The Fairways at Star Ranch Apartments Austin Review: 6 Weeks Free, Golf Course Views, and What the Listing Sites Leave Out — Hutto, TX

Six weeks free on a 1-bedroom that starts at $1,228. That’s the math that keeps pulling renters toward The Fairways at Star Ranch, a 396-unit gated community in Hutto sitting along the 16th, 17th, and 18th fairways of the Star Ranch Golf Club. I track rental pricing across the Austin metro daily. This property caught my attention because the net effective rent drops below $1,090/month for a 1-bedroom, they’ll work with misdemeanors, foreclosures, and bankruptcies, and they only need 2.75x income. You don’t see all three of those at the same address very often.

But here’s what the listing sites won’t tell you: this is a 2009 build, and some people who’ve been here a while are still living with the original appliances. The pet policy caps you at one animal. And Hutto has zero public transit. Those trade-offs matter, and I’ll break down every one of them.

Quick Facts: The Fairways at Star Ranch

Here’s the thing about the ratings. Google (4.2) and ApartmentRatings (4.4) are strong. Yelp is 1.5 stars with 19 reviews, but most of those are from years ago when the property was still called Alexan Star Ranch under different management. The current team (Willow Bridge/Bassham) wasn’t running things when those Yelp reviews were written. Of the 187 Google reviews, 31 mention “friendly staff” and 14 call out the maintenance team specifically. I’ll break down what’s behind those numbers and where the real concerns are.

Who This Property Works For

You’re budget-conscious and don’t mind the drive. The net effective rent on a 1-bedroom here drops to $1,087/month with the current 6-week concession. That’s roughly $100–200/month less than similar 1-bedrooms in Round Rock or Pflugerville. If keeping housing costs low is the priority and you don’t mind 25–35 minutes on the highway to Austin, this math is hard to beat.

You have a misdemeanor, foreclosure, or bankruptcy on your record. All three are accepted here. For bankruptcies, the discharge needs to be complete and you need two years of positive credit history after that, but that’s a lower bar than most newer communities around Austin. If newer properties keep turning you down because of something in your financial history, this is worth a look. I cover more options like this in my guide to second chance apartments in Austin.

You want quiet and space. “Quiet” shows up in review after review. People who’ve been here 3, 4, even 5+ years keep saying the same thing: peaceful, no drama, no loud late night nonsense. The golf course views from select units don’t hurt either. If you’re coming from a packed urban property and want to actually hear yourself think, you’ll notice the difference here right away.

You need a washer and dryer in your unit. Full-size W/D included in select units (not all). That’s not a given at this price range, and it saves you from hauling laundry to a laundromat every week. Confirm your specific unit has W/D before signing.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

You have more than one pet. Hard stop. One animal per home, and it’s either a cat or a dog. Not both. If you have two cats, a dog and a cat, or anything beyond a single animal, this property won’t work regardless of your budget or credit.

You need public transit. Hutto doesn’t have it. No Capital Metro bus routes, no rail access. Everything requires a car: groceries, work, errands. No car means no way to live here.

You want updated interiors. People who’ve lived here 5+ years talk about original appliances from 2009: the same dishwasher, washer/dryer, and HVAC unit that came with the building. Some units have gotten upgrades (quartz countertops, vinyl plank flooring), but that’s hit or miss. Moving from something built after 2018? The finishes here are going to feel noticeably older.

Ready to See If The Fairways at Star Ranch Fits Your Situation?

I can tell you whether your income, credit, and history would pass here before you spend the $50 application fee. If The Fairways isn’t the right fit, I know which nearby properties in Hutto and Round Rock will work better.

Get Your Free Screening Pre-Check →

Location: What Hutto Actually Looks Like Day to Day

What’s Actually Nearby

The Fairways sits at 150 Klattenhoff Lane, about 3 miles southwest of Hutto’s town center. The Star Ranch Golf Club is your literal neighbor. The area around it has picked up a lot of retail in the past few years, so you’re not as isolated as you’d think.

Groceries: H-E-B Plus is about 2.5 miles away on Gattis School Road (under 10 minutes). Costco is roughly 10 miles south in Pflugerville. A QuikTrip gas station is practically at the entrance. People who live here talk about that QT all the time.

