Living in Kerrville, TX - PROS and CONS about Kerrville

      Costs, lifestyle, and trade-offs—before you choose Kerrville.

Torn between a move-in-ready charmer and that just-built, energy-smart beauty? Here’s the side-by-side answer—so you can buy with confidence.

A practical guide comparing new construction and pre-existing homes—costs, timelines, warranties, neighborhoods, and how to choose for your family in the Texas Hill Country.

Pre-Existing vs New Construction Homes: Which Is Right for You?

By · Updated · Category: Home Buying Guides

Side-by-side view of a newly built home and a mature neighborhood home in the Texas Hill Country
Key takeaways:
  • New construction shines for efficiency, low maintenance, and builder warranties—but usually costs more and takes longer.
  • Pre-existing homes offer faster closings, character, established neighborhoods, and more room to negotiate on price.
  • Decide by priorities: budget, timeline, neighborhood feel, energy costs, and how much customization you want.

Table of contents

  1. New Construction: Pros & Tradeoffs
  2. Pre-Existing Homes: Pros & Tradeoffs
  3. How to Choose for Your Family (Step-By-Step)
  4. FAQs

New Construction: Pros & Tradeoffs

Quick answer: New builds deliver modern efficiency, minimal upkeep, and warranty coverage—but they often carry a higher sticker price and a longer wait before move-in.

Energy efficiency. Today’s windows, roofs, HVACs, and insulation can lower utility bills and keep temps steady year-round. That’s money back in your pocket—especially during Hill Country summers.

Minimal maintenance. With everything brand-new, your punch list stays short. Instead of weekend repairs, you can enjoy your home or explore Fredericksburg, Kerrville, and nearby trails.

Builder warranties. Many builders back structural and mechanical systems for multiple years, giving you predictable costs and peace of mind if something goes wrong.

Customization. Buy early in the process and you can choose finishes, layouts, and design details to match how your family lives.

Tradeoffs. New construction typically requires a longer timeline (often months) and can come with lot premiums, upgrade costs, and limited room for price negotiation.

Subtopic A

Spec vs. to-be-built. Spec homes (already under construction) can shorten timelines. To-be-built homes maximize customization but take longer and may carry more change-order costs.

Pro tip: Ask the builder for utility cost estimates from similar completed homes and a written warranty booklet before you sign.

Pre-Existing Homes: Pros & Tradeoffs

Bottom line: Existing homes move faster, often cost less up-front, and come in established neighborhoods—though they may need more maintenance and energy upgrades.

  • Negotiating power: Individual sellers are usually more flexible on price and concessions than builders.
  • Established neighborhoods: Mature trees, defined streets, and a built-in community vibe are common in older subdivisions.
  • Faster move-in: You can close in weeks, not months—ideal if your timeline is tight.

Character & charm. Think hardwood floors, crown molding, built-ins, and architectural details that newer tract builds may not include.

Tradeoffs. Expect potential maintenance, higher utility bills until upgrades are made, and possible renovation costs to fit your style.

How to Choose for Your Family (Step-By-Step)

In practice: Rank your priorities, compare total cost of ownership, and match your timeline to the right path—then tour both options to confirm the fit.

1) List priorities. Energy efficiency, budget, neighborhood feel, timeline, or customization? Put them in order.

2) Compare total costs. Add up utilities, maintenance, likely renovations, warranties, and the higher up-front price typical with new construction. Note any HOA/STR rules that matter to your plans.

3) Consider timing. Need to move soon? Focus on existing homes. Able to wait? New builds can deliver exactly what you want.

4) Tour both. Walk model homes and established neighborhoods. Pay attention to street noise, commute times, and how the floor plan actually lives day-to-day.

5) Get local guidance. A Hill Country agent can flag hidden costs, builder reputations, and neighborhood nuances you won’t see online.

Sources

FAQs

Is new construction always more expensive?

