Benbrook Ranch in Leander (Austin, Cedar Park: homes, neighborhood, to buy)

[cabolissa]

I'm looking into this subdivision in Leander and wondered if any of you were familiar with it? Opinions?

[neddy]

I live out by it down 183 in Summerlyn but know folks in Benbrook and they seem to like it now the Texas X park is going to be somewhere right there so you may want to think of that. Know folks at Jim Plain Elem school and they are very happy with it. My aunt has a DR Horton home from about built early 2000 and she is happy with it.

[CATXTransplant]

I have sold several homes there and my clients love it. The new light rail system opened just up the street and one client uses it to get to work downtown in only 45 minutes (it even has wifi!). There's now a new street that connects the back of the neighborhood with 183, so it's even quicker to get to the toll if needed. They are making a new park with a man-made lake there. I think Austin is spreading out in that direction and with the new rail system, it's a good investment. The elementary school in the neighborhood is great, too. They are closing out their last remaining homes and there are some great (unadvertised) deals in there right now.

DM me if you need more info.

[TexasHorseLady]

The light rail has opened and your friend is already using it? I thought it was supposed to start running the end of March.

And, indeed, that's what CapMetro seems to think, as well.

[atxcio]

Busted!

[neddy]

I do see cap metro trains out here but alas no folks on it and to get downtown on it takes a few more mins!

[CATXTransplant]

Also that neighborhood (and many others in Leander) qualify for USDA financing, which is currently the only Zero-Down program available unless you have VA benefits. You should also check out Lakeline Ranch - there are a few homes in there in the same price range. It also qualifies for USDA and is a little closer in.

[texasgirl1]

Didn't you say you will be working downtown? We used to live in Northcreek years ago (neighborhood across from Benbrook) and it took us 50 minutes to get to Mopac & Parmer which is not even remotely close to downtown. Please be sure you do a test drive from your possible choices....do you really want to spend 3-4 hours in the car everyday? We couldn't wait to move closer in after living out there. Even with our move to Cedar Park, it shaved off 25 minutes of my husbands commute.

[TexasHorseLady]

Be sure to check the USDA financing by address if you're looking at a particular property to buy. You'd be surprised what is and isn't eligible - about half of Sun City, for example, is eligible (since at the last census in 2000 that part was cattle pasture), while the other half isn't.

[texastea]

Originally Posted by texasgirl1

Didn't you say you will be working downtown? We used to live in Northcreek years ago (neighborhood across from Benbrook) and it took us 50 minutes to get to Mopac & Parmer which is not even remotely close to downtown. Please be sure you do a test drive from your possible choices....do you really want to spend 3-4 hours in the car everyday? We couldn't wait to move closer in after living out there. Even with our move to Cedar Park, it shaved off 25 minutes of my husbands commute.

Depending on how many years ago you lived there, lots of new roads have been constructed: 183-A, Parmer/Ronald Reagan (now goes all the way through to 29), the new 2243, and a new road from the back of the subdivision directly to 183. Pretty soon Lakeline Blvd. will be cut through also. The area has really opened up.