Windsor Park

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Northwest Office

Expert knowledge from Paige Reynolds, REALTOR®.

Neighborhood
[Windsor Park Neighborhood Association]
Windsor Park is an affordable, eclectic neighborhood close to downtown. It has a great sense of community with many young professionals and families moving in and getting involved. People can be seen at all times of the day walking dogs, pushing strollers or using one of the newer bike lanes to get around. The houses range from complete remodels to homes that need a complete overhaul!

Location
The Windsor Park neighborhood is located in northeast Austin, Texas. It’s bounded by 51st St., IH-35, U.S. Hwy. 290, Northeast Drive and Manor Road.

Price Range
Windsor Park features homes from the $90s to the upper $200s.

Schools
Andrews Elementary School
Blanton Elementary School
Harris Elementary School
Pearce Middle School
Reagan High School

Areas of Interest
The Windsor Park Library was founded in 2000 after attempting to get a permanent spot since the 1950s. From the 1950s until 2000, residents only had a mobile book service and random office space that housed books. Windsor Park is very proud of its library, and it offers an adult book club, story hours for children and a weekly movie night.

Bartholomew Park is a 57-acre park includes disc golf, a creek, playground, picnic areas, and more. Future plans include a fenced dog area and a new pool.Bartholomew has a long history of neighborhood involvement. Volunteers have given money and sweat to plant trees, build play equipment, paint buildings, and more. As of June 2009, Bartholomew Municipal Pool will remain closed until a new pool is constructed. An independent engineering firm has assessed the facility and has determined that the pool has structural deficiencies that pose a public safety hazard. Water lovers take heart, however: there is a brand new splash pad on site as of 2011.

Morris Williams Golf Course was constructed in 1963 and opened in 1964 as Austin’s 3rd Municipal Course. Designed by Leon Howard, one of the most prolific golf course Architects of the time, the course features small, slightly elevated, contoured greens. These features combined with the rolling terrain probably make Morris Williams Golf Course the most difficult of all ofthe City’s courses. However, the recent addition of ladies tees and the improved turf make the course playable for all levels of golfers.

HEB opening in Spring 2013 at SE corner of 51st St. and Berkman: This HEB will be a first-of-its-kind store at Mueller, part of a 110,000-square-foot shopping center planned for the southeast corner of East 51st Street and Berkman Drive.Work on the 75,000-square-foot H-E-B will begin late 2012, and the store is scheduled to open in 2013. This will be a very environmentally progressive store with more details to follow as construction begins.

Blanton Elementary transitioning to dual language in 2012. Starting with Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten , Blanton will become a dual language elementary school for the 2012-2013 school year. A grade will be added every year. Currently we think this will be done with a lotto system with preference given to in district children.

Capitol Plaza, one of Austin’s oldest strip malls, is operating at more than 90 percent capacity and has seen an influx of new retailers recently, including Anna’s Linens, Champs Sports and, soon, Sheplers Western Wear.These retailers join existing tenants such as Target, Ross and Walgreens. It’s adjacent to a very dense residential area, and there are a number of offices nearby, too.

Restaurants/Nightlife
Paco’s Tacos
CubanSandwich Cafe
Corona Cafe
Nomad

Other:
Steps away in the Mueller Retail Center you will find many options to choose from; Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Chipotle Grill, Pad Thai, Which Wich, Mueller Trailer Eateries.

Here’s a list of restaurants that deliver in the area.

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Rosedale

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Northwest Office

Expert knowledge from Jane Sanford, REALTOR, GRI 

Neighborhood
[Rosedale Neighborhood Association]
Rosedale is true neighbor hood. There are always people out walking, or children playing in this historic area just North of The University of Texas Austin. Most of the over 1200 homes were built in the 1930’s and 1940’s, with charming details rarely seen today. The people who live here find it hard to leave, as you can see by the amount of renovation and new construction. The central location is close to downtown and the government district, with easy access to Mopac and other major avenues. A variety of businesses and restaurants are within walking distance, and many medical services, including Seton Hospital and the Heart Hospital are nearby. 

Location
[Map]
Rosedale’s boundaries are 38th St to the South, North Loop/Hancock to the North, Shoal Creek to the West and Lamar Blvd to the East.  It is just 11 minutes (6 miles) from downtown and 25 minutes (16 miles) from the airport.

Schools

Price Range
Home prices for the last 6 months have ranged from the $200,000 range for homes in the 600-700 square foot size to $700,000 for homes between 2500 and 3000 square feet. Price per square foot ranged between $160 to $400, with an average of $270 per square foot, depending on the condition of the home.

