Olympic Heights vs Hillcrest: Builders

Olympic Heights was built by DR Horton whereas Hillcrest was built by Buffington Homes and KB Homes. All three builders would be considered production builders, as they have limited floorplans and interior amenities to choose from. DR Horton and KB Homes are both large national builders while Buffington is a local Austin builder.

Olympic Heights vs Hillcrest: Size of Home for Your Money

Hillcrest is the clear winner here. You can find homes upwards of 3,500 sq ft in Hillcrest whereas the biggest home you’d find in Olympic Heights is just about 2,000 sq ft. But, in Hillcrest you have to go into each home to see how the floorplan is laid out. Some of the homes have strangely proportioned layouts and you’ll want to make sure your family will use the space.

Olympic Heights vs Hillcrest Schools

In the schools category, Olympic Heights wins out.

The ratings above reflect the 2011-2012 TEA ratings. Ratings are subject to change at any time and without notice. Confirm ratings and boundaries with the school district directly.

About ⅓ of Olympic Heights attends the same schools as Shady Hollow residents (a neighborhood most well known for its highly rated schools). The rest of the neighborhood attends the same elementary and middle schools as Shady Hollow and Akins High School. If you’re looking for the best schools, Olympic Heights is the clear winner.

Keep in mind, even though you may not have school aged children, schools have a great deal to do with keeping property values high. In 2011, the average price per square foot in Hillcrest was $69 whereas the average price per square foot in Olympic Heights was $108. Historically homes in the best school districts have held their value over time better than homes in inferior districts.

Olympic Heights vs Hillcrest: Amenities

Both Olympic Heights and Hillcrest have a community pool. Olympic Heights does have a jogging trail as well as some green space throughout the neighborhood. But, if all you are going to use is the pool, both pools are adequate. I would call this a draw.

Olympic Heights vs Hillcrest: HOA

Membership in the neighborhood’s HOA is mandatory for both Olympic Heights and Hillcrest. Olympic Heights HOA is managed by RealManage while Hillcrest is managed by Cap Stone. Both neighborhoods have HOA dues of around $33/month.

Olympic Heights Homes for Sale

Hillcrest Homes for Sale

More Info About Olympic Heights and Hillcrest

For more info about Olympic Heights, check out our Olympic Heights Neighborhood Guide. For more info about Hillcrest, check out our Hillcrest Neighborhood Guide.

Looking to Buy in Olympic Heights or Hillcrest?

We specialize in the area and know it well. We can save you time and money and help guide you through the process of buying a home. Check out our Austin Home Buyer Representation Program to learn more about us and how we’re different. Then, call us at (512) 827-8323 or email us at info@AustinRealEstateHomesBlog.com to schedule a no obligation consultation.

Enjoyed this Southwest Austin Homes Post?

Why not subscribe to our RSS feed, follow our site updates on Twitter @ATXREHomes or follow us on Facebook. ]]> http://www.austinrealestatehomesblog.com/homes/southwest-austin/olympic-heights-vs-hillcrest/feed/ 0 http://www.austinrealestatehomesblog.com/homes/southwest-austin/olympic-heights-vs-hillcrest/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AustinRealEstateHomes/~3/PEo9WZ0FccA/ http://www.austinrealestatehomesblog.com/homes/southwest-austin/exemplary-elementary-schools/#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:22:30 +0000 Rebecca Williamson http://www.austinrealestatehomesblog.com/?p=17576 Read More]]> Southwest Austin has become a highly desirable section of Austin, mostly because of its top rated schools and its proximity to Downtown Austin and UT. Parents who have children, or who plan to have children, can take advantage of the several Exemplary Rated Elementary Schools the area has to offer. Here are the 8 Exemplary Elementary Schools located in Southwest Austin.

Exemplary Elementary Schools Southwest Austin

• Baranoff Elementary – 78748 – Homes Near Baranoff Elementary
• Boone Elementary – 78749 – Homes Near Boone Elementary
• Clayton Elementary – 78739 – Homes Near Clayton Elementary
• Joslin Elementary – 78745 – Homes Near Joslin Elementary
• Kiker Elementary – 78739 – Homes Near Kiker Elementary
• Oak Hill Elementary – 78735 – Homes Near Oak Hill Elementary
• Patton Elementary – 78749 – Homes Near Patton Elementary
• St Elmo Elementary – 78745 – Homes Near St Elmo Elementary

Southwest Austin Homes for Sale Exemplary Elementary Schools

Exemplary Elementary Schools in Southwest Austin

The schools on the list above reflect the 2011-2012 TEA Ratings. School ratings are subject to change any time and without notice. Please confirm school ratings directly with the school district.

