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Kick the Can: Free Toilets

September 20, 2011 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Toilets in the bush.

Did you know that a leaking toilet can cost you money? With hundreds of gallons of water wasted each year, this can equate to a 10-12% increase in your water bill from commodes alone.

Well we have a solution for you. San Antonio Water System (SAWS) has implemented a program to help you get rid of your broken, inefficient, ugly, or water-wasting toilets. And the best part? It’s FREE!!!

Free water saving toilets from SAWS.

If your home was built prior to 1992 and you are still sitting on outdated, water-guzzling equipment, you can apply for up to two FREE, water-efficient toilets from SAWS. Simply contact their office at (210) 204-SAWS, or visit the SAWS website to apply for the “Kick the Can” program.

If you qualify, you will be issued a voucher that can be taken to one of many major hardware stores and exchanged for their high-quality, water saving toilets. They can even arrange for someone to install the systems (for a cost) if you don’t want to attempt installation yourself.

Even if you are renting a property, you can still reap the benefits. Simply have your landlord sign a consent form, and you can be well on your way to savings.

Full details of the program can be found here: SAWS “Kick the Can” program.

image courtesy of Tonyfoster

Filed Under: Homeowner Tips Tagged With: saws, kick the can, water saving, toilet, free, rebate, san antonio water system

How to Maintain an Existing Septic System

September 18, 2011 by khproperties 1 Comment

The plumbers at work

Many San Antonio area homes, particularly in rural areas, are not tied into a public sewer system. Instead, these homes are generally equipped with an individual septic system for handling waste. As far as daily use goes, most people don’t notice a huge difference in the systems, but if you own, or are looking at property that is set up with a septic system on site, there are a few maintenance and minor use issues of which to be aware.

When it comes to septic systems, the most common type has been an in-ground tank. Waste material flows from the house out to the storage tank through underground pipes. As with any volumetric system, close observation of both the tank and plumbing connections are important.

Know Your Septic System

First, know your system and its layout. Pipes run underground from the house to the tank, which is usually a short distance away from the house’s foundation. It’s important to make note of the boundaries of the tank so that you don’t accidentally dig into the tank, or drive over the area. Any improvements, such as a pool or deck, should be kept away from these areas to prevent leaks.

Second, keep shrubs and roots away from the system (and all plumbing). Roots from large shrubs and trees can work their way into the pipes and cause clogs or leaks. Rectifying the damage can be costly. Grass growing over a septic tank is actually beneficial, however. The short roots do not pose a threat to the pipes, yet the grass itself provides valuable ground cover that prevents erosion.

Also, you want to make sure to lookout for signs of trouble. Exposed parts can often be seen with just a quick glance every few months. Lush, bright green grass growing over the tank area can indicate a crack or leak in the tank. And a foul stench emanating from the area of the tank can also be a warning sign of possible trouble.

Pump the system regularly. The septic tanks have a limited capacity, and inevitably will fill up. How quickly this happens depends a lot on the number of users and the size of the system. If you have one or two people using the system, it will likely fill much more slowly than if you have eight people dependent upon it. On average, systems should be pumped every three to five years. The cost for this service ranges from $200-$500. When a licensed septic company comes out to do the pumping, you should have them check for cracks and leaks each time.

Tip for Septic System Maintenance

Control what goes in. Septic systems are designed to create a unique balance of good bacteria and water to dilute and combat the unmentionables stored in the tank.  Too much water can actually harm the system. Try using energy efficient toilets, and diverting gutters away from the parts to minimize risk of oversaturation. At the same time, too many solids can be harmful as well. Scraping dishes into the trash before rinsing can help tremendously. Always avoid putting fat down drains, as it can clog pipes and overload the storage tank. Some people suggest specialized toilet paper that dissolves more quickly in septic systems.

Avoid Certain Products and Chemicals. Cleaning products, while great for inside our homes, can wreak havoc on a septic system. Most notably are bleach and drain cleaners. Bleach is designed to kill bacteria. All bacteria. And an important component of a septic tank is the good bacteria in the system that breaks down waste product. A cupful of bleach on occasion will probably not cause a noticeable amount of disruption to the system. Drain cleaner, while killing bacteria, can also eat away at system parts and should be avoided completely.

There are also a wide variety of products, such as Rid-X, which, when introduced to the tank regularly, help to restore the good bacteria and chemicals into the system. Always check with a reputable septic company before introducing new products into the system.

Aerobic Systems

In addition to the standard tank systems, aerobic systems are an increasingly popular option. These systems utilize a unique network of spray heads to dissipate waste material. Care should be taken to ensure proper spray pattern, and avoidance of any breaks in the plumbing structures or spray heads. These systems should be evaluated annually by a professional septic company.

Note: This information is intended as an overview of septic care and maintenance and should not be the sole source of information on the subject. Any questions about a specific system, should be directed to a licensed septic company. Kimberly Howell Properties is not liable for any damages or injury as a result of following this information.

image courtesy of ErikBerndt

Filed Under: Homeowner Tips Tagged With: how to, tips, advice, septic, septic system, maintenance, care, plumbing, aerobic

Seller Financing – a new win-win?

September 15, 2011 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Fistful of Dollars

If you own your home free and clear, or have inherited one with no mortgage attached, congratulations.

