Update: I was the 2nd person to contract to build in Edgewick in July 2007 back when it was just a…read moreconcept on paper--only a trailer and no model homes or homes of any kind existed. I moved in the 1st quarter of 2008 and so I am part of the group who has lived in Edgewick the longest. Edgewick's lots of lands and concepts are owned by Benchmark/Momark. They are the developers. They are very well known in Austin and have developed many award-winning communities (example: the Austonian downtown is their project) which is a good thing if you have any worries about Edgewick making it. I feel confident this community will build out eventually though the economic downturn has made things move slower than the original 3 year build out plan. Wes Peoples is the new builder. You can see that the new homes under construction are modern design so it does look a little funny next to the original homes that are not modern. Having said that from looking at the quality of work the homes are actually improved. Once the community is built out it will hardly be noticeable. From here I will break down a Pro and Con List. Let's start with Cons: --You are living in SE Austin in an area that has not yet gone through gentrification. There is crime in the area though not enough to stress about. There have been very random, minor break-ins with vehicles mostly in Edgewick in the past 4 1/2 years though I personally have not been affected. This happens all across Austin especially as the city grows. If this bothers you I suggest you might want to move to Hutto or somewhere out in the country away from people. --The HOA has been very dominant over the past 4 years. Luckily they have just recently started to form a "safety committee" so that we the people have more voice. On the one hand as a good thing the fact that they run such a tight ship means the community is kept in tip top shape. Just be aware that they are always "On" so don't leave shoes scattered, put your trash can away immediately, ect. --Carlson Drive was built by Edgewick and is still maintained by Edgewick. It was supposed to be a private drive meaning the gates you see now were supposed to close Carlson off on the back end of Edgewick. You can see lots of lots ready for houses to be built circling Carlson. However the city as of now is refusing to allow Edgewick to make Carlson private. This means the dog park is technically located outside the gates of the community and is being used by the public. Though I myself don't personally mind sharing the issue at hand is when stuff gets broken or stolen. This is costing Edgewick money and therefore us the homeowners money. --The pool can really get overrun with college students in the summer. This is because some of the units in the community were purchased by parents for their kids. The HOA has recently really cracked down on monitoring the pool and the number of people allowed in. Larger parties now have to get pre-approved permission. PROS --You absolutely cannot beat the location. You have 2 major highways at your disposal (Ben White and IH-35). Because we are south of downtown you don't have as bad of a traffic mess like other parts of Austin. Zipping across Woodward or Oltorf to South Congress and downtown is a breeze. --You don't share walls with your neighbor (though the units are built close together) and each unit gets a garage. --The pool now has wifi. The pool itself is really great and the commercial grill is awesome for cook-outs. --Our community is very quiet. Sometimes there gets to be activity on Parker but those units being built and sold now are away from Parker so they won't notice as much. When I'm home I work from home and love it. --In regards to long term value you need to know that the city of Austin is dedicating a lot of $$$ to revitalizing East Riverside Drive which is just north of Edgewick beyond Oltorf. The live music scene is already moving East. This means in the future the area around Edgewick will also improve bringing the value of Edgewick up. It also means lots of cool stuff coming close. --The #7 bus route has 2 stops outside the gates of Edgewick on Parker. This bus goes straight downtown and drops off on Congress ave!! I live on this bus during SXSW. It only takes about 20 minutes to get downtown on the #7 from Edgewick once on board. --It is easy to bike ride from Edgewick as we are just across the highway from everything cool. If you want to bike on the East side you can go down Parker road, and cross Riverside where there is a bridge. Lady Bird Lake is so close to Edgewick too. --My floorplan is now called the Penn. I added an extra bathroom so I have 2 full baths. I know I'm biased but I think this is the best floor plan as everything you need is on one floor save for your washer and dryer. This also makes it safe. If you have questions about our community feel free to PM me.

Got the fuck outta Edgewick. Dont move here. HOA is finally run by residents and unfortunately we…read moreinherited a mess. The budget was not managed well by the HOA company. Residents have recently been charged mandatory assessment fees of $1000 on top of the monthly fee to get the budget back to where its supposed to be. Monthly HOA fees were over $210 a month when left and they were about to raise them again. Landscapping is more absent than its ever been in this community. We usually get a once a year spring mulch replacement for every yard in the community around April that did not even happen this year for the first time in the eight years that I lived at Edgewick. So much turnover in neighbors, its hard to get to know anyone and many people rent their properties. Not much of a community. I would seriously reconsider moving into Edgewick. Dont get me started on the current lawsuit about structural construction issues on some of the properties.

