No HOAs (Austin, Georgetown, Leander: HOA, houses, neighborhoods)

[Decidigi]

We've lived in Austin for about 3 years now, and we're looking for a place to buy. We'd prefer a kid-friendly, older neighborhood, with no HOA. Large lots are high on our priority list. Budget is in the 200-300k range.

Work is in North Austin, so anything south of the river is a no-go.

Thanks for any suggestions you have!

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by Decidigi

We've lived in Austin for about 3 years now, and we're looking for a place to buy. We'd prefer a kid-friendly, older neighborhood, with no HOA. Large lots are high on our priority list. Budget is in the 200-300k range.

Work is in North Austin, so anything south of the river is a no-go.

Thanks for any suggestions you have!

Oh, you can EASILY get a large lot for $200K in the city, no HOA.

The HOUSE will come at a small additional cost, I'm afraid.

[Decidigi]

Oh, you can EASILY get a large lot for $200K in the city, no HOA.

Doesn't have to be in the city. Actually as long as it's not Manor or Elgin we're pretty open to places to look.

[pmiranda]

It's possible... several neighborhoods were built before HOAs became rule of thumb in Austin. Unfortunately with school starting I suspect you won't see as many houses on the market as in the spring, but if you're patient you will eventually find something. If you work with a patient realtor as a buying agent it will reduce the amount of legwork you have to do because they can set up searches on the HOA fields (or lack thereof).
Is it just an HOA you're trying to avoid, or also deed restrictions? Deed restrictions are almost universal on developed land around here.

[Decidigi]

Our experience with HOAs in Florida has left a rather lasting impression, so we'd like to stay as far away from them as possible.

Also, we'd like to have a backyard garden with chickens. I understand they're allowable under city ordinance, but generally not allowed by HOA bylaws. Obviously deed restrictions will have to be taken into account, but my hope is that the older neighborhoods wont have very restrictive restrictions

[Trainwreck20]

For that money and requirements, you will probably have to look outside the city of Austin. Serenada, in Georgetown, is the first place to cross my mind - older, larger lots (not acre+, but definitely bigger than modern day developments), no HOA (I am pretty sure, unless things have changed), and I think you can have small livestock. We lived in Brangus Ranch, which was adjacent to Serenda, and had a 5 acre lot with horses and chickens. Last time I looked at our old house, it was appraised in the low to mid 200s range, I think for a 3,000 sf house on acreage with a nice barn (I helped make it ) and decent fencing.

Leander might have some similar areas, too, not sure.

[Decidigi]

Will have to check it out! Thank you! My husband is an aviation geek who's working on getting his private pilots license, so being near the airport would be a huge + for him.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Decidigi

We've lived in Austin for about 3 years now, and we're looking for a place to buy. We'd prefer a kid-friendly, older neighborhood, with no HOA. Large lots are high on our priority list. Budget is in the 200-300k range.

Work is in North Austin, so anything south of the river is a no-go.

Thanks for any suggestions you have!

how many sq ft for the house, how large of a lot?

There are tons along 183 along oak knoll, duval and spicewood springs. Houses top out at around 2400 sq ft though.

[Trainwreck20]

There are tons along 183 along oak knoll, duval and spicewood springs. Houses top out at around 2400 sq ft though.

Most likely going to be well over $200k in those areas, though. The house I live in off of Duval is a 1,500 sf, narrow lot (backing up to RR tracks,so kinda deep) that is appraised in the mid 200s now. There are some larger lots in that area, but they are 300, if not 400, plus...with some nearing a million (the 5 acre lot out there).

[Decidigi]

We're in a 1300sqft apt now, so anything bigger than that is a bonus. We'll gladly take a small house for a larger lot. Fixer uppers are ok too, as long as the neighborhood is good.