Dining: a handful of chain restaurants (Chili’s, Whataburger, Panda Express) within 2 miles along Ed Schmidt Blvd and the Highway 79 corridor. Hutto isn’t a food destination. For anything beyond fast-casual, you’re driving 10–15 minutes to Round Rock.

Medical: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Pflugerville is about 4 miles south. Ascension Seton Williamson in Round Rock is roughly 6 miles.

Schools: Hutto ISD runs bus routes with a stop right outside the complex. The district has five elementary schools, two middle schools, and Hutto High School.

Commute Math

The honest take: the drive into central Austin during rush hour is painful. You’re taking Highway 79 to I-35 or 130, and both corridors get congested. If you work in Round Rock, Georgetown, or anywhere north of The Domain, the commute is reasonable. I break down all the north suburb apartment markets in a separate guide. If you work downtown or south of the river, you’re looking at an hour each way during peak hours.

The Neighborhood

Hutto is a growing suburb. It’s not walkable. You’ll drive to the grocery store, you’ll drive to the gym (unless you use the one here), you’ll drive to everything. What you get in exchange is quiet. The community sits on the golf course, gated entry keeps outside traffic out, and people who’ve lived here for years keep describing it the same way: peaceful and clean.

There’s no nightlife, no bar scene, no coffee shops within walking distance. If you want that, Hutto is the wrong city. But if you want to park your car, close your door, and hear birds instead of I-35, this property delivers on that promise.

Pricing and True Monthly Cost

Floor Plans

Some units have golf course views (typically $40–60/month premium over parking lot views). Top floor apartments and those with quartz countertops or vinyl plank flooring also cost more.

Net Effective Rent Calculation

Let me show the math on the Augusta 1BR/1BA at $1,228/month base rent (the cheapest currently available unit).

The current special is 6 weeks free. On a 12-month lease:

• 6 weeks free = 42 days
• 12-month lease = 365 days
• Daily multiplier: (365 − 42) ÷ 365 = 0.8849
• Net effective rent: $1,228 × 0.8849 = $1,087/month
• Monthly savings: $1,228 − $1,087 = $141/month
• Total savings over the lease: $1,228 × (42 ÷ 30.44) = $1,694

That $1,087 net effective for a 1-bedroom with a golf course view, gated entry, and a 2.75x income requirement beats a lot of properties that don’t offer half of that. For more options at this price point, check out my breakdown of Austin apartments under $1,000. The catch is that they qualify you on the base rent of $1,228, not the net effective. So you’d need $3,377/month gross income (at 2.75x) to qualify.

Fee Breakdown

Required Fees (Everyone Pays)

Optional Fees

True Monthly Cost Scenario

A renter in an Augusta 1BR/1BA with one dog:

Move-in costs: $50 application fee + $150 security deposit + $400 pet deposit = $600 minimum (plus first month’s rent). Admin fee not published on the website, so ask about that before signing.

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

I’ll pull current pricing from similar apartments in Hutto, Round Rock, and Pflugerville so you can see exactly where The Fairways stacks up. My service is free. The property pays the referral fee from their marketing budget, and your rent is the same whether you use a locator or not.

Compare Your Options Free →

Screening Criteria

Income Requirement

The 2.75x income requirement is lower than the 3x you’ll see at most Austin-area apartments. At $19.50/hour full time, you can qualify for the cheapest 1-bedroom. That’s a real difference: at a 3x property, you’d need $21/hour for the same unit.

Credit Expectations

They’ll deny you for poor credit: overcharged accounts, multiple late payments, and accounts in collections can all get you turned down. The good news is they exclude medical bills and student loans from their screening, which is a plus.

No published minimum credit score. Based on how they screen and what I see at similar properties, I’d estimate you need 550+ credit with clean rental history, or 580+ if you’ve got anything on your rental record. They don’t publish a hard cutoff, so call me and I can check before you spend the $50 app fee.

What Gets You Denied

Based on what they’ve posted on their website and what I see at similar properties:

Automatic denial triggers:

• Criminal convictions for violent crimes, sexual offenses, robbery, or burglary (that includes anyone who’d be living in the apartment, not just the person on the lease)
• Some other felony and misdemeanor convictions are automatic denials, but they don’t say exactly which ones besides the four I just listed
• Active property debt (balance owed to a previous landlord). If you’re dealing with property debt, I wrote a detailed guide on apartments that accept evictions in Austin that covers your options

Accepted with conditions:

• Misdemeanors: yes
• Foreclosures: yes
• Bankruptcies: must be discharged with 2 years of positive credit history, plus an additional deposit equal to one month’s rent

The Application Process

Apply online or at the leasing office. They try to get you approved and signed within 7 days. The $50 application fee is non-refundable.

