Port Aransas Real Estate

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Are Americans ready to move money from Wall Street to Main Street?  We're seeing some signs that investors are looking to diversify and move money away from the volatile equity markets.  I've had several client conversations along those lines in recent days.  In the coming days we will be rolling out information on how to purchase and own real estate within a retirement account.  This approach can provide an additional option for real estate investment.

Real estate is by no means a sure bet.  However, as the baby boomer generation ages, thoughts of an investment that also accommodates time off along the coast can be very compelling.  The demand for vacation homes dominates the Port Aransas real estate market.  Condos and homes priced between $200k and $400k continue to be the "sweet spot" in the marketplace.

A big part of the draw is vacation rental income.  Port Aransas is popular with families looking for a fun, affordable vacation destination.  "Port A" is an easy drive from most major Texas cities.  It is a good stretch from DFW, but American Eagle, Continental Express and SW also service the nearby Corpus Christi airport.  Having lived in Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, I can assure you that life in Port A can feel like a world away.

Onsite property and rental management makes Royal Sands a popular option for investors.  Royal Sands is an established beachfront community.  Rental income last year ranged from $25k to over $45k as vacationers chose a Royal Sands home for their beach getaway.  Add golfing at the new Arnold Palmer course to the list of local amenities which includes offshore and flats fishing, birding, kayaking and of course exploring the Mustang Island beach.

Visit Port Aransas Texas Real Estate for more market information (including homes and lots in Royal Sands, plus featured area condos).

PADRE ISLAND, Texas - A bottlenose dolphin that stranded on Padre Island in November has made great strides towards recovery and release, reports the Corpus Christi Caller Times.  Members of the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network transported an improving patient to Moody Gardens in Galveston this week for additional care.

Photo by Corpus Christi Caller Times

PORT ARANSAS, Texas – “I didn’t know there’s a port in Arkansas” was a comment I heard in a phone conversation a few years ago.  Such is the fate of living in a town with a rather unfamiliar name.  Most people struggle with the pronunciation the first few times.  That includes mistakenly adding the letter ‘K’ while assuming that it must have been omitted in a typo.  The Texas Almanac references the pronunciation as (uh RAN zuhs).  It’s simply “Port A” to most folks. 

The word Aransas stems from Spanish exploration in the mid 1700’s.  As the story goes, Captain Oribio Basterra was exploring an area near the Trinity River.  In his travels, he named a stream El Rio Nombrado Nr’a Senora de Aranzazu (the river named Our Lady of Aranzazu).  Aranzazu is a village located in the Basque region of Spain. 

Years later, the spelling was changed to Aransas and now applies to a bay, a river, a county and two cities in Texas.  As this video illustrates, life on the island has changed a bit since the days when Captain Basterra governed Texas.  Despite the changes, Port A is still a small, but vibrant coastal community.  Modern day explorers love visiting and often decide to stay.  I know.  I did. 

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Kinky Friedman had a wealthy man named Buffett as a financial contributor in the 2006 Texas gubernatorial campaign.  As a columnist from the Dallas Morning News explains, it was Jimmy Buffett and not Warren Buffett that was offering support.  The column recounts a late night telephone conversation between the two friends.

"All I want when you're governor is Port Aransas," Jimmy told Kinky. 

"You sure you don't want Dallas?" Kinky countered.

"No, no," Jimmy said. "Port Aransas."

Long time Port A locals tell stories, some of them true about Jimmy Buffett coming through town many years ago.  I do know that in a Houston concert a few years back he mentioned Port Aransas several times in impromptu lyrics.  As an avid angler, he would no doubt love the fishing.  He might want to bring his surfboard as well.  In any case, it's just nice to know that Jimmy B is a fan. 

Read Kinky's review of Buffett's novel "A Salty Piece of Land" in the NY Times.

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Enjoy great views of the Gulf of Mexico from a new home in Port Aransas.  The Buena Vista I floor plan in Village Walk features three bedrooms with two and a half baths in the main residence.  This model also includes a separate guest suite with kitchenette, a rooftop terrace and an elevator.  All of this including appliances is currently priced under $400k.

For a complete virtual tour, visit Port Aransas Homes online.  Build now for Summer 2009 occupancy.