Author: Lucy Alvarez

  • Texas Tax Ceilings Transfer as Percentages | Looking for a REALTOR® you can trust? Let’s make your next move with confidence. Committed to Service. Driven by Integrity.

    In 2026, qualifying Texas homeowners age 65+ or disabled get a $60K school exemption, added to the state's $140K general homestead exemption.
    The ceiling generally keeps school district taxes at the first qualifying year's level, even as appraisals change; other local taxes depend on separate adopted ceilings.
    Moving within Texas transfers the benefit as a percentage, not the old dollar cap: a 25% prior ratio makes a new $6K school bill $1.5K.
    A surviving spouse can keep the school tax ceiling if at least 55 when the owner died and the home remains that spouse's homestead.
    Before moving, contact both Texas appraisal districts, request the ceiling certificate, confirm homestead and age-65 qualification, and do not assume closing paperwork completed.

  • 7 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

    7 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

    Choose a reputable agent who listens, negotiates effectively, and works hard to secure the best deal on your home. Following these steps helps ensure you find a home that meets your needs and fits your budget. Assistance is available for first-time homebuyers to navigate the process of obtaining title insurance for their property.

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  • 🏡 San Antonio Home Price Cuts | Market Update

    Are buyers gaining more negotiating room in San Antonio?

    Price reductions can create opportunities for buyers, but every neighborhood and property is different.

    For sellers, understanding comparable sales and current competition is important when setting an asking price.

    📊 Thinking about buying or selling? Let's review the numbers for your neighborhood!

    Lucy Alvarez | REALTOR®
    Jake Anthony Realty, LLC
    Texas Properties By Lucy
    📞 210-549-6906

    Driven by Integrity. Committed to Service.

  • Muertos Fest at Hemisfair

    Muertos Fest at Hemisfair

    San Antonio comes together for Muertos Fest at Hemisfair from October 23–25, 2026. This free, three-day Día de los Muertos celebration honors tradition through beautiful altars, marigolds, papel picado, cultural activities, and meaningful community connection.

    Visitors can enjoy live music, local art, flavorful food, and unique vendors throughout Hemisfair. With family-friendly programming and activities for all ages, the festival offers a welcoming way to experience the creativity, history, and spirit that make San Antonio such a special place to call home.

    Mark your calendar and invite your neighbors to celebrate together. For event details, visit muertosfest.com or the official Hemisfair page at https://hemisfair.org/series/muertos-fest-at-hemisfair/. Follow Texas Properties By Lucy for more local events and community highlights across San Antonio.

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  • Less Clutter. More Space. A Fresh Start!

    Less Clutter. More Space. A Fresh Start!

    Less clutter means more space—and a true fresh start for your home. I always remind my sellers that preparing a property doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Start small: clear just one surface or corner at a time. Simple steps like these not only make spaces feel inviting, but also boost your progress and confidence along the way. My hands-on approach is all about guiding you through these details, ensuring your home makes the very best first impression when it hits the market. Every step counts toward moving forward with purpose—and your goals are always at the center of the process.

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  • Before You Buy Near San Antonio Oil Wells

    Before You Buy Near San Antonio Oil Wells

    A leaking, previously plugged oil well near San Antonio’s Preserve at Medina subdivision is a reminder that a home purchase involves more than price, location, and curb appeal. Buyers should understand a property’s history and investigate whether former industrial activity could affect safety, financing, insurance, resale, or peace of mind.

    Before making an offer, review seller disclosures, permit records, county information, and available environmental databases. Search both the property and nearby parcels for oil and gas activity, plugged wells, spills, remediation, or other recorded concerns. A clean-looking lot does not necessarily tell the complete story.

    Bring qualified professionals into the process early. A real estate agent can help identify documents and deadlines, while a licensed inspector or environmental specialist can recommend testing and explain potential risks. Depending on the findings, buyers may also want legal, lending, or insurance guidance before removing contingencies.

    The best decision is an informed one. If you are considering a San Antonio property near current or former oil activity, save this checklist, ask detailed questions, and complete your due diligence before you commit.

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  • San Antonio Homebuyers: What’s Beneath Your Property?

    San Antonio Homebuyers: What’s Beneath Your Property?

    Read the reporting: Inside Climate News reporter Martha Pskowski investigated a leaking oil well near Preserve at Medina—an important reminder to ask questions before buying.
    Check the history: Review prior listings, disclosures, permits, environmental information, and neighborhood records for past or present oil and gas activity.
    Search official records: Use Texas Railroad Commission records to investigate nearby wells, permits, operators, plugging status, and reported issues; ask qualified professionals for guidance.
    Buying in San Antonio? Save the Inside Climate News report, research the address, and discuss your findings with your agent and appropriate inspectors before making an offer.

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  • San Antonio New Home Construction Declines | Looking for a REALTOR® you can trust? Let’s make your next move with confidence. Committed to Service. Driven by Integrity.

    San Antonio posted one of the sharpest permitting pullbacks among major US markets, signaling that local new-home construction lost momentum after the pandemic-era boom.
    For San Antonio, the pullback fit a wider pattern in boomtown markets, where builders responded to softer conditions by slowing activity after years of building.
    Current mortgage rates remained near 7%, while construction, fuel, and material costs kept pressuring builders and affordability, adding friction for new-home activity in San Antonio.
    Even with today's pullback, the housing shortage remained unresolved, raising concern that a thinner construction pipeline could tighten San Antonio's market when buyers return.
    A Late-Q1 federal order aimed to cut barriers, but an expected central-bank rate hike threatened to add borrowing costs for San Antonio buyers and builders.

  • San Antonio Home Price Cuts | Looking for a REALTOR® you can trust? Let’s make your next move with confidence. Committed to Service. Driven by Integrity.

    San Antonio ranked among the metros with the most price cuts, showing buyer leverage improved as higher mortgage costs cooled housing activity in 2026.
    In the most recent four weeks, ~27% of San Antonio active listings posted price cuts, above the national share of ~21% during that stretch.
    San Antonio also saw a slight yearly increase in price cutting, with the share rising by <1 percentage point from the comparable period.
    Across the housing market, price cuts became more common as mortgage rates moved above ~7%, a backdrop that left more homes sitting unsold.
    An economist said many sellers eventually cut prices after facing high borrowing costs, economic uncertainty, and homes lingering on the market longer.