Highland Homes in Austin
Move-up and semi-custom, Texas-based · $400K-$900K
The short answer
Highland Homes is a Texas-based builder in the move-up and semi-custom bands, roughly $400,000 to $900,000 in the Austin metro. They are known for above-average standard specification and for customer-satisfaction scores near the top of the industry. They build in the stronger master-planned communities in Georgetown, Leander, and the north metro, and their incentives are modest relative to the volume builders.
I have not personally closed a Highland Homes transaction. What follows is from touring their communities, reading their contracts, and representing buyers against them in the same submarkets. I would rather say that than imply experience I do not have.
Ready to see actual homes?
Current inventory with pricing, updated by the builders themselves. Incentives change constantly, so ask me what applies to a specific home.
The case for and against Highland Homes
No builder is right for everyone. Here is how I would frame it for a client.
What they do well
- Standard specification is genuinely above the market at the price point, particularly trim and cabinetry.
- Consistently high customer-satisfaction and warranty-responsiveness scores.
- Real structural options on most plans.
- Strong positions in the better master plans.
What to watch for
- Incentives are smaller than the volume builders. You are paying for the house, not being paid to buy it.
- Design-center spend adds up quickly because the option list is long and good.
- Build timelines on to-be-built homes are longer than the volume builders.
Negotiating with Highland Homes
Design-center allowances and closing-cost credits. Price movement is limited.
- Ask for a design-center allowance rather than a price reduction. It is the concession they are most likely to approve.
- Standing inventory is a different conversation from a to-be-built. Ask what is complete and unsold.
- On a long build, negotiate the rate lock terms explicitly.
Highland Homes communities around Austin
Whose side is the Highland Homes sales agent on?
The agent in the model home is paid by Highland Homes and represents Highland Homes. They can be helpful, knowledgeable and genuinely pleasant, and they still do not work for you. Everything you tell them about your budget, your timeline and how much you love the house is information held by the other side of the negotiation.
On new construction the builder pays my fee in most cases, disclosed in writing before we tour. Register me before your first visit — walking into a sales office alone and signing the guest book can cost you the right to representation at that community entirely.
Highland Homes, answered
Why is Highland Homes more expensive than other builders in the same community? ▾
Usually because the standard specification is higher, so you are comparing a base Highland home to a partly upgraded home from a volume builder. Price the comparison at equivalent finish rather than at base, and include the design-center spend needed to bring the cheaper home to the same level. Sometimes Highland wins that comparison outright, and sometimes it does not, but base-to-base is not a real comparison.
Where Highland Homes builds around Austin
Keep exploring
Touring Highland Homes? Get an agent on your side first.
Fifteen minutes. I'll go through what Highland Homes is currently offering and register you before your first visit, at no cost to you.
Book a Highland Homes consultation
Pick a time. I'll share what Highland Homes is currently offering, which of their communities fit what you want, and register you before your first visit.
Questions about Highland Homes?
Tell me which community you're looking at and I'll send you my notes on it, current incentives, and what I'd watch for in the contract.
Reviewed and updated September 23, 2026. Builder pricing, incentives and contract terms change frequently — confirm current terms before making decisions.