The Howard Apartments Austin Review: New Construction at $1,139/Month With Up to 12 Weeks Free For Rent

The Howard keeps showing up in searches for new construction apartments near Austin, and the math looks good on paper. One bedrooms starting at $1,139. Up to 12 weeks free. A $1,500 gift card on select floor plans. And every unit comes with a washer and dryer. I track rental pricing across 1,000+ Austin properties through ApartmentData.com and direct community contacts, and a 2024 build at these prices in the 78653 zip code in northeast Austin gets my attention.

But here’s what the listing sites won’t tell you: The Howard has a Walk Score of 9. Nine. That means you’re driving to get a gallon of milk, driving to grab coffee, driving to do anything. The gates have been a problem since the property opened. And for a brand new building, noise complaints about thin walls show up more than they should.

Those trade-offs matter. And no listing site is going to lay them out for you the way I will.

Quick Facts: The Howard Apartments

The 4.5 Google rating looks strong, but I’ll break down what’s behind those numbers. A lot of the 5-star reviews came from tours, not residents. The actual living experience tells a more mixed story.

Who The Howard Works For

You want new construction without paying downtown prices. The Howard was built in 2024. That means everything is current: quartz countertops, stainless appliances, wood look flooring, washer and dryer in every unit. You’re getting finishes that would cost $1,800+ for a 1BR closer to downtown, and here they start at $1,139. If you’re tired of inheriting someone else’s scratched-up appliances, The Howard doesn’t have that problem yet.

You work at Samsung, Dell, the Tesla Gigafactory, or anywhere along the 130/290 corridor. The Howard sits right off E Howard Lane, which connects to 130, 290, and I-35. Commute northeast or east and you’re 15–20 minutes from Samsung’s Austin campus, about 25 minutes to Dell Round Rock. Going south to the Tesla Gigafactory in Del Valle takes closer to 30–35 minutes off-peak. Commuting against the downtown flow? This location works.

You want the amenity package without the downtown price tag. Golf simulator, pool with cabanas, putting green, bocce ball, fitness center with spin and yoga studio, dog park, coworking space, grilling stations. For the rent range here, you’re getting amenities that would cost $400–600 more per month at similar new builds closer to town.

Who Should Skip The Howard

You need walkability. Walk Score of 9. That’s not a typo. No Starbucks, no grocery store, no restaurant within walking distance. The nearest H-E-B is about 10 minutes by car. No car? This isn’t your spot.

You’re noise sensitive. Thin walls keep coming up. 10+ reviewers across Google, Yelp, ForRent, and AptAmigo call it out. For a building that opened in 2024, that’s more than it should be. One reviewer filed 10 noise complaints in 3 months. Work from home or sleep light? Get a 3rd floor unit and ask which buildings are quieter before you sign.

Your dog weighs more than 50 pounds. The pet policy caps weight at 50 lbs per animal and has breed restrictions. If you have a Lab, German Shepherd, or any breed that regularly goes over 50 pounds, The Howard won’t work. I track which Austin communities have no weight limit, and I can point you to options if this is your situation.

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Location Deep Dive

What’s Actually Nearby

The Howard sits on E Howard Lane in Manor, just east of where Pflugerville and Manor blur together. Here’s the honest version of the location: you’re in an area that’s still being built out. New apartments going up everywhere, warehouses going in, roads still under construction. The Merle on Howard (another new build) is literally next door. Bridge at Harris Ridge is about a mile west.

Groceries mean a drive to the H-E-B Plus on Pflugerville Parkway, about 3.5 miles west (8–10 minutes). There’s a Walmart Supercenter about 5 miles away on Heatherwilde. Dining? A handful of fast food and chain restaurants along 1825/Pflugerville Parkway. Nothing walkable.

If you like being outside, Copperfield Nature Trail and Park is about 3 miles away. Walnut Creek Park (decent mountain biking trails) is about 8 miles west. The property zones to Pflugerville ISD, and Austin Community College has a campus nearby.

Commute Math

The I-35 southbound commute into downtown during rush hour is where this location hurts. If you’re headed south on I-35 between 7 and 9 AM, expect 40–50 minutes. The toll road (130) helps if your employer is east or south along that corridor, but tolls add up fast on a daily commute.

