North End on Berkman Apartments Austin Review: Honest Review, Real Costs, and What the Listing Sites Leave Out

There’s a 28-unit courtyard property on Berkman Drive with one bedrooms starting at $700. In East Austin. In the 78723 zip code. One mile from Mueller.

That price stopped me cold.

I’ve been tracking Austin rents for over 14 years (TX #679806), and when a number looks that far below market, there’s always a reason. Average one bedrooms in East Austin run $1,200 to $1,375 right now. So what’s going on at North End on Berkman that puts it $500+ below the competition?

Turns out, the answer is complicated. Renovated interiors look good on paper: quartz countertops, LG stainless appliances, vinyl plank flooring. But the Google rating sits at 2.8 stars. Reviews mention rats, roaches, and management that stops responding. And the property has changed ownership at least once in recent years. Embark Property Group is the name on the website now, but the previous manager, All County Capital, still has active listings for units here.

Here’s what the listing sites won’t tell you: this property’s price comes with real risk. It’s not a hidden gem.

Quick Facts: North End on Berkman

That 2.8 Google rating comes from just 6 reviews. Small sample, but the reviews that do exist are harsh. I’ll break down the patterns below.

Best For / Skip If

Best For

You’re on a tight budget and need East Austin access. If the $700 one bedroom price holds (and I’d call to confirm before driving over), this is hundreds below anything comparable within a mile of Mueller. The next cheapest one bedroom nearby is Rise at Cameron, which starts at $679 in my database (though their website shows higher). Most of the Windsor Park corridor starts at $800+. When your budget ceiling is $800/month for a one bedroom, your options shrink fast. This is one of the few that might work.

You want utilities included in rent. The property covers gas, trash, and water. At most Austin apartments, water and sewer alone run $50–70/month, and gas adds another $20–40 depending on usage. That’s $70–110/month you’re not paying on top of rent. On a $700 base rent, that’s a big chunk of your total housing cost.

You have a pet under 50 lbs and want a short commute. They allow cats and dogs with a 50 lb weight limit. Pet rent is $25/month, which is standard. You’re about 4 miles from downtown and 4.2 miles from UT Austin. Mueller’s H-E-B, restaurants, and Thinkery are all within a mile.

Skip If

You have any sensitivity to bugs or rodents. I’ll be blunt: multiple reviews across platforms mention rats, roaches, and fleas. This isn’t one angry reviewer. It’s a pattern. On a 1967 building that’s only 28 units, an infestation in one unit spreads fast. If you’ve dealt with infestations before and know what that does to your quality of life, this is your signal to keep scrolling.

You need responsive management. Both the current and previous management companies have been called out for ignoring maintenance requests. One resident reported water damage going unrepaired for nearly a year. Another said both teams ignored rat complaints. When a property has 28 units and no onsite manager, problems that don’t get fixed stay broken.

Your budget is actually $999+. If you can spend $999 or more on a one bedroom, you have options nearby with stronger track records. Windsor Commons opened in 2024 and starts at $1,296. High Point Preserve (2022 construction) starts at $974. Both are within half a mile and have newer construction without the review warnings.

Wondering if North End on Berkman fits your situation?

Fill out a quick form and I’ll reach out to go over your specifics: income, credit, pets, timeline. I can check whether you’ll likely qualify before you spend money on an application, and I’ll share any current specials that might not be listed online. You’ll hear from a real person (me), not an automated system.

Get Free Help Finding Your Apartment →

Location: What Living on Berkman Drive Actually Looks Like

What’s Actually Nearby

North End on Berkman sits on Berkman Drive just north of Highway 290, in the Windsor Park neighborhood. Mueller, Austin’s planned development on the old airport site, is about a mile south.

Here’s what’s within reach without a car: a few shopping centers are about a 13 minute walk (around 0.7 miles). Mueller’s H-E-B, Alamo Drafthouse, and Thinkery are all about a mile away. You can walk it in 20 minutes or bike it in 5.

You’ll need a car for downtown (4 miles), the UT campus (4.2 miles), and The Domain (about 13 miles). And grocery runs mean driving too, unless you’re willing to make the Mueller H-E-B walk a regular thing.

Walk Score calls this area “Somewhat Walkable” with solid bike access. There’s a bus route nearby, and Highland Station (MetroRail) is 2.3 miles away. But let’s be real: you’ll need a car for most daily needs. If you’re working remotely and rarely commute, that matters less.

