🏡 Why Houston (and San Antonio) Are Hot — Especially for First-Time Homebuyers

RJ Andrews
Dec 2, 2025
2 min read

Have you ever dreamt of owning your first home in Texas — but wondered if it’s even realistic? Great news: a BRAND-NEW report from American Enterprise Institute (AEI) shows that Houston, TX — alongside San Antonio, TX — ranks among the top 20 U.S. metros for first-time homebuyers in 2025. Spectrum Local News

San Antonio grabbed the No. 12 spot on the list, with a median home price of $298,000 and first-time buyer income around $92,000. Spectrum Local News
Houston isn’t far behind — at No. 16, with a median home price of $335,000 and first-time buyer income near $102,000. Spectrum Local News
That means for many Texans, buying a starter home might be more within reach than they think — especially compared to more expensive metros.

📏 More Home for Your Money: Size + Value

Another cool insight from the report: first-time buyers in Houston and San Antonio are getting surprisingly generous space:

Median home size for first-timers in Houston: ~2,137 sq ft — plenty of room for a growing family, home office, or bonus space. Spectrum Local News
San Antonio: even slightly more — about 2,176 sq ft. Spectrum Local News

What does that mean? Less compromise. More living. More possibility.

🌟 Why This Matters

As someone who works daily with new-construction homes, lease-to-own programs, creative financing, and “non-traditional” buyers — this ranking gives you awesome ammo for your content and marketing.

👩‍💼 First-time buyers, self-employed folks, ITIN holders, or folks without perfect credit — you can show them they’re not alone, and there’s a real shot at homeownership in Houston now.
🔑 New construction + financing incentives = powerful combination. With inventory still strong and affordability in these metro areas, you’re in a great position to help people enter the market.
📈 Lifestyle + value + space — big selling points. Two-thousand-plus square feet, manageable price points, and the freedom of homeownership speak loudly to families, renters ready to own, and those craving stability.

💬 My Two Cents (Because I’m Living & Breathing Houston Real Estate)

As a real-estate pro deep in Houston’s new-construction scene, this ranking tells me one thing: Timing is everything. Now’s a golden moment for first-time buyers — especially those feeling priced out before. With creative financing (lease-to-own, no-W-2, cash-earners, etc.), buyer incentives, and good inventory, Houston isn’t just a place to live — it’s a place to build a foundation.

If I were a buyer looking now — I’d start budgeting, get pre-qualified, and hop into this market before prices and demand shift again.

✨ Bottom Line

Houston and San Antonio aren’t just growing — they’re becoming more accessible. More real. More “your first home.”

If you’ve been on the fence about buying — this might be your sign.

Ready to dive in? Let’s chat — I know the neighborhoods, the new-construction deals, the incentives, and how to make even “non-traditional” buyers look like rock-solid homeowners.

🗝️ DM “HOME” to get started or 👇 comment “KEY” and I’ll reach out.