Published: March 15, 2026  |  MLS#1714187  |  By Christopher Beal, Veteran Real Estate San Antonio: The Beal Group

Build Your Dream Home in San Antonio's Most Desirable ZIP — 22740 Fossil Ridge, 78261 Land for Sale

If you are searching for land to build your custom dream home in San Antonio, ZIP code 78261 is the address that consistently ranks at the top — and 22740 Fossil Ridge is a rare 2.24-acre opportunity inside one of the ZIP's premier gated communities. Listed at $390,000 (MLS#1714187), this cleared, build-ready lot in the prestigious Fossil Ridge community puts you walking distance from TPC San Antonio's two PGA TOUR golf courses, minutes from the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort, and inside the top-rated Northeast Independent School District.

The 78261 median home sale price is $390,000. This lot is priced at exactly that median — meaning a buyer who acquires this land and builds a custom home at this address is positioned to create a finished asset that exceeds the median value by the full cost of construction. That is the mathematics of building custom in a premium ZIP.

Interested in 22740 Fossil Ridge or other 78261 land opportunities? Call Christopher Beal at (210) 882-8583 or visit veteranrealestatesa.com to schedule a lot tour.

Why Is ZIP 78261 San Antonio's Most Sought-After Address?

ZIP 78261 occupies the northern edge of San Antonio near Hwy 281 and TPC Parkway — a corridor that has emerged over the past two decades as one of the most sought-after addresses in the metro. The combination of factors that define 78261 is genuinely difficult to replicate:

• Premium home values — median sale price of $390,000, average of $458,917, with homes reaching $5.6 million at the high end based on LERA MLS data
• Tight inventory — 3.3 months of supply, one of the most competitive in the San Antonio metro
• Strong list-to-sale ratio — 98.2%, confirming buyers are paying close to asking price
• Resort-class neighborhood amenities — TPC San Antonio, JW Marriott, Cibolo Canyon community
• Top-ranked school district — Northeast ISD (NEISD), consistently recognized as one of Texas's premier public school systems
• Nature and access — Hill Country terrain, preserved natural beauty, and quick access to Hwy 281 and Loop 1604
• Prestigious communities — Cibolo Canyons, Campanas, Fossil Ridge, Fossil Peak, and others anchoring the ZIP's luxury reputation

Buying land in 78261 is not just acquiring a lot — it is buying into a defined luxury lifestyle with a proven market track record of value retention and appreciation.

What Is the Fossil Ridge Community — and What Does It Offer?

Fossil Ridge is an upscale gated community featuring custom home sites of one to four acres, surrounded by mature trees with the Hill Country feel that 78261 buyers expect. Located just off TPC Parkway, north of Loop 1604 and east of Hwy 281, the community is designed to provide privacy and natural beauty while keeping residents minutes from everything that makes this corridor exceptional:

• TPC San Antonio — two PGA TOUR-quality golf courses in a 42,000 sq ft hacienda-style clubhouse with driving ranges, practice facilities, premium golf shop, and the TOUR Academy TPC San Antonio
• JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa — 1,002-room resort on 600 acres with 4 outdoor pools, a luxury spa, 6 restaurants, lazy river, waterslide, and 260,000 sq ft of event space
• Village at Stone Oak — approximately 10–15 minutes, north San Antonio's premier retail and dining destination
• The Rim and The Shops at La Cantera — 20–30 minutes via Hwy 281 and Loop 1604
• Downtown San Antonio and the River Walk — approximately 26 minutes
• Canyon Springs Golf Club — another championship course nearby

The community itself provides gated security and the architectural and landscape standards that ensure every home in Fossil Ridge maintains the premium quality level the neighborhood demands.

What Makes 22740 Fossil Ridge the Right Lot to Build On?

Among available land parcels in 78261, 22740 Fossil Ridge stands out for several reasons beyond its address:

• 2.24 acres — a genuinely large lot by San Antonio standards; most residential lots are under 0.3 acres. At 2.24 acres, you have room for a substantial custom home, detached garage or workshop, pool and outdoor living area, and still preserve natural buffer and privacy
• Already cleared and primed for construction — site prep is done; your builder can break ground without clearing delays or costs
• Gentle slope — the listing specifically notes this as an architectural advantage. A gentle slope enables designs that create natural walkouts, split-level living, and terraced outdoor spaces that maximize views without the engineering challenges of extreme grades
• Unparalleled views of surrounding natural beauty — the lot's position within the community is described as offering views of the surrounding natural landscape
• Gated community security — controlled access from day one of ownership
• Price reduced from $410,000 to $390,000 — the seller has moved on price, presenting a motivated acquisition opportunity in a market where 78261 properties routinely sell at 98.2% of asking price

What Does the 78261 Market Say About Building Here?

