Scroll through this page to read more about the various lakefront communities along the shores of Lake Travis. Or, click any of the links in the following box to jump directly to that particular town.
 
Waterskiing in Spicewood Cliff Jumpers at Pace Bend Park
Spicewood, located on the far south side of Lake Travis, is a sleepy, secluded community with a population of a little over 5,500 residents.
A new, upscale addition to this town is Barton Creek Lakeside, featuring waterfront properties, a gated security entrance, an Arnold Palmer championship golf course, clubhouse, and tennis courts. There are 150 planned residences, with homes ranging from the $400,000s to $3.5 million.
Refer to my Current Market Conditions for the latest market statistics for lakefront real estate in Spicewood.
While visiting, take a day trip to Spicewood Vineyards, golf 9 holes at the Pedernales Country Club (512-264-1489), or take a dip in the celebrated Krause Springs swimming hole.
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Lakefront Townhomes in Briarcliff Decks of the Lakehouse Cafe in Briarcliff
Briarcliff is a tiny village perched above the cliffs of Lake Travis on the south side of the lake. Developed in the 1960s, it still retains its charm with only 1.4 square miles of land and fewer than 900 residents. These are generally well educated folks who love Lake Travis and the charm of a small community, and don’t mind the 30 to 40 minute drive to work.
The town is located off of Hwy 71 west, approximately 18 miles from the “Y” in Oak Hill. From Hwy 71, turn onto FM 2322 (Pace Bend Road).
Refer to my Current Market Conditions for the latest market information for lakefront real estate in Briarcliff.
While there, be sure to dine at the Lakehouse Café, located above the Briarcliff Marina. Its upscale, inspired food served in a laid-back Austin-esque atmosphere will have you planning your next meal here before you leave!
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Lakeway from the Water
Lakeway is a community on the south shore of Lake Travis. Located off RR 620 (five miles west of Mansfield Dam), it offers lake living with the most convenient access to downtown Austin, shopping, and dining.
Lakeway began as a resort village, but is now a very popular bedroom community of Austin. The 1,200 acre village of Lakeway incorporated in 1971. Lakeway's 8,000+ residents have a median age of almost 43 years and a median income of about $90,000. The median house value is nearly $265,000. Refer to my Current Market Conditions for the latest numbers.
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Yacht Harbor Marina |
Johnny Fin's Lakefront Restaurant
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Lakeway features several public and private golf courses, parks, a marina, and a private airport. The community is home to one of the newer waterfront communities of multi-million dollar homes, Costa Bella. A more established - but just as pricey- neighborhood is Vineyard Bay. And Flintrock Falls (with the private Flintrock Falls Country Club) is a newer golf course community within the city.
If you're visiting Austin and would like to stay in Lakeway, I recommend the waterfront Lakeway Inn. For waterfront entertainment, be sure to check out Johnny Fin's for food, drinks, and live music.
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Main Basin of Lake Travis Marshall Ford Marina
Hudson Bend is a small community, encompassing just 4 square miles and less than 3,000 residents. The location on the south side of Lake Travis is highly desirable. Just off RR 620, west of the dam, this town offers a close-in location with many shopping and dining options nearby, and an easy commute to downtown Austin.
The beautiful, peaceful Marshall Ford Marina is nearby. Or, for a livelier pace, stop by Carlos ‘N Charlie’s for waterfront food and drink.
This area enjoys big Lake Travis views, overlooking the main basin, which is the widest part of the lake, and the most popular area for sailboats.
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Volente Beach Water Park Cafe Bleu Waterfront Restaurant
Volente is a small community on the north side of Lake Travis that incorporated in 2003. It is located 18 miles northwest of Austin, in Travis county, off FM 2769 ("Volente Road").
Volente is surrounded by Lake Travis on 3 sides and by 5,000 acres of preserve land on the fourth. Volente Peak, in the heart of Volente offers developed lots with fantastic views, as they sit a few hundred feet above Lake Travis and are surrounded by a private preserve.
The area is still primarily residential. You can expect a 20-25 minute drive to downtown Austin (and a 10 minute drive to Lakeline Mall) from most homes in Volente. Refer to my Current Market Conditions for the latest market information regarding Volente real estate.
Volente Beach, located on FM 2769, is a 5-acre water park offering sandy beaches, volleyball areas, two 40-foot water slides, children's swimming playground, restaurant and marina.
Highland Lakes Marina is located in Volente, as is Sandy Creek Marina (512-336-8939), home to a large number of house boats.
