The Buzz

One of two new Sweetwater model homes by Taylor Morrison, the Merlot is an open one-story plan with a three-car garage and flexible options including a gameroom, study and extra bedrooms. From the outdoor living area (and its breathtaking view) to the trendy tilework in the kitchen and master bath, our blog walks you through our 8 favorite features in the Merlot.

One of two new Sweetwater model homes by Taylor Morrison, the Alabaster is a spacious 1.5-story plan with incredible views and plenty of flexible options, including two home offices and an upstairs gameroom with a covered balcony. Our blog walks you through our 8 favorite features in the Alabaster.

The Ellingwood model home by M/I Homes is one of the newest model homes in Sweetwater. From the grand foyer to the thoughtful mud room entry, there’s a lot to love in this spacious four-bedroom plan. Here are our top 10 favorite features.

Along with Hill Country wildflowers, spring will bring the grand openings of new model homes by Sweetwater’s two new builders, M/I Homes and Taylor Morrison Homes.

Austin is the best real estate market in Texas for buying a new home, and the Capital City ranks third nationwide among large cities, according to a study from WalletHub. It’s one of the newest kudos for Austin, which has also reigned as Best Place to Live in the U.S. for three years in a row.

From a home office you’ll want to show off on Zoom, to a sliding barn door in the owner’s suite, there’s a lot to love in Chesmar’s new model home in Sweetwater. Here are our 5 favorite features.

From sliding barn doors to shiplap walls, there’s a lot to love in Perry’s new model home in Sweetwater. Here are our 5 favorite features.

Sweetwater’s newest neighborhood offers scenic view homesites for new homes priced from the low $400,000s to $600,000s by Chesmar, Perry and Westin. Chesmar and Perry have just opened fully furnished model homes in Llano Terrace, with Westin’s model opening this summer.

When Casey and Leticia Monroe started thinking about moving from Brownsville to Austin, schools were their number one priority. Careful research led them to Lake Travis ISD, and Sweetwater’s beautiful Hill Country environment convinced them to make their “forever home” here.

With interest rates at record lows, homebuyers who feel confident economically can invest in a new home and save substantially on monthly payments. We recommend talking to a professional real estate agent about taking advantage of this opportunity.

Ideas for multigenerational living are showcased in one of Sweetwater’s newest model homes, the Afton II by Village Builders. This model home is located in Madrone Ridge, offering a lifestyle as unique as this innovative home design.

If you’re thinking about downsizing, perhaps looking ahead to retiring, here are 10 things to think about to find the rightsized new home, and the perfect community and lifestyle to go with it. 

At Sweetwater, we carefully design streets and homesites to preserve as many trees as possible, and our builders add new trees when every new home is completed. 

Austin is the No. 1 large U.S. city for homebuyers, according to a new report from WalletHub. Another new report, from SmartAsset, ranks Austin as the No. 2 U.S. city for housing growth and stability.

Austin is the No. 1 large U.S. city for homebuyers, according to a new report from WalletHub. Another new report, from SmartAsset, ranks Austin as the No. 2 U.S. city for housing growth and stability.

“I wish I’d known that before….” is something we often say to ourselves, especially after making a major purchase or decision. If you’re thinking about buying a home, here are 10 things you’ll be glad you knew in advance – from myths about finance to avoiding neighborhood regret.

Westin Homes, our Builder of the Month, is known for grand rotunda foyers with spiral staircases, a signature feature in many of its plans, including its Carter III model home in Sweetwater. But as our blog explains, this builder also pays attention to many small details that make everyday living effortless and enjoyable.

The average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage recently fell below 4%, prompting the financial advice website Bankrate to call it an “unexpected gift” for borrowers. Low interest rates are just part of an overall positive outlook for today’s homebuyers.

From the HOA to the title company, lots of players get involved when you buy a new home. Your builder sales consultant and real estate agent will usually handle most of the interactions, but it’s still a good idea to know who’s who and who does what.

