What to Look for When Buying a South Austin Home

It’s no easy task to shop for a home in Austin’s real estate market. It can both be exciting and overwhelming at the same time whether you’re a first-time or seasoned home buyer. There are many important things to keep in mind when looking for your dream home and having a list of priorities that consist of what you’re looking for can help make the process smoother and less stressful. 

Living in South Austin

Austin stands out due to the fact that it’s a place for everyone. Everything you can ever imagine in a city, Austin has something to offer. There are different areas in Austin with each of them having its own unique characteristics. South Austin is one of these areas to look out for. The area has its charm and “weird” Austin atmosphere tied to great music, food, and culture.

People who are looking for a suburban lifestyle turn to this neighborhood as opposed to other established areas located to the North. The area has become one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the city with new home construction on the rise and a variety of businesses moving to the area. Barton Hills, Zilker, Travis Heights, and Bouldin Creek are some of the popular neighborhoods in South Austin with close proximity to downtown.

South Austin is close to some of Austin’s best restaurants, bars, and nightlife. It’s close to the heart of the city wherein less than 30 minutes, you can experience what Downtown Austin has to offer. Whether it is visiting one of the many hiking trails or greenbelts, dancing the night away at nightclubs, or strolling along the streets, the accessibility of Downtown from South Austin is convenient for many.

Important Things To Consider When Looking for a South Austin Home

Determining what you are looking for in a home will help narrow your search and put you at ease in choosing the perfect home. South Austin has many housing options for buyers. Whether it’s a bungalow in the heart of the south, new construction in a master-planned community, or a condo near the hustle and bustle of downtown. Here are a few of the important things to consider when looking for a South Austin home:

1. Location

One of the most important aspects of your new home is its location. Do you want to live in the hustle and bustle of downtown Austin or prefer the quiet suburban life? You need to think about how long it would take for your to drive or commute to work, and how far the nearest grocery store, hospitals, schools, and banks would be from your home. 

Consulting an Austin real estate agent who is familiar with the area can help provide you with data about the neighborhoods you’re eyeing to live in as well as school districts, plus recreational and entertainment places. 

2. Price

You should have a general idea of how much you can afford to spend on a home and having a budget will greatly help in the process. There are chances that you may end up spending more than you can afford if you don’t have a budget and price range in mind. 

Homebuyers who are thinking of purchasing a home in the area tend to ask how much would it cost to buy a home in South Austin? To give you an idea, the median sales price for a home in South Austin is $550,000 as of April 2022. There is more demand for housing with more tech companies moving and expanding to Austin. When tech giant Oracle Corporation announced relocating its headquarters to Austin, in the same month, the median sales price for homes in Austin metropolitan region was up 23.7% year-over-year.

3. Property Type and Sizes

There are many different types of homes to choose from when you’re looking to buy in South Austin such as single-family homes, condos, or townhomes. Most single-family homes offer significant living space. They can be found in a variety of architectural styles and layouts depending on their age and location. Older classic-style homes include traditional craftsman homes. Newer homes have a more contemporary feel with open floor plans and large windows. More builders in South Austin are also practicing sustainable homebuilding.

Condos and townhomes share walls with other units but the similarity doesn’t end there. Residents enjoy a wide array of amenities that can be low maintenance and perfect for young professionals, retirees, and empty-nesters looking to downsize.

4. Driving and Commute Time

People often focus on the home and its features and amenities that some may forget to consider the area around it. Another thing to think of when looking for a home in South Austin is the driving and commuting time. How long does it take to reach your workplace? Does the area generally have a lot of traffic? While in terms of accessibility to public transportation, find out where the nearby stops are and their operating hours.

5. School Districts

There are more than different school districts for each region in Greater Austin. Students living in South Austin will attend schools under the Austin Independent School District. Austin ISD covers 54.1% of the city’s territory and serves more than 80,000 students across 130 campuses. Austin ISD has schools for children in K-5 including Barton Hills Elementary, Dawson Elementary, and Cunningham Elementary School. 

Middle schoolers have Bailey Middle School, O. Henry Middle School, and Covington Middle School while students from Grades 9-12 can attend Travis High School, Austin High School, and Crockett High School. Private schools are also present in the area such as Bannockburn Christian Academy, San Juan Diego Catholic High School, and Veritas Academy.

6. Amenities

Numerous amenities and activities are available in South Austin including places of shopping, dining, and entertainment. If you are looking for the perfect place to explore or relax, South Austin has plenty of outdoor activities that await you. Zilker Park is one of the top attractions in South Austin where most large events and music festivals are held. 

Two more popular spots loved by both tourists and locals are Barton Springs, a swimming hole that’s just right for cooling down on a hot summer day, and Barton Creek Greenbelt, a local favorite with more amenities to be found inside.

If you’re looking for an exciting place to buy a new home, consider looking south!

South Austin has always been one of the most exciting neighborhoods in Austin. It is, without a doubt, one of the most unique neighborhoods that you can live in. It's close to the core of the city where you can find plenty of things to do. Not only does it possess an incredibly rich diverse culture, but it has fostered many successful businesses and most certainly played a significant role in helping Austin become the vibrant city that it is today. Speak to a real estate consultant or CLICK HERE to search for homes in South Austin!