Realtor Profile

This San Antonio Realtor's musical past ensures encores with his clients

San Antonio Realtor Mark Chambers.

Photo courtesy of Kuper Sotheby's International Realty

Even though he's originally from Arlington, once Mark Chambers made it to San Antonio he knew that's where he wanted to stay. He and his family have been enjoying the area for nearly three decades, and Chambers has found it makes an excellent base for his work with Kuper Sotheby's International Realty.

Before entering the real estate industry, Chambers was on a musical track. He was the senior director of fine arts for the North East Independent School District and the director of bands at Ronald Reagan High School. He also was the director of The Crossmen Drum Corps, which at the time was the only world-class drum corps in Texas. His wife, Carol, is on the music faculty at Texas Lutheran University, and was a band director in the North East Independent School District before starting her music composition/publishing company in 2002.

The couple has passed on the love of music to their children: Catherine, a French horn player; Josh, who sings in the choir and also plays French horn; and Julia, a trumpet player.

We chatted with Chambers to find out more about his work and what drives him.

CultureMap: What's your favorite thing about San Antonio?

Mark Chambers: The people are warm and friendly and always seem happy — there is always a festive spirit in the air.

CM: What makes San Antonio special or unique?

MC: There is such a diverse mix of cultures to experience in this city.

CM: Why would someone want to live in San Antonio?

MC: You get all the benefits of a large urban area, but the feel of a smaller community.

CM: What's your favorite restaurant in San Antonio?

MC: Paloma Blanca.

CM: What's your favorite menu item there?

MC: A tie between the pollo asado and a frozen margarita.

CM: What's a great outdoor experience in San Antonio?

MC: McAllister Park. It provides a venue for just about any outdoor sport. You get nature, running and biking trails, playgrounds, picnic sites, outdoor workout equipment, soccer and baseball fields, and a dog park, making it a great place to spend some time outdoors.

CM: What's a local event that's not to be missed in San Antonio?

MC: Fiesta. So much to do and truly the best "party" in the country.

CM: What's a San Antonio hidden gem?

MC: The Pearl. Maybe it's not so hidden anymore, but it's definitely a gem.

CM: What's your favorite place to shop here?

MC: La Cantera provides something for everyone in a great outdoor atmosphere.

CM: Where do you go here to truly disconnect?

MC: The Lantana Spa at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort.

CM: What is the source of your passion for real estate?

MC: As a former arts educator and administrator, I love the "art" in real estate and creating a culture of collaboration that celebrates the experience of each client. There are so many facets to real estate that inherently make it a science, but there is also an art to real estate that includes knowing how to stage, market, negotiate, and facilitate a transaction to realize the goal. I thoroughly enjoy practicing that art and providing services that are tailored to the needs of each client.

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See Mark Chambers' latest listings here, or contact him at 210-867-3186 or markchambers@kuperrealty.com.

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bang for your buck

San Antonio ZIP code is 4th most affordable place for renters in U.S.

Photo by Florian Schmid on Unsplash

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Trying to afford buying a home in San Antonio is difficult enough with current mortgage rates, and doubly so if you're already paying high rent on an apartment or a house. But there are six San Antonio ZIP codes where renters can get the most bang for their buck, according to a new study by financial services company CashNetUSA.

To find the most affordable ZIP codes for renters in the U.S., analysts compared median household incomes by ZIP code to the average annual rent costs in those areas using the Zillow Observed Rent Index. ZIP codes where the average annual rental constituted the lowest percentage of median household income were considered the "most affordable."

San Antonio's 78248 ZIP code specifically stood out as the No. 4 most affordable in the country, and the No. 1 most affordable in Texas. This area encompasses the north San Antonio neighborhoods of Inwood, Forests at Inwood, Oakwood, The Park at Deerfield, Canyon Creek Bluffs, Canyon Creek Village, Blanco Village, Deerfield, Cadillac Drive, and Churchill Estates.

According to the study's findings, the average monthly cost of a rental in 78248 comes out to $1,259.17, and the median annual income of a household in the area is $122,986. Analysts then calculated that the annual rent of a home in this ZIP code only takes up 12.29 percent of a household's median income, which is the fourth-lowest in the nation.

CashNetUSA found the No. 1 most affordable ZIP code for renters nationwide is 66224 in Leawood, Kansas, where annual rent only takes a 10.57 percent cut out of a household's median annual income.

Elsewhere in Texas, two Houston-area ZIP codes – 77401 and 77094 – ranked No. 9 and No. 12 nationally, while Allen's 75013 ZIP code fell two spots behind to claim the No. 14 spot.

The most affordable San Antonio-area ZIP codes for renters
CashNetUSA further unveiled the five most affordable ZIP codes across major U.S. cities, including in San Antonio, Austin, and Houston.

Following 78248 (which took the No. 1 spot citywide) is 78261 (No. 2), which spans east of Highway 281, across Smithson Valley Road. Rent costs in this ZIP code averaged out to $1,698 per month, the report found.

Landing in the No. 3 spot is 78258, which includes Rogers Ranch, The Vineyard, Stone Oak, Summit, Hidden Canyon, and Big Springs neighborhoods. The report said average rent in the area comes out to $1,507 per month, which takes up 17.54 percent of a household's median annual income.

The remaining top two most affordable ZIP codes for San Antonio renters are located in 78259 (Encino Park, Encino Ranch, Cavalo Creek Estates, Northwood Hills, Summit at Bulverde Creek, Roseheart, Redland Woods) and 78260 in Timberwood Park, which is about 25 miles north of downtown San Antonio.

rent rent prices affordable housing