San Antonio Home Sales Fell 19% in November, But Prices Kept Climbing — What It Means for You

The San Antonio Board of Realtors released its November 2025 market report this week, and the headline numbers tell an interesting story. Sales dropped sharply, prices moved higher, and the rental market kept expanding. Whether you are buying, selling, renting, or simply keeping an eye on your home's value, here is a clear look at what these numbers mean for you right now.

Single-family home sales across the San Antonio area totaled 2,206 in November 2025, a 19 percent decline compared to November 2024. That is a significant drop, and it reflects a trend that has been building throughout the year as higher mortgage rates kept some would-be buyers on the sidelines. At the same time, the median sales price rose 5 percent to $315,000, and the average sales price climbed 5 percent to $374,831. Fewer transactions happened, but the homes that did sell commanded more money.

Inventory sat at 5.90 months, which puts San Antonio solidly in balanced-to-buyer-favorable territory. Homes averaged 86 days on market before going under contract. That is meaningful context. A year or two ago, well-priced homes in areas like Helotes, Schertz, New Braunfels, and Stone Oak were moving in days. Today, sellers in nearly every San Antonio ZIP code need to be patient and realistic about pricing from the start.

If you are a buyer, this market has quietly shifted in your favor in ways that did not exist eighteen months ago. With nearly six months of supply on hand and homes sitting for close to three months on average, you have time to be deliberate. You can schedule second showings, order inspections without waiving them, and negotiate repairs or closing cost assistance that sellers would have refused outright not long ago. Communities like Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, and the South Side along Highway 90 tend to offer entry-level price points that can still come in under that $315,000 median. If budget allows, established neighborhoods inside Loop 410, including Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and King William, continue to hold value well and give you long-term appreciation potential. The key right now is getting your financing squared away before you shop. With rates where they are, knowing your exact numbers before you fall in love with a house saves everyone time.

If you are a seller, the 5 percent price gain is genuinely good news, but the 86-day average on market is a reality check. Buyers are not disappearing, they are just being more deliberate, exactly as described above. That means your home needs to earn their attention. Pricing it correctly from day one matters more than ever. Overpriced listings in neighborhoods like Alamo Ranch, Boerne, or Converse are sitting while fairly priced, well-presented homes are still moving. Fresh paint, clean landscaping, and a pre-listing inspection that lets you address issues upfront can meaningfully shorten your time on market. December is historically quieter for showings, but buyers who are active this time of year are serious. If you are thinking of listing in early 2026, use the next few weeks to prepare rather than wait.

If you are renting, the data paints a picture of a market that is growing fast. There are currently 5,367 rental listings available in the San Antonio area, a 19 percent jump compared to a year ago. Average rent is running $1,788 per month. More supply means renters have more negotiating power than they did a year ago. Landlords in areas with heavy new apartment construction, including the far North Side around Stone Oak and the Northeast Side near Randolph Air Force Base and Judson ISD, are offering concessions like a free month or reduced deposits to attract qualified tenants. If your lease is coming up, it is worth shopping the market before automatically renewing.

If you already own a home in San Antonio, the 5 percent appreciation in median and average prices is a reminder that real estate rewards patience. Even with volume down, values are holding and growing. Your equity position is likely stronger than it was a year ago. If you have been considering a home equity line of credit for a renovation project, now is a reasonable time to talk to a lender about what you qualify for. Improving your home while you own it, whether that is a kitchen update in a Helotes ranch house or adding a covered patio in a Floresville property, adds value you can capture when you eventually sell.

The San Antonio market in December 2025 is not the frenzied seller's market of recent years, and it is not a distressed buyer's market either. It is a market that rewards preparation, patience, and working with people who know the local landscape well. The fundamentals here, strong military presence, continued job growth, and a relatively affordable cost of living compared to Austin and Houston, remain solid. The numbers this month are a pause, not a reversal.

Whatever your real estate goals are heading into the new year, understanding what the market is actually doing gives you a real edge.