Carina Veale, Realtor at VP Realty

Carina Veale, Realtor at VP Realty Realtor/Owner at VP Realty
"I'M YOUR HOMEGIRL"

09/24/2026

The Rio Grande Valley’s first Swig is coming to Edinburg! 🥤

The original dirty soda brand will open at 415 W. Trenton Road in mid 2027, with five more locations planned across the RGV.

This is more than another new place to grab a drink. The Edinburg location represents an estimated $1 million investment, approximately 15 new jobs and another major brand choosing the Rio Grande Valley for expansion.

New businesses follow population growth, consumer demand and opportunity. That is exactly what we are seeing throughout Edinburg and the Rio Grande Valley.

Who is ready to try Swig?

Carina Veale
Realtor Owner, VP Realty
956-607-8626
www.vprealty.net/carina

09/21/2026

The kind of place that makes you slow down and stay awhile. 🌅

Coffee on the porch. Time by the dock. Watching marine life in the bay. And seeing the Southern Wave sail past as the sun sets over the Laguna Madre.

That is the vibe at 227 W. Morningside Drive , a fully remodeled and fully furnished bayfront condo at Las Brisas Condominiums in South Padre Island, Texas.

Full tour coming soon.

09/17/2026

What if you could buy a home in the Rio Grande Valley without buying the land underneath it?

Affordable Homes of South Texas, a McAllen based nonprofit, is introducing the Rio Grande Valley’s first community land trust program to help make homeownership more affordable.

Here is how it works. The buyer owns the house, while Affordable Homes of South Texas owns the land and leases it to the homeowner for 99 years. Removing the cost of the land could lower the purchase price, property taxes, insurance costs, and overall monthly housing payment.

Homeowners can sell the house in the future, but it must be sold to another qualifying low to moderate income family. This restriction helps keep the property affordable for future Rio Grande Valley homebuyers.

The pilot program is expected to begin with three lots in Edinburg, three in Weslaco, and three in Mission. If successful, it could eventually expand throughout Hidalgo County.

Would you consider buying a more affordable home if you did not own the land underneath it?

Carina Veale
Your Local RGV Home Girl
VP Realty
956-607-8626
www.vprealty.net/carina

09/14/2026

Are solar panels worth it for homeowners in the Rio Grande Valley?

With our South Texas heat and sunshine, solar panels may help lower monthly electricity costs and protect homeowners from rising energy rates. They may also appeal to buyers looking for a more energy-efficient home.

But solar panels are not always a good investment. Your actual savings depend on the total cost of the system, financing terms, roof condition, energy usage and available sunlight.

Leased solar panels or an unpaid solar loan can also make selling a home more complicated. Depending on the agreement, the seller may have to pay off the remaining balance at closing, or the buyer may have to qualify for and agree to assume the loan or lease. Many sellers do not want to pay thousands of dollars out of their proceeds, but requiring the buyer to assume the debt can reduce the number of qualified buyers and make the home more difficult to sell.

Before buying a home with solar panels in McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Pharr, Weslaco, Brownsville or anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley, ask:

• Are the panels owned, financed or leased?
• What is the remaining balance?
• Can the loan or lease be transferred?
• What is the monthly payment and interest rate?
• How old is the roof?
• What does the warranty cover?
• Will homeowners insurance be affected?
• What are the home’s actual electric bills?

Solar panels can save homeowners money, but the wrong solar contract can become an expensive problem—especially when it is time to sell.

If you are buying or selling a home with solar panels in the RGV, contact VP Realty so you understand how the system and its financing could affect your real estate transaction.

Carina Veale
Realtor/Owner, VP Realty
Your Local RGV Home Girl
956-607-8626
www.vprealty.net/carina
realty

09/10/2026

Do ya’ll agree? Yes - No - Maybe ?

09/08/2026

Buying a new construction home in Texas? Do not skip the home inspection just because the house is brand new.

The builder may tell you the home passed the city inspection, but a city inspection is not the same as a full, independent home inspection. Hire your own licensed Texas TREC professional inspector to look out for you and identify issues before you close.

This applies to resale homes too. Whether you are buying new construction or an existing home, never rely only on what the builder, seller, or listing agent tells you. And if you are buying without your own real estate agent, remember that the listing agent represents the seller, not you.

Protect yourself. Get your own representation, hire your own inspector, and know exactly what you are purchasing before you sign at the closing table.

Buying a home in McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, Weslaco, Brownsville, South Padre Island, or anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley? Let’s make sure you are protected from the beginning.

Carina Veale
Realtor/Owner, VP Realty
Your Local RGV Home Girl
956-607-8626

08/28/2026

Weslaco, Texas is growing, and real estate investors should be paying attention. 👀🏭

The Mid Valley International Industrial Park in Weslaco, TX is another example of the economic growth happening across the Rio Grande Valley.

