Two recent studies rank Austin as one of the least stressed and most active cities in Texas and the U.S. Another study confirms the health benefits of living amid green space. That’s great news for residents of Sweetwater, who enjoy 750 acres of parks, trails and natural open space.

Several leading paint companies have announced their 2019 Colors of the Year, signaling trends we can expect to see in everything from walls to accessories. Several of the colors capture the natural Hill Country beauty surrounding Sweetwater.

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.

A new Outdoor Learning Center is creating hands-on learning opportunities for students in all grade levels at West Cypress Hills Elementary, one of the highly regarded Lake Travis ISD schools serving Sweetwater.

Families that play together stay together, the old saying goes. Sweetwater offers many ways for families to enjoy fun and healthy activities. Here are the top 5.

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 Austin’s top housing experts predicts that 2019 will be another solid year for the local housing market. What does that mean for homebuyers?

The longest segment in Sweetwater’s scenic trail system, Limestone Falls Trail leads to one of the community’s most beautiful Hill Country natural treasures.

From lakes and swimming holes, to parks and wineries, Sweetwater is close to many Austin and Hill Country attractions. Lakeway is one of the most popular destinations, and here’s our list of the Top 10 things to do in this scenic Lake Travis town.

If you’re planning a move to Austin, our relocation guide has some great resources to help you choose the right community, get organized and packed, and find info on local schools and other priorities. We even list all the reasons to love Austin – as if you need them. 

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.

It’s said that one of the best ways to find out if a community is right for you is to talk to some current residents. At Sweetwater, we’ve made it easy to feel our community vibe, with video interviews featuring real residents.

Dog showers are one of 10 interior design trends the experts at Realtor.com think we’ll see everywhere in 2019. We’re ahead of the trend at Sweetwater, where one of our beautifully decorated model homes already includes a convenient dog shower.

Over and over, Sweetwater residents tell us that they love their neighbors. For most of us, being a great neighbor comes naturally, but who can’t use a helpful reminder? Here are four ways to be a good neighbor wherever you live.

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 working out at the Sweetwater Club, to running the trails or joining a soccer team, Sweetwater residents enjoy many ways to keep fit right in their community.

Here’s yet another accolade for Austin: readers of Travel + Leisure magazine have named it as one of the Top 15 cities to visit in the U.S.

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.

Anthony Torns, head track coach for Austin’s G10 Academy, loves to explore Sweetwater’s trail system with his family

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.

Whether they come from across Austin or across the country, a growing number of residents are moving to Sweetwater, a leading new home master-planned community in Austin and the Hill Country. Here are the Top 10 reasons that Sweetwater residents love where they live.

Santa made an early stop at the Sweetwater Club to enjoy fresh-baked holiday cookies and pose for photos with residents. See the photos from this fun event.

It’s always great to find places where kids eat free, especially during those times of year when you have company visiting. Here’s our guide to free kid’s meals near Sweetwater most days of the week.

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.

Austin is the greenest city in Texas and one of the top 20 greenest cities in the U.S., a recent study found. At Sweetwater, we’re proud to be part of Austin’s green wave.

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. 

Sweetwater is a trail-lover’s paradise, with 5 distinct trails meandering along ridges, canyons and scenic creek crossings. In this next blog in our series, we explore Sunset Trail.

The cozy outdoor fireplace at the Sweetwater Club got us thinking about the ways to enjoy a warm fire this season, whether it’s heading over to the Club, or relaxing in your own backyard. Here are the top 6 ideas we found.

You don’t have to decorate a roadside tree to celebrate the holidays in the unique style of Austin and the Hill Country. Here are 6 not-to-miss holiday traditions and activities near Sweetwater.

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.

With treats and activities for residents and visitors of all ages, Sweetwater’s Fall Festival has become a cherished annual tradition. See photos from the 2018 edition of this family-friendly celebration.

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.

Austin is No. 4 on the Best Places to Retire in 2019 list from U.S. News & World Report. From culture to healthcare, see why Austin ranks so high nationally, and why it’s the top Texas city.

