Once home to the wild Native Americans of the Southern Plains, Bexar County is now home to some of the biggest economic growth in all of Texas. The urban hub of San Antonio enjoys a booming manufacturing industry and expansion in the medical field, creating thousands of jobs and drawing new residents to the area. As the population grows, so does the need for improved services, further fueling the area’s financial stability.

Once massive in size, extending as far as the Wyoming border, Bexar County was eventually reduced in size and now includes 31 incorporated cities. Outside the city limits of San Antonio, working cattle and horse ranches sprawl into the gorgeous Texas Hill Country. Grassy plains bump into purple mountains rich with colorful canyons and ancient oak trees.

Live in the Country, Work in the City

One of the many benefits of living in Bexar County real estate is the ability to work in the city, yet escape each evening to a quiet country home. The communities of Bexar County offer easy access to the many military bases and manufacturing industries, and to downtown San Antonio.

The best news in Bexar County real estate is that homes are more affordable now than they have been in years. Although most of Texas survived the economic downturn with minimal impact on home values compared to other markets, many believe that those values have bottomed out and are set to begin rising again in 2010. Low home prices combined with historically low interest rates means there may never again be such an opportunity to own a piece of Bexar County real estate. In fact, some experts believe the purchase of property now could produce a decent return on investment over the next few years.

Bexar County’s Diverse Residences

No matter what your lifestyle, Bexar County real estate has something to offer. From charming cottages to sprawling Mediterranean estates, small apartment homes to ultra-luxurious condominiums, multi-acre ranches to high-rise urban lofts, Bexar County has it all. Perfect for families with young children, retirees, or anyone in between, Bexar County real estate has homes in all sizes and all price ranges.

As San Antonio continues to lure individuals and families from all over the country, new home communities have sprung up all around the city. With an eye towards energy efficiency and a conscience about protecting our environment, many of these new communities have employed the latest design techniques and state-of-the-art building materials. These homes are not only earth-friendly, but offer many advantages to those who live in them.

Go Green and Save Money

Not only are energy efficient homes good for our environment, but they mean money saved every month on heating and air conditioning. By using closed attic systems, innovative framing, and high-grade insulation systems, not only do your heater and air conditioner have to work less, but they will also work more efficiently. This translates into fewer air pollutants and up to a 50% savings on your energy bills. These homes typically have much better indoor air quality, leading to increased personal health and well-being.

Imagine homes, builder of the San Antonio new home communities of Monterrey Village, Stillwater Ranch, and Lakeview, was named as the 2008 NAHB Green Building Award Winner. The design innovations in these homes extend to the exterior to include drought resistant landscaping. All of their San Antonio new home communities are Energy Star and Build San Antonio Green certified.

The family-friendly design of these San Antonio new home communities include gated access, walking trails, preserved open spaces, community pools, and private ponds or lakes.

Efficiency can be Beautiful

KB Homes’ San Antonio new home communities include Fox Grove, Sundance Trails & Sundance Ridge, and Cobblestone, to name just a few. They offer Disney dream rooms for the kids featuring their favorite cartoon and movie characters, design features in cooperation with Martha Stewart, and wooded communities that are both good for the environment and beautify the neighborhood. Many of these San Antonio new home communities have won design awards for their beauty.

In addition to high-tech materials that improve energy efficiency, these new homes incorporate design elements such as stone and brick exteriors, luxury bath elements, three-car garage options, and high ceilings to make them as visually appealing as they are environmentally friendly.

All of these San Antonio new home communities not only save you a great deal of money on energy costs, but they are reasonably priced so that anyone can enjoy their many wonderful benefits.

San Antonio is a city rich in culture, history and excitement. The city’s diverse workforce and low tax burden has long made it a hot spot for commercial activity. It is therefore no wonder that the commercial real estate market has reaped the rewards of a strong, healthy economy.

There are many factors that come into play when speaking of an area’s strong, local economy.  From its cost of living to its location and its housing market, a city can not experience a strong commercial sector – and therefore a strong commercial real estate market – if residents, businesses and corporations aren’t drawn there.

It’s no wonder, then, why San Antonio has a thriving commercial sector.

The following list details the top 10 reasons why San Antonio supplies the perfect ingredients for a healthy commercial real estate market:

1. Port San Antonio, its numerous tax advantages and its Foreign Trade Zone designation
2. Ideal location between Florida and California and Canada and Mexico
3. Close proximity to Latin America countries
4. One of the most affordable and strongest housing markets in the United States (which attracts a healthy workforce)
5. A healthy population growth (15 percent over the last, few years)
6. Low cost of living and year-round, warm temperatures
7. Home to numerous, major corporate headquarters, including Valero Energy Corporation, Clear Channel Communications, Tesoro Petroleum Company, Kinetic Concepts and NuStar Energy LP
8. The presence of major, national and international companies, including Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Microsoft, Washington Mutual Financial, QVC Home Shopping and Martin Marietta Materials SW
9. Education and research institutions, including Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, Texas Research Park, University of Texas Health Science Center, University of Texas San Antonio and Trinity University
10. Number one tourist destination in Texas

Life is good in Alamo Heights. From its prime proximity to San Antonio, to its quiet, suburban lifestyle, Alamo Heights has certainly earned its title as “the friendliest city in Texas.”