Commute Math

You have quick access to Highway 290, I-35, and 183. That’s a real plus for this spot. Getting onto 290 takes under two minutes from the property. If downtown is where you work, you’re looking at 10–15 minutes outside of rush hour. Heading to North Austin for Samsung, Apple, or The Domain? That’s 12–25 minutes depending on traffic.

Neighborhood Vibe

Windsor Park is a neighborhood in transition. Most of the housing stock is ranch homes from the 1950s, and the area’s been getting more attention as Mueller has grown up next door. It’s quiet, residential, and a bit removed from the “Austin scene.” That’s either a feature or a drawback depending on what you’re after.

Bartholomew District Park is nearby: 57 acres with a pool, splash pad, disc golf, picnic areas, and basketball courts. Mueller Lake Park adds a lake and amphitheater. For outdoor access at this rent level, the location is actually pretty good.

What it isn’t: walkable nightlife, trendy restaurants on your doorstep, or the kind of neighborhood that feels like central Austin. You’re close to all of that, but you’re driving to get there.

Pricing and True Cost

Floor Plans

*With 1 month free on 12-month lease

Important note on the 1BR pricing: My source data shows the one bedroom at $700. But Rent.com, ApartmentGuide, and Apartments.com all show $999–$1,200 for the same floor plan, and the property’s own special says rates start at $975. Call the property directly at (737) 241-8080 to confirm before you do anything. [VERIFY]

Net Effective Rent Calculation

I’ll walk through the math on the one bedroom using the $700 base rent from my source data. If the actual rent is $999 (as other platforms suggest), I’ve included that calculation too.

If 1BR base rent is $700: Current special: 1 month free on 12-month lease Daily multiplier: (365 – 30) / 365 = 0.9178 $700 x 0.9178 = $642/month net effective Monthly savings: $58/month

If 1BR base rent is $999 (per Rent.com/ApartmentGuide): $999 x 0.9178 = $917/month net effective Monthly savings: $82/month

2BR at $1,295: $1,295 x 0.9178 = $1,189/month net effective Monthly savings: $106/month

All the Fees

Note: Fee data comes from two places (the locator database I use and individual unit ads on Apartments.com), and the numbers don’t perfectly match. The table above uses the most recent data I could find. [VERIFY exact current fees with the property.]

One thing worth calling out: the property covers gas, trash, and water. You don’t see that often, and it saves $70–110/month compared to most Austin apartments where you’re paying those separately. At newer builds going up across Austin, water and sewer fees alone add $50–70 to your monthly bill.

True Monthly Cost: What You’d Actually Pay

Scenario: 1BR with one dog (using $700 base rent)

• Net effective rent: $642
• Resident Benefits Package: $25
• Pet rent: $25
• True monthly cost: $692

Scenario: 1BR with one dog (using $999 base rent from other platforms)

• Net effective rent: $917
• Resident Benefits Package: $25
• Pet rent: $25
• True monthly cost: $967

What you’ll pay upfront (either scenario):

• Application fee: $75
• Admin fee: $75
• Security deposit: $400
• Pet deposit (refundable): $275
• Pet fee (not returned): $225
• First month’s rent: $0 (if using 1 month free special)
• Total upfront: $1,050

Specials change. What’s listed above was accurate as of when I last checked, but offers shift. Call (737) 241-8080 or check the property website for the latest.

Want to know what specials are actually available right now?

I talk to leasing teams regularly and can get you current intel on pricing, availability, and any offers that might not be posted online. Fill out the form and I’ll text you within a few hours.

Get Current Specials →

Screening Criteria

I’ll be upfront: North End on Berkman doesn’t publish their screening criteria, and I don’t have their specific thresholds on file. What I’m giving you below is based on the building’s age, rent range, and what I know about similar East Austin properties. [VERIFY all screening details directly with the property before applying.]

Income Requirement

No published income multiplier here. Most Austin apartments require 3x monthly rent. Using that standard:

Important: They’ll check your income against the base (listed) rent, not the net effective rent after specials.

Credit Expectations

No published credit minimum. For a 1967 property at this rent level, I’d expect more flexibility than newer, more expensive communities. Properties in this rent range often work with scores in the 550–600 range, but it depends on everything else too: income, rental history, and background. Don’t assume flexible screening means guaranteed approval. Call first.

