Austin Condos Real Estate Blog

What You Need to Know About Buying a Condo in Austin

Are you looking to buy or sell a condo in the Austin area? If the answer is yes, then you came to the right place. Here’s what you need to know about buying a condo in Austin according to research done by Evolution Moving.

If you’re looking to buy a condo that probably means you are wanting to make an investment. Buying a condo is like a hybrid form of home ownership. It is a residential space within a larger structure that is owned by outside agents. Once you buy a condo you will be the owner the unit that is within a larger building. The main difference between condos and regular homes is that you do not own any land after buying a condo in Austin. You only own the rooms and the interior of your condo. This, of course, has its legal restrictions. But for everyday use, you will be as free and as responsible for your condo as if it were your home.

Buying a condo is much cheaper than getting an apartment. As you can imagine, getting a self-standing home of the same size or location can double, if not triple, your price. Living in “close quarters” isn’t for everyone, however most people find a sense of community when living in a building together.

Found a job in Austin? Lucky for you, you have already done the heavy lifting! Let us do all the work for you when looking for your new condo. We are a team of highly trained agents who can help you buy or sell a condo in the Austin area. There are many condos in the Austin area that we’d love to show you!

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6 Things You Need to Know About Buying a Condo in Austin

6 things you need to know about buying a condo in Austin

1. Hire a Specialist

Working with someone who understands how a condo operates is incredibly important. Understanding HOAs and the documents required. Before buying a condo you need documents like insurance coverage, HOA meeting minutes, condo resale certificates, etc. Having an agent help you make the best decision and help you prepare can make a HUGE difference.

2. Asses the Amenities

Understand what the building has to offer and whether or not it will fit your lifestyle. Do the HOA fees match the level of amenities? Austin is notoriously a city where the  people spend the same amount of time working as they do playing. Looking for a condo with a club house, pool, and 24 hour desk presence, would be in your best interest if you like to play too.

3. Check out the Neighborhood

This should be obvious, but make sure you check out the neighborhood. Is the condo gated? First floor? Parking garage? If you aren’t in the best neighborhood, then it’s probably not for you. Is there a train near by or new construction site around the corner? The last thing you want to do is move into a noise box!

 4. Analyze the Homeowners Association Meeting Minutes and Rules

By gathering the information from the HOA meeting you can get a better understanding of how the community is run. Who is in charge? Do all the tenants have an opportunity to speak up? Make sure you ask the critical questions before closing. This information should be gathered by your real estate agent.

5. Review the Rental-to-Owner-Occupied Ratio

If you’re thinking you’ll need a loan, it’s important to gather this information. It’s important to know how many units are rented versus unoccupied or owner-occupied. Ut also gives you a better idea of the average tenant is like....

Amazing North Austin Condo Just Listed!

10904 Beaman Court | $279,997 | 1,500 Sq.Ft. | 3 Beds |2 Baths

This home stands out from the crowd! Beautiful lush landscape, a huge shade tree in the backyard. The covered back porch is the perfect place to grill out and host family and friends. The open layout inside features hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and a bonus office space. Great location nestled in Pecan Park, near great shopping and restaurants.
Click here for more information about this STUNNING Austin Condo! 
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Condo Of the Week: Orange Tree Condos

Orange Tree Condos is located just steps from the University of Texas in the heart of West Campus and is one of the most sought-after condos for UT students looking for campus housing. It offers a variety of floor plans from studio type to 3-bedroom units, catering to UT students’ varying budget and needs. 

It is a large garden style condominium complex with units having a townhome like the design and plenty of privacy. These condo units have large bedrooms, washer/dryer and garage parking. Residents enjoy the rooftop terrace and take a dip in the pool with friends to escape the Texas heat.

West Campus is a busy part of Austin buzzing with students at all hours of the day.  The overall walkability of West Campus allows UT students to walk from every area to campus.  They also have the option to hop on the West Campus bus to make it across Guadalupe and onto campus. The fraternity and sorority life at UT Austin is also centered in this area.

