6501 Laurelwood Dr, Austin, TX 78731

Located on a .37 acre corner lot in North Cat Mountain, this lovely 2 bedroom, 2 bath brick home with a detached casita sits just minutes from Lake Austin. Beautiful exterior curb appeal with landscaping incorporating the front walkway, stairs, and brick entry patio, all connected through an automatic irrigation system. Recessed and gallery-style lighting complements crown molding details and beautiful cherrywood floors in the home’s open living room. Enjoy gorgeous windows throughout the living/dining areas along with an efficient Heatilator-style wood-burning fireplace as a dramatic focal point. The updated kitchen opens to the dining space and boasts custom soft-close cabinetry, quartz countertops, a high-tech Thermador induction cooktop, Bosch double convection ovens and dishwasher, a stainless farmhouse kitchen sink, and an under-cabinet microwave. Cherrywood floors continue into all bedrooms including the primary suite featuring a bonus sitting area that accesses the home’s patio and backyard. The primary bathroom is a true retreat with its modern double vanity, large walk-in glass and tile shower. An expansive, private changing room is located through double pocket doors (space can easily be converted back to a 3rd bedroom). Your guests will enjoy the utmost privacy in the home’s detached guest house featuring a kitchenette & full bath. A second garage with a dedicated driveway and a 575-square-foot air-conditioned workshop area is located at the rear of the property. Phenomenal backyard with fenced garden areas and room to play under the property’s mature trees with nothing but forested land behind the home. Standing seam metal roof. Situated steps from the Bull Creek Greenbelt Trail with close proximity to Austin Country Club, Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve, and Davenport Ranch shopping and dining. Easy access to Hwy 360!

Northwest Hills is a family neighborhood in 78731, built in the 1960s-80s on wooded half-acre lots between MoPac and Loop 360. Median home price $1.19M. Austin ISD schools — Doss Elementary and Murchison Middle rank among the district's best. 12 minutes to UT campus, 15 to downtown.

The housing stock is predominantly single-story ranch and split-level homes on lots averaging 0.3-0.5 acres with mature live oak and cedar canopy. Most original homes are 1,800-3,000 sq ft. A renovation wave has been updating kitchens and adding square footage without tearing down — the lot sizes accommodate additions well. Active listings typically number 15-25 at any given time.

Daily life revolves around the schools and the outdoors. Bull Creek for weekend wading, Mount Bonnell for sunset hikes (8 minutes from the neighborhood), Northwest District Park for soccer and the playground. Far West corridor handles weeknight dining — Saffron, 5280 Burger, Yamas. The Arboretum and Domain are 10 minutes north for shopping. HEB on Far West is the neighborhood grocery hub.

What makes Northwest Hills the family value play in Central Austin: Doss/Murchison school quality at roughly half the Eanes ISD price point, lot sizes that rival Westlake, and a 15-minute commute that beats the suburbs. The tradeoff is Austin ISD (good but not Eanes) and 1960s-80s housing stock that often needs updating.