Luxury New Construction Over $750K in Austin: 2026 Guide

Bottom line: Luxury new construction above $750K in Austin is a fundamentally different market — fewer communities, premium builders like Toll Brothers and David Weekley, better land, better schools, and a design center process that can add $100K-$300K to the base price. This guide covers the four communities that matter most in 2026 and what to budget realistically.

I am a new construction consultant in the Austin metro and have saved my clients over $100,000 on new home purchases in 2026 alone — and counting. Luxury new construction is where most buyers need the most representation, because the financial complexity scales with the price. For the full market overview, see my Austin-wide new construction guide for 2026.

What Changes Above $750K

Most Austin new construction falls in the $350K-$600K range — production homes on 50-foot lots built by Lennar, DR Horton, Meritage, and KB Home. These are solid homes, but they are a commodity product. Above $750K, the market shifts in four ways that matter.

Builder quality. The $750K+ tier is dominated by Toll Brothers, David Weekley Homes, Perry Homes, and Coventry Homes. These builders offer semi-custom floor plans, in-house design centers with thousands of selections, and structural options (extended garages, outdoor living additions, second-floor expansions) that production builders do not. The construction process is longer — 7-10 months versus 4-6 — because there is more customization.

Land. Below $600K, you are looking at 50-70 foot lots in dense master-planned communities. Above $750K, you can get Hill Country view lots at Travisso, one-acre homesites at Leander Estates, or Lake Travis waterfront access at The Hollows. Land quality is the single biggest differentiator at this price point.

School districts. The luxury communities cluster in Leander ISD and Dripping Springs ISD — two of the highest-performing districts in the Austin metro. This is not coincidental. Builders pay more for land in premium school districts because they know buyers will pay a premium for the address.

Amenity packages. Travisso has a 9,200 square foot clubhouse with resort pool, tennis, pickleball, bocce, yoga studio, and fitness center. Headwaters has a resort-style clubhouse, pool, fitness center, and event pavilion on over 1,000 acres of open green space. These are materially different from the small pool and playground you get in a $400K community.

Travisso — The Flagship Leander Luxury Community

Travisso is the largest and most established luxury new construction community in Leander. Two builders — Toll Brothers and Taylor Morrison — offer homes from $600K to over $2M across five distinct collections.

Collections and pricing:

• Capri Collection (Toll Brothers) — 1,913-2,853 sqft, entry-level luxury from the low $600Ks. The most accessible price point in Travisso.
• Siena Collection (Toll Brothers) — 2,857-3,899 sqft, from $699,995 to $789,995+ base. Quick-move-in homes have reached $1,019,000 with selections.
• Naples Collection (Toll Brothers) — 4,558+ sqft estate homes. Quick-move-in inventory priced at $1,264,000.
• Florence Collection (Toll Brothers) — 3,385-5,667 sqft, 4-5 bedrooms. The premium estate collection.
• Verona Collection (Toll Brothers) — The top of the line. Homes push past $1.5M with lot premiums and design center selections.

Taylor Morrison builds concurrently in Travisso, offering an alternative style and price point in the same community. Having two luxury builders competing in one master plan gives buyers leverage.

The amenity package is the best in north Austin. The 9,200 square foot Palazzo Clubhouse includes a resort-style pool, tennis courts, pickleball courts, bocce ball, yoga lawn, fitness center, fire pit, and children’s playground. Hiking and biking trails wind through Hill Country terrain. This is not a brochure promise — these amenities are built and operational.

Schools: Leander ISD. Travisso feeds into some of the district’s top-rated campuses. For families, this is the primary draw alongside the views and amenities.

What to watch for: Travisso currently has 15 quick-move-in homes ranging from $731K to $2M. These spec homes offer the deepest incentives because Toll Brothers is carrying the holding cost. If your timeline is flexible, a built-to-order contract gives you full design center control. If you need to move in 60-90 days, the spec inventory is where the negotiation opportunity lives.

For more on Leander communities at all price points, see my Leander new construction guide.

Headwaters — Hill Country Estate Living

Headwaters is Toll Brothers’ flagship Dripping Springs community, sitting on rolling Hill Country terrain along US-290 about 25 minutes west of Austin. This is where buyers go when they want land, views, and a slower pace without sacrificing school quality.

Collections and pricing:

• Legacy Collection — 1,913-2,785+ sqft, 3-5 bedrooms, on 50-foot homesites. Starting from the mid-$500Ks.
• Preserve Collection — 2,590-3,564+ sqft on 60-foot homesites. The mid-range option with more space and larger lots.

Beyond Toll Brothers, Headwaters includes builds from David Weekley Homes, Dream Finders, Drees Custom Homes, Ashton Woods, Newmark Homes, Taylor Morrison, and Coventry Homes. This multi-builder format means you can comparison-shop floor plans, pricing, and construction quality without leaving the community.

