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10 Great Starter Homes in the Austin Area

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As part of Curbed's national feature on first-time home buying, we set out to find 10 great starter homes in the Austin area. That's Austin area—including its suburbs, which are often included in its market stats and population figures, as well. You know, where all the millennials are moving.

We set some rules for ourselves: all homes had to be at least 1,250 square feet in size, have at least two bedrooms, and be on the market for less than $250,000. We tried not to include any major fixer-uppers and kept an eye on factors such as yards, nearby, parks, and home layout that would be amenable to a growing family.

With those factors in mind, take a look at these 10 great starter homes on the market for $250,000 or less—and open your minds to the suburbs.

Map is arranged by proximity to Downtown Austin.

Estately.com was an invaluable source of information, and all photo credits are theirs unless otherwise noted.

• For lots more information on buying your first home, check out Curbed's brand-new guide, "Starter Homes 'R' Us." [Curbed.com]

Millennials Look to the Suburbs, Not Cities, for First Homes [Curbed.com]

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6808 Millrace Drive

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$185,000The neighborhood just east of University Hills, across Highway 290, has a number of ranch-style family homes like this one, which has the standard floor plan and looks to be in good shape. It’s within walking distance to District Park and Big Walnut Preserve and ideally located near major highways.1,594 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms.

11317 Lost Maples Trail

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$235,000This South Austin townhouse is big enough to be a starter home for a growing family and has a fair amount of green space around it. It also has lots of upgrades, including flooring, countertops, and kitchen cabinets, and is close to the South Park Meadows shopping areas and parks. 1,821 square feet, three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms.

2409 Christoff Loop

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$250,000Living inside the Austin city limits can mean sacrificing square footage, but this two-story brick home makes the most of it with an open layout and generous outdoor spaces, including a fountain.1,366 square feet, three bedrooms, three bathrooms.

1076 Sanders

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$235,000This 2013 build in Kyle, located off IH-35 about 25 miles south of Austin, has a big, open kitchen/living room plan with kitchen and bathroom finishes that appear to be in good shape. 1,848 square feet, three bedrooms, three bathrooms

685 Sampson

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$250,000This stately two-story Kyle home is across from a park and near community pools, a golf course, and an elementary school. It has granite counters and upgraded stainless appliances in the kitchen, crown molding, a large study downstairs with high ceilings—and five built-in televisions that convey. 2,189 square feet, three bedrooms, three bathrooms

12910 Candlestick Place

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$244,000This two-story family home in Lamplight Village near Parmer Lane has easy access to MoPac and IH-25. Built in 1979, it looks like it’s been nicely redone, especially the tile floors throughout. It also has mature trees on a decent-sized lot.1,954 square feet, three bedrooms, three bathrooms.

14105 Naruna Way

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$250,000Located Lakes of Northtown subdivision of Pflugerville, one of our favorite suburbs with a silent "p" at the beginning, is on nearly a quarter-acre lot, which backs to private green space. It has a huge family room open to kitchen. The listing says it's on a quiet cul-de-sac but also close to major highways. There's a pergola and covered patio out back, as well as security and sprinklers systems. 1,764 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms

904 Plumbago Drive

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$250,000Located on a cul-de-sac in Pflugerville, this two-story has formal and casual dining spaces and a kitchen that’s open to the downstairs living area, as well as an ample family room upstairs between bedrooms.2,274 square feet, three bedrooms, three bathrooms.

4118 Rimrock Drive

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$250,000The Lago Vista neighborhood on Lake Travis has its own charms that can’t be replicated in the central city. So does this villa-style home, with a tile roof and enclosed courtyard, as well as lots of upgrades.2,100 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms.

114 Broken Arrow Drive

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$250,000One for the outdoorsy types, this place has what looks like a big backyard and gated access to boat ramps, a fishing dock, and a community center and pool. It also has porches and balconies in front and back and an open floor plan, but the selling point for us is the wagon-wheel fixture over the kitchen island. 2,050 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms.

6808 Millrace Drive

$185,000The neighborhood just east of University Hills, across Highway 290, has a number of ranch-style family homes like this one, which has the standard floor plan and looks to be in good shape. It’s within walking distance to District Park and Big Walnut Preserve and ideally located near major highways.1,594 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms.

11317 Lost Maples Trail

$235,000This South Austin townhouse is big enough to be a starter home for a growing family and has a fair amount of green space around it. It also has lots of upgrades, including flooring, countertops, and kitchen cabinets, and is close to the South Park Meadows shopping areas and parks. 1,821 square feet, three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms.

2409 Christoff Loop

$250,000Living inside the Austin city limits can mean sacrificing square footage, but this two-story brick home makes the most of it with an open layout and generous outdoor spaces, including a fountain.1,366 square feet, three bedrooms, three bathrooms.

1076 Sanders

$235,000This 2013 build in Kyle, located off IH-35 about 25 miles south of Austin, has a big, open kitchen/living room plan with kitchen and bathroom finishes that appear to be in good shape. 1,848 square feet, three bedrooms, three bathrooms

685 Sampson

$250,000This stately two-story Kyle home is across from a park and near community pools, a golf course, and an elementary school. It has granite counters and upgraded stainless appliances in the kitchen, crown molding, a large study downstairs with high ceilings—and five built-in televisions that convey. 2,189 square feet, three bedrooms, three bathrooms

12910 Candlestick Place

$244,000This two-story family home in Lamplight Village near Parmer Lane has easy access to MoPac and IH-25. Built in 1979, it looks like it’s been nicely redone, especially the tile floors throughout. It also has mature trees on a decent-sized lot.1,954 square feet, three bedrooms, three bathrooms.

14105 Naruna Way

$250,000Located Lakes of Northtown subdivision of Pflugerville, one of our favorite suburbs with a silent "p" at the beginning, is on nearly a quarter-acre lot, which backs to private green space. It has a huge family room open to kitchen. The listing says it's on a quiet cul-de-sac but also close to major highways. There's a pergola and covered patio out back, as well as security and sprinklers systems. 1,764 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms

904 Plumbago Drive

$250,000Located on a cul-de-sac in Pflugerville, this two-story has formal and casual dining spaces and a kitchen that’s open to the downstairs living area, as well as an ample family room upstairs between bedrooms.2,274 square feet, three bedrooms, three bathrooms.

4118 Rimrock Drive

$250,000The Lago Vista neighborhood on Lake Travis has its own charms that can’t be replicated in the central city. So does this villa-style home, with a tile roof and enclosed courtyard, as well as lots of upgrades.2,100 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms.

114 Broken Arrow Drive

$250,000One for the outdoorsy types, this place has what looks like a big backyard and gated access to boat ramps, a fishing dock, and a community center and pool. It also has porches and balconies in front and back and an open floor plan, but the selling point for us is the wagon-wheel fixture over the kitchen island. 2,050 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms.