Published: March 15, 2026  |  By Christopher Beal, REALTOR® — Veteran Real Estate San Antonio: The Beal Group

Just Listed: Updated Single-Story Near JBSA-Randolph — 318 Balboa Drive, Universal City TX 78148 | $220,000

Three miles from Randolph AFB. No HOA. Updated finishes. And priced $39,000 below the zip code median. That's the straightforward case for 318 Balboa Drive in Universal City, Texas — a 3-bedroom, 2-bath single-story brick home in the Coronado Village neighborhood, now listed at $220,000 (MLS#1943021, recently reduced from $225,000).

For active-duty service members at JBSA-Randolph looking to buy rather than rent, this is the type of property that works: gate-adjacent, VA loan eligible, updated and move-in ready, with a larger-than-average lot and no HOA fees eating into your monthly budget.

Looking for homes near JBSA-Randolph? Call Christopher Beal at (210) 882-8583 or visit veteranrealestatesa.com/military-relocation for PCS resources and a full property search.

Why Is Universal City the Closest Community to JBSA-Randolph?

Universal City sits directly adjacent to Randolph AFB. The Pat Booker Road corridor runs along the installation perimeter, and most Universal City addresses — including 318 Balboa Drive — are within 5–10 minutes of the Randolph gate with no highway required.

Christopher Beal's Universal City neighborhood guide puts it directly: Universal City is "the closest incorporated community to Randolph AFB's main gate" — a distinction that matters when you're doing daily gate access with formation times at 0500 or commuting with a family in tow.

Compared to Schertz or Cibolo — other popular Randolph communities — Universal City offers:

• Shorter commute (5–10 min vs. 15–25 min)
• More affordable entry price — $220K here vs. $300K+ in Schertz
• No highway required for gate access (Pat Booker Road runs directly adjacent)
• SCUC ISD schools — the same district serving Schertz and Cibolo, at a lower price

318 Balboa Drive is approximately 3 miles from Randolph AFB — one of the shortest off-base commutes in the entire JBSA system.

What Has Been Updated at 318 Balboa Drive?

This 1968-built brick home has received meaningful updates that make it genuinely move-in ready without requiring a renovation budget. Here's what's new:

• New vinyl plank flooring in the open living and dining area — replacing outdated materials with a current, durable finish
• Fresh interior paint throughout
• New hard surface countertops in the kitchen
• New range/oven and vent hood
• Dishwasher

The kitchen has been refreshed with functional upgrades that buyers typically budget $8,000–$15,000 to complete post-purchase — they're already done here. The living and dining area with updated flooring and paint presents clean and current.

Additional home features include:

• Split primary bedroom with en-suite bath (shower only, single vanity)
• Secondary bedrooms sharing a full bath with tub/shower combo
• One-car attached garage with driveway parking
• Large, level backyard (0.207 acres) with privacy fence and mature shade tree
• Slab foundation, composition roof
• Central air conditioning and natural gas heat
• Washer connection

The 0.207-acre lot is one of the more notable features for the price. That's roughly 9,000 square feet of land — nearly double a typical suburban lot — providing room for a patio expansion, garden, dog run, or outdoor entertaining space.

What Is the Coronado Village Neighborhood Like?

Coronado Village is one of Universal City's established residential neighborhoods, developed primarily in the 1960s and 1970s. The character is quintessential mid-century Texas suburban: single-story brick homes, mature trees lining the streets, larger lots than modern tract housing, and a quiet residential feel.

The neighborhood's central Universal City location provides:

• Easy access to Pat Booker Road — the main retail and dining corridor through Universal City
• Quick access to Universal Blvd., Loop 1604, and I-35
• Approximately 2 miles to The Forum at Olympia Parkway — a major retail and dining destination on the northeast side
• Approximately 3 miles to Randolph AFB

The Forum at Olympia Parkway (shoptheforumsa.com) is a full-service retail destination with Chick-fil-A, Chili's, Chipotle, Crumbl Cookies, Baskin Robbins, Charley's Cheesesteaks, Sea Island Shrimp House, and dozens of other options. It's the northeast San Antonio go-to for daily shopping and dining without driving to the Loop 410 corridor.