Major companies like Glazer’s Beer & Beverage and Johnson Controls have established operations in Weslaco, bringing investment, jobs, and economic activity to the Mid Valley.

Why does this matter for Weslaco real estate?

Because jobs bring people.

People need homes, apartments, rental properties, restaurants, retail, and services.

That can create new opportunities for Weslaco homeowners, home buyers, real estate investors, developers, and commercial property owners.

If you’re trying to figure out where the Rio Grande Valley real estate market could be headed next, don’t only watch home prices and mortgage rates.

Follow the jobs.
Follow the infrastructure.
Follow the investment.

From industrial development and international trade to new residential and commercial growth, Weslaco and the Mid Valley are becoming areas to watch in South Texas real estate.

The bigger question:

What will Weslaco, Texas look like 5 to 10 years from now?

If you’re considering buying a home in Weslaco, selling a home in Weslaco, investing in Weslaco real estate, or purchasing property anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley, pay attention to where the growth is happening.

📍 Weslaco, TX | Rio Grande Valley | South Texas

08/24/2026

🏡 HOME FOR SALE IN MCALLEN, TX | HISTORIC HOME + DETACHED CASITA | $309,000

Looking for a home for sale in McAllen, Texas with a detached casita and income potential?

📍 1315 Kendlewood Avenue | McAllen, TX 78501

Located in Old Town McAllen, this unique property is currently being used as two separate Airbnb rentals.

🏠 Main House: 3 bedrooms | 1.5 bathrooms | original hardwood floors | historic charm + thoughtful updates

✨ Detached Casita: Bedroom | full bathroom | living area | dining area | full kitchen

💰 LIVE HERE. RENT THERE. OR RENT BOTH.

Live in the main house and use the casita as a guest house, she shed, home office or rental. Live in the casita and lease the main house. Or use both as an income-producing McAllen investment property.

📍 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Enjoy being close to some of Downtown McAllen’s favorite local spots:

🍽️ ZAYA Indian Kitchen
🍽️ SALT –
🍽️ Mikhuna
🍽️ The Patio on Guerra
☕ Nerve Coffee
🧘‍♀️ Bare Wellness Club
✨ De Sanchez Day Spa .ss

Whether you’re searching for a home with a casita in McAllen, an Old Town McAllen home for sale, or a McAllen investment property with rental potential, this one is worth a look.

📲 DM me to schedule a private showing.

Carina Veale | VP Realty
📲 956-607-8626
Your RGV Home Girl

08/18/2026

Brownsville, Texas and the Rio Grande Valley could look VERY different 10 years from now. 👀

With Port Alpha, SpaceX Starbase, advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding, logistics and billions of dollars in new investment coming into South Texas, we could be watching one of the biggest economic shifts the RGV has seen in decades.

Port Alpha alone represents a multibillion-dollar investment at the Port of Brownsville with plans for thousands of jobs. Add the continued growth surrounding SpaceX and other major developments, and the potential impact goes far beyond Brownsville.

More jobs can mean more people moving to the area. More people can mean more demand for homes, apartments, rental properties, new construction, commercial real estate, restaurants, retail and infrastructure throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

For anyone watching Brownsville real estate, RGV real estate, South Texas real estate, homes for sale in Brownsville TX, rental properties in the Rio Grande Valley or real estate investment opportunities in South Texas, the next 10 years could be incredibly important.

Nothing is guaranteed, and these projects still have to develop as planned. But if they do, we may look back at this period as a major turning point for Brownsville and the entire Rio Grande Valley.

The question isn’t just what Brownsville looks like today.

It’s what Brownsville could look like 10 years from now. 👀

08/12/2026

Thinking about buying a home near SpaceX Starbase in South Texas? 🚀🏡

With continued SpaceX growth in Brownsville, Port Isabel, South Padre Island, Laguna Vista and the Rio Grande Valley, buyers and homeowners should understand that living near Starbase comes with some unique considerations.

Before purchasing a home near Starbase:

🏡 Get a thorough home inspection so you have documentation of the property’s current condition.

📸 Document your property with photos and videos, especially foundations, walls, ceilings, windows and exterior masonry.

🛡️ Review your homeowners insurance policy and specifically ask how the carrier handles claims involving vibrations, sonic booms or other launch-related events.

🌊 Understand coastal insurance requirements, including windstorm and flood insurance where applicable.

📑 Keep your records. If cracks or structural damage appear in the future, having inspection reports and dated photos could be extremely important when determining when the damage occurred.

SpaceX and Starbase are bringing tremendous economic growth, jobs, development and real estate interest to the Rio Grande Valley, but buyers still need to do their due diligence.

Buying near Starbase isn’t necessarily about being scared of the growth—it’s about being educated before you buy.

As a REALTOR®, my job isn’t just to sell you a house. It’s to make sure you’re asking the right questions before you own it.

Address

1604 N 8th Street
McAllen, TX
78501

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+19566078626

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