4502 Small Dr, Austin, TX 78731

This is an incredible opportunity for a well maintained, custom remodeled home on an oversized lot in sought after Northwest Hills. Rarely will you find a gorgeous, private corner lot that is 0.59 of an acre with dozens of Live Oak Trees. The approach and curb appeal are eye catching with a half circle drive, side entry garage, and modern lines that anchor the solidly built house into its native setting. Once you enter the home you are greeted with a quaint foyer that sets the tone for the stylish interior. A formal dining room is located at the front with fantastic built in features and a bar area for hosting guests for all occasions. The herringbone wood floors are a another striking feature in the main level and they grace all of the living space through the breakfast room and kitchen. The heart of the home is an open concept with a wonderful kitchen that overlooks the living space warmed by a cozy fireplace. The kitchen is a special place in this home for entertaining, gathering, and there is a seamless flow to the exceptional outdoor space. As you pass through the indoors, you will fall in love with the custom pool and hot tub that take advantage of the privacy of the oversized corner lot. You will never need to leave home when you can enjoy your own resort style pool to entertain family and guests throughout the entire year! As you continue through the interior, you will ascend to the second level which contains the bedrooms, office, and another playroom that works great for a TV room, kids play area, or flex space. There is a large, private office and the primary bedroom has been updated with custom built ins and a remodeled primary bathroom. The two guest bedrooms and play room are located up another small flight of stairs, and are tucked away from the remainder of the house. The house feeds to the highly sought after Highland Park Elementary School which is just minutes away, and the convenient location is so close to everything Austin!

The 0.59-acre corner lot at 4502 Small Dr in Northwest Hills Section 01 is anchored by dozens of mature live oak trees, creating the kind of private sanctuary that's vanishingly rare in central Austin. This 1978-built, custom-remodeled single-family home sits on a property that feels like its own neighborhood within the neighborhood, with a half-circle drive that sets immediate visual expectations for what's inside.

The architectural approach strips away typical framing to emphasize clean lines and honest materials. Brick and cement siding form the exterior shell, while herringbone wood flooring throughout the main level creates visual rhythm without looking designed. This isn't decoration layered on top of a house. It's the house itself speaking through its materials. The open floorplan moves naturally from the formal dining room (anchored by built-in shelving and a bar setup) through the breakfast area and into the kitchen, where sightlines extend straight into the living space and toward the fireplace. Two thousand four hundred five square feet of living space doesn't feel cramped here because the spaces connect rather than subdivide.

The second level contains four bedrooms and a dedicated home office, with the primary suite updated to include custom built-ins and a remodeled bathroom. A playroom or flex space occupies the upper level's tucked-away corner. The practical side: two-car garage, stone counters, full appliance suite, and a half bath on the main level. But the real shift in how this property functions comes from what's outside. A custom pool and hot tub occupy the southern portion of the lot, positioned to maximize the corner lot's privacy. The tree canopy above filters light. This isn't resort aesthetics imposed on a residential setting. It's the opposite. The residential setting has been extended outward.

The location sits within Austin ISD, feeding to Highland Park Elementary, Lamar Middle School, and McCallum High School. Small Dr places you minutes from the restaurants and retail along Anderson Lane and North Burnet Rd, while downtown is ten minutes east. At $590 per square foot on a lot this size in Northwest Hills, the property reflects both the custom renovation investment and the corner lot premium. Twenty-four days on market suggests smart pricing in a neighborhood where square footage and land scarcity drive decisions.

Cat Mountain takes its name from an actual geological feature - a ridgeline along the eastern edge that early settlers thought resembled a crouching cat. Whether you see the cat or not, what you will see from nearly every lot are unobstructed Hill Country views stretching west toward Lake Travis, and those views are the reason people pay what they pay to live here.

Cat Mountain occupies a prime stretch of northwest Austin between Loop 360 to the east, FM 2222 to the north, and the western reaches of the 78731 zip code. Downtown is about 15 minutes via 360 to MoPac, and the Arboretum sits less than 10 minutes north. The 360/2222 intersection anchors daily errands. Lake Austin is accessible from nearby boat ramps, and the western edge backs up to the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, which means your backyard neighbor might be a golden-cheeked warbler rather than another family.

The housing stock reflects three decades of custom building on hilly terrain. Texas Traditional and Ranch-style homes account for about 35%, often featuring single-story layouts with limestone exteriors and covered patios oriented toward western views. Mediterranean homes make up 25%, with stucco facades and barrel tile roofs. Hill Country Contemporary designs represent roughly 20% and tend to be newer builds. Lot sizes range from a third of an acre to a full acre. Most homes fall between 2,500 and 5,000 square feet, with pricing from the high $700s for dated homes up to $2.5 million for updated custom builds with strong view corridors.

Cat Mountain feeds into Austin ISD, specifically Doss Elementary and Murchison Middle School, both carrying strong academic reputations. Doss draws families from across the 78731 zip code, and the school's performance is a consistent factor in home values. For high school, most students attend Anderson High School, which offers International Baccalaureate programming. Some families opt for private schools like St. Andrew's Episcopal or Regents School, both within a short drive.

The lifestyle centers on the outdoors. Bull Creek District Park is essentially the neighborhood's back yard, with swimming holes, hiking trails, and shade. The 360 Bridge Overlook sits at the southern edge. Mount Bonnell is a short drive north, and Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve offers guided nature walks. For dining, Chez Zee has been the neighborhood bistro for decades, serving brunch and comfort food. Siena Ristorante Toscana handles date nights. Jack Allen's on 360 is the reliable weeknight choice. County Line on the Lake does barbecue with water views, and Roaring Fork serves upscale Western American food.

Cat Mountain is more affordable per square foot than Westlake Hills and Rob Roy to the south, which carry Eanes ISD premiums. It offers larger lots and more mature landscaping than newer developments in Steiner Ranch or River Place. And it provides a more residential setting than Great Hills to the north. The tradeoff is that some homes from the 1980s and early 1990s may need roof replacements, HVAC updates, and kitchen renovations running $100,000 to $200,000.

Cat Mountain makes sense for buyers who want Hill Country views without moving 30 minutes from downtown. It fits families who value Doss Elementary and Anderson High and do not want the Eanes ISD premium. And it works for anyone who prioritizes natural setting over manicured suburban aesthetics. If walkability matters more than views, look at Tarrytown or Rosedale. But if you want to watch the sunset from your back porch and make it to a downtown dinner in 15 minutes, Cat Mountain is hard to beat.