With our typically mild and pleasant fall weather, camping is a favorite family activity in the Texas Hill Country. Check out these 6 popular camping spots near Sweetwater.

From music to nature, there are so many reasons Millennials love Austin, we created this interactive animation to combine facts, photos and polls. Cast your vote for your favorite wildflower, show your love for UT-Austin and more.

Sweetwater is a trail-lover’s paradise, with 5 distinct trails meandering along ridges, canyons and scenic creek crossings. In the first of a series, we profile of one of our most-loved trails, Maidenhair Trail.

What does a HOA, or Home Owners Association, do? Why is it a good idea to have one? In this blog, we demystify the role of HOAs and explain how they help create a vibrant lifestyle and protect home investment in new and established communities.

The Texas Hill Country surrounding Sweetwater is home to more than 50 wineries, each with a distinct personality, terroir and style of winemaking. They make for an easy day trip, especially during annual events like the Christmas Wine Affair.  

Opening in Summer 2019, Sweetwater’s newest amenity will have a name that perfectly fits its spectacular Hill Country views.

It’s hard to imagine a library making a list of the world’s 100 greatest places, alongside natural wonders and archaeological treasures. But the Austin Central Library, built around a sunny six-story atrium, is a library like no other. And it’s easy to visit from Sweetwater.

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 Communities. Proceeds will benefit HomeAid Austin, working to provide housing for today’s homeless.

Sweetwater’s annual Fall Festival is back with kids’ activities, a beer garden, live music, food trucks and much more. Everyone’s invited!

Austin has grabbed the top spots in several recent studies, including ranking No. 1 as a “millennial dream city” and as Americas’ top boomtown.

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.

There are so many great things about living in Austin and the Texas Hill Country, including the fact that we’re located along one of the main migratory routes for Monarch butterflies. October is prime time for Monarch watching in Sweetwater and the surrounding Texas Hill Country.

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.

From running the trails to working out at the fitness center, Sweetwater residents enjoy many ways to keep fit right in their own community. For even more, the new Hill Country Indoor health and athletics club has opened less than 5 miles away.

Niche has released its 2019 school rankings, and the Lake Travis Independent School District serving Sweetwater ranks the No. 2 Best School District in Austin. Each of the Lake Travis campuses zoned to Sweetwater is also highly rated.

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.

Sweetwater is proud to a partner of Austin Pets Alive!, a pioneering organization devoted to saving the lives of pets that would otherwise be euthanized in shelters. So far, they have saved more than 50,000 cats and dogs, including many who found their forever homes here in Sweetwater.

Sweetwater residents enjoy more than 700 acres of parks, trails and natural open spaces right inside their community. They also enjoy quick and easy access to many nearby natural treasures, from swimming holes to state parks.

Sweetwater is home to about 750,000 honeybees, so you might say that every month here is honey month. But September is an extra-sweet time of the year, as we join bee-lovers across the U.S.A. to celebrate National Honey Month.

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.

Encouraging locals to enjoy Austin’s kid-friendly attractions has become a family project for Annette Lucksinger, her kids and husband. She shares some of their favorite things to do, including several near Sweetwater.

Fall is one of the most active times of the year at Sweetwater, when the weather cools down and residents get out to enjoy events and activities like movies on the lawn and Halloween parties.

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

The Lake Travis ISD schools serving Sweetwater are close to home as well as highly regarded. Get a quick lesson on our schools’ academic excellence and proximity with our infographic.  

Pulte’s new Nelson model home in Sweetwater is filled with great features, including an open family gathering area, a flex room and a covered patio. But don’t take our word for it. See this model home for yourself with our 3D virtual tour.

If you’ve decided to buy a new home, one of the first steps is determining how much you can afford. Our new video offers an easy explanation about what makes up your monthly mortgage payment.

The Lake Travis Independent School District has earned an A accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency, and all of the Lake Travis ISD schools serving Sweetwater earned the highest possible campus ratings.

