OUR CORE VALUES

Creative and Thoughtful

A home lives through lifetimes and generations of people. Our homes are our safe place, they’re our shelter, the place where memories are made, and comfort is filled. We understand the importance and longevity of homes that is why we take the time to think through details. At Ash Creek Homes, there is nothing about our approach that is “cookie cutter.”

From the land we develop to the homes we design to our construction and customer service; we are creative and thoughtful every step of the way. We treat the property we develop with care because every acre has its own story and deserves its own unique approach to development. We often work with land that features mature trees and challenging topography as our canvas, in fact, that most builders pass on the opportunity to build where we build. We appreciate the challenges in hill country land and carefully analyze the area, so we can optimize views, maximize privacy, and create boutique communities that are appreciated for years to come.

Flexible and Nimble

We pride ourselves on being a creative and nimble organization with the ability to shift and adapt quickly. During some of the most challenging years for home builders, the “tried and true” processes we had become accustomed to for nearly 40 no longer worked. When the world changes, you must change with it. And thanks to our flexibility as a small company, that’s exactly what we do and we adapt quickly.

Put on your thinking cap and figure it out. Ask questions. Learn and continue to grow, so you can navigate through challenges and opportunities. Find new ways to make land development, home building, and home functionality better. At Ash Creek Homes, we aren’t stuck in our ways, and we don’t have to navigate through big corporate red tape. We are empowered to make smart decisions quickly. We’re flexible and nimble. We use our resources, research and network of partners and vendors to guide our decisions and collaborate as a team.

Focused on People

It takes teamwork and the synchronization of hundreds of people to build one single home. In a home’s lifetime, it protects generations of people and its presence alone could impact thousands. While a home is a shelter and a safe place, it exists for people. That’s why we are focused on people before, during, and after construction.

Who are our people? The hundreds of contractors that labor to build our homes. The homeowners who live in our homes. Our team members who create and develop our communities and homes. The realtors that share our homes. The partners we trust. While we are building a “product,” that product exists to provide shelter to people and families for generations, so in the end, building homes is all about people.

Do the Right Thing

It seems like a simple concept, but it can often be overlooked in business. We do the right thing. As a company and as individuals, when we make decisions, we base our decisions on doing what is best for the greater good.

We are honest and transparent, and we take accountability for our actions. We are not perfect, and you may not like all our decisions, but we consider all sides when making a decision, not just our own perspective. It’s important that we put ourselves in the other person’s shoes. Sometimes we must make tough decisions in an effort to protect people, but we strive to make the best decisions we can as a company, as a member of the community, and as professionals in the industry.

ABOUT US

Building Homes in Austin for 40 Years

It's time to celebrate! This year marks our 40th anniversary of developing land and building homes in Austin, Texas! Woot! It’s an honor we take seriously.

That’s why we go to painstaking lengths to design our communities in a way that brings to light the beauty of the Lake Travis area. That could be through preserving as many trees as possible, maintaining the natural topography, or designing with a keen eye to the panoramic views. This mindset is the hallmark of our company.

Our cutting edge techniques and attention to detail in land planning doesn’t go unnoticed. In June 2022, The Heights at Vista Parke won the “Neighborhood of the Year” Grand MAX award from HBA of Greater Austin. Ash Creek Homes was the finalist for four other MAX Awards in 2022 including: Developer of the Year, Best Design for Attached Home with Jon Carey Design, Project Manager of the Year, Wari Amalaha, and Marketing Professional of the Year, Cathy Hale.

In March 2020, Ash Creek Homes was awarded the Residential Real Estate Award for Top Production Builder of the Year from Austin Business Journal for our newest 30-home community located in the heart of Lakeway, Honey Creek.

Read more

One of the reasons Honey Creek is a standout among our peers in the home building industry is because we were able to build on this gorgeous tract of land in the Lake Travis area that other builders couldn’t figure out due to the rugged terrain. Honey Creek is located in a valley overlooking miles and miles of preserve land, but it was incredibly challenging due to the steep entry into the seven acre tract.

We were inspired by the massive views and thanks to our land development and building expertise, we were able to bring our vision for the community to fruition.

