Elm Creek Lifestyle

Elm Creek

July | August 2014

Your Elm Creek Real Estate Specialist Cell: 210.710.8327 JDym@DymRealtyServices.com www.JoshDym.com 10 Dominion Drive San Antonio, TX 78257

Integrity • Responsiveness • Commitment Whether you are buying or building a home, you will experience service at its finest. We offer a wide range of competitive products, including various jumbo loan options. Our mortgage specialists can help you find the product that meets your unique needs. For personal service, in-house underwriting and processing, please contact:

Todd M. Schneider NMLS# 812337

371 North Main Street Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 816-6305 tschneider@jeffersonbank.com

REAL ESTATE ACTIVIT Y IN ELM CREEK Address Sq. Ft. Days on Market List Price Price per Sq. Ft. CURRENTLY FOR SALE 4 Villa Jardin 1,591 98 $268,900 $169.01 12533 Elm Country Ln 3,092 10 $379,777 $122.82 12523 Elm Country Ln 2,951 189 $385,000 $130.46 6 Villa Jardin 2,678 97 $385,000 $143.76 12615 Hunters Chase St 2,948 107 $398,500 $135.17 12711 Old Wick Rd 3,082 22 $465,000 $150.87 11823 Elmscourt 3,192 349 $499,000 $156.32 12423 Winding Branch 3,546 15 $554,000 $156.23 12106 Windemere 3,126 17 $569,900 $182.30 12638 Old Wick Rd 5,307 24 $697,000 $131.33 11834 Elmscourt 4,349 28 $699,000 $160.72 3914 Iron Mill Lane 6,373 630 $725,000 $113.76 3139 Iron Stone Ln 5,072 77 $725,000 $142.94 12730 Hunters Chase St 7,245 311 $795,000 $109.73 48 Westelm Circle 5,247 272 $875,000 $166.76 11811 Mill Rock Road 5,265 59 $889,000 $168.85 12435 Winding Br 5,111 402 $899,000 $175.89 PENDING 4 Villa Bonita 2,042 79 $340,000 $166.50 RECENTLY SOLD 3915 Morgans Creek 3,681 340 $479,999 $130.39 12722 Hunters Chase St 3,381 16 $494,900 $146.37 12611 Stonehenge 3,735 11 $519,000 $138.95 2022 Elm Shadow 3,488 34 $525,000 $150.51 2102 Elm Vista 3,513 217 $585,000 $166.52 3400 Elm Hollow St 3,427 24 $675,000 $196.96 12626 Hunters Chase 5,320 56 $798,000 $150.00

jeffersonbank.com/mortgages

4th Generation of San Antonio Real Estate Expertise

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Be Cool and Save Money

Reduce Your Air Conditioning Costs

Nannette Gagne Escrow Officer 210.698.0924 Office 210.838.4007 Mobile

Sip A Summer Libation

Nannette.Gagne@AlamoTitle.com Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Properties on this list have been listed/sold by various participants in the MLS. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Wheels Up!

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Don Strange’s Café Mystique

Elm Creek Real Estate Report Presented By

In Good Taste Don Strange of Texas 210.434.2331 | DonStrange.com

CAFÉ MYSTIQUE INGREDIENTS: 1-1/3 c crushed ice 1-1/3 c cold espresso, or strong black coffee 1-1/3 c Kahlua liqueur 1/2 c Carnation powdered malt mix Sweetened whipped cream, beaten to stiff peaks

Calling all seasoned travelers! Want to impress your sweetheart or your fabulous family like never before? Consider planning a stylish summer trip and book your own private jet for an unforgettable weekend getaway. It’s the ultimate in luxury and convenience... and believe it or not, it’s more affordable than you might think. Whether you’re flying to San Francisco for a business trip or heading to cooler climes for a quick escape, private jets offer the perks of your own personal plane, available only when you need it. The biggest advantage? You will save a ton of time by not waiting on long lines at check-in and eliminating connecting flights altogether. How does arriving a mere 5 to 15 minutes prior to departure sound? And those long security lines? Yes, you skip those, too. Smaller private planes are also able to fly into smaller airports, which may be closer to your

Combine the crushed ice, espresso, Kahlua, and malt mix in blender. Process until smooth and well blended. Serve over ice in tall glasses. Top each drink with a generous dollop of the whipped cream. Makes four 8-ounce drinks.

ultimate destination. This of course saves you additional time. In fact, aviation experts estimate you can save four and a half hours per flight each time you book a private charter plane. Charter jets offer several luxurious types of aircraft, depending on your destination, length of trip, and number of passengers. Plane varieties include small turbo prop planes and light jets all the way up to mid and heavy jets. Imagine a business flight during which you and your associates can work in comfortable conference-style seating maximizing efficiency in the air. If flying for pleasure, you’ll savor the catered cuisine that is nothing like standard airplane fare. And you’ll arrive at your destination refreshed after visiting the private restroom. And finally, you also get the advantage of choosing your travel companions. No more chatty passengers disturbing you if you want to catch up on sleep, no more crying babies if you’re trying to work, and no more lines for a shared bathroom. You’re also allowed much more freedom on board the plane, since it’s your own personal chartered plane.

