Thinking about Steiner Ranch (Austin, Anderson Mill: HOA, schools, organic)

[ladylonghorn2]

Originally Posted by CATXTransplant

I have friends who build in Bella Mar and already regret it and the retirement center is not even built yet.

Why do your friend regret it? Is it just because of the location and how it takes longer to drive out?

[ladylonghorn2]

Originally Posted by llkltk

No one said it wasn't a great place to live. Steiner is very nice. If the OP works North than it would be fine for them. If commute isn't an issue than SW would be better to save money. It is still a bad economy, you know!

I work from home and husband will work downtown. Maybe he'll hate the commute, but we live in NYC now where standing for 30 minutes on jam packed subways is what we're used to. So in comparison, maybe it won't be so bad?

Thanks for all of the advice about resale vs new. I'm definitely thinking resale, also because I sort of take issue with all of the materials that have to be made and shipped and bought and excavated and stripped and felled to make a new house.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by ladylonghorn2

Thanks for all of the advice about resale vs new. I'm definitely thinking resale, also because I sort of take issue with all of the materials that have to be made and shipped and bought and excavated and stripped and felled to make a new house.

Plus, of course, the land that is taken out of production (oxygen production, permeable cover, etc.) to build a new house.

[CATXTransplant]

ladylonghorn 2 (sorry, I haven't yet figured out how to quote your message in mine) - that's exactly why they regret it. The husband has to leave during normal rush hour time. He often gets stuck in both schools' traffic and it can take a long time to get out. Also, they (like most) didn't realize that the Longhorn Village was going to be such a huge project. Throw in a couple hundred seniors, nurses and medical staff and you've got a LOT more drivers coming from there, and that section is one lane. Other than that, they love it, but they admit that they were "blinded" buy the opportunity to build exactly what they want and didn't really think about the location.

[llkltk]

I believe the commute to downtown from Circle C would be about 20 minutes. From Steiner, not sure, probably over 30 minutes because it takes a long time to get out of Steiner. There are plenty of nice resales in Circle C. Go to the MLS and check them out. It's nice down here, I've looked in Steiner before and think it's gorgeous, it just feels isolated to me since I can get to the city in 12-15 minutes with not traffic.

[ladylonghorn2]

I've been digging through all the Steiner listings in preparation for some visits this weekend. Some listings on the resales include info about the builder. Any advice on which builders made the best quality houses with the fewest problems? To recap, I'm looking for resales, totally happy with stuff built in the 90s (prefer it even, love the trees!), would like to spend about 250k but can go up to 300k. Would love to be walking distance to elementary school and park.

[FromCalitoSteinerRanch]

Originally Posted by ladylonghorn2

I've been digging through all the Steiner listings in preparation for some visits this weekend. Some listings on the resales include info about the builder. Any advice on which builders made the best quality houses with the fewest problems? To recap, I'm looking for resales, totally happy with stuff built in the 90s (prefer it even, love the trees!), would like to spend about 250k but can go up to 300k. Would love to be walking distance to elementary school and park.

Since the builders usually used the same crews through "stealing" people from each other etc, I would say that knowing the builder doesn't really matter for that age home. One reason to put the builder name in the listing is because some builders "included" a lot of finish out vs. other builders. David Weekly comes to mind, along with Taylor Woodrow. But really, you need to see inside the houses because you may find a Newmark or Morrison that someone added many fine details to over the last 10-15 years.

[CATXTransplant]

In that price range, walking distance to a school and park is going to mean you are East of John Simpson Park, West of Steiner Ranch Blvd. (or in Canyon Glen). There are some great homes over there. The builders in those sections are Newmark and Morrisson. Majestic Oaks is one of my favorite subdivisions for that price range (wider lots, some views). That is walking distance to a park, but toof ar to walk to Steiner Ranch Elem. I had heard that it will be rezoned to laura Bush in the fall, but have not gotten confirmation. If so, kids can walk to school easily via the trail system that cuts through Central Park. Central Park is another neighborhood with homes under $300K, but the lots are tiny (some around .13 acres). Those builders are David Weekley and Mercedes. All of the builders in SR are about the same. Keep an eye on the older Newmark's though, I have heard of some framing issues. There are also a couple of foreclosures on Appaloosa Chase, which is walking distance to the schools, but the street can be hit or miss because there are a lot of rentals over there. I realize I answered way moe than you were asking for. Sorry...

[ladylonghorn2]

what if we take out the walking distance to schools part? that's not going to be an issue for us for a few years so not the biggest deal. Any other areas besides Majestic Oaks to add to the list? I'm happy that I've seen so many listings in our price range. How wide are the older lots?

[CarnivalGal]

We have a Morrison home built in 1998 and we love it. This house on this lot (1/3 acre, on cul-de-sac, backing to greenbelt) would cost $500,000+ if we were to buy a new one.

Areas to check are Rocky Ridge (where we are), Hancock Hill, The Headlands, and Majestic Oaks. You may also want to check Chapparal, Mesa North, Plateau, and Canyon Glen, but most of those houses are older and may not be as upgraded as you'd like.