Understanding Housing Inventory in 2025: What It Means for San Antonio Buyers

If you’ve been trying to buy a home in the last few years, you know the struggle — low inventory, high prices, and steep competition. But here’s the good news: housing inventory is finally trending in the right direction, especially here in San Antonio.

Nationwide, there were 892,561 active listings in March 2025, a 28% increase from the year before. And while we’re still below pre-pandemic levels, the uptick is helping give buyers more choices — particularly when it comes to new construction homes.

Let’s break down what this means for you — and why San Antonio is a standout market in 2025.

📊 San Antonio's Market Snapshot: April 2025

• 5.1 Months of Inventory — The healthiest supply we’ve had in years.
• More inventory than ever before on both the new and resale sides.
• Largest supply of new construction homes at an average price of $345,000.
• New builds are dominating the market, thanks to:
• Builder-paid closing costs
• Interest rate buy-downs
• Upgraded features and appliances
• Lower price-per-square-foot value compared to many pre-owned homes

Simply put: new builds are outshining resale homes — and buyers are taking notice.

🛠 Why Inventory Was So Tight (Until Now)

The shortage of homes on the market is rooted in the aftermath of the 2008 housing crisis, which caused home construction to grind to a halt. Builders only recently started catching up — and now, new builds are leading the way in cities like San Antonio.

Complicating things further:

• High interest rates discouraged current homeowners from selling. (Most have locked-in rates below 4%.)
• Strict zoning and building regulations in some areas limited growth.
• Post-COVID demand from first-time buyers surged, squeezing an already-tight market.

🧱 Why New Builds Are the Bright Spot in 2025

In a typical year, new builds make up 10–15% of home sales. But in some U.S. markets — and especially in San Antonio — they’ve climbed to 30–40%.

Why? Builders are doing what many sellers can’t:

• Offering flexibility and incentives
• Pricing homes competitively
• Creating move-in ready homes that meet modern energy standards and design trends

And with interest rates still hovering around 6.83%, these incentives matter more than ever.

📉 What Rising Inventory Means for Buyers

The rise in housing inventory gives homebuyers a serious advantage:

• More options — especially if you’re willing to consider new construction
• Negotiation power — builders are more likely to sweeten the deal
• A break from bidding wars — more supply equals less competition

That said, interest rates are still impacting affordability. Many current homeowners are choosing not to move unless absolutely necessary. This means resale inventory will remain tight, while new homes fill the gap.

💡 Final Takeaways for San Antonio Buyers

• Now is a great time to consider a new construction home, especially if you're relocating.
• With 5.1 months of inventory, buyers have breathing room they haven’t had in years.
• San Antonio’s average new build price of $345,000 remains one of the most affordable among major U.S. cities.
• Massive builder incentives could save you thousands — don’t overlook them.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner looking for something new, 2025 is shaping up to be the year the market tilts back in your favor.

Ready to explore your options? Let's connect and find the right home for your future.