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.

From miles of trails to new homes with dog-friendly features, Sweetwater really puts out the “welcome” mat for dogs. And for the growing number of homebuyers who consider dogs a big part of the family, that’s great news.

Whether you want to get away with the kids, the girls, or even by yourself, we’ve rounded some great Hill Country day trip ideas. They’re close enough to Sweetwater that you can get a leisurely start in the morning, and be home in time for a relaxing evening.

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.

Serving Sweetwater students in grades 6-8, Lake Travis Middle School has earned a spot on the prestigious Texas Honor Roll, which recognizes schools for high levels of academic achievement and other metrics of providing a quality education.

Sweetwater is only a few miles away from all kinds of grocery stores and restaurants, and for even more convenience, a growing number of companies are offering home delivery or curbside pickup for groceries, prepared foods and other goods.

Sure, it’s hot outside, but fortunately for those of us who love spending time outdoors, the Texas Hill Country surrounding Sweetwater offers many cool attractions, from crystal-clear swimming holes to fascinating caverns.

Events and activities are one the things Sweetwater residents love most about their community. Sweetwater’s new Lifestyle Director, Shelly Livingston, plans to keep the fun going year ‘round.

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.

The 10-acre Sweetwater Club is the active social hub of Sweetwater, especially during summer, when residents enjoy cooling off in the two-tiered swimming pool and frolicking in the splash pad. Experience it now with our 3D virtual tour.

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.

Sweetwater’s developer is one of the leading companies represented on the board of HomeAid Austin, formed to develop, build and maintain housing for the homeless.

Two swimming pools and a hillside observation deck will be some of many features that residents will be able to enjoy at Sweetwater’s second major community center, opening in 2019.

After a nearly four-decade career at 3M Company, Sweetwater resident Warren Chirhart wasn’t ready to retire. Now, he’s a successful agent with Keller Williams and an Accredited Luxury Home Specialist.

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.

Located just 5 miles from Sweetwater, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lakeway is a fully accredited, acute care hospital offering comprehensive health care for every member of the family.

This is a great time to enjoy the many recreational opportunities the Texas Hill Country has to offer. Our Hill Country Guide has a collection of articles about places where you can plunge into a refreshing swimming hole, tube down a crystal clear river, kayak on a lake and more.

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.

From wine tasting to star gazing, a series of cool summer events is coming up at Sweetwater and the nearby Hill Country Galleria.

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. 

What’s the best place to live in the United States? For the second year in a row, Austin ranks No. 1 on U.S. News & World Report’s highly cited “Best Places to Live” list.

Sweetwater is joining the American Hiking Society to celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 2. Residents will meet at the Sunset Pavilion for a morning hike along the community’s scenic trail system.

Everybody loves the Texas Hill Country, but exactly what distinguishes this beautiful region from other parts of Texas? We offer some quick and interesting facts. 

It's peach season in the Texas Hill Country, which makes for some fun day trips to nearby Fredericksburg and Stonewall, the self-proclaimed Peach Capital of Texas.

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.

Our “honey cam” offers a fascinating inside look at Sweetwater’s six beehives, where the queens will lay more than 800,000 eggs by the end of July.

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.

Bee Cave is more than just an interesting name. It’s also an A+ place to live and raise a family, according to the 2018 rankings from Niche. Find out why this city near Sweetwater gets high marks for schools, safety, and friendliness for families, Millennials and other groups.

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.

As parents know, SAT scores are a quick and effective way to gauge how well a school prepares students for college. The latest data shows that Lake Travis High School is doing a great job, one of only 6 Austin area high schools on a new statewide list.

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.

What will the kids do this summer? Sweetwater has partnered with Kidventure to offer 9 summer camp sessions that provide unique adventures for promote fun, learning and development. It all takes place right in the community, at the 10-acre Sweetwater Club.

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.

