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 significant historic neighborhoods. The rich architectural diversity of San Antonio is reflected in the city’s historic commercial buildings, ornate Victorian-era mansions, and early 20th-century Craftsman 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 confluence of civilizations in the Americas” and the City of San Antonio’s cultural diversity.

King William Historic District

The 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

The 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

The 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.

Mission Parkway National Register District

The 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 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. These streets bisect two of the oldest residential areas in the city, the National Register of Historic Places listed King William and Lavaca neighborhoods.

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

The 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.

Market Trends

San Antonio is one of the hottest housing markets in the United States. The 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. The numbers are encouraging for the housing sector, as more people will be permitted to transfer from renters to buyers.

South Presa Street

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 affordable. In fact, it is more affordable than most comparable markets. In 2014, the average homeowner in San Antonio 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. • The average age of a repeat buyer in

Texas is 42

• The average age of a 1st time buyer in

Texas is 31

• 35% of buyers are first time home buyers. • Texas sellers stay in their home an average of 9 years • Homeowners want information about real estate updates and relevant news about their community • A 2012 poll revealed that sales equal 96% of asking price. This does not include price reductions or seller contributions

• There 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 • The best day to put a home on the market is on Friday • The 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: The 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. The 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 Theatre. The theater is a community fixture, 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.

The 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, offering thrill rides and fun. Shopping is anchored by the national chains and local shops at The Shops at La Cantera.

Near East Side

There’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 offers stellar city views of the city.

East Side

Sports fans flock 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 offer walking, biking, and outdoor recreation. Neighborhood eateries and national chain options are found close to the centrally located Rigsby Avenue. Historic buildings serve as the backdrop for some of San Antonio’s most cutting edge and creative restaurants and shops in this neighborhood. The 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 offer recreational fun.

Urban in density, this community offers 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.

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 thrift stores and artist lofts. 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.

The 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 Theaters venue. For outdoor recreation, the Medina River Recreation area beckons with trails and picnic spots.

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

The San Antonio International Airport is part of this centrally located community, with both domestic and international flights 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. The 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.

The 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, offering 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. The Majestic Empire Theater host national touring music acts, musical theater and dance companies throughout the year. The 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. The average home price in San Antonio is $184,200. Even after 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 after the recession. In fact, over the course of three years, San Antonio homes have appreciated 20.2%.

• In addition to appreciation, principal payments in the last three years have boosted equity throughout the city:

• Homes purchased in the last year have gained an average $11,667 in equity.

The national average for the same period was $12,731.

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What to Know Before Relocating to San Antonio

San Antonio continues to land amongst the top living destinations for affordability, friendliness, being Military City USA, outdoor experiences, and a rich culture. There are many areas to live based on desired factors, but luckily you will find the right help. A REALTOR® with experience in relocating military families can make the transition more efficient as they will know the process inside out.

To find a San Antonio area REALTOR® with a Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification, visit www.sabor.com and search by specialty. Listed below are the great features of San Antonio that you and your family can look forward to when relocating to the Alamo City.

1. San Antonio is a lively city.

You may have heard of fiestas before, but perhaps have not yet experienced San Antonio’s Fiesta. A yearly celebration, Fiesta is a two-week community event of vibrant parades, flavorful foods, and colorful and fun events. These city-wide events raise funds for local non-profits. Get to wear your true Texan boots and hat out at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, one of San Antonio’s largest events that offers a fun array of livestock exhibitions and horse shows. Throughout the city, you will encounter warm and welcoming people who will help you feel right at home. For this reason and those below, San Antonio has become among the top-rated places to live. In March 2020, the median house price was $240,000, making it an affordable city to live in.

(830) 488-2699

30951 Blanco Road Bulverde, Texas 78163

YOUR HILL COUNTRY/SOUTH-CENTRAL TEXAS REAL ESTATE COMPANY Denise L. Bourassa, MAEd., GRI, MRP Broker - Realtor® Veteran Owned and Independently Operated RESIDENTIAL - LAND - COMMERCIAL

2. There are plenty of kidfriendly activities that can help your kids get adjusted.

Remember your kids will want to explore their new city with you. San Antonio is home to a variety of museums that hold fun exhibitions for your children. Explore Texas history, dinosaurs, and contemporary exhibits at the Witte Museum or the Briscoe Western Art Museum, or have fun using tools with interactive activities at the newly constructed Doseum. The San Antonio Museum of Art often displays ancient art, international exhibits, and contemporary works that provide children the opportunity to learn while having fun. A 1920’s mansion, the McNay Art Museum brings unique American and European art ranging from medieval to contemporary times. The McNay also offers 23 acres of beautiful grounds to take a stroll in or picnic, and even holds special public events on specific days.

3. The Alamo City continues being Military City.

San Antonio is famously known as the Alamo City due to the well-known battle fought in 1836. Having already been a militaristic site, San Antonio is also known to be Military City USA now due to its high military presence, whether on active service or as veterans. The Alamo’s distinctive history shapes the Joint Base city it is today.

4. The Missions and Spanish influence in the city.

Along with the Alamo, Missions National Historical Park is a popular attraction where one can learn of San Antonio’s Hispanic culture. Four Spanish colonial missions—Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada—offer an eight-mile path for cycling or walking. You can canoe or kayak on the river alongside the parts of the Mission Reach. This rich history embedded in San Antonio adds more value to living in the city, especially if you and your family are history buffs. Looking for a Spanish or historically-styled home? Areas around downtown like Southtown or King William as well as neighborhoods like Alamo Heights, Olmos Park or Terrell Hills provide a variety of these styles of homes. A REALTOR® can help you find exactly what you’re looking for while taking into account additional factors.

