Join the CENTURY 21 Sunset, Realtors Christmas Yard Decorating Contest

 

2009 Christmas Home Tour and Decorating Contest

Sponsored by CENTURY 21 Sunset, Realtors

 Many people enjoy looking at well decorated homes during the holidays.

CENTURY 21 Sunset, Realtors would like more families to have the same tradition  and are hoping to help with it’s first time 2009 Christmas Yard Decorating Contest.

 Families who enter their home in the contest will be advertised so other residents can travel around Fredericksburg and be sure to see all the best lights.

 Fredericksburg residents who want to enter their home in the contest get entry forms from CENTURY 21 Sunset, Realtors at 408 W. Main St., online at www.Century21SunsetRealtors.com, by email at info@c21sunset.com, or look in the Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post during November.

 All applications are due in the office by noon on December 9th and can be mailed, faxed or hand delivered with your name, address, and category to:
CENTURY 21 Sunset, Realtors   408 W. Main St.  Fredericksburg, TX 78624

830-997-9591     Fax: 830-997-2400

info@c21sunset.com

 Prizes will be awarded to one home in each of the following 4 catagories: Santa’s Favorite; Christmas Elegance; Best Outdoor Daylight Display; and Best Religious Display. 

 The Christmas Elegance award will be awarded to the home that has the best evening/night display and the best outdoor daylight award will be given to the home with the best daytime display. The best religious display will be awarded to the home that displays the true religious root of Christmas and must have over 50% religious decorations to qualify. The Santa’s Favorite award will be given to the best home that captures the true spirit of the Christmas holidays. .

 Winners will be announced December 11^th by yard signs, on the radio, on www.Century21SunsetRealtors.com and at the Century 21 ® office located at 408 W. Main St and prizes will be awarded on December 14^th. Winning homes will also be published in the Dec.16 edition of the Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post.

 The Christmas Home Decorating Contest is limited to residents within the city limits and up to one mile outside the city limits who have entered by 12 noon on Wednesday, December 9, 2009.

 Preliminary judging for all homes will be Dec. 10th from 7:00 pm on. All entered homes will have their displays lighted at this time. Entrants must keep their displays set up and lit each evening until Jan. 1.

 ”We’d love to get eveyone in our great community involved. We have some great prizes to give away,” said Dwight Oestreich, broker/owner of CENTURY 21 Sunset, Realtors.

An Old Fashion Fredericksburg Christmas

 featuring “The City of Christmas Trees”- It’s time to get in the holiday swing of things! This year, in preparation for the holiday shopping season, the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce along with the City of Fredericksburg, will sponsor the 1st annual “Storefront & Christmas Tree Decorating Contest 2009”. A Must Have: All entries must have a decorated tree somewhere in the design. It can be a small or large tree either in the interior or exterior of your business. All entries must be received by Monday, November 23, 2009 at the Chamber offices. Please pick up your application in the Visitor Center at 302 E. Austin Street. There is no entry fee.

Deadline for Local Texas Tech University Spring Classes-

 Deadline for Spring 2010 registration at Texas Tech University at Fredericksburg is December 1.  Students must apply to Texas Tech University at www.applytexas.org   Please call 990-2717 for more information and visit www.fredericksburg.ttu.edu

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PACIFIC WAR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION-

This December, the National Museum of the Pacific War, the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and the Texas Historical Commission will celebrate the Grand Opening of the new George H.W. Bush Gallery with a weekend of ceremonies, entertainment and educational programs, highlighted by the visit of President Bush on the morning of December 7.

The Grand Opening Committee expects upwards of 4,000 visitors will tour the Gallery on December 7, and we are inviting the community to participate in this extraordinary event by volunteering as gallery tour guides and hosts.

Everyone interested in participating as a volunteer tour guide or host is asked to attend one of two orientation sessions in the Grand Ballroom of the Admiral Nimitz Museum – Thursday, November 5 from 5:30 – 7:00pm or Saturday, November 7 from 10:30am – noon. These sessions will introduce volunteers to the schedule of events for the Grand Opening weekend and the specific volunteer opportunities available. These first sessions will be followed by two additional training programs for all those who will serve as tour guides and hosts.

National Museum of the Pacific War launched grand opening website: www.nationalmuseumpacificwar.org

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers-

 With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice: If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home. Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.

Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau. AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org and www.census.gov. This information was provided by Susan Johnson.

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, OCT. 17TH AND SUNDAY OCT. 18TH

Century 21 Sunset, Realtors is holding a city wide Open House this Saturday and Sunday.   Homes will be open from 1:00 PM TO 3:00 PM each day with agents available to answer all your questions.

The homes that are on Open House are listed below.  If you have any questions about location you may call 830/997-9591.

IN CITY LIMITS:

419 Summit Circle Drive   2 bd, 2.5 bath  $249,500

530 Winding Way  2 bdrm, 2 bath   $229,900

710 Ettie Street    5 bdrm, 5 bath, B&B    $449,000

 707 S. Franklin  2 bdrm, 2 bath     $199,900

 715 Dawn Lane    3 bdrm, 2 bath    $188,000

 313 W. San Antonio   3 bdrm, 2 bath   $279,000

 302 E. Travis  3 bdrm, 2.5 bath   $309,000

112 E. Orchard   2 bdrm, 2 bath   $362,000

 312 E. Hackberry      2 bdrm, 2 bath   $188,500

 901 N. Llano    6 bdrm, 3 bath, guesthouse     $419,000

 204 W. Nimitz   2 bdrm, 2 bath     $185,000

 101 Crestwood   3 bdrm, 3 bath    $263,500

 219 Timberidge Drive   3 bdrm, 2 bath    $289,000

 611 W. Burbank   3 bdrm, 2.5 bath   $249,500

 1201 Kyle   4 bdrm, 2 bath, new      $289,000

 1207 Kyle   3 bdrm, 2.5 bath, new     $279,000

 1206 Nicole    3 bdrm, 2 bath, new     $279,000

 OUTLYING AREA:

 483 ReehWeinheimer    3 bd, 2.5 b  , 4.99 ac     $432,500

( US Hwy 290W to Reeh Weinheimer, home on left)

 709 Royal Oaks Loop   3 bd, 2 b, 2.30 ac       $424,500

(Hwy 290W, to Armory Rd, to Royal Oaks Loop, property on left)

 549 Smith Road       5 bd, 3.5 b, 3.86 ac     $539,000

(Hwy 16S, to Liveoak Road, right on Post Oak, left on Smith rd, property entrance at end of Smith Road)

 731 Baethge Blvd  3 bd, 2 b, 1.02 ac       $118,000

(Hwy 290E, to Cain City Rd, right on Baethge Blvd. property on right)

 

OPEN SUNDAY 1:00 TO 3:00

 142 Stoneledge     3 bdrm, 3.5 bath      $550,000

(Hwy 16N, left on Ellebracht, right on Amberstone, right on Stoneledge, home on left)

 461 Knopp School Road    3 bd, 3 bath, 22.24 ac    $725,000

(Hwy 16N, right on Knopp School Road, property on left)

FTC PERFORMANCES IN OCTOBER

FTC PRESENTS “PIANORAMA”- The Fredericksburg Theater Company presents Johnny Nicholas and guests Sunday, October 4 from 6:00 – 9:00pm at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater, Highway 87 South. Cost is $25 per person. Please call 888/669-7114 for tickets and visit www.fredericksburgtheater.org

FTC PRESENTS “NUNSENSE II, THE SECOND COMING”- The Fredericksburg Theater Company production of “Nunsense II, The Second Coming” starts October 9 – October 25. Performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Cost is $20 for adults and $5.50 for 18 and under. Please call 888/669-7114 and visit www.fredericksburgtheater.org for ticket information.

Economic Data Week Sept 28

By Tony Stevenson, SWBC

 Consumer Sentiment and New Home sales climbed, but Durable Goods took a turn for the worse and fell 2.4% as our economic recovery rocks back and forth.

Stocks did take a hit for the 3rd time upon the disappointing data helping cause Mortgage rates to fall about .125% for the week. The Federal Reserve decided to stretch out the pace of a program intended to lower mortgage rates and to help prop up the housing market. It also left it’s key bank lending rate unchanged according to an article in the E-N. The WSJ also reported the same with further explanation that the FED program to purchase Mortgage backed securities will last into early next year. This is surely welcome news to all of those in the Mortgage and Real Estate markets.

Now we wait to see if the first-time-homebuyers $8k tax credit will be extended. All indicators point in the positive that they will, especially if NAR (National Association of Realtors) have their way.

Watch the outcome of the U.S, France, and Britain’s pressure on Iran this week to play havoc in the markets.

Plus, Friday’s Unemployment Report will be a definite market challenger as well. Keep in mind that when stocks do well, it usually has a reverse impact on MBS’s and vice-versa.

Fredericksburg Happenings This Weekend

Renewable Energy Roundup this weekend The 10th Annual Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair returns to Fredericksburg at the Marktplatz at the 100 block of W. Main St. beginning Friday, September 25 from noon until 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and then Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until event wraps at 3:00 p.m.

Admission on Friday or Sunday is $10; on Saturday, $12, or it’s $20 for a 3-day pass (children under 12 free). Tickets will be sold at the gate. For more information, call 1-877- 3ROUNDUP or visit www.theroundup.org .

Pioneer Museum to host Roots Music Concert on Saturday Music fans can enjoy Cajun music and Cajun cooking at the upcoming Roots Music Concert this Saturday, September 26, at the Pioneer Museum – located at 325 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg. For details, including hours and admission costs, call 830-997-2835 or visit www.pioneermuseum.net .

Hill Country Horse Club to host Ranch Rodeo this Saturday Teams of four will be vying for honors this Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m. when the Hill Country Horse Club holds its Ranch Rodeo at the club at 283 Equestrian Drive in Fredericksburg. For information, call Justine Elliot at 830-456-0219.

Boutique Wine and Food Festival this Saturday Texas Vineyards & Beyond, located at 329 ½ E. Main St. in Fredericksburg, will host the Boutique Wine and Food Festival this Saturday, September 26 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., featuring wine tastings from five Texas wineries and food pairings from local food artisans. Cost is $10 per person and includes logo wine glass, logo hors d’oeuvres plate; plus wine, cheese and food tasting. For more information, call 830-990-9199 or visit www.texasvineyardsbeyond.com .

From Tony Stevenson,

SWBC
9311 San Pedro Ave., Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78216
Economic Data: Week Sept 21

Consumer stocks drove the DOW up 36 points for it’s second weekly gain in a row. Plus, the unemployment rate dropped in 16 states in August. More signs of stabilization in the economy. Retail sales rose as well.

Ben Bernanke said that the worst recession since the 1930’s is probably over. But, we are still going to see the unemployment situation persist. We’re all waiting to see if the White House will extend the $8k tax credit which has helped first-time home buyers in recent months. The NAR is asking Congress to extend the credit into next year.

Also, Mortgage rates fell very slightly last week. According to Bankrate.com, “Market participants seem to be slightly optimistic that a recovery will come soon, but they are not ‘wildly’ optimistic. That sentiment keeps rates (mortgage) from rising.” This just means that they expect inflation, but not as soon as once expected. Inflation is the arch enemy of MBS’ (Mortgage Backed Securities).

Look for changes in FHA loans coming in the near future as well. Will the DOW hit 10000 this week? Will Mortgage rates remain at today’s levels?