All Forum Posts by: Lisa Choi

Hey Tyler – Welcome to BiggerPockets and the San Antonio real estate scene!

I'm a local real estate agent here in San Antonio specializing in helping investors expand their portfolios. Always happy to connect and talk shop—whether it's neighborhoods, deal flow, or strategies that are working well in this market.

We also host a quarterly event called REI on Tap, a relaxed networking happy hour for investors, agents, lenders, and other real estate professionals. It's a great way to meet like-minded individuals in a casual setting.

Additionally, here are some other local real estate investment meetups you might find valuable:

• Alamo REIA: The San Antonio chapter of the National Real Estate Investors Association, offering multiple events each month for networking and education .
• San Antonio Real Estate Investor Community: A group that meets several times a month, catering to investors of all experience levels .
• Wealth and Whiskey (San Antonio): Meets every second Wednesday, focusing on networking and discussions to help build wealth through property investments .

Feel free to shoot me a message if you'd like more details or to connect further. Looking forward to collaborating!

Best,

Great question, Larry. For strong cash flow in Texas, many investors look at markets with lower home prices relative to rent potential. Here are a few areas to consider:

1. San Antonio – One of the more affordable major cities with steady rental demand. Certain pockets, like the south and west sides, offer good deals on fixers.

2. Fort Worth – Compared to Dallas, Fort Worth tends to have better cash flow potential with strong rental demand. Look at older neighborhoods where values haven't skyrocketed yet.

3. Beaumont – Lower entry prices and a solid rental market make this a strong cash flow play, though be mindful of flood zones.

4. Killeen – Home to Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), this military town has consistent rental demand and affordable properties.

5. Corpus Christi – Coastal markets can be hit or miss, but certain areas offer good cash flow, especially with short-term rental potential.

6. Smaller towns around Houston – Places like Pasadena, Baytown, and Texas City offer cheaper properties with solid rental markets.

The key is finding fixers in neighborhoods where rehab costs align with after-repair values and rental rates support your investment goals. Are you targeting any specific price ranges or property types?

Hi Harry! 

Great question! Property taxes definitely play a big role in real estate investing, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. While Texas has higher property taxes than Oklahoma, investors still flock here for a few key reasons:

No State Income Tax – Many investors prefer Texas because it offsets the higher property taxes with no state income tax, which can make a big difference in overall returns.

Market Appreciation – Texas cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio have seen strong appreciation over time, which can outweigh the higher tax burden in the long run. Oklahoma may have lower taxes, but if property values don’t appreciate as much, your overall returns might be lower.

Job Growth & Demand – Texas has strong population and job growth, which fuels rental demand and rent increases. If rents are rising faster than taxes, your net income can still be strong.

Rent-to-Value Ratio – It’s also important to look at how much rental income a property can generate relative to its price. A cheaper property with lower taxes isn’t always a better investment if rents are lower too.

Property taxes matter, but they should be weighed alongside appreciation, rental demand, and overall cash flow potential. Sometimes, paying higher taxes in a high-growth market leads to better long-term gains!

Are you considering a specific market to invest in?

Hey Larry, Texas has some great markets for cash-flowing rentals, but the best choice depends on your budget, risk tolerance, and strategy. If you're looking to buy fixers with cash, rehab, and rent, here are a few solid options:

• San Antonio – Still relatively affordable with strong rental demand. Certain pockets offer good cash flow, especially if you target working-class neighborhoods with stable tenant bases.

• Fort Worth – More affordable than Dallas but growing fast. There are opportunities in older neighborhoods that need rehab.

• Beaumont – Lower purchase prices and solid rental demand, though economic reliance on oil and gas is a factor to consider.

• Killeen – Driven by Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), military tenants provide consistent demand, and fixer-uppers are available at lower price points.

• Rio Grande Valley (McAllen, Edinburg, Harlingen) – Lower-cost properties, but make sure to evaluate job growth and tenant stability.

San Antonio, in particular, has a good balance of affordability, rental demand, and appreciation potential. If you're looking for C-class properties with strong cash flow, you can find good deals here, especially if you're open to light-to-moderate rehabs.

