Real estate Home Edition
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
2026
Readers, welcome to your annual Home Edition! There’s something personal about this Home Edition because the stories inside truly hit close to home. This month, we’re taking a closer look at the closure and repurposing of 10 Austin ISD schools. These campuses hold years of memories for many families, and changes like this ripple through entire neighborhoods. We’re also sharing insight into our local HOAs and the role they play in shaping the communities we call home. At the heart of it all is what makes Austin special; neighbors who care, stay informed, and show up for one another. Thank you for welcoming us into your home each month. And a special thank you to the local businesses who advertise with us. You make it possible for us to deliver free, local news to our community. Now grab a cup of coffee and enjoy this month’s Home Edition.
What's inside
Learn more about local Homeowners Associations in Austin (Page 17)
Krista Box General Manager kbox@ communityimpact.com
Discover how some Austin ISD campuses may be repurposed after closing (Page 18)
Check out annual real estate data for Central Austin homes (Page 20)
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While costing fees for homeowners and providing regulations, Homeowners Associations play a role in a homeowner’s investment by helping their property appreciate, said HOA management expert Peggi Brannon. “The benefit is that you’ve got a baseline contract with all of your neighbors that we’re all going to maintain the same standard of care, so we can all keep our property values growing and our net worth growing,” she said. HOAs often regulate things such as trash can visibility, landscaping and exterior maintenance, Brannon said. Most rules are in Local expert offers insight into area HOAs
In other news
HOA certificates in Austin counties
According to the Texas Real Estate Commission, information about HOAs, including the names and where homeowners can find rules, is required to be recorded with the county.
1,131
When the Texas Legislature meets every two years, various bill changes and new laws about HOAs are submitted. Some changes have included lessening restrictions on religious displays and a policy preventing HOA and Architectural Control Committee members from being married to one another.
585
195
39
17
Bastrop Caldwell
Hays
Travis Williamson
HOA legislative changes
SOURCE: TEXAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
A few HOA governance changes were made during the 2025 Texas Legislative session.
line with city ordinances. Factors that go into determining HOA fees include what land the neighborhood is built on and the association’s “cost of doing business,” such as pool or landscaping costs, legal fees for violations, and maintaining infrastructure. HOA management companies also don’t hold any decision-making power Associations are governed by resident-elected board members.
Expands protections for the installation of solar energy devices, like solar roof tiles Prohibits fines related to lawn maintenance during water restrictions or drought periods, and for 60 days after Requires electronic ballots, absentee ballots or voting by proxy to be allowed at membership meetings
SOURCE: TEXAS HOA LAW/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION
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