While looking for a realtor for our first house my wife and I interviewed 3-4 candidates that my…read morefriends recommended. We picked Matt because he seemed to genuinely listen to our hopes / concerns and have our best interests in mind. This proved to be true throughout the home buying process, I felt like Matt was truly an advocate on our side the whole time. When Matt was unavailable his assistant Melissa was there to help us out, together they were very responsive at all times. It took us a few lost bids before we knew what we were doing as first time home buyers. However the end result was pretty much ideal, we ended up getting a house in the neighborhood we wanted (with very limited number of houses coming on the market), avoided a multi-bid situation in a very crowded market, and were able to get a significant concession from the seller. I honestly don't know how things could have gone any better for us. I wouldn't use anyone else!

The man associated with this business is not to be trusted, he hold his interests higher than those…read moreof the people he claims to help. Keep an eye out for how he manages your experience and money involved.

If you are looking for a real estate agent to buy or sell a house, call Rodney and Theresa. I used…read moreto do real estate investing, I know a couple hundred real estate agents in Austin. I will never, ever do another transaction in Austin without Rodney or the Keep Austin Weird team if I could possibly help it. Bar none, THEY ARE THE BEST. Rodney's team is the most amazing, most professional people I have ever dealt with in any capacity. My family was in a rough situation where we had to move out of our house in a little under a month and a half- including closing. Rodney and Theresa had a listing we were interested in, and when I spoke with them they actually LISTENED to what we wanted- they were the only agents to do so. After dealing with several other agents, my family agreed they were the only ones worth working with. We are a three adult family, and true to their name, Keep Austin Weird knew what to do with a poly marriage looking to buy a house. All three of us had VERY strong opinions on what we did and did not want. Rodney nailed a house that fit our budget and matched everything on three different Must Have lists, and three different No-Go lists. It was pretty spectacular- we found a house the three of us love faster than we found a car. On top of having magic skills at listening and finding our Unicorn House, or the Needle in the Haystack, Rodney and his team kept the transaction going along smoothly despite the most incredible series of setbacks. Our mortgage broker got really shady mid-transaction, and we ended up using Diana, who as far as I can tell is a Mortgage Fairy Godmother, who Rodney recommended. I was kept completely in the loop, which is what I needed as a control freak. Communication was amazing, and I just can't express what a fantastic job they did. The icing on the Awesome Cake- even after the deal was finished, everyone was paid, and they could have just ignored us- the second bathroom started flooding. I contacted them to find out if there was anything we could do. Rodney and Sarah completely took care of us. Not only had Rodney gotten us a Home Warranty as a gift at closing to cover it, when we found out there was a $6,000 to $8,000+ plumbing repair needed that was NOT in the seller's disclosure, Rodney went over ever shred of paperwork, called us daily with updates, and got everything ready for any sort of legal fight we might need to get into to get the issue fixed. After that, Rodney was able to negotiate a laywer-free agreement to get our house fixed without having to go to court, or spend any extra money out of pocket. If anyone tries to back out of doing what they've agreed, I know he's going to be on it like white on rice. I am a total do-not-trust-anyone control freak, and I can sit back and relax because I know he's going to take care of it completely, as well or better than I can. Do you know how many professionals I feel that way about? Zero. I trust Rodney with the largest financial purchase my family has made more than I trust the last doctor that performed surgery on me. Every professional Rodney recommended to us was incredible. Every interaction was amazing. He really *got* my family and our needs. We thought finding a house that had everything all three of us wanted and nothing on our No-No list was impossible- and he nailed it with the second house we looked it. His sense of humor and professionalism saved me from getting an ulcer on several occasions, and even AFTER the deal was done and he was paid, he's kept calling and making sure everything was set and everything was going great. If you go anywhere else, you're not getting the best. These guys are the cream of the crop.

This place is great, its a great starter apartment when you recently move to Austin. I have been a…read moreresident for 3 years now and I have to say no major issues. The price is great for people that don't care for amenities ie. Pool, Gym and all the other fancy stuff. I first started in a one bedroom and upgraded to the 2 bedroom 1 bath town-home. The complex is kept up for the most part, it isn't fancy but its great for the money. This complex is pet friendly. I guarantee that there are no apartments that are as affordable as this. You pay online, and you can submit work orders that are tended to almost the same day. As for the neighbors, everyone is very nice and respectful, I have never felt unsafe in the complex even being outside when its dark. No vehicle break ins which in my last apartment were very common, I am moving out in May to get a bigger space but I have to say it has been great, it has saved me money where rent in this area has significantly has gone up. Being so close to downtown and riverside popping up new and renovated business - its a great place to consider. :)

Now called Burl North, owned by Urban Flats. I took a risk and signed a lease here sight unseen,…read moreand so far I'm pleasantly surprised. I was scrambling to find the cheapest available 1BR, and I stumbled onto Burl North. For the price, I didn't expect much, but this is a gem. The management is polite, professional, and responsive. I let them know that my ceiling fan wasn't working, and maintenance came the very next day to install a brand new one. The maintenance guys were cool and even offered to clean up the debris from the job. Faux wood floors and a fireplace are a bonus, and all the appliances seem brand new! Did I mention Google Fiber is here?! This is a no-frills kind of place. No pool or gym, but I don't work out, and there are plenty of creeks and springs nearby for cooling down. Walking distance to HEB, Cafe Crème, good restaurants, and a quick bike ride to Town Lake. Neighbors are quiet and friendly. Grounds are well-kept. There's a small area behind the complex for your dog to do its business, and they even provide a waste station with free poop bags. Right on. Overall I'm really impressed with Burl North. I'll update this review after I've lived here a while.

