Veteran Robert Dickerson and his wife Marion enjoy a three‑bedroom home in the Brooks section of Los Cielos, one of 488 new or under‑construction houses on San Antonio’s South Side. The community, built by AH V Communities, offers a fitness center, on‑site maintenance and yard care, making rental living feel like home ownership without the long‑term financial commitment.
Build‑to‑Rent Gains Momentum in San Antonio
According to real‑estate analytics firm CoStar, the city now has more than 6,200 built‑to‑rent homes, up from just 446 in 2018. An additional 335 units were under construction as of the second quarter of 2025. While the share of new‑construction starts that are built‑to‑rent fell to 4% in 2025 from a high of 9% in 2022, the absolute number of rental homes continues to rise.
Why Families Choose Rental Homes
Built‑to‑rent communities provide a permanent rental option that mimics many benefits of multifamily apartments while offering the space of a single‑family house. Mark Wolf, founder and CEO of AH V Communities, notes that the product is especially appealing to young families, military members on temporary assignments, and empty‑nesters who value a low‑maintenance, lock‑and‑leave lifestyle.
“Renting a home can give you a nicer house in a better area with amenities like a pool and fitness center for far less than the down‑payment required to buy,” Wolf said. “Most buyers need a 20% down payment to avoid private mortgage insurance, which adds $100 or more to a monthly payment.”
Cost Comparison: Rent vs. Buy
At Los Cielos, two‑bedroom rentals start at $1,899 per month and four‑bedroom units go up to $2,707. Lease terms range from nine to 24 months, with management fees of $140‑$160 per month and a $350 non‑refundable pet deposit plus $25 monthly pet rent.
For comparison, a newly remodeled four‑bedroom home in the same area listed for $179,000 would require a 20% down payment, a 30‑year mortgage and roughly $43,000 in closing costs. The resulting monthly payment would be about $1,433, not including property taxes, insurance and potential private mortgage insurance.
Market Outlook
Nationally, the National Association of Home Builders reports that 7% of new single‑family houses are built for rent. In San Antonio, however, the Census Bureau shows a slight dip in single‑family built‑for‑rent starts during the third quarter of 2025, down 6,000 from the previous year. Analysts attribute the slowdown to recent rent declines in many large U.S. cities, though the overall inventory remains robust.
Eric Bernstein, president and co‑founder of Lendfriend Mortgage, says the rent‑versus‑own decision hinges on how long a person plans to stay in the area. “If you’re staying for many years, buying may make sense, but for shorter timelines or tighter credit, renting offers flexibility and financial peace of mind,” he explained.
Future Development
AH V Communities plans to add another built‑to‑rent project at the intersection of Potranco Road and Highway 211 later this fall, expanding options for families across the city. Other developers such as Integrity Community Builders and Tricon are also active in the market, signaling continued growth in this housing segment.
The recent passage of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act removed a potential barrier to further build‑to‑rent development, clearing the way for new projects to begin as early as 2027.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
