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Karthik & Priyanka’s Journey in Crestview: A Home Worth Waiting For
Custom Home Learning Center
Ten years ago, Karthik and Priyanka bought a modest home in Crestview, one of Austin’s most walkable and established neighborhoods. From the beginning, they had a plan: live in the existing house for a while, and when the time was right, replace it with a new custom home—one that reflected their vision for the future.
Years later, after careful planning, that time came. They partnered with architect Travis Young of Studio Momentum Architects and began designing the custom home in Austin they had imagined for so long. The design process took time, but the result was exactly what they had hoped for: thoughtful, efficient, modern.
Like many custom home clients in Austin, the next step was collecting bids from local builders. That’s where they hit a wall. The pricing they received was significantly higher than expected—so much so that they had to pause the project. It was a frustrating reality check, and for a while, they didn’t know if the home they had designed would ever be built. –But the story didn’t end there.
Through a personal referral, they learned about Rivendale Homes, a trusted custom home builder in Austin, TX, and reached out. We met them at their Crestview property, reviewed the plans, and prepared a full proposal. The difference was clear. Our estimate came in 10–20% lower than the others they had received, thanks to Rivendale’s long history of building in Austin, our efficient internal team, and the economies of scale we’ve developed over time. Karthik and Priyanka saw a path forward again.
We worked closely with them and their architect to refine the plans, adjust specifications, and maintain alignment with their budget. Interior designer Dawn Hearn joined the effort, helping to select finishes that stayed true to the design intent while remaining cost-conscious. What could have been a stressful value-engineering process became a creative and collaborative experience.
At Rivendale, we have a saying: “Build the home twice on paper before you start construction.” That mindset kept things focused and minimized surprises. We also coordinated with their lender to ensure the financing structure supported the plan and timeline.
Once the final details were locked in and the contract signed, Karthik and Priyanka moved into a nearby apartment. We demolished the existing house and broke ground on their new custom home in Crestview, Austin, TX.
Construction lasted about nine months. During that time, we kept a steady pace through each phase—foundation, framing, mechanicals, and finishes. Priyanka once mentioned,
“As an engineer myself, I really admired Rivendale’s focus on problem-solving and keeping the project moving. I actually started trying to bring that mindset into my own work—just trying to keep things moving like Rivendale.”
And somewhere in the middle of it all, Karthik and Priyanka shared a special update: they were expecting their first child. As their Austin custom home came to life, so did a new chapter for their family.
In the same month their baby arrived, we handed them the keys to their brand-new home. The home was delivered under budget, on schedule, and built to the exact specifications we had planned together.
Karthik and Priyanka were overjoyed with the arrival of their new baby and their new home. Karthik summed it up best:
“I will recommend Rivendale to anyone I know who is thinking of building a custom home in Austin.”
For anyone who has dreamed of building a custom home in Austin, TX, but feels like it’s out of reach, this story is a reminder: the right team can make it possible. Yes, it takes time, coordination, and patience. But when the right builder, architect, and homeowner work together, the result is more than a house—it’s a home worth waiting for.
At Rivendale Homes, we specialize in turning vision into reality. Whether you're just starting your journey or ready to break ground, our experienced team of Austin custom home builders is here to guide you every step of the way.
👉 Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward your dream home in Austin, TX.
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