The Real Deal on This Location

This is one of the fastest-growing ZIP codes in the Austin metro. Construction everywhere you look. It’s not charming. It’s not walkable. It’s not where you go on a Saturday night.

But it is quiet (aside from the neighbor noise thing), and it’s affordable for new construction. And if you commute to Samsung, Dell, or anywhere along the 130/290 interchange, the location actually makes sense.

The upside of being out here: your rent dollars go further. The downside: you’ll spend some of those savings on gas and tolls.

Pricing and True Cost

Floor Plan Breakdown (August 2026)

1-Bedroom Plans

2-Bedroom Plans

3-Bedroom Plans

*2BR and 3BR pricing is from ForRent.com and includes mandatory monthly fees. Base rent is roughly $60–65/month lower than the numbers shown.

The A1.1 at 632 sqft starting at $1,139 is your entry point. There are 35 units up for grabs right now across different floor plans, and some don’t open up until October. When a property has that many open units, the building isn’t full. That works in your favor.

Net Effective Rent Calculation

The current special is up to 12 weeks free (84 days) on select floor plans. Other listings show 2.5 months free with a $1,500 gift card on some units. The specials change often, so confirm what’s available for the specific unit you want.

Here’s the math on the A1.1 at $1,139/month with 12 weeks free on a 12-month lease.

12 weeks free (84 days) on a 12-month lease:

Daily multiplier: (365 − 84) ÷ 365 = 0.7699

Net effective rent: $1,139 × 0.7699 = $877/month

That’s a savings of $262/month compared to base rent, or $3,144 over the lease term.

Even on the A2 at $1,296:

Net effective rent: $1,296 × 0.7699 = $998/month

A 2024-build one bedroom at $877–$998 net effective? That puts The Howard in range of Austin apartments under $1,000 when you factor in the concession.

But here’s what those numbers don’t show you: $65/month in mandatory fees sits on top of that rent. Your real net effective on the A1.1 is closer to $942/month ($877 + $65 in required monthly fees). Still a good deal for new construction. Just make sure you’re comparing total costs, not just rent.

Important: The income requirement is based on your base rent ($1,139), not the net effective. At 3x income, you need $3,417/month ($41,004/year, or about $19.71/hour at 40 hours/week) to qualify for the A1.1.

Fee Breakdown

Required Monthly Fees (Everyone Pays, On Top of Rent)

That $65/month in mandatory fees won’t show up in the advertised rent. Your $1,139 A1.1 is actually $1,204/month before you add parking or pets.

One-Time Move-In Fees

Optional Fees

True Monthly Cost: A Real Scenario

A renter in an A1.1 (632 sqft, $1,139 base) with one dog:

That’s $90 more per month than the advertised rent. Over a 12-month lease, you’re paying $1,080 in fees that weren’t in the listing price. And the day you move in costs at least $465 in non-refundable fees ($65 application + $200 admin + $200 pet fee) plus your refundable pet deposit ($200) and security deposit.

One Google reviewer said costs beyond rent keep going up and that fines feel like they’re being made up. That’s a lot of mandatory fees stacked on top of rent. Read the fine print on your lease. Ask specifically what other charges might show up on your bill.

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

I run the real cost numbers on every property I recommend. Thinking about The Merle on Howard next door? Bridge at Harris Ridge? Something in Pflugerville proper? I can put the numbers side by side so you’re comparing what you’ll actually pay, not what’s advertised.

Start your comparison here.

Screening Criteria

Income Requirement

At 3x income, the entry-level 1BR needs about $19.71/hour. That’s doable for most full-time workers in the Austin metro, but it’s tight if you’re hourly and not getting consistent 40-hour weeks.

Credit and Background

The Howard doesn’t publish specific screening thresholds on their website. Here’s what I’d expect based on how new construction properties in this part of Austin typically screen:

Credit: 600+ usually gets a standard approval. Scores between 550–599 will probably mean a higher security deposit. Below 550, you’ll likely need a co-signer or third-party guarantee. One thing worth knowing: The Howard offers a program called Bridge Credit Plus that reports your on-time rent payments to credit bureaus. That tells me they’re open to renters who are still building their credit, not just people who already have great scores. But call and ask about their specific thresholds before you apply.

