When you buy a home, whether it’s a home for sale in Port Aransas or a condo for sale on North Padre Island, you’re likely going to qualify for some common tax deductions. While this isn’t tax advice—you should contact a financial adviser or tax professional for that—it’s a “heads-up” on what you might be able to save as a result of buying a home.
Tax information for homeowners is located in IRS Publication 530, where you can get more detailed information.

Mortgage Interest Deductions

If your mortgage balance is lower than the price of your home, you could be eligible to deduct mortgage interest on your tax returns. It’s important to know that in the beginning of your loan’s life term, if you’ve gotten a conventional mortgage, interest makes up the bulk of your monthly payment.

Property Tax Deductions

If you meet the qualifications necessary for property tax deductions, you may be able to save even more when you file your tax returns.
Real estate property taxes that you pay for your first home or vacation home may be deductible.

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas or on North Padre Island?

Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll begin searching right away.
While you’re here, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more!)

In the meantime, check out these great subdivisions in Port Aransas:

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When you find a home you love, whether it’s a condo at Coral Cay or an estate home for sale in Port Aransas, your Port Aransas Realtor® will write a real estate purchase contract for the sellers. The purchase contract outlines vital information and includes contingencies (conditions that must be met in order for you to buy the home) that protect you in case things aren’t working out the way you want them to.

What’s in a Real Estate Purchase Contract?

Your contract will include a description of the property, all the important information about who you are (and who the sellers are), such as your names, addresses, and phone numbers, and the purchase price of the home.

Contingencies

Contingencies allow you to back out of the deal if things go wrong. They provide an “out” for you; some of the most common involve financing, real estate appraisals, and home inspections.

Are You Buying a Home in Port A or North Padre Island?

Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll begin searching right away.
While you’re here, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more!)

In the meantime, check out these great subdivisions in Port Aransas:

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When you buy a home, whether it’s a home for sale in Sand Point or a house for sale in Barataria Bay, your Port Aransas Realtor® will put contingencies in your real estate purchase contract that let you walk away from the deal if things aren’t working out the way you want them to.
One of those contingencies is likely going to involve the home’s appraisal.

What is an Appraisal Contingency?

An appraisal contingency says that if the home’s appraised value is lower than its listed sales price, you can walk away from the transaction without losing your earnest money deposit.
Your lender will order an appraiser when you want to make an offer on a home. The appraiser will compare the home to others in the area and combine several factors to find out if it’s worth what the sellers are asking.
If it’s worth less than what the sellers are asking, you have a few options: You can ask the sellers to lower their price, come up with the difference in cash on your own, or cancel the deal.

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas or on North Padre Island?

Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll begin searching right away.
While you’re here, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more!)

In the meantime, check out these great subdivisions in Port Aransas:

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When you buy a home, whether it’s a brand-new condo in Port Aransas or a home for sale on North Padre Island, you’ll have a purchase contract—and that contract will include contingencies that allow you to back out of the transaction if things go wrong.
One of the contingencies you’ll likely have in your purchase contract is a financing contingency.

What is a Financing Contingency in a Real Estate Purchase Contract?

A financing contingency is an “out” your Port Aransas Realtor® will build into your purchase contract. It says that if you can’t obtain financing to buy the home, you won’t be held responsible for buying it.
If your financing falls through for any reason, you’ll be able to back out of the deal.

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas or North Padre Island?

Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll begin searching right away.
While you’re here, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more!)

In the meantime, check out these great subdivisions in Port Aransas:

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If you’re moving to North Padre Island, you’ll be extremely glad to know that there are several fantastic restaurants to choose from – but these are three of our favorites.

3 Great Restaurants to Try When You Live on North Padre Island

Dragonfly and Curacao Blues

The Dragonfly is a longstanding favorite on North Padre Island. The menu is best described as international beach fare. Tapas offer an easy way to try a little bit of everything. Regulars recommend the crab cakes and pork wings with coconut rice.

Costa Sur Wok & Ceviche Bar

Costa Sur serves upscale, contemporary seafood in a casual setting. The food is prepared by a talented young staff with a focus on fresh ingredients and innovative flavors. Their authentic ceviche is some of the best you’ll find outside of South America. Fish tacos and margaritas also earn raves and make this place a favorite after-work dinner hangout.

Mikel May’s Beachside Bar and Grill

If you’re looking for the full beach bar experience, then Mikel May‘s has both the fare and the feel down pat. You can’t get any closer to the ocean, and the food is well above normal dive dishes. The deep fried crab balls are especially popular. Karaoke nights and drink specials round out the Cheers-by-the-ocean ambiance.

Are You Moving to North Padre Island?

Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll begin searching right away.
While you’re here, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more!)

Also, don’t miss:

• North Padre Island Homes
• North Padre Island Condos
• North Padre Island Lots

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If you’re moving to Port A with children, you’ll love knowing that there are plenty of things to do in the area. (Check out our last list of things to do with kids in Port Aransas while you’re here.)
Check out these great options to keep you–and your kids–busy after you get settled in.