The numbers from ZIP 78261 make the custom-build investment thesis clear. Based on LERA MLS data as of March 2026:

Based on LERA MLS data as of March 2026, ZIP 78261.

Here is the math that matters: if a buyer acquires this 2.24-acre lot at $390,000 and builds a custom 3,000 sq ft home, the finished project cost might total $950,000–$1.1M depending on build quality. Looking at active 78261 luxury listings on Zillow — with homes priced from $750,000 to $5.6M — a high-quality custom build at this address easily falls within a well-supported price tier.

At $190.21 per square foot (the 78261 average), a 3,500 sq ft custom home produces approximately $665,735 in finished structure value — added to the land price, supporting a $1M+ total asset. The lot's 2.24-acre size further differentiates the finished product from the typical sub-quarter-acre lots that dominate even premium communities.

What Schools Serve 22740 Fossil Ridge?

Families considering this lot are zoned to the Northeast Independent School District (NEISD):

Northeast ISD (NEISD) is recognized as one of San Antonio's premier public school systems, with a track record of strong academic performance, diverse programming, and investment in student success. For families building a permanent custom home, NEISD zoning is a significant value driver.

Visualizing Your Dream Home at 22740 Fossil Ridge

At 2.24 acres in a gated north San Antonio community, the design possibilities are extraordinary:

The Main Structure: A 3,500–5,000 sq ft custom home — single-story ranch style with a Hill Country modern aesthetic, or a two-story design with a terrace that captures views over the natural treeline. The gentle slope of the lot invites a walkout lower level, creating a natural game room, media room, or in-law suite below the main living floor.

The Outdoor Experience: With 2.24 acres, you have room for a pool and spa, outdoor kitchen, covered entertainment pavilion, putting green, sport court, firepit area, and still have significant natural buffer between your home and the community perimeter. This is acreage living with all the amenities of a premium neighborhood.

Practical Flexibility: A detached garage workshop, casita for guests or a home office, or dedicated RV/boat storage are all achievable on 2.24 acres — options that a 0.25-acre city lot simply cannot offer.

The Lifestyle: Walk out your back gate to TPC Parkway. Drive three minutes to tee off at one of two PGA TOUR courses. Spend a Saturday at the JW Marriott spa. Pick up groceries in Stone Oak on the way home. Your kids attend NEISD schools. On weekends, take Hwy 281 north 30 minutes to New Braunfels for tubing on the Comal River. This is what 78261 living delivers — and 22740 Fossil Ridge is your entry point.

Property Details at a Glance — MLS#1714187

Timing: Why Act on 78261 Land in 2026?

San Antonio's north side near 78261 is one of the metro's most constrained land markets — tight inventory (3.3 months), high demand, and limited availability of large custom lots within gated communities. The factors that make 78261 desirable are structural, not cyclical:

• NEISD school quality is established and consistent
• TPC San Antonio and the JW Marriott are permanent resort infrastructure anchors
• The broader Cibolo Canyon development has transformed the corridor into a recognized luxury destination
• Stone Oak's retail and dining density continues to attract businesses and residents
• Hwy 281's improvements are making north SA increasingly accessible to downtown, Medical Center, and the airport

Land at this size (2.24 acres) in a gated 78261 community does not come available frequently. The price reduction from $410,000 to $390,000 — aligning the lot exactly with the ZIP's median home sale price — makes this an opportunistic acquisition for a motivated buyer ready to commit to building in 2026.

Veterans: Christopher Beal's Serve & Save program reduces closing costs based on your years of military service — up to 6%. Call (210) 882-8583 to discuss how to apply it to your land or construction purchase.

About Christopher Beal — North San Antonio's Luxury Land Specialist

Christopher Beal is a U.S. Army veteran, founder of Veteran Real Estate San Antonio: The Beal Group at eXp Realty, and one of San Antonio's most decorated real estate professionals. He holds the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) designation and is a member of VAREP (Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals, HUD-approved nonprofit).

• SABJ Top 25 Residential Real Estate Teams — #13 (2024), #14 (2025)
• Platinum Top 50 Agent — 3× recipient
• eXp ICON Agent — 6× recipient
• Five Star Professional Award 2026
• 293+ families served | $112M+ career volume

Christopher has served over 293 families across the San Antonio metro, with deep knowledge of the north side luxury and land markets, including the 78261 corridor. His Serve & Save program helps veterans reduce closing costs, and his relationships with VA construction loan lenders make him uniquely equipped to guide buyers from land acquisition through custom home completion.

Ready to build your dream home in 78261? Call Christopher Beal at (210) 882-8583, visit veteranrealestatesa.com, or request a free consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to build your dream home at 22740 Fossil Ridge in San Antonio 78261?
Call Christopher Beal at (210) 882-8583 or visit veteranrealestatesa.com. Veterans — the Serve & Save program reduces closing costs. Read client reviews or learn about VA construction loans and military relocation services.