From Burned Down to Build-Ready: A Lost Creek Teardown Case Study
Recently, a home in Lost Creek—one of the most desirable neighborhoods in West Austin—was lost to a house fire. It's always hard to see something like that happen, especially in an established community where homes aren’t just buildings, they’re part of the fabric of the neighborhood.
That said, this particular lot opened up a rare opportunity for a couple I've been working with (alongside their agents) for over a year. They’d been searching for a teardown lot in Lost Creek—something buildable, well-located, and worth the investment. And if you've been following the Austin market, you know how limited teardown options are in neighborhoods like this.
We’ve evaluated multiple properties together over the past year. Every time a potential teardown hit the market, I’d jump in to walk the site and assess the essentials:
– Utility access
– Topography and drainage
– Tree coverage and buildable area
– Permitting requirements & restrictions
– Any red flags that might impact their budget or timeline
This one—despite the unfortunate circumstances—was a fit. I walked the site, reviewed the survey, and started working with their design/build team to sketch out conceptual plans. We're now shaping the footprint of a future custom home, built thoughtfully and intentionally to work with the lot.
Why am I sharing this?
Because whether you're a buyer, an agent, or just curious about how teardown opportunities are evaluated—it’s not always obvious what makes a lot "buildable." It takes more than vision. It takes experience and due diligence.
If you’re considering a teardown in Austin—or helping a customer who is—I’d love to be a resource. From walking lots and reading surveys to flagging costs and coordinating with engineers, I help simplify the process so you can make smart decisions before you write the offer.
Curious to see how this one came together?
Here’s a 60-second video that walks through the process.
Feel free to reach out with questions, or explore more resources on my blog!