Amenities
Ramsey Park
Bordered by 43 St., Rosedale Avenue, 44th St. and Burnet Rd, it boasts a popular swimming pool, golf course, regular and toddler playgrounds, a baseball diamond, a basketball court and picnic areas with barbecue facilities.

Shoal Creek Greenbelt
The greenbelt runs along Shoal Creek on the west side of the Rosedale Neighborhood. The three miles of developed trails extend South from 38th Street to the intersection of Cesar Chavez St. and Lamar Blvd. Shoal Creek is a favorite place to run, stroll, walk the dog, ride a mountain bike, or simply sit and watch the water.

Central Park
This 10 acre park is located at the NW corner of Guadalupe and 38th St. The park includes a hike and bike trail, picnic areas, and a series of three storm water quality ponds.

Mayfield Park
3505 W. 35th St.; A park and preserve located on the Barrow Brook Cove of Lake Austin. The fenced grounds include a series of five ponds and a turn of the century home.  A wooded nature preserve includes a variety of trails.

The Austin Art Museum / Laguna Gloria
Also on 35th Street, the Museum formerly known as Laguna Gloria is now part of the Austin Art Museum. The grounds offer a number of trails and the museum houses various works.

The Elisabet Ney Museum
The museum is located at 304 E. 44th St. 78751, 512-458-2255. It is housed in the former studio of the 19th century German-Texas sculptor, Elisabet Ney (1833-1907). Includes Ney’s sculptures of 19th-century European and Texas notables and memorabilia from the artist’s life.

Nearby Shopping
Central Market offers a wide variety of groceries, fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, prepared foods, and cooking classes.
Randalls  1500 W. 35th St.
Wheatsville Food Coop –3101 Guadalupe St.
Mandola’s Italian Market –4700 Guadalupe St. 

Dining/Entertainment
There are a large variety of restaurants nearby.  To name just a few:
The Draught House Pub & Brewery, Uchiko, the original Kerby Lane, Fonda San Miguel, The Upper Crust Bakery, The Taco Shack, Apothecary Cafe & Wine Bar

Fun Facts about the Neighborhood
(1)   The neighborhood began as farm and dairy land in the 1860’s.
(2)   In the 1900’s, four florists and nurseries started there, and much of the stock planted then remains, giving it the much loved trees of today.
(3)  Rosedale hosts a neighborhood Halloween Party, and a Caroling Party in December
(4)   The Moore-Hancock Log Cabin is a historic home which includes two renovated log buildings and a rock summer kitchen with a hand-dug well and root cellar. Located at 4811 Sinclair Avenue, this private residence is occasionally open for public viewing free of charge (for example, during the annual Rosedale Ramble).
(5)  Rosedale has its own active website, with much information about the community http://rosedale-na.org/.

 

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Belterra

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Northwest Office

Expert Knowledge from Alka Shah, REALTOR®.

 

Neighborhood
[Belterra Website]
The neighborhood of Belterra is a 1,600 acre vicinity located between the town of Dripping Springs and downtown Austin. There are 3 entrances, one off Highway 290 West, one off Nutty Brown Road and one off of Sawyer Ranch Road. There is a wide variety of Builders building fine homes (or that have built previously) in Belterra including (but not limited to) Buffington Homes, Newmark, Highland Homes, Wilshire and Streetman Homes. With 400 acres of open land, twelve unique parks, plenty of biking/walking trails, and a community recreation center, Belterra is settled around family life.

Belterra is situated right on the border to the Texas Hill Country, a scenic area that New York Times has called the number one vacation destination. There are many beautiful sights nearby such as Lake Travis, the Frio River, Pedernales Falls State Park, Enchanted Rock State Park, and the historic town of Fredericksburg.

At the present time, Belterra is broken up into ten sections, per the master plan. There is still much more land left to build on, however.

Location
[Map]
The Belterra subdivision is bordered by Sawyer Ranch Road on the west, Nutty Brown Road on the east, and Highway 290 on the north. (narticle.com), Belterra is just 6 miles to Capitol Metro and 25 min to downtown Austin.

Schools
Belterra is home to Rooster Springs Elementary, which opened in the Fall of 2007. The 12.5 acre-campus is located in the heart of Belterra and is within walking and biking distance for Belterra residents. Rooster Springs is part of the five-star award winning school district of Dripping Springs ISD.

Dripping Springs ISD received an Exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency. This is the highest possible ranking, awarded to less than 10% of Texas school districts. Dripping Springs was also recognized as one of the most efficient school districts in the state — one of only two Austin-area schools to achieve this rating.

