Steiner Ranch - Insider Perspective? (Austin, Lakeside: cul-de-sac, renting, home)

[woodinvilleguy]

And it doesn't matter if the realtor lives in Steiner or not. A good realtor will show you all the areas and learn what is right for you.

[ladylonghorn2]

I was just going to ask "why does it matter if the realtor lives in the neighborhood or not"? My guess is that people who live in the area and know lots of people might know more about the properties they are showing? But what are the other benefits?

[TexasHorseLady]

I was wondering that myself. Why more important for Steiner than any other subdivision/neighborhood/community? After all, if it were that critical, no agent could work outside the neighborhood or subdivision in which they, themselves, lived, and that's certainly not the case.

[ladylonghorn2]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Why more important for Steiner than any other subdivision/neighborhood/community?

Personally, I wasn't referring specifically to steiner. I am interested in general if people think a realtor has better information on houses for sale in his or her own neighborhood. It's so hard to choose a Realtor, maybe there is something to be said for the inside knowledge a local has on his own area? Or is that not the case... I'm new to this home buying thing and am overwhelmed by all the choices, so I'm looking for ways to narrow down my search for the right home, right lender, and the right realtor.

But maybe this is a different thread entirely...

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by ladylonghorn2

Personally, I wasn't referring specifically to steiner. I am interested in general if people think a realtor has better information on houses for sale in his or her own neighborhood. It's so hard to choose a Realtor, maybe there is something to be said for the inside knowledge a local has on his own area? Or is that not the case... I'm new to this home buying thing and am overwhelmed by all the choices, so I'm looking for ways to narrow down my search for the right home, right lender, and the right realtor.

But maybe this is a different thread entirely...

With this logic you may be pre-determining your area. Who knows, maybe you will choose to buy a house in a totally different area.

My suggestion is to find a good realtor that will be patient and work with you. The experience should be fun. You are going to live there for sometime.

[pvaustin]

Originally Posted by MP3Texas

Also, any estimates on what we can expect for monthly electrical bills assuming the A/C will be on constantly?

Thanks!

Since there r a million threads here with Steiner Info, I'll not add anything to that for now (though i am a proud Steiner 'Insider' ).

Our house is around 2600 sq ft (with 2 levels)...and the electicity bill is around $110 in summer. We usually keep 78/76 day time and 70/68 nite time.
The gas bill tops $100 during winter.

[mitchb2]

Turns out I already had some listings bookmarked in Steiner, just didn't know it since they were simply listed as Austin. The prices look good.

Nice homes for rent, too.

[mm57553]

I live in Steiner, but have pretty much covered everything in other threads. However, I will add that my Realtor is AWESOME, and she doesn't live in Steiner. Likewise, I know a Realtor who does live in Steiner and is a complete jerk, so where they live is not really that important IMO. If you want our relator's info, just DM me.

[kenneth.richard]

I read a lot of "pros" so far about Steiner, but haven't seen any "cons". I think I'm a little bias too since I live in Steiner, but there are a few bad things from here and there.

Pros:

Great neighborhood, safe, friendly, great schools, open floor plans, not crowded, easy access commute (620), necessity stores are down the road (HEB, Wal Mart, Target), nearby gas stations + everything everyone else has posted.

Cons:

There are two entrances/exits to Steiner Ranch, and both go through an elementary school. Morning commute isn't great. Getting out in the morning is a hassle because Steiner Ranch surrounds 1 main road (Quinlan Park). I can't imagine it's worst than downtown, but it's not fun. Not specifically a "con" for Steiner (the area), but the area is children-heavy. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind children at all, but my next door neighbor and I caught some neighborhood kids throwing rocks and small stones at cars and garages (including ours).

Also, it seems to me that a lot of people who are moving out of Steiner are leasing (possibly due to the current state of the housing market), but we recently got a neighbor down the street who seems to party a little too often (1-3 days a week). Loud music, massive amount of cars, lots of conversation in the street at 1-2am. I'm not that close to it to really be bothered by it, but some of the other neighbors closer to them have been a bit upset by it. Not to sound "prestigious" or anything, but I feel like leasers and renters just don't have the same respect and care for their neighborhood as home owners do.

About food: You will have to drive awhile to get a good bite to eat around here. Sadly, the closest fast food place to us is McDonalds and Taco Bell. The next closest is probably Wendy's/Sonic which is quite a drive just to get "fast" food. I wish there was a closer Chipotle. As far as sit-down restaurant goes, I'm a big fan of Berry Hill, TLC, and Chuy's. All of which, are a 10-15 miles out. As far as entertainment goes, you have three movie theaters 10-15 miles out. I love Alamo Drafthouse - dinner and a movie, something I assume every Austinite has experienced. You have Lakeline mall and The Galleria mall which both have theaters.

Overall, those are just a few things I've experienced while living here. I don't want to say it's perfect, but it's more than great. All of those things are just nit-picky stuff. In the end, I think you and your family would love living here. Good-luck on the move from chilly New England! I wish we had NE summers here!

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by kenneth.richard

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind children at all, but my next door neighbor and I caught some neighborhood kids throwing rocks and small stones at cars and garages (including ours).

I know this is somewhat off topic - but I really hope you said something to their parents. If it were my kid, I'd want to know. I also hope that those kids are being held accountable for any damage they caused.

A friend of mine is a teacher at one of the elementary schools in Steiner and while she loves her students and her job, she will tell you that a number of the kids there are "entitled" and their parents are reluctant to discipline them. I doubt that is specific only to Steiner (I've seen the same type of thing down here in Circle C, it seems parents would rather be "friends" than parents and they are not doing their kids any favors by it).