Looking for a Southwest Austin Home with Exemplary Elementary Schools?

We can help! We live in the area and know it well and can help save you time, money and stress. Check out our Austin Home Buyer Representation Program to find out how we’re different. Then, call us at (512) 827-8323 or email us at info@AustinRealEstateHomesBlog.com to schedule a no obligation consultation.

Bowie High School Neighborhoods Starting in the $100,000s

• Windmill Run
• Maple Run
• Southland Oaks

Bowie High School Neighborhoods Starting in the $200,000s

• Shady Hollow
• Oak Parke
• Legend Oaks
• Shadowridge Crossing
• Meridian
• Circle C
• Sendera
• Palomino Park
• Deer Park at Maple Run

Bowie High School Neighborhoods Starting in the $300,000s

• Bridges of Bear Creek
• Heights at Loma Vista
• Granada Estates
• Cedar Ridge Estates
• Covered Bridge

Bowie High School Neighborhoods Starting in the $400,000s

• Brodie Springs
• Lewis Mountain Ranch

Bowie High School Neighborhoods Starting in the $600,000s

• Granada Oaks
• Overlook Estates
• Estates of Lewis Mountain
• Overlook at Lewis Mountain
• Larson Estates

Bowie High School Homes for Sale

Search all homes for sale in the Bowie High School District using the map below.

Looking to Buy a Home in the Bowie High School District?

We live in the area and know it well. Check out our Austin Home Buyer Program to find out how we can help you find a home in Bowie High School District while saving you time, money and stress. Then, call us at (512) 827-8323 or email us at info@AustinRealEstatesHomesBlog.com to schedule a no obligation consultation.

Best Schools Don’t Always Mean Highest Price

Many think buying in a top school district means paying the highest price, which isn’t always the case. The list below has a whole range of homes priced from the mid $100,000’s to the multi-millions, making it affordable for someone in virtually every price range to find a Southwest Austin home in a good school district.

Southwest Austin Neighborhoods with Best Schools

Here are the Top 10 neighborhoods with the best schools in Southwest Austin. Each of these neighborhoods have Exemplary elementary schools and Recognized middle and high schools. Use the links to check out each of our neighborhood guides where you can find more info and search homes for sale.

1. Shady Hollow
2. Circle C
3. Meridian
4. Brodie Springs
5. Bridges of Bear Creek
6. Estates of Bauerle Ranch
7. Lewis Mountain Ranch
8. Estates at Loma Vista
9. Oak Parke
10. Olympic Heights

Something to Remember When Buying for Schools

Keep in mind school boundaries and ratings can change at any time and without notice. When buying a home, check with the school district directly to verify boundaries.

Southwest Austin Homes for Sale in Best School Districts

The map below shows an overview of Southwest Austin homes for sale in the best school districts. Click on the markers for more info.

Looking to Buy a Southwest Austin Home in the Best School District?

We live in Southwest Austin and know the area very well. Check out our Austin Home Buyer Program to see how we can save you money and stress. Then, call us at (512) 827-8323 or email us at info@AustinRealEstateHomesBlog.com to set up a no obligation consultation.

#1: Olympic Heights

Olympic Heights tops the list because of its top rated schools, well appointed homes, community swimming pool and mid $100,000’s price point. Olympic Heights has homes between 1,300-1,800 sq ft, making it ideal for a someone starting out or a small family. Its located off Manchaca Road just north of Frate Barker Road and is only 20 minutes to Downtown Austin.

A section of Olympic Heights goes to the same schools Shady Hollow kids attend, making this section an especially good value. The other section of the neighborhood goes to the same elementary (Baranoff) and middle school (Bailey) as Shady Hollow, but attend Akins High School instead of Bowie.

For more info check out our Olympic Heights neighborhood page.

