Ryland Homes has made a fine reputation for itself in the San Antonio area, as it has provided new homebuyers with exceptional design, energy efficient construction and quality amenities.

Ryland Homes can provide its new homebuyers with the best quality and value because of its long-standing relationships with suppliers and subcontractors. Ryland Homes is also committed to using a higher grade of materials and name-brand fixtures and appliances, all of which are backed by its exceptional home warranty program. Below are just a few of Ryland Homes’ new home communities in San Antonio:

Bluffs at Canyon Springs/Enclave at Canyon Springs

The Bluffs at Canyon Springs and the Enclave at Canyon Springs are located in the picturesque Hill Country within the master-planned community of Canyon Springs. Some of the amenities of Canyon Springs include the Canyon Springs Golf Course and the amenity center with swimming pool. Prices start at $202,990.

Promontory Pointe

Promontory Pointe, which is located in the highly desirable Stone Oak area, features wooded, large, homesites. Students in Promontory Pointe attend the highly respected North East Independent School District. Prices start at $232,990.

Promontory Reserve & Heights

Promontory Reserve & Heights is an executive community which is located near Loop 1604 and Highway 281. Some of the features of the homes in this community include two and three-car, detached garages and cul-de-sac homesites. Prices start at $232,990.

Silver Oaks

Silver Oaks enjoys a country setting, yet is just minutes to city conveniences. It is also close to Sea World and Six Flags. Prices start from the $150s.

Terraces at Alamo Ranch/Trails at Alamo Ranch

The Terraces at Alamo Ranch and the Trails at Alamo Ranch are located in the Northwest corridor of San Antonio, near Loop 1604 and the Alamo Ranch Parkway. These brand-new, master-planned communities are located near all major shopping centers and employers. Prices start from $159,990 for the Terraces at Alamo Ranch and from $232,490 for the Trails at Alamo Ranch.

Free Trade Alliance San Antonio was developed in 1994 to recognize and support San Antonio as an inland port and international trade center.

The Alliance brings together “the resources of its members and focuses them towards the promotion, development and facilitation of international business and trade for the entire San Antonio region.”

The chambers which make up the Alliance include:

• The City of San Antonio

• The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

• San Antonio Economic Development Foundation

• Bexar County

• San Antonio Water System

• San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

• Port Authority of San Antonio

The Alliance has also developed a new program called the International Business Network, in which professionals come together to discuss and share their international business experience. The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce members often benefit from the resources provided by the professionals of the International Business Network.

According to The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s web site, the International Business Network can help Chamber members connect with international professionals who can provide a specific area of knowledge; inform Chamber members of visiting international delegations, international seminars and related activities and events; provide information and updates on international business opportunities; and provide Chamber members with access to trade lead opportunities.

The goals, objectives and activities of the Alliance include:

• Foreign investment – Attract and retain trade-related operations and promote San Antonio’s strategic location and economic incentives.

• Business development – Assist San Antonio companies when developing and expanding their international business ventures.

• Policy and advocacy – Develop policies which deal with any trade-related issues pertaining to the San Antonio region.

The Alliance supports and expands San Antonio’s international trade presence, which will provide a consistent springboard for the overall economy and housing market in the San Antonio area.

Birkel Residential Group, LTD has recently developed two, new condo/townhome communities which are sure to satisfy the need for more luxury living in San Antonio.

Pinnacle at Oak Hills

This brand new, gated community of mid-rise condos and two-story townhomes overlooks the Oak Hills Country Club and is located in the heart of San Antonio’s medical and business corridors. Just some of the features of Pinnacle at Oak Hills include a private, state-of-the-art fitness center, a gorgeous pool and spa, a clubhouse and a terrace plaza.

Amenities found through the residences of Pinnacle at Oak Hills include spacious, walk-in closets, private balconies with golf course views, nine to ten-foot ceilings, designer lighting packages, modern kitchens with granite countertops and GE Energy Star appliances and spa-like bathrooms with oversized, garden tubs and double sinks.

Prices for Pinnacle at Oak Hills start in the $170,000s.

Slate Creek at Westover Hills

The gated community of Slate Creek at Westover Hills consists of 96, stone and stucco townhomes which overlook the Lakes Golf Course at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa. These two-story, luxury townhomes feature classic, Hill Country architecture, open layouts, modern amenities and a close proximity to downtown San Antonio.

Some of the amenities of Slate Creek at Westover Hills include an oak tree-lined jogging trail, a private pool, an open-air cabana and a barbecue area.

Some of the features found throughout the residences include hardwood floors, spacious, walk-in closets, large patios overlooking the golf course, nine-foot ceilings, spa-like bathrooms with soaking tubs and double vanities and gourmet kitchens with granite countertops and GE stainless steel appliances. Select townhomes also include gas fireplaces and vaulted ceilings.

Prices for Slate Creek at Westover Hills range from the $200,000s to the $400,000s.

Birkel Residential Group, LTD

Birkel Residential Group, LTD began in 1993 as a developer of multi-housing communities in Texas. Since then it has developed seven communities in Texas and has moved its corporate offices to Texas.

Birkel Residential Group expects to start three to four new projects per year.