Unlike some of the other suburbs of San Antonio, Alamo Heights attracts residents of many different income levels and backgrounds. Living in Alamo Height is generally affordable, thus providing opportunities for a wider array of people.

Situated in Bexar County, next to Terrell Hills, Alamo Heights’ residents enjoy easy access in and around San Antonio, thanks to several, major roadways, including Interstates 35, 10, 410 and US Route 281. There are many professionals that enjoy an easy commute back and forth between Alamo Heights and downtown San Antonio. In fact, the easy commute is less than 20 minutes for most residents of Alamo Heights.

In addition to the professional opportunities found in San Antonio, Alamo Heights employs many residents in its educational, financial, insurance and social services sectors.

What to do in Alamo Heights

This is often more to do than time will allow in this lovely city. Coupled with its fine, suburban surroundings, Alamo Heights offers plenty of dining, shopping and entertainment for its residents, including the Alamo Quarry Market, where dining, shopping and entertainment is plentiful and the Quarry Golf Club, Alamo Heights’ premier golf club.

Alamo Height Real Estate

Most of the homes in Alamo Heights are single-family, detached homes, although there is also a nice array of condominium and townhome properties, as well. In addition, there are numerous estate properties.

As of 2009, there were 7,438 people residing in Alamo Heights. Population growth has remained steady since 2000, due in part to many Alamo Heights residents choosing to remain in this family-friendly San Antonio suburb.

The median price for a home in Alamo Heights is $284,790, and housing prices have fallen more than five percent over the last year. The home prices of Alamo Heights are varied, thus providing a nice selection of properties for different needs, wants and lifestyles.

San Antonio was recently named a “new urbanism” pioneer for its work on the River Walk project, which is slated to finish in 2014, at a cost of $279 million. Once finished, the River Walk will extend to 13 miles, reaching all the way to the city’s Mission district. It will be the nation’s largest ecosystem restoration in an urban area.

The River Walk and all its Glory

As the number one tourist destination in Texas, the River Walk has managed to give itself quite the impressive reputation. Each year, millions of visitors stroll its cobblestone walkways, partaking in the culture, the nightlife and the cuisine, soaking in this urban sanctuary and enjoying the beautiful river views.

From restaurants and cafes, to galleries and quaint boutiques, the River Walk speaks of San Antonio’s unique and eclectic culture and history, and invites visitors to experience all of the splendor, first-hand.

Best of all, as part of San Antonio’s park system, this unique, urban destination is free!

Make sure to enjoy the:

• River Walk Museum – New in May 2009, the River Walk Museum will extend the River Walk, connecting to the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Pearl Brewery, a unique village in San Antonio. The new museum features some of the finest art installations of local, national and international artisans.
• River Cruises – Enjoy a unique perspective of the River Walk aboard a water taxi. Nineteen river taxi stops along the River Walk allows visitors to easily get to where they want to go.
• River Cruise Guided Tours – For a more in-depth view the River Walk, step aboard one of the area’s river cruisers, and learn about the history and cultural of this unique region from an experienced tour guide.

Visitors will continue to enjoy the River Walk for generations to come, and San Antonio will continue to pour money into this lively spot of San Antonio to continue its reputation as a world renowned destination.

Downtown San Antonio has grown from a rough and tumble cowboy town into a modern city full of the finest in shopping, dining, and entertainment. San Antonio played a significant role in the history of Texas, and living in downtown San Antonio puts history right at your fingertips.

Mission San Antonio de Valero

More commonly known as the Alamo, construction of Mission San Antonio de Valero was begun in 1724 and was the city’s first mission. Originally a place of refuge for missionaries and indians who had converted to Christianity, the Alamo eventually became the site of one of the greatest battles in American history and an enduring symbol of freedom for the state of Texas. Occupants of the Alamo during the famed battle against General Santa Anna and his army included Jim Bowie and frontiersman David Crockett. Now residents of downtown San Antonio can share in the remarkable history of this city and live mere footsteps from this great monument.

Have a Drink with Theodore Roosevelt

Among the many restaurants and bars in downtown San Antonio is the Menger Hotel. Have a drink at the Menger Bar, just as former President Theodore Roosevelt did as he was recruiting his “Rough Riders.” Other distinguished guests of the hotel included Robert E. Lee, Babe Ruth, Ulysses S. Grant, and Mae West. This historic national landmark was built in 1859 and is merely 100 yards from the Alamo. Visitors to this public hotel will marvel at it’s museum-like qualities. Residents of downtown San Antonio are lucky to have such a historic watering hole just steps from home.

