Buyer's market

Real estate experts declare San Antonio among best markets for homebuyers

San Antonio is hot for homebuyers.

Paul Bradbury/Getty Images

Local homebuyers are in luck this home shopping season — San Antonio has been named one of the friendliest markets for buyers by real estate database titan Zillow.

Zillow analyzed housing markets in the 35 largest metros across the country and ranked them on a spectrum from most buyer-friendly to most seller-friendly. The index "shows how hot a region's housing market is compared to others by analyzing sale-to-list-price ratios, percentage of listings with a price cut, and how long homes stay on the market," the company says in a release.

The San Antonio metro area ranks as the 11th most buyer-friendly housing market in the U.S., with a median home value of $192,800 and homes staying on the market for an average of 77 days.

The report drilled down further to name Fair Oaks Ranch, where the median home value is $477,000, the most buyer-friendly location in the area. Converse, where the median home value is $174,800, was named the most seller-friendly spot in the San Antonio area. According to Zillow, the suburbs of Bulverde, Schertz, and Seguin all landed in the middle of the buyer-seller index, meaning they are not as buyer- or seller-friendly as other cities on the spectrum in the area.

Houston, ranked ninth most buyer-friendly market out of the 35 largest metros in the country, is the only urban area in Texas that performed better than San Antonio. Austin landed in the middle of the index at No. 18, and Dallas-Fort Worth ranked No. 24, making it more of a seller-friendly market.

Nationwide, Zillow says buyers in Florida and the New York metro area will have "more favorable conditions than those in most other major markets."

While it may be surprising to see New York City on the list, as Zillow points out in its release, what makes a buyer-friendly market isn't necessarily based on pricing. In New York, for example, homebuyers who can afford the expensive real estate face low competition, thus making it a buyer's market.

Take A Walk

New multifamily community opens near Stone Oak restaurants and shopping

Rendering courtesy of Greyson Luxury Living

The new community offers 291 units.

A new multifamily community is now open to prospective residents in San Antonio. Greyson Luxury Living comprises 291 units at 1734 N. Loop 1604 West, with a focus on lifestyle amenities. But the location will be the main draw for many.

Apartment floor plans range from one to three bedrooms, starting at $1,317 for one bedroom and one bathroom, and working up to a base price of $2,611 for three bedrooms and two baths. The community's pet policy according to the website is: "We welcome all your furry friends at Greyson."

Residents will get reserved parking and a garage with EV charging stations, but it might not always be necessary to hop in the car. The apartments are directly adjacent to restaurants like Cover 3, Eddie V's Prime Seafood, and Blü Prime Steakhouse — not exactly everyday eats, but there's tons more at the Vineyard Shopping Center and the Stone Oak neighborhood's Blanco Market Shopping Center across the highway.

In addition to restaurants, the community is less than a five-minute drive from H-E-B Plus, Whole Foods Market, Target, fashion and furniture stores, and multiple fitness studios like StretchLab and LA Fitness.

A press release promises wood-style flooring, quartz and granite countertops, and ceramic tile backsplash. On the more utilitarian side, it offers single-basin sinks, kitchen islands, "spacious" pantries, a stainless-steel Energy Star appliance package, and washer and dryer connections. (Images shared by the complex so far appear to be more illustrative of the desired vibe than the actual space.)

Every floor plan also shows a private patio or balcony. The most expensive floor plan — the three-by-two — has a wraparound outdoor space.

For shared spaces, a resort-style pool with a tanning shelf (a very shallow area for placing lounge chairs) and bike storage encourage residents to get outside, and a dog wash station makes it easy to leave dirt and hair outside of apartments. There's also a fitness center, a clubhouse with wi-fi, elevators, and concierge services.

“We developed Greyson as a luxury multifamily community aimed to fit any type of lifestyle, and we are grateful for all of our partners that helped bring this project to life,” says Ed Garahan, partner and CEO at Carbon Companies, the development firm heading the project.

Carbon Companies also sold the Addison Medical Center Apartments, Ventura Ridge, Triomphe Apartments, and Pecan Springs Luxury Apartment Homes, with more in the works in San Antonio.

apartments shopping