I cannot say enough good things about Victoria and my experience with Smart City! I've worked with…read moreVictoria for the past two years, and she has gone above and beyond every single time to help me find an apartment that actually feels like me. Apartment hunting is incredibly overwhelming and stressful, the options out there are endless, and a lot of apartments are deceiving, but Victoria somehow makes the entire process feel so much less scary and so much more manageable. She is patient, attentive, incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely cares about finding the right home for me -- not just getting me into an apartment. I trust Victoria completely, which says a lot. I've sent her paragraphs of apartment requirements, questions, and probably way too many messages at all hours of the day, and she has always been incredibly patient and helpful. She listens to what I'm looking for, remembers the little details, and puts real thought into finding options that fit my needs. She has exceeded every expectation I could have had for an apartment locator. One thing that really stands out to me is that I ended up signing for an apartment that unfortunately no longer works with apartment locators. Even though Victoria wasn't able to be involved in the process in the same way, she has continued to be incredibly supportive and helpful. That really says everything about the kind of person she is. She genuinely cares about her clients and wants them to be happy, even when there's nothing in it for her. This was my second year working with Victoria, and the fact that I continue to come back to her speaks for itself. She has made what could be one of the most stressful parts of moving feel exciting and even fun. Victoria has set the bar incredibly high, and I would recommend her to absolutely anyone looking for an apartment in Austin. She is the first person I would send my friends, family, and coworkers to without hesitation. I'm so grateful for everything Victoria has done for me over the past two years. She is truly an incredible apartment locator, and Smart City is lucky to have someone like her representing the company. If you're looking for an apartment, ask for Victoria -- you will not regret it!

Jordan, was nice enough. But I had to give him the area I was interested in. He did very little…read morelegwork other than tell me what I already had found out. I gave Jordan the phone number to the management properly that I eventually rented from! I would not recommend Jordan or his company for two reasons. 1.) After explaining to Jordan what I was looking for a lower crime neighborhood and less transient people. Jordan recommended The Summit apartments where residents expressed numerous transient issues. (Jordan does not know the properties at all he is just in sell mode to get his commission) 2.) They, Jordan and Smart City, are just interested in "closing the deal" and have very little sway with the properties. They, Smart City, doesn't hit multiple properties. Smart city just pushes the properties on a preselected list where I suspect Smart City gets the most commission. The leadership cannot be that great if this is their business plan! Push the properties on their preselected list! Like I said I had to go to the neighborhood that I liked, 45th and Guadalupe, and get a flier from one of the properties and then call the properties listed on the flier. I ended getting the apartment on my own. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME.. Smart City only wants to close the deal and collect full commission on the least amount of effort on their part. I will not do business again with Smart City! Such a waste of time!

Many of you who follow my reviews closely know I am often considered The Final Authority on food…read moreand drink. But what many might not know is that my authority really stretches beyond food and drink, and can be applied to basically any business. I preface this review only because I want you to know that I am supremely qualified to review a property management company. In fact, no one is more qualified than me, The Final Authority. So let's start with the basics: does this company provide shelter from the elements? A resounding yes. Not only do these apartments have roofs, they are also equipped with all of the necessary walls and plumbing one might expect from a high end domicile provider. Say goodbye to running for cover at the first sound of thunder, these apartments keep you safe and dry. Every time. As far as the staff goes, they have won over my trust and I would be willing to give up all my possessions and vanity if it guaranteed their continual safety. In short, living in a Spearhead property will be the best decision you will make in your entire life. Thank you, The Final Authority

