Applewhite Meadows is a master-planned community on San Antonio’s south side where five builders are putting up new construction in the 78224 ZIP code. The development sits about 8 miles from Lackland AFB with direct access to Loop 410 and I-35. Multi-builder communities like this one carry wide price gaps between builders, so comparing all five before committing is worth the extra legwork.
Applewhite Meadows Pricing
- New construction starts at $209,990 and tops out around $334,990 across five builders, including Century Communities and Davidson Homes.
- Entry-level floor plans price below the Bexar County median, putting homeownership within reach for first-time buyers in the 78224 ZIP code.
- Multiple builders competing in one community means buyers can often negotiate rate buydowns, closing cost credits, or upgraded finishes depending on current inventory.
South Side Location and Commute Access
- Applewhite Meadows sits just off Loop 410 and I-35 on San Antonio’s south side, putting downtown roughly 15 minutes north in light traffic.
- Lackland AFB is approximately 8 miles west, making the 78224 ZIP a practical choice for Military families assigned to Joint Base San Antonio.
- Major south side employers, including Toyota Manufacturing, Brooks, and the San Antonio Military Medical Center, are all within a 20-minute drive.
Who Applewhite Meadows Fits Best
- Military families at Lackland AFB get an 8-mile base commute and new construction starting at $209,990 in a master-planned south side community.
- Buyers who need walkable retail or established dining nearby should know the surrounding commercial development along I-35 south is still catching up.
- Compare at least two other south side master-planned communities in the 78221 and 78224 corridors before locking in with any single builder.
True Cost of Owning in Applewhite Meadows
- Bexar County property taxes on homes priced between $210K and $335K here can add $400 to $650 per month before homestead exemption kicks in.
- Some sections carry a Public Improvement District assessment on top of HOA dues, so ask each builder which fees apply to their specific lots.
- Texas homeowners insurance in this price range typically runs higher than national averages, and new construction replacement cost estimates push quotes up further.
What is Applewhite Meadows San Antonio?
Applewhite Meadows is a master-planned community in south San Antonio (78224) with new construction homes priced from roughly $210,000 to $335,000. Builders include Century Communities, Davidson Homes, and Legend Homes. The neighborhood sits near Loop 410 and I-35, about 8 miles from Lackland AFB.
How does Applewhite Meadows in San Antonio work?
Applewhite Meadows is a master-planned community in south San Antonio’s 78224 ZIP code where five builders, including Century Communities, Davidson Homes, and Brohn Homes, offer new construction priced from $209,990 to $334,990. Buyers choose a builder and floor plan, then purchase directly through that builder’s sales team.
Who qualifies for Applewhite Meadows San Antonio?
Any buyer who can secure mortgage financing qualifies to purchase in Applewhite Meadows. Homes from Century Communities, Davidson Homes, First America Homes, Legend Homes, and Brohn Homes are priced from $209,990 to $334,990. Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans are all accepted by the builders in this 78224 community.
The Bottom Line Up Front
Applewhite Meadows gives south San Antonio buyers new construction starting at $209,990, well below what north-side subdivisions charge for comparable square footage. The trade-off is location. Southwest ISD schools, longer commutes to employers north of downtown, and a 2.45% property tax rate all factor into whether the price gap justifies the drive.
Five builders sell in Applewhite Meadows. Century Communities, Davidson Homes, First America Homes, Legend Homes, and Brohn Homes all offer floor plans in the $209,990 to $334,990 range. That builder competition gives buyers room to negotiate upgrades and closing cost contributions. The community sits roughly 8 miles from Lackland AFB, putting it on the radar for Military families using VA Loan benefits. No MUD or PID taxes apply, so the 2.45% Bexar County rate is the full tax picture.
- New construction from five builders starts at $209,990 and tops out near $334,990 in 78224.
- Southwest ISD serves the community, so school ratings should factor into any purchase decision.
- Lackland AFB sits roughly 8 miles away, keeping Applewhite Meadows within a realistic Military commute.
- No MUD or PID taxes apply, so the 2.45% Bexar County rate covers the full tax bill.
- Loop 410 and I-35 access puts downtown San Antonio and south-side employers within daily driving range.
