All Forum Posts by: Angela Liu

STR owner here. Some good points have been made already regarding the areas of town, but wanted to add some more thoughts to consider. Areas near downtown are not just good for tourism, but SA hosts multiple conventions every week. I met another STR the other day who has what would be considered a low-end home around downtown, yet he is perpetually booked just based on the demand to be close. And the conventions last 4-5 days which is great revenue. Also, as mentioned above, completely stocking a house from scratch is a lot more expensive than you may think as everything adds up and up and up; so make sure you are budgeting your investment cost with that in mind.

Lastly, there is pending legislation for STRs in SA that will be voted on in the next couple of months. I attended their last public meeting, and it doesn't look like they will be banning it altogether as many cities have done. It is still being modified but as of now, they will be limiting the density of STRs to 1 out of every 8 houses on each block face--if you don't get grandfathered in. In order to get grandfathered in, you need to be registered with the city before the ordinance goes into effect. Registering with the city also means you will need to start paying the City and County hotel taxes if you haven't already (around 11%), AND if you have already been in business they are saying that you will be charged the back taxes along with a penalty and interest. This is still fluid, but as of now, this is what the ordinance is looking like to be voted on.

Interested to be looped in if you get any updates on the ordinances. Seems like a lot of 'limbo' from what I've read so far.

@Angela Liu any luck so far? Wife wants to relocate to Austin from Nashville. One very expensive mid sized city to another. Trying to decide if there’s any money to be made in SA or Waco. Love to hear your journey 

 Angela, 

We also do single family. Reach out if you have any questions.

the randolph windcrest area has a VERY specific line for perpetuity and economical status.. study that area with haste

Keep in touch with me. After my current deal is completed I will give you the name of an investor to stay away from in the San Antonio area.

Hey Shawn, can you PM me as well the name of the investor to stay away from? I know I'm jumping in randomly, but I'm starting to break bread with SA investors shortly after having relocated here from DC and looking to purchase a first investment property.

My only rental property (so far) is in San Antonio. My husband and I bought it on the Northwest side in 2013. That whole area is exploding right now. New bars, new movie theatres, lots of shopping, military tenant friendly, easy access to 1604, the works.

Granted, it became our rental out of necessity, but we pull a little over $215 per month even with factoring in mortgage and property manager. That may not be the number you're looking for, though. 

I'm more just here to corroborate the idea that San Antonio is an awesome place to purchase a house, especially for rentals. It is a growing, constantly expanding city. When we moved in 2016, there were 1.5 M people, and city officials were talking about growing to ~3 M by 2020. They really want to make it a major metropolitan area...and all of those people are going to need somewhere to live! Not to mention the super high rate of military members stationed there who don't want to buy since they'll move in a few years!

Just watch out for property taxes! They are super high! This year we're projected to pay around $4K. For reference, our current house in Nevada, same size, same number of bedrooms/bathrooms, and in an equally middle class neighborhood, we're only paying $1300.