Hundreds of visitors enjoyed the Sweetwater Wildflower Festival last weekend, and there’s still time to enjoy an above-average wildflower season throughout the Texas Hill Country. But hurry – the bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and other Texas beauties won’t last much longer.

Personal finance is the biggest source of stress and anxiety for 62% of Americans, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five great books that can demystify the topic and put you and your book club friends on the road to financial freedom.

A sand volleyball court is the newest addition to the 10-acre Sweetwater Club. With these 10 fun facts about the sport, you’ll be the smartest person playing, especially if you do some pancakes, kongs and Filipino bombs. 

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.

Live music, food trucks, games and giveaways will all be part of the 5^th annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival. There’ll also be acres of blooming bluebonnets and other colorful wildflowers.

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.

Now that it’s spring and everything’s green, we thought it would be a good time to share this infographic about the advantages of green building.

Live music, food trucks, games and giveaways will all be part of the 5^th annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival. Of course, we’ll have acres of blooming bluebonnets and their friends too.

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.

Join Austin native Brett Tutor, the newest star carpenter on TLC’s popular “Trading Spaces” reality show, for video tours of six fully furnished model homes in Sweetwater.

Hill Country gardening experts agree that container gardening is a perfect fit for the region’s rocky soils and our busy lifestyles. Sweetwater residents have an extra advantage when it comes to growing fresh veggies.

To help homebuyers choose the best Austin area school district for their family, we’ve gathered the latest data on the Lake Travis Independent School District from the Texas Education Agency, Niche, Great Schools and other respected sources. Bottom line: Lake Travis ISD is a top school district.

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 the wildflowers in bloom and the weather just perfect, spring is the perfect time to enjoy a day trip in the Texas Hill Country. From wine to wildlife, here are 5 day trip ideas everyone in the family will love.

What happens in Sweetwater stays in Sweetwater, especially if it’s the community’s first annual Casino Night, which brought Roaring ‘20s fun to the Sweetwater Club. See how our residents live it up.

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.

Austin ranks No. 1 on a growing number of lists, from “best places to live” to “most creative cities.” Find your favorite reason to love Austin in our infographic, or tell us your own.

Sweetwater’s natural beauty and neighborly vibe ranked high in a recent survey of community residents. See more reasons why Sweetwater residents love where they live.

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.

Sweetwater residents have a sweet deal when it comes to fun and fine dining near the community. That’s especially true for Valentine’s Day, when many nearby restaurants offer special menus. See our top picks for romantic dining, close to home.

The votes are in for the top three nearby restaurants loved by Sweetwater residents. From a classic seafood and oyster bar, to a down-home Texas icehouse, the results are as fun and diverse as Sweetwater itself.

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.

Whether they come from across Austin or across the country, a growing number of residents are moving to Sweetwater, attracted by highly regarded schools, the opportunity to live close to nature, neighborly events and more. Here are the Top 10 reasons that Sweetwater residents love where they live.

Sweetwater’s developer, Newland Communities, is the nation’s largest private developer of residential and mixed-use communities.

Real estate agents working in Austin and across the nation can increase their personal safety with the new Trust Stamp tool, offered free to all National Association of Realtors members.

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.

With new amenities including signage, benches, pet waste stations and more, Sweetwater’s trail system is better than ever, just in time for one of the year’s best seasons for enjoying the outdoors.

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.

Sweetwater’s new fitness center is an inspiring place to work out and enjoy group exercise classes, with state-of-the-art equipment and invigorating views.

Suggesting the “vast and limitless night sky,” Ultra Violet is the perfect color for a community where stargazing is a popular activity.

Hear the birds and waterfalls along Sweetwater’s trails with our new SkyNav virtual reality feature.

A game-changing tool for homebuyers, SkyNav provides immersive Virtual Reality tours of Sweetwater’s parks, trails and neighborhoods.

Opening in summer 2018, this new amenity will invite residents to climb and swing, or simply sit and relax. 

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

With enhanced home search capability, virtual reality tours, in-depth area news and much more, Sweetwater’s new website has been thoughtfully designed for the 90% of homebuyers who rely on the Internet  for their home search.

