REAL ESTATE

Historic Neighborhoods and Districts

San Antonio boasts a large number of locally or nationally designated historic districts, from commercial districts downtown to many signi cant historic neighborhoods. e rich architectural diversity of San Antonio is re ected in the city’s historic commercial buildings, ornate Victorian-era mansions, and early 20th-century Cra sman bungalows.

Alamo Plaza Historic District

San Antonio’s iconic Alamo Plaza is located at the center of the city and includes the Alamo Chapel and complex, open/public use space formerly part of the courtyard of the Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo), and the commercial resources that developed around the plaza during the late nineteenth and twentieth century.

Hemisfair Park Historic District

HemisFair Park was the site of the 1968 World’s Fair, a planned cultural fair to celebrate “the con uence of civilizations in the Americas” and the City of San Antonio’s cultural diversity.

King William Historic District

e National Register of Historic Placeslisted King William Historic District is generally located between the San Antonio River, Cesar Chavez Boulevard, South St. Mary’s Street, and South Alamo Street.

La Villita Historic District

e National Register of Historic Placeslisted La Villita Historic District is located a few blocks from Alamo Plaza near downtown San Antonio. It includes twenty-seven nineteenth century dwellings representing unique examples of early residential development in the city.

Lavaca Historic District

e National Register of Historic Placeslisted and locally designated Lavaca Historic District is located southeast of downtown San Antonio about two blocks east of the King William Historic District and south of HemisFair Park.

has allocated approximately 10.4% of their income to their mortgage payment. On a national level, the average homeowner dedicated 16.1% of their income to a mortgage.

It is no myth that the consumer is the driving force in the real estate industry in Texas. Below are some interesting changes that have occurred and will continue to mold the future of the housing market.

• e average age of a repeat buyer in Texas is 42

• e average age of a 1st time buyer in Texas is 31

• 35% of buyers are rst time home buyers.

• Texas sellers stay in their home an average of 9 years

Market Trends

e National Register of Historic Placeslisted Mission Parkway Historic District encompasses most of the Mission Trails hike-and-bike trail alignment and includes a variety of historic resources including archeological sites, buildings, and structures.

South Alamo Street - South St.Mary’s Street Historic District

e National Register of Historic Placeslisted South Alamo Street-South St. Mary’s Street Historic District is generally located between the San Antonio River, South Alamo Street, and South St. Mary’s Street.

Mission Parkway National Register District South Presa Street

South Presa Street and South St. Mary’s Street (formerly Garden Street) are parallel roads that begin near the center of San Antonio and travel southeast through the city. ese streets bisect two of the oldest residential areas in the city, the National Register of Historic Places listed King William and Lavaca neighborhoods.

San Antonio is one of the hottest housing markets in the United States. e reason behind the city’s recent explosion may be attributed to the strength of its local job market. Accordingly, it is the job market that continues to serve as the main component of local supply and demand. With an unemployment rate of 5.1% (a whole point below the national average), and a one-year job growth rate of 2.5%, employment remains strong compared to that of other markets. Perhaps even more importantly, San Antonio has brought their unemployment rate down 1.5% in the last year. e numbers are encouraging for the housing sector, as more people will be permitted to transfer from renters to buyers.

With the recent expansion of the economy and the encouraging job sector, construction is on the rise. Single-family housing permits increased 9.7% over the course of a year, suggesting that local inventory levels have stabilized. Despite recent appreciation rates, the San Antonio housing market remains a ordable. In fact, it is more a ordable than most comparable markets. In 2014, the average homeowner in San Antonio

•Homeowners want information about real estate updates and relevant news about their community

• A 2012 poll revealed that sales equal 96% of asking price. is does not include price reductions or seller contributions

• ere are 1900 people moving to Texas a day

• 92% of Texas home sellers used a real estate agent to sell their home. Only 8% were For Sale By Owner

• e best day to put a home on the market is on Friday

• e best day to hold an open house is Tuesday

• 74% of consumers believe the economy has gotten better and 71% think the economy will continue to get better in the next year

Big: e population is the 2nd largest in the U.S. with over 25 million people

Young: 27% of the Texas population is under 18 and only 10% is older than 65 Diverse: Approximately 9.5 million or 38% of Texans are of Hispanic descent; 12% are African American; 6% are other (primarily of Asian descent.

San Antonio Neighborhoods

North Central

A mix of the suburban and urban, a variety of small communities are a part of this area. Phil Hardberger Park, considered one of the premier parks in San Antonio, is a central part of this area with a variety of recreation options. e former dairy farm includes historic buildings, nature trails and picnic spots over an area that covers three eco-systems.

North Central is home to numerous shops, cafes, and national chain stores and the Sheldon Vexler eatre. e theater is a community xture, known for producing innovative, intimate, locally focused performances. Varied dining options dot the area, including established standbys like Green Vegetarian Cuisine or Myron’s Prime Steakhouse. Stellar examples of San Antonio’s Tex-Mex cooking are served at Los Barrios.

