Need help deciding best area of town to move to

[neddy]

I think the West Part of Avery Ranch is Leander ISD,

[Southern Phoenician]

Oh my goodness... this process is stressing me out!!!!

We found 2 homes we like; one is in Canyon Creek but higher priced and bigger than we want. The other is in Twin Creek and is really nice but OMG the taxes are rediculous!!! The property taxable value is WAY over what the listing price is. The other home in Canyon Creek's taxes more than doubled from 2006 to 2007!!! What's up with that????

I e-mailed my agent w/ the other subdivisions mentioned here and asked her to look into it. I also asked if we can find something outside of the MUD district because I suspect that's what's causing the taxes to be so out of whack in those areas.

Thanks SO much to everyone for your suggestions... this has been SO helpful to me!

[texastea]

Originally Posted by neddy

I think the West Part of Avery Ranch is Leander ISD,

Yes. amd the front part of the east side.

[gigi927]

Originally Posted by Austin Newby

Oh my goodness... this process is stressing me out!!!!

We found 2 homes we like; one is in Canyon Creek but higher priced and bigger than we want. The other is in Twin Creek and is really nice but OMG the taxes are rediculous!!! The property taxable value is WAY over what the listing price is. The other home in Canyon Creek's taxes more than doubled from 2006 to 2007!!! What's up with that????

I e-mailed my agent w/ the other subdivisions mentioned here and asked her to look into it. I also asked if we can find something outside of the MUD district because I suspect that's what's causing the taxes to be so out of whack in those areas.

Thanks SO much to everyone for your suggestions... this has been SO helpful to me!

The home in Canyon Creek - was it new two years ago? Because with new construction, usually the first year of taxes is based on the land value only because the year prior it was raw land. After the home's been built for a year, then the taxes shoot up to reflect the building value in addition to the land value.

You can get a breakdown of each area's property taxes to see if the MUD is what is making the taxes so high. In our neighborhood, for example, the MUD is a small percentage of our overall taxes and they've been reduced three consecutive times, so don't just assume it's a MUD issue.

There could be a lot of reasons that the home in Twin Creek's listing price is well below the appraised value. They could be trying to get rid of the house fast (distress sale), or the appraised value could just be way off. It happens frequently that people here protest their assessment. One of my friends bought a house that was then assessed 6months later to be $100K more than they paid for it. They protested and won without a problem. It's not a guarantee that you'd win, but if there's that much of a gap between the listing price and appraised value it may be worth a shot; so don't let that dissuade you without doing further investigation either.

If I'm not mistaken (someone on the boards lives in TC and can probably verify) Twin Creeks has a mandatory membership in the golf club as well, which is an expense that you need to consider. Some country club communities do not require membership and others do. Good luck!

[Southern Phoenician]

We made an offer on a home in Twin Creek (Cedar Park) and our offer was verbally accepted and we are to close on 12/27. This was NOT the home w/ the high tax appraisal- it was a different home in a different section of TC. We are picky buyers and as soon as I walked through this home once I told my agent I don't need to look anymore!!!!

Hard to believe I went from NO clue where to move and here I am buying a home in Cedar Park. I would have never considered Cedar Park initially because it just seems so "far way". BUT after reading responses here and listening to a few other people tell me that area or Round Rock would make the easiest commute... my mind was changed! I absolutely LOVE the Twin Creek subdivision, the country club offerings, and think our 5 year old will have a blast.

Thanks to everyone for your input-- I honestly wouldn't have looked at Cedar Park until I got answers from people here.

[Mike78613]

I knew you would buy in CP and CONGRATULATIONS!! TWIN CREEK is probably one of the better communities. did you check out Bella Vista. Those homes are huge!! Twin Creeks has a very nice golf course. Played couple of times on there.

CP move was the right thing. Wait until you get the community IMPACT news letters. All the stuff coming up in CP is going to be SWEET!!! Home developments are coming to a stop b/c its getting full. They really only have commercial lots avaliable and will be good benefit for the CP residents. Plus, since the home building will stop the market should even go up more in the appraised value of all homes (in general/most cases). You'll see, CP is close to everything you need. We get plenty of rain, close to the hill country (or in the hill country), lake access and fun entertainment for kids and family.
Once again, congratulations!!

Originally Posted by Austin Newby

We made an offer on a home in Twin Creek (Cedar Park) and our offer was verbally accepted and we are to close on 12/27. This was NOT the home w/ the high tax appraisal- it was a different home in a different section of TC. We are picky buyers and as soon as I walked through this home once I told my agent I don't need to look anymore!!!!

Hard to believe I went from NO clue where to move and here I am buying a home in Cedar Park. I would have never considered Cedar Park initially because it just seems so "far way". BUT after reading responses here and listening to a few other people tell me that area or Round Rock would make the easiest commute... my mind was changed! I absolutely LOVE the Twin Creek subdivision, the country club offerings, and think our 5 year old will have a blast.

Thanks to everyone for your input-- I honestly wouldn't have looked at Cedar Park until I got answers from people here.

[Southern Phoenician]

Thanks Mike!!!!

I guess I should plan for my property tax bill to rise... huh?

[Mike78613]

Originally Posted by Austin Newby

Thanks Mike!!!!

I guess I should plan for my property tax bill to rise... huh?

Nah - that is why those commercial buildings are at a rise in CP. So that should not happen

[Rae']

Welcome to Cedar Park! I think you made a wise investment and hope you will be happy here

[tccc07]

I work at Samsung as well. A couple of us that commute from Twin Creeks and Bella Vista are getting a Cap Metro Vanpool going. Have your husband check the Samsung Circuit announcements in the next few weeks. SHould be a money/headache saver.