Cynthia Mattiza Associate Broker · Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty
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Realtor for Lake Travis homes

I’m Cynthia Mattiza, an Associate Broker with Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, and I help buyers and sellers of Lake Travis homes, from waterfront properties to lake-access communities in Lakeway, Bee Cave and Spicewood. I live in the Lake Travis area and I know the technical questions that come with owning near the water.

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What do Lake Travis sellers need from a listing agent?

They need the lake shown well and the paperwork ready. A lake home is bought on the view and then questioned on the details, so I plan for both: photography and video that capture the light and the water, and a documented answer file before the first showing.

  • Dock and shoreline records: what conveys, how the dock is anchored and lit, and any repair history.
  • Septic records: the permit, License to Operate and maintenance history, if the home is not on sewer.
  • Flood information: Texas’ seller’s disclosure notice asks whether the property is located wholly or partly in a 100-year floodplain, a floodway, a flood pool or a reservoir, and about prior flooding and flood insurance, so I help sellers answer accurately and have documents ready.

My design background also matters here: I would rather stage a lake home to show how its rooms open to the water than let a view do all the work.

What do Lake Travis buyers ask me most?

The questions cluster around what a lake view does not show you. I keep the full answers, with official sources, in my waterfront buying guide; these are the short versions.

  • Do I own the land under the dock? The LCRA says owners must own or have permission to use the submerged land under a fixed dock.
  • What does the lake do? The LCRA considers Lake Travis full at 681 feet above mean sea level, with a flood pool above that to 714 feet.
  • Is the home on septic? If so, permit records and an independent evaluation are on my checklist.
  • Do I need flood insurance? Check the FEMA map and get a quote early; most homeowners policies do not cover flood.

What are my ties to Lake Travis?

I live in Bee Cave, in the Lake Travis ISD area, my children go to school here, and my work is concentrated around the lake. My main site describes me as a specialist in the technicalities of the Lake Travis lifestyle, including LCRA regulations and boat dock permitting. Lake Travis is a 65-mile-long lake, and its communities are very different from each other, which is why I help buyers narrow by lifestyle before they narrow by house.

For lifestyle and neighborhood overviews, see my guide to Lake Travis on cynthiamattiza.com.

What Lake Travis relocation work have I done?

One corporate-relocation couple needed to reach downtown Austin but wanted a home that felt like a retreat. After comparing communities around the lake, they chose Costa Bella, a private gated waterfront community near Lakeway, and accepted a longer commute for privacy and views. See it and my other client stories on the results page.

Lake Travis

Lake Travis on cynthiamattiza.com

Lake Travis neighborhood guide (opens in a new tab) Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

Client stories

Corporate-relocation buyers, referred by another Sotheby’s International Realty agent · Costa Bella, near Lakeway (78734)

A corporate relocation that chose lifestyle over the shortest commute

The situation
The buyers needed to commute to downtown Austin but did not want the commute to define the search. They wanted a gated, private neighborhood with Lake Travis or Hill Country views, resort-style amenities and access to boating and the outdoors.
The approach
Cynthia compared communities across the Lake Travis area against how the buyers wanted to live, then walked them through the trade-off: a longer, traffic-dependent commute in exchange for privacy, scenery and the feeling of coming home to a destination.
The outcome
They chose Costa Bella, a private gated waterfront community near Lakeway.

Lake Travis on video

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need an LCRA permit for a residential dock on Lake Travis?

The LCRA says it does not require a permit, registration or fees for residential docks of 1,500 square feet or less. Docks must still meet LCRA safety standards, and you must own or have permission to use the submerged land. Confirm your specific dock with the LCRA.

What water level is Lake Travis considered full?

The LCRA considers Lake Travis full for water supply purposes at 681 feet above mean sea level, with flood storage above that up to 714 feet. Levels change, so check the LCRA Hydromet site for current readings.

Can I pump water from Lake Travis to my house or yard?

The LCRA says lakeside residential property owners must have a domestic use water contract with the LCRA to pump water from the Highland Lakes. Ask the LCRA whether an existing intake’s contract transfers and whether your intended use is covered.

Do Lake Travis homes need flood insurance?

Not automatically. FEMA says homes in high-risk flood areas with government-backed mortgages must have flood insurance, and most homeowners policies exclude flood. Check the FEMA map for the address and get a quote before your option period ends.

How do you sell a Lake Travis home?

Cynthia prepares the home with a design eye, prices from closed sales, documents dock, septic and flood answers before showings, and markets through Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty and the global Sotheby’s brand.

Where can I search Lake Travis listings?

Listings and home search are on Cynthia’s main site, cynthiamattiza.com. This site covers how she works with buyers and sellers around the lake.

Where Cynthia works

Cynthia Mattiza

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