Brio Apartments Austin Review: A 2023 Greystar Build That Accepts Evictions and Broken Leases

A 336-unit Greystar property in Pflugerville shouldn’t accept evictions. It shouldn’t take broken leases. And it definitely shouldn’t be running 6 weeks free on top of already competitive rent. But Brio does all three. That’s why it keeps ending up on my lists.

I track screening criteria across 1,000+ Austin-area properties (TX #679806), and Brio keeps coming up for one reason: it’s one of the only newer builds in Pflugerville where you get flexible screening AND modern finishes, washer/dryers in every unit, and a gated community. Most properties built after 2020 auto-decline anything that looks risky. Brio doesn’t.

But here’s what the listing sites won’t tell you: the location is car dependent, the towing policy is aggressive enough to show up in dozens of reviews, and a couple of recent move-ins went sideways because the apartment wasn’t ready. Let’s get into the numbers.

Quick Facts

Brio has roughly 345 reviews across four platforms. The numbers are solid: 4.3 on Google, 4.6 on ModernMsg, 4.1 on Apartments.com, and a single 4.0 review on ApartmentRatings. But the screening flexibility is the part that matters most here. I’ll break down exactly what that means for your application below.

Best For

You have a broken lease or eviction and don’t want to live in a rundown property. This is the biggest reason Brio lands on my short lists. Most properties that accept evictions and broken leases are older communities from the ’80s and ’90s with dated finishes. Brio was built in 2023 with quartz counters, stainless appliances, and washers and dryers in every apartment. You’re not trading quality for approval. If you’re dealing with a screening issue and still want something modern, this is exactly the kind of place I send people. Check out our full list of second chance apartments in Austin if you want to see what else is out there.

You work in the north Austin tech corridor and want a short drive to work. Brio sits right off E Olympic Drive in Pflugerville, roughly 8 miles from the Domain and 6 miles from the Apple campus area. If your daily drive is north of downtown, this location works. South Austin or downtown? It doesn’t.

You have pets and are tired of weight restrictions. No weight limit. Three pets allowed. $250 pet fee and $25/mo pet rent per pet. That’s lower than what most Pflugerville apartments charge for pets. If you’ve got a large dog that keeps getting you denied at other communities, Brio won’t care about the weight.

You want new construction at below market rates. ApartmentFinder puts Brio’s rent at 12% below similar apartments in the area. Add the 6 weeks free special on 1BRs and the net effective drops even further.

Skip If

You need to be close to downtown Austin. Brio is about 16 miles from downtown. In rush hour, that’s 30-45 minutes on I-35. If your life revolves around downtown, this commute will get old fast.

You don’t have reliable transportation. Brio scores a 30 out of 100 for walkability on Apartments.com and a flat 0 for transit. There’s no practical public transit here. You need a car. Period.

You’re particular about parking enforcement. Towing complaints come up in 8-10 reviews on Google and ModernMsg. People have had their cars towed even when they thought the vehicle was registered correctly. If strict parking rules stress you out, know what you’re walking into.

Ready to See If Brio Fits Your Situation?

I can tell you whether your income, credit, and rental history match Brio’s screening before you spend the $75 application fee. If it doesn’t line up, I know which nearby Pflugerville properties will work better for your profile.

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Location Deep Dive

What’s Actually Nearby

Brio sits on E Olympic Drive in Pflugerville, just east of SH 130 and north of Wells Branch Parkway. You can handle daily errands fine by car: there’s an H-E-B about 2.5 miles south on Wells Branch and a Walmart roughly 3 miles away. The Stone Hill Town Center shopping area is about 4 miles north with restaurants, retail, and a movie theater. For quick meals, there’s a cluster of food options along Pecan Street and Pflugerville Parkway within 5-10 minutes.

Lake Pflugerville is about 3 miles north, which gives you trail access for walking, running, and fishing. Northeast Metropolitan Park is close too. Like spending time outside? This part of Pflugerville delivers on that front.