Because the majority of the residents of West Campus are college students, the entertainment in the area is largely targeted toward this demographic. There are a variety of shops, bars, and restaurants in a major commercial area known as "The Drag" along Guadalupe Street. During the day, people shop and eat at local restaurants and other business establishments in this area. At night time, the bars and hookah lounges are filled with people unwinding after a long day of class or work.

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It's time for the 8th Annual Mega Agent Mixer!

We are excited to be hosting the 8th annual Mega Agent Mixer, with all of the profit being once again donated to KW Cares. Last year our event was directly responsible for bringing over $200,000 to KW Cares!  This year's event promises to be a thrill ride with an amazing opening speaker and a great panel of top agents from across the country.  There will be food, fun, networking, as well as a KW Cares auction towards the end of the event.  Make sure to bring cash, your checkbook or credit cards for our KW Cares Auction.

This event will be held just a few blocks from the Austin Convention Center Tuesday, August 15th, from 6 pm to 9 pm.  The event location is once again at the Trinity Hall, which is located at 311 E 5th Street.

Make sure you bring plenty of business cards and a pen and paper for notes.  See you soon!

 

*There will be no refunds on tickets, as this is going to a good cause!

 

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Travis County Identifies the New Central Austin Courthouse Location

Travis County will negotiate with a developer to build a new courthouse at 1700 Guadalupe St.

County Judge Sarah Eckhardt announced Tuesday, July 10th, that she had signed an exclusive negotiation agreement for a development team to build a courthouse for the government's civil and family courts.

Hunt Development Group LLC, CGL Companies, Chameleon Companies, Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and Gensler would design, develop and construct the new Austin courthouse.

The new facility will replace the current Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse at West 11th and Guadalupe streets. The Sweatt Courthouse was built in the 1930s yet is deteriorating and is not expected to meet the growing need for more courtroom space, as Austin continues to grow. The roughly 433,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed by 2023.

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Condo Of The Week: Railyard Condos

About Railyard Condos

The Railyard is one of downtown Austin’s most affordable and unique condo buildings. Its two low-rise buildings, recognized for their Southwestern architecture, offer an experience of urban living on a budget without compromising on style. These 1-3 bedroom units include in-suite washers and dryers, hardwood flooring, carpeted bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, granite countertops and balconies. Residents can also enjoy the community outdoor pool and patio.

Railyard Condominiums are unique compared to other downtown Austin condos due to the fact that they offer short-term rentals. Railyard owners can open up their condo units as a vacation-rental-by-owner during SXSW, ACL, F1 and other conventions and yield more rent during those events than the total rent from a typical 12-month lease.

The Railyard Condominiums are located on 4th Street between Brazos and Trinity in the heart of downtown Austin. Lady Bird Lake, museums, dining, shops, bars, yoga studios, and entertainment venues are all within walking distance from these condos.  It is also on a major bus route so it’s really easy to get to where you need to go without a car.

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Downtown Austin Tacodeli To Open in Early 2019

Austinites are no stranger to tacos, specifically Tacodeli tacos! Tacodeli, the new-school Austin-born taco chain is set to open its first downtown restaurant early 2019. The newest addition to the popular chain will be much like the other locations and will serve tacos for breakfast and lunch until 3 p.m. 

Tacodeli chef and founder Roberto Espinosa and partner Eric Wilkerson opened the first restaurant in 1999 on Barton Skyway and Spyglass Drive and grew with more locations.  The Spyglass location is a mile down the road from our office, feel free to stop by on your way to get some delicious tacos, we love visitors! 

The new downtown Austin location is the sixth Austin restaurant, and there are restaurants in Dallas, Houston, and Plano. It’s also working on a restaurant within the Austin Bergstrom-International Airport. Be sure to check out these Austin-native tacos this summer, the answer is always tacos! 

CAIN TEAM FAVORITE: Shrimposito, Grilled Texas Gulf Shrimp, chipotle-sesame adobo, queso fresco, avocado


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Join us this Saturday for a Charming Oak Hill Condo Open House

OPEN HOUSE ALERT

Join us this Saturday, June 16th, 2018 from 11 AM - 1 PM for your opportunity to view this charming Oak Hill Condo.

