S
an Antonio Housing Market Shifts Toward Buyers

    In San Antonio, the balance of power is tilting in favor of prospective homeowners. While buyers are finding more options, sellers face longer waiting times and must adopt sharper strategies to close deals.

    Roland San Miguel of Trinidad Realty Partners reports that the average home now takes roughly three months to sell—sometimes longer. “We have a lot of supply, not enough demand,” he says. The city holds about six months’ worth of inventory, giving buyers a broader selection and forcing sellers to compete harder for attention.

    Several forces are slowing sales. A fragile economy makes many potential buyers hesitant to commit to large financial obligations. Mortgage rates, hovering between 6 % and 6.5 %, have also pushed some off the market. “Interest rates are about six, six and a quarter right now, maybe six and a half. So there aren’t many buyers out there because they’re so used to the free money, basically at 2 %,” San Miguel explains. The sudden jump from 2 % to 6 % has shocked many.

    New‑home builders are also drawing buyers with incentives such as covering closing costs, temporarily reducing interest rates, or adding upgrades and design features. These offers make new builds more attractive, pulling interest away from existing homes.

    Despite the slowdown, home values remain high, and many sellers price their properties too aggressively in a market where buyers are increasingly cost‑conscious. “Bottom line is home values are high, people are pricing homes too high in a time when interest rates are high,” San Miguel notes.

    To sell faster than the current three‑month average, sellers need motivation and realistic expectations. First, hire a realtor who will candidly assess what it will take to sell at a fair price. A good agent will outline necessary repairs, staging, and pricing strategies from the start. Sellers must also be willing to act quickly; an incentive to sell promptly can make a significant difference.

    Presentation is critical. Staging should transform each room into a distinct, magazine‑ready space with a clear purpose. Avoid multipurpose rooms that combine an office and gym; instead, let each area have a single, well‑defined theme that helps buyers envision their own life there. Professional photography is essential, as most buyers form their first impression from online listings.

    When it comes to upgrades, choose wisely. Some improvements can accelerate sales and boost price, but not all investments pay off. “Upgrades are very important,” San Miguel says. “A realtor will tell you, look, you need to do this and do this to get the value. It’s going to make the home sell a lot faster. But also, there are smart upgrades. You know, ‘Let’s add a pool.’ Adding a pool is going to run maybe $100,000 or $150,000. That’s not going to make your price $150,000 higher. So it’s making the smart upgrades that are important, that’s going to get you a return on your investment.”

    Choosing the right agent matters. Ask how many homes they’ve sold, at what price points, and whether they have experience in your neighborhood. Referrals from friends and family can also lead to trustworthy agents.

    Even with longer selling times and higher rates, San Antonio’s market remains fundamentally sound. San Miguel cautions sellers not to be discouraged. “Our market is actually very good,” he says. “Of course, we had that spike that went up there, but usually San Antonio is just steady eddy. It just grows 2‑3 % every year. We’re like a bond, just cruising along. Where other cities will go and have these high dips, we’re pretty steady.”

    After the pandemic’s housing boom, San Antonio is now experiencing a market that is balancing out, returning to a more stable, predictable rhythm.