New Construction Homes in San Antonio: Complete Buyer Guide

For a lot of people relocating to Greater San Antonio, a brand-new home solves problems that resale listings can't: a builder warranty, modern energy codes, a floor plan you help choose, and — in today's market — real incentives instead of a bidding war. San Antonio has more than a dozen active master-planned communities and dozens of builders competing for buyers right now, which means more leverage for shoppers than the area has seen in years. Here's what to know before you start touring model homes.

San Antonio's New-Construction Market Right Now

New construction in the San Antonio–New Braunfels metro is trading in a genuinely buyer-friendly range. The median new-home price at $315,000 across the metro, with 3.8 months of inventory, 108 average days on market, and 705 closed sales that month against 3,857 active new-construction listings. Within San Antonio's city limits specifically, the same report showed a lower median of $271,999, reflecting the mix of entry-level product being built closer to the urban core.

Financing costs remain the other half of the equation. The national 30-year fixed rate at 6.71% as of September 3, 2026, up slightly from the prior week but roughly in line with where rates have sat most of the year — which is part of why builders keep leaning on rate buydowns rather than sticker-price cuts.

There's also a statewide trend worth knowing if you're cross-shopping new versus resale: The price gap between new-construction and existing-home sales narrowed to about $15,500 statewide as of March 2026, down from roughly $19,900 a year earlier and far below the near-$100,000 premium builders commanded before the pandemic. Builders have closed that gap largely by building smaller, more affordable floor plans — good news if you assumed new construction was automatically out of reach.

Where San Antonio's New Homes Are Being Built

Homebuilding has cooled from its pandemic peak but remains concentrated in a few clear corridors. reported that San Antonio issued nearly 3,885 residential permits in 2025 — the lowest annual total in five years and 38% below the 6,271 permits filed in 2021.

The South Side

About 45% of 2025 permits landed on San Antonio's South Side, fueled by the expansion of Texas A&M University–San Antonio, University Health's presence, and continued investment from Toyota and the British equipment maker JCB, which is building its North American headquarters in the area. Southstar's 600-acre VIDA masterplan, immediately adjacent to the university, anchors much of that growth with single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments priced from the low $200,000s to the $500,000s.

The Far West and Northwest

The West and Far West sides combined captured more than 600 permits in 2025, drawn by comparatively attainable lot prices and expanding retail. This corridor, along Loop 1604 and Highway 151, is home to two of the metro's largest master-planned communities: Alamo Ranch and Stillwater Ranch.

The North Side and Hill Country Edge

Further north and toward the Hill Country, communities like Cibolo Canyons and Johnson Ranch in Bulverde reflect steady demand from buyers who want larger lots and a more rural feel while staying within commuting range of the city.

Who's Building: San Antonio's Top Homebuilders

Homebuilding in San Antonio is unusually concentrated. Lennar alone pulled 1,246 residential permits in 2025 — almost a third of the citywide total — cementing a lead it's held since 2023, when it passed D.R. Horton in local new-home starts, according to Zonda data. KB Home ranked second with 394 permits, and D.R. Horton was third with 196; together, the top four builders accounted for more than half of all permits issued in the city. Beyond those national players, buyers will also find Perry Homes, M/I Homes, David Weekley, Chesmar, Pulte, Highland Homes, Coventry, and Taylor Morrison actively building across San Antonio's master-planned communities, each with its own price point and design focus.

Master-Planned Communities Worth a Look

• Alamo Ranch (78253)— One of San Antonio's largest master-planned communities, spanning the far west side off Loop 1604 and Highway 151, zoned to Northside ISD, with multiple builders offering homes from the low $300,000s.

• Stillwater Ranch (78254)— A far-northwest community known for larger homesites and family amenities, also zoned to Northside ISD, with builders including KB Home, Perry Homes, Pulte, and Taylor Morrison.

• Cibolo Canyons (78261)— A north-side community on rolling Hill Country terrain near the JW Marriott and its TPC golf courses, zoned to North East ISD, with pricing that spans from the $300,000s well into seven figures.

• VIDA— Southstar's 600-acre South Side masterplan next to Texas A&M University–San Antonio, mixing single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments from the low $200,000s.

• Johnson Ranch— A roughly 767-acre community in Bulverde along the Highway 281 corridor, offering Hill Country scenery with more small-town character than communities inside Loop 1604.