Most Belterra residents send their children to:
Rooster Springs Elementary
Dripping Springs Middle School
Dripping Springs High School

However, there are many private schools in the area as well.

Price Range
New homes in Belterra range from $250k through $600k.  Resale homes range between $220k and $500k.

Amenities
The Belterra recreation center contains a work-out facility and a comfortable conference room. Just outside the building you will find a lap pool, a kiddy pool with a splash pad, and a sport court suitable for basketball or tennis. Well maintained nature trails for biking, walking or running and a variety of playscapes and parks make it easy for Belterra residents to be a part of the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Nearby Shopping
Only fifteen minutes away, Dripping Springs recently acquired a brand new HEB, Walgreens, CVA and Home Depot. In addition, there are other shops and restaurants in close proximity such as Reid’s Dry Cleaners, Jack Brown Cleaners, nail salons, hair salons, YMCA, miniature golf, and many unique local businesses. There is another HEB, closer to Austin, at the “Y at Oak Hill.”  Big Lots and Blockbuster are also at the Y.  Thirty miles west & south of 290 is the beautiful town of Wimberley.

Dining/ Entertainment
Only minutes away from Belterra, famous Nutty Brown Café is a restaurant and a concert venue in one. Nutty Brown Amphitheater welcomes numerous local artists such as Bob Schneider, the Randy Roger’s Band, and the Josh Abbott Band. Dripping Springs (15 min.) contains many varieties of restaurants contrasting from high end, to fast food. For higher end eating, there is the Creek Road Café. For family style, the choices include Hill Country Pizzeria, Domino’s, Flores, and Domingo’s. Sonic, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen and Whataburger are some of Dripping Springs’ fast food places. At the Y at Oak Hill (20 min.), there is Starbucks, Gatti’s Pizza & Subway.  A Four Star Trudy’s is now open across Belterra, http://www.trudysfourstar.com/

Six Fun Facts About Belterra
1) Belterra hosts a bike race every year.

2) There are many deer and rabbits that live in the open land of Belterra.

3) There are groups of ducks who reside in the beautiful pond close to the main Belterra entrance. Soon we’ll have duck crossing sign requested!

4) The Home Builder’s Association of Austin named Belterra the “Best Overall Community in Austin” in 2004.

5) The HOA sends periodic community updates & news through the community portal, Belterra Blast!

6) First phase of 106-acre Belterra Commercial is under way. The Preparatory School of Dripping Springs will open doors to a private preschool facility in Summer 2012,  http://www.theprepschools.com/

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Wells Branch

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Williamson County Office

Expert knowledge from Raymond Husser, REALTOR®.


What Makes Wells Branch SO Desirable?

Wells Branch is one of the most sought-after areas in North Austin. CNNMoney voted them as one of the top 100 places to live in the US in 2011. The location is great, the amenities are vast, the homes are affordable, and the properties have appreciated well throughout good and bad economies. It has easy access to IH 35, IH45/ 620, and MoPac (Loop 1). This allows great access to nearby shopping at La Frontera, The Domain, Lakeline Mall, and the Arboretum. Its location also puts it sandwiched in-between tech giants Dell, HP, and Paypal. The amenities in Wells Branch are vast and include but are not limited to disc golf, swimming pools, a conference center, a baseball park, soccer fields, beach volleyball, a community garden, tennis courts, a frontier village, community centers, hike and bike trails, and a community library inside the subdivision. At the activities center, there are fitness classes, youth programs, private classes, training courses, and rental opportunities for the event center. The hike and bike trail winds throughout the neighborhood and is widely used by residents for exercise, recreation, and relaxation. Single family homes in this area range in price from about $130,000 up to around $200,000 and consist primarily of 3 to 4 bedroom homes from about 1100 to 2500 square feet. Rentals range in price from $800-$900 for a duplex and $1200-$1700 for a single family home.

Schools

Wells Branch children go to several different schools all over Pflugerville and Round Rock. To make this simple, the easternmost portion of Wells Branch goes to Pflugerville schools and the westernmost portion goes to Round Rock schools. You have to be knowledgable in selecting where you buy so that your children go to the school that you want them to attend. The following schools are where your children may go:

Round Rock ISD: http://www.roundrockisd.org/index.aspx?page=602

            Wells Branch Elementary
            Deerpark Middle
            Chisholm Trail Middle
            McNeil High
            Round Rock High
            Cedar Ridge High

Pflugerville ISD: http://www.pflugervilleisd.net/dept/curriculum/acct/state.cfm

            Brookhollow Elementary
            Northwest Elementary
            Parmer Lane Elementary
            Westview Middle
            Dessau Middle
            Pflugerville High
            John B. Connally High

How Do School Ratings Impact Home Buyers?

