Smaller Homes? (garden, duplexes, sold)

[centralaustinite]

Zillow has so many inaccuracies it is insane! Was searching an address yesterday because I've been notified about an alcohol permit and Zillow thinks that a huge hotel that has been there for at LEAST 30 years is actually a two bedroom, two bath house!!

If you are going to look on line, use Austin Home Search! Public face of the MLS and has accurate information for homes for sale. It shows some houses under $200K in 78724 and 78725.

Both areas would be pretty close to Pflugerville!

[ashbeeigh]

So, I was just using zillow as a time waster. I hope you all realize I was not endorsing zillow as being the end all be all of real estate searches. Of course use your best judgement and don't assume that things posted there, or any other website, are 100% legitimate. My whole point was that there are/have been a few things in central(ish) Austin that might work. It would be a hard thing to find, yes, but it's there. I'll see my way out now.

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

Agreed it's not the best, but to say their "dream" does not exist in inaccurate, per any type of date of search, whether these have been purchased or not they were there at some point.

The 78721 home was/is actually 218k (so I apologize for being "over " budget) https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...85_rect/14_zm/

But after a second check there was one in 78752 https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...82_rect/13_zm/ and one in 78753 https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...82_rect/13_zm/ that meet OP's budget.

OP was specific about their budget and it not being a "ghetto" area. You're pulling up a couple of tear down worthy properties in some of the sketchiest areas of town. Buying a tear down that meets your budget leaves no money to do even basic renovations to make something even livable. What the OP is looking for doesn't exist.

[mark311]

Originally Posted by luksky

We prefer more central/north Austin since my husband works in Pflugerville.

Is there a such thing as a small older home/neighborhood that's not a zillion dollars in the Austin area? We don't have that high of standards of living, but we don't want to be in the "ghetto" either.

Our budget is no more than 200K

Is there such an area or neighborhood?

Since you stated that you are looking in the "Austin area", would that include Round Rock? You would have to be quick, but there are some that just meet your criteria in the 78681 zip code for example in the Chisholm Valley areas. One 1350 square foot home listed at $199K went pending recently and there is at least one other similar active listing at $205K for a 1173 square foot home. I think most of the houses there were build in the late 70's/early 80's. It's an area just West of I35 in-between Hesters Crossing and Mcneil.

I assume there might be other areas like that on the East side of Round Rock too maybe around Dell Diamond. I think a realtor that specializes in Round Rock could probably help you find what you're looking for if Round Rock is an option. That Chisholm Valley area feeds into a poorly rated Elementary school, but a good Middle/High School so I imagine it's not crawling with little kids.

[riaelise]

there are small, old houses in RRE but the neighborhoods are going to be filled with kids as well. $200k is a challenge. Homes are usually bid upwards and sell for more than asking. I've yet to see a home listed for below $200k actually sell for less than $200k.

[ClaraC]

This really seems like an impossible set of criteria.

Any place near Austin with attractive, nice, affordable ready-to-occupy homes, with lawns and trees is going to be chock-full of kids.

[mark311]

I didn't take it that she didn't want to ever see a kid when she walks around in her neighborhood, but that she didn't want to be in a kid-centric neighborhood where they have 4th of July kids parades, HOA funded Easter Egg hunts, community pools filled with loud kids playing, schools conveniently located inside the neighborhood, etc.

[luksky]

Originally Posted by mark311

I didn't take it that she didn't want to ever see a kid when she walks around in her neighborhood, but that she didn't want to be in a kid-centric neighborhood where they have 4th of July kids parades, HOA funded Easter Egg hunts, community pools filled with loud kids playing, schools conveniently located inside the neighborhood, etc.

Exactly.

[JH6]

Five years ago we purchased a 2/2 craftsman cottage in Round Rock, it is under 1100sq feet.

We paid $129k, last appraisal was $166k so it is doable for sure.

My wife and I live here, it is plenty of room for us and a couple cats.

There was a 3/2 cottage on our street that was selling for $189k or $199k.

They are cookie cutter DR horton houses, we have liked it just fine.

[clarksvillemom]

what are the homes off 51st and Guadalupe? Maybe garden homes or duplexes?