You are now privy to a unique world of options when you go to sell your property. In a way that traditional sellers with existing mortgages are not able, you have now opened the door for yourself to be able to offer a wide variety of financing methods, including seller financing, to a broader field of potential buyers, and even make a lot more money.

What is seller financing?

Seller financing means that a buyer agrees to purchase a property from a seller. Instead of going through a bank to finance the loan, the seller becomes the lien holder and collects payments from the buyer directly until the balance of the loan is paid off.

Why consider seller financing?

Bigger buyer pool – Lending regulations have tightened in recent years. Maybe a buyer has a non-traditional income source, or shaky credit from past issues but large assets. They may not qualify for traditional financing but still have the means and interest in buying a house. They may be looking for creative/different ways of owning a home. Why not capture them when no one else can?

Closed is Closed – Once the property closes, you, the seller, are no longer responsible for maintenance, taxes, or repairs. Of course you want to make sure that items like taxes and insurance are being paid. But those payments aren’t coming out of your pockets any longer.

Added Control – In a way, you’re doing a favor for the buyer. This means that you have a lot more control in setting the terms of the deal. You can help pick the interest rate, the terms of the loan, and even the sales price (appraisal not required). Obviously you do not want to engage in predatory lending, but you can still structure an agreement in a way that works best for your financial needs.

Added Income from Interest – As the mortgagor, you the seller, would not only set an interest rate for the buyer’s loan with you, but you would reap the benefit of the interest payments ON TOP of the sales price. On a fixed rate mortgage, payments for the first few years are almost entirely interest.

Example: On a $200,000 loan at 5.5%, the total amount paid each month for principle and interest would be  $1,135.58. Over the course of the first year, the total amount paid by the buyer would be $13,626.96.

Of this, $2,694.18 would be applied towards reducing the principal balance owed.

That means that the remaining $10,932.76 would be money in your pocket as interest. And that’s just the first year.

Substantial Downpayment – Many seller financing deals are established under the notion that the seller is taking a big risk selling to someone that couldn’t get financing any other way. For this reason, it is not uncommon to have buyers provide a large downpayment. 20, 30, even 50% payment up front is a great incentive. Not only do you get a large chunk of money initially (to help offset expenses, or use as a downpayment on a new house for yourself, etc.), but this money is yours to keep regardless of what happens.

Resale in Case of Default – Even if you’ve set up the financing carefully, sometimes loan default is inevitable. But if the buyer stops paying, the situation can still have a happy ending. Not only would you have the downpayment and interest already collected, but you could also foreclose on the property and resell it. And maybe even re-sell it at full price.

So, if you are in a unique position in regards to your real estate, there are some powerful reasons to at least consider this option when selling property.

Of course there are numerous serious pitfalls to this type of transaction as well. Anyone considering a lease purchase is encouraged to consult with a real estate attorney and tax professional for a full analysis of risks before entering into an agreement.

Readers are encouraged to consult with an attorney before entering into any real estate contract, particularly one involving seller financing. This article is designed to address only a few of the many complex issues. Suggestions made are not intended as legal advice.

image courtesy of Robbie Biller

Filed Under: Sell Your Home Tagged With: home, seller financing, sell, house, how to, sell your home, mortgage, financing options

Welcome to the new Kimberly Howell Properties website!

September 6, 2011 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Welcome to the new Kimberly Howell Properties website.

Kimberly Howell Properties is excited to have you visit our latest website. With this massive redesign, we’ve focused on bringing you the things you have asked for – a quality map-based home search, San Antonio real estate news, articles about selling and buying a home, a comprehensive list of our agents, and much more. Take a look around and email hidden; JavaScript is required. We hope you enjoy it and find it an invaluable resource when considering buying, selling, or renting homes or commercial real estate in San Antonio.

image courtesy of Rameshng

Filed Under: KHP News Tagged With: kimberly howell, real estate, san antonio, welcome, new, website

2008 San Antonio Parade Of Homes in Cibolo Canyons

November 20, 2008 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Looking for a high end home?

I went to the San Antonio Parade of Homes over at The Palacios at Cibolo Canyons this weekend to take a look at the homes on show this year (I missed the REALTOR® Day as I was busy working on a contract). Of course, I wanted to show some pictures here and discuss specifics, but they have a “no camera” policy, so I was unable to bring back much more than some mental images.

Overall, I liked the homes. I’m not sure if I liked them for the price though ($1.2 million and up). Having lived in Los Angeles for eight years, I’m used to high end prices, but with so much affordable housing here in San Antonio, I felt that these were a little too pricey without the justifications that an area like Los Angeles would have. Having said that, the homes were all designed with a “green” theme in mind, which of course, tends to cost more to produce. My favorite? The Summit Built Homes house at 24026 Gran Palacio.

The community at Cibolo Canyons isn’t just for millionaires though. Some of the communities in the area have more reasonably priced homes in the $200s and $300s. With Cibolo Canyons containing an amenity center that hosts a lazy river, pool, clubhouse, gym, and home to the JW Marriot San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, its easy to see why Cibolo Canyons’ tagline is “Its all here in Cibolo Canyons.”

Filed Under: Local Events Tagged With: neighborhood, parade of homes, cibolo canyons

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