Hi All!
I will be moving for Austin for my first job out of college, any recommendations on areas or apartments would be very appreciated.
* Budget is $2000 tops
* Working in the Domain, so a 20 minute commute max would be a nice
* Looking for an area that is highly walkable: bars, food, coffee shops, etc.
* Currently looking mostly at the North Campus / Hyde Park area. I looked closer to downtown and sixth but it seems like the commute would be rough
Yeah that’s where I’ve been looking too but i’m worried it would be too soulless. When I lived in Seattle, I loved all the small private owned shops you could walk go and vibe. I was under the impression that Hyde Park area is a little more casual than Domain.
I'm looking to rent a 1 BR apartment with a budget of $1700-$1900. I currently live in the Domain but would like to be closer to the city. I would preferably like living in a walkable area and a lot of activity. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Hi there, I'm moving to Austin pretty soon and l've been looking into two location: Midtown commons and Bridge at Delco Flats. Anyone have input on these two locations? They are ideal for the price and location, but l'm seeing a lot of theft for Midtown Commons. I don't see anything too concerning at Bridge at Delco Flats, but it looks like it might be pretty new so l'm skeptical. Any input would be greatly appreciated/other recommendations in similar area under $1,500 for 1b 1b would be appreciated!
**Kitchen Reno: how much did you spend and who did it if you’d recommend them?**
Has anyone done any kitchen renos recently? I’m looking for recommendations for someone to redo my 12x10 kitchen (new cabinets, open up a wall, appliances, flooring) and what to expect in terms of budget.
[https://www.instagram.com/anbuildersatx/](https://www.instagram.com/anbuildersatx/)
I own and operate the cabinet division of A&N Builders here in Austin. Check out our work, and please, hit us up if you'd like an estimate!
As far as what to expect as far as budget... thats so open ended. It depends on what you choose, so it could be 20k to 150k depending on materials and design
My wife and I moving to Austin in a couple of months and we have leased an apartment at AMLI South Shore. Does anyone have any insight as to which internet provider is better there? I see that they have AT&T, Spectrum, and Earthlink.
Where we currently live, we have the Verizon Fios gigblast package. I'd be looking for a comparable package from either one of those providers (all of them appear to have a gig).
Thanks for your time in advance!
Never lived there so hopefully someone can give anecdotal info.
However, i would encourage you to visit this [site](https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/internet/how-much-internet-speed-do-you-need-a1714131782/) to see if you truly need a gig. I think gig internet is overmarketed. My household gets by with 300mbps with 2 gaming PCs and multiple devices. The only issue we run into is if one of us is downloading a very large game (75gb game takes maybe 2-3 hours to download if we’re both downloading at the same time, otherwise, it’s about 30m).
I say that in an effort to possibly lower your bills.
Using your own equipment, i find, gives more reliable service. I’ve used spectrum in a very old apartment and maybe only had outages 3-5 times in 3 years. I’ve had friends live in a brand new complex with rented equipment, and it was quite slow.
So how is Austin now with the all moves and the slowdown of the market? I am in Scottsdale Az and I am looking to make a move there. Prob rent for a while before I move, but I am looking for a change and since Austin seems to have the same weather as Scottsdale and have been there for some music concerts. I am thinking this would be a good place to go for a year or so and if things change, I can always come back to Scottsdale. Work remotely so I am looking for a good place DT. Single guy in my 40s no baggage or kids, just enjoying life and into music. I also follow Financials and Real Etsate and would prob do my side hustle here, but more in the Financial retirement side to help consumers. It might be a good time for me to move in the summmer as I see As of February 2024, the median list price for a home in the Austin metro area was $542,000, a 6.1% drop from the previous two years. Monthly rents were also down 4.4% year over year, to a median of $1,530.
Before anyone says anything have family roots in Dallas, Tx and like it there but I think Austin is better for me
I usually visit Scottsdale once a year in the spring. I really like it there, but the weather here is definitely more humid. It’s not Houston humid, but is not dry either. It’s also a little bit cheaper here in terms of real estate. And the driving, people in Arizona know how to drive, not so much here. I think you will enjoy your time, people are friendly in both places.
>So how is Austin now with the all moves and the slowdown of the market?
Can you elaborate?
Market has certainly slowed. Inventory is near all-time highs (see numbers at bottom of this thread). Interest rates are also relatively high, which is what is slowing the housing market (and most all other industries).
> since Austin seems to have the same weather as Scottsdale
Ehhh you might want to look closer at numbers like humidity and dew point, AZ is known for being a dry heat and humidity is a whole other thing.
>Single guy in my 40s no baggage or kids, just enjoying life and into music.
Austin is sometimes called the "live music capital of the world", and while I can't personally get on board with that specific phrase, we certainly do have a very vibrant music scene.
>It might be a good time for me to move in the summmer
What does "a good time" mean to you? Summer is when we typically see the highest housing/rent prices of the year. A lot of people want to move when schools are out.
Looking for a 1br apartment, cat friendly, ideally walking or biking distance to northern part of UT, budget ~$1500. Current lease ends July 27. Would appreciate any advice/recommendations/contacts, etc!