What kind of cash-on-cash return are you targeting? That might help narrow down the best market for your goals.

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Hey Fajer,

Great questions! HOAs are very common in newer developments across San Antonio, and while they can provide benefits like maintaining neighborhood appearance and amenities, they also come with restrictions and the potential for fee increases. Some HOAs are more investor-friendly than others, so always review their bylaws carefully—some may have rental restrictions, especially for STRs.

For B neighborhoods with good appreciation potential and rental demand, consider:
78249 (UTSA area) – Strong rental demand due to students and young professionals.
78251 (Westover Hills/SeaWorld area) – Good job growth, strong long-term rental market.
78247 (NE San Antonio) – Established neighborhoods with solid appreciation.
78230 (Medical Center area) – High demand from medical professionals and students.

Areas to be cautious with depend on your risk tolerance, but some parts of 78207, 78237, and 78242 can have higher vacancies and lower appreciation, though they may offer higher cash flow if managed well.

Let me know if you want to chat more—I’m active in the SA market and happy to help!

Great insights! These numbers indicate that the San Antonio market remains strong, with steady demand keeping median prices at the $300K mark. The number of homes sold suggests buyers are still active, despite interest rates and economic uncertainty. It'll be interesting to see how new developments impact inventory levels and pricing over time.

I also came across an article in the Express-News about a really cool architectural "wing-shaped" office tower with some of the priciest rents in the city potentially going up at Port San Antonio. If this project moves forward, it could attract more businesses to the former Air Force base, driving job growth and increasing housing demand in surrounding areas. Definitely something to watch!

Hey Mike,

Welcome to BP! Great to see you're looking into STR in San Antonio! The market here has a lot of potential, but like any real estate investment, you should be prepared for the good, the bad, and the ugly. STR can be very profitable, especially in high-demand areas near downtown, the Pearl, or near military bases, but there are also challenges—seasonality, city regulations, and increasing competition.

A few things to keep in mind:
Regulations – San Antonio has STR ordinances, so make sure you check zoning laws and permitting requirements.
Market Trends – Demand fluctuates, and some areas perform better than others. Understanding occupancy rates and ADR (average daily rate) is key.
Management – Will you self-manage or hire a property manager? STRs can be time-intensive, especially with guest turnover.
Mitigating Risks – Proper insurance, setting up an LLC, and having a financial cushion can help protect you from unexpected issues.

Real estate investing always comes with risks, but if you have the right strategy, you can mitigate them and set yourself up for success. Happy to connect and chat more about the market here!

Hey Diego!

Great breakdown of the San Antonio market! I’ve been seeing similar trends, especially with prices adjusting and days on market stretching a bit. That 17.2% increase in home sales is interesting—seems like buyers are taking advantage of the shift.

In the New Braunfels area, I’ve noticed strong rental demand despite price fluctuations, especially with the continued growth between Austin and San Antonio. Have you seen any particular price points or property types moving faster than others in SA?

Best regards, 

Hi Jeff,

Congrats on paying off your house—that's a huge milestone! It sounds like you have a solid plan to leverage a HELOC for the BRRRR strategy. A few key things to keep in mind as you move forward:

1. HELOC Terms & Interest Rates – Since HELOCs typically have variable rates, make sure the numbers still work if rates fluctuate. Some investors opt for a fixed-rate loan once they stabilize a property.

2. Appraisal Expectations – When refinancing, lenders will base their loan amount on the appraised value. Be sure to factor in market trends and realistic ARVs (after-repair values) to ensure you can pull enough capital out.

3. Lender Relationships – Not all banks are BRRRR-friendly. Some have seasoning requirements before allowing a cash-out refi, so it's good to shop around and build relationships with investor-friendly lenders.

4. Cash Flow Focus – While scaling quickly is exciting, make sure each property still cash flows well after refinancing. HELOC payments should be included in your overall financial strategy.

5. Contractor & Market Knowledge – Since rehab plays a big role in BRRRR, having reliable contractors and a deep understanding of your target market will help maximize your returns.

If you ever need insights on investing in San Antonio or want to bounce ideas off someone, feel free to reach out. Wishing you success on your journey to financial freedom!

Best,