS ID 597833
REMINDER:
Applications for Residential Homestead Exemption are Due by 4/30/2017 Details and forms are available on your County Appraisal Districts Website
Competence & Integrity
Allen & Associates, L.L.P. A Real Estate and Energy Law Practice
www.allenlawllp.com
Practicing in: Texas • Oklahoma • Colorado • Ohio • Utah • Wyoming • Pennsylvania • Kansas • Kentucky • Arkansas • North Dakota
B.R. “Randy” Allen, III Attorney/Escrow Officer
Tyler Flynn
Attorney/Escrow Officer
Brian Clepp
Attorney/Escrow Officer
Alamo Title Company Fee Office
alamotitleboerne@allenlawllp.com Title Office: (830) 357-5088 Law Office: (830) 443-4900 Alana Logue
Escrow Officer
12 Upper Balcones Rd. Cathy Spain 5 Boerne, Texas 78006 boernebusinessmonthly.com Business Development Director
contents
March 2017
08:
taxes
Hidden Treasures: Surprising Tax Strategies and Deductions That Can Boost Your Refund by Prakash Ravi, CPA – ADKF
10:
joining forces
GVTC and Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® Partner on Customer Loyalty Program
12:
event
14:
calendar
16:
cover feature
Boerne Bierfest to Benefit Boerne Village Band
The Furniture House: New Home Interior Store Brings Big Style to Boerne by Lauren Stumberg
20:
finances
Pensions: Lump Sum or Payouts. 3 Big Considerations. by Karl Eggerss
23:
giving back
25:
wellbeing
BEC Operation Round Up Donates to Hill Country Daily Bread Are These Tiny Neck Muscles Causing You Grief? by Dr. Michael Garcia, D.C.
26:
ribbon cuttings
28:
real estate
Buying or Selling a Ranch
by Nicole Bernal, Phyllis Browning
30:
energy
Shared Renewable Energy Now Available to Bandera Electric Cooperative Members
facebook.com/boernebusinessmonthly
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Boerne Business Monthly is published by Distinct Media, LLC, copyright 2017. Reproduction is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Boerne Business Monthly are those of the writers or sources and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute the endorsement of products or services herein. Although the information and recommendations in this publication have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, Boerne Business Monthly makes no guarantee as to, and assumes no responsibility for, the correctness, sufficiency or completeness of such information and recommendations.
B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
Bluebonnet Realty Since 1989
Offering Leasing, Property Management, Sales and Listings! Check out our properties on our website:
www.BoerneTexasHomes.com (830) 816-2288
Properties for Sale: PRICE REDUCED!
107 Bentwood Drive
Mediterranean style townhomes with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths on large lot. Approx. 1867 sf of living area in convenient location. $234,900
110 Sparrow Hawk Trail
Split level 4 bedroom, 2 full and 2 half baths, AMAZING VIEWS!!! approx. 2662 sf of liv area plus great deck for entertaining. $349,000
Properties for Lease:
208 Cold River
Trails of Herff Ranch home with 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths. Available 03/01/2017. $2,250
112 Katie Court
Boerne Heights 3 bedroom, plus office, approx. 1608 s.f. $1,600
JUDY FILINGERI (830) 816-2288 Leasing & Prop. Mgt.
ANGELA TURNER, BROKER (210) 912-8221 Sales & Listings
104 Hagen Drive
3 bedrooms, plus bonus room, approx. 2622 s.f. $2,450
101 Valley View Spur 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, workshop, all appliances $1,900
CAREY STEWART (210) 551-2883 Sales & Listings
taxes
Hidden Treasures: SURPRISING TAX STRATEGIES AND DEDUCTIONS THAT CAN BOOST YOUR REFUND!
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by Prakash Ravi, CPA – ADKF
Millions of dollars are lost annually due to unclaimed tax deductions and unused tax strategies, most of which can be avoided by doing a little planning and often times by soliciting a little help from your friendly neighborhood tax professional. • Itemize Every Other Year: About 70% of taxpayers simply take the standard deduction each year. Generally speaking, the higher your tax bracket, the greater the chances that you will choose to itemize instead of taking the standard deduction. If you file married filing jointly, the IRS automatically allows you a standard deduction of $12,600 (2016 amount). If you choose to itemize, you forfeit the automatic deduction. Many people can boost their overall deductions over time by using a simple strategy where you take the standard deduction one year and itemize the next year. The idea is that you make two years’ worth of charitable donations and pay two years of property taxes in the year you choose to itemize. The deductions are even more beneficial if you choose to itemize in the year you already plan on making big ticket item purchases, for example, when the family decides to upgrade the family car or buy furniture and appliances for your brand new home. • Obamacare Tax: The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) introduced in 2013 as part of the Affordable Care Act places an additional tax on investment income including interest, dividends and capital gains as well as investment income in any businesses where you are considered a passive investor. It is very important to review your level of activity of in business ventures and investments with your tax professional, especially since this tax may be avoided based on how much you participate (active participation vs. passive participation) in the business. Many taxpayers unknowingly end up paying this tax every year by simply providing their K-1’s and other investment documents to their tax professionals without ever reviewing the other information provided with the Form K-1. The tax savings can be quite significant, so it is always a good idea to communicate with your tax professional. • Home Office Deduction: The IRS now allows a simplified option for the home office deduction. This is an important deduction that often gets overlooked, since many feel it’s too much work to keep track of all of the tedious records. Using the simplified option, you can avoid filing Form 8829 and this method
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B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
cuts out all of the work by simply allowing a deduction of $5 per square foot of your dedicated home office. There are limits to this deduction since it gets capped at $1,500. So if your home office is 300 square feet or less (20’ x 15’), this option can provide a quick and immediate benefit. Additionally, even after using the simplified option of the home office deduction, you are still allowed to deduct mortgage interest, real estate taxes, and any casualty losses as an itemized deduction on your schedule A. • Student-Loan Interest Paid by Parents: A big misconception when it comes to the student loan interest deduction is that most people only deduct the interest that they pay out of their own pockets. Under normal circumstances, the IRS allows a deduction only if you are legally required to repay the debt and you actually make the payments. However, if someone else repays your student loan interest (like your parents for example), the IRS sees this transaction as a “gift” to you and then a payment from you to the financial institution holding your loan. So you, the debtor, may take the deduction. Please also note that though your parents may have paid the bill, since they did not incur the debt, they cannot deduct this amount on their taxes. • Credits for Energy-Saving Home Improvements: This credit is expiring, so 2016 is the last tax year to claim this credit. There is a lifetime cap of $500 in total credits. The IRS will provide a credit of 10% of your cost of windows, doors and insulation if it improves the energy efficiency of your home. Additionally, there is a separate credit, which is not limited to the lifetime cap, if you install qualified residential alternative energy equipment such as geothermal heat pumps, solar hot water heaters and wind turbines during 2016. This provides an even higher 30% credit of the cost of your system. If you have any questions regarding any of these provisions or any general questions, please contact us. We would love to help you navigate through the complexities of the tax code and work on a strategy that will give you and your business the competitive edge you need. BBM Prakash Ravi, CPA is a Tax Senior at Akin, Doherty, Klein & Feuge, P.C. Prakash earned his Bachelor of Science in Business at the University of Texas at Dallas, and then went on to earn a Master of Science in Finance and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Texas at San Antonio. The Firm has offices in Boerne, San Antonio and New Braunfels, contact us at (830) 815-1100.