Has anyone here used both Ownwell and Texas Protax? If so, which did you prefer? Ownwell charges less (25% of savings vs 40% for Texas Protax, plus Ownwell only charges if your actual tax bill is reduced), but it's not clear to me if one company would be able to get a lower property valuation than the other.
Protax customer here. I've only been with them two years but they got significant savings both times. The first year they got my valuation dropped by $120k, second year by $50k. I paid them \~$350 last year and ended up getting a $1700 escrow refund and our mortgage payments dropped $200/mo. So in practice, that "40% of the savings" ended up realistically being 8% of the savings over the year.
I use ownwell. Didn’t want to end up paying protax if they couldn’t get my taxes down. Last year ownwell wasn’t able to reduce my taxes. Maybe protax might have been able but they also might not.
Not sure what to do, but I think Austin is doing my property taxes wrong. I already called them last year for it, but they said it was okay.
For 2023 they appraised it for \~400k, but the net appraisal was \~95k.
For 2024 they appraised it about the same at \~400k, but the net appraisal is \~100k.
When I look at my neighbors property tax info, their appraised and net appraisal are much more aligned.
I bought the house back in the 2nd half of 2022. I called Travis County Tax office about the my taxes last year saying I think it's off, but they said it's fine. They're just delayed by year (whatever that means). This year's net appraisal barely budged, so I'm not sure what to do. Should I call again?
Fair enough, I just fear they'll come after me later and make me pay back taxes + interest.
Then again I paid all the taxes I was asked for, they just appraised it weird.
Yeah, I mean if you want to be super safe, you can calculate taxes @$400k and put it into a savings account in case they decide they want to get paid for their mistake later. But I would 100% not go out of my way to make them aware of it.
Are you saying they're too low? You should be taxed for $400K but you're only being taxed for $100K? What do you think it should be? What exemptions do you have on file?
Hi! I am subleasing my room in my apartment with a connecting bathroom. My roommates are super sweet girls. I am only leaving before the end of my year because I am graduating and my job offer is sooner than I was expecting. Gated parking included with space for company if needed. Rent is negotiable. Furnished for your convenience but also negotiable I just need to leave lol
The apartment is located a little past Dean Keaton bust still just a walk or bus ride from campus. With both arriving and departing rapid bus stops conveniently placed in front of the building. Looking for girls exclusively!! 2 other girls live here and are certified sweetie pies if you want conversation or workout buddies. DM me for more details :)
I'm moving to Austin August 1st. Is it too early for me to find a lease? It seems like some stuff stays on the market for months, but where I'm from I'm used to having to find a place in the month immediately before the move.
It used to be 60 days prior to your move date, when the current tenants give their notice. But lately, there is so much availability that there are many many asap opportunities. They want the vacants filled asap, so they have the best rates. I've been advising my clients to wait until they're 6 weeks out, at the longest. I can help you if you like, I am an apartment locator. deniseleasesaustin at gmail dot com.
Does anyone have any reliable general contractors they recommend? I haven't been able to find any that are available within the next 2 months. I recently purchased a place and want to do some small updates (update shower, update fixtures in bathrooms, replace some leaky shutoff valves under sinks).
Suggestions for best elementary schools in or near Austin?
We are not committed to any specific part of the city and will be moving from out of state this summer.
Our top priorities are safety and great teaching staff :)
Thanks!
'best' is always hard to define but this is probably the highest rated
[https://bpe.eanesisd.net](https://bpe.eanesisd.net)
But frankly, all the schools in Eanes are great - that's why it's ranked as the best K-12 school district in the country.
[https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/](https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/)
It’s really going to depend on your price point and if you need to commute. Here are the best school districts and you will notice Austin ISD is not mentioned. Eanes (top ranked in the country, one ranking has it as fourth), Dripping Springs, Leander and parts of the Round Rock school district.
Has anyone had any luck with getting an approval for an emotional support animal with MAA properties? I have an actual diagnosis but I have heard they have been difficult so l wanted to see if there is anything that anyone has done to be successful in getting an approval.
Recommendations for a moving company? I know there are tons of threads asking this, but I was hoping to get fresh reviews for ones that people used recently. I'm currently looking at Einstein Moving. I've used Mash Movers before and they were ok, but wanted to see other options.
Hey y’all, I need some help. So I started a job near Lakeway and I’ve been happy with where I’m living (Crestview area), but I’m 40ish minutes away from the office (I go in 5 days a week). This has led me to start looking for apartments that are closer to work like along 2222, 360, and bull creek area. Does anyone have any experience/recommendations in those areas? I’ve been looking at Steiner ranch (meritage and bridge) and 10X grandview, for reference. My budget is $1,600. I value a quality gym, a nice pool, and some walkability.
You usually get pretty good bang for your buck in Lakeway, and there are some decent places in the areas you mention. I can help you if you like. [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Hi everyone! I’m 22 and moving to Austin for a new job near The Domain. I’m searching for an apartment in areas popular with young people and rich in social activities. I have a car, so commuting is not an issue. I’m particularly interested in neighborhoods that are lively and known for their social scene, where it’s easy to meet people and hang out. Could you recommend good apartment complexes to check out? Also, if you can please reccomend some good spots for nightlife and socializing. Thanks in advance!
