41 Comments Add your own

• 1. Rob  |  July 1st, 2008 at 11:38 am

  Actually this house is exactly the same as the other homes in agave - they’re all built to the same quality specs. Now, I will say that the current owner has invested a lot of time and money in paint, tile, and landscaping (not to mention the pool!!). Heather did a great job of making her house a home, it’s VERY, VERY nice.

  Rob

• 2. bp  |  July 1st, 2008 at 12:33 pm

  Really? My mistake if so.

  The pictures here of the cabinets and kitchen details seem of a much higher quality than the 4 show houses I toured earlier this year.

• 3. sybil miller  |  July 2nd, 2008 at 5:47 am

  The cabs on this house are essentially the same as on the others in Agave, as are the appliances (this has the appliance upgrade, so has a 36″ gas stove.). The tile on the kitchen bar is an owner upgrade and looks great. The pool is amazing! The basic houses in Agave are great canvases for owner upgrades. This one is a great example of that.

• 4. Bettina  |  July 2nd, 2008 at 10:53 am

  ALMOST all the houses in Agave were built to the same quality specs; polished concrete/bamboo floors, Silestone counters, tankless H20 heaters, etc.

  In regards to the cabinets, these are of a higher quality than the current IKEA standard. These are Wenge cabinets imported from Poland and are only found in the first 10-15 homes, out of the current 350-400 built so far. After that, the standard was and is the cheaper IKEA cabinets.

  The 6 burner Jenn-air cooktop/appliances are a definite upgrade as well, the standard is a 4 burner.

  I would also like to point out that not only did the owner spend extra time and money on paint, tile, landscaping and the pool, but also on a custom pantry, elfa closets in the master bedroom and even though all the windows are low e (an Agave standard) the windows in the living area here have been professionally tinted, and all entry doors have been frosted for extra privacy.

• 5. Senor Gomez  |  July 6th, 2008 at 6:40 pm

  above spec cabinets and closets? quite possibly.
  utterly awful taste in paint color? most definitely

• 6. Lauren  |  July 7th, 2008 at 7:46 am

  May I ask why so quick to sell after all of that hard work?

• 7. Chris  |  July 7th, 2008 at 10:19 am

  Let’s talk about the paint shall we? When buying a used home it is almost a given that you are going to paint the inside to match your taste. Just check out any home show on HGTV or DIY and you’ll hear that. No used home is going to be perfect or exactly what someone is looking for. This home has all of the amenaties one is looking for in a home, so it needs some paint, big deal. This home is leaps and bounds above the others (of same design) in Agave.

  Perhaps the owner is so quick to sell because they found something they really like more. Perhaps they found a bigger project and feel as if they have done what they could here. Maybe, just maybe, they found a different house at a price that was too good to pass. Maybe they outgrew it. Who knows?

• 8. diana  |  July 7th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

  Aww Senor G, why so harsh? Paint color is a very personal choice and also one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to modify the look of a home. So you don’t like the colors? Paint over em, simple as that.

• 9. JW  |  July 7th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

  Bettina, I’m not sure where you are getting the 350-400 number. Currently, there are less than 100 complete homes at Agave.

  Regardless, the house is amazing.

• 10. Gina  |  July 8th, 2008 at 9:32 am

  I am an Agavite and a friend of the sellers. I was also one of the first to live out here and received the same upgrades (stove, cabinets, etc.) so I know they do exist :)
  I am sad that Heather and Mike are leaving the hood, but they have very good reason and are ready to take the next step in their lives.
  And SENOR G, I wish I knew who you were so I could go see your house and your AMAZING taste! Austin Monthly Home featured this house in a recent article, if you would like the same opportunity please send me pics so I can see if your beautifully and carefully decorated home qualifies. From your vocabulary level I am assuming you aren’t 12, however your comment reflects otherwise.