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

Austin is the only city in Texas and the South on National Geographic’s list of the Happiest Cities in the United States.

From DIY decorations to “fun-shuiing” your home, we’ve rounded up these expert tips for low-stress holiday entertaining.

There are plenty of gift guides out there this time of year, and many of them are very good. But how many of them are devoted to gift-worthy goods and experience that celebrate Austin and the Hill Country?

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

The 2017 holiday season is off and running. To help make sure you don’t miss a thing, we’ve collected these lists of Austin’s best light shows, holiday markets and entertainment events.

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.  

Sweetwater residents are experts when it comes to living well and keeping it local. See their favorite picks for memorable meals, holiday shopping and more.

Don’t let stress be an uninvited guest this holiday season. From making time for yourself to budgeting, these 10 tips will help you enjoy a more joyous and relaxing season.

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.     

From helping students and patients, to adopting families for the holidays, there are many opportunities to volunteer near Sweetwater. Bonus: volunteers enjoy proven body and mind benefits.

You don’t have to decorate a roadside tree to celebrate the holidays the Austin way. Start by cutting your own locally grown tree, then fill those stockings with locally made gifts from area artisans.  

Live music, food trucks and kids’ games are on tap, along with 30+ new homes available for quick move-in.

This activity with Families in Nature helps kids learn about nature’s cycles, and helps set the stage for a brilliant show of spring wildflowers.

It’s great when family and friends visit for the holidays, and there’s no need to stress about keeping everyone entertained. With tips on everything from restaurants and shopping, to nature and entertainment, our Area Guide will help make sure there’s never a dull moment.

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.

Connecting kids with nature has benefits ranging from increased mental acuity to decreased obesity and depression. Plus, it’s a lot of fun. Here’s how living in a nature-rich community like Sweetwater can help make kids happier.

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.

With pumpkin bowling, a bounce house, a grilled cheese food truck and much more, Sweetwater’s Harvest Festival is sure to be a hit with the kids.

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.  

Fall is a great time for trail exercise, especially if you live in a community like Sweetwater, with miles of scenic trails just footsteps from home. Here are some tips to help runners and walkers get the most out of trails everywhere.

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.

Connecting homes with parks, the Sweetwater Club and scenic natural features, Sweetwater’s trail system offers miles of exercise and adventure. And it just got better.

Opening in November, Sweetwater's new fitness center will be a great place to work out, and there are many other ways for residents to keep healthy, happy and fit. 

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

Austin enjoys a front-row seat for the fall migration of monarch butterflies, and these brilliantly colored insects need our help. 

Sweetwater’s honeybees belong to the species Apis mellifera, prized for its gentle nature and sweet honey.

Rated from easy to difficult, Sweetwater’s trails meander through canyons and ridges amid the community’s scenic Hill Country environment.

Fall is a great time to beautify your yard with flowering native plants that attract bees and other pollinators.

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

CiNCA, or Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin, is a core program of Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, located near Sweetwater.  

Sweetwater honey has a distinct flavor, with notes of the persimmon and wild indigo that grows in the community

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

Niche ranks Lake Travis ISD as Austin’s No. 2 Best School District. It also gives every Sweetwater school an A+ or A rating.

Sweetwater might just be the most adventurous community in Austin, the nation’s second most adventurous city.

Sweetwater’s neighborly vibe was as important as 20-mile Hill Country views for the Turner family, now building the first home in The Summit.

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.

Around Sweetwater, #GoCavs bumper stickers are as popular as burnt orange T-shirts in other parts of Austin

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

While Sweetwater’s youngest residents head back to highly regarded Lake Travis ISD schools, older residents can explore lifelong learning from prestigious institutions including The University of Texas.

Here's to another year of academic and extracurricular excellence!

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

The Sweetwater trails are spectacular and they are even better when you hike them with your closest companion. With over 700 acres to explore, you will want to make sure that you and your dog are prepared. Here are some of our top tips when exploring the hiking trails in Sweetwater with your dog.