When you’re looking for a home, whether you have kids or not, it’s always a good idea to look at the schools’ ratings. Historically, homes in good school districts have held their values better than homes in inferior school districts.

Subdivisions

Wells Branch MUD has several sections including Wells Branch, Bratton Park, Willow Run and Jacks Pond. The original section, Wells Branch, was started in 1981 and building continued until the mid-80’s. It is where the majority of the amenities like the hike and bike trail, community center, swimming pool, tennis courts, frontier village, duck and fishing pond and community library are located. Several streets in this section are also curb cut for bike lanes as well as having sidewalks for walkers. There are also several road crossings for where the trails wander throughout the neighborhood. The park in the center of this older section is where most events take place such as the annual luminaries which took place on December 9th and 10th of 2011.

The Bratton Park, Willow Run, and Jacks Pond sections were later added in the late 90’s. These are in the Round Rock school district and are comparable in size and price to the older homes in the original section. Several Parks are in the planning stages in these additions but currently there are no hike and bike sections in these areas. Willow Bend Park and Pool is now open year-round for lap swimming for all residents of Wells Branch.

New Construction!!!

For the buyer interested in a new home, to the northwest of Wells Branch, there is new construction going on by Pulte Homes! These homes are priced between $180,000 and $225,000 and range in size from 1200 to 2200 square feet. These homes will feed into the Round Rock schools that some students from Wells Branch will be attending.

 

More Information

Wells Branch is an exciting place to live in Austin with easy access to shopping, employers, roadways, and schools. You should choose your Realtor wisely when you decide to purchase or sell a home in this area as it has much to offer and many nuances that may affect the ultimate pricing of your home. I have repeatedly worked in Wells Branch and would like to help you with my knowledge of the area in assisting you with buying or selling your property. Call me for an appointment for a complimentary consultation.

 

 

 
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Canyon Creek

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Northwest Office

Expert knowledge from Dorothy Palmore, REALTOR®.

Neighborhood
[Canyon Creek Home Owners Association]
Canyon Creek is a residential neighborhood located in far northwest Austin, Texas. Balcones Canyonland Preserve gives the neighborhood of over 1300 homes a semi-rural feeling despite being less than four miles to major shopping and employment centers. The largest bisecting road is Boulder Lane, which winds its way through the picturesque, upper-middle class neighborhood of single-family homes. Boulder Lane is a loop, and crosses RR620 in two places (north and south entrances). The neighborhood is approximately 5 miles from Lake Travis and Lake Austin. Ranch Road 620 runs into the new toll roads of State Highway 45 at Lakeline Mall. Fast ways to get downtown is by taking 620 to 183 and going south. Another fast route is taking 620 to 2222 and then onto 360 to the left or the right.

Canyon Creek was former ranch and hunting land, and was developed by the Blanton Company in the wake of the savings and loan meltdown in the United States in the late 1980s. Perry Blanton and his company envisioned and developed a completely planned community filled with parks, hike and bike trails and a community pool. It contains significant protected habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-Capped Vireo, endangered species of birds. The neighborhood developed rapidly in the 1990s, and was completely built out by 2005. In the mid-1990s, residents led by Alan R. Weiss and others pushed for an elementary school, which was granted by Round Rock Independent School District. (Weiss later served on the Municipal Utility District Board and the Homeowners Association).

Location
[Map]
The neighborhood is in 78726 and is bordered by FM2222 on the south, RR620 on the west, Anderson Mill Road on the north, and a major headwater tributary of Bull Creek to the east as well as the Balcones Canyonland Preserve.

Schools
Canyon Creek is served by two School Districts, Round Rock Independent School District:

  • Canyon Creek Elementary School, a National Blue Ribbon school (Round Rock Independent School District) Principal is Eleece Moffatt. First PTA President was Dorothy Palmore.
  • Grisham Middle School, recently recognized as an International Baccalaurate World School (IB) Principal is Mary Brinkman and the school has over 700 students. Also students are able to learn French, Spanish and German starting in 7th grade.
  • Westwood High School, an Exemplary high school ranked number 45 ( 2011) in the U.S. News and World.

Leander Independent School District:

Canyon Creek also has nearby private schools:

Shopping
Lakeline Mall is less than four miles away, and three large grocery supermarkets (HEB, HEB-Plus, and Wal-Mart) are within two miles. Currently, a new movie theater, restaurants, and other small shops are being developed just south of the southern end of Boulder Lane on 620, across from Concordia University.

