I lived at this apartment complex from August 2006 to May 2007. Overall it was a horrible experience. With that said, let me go into more detail.

This apartment complex used to be called The Raleigh and was managed by a completely different company up until about November 2006. During that time, I had a few problems (leaky ceiling, crappy air-conditioning) including getting my car broken into. While these problems were annoying and upsetting, they could happen at many apartments, so I didn't worry too much about them. The management did not take good care of the place and seemed only interested in collecting rent money, and then 512 Realty took over.

At first, it seemed like a good thing. 512 Realty told us they were going to make "improvements" and offered residents the chance to terminate their lease early if desired. The staff was almost always friendly when you dropped by their office as well. Nothing much happened for a while aside from their painting the grey walls of the complex a lime green color.

During the spring semester, they finally began "improving" the complex. However, this was not to improve it for the current residents, rather, it was so they could more than double the rent price and try and pass the place off as a high quality apartment complex. Before I continue, I will say this: 512 Realty is solely and completely concerned about money, and as long as you aren't in their way, you probably won't have any problems with them, but if you are a resident living in a crappy apartment which they want to paint the walls and sell for more money, then you are in their way and you will probably suffer because of it. I'll list some of the problems I had during this time.

1. constant presence of construction workers except at night: not a big deal, but still unsettling, especially when you are just trying to get out of the parking lot or walk to class and they are in the way or staring at you

2. terrible noise problems: during the fall, I never had problems with noise, but during the spring I was forced to spend the majority of my time on campus just so I could study and get some peace

3. noisy neighbors: this problem could happen to anyone, however, the walls at this place were paper thin. I could often hear the conversations of my neighbor, and his music literally shook the walls so much that not even ear plugs or a loud TV could block it out. This was problematic because I sent in at least 3 complaints to 512 Realty and to the last day I lived there, the problem never completely went away.

4. parking problems: the parking lot is located under the apartments. There is a pool in the middle, open area now where there used to be more parking. As time progressed, there were less and less parking spots. In addition, the pillars and the small parking spaces made it very frustrating getting out at times, not to mention that if people didn't pay attention, they could potentially block you in. From march to may, there was always some sort of construction material or equipment blocking exits or parking spots. I mention these problems because even with the construction finished, parking still could be problematic and annoying for residents.

5. safety issues: let me preface this by saying I was never mugged, assaulted, or attacked on the property, which is obviously a plus. As time went on, there were numerous lights both in the parking lot and around the apartments which simply weren't on all the time. This made the place extremely dark in places and a sometimes scary trip when walking around at night. There are at least a few homeless people who roam the general area, but it is doubtful that they are a problem. It is important to note that not only my car was broken into, but many others as well. Make sure to lock your doors, roll your windows up, and make sure that there is nothing in sight which would entice a thief. I assume that they are implementing a more secure parking area, so that may not be as big of a problem (while I was there, the parking lot was accessible to anyone).

6. the image vs. the reality: When walking into the 512 Realty office, I was almost always greeted by friendly, young girls and guys (presumably college students) who at least pretended to want to help. When I was at my apartment, however, it was a completely different story. By the end of the semester, I increasingly felt like they wished I would move out or die instead of occupying one of their precious cash cows (AKA apartments). Why do I say this' When walking around the complex (to take out trash, go to my car, etc...), both the construction workers and the employees of 512 Realty would cast derisive stares at me as if I was a criminal. My car was blocked in multiple times. The day I moved out, two hispanic workers stood and stared as I carried stuff to my car, in addition to the group of workers fixing the entry area to the place who also cast mean stares in my direction.

7. of security deposits and prorated rent: A week before I moved out, a letter was distributed to all residents scheduled to move out that month stating that 512 Realty would be willing to pay $25 per day that you moved out early. My scheduled move out date was the 31st. I moved out on the 15th. 2 months later, I receive my security deposit back and nothing more. I am not pissed because I did not get the money (because I wasn't expecting it in the first place), I am upset because they were the ones who sent me such a letter and then failed to follow through on it. This is especially relevent for future residents of the complex because it has the possibility of happening to them.

PLEASE READ BELOW - SUMMARY

The apartments in which future residents will be living in are technically new. 512 Realty stripped out nearly all of the old parts of the apartments and built them new, only keeping the frame, wiring, plumbing, etc... Parking has the potential to be a major issue - it is a PAIN at this place. 512 Realty are an O.K. realtor, but always remember that they care the most about money, not about you. They would like most if you would just hand them the rent check every month and not bother them. I have listed the many problems I have had with them above. My advice and suggestion' For $1100-1300 a month (I think that's the new rent price), you and your roommate can find a better place, even near campus if you look hard enough. Do not fall into the hype that 512 Realty tries to spin. These apartments are definitely not sophisticated lofts, rather, they are merely refurbished apartments with a new coat of paint on the outside, and an awkwardly placed pool. Please think twice.

On a side note, 512 Realty Austin's website has a big banner stating that they were voted #1 realtor by UT Austin students. I am a UT student, and I lived on one of their properties, but not once was I asked or given a survey or poll asking me who my favorite realtor was. Nor was I contacted through my school e-mail with such a survey. In addition, nowhere on their site can I find a link or reference to the results of such a survey. Take their #1 status with a grain of salt. Some words of wisdom: nearly every realtor and manager of any apartment complex has the potential to be bad and the potential to be good. It is almost always based off of your experience with them. I had a bad experience. That doesn't mean future residents won't have a good experience. Such proclamations of #1 status are, in a word, bogus.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 06/05/2008
Actually I live at Lone Star and the "merely refurbished" apartments are very nice. New stained concrete floors, brand new light fixtures, brand new stainless steel appliances and a brand new washer/dryer in every unit. You get what you pay for here. Its a great complex.
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/04/2008
I used to live there during that same period. Everything said here is the absolute truth. If you see any bogus "positive' reviews, it is more than likely people from the realty company who come on websites like these and try to discredit the honest opinion of past tenants. They screwed over a lot of people at the Raleigh only to screw over even more people at the now white-washed Lonestar lofts. Don't be fooled, there's way better out there.

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