The lifestyle trade-off is real. Headwaters is 30-40 minutes from central Austin. Most buyers here work remotely, commute to northwest Austin employers (Apple’s campus is about 25-30 minutes), or have decided that the Hill Country lifestyle outweighs commute time. This is not a commuter suburb.

Design center and lot premiums are where Headwaters pricing escalates. Base prices start in the mid-$500Ks, but the estate-level builds with view lot premiums and full design center selections push past $1.2M. Budget 15-25% above base price for a realistic delivered cost. The model homes you tour at Headwaters are typically configured with $150K-$250K in upgrades above base.

Schools: Dripping Springs ISD, ranked in the top 40 out of 961 Texas school districts. Dripping Springs High School has a 96.3% graduation rate. An onsite preschool is also available within the community.

Water utility consideration: Some Dripping Springs communities rely on well water or limited-capacity water utilities. Confirm the water source and any capacity restrictions before signing a contract. This is a detail that does not come up at the sales office but matters long-term.

For the full Dripping Springs breakdown, see my Dripping Springs new construction guide.

Leander Estates — One-Acre Lots in Leander ISD

Leander Estates is David Weekley’s answer to the question every Austin buyer with land ambitions asks: can I get a new build on acreage without going full custom?

The answer is yes — but inventory is limited. Leander Estates offers ranch-style floor plans from approximately 2,700 to 4,300+ square feet on one-acre homesites, starting at $775K. Pricing has reached over $1M for larger configurations with full selections.

Why this matters: One-acre lots in new construction are extremely rare in the Austin metro. Most master-planned communities have 50-70 foot lots. Leander Estates is a fundamentally different product — the kind of land-plus-new-build combination that typically requires a custom builder, a standalone lot purchase, and 12-18 months of construction management.

David Weekley’s build quality sits in the upper tier of production builders. They are not a custom builder, but they offer more structural flexibility than Lennar or Meritage. The design center process is extensive, with thousands of selections for finishes, fixtures, and layout modifications.

Schools: Leander ISD. Same district as Travisso, with access to top-rated campuses.

What to confirm before committing:

• Water and sewer. One-acre lots in this area may be on well water and septic rather than city utilities. This affects maintenance costs, resale, and insurance. Get this in writing.
• HOA restrictions. Even on one-acre lots, the HOA may restrict outbuildings, fencing, and livestock. If you want the land for horses or a workshop, read the CC&Rs before signing.
• Inventory status. Web sources show some phases may be sold out. Contact David Weekley directly at 512-354-4274 or have me check current availability before visiting.

David Weekley is currently offering a $2,500 design center selections incentive valid through January 2027. On a $775K+ home, that is modest — but it stacks with other negotiated concessions when you have agent representation.

The Hollows — Lake Travis New Construction

The Hollows in Jonestown is the only new construction community in the Austin metro with direct Lake Travis access, a private marina, and a boat launch. Coventry Homes builds here from $550K to $900K, with homes ranging from 2,300 to 4,200 square feet.

The lifestyle proposition is unique. The Hollows includes a marina with covered boat slips, a boat launch ramp, an infinity-edge pool overlooking the lake, a beach club, kayak launch, hiking trails, fitness center, and clubhouse. No other new construction community in Austin offers this combination.

Pricing context: Lakeway and Bee Cave waterfront resale homes start at $1.5M-$2M+. The Hollows delivers a lake lifestyle at roughly half the cost by sitting further up Lake Travis in Jonestown. The trade-off is location — Jonestown is 35-45 minutes from central Austin — and the school district.

Schools: Lago Vista ISD. This is the primary trade-off. Lago Vista ISD is a small district that does not carry the academic reputation of Leander ISD or Dripping Springs ISD. For buyers without school-age children, or those planning private school, this is irrelevant. For families prioritizing public school quality, it is worth honest evaluation.

The upper range of The Hollows approaches $900K with lot premiums and Coventry’s design center selections. At that price, you are getting 3,500-4,200 square feet with lake community amenities that would cost $1.5M+ in Lakeway.

The Design Center Reality Check

This section applies to every community above. If you have never bought from Toll Brothers, David Weekley, or a similar semi-custom builder, the design center process will surprise you.

How it works: After signing a contract at base price, you visit the builder’s design center — a showroom with every finish option available. Flooring, countertops, cabinets, lighting, plumbing fixtures, appliances, exterior materials, landscaping, and dozens of structural options. You make selections over 2-4 visits spanning several weeks.

How the math escalates: The base price includes builder-grade finishes. The model home you toured has $150K-$250K in upgrades. Most buyers land somewhere in between, adding $100K-$300K to the base price. A $700K base home commonly delivers at $850K-$950K.