Rental History: An eviction within the past 2–3 years will almost always get you declined at a place this new. Broken leases with property debt showing on your record will need a third-party guarantee service to get around. If you’re dealing with a broken lease or eviction, check out our guide to second chance apartments in Austin that accept evictions.

Background: Criminal background check is standard. Non-violent felonies from 5–7 years ago will likely get looked at one at a time. Sex offenses are almost always an auto-decline.

What Gets You Denied

Based on typical new construction screening:

• Active property debt (money owed to a previous landlord; see our broken lease apartments guide for options)
• Eviction filing within the past 2–3 years (see our guide to eviction friendly apartments in Austin if this applies to you)
• Not enough income (below 3x rent)
• Fraudulent application information
• Certain criminal convictions within lookback period

Application Process

Apply online through the property’s website. The $65 application fee is per person and non-refundable, so don’t apply without knowing your odds first. Typical turnaround is 24–72 hours.

Here’s what working with a locator gets you: I can tell you whether your income, credit, and rental history will pass The Howard’s screening before you spend money finding out. If The Howard looks tight for your situation, I know which nearby communities in the 78653 and 78660 zip codes have more flexibility. My service is free. I’m paid a small referral fee from the property’s marketing budget.

Resident Reviews Decoded

Review Pattern Analysis

What Residents Like

Here’s something you don’t see at most properties: the leasing team gets called out by name constantly. Ashley, Danzelle Cooper, Chrissa, Tony, Alejandro, Bailey. They all show up over and over in the reviews. Most properties are lucky if one staff member gets mentioned by name more than twice. Danzelle appears in 15+ reviews. Ashley appears in 10+. That tells you the leasing team has something good going on.

Maintenance is quick. One resident reported an emergency AC request on a Sunday night and had a tech there in 10 minutes. Another confirmed consistent turnaround within 2 business days on work orders. And these are from actual residents, not just people who took a tour and left a review on the way out.

Community events come up a lot too. Pool parties, social gatherings, people actually feeling like neighbors. Several residents say this is the first apartment where the staff seemed like they were trying to build something, not just fill units.

What Residents Don’t Like

Noise. That’s the complaint that keeps showing up across every platform. Thin walls for new construction is a red flag. One reviewer filed 10 noise complaints in 3 months and got told “we are working on it” every time. Another called the construction “clearly noticeable and obvious” in terms of cheap quality. Take a 3rd floor end unit if noise is a concern. Avoid 1st and 2nd floors.

Gates are the second biggest issue. They break regularly, and people say they’re left open half the time. You’re paying for a gated community. The gates should work.

Management does respond to nearly every Google review. The responses lean toward template language, but they give you a phone number and email to reach out. That’s better than a lot of properties that just ignore the negative ones.

The Uncomfortable Truth

No listing site will write this section. I’m not trying to kill the deal. I want you to know what you’re signing up for.

The Walls Are Thinner Than a 2024 Build Should Be

For a property that opened in 2024, noise complaints shouldn’t be showing up this often. But the pattern is clear across every review platform: thin walls, loud neighbors, and a management team that keeps saying “we are working on it.” One reviewer described it as “very poor apartment quality” and “absolutely poor and cheap construction.” Another lived there 3 months and filed 10 noise complaints.

New construction doesn’t automatically mean quality construction. The Howard is a 3-story garden style wood frame building. How well the walls block noise comes down to what the builder put in. The reviews suggest they cut corners.

You’re Buying a Car-Dependent Lifestyle

Walk Score of 9 means exactly what it sounds like: you can’t walk anywhere useful. The property’s marketing says “just steps from shopping, dining, and entertainment.” That’s misleading. Grocery store? Drive. Coffee? Drive. Anything worth eating at? Drive. If you’re coming from a walkable neighborhood in central Austin, this will feel isolating. Budget gas money and delivery fees into your monthly costs. And make sure you set up your Austin area utilities before you move in.

Fees and Fines Are a Moving Target

At least two reviewers mention costs going up after they moved in, with one calling out fines “being invented out of thin air.” When you already have $65/month in mandatory fees on top of rent, and then the property starts adding charges that weren’t in your lease, that’s a pattern worth watching. Read every line of your lease. Ask about every fee before you sign. And get it in writing.

