December in Galveston...Surfing and Sun! It's a beautiful sunny day in Galveston and 74 degrees, what we like to call winter on the island! We also have live webcams in Galveston and they are fun to watch if you are not on the island. A lot of surfing goes on when the waves kick up enough, even if the waves are small they really have a lot of fun.  On days like today you will see surfing enthusiasts parked all along the seawall. We are pretty lucky on the island to have such mild weather, although we all miss wearing sweaters sometimes!  A good cold snap or two will be in store for us in January most likely. Just another reason Galveston Real Estate is always booming!  Who wouldn't want to spend the day in 74 degree perfect sunny weather in December?Give me a shout and we can talk about... 12/02/2018

Galveston Real Estate Market busy all year due to Island Events! I'm often asked by my real estate clients if their investment properties will stay booked all year.  I am always happy to tell everyone that stay busy all year on the island!   Galveston Island, Texas holds events all during what we consider the off-season for tourism. This draws plenty of Galveston Vacation Rental visitors that will want to book your Galveston Beach House or Galveston Condo! Events like the Lone Star Bike Rally in November and Dickens on the Strand in December, plus a lot of other Galveston Events such as Art Walk's,  Train Rides at the Railroad Museum, and Moody Gardens' Festival of Lights and Iceland.   Here in Galveston we enjoy tourism all year, with what I consider a regular season (November-January)... 12/02/2018

Galveston Texas Veterans Loans is the best loan program in Texas! VA loans offer a special opportunity for our Veterans to become homeowners or refinance their existing VA guaranteed mortgage. VA Loans have more lenient underwriting criteria than other loan programs and offer lower interest rates than conventional loans. Plus, no down payment is required for Galveston Texas Veterans Loans.This step by step guide is intended to give you all the quick answers you need to get started with the VA program, explain all the benefits of a VA Loans, and help you navigate through the loan process as an informed Veteran.Some of the information we will be discussing are:• What are VA Loans?• Interest Rates• How you can apply for a VA Loan?• Obtaining your Certificate of Eligibility from the Veteran... 07/13/2018

The benefits of a preapproval (not prequalification) for Home Loans in Galveston TX. Many consumers are not informed on the proper way for buying a home. No question, this is a big decision, and one that can be either immensely stressful- or immensely enjoyable- depending on how you go about the home buying process of Home Loans in Galveston TX and the surrounding areas. The key is to take the proper steps to educate yourself on your buying power, initial investment, and taking some time to think about your lifestyle choices. This article will cover all of these.   Education   The steps necessary to purchasing a home in Galveston, Texas starts with getting pre-approved for your home loan. Notice we did not say get prequalified- in today’s world a prequalification is not meaningful. You ... 06/04/2018

Special Government Home Renovation Loan Program using a FHA 203K Renovation  Loan for Galveston Texas. Many people are not aware of a special government loan program that is part of the Federal Housing Administration or FHA(a department within HUD). A buyer or existing home owner can do meaningful amounts of remodeling or updates to their existing home without having a higher cost second lien thanks to this special FHA loan program.However, this loan program doesn't allow for "luxury items" in your home such as a swimming pool, hot tub, or other accessories. Although, you can repaint, replace flooring and appliances, add a room to an existing structure (which can add to value tremendously as you increase the square feet of your home) as well as remodel cabinetry in kitchens and bathroom... 03/26/2018

 My Original Business Sign - Circa 1966Offices in Houston and GalvestonMe at 30 -- Selling History It's really fun to read each year in REALTOR about the 30 Under 30 who have been picked as the year's remarkably adroit new Realtors.A long time ago, there was a story about me in that same magazine.  It was around America's Bi-Centennial Celebration.  I had been buying, restoring and selling 19th Century mansions in Galveston and HoustonIn fact, I had named my real estate company, The Old House Company.Because of the interest in the Bi-Centenial, REALTOR gave me public notice that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise.For the following few years, I was kind of a star.  National and regional home magazines wrote about me, local and national TV morning shows inter-viewed me, and I made a couple ... 05/21/2017

