Trying to decide between a new build in Bee Cave or Lakeway? You’re not alone. Both sit in the Lake Travis corridor with access to the same school district and stunning Hill Country views, but the day-to-day experience can feel very different. In this guide, you’ll see how lots, builders, amenities, taxes, and timelines compare so you can choose with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Bee Cave vs. Lakeway at a glance
- Bee Cave often delivers newer master-planned communities with 60-foot products, smaller yards, and quick access to shopping and daily services.
- Lakeway tends to center new construction around lake life, marina access, and larger estate options, especially in Rough Hollow.
- Both feed into Lake Travis ISD, which many buyers prioritize for its strong reputation. Always verify attendance zones by address with the district’s site.
- Commutes vary by route and traffic. Plan on a 25 to 45 minute window to downtown Austin and test your drive during peak times.
New construction in Bee Cave
Communities and builders
Bee Cave’s newer neighborhoods lean into master-planned convenience with a mix of national and semi-custom builders. You’ll see Westin Homes, Taylor Morrison, Highland Homes, David Weekley, and smaller local builders offering a range from move-in-ready spec homes to semi-custom builds with design flexibility. A good example is the Provence master plan by Westin Homes, which offers modern floorplans and community amenities. Explore an overview of Provence’s community details through Westin listings on JOME for a current feel of product and phases. See the Provence community overview.
Lot sizes and home styles
Bee Cave’s recent master-planned phases often feature 60-foot lot products, with many homesites around 0.20 to 0.25 acre. That smaller yard can translate into lower weekly upkeep while still giving you indoor space, energy-efficient systems, and contemporary layouts. Falconhead and Falconhead West include a range of homesites near the golf course, with pockets of larger lots, but many parcels fall in the roughly 0.18 to 0.30 acre range.
Everyday convenience
If you value short drives to groceries, restaurants, and services, Bee Cave’s retail core is a major plus. The Hill Country Galleria is the area’s shopping and entertainment hub with dining, events, and essentials close by. Get a sense of the tenant mix and setting at the Hill Country Galleria. You also have nearby parks and trails, including Bee Cave Central Park and regional preserves. Learn more about Bee Cave’s parks and amenities on the Hill Country Portal.
New construction in Lakeway
Rough Hollow highlights
Rough Hollow is Lakeway’s flagship master plan with a wide range of product types. You’ll find lock-and-leave clusters, mid-range single-family sections, and luxury estate phases, many with lake access or views. For low-maintenance living, The Point at Rough Hollow by David Weekley offers smaller homesites with an HOA that handles much of the exterior care. Browse community and availability details for The Point at Rough Hollow.
For larger lots and custom-level finish opportunities, Las Brisas Estates within Rough Hollow is positioned as a luxury enclave. Explore the builder’s overview of Las Brisas Estates by Drees Custom Homes for context on product and pricing bands.
Marina, lake access, and golf
Lakeway stands out for integrated lake amenities that most Bee Cave neighborhoods do not offer. The Rough Hollow Yacht Club & Marina features more than 294 slips, a ship store, concierge services, a waterfront restaurant, and resort-style pools. If weekly boating is on your wish list, review membership and amenity details at the Rough Hollow Yacht Club & Marina. Lakeway also includes multiple golf and country club communities that appeal to buyers who want private-club amenities near home.
Schools: the shared anchor
Both Bee Cave and Lakeway are served by Lake Travis Independent School District. Many families choose the corridor for this reason. Because attendance zones can change and may split across neighborhoods, always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address using the district’s site. Check current campuses and boundaries at the LTISD schools page.
Taxes, MUDs, and HOA fees
Property taxes are a combination of many entities in this area, including the city, county, school district, emergency services, hospital districts, and often a Municipal Utility District (MUD) or Public Improvement District (PID). City rates differ. Lakeway adopted a FY2026 city rate of 0.16964 per $100. Verify details through the City of Lakeway. Bee Cave has historically maintained a very low city rate around $0.02. Remember that city portions are just one piece of the total.
MUD levies can add materially to your effective tax rate, especially in high-amenity master plans. Builder community pages sometimes publish sample combined rates to help you budget. For example, materials for Rough Hollow products have shown totals around the low-to-mid 2 percent range, including a MUD component. Always ask for a current sample full tax bill for the exact lot.
HOA dues vary widely. Standard neighborhoods might run around $40 to $75 per month, while high-amenity master plans with pools, fitness, parks, and yacht-club access can range from about $90 up to $600 or more per month depending on the home and membership requirements. Request a written HOA fee schedule and a list of what is included.