6718 Silvermine Drive. #901

$169,997 | 1,062 Sq.Ft | 2 Bed | 2 Bath


Amazing condo in a great location. Airy open floor plan, tile and wood floors, many updates! Located near Y at Oak Hill offers easy access to downtown, Lakeway, Dripping Springs, and other Greater Austin Areas. From the private patio to the easy flowing living/dining spaces along with the community pool, ample area for friends and family to gather. You are going to love your new home!

Click here to learn more about this amazing Southwest Austin Condo!

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Amazing Oak Hill Condo For Sale

6718 Silvermine Drive. #901

$169,997 | 1,062 Sq.Ft | 2 Bed | 2 Bath


Amazing condo in a great location. Airy open floor plan, tile and wood floors, many updates! Located near Y at Oak Hill offers easy access to downtown, Lakeway, Dripping Springs, and other Greater Austin Areas. From the private patio to the easy flowing living/dining spaces along with the community pool, ample area for friends and family to gather. You are going to love your new home!

Click here to learn more about this amazing Southwest Austin Condo!

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Condo Of The Week: Pease Place Condos

About Pease Place Condos

Pease Place Condos is a modern mid-rise condominium building carefully designed and engineered with green living in mind. This private-gated complex offers the best in renewable living. It boasts of energy efficient features such as solar-paneled roof, 100% LED lighting, tankless water heaters, and low-e windows.

Pease Place features traditional stucco and limestone exteriors, high-end finishes, and efficient floor plans. It offers studio-type and 1-2 bedroom units ranging from 440-1100 square-feet. Unique features include specially processed bamboo hardwood flooring, recycled plastic bottle carpeting and solar system individually metered to each unit. Amenities include gated entry, charming communal gardens, elevator, controlled access and garage parking.

This community is nestled within the historic Old West Austin Neighborhood which was selected by the American Planning Association as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods in America. The Old West Austin Historic District is comprised of three neighborhoods, developed between 1886 and 1953, located west of Downtown Austin: Old Enfield, Pemberton Heights, and Bryker Woods.

The Pease Place Condos is conveniently located between Mopac and Downtown Austin, minutes away from North Lamar Boulevard where local Austin favorites like Whole Foods Market can be found. Residents can walk to local restaurants or café like Cipollina or Galaxy Café. Pease District Park is an urban park featuring hike and bike trails, picnic space, disc golf course, basketball courts, volleyball courts and the annual Eeyore's Birthday Party event. This...

Join us for a Southwest Austin Condo Open House

Join us this Saturday, May 26, 2018, from 1-4 PM for a Southwest Austin Condo Open House. This spacious end unit is located in the ever popular Laurels at Legend Oaks Community and is conveniently located near an abundance of shopping, dining and entertainment options. The condo features vaulted ceilings, a floor to ceiling fireplace and a nice-sized kitchen open to the living and dining areas. All of the rooms are well-sized, and the spacious flex room upstairs would make the perfect game room or home office. The private backyard features lots of greenery and a quaint covered porch.  


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North Austin Town home For Sale

If you are looking to purchase a condo in North Austin, why not expand your search into a townhome? You can get the condo feel in the comfort of a single family home! Learn more about this North Austin Townhouse below. 

6425 Westside Drive, Austin, TX 78731 | 1,476 Sq.Ft. | 2 Beds | 3 Baths

Amazing and rare opportunity to own a tastefully remodeled home in the established Northwest Hills community for under $350K! 6421 Westside is also available, own the entire building! Recent $35,000 renovation includes updated bathrooms, wood laminate flooring, new carpet, fresh paint, refreshed cabinets & more! Home also includes a private covered patio, two car carport, galley style kitchen, upgraded windows & more. Award-winning schools, close to shopping & entertainment & just a few mins to DT Austin!

Property Type: Townhouse
MLS #:9961204
Year Built:1975
View the Virtual Tour here.
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Condo of the Week: Spring Condos

Spring Condos is Austin's first "Point Tower" with 44 floors of residential and shared use space located in the hip Market District of Austin.  Spring stands 132 m (433 ft.) over west Austin. It was designed by Vancouver–based architect Foad Rafii.

