All posts by Alice
Mark Stuart, Architect
Mark Stuart, Architect, Texas Beach Homes
Mark, a registered architect specializing in coastal properties, has a wealth of expertise in creating and implementing distinguished resort developments, theme parks, and commercial accommodations across Texas, California, and Florida. He is affiliated with the American Institute of Architects and the International Association of Amusement Parks and holds an NCARB certification.
With over three decades of experience in all aspects of project execution, Mark has owned and managed resorts along the Texas coastline. He was a co-founder of AssetWorks Inc, and held the position of Chairman for the Port Isabel Housing Authority. Additionally, he contributed to the development of the Epcot Project at Walt Disney World Florida.
Mark’s background also includes serving as an architect and military officer for the United States Air Force and the US Army Corps of Engineers. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in architecture from Texas Tech University.
Anne Willis, Advisor
Anne Willis, Real Estate Advisor, Texas Beach Homes
Anne Willis is a Real Estate Advisor and lifelong resident of Bolivar Peninsula, Texas. She has over 20 years of experience in real estate and specializes in residential and commercial properties, vacation rental investment properties, and property management.
She is also actively involved in her community, having served as a leader in various organizations and being recognized for her service. She is dedicated to helping her clients with their real estate needs while also giving back to her community.
The Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) certification is for REALTORS® who specialize in buying, selling, or management of properties for investment, development, retirement, or second homes in resort, recreational, and/or vacation destinations.
Alice Donahue, Broker
Alice Donahue, Broker, Texas Beach Homes
Alice Donahue is a licensed Real Estate Broker in Texas who grew up in the area, spent time in Panama during her childhood, and is fluent in Spanish. After working in the hotel industry, she obtained her real estate license and started her career in real estate.
In 1995, she opened her own office called “Alice Donahue Real Estate” and is dedicated to providing excellent service to her clients in finding the right property for them.
View published books at RidingthePropertyWave.com
The Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) certification is for REALTORS® who specialize in buying, selling, or management of properties for investment, development, retirement, or second homes in resort, recreational, and/or vacation destinations.
Michael Stuart, CEO
Mike Stuart, CEO at Texas Beach Homes, boasts a comprehensive background in the tech sector. His work includes designing enterprise software applications and executive leadership roles.
Before his transition to the picturesque Texas coastline, he was a distinguished software developer in the Austin-San Antonio area, earning numerous accolades for his work. He was the driving force behind the establishment of AssetWorks Inc., fulfilling the roles of its founder and CEO, and served as a USAF officer in the new technology division of the Electronic Security Command. Stuart’s academic achievements include a graduate degree in computer science from Ohio State University.
Buyers Agents
What is a Buyer Agent?
A real estate buyer’s agent represents the buyer who is purchasing property in a real estate transaction. Research by the National Association of REALTORS has shown that when a buyer’s representative is used, the prospective buyer found a home faster and examined more properties than consumers who did not use a buyer’s representative.
- The buyer’s representative works for, and owes fiduciary responsibilities to, the real estate buyer and has the buyer’s best interests in mind throughout the entire real estate process.
- Who do we represent? We represent you. That is, we work for you! Most buyers today realize that to protect their best interests, they should have their own real estate agent, someone who is knowledgeable about the market and comfortable coordinating the many details of the transaction.
- A buyer who relies on the seller’s agent does not receive the same degree of legal protection or representation as that afforded by an agent acting on behalf of the buyer.
Buyer Agent Activities
- Here are just some of the items we will do for you as your Buyer’s Agent:
- Give you our 100% commitment to you to serve as your Buyer Agent
- We make sure the sellers live up to all their promises
- Discuss the Buyer Agent Agreement contract
- Determine what your needs and desires are for your next home.
- Discover you likes and dislikes about your current home
- Conduct a Financial Pre-Qualification to be sure we look in the right price range
- Arrange an appointment with your lender to obtain mortgage Pre-Approval (highly recommended)
- Search our proprietary database for properties that fit your criteria
- Present search results for your review in hardcopy or electronic format
- Escort you on all property tours
- Provide and explain Seller Disclosures
- Prepare and discuss the Competitive Market Analysis for the home you select
- Discuss the importance of a Home Inspection and an Appraisal
- Explain options regarding Home Warranties
- Discuss elements of a written Purchase Agreement
- Develop an effective negotiation strategy to get the best price and terms
- Prepare Purchase Agreement for desired property
- Present Purchase Agreement to Seller or Seller’s Agent
- Provide estimate of funds required to close
- Keep you informed of all progress (and problems if any) associated with the Purchase Agreement
- Ensure your timely compliance with elements of the offer
- Ensure inspections and reports are conducted in a timely manner
- Ensure accurate closing statement prior to closing
- Attending closing with you
- Arrange for timely transfer of utility services over to you
and much more!
Shelly Maldonado, Mortgage
Shelly Maldonado is a mortgage loan officer specializing in coastal real estate.
A mortgage loan officer guides you through the entire homebuying process, from loan application and approval to closing and beyond. If you’re considering buying a home, a mortgage loan officer will first educate you on the loan products that best suit your needs.
The factors that influence second home mortgage rates include the loan-to-value ratio, credit score, and income of the borrower, as well as the type of loan and the location of the property. Since second homes are considered a higher risk for lenders, they may offer higher interest rates than primary residence mortgages. Additionally, the type of loan used for a second home may be limited to Conventional or Jumbo loans. It is important to work with a mortgage loan officer who can guide you through the process and help you find the best loan options for your specific situation.