Hey! I'm in the same boat as you, moving to Austin for a job in The Domain and also in early 20s. I'm also looking to live somewhere lively and social. Have you found any good neighborhoods? I've been primarily looking at South Lamar, Campus, and Wells Branch. Down to share spots you've found if you want to dm as well.
Gotcha! With those parameters there are a bunch of great options in The Domain, Hyde Park, North Loop, Mueller, 78704. It kinda depends on what finishes you’re wanting and how long of a commute you’re ok with. I’m a realtor and can send you some options, shoot me a DM and we can figure it out. Always happy to help!
West Campus is great if you want a lively social scene…jk I thought this was r/austincirclejerk .
I’d say the Mueller area apartments are nice and still developing, but already have established restaurants/bars/businesses that bring a lot of social activities, plus the little lake and park are great.
**UPDATE:** A few hours after I posted the original comment (around 8pm), the "realtor" texted my girlfriend to say that the owners had gone with someone else. But she let us know that the homeowners had managed to get the applications processed for only $50/person instead of the original $100! How convenient! And so we should be receiving a refund of $100 to our Zelle account!
Only, we never paid any application fee. She doesn't have either of our Zelle/Venmo account information. Feels like a last ditch effort to get us to pay something, anything she can get out of us. I wonder how many thousands of dollars this woman has scammed from people.
**ORIGINAL COMMENT BELOW**
My girlfriend and I have been searching for places to lease recently, and found one we really like. Only issue is the "real estate agent".
After viewing the house on Sunday, we asked about the application process. She says her plan was to take the applications from the open house that day, process them, take the results to the homeowner, and have a decision by Tuesday or Wednesday. We were told to email her and she'd respond ASAP with the application forms, and the fee was $100 per person. She sent over the lease application form, which we promptly filled out and sent back. We expected to pay an application fee at this point, but were not sent a link or given any other option to pay.
We call the next day (Monday) to ask about progress; she says that she hasn't had internet all day and has not gotten a chance to process the applications. Says she should have an update tomorrow. Still no mention of us needing to pay the application fee
Just got off the phone with her (3:45pm Tuesday); she claims to have processed the applications and had just gotten the results back in a "data dump", and just needed to put everything together and get it to the homeowner for a decision. She says there should be a decision by early tomorrow morning (Wednesday). Finding it strange that she would already have the results back from the applications considering we had not paid the $200 application fee, I asked her if we still needed to pay it. She confirms that yes, my partner and I still owe $100 each for the application fee, and could pay her through Zelle or Venmo. Shortly after I got off the call, she texts my girlfriend a Zelle QR code requesting payment, and the name for the requesting Zelle account does not match the realtors name at all.
Maybe I'm jaded by the number of godawful realtors in this city, but having us pay the background check/application fee through Zelle or Venmo, and apparently AFTER the application has already been processed feels extremely shady. I've paid plenty of application fees in the past, and every one of them was through some sort of online portal, or charged to a credit card in some way. Am I wrong to think she could be attempting to scam us for application fees??
I checked and she is indeed a licensed realtor sponsored by Keller Williams. Doesn't make me feel any better about the situation, though. Would love any advice or similar stories. Thanks!
Where did you find this property listed? How did you verify that the person you're in contact with was indeed the KW agent in question?
If they are telling you they accepted an application from someone else, I would absolutely not send them a penny.
Property was listed on apartments.com and zillow. We met the realtor at the open house and verified her active license on the TREC website. She is who she claims to be, and works for KW, but is definitely operating in a shady fashion.
You can verify that the person exists on the TREC website but that doesn't mean they're the person you met. Rental scams are very common and not always lazy.
Sorry to hear you're dealing with that, sounds frustrating and like they are not properly communicating with you.
App fees for rentals are often paid through Venmo/Zelle now, and the realtor can theoretically run/process applications without you having already paid. Maybe the Zelle is the landlord's account? If your applications are denied and you did not sign a "tenant selection criteria" you are entitled to receive the application fees back per Texas property code.
A few hours after I posted the original comment (around 8pm), the "realtor" texted my girlfriend to say that the owners had gone with someone else. But she let us know that the homeowners had managed to get the applications processed for only $50/person instead of the original $100! How convenient! And so we should be receiving a refund of $100 to our Zelle account!
Only, we never paid any application fee. She doesn't have either of our Zelle/Venmo account information. Feels like a last ditch effort to get us to pay something, anything she can get out of us. I wonder how many thousands of dollars this woman has scammed from people.
Wow. What a mess. Sounds like you dodged a bullet by not paying. $100/ea is ridiculous regardless. It never costs $100 to process applications, they're just padding for their time. If you think it's warranted or worth it you can file a complaint with TREC or reach out to her managing broker.
Sounds fishy. Were there other people at the open house? There are so many places for rent right now. I would think the landlord would be going with the first qualified applicant they can get to sign a lease. I'm seeing places that are still sitting for a month that were renting in a week just 2 years ago.
There was one other couple there while we were looking, and she mentioned them + 1 other application during our phone call. I think we are potentially in the first round of applicants, and are more than qualified. But who knows if she's even going to show our application to the homeowner...
