Questions people ask before they call me

There's no universal best answer, which is the whole point. The right community depends on your commute, school priorities, budget, and how you like to spend weekends. The district ratings point somewhere useful: Boerne ISD (Niche grade A, 2026) leads for schools and Hill Country charm; Schertz and Cibolo's SCUCISD (Niche grade A-) leads for JBSA-Randolph commutes; Helotes pairs small-town feel with Northside ISD (Niche grade B+) and city access; New Braunfels brings rivers, Comal ISD (Niche grade A), and a San Antonio-Austin location. Start with my neighborhood guides, then book a call and we'll narrow it to two or three worth visiting.

For many families, yes, and the tax math is part of why. Boerne's median sale price is around $505,000 (Redfin, 2026), but Kendall County's typical effective property tax rate runs about 1.0% to 1.1%, lower than Bexar County's roughly 1.5% to 1.9%. So a $505,000 Boerne home carries about $5,000 to $5,600 a year in property tax, while a $350,000 home in Bexar County at the middle of that range runs closer to $5,600. The lower tax rate offsets part of the price premium, and you're paying for Boerne ISD (Niche grade A, the area's top-ranked district in 2026), a walkable historic downtown, quiet, well-lit streets, and the Hill Country lifestyle. If schools and small-town community rank above a shorter commute, Boerne is worth it. If not, a city-adjacent suburb often fits better. It's a budget and priority conversation, not a right-or-wrong one.

In 2026 the metro median is around $295,000, and SABOR's monthly medians through mid-year ranged from roughly $293,000 to $330,000, the lowest of Texas's major metros. In the $300s to $400s, families get newer homes in good school districts across most of the metro. Above $500K, Hill Country communities like Boerne and Bulverde, and established city neighborhoods, open up. Below $300K, entry-level homes exist on the edges of the metro. I match budgets to neighborhoods with real sold data and full monthly costs, not just list prices.

That's the question I start every conversation with. Lifestyles break down fast: city walkability points to Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, King William, and Monte Vista; acreage and quiet points to Bulverde and the 281 corridor; rivers point to New Braunfels; military commutes point to Schertz and Cibolo; schools plus charm points to Boerne; small-town convenience points to Helotes; history and value point to Castroville. Tell me your lifestyle and I'll tell you your shortlist.

Texas has no state income tax, and the trade is real estate tax. Bexar County's typical effective rate is about 1.55% (Ownwell, real 2024 transactions), with aggregator estimates from about 1.7% to 1.9%. Comal County runs lower, about 1.0% to 1.2%, and Kendall County about 1.0% to 1.1%, all above the U.S. median of about 1.0%. The exact figure depends on your city, county, and school district: a typical San Antonio homeowner's combined 2025 statutory rate is near 2.27% per $100 of taxable value, and the $140,000 school homestead exemption that took effect in 2026 plus county exemptions pull the effective rate on market value down. I pull the exact numbers for every home we tour and model the tax into your monthly budget before we ever write an offer. See the full county-by-county breakdown on my <a href="/property-taxes/" class="font-semibold text-primary-dark underline underline-offset-2">property tax guide</a>.

Both are strong options in San Antonio, and the right answer depends on your timeline and priorities. New construction gives you modern floor plans, warranties, and builder incentives, but you pay for upgrades, wait for completion, and buy into a developing neighborhood. Resale gives you an established lot, mature trees, and a finished yard, sometimes at a lower price per square foot. I show clients both sides so the decision is a real comparison, and if you buy new, I protect your interests through the builder contract and incentive negotiation.

Yes, and it costs you nothing out of pocket. The agent at the builder's sales office represents the builder, not you. Bringing your own REALTOR means someone reviews the contract, negotiates the incentives, coordinates the independent inspection, and protects your interests through closing. The builder typically pays the commission. The buyers who skip representation leave money and protection on the table.

Very well, when it's organized. The process: a video consultation to narrow areas, a pre-approval from a Texas lender, virtual tours, one focused house-hunting trip, an offer, and closing at a title company. I coordinate timelines so your move lines up with work, school, and leases, and I keep every step documented. Most of my relocation clients buy from another state, so this is a specialty, not an experiment.