The Closets Look Good in Photos But Don’t Work Well

This one shows up on Yelp, ForRent, and Apartments.com from different reviewers. The closets look fine on a tour. Live there for a month and try to organize real clothes and real stuff? The layout falls apart. Ask to see them with the doors open during your tour. Think about whether your wardrobe actually fits before you sign.

The Smoke-Free Policy Isn’t Enforced

The property says it’s 100% smoke free. Google and Yelp reviews say otherwise. Residents still smoke on balconies and in common areas. The rule exists. The enforcement doesn’t.

Ready to Move Forward, or Want to See Alternatives?

If The Howard checks your boxes, I can help you lock it down. Want to compare it to other options in Manor, Pflugerville, or northeast Austin? I can do that too.

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FAQ

Does The Howard accept dogs?

Yes. Up to 2 pets allowed, 50 lbs maximum per pet, breed restrictions apply. Pet costs run $200 refundable deposit + $200 non-refundable fee + $25/month rent per pet. For one dog, that’s $400 upfront and $25/month ongoing.

What school district is The Howard in?

Pflugerville ISD. Check your school zoning through pfisd.net, because school zones around here change when new schools open.

Does The Howard have in-unit washer and dryer?

Yes. Every unit comes with a washer and dryer included. This is standard at 2024 builds but still worth confirming since it saves you $50–80/month compared to properties that charge for W/D rental.

How far is The Howard from downtown Austin?

About 15 miles. Off-peak, that’s 20–25 minutes. During rush hour on I-35 southbound, expect 35–50 minutes. The toll road (SH 130 to 71) can cut that down but adds $3–5 each way in tolls.

Is The Howard in Austin or Manor?

The mailing address is Manor, TX 78653. The property sits on the border between Manor and Pflugerville. It’s in Travis County and zones to Pflugerville ISD. For practical purposes, you’re on the far northeast edge of the Austin metro.

Does The Howard offer garages?

Yes. Carports and detached garages are available for an extra monthly fee. Call the leasing office for pricing.

What’s the current move-in special at The Howard?

As of August 2026, the property is offering up to 12 weeks free, with a $1,500 gift card on select floor plans. Specials vary by unit type and can change without notice. Confirm the exact offer before you apply.

Is The Howard gated?

Yes, the property has gated access. But the gates break regularly. Don’t pick this place because of the gates.

Can I tour The Howard before applying?

Yes. Tours are available during office hours: Monday through Friday 9 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM. They also have 3D virtual tours on their website if you want to look before you drive out.

The Bottom Line

The Howard gives you a 2024 build with a golf simulator, pool, fitness center, and in-unit W/D for $300–500/month less than similar new builds closer to town. The concessions are aggressive. The leasing staff is genuinely above average based on what residents are saying. Maintenance responds quickly. And at net effective rents under $1,000 for a 1BR with 12 weeks free, the math works.

But the trade-offs are real. You’re buying into a car-dependent lifestyle with no walkability. The walls are thinner than they should be. The gates don’t work reliably. And the neighborhood around you is still mostly construction sites and warehouses.

This property makes sense if: you commute to Samsung, Dell, or anywhere along the 130/290 corridor; you want new construction finishes and amenities without downtown pricing; you have a car and don’t mind driving for everyday errands; you’re comfortable with suburban living that’s still 20+ minutes from anything interesting.

This property doesn’t make sense if: walkability matters to you at all; you’re noise sensitive and can’t get a top floor end unit; you have a dog over 50 pounds; you need to be near nightlife, dining, or entertainment on foot.

Here’s my take: The Howard is a good deal for the right renter. The concessions are real, the building is new, and the staff is better than most properties I track. But the location will feel isolated if you’re used to central Austin, and the build quality doesn’t match the “luxury” label in the marketing. Know what you’re getting and you’ll be fine.

Need Help?

Want to work with a locator? My service is free to you. The property pays my referral fee from their marketing budget, and your rent is the same whether you use me or apply on your own. I can check whether your profile will pass The Howard’s screening, run the real cost numbers against nearby properties, and keep you from wasting $65 on an application that won’t go through.

Want to go solo? Contact The Howard directly at (512) 722-7731 or visit thehowardatx.com. If you do apply on your own, 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.