The neighborhood is notable for having two parks: the HOA park and Trailhead Park. Enormous protected lands surround Canyon Creek, yet it is in close proximity to Austin high technology employers. 

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Avery Ranch

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Northwest Office

Expert knowledge from Sarah Williams, REALTOR®.

Neighborhood
[Avery Ranch Home Owners Association]
Avery Ranch is an 1,800 acres master planned community in beautiful hill country of north Austin.  Avery Ranch now includes more than 4000 homes and is known for its excellent schools, 18-hole golf course, amenity centers, tennis courts, pools, hike & bike trails, and of course its proximity to downtown and ease of access to major thoroughfares in Austin.  It even has a location to catch the metro rail into downtown Austin if you want to save on gas!   This community stays true to Austin living.  It is an active community with numerous hike and bike trails, parks, springs, lakes, and the golf course.  Plus, it has localand popular Austin area restaurants like Z-Tejas and Waterloo.  Avery Ranch gives you the perfect balance of Austin city living and the ease of suburban living.  Come visit this community!

Location
[Map]
Avery Ranch is located in North Austin, two miles north of 620 on Parmer road.  It is just 25 minutes (19 miles) from downtown, 15 minutes  (10 miles) to the Arboretum/Domain area, and 30 minutes (25 miles) from the airport.

Schools
Avery Ranch is in both Round Rock ISD and Leander ISD.

Leander ISD
NaumannElementary School
Artie Henry Middle School
Cedar Park Middle School
Running Brushy Middle School
Vista Ridge High School
Cedar Park High School

Round Rock ISD
Forest North Elementary
Grisham Middle School
McNeil High School

Price Range
Avery Ranch is an affordable and established community.  You can find resale homes as low as $159,000 all the way up to $730,000.  New homes are still being built as well between the $180,000-$400,000 price range.  Homes measure anywhere from 1300 to 4800 square feet.Price per square foot ranges between $75 to $105.

Amenities
Avery Ranch offers numerous amenities including its 18-hole championship public golf course, multiple pools, five community centers, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, and basketball courts for pick-up games!  It also has an outdoor amphitheater for the local schools, organizations and community to utilize.  The best amenity Avery Ranch has to offer are the miles of hike and bike trails where you are surrounded by natural springs, ponds, lakes, trees and wildlife so you can enjoy your active lifestyle outside.

Nearby Shopping
Avery Ranch is close to many shopping venues.   Only 3 miles away will you find Lakeline Mall.  This malloffers all your large brand name stores (Dillards, Macy’s, Sears), with surrounding restaurants as well. Other stores close by include Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx, Kohls, Barne’s and Noble, and those are just a few.   One of the newest malls and shopping development in Austin, The Domain, is 10 miles away or 15 minutes!  You also have 3 HEB’s grocery stores within 5 miles or less, and a Whole Foods Market within 10 miles as well.  Your shopping will never end and best of all it is close by!

Dining/Entertainment
There are a large variety of restaurants within Avery Ranch.  The most notable local Austin restaurants to check out will be Z-Tejas and Waterloo.  You cannot go wrong!In addition to these great restaurants you have places to go to get your morning coffee or smoothie, snack on some ice cream, grab some pizza, and more all close by!  You have numerous choices for any type of meal you choose.

Recreation/Fitness
You will find many ways to keep your health and fitness in check at Avery Ranch.  Don’t skip out on going to walk, run, bike, swim or play at Brushy Creek Lake Park.  You have 90 acres of the park to explore and 38 acres of the lake to canoe, swim, or do SUP (stand up paddle boarding).  If you feel like hitting the gym you can check out Fitness 19 in Avery Ranch.  Or if you want a challenging workout check out the popular Austin Crossfit gyms near Avery Ranch – Woodward Crossfit (new second location at 9308 Anderson Mill), CrossfitWilco, or Crossfit Cedar Park.

Five Fun Facts about the Neighborhood

  1. Which two exemplary school districts that are a part of Avery Ranch?  Leander ISD and Round Rock ISD.
  2. What is Avery Ranch doing to keep the area “green”?  The Avery Ranch development made it a priority to conserve the natural habitat as much as possible.  There are many water quality ponds of grasses and wetlands, in addition to nine natural ponds afforded by the springs.
  3. What magazine rated Avery Ranch #1 for Best Golf Course Conditions?  Avid Golfer Magazine.
  4. What are some fun events for people in the Avery Ranch community to check out?  Movies in the park, harvest hay ride, neighborhood wide garage sales, golf tournaments, 4th of July festivals and more.
  5. What are some of the major employers nearby?  3M Company, Cisco, Ebay, Apple, Abbott Laboratories, Austin Diagnostic Medical Center Dell Computer, Cypress Semiconductor, Farmers Insurance, IBM Corporation, InterMedic, National Instruments, Rolm Corporation, Round Rock Hospital, State Farm, Texas Instruments, TimeWarner Communications, and Westinghouse Motor Company
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Stone Oak and The Preserve at Stone Oak

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Williamson County Office

Expert knowledge from Sonja Benyoussef, REALTOR®.