What Century Communities, Davidson Homes, and Other Builders Offer at Applewhite Meadows
Five builders sell new construction at Applewhite Meadows, with base prices from $209,990 to $334,990. That $125,000 spread reflects real differences in plan size and selection. Brohn Homes owns the entry-level slot and the largest catalog at 14 floor plans. First America Homes sits at the top on price but starts every layout above 1,857 square feet. Three more builders fill the middle tier with 7 to 9 plans each.
| Builder | Price Range | Sq Ft Range | Plan Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brohn Homes | $209,990–$283,990 | 1,074–2,637 | 14 |
| Legend Homes | $237,990–$308,034 | 1,360–2,622 | 9 |
| Century Communities | $244,990–$309,990 | 1,388–2,511 | 7 |
| Davidson Homes | $260,990–$323,990 | 1,253–2,542 | 8 |
| First America Homes | $295,990–$334,990 | 1,857–2,416 | 5 |
Legend Homes posts the widest plan range in the community at 9 options and the second-lowest entry price at $237,990, with layouts spanning from 1,360 all the way up to 2,622 square feet. Davidson Homes runs slightly higher on base cost but matches Legend on ceiling square footage, topping out at 2,542 across 8 plans. Century Communities sits in a tighter price band at $244,990 to $309,990 with 7 plans. Buyers comparing builders should weigh square footage per dollar at each price tier. Brohn’s entry plans start under 1,100 square feet. First America’s smallest exceeds 1,850.
Community Overview
Applewhite Meadows sits on San Antonio‘s south side at 10330 Gala Junction, ZIP 78224. The master-planned community has direct access to both Loop 410 and I-35, putting downtown San Antonio roughly 8 miles north and Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland about the same distance. That positioning works for Military families stationed at Lackland and civilian buyers commuting into the city’s employment hubs along I-35 and Highway 90.
The south-side corridor between Loop 410 and the Bexar County line has become one of San Antonio’s more active new-construction zones over the past several years. Grocery, medical offices, and retail run along the Pleasanton Road and South Zarzamora commercial strips, both within a short drive. Development density south of 410 still lags the Loop 1604 growth ring to the north and west. Traffic reflects it. Commute-hour congestion stays lighter here, and master-planned communities get more acreage to work with when laying out shared amenity space and residential lots.
On-site amenities include a community pool, playground, amenity center, and green spaces spread through the development. The pool and amenity center anchor the common areas for residents, and the playground keeps families with young children close to home. Green spaces add walking room that tighter infill communities along the 410 corridor cannot match. For buyers who want suburban lot sizes, a low-density layout, and a short Lackland commute, Applewhite Meadows checks those boxes without pushing into the higher price bands found on San Antonio’s northwest side.
How Much Does It Cost to Live There?
The combined property tax rate at Applewhite Meadows is $2.4451 per $100 of assessed value. On a $250,000 home, annual property tax totals $6,112.70, which works out to $509.39 per month. Add the $39.58 monthly HOA and fixed costs reach $548.97 before mortgage or insurance. No MUD or PID applies here.
On a $250,000 home, 7 taxing entities split the $6,112.70 annual bill: Bexar County $690.83, City of San Antonio $1,353.98, Southwest ISD $2,899.50, Alamo Colleges $372.88, University Health $690.59, SA River Authority $45.75, and Road and Flood $59.17. Southwest ISD alone takes nearly half. Monthly property tax runs $509.39, monthly HOA is $39.58, bringing total fixed costs to $548.97.
Southwest ISD drives nearly half the annual bill, which matters because school district rates in Bexar County vary by attendance zone. Buyers comparing Applewhite Meadows to communities in Northside ISD or North East ISD will see different tax profiles even at the same purchase price. Homeowners insurance and utilities apply separately, so budget those on top of the $548.97 monthly fixed cost.
Data Strip
The San Antonio-New Braunfels metro recorded a median sale price of $305,000 in May 2026, with 3,535 closed transactions and 6.21 months of standing inventory, per TRERC Housing Activity via LRG Data. That inventory figure places the metro just past the 6-month mark separating seller-favorable from buyer-favorable conditions. Most Applewhite Meadows floor plans price below the $305,000 metro median.
| Metric | May 2026 | What It Signals |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $305,000 | Most Applewhite Meadows floor plans price below this |
| Closed sales | 3,535 | Steady monthly transaction volume across the MSA |
| Months of inventory | 6.21 | Just above the 6-month balanced-market threshold |
That supply level puts the broader metro in buyer-favorable territory, and buyers in communities like Applewhite Meadows benefit directly. A market above 6 months of inventory creates room to negotiate builder incentives like closing cost credits, rate buydowns, and finish upgrades. The 3,535 closed sales in May confirm transaction volume remains strong. Demand has not dried up. Supply has caught up enough to shift negotiating power toward buyers, especially in new construction where builders carry margin flexibility that individual resale sellers lack.