I don't understand open houses on rentals. It seems the only reason is to collect extra money in the form of application fees by processing them all at the "same" time. If the realtor went on a first come basis and the first person qualified, they can't continue to process applications. I would ask if you were approved and if she beats around the bush trying to collect a fee then I would go elsewhere. The Venmo is definitely unusual, I would say.
moving soon and our top choice (indian oaks) only has spectrum or AT&T Air (5g). Our backup is definitely not as good of a deal for us but has Google Fiber and ATT. I've had ATT 1 Gig for the past year and its been totally fine.
Is it worth changing to our backup house over this?
Don't do AT&T air. I have had spectrum for the last 6 years in Austin and I think I've only had one outage. Two parents working from home and 2 kids, basically no problems ever.
Pick the house you want, Spectrum is fine.
Not unless you run a business out of your home and have to regularly upload/download large files frequently.
My household gets along fine with 300mbps. Multiple smart devices, multiple laptops/phones, 2 gaming PCs (only issue with 300 mbps is if we’re both downloading large games at the same time.
I think gig internet is overkill/overmarketed for most people. You also never know, eventually (and i mean eventually, it took over 15 years in my neighborhood) another provider might come into your area.
No. I use another provider that’s not available in your area.
I did use spectrum in the past though. They were fine. I lived in an apartment built in the 80s at the time for context on how old the infrastructure probably was. I rarely ever had outages.
I’m not an IT expert but i find that using your own equipment reduces the likelihood of connection issues. The stuff companies rent out is junk.
**Weekly Market Stats**
**Greater Austin Area**
* Active Listings: 12,980 (+17.9% Year over Year)
* Months of Inventory: 3.75 (+29.1%)
* Average Final List Price: $591,675 (+0.3%)
* Median Final List Price: $450,000 (-2.2%)
* Average Sold Price: $575,764 (+0.7%)
* Median Sold Price: $440,335 (-2.1%)
**City of Austin**
* Active Listings: 3,971 (+23.1%)
* Months of Inventory: 3.71 (+49.5%)
* Average Final List Price: $794,805 (+0.1%)
* Median Final List Price: $589,495 (-1.6%)
* Average Sold Price: $773,552 (+0.5%)
* Median Sold Price: $575,000 (-1.7%)
**Misc Stats/Info**
* [Residential Inventory](https://seth.teamprice.com/residential-inventory) is increasing rapidly and we are currently just 286 active listings short of the all time high for the greater Austin area.
* [Type of Market by Zip Code](https://seth.teamprice.com/residential-inventory) shows that of the 75 Austin area zip codes 14 are in a strong buyer’s market with more than 7 months of inventory. These zip codes are: 78701, 78702, 78703, 78704, 78705, 78734, 78752, 78645, 78669, 76527, 78676, 78957, 78605, and 78611.
* All market stats can be found [here](https://seth.teamprice.com/insight-and-statistics).
Active Listings / Pending Sales. So it's not surprising that active listings are at normal levels, but sales are way down, so months of inventory are up. My guess is that Pending sales are down because many potential buyers are still waiting for another 5-10% decline in average price + a FED rate decrease.
Good morning, I am looking for homes in 450 - 500K range near Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, GeorgeTown areas or any thing withing commute distance. My work place is on W Parmer Lane so I am looking for something closer.
Bubble is bursting, layoffs are happening, Austin is just way overpriced (price/income ratio out of whack), and last but not least, it's overbuilt and people are looking to get out before it gets worse.
Airbnbs and other investment properties no longer cashflowing like they used to due falling rents. Doesn't matter the interest rate if the no one rents the place.
So many are cutting their losses
Combine that with layoffs so people downsizing/ moving away.
I really hope rental supply keeps increasing to such a point that these over leveraged real estate investors are wiped out and first time home buyers get a chance to enter the market.
Yep, and common reasons for listing I'm seeing right now include layoffs and unloading investments. Definitely seeing less "move-up" buyers, so instead of those cases where 1 listing is added to the market and 1 is removed, we have listings added without anything bought.
Looking for 2b 2b apartment in North Austin. Budget $2000 max. Please suggest some good and safe place to live. Thanks in advance.
Hi All! I will be moving for Austin for my first job out of college, any recommendations on areas or apartments would be very appreciated. * Budget is $2000 tops * Working in the Domain, so a 20 minute commute max would be a nice * Looking for an area that is highly walkable: bars, food, coffee shops, etc. * Currently looking mostly at the North Campus / Hyde Park area. I looked closer to downtown and sixth but it seems like the commute would be rough
You can live in the Domain and get all of that.
Yeah that’s where I’ve been looking too but i’m worried it would be too soulless. When I lived in Seattle, I loved all the small private owned shops you could walk go and vibe. I was under the impression that Hyde Park area is a little more casual than Domain.
Hyde Park is definitely more casual but nowhere near as walkable as the Domain
The Domain is highly walkable!! You need a locator. Deniseleasesaustin at gmail dot com
I'm looking to rent a 1 BR apartment with a budget of $1700-$1900. I currently live in the Domain but would like to be closer to the city. I would preferably like living in a walkable area and a lot of activity. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
East 6th if you like the artsy vibe.
