East Austin is the most searched neighbourhood on our site for the third year running, and the questions are always the same: is it still affordable, where exactly should we look, and what is a bungalow really going to cost? Here is the honest version.

The lie of the land

“East Austin” covers a lot of ground. Holly, near the river, is the most established and the most expensive. Cherrywood and Blackland, north of Manor Road, are quieter and family-heavy. East Cesar Chavez is where the restaurants are; Govalle and Johnston Terrace, further east, are where the value still is.

What things cost

• Renovated 1930s bungalow, 2 bed: from $650,000
• New-build 3 bed with a yard: $900,000 to $1.2 million
• Condo in a small building: $380,000 to $550,000
• One-bedroom rental: $1,700 to $2,300 per month

Things we tell every buyer

Walk the block at 10 pm on a Friday. Check the tree canopy — it changes a summer. And look at what is zoned around the corner; East Austin is still changing fast, and the empty lot next door will not stay empty.

Elena has lived east of I-35 since 2009 and handles most of our listings there. Ask her anything.