Can you get a nice home for between 170 and 180? (Austin: house, neighborhood)

[TexasHorseLady]

Definitely, try austinhomesearch.com if your agent's website limits you.

Georgetown is right up the road (between 5 and 10 minutes, depending on which exit) from Round Rock and might have some homes in your price range that you'd like.

[Taterhead]

austinhomelistings.com is also a good one, it gives lots more info.

[TexasHorseLady]

That is, of course, a broker's website, whereas the austinhomesearch.com one isn't, just in the interests of full disclosure.

[Taterhead]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

That is, of course, a broker's website, whereas the austinhomesearch.com one isn't, just in the interests of full disclosure.

I like it because you can put in as many areas as you wish all at once. The other one is 1 area at a time, which is a pain when I'm looking at homes in 3-4 areas of Austin. I don't even know how I got this one to save, I don't remember signing in or anything. This one gives you way more info about the house too.

[schoenfraun]

We just left our Austin rental and bought a 1950 house in Taylor. I love the town, and the house is one of the best-built I've seen in a long time; it's a tank! Very well-made. We couldn't afford such a lovely home in Austin proper.

I commute into the city every day, husband works at home.

It's 33 miles to downtown, it's about 20 miles or so to RR outlet mall and IKEA.

I will send you a private message about some amazing houses, about 75 to 100 years old, that I have seen in Taylor.

I am not a real estate agent, but someone who looked and looked for a home and saw many in Taylor. There are a few gems that are in your range, for sure. You should investigate them....

We love Taylor so far. People are very friendly, there are some great restaurants (Ricocco's Latin Grill!), and it's as quiet as can be.

[Jbyrum]

Hi Megan,
I know all about Austin area because I have lived here since the early 60s. I am a realtor and let me give you some thoughts. The closer you get to Austin the more expensive the homes become. I mainly keep in the north/northwest area which includes Round Rock, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Hutto, Leander, Cedar Park. You can find really nice homes for the price you are talking about. Austin is a pocket community and that is why you need to be careful where you buy. Hutto is an area full of starter homes but not an area I would suggest you buy in. Some of the homes out there have had structural problems. If you get a home that was built in the 80s-2000 I would be sure and really check to see if the foundation is structurally sound. Also have your realtor check on how many rentals are in the area you like. A lot of investors bought several homes at a time in some subdivisions and that is not where you want to be. Mayfield is nice but is quite a ways away from Austin.
I hope this has helped.

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by Megan1967

I'm desperate to get out of my current city/state, but don't want to get into something I can't handle. I've found some houses in the RR area (online) that look nice, but houses in that price range aren't of very good quality or in good areas around here. What's it like in the Austin area?

I suggest you rent an apartment/duplex/home for 6mos-1yr and go explore.
No one here can tell you what you like or where you should live.
They can make suggestions but it's really up to you.

When I first came out here I had no idea where to live so I rented for 6 months and renewed for another 6 months and spent my weekends exploring and looking at homes/neighborhoods.

[love roses]

Note: I live in Hutto and only 2 neighborhoods have had any problems with the foundations, etc. and that is HuttoParke and a few in Legends and the homebuilder having the problems was Lennar.

[TexasHorseLady]

I know all about Austin area because I have lived here since the early 60s.

Ah, another old timer who's been around since the 60's! It sure makes it easier when we watched the roads and communities being built, doesn't it?

[Megan1967]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

I suggest you rent an apartment/duplex/home for 6mos-1yr and go explore.

Would love to rent.... Six cats and a dog... Never going to happen. Even if someone would rent to me I doubt I could find a place big enough. Heavy sigh.