Schertz has two active master-planned communities competing for the same northeast corridor family buyer — and the choice between The Crossvine and Homestead comes down to one decision more than any other: whether I-35 direct access to New Braunfels, San Marcos, and Austin matters to your daily life more than the lower entry price and community character that The Crossvine delivers. Both are SCUCISD 8/10. Both have resort-style amenity packages with comparable HOA fee structures. Both have four to five active builders at overlapping price points. The differences are access, builder roster, amenity character, and community maturity — and they’re specific enough to make the right answer clear once a buyer understands them. This guide maps both communities side by side so you can make the decision before your first showing rather than after your third offer.
Brock Bremmer | U.S. Air Force Reserves Veteran | Real Estate Agent | eXp Realty
Schertz and Northeast Corridor Specialist
Also see: The Crossvine Buyer’s Guide | Homestead Buyer’s Guide | Living in Schertz
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | The Crossvine | Homestead |
| Location | Lower Seguin Road / FM 1518, Schertz | Directly off I-35, north of FM 1103, Schertz |
| School district | SCUCISD throughout | SCUCISD throughout |
| Active builders | Brightland, Chesmar, Highland, Scott Felder (4) | Perry, Pulte, Highland, Coventry, Chesmar, Taylor Morrison (6) |
| Entry price | From $344,990 | From $359,990 (CastleRock) |
| Price range | $344,990–$550,000+ | $359,990–$686,000+ |
| HOA fees | ~$82–$90/month | Chesmar ~$80/month; Highland ~$101/month; CastleRock ~$88/month |
| Randolph commute | ~10–15 min | ~15 min |
| I-35 access | Via Loop 1604 — slightly longer | Direct — off FM 1103 |
| New Braunfels | ~20–25 min via 1604 and I-35 | ~15–20 min via I-35 direct |
| San Marcos | ~35 min | ~30 min via I-35 |
| Signature amenity | Resort pool, amphitheater, trails, dog park | Resort pool with splash pad, fitness center, pet parks, pavilion |
| Community maturity | More established — multiple completed phases | Newer — active development feel |
| Amazon/I-35 corridor | Accessible via 1604 | Direct I-35 — shortest commute |
Where The Crossvine Wins
- Lower entry price: $344,990 vs Homestead’s $359,990 entry — a $15,000 difference that matters at the budget margin where many northeast corridor buyers are operating
- Amphitheater and events programming: The Crossvine’s amphitheater is a distinctive amenity that Homestead doesn’t replicate — meaningful for buyers who specifically value community events and outdoor performance programming as part of neighborhood life
- More established community character: The Crossvine’s earlier phases are more mature — landscaping is established, the community identity is set, and buyers get a clearer picture of what daily life looks like than in Homestead’s still-developing newer phases
- Scott Felder Homes: Scott Felder’s Texas-focused custom design approach is exclusive to The Crossvine among the two communities — buyers who have specifically researched Scott Felder and want their floor plans have only one option
- Randolph proximity: The Crossvine’s Lower Seguin Road positioning gives it a slight edge on Randolph gate commute for some sections — approximately 10 minutes versus Homestead’s 15 minutes
Where Homestead Wins
- Direct I-35 access: Homestead’s most decisive advantage for buyers with New Braunfels, San Marcos, or Austin employment. The I-35 direct connection reduces NB commute from 20–25 minutes to 15–20 minutes and makes the Amazon/I-35 corridor employer base directly accessible without a highway interchange
- Six active builders: More builder competition means more floor plan options, more incentive competition, and a wider price range. Buyers who have toured The Crossvine’s four builders and not found their plan have two additional options at Homestead
- Wider price ceiling: Homestead’s Chesmar section reaches $686,000 — a higher ceiling than The Crossvine’s current range. Move-up buyers who have outgrown entry pricing but want to stay in Schertz find more options at Homestead’s upper tier
- Splash pad: Homestead’s resort pool includes a splash pad — a specific amenity for families with young children that The Crossvine’s pool doesn’t offer
- Fort Sam and dual-corridor access: Homestead’s I-35 positioning makes it more practical for Fort Sam-primary families (25–35 min via I-35) than The Crossvine, which requires Loop 1604 routing
SCUCISD Campus — Verify at the Address Level for Both
Both communities are entirely SCUCISD — but campus assignment varies by specific address and phase within each community. The Crossvine and Homestead each have distinct feeder patterns that depend on your specific lot. Verify at scuc.txed.net before going under contract on any specific home in either community. Do not rely on builder representation or neighborhood name for campus assignment.
The Decision Framework
Choose The Crossvine if:
- Randolph is your primary daily destination and the 5-minute commute difference matters
- Community character and amphitheater programming are priorities
- You want Scott Felder’s floor plan library specifically
- Lower entry price is a deciding factor
- An established, more mature community feel is important
Choose Homestead if:
- New Braunfels, San Marcos, or Austin employment is in your daily commute
- I-35 corridor employers (Amazon, etc.) are your workplace
- You want the widest builder selection — six options vs four
- Families with young children who specifically want a splash pad
- Fort Sam Houston is your primary installation
- You need the higher price ceiling for a larger move-up floor plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Crossvine or Homestead better for Randolph families?
The Crossvine has a slight Randolph commute edge — approximately 10–15 minutes versus Homestead’s 15 minutes from most sections. Both are among the northeast corridor’s best Randolph commute communities. For Randolph-only families where the commute is the deciding factor, The Crossvine is the stronger choice. For families with one Randolph assignment and one Fort Sam or Austin employer, Homestead’s I-35 positioning is more practical.
Which community has lower HOA fees?
HOA fees are comparable — both communities run approximately $80–$101/month depending on builder section. The Crossvine averages approximately $82–$90/month. Homestead varies by builder: Chesmar ~$80/month, CastleRock ~$88/month, Highland ~$101/month. The fee difference is not significant enough to be a primary decision factor — compare the amenity packages and builder options instead.
Ready to Choose?
Brock Bremmer with eXp Realty tours both communities with buyers, verifies SCUCISD campus at the address level for both, facilitates builder lender comparisons across both rosters, and helps buyers reach a clear decision before making an offer.
- 📞 Call or text: 210-501-5088
- 📧 Email: [email protected]
- 📅 Schedule a free consultation
Also see: The Crossvine Guide | Homestead Guide | Schertz vs Cibolo | Guadalupe County Taxes