Neighborhood
Stone Oak and The Preserve At Stone Oak feature about 500-600 homes built from 1996 to early 2006 by builders such as DR. Horton, in the most recent years, and Milburn Homes, Continental Homes of Texas, Symphony Builders, and Doyle Wilson in the earlier years of the subdivision. The homes in this neighborhood are an affordable option for the entry level buyer who is looking for a home in West Round Rock.

Location
[Map]
Stone Oak and The Preserve At Stone Oak is located close to IH 35 North off of FM 1431 in West Round Rock adjacent to the subdivisions of Mayfield Ranch and close to Sendero Springs and Vista Oaks. It is located about 20 minutes from downtown Austin and 30 minutes from the airport. It is close to the new hospitals in North Round Rock and the new ACC.

Schools
Chandler Oaks Elementary is located in the neighborhood at the corner of Stone Oak Drive and Upper Passage Lane. It opened in 2010, has currently a little over 600 students and is rated “Exemplary.” Their mascot is the Cheetah, and their colors are red and gold.

Walsh Ranch Middle School is located in Walsh Ranch, at the corner of Walsh Ranch Blvd and Behrens Pkwy. It currently has about 1,150 students enrolled. It is rated “Exemplary,” their mascot is the wildcat, and their colors are green and gold.

Stony Point High School is for grades 9-11. Stony Point is located close to Sunrise Road and Tiger Trail. It currently educates about 2,540 students and rates “Academically Acceptable.” Their mascot is the tiger and their colors are blue and gold.

Round Rock High School, for 12th grade, is located along RR620 and Lake Creek Drive, close to IH35. It was built in 1987, has about 2,650 students, and rates “Academically Acceptable.” Their mascot is a dragon, and the school colors are maroon and white.

Price Range
Sizes of the homes vary from the lower 1,000 sq. ft. to the higher 3,000 sq. ft., but most homes range in the mid 1,000 to under 2,000 sq. ft. Prices generally range from the low $100K to high $100K, thus offering some of the most affordable options in West Round Rock in a newer subdivision. The tax rate is currently at 2.38%.

Amenities
There are 2 neighborhood parks with swimming pools. One is located on the corner of Stone Oak Drive and Upper Passage, the second is on the corner of Blue Ridge and Mayfield Ranch Blvd. Just a little further down the road off of FM 1431 and Sam Bass is Williamson County Regional Park. It features a track, basketball, and tennis courts, football field, picnic areas, a playground, and even a train for the kids during the sports season. It’s a great place to exercise or watch team sports on the weekends!

Shopping/Dining/Entertainment
Stone Oak is very close to shopping like the Round Rock Premier Outlets, and the Domain.  Both are newer outdoor malls that attract out-of-towners. Several movie theaters are conveniently in the area, as are new hospitals, and restaurants like La Madeleine, Mesa Rosa, Cracker Barrel, La Margarita, TGIF, Chuy’s, Salt Lick and Rudy’s BBQ, just to name a few!

Fun Facts about the Neighborhood

  1.  Stone Oak backs up to the massive “Texas Crushed Stone,” one of the largest quarries of limestone in the world; it produces over 10 million tons of crushed stone a year!
  2. Stone Oak features many greenbelt areas located throughout the neighborhood and open stone quarry fields.
  3. Some major employers in the area Scott & White Hospital, Seton Hospital, Austin Community College, Texas State University, and IKEA.
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The Woods of Brushy Creek

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Williamson County Office

Expert knowledge from Sonja Benyoussef, REALTOR®.

Neighborhood
[The Woods of Brushy Creek]
The Woods of Brushy Creek features over 700 homes that were built from the mid ‘80s until about 2001 by builders like Wilshire, Hammond Homes, Doyle Wilson and Milburn. There is a mandatory HOA fee of about $120 a year which covers the up-keep of the common areas. The HOA is managed by Goodwin Management.

The Woods is located in the Brushy Creek MUD district which supplies the water and refuse services, gas is supplied by Atmos and electricity by TXU Energy, or any other provider of your choice.  The Woods of Brushy Creek is a great middle class neighborhood that is very popular due to its reasonable home prices, great location and excellent schools. There is a great community feel, with residents taking pride in their homes and neighborhood!