The cost for these perks? You can expect to pay somewhere between $3,000 to $6,000 per hour of flight, depending on the class of airplane selected. So-called “empty leg” flights are one way to cut down on your expenses. Since approximately 40 percent of all private charter return trip flights fly with no passengers in the cabin, savvy fliers can book these fares at up to 50 percent off regular rates. So next time you’re looking to splurge a bit, consider whisking your sweetie off for a romantic getaway in Las Vegas or flying your extended clan off to a family reunion in Aspen, all in your own private jet. It will be the trip of a lifetime... and may be the beginning of a new way to travel. Wheels up, anyone?

you automatically reduce your energy usage when you are out of the house by adjusting the temperature so that your cooling system will run less while you are away. If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, replacing the old system may be the way to go. A new system could better heat or cool your home making you more comfortable and saving you money in the long run. By investing in the highest energy rated HVAC system possible now, you are hedging your bets against higher energy costs in the future. The efficiency of central air conditioning systems is rated by a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). You can think of it as miles per gallon, the higher the SEER, the lower the utility bill. As of January 2006, the minimum allowable efficiency for new air conditioners is 13-SEER. Systems manufactured today range from 13 to 24-SEER. Air conditioners rated closer to 24-SEER can cost half as much to run as those with the minimum

JULY | AUGUST 2014 Balcones Heights Jazz Festival Amphitheater at Wonderland of the Americas Fridays, July 11-August 1 210.732.0055 | ReachForTheHeights.org Revel in the sights and sounds of great live jazz across the reflecting pool of one of San Antonio’s most arresting outdoor venues, the Amphitheatre at Wonderland of the Americas. It’s more than music! It’s one of South Texas’ most anticipated summer happenings. Musical magic at its finest, under the stars at the Balcones Heights Jazz Festival. 35th Annual SARR Women’s 5K Lincoln Heights Shops | July 19 210.416.1723 | SARoadRunners.com The 35th Annual SARR Women’s 5K is a chip-timed run/ walk for women only along the streets of Alamo Heights. The event will feature a pre-race yoga stretch, led by Southtown Yoga Loft, an all-female color guard, and post-race refreshments provided by HEB. Proceeds from SARR events support safe and enjoyable events, fun runs, John Delgado scholarships, and other charitable organizations. Ford Canoe Challenge River Walk | August 2 210.227.4262 | TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com Over 90 canoe teams compete in the Canoe Challenge…local celebrities, city officials, corporate teams and Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts compete in timed heats. The race begins at the Chamber of Commerce, heads east through and around the Convention Center Lagoon, through the Rivercenter Mall Lagoon and ends back at the Chamber of Commerce. Rambling Rose Tasting Becker Vineyards | August 9 830.644.2681 | Beckervineyards.com As summer comes to an end and the leaves begin to change colors, it’s the perfect time to relax and enjoy a quiet afternoon in the picturesque landscape of Becker Vineyards. Event attendees will have the opportunity to sample a selection of rosé wines, including a special wine from Becker Vineyards. To intensify the experience and highlight the exquisite flavors of each selection, the wines will be presented to participants through a blind tasting. A panel of experts that will help guide each attendee through the palate of flavors.

COOLING EFFICIENTLY During the summer months it might be time to take a hard look at your cooling system and determine if you could save significant money by upgrading or replacing it. Heating and cooling is the biggest energy user in most homes, accounting for more than 40 percent of a home’s energy bills. A good first step is to have an energy assessment done on your home by an energy efficiency professional. The assessment can range from a simple walk-through up to a comprehensive audit that includes blower-door tests that pressurize the house so energy leaks can be detected and duct-blaster tests to test for integrity of the duct system. When looking for an auditor, look for someone with a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating. Your local utility company may subsidize the cost of the audit. Once you make your home more energy efficient with well-sealed ductwork and adequate insulation, a properly programmed thermostat is another way to save money on heating and cooling costs. Programmable thermostats let

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limit. Look for models with the Energy Star rating because those models are about 10 to 15 percent more efficient than standard models. Seek a qualified HVAC professional to do a load calculation to properly size your system. Your HVAC system is a big investment. By doing a little research and considering these factors, your wallet will thank you in the long run.

Culinaria Restaurant Week Various Restaurants| August 17-24 210.822.9555 | CulinariaSA.org Restaurant Week is our celebration of amazing San Antonio restaurants – and your chance to try out one, two or many more of those restaurants that you’ve always wanted to try or to visit an old favorite. Participating restaurants will offer a prix-fixe menu – encompassing a three-course lunch or a three-course dinner. Reservations are not required to participate – but, are a good idea – and can be booked directly with the restaurants.