How can we build so thoughtfully? Because we’re a small, nimble company. Our decision to build is entirely up to us, so if we have the vision to create something magical for our homeowners that happens to be located on a cliff, we do it. Even if it means spending lots of extra time, money and resources to figure it out. The end result is always worth it.

Another thing that makes Ash Creek Homes unique is despite our size, we’re a close knit group. We have employees, vendors and subcontractors that have worked with us for more than 25 years and many who have worked with us for more than 15 years.

Plus, we have a lot of repeat homeowners who have followed us from one Ash Creek Homes community to another. We also have homeowners who were referred to us from existing Ash Creek Homes homeowners.

Forging meaningful relationships with not only our employees, but also lenders, bankers, painters, framers and landscapers helps us pass on quality products, services and expectations to our homeowners.

It’s another way we support our local community because many of the professionals we work with are small business owners who have run their companies for generations - right here in Texas.

Our commitment to the Austin community and our mindfulness as a home builder is evident in everything we do from the craftsmanship to the floor plans to the materials. When you walk into a home built by Ash Creek Homes, you'll see our history because it shows. Our homes will make you feel good and we think that matters.

Come see us, and you'll learn why. Book a tour and visit a home in one of our communities.

The Heights at Vista Parke | Neighborhood of the Year Grand MAX Award Winner 2022 | HBA of Greater Austin

Some of Our Awards

 

2022

“Neighborhood of the Year” | The Heights at Vista Parke built by Ash Creek Homes, Winner, HBA MAX Award 2022

“Developer of the Year” | The Heights at Vista Parke built by Ash Creek Homes, Finalist, HBA MAX Award 2022

“Best Product Design (Attached) For Sale” | The Heights at Vista Parke built by Ash Creek Homes and Jon Carey Designs, Finalist, HBA MAX Award 2022

“Project Manager of the Year (Developer)” | Wari Amalaha, Ash Creek Homes, Finalist, HBA MAX Award 2022

“Marketing Professional of the Year” | Cathy Hale, Ash Creek Homes, Finalist, HBA MAX Award 2022

2020

“Top Production Home Builder”
Winner, Residential Real Estate Awards Austin Business Journal

“Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Home $500k-$700k” | Honey Creek, Primrose Model by Interior Designer: Mary DeWalt Design Group – Finalist, HBA Max Awards

“Best Single Family Detached Home Over $700k” | Hudson Floor Plan | Los Senderos, Serene Hills – Finalist, HBA MAX Awards

“Neighborhood of The Year” | Honey Creek – Finalist, HBA MAX Awards

“Best Special Sale Promotion” | “Ramble With Us at Honey Creek” by Ash Creek Homes Marketing Director: Cathy Hale – Finalist, HBA MAX Awards

2018

“Best of the Best Awards”
Finalist for Best Home Builder- Austin American Statesman

Best Product Design
Santa Anita Floor Plan – HBA MAX Awards

2017

Best New Community for a Developer
HBA MAX Awards

Best Interior Merchandising for a Model Home
HBA MAX Awards

Project Manager of the Year
Jenna Edge- HBA MAX Awards

2015

Best Development Under 100 Homes
HBA MAX Awards

2014

Best Development Under 100 Homes
HBA MAX Awards

Austin’s Top Green Builder
Austin Business Journal

2013

Austin’s Top Ranked Custom Homebuilder
Austin Business Journal

Best Development Under 100 Homes
HBA MAX Awards

Austin’s Top Green Builder
Austin Business Journal

2012

Austin’s Top Green Builder
Austin Business Journal

1999

Best Attached Product
HBA MAX Awards

1997

Best Product Design for a Custom Spec
HBA MAX Awards

2005

Best Development Under 100 Homes
HBA MAX Awards

2008

Best Development Under 100 Homes
HBA MAX Awards

Find Your Agent

Nicole Leavitt

Nicole Leavitt

Sales Manager

The History of Ash Creek Homes

“I wonder if I can build that?” In 1982, this question inspired Ash Creek Homes’ founder Scott Morledge to pursue his passion for home building in Austin, Texas. Scott had a knack for building things and homes had always intrigued him. He started out working on framing crews, slowly learning the ins and outs of home building down to the most miniscule detail.

