The honest facts before you drive to San Marcos — what the HOA really costs all-in, the MUD tax some parcels carry, and what “between Austin and San Antonio” actually means in daily life
Have questions about what you're reading? A specialist can walk you through real costs, honest comparisons, and what's actually available right now — free, no obligation.
Talk to a Specialist →Kissing Tree's base HOA for single-family homes is $263/month. Single-family homes do not include lawn care. Professional lawn service in San Marcos runs approximately $100–$150/month. All-in monthly cost for a single-family Kissing Tree resident: approximately $363–$413/month — not $263. This is competitive with The Haven at New Riverside in Hilton Head (which includes lawn care at $254/month), but it is not the $263 figure in the marketing. Know the all-in number before comparing communities.
Portions of Kissing Tree and the surrounding San Marcos / I-35 corridor sit within Municipal Utility Districts. A MUD tax of approximately $0.20–$0.30/$100 valuation adds $1,000–$1,500/year on a $500,000 home — an additional $83–$125/month that never goes away and does not benefit from homestead exemptions the same way county taxes do. Verify whether your specific parcel is in a MUD before purchasing. Ask the sales office and confirm with the Hays County Appraisal District.
Kissing Tree is marketed as being between Austin and San Antonio. It is — geographically. But "between" means 30 miles from Austin (35–45 minutes on a good traffic day on I-35) and 50 miles from San Antonio (50–65 minutes). For buyers imagining quick runs to Austin for dinner or events, the I-35 commute is rarely quick. Plan a weekday evening drive on I-35 through Austin before purchasing to set realistic expectations.
We connect buyers with agents who know this market from the inside — real cost math, honest comparisons, and what's actually happening right now. Every agent is personally vetted by the Nova55Living founder. No scripts, no pressure.
San Marcos averages 96–100°F in July and August with high humidity from nearby springs and rivers. The pickleball courts, bocce areas, and walking trails that are genuinely enjoyable from October through May are essentially unusable from 10am–7pm June through September. If you are visiting in the spring or fall to evaluate the community, factor in that roughly 20% of your year will be spent in extreme heat that limits outdoor activity. The indoor amenities at The Mix are excellent — but they are also the primary amenity for 3+ months of the year.
Kissing Tree has a 9-hole golf course. This is often mentioned as a golf amenity alongside Sun City Texas' 54 holes as if they are comparable. They are not. 9 holes is suitable for casual golfers who want a quick round without driving elsewhere. Serious golfers playing 3–4 times per week will find the on-site option limiting and need to drive to 18-hole courses. Factor this into the community selection if golf is a primary activity.
We can run the full cost comparison between Kissing Tree and Sun City Texas before you make the drive.
Talk to a SpecialistConnect with a specialist who knows this market from the inside — real cost math, honest community comparisons, and what's actually happening right now. Every agent is personally vetted by the Nova55Living founder.
Connect with a Specialist →