Not always, but it often carries higher base prices, lot premiums, and upgrade costs. Compare total cost of ownership (including utilities and maintenance) to see the real difference.

How long does new construction usually take?

Build timelines vary by builder, weather, and materials. Many buyers see 6–12 months from contract to close; spec homes can shorten that.

Can I negotiate with a builder?

Yes—often on closing costs, upgrades, or rate buydowns—though base prices tend to be less flexible than resale homes.

What should I inspect on a pre-existing home?

Roof age, HVAC, foundation, plumbing, electrical, windows, and signs of moisture. Budget for near-term maintenance or upgrades if systems are older.

Which option fits Hill Country living best?

If you want mature trees and established streets, resale may win. If you want energy efficiency, warranties, and custom choices, new builds are strong—tour both to compare.

Have a Hill Country question?

I’m based in Fredericksburg and work across Gillespie, Kerr, Blanco, Kimble, Mason, Llano & Bandera. Let’s talk strategy.

Talk with Ryan
Transcript
In today's video, we are going over the pros and the cons of living here in Kerrville, Texas. Welcome back to the channel guys. This channel is all about helping you achieve your real estate dreams here in the Texas Hill Country. Like I mentioned, today's video is all about the pros and the cons of living here in Kerrville, Texas. Okay, so let's go ahead and start this video off with a pro. So Pro number one we have one of the most popular rivers in Texas going right through the middle of Kerrville. The Guadalupe River. It actually stretches about 250 miles across Texas. And one of the coolest things about our river, the river going through Kerrville is the Lewis Hays Park. And we have all kinds of things going down there. We have we have festivals, we have concerts. They have all kinds of fitness groups that do their things down there. You can rent kayaks, you can get canoes, paddleboards, all kind of really, really cool things. And you have the River trail as well, which stretches about six miles, going one way so you can get about a 12 mile run, walk, bike, just on the River trail alone. And then Lewis Hayes Park itself has multiple pavilions. So if you have some kind of, you know, gathering, you need to put together a family event, you know, graduation party, a baby shower, whatever the case may be, there are multiple pavilions available to rent out throughout the day. And again, we have concerts going on. One of the greatest, in my opinion, one of the greatest Texas musicians is Robert Earl King Junior. And he puts on a great show right around the 4th of July weekend. And I spent. But you do have, multiple options when it comes to pavilions and different festivals and causes. Go to there at the Lewis Hayes Park. Okay. So Carnival one property tax is. It is no secret that we have higher property taxes here in Texas, but in correlation to the rest of the state in in the United States, our property taxes are fairly high here in Kerrville. So to give a quick example, we have we just based it off the median sales price, which is 320,000. You can expect a 1.5% property tax rate for the outskirts outside of the city limits, and a 2.1% tax rate for inside the city limits. What you basically need to do is multiply that 320,000 by either 1.5% if you're outside of the city limits, or by 2.1% if you are inside the city limits. And that will get you what your property tax will be for that year. Now, there are a couple things that can help out to reduce that tax rate for the year. You have your homestead exemption, which if this is your primary residence, you definitely need to do that beginning of the year. Apply for your homestead exemption. But say if you are a disabled veteran, there are some benefits that come along with that as well. You know, 50% and above, you have a certain amount that will be taken off of that total amount for the year. And if you're 100% medically disabled from the VA or from the military, but through the VA, you actually do not pay for property taxes. If this is your primary residence. Okay. With that being said, you do need to make sure to account for your property taxes for the end of the year. So a lot of these mortgage companies or mortgage calculators, they may not show you what your total monthly payment will be at the end of the day. So what you need to do is count for your mortgage payment, your taxes, your insurance, all that all together and what any other expenses you may possibly have utility bills, everything like that internet, everything that goes into living in a home here in the Hill country. You need to pull that all together and see if you can afford a house for 320,000, 600,000, 200,000, whatever the case may be, but make sure you know what your property taxes are going to be. Okay. So let's go back to another positive pro number two. So one of the coolest things I really enjoy most about living