Health by Choice ... Not by Chance ! Our Clients ADKF is proud and humbled to serve Peggy’s on the Green. We enjoy working with our clients, as well as their business partners, bankers and other interested stakeholders. Our goal is to do everything in our power to assist our clients in meeting their goals through personal and timely service.
Tax | Audit | Bookkeeping | Consulting 616 E. Blanco, Suite 300e, Boerne, TX 78006 | 830-815-1100
THE BEAUTY COTTAGE OF BOERNE is now a
James Kennell, DC Michael Garcia, DC Achieving maximum health and wellness through chiropractic care.
115 Highway 46 W Boerne, TX 78006 830-249-8900
www.boernewellnesschiropractic.com We Lease & Manage Your Rental Property!
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featuring Glo Theraputics & Par Avion tea infused beauty products
Go To www.TheBeautyCottageofBoerne.com for March Specials!
PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FOR LEASE:
LOCATED INSIDE OF THE BEAUTY COTTAGE OF BOERNE
Hayley Summers Morrison – Specializing in Men’s Grooming FACEBOOK.COM/HEADQUARTERSBOERNE
MON - WED & FRIDAYS FROM 8AM TO 7PM BY APPT. (830) 446-2303
103 E. Kronkosky #1 – Boerne | (210) 570-5416
3 bed/2 bath | Just off Main St in Boerne | $1995 per mo. Reach the Broker Day or Night! Cell: 210-535-1355 Office: 830-331-2666
CALL ED TODAY! 103 E. KRONKOSKY #3 – BOERNE
Ed Trevino, Broker
www.HomeSweetHomeBoerne.com boernebusinessmonthly.com
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joining forces
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GVTC and Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® partner on customer loyalty program
Two leading South Texas companies are joining forces to help qualified home buyers and sellers earn thousands of dollars in cash-back credit rewards. The GVTC Just Plain Smart Move Program™ is a unique partnership between the Hill Country based fiber communications company and Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® (CBHarper), one of the market’s top real estate organization. Through the GVTC Just Plain Smart Move Program™, a GVTC customer, who uses Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® to list or purchase their home, may be eligible to receive a cash-back credit at closing. For example, a $200,000 real estate transaction could qualify for approximately $1,200 in savings. Program details and restrictions are available at GVTC.com/smartmove. “This innovative program offers wonderful value to GVTC customers through additional cash rewards and by educating them
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on the many benefits available as they move towards buying or selling their next home,” D’Ann Harper, CBDHR, CEO & Broker/ Owner, said. “Today’s home owners are curious about leveraging technology to improve their life style. Our partnership with GVTC provides an avenue to pursue a solution to these needs.” For every GVTC Just Plain Smart Move Program™ transaction, Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® will contribute $100 to $250 to The GVTC Foundation, based on the final sales price. The GVTC Foundation is one of the Hill Country’s leading philanthropic contributors, donating more than $2.2 million dollars to area nonprofits over the past ten years. “We are very grateful for CBDHR’s donation to our Foundation, from the GVTC Just Plain Smart Move Program™. These contributions will help our Foundation continue its mission in our communities,” GVTC President & CEO, Ritchie Sorrells, said. “Our company
B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
Broker/Owner D’Ann Harper and GVTC CEO, Ritchie Sorrells, commemorate the signing of the Just Plain Smart Move Program™
is committed to delivering value and the GVTC Just Plain Smart Move Program™ will offer our customers significant savings when buying or selling a home, simply by using the expert services of Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS®.” Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® has agents available throughout San Antonio, Boerne and South Texas. In 2016, CBDHR closed more than $1 billion in real estate transactions. In business for more than 55 years, GVTC is a leader in fiber network communications and first to bring residential gigabit speeds to the San Antonio area. About GVTC: GVTC is an award winning fiber optics communications provider delivering highspeed Internet, digital cable TV, phone and interactive home security monitoring to residential and business customers in far north San Antonio, the Texas Hill Country and South Central Texas. GVTC offers Internet connection speeds up to 1 Gbps and symmetrical broadband connections, up to 100 Mbps. GVTC’s wholesale carrier transport network delivers Ethernet data delivery between San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston, with access to remote Texas markets. The company organized the GVTC GigaRegion®, a unique private-public partnership, with the cities of Boerne, Bulverde and Gonzales. The GVTC GigaRegion® markets the benefits of a fiber network, along with economic incentives, to compete for jobs and improve quality of life. The company’s philanthropic arm, The GVTC Foundation, is celebrating more than a decade of charitable giving, with more than $2.2 million in contributions throughout GVTC’s service area. About CBHarper: Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper REALTORS® can be reached at (210) 483-7581 or pr@cbharper.com and has been an affiliate of the Coldwell Banker Franchise System for over 30 years. Visit our Facebook page and blog for supportive content and articles, as well as, our YouTube channel.BBM
15
%
off
ANY SINGLE ITEM [one per customer]
event
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LOCAL EVENT BENEFITS BOERNE VILLAGE BAND IN THEIR QUEST TO PLAY IN GERMANY
The inaugural Boerne BierFest will take place Saturday, April 1 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Boerne's historic Main Plaza. Your $30 ticket lets you choose 10 samples in a commemorative sampling stein from more than 22 of the best craft breweries in Texas. Boerne BierFest will also serve up German-themed bands, games, an auction of artistdesigned steins and stein-related art and fun to keep you entertained all afternoon! All proceeds benefit the Boerne Village Band, the world’s longest continuing playing German band, in their quest to play in Germany. Purchase tickets, and see the call for entries for contests and artists to submit Stein pieces at www.boernebierfest.org, or $35 at the gate, (under 21 free). Additional sample tickets for sale at event, and food vendors will be on site. BBM
FRIDAY
April 7
SPONSORED BY:
TICKETS: $60 - $40 - $30 - $20 (student) ONLINE: www.BoernePerformingArts.com PHONE: 830.331.9079
7:30 pm • Boerne Champion Auditorium 12
Boerne Performing Arts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
Member FDIC
Real Estate SALES SKYROCKET
Call a Professional Team Member Today!
MARCH MADNESS
GREAT MEMBERSHIP SAVINGS AS WE GET SPRING BREAK READY!
*Rene Campbell (210) 542-0148
Kim Herrera (210) 306-9910
JOIN US AS WE WORK TO CREATE YOUR PERFECT BODY WITH OUR LOW-IMPACT, STRENGTH TRAINING BARRE CLASSES THAT ARE PERFECT FOR ALL FITNESS LEVELS!
