How to Search for San Antonio Property Records

Property records are public, and anyone can access them and request copies. The trick is knowing where to get the records you need. Sometimes, you can find them online; other times, you must visit offices in person to request records. Often, you must pay a small fee for copies. Some of the places you can search for San Antonio property records include:

County Clerk's Office

San Antonio is located in Bexar County, Texas. The county clerk's office files and stores deeds and other property records. You can visit this office in person at 100 Dolorosa Suite 104, San Antonio, Texas 78205, call them at (210) 335-2216, or use their website to search for deeds, property ownership, foreclosures, liens, and more.

Bexar Appraisal District Website

Bexar County has many websites, and one is devoted to providing residents and the public with helpful resources and a robust search engine that you can use to find public tax records. You can search by name, property address, or property ID. You can use this website to find your tax bill, learn more about property taxes, file an appeal if you disagree with your current property assessment, download forms, and view reports.

San Antonio Public Library

The San Antonio Public Library has a website with a land/deed records section. You can search using their exclusive tool and look up land records and deeds for any property within city boundaries. You can search by grantor/grantee, subdivision, document type, or document ID.

City of San Antonio Courts

Another resource to check is the San Antonio Municipal Court, which allows you to search for liens, foreclosures, probate records, and other property-related cases.

Each county in Texas has its own budget, and each year, the governing body sets tax rates to satisfy the budget and pay for things like schools, community health services, fire and police, road maintenance, and flood control services. Texas property taxes are a major source of funding for each municipality. San Antonio property taxes have risen by 12% since 2019, which is the highest increase across the country. This is due to the rise in costs over the past few years, and taxes have risen to meet the budget.

The county tax assessor-collector has a website where you can pay your taxes by phone or online. You can also mail in your payment with your property tax bill.

Assessments

Each year, the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector assesses all property within its jurisdiction and sets tax rates to support the annual budget. This same entity collects and disburses all property taxes to the proper expenses.

Appraisals

In cases where property values are difficult to determine, the county tax assessor-collector may use a certified appraiser who will perform deep research and compare similar properties to derive an accurate value for taxation. Others, such as lenders, probate courts, and estate planners, may also call on appraisers to value property.

Tax Rates

The median property tax rate in San Antonio is 2.05% of the assessed value. This rate is much higher than the national average of 0.99% and higher than Texas' median tax rate of 1.67%. With a house valued at only $260,000, the owner pays roughly $5,315 in annual taxes. The tax rate is split into three portions: municipal tax, school tax, and county tax. Rates vary based on where in San Antonio you are located and where within the state of Texas. For example:

• Alamo Heights 2.34%
• China Grove 2.17%
• Grey Forest 2.22%
• Kirby 2.91%
• Poth 1.96%
• Spring Branch 1.87%
• Windcrest 2.43%

Exemptions

With property taxes rising quickly in San Antonio, some homeowners need a way to save money. Thankfully, the city has some tax exemptions for those who qualify. They are as follows:

• Residence Homestead Exemption - 20% decrease in the home's value.
• Over 65 - Reduces a senior's home value by up to $85,000.
• Disabled Person - Disabled adults may qualify for a property value reduction of up to $85,000.

Applicants must apply for exemptions through the Bexar Appraisal District.

You must apply for a permit before starting a new construction project (new/renovation/demolition) in San Antonio. You can get one from the City of San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD), the Bexar County Fire Marshall, the Bexar County Public Works, and the Port of San Antonio. The DSD has a great website where you can apply online, pay the fee, check your application, and look up building codes and ordinances. You can also check the "No Permit Needed List" to determine what requires a permit. Some of the available types of permits in San Antonio include:

• New Residential Building Permit
• Accessory Structure Permit
• Foundation Repairs Permit
• Remodeling Permit
• Deck Permit
• Electrical Permit
• Mechanical Permit
• Framing Permit
• Plumbing Permit
• HVAC Permit
• Second Story Addition Permit
• Fence Permit

The SDS will perform a few inspections throughout the construction project to ensure the work complies with local building codes. If anything does not, the building owner must redo it. The owner may also be fined.

San Antonio, Texas, has a population of 1.495 million and 592,430 housing units. The ratio of housing units to population is 0.4%. It is slightly below the national average. The city has a multitude of housing options for residents, including single-family homes, multi-family (apartments), accessory dwelling units (ADUs), public housing, housing choice voucher units (administered by the SAHA), and permanent supportive housing for those who need it. The average sale price of a single-family home in San Antonio is $253,000, with the cost per square foot being $156. Prices vary widely depending on where you live in San Antonio. Some examples include:

• Prospect Hill (78207) $107,339
• Loma Vista (78228) $118,684
• Woodlawn Lake (78202) $169,689
• Jefferson-Woodlawn Lake (78201) $236,666
• Villa De San Antonio/Las Palmas (78228) $116,930
• University Park (78228) $156,557
• Memorial Heights (78210) $126,690
• West End Hope in Action (78213) $157,311

San Antonio's Housing Choice Voucher Program (section 8 housing) offers rental vouchers to 13,789 low-income families. In the city, houses stay on the market for an average of 47 days, and the sale-to-list ratio is 0.985%.