here in the Texas Hill Country is the wineries. So the wineries and the breweries. So just between Kerrville and Fredericksburg alone, we have four separate wineries that you can enjoy that are conveniently. I mean, you could probably get to, the furthest one away, slight mill, I would say maybe take 15 to 20 minutes to get there. The second one is going to be a guest event. It takes maybe 12 to 15 minutes to get there. After that you're going to have Santa Maria cellars and we're moving in from Fredricksburg coming this way. So you have Santa Maria cellars right after that. And then the closest one to Kerrville is going to be the Kerrville Hills Winery. And after that we actually have two different wineries inside town. So we have turtle Creek, which they have winery wine from all over the all over the state and of all over the country. They have some delicious charcuterie boards and all kinds of good stuff over there. But you also have wine about it, which is 100% Texas grown grapes and wine. So, if you want to maybe kind of consider a brewery, what we do have in Kerrville is, you have Titan plow, which is great. They have all kinds of great food and, and great beer. The second one is going to be basement brewers, which they just have beer, but it has some of the best beer I've ever had in my life. Craft beer and, we actually have two more breweries coming to Kerrville here within the next six months or so. Okay. So going back to the cons con number two, we do not really have a nightlife here in Kerrville, Texas, to be perfectly honest. We have a handful of bars. Maybe it's less than ten bars here in Kerrville. And to be honest, there's only maybe 1 or 2 of those bars that stay open past 12:00. So if you're the type of person that likes to get out there, party, dance or, you know, really, really socialize with people late at night, Kerrville may not be the place for you because we just do not have a nightlife here in Kerrville. There's a couple places you can go dancing, square dancing, waltzing, all that type of stuff, into the hills. And one of them also gravity check, which is not really considered Kerrville. It's in between Kerrville and Bandera. But they do have live bands out there all the time. They have some great food and a great environment to go dancing. But again, if you're looking for a town that has a great nightlife, Kerrville may not be the place for you. Okay, Pro number three, we have a university here in Kerrville, so Shriner University has been around for over 90 years. It was first established 1923, and it's a private Presbyterian university. So one of the things that you kind of maybe need to know about Sharon University, there's over 40 undergraduate programs, three master programs, and just kind of give you an idea of what you'll be expecting after aid, after you get any type of aid, you're probably looking at about $20,000 per year to go to school here at Schreiner University. And they actually also, have several different sports for men and women. So to start off with the men, you have baseball, basketball, cross-country, track and field, golf, tennis, men's wrestling. And on the women's side you have basketball, cross cross-country, soccer, golf, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and also women's wrestling. So if you want a university that's, you know, it's rated greatly across the United States for the education programs, but also school that has sports. Shriner University just may be a place to to settle down, have your kids go to and get a great, great education. Con number three of living in Kerrville is our property values. So if you compare it against the rest of the state of Texas, our property values are higher. Our median sales price for 2021 is about $320,000. And to put that in perspective, on a month to month basis, if you put about 505% down on a $320,000 sales price and you have a 3.5% interest rate, you're looking at about an $1,800 a month mortgage payment. Of course, that does include your taxes and insurance. But again, if you're comparing it to the rest of the state of Texas, you are paying quite a bit more and according to Best places.com, the average household income for Kerrville is $40,000 a year, and the average hourly rate is about $16. An hour, which comes out to about 30 $30,000 a year. So what you want to make sure to do is put pen to paper and make sure that $1,800 a month is affordable. You're not overextending yourself at the end of the day. Okay, now it's time for the question of the day. What is your opinion of the pros and cons of living here in Kerrville, Texas? Make sure you put it down in the comments below. And if you're thinking about moving to Kerrville, make sure you watch my next video. Ten Things You Should Know Before Moving to Kerrville, Texas. Hey guys, my name is Ryan Sarandon Realty Group. Make sure you hit the subscribe button, but also the bell tops and get notified anytime I put out great videos just like this one. We'll see you next time.