Cafe Bleu, located next to Sandy Creek Marina, is a lakeside restaurant accessible by land or by boat. If you're tired of the "college crowd" at Carlos 'N Charlie’s, Cafe Bleu is for you... a more upscale menu and a hip crowd.
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Home in The Hollows at Northshore Party in Devil's Cove
Jonestown You know what it’s like to take a long drive through the hill country, and every now and then you come across a town or two? Well, Jonestown is one of those cities that you could miss entirely if you blink while you pass – it’s that ‘slow spot in the road’ with no ‘real’ traffic. There are no stop lights in Jonestown, just one flashing yellow light.
See photos of Jonestown on my Jonestown Virtual Tour!
The city of Jonestown, on the north side of Lake Travis, is less than 5 square miles of good ole hill country, where deer wander through back yards and the views go on and on. It’s all about the lifestyle and is the perfect ‘outskirt’ location. If you have to work in downtown Austin, you can come home to Jonestown to relax; it’s about 28 miles. Jonestown is located on FM 1431 in northern Travis County, Texas approximately 20 miles northwest of the City of Austin (as the crow flies) and nine miles west of the intersection of U.S. 183 and FM 1431, in the heart of one of the fastest growing areas in Texas. The inactive Balcones Escarpment extends through Austin, creating the dramatic hills and environmental features which characterize the area.
For those of you with school age children, Jonestown has two excellent school districts. Leander ISD with 12 elementary, 4 middle schools and 3 high schools; the other district is Lago Vista ISD with 1 elementary, 1 middle school and 1 high school. The dividing line between the districts is approximately Easy Street, with Leander ISD East of Easy and Lago Vista ISD on the West side.
Some people have lived in Jonestown for decades, even retire here, and now newcomers are discovering the cozy comfort of this quiet little town where you can ‘get away from it all' and still be convenient to everything! Jonestown is about as close as you can get to Austin and still have hill country views!
The median age in Jonestown is 37 years and the median house value is about $90,000. Historically thought of as a sort of "rough-and-tumble" community, the demographics are gradually changing as waterfront development on Lake Travis moves north. Essentially a rural community until the 1990s, the rapid growth surge in the Austin area has resulted in a large number of families and commuters seeking Jonestown as an escape from the congestion of town.
The small community of Jonestown was originally settled in the late 1930s by brothers Emmett and Warren Jones. The first structure was built by Warren around 1940. Then Mansfield Dam was increased in height and Lake Travis was filled, making the development of Jonestown as a lake resort possible. It started originally as a fishing camp for weekend fishermen and boaters, and gradually more and more people built their permanent residences here and commuted to work in Austin. A few fishing cabins still remain, but most have come down, and large, new homes are being built on estate lots in gated communities, many with water frontage or lake views.
For folks who want to build out here, it's good to know that there are no sewer lines (the whole city is on septic) and if you "cook with gas", it has to be propane.
The City of Jonestown incorporated in 1985 in response to the City of Austin's aggressive move to incorporate the Colorado River bed as far as Marble Falls. Other small towns followed suit. The widening and straightening of FM 1431 to Highway 183 in 1982 enhanced the population growth and provided an eye-catching Farm to Market Road where folks come to start the tour of the Highland Lakes. From the 1930's to the early 1940's, a federal program financed a series of six dams on the Colorado River creating the “Chain of Highland Lakes”, consisting of six lakes that stretch from the Austin city limits to a point 150 miles upstream. Jonestown is sometimes referred to as the “Gateway to Highland Lakes”.
If you live in Jonestown and have a boat, there are a few marinas to choose from in Jonestown. Dutchman's Landing, now renamed Easy Street Marina, has been around for a long time. It even has an indoor fishing hole. Jones Harbor Marina is smaller but new, and just opened in 2006. There is also a state of the art marina at The Hollows at Northshore; currently, they will lease slips to patrons who do not own property in The Hollows, but there is talk that that policy may change as the population in Northshore swells.
Jonestown also has the distinction of being ‘home base’ for Tugs Bar-B-Que! Tugs is well known to the locals and pretty much all Lake Travis regulars for bringing ‘good eats’ to boaters who are enjoying a day out on the water in Devils Cove.
You'll find quite an eclectic mix of properties... from mobile homes, to ranches, to The Hollows at Northshore - a fairly new development of multimillion dollar waterfront homes featured in the Parade of Homes a few years back.