Schools and Commute
Applewhite Meadows feeds into Southwest ISD with a clean feeder pattern that keeps every student in one district from kindergarten through graduation: Spicewood Park Elementary School to Resnik Middle School to Southwest Legacy High School. The community also sits approximately 8 miles from Lackland AFB via US-90 and about 18 miles from Fort Sam Houston via I-35. The highway access is direct.
- Single-district continuity: All 3 schools operate under Southwest ISD, so families moving in know the full academic path upfront. Students who start at Spicewood Park stay in the same district through high school graduation, avoiding the enrollment resets and eligibility gaps that come with crossing a district boundary mid-year.
- Lackland AFB, 8 miles northwest: US-90 connects the community to the base without requiring a merge onto I-35, so the drive avoids interstate variability entirely. Gate congestion at Lackland is the factor that shapes commute time, not distance. For active-duty families, this is one of the shorter, more consistent base commutes available on San Antonio’s south side.
- Fort Sam Houston, 18 miles northeast: I-35 northbound is the primary corridor, and the stretch between Loop 410 and downtown is where morning congestion builds. This commute has more variability than the Lackland drive. Military families stationed at Fort Sam should test the weekday morning route before signing a purchase contract.
- Loop 410 and I-35 corridor: Both highways run close to the community entrance, connecting residents to downtown San Antonio and south-side employers without routing through residential streets. Families with students at any of the 3 feeder schools benefit from the same highway proximity for after-school activities and weekend errands across the metro.
Is It a Good Fit for Military Buyers?
Applewhite Meadows is one of the strongest VA loan fits on San Antonio’s south side. Brohn Homes starts at $209,990 and Legend Homes at $237,990, both well within reach for enlisted buyers using JBSA BAH with dependents. Lackland AFB sits roughly 8 miles northwest via US-90, keeping the commute short for active-duty families assigned to base operations or training commands.
Fort Sam Houston sits 18 miles northeast. That distance still works. Military families who buy at Applewhite Meadows during a Lackland tour can later PCS to a different JBSA installation without leaving San Antonio, and that intra-city flexibility is something base-adjacent communities on the far northwest side rarely offer buyers locked into a single assignment. New construction across all five builders means clean VA appraisals with no deferred maintenance flags. The zero-down VA loan removes the biggest cash barrier for families arriving mid-PCS with limited savings. Ask builders about completed inventory homes if your reporting date is tight.
Verification Checklist
Several items at Applewhite Meadows need independent verification before you sign a contract. Builders provide standard disclosures, but those documents favor the builder’s position. No MUD or PID applies to this community, which removes one common cost surprise, but HOA obligations, warranty terms, lot premiums, and completion timelines all require confirmation from sources outside the sales office. Verify each one.
- HOA obligations: Request the full CC&R package and confirm the $475 annual assessment covers all common area maintenance and landscaping. Ask whether planned amenity additions or reserve fund shortfalls could trigger a special assessment, and get the current reserve fund balance in writing before closing.
- Builder warranty structure: Five builders operate at Applewhite Meadows with separate warranty programs. Request your builder’s full warranty document covering structural defects, mechanical systems, and cosmetic items. Compare coverage periods and understand what counts as a warranty claim versus normal wear the builder will not cover.
- Lot premium and completion timeline: Ask whether your selected homesite carries a premium above the advertised base price and what that premium includes. Get the builder’s projected completion date in writing with a defined extension clause and any penalties or remedies if construction runs past the stated deadline.
- Flood zone, utilities, and school zone: Pull your lot’s FEMA flood zone designation from Bexar County records independently rather than relying on builder disclosures. Confirm which providers service the address for electricity, water, and waste, and verify Southwest ISD’s feeder pattern assigns your street to the specific schools you expect.
Community Verdict
Applewhite Meadows fits buyers who want new construction priced between $209,990 and $334,990 with no MUD or PID on the tax bill. Five active builders in one community means real competition on pricing, incentives, and floor plan variety. First-time buyers, Veterans using their VA loan benefit, and anyone priced out of San Antonio’s north-side new builds all have workable entry points here.
You trade location for value. The south-side position means longer commutes to employers north of downtown, and Southwest ISD is the assigned school district for every grade level. Monthly fixed costs on a $250,000 home run $548.97 between property tax and HOA, with no special assessments layered on top. That clean, predictable cost structure is the strongest reason buyers at this price point choose Applewhite Meadows over communities carrying MUD or PID obligations.