$5 OFF
NEW CLIENT
(SINGLE CLASS IS $23.00)
FOR ONE MONTH OF UNLIMITED CLASSES
YOUR FIRST CLASS
$99
Steven Karam *Tiffany Joslin (210) 394-4399 (210) 414-0105
Reserve Your Mat on Our Online Schedule at:
www.EleganceandLife.com
412 RIVER ROAD #104 – BOERNE, TEXAS | (830) 331.8939
830.995.5810 16 US Hwy 87 | Comfort, TX 78013-2277 marcie@mlcoxcpa.com www.mlcoxcpa.com
Jim Campbell Naomi Weckesser (210) 838-1896 (830) 688-0282
Wiley & Kathy Cloud, Brokers (830) 755-8693 | (210) 710-6601
Real Estate Office: (830) 755-8693 Career Inquiries (830) 755-8693 boernebusinessmonthly.com
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MARCH 2017
CALENDAR OF EVENTS EVERY SATURDAY THE FARMERS MARKET AT THE CIBOLO 9:00am to 1:00pm | 33 Herff Road – Boerne Shop fresh local produce, farm fresh eggs, breads, jams, jellies, local honey and Texas Hill Country arts & crafts at the historic Herff Farm at the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne. Enjoy free live music, gardening classes, cooking demonstrations and children’s craft activities, too. MARCH 2 GBCC RIBBON CUTTING FOR GENESIS TOWN AND COUNTRY MANOR NURSING & REHABILITATION 11:30am to 12:00pm | 625 N. Main St – Boerne
UT Healthier Hill Country Now Open and Scheduling Appointments The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio – now called UT Health San Antonio™ – has expanded the exceptional health care services in your area. We’re now open in the Hill Country with a wide range of specialties, including primary care for the entire family. Appointments: (210) 450-6800. UTHealthHillCountry.org. UT Health Hill Country | 25723 Old Fredericksburg Road, Boerne, TX 78015
KRISTA UPHAM Serving Real Estate Buyers and Sellers in the Texas Hill Country! Ranches | Residential | Commercial
(210) 884-5276 | krista@lonestarboerne.com
www.LoneStarBoerne.com
222 South Main Street | Boerne, Texas 78006 | (830) 249-7979 • Voted Best of the Best 2016 Ranch Sales • Voted Best of the Best 2015 Residential and Farm & Ranch Sales
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B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
MARCH 3-5 VINTAGE MARKET DAYS 10:00am to 5:00pm Kendall County Youth Ag and Equestrian Center 649 FM 289 – Comfort One of Country Living Magazines "7 Flea Markets & Barn Sales You Won't Want To Miss"! $10/ Friday (Early Buying Event) $5/ Sat and Sun. Good for re-entry all weekend MARCH 4 BLUEGRASS AND BACKYARD BBQ CIBOLO CREEK BREWING CO. 1:00pm to 9:00pm | 448 S. Main – Boerne Come out and enjoy the fantastic bluegrass band from Austin, The Sour Bridges, playing in the beer garden. They'll be playing two sets (afternoon and evening). In addition, there will be bbq, an outdoor beer and wine bar, yard games, and whatever else they can cook up. MARCH 7 BISD STATE OF THE DISTRICT AND TEACHERS OF THE YEAR HONOREES LUNCH - SPONSORED BY JENNINGS ANDERSON FORD 11:30am to 1:00pm | The Cana Ballroom 202 W Kronkosky – Boerne $35 Members; $40 Future Members boerne.org for more info. MARCH 9 GBCC RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE MANGUS REALTY GROUP 11:30am to 12:00pm | 703 South Main St. – Boerne GBCC RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR JB GOODWIN REALTY – LAURA HICKOK 1:30pm to 2:00pm Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce 121 South Main – Boerne MARCH 10-18 BOERNE COMMUNITY THEATRE – ”PIED-ATERRE“ by John Anastasi, R-rated Drama Theatre on the Edge. Co-Produced by H-E-B 907 E Blanco – Boerne See boernetheatre.org for showtimes and cost continued on page 21
www.edwardjones.com
Dreaming Up the Ideal Retirement Is Your Job. Helping You Get There Is Ours. To learn more about why Edward Jones makes sense for you, call or visit a financial advisor today. Ron Warden
Allyson Munsell
1580 S. Main Street, Ste. 104 Boerne, Texas 78006 830-249-8286
1011 S Main Street Boerne, Texas 78006 830-249-2748
Financial Advisor
IRT-1848C-A
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Member SIPC
TEXAS INVESTORS TITLE Performance is Our Priority Locally Owned ~ Nationally Recognized 116 W. Blanco Rd., Suite 101, Boerne, Texas 78006 Office: (830) 816-5888 ~ www.TexasInvestorsTitle.com Stephen V. Vallone President, Escrow Officer steve@texasinvestorstitle.com Becky Edmiston Vice President, Escrow Officer becky@texasinvestorstitle.com Beverly McCormick Residential Escrow Officer beverly@texasinvestorstitle.com
Representing Stewart Title Guaranty and First American Title Insurance
COMMERCIAL ~ RANCHES ~ RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES boernebusinessmonthly.com
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NEW HOME INTERIOR STORE BRINGS BIG STYLE TO BOERNE by Lauren Stumberg | photos by Ron Pritchett
Are you looking to add some serious style to your space? Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to complete a look, Boerne’s new home interior store, The Furniture House, can help you create the space of your dreams. Offering everything from furniture, lighting, accents and even design services, The Furniture House is unique in that they are a furniture store with emphasis on design. Owned by Katsy Cluck and Justin Watts, The Furniture House employs two interior designers, Jacqueline Bianche and Jillian Cooke and store manager, Ana Prado. According to Bianche,
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“Unlike most furniture stores that just want to sell you a piece of furniture, we enjoy bringing about the whole look of a room. We offer stylish, affordable and quality furniture and home decor with a simple approach to interior design and fanatical customer service.” One of the most exciting aspects of shopping at The Furniture House is that all of the furniture is customizable. “If you find a chair you love, but would like to switch out the fabric or the legs and add some nailheads, we can do that. Or if you love a sofa that we have, but need to change the dimensions to
better fit your room, we can do that too. All of our pieces can be tweaked to fit your needs and it can be sitting in your home in three weeks,” said Bianche. They have thousands of different fabrics and finishes to choose from, so each piece they carry can easily be uniquely yours! Bianche added, “We wanted to bring something different to the Hill Country, so most of our furniture and accessories are what we consider to be Texas Contemporary. Our pieces have a flair of the Hill Country without being the same as what the other stores in the area are carrying. We strive to make it simple to add style to your home. So whether your personal tastes tend to be traditional, vintage or modern, our expansive assortment of home goods provides endless possibilities for creating that perfect environment.” In addition to furniture, The Furniture House has a wide selection of décor and accents, throw pillows, custom draperies, bedding, rugs, art, and in the spring will even be adding a selection of outdoor furniture and a succulent bar. “As the weather warms up we are excit-
ed to offer stylish finds for your exterior spaces. We will have fun stuff like daybeds, loungers, swings and fire pits. Our succulent bar will have an array of succulents, containers, and materials to finish them out. Customers can make their selections and we will put it all together for them,” Bianche said enthusiastically. “We have a lot of great outdoor space and really want to put it to use. We have plans for fun weekend events with food trucks, local artists and even a putting green for the guys!” The Furniture House’s in-house interior designers have designed interior spaces, both commercial and residential, all over the United States, from Los Angeles, to Denver and even the Las Vegas Strip! Bianche, who grew up in south Texas, spent much of her life in Los Angeles. “I loved the culture, diversity and fashion of LA, but it is good to be home. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been and I am glad to be back and with my family,” she said. “It feels good to be able to bring a little of that LA edge to Boerne and the Hill Country!” continued on page 18
boernebusinessmonthly.com
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continued from page 17
In fact, the designers of The Furniture House pride themselves on being able to provide the coolest finishes and materials. “We want to offer unique selections; we have a giant library that we can pull samples from for everything from fabrics, to flooring, tiles and ever countertops.” The Furniture House has such a great selection and knowledge of design materials that they will even be acting as the design center for several local builders.