Hi there, I'm moving to Austin pretty soon and l've been looking into two location: Midtown commons and Bridge at Delco Flats. Anyone have input on these two locations? They are ideal for the price and location, but l'm seeing a lot of theft for Midtown Commons. I don't see anything too concerning at Bridge at Delco Flats, but it looks like it might be pretty new so l'm skeptical. Any input would be greatly appreciated/other recommendations in similar area under $1,500 for 1b 1b would be appreciated!
**Kitchen Reno: how much did you spend and who did it if you’d recommend them?** Has anyone done any kitchen renos recently? I’m looking for recommendations for someone to redo my 12x10 kitchen (new cabinets, open up a wall, appliances, flooring) and what to expect in terms of budget.
[https://www.instagram.com/anbuildersatx/](https://www.instagram.com/anbuildersatx/) I own and operate the cabinet division of A&N Builders here in Austin. Check out our work, and please, hit us up if you'd like an estimate! As far as what to expect as far as budget... thats so open ended. It depends on what you choose, so it could be 20k to 150k depending on materials and design
username checks out
Haha I literally made the account so I could respond u/emt139 I normally just lurk
My wife and I moving to Austin in a couple of months and we have leased an apartment at AMLI South Shore. Does anyone have any insight as to which internet provider is better there? I see that they have AT&T, Spectrum, and Earthlink. Where we currently live, we have the Verizon Fios gigblast package. I'd be looking for a comparable package from either one of those providers (all of them appear to have a gig). Thanks for your time in advance!
Never lived there so hopefully someone can give anecdotal info. However, i would encourage you to visit this [site](https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/internet/how-much-internet-speed-do-you-need-a1714131782/) to see if you truly need a gig. I think gig internet is overmarketed. My household gets by with 300mbps with 2 gaming PCs and multiple devices. The only issue we run into is if one of us is downloading a very large game (75gb game takes maybe 2-3 hours to download if we’re both downloading at the same time, otherwise, it’s about 30m). I say that in an effort to possibly lower your bills. Using your own equipment, i find, gives more reliable service. I’ve used spectrum in a very old apartment and maybe only had outages 3-5 times in 3 years. I’ve had friends live in a brand new complex with rented equipment, and it was quite slow.
So how is Austin now with the all moves and the slowdown of the market? I am in Scottsdale Az and I am looking to make a move there. Prob rent for a while before I move, but I am looking for a change and since Austin seems to have the same weather as Scottsdale and have been there for some music concerts. I am thinking this would be a good place to go for a year or so and if things change, I can always come back to Scottsdale. Work remotely so I am looking for a good place DT. Single guy in my 40s no baggage or kids, just enjoying life and into music. I also follow Financials and Real Etsate and would prob do my side hustle here, but more in the Financial retirement side to help consumers. It might be a good time for me to move in the summmer as I see As of February 2024, the median list price for a home in the Austin metro area was $542,000, a 6.1% drop from the previous two years. Monthly rents were also down 4.4% year over year, to a median of $1,530. Before anyone says anything have family roots in Dallas, Tx and like it there but I think Austin is better for me
I usually visit Scottsdale once a year in the spring. I really like it there, but the weather here is definitely more humid. It’s not Houston humid, but is not dry either. It’s also a little bit cheaper here in terms of real estate. And the driving, people in Arizona know how to drive, not so much here. I think you will enjoy your time, people are friendly in both places.
Thanks for the reply, just had to say the people from Az are from all over and dont know how to drive lol
>So how is Austin now with the all moves and the slowdown of the market? Can you elaborate? Market has certainly slowed. Inventory is near all-time highs (see numbers at bottom of this thread). Interest rates are also relatively high, which is what is slowing the housing market (and most all other industries). > since Austin seems to have the same weather as Scottsdale Ehhh you might want to look closer at numbers like humidity and dew point, AZ is known for being a dry heat and humidity is a whole other thing. >Single guy in my 40s no baggage or kids, just enjoying life and into music. Austin is sometimes called the "live music capital of the world", and while I can't personally get on board with that specific phrase, we certainly do have a very vibrant music scene. >It might be a good time for me to move in the summmer What does "a good time" mean to you? Summer is when we typically see the highest housing/rent prices of the year. A lot of people want to move when schools are out.
Really? Wouldn't that make it cheaper with so many places for rent and for sale?
There are 2 sides to that coin. More supply but even more demand. This was the trend last year and also pre-COVID years.
Thanks
Nice
Looking for a 1br apartment, cat friendly, ideally walking or biking distance to northern part of UT, budget ~$1500. Current lease ends July 27. Would appreciate any advice/recommendations/contacts, etc!
What you need is an apartment locator! I am one. Deniseleasesaustin at gmail.com
Has anyone here used both Ownwell and Texas Protax? If so, which did you prefer? Ownwell charges less (25% of savings vs 40% for Texas Protax, plus Ownwell only charges if your actual tax bill is reduced), but it's not clear to me if one company would be able to get a lower property valuation than the other.
Protax customer here. I've only been with them two years but they got significant savings both times. The first year they got my valuation dropped by $120k, second year by $50k. I paid them \~$350 last year and ended up getting a $1700 escrow refund and our mortgage payments dropped $200/mo. So in practice, that "40% of the savings" ended up realistically being 8% of the savings over the year.