What Likely Gets You Denied

Without published criteria, here’s what typically gets you turned down at properties in this rent range:

• Active eviction on your record (within the past 2 years is usually the line)
• Outstanding debt to a previous apartment community
• Not enough income documentation
• Certain felony convictions (timeframe varies by management company)
• Failing the mandatory pet screening (yes, pet screening is required for all applicants here, even if you don’t have a pet)

The Application Process

1. Apply online through the Embark Property Group portal
2. Pay the $75 application fee (non-refundable)
3. They run your screening through a third party
4. The property picks “the most qualified application” (their words, from their own ad)

That last point matters. It means if multiple people apply for the same unit, they’re picking who they think is the strongest applicant. On a 28-unit property, competition for any given unit could be real. One more thing: ApartmentAdvisor’s listing says renter’s insurance is required here.

Why a Locator Still Helps Here

Here’s what separates working with a locator from applying blind: I can tell you whether you’re likely to get approved at properties like this before you spend $75 finding out. If North End on Berkman’s screening looks tight for your situation, I know which nearby properties have more flexibility, and which ones will definitely turn you down. That prescreening alone can save you hundreds in wasted application fees.

Resident Reviews: What 2.8 Stars Actually Means

Listing sites show you a 2.8 Google rating and call it a day. That number? Almost useless with just 6 reviews. I searched every platform I track: Google, ApartmentRatings, Yelp, Birdeye, ForRent, ApartmentHomeLiving, ModernMsg, VeryApt, and RentCafe. This property has zero presence on most of them. No Yelp page. No ApartmentRatings page. The only reviews that exist are on Google (6) and a handful shared across ForRent and ApartmentHomeLiving. Total: roughly 8–10 reviews across all platforms. But the patterns in those reviews are clear enough to matter.

Review Pattern Analysis

What Residents Praise

I’ll be honest: there’s very little positive feedback to work with. One reviewer on ForRent said the new renovations are beautiful. And the unit features do look updated on paper: quartz countertops, stainless appliances, vinyl plank flooring, and LG appliances are a real upgrade for a 1967 building.

For a 28-unit property, the amenity list is unusually long: pool, fitness center, dog park, grills, pergola seating, and laundry onsite. Whether any of it is kept up is another question the reviews don’t answer favorably.

What Residents Consistently Complain About

Pests. That’s the dominant theme.

One resident said rats have been in the walls since the day they moved in and neither All County Capital nor Embark addressed the complaints. Another described the property as “roach-infested, rat-infested” with “shoddy repairs” and common areas “covered in dog crap.” Even Google’s automated tags for this property flag “fleas” as a repeated keyword.

On a 1967 building, the bug and rodent complaints are partly a construction problem. Older buildings have more gaps in pipes, walls, and foundations where pests get in. That’s not something a cosmetic renovation fixes. The quartz countertops look great, but if the walls behind them have gaps, that’s where the problem lives.

The other thing that keeps coming up is management. One resident reported water damage for nearly a year with promises that went nowhere. Maria Cort’s Google review says management tried to charge her an extra month of rent without telling her, then threatened to take her to court.

Management History

This is worth understanding. Jack’s Google review (from roughly 9 months back) names “All County Capital Property Management.” The name on the website now is Embark Property Group. Here’s the wrinkle: All County Capital still has active unit listings for this property on their own website (allcountyprop.com). That could mean they’re still handling things behind the scenes, or those listings just haven’t been cleaned up. Either way, the relationship between the two companies isn’t obvious to renters. A bunch of the listing sites call it “under new ownership.”

With roughly 8–10 total reviews across all platforms and no clarity on who’s actually running things, there’s not enough history to know which direction this property is heading. One review praised the renovations. Almost every other one talks about pests, neglect, or management that won’t respond.

Both the website and the resident portal run through Embark. There’s no onsite manager listed. Best way to reach them is email (manager@embarkequity.com) or phone (737-241-8080).

The Uncomfortable Truth

No listing site will write this section. That’s the point.

I’m not trying to kill the deal. I just want you to know exactly what you’re signing up for.

The Pest Problems Are Structural, Not Just Bad Luck

When multiple residents across different time periods and under different ownership report rats, roaches, and fleas, that’s not a one-time maintenance failure. That’s a building issue. A 1967 structure with 28 units in a courtyard layout has shared walls, shared plumbing, and shared crawl spaces. Pests travel between units. A cosmetic renovation (new countertops, new flooring) doesn’t fix the gaps between walls where rats live. Ask about their pest control setup, how often they spray, and what they’ve done about the rat complaints before you sign anything.

Management Complaints Survived a Management Change

Both All County Capital and Embark Property Group have been called out for being unresponsive. That’s concerning on its own. But here’s what makes it worse: All County Capital still has active listings for this property on their own website. As a renter, you can’t tell who’s actually in charge, and residents have complained about both. When pest and maintenance complaints persist through what’s supposed to be a management transition, that tells you something. Either the property owner isn’t putting money into the place, or the issues are bigger than any manager can fix with a normal budget. A year of unrepaired water damage isn’t a staffing problem. It’s a priorities problem.