Northwest Side

Containing the main campus of University of Texas at San Antonio, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the Northwest Campus of the University of the Incarnate Word, Northwest is a draw for students in the San Antonio area.

e Medical Center District is also a part of this suburban community, which is the location of the South Texas Medical Center. A bustling business hub as well, USAA, Valero and NuStar Energy are among the major corporations located here.

It’s not all business and academics in this part of town: Six Flags Fiesta Texas is also located here, o ering thrill rides and fun. Shopping is anchored by the national chains and local shops at e Shops at La Cantera.

South Side

Just south of downtown San Antonio, the King William Historic District is just one part of this art-heavy community, packed with galleries, cafes, bars, antique and thri stores and artist lo s. At the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, next door to the Blue Star Brewing Company, mixed use residential and business housing is the norm. A showcase of locally made products and art called Second Saturday takes over South Flores Street once and month and an annual art fair, S.M.A.R.T. also supports area artists.

Near East Side

ere’s plenty of history in this community, which is the location of historic Government Hill, built along with Ft. Sam Houston in 1876. Other notable landmarks include the Bullis House Inn, now a bed and breakfast. A neighborhood experiencing exponential growth and renovation, it’s less than 10 minutes from downtown’s core. Renowned BBQ, Mexican, and Chinese restaurants dot the area.

Fort Sam Houston and Brooke Army Medical Center are located here, along with the restored Hays Street Bridge, which o ers stellar city views of the city.

East Side

Sports fans ock to the East Side to visit the Alamodome, the AT&T Center (home of the San Antonio Spurs), and the Freeman Coliseum. Once home to actress Joan Crawford, this part of San Antontio includes charming Saint Paul Square and the Knob Hill San Antonio Historic District, with its landmark Victorian home the Elizabeth Bowen Nelson House and other Classical Revival architecture.

Comanche Park and Salado Creek Greenway o er walking, biking, and outdoor recreation. Neighborhood eateries and national chain options are found close to the centrally located Rigsby Avenue.

Mid Town

Historic buildings serve as the backdrop for some of San Antonio’s most cutting edge and creative restaurants and shops in this neighborhood. e former Pearl Brewery is located here, featuring an eclectic farmer’s market, and home to the Culinary Institute of America and Brackenridge Park Golf Course and San Pedro Park o er recreational fun.

Urban in density, this community o ers a good mix of single-family homes and apartment complexes, many of which are historic. Popular with the LGBT community, colorfully bright buildings house restaurants, bars and boutique shops.

It’s a popular area for young professionals, with walking and biking trails along the quieter stretch of the San Antonio River known as the Museum Reach.

e area is also home to Palo Alto College and Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Shopping venues include South Park Mall, with its major national chain stores, and the McCreless Mall, an open-air shopping center that includes a Cinemark eaters venue. For outdoor recreation, the Medina River Recreation area beckons with trails and picnic spots.

Uptown

Eight miles from downtown, Uptown is home to trendy boutiques, major corporate o ce space and national chain retail outlets. Bustling North Star mall, San Pedro Town Center, and Park North Plaza o er numerous shopping opportunities Well-regarded indie movie chain Alamo Dra house also has an outpost here.

e San Antonio International Airport is part of this centrally located community, with both domestic and international ights daily. One of the oldest streets in the city of San Antonio, Fredericksburg Road, a link in the Old Spanish Trail, is a major thoroughfare here. e community includes a number of historic Spanish Colonial-style buildings.

Alamo Heights

Edged by Olmos Basin Park, this San Antonio community is home to the San Antonio Zoo, the Witte Museum, and the McNay Art Museum. Located 4.5 miles north of downtown, this vibrant community has a quaint, suburban vibe. e San Antonio Country Club and Quarry Golf Club are popular with local golfers and Shopping is plentiful, with the Shops at Lincoln Heights and Quarry Village. Broadway, the heart of the community, has many boutique shops, galleries, bars and cafes. Olmos Creek runs through a corner of the community, o ering walking paths and a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

Downtown

Some of San Antonio’s best-known attractions are located here, including the historic Alamo and the beautiful Riverwalk, which wends past restaurants, shops, hotels and museums. Whether strolling along the river or riding a riverboat, Riverwalk is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Texas. Rivercenter Mall is the main shopping enclave here, with more than a hundred shops and three movie theaters.

e Majestic Empire eater host national touring music acts, musical theater and dance companies throughout the year. e Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and the 750-foot-tall scenic viewing tower, Tower of the Americas, are also a part of downtown’s cultural scene. e average home price in San Antonio is $184,200. Even a er the high levels of appreciation that have swept through Texas, the current median home price in San Antonio is nearly $30,000 less than the national average of $212,267. To get to where they are now, home values have appreciated by as much as 5.0% in the last year, which is 0.4% more than the national average. San Antonio is a relatively healthy and consistent market. Gaines in the last three years have extended the trend of positive price growth a er the recession. In fact, over the course of three years, San Antonio homes have appreciated 20.2%.