308 Ben Howell Dr, Austin, TX 78704

*Potential for a Custom Pool — Buyer to Verify Feasibility* At the center of two of South Austin’s most celebrated corridors, this home offers a location that is difficult to replicate. Walk to Summer Moon Coffee or Cosmic Pickle, explore the restaurants and shops along South Congress and South First, or reach the new SoCo H-E-B and Downtown Austin within minutes. Custom built by David Weekley Homes, the residence makes a strong first impression with its prominent corner presence and clean, modern farmhouse architecture. A covered porch, pitched rooflines, contrasting siding, and a standing-seam metal accent roof give the exterior character without feeling overdone. An expansive lawn, warm wood privacy fence, and restrained green front door complete the setting. Inside, wide-plank wood floors and abundant natural light carry through an open living, dining, and kitchen space. The intuitive layout balances gathering areas with the privacy and practicality of everyday life. A dedicated office with French doors provides a quiet place to work, while a built-in mud bench creates an organized transition from the garage. Set apart from the main living space, the primary suite features a trayed ceiling and a generous bath with a freestanding tub, walk-in glass shower, dual vanity, and oversized closet with direct access to the utility room. Upstairs, a spacious second living area offers flexibility as a media lounge, playroom, or private retreat. Two well-proportioned guest bedrooms are each paired with a full bathroom, including one en suite, giving family and guests comfort and separation. For the buyer who values thoughtful design as much as a remarkable location, this home rewards a discerning eye. Refined without feeling formal and practical without compromising character, it represents a confident choice in one of South Austin’s most desirable settings.

South Congress is the only street in Austin where you can buy custom cowboy boots, eat handmade sushi at a ten-seat counter, and watch 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats take flight from a bridge - all within a half-mile walk. That density of experience makes this neighborhood different from every other part of the city. It is a real neighborhood where people live full lives, and the commercial strip at its center happens to be the most photographed street in Texas.

The corridor runs along Congress Avenue south of Lady Bird Lake, roughly from the bridge to Oltorf Street, with residential streets extending east and west. Downtown is a ten-minute walk across the Congress Avenue Bridge. The Texas Capitol is visible from the north end. Perla's does coastal seafood on a patio that becomes a scene on weekends. Home Slice Pizza has had a line since the day it opened. Aba serves Mediterranean with a rooftop view. June's All Day handles the all-day cafe role. Otoko is one of the most exclusive dining experiences in Texas. Magnolia Cafe remains a late-night institution. Jo's Coffee is where the famous mural lives, and Lenoir offers a prix fixe wine garden.

Craftsman bungalows from the 1920s through 1940s give the neighborhood its character, with front porches and mature pecan trees. Modern condominiums line the avenue itself. Contemporary townhomes fill spaces between. Bungalows on decent lots start around $700,000 and can exceed $1.5 million. Condos range from the mid-$400s to over $2 million for luxury high-rise units with downtown views. Lot sizes for single-family homes are small, often under a tenth of an acre, which keeps the density high and the walkability real.

Travis Heights Elementary serves many addresses and carries a loyal following among families wanting a diverse, walkable community. Fulmore Middle School and Travis High School are the secondary feeders. The schools are urban public schools in the truest sense: diverse student bodies, active parent organizations, and programs that benefit from a central location. Some families supplement with Austin Montessori and other private options nearby.

The street itself is a walking experience: vintage clothing, record shops, galleries, and restaurants on both sides of a wide sidewalk. Barton Springs Pool is a short walk west. Blunn Creek Greenbelt cuts through the residential streets. The Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk puts residents on the water trail system without driving. The Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony draws crowds March through October. Social energy peaks on weekend evenings when the avenue fills and patios at Perla's and Home Slice spill onto sidewalks.

South Congress is not directly comparable to suburban luxury neighborhoods because the product is fundamentally different. East Austin has more new construction and grittier energy. Travis Heights is quieter with larger lots. Rainey Street has been consumed by high-rises. South Congress maintains a balance between commercial energy and residential livability none of those can match. The bungalows have proven to be strong long-term holds.

South Congress is for buyers who want to live inside Austin's cultural heartbeat. It works for couples, creatives, and professionals who prioritize walkability and social energy over square footage. It works for investors who understand that a Craftsman bungalow on a South Congress side street is one of the scarcest asset classes in the city.