As Sweetwater prepares for its second annual honey harvest this summer, all signs are pointing to a bountiful increase over last year, when Sweetwater first became home to six hives of apis mellifera honeybees.

Children at Risk has released its annual school rankings for 2017, and all of the Lake Travis Independent School District schools serving Sweetwater have received grades of A or better.

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.

Austin Texas has grabbed the No. 1 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 100 Best Places to Live in the USA list for 2017. To come up with the rankings, U.S. News analyzed 100 U.S. metro areas based on quality of life, the job market, the value of living there and people’s desire to live there.

May is a magical month in the Texas Hill Country, combining the last hurrah of spring with a heady hint of summertime fun and freedom. Here’s a list of our Top 6 picks for Hill Country festivals near Sweetwater. Enjoy!

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.

Along with providing lots of fun and learning for hundreds of residents and visitors, the 4th annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival raised $1,500 in cash and hundreds of dollars worth of supplies for Austin Pets Alive.

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.

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.

Located just five miles from Sweetwater’s main entrance, Lakeway Regional Medical Center has new signs bearing its new name: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Lakeway. This state-of-the-art hospital also has a bright new future, as part of Texas’ largest not-for-profit health system.

Austin has grabbed the No. 1 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 100 Best Places to Live in the USA list for 2017.

With an overall grade of A+, the Lake Travis Independent School District ranks as the No. 2 Best School District in the Austin region for 2017, according to a new analysis from Niche.com, a national review website.

The Lake Travis High School Cavaliers brought home an early Christmas present for the entire community, when they won the first Class 6A football title in the school’s history.

Sweetwater has an exciting lineup of nature-focused activities coming up in the next few months, as part of our partnership with Austin’s Families in Nature, an affiliate of the Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin (CiNCA).

The Lake Travis Community Library is less than 5 miles from Sweetwater, but now there’s an even easier way to get your book fix. The Lake Travis Community Library Bookmobile is a regular visitor to Sweetwater.

Watch this video for a glimpse of the 700 acres of our spectacular Hill Country scenery devoted to parks, trails, recreational amenities and natural open spaces within the community.

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.

Many reports show Austin as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, but no way is Austin sacrificing its weird, quirky culture to the altar of economic growth.

With more than 700 acres of parks, trails and natural open spaces, Sweetwater offers residents plenty of possibilities to explore scenic Hill Country canyons and waterfalls, wonder at the night sky, and enjoy active events without ever leaving the community.

Cheering on the Lake Travis Cavs is a way of life here. Dig a little deeper, and it’s easy to see that team spirit is just one thing to love about Lake Travis ISD. Here are six more reasons families are so happy about Sweetwater’s schools.

We love to highlight the many Hill Country events and attractions near Sweetwater, and now we're calling attention to a bat-tastic event coming to the heart of Downtown Austin. It's the 12 Annual Bat Fest on Saturday, August 20, from 4 p.m. to midnight.

Sweetwater has formed a partnership with the Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin (CiNCA) to develop programs and activities to encourage Sweetwater families to spend more time outdoors.

Rightfully considered the crown jewel of Austin’s excellent park system, Zilker Metropolitan Park sits just across Lady Bird Lake (formerly known as Town Lake) from the city’s dynamic downtown skyline.

Located in Dripping Springs only 15 miles from Sweetwater, the 2,427-acre Reimers Ranch Park is the largest park acquisition in the history of Travis County, with nearly three miles of frontage along the Pedernales River.

Located near Sweetwater, the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center is dedicated to inspiring people to develop a lifelong practice of enjoying and protecting nature through educational programs, collaborative alliances, and conservation of its beautiful 75-acre preserve.

Just 30 miles west of Austin, Pedernales Falls State Park is a 5,212-acre Hill Country paradise that is best known for the scenic overlook at its north end.

Located just 16 miles north of Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has cast its spell on human visitors for more than 12,000 years. Learn more about this natural beauty near Sweetwater.