The Vidorra is a new, luxury high-rise in San Antonio’s historic, Sunset Station at St. Paul Square. Currently under construction with a move-in date set for February 2009, The Vidorra will become the newest jewel in Sunset Station’s sparkling surroundings.

The Vidorra

The Vidorra boasts a prime, downtown San Antonio location, with the boutiques of La Villita, the touring Broadway shows at the Majestic and a fine array of shops and restaurants all being just a short walk away.

The Vidorra is overseen by Presidian Development, Management and Consulting, which has earned a national reputation over the last 20 years for implementing over $1 billion in successful real estate projects.

Two, 20-story towers, each with adjoining townhomes, make up The Vidorra. This condominium community features efficient floor plans, high ceilings and showcases a nice blend of contemporary and traditional architecture.

Some of the amenities of The Vidorra include sensational, panoramic city views, a private fitness center, a pool, a full-scale business center, a private clubroom, suites for out-of-town guests, full-time concierge service and secured, gated parking.

Historic Sunset Station

Built in 1902 as the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot in the historic St. Paul district of downtown San Antonio, Sunset Station has undergone meticulous renovations and now serves as a multi-purpose venue for meetings, events and weddings.

This ten-acre facility features The Spire, which is an historically restored church building, The Crown, which is a three-story hotel and apartment building, The Depot, which is a grand building of stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings and a grand staircase, and The Pavilion, which is a multi-use plaza for outdoor function and live entertainment.

This venue offers more than 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and can accommodate up to 20,000 guests. Sunset Station also includes a culinary and event planning team.

Located 13 miles northeast of San Antonio in Bexar County, Converse is a bedroom community which enjoys a quiet, suburban feel, yet is close to all of the excitement and opportunities of the city. This community of 12,000 residents boasts one of the lowest crime rates in San Antonio’s metropolitan area, an excellent school system (Judson Independent School District), plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities and a close proximity to San Antonio and San Antonio International Airport.

The two, main parks in Converse, Converse City Park and Converse North Park, have superb youth and sports programs. Add to that the new town square which, after extensive renovation is now a multi-million dollar, master-planned, mix-use development venue, and you have a flourishing, progressive town which caters to the needs of its residents and looks forward to a bright future.

In fact, according to Trans-Texas Water Program, Converse is expected to be the largest suburban city in the northeast San Antonio Metropolitan area by the year 2010.

Real estate in Converse consists mainly of single family homes and new construction, and has recently seen a boom in new, single-family home developments.

Copperfield – Sivage Homes

Located near Randolph Air Force Base, this picturesque community offers a quiet, country feeling, yet is close to downtown and plenty of major shopping centers and entertainment. Homes in this community range in price from $119,990 to $168,990 and feature 1,322 to 3,025 square feet of living space.

Horizon Pointe – DR Horton

Located near Interstate 10 and Loop 1604, the community of Horizon Pointe offers residents easy access to both San Antonio and Austin. Homes in this community start from $150,000 and feature 1,624 to 3,143 square feet of living space. The community of Horizon Pointe will also have a future pool and amenity center.

Loma Alta Estates – Bella Vista Homes

Homes in this community range in price from $135,890 to $178,890 and feature 1,396 to 2,740 square feet of living space.

Rolling Creek – Touchmark Homes

The community of Rolling Creek, which is conveniently located near Randolph Air Force Base and major shopping centers, enjoys a small town neighborhood feel. Homes in this community range in price from $150,900 to $209,900 and include 1,654 to 3,569 square feet of living space.

Situated 17 miles from downtown San Antonio, the small town of Elmendorf has just over 1,000 residents, yet remains a thriving community which is steadily gaining in population. The economy and industry is Elmendorf is healthy and strong and has therefore brought new home communities to this tranquil, picturesque town, which is located in Bexar County.

Homewood Place

Homewood Place, which is a new plan of homes located in the Butterfield Ranch community, is one of ten different plans in Butterfield Ranch. The prices for homes in Homewood Place range from $129,500 to $188,000. These homes feature three to four bedrooms, two to two and a half bathrooms and 1,400 to 3,009 square feet of living space.

The homes of Homewood Place include large lots, full-sized, two-car garages, modern amenities, generous landscaping packages, front porches, spacious floor plans and imaginative interior and exterior designs.

Over nine acres of land in Homewood Place has been devoted to parks and greenbelt. Tree-lined streets and landscaped parkways add to the suburban, family-oriented feel of this community.

Two hundred and eighty residences make up Homewood Place. This subdivision features a community park with a tot lot, a scenic pond with a dock and a trail system, a gazebo, a picnic area and plenty of parking. There are also other pocket parks located throughout the neighborhood.

The subdivisions of Butterfield Ranch enjoy idyllic surroundings, as they are situated beside small farms and ranches, and they border the scenic lake districts of Calaveras and Braunig.

Butterfield Ranch is located just minutes from downtown San Antonio, the Connolly Medical Center, the Toyota plant, Kelly Air Force Base and Brooks Air Force Base. It is also located just five minutes from Loop 1604.

Other communities in Elmendorf include Waterwood Estates, South Oak Estates and Waterwood Park.