3 Things to Consider When Purchasing a Home on Lake Austin

If you have been thinking about buying a home on Lake Austin, you have probably been debating the pros and cons of different Lake Austin neighborhoods.  There are many different waterfront communities along the shores of Lake Austin, and they can have very different vibes. You have gated neighborhoods such as Bellagio Estates, and you have neighborhoods where it seems that anything goes such as Cuernevaca and Apache Shores. However, just because a home is in a Lake Austin community you like, does not mean that the property will be a home run for you.  You need to consider the characteristics of the specific property in addition to the qualities of the Lake Austin neighborhood.

How Many feet of Lake Austin Waterfront

​One of the most important things to consider when identifying a solid Lake Austin purchase is how much lake frontage does the home have?  Frontage on Lake Austin is scarce, and price is largely based on this figure.  You need to understand how much actual waterfront a specific property has in order to determine a fair asking price.  Also, is the property on true Lake Austin waterfront or is the property on a canal.  There's nothing wrong with being on a canal, but it is important to ensure the property is priced correctly based on the waterfront quality. 

Topography of the lake austin property

All lake frontage is not created equal.  Just because two parcels in the same neighborhood both have 100 feet of waterfront doesn't mean they are equal.  You need to consider the topography of the land and determine how accessible is the waterfront.  Certain areas like Rob Roy on the Lake have homes with easy, level waterfront and homes where you would need to scale a cliff in order to get down to the Lake.  If you are afraid of heights, you may want to consider the topography of the parcel before you waste your time going to look at a home that requires a steep tram to access the water.

What's on the other side of the Lake

Lake Austin is narrow, and you can see the other side of the lake from your boat dock. You want to think about what is across the lake from you.  Is the other bank attractive?  Are you facing vacant natural land?  If it appears that there are beautiful, unobstructed natural views from your dock, you want to do your due-diligence to see who owns the property.  If the property is privately owned, your beautiful views could turn into a massive development down the line.

Finding a property on Lake Austin that is perfect for you requires a competent agent with a hustler mentality.  Many of the properties on Lake Austin are not listed for sale on the MLS.  You need someone who will network with other agents, identify off-market homes, and ultimately show you all of the Lake Austin options, not just those that are on the MLS.

If you are ready to enjoy the best lake living in Austin, contact me today.