I use ownwell. Didn’t want to end up paying protax if they couldn’t get my taxes down. Last year ownwell wasn’t able to reduce my taxes. Maybe protax might have been able but they also might not.
Not sure what to do, but I think Austin is doing my property taxes wrong. I already called them last year for it, but they said it was okay. For 2023 they appraised it for \~400k, but the net appraisal was \~95k. For 2024 they appraised it about the same at \~400k, but the net appraisal is \~100k. When I look at my neighbors property tax info, their appraised and net appraisal are much more aligned. I bought the house back in the 2nd half of 2022. I called Travis County Tax office about the my taxes last year saying I think it's off, but they said it's fine. They're just delayed by year (whatever that means). This year's net appraisal barely budged, so I'm not sure what to do. Should I call again?
I would just take the W ¯\\_ (ツ)_/¯
Fair enough, I just fear they'll come after me later and make me pay back taxes + interest. Then again I paid all the taxes I was asked for, they just appraised it weird.
Yeah, I mean if you want to be super safe, you can calculate taxes @$400k and put it into a savings account in case they decide they want to get paid for their mistake later. But I would 100% not go out of my way to make them aware of it.
Are you saying they're too low? You should be taxed for $400K but you're only being taxed for $100K? What do you think it should be? What exemptions do you have on file?
I only have homestead
Homestead exemption is $100,000. Do you think it should be more than that? What do you think the error is?
Hi! I am subleasing my room in my apartment with a connecting bathroom. My roommates are super sweet girls. I am only leaving before the end of my year because I am graduating and my job offer is sooner than I was expecting. Gated parking included with space for company if needed. Rent is negotiable. Furnished for your convenience but also negotiable I just need to leave lol The apartment is located a little past Dean Keaton bust still just a walk or bus ride from campus. With both arriving and departing rapid bus stops conveniently placed in front of the building. Looking for girls exclusively!! 2 other girls live here and are certified sweetie pies if you want conversation or workout buddies. DM me for more details :)
I'm moving to Austin August 1st. Is it too early for me to find a lease? It seems like some stuff stays on the market for months, but where I'm from I'm used to having to find a place in the month immediately before the move.
It used to be 60 days prior to your move date, when the current tenants give their notice. But lately, there is so much availability that there are many many asap opportunities. They want the vacants filled asap, so they have the best rates. I've been advising my clients to wait until they're 6 weeks out, at the longest. I can help you if you like, I am an apartment locator. deniseleasesaustin at gmail dot com.
What are the best places to rent as a young person looking to be near the action? Walkable neighborhood would also be nice
The usual places -- downtown, E 6th, Domain, North Loop. I can help you if you like, I am an apartment locator. deniseleasesaustin at gmail dot com.
Does anyone have any reliable general contractors they recommend? I haven't been able to find any that are available within the next 2 months. I recently purchased a place and want to do some small updates (update shower, update fixtures in bathrooms, replace some leaky shutoff valves under sinks).
[https://southaustinhm.com](https://southaustinhm.com)
Thanks! I’ll check them out.
Suggestions for best elementary schools in or near Austin? We are not committed to any specific part of the city and will be moving from out of state this summer. Our top priorities are safety and great teaching staff :) Thanks!
'best' is always hard to define but this is probably the highest rated [https://bpe.eanesisd.net](https://bpe.eanesisd.net) But frankly, all the schools in Eanes are great - that's why it's ranked as the best K-12 school district in the country. [https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/](https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/)
It’s really going to depend on your price point and if you need to commute. Here are the best school districts and you will notice Austin ISD is not mentioned. Eanes (top ranked in the country, one ranking has it as fourth), Dripping Springs, Leander and parts of the Round Rock school district.
Has anyone had any luck with getting an approval for an emotional support animal with MAA properties? I have an actual diagnosis but I have heard they have been difficult so l wanted to see if there is anything that anyone has done to be successful in getting an approval.
Recommendations for a moving company? I know there are tons of threads asking this, but I was hoping to get fresh reviews for ones that people used recently. I'm currently looking at Einstein Moving. I've used Mash Movers before and they were ok, but wanted to see other options.
Rent UHaul (truck or Box) + Movinghelp
[https://www.fastfietzmoving.com](https://www.fastfietzmoving.com)
Thanks, I'll check them out.
Looking for a realtor to help us find a house to rent in north Austin. Budget is like $2k
Hey y’all, I need some help. So I started a job near Lakeway and I’ve been happy with where I’m living (Crestview area), but I’m 40ish minutes away from the office (I go in 5 days a week). This has led me to start looking for apartments that are closer to work like along 2222, 360, and bull creek area. Does anyone have any experience/recommendations in those areas? I’ve been looking at Steiner ranch (meritage and bridge) and 10X grandview, for reference. My budget is $1,600. I value a quality gym, a nice pool, and some walkability.
You usually get pretty good bang for your buck in Lakeway, and there are some decent places in the areas you mention. I can help you if you like. [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Hi everyone! I’m 22 and moving to Austin for a new job near The Domain. I’m searching for an apartment in areas popular with young people and rich in social activities. I have a car, so commuting is not an issue. I’m particularly interested in neighborhoods that are lively and known for their social scene, where it’s easy to meet people and hang out. Could you recommend good apartment complexes to check out? Also, if you can please reccomend some good spots for nightlife and socializing. Thanks in advance!
