Intro to Cat Mountain HOA
by Ann Guidry / Austin American-Statesman
One of Austin’s most prestigious residential developments, Cat Mountain, is bordered by Cat Mountain Drive on the north, FM 2222 on the south, Mesa Drive on the east, and Westslope Drive / Twin Valley Drive on the west. Developed primarily in the late 1970s and early 80s, Cat Mountain has experienced a recent surge of interest and undergone something of a boom in new home starts. As a result, empty lots are few and far between. Many homes along Westslope / Twin Valley Drive provide homeowners stunning panoramic views of the Colorado River and the iconic 360 bridge. Other unique characteristics of the area include many zero lot line homes – typically the lowest priced homes in the neighborhood – and several multi-acre lots.
Cat Mountain’s location allows homeowners close proximity to many professional and recreational destinations. For example, a quick 10-minute drive will get you into downtown Austin, or, going in another direction, The Arboretum for shopping, restaurants and an independent movie theater. Boating enthusiasts can launch their vessels a mere 5-minute drive away at the boat ramp along the river, and techies are a hop, skip and a jump from the high-tech corridor. Further, thrill-seeking mountain bikers will find themselves right at home in the neighborhood as there are plentiful trails to explore. The Cat Mountain Homeowners Association serves the entire community and charges $42/month. The dues allow members access to the clubhouse, community pool, tennis courts, a basketball court, playground and picnic area, all of which are within walking distance of most homes. Residents also enjoy the heavily wooded natural beauty that defines the Texas hill country, including cohabitation with a large population of deer.
Homes range from the mid $200s to over $1,000,000 with the median price hovering around $450,000. The houses themselves vary in size from under 1,500 square feet to well over 5,000 square feet. Most homes are built with an average of two living areas, four bedrooms, and 2-car garages. Twenty-six percent of the homes come with a swimming pool. According to Kevin Scanlan, Cat Mountain homeowner and real estate agent, “Homeowners saw huge leaps in market value during Austin’s tech boom in 1999-2000, but unlike many areas in the city, this neighborhood did not see a significant decrease in home valuations with the subsequent recession. In most cases, increases in value have been more common.” Texas Gas Service is the main provider of gas, while the City of Austin takes care of electricity, water, and wastewater services. Austin Energy, a department of the City of Austin, provides the electricity and manages the customer service center for City of Austin utilities that includes billing as well as starting and stopping service.
The homes in Cat Mountain are served by the Austin Independent School District. Students attend Highland Park or Doss Elementary Schools, Lamar or Murchison Middle Schools, and Anderson or McCallum High Schools. St. Theresa’s Catholic School, a private religious and academic institution, provides education to pre-kindergarten through middle school students and is located in the neighborhood.