This seems like a nice house... Comments? (Austin, Round Rock: real estate, HOA)

[Megan1967]

I must first say that I'm no where near buying (haven't even visited yet), but I'm scoping out the realestate market.

This home seems nice, is reasonably priced and in Austin proper. It isn't my dream house, but I can't afford my dream house so I've moved on to acceptance.

Listing Details (http://www.austinhomesearch.com/Search/Details.aspx?li=451811&or=12&cp=1# - broken link)

Is there anything significantly undesirable about the location?

[Megan1967]

An even nicer looking house:
Listing Details (http://www.austinhomesearch.com/Search/Details.aspx?li=440990&or=1&cp=1# - broken link)

[mimimomx3]

Is there anything significantly undesirable about the location?

Only if you're planning to work North of the river.... commute from hell.

[austin-steve]

Both are typical for what can be found in South Austin in the 78748 zipcode.

Why do you think there might be something wrong with either home?

Steve

[car957]

Megan

I live in this neighborhood. It's a safe, healthy place and our property values are increasing and have since I moved here over 6 years ago. It is very quiet and a great place to live. We have a great HEB about 1/2 mile away and Southpark Meadows, which is currently the largest shopping center 2 miles away. We are one of those South Austin jem neigborhoods that only we locals know about. I just completed some major renovations and my house value is increasing even more. Its a good place to call home and only 20 minutes from downtown (if you get up early - leave earlier than 715 AM).

Mimimom post should be considered as someone who knows little about where I live.

Steve is a good real estate guy, has always been honest in his responses, and I look forward to his quarterly real estate reports on another website. Please take his comments as accurate and responsible because he wants our commnity growth to be responsible but accurate. He has never BS'ed anyone. And no, I don't work for him. I work for a consulting engineering firm and never met the man.

By the way Steve, I hope you move in Oak Hill goes well.

Scott

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Megan1967

I must first say that I'm no where near buying (haven't even visited yet), but I'm scoping out the realestate market.

This home seems nice, is reasonably priced and in Austin proper. It isn't my dream house, but I can't afford my dream house so I've moved on to acceptance.

Listing Details (http://www.austinhomesearch.com/Search/Details.aspx?li=451811&or=12&cp=1# - broken link)

Is there anything significantly undesirable about the location?

i have a friend that lives a few blocks away. It is a pretty nice area.

[tashina]

I like most of 78749 better. Some parts of 48 are a little iffy, I think and you have to watch the flood maps very carefully around there (available online). Some mobile home parks in the area but mainly nicer ones. Most of 48 is fine though. I've been here a couple years, and if I was doing it again, I'd move to 78749 (not Circle C, but the slightly older houses - Western Oaks, etc).

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by car957

Megan

I live in this neighborhood. It's a safe, healthy place and our property values are increasing and have since I moved here over 6 years ago. It is very quiet and a great place to live. We have a great HEB about 1/2 mile away and Southpark Meadows, which is currently the largest shopping center 2 miles away. We are one of those South Austin jem neigborhoods that only we locals know about. I just completed some major renovations and my house value is increasing even more. Its a good place to call home and only 20 minutes from downtown (if you get up early - leave earlier than 715 AM).

Mimimom post should be considered as someone who knows little about where I live.

By the way Steve, I hope you move in Oak Hill goes well.

Scott

I didn't say a word about the neighborhood per se, if you look back on many of my posts I really like the area around Central Market South and think it's a great place to invest. All I said is that if you're planning to live south, be sure to work south, because the commute from Oak Hill to, say, Round Rock, is hardly worth the lower price of ANY house. It's kind of my mantra....live close to where you work, whenever possible...peace.
And for the record....I lived in Legend Oaks for 5 years and really enjoyed it.

[atxcio]

I don't see anything adverse about the location. I think 78745, 48, and 49 have been pretty popular lately (area 10?). If that trend continues, resale should be pretty good. Commuting from one side of town to the other (whether it's north to south, west to east, etc) is always going to be bad, that's just normal. So I wouldn't consider that a detriment to the location.

In fact, the neighborhoods to the south are generally closer proximity to downtown, as Austin didn't really start growing in that direction until recently.

[Megan1967]

Thanks for all the responses. The reason I asked if there was anything wrong with the houses is that they looked a little too good to be true - nice houses, reasonably priced (either would go for $300K here in Madison) and close to downtown. From what I've read I do think I want to live on the South side, but I was under the impression that it was getting pricey, another reason I kind of wondered about any hidden downsides. The second one even backs up to a park. How cool is that? Unless there is playground equipment close by.... Love kids, hate screeching - esp in the morning.

I do still have to consider the whole pet limit thing. I had to have a kitty euthanized this week so I'm "down" to 6, but that is still more than most HOA would allow. That's why I might have to look at Round Rock even though it is further out and supposed to be pretty conservative because it has no pet limits and affordable homes that look really nice.