Chesmar Homes, our builder of the month, is known for creating valued-filled homes that blend open indoor and outdoor living areas with a modern approach to Hill Country design. Their fully furnished model home in Sweetwater, the Ryder, is a great example of the Chesmar style.

Austin is one of the top 10 U.S. cities projected to dominate new-home construction in 2019, according to an analysis from Realtor.com.

From low interest rates to affordable new choices, 2019 is shaping up to be a great year to buy a new home at Sweetwater, whether it’s your first new home, or your ultimate dream home. Here are 5 reasons to discover what Sweetwater has to offer.

Sometimes we get the feeling we’d like a change of scenery, but how do you know when it’s really time to move? Here are 8 signs to think about, from feeling like you need more space, to wanting better schools for the kids.

Today’s homebuyers want home storage amenities such as walk-in pantries and oversized laundry rooms, along with energy-saving features, according to a survey from the National Association of Home Builders. See how Sweetwater’s best-in-class builders are on point with what buyers want.

Pulte’s rooftop balcony in their Nelson model home was included in a recent webinar of top housing design trends from DesignLens, the building industry’s largest online library of photo tours for model homes and master-planned communities.

Some 17 million kids head off to college each year, according to the AARP, but an empty nest doesn’t have to mean at empty life. In fact, it can be the start of an exciting new chapter in life. Here are 6 ways to get started.

From schools and recreation, to activities that will help newcomers feel right at home, here are 5 ways master-planned communities like Sweetwater are checking all the boxes for young families looking for a new home.

“Anything that looks like the work of a detail-obsessed artisan will be right at home in 2019,” predicts Realtor.com. With its nature-inspired design details, Chesmar’s Ryder model home in Sweetwater is right on trend.

Among all the decisions involved in choosing a new home, should you consider which direction it will face? Here are a few things to think about, from environmental, cultural and other perspectives.

From getting more square footage for your money, to enrolling the kids in highly rated schools, here are 5 ways that suburban living is better than living in town.

One of the most exciting parts about building a new home is getting to choose all the features you’ve always wanted. With a little advance planning, you can enjoy your new home for many years to come by making it ready to age in place.

From the luxurious to the practical, the beautifully decorated model homes in Sweetwater are filled we design features we love. Here are 5 of our favorites.

One of the best things about moving up to a new home is having more space to entertain family and friends. Here are 5 sociable floor plans at Sweetwater that can make you the host with the most.

Need one more reason to do those closets? Local charities helping to solve hunger, homelessness and joblessness depend on your unwanted items. You get a clean home and a “helper’s high.”

From drop zones to laundry loops, many thoughtful features from Sweetwater’s homebuilders can help you get organized, get productive and get out the door in the morning.

Austin is one of the top U.S. housing markets to watch in 2019, according to a report from the real estate website Trulia Inc.

If you’re feeling stressed, check out these relaxing home plans at Sweetwater. From spa-like master baths to elevated patios, they’re filled with features that will make you say relax and say “Ahhhhh.”

“Neighborhood regret” is a real thing experienced by more than one-third of recent homebuyers, according to a recent study from Trulia. Here are 4 ways can avoid wishing they had chosen a different neighborhood.

Today’s independent-minded empty nesters are choosing new homes ranging from high-rises to ranches. And a growing number are choosing master-planned communities like Sweetwater, where they can enjoy a winning combination of amenities, activities, property protections and more.

We're providing you six things to consider from Bankrate.com when dealing with the decision-making of remodeling, buying new or staying put. 

Whether you’re a home shopper or a Realtor, visiting multiple communities in search of the perfect new home can be a lot easier with the many tricks offered by Google Maps tricks. Here are our top 5.

For homebuyers who prefer one-story floor plans, Sweetwater offers many single-level homes plans to be built, ranging from more than 1,600 to over 3,200 square feet. Several of our fully furnished model homes and many quick move-in homes also feature one-story designs.

What’s your idea of entertaining? Whether it’s an outdoor cookout, movie night or a formal dinner, we have the perfect home plan for that at Sweetwater. See 5 perfect plans for all kinds of entertaining.

