Austin, TX Condo vs. Single Family Home - Which is more worth it?

[Stephanie Yokoyama]

Hi everyone!

I'm excited to post on BiggerPockets for the first time and get some perspective from seasoned realtors and investors with experience in the Austin area. I'm moving from Arlington, VA to Austin in May and would like to househack for about 2 years before either renting out or selling. I'm looking at properties in the 300k - 350k range which would mean either a condo in downtown Austin (would like to stay close to UT Austin) or a SFH ~45 minutes outside of Austin. Would love to hear any opinions on whether I should look at condos in downtown vs. SFH based on cash flow and appreciation? Thanks!

[Ryan Kelly]

@Stephanie Yokoyama welcome to Austin! If you plan to purchase a condo near UT Austin, I would be careful not to purchase in the campus neighborhoods where they will be filled with students. Many of them have lower prices because they simply are owned by parents to lease to their kids, then they sell them when the kids graduate to another set of parents. Party central. I would focus on east Austin or north-central Austin for a small condo if you want to stay in the city. Since you are new to town, you don't want to live far out. Even $300k-$350k is very tough to get a single-family home anywhere in the metro currently. Happy to chat about the market anytime.