4705 Hickory Holw, Austin, TX 78731

Amazing new price on this lovely home nestled in the rolling terrain of Cat Mountain. This hillside retreat has had many updated features and is ideally located on a lot perched over a private cul de sac just a few blocks from the HOA pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, and playground. Current HOA fees $60/month! Step inside to discover a beautifully maintained home, perfect for cozy evenings at home on the back patio in the wooded and landscaped backyard, or entertaining guests in grand style in the step-down living room with a fireplace and wall of freshly painted custom built-ins. Formal living with vaulted ceilings is open to the second floor loft. Views from the kitchen, second living and formal dining into a fenced backyard with custom xeriscape, patio, and lovely wooded green space. Owners enjoy frequent visits from area wildlife including deer, hummingbirds, butterflies. Recent updates in 2024 include freshly painted walls and trim, newly replaced shingles & gutters, new front door & recently painted garage with epoxy floors. Replaced garage door in 2023, garage has high ceilings and additional storage. The loft office at the top of the stairs offers shelving space, storage, and work surface area, providing ample space for creativity & productivity. The primary bedroom has a patio balcony for late night stargazing, and a lovely en suite bathroom with dual vanities, an oversized walk-in shower with a beautiful vertically textured glass wall, two walk in closets. Remote security system. Area wooded trails add to the many opportunities for recreation & relaxation. This location offers excellent proximity to downtown, fine dining, shopping (groceries, pharmacies, The Arboretum, The Domain), and cultural attractions, all just a short drive away. Local restaurants include renowned County Line BBQ, Chez Zee Restaurant, Tee's Doughnuts, Starbucks, and The Grove Wine Bar and Kitchen. Also in the area are HEB and Randal's grocery stores.

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.