3. Give Me That OldTown Charm

When asked to name an emblematic bestselling community in Austin, Texas, market researcher Ted Wilson doesn’t miss a beat—Mueller, located on the former site of the city’s airport. There are several builders in the community, but David Weekley Homes has led the pack, says Wilson of Residential Strategies. They had 127 starts from 2Q08-2Q09, very impressive for a down market.

One look at this project reveals why it’s selling at 10 a month compelling architecture for entrylevel homes. Weekley offers two home series here: one attached, one detached. Both feature eclectic, historic styles that mix warm South Texas limestone with metal porch roofs and classic shake siding.

The Row homes, which range from 1,562 to 1,967 square feet, start at $269,000. It takes only $30,000 more, or $299,000, to get into the smallest Yard home, which span from 1,437 to 2,221 square feet.

That’s a real value considering the short commutes to the University of Texas and downtown Austin, with its legendary nightlife and shopping. Mueller is five minutes to downtown, but it offers amenities that you would typically have to drive 1530 minutes out of the city to find, says Andrea Von Quintus, a marketing coordinator with David Weekley Homes.

Despite the proximity to entertainment, residents may not to want to leave this place. It includes miles of trails to hike and bike, along with an amazing 140 acres of parks and green space. It will one day be within walking distance of a planned town center with cafes, shops, and plazas.

Once again, the homes are built to green building standards, in this case to Austin’s Energy Green Building program. That means advanced lowE windows, high efficiency furnaces, a superior insulation package, and indoor air ventilation, among other features.

And buyers don’t have to forgo higherend finishes. Weekley offers fibercement siding, 30year laminated shingles, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances.

Von Quintus also attributes the success here to very livable floor plans, designed to bring light into the interiors, and a community plan that stresses sociability. High ceilings and a lack of interior walls create an environment of togetherness inside the homes, she says, and large, inviting front porches produce a sociable smalltown feel.

Project Name: The Mueller Row and Yard Homes

Location: Austin, Texas

Developer: Catellus

Builder: David Weekley Homes

Rate of Sale: 10 per month since July 2008

Price Range: Starting at $269,000

Product Type: Townhomes

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