Location
[Map]
The Woods is located off of RR620, East of Parmer, and is bordered by Great Oaks Drive, Neenah Drive and Ephraim Road.  It is located close to major roads like Parmer, Hwy 183, toll way 45 and IH 35. It is approximately 20 minutes from downtown Austin and 30 minutes from the airport using the toll way.

Schools
Great Oaks Elementary is located in the neighborhood at the corner of Great Oaks and Neenah. It opened in 1997, has currently about 900 students, and is rated “Exemplary”. Their mascot is the Gecko and their colors are maroon and navy.

Cedar Valley Middle School is also located in the neighborhood, at the corner of Cornerwood and Racine, it was built in 1993 and currently has about 1,190 students enrolled. Cedar Valley is rated “Exemplary”, their mascot is the jaguar and their colors are purple and black.

Round Rock High School is located along RR620 and Lake Creek Drive, close to IH35, it was built in 1987, has about 2,650 students and rates “Academically Acceptable”. Their mascot is a dragon and the school colors are maroon and white.

Price Range
On average, homes are priced from the low $100,000s, usually for the older and smaller homes, to the low $300,000s. The size of homes in this neighborhood ranges from about 1,300sqft to the high 3,000sqft. As of October 1st, 2011, about 47 homes have sold in this subdivision, with the price per square foot ranging from $59 to $105 and with an average of 68 days on the market. The tax rate is currently 2.58%.

Amenities
There are 2 neighborhood parks in the Woods of Brushy Creek. One is located on the corner of Racine and Monona, the second on Garrison Circle. There is a neighborhood pool on Ephraim Rd, which is usually very quiet and can be reserved for private pool parties. The annual fee is $140 for new residents, $120 for current residents. Or, you can visit the Brushy Creek Community Center on Great Oaks Drive and get an annual family pool pass for about $100 which will give you access to 4 area pools, Creekside, Cat Hollow, Sendero Springs and the newly opened Horizon Park pool. The community center also offers a gym membership and a vast variety of sports and other recreational classes for all ages. There are also many other public and neighborhood parks and trails in the area that can be enjoyed!

Dining / Shopping
Due to its convenient location, you are never far from shopping, dining and fun! The area features great restaurants like Mesa Rosa and Z Tejas.  H-E-B, several pharmacies, and St. David’s Hospital are just blocks away, and it is only minutes to Lakeline Mall and the Round Rock Premium Outlets. Even the Domain, La Frontera, and the Arboretum are not far at all, thanks to the toll way!

Fun Facts about the Neighborhood

  1. There is a bat cave on the grounds of the Brushy Creek Community Center.
  2. Are you an especially hairy individual? Great! Join us at the annual Hairy Man Festival in September at Cat Hollow Park and maybe you will win the grand price!
  3. Some major employers in the area are Freescale, Scott & White Hospital, Seton Hospital, Austin Community College, Texas State University, Texas A&M Health Science Center, and IKEA.
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Behrens Ranch

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Williamson County Office

Expert knowledge from Barbara McLaughlin, REALTOR®.

Neighborhood
[Neighborhood Association]
Behrens Ranch is proud of its natural surroundings on 500 acres of former ranchland.  It’s a great example of what an excellent master-planned community should offer. Residents and visitors enjoy gorgeous natural landscaping throughout the community and over 2 miles of jogging, bike and hike trails. Meandering, tree-lined streets and wide boulevards further enhance the beauty of the Behrens Ranch community. Behrens Ranch is less than 20 minutes north of Austin in Round Rock, Texas.

The City of Round Rock has received many accolades including the #1 city in Texas for business relocations and expansions as well as one of America’s “safest” cities in the nation. Money Magazine recently recognized Round Rock as the 7th Best Place to Live. With a population of over 100,000, Round Rock continues to grow and prosper.

Schools
Behrens Ranch is served by highly acclaimed schools in Round Rock ISD:

Price Range
Behrens Ranch is divided into seven unique neighborhoods with current home prices ranging from high $260’s  to $400,000 with luxury amenities.

Amenities
Residents enjoy a recreational pool, children’s playscape, picnic tables, barbeque pits and a covered party pavilion and clubhouse.  All this nestled under beautiful mature trees surrounded by open grassy areas.

Employment
Round Rock has evolved into a hub for economic growth with major employers such as Dell Computers, IKEA, Westinghouse, Scott & White Hospital, Seton Hospital, Austin Community College, Texas State University, Texas A&M Medical Health Center and Premier Outlet Mall, to name a few.