Barton Springs Pool, Austin’s crown jewel, offers year ‘round swimming. Sometimes called the “soul of Austin” – and definitely one of the city’s crown jewels – Barton Springs Pool is a three-acre manmade pool fed by natural underground springs originating from the Edwards Aquifer.

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Sites, Krause Springs is filled with beautiful Hill Country scenery, including a breathtaking waterfall, a secluded grotto, rugged boulders and bluffs, towering trees and lush landscaping.

Located just north of Wimberley, the Jacob's Well Natural Area is one of the most magnificent natural gems of the Texas Hill Country. The first natural preserve owned by Hays County, this beloved swimming spot forms the headwaters of Cypress Creek.

Ask any Texan about enjoying the Guadalupe, and they’ll probably immediately talk about tubing, whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking.  With tranquil currents and a constant 72-degree temperature, the Comal offers a gentler experience than the rapid-rich Guadalupe, which it joins downstream.

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

Sweetwater devotes 700 acres, or roughly half of its overall residential acreage, to parks, trails and natural open spaces. That means many homesites in all price ranges can overlook a canyon, ridge or greenbelt.

Sweetwater's new fitness center will offer residents some of the newest aerobic fitness and weight training machines. It will also offer inspiring views of one of the community's most scenic canyons, providing an extra shot of inspiration for a great workout.

Sweetwater’s wildflowers are taking a well-deserved summer vacation after blooming their hearts out for the community’s third annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival in late April.

It's the first day on the job for the bees of Sweetwater, and they're up and at it early! With all of the windflowers and open space, we think they will be very happy here. Thanks to our partners at Round Rock Honey for coming out and getting them set up yesterday!

Sweetwater is home to residents of all ages, including one that’s estimated to be 800 years old. The oldest living being in Sweetwater is a rare Texas Madrone tree, located along the trail that follows Pedernales Summit Parkway, the community’s main thoroughfare.

Honeybees Make Life Sweeter in Sweetwater! Learn about our bees and find out how much honey they can produce.  Why have a Rough Life, when you can have a Sweet Life instead?

Life here is about pool parties in the hills, friendly neighbors, and catching up with family while catching a sunset.  Check out a time lapse video of a recent sunset.

Lake Travis High School, the recently expanded and renovated Lake Travis ISD high school serving all of Sweetwater, ranks fourth on a new list of Austin’s best public high schools.

10 Incredible Reasons Why People are Moving to Sweetwater - Come discover for yourself why "A Climb is More Than a Climb!" 

Stagecoach trail preserves part of Sweetwater's rich history. Among the miles of trails already completed in Sweetwater, there is a preserved section of the old stagecoach route that used to run between Austin and Llano in the late 1800s.

Our canyons are home to waterfalls!  Any normal day at Sweetwater, you can hear the sounds of nature.  Birds chirping, a slow trickle of water flowing and the wind blowing through our canyons.  After a good rain, mother nature delivers her best gifts.  Check out this video!

U.S. News and World Report's list of best places to live revealed Austin as the #2 location in the United States. 

Whether you were born in Texas or not, there is no denying the amount of Texas Pride in our great state.  And those who come to Texas find themselves not wanting to leave - celebrities included. 

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.

With six years of experience as an eighth-grade teacher, a love of sports and two small kids of her own, Sweetwater resident Bess Ouahidi has the perfect background for her job as Sweetwater’s Lifestyle Coordinator.

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.

Living in Sweetwater means that you not only see the bright stars at night, but are able to experience all of the things that the Texas Hill Country offers outdoors in the daytime.  Check out the list of top things to do outdoors in the Texas Hill Country.

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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Texas is known for its BBQ and we have plenty of it to choose from.  Whether attending a block party with your neighbors, grilling out at the Sweetwater Club or venturing out to the local area BBQ joints - one thing is for sure, Texas Loves Barbecue!

