June 20, 2013
Real Estate Round Up
Island Moon
Island Living
Let’s Be Specific
By Mary Lou White 361-960-9460 marylou@baxterbrooks. com When I arrive home at night, I have been on the phone and fielding emails for several hours. Then, as I pull the contents out of the mailbox, I give it a quick look to determine what is junk mail and what is valid material that must be addressed. Twice this week, there were large packets waiting for me. One from my CPA and one from my insurance agent. I parked them both on the entry table for later review, because I simply could not handle any more, at that time of day. The next day I opened the insurance packet to determine the date and amount that my Homeowner’s Insurance would renew. When I saw the annual premium amount, I had to look three times to convince myself, I was looking at the right figure. It was double any amount I had paid in previous years. I copied the detail page and dropped by the office of another agent for a quote. The next day, she called with an even higher number. In a huff, I went to the computer and pulled up all my insurance payments since we bought our home in October, 2004. The figure that popped up was shocking….to me. $44,648.13! I knew the premiums keep escalating every year, but there it was in black and white. We have increased our deductible, periodically, to manage the cost, but there is a limit. Next, I pulled up the property taxes we have paid over that same period of time. $80,002.27! That makes a grand total of $124,650.40, which is over 30% of the original cost of our home, which we purchased as a “retirement” property. The hand writing is on the wall….assets are one thing, but without an extremely large and consistent cash flow, in retirement, we will be forced to sell the home we love and move from the area we chose.
Insurance Todd Hunter spoke at the PIBA luncheon on June 13th. He spoke about all the hard work that has been done to stop the Windstorm increases that are constantly being proposed in Austin. I follow this topic closely and I agree with everything he said. However, the truth remains that our premiums are escalating with every renewal period and the future ahead is very uncertain. Now, my Homeowner’s policy is going to double in one year and flood insurance is also on an upward track. Last fall, I attended a windstorm rally where we were handed a badge to wear the stated: “Don’t Kill the Texas Coast”. Well we certainly are not dead yet, but I do believe we have been dealt a “mortal blow”. If you have a loan on your home, then YOU MUST carry complete insurance, on your property. By pricing you out of the market, the insurance companies are helping you to “self determine” that you can no longer afford to live, at the coast and must move elsewhere, thereby reducing their risk. The end result will be one thing only. Coastal residents will eventually become only the wealthy. People who can live without insurance and assume the risk of loss themselves or afford to pay the outrageous premiums that will be charged for future coverage. Which is what the Austin politicians and the insurance lobby already have decided. For many of us, you better start thinking about
where your next home will be located. In the past three years, I have seen many homeowners grudgingly leave our Island, for inland locations.
Last week, in the Moon, both Dale Rankin and Howard Ludlow wrote articles about increases in our property taxes. Either by home valuation increases, tax rate increases, or both. Out of curiousity, I pulled my 2013 Notice of Appraised Value form from the file and quickly determined that sure enough, the increase was precisely 10%! Imagine that…….In addition, 456 total voters went to the polls, a few days back and the majority decided for all of those, who didn’t vote, (9,000 Padre Island residents, per the Moon) that Flour Bluff Independent School District would receive $48 Million in Bond Revenue. That equates to a property tax increase of $109.50 per $100,000 property valuation. That translates into $328.50 annual increase for a $300,000 Island home. If you are over 65, that may not affect you yet, but it will affect the future owners of your home. Being informed is a good thing…….
Padre Island Real Estate Ticker
11
Commercial Properties For Sale From $60,000 to $12,000,000
2
Multi Family Units For Sale From $329,900 to $375,000
167
Padre Island Lots or Land For Sale
57
Parcels on a Canal or Water From $99,999 to $695,000
110
Parcels not on the Water From $28,000 to $899,000
221
Padre Island Residents For Sale
92
Attached Homes For Sale From $42,500 to $509,000
71
Detached Homes on the Water From $184,900 to $2,200,000
58
Detached Homes not on the Water From $145,000 to $399,000
Custom Furniture at its Finest
Mustang Island Real Estate Ticker
16
Commercial Properties For Sale From $125,000 to $3,000,000
0
Multi Family Units For Sale
1
Slip For Sale For $35,000
194
Mustang Island Lots or Land For Sale
30
Parcels on a Canal or Water From $154,900 to $5,650,000
164
Parcels not on the Water From $35,000 to $3,400,000
212
Mustang Island Residences For Sale
149
Attached Homes For Sale From $69,400 to $895,000
14
Detached Homes on the Water From $479,000 to $2,300,000
49
Detached Homes not on the Water From $169,000 to $2,400,000
by Melinda Myers Although June is national rose month, gardeners can keep their roses healthy and blooming all summer long. Through proper care and a few simple strategies both existing and new roses can continue to look their best throughout the summer months – maximizing their beauty and enjoyment for all. Water thoroughly whenever the top few inches of soil are crumbly and moist. Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to apply the water directly to the soil where it is needed. You’ll lose less water to evaporation and reduce the risk of disease by avoiding overhead irrigation. Mulch the soil surface with shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic matter to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and improve the soil as they decompose.
plant parts when discovered. Look for the most eco-friendly control options when intervention is needed. Enjoy your efforts and improve your roses appearance by harvesting a few rosebuds for indoor enjoyment. Prune flowering stems back to the first 5-leaflet leaf. You can prune back farther on established plants, but be sure to always leave at least two 5-leaflet leaves behind on the plant’s stem.
Proper fertilization will help keep roses healthy and producing lots of flowers. A soil test is the best way to determine how much and what type of fertilizer is best for roses growing in your landscape.
Those gardening in cold climates should stop deadheading roses toward the end of the season. Allow the plants to develop rose hips. This helps the plants prepare for the cold weather ahead and increases hardiness. Plus, these red to orange fruits provide winter food for birds as well as attractive winter interest in the garden.
Check your plants throughout the season for signs of insects and disease. Early detection makes control easier. Remove insects or infested
And if you don’t have roses, make this the summer you add one or more of these beauties to your landscape.
A 11
Cita Resort Interiors introduces interior designer Jennifer Wither
Property Tax
Maximize and Extend the Beauty of Roses with Proper Care
Keep your plants blooming and looking their best in spite of the heat, humidity and pests of summer. Immunize your plants against common environmental stresses such as heat and drought, while building their defenses against insects and diseases natural defenses with an organic plant strengthener, such as JAZ™ Rose Spray (gardeners.com). Researchers discovered when some plants are stressed they produce hundreds of molecules that help them better tolerate environmental stresses as well as insect and disease attacks. When applied to plants in the form of a plant strengthener, the treated plants improve their own defenses, much like immunizations do for us. Gardeners will notice less damage from stress, better recovery, reduced yellow leaves, and healthier plants overall.
Store Hours Monday - Saturday 10-6 Sunday Noon - 6