Nearby Shopping
Like to shop?  You are in for a treat with the Round Rock Premium Outlet, just minutes north of Behrens Ranch, and a host of other neighborhood shopping centers up and down the I-35 corridor.

Dining/Entertainment
Some of my favorites include Chuy’s for awesome Mexican food (come early on Sundays), The Cracker Barrel (because my husband loves biscuits and gravy),  Salt Lick BBQ (you can smell the hickory smoke as you drive by), Mesa Rosa – great TexMex food and a popular happy hour destination, The Blue Oak Grill serving its famous honey cornbread in a mini skillet and Carino’s Italian Restaurant that makes the absolute best Bellinis you’ll find anywhere!!!

The city of Round Rock, in addition to being one of fastest growing cities in the United States, is also known as the ”The Sports Capital of Texas.” You can’t live in Round Rock without going to The Dell Diamond, home stadium of the Round Rock Express, a AAA minor league baseball team.

Five Fun Things to do on the WEEKENDS!
1) Go kayaking at Brushy Creek Park.

2) Jet-ski or go boating in nearby Lake Travis.

3) Fish at Lake Georgetown.

4) Take the family for a picnic at Old Settlers Park.

5) Cool off at the Rock’N River Family Aquatic Center.

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Vistas of Sawyer Ranch

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Westlake Office

Expert knowledge from Julie Gualandri, REALTOR®.

Neighborhood
[Vistas of Sawyer Ranch]
The Vistas of Sawyer Ranch is located just south of US HWY 290 and west of Belterra, off of Sawyer Ranch Road. The 280-acre neighborhood opened in 2000. It has 201 homes and home sites, with all at least one acre. Many of the streets in Sawyer Ranch have lovely views due to the gently rolling hills in the area, and there is abundant wildlife.  If you want a larger lot but not necessarily an enormous house, you can find it here. Most of the homes are custom, and a few have been built as spec homes by builders such as Drees, Avi and Partners in Building. There are still lots available for sale.

Schools
The Vista of Sawyer Ranch is in the Dripping Springs ISD.
Walnut Springs Elementary
Dripping Springs Middle School
Dripping Springs High School

Price Range
Lots in Sawyer ranch range in price from $26K per acre in the front of the neighborhood, to $78K per acre in the back. As of summer 2011, resale homes in Sawyer Ranch ranged in price from $88.00 per square foot to $140.00 per square foot, depending on the location and the home.

Amenities
Sawyer Ranch has a community pool, pavilion, children’s playground and restrooms. The Pavillion can be reserved by residents free of charge. There is also a pond, located on Huck Finn Trail, which is accessible during daylight hours; and there are several acreas of greenbelt that wind through the neighborhood.

Nearby Shopping
Retail development is continuing along the Hwy 290 corridor between the Y at Oak Hill and downtown Dripping Springs. The Vistas of Sawyer Ranch is .5 miles from a new CVS pharmacy that just opened at Hwy 290 and Sawyer Ranch Road. Continue west 2.3 miles and you are at a new HEB grocery and retail complex that opened in 2010.

The neighborhood is 12 miles from the Y at Oak Hill, 14 miles from the Hill Country Galleria, 18 miles from Barton Creek Square Mall, and 19 miles from downtown Austin.

Dining/Entertainment
The nearest place to kick back and catch some Austin music is the nearby Nutty Brown Café, a fixture in Dripping Springs, at Hwy 290 and Nutty Brown Rd. The café sports an outdoor amphitheater and has live music most of the year. For kids, there is an enormous sand pile near the amphitheater. There are karaoke nights and a Jazz Brunch on Sundays.

There are two wineries in Dripping Springs: Bell Springs and Solaro Estate.

Other restaurants include:
Creek Road Café
Flores Mexican Restaurant
Rolling in Thyme and Dough (music on Thursday nights)
Koi Lantern
Grand Slam Pizza
Café 131
The Barber Shop Brewpub
Thirsty Planet Brewing Co
The Goodnight Diner

Fun Facts about Sawyer Ranch
1)  The developers of the Vistas of Sawyer Ranch paid homage to Mark Twain’s classic stories of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn when they named the streets. Tom Sawyer Road is a long loop that takes you to the back of the neighborhood, and other notable street names include “Becky’s Way,” “Huck Finn Trail,” White Wash Way,” and “Steamboat.”

2)  According to the neighborhood covenants, homes must be at least 2,400 square feet, and have 70% masonry on the exterior. Front-entry garages are no longer permitted.

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