12417 River BND Unit #8, Austin, TX 78732

Originally designed by J. Bryant Boyd and recently updated, this Lake Austin waterfront residence is built for the way you actually want to live: inside, outside, and on the water.

Five bedrooms and five baths, including a primary suite with its own private lake-view terrace, soaking tub, and dual vanities. The main living area and kitchen sit on the upper level to capture the best views, while the lower level opens directly to the lake with a second full kitchen, a bar, an exterior shower, and a fire pit. Two levels of terrace space and two fireplaces mean every gathering space is thoughtfully planned, designed to flow effortlessly from one to the next.

Your private dock and boat slip include a spiral staircase up to a party deck made for sunset watching. The 0.3-acre lot sits on a quiet cul-de-sac, shaded by mature trees, with direct waterfront access. And world-class dining and serenity are close at hand, with Lake Austin Spa Resort just steps away.

This is a stretch of Lake Austin most people don't know exists. Step off your dock and you're minutes from Ski Shores, Austin Country Club, and the best the lake has to offer. By the Fourth of July, there's no finer seat in the city for watching fireworks light up the water than your own boat deck.

A little about the setting: This home is one of just 16 residences tucked along a private easement leading down toward Lake Austin, with this residence positioned at the very front of the waterfront. Each homeowner has their own individual dock/slip, with the docks connected along the shoreline. The result is a rare little lake community that feels friendly and connected, while still offering a peaceful, private atmosphere and plenty of space to enjoy your own slice of the lake.

The original, authentic Austin lake life, refined.

The moment you step onto the dock at 12417 River Bend Unit 8, you understand why this Lake Austin waterfront home works as a true basecamp for active living. Designed by J. Bryant Boyd and recently updated, this 5-bedroom, 5-bath residence sits on 0.3 acres of lakefront property in Freund Sleepy Hollow Lake Austin, directly accessible to one of the most underutilized stretches of water in the city. Your private boat slip and dock aren't amenities here - they're your daily gateway.

Access defines everything. The home's lower level opens directly waterside with its own full kitchen, bar, and exterior shower, eliminating the friction between house and water. Load gear straight from the garage, grab what you need from the second kitchen, and you're on the water in minutes. The 3,560 square feet spreads across two full levels to separate your basecamp functions: upper level handles family living and sleep, while the lower level becomes pure action central. Stone, tile, and wood flooring throughout handle the wet-gear reality of lake living without fuss.

The boat deck itself anchors your operation. A spiral staircase climbs to a party deck built for watching sunsets, fireworks on the Fourth of July, and water traffic patterns you'll learn like locals. Ski Shores sits minutes downstream, Austin Country Club just across the water, and the best lake conditions run directly past your slip. The dock and boat slip aren't shared - these are yours. That matters when you're loading up early mornings or mid-week adventures.

Storage spreads across the property with intention. The primary suite occupies its own lake-view terrace on the upper level with soaking tub and dual vanities for post-adventure recovery. Two fireplaces and multiple living areas give you flexible spaces to dry out, regroup, or host the crew. Recessed lighting and wired-for-data infrastructure mean this house handles modern life alongside the water routine.

The rush comes from location. You dock here and immediately access the best of Lake Austin without the crowds of further-downstream spots. By mid-morning on summer days, you've already cleared the bay and hit open water. The neighborhood sits quiet on a cul-de-sac, shaded by mature trees over 40 feet tall, which means you return to peace after the action stops.

At $1,081 per square foot for lakefront in the Leander ISD area near Vandegrift High School, this isn't just waterfront living - it's the infrastructure for a lifestyle built around what you actually do, not what you're told to want. The dock and boat slip make this waterfront property function differently from everything else on the market.

Steiner Ranch is a 4,600-acre master-planned community in 78732, built along the bluffs above Lake Austin and Lake Travis. Median home price $800K. Leander ISD schools (Laura Bush Elementary, Canyon Ridge Middle, Vandegrift High), three resort-style community pools, 20+ miles of trails, and private Lake Austin access via the Lake Club.

Around 6,500 homes across multiple sections, built from the late 1990s through today. Housing ranges from $500K townhomes to $2M+ estates backing to the UT Golf Club (Roy Bechtol championship course, 7,412 yards). The community is fully built out in most sections, with limited new construction remaining.

Daily life revolves around being outside. Trail runners hit J Canyon and Powerline Hill loops before work. The Lake Club gives residents private boat launch access with eleven day-use docks on Lake Austin. Lake Travis is five minutes from the community entrance. Steiner Ranch Steakhouse — panoramic lake views, live music seven nights a week — is the social center.

What makes Steiner Ranch the value play for lake-adjacent living: resort-level amenities at a fraction of Lake Austin waterfront pricing, strong schools, and a community infrastructure (pools, trails, golf, lake access) that most master-planned developments can't match. The tradeoff is the 620 commute — 25-35 minutes to downtown depending on traffic.