The Spring is one of the most popular condo buildings in Downtown Austin. It offers its residents unmatched privacy, maximized floor plans, and amazing corner views from almost every unit in the building. One, two, and three bedroom homes feature hardwood floors, carpeted bedrooms, modern kitchens with granite countertops and high-end appliances. Each unit makes the most of the views with large floor-to-ceiling walls of glass and private terraces.

This skyscraper features a handful of amenities. There is a resort style pool at the rooftop with outdoor kitchen and dining. Two guest suites are available for visiting friends or family. Other amenities include a fitness center, full-service concierge, club room, meeting room, and a welcoming resident’s lounge.

Conveniently located in the downtown Austin area, it is within walking distance to Town Lake, ACL, Whole Foods grocery store, the hike and bike trail, and the beautiful Lady Bird Lake.  Spring Condos offers a true urban living experience close to restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.

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Eli Manning Sells Condo for Highest Price Ever in Hoboken, NJ

The Giant's starting quarterback sold his waterfront home in Hoboken, NJ for $3.55 million - a record-breaking price for the area. This is the most expensive price anyone had paid for a condo in the city's history. The second most expensive residential sale was $3.3 million back in 2015.  

This stunning three bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home in Frank Sinatra's old "hood is in the Hudson Tea Building," which was once the headquarters and factory for ever-popular Lipton Tea. The condo features 10-by-12 foot windows that overlook the Hudson River, a state of the art chef's kitchen, and a master suite wing. 

Manning and wife, Abby McGrew have lived in the condo since 2008 when they moved to accommodate their expanding family. This posh pad has a famous history including, former Giants star Jeremy Shockey, "The Bachelor" star Jesse Palmer, boxer Arturo Gatti and an ex-NJ governor and ex-senator Jon Corzine. 

Are you looking for a Condo in the Austin Area? The Austin real estate market is full of condominiums all vying for the attention of buyers. Our team specializes in condominium listings and sales, and we’re here to help you sort it all out. There’s a lot more to getting the right Austin condo at the best price and without hassles than just loving the floor plan and the view.

We have worked with quite a few Austin condominium buyers, and we’ve found that the way to assure happy clients and repeat and referral business is to provide the most knowledgeable and thorough condominium buyer service package available in the Austin real estate...

Thinking of buying a Austin area Condo?

Condos aren’t for everyone, but you’ll find that there are a whole lot of people very satisfied with their condominium lifestyle in the Austin real estate market. We wanted to highlight a few things here as tips about a condo lifestyle and whether it’s for you instead of a detached single family home.

It’s not maintenance–free, but it’s close! The condominium association pays for and supervises the exterior maintenance and repairs to all units and common areas. You won’t be mowing the lawn on a beautiful Saturday morning.

You save money on some things. The association normally covers water, sewer, common area and exterior upkeep, and trash services. The fees you pay are normally less than you’d pay individually for these things. You only pay for interior walls and personal belongings insurance, as the association pays to ensure the structures.

You do trade off some control and decision–making ability. There will be rules to keep the exterior look uniform throughout the project, and there will be limits to what you can do to the inside of your unit as well.

Neighbors are closer. With units having common walls, there is more opportunity to get to know your neighbors. The common areas will provide enjoyment for all, but some sharing is necessary.

You have a voice with your vote. As a member of the condo association as an owner, you can participate in decisions that influence your property and how you enjoy your ownership.

Let Cain Realty Group help you with more information about condominium ownership in the Austin real estate market.

Give our team a call to schedule a no-obligation buying...

Condo of the Week: Plaza Lofts

PLAZA LOFTS

The Plaza Lofts is a 12-story high-rise condominium at the corner of Guadalupe and W. 5th Street. Developed in 2002, the Plaza was awarded a 4-star rating by the Austin Green Building Program for its eco-friendly design.

