Serene Hills · Lakeway, Texas · 78738
Serene Hills.Lakeway gets more personal here.
A boutique community of custom and semi-custom homes, distinctive lots, private trails and four residential sections in the hills west of Austin, positioned between established Lakeway and the Highway 71 corridor.
What is Serene Hills in Lakeway, Texas?Serene Hills is a residential community in the 78738 area made up of La Campana, Los Senderos, Las Colinas Estates and Las Colinas Del Lago. Its appeal includes custom-home character, rolling limestone topography, greenbelts, private neighborhood amenities and convenient access toward Highway 71.
01 / Why Serene Hills
Not a resort master plan. Not rows of interchangeable houses. That is part of the point.
Serene Hills sits along Serene Hills Drive between Highway 71 and established Lakeway. Its location is practical, but the neighborhood changes quickly once you leave the larger corridor.
Rolling terrain, greenbelt relationships, varying lot sizes, custom and semi-custom construction and four distinct residential sections create a neighborhood where two houses with similar square footage can offer very different experiences.
Serene Hills is not lakefront, is not centered around a giant amenity complex and does not try to imitate a resort. The appeal is quieter: architecture, land, privacy, trails, neighbors and access to the broader Lakeway and Bee Cave area.
Buyers comparing Lakeway 78734, 78738 and the broader Lake Travis market should understand those differences before choosing a house.
02 / Neighborhoods Within Serene Hills
One Serene Hills name. Four different experiences.
Section is not just a marketing label here. It can affect lot scale, topography, architecture, privacy, construction, buyer expectations and which comparable sales actually make sense.
Established and park-connected.
La Campana includes a mix of respected builders and architectural styles. Its relationship to La Campana Park gives this section one of the neighborhood's most visible gathering places.
Park relationship · Established streets · Builder varietyResidential scale with meaningful lot differences.
Los Senderos includes custom and semi-custom homes on more conventionally scaled sites than the estate section. Rear exposure, greenbelt adjacency, street position, floor-plan utility and privacy can materially change buyer response.
Residential scale · Greenbelt edges · Floor-plan varietyThe estate-scale side of Serene Hills.
Las Colinas Estates is known for highly custom homes and rare larger sites, including properties reaching roughly two to two-and-a-half acres. Approach, architecture, privacy, construction quality and usable land become especially important.
Estate sites · Custom architecture · Maximum privacyElevation changes the conversation.
Las Colinas Del Lago includes later custom construction where elevated positions, canyon or greenbelt relationships, slope, view corridors, driveway design and contemporary architecture can create significant differences.
Elevated terrain · Custom homes · View potential03 / Location
In Lakeway. Distinct from the older Lakeway pattern.
Serene Hills' relationship to Highway 71 is one of its most practical differences. Residents can move toward Bee Cave and Austin from the Highway 71 corridor without every trip first beginning on Ranch Road 620.
That does not make Austin traffic vanish. But it does change the neighborhood's everyday geography.
It also places Serene Hills close to Lakeway and Bee Cave shopping, restaurants, schools and services while keeping most residential streets physically separated from the larger commercial corridor.
The land around the neighborhood keeps changing. Employment, infrastructure, healthcare, schools and development along the corridor are tracked in the Highway 71 + West Austin brief. For the lake side of the area, start with the Lake Travis guide, and to see where Serene Hills fits among other choices, compare Austin neighborhoods.
04 / The Land Before the Houses
Ranch land first. Neighborhood second.
Serene Hills makes more sense when you understand that its development was shaped by land, infrastructure and timing rather than one rapid production-home rollout.
The Heard Family Ranch
The approximately 456-acre property was used for cattle grazing. Limited water and wastewater infrastructure helped preserve its rural ranch character.
Land Acquisition
Developers acquired the property, but the economic downturn and utility planning delayed the original development schedule.
Infrastructure Moves Forward
An agreement involving Travis County WCID 17 allowed water and wastewater planning to move forward and helped set the stage for residential development.
