First impressions

Best ways San Antonio homeowners can boost curb appeal this fall

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San Antonians should budget nearly $3,600 for their autumn outdoor projects to boost their curb appeal.

There are beautiful homes to be found throughout San Antonio, and if local homeowners want to maintain their curb appeal, there are a few tips and tricks to take advantage of this fall to set yourself up for success next spring.

So says Thumbtack's recent study revealing the top "Fall Home Projects That Will Boost Your Curb Appeal Next Spring." The study was based on an analysis of curb appeal projects from August 2023 to August 2024, which was ranked by project frequency.

Maintaining beauty doesn't come cheap. Thumbtack, a home services website, found Americans should budget nearly $3,600 for their autumn outdoor projects – such as gutter cleanings, sprinkler system winterization, tree trimming, lawn fertilizing, and more.

The report also made suggestions for outdoor weatherization projects, which San Antonians should heed now that Texas winters are less predictable due to climate change, they say.

"To protect your home from rain, cold, and snow, we recommend sealing your deck, caulking gaps, and insulating doors and windows," the report's author wrote. "These steps help keep warm air in and moisture out, ensuring your home’s exterior is ready for winter."

Homeowners who want to make a big impression with their lawn next spring should start working on it this fall, the report says. Projects like overseeding and aerating the yard, regular weeding, and pruning shrubs, trees, and perennials ahead of the winter months will help improve curb appeal for the next year, according to the report.

But if a homeowner prefers the trendy look of a less manicured (yet still green) yard, we're not here to judge. Leaving more room for greenery in the backyard can make a home look more lush.

2024 Houzz home design trends San Antonians love a cozy backyard where the green grass grows. Photo courtesy of J. Montgomery Designs, Inc.

What it all costs
Of course, service costs are a major factor when determining how much to budget for these projects. The national average cost estimate for tree trimming can ring up at $718, while pressure washing or shrub trimming can easily cost over $300.

"Some projects like leaf cleanup and fertilizing can be DIYed, but others like gutter cleaning and tree trimming should be left to the pros to avoid costly, and dangerous mistakes," the report said. "Bundling home projects like aerating, fertilizing, weeding, and overseeding with a lawn care professional can also help you save money as you plan ahead."

In 2023, Thumbtack estimated San Antonio homeowners would spend up to $14,582 for the year to boost their curb appeal on "medium-sized" home improvement projects like garage door or gutter replacements. For multiple large-scale projects – such as exterior repainting, property fence replacement, or sprinkler system installations – costs could add up to $27,000 in San Antonio. (No such annual figure was given in the new report.)

U.S. cities with the best curb appeal
The report also released its rankings of the top 10 cities with the best curb appeal nationwide. Atlanta, Georgia claimed the No. 1 spot for the second year in a row, followed by Austin (No. 2). Elsewhere in Texas, Dallas' curb appeal improved over the last year to land the city in the No. 4 spot.

The top 10 cities with the best curb appeal are:

No. 1 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 2 – Austin, Texas
No. 3 – Charlotte, North Carolina
No. 4 – Dallas, Texas
No. 5 – Washington, D.C.
No. 6 – Denver, Colorado
No. 7 – Tampa, Florida
No. 8 – Orlando, Florida
No. 9 – Seattle, Washington
No. 10 – Raleigh, North Carolina

The full report can be found on thumbtack.com.

beautiful homes curb appeal home design reports trends san antonio

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.

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