View the Stately Mansions of the King William Historic District

Once home to the richest and most fashionable members of San Antonio society, much of the King Williams Historic district remains residential. Located just a half mile from the River Walk, this 25-block area offers walking tours of its impressive, rennovated mansions. The area was originally settled by German immigrants, including Anton Wulff, a very prosperous merchant. The Anton Wulff house was built in 1870 for his wife and 11 children, out of locally quarried limestone. Today it houses the San Antonio Conservation Society.

Living in downtown San Antonio offers the unique combination of sleek, sophisticated urban style seamlessly interwoven with rich Texas history.

Ask anyone who’s ever visited or lived in San Antonio, and they will most certainly agree that it is a truly unique, Southwestern town that has a big, Texas attitude but a small-town feel.

From its colorful history of battles and brawls, to its unique, and often eclectic, culture, San Antonio is unlike any other in the country. Beauty is all encompassing here: from the gorgeous, famed River Walk to the beautiful, rolling hills of the Hill Country, San Antonio is sure to impress and likely to surprise even the most seasoned traveler.

Visit the Alamo and retreat back into time; partake in one of the outdoor theater shows along the River Walk; and sample some of the fine – and funky – local cuisine along the way.  From Sea World San Antonio to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, there is never a lack of things to do while in San Antonio, but it’s perhaps the excellent lifestyle that makes visitors want to stay a while longer.

San Antonio Economy

The economy of San Antonio is alive and well, and has managed to dodge much of the fallout from the recession and the flailing, national economy. The many military installations, along with excellent, small business incentives, have encouraged many individuals and companies to relocate to this exciting city.

In fact, 26,000 new residents moved into San Antonio from July 2007 to July 2008 alone.

San Antonio, although it offers some of the finest real estate in the country, is still priced well below the national average, thereby enabling many residents to enjoy home ownership.

The real estate market in San Antonio is also relatively strong, despite the national real estate market. Although the commercial real estate market has felt the biggest impact from the recession, residential real estate values remain quite resilient, thereby encouraging relocation.

Many of the custom homes in Champions Ridge and Champions Run are Tuscan, English or Mediterranean inspired. The median list price for a home in San Antonio’s Champions Ridge and Champions Run, as of July 2000, was $749,000.. However, today, most of the newly listed homes top well above $1 million.

It is not uncommon to see real estate in these neighborhoods boasting five bathrooms, five bedrooms, and loads of upscale amenities, such as oversized lots, high-end outdoor spaces and gourmet kitchens, to say the least.

Townhome Living in Champions Village

Nearby, however, a different picture is developing. The Harrison Group is set to develop townhomes in a new development called Champions Village.

The first phase of this community, which is set to have 32 units and, once completed, the developer envisions more than 200 townhomes within Champions Village.

Using the massive, custom homes of Champions Ridge and Champions Run as its vision, the Harrison Group is expected to design the townhomes of Champions Village to resemble large estate homes instead of townhomes.

Because of the design aesthetic, the townhomes of Champions Village will fit in seamlessly with the homes of the nearby communities, and will attract more high-end buyers looking for easy, carefree living.

Offering Residents a New Type of Carefree Living

The Harrison Group sees Champions Village as a new alternative to single-family estates or small condominium homes.

The townhomes of Champions Village will range in size from 1,600 to 2,450 square feet and will be priced from the $170,000s to the $240,000s.

The homes will feature both stone and stucco exteriors and the developer says they will have an “English Manor” or “American Pride” design aesthetic.

Champions Village will overlook Stone Oak Park in San Antonio, and will therefore have several hiking and biking trails, which will extend from the community and into the park.

The military industry continues to be a strong force in San Antonio’s commercial real estate market.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded contracts to Fort Sam Houston for the construction of two, new barracks for Army personnel who will be taking courses at the Medical Education and Training Campus.

The two contracts that were awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers total about $118.7 million, and will provide barracks for about 1,800 Army medical trainees. This last set of contracts, which are designed for the ongoing development of the Medical Education and Training Campus at Fort Sam Houston, will consist of three dormitories.

The Medical Education and Training Campus is part of the Base Realignment and Closure action, which was formed in 2005.

The construction of the barracks will be handled by Hensel Phelps Construction, a Colorado-based company that also has offices in Austin.

The barracks construction will include a dormitory unit, which will measure 366,000 square feet, as well as another 192,000-square-foot facility that will also house additional Army personnel. In total, the facilities will hold 1,800 personnel.

There are also additional dormitories, currently under construction, that will house more than 3,600 Air Force and Navy personnel, once completed. Hensel Phelps was also contracted to build these facilities, as well.

The newest construction plan is part of the Joint Program Management Office, which manages the San Antonio BRAC construction program. The program was set forth by the Fort Worth District Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The entire project, under the San Antonio BRAC construction program, will involve either building or renovating 78 facilities at Fort Sam Houston, totaling more than six million square feet of space. Once completed, the program is expected to exceed $2 billion.