Olympic Heights Homes for Sale

#2: Hillcrest

Hillcrest is located directly adjacent to Olympic Heights off Manchaca Road in 78748 and is the perfect choice for someone who likes the location of Olympic Heights but needs a bit bigger house. Hillcrest homes are upwards of 2,500 sq ft and sit on slightly bigger lots. Hillcrest is also known for its wide streets, community pool and walking trail.

For more info check out our Hillcrest neighborhood page.

Hillcrest Homes for Sale

#3: Rancho Alto

Rancho Alto is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a neighborhood with more of a new look. Homes were built in the last few years and have the upgraded features you would expect. The landscaping is new, so it hasn’t had time to mature quite like Olympic Heights and Hillcrest, but if your home is the most important factor in your home buying decision, Rancho Alto is not to be missed.

For more info check out our Rancho Alto neighborhood page.

Rancho Alto Homes for Sale

#4: Maple Run

Maple Run is the most northern neighborhood in our list, making it ideal for someone who wants to be as close to MoPac and Downtown Austin as possible. Maple Run was built in the 1980s and 1990s, so it’s had a chance to grow up and is especially attractive for someone looking for a unique neighborhood with charm.

For more info check out our Maple Run neighborhood page.

Maple Run Homes for Sale

#5: Cherry Creek

Cherry Creek spans a large area over 78745 and 78748. Cherry Creek is getting to the age where you’ll start to see a lot of remodels, some of which are quite nicely done. This revitalization of the neighborhood has made it much more attractive to people looking to live in an established area that has character.

For more info check out our Cherry Creek neighborhood page.

Cherry Creek Homes for Sale

Looking for a South Austin Home?

Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of home buyers find their dream home and we can help you too. Check out our Austin Home Buyer Representation program to find out how we’re different. Then, call us at (512) 827-8323 to schedule a no obligation consultation.

1800 Cinnamon Path has an open, but flexible floor plan and is perfect for roommates. With two bedrooms and one full bathroom upstairs and one bedroom and full bathroom downstairs, you’ll have some privacy.

Call (512) 827-8323 to Schedule Showing

78704 Duplex for Rent: Fast Facts

• Rent: $1,595
• Application: $50/person
• Deposit: $1,595
• 3 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• Approx 1,227 sq ft
• Stainless Steel Appliances
• Washer and Dryer Included
• Plenty of Closets and Storage Space
• Large Patio with Private Fenced Yard
• 1 Carport Space and 1 Reserved Off-Street Parking Space
• One Small Cat or Dog is OK. Weight Limit 20lbs
• Pet Deposit: $300 Refundable + $100 Non-Refundable

1800 Cinnamon Path A Pictures

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Where is 1800 Cinnamon Path?

1800 Cinnamon Path is located on Cinnamon Path at Del Curto Road. Its 1/4 mile away from South Lamar with popular restaurants like Matts El Rancho, Black Sheep Lodge and Maria’s Taco Express within walking distance.

1800 Cinnamon Path Apt A 78704 Schools

Kids who live at 1800 Cinnamon Path are served by the Austin ISD and will likely attend the following schools:

• Zilker Elementary School – Recognized
• O Henry Middle School – Academically Acceptable
• Austin High School – Academically Acceptable

The above ratings reflect the 2011 TEA Ratings. School boundaries are subject to change without notice. Please confirm with the school directly.

More Info About 1800 Cinnamon Path Apt A

1800 Cinnamon Path Apt A has not been listed on MLS yet. If you want to see it and lease it before you have too much competition, call us at (512) 827-8323 or email info@AustinRealEstateHomesBlog.com to schedule a showing.

Call (512) 827-8323 to Schedule Showing

Applications for 1800 Cinnamon Path Apt A, 78704

Ready to submit your application? Download our application to lease 1800 Cinnamon Path Apt A. Call us at (512) 827-8323 or email us at info@AustinRealEstateHomesBlog.com with any questions.

1015 E Yager Ln #86 is Move-in Ready

Bright, open living area with vaulted ceilings, large windows and updated laminate flooring. Perfect roommate plan with one bedroom and full bath upstairs and another bedroom and full bath downstairs. Backyard and patio with room for outdoor dining, garden, kids and/or pets. Two reserved parking spaces in front of unit. Well maintained complex with community pool. Minutes from Dell, Samsung, shopping, restaurants and gyms.

