Short version : Al and Patty's house was beautiful and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It's even nicer in person, and it truly made our first three months in Austin wonderful!
Long version : Al and Patty were wonderful hosts, and their home is a wonderful place to stay. My husband and I moved to Austin, and we wanted an easy transition, so we used HomeAway for 3 months while we looked for a more permanent place.
Communication - Al was very easy to get a hold of both before and during our stay. It was our first time using HomeAway or anything like it, so we were nervous about the process. But Al graciously met with us when we were in town a few months before we moved and showed us his place. We sat and talked for a bit and decided it was the perfect place for us! If we had any minor problems while we were there, Al was quick to respond to any phone call, text, or email.
Neighborhood/Location - The neighborhood is nice and quiet, and the homes around it are all beautiful. You are a quick 15 min drive to downtown, and even closer to Zilker Park and Barton Springs. There are a lot of nice restaurants around, or if you prefer a more "Texas" feel, just a few minutes from the Rusty Mule or Jester King. And it doesn't hurt to be a 10 minute drive to Salt Lick!
Home - The inside of Al's place is super nice. You can tell it is their main residence from how well kept up it is, its not just a rental to them. The kitchen is well stocked, the bedrooms are generous sized, and every room is beautifully decorated. The walk in shower is fantastic, and my husband enjoyed the large TV.
Backyard - the lot is big! Our little dog loved running around, and it is a beautiful place to enjoy the beautiful weather. There is a BBQ to enjoy, or you can just enjoy your morning coffee in the fresh air.
Final thoughts - We stayed at Al's for 3 months and it was a wonderful transition to Austin. It truly felt like home and we wish we could have stayed longer!