When you’re ready to move your family to San Antonio, there are a few things to keep in mind as you search for the perfect home. Alamo City is a large and vibrant area with a diverse demographic, a robust economy, and many different neighborhoods. It has a fantastic downtown area with the #1 attraction in Texas. San Antonio’s Riverwalk is complete with dining, shopping, and cultural experiences; it is a bonus for every resident.
The market offers a variety of housing options, from apartments and condos to single-family homes and executive estates. With a booming construction industry delivering 13.5 new single-family homes per 10,000 residents, there’s something for every taste and budget.
Availability is no longer an issue, as the supply is continually increasing. Home builders in San Antonio are developing attractive properties all over the map, so it is relatively easy to find a good match. However, once you’ve found the perfect neighborhood and the correct type of home, you’ll want to think about the other aspects of city living that impact your family. The area has excellent schools (in general), a thriving job market, and a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities.
We’ll provide a short checklist that walks you through the selection process. We hope it helps keep uncertainty at bay.
Consider Location
What part of the city do you find more attractive? There are many different neighborhoods to choose from, each with its unique character. More importantly, though, metro areas provide a wide range of suburbs where the cost of living, crime rate, and property appreciation differ significantly. Be sure to ask a real estate professional or someone familiar with the area before committing, especially if you want to live near top-notch schools or in a low-crime area.
Moving to San Antonio can be an excellent opportunity to create a desirable lifestyle for yourself and your family. That said, it’s a big decision- spending time to conduct due diligence will pay off.
Commute Time
Before signing the documents and moving into your new home, ask yourself how long you will commute to work or school. On average, people spend 24.6 minutes commuting within the metro area. However, while the modern infrastructure makes traffic tolerable, many suburbs provide less favorable transportation options. Be sure to check your commute times at different hours of the day. Make sure you are comfortable with the commute.
Education
San Antonio has 123 public schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools, and 105 private schools. These facilities dot the map with equal distribution. Still, many families prefer Boerne, Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, Fair Oaks Ranch, and Von Ormy.
If you are looking for convenience, note that most schools are clustered together in the center of the metro. Nevertheless, many residents prefer a longer commute distance over the congested downtown traffic. Ideally, you’d want an educational facility within a 5-mile radius, but be sure you’re comfortable with the drive; the 5-mile radius rule is average.
Employment
Many families choose their neighborhoods based on their job preferences. Indeed, it would be best to live nearby if you are looking to work for some of the top employers in the metro area.
According to Express News, the ten most prominent employees include Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, HEB, USAA, the City administration, and Joint Base-Randolph, among others.
Price
Homes in the area are appreciating at a continual pace. But along with recent increases in mortgage rates, such trends make homeownership a challenging prospect.
Regarding price, homes in San Antonio sell for a median price of $313,000, so keep this figure in mind when looking for a property. Whatever else might be said, families can still find affordable models without compromising on attractive architecture and valuable features.
Similarly, don’t buy the most expensive property in your neighborhood. If you have the most expensive home in the area, your house will act as a ceiling, and you may not realize as big of a return on your investment if you decide to sell.
Features
While the city’s vastness provides many options, it also makes it difficult to find a perfect match. That is why you need to be specific when looking for a home in San Antonio. What features are you looking for, and how much are you willing to compromise? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Do you need a pool or a backyard patio?
Make a list of priorities, and decide accordingly. While some builders invest heavily in open-concept living areas, others prefer spacious bedrooms with large walk-in closets. You’ll want to know what you want and where you are willing to compromise.
Overall, the average newer San Antonio home should provide a modern kitchen area that blends seamlessly with the rest of the floor plan. The total square footage should be slightly higher than other metros, as the average measures 2,175 square feet. Additionally, you can expect a backyard patio, a laundry room, and at least two generous bedrooms.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when finding a new home in the San Antonio area. However, with research and patience, you’ll be able to find the perfect property for you and your family. Remember these helpful tips during your search, and happy house hunting!