The Pricing You See Online Might Not Be What You Get

My source data shows the one bedroom at $700. Rent.com and ApartmentGuide show $999 to $1,200 for the same unit. The property’s own special mentions “rates starting at $975.” That’s a $275 to $500 gap depending on which number is right. At $999, you’re paying about the same as nearby places that don’t have the pest and management problems. The price advantage only exists if that $700 is real. Confirm before you tour.

Ready to move forward, or want to look at alternatives?

You’ve seen the full picture now. If North End on Berkman still looks right for your situation, I can help you prep your application. If you’d rather look at nearby properties without the pest and management concerns, I know the Windsor Park and Mueller corridor well. Either way, fill out the form and I’ll text you.

Get Free Help →

FAQ

Does North End on Berkman allow pets?

Yes. Dogs and cats are both allowed. Two pets max, 50 lb weight limit, breed restrictions apply. Fees: $275 refundable deposit, $225 non-refundable fee, and $25/month pet rent per pet. Pet screening is required for all applicants, even if you don’t have a pet. One thing worth knowing: the property will waive the pet deposit for rescue animals (conditions apply). Ask the leasing team for specifics.

What utilities are included in rent?

The property covers gas, trash, and water. You’ll pay for electricity separately. That saves you roughly $70–110/month compared to most Austin apartments.

What’s the current move-in special?

Last time I checked, North End on Berkman is offering 1 month free on a 12-month lease. They say not everyone qualifies, so call (737) 241-8080 to make sure you’re eligible.

Does the apartment come with a washer and dryer?

My property database shows “fullsize, supplied” washer/dryer. Some platforms say there’s no washer/dryer in the unit. They also have community laundry rooms. Confirm which setup your specific unit has when you tour. [VERIFY]

How much is parking?

Surface lot parking looks like it’s included. Garage and reserved spaces are $115/month each.

Who manages North End on Berkman?

Both the website and resident portal run through Embark Property Group. But All County Capital Property Management still has active listings for units at this address on their own site (allcountyprop.com). From the outside, it’s hard to tell who’s actually running things. Ask the leasing team directly who handles your maintenance requests and lease.

What credit score do I need?

No published minimum. For a property in this price range, I’d expect more flexibility than newer communities, but I can’t confirm a specific threshold. Call the property or reach out to me and I can help you figure out where you stand.

Is North End on Berkman in a good location?

It’s about 1 mile north of Mueller and 4 miles from downtown Austin. Easy highway access to 290, I-35, and 183. Windsor Park is residential and quiet but not walkable for daily errands. You’ll want a car.

The Bottom Line: Is North End on Berkman Worth It?

North End on Berkman has one thing going for it that’s hard to argue with: the price. If the one bedroom really rents at $700 (and that’s a big “if” given what other platforms show), with gas, water, and trash included, you’re looking at one of the cheapest true monthly costs in East Austin. Renovated interiors are a real upgrade over what you’d expect in a 1967 building. And the Windsor Park location puts Mueller, downtown, and major highways all within easy reach.

The trade-off is real, though. Pest complaints going back through different management, a 2.8 Google rating, no onsite manager, and pricing that different sources can’t agree on. That’s a lot of uncertainty for a lease you’ll be locked into for 12 months.

This property makes sense if: your budget ceiling is under $800/month for a one bedroom, you need East Austin access, you’ve confirmed the $700 pricing directly, and you’re willing to be persistent about maintenance requests and pest treatment if needed.

This property doesn’t make sense if: you can stretch to $999+ (where nearby options with better track records open up), or you’ve had bad experiences with bugs or rodents before. Same goes if you need responsive management for peace of mind, or you’re relocating from out of state and can’t tour in person first.

My honest take: tour in person, look at the unit they’ll actually rent you (not just the model), check the common areas, and ask the hard questions about pest control before you commit. If the answers don’t feel right, I know this corridor well and can point you toward alternatives that work for your budget.

If you want help figuring out whether North End on Berkman fits your situation, or if you’d rather see similar options without the red flags, fill out the form above and I’ll text you within a few hours.

Need Help?

You’ve got everything you need to size up North End on Berkman on your own. But if you want help:

Fill out the form above and I’ll text you to answer questions, check your application situation, share current specials, and figure out next steps. You’ll talk to me directly.

Going solo? 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.