Having Trouble Finding the Right House (Austin, Lakeway: for sale, renting, houses)

[G Grasshopper]

My husband and I have been looking for a house in SW Austin. We are currently renting in Lakeway, but feel that is too far out for what we want to be doing, so would like to get closer to town. (We are retired, so no jobs, but want to be involved with volunteer and cultural activities.) We need, however, to be somewhat close to Lakeway, since my mom is in an assisted living facility there, and I visit her several times a week. So we have been looking in 78749,78735, the northern parts of 78739 and eastern parts of 78737 and 36. We are wanting a moderately sized house that doesn't need too much work, and is on at least .25 acre. So far, we haven't found much. Most houses for sale are on small lots and those on larger lots are too big for us (we don't want to pay to air condition a 3,000 sq ft house for just us two.) And some places we have looked at just seem too outdated and needing major reworking. And in some areas, we don't know what to think. For example, there are houses to the west of Covered Bridge (in 78736) that are on big lots, but the area seems a little sketchy. Is it just Austin-weird, or is it an area in decline? Right now,we are feeling that we need to wait a month or so until more houses come on in the spring, at which time there may be more selection. Is there anyone who has suggestions for me on where to look?

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by G Grasshopper

My husband and I have been looking for a house in SW Austin. We are currently renting in Lakeway, but feel that is too far out for what we want to be doing, so would like to get closer to town. (We are retired, so no jobs, but want to be involved with volunteer and cultural activities.) We need, however, to be somewhat close to Lakeway, since my mom is in an assisted living facility there, and I visit her several times a week. So we have been looking in 78749,78735, the northern parts of 78739 and eastern parts of 78737 and 36. We are wanting a moderately sized house that doesn't need too much work, and is on at least .25 acre. So far, we haven't found much. Most houses for sale are on small lots and those on larger lots are too big for us (we don't want to pay to air condition a 3,000 sq ft house for just us two.) And some places we have looked at just seem too outdated and needing major reworking. And in some areas, we don't know what to think. For example, there are houses to the west of Covered Bridge (in 78736) that are on big lots, but the area seems a little sketchy. Is it just Austin-weird, or is it an area in decline? Right now,we are feeling that we need to wait a month or so until more houses come on in the spring, at which time there may be more selection. Is there anyone who has suggestions for me on where to look?

What price range and what square footage are you looking at?

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Austin97

What price range and what square footage are you looking at?

there is one at 4607 canyonwood which is right by the barton creek green belt around mopac at 360 and 71. It is 309K for 2100 sq ft

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by Austin97

What price range and what square footage are you looking at?

Between 2,000 and 2,500 sq ft, up to $350,000. I want the back yard to be suitable for a vegetable garden, so that's why I want at least .25 acres. We do have a realtor, so we are looking at houses as they come up. So I'm not looking for suggestions of specific homes, but am more interested in people's thoughts about neighborhoods. Some of the neighborhoods are clearly older, say 70s and 80s. Is there benefit to these areas other than mature trees? Are the houses better made or just older? The hassle of rehab, or is it better to find a newer place?

[llkltk]

.25 acres is going to be tough to find in SW Austin for 350K. The lots down here are not very big. Not sure about the older neighborhoods. Maybe the lots are larger?

[Moonlady]

The problem is, most of the newer houses in that price range are going to be on smaller lots. Closer to town and with a bigger lot will most likely end up being an older home. I would think Lost Creek would be an ideal area.

[verybadgnome]

You can have a vegetable garden on a 0.15 acre lot. Plenty of people in my neighborhood do. Now if you want a pool too that could be a problem.

[Tim_Barton]

Dont be too far away from Mum's that is in lakeway. So I say check out Steiner Ranch! Close to 2222 and off of Hwy620. Close enough to the malls and access. Plus Steiner is just a pretty community!

[bpvarian]

Check out Travis Country West - very easy access to 71, single story homes available, newer community....

[LI2Texas]

Originally Posted by Tim_Barton

Dont be too far away from Mum's that is in lakeway. So I say check out Steiner Ranch! Close to 2222 and off of Hwy620. Close enough to the malls and access. Plus Steiner is just a pretty community!

Steiner is pretty but the commute is pretty bad. I live near there now, and am buiding a house SW. I can't wait to get away from 2222!