Come see this cute and very clean 2/2 beach side property in Palm Beach, perfect for permanent residence or getaway. Relax in the covered front porch or ride your golf cart to the beach. Don't forget to check out the added storage area and bathroom under the home. Recent roof and ACView More on RealtyByMonica.com 02/07/2017

Buying your own home first is one of the happiest times of your life! However, a lot of paperwork and time goes into it and finding a lender with great reviews will ease much of the stress. But, the satisfaction you get from your first home closing is something you will never forget! Being a Galveston TX First Time Home Buyer makes you have to consider your options before you buy. The first thing you will need to consider is what your long-term goals are with being a home owner and how your goals fit in with that plan. One goal could be to stop paying rent that just increases after every lease you renew. The benefits of being a Galveston TX First Time Home Buyer greatly outweighs renting for the following reasons:           Greater privacy.         Homes typically increase in value the ... 08/25/2016

Located right on San Luis Pass in Freeport Texas, just a few miles from Galveston Texas. Walk to the beach from this fantastic home. Views of the Gulf of Mexico. This beach already has steady vacation rental income to help offset your expenses. Call James Potenza to schedule a tour of this home 832-372-6388  View the Tour 06/01/2016

Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 4%Credit score:740LTV:80%Loan Amount:$200kAPR: 4.22%FHA 30 year: 3.75%Credit Score:740LTV:96.5%loan amount:$200kAPR:4.86%Conventional 15 year:3.375%Credit score:740LTV:80%Loan Amount:$200kAPR:3.52% Rates are Subject to ChangeCall me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible. 03/09/2016

Mardi Gras Galveston is here! This years festivities will be bigger than in recent years. The weather is looking great for the parades and the entertainment looks top notch. This Saturday will feature headliner Collective Soul and next weekend will have country legendary Cory Morrow. This years event coordinators expect over 300,000 attendees and will host over 30 parades. Come on out to Galveston... stay for the weekend and take in all Galveston Mardi Gras has to offer.  01/29/2016

Dickens on the Strand is coming up! This weekend, December 4-6th, the Galveston Historical Society will host the 40th Annual Dickens on the Strand! I love this festival! It has something for everyone and really brings out my Christmas spirit!   You enter the festival and step back in time to 19th century England. Complete with a queens parade, carolers in full costume, Victorian weddings and street vendors its a great way to start the holiday season!All entertainment is family-friendly!  I was looking on the web-site for more information, but they didn't have many details available so I can only speak to what was there last year!  Last year they had fantastic school choirs dressed in period clothing, a children's area complete with petting zoo and elephant rides, a birds of prey demonst... 11/28/2015

 The Fate of Old Spice By Bill Cherry Galvestonians, Marie Hutchings and her sister, Billie Levy, founded and ran Galveston's annual December event, The Family Dance. It began in 1949, and continues today. It's kind of weird. It's a club with a once a year event. The purpose is to get members and their teenagers in the same room for dinner, ballroom dancing and other frivolity. Those who have turned 16 since the last Family Dance are presented to the group, walking down the aisle escorted usually by their mom or dad while the orchestra plays, maybe, "Stella by Starlight." What's interesting is that this rather innocuous club all but destroyed the use of Old Spice shaving lotion and cologne in Galveston. And once that happened, stores had no interest in putting it on their shelves, and d... 10/19/2015

Conventional 30 year Mortgage: 4.25%Credit score:740LTV:80%Loan Amount:$200kAPR: 4.52%FHA 30 year: 4.125%Credit Score:740LTV:96.5%loan amount:$200kAPR:5.22%Conventional 15 year:3.5%Credit score:740LTV:80%Loan Amount:$200kAPR:3.62% Rates are Subject to ChangeCall me today if you are thinking of refinancing or buying a home, for the best mortgage rate possible. 07/15/2015