What Schools Serve This Home?

318 Balboa Drive falls within the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District (SCUC ISD). SCUC ISD serves the Schertz, Cibolo, and Universal City communities with a consistent reputation for academic performance and extracurricular programs.

The MLS data notes "Call District" for specific campus assignments — buyers should contact SCUC ISD directly to confirm which elementary, middle, and high school serves this specific address. The Universal City area schools have historically served JBSA-Randolph families and are experienced with the unique needs of military family enrollment.

SCUC ISD also participates in the DoDEA partnership programs common to JBSA communities, making the transition process smoother for military families on PCS orders.

Is 318 Balboa Drive a Good Investment Property?

The combination of gate-adjacent location, no HOA, updated finishes, and entry-level pricing makes 318 Balboa Drive a legitimate candidate for investor buyers as well as owner-occupants. Key investment considerations:

• Rental demand: Universal City consistently ranks among the highest VA loan usage areas in the San Antonio metro. Military families on short-term orders who aren't buying still need rentals — and 3 miles from the gate is a premium location for renters.
• No HOA restrictions on rental use
• Low annual taxes: $4,962.18 (2025) — keeps carrying costs manageable
• Lot size: 0.207 acres provides room for potential ADU or additional structure (subject to city approval)
• Market liquidity: The 78148 zip shows 3.7 months of inventory — a seller's market — with a 96.9% list-to-sale ratio

For investors using a VA loan to purchase a primary residence before converting to rental: this is exactly the type of property that generates consistent cash flow from the military renter pool at Randolph. Review VA loan investment considerations here.

Is 318 Balboa Drive VA Loan Eligible?

Yes, strongly. At $220,000 with no HOA fees and annual taxes of $4,962, the total monthly cost picture is one of the most affordable in the JBSA-Randolph commute zone.

For a buyer using VA financing at 2026 market rates:

• Down payment: $0 (100% VA financing for eligible buyers)
• No PMI — saving approximately $100–$150/month vs. conventional financing
• 2026 VA loan limit: $832,750 — this home is well within range
• VA funding fee: Exempt for veterans with a service-connected disability rating; otherwise calculated on purchase price

Christopher Beal's Serve & Save program reduces closing costs for veterans based on years of service — helping offset the VA funding fee and other transaction costs. Learn how Serve & Save works here.

For complete VA loan eligibility information, visit VA.gov/home-loans.

How Does $220,000 Compare to the 78148 Market?

Based on LERA MLS data as of March 2026, the 78148 zip code market shows:

Source: Based on LERA MLS data as of March 2026

At $220,000 — $39,000 below the zip median — this home is positioned as one of the more affordable opportunities in the 78148 market. With only 42 active listings and 3.7 months of inventory, competition for entry-level Universal City properties is real. Buyers at this price range move faster here than anywhere in the San Antonio metro.

The effective $/sqft on this listing is approximately $189/sqft at $220K — slightly above the zip average of $145/sqft, reflecting the premium of its location and updated condition. For buyers comparing price per square foot, larger 78148 homes will show lower $/sqft ratios, but gate proximity and updated condition justify the trade-off here.

Property Details at a Glance — MLS#1943021

Ready to see 318 Balboa Drive — 3 miles from Randolph AFB, no HOA, updated and priced below median? Call Christopher Beal at (210) 882-8583. Military buyers: the Serve & Save program reduces your closing costs. Review your VA loan benefits here.

About Your Listing Agent — Christopher Beal

318 Balboa Drive is listed by Christopher Beal, founder of Veteran Real Estate San Antonio: The Beal Group at eXp Realty. Christopher has a deep focus on the JBSA-Randolph corridor — having guided dozens of Randolph families through the PCS buying process.

Christopher is a U.S. Army veteran, Military Relocation Professional (MRP), and member of the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP). He has served 293+ families and closed $112M+ in career volume.

Awards and recognition:

• San Antonio Business Journal Top 25 Real Estate Teams: #13 (2024), #14 (2025)
• Platinum Top 50 Agent: 3× winner
• eXp ICON Agent: 6× winner
• Five Star Professional Award recipient

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