• 11. Senor Gomez  |  July 8th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

  Gina, I’ve already reached the ripe old age of 13; certainly old enough, I feel, to be able to offer up my own opinions when I see fit. Merci beaucoup, muchacha!

• 12. Chris  |  July 9th, 2008 at 5:54 am

  Senor Gomez, perhaps the world would be a better place if people kept their opinions to themselves. To much negativaty in this world to be arguing over something as trivial as paint color. To quote Diana “So you don’t like the colors, paint over ‘em.”

  What dialect is that? Frenchish? Spench? I don’t seem to recognize it. I get it…you are showing how smart and grown up you are by combining French and Spanish. Well played.

• 13. sybil  |  July 9th, 2008 at 6:07 am

  have to chime in — the paint actually looks nice, and yes is easy to change if you don’t like it. the cabinets are the Polish ones, they came from the same factory as the Ikea cabs that are on the more recent homes, or so i was told. the first 15 or so homes all had the appliance upgrade (i’m guessing at the number, so don’t jump on me if i’m wrong!)
  for comparison, note that agave has a new model home open with the current appliance package and cabinets (not Ikea). with everything taken into consideration, Heather’s house looks amazing and is a great deal! if i didn’t already live in agave, i’d buy it myself.

• 14. Senor Gomez  |  July 9th, 2008 at 6:39 am

  Chris, give me a break, I’m only 13. As for your comment “perhaps the world would be a better place if people kept their opinions to themselves”, what a load of nonsense, the world would be an incredibly dull place.

• 15. Chris  |  July 9th, 2008 at 7:48 am

  You make a good point. But when people’s opinions are only used to break something down, or “hate on” (in your teenage dialect) it can only be negative.

  Speaking of incredibly dull places…what color is your world?

• 16. diana  |  July 9th, 2008 at 8:02 am

  It seems to go along with the friendly and informative nature of this entire (very informative and interesting) blog that maybe we should limit our comments to actual facts or discussions about the features of the house for sale as has been going on in earlier posts, and not PERSONAL OPINIONS on the paint selections in the home. Rather than saying the paint choices in the home are UTTERLY AWFUL (to quote you Senor G) - maybe you could have been a little less entirely NEGATIVE and more constructive and said that they are vibrant, modern, and bold and obviously not to your personal tastes or selections and not something you would have personally selected. If you would just change your attitude slightly and the tone of your posts I don’t think you would have seen such a backlash. It is entirely and totally OK for you to not personally like something if it is not your personal taste and to state that you don’t like it, but the way you phrased your comment was just plain RUDE, hence the backlash.

• 17. Chris  |  July 9th, 2008 at 8:06 am

  I think that does it! Well done Diana.

• 18. duncan pendergrass  |  July 9th, 2008 at 10:12 am

  Agave, what a total rip off. I understand that people are making the best out of the situation there. Just because you use certain materials and add a trillion windows doesn’t mean your home is modern. To me homes like this are creating a huge misconception of what modern homes are really about. All the renderings they had posted originally looked really good, I just do not feel like the execution was anywhere near the level it needed to be.

• 19. kay  |  July 9th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

  right on dunc.

• 20. Senor Gomez  |  July 9th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

  Duncan! So negative! ;)

• 21. diana  |  July 9th, 2008 at 1:10 pm

  Please do tell then, what are modern homes all about?

  The homes in Agave are uniquely and architect designed, crafted with modern and mostly sustainable materials, and much more energy efficient than most newly built non-custom (developer built) homes - tankless hot water heaters, metal roofing, energy efficient windows, bamboo flooring, etc. These are things you just don’t get in new build homes unless you are spending a lot of money.

  Certainly, they aren’t for everyone. But for someone who doesn’t want the typical new build cookie cutter house and who doesn’t have the time, energy, or money to do a ton of remodeling on a cool older house, (and for someone who doesn’t have half a million dollars to spend on a custom built “modern” home), Agave seems like a pretty damn good option. And personally, in my opinion, for the price point the designs are amazing. Just my $.02

• 22. duncan pendergrass  |  July 9th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

  Modernism should be based on a set of design principles and not be considered a “style” so many homes rely on a series of aesthetic embellishments that complete the checklist to qualify as modern. You are really just scratching the surface…….