Here’s what separates working with a locator from applying blind: I can tell you whether your income, credit, and rental history would get you approved here before you spend the application fee finding out. If The Fairways looks tight for your situation, I know which nearby communities in Hutto and Round Rock have more flexibility.

Resident Reviews Decoded

Review Pattern Analysis

What Residents Praise

Angel on the maintenance team is basically the property’s MVP. Over 30 Google reviews mention him by name. He shows up the same day, he’s polite, and he cleans up after himself. Troy and Chris on the maintenance crew also get called out. On the leasing side, Ariana, Kamiren, and Christian each show up in multiple reviews for being patient and helpful during tours and move-ins.

The second thing that keeps coming up is how quiet the place is.

People who’ve been here 3, 4, 5, and even 10 years keep renewing. That doesn’t happen at places where the noise drives you crazy or management makes your life difficult.

What Residents Criticize

Valet trash is the most frequent complaint. Pickup gets skipped for days at a time, bags pile up and attract pests, and the stairs where bags get dragged down never seem to get power-washed. Management knows about it. They haven’t fixed it yet.

The appliance situation is the flip side. People who’ve been here for years are still dealing with original equipment. One person who lived here 6 years still had the original everything: dishwasher, washer/dryer, faded flooring, old carpet. They asked about upgrades and were told the only option was to move to a different unit.

People who moved in more recently don’t bring this up as much, which tells me the units that turned over probably got at least some updates before the new tenant moved in.

And here’s something to watch out for when your lease ends. At least one former resident says their final charges got sent to a debt collector the same day the bill was issued, with no grace period. That’s worth knowing before you sign.

Management Response Pattern

Here’s some background that matters. This property has been through name and management changes. It started as Alexan Star Ranch, then went through Lincoln Management, and is now owned by Bassham Properties and managed by Willow Bridge Property Company. That 1.5-star Yelp rating? Mostly from the earlier management era. Under the current team, Google and ApartmentRatings paint a much better picture.

The current team responds to nearly every review, positive and negative. Positive reviews get a template: “Thanks for this five-star rating! Sincerely, The Fairways at Star Ranch Management Team.” Negative reviews get redirected to call 844-625-2226.

Are the responses personal? No. They’re corporate templates. But the fact that they respond at all puts them ahead of a lot of properties at this price point. According to ApartmentRatings, they respond to 100% of reviews and usually reply within about 2 days.

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 Building Is 17 Years Old and Some Units Show It

Built in 2009, The Fairways is approaching two decades. People who’ve been here a while are still dealing with original appliances, old carpet, faded flooring, and HVAC systems that sound like tractors and spike electric bills. The property has updated some units with quartz countertops and vinyl plank flooring, but the upgrades aren’t consistent across all units. When you tour, ask specifically whether the unit you’re applying for has been updated. Don’t assume the model unit represents what you’ll actually get.

Utility Bills Can Surprise You

Those old appliances and HVAC systems don’t just affect comfort. They cost you money.

One resident on ApartmentRatings says their electric bill “more than doubled” compared to their previous apartment, and their water bill hit close to $100/month as a single person who rarely cooks and does two loads of laundry a week. Old stuff uses more power, and Hutto’s summer heat makes A/C your biggest monthly expense. Budget an extra $50–100/month beyond what you’d pay at a newer build.

The One-Pet Limit Is Strict

One animal. Cat or dog, not both. No exceptions, and the paperwork to register your pet is thorough: multiple photos from different angles, breed verification, minimum 12 months old. If your situation changes after you sign the lease (you adopt a second pet, your partner moves in with their cat), you’re in violation. Know this going in.

Valet Trash Is Unreliable

You’re paying for valet trash pickup, but based on what I’m seeing in reviews, it works about half the time. When it doesn’t, trash sits on the landings. For days. That draws pests and makes the walk to your door less pleasant than it should be.

Final Charges Can Hit Collections Fast

At least one detailed review describes final charges being sent to a debt collector the same day the resident received the bill. No grace period. No payment plan discussion.