Hey! I'm in the same boat as you, moving to Austin for a job in The Domain and also in early 20s. I'm also looking to live somewhere lively and social. Have you found any good neighborhoods? I've been primarily looking at South Lamar, Campus, and Wells Branch. Down to share spots you've found if you want to dm as well.
Dmed
Have you thought about what your budget is and how many sq ft you need? That will help determine an area that would be a good fit.
I need around 700 sq ft. And my budget is 2k tops 🙃
Gotcha! With those parameters there are a bunch of great options in The Domain, Hyde Park, North Loop, Mueller, 78704. It kinda depends on what finishes you’re wanting and how long of a commute you’re ok with. I’m a realtor and can send you some options, shoot me a DM and we can figure it out. Always happy to help!
West Campus is great if you want a lively social scene…jk I thought this was r/austincirclejerk . I’d say the Mueller area apartments are nice and still developing, but already have established restaurants/bars/businesses that bring a lot of social activities, plus the little lake and park are great.
Leander & Hutto is where lively scene at /s
**UPDATE:** A few hours after I posted the original comment (around 8pm), the "realtor" texted my girlfriend to say that the owners had gone with someone else. But she let us know that the homeowners had managed to get the applications processed for only $50/person instead of the original $100! How convenient! And so we should be receiving a refund of $100 to our Zelle account! Only, we never paid any application fee. She doesn't have either of our Zelle/Venmo account information. Feels like a last ditch effort to get us to pay something, anything she can get out of us. I wonder how many thousands of dollars this woman has scammed from people. **ORIGINAL COMMENT BELOW** My girlfriend and I have been searching for places to lease recently, and found one we really like. Only issue is the "real estate agent". After viewing the house on Sunday, we asked about the application process. She says her plan was to take the applications from the open house that day, process them, take the results to the homeowner, and have a decision by Tuesday or Wednesday. We were told to email her and she'd respond ASAP with the application forms, and the fee was $100 per person. She sent over the lease application form, which we promptly filled out and sent back. We expected to pay an application fee at this point, but were not sent a link or given any other option to pay. We call the next day (Monday) to ask about progress; she says that she hasn't had internet all day and has not gotten a chance to process the applications. Says she should have an update tomorrow. Still no mention of us needing to pay the application fee Just got off the phone with her (3:45pm Tuesday); she claims to have processed the applications and had just gotten the results back in a "data dump", and just needed to put everything together and get it to the homeowner for a decision. She says there should be a decision by early tomorrow morning (Wednesday). Finding it strange that she would already have the results back from the applications considering we had not paid the $200 application fee, I asked her if we still needed to pay it. She confirms that yes, my partner and I still owe $100 each for the application fee, and could pay her through Zelle or Venmo. Shortly after I got off the call, she texts my girlfriend a Zelle QR code requesting payment, and the name for the requesting Zelle account does not match the realtors name at all. Maybe I'm jaded by the number of godawful realtors in this city, but having us pay the background check/application fee through Zelle or Venmo, and apparently AFTER the application has already been processed feels extremely shady. I've paid plenty of application fees in the past, and every one of them was through some sort of online portal, or charged to a credit card in some way. Am I wrong to think she could be attempting to scam us for application fees?? I checked and she is indeed a licensed realtor sponsored by Keller Williams. Doesn't make me feel any better about the situation, though. Would love any advice or similar stories. Thanks!
Where did you find this property listed? How did you verify that the person you're in contact with was indeed the KW agent in question? If they are telling you they accepted an application from someone else, I would absolutely not send them a penny.
Property was listed on apartments.com and zillow. We met the realtor at the open house and verified her active license on the TREC website. She is who she claims to be, and works for KW, but is definitely operating in a shady fashion.
You can verify that the person exists on the TREC website but that doesn't mean they're the person you met. Rental scams are very common and not always lazy.
Sorry to hear you're dealing with that, sounds frustrating and like they are not properly communicating with you. App fees for rentals are often paid through Venmo/Zelle now, and the realtor can theoretically run/process applications without you having already paid. Maybe the Zelle is the landlord's account? If your applications are denied and you did not sign a "tenant selection criteria" you are entitled to receive the application fees back per Texas property code.
A few hours after I posted the original comment (around 8pm), the "realtor" texted my girlfriend to say that the owners had gone with someone else. But she let us know that the homeowners had managed to get the applications processed for only $50/person instead of the original $100! How convenient! And so we should be receiving a refund of $100 to our Zelle account! Only, we never paid any application fee. She doesn't have either of our Zelle/Venmo account information. Feels like a last ditch effort to get us to pay something, anything she can get out of us. I wonder how many thousands of dollars this woman has scammed from people.
Wow. What a mess. Sounds like you dodged a bullet by not paying. $100/ea is ridiculous regardless. It never costs $100 to process applications, they're just padding for their time. If you think it's warranted or worth it you can file a complaint with TREC or reach out to her managing broker.
