If you are shopping new construction in San Antonio, Florida, one thing becomes clear fast: you are not just comparing floor plans, you are comparing fee structures, timelines, and community sections that can feel very different from one another. That can be exciting, but it can also get expensive if you focus only on the base price. This guide will help you compare San Antonio’s current new-construction options, understand where the real costs show up, and make a smarter move with your guard up. Let’s dive in.
San Antonio new construction today
As of April 2026, San Antonio’s new-construction market is centered heavily around Mirada, a master-planned community in Pasco County. According to the official Mirada community overview, the community features multiple builders and a wide amenity package that includes a 15+ acre MetroLagoon, ULTRAFi, solar streetlights, trails, a dog park, gated entry, and active-adult amenities.
That concentration matters for you as a buyer. Instead of comparing several unrelated neighborhoods across town, you are often comparing different product types inside one larger community. Realtor.com’s San Antonio new-home community page currently shows 16 new-home communities in San Antonio, with much of the visible inventory tied to Mirada-branded sections.
Why Mirada dominates the market
Mirada is the core story in San Antonio because it offers a wide range of entry points. On the same community platform, you can find townhomes, villas, active-adult products, and larger single-family homes from builders including Casa Fresca, D.R. Horton, DRB Homes, Dream Finders Homes, Homes by WestBay, Lennar, Maronda, Ryan Homes, Ascend Mirada, and LGI Homes.
For you, that can be helpful because it creates a more direct apples-to-apples comparison. You can weigh smaller low-maintenance options against larger homes with upgraded finishes while staying in the same broader area and amenity ecosystem.
Compare by price per square foot
One of the smartest ways to compare new construction in San Antonio is to use price per square foot, not just the advertised starting price. San Antonio’s median listing home price per square foot is about $198, according to Realtor.com.
That number gives you a practical benchmark. If a section is well below that mark, it may be an entry-level option. If it lands around or above it, you are likely looking at a more premium product, larger home, or a section with a different amenity and fee profile.
Entry-level townhome options
If your goal is the lowest entry price into new construction in San Antonio, the most affordable options are generally the townhome products.
Ryan Homes at Mirada is opening in February 2026. Its Mayshore plan starts at $259,990 for 1,674 square feet, which works out to about $155 per square foot. Ryan also notes a payment example with a $357 monthly HOA and $145 monthly CDD fee, plus a third-party inspection and a 10-year structural warranty.
Maronda’s Mirada townhomes start in the $264s at about 1,694 square feet, or roughly $156 per square foot. That puts them near Ryan as one of the lower advertised entry points in the market.
Shores at Mirada by Dream Finders Homes starts at $263,490, with plans from 1,419 to 1,602 square feet. That places it around $164 to $186 per square foot. Builder-listed amenities include the lagoon, dog park, pickleball, playground, splash pad, tennis, and trails.
Mid-range and low-maintenance choices
If you want more space but still like the lower-maintenance appeal of attached living, Isla Mirada by DRB Homes is now selling townhomes from $359,990. Plan sizes range from 1,788 to 1,995 square feet, which puts the pricing at about $180 to $201 per square foot.
That range pushes closer to San Antonio’s median benchmark. The listing also emphasizes HOA-managed exterior care, which may appeal to buyers who want less day-to-day exterior upkeep.
Larger single-family homes
If you need more bedrooms, larger lots, or a more traditional detached-home layout, the single-family side of Mirada gives you several choices at higher price points.
D.R. Horton at Mirada is listed from $385,990, with community pricing around 1,800 to 2,000 square feet. That works out to about $193 to $214 per square foot, which places it near or above the local median benchmark.
Casa Fresca Homes at Mirada reports that final homes are now selling. Its homes offer 4 to 6 bedrooms and range from 2,289 to 3,364 square feet. Current examples include Mariposa from $474,990, Anna Maria from $514,990, and Lido from $554,990, with pricing that spans roughly $169 to $208 per square foot depending on the plan. The builder highlights features such as tile roofs, paver driveways, quartz countertops, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and ULTRAFi.
Homes by WestBay at Mirada is positioned more toward the premium end, marketed from the $470s to $1.1M with homes from 2,101 to 4,846 square feet. The entry point comes in around $219 to $224 per square foot, and WestBay’s Innovation series lists a $3,102.52 annual CDD fee.
55+ active-adult options
If you are specifically looking for active-adult living in San Antonio, Mirada also has several Lennar options. These products can look appealing at first glance on price, but you need to read the fee structure carefully.
Lennar’s Active Adult Villas start from $236,490 for 1,398 square feet, or about $172 per square foot. The Sunrise II plan is priced around $252,990 to $255,990, or about $180 to $183 per square foot, and Lennar lists approximate monthly HOA fees of $591.31 plus special assessment fees of $1,211.86.
