The Price Tag for Austin Real Estate with Country Feel and Urban Amenities

Can you picture yourself sipping a glass of wine (or coffee) on your private back deck as you gaze upon natural beauty like big trees, beautiful sunsets and stunning vistas? Would you love to soak in the peace and quiet of country living yet also have easy access to downtown Austin and lots of amenities? A lifestyle in an urban/rural type community can fulfill you on many levels. You can enjoy beautiful surroundings and wildlife with quick access to amenities like restful spas, first-class shopping, new restaurants and fun Austin events.

With this in mind, I’d like to help you with your home search by giving you information about some of the urban-rural type communities in Austin and their current median sales prices.

South Austin Real Estate

The community of Shady Hollow (Zip Codes 78748 & 78739) is surrounded by amenities and is a relatively short drive to downtown Austin. Residents enjoy backyard privacy and a family-friendly community. Moreover, the large oak trees create canopies, giving the community an enchanting feel. The median home prices in Shady Hollow is $384,700. Homes values are predicted to continue rising in 2018.

The town of Buda (78610) is about 15 miles south of Austin. Additionally, it’s one of the fastest growing communities south of Austin. Buda’s proximity to downtown Austin and the Bergstrom International Airport coupled with affordability contribute to its appeal. Home values increased approximately 3.8% over the past year (2017) and are predicted to rise over the next year.  The median price of homes currently listed in Buda is $310,000.

A few miles west of Buda you’ll find the subdivision of Hays Country Oaks. You’ll find homesites with 1.5 to over 7 acres. Prices range from the lower 300’s up to over 1M. Some properties include pastures, stalls, and sheds. In other words, Hays County Oaks provides a true country lifestyle.

I’m currently selling two treed lots in South Austin. One lot is in Buda with a little over an acre of land (MLS #8763733). The second lot is closer to downtown Austin with over .8 of land (MLS #8506921). You can find out more about both lots here: My Lots for Sale

Southwest Austin Real Estate

You’ll find a variety of new and older communities as you drive West on Highway 71. The newer master-planned communities tend to have average size lots (less than .5 of an acre.) With that in mind, they frequently compensate for lot size by offering appealing amenities. For example, master-planned community of Sweetwater (78738) boosts a resort-lifestyle. You’ll have access to the Sweetwater Club, a 10-acre complex full of pools and party spaces, yoga classes and special activities. Moreover, you can explore over 700 acres of hiking and biking trails. Families are attracted to Sweetwater because it’s in the highly-rated Lake Travis School District.  The median home price in Sweetwater is currently $539,000. Personally, I think it’s poised to become one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the area.

Lakeway (78734, 78738) was built around the Lakeway Resort and Spa in the 1970’s. It rests among beautiful rolling hills on the shores of Lake Travis. Years ago I thought of Lakeway as “far-away.” Not so today.  It’s easy to get out there due to the addition of more lanes on Highway 71. You’ll find mature oak trees and incredible views of both the lake and countryside here. Additionally, the schools are well-rated and in the Lake Travis Independent School District. The drive from Lakeway to downtown Austin takes about 30 minutes in non-peak hours. The median price of homes currently listed in Lakeway is $577,450.

Northern Austin Real Estate

Cypress Acres (78641). The subdivision of Cypress Acres is a quiet, lakeside community on the northeast end of Lake Travis. It’s built in the city of Leander, which is growing suburb. To me, this part of the lake feels more rural than the Lakeway community. You’ll find a diverse mix of home styles – from 70’s chic to new construction. The median price of homes currently listed here is $316,990.

I currently have a great waterfront home for sale in Cypress Acres.  You can find out more here: My Waterfront Home for Sale

Anderson Mill/Cedar Park (78750, 78613, 78750). Cedar Park is one of the 20 fastest growing cities in Texas. Its proliferation of parks together with walking trails make it both family and dog-friendly. Cedar Park’s location provides ample opportunities to attend concerts, events, and other experience in downtown Austin area. Overall, you’ll find a mixture of homes built in the early 80’s as well as newer, master-planned communities. The median home price is currently $307,990.

Note: Northwest Austin is very attractive because of shopping, restaurants, hotels and proximity to several high-tech companies. It continues to attact new residents which means more traffic. The commute to downtown can take 45 minutes during peak weekday hours.

Central Austin, the closest country-feel to downtown Austin

West Lake Hills and Rollingwood (78746)  are communities widely known for stunning luxury homes to say nothing of the dramatic landscape, wildlife and desirable location. You’ll find small-town charm along with the convenience of easy access to downtown Austin. A friend and former West Lake resident told me she used to hand-feed deer outside her front door, take her dogs for a walk around the lake less than five minutes away and be in downtown Austin in less than 10 minutes.

The neighborhood grew up in the 1970’s and 1980’s on some of Austin’s most exclusive real estate. These communities are centrally located just minutes from downtown Austin and close to many highways that make traveling anywhere in the city a breeze. You can easily access the Barton Creek Wilderness Park, Red Bud Isle, the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Zilker Park, and the Lions Municipal Golf Course. Additionally, the award-winning Eanes ISD is a top draw for families.

Needless to say, the price tags for these coveted homes are some of the highest in Austin.  The median selling price in Westlake and Rollingwood is 1.3M.

In Conclusion

Although this is a relatively small list of neighborhoods, it can give you a lot to think about. Maybe you’re just starting your search or maybe you’re a little further along with. Regardless of where you are in the process, I can help.

If you want more information about:

• Price per square foot in different areas
• Future road improvements and development
• How to find the best deals in the Austin market
• And more!

I am available anytime to talk with you and help you succeed in finding your dream home!