The MUD tax nobody volunteers, the lake level reality, the HOA cost that looks different before and after you add everything up — honest research before you visit the model homes
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Talk to a Specialist →Trilogy at Rough Hollow's HOA is $350–$450/month. The Rough Hollow MUD (Municipal Utility District) tax adds approximately $2,800–$3,500/year on a $900K home — another $233–$292/month in recurring annual costs. Together, HOA plus MUD runs $583–$742/month. This is before property taxes and insurance. Most buyer conversations focus on the HOA number; the MUD tax is rarely raised until the closing disclosure or first year's property tax bill arrives. Budget for both from day one.
Lake Travis is a highland reservoir — its water level is controlled by rainfall and drought conditions in the Hill Country watershed. In significant drought years (2011 was the most severe on record; 2022 saw notable drops), Lake Travis can fall 20–40+ feet below conservation pool level. At extreme lows, boat ramps close and the marina at mile marker 21 can become inaccessible for deeper-draft boats. Buyers whose lifestyle centers on regular boating should research the historical water level record for Lake Travis and understand the drought risk before purchasing based on lake access.
The community markets itself on deep water at mile marker 21 “even in drought years” — this is true for most drought conditions but not for extreme events like 2011. Research the 2011 and 2022 water levels specifically.
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HOA ($5,400/yr) + MUD tax ($3,000/yr) + property taxes ($9,000–$12,000/yr with 65+ exemptions) + homeowners insurance ($3,500–$5,000/yr for a high-value lakeside home) = $20,900–$25,400/year before mortgage. On a 30-year mortgage at current rates, add $3,000–$5,000/month in debt service. This is a premium lifestyle product at premium costs — buyers who model these numbers carefully and proceed do so knowingly. Buyers who see the $400/month HOA headline and extrapolate from there sometimes arrive at closing surprised.
Lakeway is marketed as 20–25 miles from downtown Austin. True. The US-71 / Southwest Parkway route does avoid I-35 — also true. But Bee Cave Road and US-71 have their own congestion profile in the western corridor. A 5pm drive from downtown Austin to Lakeway can take 45–70 minutes during peak hours, not the 25–30 minutes implied by the mileage. The western corridor is better than I-35 but not free of Austin's traffic reality. Visit on a weekday evening before purchasing.
Trilogy at Rough Hollow is not just a 55+ community — it is a Trilogy brand community with specific programming, national homeowner networks, wine clubs, travel clubs, and a lifestyle director model that creates a highly structured community experience. Some buyers love this and actively sought the Trilogy brand. Others find the branded programming less appealing than the more organic social fabric of a community like Sun City Texas. Neither is better — they are different. Know which type of community culture you prefer before visiting.
We can help you model the complete annual cost including MUD taxes before you visit.
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