Rough Hollow New Construction Guide For Buyers
May 28, 2026
May 28, 2026
Looking at new construction in Rough Hollow can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. With dozens of neighborhoods, multiple builders, different ownership structures, and community rules that affect everything from lot layout to landscaping, it is easy to miss details that matter. This guide will help you understand how Rough Hollow new construction works, what questions to ask before you sign, and where buyers often run into surprises. Let’s dive in.
Rough Hollow is a large master-planned community in Lakeway on Lake Travis, and it is still evolving. Official community information describes about three miles of shoreline, more than 20 miles of trails, lake access with paddleboards and kayaks, Highland Village, the Yacht Club & Marina, and a full-time Rough Life Director.
The scale of the community is a big part of the appeal. The City of Lakeway says the broader Lakeway Highlands Development covers about 2,086 acres and is expected to continue through at least three more phases. Rough Hollow also states that the community is now over 50% completed, which means you can still find new-home opportunities while also seeing how much of the neighborhood experience is already in place.
One of the biggest things to know is that Rough Hollow is not one single product type. The community currently markets more than 30 neighborhoods, with homes ranging from the $600s to over $3 million, so your options may look very different depending on the section you choose.
Some neighborhoods offer a more traditional single-family setup, while others focus on lower-maintenance living or custom homesites. That variety is a plus, but it also means you should compare neighborhoods carefully instead of assuming each section works the same way.
Several Rough Hollow neighborhoods are built around different lot widths and home styles. For example, Canyon Pass features 55-foot frontage with plans by Drees, Newmark, and Scott Felder, while The Madrones and La Mesa use 63-foot frontage, Santaluz uses 78-foot frontage, and Vista Ridge and Las Brisas use 90-foot frontage.
There are also more specialized offerings. The District is described as a limited collection with modern architecture and floor plans from 2,100 to 2,806 square feet, and Rough Hollow presents it as one of the final opportunities in the community.
If you want a newer phase, Highland Terrace and Arroyo Divide are two examples currently highlighted by Rough Hollow. Both are built by Brookfield Residential and Scott Felder Homes.
According to the community, Arroyo Divide homes range from 2,500 to 4,500 square feet, while Highland Terrace homes range from 2,100 to 3,600 square feet. For buyers who want newer releases, these neighborhoods may offer more current inventory and plan options.
If your goal is a more custom build, Rough Hollow includes homesite opportunities in select sections. Current examples shown by the community include Hacienda Heights lots around 0.36 to 0.37 acres, Las Brisas Estates homesites priced in the $600s to $900s, and a 0.76-acre homesite in The Peninsula.
The Peninsula is described as Lakeway’s last gated neighborhood, with estate-sized homesites from the $300s and luxury custom homes from $1.65 million. If you are considering a custom route, lot conditions, HOA approvals, and engineering details become especially important early in the process.
Rough Hollow says its builder lineup is hand-selected for high-performance homes, classic architecture, and environmentally friendly designs. Depending on the section, current builders include Drees, Westin, David Weekley, Newmark, Scott Felder, Brookfield Residential, Laurel Haven, Sterling Custom Homes, and Arbogast Custom Homes.
That builder variety gives you choices, but it also means timelines, design processes, warranty terms, and included features can differ. A builder’s model home may show one level of finish, while the base price may include something very different.
This is one of the most important questions in any new construction purchase. Drees, Scott Felder, and Newmark each highlight design-center or curated-selection processes for items like cabinets, flooring, countertops, fixtures, and exterior elevations.
Before you move forward, ask for a written list of what is included in the base price and what costs extra. You should also ask for design-selection deadlines so you know when pricing decisions need to be made.
Scott Felder says sales acceptance begins permit and plan work, and design appointments set interior and exterior finishes. The builder also notes that construction timelines are estimates because weather, labor, and supply availability can affect progress.
For buyers, that means flexibility matters. If you are relocating or trying to coordinate a current home sale, it helps to build in a cushion rather than planning around the earliest possible completion date.