The nearest hospital is Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Pflugerville, about 3.7 miles away (6 minutes by car). Schools are Pflugerville ISD: Pflugerville Elementary, Bohls Middle, and Pflugerville High are the zoned campuses.

Commute Math

The north Austin commute is Brio’s sweet spot. Anything north of the river is 20-30 minutes in traffic. Downtown and south Austin get ugly fast, especially during rush hour on I-35.

Neighborhood Vibe

This part of Pflugerville feels suburban and quiet. “Peaceful,” “calm,” and “no loud neighbors” show up in 30+ reviews. It’s not walkable, and there’s no nightlife nearby. What you get instead is space, relative quiet, and a neighborhood that’s still building out. More stores and restaurants keep opening as more people move in.

One thing to flag: Pflugerville doesn’t have the restaurant and entertainment options that central Austin does. If you want walkable dining and bars, this isn’t it. But if you want to come home to a quiet community after work and not fight for parking, that’s what you get here.

Pricing and True Cost

Floor Plans

Pricing pulled August 2026 from the property’s listing data and ApartmentFinder. These numbers move, so confirm before you apply.

Net Effective Rent: The Real Number

Here’s where the math gets interesting. The current special is 6 weeks free on base rent for 1 bedrooms, plus a $750 gift card if you lease within 48 hours. Let me run the numbers on the cheapest 1BR (A2A at $1,202/mo):

• 6 weeks = 42 days free
• Daily multiplier: (365 – 42) ÷ 365 = 0.8849
• $1,202 × 0.8849 = $1,064/mo net effective rent
• That’s $138/mo in savings over a 12-month lease, or $1,656 in total savings
• The $750 gift card is separate on top of that

You still qualify based on the full $1,202 base rent at 3x income, not the net effective. So you’d need to show $3,606/mo gross income ($43,272/year or about $20.80/hour full time) to qualify for this plan.

Fee Breakdown

Required Fees (everyone pays):

Optional Fees:

What You’re Actually Paying

A renter in the A2A (1BR, $1,202 base rent) with one pet and covered parking:

• Base rent: $1,202
• Mandatory monthly fees: $36
• Pet rent: $25
• Covered parking: $50
• True monthly cost: $1,313

That’s $111 more than the advertised base rent. With the 6 weeks free special applied, the net effective true monthly cost drops to about $1,175. That’s a 2023 build with laundry in every apartment, gated access, and you’re still under $1,200 a month after the special. Hard to argue with that math.

Want to Compare This Property’s True Cost to Nearby Options?

I run these numbers for every property I recommend. If Brio’s total cost is higher than you expected, I can show you where else in Pflugerville you get similar quality for less.

Get Started with Your Free Search →

Screening Criteria

This is where Brio stands apart from most properties at this price point. Built in 2023, managed by Greystar, gated community, modern finishes. On paper, this is the kind of property that should auto-decline anything that isn’t spotless. But it doesn’t.

What Brio Accepts

Brio’s own listing straight up says it accepts:

• Evictions (lookback period not published; likely reviewed individually)
• Broken leases (same as above)
• Misdemeanors (type and recency likely matter)

That’s a rare combination for a property this new. Most newer Greystar builds have stricter screening. Brio is likely looking at these one by one instead of running an automatic decline. So your story matters. If you have an eviction on your record and want something newer than a 1990s wood-frame property, Brio should be on your short list.

Income Requirements

If you don’t hit the 3x mark, Greystar usually lets you bring on a guarantor who earns 4x the monthly rent. That opens up more doors, especially at broken lease apartments where the screening is already more flexible.

Credit Expectations

Here’s what most people don’t realize about Greystar credit screening: Brio doesn’t publish a minimum credit score, and Greystar doesn’t put a hard number in their qualification paperwork either. Greystar’s own blog says most of their properties look for around 620. Below that, expect higher deposits or a co-signer. But Brio isn’t a typical Greystar property. It accepts evictions and broken leases, which puts it in a whole different category. Based on how second-chance screening works across the Austin market, here’s what I’d expect:

• 600+ credit: Smooth approval with the standard $500 deposit
• 550-599 credit: Likely approval with a higher deposit or guarantor
• Below 550: Tougher, but they do review individually, so it’s worth asking. A third-party guarantee will probably be needed

I’d always call the leasing office to confirm before applying. Greystar properties can vary on exact thresholds even within the same city.