With design services starting at just $250 for an in-home consultation, The Furniture House is really making great design accessible. “We offer suggestions, discuss the scope of the work, bring paint samples and then put something together on a design board or in a digital format. We even use photographs to superimpose and show how things would look visually in your space,” Bianche added. “Our extensive background in interior design gives us the ability to create all of our own drawings, floor plans and renderings. We can fully bring to life our vision for a space in a rendering, The Furniture House believes that what sets them apart is that their design capabilities back up the furniture that they sell. Bianche added, “We love that we are not only able to offer these unique, affordable pieces, but that we can help you pull together all elements of a room, bringing about a whole look, and are making friends along the way!” BBM
t hefur ni t ur eho uset x . c o m 18
B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
p i n t e r e s t . c o m/t h e f u r n i t u r e h ous e tx f a c e b o o k . c o m/t h e f u r n i t u r e h ous e tx i n s t a g r a m. c o m/t h e f u r n i t u r e hous e tx
AT T H E C E N T E R O F I T A L L I N B O E R N E , T E X A S L O C AT E D AT 1 3 8 O L D S A N A N T O N I O R O A D
NOW LEASING AVAILABLE APRIL 2017 A quaint and charming professional office park that is designed to meet every need. The hill country development includes 1083 Sq. Ft to 32,000 Sq. Ft spaces.
PROPERTY DETAILS Stone and Stucco Exterior Metal Roof Availavle spaces star ting at 1083 Sq. Ft., up to 6500 Sq. Ft spaces
LOCATION Minutes away from downtown Boerne located off of IH10. The prime location offers preserved mature trees, abundant parking and long/shor t term leases. The proper ty is surrounded by offices, retail and residences.
F O R MO RE INF O RMATION PLEASE CONTACT: ALEJAND RO G U T I E R R E Z C: 2 1 0.383.1071
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O: 2 1 0 .4 9 4 .7 8 7 8
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19m E : a g p 1 7 @ m e . co
boernebusinessmonthly.com
finances
Pensions
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Lump Sum or Payout? 3 Big Considerations. The retirement options offered by employers are rapidly changing, with many doing away with pension plans and replacing them with a 401K option. Pension plans put the burden of compensating retired employees on the company rather than the employee, and can be a costly option for businesses. After all, the idea of paying an employee until age 105 isn’t cost effective for any company, given the current increase in life expectancy. Of equal issue is the problem of underfunded pension plans, which can lead to serious financial trouble for companies. Sometimes, employees are even offered “special deals” regarding their pension plans so that employers can get long term liabilities off of their books. However, pension plans are certainly not obsolete yet, and many of those currently staring retirement in the face are making difficult financial decisions regarding their pensions that will impact their hard earned dollars for the rest of their lives. If one is fortunate enough to have worked for a company with a pension plan, the choice to take that money in the form of a lump sum or a payout over time can be a tricky one. For many, it might seem very attractive to grab that money as a monthly payout and move onto retirement life. After all, who wouldn’t want guaranteed mailbox money for the rest of their life? But, without the proper analysis, it’s easy to do the math wrong and miss out on a better deal. The tax benefits of taking the pension as a lump sum and rolling it over into an IRA can also be an attractive option for those wishing to avoid immediate taxation on their money. There are many factors to consider when making this decision and the answer can be very different depending on a culmination of one’s specific financial circumstances. There are 3 main areas of importance in deciding the best way to handle a pension and each of those areas has its pros and cons dependent on the individual. In depth analysis must be done on the short and long term considerations of the individual, the health of the company offering the pension, and taxation on
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the money. SHORT TERM & LONG TERM CONSIDERATIONS • Is there an immediate need for these funds on a monthly basis? If the plan is to continue working at another job, the monthly payout could go into savings each month, but only AFTER paying taxes on it. • If you take a monthly payout, you can never change your mind. If an emergency situation arises, it’s imperative you have money in savings. A lump sum option can be accessed after age 59 ½, but either option compromises your liquidity situation in the short term dependent on the existence of an emergency fund. • Do you want to leave a legacy (a pool of money left to the next generation)? Some might say they’re going to live life to the fullest and whatever is left over, the next generation can have. Others say it's very important to them and establishing a legacy for their kids and grandkids means preserving it, growing it, and rolling over the lump sum makes the most sense here. • For some, getting mailbox money feels good because it’s a shift of responsibility away from oneself, and there’s a monthly check in hand. Many people take this option to avoid living off their savings each month. However, this may not be the best move. • Pensions typically don’t have a COLA (cost of living adjustment). One of the biggest threats in retirement is inflation. A rollover of a lump sum has the ability over the long run to outpace inflation if invested properly; whereas, a monthly payment will not keep up with inflation because the payment is generally fixed. • Is the recipient of the pension a disciplined investor? If not, a lump sum may be a bad move. The lump sum gives someone the ability to quickly make bad investment decisions or spend too much. In contrast, the monthly payment is fixed and therefore, it’s easier for an individual to stick to a budget. COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS • What is the viability of the company? Is there a chance the company will not be in
B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
by Karl Eggerss
business in the future? Keep in mind, most pensions are not guaranteed. Although they're guaranteed by the company, if the company goes belly up, i.e. Enron, then that's it; the employee is out of luck. • Is there any reward for postponing the payout? Some companies will increase the amount by a given percentage every year if an employee is willing to wait for the compensation. TAXATION • Another consideration is taxes. A monthly payout will be taxable because it’s treated as current income. But, the lump sum can generally be rolled over to an IRA where it can continue to grow tax-deferred. • Taking a monthly payout and continuing to work at another job could cause one to be bumped to a higher tax bracket. Again, analysis is critical on an individual’s specific short and long term needs as well as the health of the company and the effect taxes will have on the money. Recent examples we’ve seen of pensions with drastically different circumstances ranged from a client forgetting about a $38,000 pension to a client with a $1,500,000 pension, both in need of analysis. Each were given different advice based on the 3 important areas above. Another piece of good advice is to slow down. Take time to analyze the numbers and weigh the pros and cons carefully. Consult with an investment advisor. These decisions made on years of hard earned money could drastically change the picture of retirement. BBM In 2010, Karl established Eggerss Capital Management, his own registered investment advisory firm dedicated to providing clients with superior financial counsel in the changing economy. His market insight and cutting edge strategies help fulfill the mission of Eggerss Capital to help clients be protected and profitable in the face of a rapidly changing market. For more information on Eggerss Capital Management visit www.eggersscapital.com. 114 E. Highland Street, Boerne | 210.526.0057
CALENDAR OF EVENTS | cont’d MARCH 11-12 BOERNE MARKET DAYS 10:00am to 5:00pm | Main Plaza Main Plaza comes alive with great shopping in an outdoor setting. MARCH 12 - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS! MARCH 13 KENDALL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT 9:00am to 11:00am Kendall County Courthouse 201 E. San Antonio Ave. – Boerne MARCH 14 CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6:00pm to 8:00pm | City Council Chambers 124 Old San Antonio Road – Boerne MARCH 16 GBCC RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR DIAMOND SPA 1:30pm to 2:00pm FM 3351 South Suite #140 – Boerne MARCH 18 OUTDOOR FAMILY FAIR 10:00am | Main Plaza 100 North Main – Boerne There will be entertainment and a lot of fun available for the whole family at this event! MARCH 20 - FIRST DAY OF SPRING! MARCH 21 GBCC RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR MONARCH PHYSICAL THERAPY 11:30am to 12:00pm 28604 IH 10 W suite 4 –Boerne
is pleased to welcome back... Kyla Sledge
Escrow Officer | Onsite Manager Kyla brings over 31 years of experience in all aspects of the title industry, including farm and ranch closings, commercial closings, examination of title and curative matters. Kyla has handled various commercial development transactions which have spanned Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and Oklahoma. She has established long lasting relationships with her customers as well as other title companies and underwriters. Kyla prides herself on “going the extra mile” to guarantee the best service possible for her customers. Kyla and husband, Craig, lived here from 2000 to 2012 and have recently moved back “home” to Boerne and plan to stay until retirement. We are excited to have Kyla as a part of our team, please stop by and give her a warm welcome.