Prices in The Hollows at Northshore run in the $350K to $600K range for raw waterfront lots, $135K to $250K for lake view lots, $400K to $500K for waterfront condos, and $900,000 to $2,000,000+ for lakeview and waterfront homes. The Hollows at Northshore features strong amenities, including a private restaurant, beach club, and state-of-the-art marina.
-small.jpg) One of most popular places for holiday weekend parties on Lake Travis is called Devils Cove. This is in Jonestown, and some of the properties in The Hollows at Northshore front that cove.
Photos are of the beach club at The Hollows at Northshore (above), and a Memorial Day weekend party in Devils Cove (right).
 Another gated waterfront community is Northlake Hills, offering 1+ acre waterfront lots in the $400,000 to $500,000 range. Lake view lots start in the $85,000 range. This is a small community of just 64 lots. There is a small, private marina in Northlake Hills.
The photo at right (with the lamp post) is overlooking the Northlake Hills Marina.
Even smaller, with less than 40 lots, is Longhollow Estates.
Lakeview and waterfront properties can sometimes be found here, but they are becoming rare.
A newer ridge-top development, Ranchland Hills, recently broke ground, featuring panoramic hilltop views of Lake Travis.
Photo at right: Serene beauty of the Sandy Creek arm of Lake Travis, home to the developments of Northlake Hills, Longhollow Estates, and Ranchland Hills.
A new waterfront condo development, Waterscape Villas, is slated to break ground soon, and includes plans for a hotel, retail space, and a marina.
Refer to my Current Market Conditions for the latest market information regarding lakefront real estate in Jonestown.
While in town, have a stick-to-your-ribs, home cooked meal at True Grits (512-267-4749), located right on FM 1431, the main drag through town. A food critic from the Austin Chronicle describes True Grits' food as "the real deal, made-from-scratch, Texas cafe variety. It's simple stuff, with beef anchoring the menu, plus chicken-fried everything - catfish, pork chops, and even tuna and salmon." Be sure to try the homemade pies!
See photos of Jonestown on my Jonestown Virtual Tour!
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Private Yard in Lago Vista The Island Yacht Club & Spa
Lago Vista is a small lakefront community on the north side of Lake Travis, elevation approximately 774 feet. How appropriate, that with Lago Vista having over 15 miles of shoreline on Lake Travis, the name Lago Vista means “lake view” in Spanish! It’s a wonderful community full of super nice folks who are quick with a smile and a wave, just enjoying living the Lake Travis lifestyle! Finding it is easy - just head north through Austin on Hwy 183, and then head west on FM 1431. Turn left on Lohman's Ford Road. Bluebonnets and other wildflowers are scattered along the scenic drive each spring.
See photos of Lago Vista on my Lago Vista Virtual Tour!
Although it officially became a city in 1986, this laid back resort town has been described as just on the verge of becoming a ‘real city’. For years Lago Vista has been a city with its own police and fire services, etc., but it has always lacked the retail/shopping aspect. Now that’s all coming into place and there is BIG potential in store! A CVS pharmacy, new 40,000 sq ft Super S grocery store complete with an organic/health food department, and Ace Hardware have recently opened. A new 90,000+ sq ft retail center anchored by Bealls department store is under contruction.
Other businesses already in place and thriving are the Dollar General, the Marine Shop, a car wash, banks, a video store, and some small gift shops for starters. There are also pizza joints, several other restaurants and/or fast food options, and more! I personally recommend Deedee’s Tacos & More on the corner of 1431 & Lohman’s Ford Road. A tiny store with big taste – great Mexican food! Also, Sonic has 2 for 1 burgers on Tuesday nights!
Cedar Park is only 15-20 minutes away and IKEA is just on the other end of 1431 and IH35! The common thread here is that soon Lago Vista will no longer be referred to as the sleepy, quiet, bedroom community it once was, but as a city in transition…the average age is getting younger with more and more families moving out that way. One reason for this is because it’s a place where you can have the best of both worlds! You get to enjoy hill country quiet and combine that with being close to all the amenities (and some luxuries too) that you need to live. It’s not as ‘removed’ any more. It has a lot of promise & growth potential.
Traditionally considered a vacation and retirement area, the city's demographics are gradually changing. Lago Vista has some of the last affordable property remaining on Lake Travis, which is another reason it is attracting many young families.
With so much development traffic is on the rise, but the area is still relatively traffic free. Now getting there is some work, but with Hwy 183 opening up, soon that will be a breeze too! For some perspective, Lago is approximately 18 miles west of Round Rock, and 19 miles Northwest of Austin, with Austin Bergstrom International Airport approximately 26.5 miles away.