If this is accurate, any dispute about cleaning fees or damage charges ends up on your credit report before you even have a chance to pay. Get everything in writing during your move-in inspection, photograph every scratch and scuff, and document your unit’s condition from day one.

Ready to Move Forward, or Want to See Alternatives?

Whether you’re sold on The Fairways or want to compare it against other Hutto and Round Rock options, I can help with both. I’ll pull numbers from similar places nearby so you can see how the costs stack up.

Let’s Find Your Best Option →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Fairways at Star Ranch accept broken leases?

They don’t say yes or no on their website. Similar properties in Hutto usually look at broken leases one at a time, and it helps a lot if the balance is already paid off. I cover the full picture in my broken lease apartments guide. I’d recommend calling the property or working with a locator who can check before you spend the application fee.

How far is The Fairways from downtown Austin?

About 30 miles, which translates to 30 minutes without traffic and 45–60 minutes during morning or evening rush hour. You’re taking Highway 79 to I-35 or Toll 130, both of which get congested.

Does The Fairways at Star Ranch allow dogs?

Yes, one dog per home. Breed restrictions apply, the dog must be at least 12 months old, and you’ll pay a $400 non-refundable deposit plus $20/month pet rent. You cannot have both a cat and a dog.

What school district is The Fairways at Star Ranch in?

Hutto ISD. There’s a school bus stop right outside the complex. The district has five elementary schools, two middle schools, and Hutto High School.

Is The Fairways at Star Ranch gated?

Yes. It’s a gated community. You get in with a key code or an app on your phone. Visitors can be buzzed in, but a few people have mentioned the gate system shows full names rather than unit numbers, which is a privacy concern.

Does The Fairways at Star Ranch accept felonies?

Violent crimes, sexual offenses, robbery, and burglary are automatic denials. Other felonies and misdemeanors get reviewed individually. The best approach is to talk through your specific situation before applying.

Are washers and dryers included at The Fairways at Star Ranch?

Full-size washers and dryers are included in select units. Not every unit has them, so confirm this before you sign. Having W/D in the unit saves you $30–50/month versus paying for a rental machine.

What is the current special at The Fairways at Star Ranch?

As of August 2026, the property is offering 6 weeks free on qualifying lease terms. On the cheapest 1-bedroom ($1,228/month), that brings the net effective rent down to approximately $1,087/month.

The Bottom Line

The Fairways at Star Ranch does a few things well. The rent is affordable, especially with 6 weeks free. The 2.75x income requirement is lower than what most places around here ask for. Golf course views, a gated quiet community, and they’ll work with misdemeanors, foreclosures, or discharged bankruptcies. The maintenance team, led by Angel, gets more consistent praise than I see at most properties in this price range. And the fact that so many people stay here for years tells you something: when people stay 4, 5, 6+ years and keep renewing, the daily experience is working for them.

The trade-offs are real, though. You’re in Hutto with no public transit. The building is 17 years old, and what your specific unit looks like depends on whether it’s been updated or not. Valet trash is unreliable. The one-pet limit is strict. And the charges you get hit with when you leave deserve scrutiny.

This property makes sense if: you work in Round Rock or north of The Domain, you want a gated community with a 2.75x income requirement and 6 weeks free, you have a misdemeanor or foreclosure that’s disqualifying you at newer properties, or you prioritize quiet over walkability.

This property doesn’t make sense if: you have multiple pets, you need public transit, you work downtown Austin and hate long commutes, or you want modern appliances and finishes without having to verify unit by unit.

My honest take: for the price point, The Fairways at Star Ranch is one of the better-value options in the Hutto submarket. The concession math is strong, the staff gets genuinely good reviews, and people who move here tend to stay for years. Just walk into it knowing what you’re getting: a solid 2009 build in a quiet suburb, not a brand new showpiece.

Need Help?

Two paths forward:

Work with me (free). I can check your income, credit, and background against The Fairways’ criteria before you apply. If it’s a fit, I’ll help with the application. If not, I’ll match you with communities in Hutto, Round Rock, or Pflugerville that work better for your profile. My service costs you nothing. The property pays a referral fee from their marketing budget, and your rent is the same either way. Here’s more on how free apartment locating works.

Go solo. Contact The Fairways at Star Ranch directly at (512) 215-9173 or visit fairwaysatstarranch.com. If you 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.