What Gets You Denied

Even with flexible screening, some things will still get you turned down:

• Active property debt (money you currently owe a previous landlord)
• Sex offenses on the registry
• Fraudulent application information
• Not enough income and no guarantor to back you up

Here’s What I Tell Clients About Applying Here

I can tell you whether your specific profile is likely to clear Brio’s screening before you spend $75 finding out. If Brio looks tight for your situation, I know which other Pflugerville communities have more flexibility. And if you’ve got bad credit on top of a broken lease, that changes which properties we target and how we structure the application. I can walk you through it.

Resident Reviews Decoded

Brio has roughly 345 reviews across Google (136), ModernMsg (180), Apartments.com (28), and ApartmentRatings (1). Here’s what the patterns actually tell you:

One thing to know first: Yelp still has an old listing for “Brio Apartments by Pinnacle Property Management” marked as closed. That means Brio started under Pinnacle before Greystar took over. Some of the earliest negative reviews (the A/C issues and communication complaints from about a year ago) may be about the old team, not the current one. Under Greystar, the reviews have been mostly good.

Review Pattern Analysis

What’s Working

Here’s something you don’t see often: the leasing staff is the story here. Diana Vences (Assistant Manager) shows up in 40+ reviews by name. Isabella “Bella” Santisteban appears in 25+. That’s not normal. Most apartment communities are lucky if one staff member gets mentioned a handful of times. At Brio, people go out of their way to write about these two. Miguel on the maintenance team gets his own share of praise too, with 8-10 reviews calling him out by name.

Maintenance is fast. Most standard requests get handled within 24-48 hours. A lot of the reviews are in Spanish, and Diana’s bilingual service comes up as a specific plus.

What’s Not

Towing. It keeps coming up. People keep getting their cars towed even when they think they registered the vehicle correctly. The contracted tow company patrols the property, and the enforcement is strict. One person was out $300+ for a tow on what they say was a registered vehicle. But here’s the other side of it: at least one reviewer said “security has been my main concern” because of too many unregistered vehicles on the property. So the towing is partly a response to a real parking problem.

Pests are a smaller issue, but it keeps showing up. One Google reviewer reported gaps in baseboards and weatherstripping that were never fixed, leading to ants, beetles, and roaches. Other review sites mention the same thing. The property does charge $5/mo for pest control, and they spray on a regular schedule. But if the actual gaps in the construction haven’t been sealed in your unit, spraying only does so much.

The trash situation comes up 6-8 times: valet trash piling up on days when pickup doesn’t run, trash near dumpster areas, and the valet trash fee itself ($25/mo) being a sore spot.

One good sign: management responds to almost every review, positive and negative. The responses are signed “Your Brio Team” and actually address what the reviewer said. That’s better than the copy-paste template responses you see at a lot of communities.

The Uncomfortable Truth

No listing site is going to write this section. I am, because I’d rather you know before you sign than find out after you’ve moved in.

The Towing Policy Will Cost Someone $300

This isn’t theoretical. It’s happened to multiple people who thought their vehicles were registered. The contracted tow company patrols actively, and the guest parking and registration rules are tight. If your spouse, your friend, or your delivery driver parks wrong for a few hours, they could come back to an empty space. Ask the leasing office exactly how vehicle registration works and get it in writing before you sign.

Your Apartment Might Not Be Ready on Day One

The two most recent Google reviews (both from the last month or two) describe showing up on the scheduled move day to an apartment that hadn’t been cleaned or prepped. One reviewer came to help with a friend’s move and found the unit wasn’t ready. Another signed a lease, paid all upfront costs, and arrived to an unfinished unit. Maybe it’s a staffing issue. Or maybe they’re just opening more units than the crew can prep at once. Either way, ask for a walk-through at least 24 hours before your move-in date.