  Duncan

• 23. diana  |  July 9th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

  Ok, I understand what you are saying. In that case, I just wish that your definition of “truly modern” homes were affordable to the masses. Agave seems to be just about as close as you can get in my meager price range.

• 24. Modern Austin » Wha&hellip  |  July 9th, 2008 at 3:37 pm

  [...] was surprised to see this post kick up so many comments.  It shouldn’t though given Agave seems always stir up emotions. [...]

• 25. Marv  |  July 9th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

  Wow, Duncan, unless your last name is Merriam-Webster, maybe you shouldn’t be so quick on the draw.
  You’re entitled to your opinion, as are we all, but as far as definitions of “Modernism” go:
  “Modernism: refers to the overall art movement from the late 1800s to the early 1970s in which artists were primarily interested in how they presented their artistic ideas and issues rather than reproducing the world as it appears visually. ”

  I live in Agave, in a house that I certainly consider “modern” because the architect (FAB) evoked a classic house style while challenging the preconceived notions of how the space should fit together. And I think it’s A) Freaking bgeautiful from a design standpoint; B) A tremendous value for the dollar, as the quality of base level materials is very good - IKEA cabinets and all; and C) is, as mentioned above, a blank slate for us to expand upon stylistically.

  But hey, if you can do better, then buy a chunk of land and have at it, buddy. Good luck creating something visually interesting at a competitive price point in a crap market.

  (If you can’t tell, I really like my house and my neighbors. And I’m just a touch offended when I see that referred to as “making the best of a bad situation” and then read a bunch of derisive garbage about the designs from some message board flame troll. Please resume leafing through your copy of Dwell, Duncan, and enjoy your herbal tea.)

• 26. brian  |  July 9th, 2008 at 7:11 pm

  I agree, in a less aggressive way with duncan. Agave seemed to start out as a really beautiful concept. I actually was going to get on board. Then the prices sky rocketed at the quality went down. I can totally understand how negative comments offend people who have created a community there.

• 27. David Mathias  |  July 9th, 2008 at 7:18 pm

  Sheesh, I know a troll when I see one! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll)

  Even though I’m partially color blind, my wife and I have loved what Heather did with her blank canvas of the Lawrence Group house since she first posted her photos. Congrats! It’s very hard work to both have a sense of design and carry off your vision.

  And that should be a warning to anyone considering purchasing that property or any other that shows as well as this one. Your money does not buy the furniture, genius or aesthetic. You’re just buying the shell. The rest is up to you!

  Let the Agaveites be, for God’s sake! And stop feeding the trolls!

• 28. Julie  |  July 10th, 2008 at 6:08 am

  Love the paint color, love the Agave houses, but the ones that were almost within reach of our price range weren’t designed well for family living. We talked ourselves out of them despite the fact that the thought of living in a community of mods sounds like heaven.
  Luckily the next week we found a 40-year-old MCM that was in our price range and perfect for a family!

• 29. kay  |  July 10th, 2008 at 8:02 am

  I wish my house was “freaking bgeautiful”.

• 30. kay  |  July 10th, 2008 at 8:23 am

  Perhaps you should consult Merriam-Webster.