Market signals and price context
As of late 2025, the broader Austin region showed more inventory and some softening from peak pricing, though local pockets can move differently from the city core. In this corridor, Lakeway often reports medians in the mid 600 thousands to 800 thousands, while Bee Cave commonly ranges from the mid 700 thousands to 900 thousands depending on the neighborhood and time period. Treat these as directional bands. Always review current comps and live builder pricing before you write an offer.
Long-term value trade-offs
- Lake access and marina proximity usually carry a premium and can support higher resale values. Luxury lake segments can be more cyclical, so expect larger swings in certain markets.
- Bee Cave’s newer construction on smaller lots can mean lower weekly maintenance, efficient systems, and contemporary layouts that many families want today.
- Larger estate lots in Lakeway, especially with water views or access, offer scarcity value. Entry prices and ongoing costs, including club fees and potential MUD levies, are typically higher.
- Budget for the Year-2 tax jump on new construction, when the appraisal shifts from land-only to the completed home. Plan ahead for HOA and any yacht-club or club transfer fees where applicable.
Quick chooser: which is right for you?
- If you want modern floorplans and a lower-maintenance yard, consider Bee Cave master plans like Provence. Check the Provence community overview for a feel of 60-foot products and amenities.
- If boating and a marina are must-haves, look at Lakeway’s Rough Hollow. Review amenity details at the Rough Hollow Yacht Club & Marina.
- If you prefer lock-and-leave convenience, explore The Point at Rough Hollow by David Weekley for smaller homesites and managed exterior care. See The Point at Rough Hollow.
- If you want a luxury custom or semi-custom experience on larger lots, investigate Las Brisas Estates within Rough Hollow. Start with Las Brisas Estates for orientation.
- If close-in shopping and dining matter most, Bee Cave’s Hill Country Galleria puts retail and services minutes from many neighborhoods.
Buyer checklist before you tour
Use this list to compare apples to apples and avoid surprises.
- Confirm the school attendance zone for the specific address using the LTISD schools page. Zones can split neighborhoods.
- Ask each builder for the latest lot maps, standard lot sizes and widths, remaining phases, model vs. spec inventory, and estimated build timelines. Community pages like The Point at Rough Hollow share helpful context.
- Get a written total cost snapshot: HOA dues and what they include, any marina or club fees, MUD or PID levies, and a modeled full property tax estimate for the exact lot.
- Verify lake-related details if boating matters: floodplain notes, dock or slip availability, waitlists, and transfer rules with the Rough Hollow Yacht Club & Marina.
- Know your build timeline. Production and spec homes can close in months; fully custom builds often take 9 to 18 months and may face permit or supply delays. See common steps and timing in this new-home build timeline guide.
- Check resale comps in the same sub-neighborhood. Ask for 3 to 5 years of history and match amenity access, especially for waterfront or golf-course lots.
The bottom line
You cannot go wrong choosing between Bee Cave and Lakeway, but you can choose smarter. If you want retail convenience and newer master-planned living with manageable yards, Bee Cave often fits best. If lake life, marina access, and larger estate options are your priorities, Lakeway delivers a unique lifestyle and long-term scarcity value. The right answer comes down to how you want to live week to week, what you want to maintain, and how you want to budget for taxes, HOAs, and club access.
Ready to compare specific lots, floorplans, and costs side by side? Connect with Kristen Balke for hyper-local guidance, live pricing, and a no-pressure plan tailored to your move.
FAQs
What are the key differences between new builds in Bee Cave vs. Lakeway?
- Bee Cave emphasizes master-planned communities with 60-foot lots, modern floorplans, and retail proximity, while Lakeway centers on Rough Hollow’s marina lifestyle, lock-and-leave options, and larger estate phases.
How long does a new construction build take in the Lake Travis corridor?
- Production or spec homes can close in a few months, while fully custom homes often take 9 to 18 months and can face permitting or supply delays. See this new-home build timeline guide for typical steps.
How do Bee Cave and Lakeway schools compare for families?
- Both areas are served by Lake Travis ISD. Always verify the assigned campuses for a specific address using the district’s LTISD schools page.
What HOA and MUD costs should I expect in Rough Hollow?
- Expect higher HOA dues in high-amenity sections and a MUD levy that contributes to the total tax rate; ask for a current HOA schedule and a sample full tax bill for the exact lot, plus any yacht-club or club fees listed at the Rough Hollow Yacht Club & Marina.
How far are Bee Cave and Lakeway from downtown Austin during rush hour?
- Drive times vary by neighborhood and route, but many community pages cite a general 25 to 45 minute range. Test your commute using your exact address and preferred route. Review samples on The Point at Rough Hollow for context.