It’s Car Dependent. Really.

Walkability score of 30 out of 100. Transit score of 0. No real public transit options. The H-E-B is 2.5 miles away. If your car breaks down, you’re calling a rideshare for groceries. The marketing talks about being “minutes from Austin,” but those minutes add up fast during rush hour. If you work downtown, you’re looking at 35-50 minutes each way during peak traffic. Do the commute math honestly before you sign.

Ready to Move Forward, or Want to See Alternatives?

If Brio checks your boxes, I can help you through the application and make sure everything’s lined up before you apply. If the location or towing policy gives you pause, I can show you what else is available in Pflugerville at similar price points.

Get Started with Your Free Search →

FAQ

Does Brio accept evictions?

Yes. Brio says right on their listing that they take evictions. The specific lookback period isn’t published, but Greystar usually reviews these one by one instead of running an automatic decline.

What is the income requirement at Brio?

Your household needs to bring in 3x the monthly rent before taxes. For the cheapest 1BR at $1,202/mo, that’s $3,606/mo or about $20.80/hour full time.

Does Brio allow large dogs?

Yes. There’s no weight limit on pets. Breed restrictions apply (call the office for the specific list). You can have up to 3 pets per unit. Pet fee is $250 per pet, and pet rent is $25/mo per pet.

What is the current leasing special at Brio?

As of August 2026, Brio is offering 6 weeks free on base rent for 1 bedrooms, plus a $750 gift card if you sign within 48 hours of touring. You’ll need to commit to at least a 12 month lease.

Is Brio a gated community?

Yes. Key fob entry, gated access. It’s a controlled community.

What school district is Brio in?

Pflugerville ISD. The zoned schools are Pflugerville Elementary, Bohls Middle, and Pflugerville High.

Does Brio have washers and dryers in the apartments?

Yes. Every apartment comes with a full-size washer and dryer included. No shared laundry rooms.

What are the parking options at Brio?

Surface parking comes with the unit. Covered spots are $50/mo and detached garages are $125/mo if they have any open.

How far is Brio from downtown Austin?

About 16 miles. Off-peak that’s roughly 20 minutes. During rush hour on I-35, plan for 35-50 minutes.

The Bottom Line

Brio’s real value isn’t the finishes or the pool or the co-working space. It’s the combination. A 2023-build Greystar property with modern everything that also accepts evictions, broken leases, and misdemeanors? That combination almost doesn’t exist in this market. You usually have to pick one or the other. New construction with strict screening, or flexible screening in a property that’s 30 years old. Brio gives you both.

Brio makes sense if:

• You have a broken lease or eviction and want to live somewhere that doesn’t feel like a penalty
• You work north of the river and want a short commute to the Domain, Apple, Samsung, or Dell
• You have pets (especially large dogs) and are tired of weight limits
• You want new construction under $1,300/mo with a move-in special

Brio doesn’t make sense if:

• Your daily life centers on downtown Austin or south of the river
• You don’t have a car and depend on public transit
• Aggressive towing enforcement is a dealbreaker for you
• You want a walkable neighborhood with restaurants and nightlife nearby

My take: Brio is one of the strongest options in Pflugerville for renters who need screening flexibility without downgrading their living situation. Yes, the location is genuinely suburban. And yes, the towing is real. The commute to downtown will test your patience during rush hour. But for the renter who can live with those trade-offs? The math works, the staff cares, and what you’re getting is well above average for what you’re paying.

Need Help?

If Brio is on your list, I can check your profile against their screening before you apply. My service is free. Properties pay a referral fee from their marketing budget, and you pay the same rent whether you use a locator or not.

If you want to apply directly, call the Brio leasing office at (737) 727-8381. Just tell them “Ross Quade from Austin Apartment Team” referred you on your tour and application. Text me at 512-360-0852 when you apply so I can make sure everything’s on track.

If your situation is complicated (eviction, broken lease, credit that’s still recovering), that’s exactly what I do. I know which Austin-area properties will say yes before you spend $75 finding out which ones won’t.