Lake Front Homes

Lake Front Homes for Sale in Austin and the Highland Lakes

Where can you buy a lake front home near Austin?
Lake front homes sit on Lake Austin, Lake Travis and the Highland Lakes to the northwest, including Lake LBJ and Lake Marble Falls. Downtown condos also overlook Lady Bird Lake.

Austin's lakes are a chain of reservoirs on the Colorado River, and they don't all behave the same way. Some stay close to a steady level year-round. Others are water supply reservoirs that rise and fall with rain and drought. That difference shapes everything from the dock you can use to the view you'll have in a dry summer.

This guide explains the lakes, where the waterfront homes are, and what to check before you buy on the water.

Lake Front Homes at a glance

The lakes, and how they differ

• Steady-level lakes: the LCRA describes Lake Austin, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ and Lake Marble Falls as pass-through lakes that typically stay within about a foot of normal levels.
• Fluctuating reservoirs: Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan are water supply reservoirs designed to rise and fall, so the shoreline can move a long way in a drought.
• Lady Bird Lake: the downtown lake, lined by parkland and trails, with high-rise condos nearby such as 70 Rainey.

Where the waterfront homes are

• Lake Austin: West Austin and the Westlake area, from River Place down toward Tom Miller Dam. See West Lake Hills and Northwest Hills.
• Lake Travis: Lakeway, Hudson Bend, Lago Vista, Spicewood and Steiner Ranch.
• Highland Lakes: Lake LBJ and Lake Marble Falls around Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay. See my Burnet County guide.

Many lake homes are also Luxury Estates, and lake communities like Lakeway overlap with Resort-Style Communities and Golf Course Homes.

What to check before you buy on the water

• The dock: its condition, its permit history and whether it can be used at low water.
• Water depth at the shoreline: especially on Lake Travis, where a dry year can leave a dock on land.
• Flood plain: check the address on the local flood maps and ask about flood insurance.
• Shoreline and building rules: lakefront lots often have extra setback and permit rules, so confirm what you can add or change.

Working with Albert Allen

Albert Allen is an Austin native and Luxury Real Estate Advisor with Compass, with more than a decade of experience helping clients buy and sell across Austin.

Albert represents buyers and sellers on the water, from Lake Austin and Lake Travis to the Highland Lakes. Schedule a Walk & Talk, request a home valuation or ask about private listings.

Common questions about Lake Front Homes

Which Austin-area lakes stay at a constant level?

The LCRA lists Lake Austin, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ and Lake Marble Falls as pass-through lakes that typically stay within about a foot of normal levels.

Why does Lake Travis go up and down?

Lake Travis is a water supply reservoir designed to fluctuate. Its level rises after heavy rain and drops during drought.

Can I build a dock on my lake front lot?

It depends on the lake, the city or county and the lot itself. Check permits and shoreline rules before you buy.

Sources: Lower Colorado River Authority. Albert Allen, REALTOR®, Compass RE Texas, LLC. Information is believed reliable but not guaranteed. Photo: View from Mount Bonnell over Lake Austin, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.