Home Values in San Antonio, TX: Expert Tips for Sellers

How to get a home value estimate

If you’re looking to understand how much your San Antonio home is worth, there are multiple tools that can help you estimate its value, whether you want help setting your list price or to calculate your net proceeds.

Use an online home value estimator

The simplest way to get a general idea of your home’s value is by using an online home value estimator like HomeLight’s. These tools gather data from sources like county auditor and tax assessor records, user-submitted data, and recent MLS listings and sales. HomeLight’s estimator goes a step further by asking seven straightforward questions to personalize and refine the accuracy of your estimate. You’ll receive a ballpark figure in under two minutes, giving you a quick reference for your home’s value and a starting point for the next steps in your selling journey.

Request a comparative market analysis

While online estimators offer speed and convenience, a more precise approach is to request a comparative market analysis (CMA) from a local San Antonio real estate agent. A CMA compares your home to similar homes recently sold in your area and considers variables like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, home age, square footage, location, updates, and proximity to amenities to offer a more tailored price range. Since a CMA is performed by a professional, you don’t have to worry about a virtual estimator pulling from any skewed or outdated online values.

CMAs typically include graphs, charts, photos, and data to present a clear picture of your home’s standing in the market. Many agents will provide a CMA for free, and most will include it within their services if you’re considering listing with them. However, some might charge a small fee.

Get a pre-listing appraisal

While a comparative market analysis (CMA) performed by a reputable agent will be sufficient in most cases, there are some instances in which a pre-listing appraisal may be necessary to get a more accurate home value estimate. For example, this might be recommended for homes with unique characteristics that are tricky to evaluate, or those located in rural areas with limited comparable sales. A professional appraisal will assess the home’s value based on a thorough evaluation of the property’s interior and exterior, the land, and the local market.

A home appraisal typically costs between $450 to $550, though complex properties like custom luxury homes or large farms may incur higher fees. Keep in mind that even if you decide to conduct a pre-listing appraisal, the buyer’s lender will still require their own appraisal as part of the financing process.

How to increase the value of your San Antonio home

If you’re looking to maximize your San Antonio home’s value before putting it on the market, a few targeted strategies can help drive your home’s list price higher.

Curb appeal: Focusing on curb appeal is one of the most effective yet straightforward steps in boosting your home’s value. In fact, 92% of realtors recommend improving curb appeal before listing a home for sale, according to the National Association of Realtors. Simple, low-budget upgrades like power washing the exterior, mowing the lawn, installing outdoor lights, painting the front door, and adding fresh mulch can make your home more appealing to buyers and create a lasting first impression.

Strategic updates: To get the most out of your upgrades, invest in high-ROI home improvements like refinishing the flooring, repainting walls, and updating high-traffic areas like kitchens or bathrooms. For example, replacing hardware, modernizing light fixtures, or fixing leaky faucets are all cost-effective upgrades. According to Zonda’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, replacing the garage door is currently the highest-valued home improvement, with an impressive 194% ROI.

Necessary fixes: Before selling, make sure that all of the major systems in your home are functioning properly. While you may want to consult with a real estate agent before taking on costly projects that could delay the sale, it’s generally recommended to address key repairs such as problems with your roof, plumbing, electrical, or HVAC to prevent surprises during the home inspection and help secure a smooth sale.

Decluttering and depersonalizing: One HomeLight survey revealed that decluttering can increase your home’s sale price by $8,000 or more. To declutter, remove any excess furniture or items from view to make your space feel more open and provide a blank canvas for buyers. Depersonalizing is another step that goes hand-in-hand with decluttering — be sure to clear any personal items, family photos, or religious symbols from view to avoid any potential bias from buyers.

Deep cleaning: Deep cleaning is another cost-effective way to boost your home’s value. A HomeLight survey of over 1,000 top agents found that thoroughly cleaning your home can add up to $3,700 in value. Focus on scrubbing dirty windows, cleaning grout between tiles, steam-cleaning carpets, and even dusting the hard-to-reach areas like vents and baseboards. In general, buyers will be more willing to overlook minor imperfections in a home if its overall condition is fresh and clean.

Home staging: Now that your home has started over with a clean slate, staging is the finishing touch to show off its best features and create a welcoming environment. According to HomeLight’s most recent Agent Insights Report, professionally staged homes can sell for up to 13% more than unstaged homes. Most agents agree that staging is a wise move in today’s market — in fact, 31% of agents polled believe that staging is an “essential” component of home sales.

Unlock Your Equity and Buy Before You Sell

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency.

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How to buy before you sell in San Antonio

If you’re curious about home values in San Antonio because you’re eyeing your next dream home, HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell (BBYS) program could be the perfect solution.

With BBYS, you can quickly and easily unlock a percentage of your current home’s equity, allowing you to make a strong, non-contingent offer on your next property without the pressure of selling your home or moving right away. If you qualify for the program, you can access this equity within 24 hours to buy your new home first and sell your current home after, eliminating the stress of multiple moves. Plus, there are zero obligations or upfront fees.

HomeLight charges a 2.4% flat fee of your home’s sold price. If your old home doesn’t sell within 90 days of closing on your new property, HomeLight will purchase it directly and continue working to sell it, passing the profits back to you (after subtracting any incurred costs).

Sound intriguing? Check out the video below to learn more about HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program:

How to find a top agent in San Antonio

One of the most important steps in maximizing your home’s selling price is choosing an experienced real estate agent with a successful track record. With HomeLight’s agent matching service, you can get matched with up to three top-performing San Antonio agents within minutes. Our service is free and unbiased, connecting you with professionals based on their past sales, specialties, and local expertise — HomeLight does not accept any form of payment to be featured.

A key metric to consider when reviewing your matches is each agent’s sale-to-list ratio. This percentage shows how close a home’s final sale price is to its initial listing price. A high sale-to-list ratio indicates that an agent knows how to accurately price homes according to market value and consistently delivers strong results for their clients.

Before choosing a real estate agent, it’s wise to interview at least three candidates you’re interested in first. To assess an agent’s level of expertise, consider asking questions like:

By using HomeLight’s tailored agent match tool and asking these targeted questions, you can confidently find a local expert who will help you achieve the best results for your home sale.

Get a free preliminary home estimate today

No matter your future plans with your home — whether you want to sell soon or are simply interested in refinancing or applying for a home equity loan — knowing what your San Antonio property is worth can help you make the wisest financial decisions. Using HomeLight’s free value estimator, you can easily get a ballpark estimate of your home’s worth in just a few minutes.

HomeLight can also connect you with top San Antonio real estate agents to help you maximize your sale price. Or, if you’re ready to buy a new house before selling your current one, our Buy Before You Sell program can unlock a portion of your equity to help you make a strong offer. Keeping up with the latest market trends and leveraging these tools will ensure you get the best sale price for your San Antonio home.

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