Visit all five builders before you sign with any one of them. Brohn Homes starts at $209,990 and Legend Homes at $237,990 for entry-level plans, Century Communities and Davidson Homes cover the mid-range, and First America Homes anchors the top at $295,990 to $334,990 with plans up to 2,416 square feet. Pricing shifts with each phase release, and sales offices negotiate harder when you can walk to a competing model home across the street.
The Bottom Line
Applewhite Meadows puts five builders and a $209,990 to $334,990 price range on San Antonio’s south side, with Loop 410 and I-35 access keeping downtown roughly 8 miles away. The combined property tax rate of $2.4451 per $100 adds real monthly cost that buyers need to budget alongside HOA fees. Southwest ISD’s clean K-through-graduation feeder pattern and JBSA proximity make the community one of the stronger options for Military families shopping in the 78224 corridor.
What matters most here is verification. Builder disclosures favor the builder, MUD and PID status needs independent confirmation, and base prices climb fast once you add lot premiums and structural options. Run the tax math on your actual purchase price, confirm the fee schedule with the HOA directly, and get your own title search before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which builders are active in Applewhite Meadows San Antonio?
Five builders currently sell new construction in Applewhite Meadows: Century Communities, Davidson Homes, First America Homes, Legend Homes, and Brohn Homes. Each builder offers different floor plans, price points, and included features. Homes range from $209,990 to $334,990 depending on the builder, plan, and lot selection. Before choosing a builder, compare standard inclusions versus upgrade pricing, warranty coverage, and estimated completion timelines. Some builders in the community offer move-in-ready inventory homes while others build to order with longer wait times. Visit each builder’s model home to see finish quality firsthand.
When should you consider buying in Applewhite Meadows San Antonio?
Applewhite Meadows makes the most sense if you work on San Antonio’s south side, commute to Lackland Air Force Base, or need access to Loop 410 and I-35 without paying north-side prices. The community sits in the 78224 ZIP code with homes priced from $209,990 to $334,990, which undercuts most north San Antonio new construction by a wide margin. Military families stationed at Lackland often find that BAH rates cover mortgage payments in this price range comfortably. Buyers who prioritize top-rated school districts should compare attendance zones before committing.
How close is Applewhite Meadows to Lackland Air Force Base?
Applewhite Meadows sits approximately 8 miles from Lackland Air Force Base on San Antonio’s south side. The community connects to Loop 410 and I-35, which are the two primary routes to the base. Actual drive time depends on traffic conditions and which gate you use, so check your specific commute before buying. Military families stationed at Lackland frequently purchase in this area because the price range from $209,990 to $334,990 aligns well with San Antonio BAH rates. Joint Base San Antonio includes Lackland, Randolph, and Fort Sam Houston, making south-side locations a practical option for families with split-base assignments.
What documents do you need to buy a home in Applewhite Meadows?
You need standard purchase documentation: government-issued ID, proof of income covering the last 2 years, 2 months of bank statements, and a pre-approval letter from your lender. If you are using a VA loan, you will also need your Certificate of Eligibility, which you can request through VA.gov or have your lender pull electronically. Builders in Applewhite Meadows typically require an earnest money deposit at contract signing. Ask your builder’s sales office for their specific document checklist, since requirements vary between Century Communities, Davidson Homes, First America Homes, Legend Homes, and Brohn Homes.
What are common mistakes buyers make when purchasing in Applewhite Meadows?
The most common mistake is comparing base prices across builders without factoring in lot premiums, structural upgrades, and design center selections. A home listed at $209,990 base can look very different once you add upgrades, and final contract prices in Applewhite Meadows range up to $334,990. Buyers also skip requesting a full lot survey before signing. Some lots sit at lower elevations, and checking flood zone designation on your specific lot matters before closing. Always compare warranty terms across builders since Century Communities, Davidson Homes, and Legend Homes each structure their coverage differently.
What neighborhoods compete with Applewhite Meadows on San Antonio’s south side?
South San Antonio has several master-planned communities in a similar price range. Buyers often compare Applewhite Meadows to other new construction along the I-35 South corridor and near Loop 410. Key factors that separate them include builder selection, HOA fee structure, school attendance zones, and lot sizes. Applewhite Meadows features five active builders, which gives buyers more floor plan variety than single-builder communities nearby. If proximity to Lackland AFB matters, measure actual drive times rather than straight-line distance. Some competing communities sit closer on a map but have longer commutes due to highway access points.