Pricing, Rates, and Builder Incentives

With resale inventory near multi-year highs, San Antonio builders are competing on terms as much as price. Rate buydowns (commonly structured as 2-1 or 3-2-1 programs), closing-cost credits, and design-center allowances are widely advertised right now, including packages specifically aimed at VA-eligible buyers. Incentive amounts and terms change monthly and vary by builder and community, so treat any advertised figure as a starting point for negotiation rather than a fixed offer, and always ask what the incentive costs you elsewhere — some rate buydowns are built into a slightly higher base price.

Property Taxes on a New Construction Home

The First-Year Tax Surprise

Texas appraisal districts value property based on its condition as of January 1 each year. A home that isn't complete by that date is often taxed initially on land value alone, with a fuller assessment following once the finished structure is added to the rolls — and Texas Tax Code Section 26.15 specifically allows appraisal districts to correct the tax roll and issue a supplemental bill after that reassessment. Ask your builder or title company when the home is expected to hit the tax rolls at full value so the jump doesn't catch you off guard.

Claiming the Homestead Exemption

Once you close and move in, file for Texas's residence homestead exemption with your county appraisal district. School districts are required to exempt $140,000 of a qualifying primary residence's value, and local taxing units may adopt an additional exemption of up to 20% of appraised value, with a $5,000 minimum. The exemption doesn't transfer automatically with a new purchase — you apply using Form 50-114, generally before the following April 30.

MUD and PID Fees: The Line Item to Ask About

Many new San Antonio-area subdivisions sit inside a Municipal Utility District (MUD) or Public Improvement District (PID) — special taxing or assessment districts created to finance the water, sewer, drainage, and road infrastructure a new community needs. These add a charge on top of standard city, county, and school district taxes, and the rate can vary from one phase of a community to the next.

Texas law requires disclosure before you're locked into a contract. Since September 1, 2021, Property Code Section 5.014 has required sellers — including builders — to give buyers a written PID notice before a binding contract is signed, covering new construction along with other property types. Separately, Water Code Sections 49.452 and 49.4521 require a MUD notice, revised by the legislature in 2023 to break out water, sewer, and drainage bond debt by category. If a builder doesn't provide the required notice on time, buyers generally have the right to terminate the contract. Before you sign anything, ask directly whether the lot is in a MUD, a PID, or both, and get the current assessed rate in writing.

Buying New Construction with a VA Loan

New construction is VA-loan friendly in San Antonio, home to a large military and veteran population near Joint Base San Antonio. Veterans and service members with full VA entitlement can finance a new home with no down payment and no VA-imposed loan limit, as long as the lender approves the loan amount and the appraisal supports the purchase price. The home still has to meet VA minimum property requirements, so confirm that with your builder early, and ask specifically about incentive packages many builders reserve for VA buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is new construction cheaper than resale in San Antonio right now?
Statewide, the price gap between new-construction and existing-home sales narrowed to about $15,500 in March 2026, down from around $19,900 a year earlier and well below the near-$100,000 premium builders charged before the pandemic. Local pricing still varies widely by community and builder, so compare specific listings rather than relying on the statewide average.

Which builders are most active in San Antonio?
Lennar leads by a wide margin, followed by KB Home and D.R. Horton; together the top four builders accounted for more than half of all 2025 permits.

What is a MUD or PID fee, and will my new home have one?
A MUD or PID is a special taxing or assessment district that finances a subdivision's water, sewer, drainage, and road infrastructure, adding a charge on top of standard property taxes. Many new San Antonio communities carry one; Texas law requires builders to disclose it in writing before you sign a contract.

Do I still get a homestead exemption on a newly built home?
Yes. Once you close and occupy the home as your primary residence, you can apply for Texas's $140,000 school-district homestead exemption, plus any local-option exemption your city or county offers, using Form 50-114.

Can I use a VA loan to buy new construction in San Antonio?
Yes. Veterans with full entitlement can finance new construction with no down payment and no VA-imposed loan limit, subject to lender approval and appraisal, as long as the home meets VA minimum property requirements.

Getting a Local Read Before You Buy

Metro-wide numbers are a useful starting point, but new-construction pricing, incentives, and tax structures can differ significantly between two communities just a few miles apart — and even between phases of the same community. If you're planning a move to Greater San Antonio and want help sorting through which new-construction communities actually fit your budget, commute, and lifestyle, Robert Fedewa, a San Antonio-area REALTOR®, can help build a personalized shortlist based on what matters most to you.