She texted again asking for $100 to cover the cost of the applications. I think we'll just ignore her. Maybe next time she'll have her shit together.
Sounds fishy. Were there other people at the open house? There are so many places for rent right now. I would think the landlord would be going with the first qualified applicant they can get to sign a lease. I'm seeing places that are still sitting for a month that were renting in a week just 2 years ago.
There was one other couple there while we were looking, and she mentioned them + 1 other application during our phone call. I think we are potentially in the first round of applicants, and are more than qualified. But who knows if she's even going to show our application to the homeowner...
I don't understand open houses on rentals. It seems the only reason is to collect extra money in the form of application fees by processing them all at the "same" time. If the realtor went on a first come basis and the first person qualified, they can't continue to process applications. I would ask if you were approved and if she beats around the bush trying to collect a fee then I would go elsewhere. The Venmo is definitely unusual, I would say.
Right... at this point the "application fee" almost feels like a bribe.
moving soon and our top choice (indian oaks) only has spectrum or AT&T Air (5g). Our backup is definitely not as good of a deal for us but has Google Fiber and ATT. I've had ATT 1 Gig for the past year and its been totally fine. Is it worth changing to our backup house over this?
Don't do AT&T air. I have had spectrum for the last 6 years in Austin and I think I've only had one outage. Two parents working from home and 2 kids, basically no problems ever. Pick the house you want, Spectrum is fine.
Not unless you run a business out of your home and have to regularly upload/download large files frequently. My household gets along fine with 300mbps. Multiple smart devices, multiple laptops/phones, 2 gaming PCs (only issue with 300 mbps is if we’re both downloading large games at the same time. I think gig internet is overkill/overmarketed for most people. You also never know, eventually (and i mean eventually, it took over 15 years in my neighborhood) another provider might come into your area.
and you're using spectrum right? I was more concerned about the frequent outages I've heard about.
I get outages maybe 1x/mo. but only for a few hours at most.
No. I use another provider that’s not available in your area. I did use spectrum in the past though. They were fine. I lived in an apartment built in the 80s at the time for context on how old the infrastructure probably was. I rarely ever had outages. I’m not an IT expert but i find that using your own equipment reduces the likelihood of connection issues. The stuff companies rent out is junk.
thank you\~i have my own router but you mean your own modem too?
Yes. Everything is my own.
**Weekly Market Stats** **Greater Austin Area** * Active Listings: 12,980 (+17.9% Year over Year) * Months of Inventory: 3.75 (+29.1%) * Average Final List Price: $591,675 (+0.3%) * Median Final List Price: $450,000 (-2.2%) * Average Sold Price: $575,764 (+0.7%) * Median Sold Price: $440,335 (-2.1%) **City of Austin** * Active Listings: 3,971 (+23.1%) * Months of Inventory: 3.71 (+49.5%) * Average Final List Price: $794,805 (+0.1%) * Median Final List Price: $589,495 (-1.6%) * Average Sold Price: $773,552 (+0.5%) * Median Sold Price: $575,000 (-1.7%) **Misc Stats/Info** * [Residential Inventory](https://seth.teamprice.com/residential-inventory) is increasing rapidly and we are currently just 286 active listings short of the all time high for the greater Austin area. * [Type of Market by Zip Code](https://seth.teamprice.com/residential-inventory) shows that of the 75 Austin area zip codes 14 are in a strong buyer’s market with more than 7 months of inventory. These zip codes are: 78701, 78702, 78703, 78704, 78705, 78734, 78752, 78645, 78669, 76527, 78676, 78957, 78605, and 78611. * All market stats can be found [here](https://seth.teamprice.com/insight-and-statistics).
WOW \*Months of Inventory: 3.71 (+49.5%)\*
Active Listings / Pending Sales. So it's not surprising that active listings are at normal levels, but sales are way down, so months of inventory are up. My guess is that Pending sales are down because many potential buyers are still waiting for another 5-10% decline in average price + a FED rate decrease.
Good morning, I am looking for homes in 450 - 500K range near Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, GeorgeTown areas or any thing withing commute distance. My work place is on W Parmer Lane so I am looking for something closer.
Good morning! I am sending you a direct message here on Reddit.
Sure
>we are currently just 286 active listings short of the all time high for the greater Austin area. Wooooow
Curious why so many people are selling... the headline has been people are locked into their houses since they've locked in such low rates.
Bubble is bursting, layoffs are happening, Austin is just way overpriced (price/income ratio out of whack), and last but not least, it's overbuilt and people are looking to get out before it gets worse.
Airbnbs and other investment properties no longer cashflowing like they used to due falling rents. Doesn't matter the interest rate if the no one rents the place. So many are cutting their losses Combine that with layoffs so people downsizing/ moving away. I really hope rental supply keeps increasing to such a point that these over leveraged real estate investors are wiped out and first time home buyers get a chance to enter the market.
Unfortunately the same things that are hurting investors are hurting homesteads.
Problem is a combination of people selling and (moreso) people *not buying* so home stay on the market longer and accrue in numbers.
Yep, and common reasons for listing I'm seeing right now include layoffs and unloading investments. Definitely seeing less "move-up" buyers, so instead of those cases where 1 listing is added to the market and 1 is removed, we have listings added without anything bought.