Highlights of 1015 E Yager Lane #86

Some of the highlights of 1015 E Yager #86 include:

• New Laminate Flooring Throughout Downstairs
• Bright, Open Floor Plan with Plenty of Light
• High Ceilings in Family Room
• Eat-in Kitchen with Room for 4 Person Table
• Perfect Roommate Plan with 1 Bedroom/Bathroom Downstairs and 1 Bedroom/Bathroom Upstairs
• Move-in Ready – Perfect for Investors or Owner Occupants

Coppertree Condos Complex Amenities

Coppertree Condos is one of the areas most well maintained complexes. The HOA is very active and makes sure the owners are maintaining the exterior of their units. Here are some of the highlights:

• 2 Reserved Parking Spaces Directly in Front of Unit
• Community Pool for Perfect for Lounging and Swimming
• Well Maintained Community
• HOA Maintains Landscaping – No Need to Do Yard Work!
• Near Restaurants, Shopping and Hotels
• Two Minutes from Dell and Samsung

1015 E Yager Ln #86 is the perfect place for someone looking for a short commute to Austin’s tech corridor at an affordable price.

1015 E Yager Lane #86 Photos

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For more info, visit our dedicated website, 1015 East Yager Lane #86, Austin TX 78753. There you’ll find more info, pricing and availability.

Looking to sell your Coppertree Condo? Check out Selling a Coppertree Condo.

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Though a professional photographer knows which angles are better than others, knows how to properly light the space and has the appropriate camera to capture as much as possible, they can’t hide dirty clothes, the pile of mail on the kitchen counter or the dishes in the sink. In order to get the most of the professional photography, here are some tips to help you prepare your home for the photographer.

A Month Before the Photographer is Scheduled

Pack everything you don’t use daily and put it in your garage or storage space. Keep as little out as possible to make your home look open and spacious. It is ok to use closets and garages to store stuff. Photographers don’t usually photograph these spaces and potential buyers understand you need to put your stuff somewhere.

If you have grass or plants, get some plant food (we recommend Eleanor’s Plant Food, sold online through Home Depot) and use liberally. Also, water regularly. This will spruce up your lawn and plants and make your home look more inviting.

A Week Before the Photographer is Scheduled

Clean everything and make it sparkle. This includes carpets, windows, ceiling fans, blinds, walls, baseboards, kitchen appliances, etc.

Once you think you have everything put away and clean, walk into each room and ask yourself, “Is everything I see something I want a buyer to see?” If the answer is no, keep removing things until the answer is yes.

Turn on every single light in your home. Check for burnt out light bulbs. If there are certain rooms that aren’t bright, install a higher wattage light bulb.

1 Hour Before the Photographer is Scheduled

• Turn on every light in your home.
• Put the blinds or shutters all the way down and adjust them to let some light in.
• Turn off ceiling fans.
• Make sure everything that doesn’t belong on the floor is put away.
• Hide mail, keys, magazines, books, remotes.

Kitchen

• Hide the sponges and dish towels
• Remove all appliances and kitchen utensils from the counter top
• Hide the trash can
• Take down everything from the outside of the refrigerator – this includes magnets, pictures and other decorations
• Hide kitchen rugs

Bedrooms

• Remove everything from tables and nightstands including alarm clocks, books, reading glasses. You can leave the lamps.
• Make the beds and arrange the pillows nicely
• Hide any trash cans, diaper genies and toys

Living and Dining Areas

• Put away the remote controls, books and magazines
• Remove everything from the tables and any open shelving – exceptions include lamps and decorative items
• Make sure pillows are arranged nicely

Bathrooms

• Remove everything from the bathroom counters – exceptions include decorative items
• Make sure towels are hung straight
• Remove towels from shower stalls or pegs
• Remove trash cans
• Put the toilet seats down
• Remove all shampoos, soaps, razors from the shower

Pet Items

• It is best to remove or crate any pets before the photographer arrives to prevent having them in every photo
• Remove all visible litter boxes, crates, pet bowls and any evidence of pets

Outside Your Home

• Remove cars from the driveway and, if possible, from the curb
• Hide all trash cans, recycling containers and any debris
• Mow the lawn, then remove all lawn equipment from sight
• Open umbrellas

We Hire a Professional Photographer for Every Home We Sell

Professional photography is so important that we use it for every single home we sell, not just the ultra luxury properties like most agents in town. When your bottom line can change $1,000 or more, we are willing to invest the money in the photographer to help you get that extra few dollars. For more about what else we do that makes our listing program the best in Austin, check out our Austin Home Sellers section. Then call us at (512) 827-8323 to schedule a no obligation consultation.