Scott Felder states that it uses third-party inspections before foundation, drywall, and completion. The builder also says the new-home orientation usually takes place about a week before closing.
Even with builder inspections in place, buyers should ask what inspections they can schedule independently and when those inspections can happen. Getting that clarity early helps you plan your due diligence and avoid last-minute confusion.
In Rough Hollow, the legal structure of the property matters as much as the floor plan. Some sections are traditional lots, but others are part of detached condo regimes or condominium sub-associations.
The HOA documents identify The Point, Villas at Rough Hollow, Vineyard, The District, and Westside Landing as condominium sub-associations. If you are comparing neighborhoods, ask right away whether you are buying a fee-simple lot, a detached condo, or another condo-based structure.
Ownership structure can affect maintenance responsibility, insurance needs, HOA rules, and the way the property is governed. It can also shape how the neighborhood feels on a day-to-day basis.
This is not necessarily good or bad. It simply means you should understand the structure before you compare prices, monthly costs, or long-term upkeep.
In Rough Hollow, HOA approval is not a minor step. The HOA requires approval before any improvement or modification begins, and the application process calls for a signed application, site survey with setbacks and build lines, a detailed design plan with photos, and a signed Neighbor Awareness Form.
The HOA construction fee sheet also lists a $3,500 refundable compliance deposit and a $750 non-refundable plan review fee, with additional section-specific fees in some cases for items like road use or propane. These costs and steps should be part of your budget and timeline from day one.
The governing documents cover much more than exterior style. They also address policies related to solar devices, rainwater harvesting, flags, religious items, fines, assessment collection, records, and board meetings.
That is why due diligence matters. If you are buying in Rough Hollow, reading the governing documents early can help you avoid assumptions about what is allowed after closing.
The HOA plan-review checklist asks for grading, utility, retaining wall, and topography details. In practical terms, that means lot-specific engineering and drainage should be discussed early, especially on custom homesites or sloped lots.
Landscaping timing is also important. The HOA landscape checklist says landscaping should be completed as soon as practical and within 90 days of residence completion or 30 days after the temporary inspection certificate, whichever comes first, weather permitting.
Because Rough Hollow is in Lakeway, city requirements also play a role in the build process. The City of Lakeway says building permits are generally required for new construction and many exterior changes, including retaining walls, pools, and driveways.
Permit applications and inspection requests go through the city’s Civic Self Service system, and the Building and Development Services department manages zoning, subdivision, development, and building regulations. For some plumbing work, local water and wastewater permits may also apply.
This matters because even after you choose a builder and lot, city review can affect timing. If you are planning extra site work or future outdoor improvements, ask early what approvals may be required.
Rough Hollow offers a lot of opportunity, but it rewards buyers who ask detailed questions up front. These are some of the most important ones to bring into your conversations.
Rough Hollow’s official pages repeatedly remind buyers to obtain and read the federal property report before signing anything. That is an important step in understanding the property, the development, and key disclosures tied to your purchase.
If you are reviewing multiple neighborhoods, treat this as part of your standard due diligence. It is much easier to compare options clearly before you are under pressure to make a fast decision.
New construction buyers sometimes assume they do not need representation because they are buying directly from a builder. In practice, a community like Rough Hollow has enough moving parts that experienced guidance can help you compare neighborhoods, understand ownership structure, track deadlines, and ask better questions about upgrades, approvals, and warranties.
Texas REALTORS notes that a buyer representation agreement is confidential and builders are not entitled to see it. That privacy can be useful in new construction because it keeps your representation and compensation terms separate from builder discussions.
For buyers in Rough Hollow, local knowledge also matters. When neighborhoods, builders, lot conditions, and HOA structures vary this much within one community, having someone who understands the differences can make your decision process much more efficient.
If you are trying to narrow down builders, compare sections, or avoid costly surprises in Rough Hollow, working with a local advisor can give you a clearer path forward. Sarah McAloon offers hands-on buyer guidance for new construction in Lakeway and Rough Hollow, with the local insight and builder experience that can help you move forward with confidence.
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