A wholly owned subsidiary of First Sonora Bancshares, Inc. | Affiliated with Sonora Bank
Kyla B. Sledge
GBCC RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR CHESMAR HOMES 1:30pm to 2:00pm | 102 Kingston Court – Boerne
Escrow Officer | Onsite Manager
Direct: 830-816-1444 Mobile: 830-431-6545
TOASTMASTERS: SPEECHCRAFT WORKSHOP 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Boerne Chamber Boardroom 121 S. Main – Boerne Register at hillcountrytoastmasters.com, FREE!
128 W Bandera Road, Suite 2 Boerne, Texas 78006
MARCH 23 GBCC RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR RASHID, RICE, FLYNN & REILLY EYE ASSOCIATES 1:30pm to 2:00pm | 113 Falls Court Ste 100 – Boerne
sonoratitle.com
GBCC BUSINESS AFTER HOURS MIXER SPONSORED BY CIBOLO CREEK HEALTH & REHAB 5:00pm to 7:00pm | 1440 River Rd. – Boerne
MARCH 25 GBCC RIBBON CUTTING FOR ART AL FRESCO 11:00am to 12:00pm | Location TBD
A THIRST FOR NATURE EVENT – BATS WITH FREETAIL BEER 7:00pm to 9:00pm | Cibolo Nature Center 140 City Park Road – Boerne $10 for Adults, $5-Kids Under 6 Free! Come learn more about bats. Featuring guest speaker Fran Hutchins of Bat Conservation International. Beer provided by Freetail Brewing Company Cost: $10-Adults, $5-Kids & under 6 is free!
5TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE 8:00am to 3:00pm | Kendall County Fair Association 1307 River Road – Boerne Free admission Applications to be a vendor are being accepted. Please contact Marilyn Culak at 830-537-4096 or email kmculak@gvtc.com for information and application.
MARCH 24 Live at the Library – "Viennese Tort" 6:30pm | Patrick Heath Public Library Amphitheater 451 N Main – Boerne
SPRING FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL 10:00am to 2:00pm Herff Farm at The Cibolo Nature Center 33 Herff Rd. – Boerne
$5 per car; Egg Hunts, Live Animals, Crafts, Games, Food and Music! MARCH 30 HILL COUNTRY NETWORKING LUNCHEON SPONSORED BY GVTC 11:00am to 1:00pm | Tapatio Springs Resort 1 Resort Way – Boerne A Mega Networking event sponsored by GVTC Communications and hosted by the Boerne Chamber of Commerce. Make new connections with business people from all over the Hill Country including the Chambers of Commerce in Boerne, Kerrville, Bulverde, New Braunfels, Comfort and Fredericksburg. REGISTER AND PAY BY MARCH 16TH AND SAVE $5; $35 - Includes all networking activities and lunch; www.boerne.org for registration info. BBM
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Phillip Bell
& Assoc., llc
• ENERGY EFFICIENT • WATER CONSERVATION
PHILLIP BELL
REALTOR®, GREEN/Consultant
210.415.8483 pbell@texas.net
phillipbell.net
OWNER FINANCING!
8 to 10 AC COMMERCIAL IH-10 FRONTAGE (out of 33 ac estate)
2 miles west of Boerne city limits located in the ETJ. Contiguous to North Forty Business Park. IH-10 access road frontage. Ideal for commercial development. Exposure to IH-10 traffic.
SOLD!
THREE PARCELS, 13.7, 14.7 AND 24.9 ACRES OUT OF 307 ESTATE LOCATED AT 825 HWY 473 IN KENDALL COUNTY
16.5 Ac Land For Sale –
Pre-Development Annexed & Zoned – Utilities Available
Under Ag-Exemption, low taxes. Great for horses and livestock. Private road under construction. Comfort School District. Build your dream home in the peaceful surroundings of the Texas Hill Country. Additional land may be available. Contact Agent for details.
OTHER UNLiSTED COMMERCiAL PROPERTiES AVAiLABLE! 22
B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH BY JOINING FOR THE COST OF THE DAY YOU SIGN UP!
giving back
JOIN IN MARCH & PAY THE DAY!
BEC OPERATION ROUND UP DONATION TO HCDB
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Bandera Electric Charitable Foundation’s Operation Round Up presented Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries a donation on January 26, 2017. Making the presentation were ORU Board members Misty Mayo and Rusty Meador. Accepting the check on behalf of Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries were Bonnie Finley, Agnes Hubbard and Irene Stone. Operation Round Up is a program that encourages BEC members to support their communities and neighbors by rounding their monthly electric bill to the nearest dollar. BEC members can easily register online for Operation Roundup by going to http://banderaelectric. coopwebbuilder2.com/operation-roundup. These donations support community service projects, education and youth projects, environment, disaster relief and health initiative programs in the Bandera Electric Cooperative service area.BBM
HEAR THE RUSH AGAIN Hearing loss shouldn’t hold you back from enjoying an independent and active lifestyle neither should your hearing solution. With Lyric™ you can confidently hit the trail in any conditions, thanks to moisture protection and long-lasting battery technology. The small, invisible device performs 24/7, so you can stay focused on your daily routine instead of maintenance.
boernebusinessmonthly.com
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LOCAL BUSINESSES WELCOME! 1369 S. Main Street Suite #105 Boerne, TX 78006 830-730-7777 6222 De Zavala Road Suite #104 San Antonio, TX 78249 210-558-3784
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17700 US 281 N Suite #300 San Antonio, TX 78232 210-267-5501
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You’re frustrated, and so is your attention problems such as Dyslexia and Brain research shows these skills child. Classwork and homework by ADHD are caused by weak underlying can significantly improve now are a daily struggle of tears and learning skills. yelling. Your child is falling behind, Weak underlying learning skills can be and the school is clueless as to how to identified using a cognitive skills solve the problem. assessment. Once the student’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses You know your child is smart, but are identified, a specialized program is there is something holding him back. developed to train those skills. You have tried tutoring and hours of homework, but it seems like nothing Learning Foundations: 45 years of has worked. experience, now in Boerne. So why DO smart kids struggle in school?
“My child is smart, but is terrified of reading in front of the class.”
