How a Boerne Family Upsized From The Ranches at Creekside to a Custom Home on an Acre in Stone Creek Ranch.
What happened: A Boerne family with elementary-age kids sold their 3,640-square-foot home on a third of an acre in The Ranches at Creekside for about $600,000. They put that equity into a custom home of more than 5,000 square feet on a full acre in Stone Creek Ranch, built by Ramey & O’Neil in about six months. A leaseback, a reconsideration of value on the appraisal, and the right lender made it work.
Who were these clients, and what did they want?
They were a young family who had outgrown their home in The Ranches at Creekside. Their house was 3,640 square feet on about a third of an acre. With elementary-age kids, they wanted more house and a lot more land.
When they said “lifestyle,” they meant something specific. Room for the kids to run. Plenty of outdoor space. A putting green in the backyard
Why did they end up in Stone Creek Ranch?
Because we had a builder connection with a lot there. Ramey & O’Neil could build them a quality home at a good price.
That was the part they didn’t believe at first. A custom home over 5,000 square feet, on an acre, for a price that worked? They assumed it wasn’t possible. It was. They just hadn’t had the right conversation yet
How do you finance an upsize when your income varies?
You work with a lender who knows how to do it. The buyer has variable income, which made regular financing hard to secure.
This is why lender relationships matter so much. We connected them with one of our trusted lenders, who was able to secure non-traditional financing. They also put their equity from the Ranches at Creekside home into the new build.
How did they sell first without uprooting the kids?
We negotiated a leaseback. The home sold before the new build was done, but the family stayed in the house so the kids could finish out the school year.
After the leaseback, they took some summer vacations. Then they stayed at the family ranch until the new home was finished. No mid-year school change, and no extra move into a short-term rental.
What happened when the home appraised low?
We requested a reconsideration of value, and it worked. The Ranches at Creekside home didn’t appraise at the contract price.
We pulled new comps and submitted the request. The appraisal came up. The buyer then came up on their price to close the rest of the gap, so we met in the middle and kept the sale together
What does guiding a ground-up build actually look like?
It means staying in it for the full build, not just the contract. Ramey & O’Neil is known for speed and quality, and this home took about six months to build.
Over that time we helped with:
- Choosing the lot
- Reviewing the builder contract
- Selections
- Inspections at key stages
- Weekly check-ins on the build
Hal grew up building homes with his dad. New construction is something he knows from the ground up
How did it turn out?
They love the home. They went from a third of an acre to a full acre, and from 3,640 square feet to more than 5,000.
They told us they couldn’t have done it without our team and the introduction to the builder
What would I tell another family thinking about upsizing?
You may be able to upsize and just not know it yet. This family didn’t think a custom home on an acre was within reach. Between their equity, the right lender, and the right builder, it was.
It all starts with a conversation. If you’re wondering whether a bigger home or more land is possible for your family, ask us.
FAQ
Can I sell my Boerne home before my new build is finished? Yes. In this case, we negotiated a leaseback so the family could stay in their sold home through the end of the school year. After that, they traveled and stayed with family until the build was done. Planning that bridge early is what kept the kids’ school year intact.
How long does a custom build with Ramey & O’Neil take? This home took about six months to build. Ramey & O’Neil is known for building quickly without cutting corners on quality. Your timeline will depend on your lot, plan, and selections.
Can I qualify for a new build if my income is variable? It can be harder with regular financing, but it may still be possible. This buyer had variable income, and one of our trusted lenders secured non-traditional financing for him. The lender you start with matters.
What happens if my home appraises low when I’m selling? You can request a reconsideration of value. We submitted new comps, the appraisal came up, and the buyer raised their price to cover the rest. A reconsideration of value isn’t guaranteed to work, but strong comps give it a real chance.
Is upsizing in Boerne more affordable than I think? It might be. This family assumed a custom home on an acre was out of reach until we connected them with a builder and a lot that fit. The only way to know is to run your own numbers with someone who knows the builders and lenders here.
📞 Contact us or call or text (210) 844-8683.
The Gahm Real Estate Team
About the author: Staci Gahm, The Gahm Real Estate Team, Keller Williams, Fair Oaks Ranch. Serving Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, and Kendall and Comal counties. Hal Gahm grew up building homes with his father, and the team works closely with Ramey & O’Neil Custom Builders on new construction in Boerne.