Shelly is a branch manager for Guild Mortgage. Guild Mortgage is a leading independent mortgage lender in the United States, specializing in residential home loans for more than 60 years, grown through referrals by focusing on doing what’s right.
Joe Rodriguez, Legal
Joe Rodriguez is a Texas lawyer who specializes in real estate law.
He has a diverse background, having grown up as an Army child and living in different parts of the world, including South Padre Island which he considers home. He served four years in the United States Army as an Infantryman before attending college and law school.
He is admitted to practice in several U.S. courts, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern & Western Districts of Texas.
Joe can help you protect your interests and avoid problems in the complex and multi-part process of buying or selling real estate. He is an expert in Texas real estate laws and can ensure the terms of purchase contracts are legally valid and binding, and that there are no liens or other legal issues with the property.
Edward Elizondo, Agent
Eduardo Elizondo is a licensed real estate agent in Texas who has been issued his license by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
He is required to meet and maintain certain levels of education and follow the Real Estate License Act and the Rules of the TREC in all his transactions. He has over thirty years of sales experience, including expertise in sales, corporate meetings, associations, organizations, political and entertainment events and a good knowledge of technology and different locations throughout Texas.
He has lived in the South Padre Island area for the past 22 years and has been active in the community through his involvement with the Rotary Club and as an umpire for little league football and baseball.
He also enjoys the ocean as one of his main pleasures of living in the area.
How Texas Beach Homes uses Longitude and Latitude
How Texas Beach Homes uses Longitude and Latitude
We use cloud computing to geocode each property to determine its longitude and latitude to leverage our experience and expertise for you through automation with advanced technology and spatial polygons that accurately define distinct views, parts of town, and lifestyle areas used by local community leaders, and our website users for improved property search and market analysis.
In the past, it’s been difficult to get accurate information relevant to the unique parts of town and lifestyles in our Texas coastal resort areas, because reported sales information is lumped together for every type of property in the entire city, and relevant search information is often restricted by over reaching restrictions.
This often makes analysis over time, and comparisons between markets, irrelevant, and thus more difficult to spot better opportunities and deals, especially if you look at real estate as an investment.
- The unique parts of town on our islands have significant differences in lifestyle and price points, even just between the center of the island and beachfront/bayfront, and that’s walking distance!
- We’ve created coastal standards so you can compare properties, demand and market statistics by property types, parts of town, views, and lifestyles between Texas‘ resort markets areas.
It took us years to develop this technology and we leverage powerful cloud computing resources to process the MLS active listings and sales for the entire Texas coast every night to offer you valuable insights that can help you make smarter purchase decisions!
What is longitude?
Longitude measures distance east or west of the prime meridian, or lines that are north (up) and south (down).
Lines of longitude, also called meridians, are imaginary lines that divide the Earth. They run north to south from pole to pole, but they measure the distance east or west.
- The prime meridian, which runs through Greenwich, England, has a longitude of 0 degrees. It divides the Earth into the eastern and western hemispheres. The antimeridian is on the opposite side of the Earth, at 180 degrees longitude. Though the antimeridian is the basis for the international date line.
- Longitude is measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Although latitude lines are always equally spaced, longitude lines are furthest from each other at the equator and meet at the poles.
- Navigators and mariners have been able to measure latitude with basic tools for thousands of years. Longitude, however, required more advanced tools and calculations. The best and simplest way to measure longitude from a ship was with an accurate clock.
Accurate clocks determine longitude and are found in GPS satellites and stations. Each GPS satellite is equipped with one or more atomic clocks that provide precise time measurements. The satellites broadcast radio signals with precise timestamps. The GPS position on a smartphone is accurate to within about 5 meters (16 feet), but processed CORS data can provide longitude that’s accurate to within a few centimeters.
What is latitude?
Latitude measures the distance north or south of the equator, or lines that are around, like the equator.
Lines of latitude, also called parallels, are imaginary lines that divide the Earth. They run east to west but measure your distance north or south. The equator is the most well-known parallel. At 0 degrees latitude, it equally divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. From the equator, latitude increases as you travel north or south, reaching 90 degrees at each pole.
- There are other named lines of latitude. They’re based on the sun’s position during Earth’s orbit, and they help us understand climate, weather, and ocean currents.
- The Tropic of Cancer, at 23 degrees north, and the Tropic of Capricorn, at 23 degrees south, are the boundaries of what we consider the tropics. The Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle are 66 degrees north and south, respectively. They mark the boundaries of the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
- Each degree of latitude covers about 111 kilometers on the Earth’s surface. One degree of latitude can be further divided into 60 minutes, and one minute can be further divided into 60 seconds. Unlike longitude lines, which get closer to each other at the poles, latitude lines are parallel.
- No matter where you are on Earth, latitude lines are the same distance apart.
Degrees of Accuracy
If we assume the Earth is a perfect sphere, lines of latitude are simple to calculate. The latitude of a certain point on the surface of the Earth is the angle between two lines: a line from that location to the center of the Earth and a line from the center of the Earth to the Equator. This method of calculation gives us geocentric lines of latitude.
However, this method is not accurate enough for astronomy, global positioning, and other real-world applications. Instead, we use what is known as geodetic latitude. This method of calculating latitude for any point on Earth accounts for the fact that the Earth is squished at the poles due to the centrifugal force created by the planet’s rotation. Measuring latitude lines with high degrees of accuracy is but one component of geodesy, the science of accurately measuring and understanding the Earth’s geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravity field.