Since 1969, Learning Foundations has helped struggling kids and teens break These skills such as sensory processing, free from painful and embarrassing Is it the parents’ fault? The teachers’ memory, auditory processing and labels. All programs are delivered phonemic awareness build the 1-on-1 with an experienced specialist. fault? Is she just being lazy? foundation for academic and social The real reason is that for 20% of kids success. A weakness in these skills can Free Consultations can be scheduled cause even the smartest child to struggle. by calling (210) 495-2626. in school, reading, spelling and
(210) 495-2626 - Call Now for a Free Consultation - www.learningfoundations.com
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B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
ARE THESE TINY NECK MUSCLES CAUSING YOU GRIEF?
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by Dr. Michael A. Garcia, D.C.
We have all heard the saying, ''That's a real pain in the neck!” and for some people that can literally be the truth. Neck pain has happened to nearly all of us at some point in our lives. With all the discussion of concussion and head injury lately, these small neck muscles are getting a lot of attention because of their connection with the spinal cord and vertebra in your neck. HEADACHES, WHIPLASH, NECK PAIN AND THE RCPMI The Rectus Capitus Posterior Minor (RCPMi) is unique from other neck muscles since it attaches to the spinal dural bridge or spinal cord. Mainstream science and medicine are now focusing on how traumatic or chronic injury to the this muscle can affect the spinal cord. A better understanding of this can lead to better treatment options for concussion rehab, neck pain and headaches/migraine headaches. HAVING YOUR HEAD ON STRAIGHT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WE THINK. These tiny neck muscles are too small to actually move the head around. Instead, when they are stretched they give information to the brain about our head and neck position. As a Structural Chiropractor, I am motivated to help people have the best head and neck position as possible. HERE'S WHY THESE NECK MUSCLES CAUSE THE ISSUES THAT THEY DO: 1. Attachment to the spinal dura does two things, it can block the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) which has been shown to con tribute to migraines/headaches. Blocking this plumbing system can cause pressure to build up and makes it difficult to remove metabolic wastes. 2. Hypertrophy of the RCPMi from bad posture or trauma gives the body negative feedback. Propioceptors are found in the muscle spindles at a very high concentration. Proprioception is the ability of the muscle spindles to send information to the brain and if you have garbage in then you will have garbage out. 3. The outer covering of the spinal cord is very sensitive to pain when pulled or torqued.
a broken record playing the same music over and over. One of the approaches we strive for is Structural Correction of the spine. Lots of patients with this condition do great and hold their progress for a considerable time. It's our hope, that by continuing to dig and understand how changes to the head and neck affect our health, we can get better and longer lasting results for our community. BBM
wellbeing
SYMMETRY AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO YOU. If you were to take a human and split them down the middle, we would not be 100% symmetrical but with that being said, there is a normal that we should not deviate too far from. Just like 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is considered to be the normal, an elevated body temperature is generally not a big deal until you get closer to 100 degrees. Trauma, whiplash, concussion and bad postural habits can cause injury to these tiny muscles in the neck. The brain then loses a critical component of how it senses head and neck position. These sensing mechanisms then provide a negative feed back loop, sort of like
Michael A. Garcia, D.C. Boerne Wellness Chiropractic 115 Hwy. 46 W. | Boerne (830)-249-8900 boernewellnesschiropractic.com
Serving our Friends and Neighbors of the Hill Country Since 1916
“Where experience and service make the difference” From its beginning in 1916, Kendall County Abstract Company has been Kendall County’s locally owned and operated title company. Over the last 100 years, we’ve earned the trust of real estate professionals because we’re experienced, we’re professional, and we care about our customers.
Ashlee Pfeiffer, Manager
Agent for:
• Stewart Title Guaranty Company • Fidelity National Title • First American Title Insurance • Alamo Title Insurance
830.816.2131 | 830.249.3341 - Fax 103 N. Saunders • Boerne, Texas 78006 (across from the courthouse)
VISIT US AT WWW.KCAC.NET boernebusinessmonthly.com
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ribbon cuttings
Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce January/February 2017 Ribbon Cuttings
St. Helena’s Early Enrichment Program (SHEEP) is a Christcentered Preschool and Primary School Program for preschool ages 2-4, and primary school kindergarten, first and second grade levels. Their mission is to provide a ministry to God’s children that is dedicated to developing a lifelong love of Christ. The SHEEP curriculum is unique and was designed by the vision committee and overseen by the school board. The themes are based on the fruits of the spirit in order to help encourage and grow compassionate children. All activities are within the Texas Education Agency skills per grade level. All children will experience hands-on activities in all learning domains throughout each day. For more information on SHEEP, please contact Tiffany Jureczki at (830) 249-3228. You can also visit their website sthelenas.net/ministries/ christian-formation.
Valcor Commercial Real Estate was founded in January 2010 as a full service, commercial real estate brokerage and property management firm based in San Antonio. Charlie Malmberg, Jonathan Collins and Cyndi LaFleur and their team provide many services including brokerage, project leasing, tenant representation, oilfield-hospitality, property management and accounting. Valcor Commercial Real Estate is located at 5101 Broadway, Suite 200 in San Antonio and their phone number is (210) 824-4242. For more information, visit their website at valcorcre.com.
Impact San Antonio Foundation was founded by Kelly Hutchinson in 2004 as a women’s giving circle. Since the first grant was awarded in 2005, the organization has given $2,212,100 to San Antonio area non-profits. The foundation empowers women to make the most of their charitable donations to impact the Greater San Antonio community and the nonprofits that serve it. Every dollar of each member’s $1,000 donation is awarded to that year’s grant recipients. If you are interested in joining or want more information on Impact San Antonio Foundation, contact President Beverly McClure at (210) 617-3280 or Membership Recruitment Director Mary Brook at (210) 326-4916, they’ll be happy to help you. You can also visit their website impactsanantonio.org.
With over five decades of experience in providing loans, service, and expertise to home buyers, Guild Mortgage upholds an enduring presence in the lending community. Guild is now a nationally recognized mortgage banking company with more than 250 branches and satellites serving home buyers throughout the United States. Loan Officer Chuck Espinoza and his team look forward to helping you find your next home loan or walking you through the process of a refinance. You can contact Chuck at Guild Mortgage at (210) 572-7348 or (210) 393-6405. You can also visit his website guildmortgage.com/ get-started/officer/?officer=cespinoza for more information.
j.groomed is an upscale men’s grooming salon located at 1685 River Road, Suite 200, in Boerne, Texas. CFO Jan Hoffheins and stylist Julie Condon provide their clients with top shelf grooming services in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. Join them for a hot cup of coffee from their coffee bar or an ice cold beer or cocktail. To schedule an appointment at j. groomed call (830) 331-2240 or go online to jgroomed.com.
The Furniture House is meeting all your home decor needs. They are a home lifestyle store offering stylish, affordable and quality furniture and home decor with a simple approach to interior design and fanatical customer service located in Boerne, Texas. Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to complete a look, you’ll find all of the home decor you need at The Furniture House. Justin Watts and Jacci Bianche will be happy to help you check out all of their products. They are located at 32840 Interstate 10 Frontage Road in Boerne. You can also call them at (830) 331-9031 or visit their website thefurniturehousetx.com.