Today is my birthday.  I'm not telling you that to get you to comment, "Happy Birthday, Bill." I have an entirely different idea in mind.Gaido's is, by far, the most famous seafood restaurant on the Texas Coast, and it is on Galveston's seawall in my hometown.I've not physically lived in Galveston for ten years, but my heart remains there and it always will. And most of the people who knew me in Galveston refuse to believe that Patty and I have really permanently moved to Dallas. They think it's nothing more than a vacation that has gotten out of hand.  After all, from childhood forward, I've been known as being pleasantly eccentric.So today, Gaido's wished me a Happy Birthday on their marquee, just as though I would drive by, see it in person, and be surprised.That kind of stuff isn't ... 06/20/2015

  For a few years, some decades back, my daddy, a life insurance executive in real life, was one of the financial backers of the Ford dealership in Galveston, where I grew up. There was a new car salesman at the dealership named McDonald.  Like every person I've ever known named McDonald, he was called Mac.  I suppose he had a real given name, but I'll bet only his mom and dad, and maybe an aunt and an uncle or so, knew what it was. Mac fancied polyester everything -- coat, pants, shirt, socks and tie, when he wore one.  His hair was always a bit too long and was held in place by the build up of  many prior days' applications of Vitalis hair tonic. He wore green tinted lens sunglasses day and night, inside and out. While he didn't look prosperous, month after month, he was the dealershi... 05/31/2015

Galveston TX FHA Streamline Refinance Loans are a special MORTGAGE product, reserved for homeowners with existing FHA MORTGAGES. FHA STREAMLINE REFINANCES are the fastest, simplest way for FHA-insured homeowners to REFINANCE their respective MORTGAGE into today’s low MORTGAGE RATES.   Below are some of the REQUIREMENTS for an FHA streamline:   ·         You must be current on your existing LOAN WITH all MORTGAGE PAYMENTS made on time for the last year. ·         You must own the original property and have made at least six MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS before you can QUALIFY for REFINANCING. ·         To REFINANCE, you’ll need an FHA-approved LENDER. If you don’t want to use your current LENDER, any MORTGAGE LENDER you choose must be FHA approved. ·         FHA Streamline LOANS do not requi... 03/26/2015

We offer a Special Government Home Renovation LOAN PROGRAM for Galveston TX FHA 203k Renovation Loans.     Many people are not aware of a special government LOAN PROGRAM that is part of the Federal Housing Administration or FHA(a department within HUD). Existing home owners or potential home buyers can remodel and UPDATE their homes without having a higher cost second lien because of this FHA LOAN program.         The LOAN program does not allow for “luxury items” which are defined as items like a swimming pool or hot tub, etc. But you can repaint, replace flooring, remodel cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms, add wallpaper, replace APPLIANCES – even add a room to an existing structure (which can significantly add to value as you increase the square footage of your home).         Many a... 03/02/2015

Galveston TX Vet Loans  is the best loan program in Texas!         Designed for both active duty military and honorable discharged Veterans, VA Mortgage Loans are one of the best mortgage loan programs available today.                 Here are some of the great features of this fantastic program:                 - Up to 100% financing, with no down required.         - No monthly mortgageinsurance.         - Easier credit qualifying compared to other types of mortgage loans.               - VA Mortgage Rates are low compared to other types of home loans.                 So how do you qualify for Galveston TX Vet Loans ?                 First of all, you must verify your eligibility. This is done by ordering your Certificate of Eligibility or COE. You can work with an approved Texas VA Mo... 02/25/2015

It's that time again. Mardi Gras! There are many local Mardi Gras celebrations in our area, but the biggest and most well-known is Mardi Gras Galveston. This fun-filled event begins this Friday, February 1st with a night parade. There are parades and parties beginning that night and continuing until Sunday. There is then a short break as real life interferes during the work week and the rest picks up again on Friday, February 8th for another night parade with parties and events continuing through the weekend and concluding on Fat Tuesday with a Mardi Gras Ball. There is a full lineup of parades, routes, activities and more here on the official Galveston Mardi Gras web-site. You can find more information about tickets (which start at $15+fees) and parking there as well. One of the best ... 02/04/2015