Smart Moves Newsletter
Hi friends!
School is back, routines are settling in, and although the calendar says fall is just around the corner, San Antonio will still be approximately the temperature of the sun for a while longer. 😎
If you’re new here, welcome! This month I’ve got a few September happenings around San Antonio, a quick look at our local real estate market, a homeowner lesson we learned the hard way, and a new addition from Chef Ricardo’s kitchen. I hope you find something useful, interesting, or worth adding to your calendar.
Around our house...
We squeezed every last drop out of summer with time visiting family, playing in Lake Michigan, and plenty of afternoons cooling off at our neighborhood pool.
Evan and Lucy are back in school, and we’ve traded lazy summer days for school mornings, soccer practice, homework, and the usual scramble to figure out our new routine. I’m not sure we’re completely back in the groove yet, but we’re getting there!
Client Story: Finding the Right Piece of Texas
I’ve been having fun helping a family search for the right piece of land to build a home on.
One thing I've learned: the prettiest or least expensive piece of land isn’t always the best value.
Before falling in love with a property, we’re looking at:
✔️ Water: Is there already a well, or will one need to be drilled?
✔️ Septic: Is there an existing system, or will the land need to be evaluated for one?
✔️ Utilities: How close is electricity, and what will it take to get service to the homesite? How about internet?
✔️ Access: Is there good road access, or will additional site work be needed?
✔️ Restrictions: Are there limitations that could affect what they want to build or how they hope to use the land?
The goal isn’t just to find land they love. It’s to make sure the land can support the life they’re picturing.
Market Update - Made Simple
My takeaways:
Buyers have more choices right now, and homes are taking longer to sell than they did in the ultra competitive market of a few years ago. That gives buyers more time to compare options and, in many cases, more room to negotiate.
For sellers, pricing and presentation matter. Buyers are still buying, but they have enough choices to be selective, so a home that is well prepared and positioned for its market has a better chance of standing out.
These are big picture San Antonio numbers. What is happening in a specific neighborhood or price range can look very different.
Homeowner Tips: When the Pipes Start Talking…
A couple of days before we left for vacation, our pipes started making a pounding sound every time we turned the water off.
I noticed it and thought, “That seems new. We’ll deal with it when we get back.”
Our house apparently had other plans!
The pounding was a warning that something was up with our water pressure. Our pressure reducing valve was failing, and not long after, we ended up with a leak in the water line coming from the street.
A pressure reducing valve helps control the water pressure entering your home. When the pressure gets too high, it can put extra stress on pipes, faucets, toilets, and appliances throughout the house.
A few signs worth paying attention to:
🚫 Banging or knocking sounds
🚫 Water pressure that's stronger, weaker or inconsistent
🚫Faucets or toilets that start dripping or running
🚫Appliances or fixtures suddenly acting strange
Our lesson: Apparently when your house starts banging on the walls, it would like your attention. 😬 Next time, I’m going to listen!
September Around San Antonio
September is a great month to get out and enjoy San Antonio. Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15, and celebrations start even earlier with music, food, art, and cultural events happening all around town.
🪅 El Grito San Antonio | Sept. 12 Historic Market Square comes alive with live Mexican music, folklórico dancers, food, local vendors, and San Antonio’s official El Grito ceremony.
🌎 World Heritage Festival | Sept. 9 to 13 Celebrate San Antonio’s UNESCO World Heritage Missions with several days of history, culture, outdoor activities, music, food, and community events.
🎺 Hispanic Heritage at Pearl | Sept. 13 & 15 The Mariachi Showcase on Sept. 13 features local mariachi groups, art, and culture. Then Viva Dieciséis on Sept. 15 celebrates Mexican Independence Day and the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, art, family activities, and a special ceremony.
🎤 Bruno Mars | Sept. 23 Bruno Mars brings The Romantic Tour to the Alamodome.
🎷 Jazz’SAlive | Sept. 25 and 26 Enjoy two days of live jazz at Civic Park at Hemisfair. The festival is free and open to all ages.
🎃 Save the Date!
KW City View Boo Bash!
Thursday, October 22 | 4 to 7 PM
KWCV, 15510 Vance Jackson Rd., Suite 101
From Chef Ricardo’s Kitchen
Some of you already know that I’m lucky enough to have a chef for a husband. This has spoiled me terribly and set unrealistic expectations for weeknight dinners. 😂
Ricardo has agreed to share a recipe with us from time to time, so I figured it was only fair that the rest of you get to benefit too.
Grilled Peach & Burrata Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette
This is the kind of recipe I love for the end of summer. It feels fresh, looks beautiful on the table, and is easy enough for a weeknight but nice enough to serve to friends.
You’ll need:
• 3 ripe peaches, halved and sliced
• 1 ball burrata
• 5 to 6 cups arugula or mixed greens
• 1/3 cup toasted pecans
• Olive oil for grilling
• Salt and pepper
For the vinaigrette:
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
Lightly brush the peaches with olive oil and grill for about 2 minutes per side, just until they soften slightly and pick up a little color. Arrange the greens on a platter, add the grilled peaches, burrata, and pecans, then drizzle with the honey lime vinaigrette.
Recommendation: Don’t skip grilling the peaches. That little bit of char makes the whole salad. If you want to turn it into dinner, add grilled chicken or prosciutto and call it done.
No burrata? Fresh mozzarella or goat cheese work beautifully too.
