Austin’s real estate market counts among the most vibrant in the nation, and that doesn’t solely apply to pre-built residences. Plenty of new ATX arrivals like the idea of designing and building a house from scratch, which allows them to customize their new abode to their exact specifications and preferences. 

In these four Austin neighborhoods and suburbs, you’ll find an array of available building lots, generous zoning laws and ordinances, and fellow neighbors who also saw fit to take a DIY approach to their housing. 

New construction in East Austin
New construction homes in East Austin.

East Austin

Austin’s hippest neighborhood has a lively reputation as an epicenter of new and on-trend businesses, especially bars and restaurants. However, it’s also a hotspot for new home construction.

As more and more Austinites and city newcomers gravitate to East Austin for its creative energy and au courant vibe, the existing inventory of available homes steadily decreases, leaving East Austin hopefuls with a clear choice: build a new house or pick a new neighborhood. 

Austin does have rigorous expectations of prospective homebuyers, with specific regulations on home sizes and styles. One of the most significant involves neighborhood scale; new-home builders in ATX are discouraged from constructing homes that wildly diverge from the overall size and design scheme of other houses in their respective areas.

The good news for home builders in East Austin? This neighborhood already hosts a wide range of single-family houses, including plenty of two-story houses. Also, sections of far East Austin were originally zoned for industrial use but now have residential possibilities, offering builders more flexibility.

Whisper Valley

If you’re new to home building and need guidance from experienced architects and design firms, a master-planned community can provide expert insight. Luckily, Austin contains an abundance of master-planned communities with unbuilt plots for sale, including the highly ranked and very eco-friendly Whisper Valley.

Located just outside of Austin proper in the town of Manor, Whisper Valley employs five ATX design firms to work with new residents on putting together floor plans that will work for their needs. Whisper Valley also sets itself apart from other Central Texas MPCs because of its determined commitment to green initiatives. All new construction projects at Whisper Valley include geothermal energy, solar power, and energy-efficient appliances.

Whisper Valley also proves popular among families and long-term residents because of its strong sense of community. Residents have access to a geothermically heated swimming pool, an education center powered by Google tech, electric vehicle charging stations, on-site hiking and biking paths, and many other amenities that foster neighborly camaraderie and an environmentally-conscious lifestyle. 

Manchaca

The suburban communities just outside of Austin’s city limits have a lot to offer new-home builders. Not only can these Central Texans easily commute to Austin proper, but they also benefit from the Austin metro area’s highly rated school systems and can break ground on their dream homes for a lower price than builders located in the city.

A prime example of a reasonably priced ATX suburb that’s very conducive to new home construction is Manchaca, a town just 20 minutes southeast of Downtown Austin. 

Prime home lots in Manchaca can often be purchased for under $300,000, and major ATX home builders like Pacesetter and KB Homes will gladly work on residences in Manchaca. 

The appealing blend of urban convenience and rustic charm gives Manchaca a great deal of cache among budget-conscious Austinites, and it’s an ideal move for new homebuyers looking for an ideal and convenient place to raise their families. 

Georgetown  

An Austin suburb that combines a laid-back, country-village vibe with urban amenities like shops and restaurants, Georgetown also offers easy access to both polished city centers and greenspaces with hiking trails and lake-centric activities.

It’s also home to neighborhoods like Serenada, a census-designated community with MPC-like support for new construction projects. Serenada residents can work with local builders to design their own houses and can enjoy the use of community amenities like greenspaces and tennis courts.

Pricing for completed homes in Serenada starts in the low $200s, making it a reasonable option for home buyers and builders who want to keep their budgets in order.