I spoke with the apartment locator about the fact that I was a full time student and needed a place…read morethat would accept a cosigner so the next day we went to the first Spearhead property location on South 1st and discovered that the apartment they were supposed to have open for us had been moved into...overnight??? WEIRD but whatever, I still had another place to look at. I really liked the other location and wanted to put in an application right away. The apartments were in the process of being remodeled and they told me that the specific unit I wanted would be ready before my move in date and until then they would discontinue work on the other units in order to have mine done. I got my application in that day. ***This is when things started to go south.*** For starters, the lease was beyond unprofessional. Normally there is specific terminology used in legal documents and contracts such a lease agreements. This one did not have anything of the sort. I knew I needed a separate form for my co-signer but they didn't provide one. I was confused on many areas and tried to call to get help but no one even once answered the phone. When I tried to Email no one wrote back. They sent me to another apartment complex (not either of the two we visited) where I was expecting to meet with a leasing agent to drop off the lease agreement. NO ONE WAS THERE They never called me back or returned my messages, instead they Emailed me. THEY ONLY EMAIL.I was starting to get very irritated and unsure of who I was doing business with. I never heard a real persons voice or saw anyone to direct my questions towards. I told them (still at this point I didn't know who "they" are) that I would feel more comfortable dropping of money in person because I didn't want it to get misplaced or stolen. They then told me that someone would be at the office this time when I dropped off the money. When I arrived not a soul was to be found, but I still left the money. When they finally Emailed me they told me I needed a co signer since I was a full time student...which is what I told them from day one. Never the less, I had my cosigner fill out the application and I was approved. If only things were that easy. Out of nowhere they told me I had to pay first months rent and send them my bank account information to process an automatic withdraw. WHHHHHHHAT???? Who does that??? I've rented at a lot of places and never once had to do this. I tried to call them again. STILL NO ANSWER. I was more than concerned. I had never met anyone one and they were asking for my bank account info? shady shady shady The lease was signed. I was approved. We had the move-in date set but it wasn't for two more weeks. Normally you pay the first months rent the day you move in. You get the keys and you fork over the money. I am cool with that. Cool as cool can be. I honestly had not anticipated paying two rents at the start of the month and had to wait for my next check. Plus, how was I supposed to be ok with giving a stranger my bank account info? Guess what happen though...THEY CALLED ME!!!! GRACIAS A DIOS! The first time I had ever spoke to someone. I told them my concerns and asked them if there was any other way to do things. They gave me a firm NO. WHYYYYYY did they not explain this all in the lease agreement???? This is important information. HELLO. I never would have agreed to that. After speaking with MALARY we agreed that I could pay the first months rent on the first of the month and I would give them my bank account info when I had the keys. COOL, everything is now peachy right? NOOOOOOPE A few days later she Emailed me saying they were backing out of the lease. Is this even legal? All my reservations were confirmed. They are shady people. I tried to ask why and all she said was "I think you should find someone you're more comfortable with." UUMMMM OK???? I had less than two weeks to find a place and she had all my deposit money. I couldn't have been more upset. EVER. I seriously regret ever giving these people a thought. They are never there. Do they even exist? Maybe they are vampires. WHO FREAKING KNOWS. I strongly advise against doing business with these people. SKETCH FEST. I would stay FAR FAR FAR away from these people.

Best Best Best agent in town. He helped us in our closing!!! I can't think of another agent to use…read morein Hays!

Allen helped me buy my first home. He is very knowledgeable on VA home loans and the entire home…read morebuying experience. He was there with me the entire way and I am glad he was my realtor.

Don't walk, RUN from this place. Especially if Joey is still the manager. He's all full of himself…read moreover being an apartment manager. lol. Maintenance is terrible, and the pipes are so old that they won't even let you screw on your hoses for your washer by yourself. You have to wait for them to come over and do it. When I was speaking with the guy who fixed my ac, he told me the unit was so old it shouldn't even be there. The pool is always closed, as well as the rest of the amenities. You are forced to pay for cable and internet whether you want it or not, and the same with valet trash. You have to pay rent for your pets, but not your kids, and you also have to pay a fee on top of the pet rent.

I do not recommend living here! I had a 10 month lease and I…read moream on my last month and as you can see in the first picture I have provided, I had my rent auto drafted for the full amount the first of the month. I received an email on the 5th of may saying my rent was late. I went to the office and asked the lady at the front, Mercedes, to confirm on her end that my rent was actually payed. She asked for my name and apartment number and confirmed on their end that it was payed for in full. I left the office and then received another email saying that my rent was not sufficient and was sent back to me ( it was in fact not sent to me) and then I was charged a late fee of $75 and a $128 late fee tacked on. I called the office and spoke to Mercedes and she said I wouldn't have to pay the late fees and that they did in fact receive the full payment and that she would speak to the assistant manager Molly and have her call me back informing me of this. The assistant manager called me and told me that the money was sent back to my account and that if I continued to not have it payed they would keep sending late fees. I told her that I have proof that it went through on the first and asked that the late fees ($75 & $128)be removed due to their error on their end and that my rent money be legitimately returned back to me. She told me that the bank will reimburse me of my money even though Riverstone ranch is responsible for my money not being processed till the 5th and my late fees and me not receiving my rent in full +$75 &$128. I work very hard for my money and it is my last month here and this mess up on their end is unacceptable and I expect not only that this is to be handled immediately, but that I hear directly from HR on how they are going to fix this issue. I hope this feedback is helpful to people that are looking for apartments in the south Austin area.