Real Estate Blog

This week my email box was just too full to deal with each message individually. Many of you were asking for me to clear up my thoughts on investing in Austin based on parts or regions of the city. One writer said:

"I know what you like about north Austin -- bedroom communities, the school systems, the infrastructure. It's the place where people go when they leave Central Austin. I get that, but you seem to like South Austin a lot and I'm not clear why. What's up with that choice?"

Okay. Here's the order of my buying preferences by area:

- Central Austin
- South Austin
- North Austin
- East Austin
- West Austin

I don't want to muddy the waters any more, but West Austin comes in last because it's our version of Beverly Hills. If you're an investor with an eye on $500k to $1 million properties, we can talk West. But let's face it. Most of us are interested in duplexes and single family homes, not estates. West is just too rich for our blood.

So, back to South Austin and why it's my second choice. Simple. Easy access to downtown.

This one is based purely on flow of traffic. The number of avenues to get downtown. You're not just stuck with two routes, I-35 or Hwy 183. Any of the major arteries leading out of South Austin will get you where you're going. You don't have to get on I-25 or MoPac. Just cut up Lamar, 1st Street, Congress. You pick.

That's reason Number One. Excellent traffic flow.

Reason Number Two? Really just beautiful neighborhoods -- the ones that are established as well as the new areas like Shady Hollow and Circle C. Pair that with excellent school districts -- always a deciding factor.

And the Bonus Reason? The new F1 track that's going into Southeast Austin. That is where the city is embracing growth. Where a lot is going to be happening in coming years. The potential for appreciation there is just fantastic.

While evaluating investment areas may not be an exact science, you can build your choices on solid reasons. Those are my solid reasons to head south in your search for investment properties.