The population is estimated at about 7,652 residents in Lago Vista proper, which is more than double the number just 10 years earlier. The median age is about 43 years, and approximately 850 retired citizens live here.
For folks who want to build out here, the city provides inspections for building, and there are some areas with sewer lines and some areas without. Also, if you “cook with gas”, it has to be propane. Water supply is Lake Travis, telephone service is through SW Bell, and electricity is provided by Pedernales Electric Cooperative.
For those of you with boats, Lago Vista has a marina, but it’s full. You’ll have to use the Point Venture Marina 10 minutes away –approximately 65 new slips are being built there. There are LOTS of waterfront parks in Lago however, where you can launch your boat. The private parks also offer a variety of outdoor activities including swimming, fishing, hiking, and picnic spots. There is a recreation center w/sports fields, boat docks, marina, playgrounds, a pool, soccer, and tennis for all to enjoy!
If you're coming from out of town to see Lago Vista, consider taking in a round of golf at the Lago Vista Country Club championship course (phone 512-267-1170), fun for beginners to pros! Or, head out for a wine tasting at Flat Creek Vineyard.
You might also want to check out the Lago Vista Air Power Museum and Library, located in Hangar 9 at the Lago Vista Airport. Dedicated to the preservation of military aircraft and memorabilia, it includes more than 350 model aircraft of all nations from World Wars I & II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. It also has many displays, hundreds of photographs, and more than 1200 books on the military. Open Saturdays from 1-5pm, and by appointment other days. 314 Flight Line Road (512) 267-7403.
Lago Vista is the gateway to the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge hosts the annual Texas Songbird Festival in April-May and Refuge Week in October. White-tailed deer are abundant in Lago, and like to roam along the lake shore.
It’s very easy to get involved in Lago Vista; there are many local groups offering opportunities to participate in theater, recreation or city government. There are also many opportunities for school kids to participate in extracurricular activities as well as receive an excellent education. Lago Vista ISD is a 2A school district. LVISD classrooms are not overpopulated. On August 1, 2006 the Texas Education Agency released the 2006 District Accountability Ratings, and (like last year) LVISD was again among the top districts in Region 13 and the state. The High School is rated as one of the top 10 high schools in Central Texas by Austin Monthly.
As the name implies, it’s all about the lake and the views! As part of the spectacular Texas Hill Country, Lago Vista enjoys an abundance of scenery, wildlife and a relaxing environment. Whether sailing on Lake Travis, hiking or biking the hills, or enjoying the beautiful sunsets, Lago Vista provides a quality of life that many people desire.
See photos of Lago Vista on my Lago Vista Virtual Tour! Also, refer to my Current Market Conditions for the latest numbers on Lago Vista.
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Lakefront Townhomes in Point Venture Shades Restaurant in Point Venture
Point Venture is located next to Lago Vista, on a peninsula that juts into Lake Travis. It is 30 miles northwest of Austin. To get there from Austin, head north on Hwy 183, then west on FM 1431. Turn left on Lohman's Ford Road and go past Lago Vista; this road dead-ends in Point Venture. It is on the north shore of Lake Travis across from Lakeway. There are just ten miles of roads in Point Venture, and the traffic volume is ‘minimal to none’.
This is a relatively small gated community of just a few hundred homes, with a manned entrance. The demographics are a mix of retirees and second/vacation home owners. Buyers can find older, less expensive townhomes and condos, as well. Refer to my Current Market Conditions for the latest waterfront real estate information.
Current and/or nearby developments are new sections of Waterford, one of the most upscale waterfront neighborhoods with 75 lakefront lots ranging in size from ½ to 2 acres. There is also a new condo development, called Waterstone.
For those of you with school age children, Point Venture is in Lago Vista ISD with 1 elementary, 1 middle school and 1 high school. There are no private schools in Point Venture.
Point Venture has a community center with many amenities for property owners and their guests. There is an Olympic sized pool with a shaded cabana for bright, sunny summer days, a workout/recreation room with typical workout equipment (treadmill, bicycle, rowing machines, weight lifting equipment, etc.). They even have a lending library that operates on the good old fashioned honor system! They’ve also got a great club room that property owners can rent for parties. It has a beautiful view of Lake Travis through 3 walls of windows, a fireplace, and a dance floor for kicking up your heels.