Roberts Point Park

Roberts Point Park is full of fun activities for the whole family. This spot is next door to the Port Aransas Ferry. Kids will have tons of fun at the pirate ship playground. Fishing tournaments and other organized events are held in the pavilion. Picnicking is also a popular option. You get an awesome view of dolphins and sea turtles from the piers. Their observation deck is ideal for family photos.

I.B. Magee Beach Park

I.B. Magee Beach Park is known for its lightly colored sand and blue water. The entry is free and you do not require a permit. There is plenty of room for sand castles, swimming, and surfing. Your kids will enjoy collecting seashells and playing in the sun. There is also a campsite available along with park amenities.

Port Aransas Museum

The Port Aransas Museum has significant pieces of history on display. They educate via the use of films, photos, historical documents, and artifacts. Your kids will have a blast ringing the bell from the train that transported the rocks used to build the jetties. There is no cost to enter.

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Mustang Island State Park
This state park has over five miles of coastline, which means tons of space for your kids to play in the water or the sand! The park has great trails for hiking and mountain biking. If your family likes to camp, Mustang Island State Park also has close to 100 campsites, including a water-electric campground and primitive drive-up sites.
Red Dragon Pirate Cruises
These pirate-themed boat tours can be enjoyed by all ages. The pirate crew will entertain your family with sword fighting, music, face painting, and tales of the high seas while you cruise around the beautiful Aransas Bay. Dolphin sightings are common, too! Snacks and beverages are available on the boat.
Sand Castle Lessons
It only takes a few minutes of hands-on instruction for your family to learn to build amazing sand castles complete with arches, towers, and cliffs. Mark Landrum, also known as “The Port A Sand Castle Guy,” can show you and your kids how to create the kind of sand castle you’ve always wanted to make.

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If you’re moving to Port Aransas, you’ll love being close to the area’s rich history. It’s all part of what makes this area so special.

3 Awesome Historic Attractions Near Port Aransas, TX

Mustang Island
In the early part of the 19th century, Port Aransas was home to pirates. Pirate Captain Jean Lafitte may have started Galveston, TX and was known to haunt this part of the Gulf Coast. Legend has it that he left behind a hidden treasure somewhere on Mustang Island, home of Port Aransas. The legend states that a hidden treasure chest is marked by a silver dagger.
Aransas Pass Lighthouse
Aransas Pass is just across the channel. Its historic lighthouse was deactivated in 1952 after the channel moved away from the lighthouse, rendering it irrelevant. However, it was so critical to the security of the coastline that its lens was hidden in nearby marshland during the Civil War. Controlling night time movement of ships in the area played a key role in the war.
S.S. John Worthington
This WWII shipwreck is one of several that serve as artificial reefs along the Texas coast. If you like scuba diving or snorkeling, this is a can’t miss adventure in the nearby blue waters of the gulf.

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Before Spanish and French explorers sailed along the Texas coastline in 1519 and 1720, respectively, the indigenous peoples, the Karankawa, claimed the land known as the Aransas Pass their own.
Rancher Robert Ainsworth was Port Aransas’ first settler in 1855; he saw others who wanted to use the pass struggle valiantly against the natural channel’s movement. The pass was valuable, as it offered access to the isolated central Texas coast. Because the area was so difficult to navigate by ship, pirates used the area to hide their treasure, however, the lighthouse and the United States Life Saving Station in Port Aransas in the mid 19th century ended the pirates’ hold on the channel.
Port Aransas played an important role during the Civil War, as their lighthouse offered the only hope of navigating the treacherous channel at night. Union ships blockading the Texas coast couldn’t move at night once the citizens disabled the lighthouse.
Wiped out by a hurricane in 1916, Port Aransas rebuilt, eventually offering safer transportation, this attracted tourists interested in the community’s legendary tarpon fishing.

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Port Aransas, Texas puts a lot of emphasis on outdoor activities as part of the Island Life campaign… so what are you supposed to do when it rains? Fortunately, we also have a lot of great indoor activities. Here are three diverse rainy day options for Port Aransas.

Port Aransas Art Center

The Port Aransas Art Center was founded by a local community of artists with the intent to expand the area’s art scene through education. The center has been so popular, it just moved to a new location. They offer a wide variety of weekly classes from Family Fun to Drop In & Draw with special workshops by visiting artists. Be sure to check out their annual Artfest every May in Robert’s Point Park.

Port Aransas Community Theatre

The Port Aransas Community Theatre showcases local talent of all ages in live productions like Disney’s Lion King Jr. They also put on regular workshops and host public interest events, screening movies for the general public between productions.

Shop Port Aransas

If a gray day’s got you down, try some retail therapy. Port Aransas offers a unique shopping experience with an eclectic array of one-off stores. Browse curated boutiques, handmade décor, art galleries and roadside Americana souvenir shops, then treat yourself to some homemade candy.

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas?

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