The Plaza houses 60 luxury condominium units ranging from 900 to 2,300 square feet in size. Available in studio type and 1-2 bedroom design, buyers can choose from various floor plans that come with elegant interior finishes like granite countertops and backsplashes, flush panel cabinetry with hidden hinges, modern lighting fixtures, ceramic tile showers and double vanities in the master bath. The units feature 11-13 foot high ceilings, stained concrete floors and oversized, private balconies that provide incredible views of the city.

Building amenities include on-site gym, rooftop pool, covered terrace, secured parking garage, elegant resident lobby and controlled and monitored building access, including entry camera closed-circuited to each unit. The Plaza Lofts’ proximity to the Central Business District, the downtown nightlife and Lady Bird Lake makes it the perfect home for those that value luxury and want to be in the middle of it all: dining, arts and recreation.

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Condo of the week: Milago Condos

About Milago Condos 

Milago Condos is not your ordinary urban dwelling in downtown Austin. Situated near Lady Bird Lake and all the exciting spots in the area, the development is a popular choice among urban dwellers who want to live as close to nature as they can. Located at the end of Rainey Street near Town Lake Trail, this 2006 development boasts of its own fitness center, rooftop pool, lounge, and a scenic third-floor terrace with spectacular views of the park and the lake. Milago Condos are priced between $270,000 to $1,000,000, depending on the unit size and the views. With flexible floor plans, buyers can choose from studio-sized condos to 3-bedroom penthouse units. All units enjoy views of downtown, the park, and the Lady Bird Lake.

Milago Condos residents can easily enjoy a healthy morning or afternoon stroll; the Town Lake Trails are just a stone’s throw away. Kayaking at the lake is a common recreational activity in the area, as well as enjoying a game of Frisbee at Zilker Park. If urban fun is what you are looking for, Rainey Street can provide your dining, entertainment, and shopping needs. 

Useful Milago Condos Links

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Condo of the week: 904 West Condos

About 904 West Condos 

904 West Condos is an eco-friendly condo development project in Central Austin that boasts of individually-metered rooftop solar panels, residential units that use 100% LED lighting and tankless water heaters that service every unit in the project. 904 West boasts of its one-bedroom residential units with their modern hardwood floors, granite countertops, and walk-in closets. 904 West also has offices available for lease, servicing SME’s looking for a strategic location in downtown Austin. 904 West takes pride in its warm and homey atmosphere, modern interiors, landscaped gardens, and a well-maintained community pool for its residents.

 

Its convenient location makes it a favorite among young families and professionals, thanks to its easy access to the business district and the nature parks in the area. Duncan Park is just a stone’s throw away, offering a temporary respite from the bustling city life. Residents can jog through Shoal Creek Trail and pass by scenic Lady Bird Lake. 904 West is also close to shopping and dining options like Whole Foods. All in all, 904 West presents an eco-friendly abode to residents looking for a home in the city. You can visit 904 West along West Avenue between 10th Street and 9th Street. ...

What is the 'Full House' home up to these days?

Cain TeamWith the Netflix spinoff of Full House, "Fuller House" in full swing, the crazy is all the same! Realtor.com decided to take a closer look at how the famous home has been doing and who the possible owners were. 

The gorgeous Victorian, whose exterior appears in the opening credits for "Full/Fuller House," is located at 1709 Broderick Street in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. Even though the show is filmed entirely in a studio elsewhere, the home has gained quite the drawings of fans over the years.

The interest in the home has since then rocketed since the sale of the home to the new owner, Jeff Franklin, the producer of both "Full House" and "Fuller House." Jeff purchased the home in April 2016 and set forth plans to renovate the interior to finally match the set. Jeff was said to have various ideas with the course of the renovation, to possibly use it to film new footage of "Fuller House", or stage a sleepover for the cast, or just maybe rent of out the place.

Since the initial renovation interest, the plan has been granted although, there are some not to happy neighbors in the mix. Two of Franklins neighbors have recently filed a request for a "discretionary review" hearing, which could throw a wrench in moving forward. The surrounding neighbors are concerned that the reno plans might make the neighborhood even more overrun than ever. 

Franklin “is a Hollywood producer who has bought the house for commercial purposes—promoting it as a fan destination, using it for promotional events and filming at the house,” complained neighbor Carla Hashagan in the ...