Lennar’s Active Adult Manors and Estates move up from there. Manors start around $304,035 for 1,683 square feet, or about $181 per square foot, while Estates start around $424,325 for 2,216 square feet, or about $191 per square foot. Lennar shows HOA fees around $500 to $559 and separate special assessment fees that vary by product.
HOA, CDD, and special assessments matter
This is where buyers can get caught off guard. In Mirada, your monthly and annual carrying costs may include more than just your mortgage and HOA.
According to the Mirada Community Development District, the district constructed and maintains certain improvements and financed them with tax-exempt bonds. Its finance information says the district can levy special assessments under Florida law. In practical terms, that means your ownership costs may include CDD-related assessments in addition to HOA dues, and in some sections, separate special assessments as well.
That is why a lower base price does not always mean a lower total cost. Ryan’s published example shows both HOA and CDD charges, WestBay lists an annual CDD amount in one series, and Lennar’s active-adult sections show HOA fees plus separate special assessment fees.
What to review before signing
When you buy new construction, the model home can make the process feel simple. The paperwork is where you protect yourself.
Before you sign, ask to review:
- The current HOA budget
- The CDD schedule
- Any special assessment information
- The community declaration and rules
- What amenities are complete today versus still planned
- What features are standard versus upgrades
- The builder warranty documents
This step matters because builder pages can change. Casa Fresca notes that prices, promotions, amenities, floor plans, and community improvements are subject to change without notice, and that community association requirements may apply.
Inspections still matter on a new home
A new home is not a no-risk home. You still need your own due diligence.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says buyers should hire an independent inspector as soon as possible and, if the contract is contingent on a satisfactory inspection, may be able to cancel without penalty when serious defects are discovered. The same guidance is a good reminder that inspection timing matters, especially when the home is still under construction.
The research also notes that Florida Realtors recommends phase inspections during construction, including foundation and pre-drywall checks, along with a 10- to 11-month warranty inspection after move-in. The final walk-through usually happens 24 to 72 hours before closing, which makes it your last chance to verify repairs and included items.
How to negotiate in this market
In a builder community, negotiation often looks different from resale. Instead of a dramatic cut to the base price, you may have more success asking for terms that improve your bottom line.
Based on current Mirada listings and builder promotions, incentives may be more realistic than large list-price reductions. That means you should ask about:
- Closing-cost credits
- Interest-rate buydowns
- Lot-premium relief
- Upgrade allowances
- Move-in-ready inventory incentives
This is especially worth discussing if you are looking at spec homes, closeout inventory, or a section that is trying to build early momentum. The key is to compare the full deal, not just the headline price.
A smart way to compare San Antonio communities
If you want to keep your decision disciplined, use a simple comparison framework. Look at the sticker price, then test the total monthly and annual cost against what you are actually getting.
A strong side-by-side review should include:
- Base price
- Price per square foot
- HOA dues
- CDD fees
- Special assessments
- Included features
- Warranty terms
- Completed amenities versus planned amenities
- Estimated time to close
That approach helps you avoid overpaying for a premium that is not really there. It also helps you spot when a slightly higher purchase price may deliver better value over time.
Final thoughts on buying new in San Antonio
If you are exploring new communities and construction in San Antonio, the big takeaway is simple: Mirada is the center of the market, and the smartest buyers look beyond the base price. Townhomes tend to offer the most affordable entry point, while larger detached homes and some active-adult sections move into more premium territory. The real decision comes down to total cost, product type, and how well the section fits your goals.
If you want a sharp, protective approach while you compare builders, contracts, and fee stacks, connect with Alicia Chapman. You will get clear guidance, strong negotiation strategy, and help evaluating the numbers before you commit.
FAQs
What new-construction community is most important in San Antonio, Florida?
- As of April 2026, Mirada is the main new-construction community in San Antonio, with multiple builders and product types concentrated in one master-planned development.
What should buyers compare besides the base price in Mirada?
- You should compare price per square foot, HOA dues, CDD fees, any special assessments, included features, warranty coverage, and whether amenities are already complete or still planned.
What are the lowest-priced new-construction options in San Antonio?
- Based on advertised pricing in the research, Ryan Homes and Maronda townhome products in Mirada are among the lowest entry points, landing in roughly the mid-$150s per square foot.
What should active-adult buyers know about Mirada fees?
- Lennar’s active-adult sections show that costs can include monthly HOA fees plus separate special assessment fees, so the total carrying cost may be higher than the starting home price suggests.
Should you still get an inspection on a new-construction home in San Antonio?
- Yes. The CFPB recommends hiring an independent inspector as early as possible, and phase inspections plus a final walk-through can help you catch issues before and after closing.