Sweetwater is proud to be home to the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin’s 2019 Benefit Home, now being built by Chesmar Homes on a homesite donated by Newland. Proceeds will benefit HomeAid Austin, working to provide housing for today’s homeless.

From connected appliances to whole-house Wi-Fi, builders today are offering an unlimited array of technologies. But it’s important to remember that it’s not so much about the technology, but the way it fits into our lives.

Successful custom homes are the result of meticulous planning, quality craftsmanship, and a thoughtful infusion of personal style. If this is the first time you've considered building a custom home, let us share a few tips we've learned to make your homebuilding experience an easier one.

With open floor plans more popular than ever, builders are getting creative in providing storage spaces to keep clutter at bay. See 6 innovative ways builders are adding storage spaces that are out of sight and easy to utilize.

Finally, a study has confirmed what we all suspected: people spend much more time in family rooms and kitchens than in formal areas. See how Sweetwater’s homebuilders are designing new homes for the way people live today.

River Oaks Homes is offering its final homes in Davenport Summit, a gated Sweetwater neighborhood with large homesites and sweeping Hill Country views.

Some myths are great, but others need to be debunked, especially if they keep you from achieving an important life goal, like buying your first home. Let our quiz help you learn the facts and get on the road to homeownership.

Building a new home from the ground up isn’t just for buyers of custom homes. Builders in every price range offer the opportunity to select a home plan and homesite, and make personal choices for features and finishes. Here’s what to expect in 10 steps.

Deciding to become a homeowner is a great investment in your financial future. To help you become more familiar with the monthly cost of homeownership, we’ve broken the mortgage payment down into its separate components. After you read our blog, you’ll be an expert on PITI, P&I, PMI and more.

Priced from the low $300,000s, all new Pulte homes in Sweetwater are wired and ready for the latest smart technologies, which have been shown to reduce energy costs, improve security and increase resale appeal.

Chesmar Homes has opened a new showcase home in Sweetwater to show off its one-of-a-kind basement plans with beautiful greenbelt and Hill Country views.

If you're looking for a new home you can move into soon, we've got good news. Sweetwater has many new homes ready for quick move-in, at prices from the low $300,000s to more than $1 million.

From a backyard for Fido, to saying 'goodbye' to rent increases, there are many reasons why it’s better to be a homeowner than a renter. Here are the top 13.   

Offering three bedrooms and a flex room, Pulte’s new Nelson model home showcases a collection of plans priced from the high $200,000s in one of Sweetwater’s newest neighborhoods.

Lock in a great interest rate. Settle in before school starts. Live green and save green. These are just a few of our Top 10 reasons to buy a new Sweetwater home that you can start loving right away. See them all in our blog.

MUDs, or Municipal Utility Districts, are as much a part of life in Texas as boots and beer, but many newly arrived residents don’t know much about them. Ditto for many lifelong Texans as well. Let our infographic take the mystery out of MUDs for you.

Pulte, the nation’s third-largest homebuilder on the Housing Giants list, has now opened its fully furnished model home in one of Sweetwater’s newest neighborhoods. Pulte offers new homes priced from the low $300,000s in Sweetwater. 

Coventry and M/I Homes have a limited number of final opportunities in Sweetwater. That’s great news for anyone looking for a new home they can move into quickly, in time to enjoy a full summer of recreation at the Sweetwater Club and other amenities.

The Texas Hill Country is a popular place for retirement and pre-retirement living, with Austin and other Hill Country cities ranking high on Forbes’ 25 Best Places to Retire List. See how Forbes crunched the numbers, and see our insider’s guide on what makes life great here.

Open floor plans offer advantages for many types of families and lifestyles, but they may not be the best layout for everyone. Check our checklist on the pros and cons of open floor plan living, and see some stunning open floor plans offered at Sweetwater.

What's the difference between buying a new home now, while interest rates are still near historic lows, or waiting until next year, when they are expected to rise? As our new infographic shows, the difference in your monthly payment could add up to the equivalent of college tuition.