Parade of Homes
Serene Hills hosted the Greater Austin Home Builders Association Parade of Homes, putting its custom construction and hillside setting west of Austin on a regional stage.
Historical summary is based on Lake Travis-area reporting and community development history. Land acquisition, infrastructure, platting and home construction occurred at different stages, which is why development dates may be described differently among sources.
05 / Park, Trails + Community
The amenities are understated. The neighborhood connection is not.
Serene Hills was not designed around a massive clubhouse or resort pool. Community life is more organic: La Campana Park, private trails, greenbelts, mailbox stops, neighborhood events and neighbors who actually know one another.
The neighborhood's private gathering place.
Located on Crestone Stream Drive, La Campana Park provides outdoor gathering and recreation space for residents and connects naturally with the neighborhood's trail and greenbelt system.
- Playground and open recreation areas
- Picnic and neighborhood gathering space
- Dog-friendly everyday use
- Connections to private trails and greenbelt areas
- Community events and seasonal activities
- A quieter amenity model than resort-style communities
La Campana Park and neighborhood trail access are HOA-related amenities. Features, rules, guest access and conditions can change and should be verified directly with the association.
Texas Certified General Appraiser
06 / This Is Diana's Neighborhood
She does not study Serene Hills from a dashboard. She comes home to it.
Diana lives in Serene Hills with her family. She serves as Assistant Secretary of the Serene Hills HOA Board and participates in neighborhood projects and community activities.
That local involvement gives her a different level of context: streets, lots, greenbelts, privacy, neighborhood priorities, nearby development and the property differences residents discuss long after an online home search ends.
Diana also brings the discipline of a Texas Certified General Appraiser. Her appraisal background informs how she studies comparable properties, construction, site, condition, view, utility and market evidence when advising buyers and sellers.
Beyond Serene Hills, Diana is a Texas Certified General Appraiser whose luxury appraisal work across West Austin and the lakes mostly falls between $1 million and $15 million. Her appraisal services are provided through The Appraisal Shop. See her luxury home appraisal work.
Diana's HOA service is separate from her real estate and appraisal businesses and does not imply endorsement by the Serene Hills Homeowners Association. Official HOA information should be confirmed through the association's designated communication channels.
Available Now
Homes Diana is representing right now.
Each home has its own page with the photos, floor plan, Diana's notes and what to know before you tour.
07 / What Changes Home Value
Serene Hills does not reward every square foot equally.
Square footage is one data point. It is not a pricing method. In Serene Hills, site, section, architecture, privacy, function, greenbelt relationship and true buyer alternatives can explain far more.
Where the property sits
The four sections may share buyers, but they do not automatically share the same comparable-sale set.
Usable land beats raw acreage
Slope, drainage, rear exposure, privacy, greenbelt adjacency, driveway grade and usable yard can matter more than a simple lot-size number.
Direction changes experience
View corridor, canyon relationship, afternoon sun, backyard orientation and neighboring improvements can materially change buyer perception.
Function has value
Single-story living, bedroom separation, office placement, natural light, storage and indoor-outdoor flow all influence demand.
Quality is not a checkbox
Builder, architecture, workmanship, systems, materials, finish quality and renovation execution affect both perception and supported value.
Competition extends outside the subdivision
Buyers may compare another Serene Hills section, established Lakeway, Bee Cave communities or newer construction offering incentives.
Use the 78738 market report to understand the broader environment, then narrow the analysis to the actual home and the alternatives a qualified buyer would realistically consider. Diana's home valuation and appraisal guide explains how she moves from market data to property-specific evidence.
08 / An Honest Fit
A useful guide should help you decide, not just applaud.
Serene Hills fits many buyers extremely well. But it is not trying to be every version of Lakeway, and that is precisely why comparison matters.
Why buyers choose it
- Boutique scale rather than a massive master plan
- Custom and semi-custom architecture
- Lot sizes ranging from neighborhood scale to estate acreage
- Greenbelts, private trails and La Campana Park
- Lakeway lifestyle with Highway 71 access
- Serene Hills Elementary nearby and Lake Travis ISD context
What buyers should still investigate
- Does the slope create privacy, cost, drainage issues, or all three?