We think living in the Texas Hill Country is great, but don't take our word for it. Check out this kid-friendly list of best things to see and do near Sweetwater.

The Sweetwatear Club's pool has been called one of the nation's best, but for something different, try a classic Texas swimming hole - like Hamilton Pool located minutes from Sweetwater.   There are several more that made the "10 Best" that are pretty close as well. 

The company you keep matters, especially when it comes to sharing the most precious aspects of life - the places and spaces you call home and the people you call neighbors.

Our residents agree that recreation and outdoor opportunities are endless in the Hill Country. We found this article courtesy of About Travel that explains the Highland Lakes of Central Texas.

Sometimes you just need a quick get away.  Check out these Best Day Trips from Austin. Stop at one of the local Texas Hill Country wineries or breweries.

In early September, there will be a big party at Dell Diamond with drawings for five prizes totaling $25,000 – and odds likely to be much better than playing the lottery. There’s only one way to enter.

Builder Online, an industry news website for home builders and developers, recently released an article that features 17 stand-out community pools across the country. Sweetwater’s pool snagged a spot in the list along with five other communities developed by Newland Communities.

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

Wine Harvest Tours made the list of "Best of the Texas Hill Country".  See what else is on the list.

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.

On Sunday, December 7th, Sweetwater residents gathered at the Sweetwater Club to decorate cookies and meet with Santa. There was a great turnout for this fun event!

On Friday, December 5th, the first annual Sweetwater Holiday Market was held, allowing residents to showcase some of their goods and services.

Sweetwater hosted its annual Fall Festival for residents on Sunday, October 19th at the Sweetwater Club.

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

The latest aerial photo of Sweetwater shows the new Lake Travis Middle School finishing completion and ready to open in a couple of weeks for the 2014-15 school year.

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.

Hear from one of our Sweetwater families, the Gutt's, who speak of their home building experience with David Weekley and during their relocation from Minnesota.

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

Sweetwater received the top community award, "Best Overall Community (Over 300 Units)," at the 2014 Sales and Marketing (MAX) Excellence Awards annual event gala held Saturday, April 5, at the Hyatt Regency Austin.

Thanks to everyone for coming out to the Sweetwater Wildflower Festival.  We had over 1,500 visitors join us for a fun-filled day of food truck fare, sports, model home tours and concerts on the events lawn.

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. 

Austin receives yet another number 1 ranking for "2013 Best-Performing Cities Where Jobs are Created and Maintained," according to the 2013 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index, which ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth.

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.

View photos from Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 14th. Families enjoyed breakfast, live music, and a chance to talk to Santa.

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.

By now, we Austinites have become a bit blasé about all of the national accolades we receive. We’re No. 1 for this and No. 1 for that. Gee thanks, but we’ve got no wall space left to hang the plaques.

The gorgeous resort-style pool at the Sweetwater Club is now open.

Sweetwater residents enjoy super-convenient shopping in the Galleria area—just 5 minutes away.

Though it's not yet officially open, the playground at the Sweetwater Club was the site of an impromptu neighborhood party last night.

The lower pool is filled. The middle pool and shallow beach-entry area are filling up fast. The splash pad is done. 

We are proud partners with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in protecting the native plants and grasses here in Sweetwater.

Come out to Sweetwater soon to tour the gorgeous new model from Drees Custom Homes

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.

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 residents will have plenty of sports opportunities right at home at the community's Sweetwater Club.  For athletes looking for even more, there will also soon be a new indoor sports complex five minutes away, adjacent to the Backyard outdoor music venue in Bee Cave.

The school board of Lake Travis Independent School District last week changed the elementary school assignment for students living in Sweetwater to Serene Hills Elementary School.

Sweetwater is awash with wildflowers.  Come out this weekend and take a look.

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.

The photograph above might not look like much, but it sure got us excited.  This week, these David Weekley Homes construction workers are getting ready to pour the slab on the first home to be built at Sweetwater.

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.

Once again, the Lake Travis ISD schools serving Sweetwater have received top marks for academic performance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

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