With Hill Country style architecture that embraces rustic stone, spacious front porches, metal roof accents and other traditional architectural details, Sweetwater’s new homes are designed in harmony with the community’s beautiful Hill Country environment.

On a half-acre homesite with a grove of live oaks, this home embraces its Hill Country views with huge outdoor living areas and an open, light-filled interior.

What advantages do master-planned communities (MPCs) offer over smaller subdivisions? From lifestyle amenities to property values, here are 5 reasons why an MPC might be a better choice for your next home.

With a grand entrance graced by a dramatic wrought iron spiral staircase, the elegant Carter III model home design by Westin Homes takes first impressions seriously.

River Oaks Homes redefines indoor-outdoor living with a central courtyard that streams light through the rest of the Antigua model home.

We thought it would be a good time to share this infographic about the advantages of green building - check it out! 

Searching for a bright, ultra-airy floor plan? Step into the ultra-open 1950W floor plan design by Perry Homes, new to our Austin community of Sweetwater.

As you walk up to the elegant Alexis by Chesmar Homes residence, the traditional front porch invites you to stop and stay a while.

Houzz has identified 22 interior design trends that experts expect to grow stronger in 2018. Here are seven trends you can see right now at Sweetwater – one for each of our seven beautifully decorated model homes.

The minute you walk through the door of one of these expansive homes (with up to 2,144 square feet of living space), you’ll know that this is just the place you’ve been looking for.

With many Sweetwater homebuilders offering three- and even four-car garages, these spaces are not just for cars anymore. They also have plenty of room for workshops, storage and more.

You probably wouldn’t buy a used smart phone, so why settle for a used home that doesn’t have the technology and other advantages of today’s new homes? Here are 7 leading reasons why new is better than used.

Perry Homes not only has a new fully furnished model home in Sweetwater. This leading builder also has new homesites, many with scenic greenbelt and Hill Country views.

New homes priced from the high $200,000s are now available in a neighborhood next to Sweetwater’s newest park, with convenient access to Highway 71.

Today’s empty nesters are overwhelmingly optimistic and excited about living life to the fullest. Here are some great resources for how to thrive in an empty nest. 

From a window-washing robot to a bug bite neutralizer, these award-winning products at the world’s biggest consumer electronics show may make their way into our homes soon.

To take full advantage of the hilly terrain of some Sweetwater homesites, Chesmar has created several plans with basements and expansive outdoor living areas.

For 2018, hot home technology products include everything from lawn-mowing robots to video doorbells. See which ones you can and can’t live without.

If your New Year’s resolutions will include getting better organized, here’s some helpful advice and inspiration, plus nearby shopping tips.  

With multiple indoor and outdoor living areas, Perry Homes’ one-story Design 3435 model is ideal for entertaining in every season.

Even if the weather outside is frightful, Hill Country views from inside River Oaks Homes’ Sweetwater model home are delightful.  

Westin’s Carter III model in Sweetwater has a foyer that will “wow” you. It also has a thoughtful laundry loop designed to save you time.  

Go green this holiday season with a Living Christmas tree, then enjoy the greenery year ‘round in your garden or on your patio. We have tips for choosing and caring for your new tree. 

The “purple room phenomenon” is just one reason home buyers and sellers should strongly consider using the services of a professional Realtor. We offer 5 lists with a total of 36 reasons why Realtors are so valuable.  

Not sure what your design style may be?  Draw inspiration from the model homes in Sweetwater along with these three great websites.

Shopping for a new home can be exciting, but can also be overwhelming.  In Sweetwater, we want to make it easy to choose the right floor plan.  You can search, view and compare floor plans with our homefinder tool.     

Outdoor living areas have never been more popular, and our mild Texas winters mean you can enjoy these al fresco rooms year ‘round – including during the holidays.

Sweetwater’s leading homebuilders are joining the Fall Festival fun, with activities in their model homes and more than 30 new homes available for quick move-in.

On Saturday, Nov. 11, Sweetwater’s Fall Festival will offer food trucks, live music, kids’ activities and prizes. It will also be a great time to discover 30+ new homes available for quick move-in at Sweetwater.  