- How does section and street affect resale competition?
- Which HOA, tax, utility and jurisdictional obligations apply?
- How does the home's orientation perform during an Austin summer?
- Would a resort, golf or lake-access community fit better?
- What road, school and nearby development changes deserve review?
09 / Moving In or Moving On
Buying from far away? Your agent lives on the street.
Serene Hills buyers often arrive from California, other states or abroad. Some owners eventually leave for work or family in another city. Diana lives here, so both moves can be run by someone who is already on the street.
Buying a hillside home you have only seen on a screen
- Section and slope do not show in listing photos. A Los Senderos home backing to greenbelt and a Las Colinas Del Lago home on an elevated lot can look alike online. Diana explains the driveway grade, the rear exposure, what sits behind the fence and where water drains, reading the lot with the eye of a Certified General Appraiser. As your agent, that is advice, not an appraisal.
- A neighbor's read on the street. Where the afternoon sun hits in July, how the street reaches Serene Hills Drive and Highway 71, how far it is to La Campana Park and Serene Hills Elementary. Residents know these things. Listings leave them out.
- Texas terms, explained early. An option fee buys an unrestricted right to terminate during the option period, and a title company holds earnest money and closes. Texas has no state income tax, and a new owner can often apply for the $140,000 school homestead exemption in the year of purchase if the prior owner did not claim it. Some homes here sell quietly, as Compass Private Exclusives or Coming Soon homes under See It First™; Diana sends the ones that fit, including homes outside your search lines, and you can search Compass yourself, 24/7, with one login from search to closing.
Selling from your next city while Diana is down the street
- Timing around two moves. List while you still live there and the house feels lived in, or after you leave, when it can be repaired and staged empty. Diana lays the options against your start date, the school calendar and the closing in your next city.
- One price, set against the right section. Buyers compare another Serene Hills section, established Lakeway, Bee Cave and new construction with incentives. Diana prices against those real alternatives so the home is not chasing the market after launch.
- The empty house, handled. Diana can check on the property, meet contractors, stage, show and give inspectors access after you are gone. Once you move, Texas Tax Code 11.43(g) requires you to tell the appraisal district the home no longer qualifies as your homestead. Moving within the US? Diana can introduce you to a Compass agent in your destination city.
10 / Beyond Real Estate
Neighborhood knowledge should keep moving.
Diana's relationship with Serene Hills does not begin when somebody decides to sell a house. Her neighborhood publication covers the people, community dates, neighborhood reminders, local changes and everyday information residents actually use.
The guide explains the neighborhood. The market report follows the numbers. The Serene Hills Journal records the life happening between them.
A real neighborhood is more than its last five comparable sales. Community information, people, decisions and local knowledge matter too.
11 / Keep Exploring
Serene Hills is one part of the larger Austin decision.
Neighborhood choice, live market conditions, property value, search strategy, selling strategy, local development and the transaction itself all connect.
12 / Serene Hills Questions
The answers buyers usually need first.
These are broad neighborhood answers. Taxes, schools, utilities, HOA obligations, jurisdiction, restrictions and property characteristics should still be verified for the individual address.
Is Serene Hills in Lakeway or Austin?
Serene Hills is commonly identified as a Lakeway-area community in ZIP code 78738. Property records and mailing addresses may use Lakeway or Austin depending on the address. Municipal limits, taxing entities, utilities and legal subdivision information should be verified property by property.
What are the four sections of Serene Hills?
The four commonly recognized sections are La Campana, Los Senderos, Las Colinas Estates and Las Colinas Del Lago. They differ in lot scale, topography, architecture, construction, privacy and comparable-sale evidence.
How large is Serene Hills?
Community development history generally describes Serene Hills as approximately 456 acres with 339 planned single-family homesites. Older sources may show fewer homes because portions of the neighborhood were still developing when those sources were published.
Does Serene Hills have a community pool or clubhouse?
