Buyer Guide
Building a Home in Austin: Buying a Lot & Finding the Right Team
Building your own home lets you get exactly the house you want, in the place you want it. It also means more decisions and more moving parts than buying a finished home. I help buyers find the right lot, check that it works for their plans, and put together a trusted team of architects, builders and lenders to bring the home to life.
How I help
I search the MLS and off-market sources for land that fits your plans, budget and location, and flag the issues that can make a lot more expensive to build on before you fall in love with it.
During your option period I help you check zoning, deed restrictions, utilities, trees, topography, floodplain and permitting, and line up the surveyor, engineers and other experts you may need.
I can connect you with Austin-area architects and residential designers whose style, experience and fees fit your project, from modern Hill Country homes to traditional custom estates.
I work with custom and semi-custom home builders across the Austin area and can introduce you to a few who build the kind of home you want, at your price point, where your lot is.
Land and construction loans work differently from a standard mortgage. I can refer you to lenders who handle lot loans and construction-to-permanent financing so you know your budget up front.
Before real estate I spent about 20 years managing complex projects at Dell and Dimensional Fund Advisors, and I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). I bring that same discipline to keeping your build organized, on schedule and on budget.
Architect and builder referrals
The right architect and builder make all the difference. Over the years I’ve built relationships with Austin-area architects, residential designers and custom home builders, and I know their styles, the price ranges they work in and the areas they build. Tell me about your project and I’ll introduce you to a few who are a good fit, so you can interview them and choose with confidence.
- Architects and residential designers for fully custom homes.
- Custom and semi-custom builders, including builders with in-house design.
- Construction lenders for lot loans and construction-to-permanent financing.
- Surveyors, engineers and inspectors for due diligence on the lot.
The path from lot to finished home
- Talk through your goals. What you want to build, where, your timeline and your total budget for land, design and construction.
- Get pre-approved. Talk to a lender about a lot loan and construction financing. Lot loans often need a larger down payment than a home loan.
- Find a lot and make an offer. Texas uses a separate TREC contract for unimproved property. Build in an option period long enough for due diligence.
- Do your due diligence. Survey, utilities, restrictions, soils, trees and permitting. Bring in an architect or builder early to confirm the lot works for your plans.
- Choose your architect and builder. Interview a few, check references and recent projects, and compare how each one prices and manages a build.
- Design, bid and permit. Finalize plans, get firm pricing, and submit for permits with the city or county that has jurisdiction.
- Build and move in. Regular site visits and clear communication with your builder keep the project on track through completion.
What to check before you buy a lot
Two lots at the same price can cost very different amounts to build on. These are the things we look at together during your option period:
Setbacks, height limits, minimum home size and HOA architectural review can shape what you can build.
City water or a well? Sewer or septic? A septic system needs a county permit and suitable soil. Check electric, gas and internet too.
The City of Austin protects many large trees, which can affect where a house can sit on the lot.
Steep or rocky Hill Country lots can need extra foundation and site work. Central Texas clay soils call for an engineered foundation.
Check the FEMA flood map and how water moves across the lot.
West of Austin, watershed rules that protect Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer can limit how much of a lot you can cover with roof and pavement.
Make sure the lot has legal access and review any easements across it.
An Austin address could fall under the City of Austin, a smaller city like West Lake Hills, or Travis or Williamson County, each with its own rules.
Find a lot
Browse lots and land for sale in Austin, West Lake Hills, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs and Leander, or ask me about lots that aren’t on the market yet.
Building a home FAQ
Do I need a real estate agent to buy a lot?
It helps. Land has more unknowns than a finished home, and an agent who knows what to look for can save you from a lot that costs far more to build on than expected. As the buyer, you typically don’t pay for your agent’s representation directly; we’ll go over how that works before you start.
Should I hire an architect or go straight to a builder?
It depends on the project. A fully custom home often starts with an architect, while many builders offer in-house design or semi-custom plans. I can introduce you to both and help you decide which path fits.
Can you help if I already own a lot?
Yes. I can still introduce you to architects, builders and construction lenders, and help you think through the project.
Am I obligated to use the architects or builders you refer?
No. Introductions are a starting point. You interview them and choose who you want to work with.
Should I bring you to a new-home community?
Yes, and bring me on your first visit. Many builders require your agent to register you at the first visit in order to represent you.
Ready to start planning?
Tell me a little about what you want to build and where. I’ll follow up to talk through your plans and the architects and builders who would be a good fit.