November 11th, 2019

San Antonio Masterplan Among Top Communities Nationwide for Veterans and Military Homebuyers

Original article by Blau Journal >

When Freehold Communities, developer of residential communities nationwide, broke ground on Homestead outside of San Antonio in 2016, it knew it was serving a market with strong military ties. In Schertz/Cibolo, Texas – just 15 minutes from Randolph Air Force Base and near six other bases – Homestead brings Freehold Communities’ award-winning approach to amenity-rich masterplans while providing special support for military families. Today, veterans, military families and families working in related services comprise approximately 50 percent of Homestead buyers.

This news comes as Veterans United Home Loans ranks San Antonio third nationally in the number of millennial (born between 1981 and 1996) veterans and service members purchasing homes. (The one and two regions are Jacksonville, Florida, and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida.) San Antonio saw a 135.5% surge in Veterans Administration home loans over the past three years. Veterans United Home Loans, the nation’s largest VA lender, has also named San Antonio as the best city in the U.S. for all military veteran homebuyers for the third year in a row, according to a new study.

Homestead attracts these families with extensive support and services. And the community’s new amenity center is the first and largest of its kind among masterplans in the region, including its state-of-the-art fitness facility

Homestead Commons is the recreational heart of Homestead. It features a state-of-the-art fitness center with the latest equipment, resort-style pool and splash pad, and an outdoor pavilion with grills and a playground for kids. Homestead is also one of the few area masterplan community with a fulltime lifestyle director.

Residents enjoy a year-round calendar of events and activities planned by the lifestyle director. These include holiday parties, potlucks, outdoor movies and kids’ pizza parties. Groups and clubs based on residents’ interests – running groups, swim clubs, mommy-and-me yoga and kids’ craft workshops – are now forming.

Benefits for Military Families

Homestead offers military families a community with strong military connections. Among their top considerations are time and convenience: Many are looking for a home on a tight timeline, and are only able to tour homes via video chat. Homestead offers a number of move-in ready homes so families can see the actual home they’ll be living in, not just a model. Homestead is also within a top-rated school district that follows the same holiday schedule as the military. And the San Antonio area offers excellent, family-focused dining, shopping, parks and recreational opportunities.

Local licensed realtor Rockie Carter works with a large number of military families and brings many of them to Homestead. Carter served in the United States Air Force on active duty for nine years and continues to serve in a reserve capacity as a captain. About 80 percent of his clientele is military, retired military or veterans.

“My affiliation with the armed services allows me to relate to families well and understand their specific needs such as housing allowances, transitional temporary lodging and many of the other conditions that come up during military Permanent Change of Station (PCS),” said Carter. “I bring clients to Homestead because it is a perfect location for military families, and programs are available to help them realize home ownership, such as VA loans. With a VA loan, buying is often more affordable than renting, something potential buyers don’t always know. The best part about working with military families is seeing them build a future for their children. Homestead and the entire San Antonio community is a great place to settle down.”

As with all of Freehold’s new communities, Homestead expresses the company’s Vital Community™ approach that embraces health and wellness, social engagement, stewardship and distinctive home design. Set on 522 acres, the homes are designed with welcoming front porches and sustainable building practices, connected by five miles of trails to ponds, parks and natural surroundings. The recreational amenities at Homestead offer residents a resort living experience unlike anything offered by other communities in the area.

New homes at Homestead are currently available from the following four homebuilders:

PERRY HOMES
Homes ranging from 2,110 – 3,395 sq. ft., 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3.5 bathrooms
From the mid $300,000s

SCOTT FELDER HOMES
Homes ranging from 2,000 – 3,200 sq. ft., 3-5 bedrooms, 2-5 bathrooms
From the low $300,000s

PULTE HOMES
Homes ranging from 1,500 – 2,500 sq. ft., 3-5 bedrooms, 2-3.5 bathrooms
From the low $200,000s

CASTLEROCK COMMUNITIES
Homes ranging from 1,600 – 2,450 sq. ft., 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms
From the mid $200,000s

Read the original here >