Homestead Commons is the recreational heart of Homestead, with pool, splash pad and fitness center.
SAN ANTONIO—When Freehold Communities broke ground on Homestead outside of San Antonio in 2016, the developer knew it was serving a market with strong military ties. In Schertz/Cibolo, TX, just 15 minutes from Randolph Air Force Base and near six other bases–Homestead includes Freehold Communities' approach to amenity-rich master plans while providing special support for military families.
These families are also drawn to the recreational amenities and overall community atmosphere, GlobeSt.com learns. Today, veterans, military families and families working in related services comprise approximately 50% of Homestead buyers.
This news comes as VA lender Veterans United Home Loans ranks San Antonio third nationally in the number of Millennial veterans and service members purchasing homes. (The one and two regions are Jacksonville, FL and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL.) In fact, San Antonio had a 135.5% surge in Veterans Administration home loans during the past three years. Veterans United Home Loans has also named San Antonio as the best US city for military veteran homebuyers for the third year in a row, according to a new study.
Recently opened, Homestead Commons is the recreational heart of Homestead. It features a fitness center with the latest equipment, pool and splash pad, and an outdoor pavilion with grills and a playground for kids.
Homestead is also one of the few area master-planned communities with a full-time lifestyle director. Residents enjoy a year-round calendar of events and activities planned by the lifestyle director. And, groups and clubs based on residents' interests such as running groups, swim clubs, mommy-and-me yoga and kids' craft workshops are now forming.
Among the top considerations for military families 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 school district that follows the same holiday schedule as the military. And the San Antonio area offers family-focused dining, shopping, parks and recreational opportunities.
Local real estate agent 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.
"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," 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 front porches and sustainable building practices, connected by five miles of trails to ponds, parks and natural surroundings.
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Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown is an editor for the south and west regions of GlobeSt.com. She has 25-plus years of real estate experience, with a regional PR role at Grubb & Ellis and a national communications position at MMI. Brown also spent 10 years as executive director at NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area chapter, where she led the organization to achieving its first national award honors and recognition on Capitol Hill. She has written extensively on commercial real estate topics and edited numerous pieces on the subject.
