Old housing in quantity

Unlike Houston or Dallas, a large share of San Antonio's housing predates 1950. Dignowity Hill, Denver Heights, and Government Hill on the east side; Prospect Hill and the near west side; and the King William and Monte Vista historic districts all have houses from the 1890s through the 1930s. Further out, post-war tract housing fills the areas inside Loop 410.

The pre-war houses bring pier-and-beam foundations with settled piers, cloth-insulated and knob-and-tube wiring remnants, galvanized supply lines, cast iron drains, and roofs with layers of patching. In the historic districts, exterior work is subject to review, which is part of why some of these houses trade as-is rather than being renovated.

The 2016 hailstorm and insurance

The April 2016 hailstorm across north San Antonio was one of the costliest in Texas history. Carriers responded across the market with higher wind and hail deductibles, depreciated roof settlements on older roofs, and non-renewals, and hail has continued since.

A roof no carrier will insure makes a house unfinanceable regardless of price. That single fact accounts for a large share of the cash sales in this city.

Flash flooding and the creeks

San Antonio's flood risk is flash flooding rather than slow river rise. Salado Creek, Leon Creek, and the San Antonio River can come up very quickly, and the city has a long history of damaging floods. Properties with flood history are hard to insure and hard to finance, and repairs are often incomplete.

Much of the northern part of the city also sits over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, where development and impervious cover rules are stricter. That matters more for land than for an existing house.

Military moves and out-of-town owners

Joint Base San Antonio — Lackland, Randolph, and Fort Sam Houston — cycles a great many households through the city. The familiar result: a house bought during one assignment, rented after the next set of orders, and managed from another state or overseas for years. Those houses are frequently in worse condition than the last management report suggested.

We buy them occupied or vacant, and the entire sale can be handled remotely, with signing before a notary wherever you are.

San Antonio property we buy

  • Pre-1950 bungalows on the east, west, and south sides
  • Houses in King William, Monte Vista, and other historic districts
  • Post-war tract housing inside Loop 410 with original systems
  • Roofs with hail damage, denied claims, or repeated patching
  • Homes that flooded along Salado or Leon Creek
  • Military rentals owned from out of state or overseas
  • Rentals with tenants in place, paying or in arrears
  • Vacant houses with open code cases
  • Inherited homes where the estate was never opened

Frequently asked questions

Do you buy old pier-and-beam houses in San Antonio?

Yes. Pre-1950 housing with original wiring, plumbing, and foundation settlement is a large part of what we buy here.

Will you buy a house in King William or Monte Vista?

Yes. Historic district exterior review is part of our assessment.

Do you buy houses with hail-damaged roofs?

Yes, including ones no carrier will insure and claims that were denied.

I am stationed elsewhere and own a San Antonio rental. Can I sell remotely?

Yes. Signing is arranged where you are and proceeds are wired.

Can you buy a house that flooded from Salado Creek?

Yes, at any stage of repair.

Do you buy houses with open code cases?

Yes. Send the case number so any recorded lien is handled at closing.