My Emergency Room 24/7 is a licensed freestanding emergency care center. Their mission is to provide emergency medical treatment to the communities that they serve that meets the highest level of standards that their patients and staff expect. Patients will be treated by experienced emergency medicine physicians and nurses. Dr. Ryan Cradeur, Director of Nursing Robbyn Hopper, Cassandra Harrington and Camille King along with their medical staff strive to continue their education to be able to provide the current treatments for medical conditions. You can find My Emergency Room 24/7 clinic at 5431 North Loop 1604 West in San Antonio (next to Top Golf) and their phone number is (210) 272-7199. You can also visit their website myemergencyroom.com for more information.
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B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
Pauly Tamez Art. Pauly Tamez is an artist residing in Boerne, TX, and paints impressionist landscapes and still life, using oils and watercolor. Much of his time is spent doing studies en plein air around Boerne, from the Texas Hill Country to West Texas, and Big Bend National Park. He is available for commissions, and welcomes anyone who paints or would like to paint to join him as he paints around the Texas Hill Country. Pauly has been greatly influenced by his mentors David Caton and the late Bill Zaner. You may contact Paul Tamez direct at 254-624-9016 and visit his website ptamezart.com.
BEC Solar: Solar Solutions You Can Trust There has never been a better time to invest in a solar system from your trusted energy advisor of 79 years.
866.226.3372 | BanderaElectric.com | BECSolar@BanderaElectric.com
Fresh Spring Styles Book Your Appointment Today!
B CUTS • COLOR • STYLING Appointment booking available online at
before
after
before
after
barbiesinboerne.com (210) 330-6676 725 N. Main Street – Boerne, Texas
Barbie’s has the Best Stylists in Boerne! Let Them Work Their Magic to Create a Beautiful You
Kimberly Prescott, Stylist Offering Hair Color, Cuts & Styling, Brazilian Blowouts, Jane Iredale Makeup & Application
Veronica “Barbie” Loehr, Owner/Stylist
(210) 827-9310
boernebusinessmonthly.com
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real estate
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BUYING OR SELLING A RANCH by Nicole Bernal – The Rivers Team, Phyllis Browning
If you are considering buying or selling a farm or ranch, there are important issues of which you need to be aware. LISTING YOUR PROPERTY FOR SALE Your farm/ranch may represent the majority of your net worth. Who you choose to list your property with is a critically important decision. Choosing the right ranch broker will not only help you obtain a top price for your property but will facilitate a smooth transaction. A good real estate agent will aggressively market your property to the right group of buyers and head off potential issues in advance. Issues, that if not identified and dealt with in the beginning, could later end up costing you money and stress. Selling a farm/ranch requires specific knowledge and expertise. It is wise to work with someone who specializes in farm and ranch sales. Someone who understands water rights, mineral rights, environmental issues, land surveys, easements, building liability etc. They should also know how to properly assess the agricultural and recreational value as well as the value of your property’s intrinsic aesthetic beauty. A good real estate agent will help you use the most current and appropriate marketing methods to create desirability for your property. They will aggressively market the listing of your property with other real estate companies versus keeping the property to themselves in hopes of collecting both the listing and buyer side commission of the sale. Some of the things to look for when selecting an agent are the agent experience and company track record. You want a company that is doing a large percentage of sales in the farm and ranch market and who has a reputation for honesty, integrity and professionalism. You want a company and agent who are well connected with the target audience for your property. You may choose to interview several agents when considering the sale of your property. These agents will usually provide a free market analysis of your property and quote you a price they would list your property for. People often list their property with the agent who quotes them the highest selling price. This may not be the best person to work with because listing your property too high can end up costing you time and money and may ultimately have a negative impact on your bottom line. One way to avoid this mistake is to have an appraisal of your property prior to interviewing real estate agents. Your appraisal should be conducted by an individual that specializes in appraising farm/ranch land and has years of experience. By knowing what your property is worth up front, you can base your decision of who to hire on factors besides price. Do not show the agents your appraisal. This is something you
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B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
reserve for yourself. When you have chosen whom you are going to hire, be sure to carefully read the entire property listing agreement prior to signing. If there is something you are uncertain or uncomfortable with, seek the advice of an attorney. BUYING A RANCH When it comes to buying a ranch property, choose a real estate agent that understands the investment you’re taking on and that will take the right steps to ensure that you’re getting the best ranch property for you – not them. Experienced ranch specialists should sit with you and discuss your needs and desires, and then search their vast database of properties to find the best Texas ranch property for you. Quite often there are exceptional ranches that are not actively on the market and not widely known. FINDING THE RIGHT RANCH FOR SALE When it comes to finding ranch property for sale, every property and everyone is different. Every client will need different amenities and attributes that come with their ranch. Your ranch broker has the ability to focus and filter through the hype and marketing to find out what is really on the land: • Amenities • Recreation and Sporting opportunities • Privacy • Agricultural Operations and potential income • Access: When it comes to ranching, remote can mean miles and miles. Your broker will need to know just how remote you really want to be. • Privacy: Who do you want your neighbors to be? Your real estate agent should research to define the use and traffic in the area. • Outdoor and Sporting Activities: Ranches are generally prime real estate for fishing, hunting and other activities. An experienced agent will make sure the opportunities are on the property and to what extent they are available. What balance of activities will be the right fit for the client? This can be one of the most important decisions. • Improvements or Build New: This varies, but do you want to improve upon the existing structures if needed or do you want to build new? It’s up to you on how much work you want to do to the structures. • Even More Options to Consider: • Agricultural operations of the Ranch: How will you use the ranch? • Will you graze yearling cattle or a year-round cow/calf operation? • What will your hay requirements be? • How good are the water rights on a particular ranch compared to others in the area?