Serene Hills is not centered on a resort-style community pool or large clubhouse. Neighborhood amenities focus more on La Campana Park, trails, greenbelts and gathering spaces. Current amenities and rules should be confirmed with the HOA.
What is La Campana Park?
La Campana Park is the neighborhood's private park and gathering space on Crestone Stream Drive. It supports recreation, neighborhood events and access to nearby trail and greenbelt areas.
What schools serve Serene Hills?
Serene Hills is within Lake Travis Independent School District, and Serene Hills Elementary is located on Serene Hills Drive. Attendance zones can change, so every property should be checked using official LTISD attendance-zone resources.
Why does Serene Hills' Highway 71 location matter?
Serene Hills connects directly toward the Highway 71 corridor, creating a practical route toward Bee Cave and Austin without requiring every trip to begin on Ranch Road 620. Drive times vary with traffic, construction, route and time of day.
Is Serene Hills good for buyers who want privacy?
It can be, but privacy varies substantially by property. Greenbelt adjacency, lot width, slope, neighboring homes, rear exposure, landscaping and section all matter. Some homes offer highly private settings while others feel more traditionally suburban.
How should a Serene Hills home be valued?
Begin with relevant comparable properties rather than a ZIP-code median or price-per-square-foot multiplier. Section, street, site, lot utility, greenbelt or view relationship, architecture, construction quality, condition, floor-plan function, pool and current buyer alternatives may all affect supported value. Learn about Diana's valuation approach.
How does Diana Roberts know Serene Hills?
Diana lives in Serene Hills with her family and serves as Assistant Secretary of the HOA Board. She is also an Austin Real Estate Advisor with Compass and a Texas Certified General Appraiser. Her HOA service is separate from her real estate and appraisal businesses.
Where can I see current Serene Hills market information?
Start with Diana's 78738 real estate market report for broader market context, then narrow the analysis to the appropriate Serene Hills section, street and individual property. ZIP-code data provides context but cannot price a specific home.
What happens after a Serene Hills offer is accepted?
Under contract is a separate phase of the transaction. Inspection, repair negotiations, appraisal, financing, title, insurance and contractual deadlines can all create decisions before closing. Diana's Under Contract guide explains how those pieces fit together.
I am relocating from out of state. Can Diana help me buy in Serene Hills remotely?
Yes. Diana lives in Serene Hills and can explain what the photos leave out: the lot, slope, greenbelt edge, driveway grade and the street around it. Her appraisal background informs what she points out, but as your agent her advice is not a formal appraisal. Texas has allowed remote online notarization since 2018, and the title company confirms which documents can be signed from a distance. See moving to Austin.
Can Diana sell my Serene Hills home after I have moved away?
Yes. She can manage preparation, staging, showings, inspections and contractor access on a vacant home in her own neighborhood. When you move out, Texas law requires you to notify the appraisal district that the home no longer qualifies as your homestead. If you are moving within the US, Diana can introduce you to a Compass agent in your destination city. See selling your Austin home to move.
The Property-Level Answer
Buying, selling or simply trying to understand a Serene Hills home?
Diana can help move the conversation from the broader Serene Hills and 78738 market to the specific section, street, lot, home, competing properties and decision in front of you.
Diana Roberts · Austin Real Estate Advisor · Compass
Texas Agent · California Broker · Certified General Appraiser
512.888.8326 · diana.roberts@compass.com
Neighborhood information on this page is general, drawn from community development history, Lake Travis-area reporting and local experience, and may change. Section names, acreage, homesite counts, amenities, school assignment, HOA rules, taxes, utilities and jurisdiction should be verified for each individual property. Nothing here is legal, tax or financial advice, an appraisal or an opinion of value for any specific property. Diana Roberts provides real estate brokerage services through Compass in Texas. Her appraisal services are provided through The Appraisal Shop, and appraisal assignment ranges describe her experience in aggregate without identifying any property, client or assignment. Brokerage advice is not a formal appraisal assignment. Diana's service on the Serene Hills HOA Board is separate from her real estate and appraisal businesses and does not imply endorsement by the Serene Hills Homeowners Association.