With new homes offering Hill Country architecture, front-porch living is a way of life in Sweetwater. Residents love to decorate them with fall flair.

With architecture ranging from contemporary to Hill Country, these designs have large outdoor living areas to take advantage of scenic 20-mile views.

Sweetwater offers homes with a view, at prices from the $300,000s to over $1 million.

Perry also has homes available for fall move-in in Hillcrest, a Sweetwater neighborhood with Hill Country views.  

Dog-friendly features are popular with today’s homebuyers. From a dog park to a new model home with a doggie shower, Sweetwater is making tails wag.

9 out of 10 homebuyers consider schools a priority in their home search

Everybody knows Zillow and Trulia. But do you know about Matrix 7.0? Or Sweetwater’s own Homefinder? There are more tech tools to help your home search than you probably imagined.

Visit Sweetwater's Stone Creek neighborhood builders, Chesmar and Westin, to catch some of the community's stunning views.

Westin’s fully furnished Carter III model in Sweetwater begins with a dramatic rotunda foyer and a spiral staircase. 

Close to both Austin and the Hill Country, Sweetwater offers many reasons why you’ll never want to leave the community once you discover your new Austin home here. Our community has many attractions including green-built houses that have floor plans that let you live the way you want.

Now open in the Stone Creek neighborhood, Chesmar's new one-story Ryder model has great features for every member of the family, including Fido. The room-sized outdoor living area has a fireplace, making it the perfect place to sit and enjoy the scenic views available from many homesites.

We've blogged about the stunning views from many homesites in Sweetwater's Stone Creek neighborhood, where Chesmar and Westin offer new homes from the $370,000s. The views from inside can be just as spectacular, especially when you step inside Westin's new fully furnished model home, the Carter III.

For the second year, the Sweetwater Wildflower Festival will spotlight one of Austin’s most unique animal rescue groups, Austin Pets Alive!

Described as “not your average animal shelter,” Austin Pets Alive! maintains innovative programs designed to save the animals most at risk for euthanasia.

Along with fun, food and lots of wildflowers, you can meet some lovable, adoptable dogs from Austin Pets Alive at the 4th annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival, this Saturday, April 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Featuring a unique floor plan with the study in the back, Chesmar’s one-story Alexis model represents some of the most attainably priced homes available in Sweetwater.

Chesmar and Westin have opened two new model homes in Sweetwater, showcasing some of the stunning Hill Country views offered in the Stone Creek neighborhood. Both of these new models feature expansive outdoor living areas.

Spring is a beautiful time to drive up to The Summit, an exclusive estate home enclave atop one of the highest points in Sweetwater. With an elevation of 1,235 feet – one of the highest points in Travis County – The Summit is limited to only 30 estate homesites for sale within a gated entrance.

Sweetwater has completed an exclusive enclave of oversize estate home sites perched at a lofty elevation of 1,235 feet, offering spectacular 20-mile views of the surrounding Hill Country and of the 700 acres of dramatic canyons, creeks and natural open space within the community.

Sweetwater is happy to annouce the opening of a new model by Perry Homes!

From personalizing your home to enjoying the security of a warranty, there are many reasons why buying a new home makes better sense than purchasing a resale.

We would all do anything for our furry kids, but they can provide challenges to our way of living from time to time. Here are a few quick and easy ways to achieve harmony with your pets!

Selecting the right builder for your needs is easy with these 10 steps.

Moving is exciting, but it’s also work. Here are 5 tips to make your transition a happy one.

Today's new homes offer more benefits than ever before. Here's a quick list of the Top 10 reasons why so many home buyers prefer new homes to used houses. 

Moving is exciting, but it's also work.  Here are 5 tips from HGTV.com to make your transition a happy one.

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Here is a look inside one of Sweetwater's new model homes in Hillcrest by Coventry Homes.

Of course you want your home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Here’s a rundown of friendly reminders on prepping your house into a welcoming and marketable home.

Located in a beautiful Hill Country setting near Lake Travis and the Hill Country Galleria, Sweetwater has a sweet deal for visitors during its model home grand opening and “Open House” event this weekend.