• Is a lease to an outside operator a better option? • Land Survey: Has the land you’re interested in been surveyed? Yes and No. Chances are you’ll have a lot more questions as you begin your search. YOU FOUND YOUR RANCH, NOW WHAT? Finding the right ranch for sale is only half of the process. Now, your ranch brokers should be able to help you seal the deal with confidence and ease, walking you through the complete due diligence process. Due Diligence: When it comes to inspections most ranch sales involve unique inspection requirements than many investors and commercial realtors understand. These include, but are by no means limited to: • Texas Water Law • Leases • Grazing leases to outside operators. • Leases from state and other government. • Leases to outfitters for hunting or fishing. Depending on the nature of the property, we have seen a due diligence period of as little as 30 days or as long as 90+ days. Closing the Deal: Now that everything checks out and you’ve learned the details of the ranch for sale, it’s time to close. Many ranches will have existing grazing leases to other operators where the ranch is the lessee. Those will typically stay in place until the end of the grazing season and will be prorated. Hunting and fishing leases can also be in place and will carry through the seasons or year-end and are again prorated. Most sellers will have 30-45 days after closing to finish moving the personal property off the ranch and conduct an auction. You should have comfort knowing that your ranch broker will work through the closing and afterwards to ensure a smooth transaction. ABOUT THE RIVERS TEAM OF PHYLLIS BROWNING COMPANY With over 30 years of working with land and ranch clients in Texas, The Rivers Team has many resources and a vast network to help you find the right land or ranch for you and your family quickly. We’ve handled hundreds of transactions, and as part of our attention to detail we’ll assist you and your attorney in reviewing the details from A to Z. Seller Representation: When you ask us to list your ranch for sale, we are here for you the seller and only you. Unlike other
“We like the personal touch we receive. We trust our bankers and that’s important.” Erica and Jonathan Jennings, Owners - Boerne Boat & RV Storage
sonorabank.com
Boerne 122 W. Bandera • 830-331-9118 Bulverde 512 Singing Oaks • 830-438-0416 San Angelo 5710 Sherwood Way • 325-949-0099 2502 Southland Blvd. • 325-947-2100 Sonora 102 E. Main • 325-387-3861
Member FDIC
companies you benefit both the buyer and seller. If you choose our company to sell your ranch, we understand that you’ve put a lifetime of work into it and we’ll lookout for your best interest as the seller. Contact us today to list a property or to learn more about our seller representation services. Buyer Representation: If you’re looking for a ranch for sale in Texas, a Phyllis Browning Company ranch broker has the knowledge base and network to find the best ranch for you. We will approach your buying process with your best interest, helping you find the best opportunity in your transaction. Contact us today to start looking for your new ranch. Buying a ranch is a big process and our experts will help you every step of the way to ensure a smooth transaction. We hope this brief summary of the buying process helps answer some of your questions. Contact us today if you have any questions or if you’d like to begin searching for your next ranch.BBM boernebusinessmonthly.com
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energy
SHARED RENEWABLE ENERGY NOW AVAILABLE TO BEC MEMBERS
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Bandera Electric Cooperative celebrated the completion of their new community solar farm with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, February 22. The 1.9 megawatt ground-mounted solar farm is a large-scale, shared solar project developed in conjunction with SoCore Energy. BEC members now have the opportunity to subscribe to community solar power Bandera EC CEO Bill Hetherington, BEC employees and the Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce for their homes and businesses. cut the ribbon during the ceremony for the new community solar farm in Leakey,Texas. The community solar farm was developed after members photo by: Ruby Hinojosa expressed interest in solar energy, but revealed they did not have the option to install solar at their homes. This shared system gives members the ABOUT BANDERA ELECTRIC opportunity to utilize alternative energy sources regardless if they own their own home Bandera Electric Cooperative currently or rent. serves more than 25,000 members and proMembers can subscribe to any number of 100 kilowatt-hour blocks of energy at a vides electric service to more than 34,000 guaranteed 5-year competitive rate of 7 cents per kWh. There are 2,500 blocks available, meters in a seven county territory in the Texas and members are encouraged to reserve theirs today. The 100 kWh blocks purchased Hill Country. As a member-owned cooperafrom the community solar farm will be applied toward total energy usage and reflected tive, BEC continually searches for new, innoon their monthly bill. vative programs to promote energy efficiency Members who subscribe can expect to see a community solar charge on their bill and quality member service. Find more inforstarting April 1. To subscribe to community solar, interested members should call BEC mation about BEC at BanderaElectric.com or member services at 866-226-3372 or visit BanderaElectric.com for an application. by calling (866) 226-3372. BBM
THE DODGING DUCK BREWHAUS 402 River Road - Boerne, Texas 78006 (830) 248-3825
WWW.DODGINGDUCK.COM 30
B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2017
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Currey Creek – 132 Latigo Ln – Boerne Great family home that boasts both a great location and affordability! This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home is located on a quiet culde-sac in the conveniently located in Currey Creek subdivision. An open floor plan, corner fireplace, inviting paint colors, eat-in breakfast area, breakfast bar, spacious game room, covered patio and large oversized backyard make this property a must see! Within walking distance to both elementary & high school. MLS# 1223855 $238,750 Contact Shannan Gleason 210-379-8063
222 S. Main | Boerne, Texas
830.249.7979
www.LoneStarBoerne.com
SWEENEY RANCH – 230 WILD OAK LN – PIPE CREEK
Mountain Top Views of Hill Country! 5.03 Acres of Unrestricted Property. Improvements include gravel driveway, Electric, 800sf High Quality Metal Building with full bath and Loft, Private Well with 2500 Gallon Storage Tank, and Aerobic Septic System. Building site prepared for Custom Home. Property not suitable for Horses/ Cattle. No HOA and No City Taxes! 5 Acres adjoining lot is also available.
MLS#1220016 &1219841 | $180,000 Contact Paige Rodriguez (830) 331-0279
RIVERMONT – 6808 SPRING BRANCH RD – SPRING BRANCH
Natural vegetation, cactus flowers and Mature trees at rear of property make this level lot a perfect setting to build your Hill Country home, or just own a Retreat Property with access to Guadalupe River for Vacation time! Close to Hwy 281, San Antonio, Blanco and Wimberley/or Hwy 46, Bulverde and Boerne! I will set up a tour of Private HOA Parks (POOL, RIVER, SPORTS) that Rivermont offers to residents for Pre-Approved Buyers.
MLS#1207284 | $22,500 Contact Paige Rodriguez (830) 331-0279
BENTWOOD – 114 VISTA VERDE – BOERNE
Great family home on large lot in town! Located in the family friendly, well established neighborhood of Bentwood, this 4 bedroom 2 ½ bath home sits on .29 of an acre with mature trees. The backyard is perfect for entertaining and has plenty of room for a swing-set for the kids. The yard is landscaped front and back, has a sandstone back patio, and a planted vegetable garden. The house has new paint inside and out, wood floors downstairs, 9’ ceilings downstairs, high end granite in kitchen, 42’’ custom cabinets, all bedrooms upstairs, and lots of windows. Refrigerator included.
MLS#1224284 | $289,900 Contact Shannan Gleason (210) 379-8063
SWEENEY RANCH – LOT 16 – WILD OAK LN – PIPE CREEK Mountain top Views in Unrestricted subdivision out Hwy 16 near Helotes, Boerne, Pipe Creek, Bandera. Level place at top of property makes a great site for your Custom home. Sought after Madrone Trees, Cedars, Mountain Laurels, Oaks, dot this beautiful property. Large boulders available for landscaping your property. Adjoining 5 acres is Listed with me as well and has ALL Utilities if you are interested in a larger 10 acre piece of Texas to call your own! Bring your Builder and your plans. Farm animals too!
MLS#1223931 | $100,000 Contact Paige Rodriguez (830) 331-0279
KENDALL COUNTY – 201 SPANISH PASS RD – BOERNE
Enjoy the seclusion that 6 acres on Spanish Pass offers yet easy proximity to Boerne! Nearly 3000 sq. ft, 4/2.5, new wood floor downstairs with 16” tile in kitchen, butler’s pantry and wine bar, floor to ceiling fireplace with custom mantle, tall ceilings in Living Room, back patio is park like with concrete patio and large deck around above ground pool. Native landscaping; shade and serenity for relaxing evenings. Huge bonus room. Wildlife exempt. Horse friendly. Iron Filtration system. NEW ROOF AND AC IN 2016!!
MLS#1194833 | $565,000 Contact Carol Schultz (210) 268-3691
CURREY CREEK – 132 LATIGO LN – BOERNE
Great family home that boasts both a great location and affordability! This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac in the conveniently located in Currey Creek subdivision. An open floor plan, corner fireplace, inviting paint colors, eat-in breakfast area, breakfast bar, spacious game room, covered patio and large oversized backyard make this property a must see! Within walking distance to both elementary & high school.
MLS#1223855 | $238,750 Contact Shannan Gleason (210) 379-8063
Experience • Skill • Dedication
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