5. San Antonio is a dog-friendly city.

If your family includes Fido, then you’re coming to the right place. With San Antonio already being a large city, homes are built with large spaces in mind. It’s easy to find a home with a good-size yard for your four-legged family member to have plenty of room to run. There are also several parks around the city with fenced, “leash off” areas to give your dog a safe space to make other furry friends. Additionally, parks like Eisenhower, Phil Hardberger, Brackenridge, and McAllister offer long paved and natural trails for you to take your dog on a nice walk, run or hike.

6. The South Texas heat can break a sweat.

Texas is known to have a wide range of weather patterns, especially when living in the southern most parts of Texas. San Antonio, along with surrounding southern cities, experiences the summer heat much longer than most northern or western parts of Texas. The summer heat starts in May and can last up until October with triple digit heat waves peaking in July. If you’re relocating from cooler states, it’ll be vital to adjust to the Texas heat by staying hydrated and avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest times of the day.

It is also important to note that during the summer months, electric bills may go up. However, San Antonio is full of old oak trees that can create much shade over homes and help keep the electric bill down. For this, a San Antonio area REALTOR® can help you narrow down your search on a home with surrounding oak trees.

For more information on buying, selling, or leasing your home visit SABOR.com and use a San Antonio area REALTOR®. And if you actively serve, have served or support a veteran, we thank you for your service.

7 Things San Antonio Home Buyers Need To Know

So you’re a buyer in San Antonio...congratulations! As one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country, San Antonio is an amazing place to own a home. Whether you’re new to the city or simply switching neighborhoods, there are a few things you need to know about San Antonio’s unique buying culture. Don’t start the process without these key insights!

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1. What do home prices look like?

If you’re a buyer in any market, it’s important to know the average and median home prices so you can know where you stand in relation to other buyers. Since every city is different, maybe you can afford luxury in San Antonio when you couldn’t before. On the other hand, you might be forced to downsize a bit to accommodate big-city prices. In May of 2015, the median price for a San Antonio home increased above $200k for the first time, resting at $202,500. The average price last month was recorded at $246,772. About 49% of home sales were under $200k, approximately 45% were between $200k-$500k, and just under 6% were above $500k.

2. What is a title company?

Texas is one of the 19 states in the US that requires the use of a title company in a real estate transaction. Many states require or allow an attorney to oversee the transfer of a property title; however, if you’re buying a home in San Antonio, you’ll definitely need to know the role of a title company. Title companies ensure that the home you’re buying is clear of anything illegitimate or unpaid. This process is important as it will catch any remaining mortgages, etc. The title company will be with you every step of the buying process up through closing paperwork.

In real estate, the market is usually classified as either a buyer’s or seller ’s market. These two terms simply indicate who has the advantage in the current market. For example, in a buyer’s market, there is more supply than demand...and vice versa in a seller’s market. In March of 2014, Forbes named San Antonio the #3 top seller’s market in the US…and it has only grown stronger in the past year! As more and more people join the housing market, interest rates go down for buyers and prices become more favorable for sellers. For the buyer, this means that competition is greater for each house. This is a good thing because it means that the city’s real estate market is thriving, and people want to live in San Antonio! The most important part of real estate is location! So, where is the market trending? Where is everyone buying? Currently, northern San Antonio is booming with new, up-and-coming neighborhoods, along with some established, thriving areas. The Northwest side in particular is expanding at an exciting rate. Below are some of the bestselling communities in the city. 1. Alamo Ranch | Northwest | $150k-$575k 2. Canyon Springs | North Hwy 281 | $129k-$800k 3. Fair Oaks Ranch | North I-10 | $146k-$600k 4. Northwest Crossing | Northwest | $17k-$178k 5. Sonoma Ranch | Northwest | $244k-$659k

5. What to look for in a

REALTOR®

When buying a home, it’s important that you find a knowledgeable, reputable REALTOR® specific to your needs and personality. You’ll want to ensure that your agent is certified in all the necessary areas. For example, if you’re working with luxury real estate, you might want to check and see if your REALTOR® has experience with upper-tier home sales. Your agent should know the San Antonio area very well so that he or she can help you find the right neighborhood for you. Since San Antonio is quite spread out, there is a lot of ground to cover. If you choose a REALTOR® who isn’t familiar with the city, there’s a real chance you could miss out on the best home for you and your family. Locally sourced realtors will also have connections with local lenders, builders, or others who might need to be involved in your home buying process.

6. How fast are homes selling?

Because the demand for housing in San Antonio is so great right now, the San Antonio Board of Realtors reported that homes sold in May 2015 only stayed on the market an average of 59 days! Homes are selling quickly right now. This means that, if you’re buying a home in the San Antonio real estate market, you might want to act fast. Know what you want and be ready to start the buying process if you feel the time is right. That being said, remember to stay calm and not rush into such an important decision...one of the reasons it’s important to have an experienced REALTOR® on your side who is knowledgeable about the San Antonio area!

7. What do interest rates look like?

Seeing as it’s a seller’s market, interest rates in San Antonio are currently on the low side of the spectrum. According to the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, these low interest rates have continued to drive forward San Antonio’s real estate market! Each dollar you spend as a buyer goes further than ever before. This only further confirms that your decision to buy a home in San Antonio is a good one.