Rough Hollow - please explain the appeal (Austin, Point: HOA fees, house prices)

[orngkat]

I saw an ad in today's paper for new homes in Rough Hollow near Lake Travis. I know it's different strokes for different folks but I just don't get buying a 5000 sf faux mediterranean style house out in the boonies by a lake that is drying up. I thought McMansions went out sometime before the last recession but it appears that builders are still marketing them. Just wondering what the appeal of living that way is and who the market is?

[janejanejanejanejane]

It's definitely not in the boonies. It's a very nice neighborhood. They have amenities such as a club to eat at, marina, pools, etc. HOA fees are high as are the house prices. Market is those who can afford it.

[ScoPro]

Well, it's not a like-priced 1,000 sq.ft. '40s crackerbox in central Austin. So it's got that going for it.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by orngkat

by a lake that is drying up

The lake is actually _up_ since last summer. And hopefully we'll get some more refilling with El Nino conditions. Basically, we wouldn't even have this as an issue if they would have stopped the rice releases _after_ we actually entered the drought.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by orngkat

I saw an ad in today's paper for new homes in Rough Hollow near Lake Travis. I know it's different strokes for different folks but I just don't get buying a 5000 sf faux mediterranean style house out in the boonies by a lake that is drying up. I thought McMansions went out sometime before the last recession but it appears that builders are still marketing them. Just wondering what the appeal of living that way is and who the market is?

That's like asking what is the appeal of suburbs, SUVs, or high-horsepower muscle cars, etc...

People just like different things. Some will prioritize a large, new, fancy house over close-in location. Why? Because they can. Utility costs, water costs, gas costs, etc going up may have put some pressure on macmansion style developments, like they might have put pressure on SUV sales... but in the end, costs are going up for everyone. People make do and pay their money for what they want. If they weren't selling, they wouldn't be building them.

[riaelise]

Originally Posted by atxcio

That's like asking what is the appeal of suburbs, SUVs, or high-horsepower muscle cars, etc...

People just like different things. Some will prioritize a large, new, fancy house over close-in location. Why? Because they can. Utility costs, water costs, gas costs, etc going up may have put some pressure on macmansion style developments, like they might have put pressure on SUV sales... but in the end, costs are going up for everyone. People make do and pay their money for what they want. If they weren't selling, they wouldn't be building them.

Yup, couldn't say it better.

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by Novacek

The lake is actually _up_ since last summer. And hopefully we'll get some more refilling with El Nino conditions. Basically, we wouldn't even have this as an issue if they would have stopped the rice releases _after_ we actually entered the drought.

We have been out on the lake each weekend for 4 or 5 weeks in a row nice, it is great to have slightly cooler temps and the water is not warming up as fast as last year, as well. We will actually miss the 'Point Venture Beach' when the water goes back up .

And yes, it is up marginally from last year; however, for all intents and purposes, it is the same as last year. On the other hand, it is not falling as fast (on average) due to the intermittent rain and lower temps.

[355spider]

The lake will come back as it always does. I live a block off the lake about 10 minutes from rough hollow in the coves. We love being away from the madness but close enough to visit it. Ate at their restaurant last weekend. Thoroughly enjoyed it. We belong to the Reserve on Lake Travis. It's alot like rough hollows amenities. I can't imagine paying more to live in a smaller house with less land. My guess is this thread is really about the fact that the op can't afford to live there vs what rough hollow is really like.

[centralaustinite]

It is entirely subjective. Rough Hollow would not be a stretch for our family but HOA/master planned communities with resort amenities just don't appeal to us. But clearly there is a market for it.

I swear Austin-Steve once addressed the rise of communities with resort style amenities on his blog but I've search and can't find it. I remember it as a smart read.

[orngkat]

My guess is this thread is really about the fact that the op can't afford to live there

Nope. I could afford it - as I said - different strokes. Buying toilet paper for four bathrooms makes me queasy.