Congratulations to one of our Sweetwater builders, Coventry Homes, who has been named "Production Builder of the Year" in the Austin Business Journal's 2015 Residential Real Estate Awards.

As you plan your new home, one of the most important decisions is selecting the floor plan. The arrangement of rooms, the flow from one room to another and the use of space help determine the feel of your new home.

The new River Oaks flagship model home is located in our gated Davenport Summit neighborhood.

The model home grand opening will take place on Saturday, July 19th from noon to 5pm.  There will be a catered dessert bar, pastry demonstrations, and cupcake decorating for the kids.  Tour the brand new model and register for prize drawings as well.

In a recent article posted by the Austin Business Journal, Austin economy led the entire nation in growth of gross metro product in 2013 and is expected to stay on top through 2020.

The model home Grand Opening will take place on Saturday, June 14th and Sunday, June 15th, from noon to 5.  There will be wine tasting, catered snacks, and face painting for the kids.  Tour the brand new model and register for prize drawings.

Sweetwater has announced that M/I Homes will join the roster of builders in Sweetwater.

The latest aerial photo of Sweetwater shows the continuing growth of our community and immediate surrounding area of Western Travis County.

Sweetwater announced the newest addition to its homebuilding family, River Oaks Homes by Centerra. River Oaks will offer luxury Tuscan and Hill Country Modern home plans in the gated Davenport Summit neighborhood in Sweetwater with pricing expected to start in the mid $500s.

Sweetwater has announced that Chesmar Homes is being added to its current roster of six home builders.

This is our latest aerial photo taken of Sweetwater, which shows the exciting progress that is being made in and around our community.

Texas Gas Service has just completed a 2 1/2 year process to bring a natural gas pipeline out to Western Travis County. Sweetwater was the driving force behind this extension. 

The strength of the Austin housing market and a positive outlook for 2014 is noted in the recent report released by the Austin Board of Realtors.

Sweetwater has been recognized by the National Association of Home Builders with top marketing awards for its Welcome Center, for radio advertising, and for a special promotion.

The Chavez family are the first Sweetwater residents.

For the third year in a row, Forbes magazine ranks Austin as the nation's fastest growing city.

Austin is one of the healthiest housing markets in the country.  That's according to a new study by Trulia, the real estate tracking website.  Trulia ranks Austin as the fifth best city nationwide for home ownership.

This photo, taken last week, has us pretty excited about the way Sweetwater is shaping up. To orient yourself, that’s Hwy 71 the bottom of the picture and the view is to the south.

Eighth place isn't always that great.  But it is when that's where Austin ranks on the Bloomberg Businessweek list of America's 50 Best Cities.

A representative of the U.S. Green Building Council today formally presented LEED certification to the Coventry Homes model home at Sweetwater.

Austin is the second best place in the country to buy a new home these days.  That is among the findings of a recent study by Realtor.com, Forbes magazine reports.

Builder sales representatives at Sweetwater, the new master-planned community in the Austin area, are seeing a trend: growing preference among Austin new home buyers for single-story plans.

Austin shows up on so many “best of” lists that it’s hard to keep track of them all.  Colin Pope, editor of the Austin Business Journal, gave us a pretty comprehensive recap, though, in a recent column.

Sweetwater has announced that Drees Custom Homes will join the roster of builders in the community's initial neighborhoods.

Addressing the Austin chapter of the Urban Land Institute, Eldon Rude of Metrostudy said the area’s job and population growth are substantially boosting demand for housing.

Home buyers are so eager for information about what’s available at Sweetwater that most of our builders are opening temporary sales offices on site now, rather than waiting until their models are completed.

To us, Sweetwater isn't just a pretty name. It’s a responsibility. To live up to it, we're building water conservation and water quality into the very foundations of the community.

The developer of the 1,400-acre Sweetwater master-planned community in the Lake Travis area, has announced five home builders for the community’s initial villages.

Our website is coming soon and so is Sweetwater, the new master-planned community in western Travis County.