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Compass
2500 Bee Caves Road Building 3 | Suite 200 Austin, TX 78746 -
Ellevé Property Group
If you are thinking about buying in Tarrytown, you are probably weighing more than price alone. This is one of central Austin’s most established neighborhoods, and the appeal often comes from a mix of older-home character, large trees, proximity to Lake Austin, and easy access to parks and downtown. In this guide, you will get a practical look at what buyers can expect in Tarrytown today, from price bands to lot considerations to lake-access due diligence. Let’s dive in.
Tarrytown sits west of downtown Austin between Lake Austin and MoPac, and the Tarrytown neighborhood association describes it as a mix of historic older homes, estates, and bungalows in 78703. For many buyers, that blend is the point. You are not just shopping for square footage here. You are often choosing between charm, land, location, and long-term potential.
The area also stands out for its natural setting. According to the Central West Austin neighborhood plan, much of the neighborhood developed before modern environmental rules, and the area has a mature urban forest with about 51% canopy cover. The same plan notes that Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake are defining environmental features, which helps explain why Tarrytown feels so distinct from many newer parts of Austin.
Tarrytown is expensive by almost any Austin standard, but the numbers still vary more than many buyers expect. As of March 2026, Realtor.com’s Tarrytown overview shows a median listing price of $1.799M, a median list price per square foot of $703, 51 active listings, and a median days-on-market figure of 36 days.
Market pace can look a little different depending on the source. Redfin’s Tarrytown market page reports a median sale price of $1.23M, median sale price per square foot of $703, and about 61 days on market, describing the market as somewhat competitive. Redfin also notes that average homes sell about 5% below list price and go pending in around 61 days.
For you as a buyer, the takeaway is simple: Tarrytown is high-value, but not every property trades like a trophy estate. Pricing depends heavily on whether you are buying a condo, a smaller older detached home, a renovated bungalow, or a large estate property.
If you are entering Tarrytown around the $1M mark, your options are usually more limited than the neighborhood name might suggest. Based on current Redfin inventory, attached units and condos can appear from the high-$200,000s up to the $700,000s, while detached homes currently visible on the neighborhood page run from about $1.1M to $8.75M.
That means $1M in Tarrytown often buys an attached property, condo, or an older, smaller detached house, not a newly built estate. Many detached homes appear to cluster roughly between $1.3M and $3.5M, while estate-level homes can rise above $4M.
A few recent examples help frame the range. A 1950 single-family home on Griswold Lane is listed at $1.1M on a 10,781-square-foot lot. Another 1950 home on West 10th is listed at $1.325M on 8,146 square feet, while a 1934 estate on a 0.74-acre lot is listed at $8.75M.
One reason buying in Tarrytown takes careful planning is that the housing stock is not one-note. You may tour a smaller cottage or bungalow one day, then see a much larger estate property a few blocks away. Even homes with similar addresses can present very different renovation needs, lot opportunities, and value drivers.
Older homes carry a real premium when they have been thoughtfully updated. For example, a 1935 bungalow on Raleigh Avenue was fully renovated to the studs and sold in 2025 for $1.425M, according to Redfin’s property record. That is a useful signal for buyers who appreciate original character but want modern systems and finishes.
In practical terms, you are often deciding what matters most:
In Tarrytown, the lot can be just as important as the house. Current listings show interior lots that can be relatively modest, such as 0.187 acre, 0.25 acre, and 0.32 acre examples, while estate parcels can be much larger. That matters because lot shape, width, depth, trees, and site conditions all influence what you can do over time.
This is especially important if you are buying with future plans in mind. A remodel, addition, or rebuild may sound straightforward at first, but feasibility can change based on the lot envelope and applicable city rules. If you are comparing two homes at similar price points, the better site may be the smarter long-term buy.
This is one of the biggest questions buyers face in Tarrytown. Some homes have strong bones and real architectural character, while others may make more sense as lot plays. The answer is rarely one-size-fits-all.
Austin’s Residential Design and Compatibility Standards are intended to keep new construction, remodels, and additions compatible in scale and bulk with older neighborhoods. The city also continues to describe 5,750 square feet as the standard residential minimum lot size in related code materials.
There is also an age factor. Residential structures that are 45 years old or older require Historic Preservation Office review for demolition or exterior modification, and tree or root-zone impacts can trigger additional review. In a neighborhood with many older homes and mature trees, that can meaningfully shape your timeline, budget, and design options.
The Central West Austin neighborhood plan adds useful context here. It reports historic average home sizes in East and West Tarrytown at about 2,790 and 2,571 square feet, while homes built between 2000 and 2006 averaged 5,320 and 5,360 square feet. That helps explain why lot envelope, floor-area limits, and compatibility standards are such a major part of purchase decisions.
In many cases, renovation is often the better path when the house has sound structure, usable lot dimensions, healthy trees, and no major site complications. A teardown may make more sense when the existing structure is outdated or compromised and the site can still support a compliant rebuild.
Lake Austin is one of Tarrytown’s biggest lifestyle draws, but buyers should understand that not all lake-related properties offer the same access. Being near the water is valuable. Having direct rights or a slip can be even more valuable.
The city confirms that Walsh Boat Landing is a public boat ramp on Lake Austin. That is a meaningful amenity for residents who want practical public access, even if they do not own waterfront property.
At the same time, docks and shoreline modifications require formal permitting, and lots in the Lake Austin District face additional shoreline and impervious-cover restrictions. For that reason, waterfront homes or properties with deeded slip access are likely to carry a premium compared with homes that simply offer proximity to the lake.
Tarrytown’s location near creeks and the lake makes due diligence especially important. Some streets are within an active city flood-risk reduction area along Exposition Boulevard, Warren Street, Carlton Road, Mountain Laurel Lane, and Hillview Road. The city’s local flooding resources note that floodplains exist along every creek and lake, and projects in the 25-year and 100-year floodplains may require additional review and insurance considerations.
That does not mean every property in Tarrytown has a flood issue. It does mean you should verify site-specific conditions early, especially if you are considering renovation, new construction, or a property near known drainage areas.
A strong first-pass due diligence list includes:
Part of what makes Tarrytown special is how many amenities are packed into a central location. The neighborhood association highlights Mayfield Park, Tarrytown Neighborhood Park, Reed Park, Lions Municipal Golf Course, West Austin Youth Association, and The Contemporary Austin at Laguna Gloria as nearby or within the neighborhood.
Mayfield Park itself is a 23-acre preserve close to downtown, which adds to the area’s unique feel. For buyers, these places often shape day-to-day value just as much as the house itself. You may be comparing not only floor plans, but also park access, tree cover, and how easily a home connects to your routine.
The neighborhood association also references Casis Elementary, O. Henry Middle, and Austin High as local school references. If schools are part of your search, it is wise to verify current attendance boundaries directly with AISD before making any decisions.
Buying in Tarrytown usually works best when you enter the process with clear priorities. If your main goal is central location and neighborhood character, an older cottage or bungalow may be the right fit. If you want flexibility for a future expansion, lot dimensions and city review issues may matter more than interior finishes.
It also helps to think beyond headline price. In Tarrytown, the real question is often what a property allows you to do over the next five to ten years. A lower-priced home may still require major investment, while a renovated home at a higher price point may offer smoother ownership and stronger day-one livability.
If you want guidance on comparing cottages, estate lots, renovation candidates, and lake-adjacent opportunities in Tarrytown, Ellevé Property Group can help you evaluate the details with clarity and confidence.
Compass
Ellevé Property Group