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Getting Pre-Approved Does Not Hurt Your Credit Score

Getting pre-approved should be the first step in the home buying process and should come before you start seriously looking at homes. The credit reporting bureaus and agencies understand people must get pre-approved for a mortgage loan before they buy a home. Its also very normal for several months to go by from when a buyer gets pre-approved to when they find the house they want to buy. Though pre-approvals impact each person’s credit score differently, its usually not more than a couple of points. If a couple of points in your credit score is the difference in qualifying for a loan, you might want to reconsider buying.

Bottom line – no matter how confident you are in your credit score, income and savings, get a genuine pre-approved first if you need a mortgage loan to purchase a home.

When Pre-Approvals Hurt Your Credit Score

When we say pre-approvals don’t hurt your credit score, we are assuming you’ve visited a select few mortgage lenders in a 2 week period. The credit reporting agencies will give you a 2 week (or so) period to run your credit for one type of loan with a few different banks/lenders and it will only count as one inquiry. What you want to do is lump all of them together in a short period of time. Don’t apply for a mortgage loan with a different lender every other week for the next 6 months, cause that will raise some red flags.

Our suggestion would be to speak to a few mortgage lenders (credit union, mortgage broker, mortgage banker) and select the person and/or loan program that suits your needs best. Then, have that person complete the pre-approval and run your credit. When buying a home, it’s important to have a person you can call and ask questions or seek advice.

My Pre-Approval Is Only Good for 90 Days?

Technically a pre-approval is good for a certain number of days, usually around 90. But, when the pre-approval expires, it doesn’t mean you are starting from square one. All you’ll need to do is submit updated W-2’s, paystubs, income statements and other supporting documentation and you should be good to go. That is, as long as you haven’t gone on any major shopping sprees or gotten yourself into a lot more debt. Submitting updated paperwork is much easier, and takes much less time, than getting a pre-approval from the beginning.

Waiting to Get Pre-Approved Could Cause You to Lose the House You Want

Even after reading this post, I’m sure there are still those of you who say your credit is great, you have a steady source of income and you’ll easily get approved for a loan. This may in fact be the case. However, keep in mind a pre-approval could take a week (or more) to get together. In neighborhoods where homes are selling quickly, this could mean the difference in you getting the house you want versus losing out to another buyer.

Plus, if you have mistakes on your credit report, those can take some time to remedy, even if they are mistakes. Getting pre-approved early will allow you time to correct any discrepancies and recalculate your score. (HINT: Free Online Credit Reports are not as detailed as credit reports run for mortgage loans. Getting your credit report online may not show enough for you to rule out mistakes.)

Considering Foreclosures? Pre-Approvals Are a Must

If you’re considering purchasing Austin foreclosures and bank owned homes, pre-approvals are a requirement to make an offer. Without a genuine pre-approval, your offer will be thrown in the trash. Banks only want to deal with serious buyers, not looky loos. A genuine pre-approval is as good as cash and shows your offer should be taken seriously.

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Radius Search

Say you’re looking to live within a certain number of miles from work, your favorite coffee shop, restaurant or zip code. All you have to do is type in an address or zip code in the Radius Search section of the Austin home search tool and then select how far you want to be. The tool will search homes for sale that meet those criteria.

Ask a Question

Ever have a question about a home for sale? Now you can easily ask a question. Simply click on the “Ask a Question” button next to the “Schedule Showing” button. Then, just type in your question and click “Send”. One of our Austin Realtors will get the answer as soon as possible.

Driving Directions

Want step by step driving directions to your favorite home? Simply scroll down past the pictures and the descriptions and click the “Maps” tab. Then, scroll down to the “Get Directions” button and click that. Then, type in your starting address and click “Go”. Turn by turn driving directions will then pop up. All without leaving our home search tool.

Have Suggestions for New Home Search Options?

Have a suggestion for a new option for our Austin home search tool? Email us at info@AustinRealEstateHomesBlog.com and we’ll send your suggestions to our developer.

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