• 31. Donnie  |  July 11th, 2008 at 7:19 am

  This bores me * yawn *

• 32. lucky  |  July 11th, 2008 at 7:59 am

  I think that the house is nice, not that I could ever afford the neighborhood or any home that fits my taste for good design..would love to see the floorplan though to get a better idea of what i am looking at. Anyone with a good eye can see past paint schemes and furniture choices, though I did find Senor G’s comment funny. If we all kept our opinions to ourselves, this house wouldn’t even be here to discuss

• 33. alana  |  July 11th, 2008 at 10:01 am

  As for the definition of modern v(s. Agave. )Agave is not done by one architect. Vicinia, the developer, utilized some of Austin’s top modern architects…featured in 4 page spreads of Dwell Magazine, featured on AIA modern home tours, heavily awarded and recognized in so many ways via print and television that I could take up pages: If you believe one not to be your definition of modern, perhaps you might simply choose another of the architects of Agave for your own home design. Here is a list…do your research…they truly are well-known as some of Austin’s TOP modern architects. Allow them to define “modern”, rather than us do it for them as each is known and awarded for their modern aesthetics: Emily Little, FAB, KRDB, Casa Bella, Rick Black, Lawrence Group, Eric Standridge, Salas Design Workshop, Kevin Stewart (I’m still missing one…sorry, can’t think of who it is!!)

  These are the architects of Agave.

  And just two corrections on what’s offered in Agave: they no longer have Ikea cabinets. They are actually more green-friendly and made by a designer who utilizes the rubber tree for production, and no stove in Agave is four burner. Even the standard oven is a double oven that is 5 burner and all stainless.

  You could upgrade to the Jenn Air as Heather did (and her house IS gorgeous…the pics dont do justice) but either way you have an amazing oven… at least a 5 burner, double oven minimum.

  Yes, the homes in Agave have doubled in price because of it’s buzz since the inception. You still have breathtaking views of downtown and are just 7 minutes away but have bamboo flooring, slate flooring, polished concrete w/aggregate flooring, stainless appliances, travertine shower surrounds with double head showers, silestone countertops, beautiful cabinetry, stucco….buzz creates value, perceived value increases pricing…it has.

  I know for a fact I paid twice as much for our home as one by the same architect, same square footage that was built initially in Agave. And I still feel my home is worth FAR more than what we paid. I still feel we gained TREMENDOUS value and the things we received in our home and the quality of building exceeded all expectations.

  things dont double in value in a year and a half for no reason.

  especially when they continue to sell well. There were 6 Agave contracts written this month.

  In spite of a slowing real estate market…people notice.

  Probably, too, why Agave was recently awarded the Grand Prize via Dreyer’s National Contest for “Coolest US Neighborhood” which will award the entire neighborhood with a huge icecream party in September.

  It was also a Chronicle pick for “Best Cubist Neighborhood”

  anytime you create something different there will be lovers as strong as there are haters because it’s not neutral.

  We live in Agave and sold a more expensive central Austin home that was increasing in equity 20% each year in order to do so.

  We, too, agree our home is “freakishly beautiful” and perfect. And would NEVER go back.

  I thank God every day at 5pm when I get to go home and, at 42, I’ve never done that before my entire life.

  It’s a lifestyle. Everyone in Agave knows everyone in Agave. It’s community. It’s a commonality of a love of art, modern, being unique…

  We consider ourselves blessed.

  It’s like a car or new suit though: you can’t tell anyone “this is a style you have to have” you just have to see if it’s the perfect fit for you.

  Agavites are vocal…because, for us, it REALLY is.

• 34. sybil  |  July 11th, 2008 at 11:11 am

  Missing Architect is Studio Momentum. They have three plans built in Agave. Yes they are a bit stripped down from the Studio Momentum houses you can see at various Metrohouse openings, but then the price is about half, even at today’s Agave prices. You can see floorplans for all the houses if you go to the agave website and click on “Homes”. This brings up all the architects and all the house plans.

• 35. Price Tracker  |  July 11th, 2008 at 11:15 am

  Prices in Agave most definitely have not “doubled in price because of it’s (sic) buzz”. They have not doubled, period.