The first home

By 1983, Scott decided to build his first home, doing the bulk of the work by himself. In fact, he drew the plans without formal training because he wanted to save $300. He found a lot near Parmer and I-35 and bought it. The rest was a lot of trial and error, but Scott recalls the 2,000 sq ft New England architecture, Saltbox-style house with pride. His first home. As he says, “A woman came along and liked the house and wanted to buy it.” And that’s how it all began.

Scott chose the name Ash Creek Homes as a nod to his family farm in Wisconsin, Ash Creek Farm with a big creek located in a large, hilly valley.

As the story goes, Scott took the profits from his first home to buy his second lot with more of a business strategy in place. He sold that home and then when he was getting ready to build his third home in 1985, “Red” Wencel came into the picture.

Builder and developer, working together

For the next few years, Scott and Red worked together, learning how to work with municipalities and bridge the gap between builder and land developer. Scott spent time looking for business investments and lots, because there was a lot shortage in Austin at the time. They started buying more lots and slowly Ash Creek Homes was becoming a sustainable business. In 1987, they hired their first official employee. In 1989, they hired Liz Chipman, who still works at the company today.

Honing the approach of building small communities

With a variety of successful home building projects under their belts throughout the Austin area, Scott and Red embarked on their first custom community in 1993. They were thrilled with the opportunity to design the homes and the community free of limitations set by other builders. They knew this was the approach to home building they had been looking for – small, custom communities. In 1997, they purchased their first tract of land in Lakewood off of 360, branching out into what was considered the “hill country” at that time.

Honoring the beauty of the Texas Hill Country

Fast forward to 40 years later and Ash Creek Homes is still inspired by that same question. “I wonder if we can build that?” Developing land and building homes in Austin and the Texas Hill Country is an honor we take seriously. That’s why we go to painstaking lengths to preserve the natural topography and keep as many trees as possible in every community we build.

Although Scott and Red both retired from Ask Creek Homes years ago, their initial vision for the company and mindset is still the hallmark of our company today.

Getting honored for a creative project

And our commitment to preserving the beauty of Austin doesn’t go unnoticed. In June 2022, The Heights at Vista Parke won the “Neighborhood of the Year” Grand MAX award from HBA of Greater Austin. Ash Creek Homes was the finalist for four other MAX Awards in 2022 including Developer of the Year, Best Design for Attached Home, Project Manager of the Year, Wari Amalaha and Marketing Professional of the Year, Cathy Hale.

Read more

In March 2020, Ash Creek Homes was awarded the Residential Real Estate Award for Top Production Builder of the Year from Austin Business Journal for our community located in the heart of Lakeway, Honey Creek. One of the reasons Honey Creek is a standout among our peers is because we were able to build on this gorgeous tract of land in the Lake Travis area that other builders couldn’t figure out due to the rugged terrain.

Just the right size

One of the reasons Ash Creek Homes can build so thoughtfully is because we are a small, nimble company. Our decision to build is entirely up to us, so if we have the vision to create something magical for our homeowners that happens to be located on a cliffside, we do it. Even if it means spending lots of extra time, money and resources to figure it out. The end result is always worth it.

Paying attention to the details

Our mindfulness as a home builder is evident in everything we do, from the craftsmanship to the floor plans to the materials. When you walk into a home built by Ash Creek Homes, you’ll appreciate our impeccable design. We’ve made low-maintenance living effortless and luxurious. Simply put, our homes just feel good and we think that matters.

Our team members tend to stick around

Another thing that makes Ash Creek Homes unique is despite our size, we’re a close knit group. We have employees, vendors and subcontractors that have worked with us for more than 25 years and many who have worked with us for more than 15 years. Forging meaningful relationships with not only our employees, but also lenders, bankers, painters, framers and landscapers helps us pass on quality products, services and expectations to our homeowners. It’s another way we support our local community because many of the professionals we work with are small business owners who have run their companies for generations – right here in Texas.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This