Housing markets across the United States are volatile and unpredictable just about everywhere you look right now, with supply shortages and corporate investors driving up home prices in many places. Increases in interest rates add pressure to those trying to buy before another rate hike. A surge in post-Covid work-from-home opportunities has also created migrations to some of the nation’s most desirable (and most affordable) cities, putting housing equilibrium even further out of whack. This can be frustrating for a family looking to purchase a new home, but a hot market doesn’t mean there aren’t any opportunities available.
San Antonio, Texas is one major American city that has withstood the ups and downs of the current housing situation better than most. While the housing market in San Antonio is very active right now, its suburban sprawl and healthy job market have shielded it from the full-blown housing crises being felt elsewhere.
A recent study of housing across 400 U.S. cities found that a staggering 96% of homes are being “overvalued” in today’s market. But this number was only 25% when zooming in on the San Antonio-New Braunfels area.
Here’s how you’re able to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to buying a new home in San Antonio:
Strong employment market: San Antonio is one of the nation’s leaders when it comes to adding new high-end jobs. Six-figure job opportunities grew by 163% from 2015 to 2020 — that’s the biggest percentage increase, outpacing even Austin with its reputation as a boomtown for tech professionals. Major employers like Toyota, H-E-B, USAA, TJX, Navistar, and the United States military are continually re-investing in the area, making future prospects look bright.
Geography: San Antonio’s expanding geography position under the endless Texas skies allows the greater San Antonio-New Braunfels area to continue growing outward in a way that crowded East Coast cities can’t physically do. More land means more ability for more new homes in San Antonio.
Infrastructure and public services: San Antonio has great schools and hospitals, and its international airport is consistently adding direct service to other key destinations. The city’s Central Texas location provides easy rail, air and road access in all directions to many other key cities.
New homes for sale in San Antonio. The prevalence of great jobs in San Antonio means that new, world-class residential communities are perpetually under development. This influx of new, high-quality housing is the surest way to stabilize a city’s job market. Investment and construction in up-and-coming neighborhoods like VIDA in the Southside have the potential to transform San Antonio for generations to come.
While it is somewhat dubious to label any city a “buyer’s market” for housing right now, San Antonio is about as close as you can get in 2022. At the very least, San Antonio’s unique ability to self-stabilize and ride out financial uncertainty is worth considering if you’re searching for a new city or a new job. Well-paying jobs and new development don’t just protect San Antonians and transplants from extreme housing inflation in this uncertain market. Those same features will likewise help to protect San Antonio from any popping of the national housing bubble that may be on the horizon.