What has the best ROI for resale:

• Kitchen upgrades (quartz/quartzite countertops, soft-close cabinets, upgraded appliances) — high ROI, every buyer notices the kitchen.
• Primary bath upgrades (freestanding tub, frameless glass shower, dual vanity) — high ROI, the second most scrutinized room after kitchen.
• Flooring (hardwood or luxury vinyl plank throughout main level) — high ROI, eliminates a common buyer objection.
• Structural options (extended patio, outdoor kitchen rough-in, pre-wired media room) — moderate to high ROI, impossible to add affordably after closing.

What has low ROI for resale:

• Premium light fixtures (buyers swap these immediately)
• Exotic tile patterns (taste-specific, can date quickly)
• Top-tier appliance packages beyond what the kitchen layout supports
• Excessive lot premiums on interior lots with no view

For a detailed breakdown, see my guide to new construction upgrades with the highest ROI. And for the most common mistakes to avoid in the new construction process, I have a separate guide.

School District Comparison at the Luxury Tier

At the luxury price point, school district is one of the top three factors driving resale value — alongside lot quality and community amenities. Here is how the four districts serving these communities compare.

Leander ISD (serves Travisso, Leander Estates)

• Large suburban district, consistently ranked in the top 20% statewide
• Strong extracurricular programs (athletics, arts, STEM)
• Rapid growth has strained some campuses — check specific school assignments, not just district reputation
• Best for: families who want a large, well-funded district with broad program offerings

Dripping Springs ISD (serves Headwaters)

• Top 40 out of 961 Texas districts by academic performance
• 96.3% graduation rate at Dripping Springs High School
• Smaller district with a tight-knit community feel
• Recent rezoning (2025-26) shifted some campus assignments — confirm your specific school before buying
• Best for: families who prioritize academic rankings and smaller class sizes

Georgetown ISD (serves Wolf Ranch)

• Solid mid-tier district with improving ratings
• Georgetown’s charm and downtown appeal add lifestyle value
• Best for: buyers who want the Georgetown lifestyle with adequate (not top-tier) schools

Lago Vista ISD (serves The Hollows)

• Small district with limited program offerings
• Lower academic rankings compared to Leander and Dripping Springs
• Best for: buyers without school-age children or those planning private school
• The lake lifestyle at The Hollows compensates for the district trade-off — but only if schools are not your priority

For a deeper comparison across all Austin-area districts, see my Austin school districts guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Luxury New Construction in Austin

Where is the best luxury new construction in Austin TX?

The top luxury new construction communities are Travisso in Leander (Toll Brothers and Taylor Morrison, $600K-$2M+, Leander ISD, Hill Country views), Headwaters in Dripping Springs (Toll Brothers, $650K-$1.2M+, Dripping Springs ISD), and Leander Estates (David Weekley, from $775K, one-acre lots in Leander ISD). For lake lifestyle, The Hollows in Jonestown offers Lake Travis access from $550K.

How much does a Toll Brothers home cost in Austin?

Toll Brothers builds in three Austin-area communities. Wildspring in Leander starts at $530K. Travisso in Leander ranges from $600K to $2M+. Headwaters in Dripping Springs ranges from $650K to $1.2M+. Base prices are the floor — design center selections and lot premiums typically add $100K-$300K to the delivered price.

Is Travisso or Headwaters better for luxury buyers?

Travisso offers Leander ISD (top family district) and the best amenity package in the north metro. Headwaters offers Dripping Springs ISD (top academic district) and genuine Hill Country estate living. Travisso is better for families who want community amenities and north Austin tech corridor access. Headwaters is better for buyers who want acreage, views, and a quieter Hill Country lifestyle.

Can I get one-acre lots in Austin new construction?

Yes. Leander Estates by David Weekley offers one-acre homesites starting at $775K in Leander ISD. This is extremely rare in Austin new construction — most communities have 50-70 foot lots. Confirm whether homes are on city water/sewer or well/septic before committing.

What should I budget beyond base price for luxury new construction in Austin?

At Toll Brothers and David Weekley, design center selections and lot premiums typically add $100K-$300K beyond base price. Budget 15-25% above the base price for a realistic total. The model home you tour is usually configured with $150K-$250K in upgrades — ask for the base spec sheet to see what is actually included.

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Next Steps for Luxury Buyers

Luxury new construction is where agent representation matters most. The base price is just the starting point — design center selections, lot premiums, structural options, and builder contract terms add complexity that does not exist at the $400K price point. I negotiate these terms for buyers every week.

Here is what I recommend:

1. Do not visit a sales office alone. Register with me first so you have representation from day one. This takes 60 seconds and costs you nothing.
2. Get the base spec sheet before falling in love with the model home. Know what is included versus what is upgraded.
3. Budget 15-25% above base price for a realistic delivered cost including design center and lot premiums.
4. Compare communities side by side — Travisso, Headwaters, Leander Estates, and The Hollows serve different lifestyles at overlapping price points.

I am William Zhang, a buyer’s agent at eXp Realty (TREC #811948) specializing in Austin new construction. Call or text me at (512) 766-3188 or learn more about how I work.