• 36. David Mathias  |  July 11th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

  Yes, I’m going to have to call a foul on that statement, too. Good catch, “Price Tracker”. I think it’s a fair statement that the very first Agaveites under contract would see substantial return for their initial investment if they chose to sell today. It might even be true to state that, at resale, they might realize 30% to 40% return. But the number of those contracts would have been in the single digits relative to buyers in the entire tract. And some of those buyers dropped out or have already resold at an earlier point.

• 37. alana  |  July 14th, 2008 at 9:06 am

  oh, yes they have doubled!!! The same floorplan that was $150,000 is now $300,000

  Perhaps you and I learned math differently…but no matter how I add it, that’s double to me.

  The VERY first buyers actually have seen their prices double. Not sure where you got your info, but check the CasaBella 1590 on the first one sold and the last one.

  doubled.

  perhaps it’s best you “price track” differently. I have MLS comps and title company info. I work at a mortgage company.

  ANd I live in Agave so it matters to me.

• 38. Donnie  |  July 14th, 2008 at 9:19 am

  yet, another *yawn*

• 39. David Mathias  |  July 14th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

  Basing appreciation on preconstruction pricing is not relevant to anyone who is currently in the market to purchase a home in Agave. The preconstruction sales data were not in MLS, as Agave/Vicinia/Pauly Presley was keeping sales info very close to the chest. The only comps that were available for several years were the ones Agave chose to share.

  I will not quibble with the fact that the earliest buyers under contract have a lot of paper equity. That tells me that Agave was a good, but speculative, investment for the very first Agaveites who chose to ride out all the construction challenges several years ago. As far as I’m concerned, anyone who gave 1.5 to 2 years of their lives waiting for their Agave home to be built deserves every penny of that upside.

  The fact that the very first CasaBella has doubled from what the very first pioneers paid for it says nothing about how much additional upside potential there is for homes constructed today.

  Nonetheless, I think the Agave Design series homes are an inexpensive option for anyone looking for modern in the under $300K price point.

• 40. alana  |  July 18th, 2008 at 9:29 am

  Only the prices they chose to share? Why would they share the lowest prices? that’s silly.

  What they sold for are all over the place and easy to locate without going to the realtor. Granted, I have access to lots of info by working within the mortgage biz but there are articles, printed sales sheets, etc that were far from private. Each house price was advertised, blogs were written, there is public records, MLS records. Preconstruction prices vs current prices IS appreciation. But you certainly rarely ever see it continue to increase as Agave has. A builder can’t double pricing and sell if there is not supply and demand. Only demand enables pricing to double when the rest of the market is lowering pricing. Most subdivisions went down in pricing over last year…not double. So that argument…nopers. I hear ya, but it’s not what is beeing seen in real estate so this is a unique situation.
  Their prices were not “lowered” at the inception because it took awhile to build at that time. I personally bought after the prices had gone up…I knew it would still take a year to build my home but I loved the place and if I went to the architect I loved and built it elsewhere it was still a year’s time frame (but away from other modernists) so that wasn’t a choice I wanted. Now that the homes only take half the time to build as they used to, prices haven’t gone up THEN. They were already up…so, no that wasn’t it either…that they “deserved” a lesser price because they waited a year or more. No.

  I never once said that the prices are going to double next year. Or that what the pioneers had is comparable to comparisons today (I’m talking a year or two here in discussing equity increases. Why bring up Pioneers?? Apples? Oranges?) That’s not my argument. I simply pointed out that when home prices are lowering in so many places, doubling your value in a year means something quite nice is happening in your ‘hood.

  And there is a buzz.

  Which WAS my point.

  In fact, home sales in agave are at the highest they’ve been since it’s inception this month.

  So buzz factor…yeah. Me thinks.

  We’ll check back next year and compare.

  Or, if you’d prefer, 100-200 years from now so we can compare “what the pioneers paid” for what we have now and then what we have now to what they have in the future…oooo yeah.

  I’m sorry. I kid.

• 41. Alfonso The Magnificent  |  July 18th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

  my skull hurts from trying to make sense of that last post.

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