Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated on November 1-2. Although recognized throughout Latin America, Dia de los Muertos is most strongly associated with Mexico, as part of a culturally rich tradition.

Dia de los Muertos honors the dead with festivals and lively celebrations. Latin American customs combine indigenous Aztec ritual with Catholicism, brought to the region by Spanish conquistadores. Dia de los Muertos is celebrated on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, minor holidays in the Catholic calendar.

Dia de los Muertos - San Antonio 2012

Contrary to popular belief, Dia de los Muertos is not a somber holiday. Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life. Dia de los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience, a continuum with birth, childhood, and growing up to become a contributing member of the community. On Dia de los Muertos, it is believed the dead are also a part of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share in the celebrations with their loved ones.

The most familiar symbol of Dia de los Muertos may be the calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), which appear everywhere during the holiday: in parade masks, dolls, and even as candied sweets. Calacas and calaveras are almost always portrayed as enjoying life, often including beautiful attire giving the sense they are in celebration.

Dia de los Muertos Events in San Antonio!

Dia de los Muertos Free Celebration 

Saturday, Nov 2, 2013 - Sunday, Nov 3, 2013

Centro Cultural Aztlan will celebrate the 36th Annual Dia de los Muertos Exhibition with a two day celebration!

Getting Your Home Ready for Pictures and Showings

Use these as guidelines to getting your home ready for picture day and for showings.

Exterior

·         All vehicles should be out of driveway (for pictures).

·         Yard mowed and free from loose limbs and leaves.

·         Garden hoses and empty flower pots should be neatly put away.

·         Garage doors closed.

·         Pool cleaned if applicable.

Interior

·      Get rid of clutter. Counter tops should be free from papers, pictures, books and personal knick knacks.

·       All appliances should be clean and have no magnets or pictures on the outside.

·       No pets or indication of pet’s i.e. pet dishes and litter boxes.

·       Windows should be clean inside and out and open curtains to expose sunlight. This helps make rooms look bigger.

·      Bathrooms should have nothing on the counters. All shampoo bottles etc. should be  stored away out of sight.

·       Toys and magazines stored away and closet doors closed.

·       Beds should be made and laundry hidden or neatly stacked.

·       Be aware of having too much furniture and placement of furniture. Rooms will look bigger with less furnishings.

·       Watch out for bad smells. Last night’s dinner might still be lingering.

The above guidelines are to help you in getting ready for realtor pictures and showings. This really should be a first priority. Adding flowers, repainting rooms, professionally cleanings and tree trimmings are all examples of taking your preparations a step further. Rearrangement of furniture could really open up a space and help any room look bigger. Remember that this is your first best impression for a buyer. Taking those extra steps could be the difference between your home and the next!

Your American Dream

What’s your version of the American Dream? The general consensus is that the American Dream tells us that if we work hard we can achieve great things. It seems like such a simple principle. Work hard and reap the rewards. This fundamental belief drove nearly 14 million people to the United States between 2000 and 2010.1  This dream becomes a checklist of sorts for many. Go to college. Start a successful career. Start a family. Buy a home. Enjoy the life you created. They all require a level of work and dedication. However, these aren’t just goals. They’re milestones.  For most people, they can look back fondly at what they’ve accomplished while getting their piece of the pie. 

There are a handful of professions that allow you to witness someone’s dream come to fruition and even fewer that allow you to guide them through the process. Home ownership can’t simply be boiled down to a business transaction. It’s not only a major financial investment for your future, but it’s a point of pride and for many one of the most emotional experiences of their lifetime. It’s the start of putting your roots down and becoming a member of the community in a much deeper sense. The benefits extend beyond your personal portfolio and have a positive impact on your family, community and country. 

Studies have shown that children living in owned homes score higher on tests and have a higher rate of high school graduation. There’s also a decrease in teenage delinquencies and pregnancy. An increase in charitable activity including membership in voluntary organizations was also documented. Homeowners reported higher life satisfaction, higher self-esteem, happiness, and higher perceived control over their lives.2

Guiding someone through this process establishes a very personal relationship based on four simple principles:

• Trust and Confidence 
• Knowledge and Determination
• Professional Ethics and Moral Values
• Consideration and Understanding

 Jerre Ledbetter, a mentor of River Valley Real Estate’s founder, shared a piece of knowledge that has become part of our foundation. "Once your client always your client because the relationship is not over when the sale closes."