San Antonio Real Estate Listings for 2012

January 19, 2012 - admin - File under San Antonio Real Estate

Written by Liz Voss.

As 2011 came to a close, analysts looked at the numbers of San Antonio real estate listings and compared them to last year’s numbers.

Blog Post by Liz Voss.
Overall, 2011 was very similar to 2010 in terms of sales and prices. The median home price rose just one percent from 2010, according to the San Antonio Board of Realtors. As for sales, the number of sold homes actually decreased from 2010, but not by much.

san antonio real estate listings1 San Antonio Real Estate Listings for 2012

Learn about San Antonio real estate listings

The year 2010 was interesting for the real estate market in San Antonio and around the nation. It was a stellar year for buyers who took advantage of the federal tax credit, and sales numbers shot up because of it. Buyers shouldn’t expect the same sort of government incentives for 2012, so fence sitters should go ahead and take the plunge before prices go up. Even without the tax break, Realtors in San Antonio are reporting quite a bit of interest from buyers.

Agents are predicting that the San Antonio real estate listings in 2012 will look much the same as the year before in terms of prices and sales numbers. Slowly but steadily, the numbers should go up for at least the next two years. If you ask local Realtors for their opinions, most of them will say that they are hopeful for a good year. There are fewer homes on the market in San Antonio right now, which could fuel competition and drive up prices. In addition, the job market has improved somewhat from last year. This is a good time for home sellers, but it’s still important for them to emphasize the best features of the properties and the neighborhoods.

Home Builder Outlook

It’s still a buyer’s market in the best areas of San Antonio, but they don’t have as much control as they did just a few years ago. The playing field is more even for negotiations, so buyers or sellers shouldn’t feel discouraged. One major improvement is the number of San Antonio real estate listings for luxury homes. There is still a very strong market for upscale homes. In fact, home builders are seeing an uptick in the number of interested buyers. People seeking custom designs and homes with upgrades can find very good deals among the local home building companies.

Spec homes were all the rage back in 2006, and now we’re starting to see some more of that activity in San Antonio, especially for luxury homes over one million dollars. This is good news for many of the building companies that faced hard times in the past few years. The year 2008 was the worst for San Antonio real estate listings in the luxury market. These days, home builders say that the most expensive high-end homes in the best neighborhoods are selling the fastest. Since last year, the median home price for high-end homes is up 3.3 percent. Builders are expecting about 10 percent more sales in 2012 over last year’s numbers.

Some of the luxury home sales are going to Mexican nationals who want a safer environment for their families. The drug cartels in Northern Mexico are encroaching on their neighborhoods, so families are relocating to gated neighborhoods north of the border. Other buyers include Eagle Ford Shale millionaires who have profited from the oil drilling on their land. These people are choosing to put their profits into real estate rather than the stock market or the local banks.

Besides luxury homes, the number of San Antonio real estate listings for ranches is going up. The number of sales of ranches across Texas started to go up last year, and Realtors predict that the trend should continue for a while.

Home Buyer Outlook

Buyers browsing through San Antonio real estate listings should see plenty of options, whether they want custom homes, spec homes, or land. Interest rates are still low enough to entice borrowers, and the cost of building materials is pretty much the same as it was last year.

If low credit scores are a problem, seller financed homes or rent-to-own options could be viable alternatives. It’s much harder to get a loan, so those looking to buy soon should clean up their credit reports as soon as possible.

Sellers of luxury homes can start to raise asking prices, especially if the homes are in very desirable neighborhoods. Six months is about the length of time a high-end home sits on the market in San Antonio.

San Antonio real estate listings have a very healthy supply of new homes. Almost 2,000 homes are currently under construction as of January 2012 with about 300 model homes. On the other hand, the resale market needs to improve, but it could happen this year. The major problem in San Antonio right now is the lack of build-ready lots in desirable neighborhoods. It often takes up to 18 months to get a single lot ready for construction. As far as the San Antonio real estate market in the next few years, the major concerns are about the presidential election, mortgage loans, and the integrity of the economy.

San Antonio real estate listings2 San Antonio Real Estate Listings for 2012

San Antonio real estate listings and how to search them

Where to Find the Deals

If you’re looking through recently published San Antonio real estate listings, expect to see plenty of ads for high-end properties, ranches, and home building companies. The first market to improve is always the high end, and the rest follows soon after.

Buyers can also choose from the growing number of spec homes, which are houses built before buyers are found. These houses aren’t custom-built, but everything inside and outside is new. In addition, spec homes have warranties in case the home buyer finds any defects. You can find some great deals on spec homes around San Antonio right now.

If you’re looking for a deal, check out the resale market that consists of older homes. You could easily find a fixer-upper or something that suits your needs perfectly. Since the price of building materials hasn’t changed much, you can renovate or update a house without spending a bundle. The real estate market in San Antonio has a long way to go, but the prospects continue to improve every month.buyer finds any defects. You can find some great deals on spec homes around San Antonio right now.

If you are ready to search for San Antonio real estate listings me for a consultation at 1-866-549-8677.