Tennis is a ‘big deal’ sport in PV – it’s played all year long! They’ve got six courts; four are lighted and have covered bleachers for the hard core fans out there.
It’s no surprise that everybody loves the 50-acre waterfront park for property owners and their guests. It has a pavilion, picnic tables, grills, playground equipment, and both high and low-water concrete boat launching ramps. There’s also a fenced toddler play area for the little ones, and a basketball practice area for ‘shooting hoops’.
They do have a full sized marina but it usually has a waiting list. It has restricted entry and boat slips of various lengths (6’ – 32’) available for property owners. Call (512) 267-1128 for boat slip availability. As of September 2006 the wait was anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the size of the slip needed. Of course the wait changes all the time, so you’ll need to keep checking back with them.
Point Venture also has a nine-hole public golf course! It features a practice putting green, driving range and pro shop. Pull carts and motorized golf carts are available for rent. The Pro shop phone number is (512) 267-2768.
The floating restaurant, The Pier, is popular with local residents as well as boaters on Lake Travis. Accessible by both land and water, The Pier has ample parking for boats and cars. Check their website for hours of operation, music calendar and lots of additional information. The phone number for The Pier is (512) 267-1845. Both the golf course and The Pier restaurant are operated independently from the Point Venture Property Owners Association.
Here are some other little ‘tidbits’ for you: Point Venture has no police department; they’re under the jurisdiction of the County Sheriff. The sales tax rate is 8.25%, the nearest shopping/dining, etc, is in Lago Vista, and CVS Pharmacy is just moments away. To give you a perspective on location relative to Austin, shopping at Lakeline Mall is approximately 35-40 minutes from you, and drive time to the Texas State Capitol is approximately 40-45 minutes.
You can’t help but love Point Venture. It’s a very friendly place with wonderful people. Their motto is: Communities like Point Venture don’t just “happen”, they are created!
See all kinds of great photos of Point Venture on my Point Venture Virtual Tour!
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Drag Boat Races Bridge in Marble Falls
Marble Falls is located along the Colorado River arm of Lake Travis, right in the middle of the Highland Lakes chain. Lake Travis ends at the Max Starke dam, which is where Lake Marble Falls begins.
The city of Marble Falls was founded in 1887. It's a small, hill country town just 6 miles in size, with a population of 6,480 (although there are more than 23,000 people within a 10-mile radius). Marble Falls is located 47 miles northwest of Austin.
The lake (and city) originally were named for a 20-foot waterfall that splashed over natural marble ledges. The falls are now under water.
A huge stone monolith called Granite Mountain is on the edge of town, and the city is known for its granite quarries. The famed pink granite of the State Capitol Building in Austin was quarried here and donated in exchange for a rail connection with Austin.
Rock formations are popular tourist destinations here. Be sure to see nearby Enchanted Rock State Park, the second largest natural granite dome in the U.S., and Longhorn Caverns, underground limestone caves cut by prehistoric rivers.
Each summer, Lakefest Drag Boat Races are held on Lake Marble Falls. And, in the winter, the lakeside Walkway of Lights shines with over 17,000 Christmas lights.
When visiting, be sure to dine at the Blue Bonnet Café - a slice of homemade pie is a must! The Blue Bonnet Café was voted as the #1 restaurant for breakfast in Texas by readers of Texas Highways magazine. I also recommend the hearty Italian food at Bella Sera (830-789-2661).
There are 7 year-round golf courses within a 20-mile radius of Marble Falls, plus tennis facilities, horseback riding trails, and great hunting and fishing.
There are a few stretches of Lake Travis water frontage on the far north and far south sides of the lake that are officially located in Marble Falls.
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Accepting An Offer >Accepting An Offer
Your real estate agent has just brought you an offer on your home, and you want to think about it. You would like your agent to contact the other people who have shown an interest in your home. Whether your home has been listed for three days or three months, there is always a desire to hold out for a better offer, and sellers can feel considerable resistance to making a decision.
Some buyers will include in the offer a deadline for getting a response, but the seller should respond to an offer quickly even if a deadline is not specified. The interval between when an offer is submitted and when a response is made is a crucial period because the buyers are free to withdraw from the transaction during this time. Even though they are mentally landscaping your yard and arranging their things in your rooms, they may also be afraid that they will get the house, and are, therefore, extremely vulnerable to buyers' remorse.
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What is the role of the U.S. Housing Authority?
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Created in 1937 by FDR, the U.S. Housing Authority provides construction loans to small communities and states. |
 See More Real Estate Trivia > |
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- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
