# Lease a New Austin Apartment Sight Unseen, Safely > Live video walk of the actual unit, a written fee sheet, e-signing addenda, and scam checks for leasing from out of town. URL: https://newapartmentsaustin.com/guides/lease-apartment-sight-unseen/ Last-Modified: 2026-10-25 Guide · Moving to Austin # Leasing a New Apartment Remotely: Video Walks and Sight-Unseen Leases Live video walk of the actual unit, a written fee sheet, e-signing addenda, and scam checks for leasing a new Austin apartment from out of town. Written by New Austin Apartment Team [/about/#new-austin-apartment-team →](/about/#new-austin-apartment-team) · Reviewed by the team, Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC · Updated October 25, 2026 · 5 min read - Free to you, and your rent is the same either way - 144 new communities tracked (as of Oct 25, 2026) - Prices pulled every morning ![Phone on a tripod filming a walkthrough of a sunlit new apartment living room](/images/featured/phone-on-a-tripod-filming-a-walkthrough-of-a-sunli.webp) - Licensed Texas brokerage Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC, TREC #562021 - Free to renters Communities pay the brokerage. Your rent is the same either way. - Prices pulled every morning Every card shows the date and time it was pulled - Score can't be bought Commission rates never affect score, sort, placement, or picks ## Can you safely lease a new apartment without seeing it? Yes, if you see the actual unit on live video, get every cost in writing, and pay only through the property’s official channel. Remote leasing is routine for renters relocating to Austin, and new buildings are set up for it with online applications and e-signing. The risks are the same ones that trip up local renters, with less chance to catch them in person. Here’s the process we use for renters moving to Austin [/moving-to-austin/ →](/moving-to-austin/) . ![Four-step remote leasing graphic: video walk, fee sheet, e-sign, move-in setup](/images/content/four-step-remote-leasing-graphic-video-walk-fee-sh.webp) ## Step 1: A live video walk of the actual unit A recorded tour of the model isn’t enough. On a live walk of your actual unit, ask to see: | Check | Why | | --- | --- | | The unit number on the door | Confirms it’s your unit | | Every window’s view | Renderings show ideal views | | Closets, pantry, appliances | Dimensions and condition | | Water pressure and hot water | Hard to judge from photos | | Hallway, elevator, trash room | Noise and convenience | | Parking and building entrance | Daily routine | Our guide on renderings vs. the real unit [/guides/renderings-vs-real-unit/ →](/guides/renderings-vs-real-unit/) explains what listings tend to leave out. ## Step 2: The written fee sheet before you apply Ask for the written fee sheet first. Required fees ran $78-$228 a month at 12 board buildings (median $120.50, Oct 25, 2026), and property-billed water adds more. With the fee sheet, you can see true monthly before paying an application fee. If your commute uses 183A, SH-130, or SH-45, add toll road costs [/guides/austin-toll-roads-commute-cost/ →](/guides/austin-toll-roads-commute-cost/) to that number too. ## Step 3: Pre-check approval Most buildings want about 3x the rent in gross income, and some test on base rent. If you’re starting a new job, ask whether an offer letter is accepted before your first pay stub. ## Step 4: E-sign, and read the addenda first You’ll e-sign the lease and addenda through the property’s portal. Before you do, read the concession addendum (and any payback clause), the fee and utility addenda, and the Texas flood disclosure under §92.0135. We read the concession and fee addenda with you. > **Get the special in writing** > > The special, its end date, and the minimum lease term should be in the concession addendum before you sign. ## Step 5: Scam checks - Verify the leasing office through the property’s own website, not the listing. - Pay only through the property’s official portal. - Never wire money or pay a person by app to “hold” a unit. - Check any agent’s license on the TREC lookup. Our rental scams [/guides/new-construction-rental-scams/ →](/guides/new-construction-rental-scams/) guide lists the warning signs. ## Step 6: Move-in setup from afar Before you arrive, set up electric for that address (Austin Energy, PEC, Bluebonnet, Georgetown, or an Oncor plan) and request a 12-month letter of credit from your current utility to waive the deposit where it applies. We’ll help you set it up before move-in, and we can confirm key pickup and package handling for your arrival day. Learn more about Moving to Austin If you're moving from out of town, we make the calls, confirm the fee sheet, and walk the actual unit with you on live video. Open Moving to Austin [/moving-to-austin/ →](/moving-to-austin/) Why it goes wrong ## Why renting from out of town goes wrong Problem 1 ### You can't tour 20 buildings From another state, you're choosing from photos and renderings. The model unit and your actual unit can differ on view, floor, and finish. Problem 2 ### The metro is five counties Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, and Caldwell counties each come with their own commute, school district, and utility setup. Problem 3 ### Scams target remote renters Fake listings built from developer renderings ask for payment before a tour. Remote renters are the easiest targets. So we make the calls, walk the actual unit with you on live video, and verify every community before you pay anything. Straight answers ## Questions about this topic Direct answer first, then the source and date. If your question isn't here, ask us on the form or by text. ### Can I lease an Austin apartment without visiting? Yes. Most new communities allow remote leasing with e-signing. A live video walk of the actual unit, a written fee sheet, and reading the addenda together make it safer. ### How do I avoid scams when leasing remotely? Pay only through the property's official portal after verifying the leasing office through the property website. Never pay by wire or payment app to a person. ### What should a video walk show? The actual unit number on the door, every room, closets and appliances, the view from each window, water pressure, and the hallway and building entrance. ### Can you guarantee a price or approval? No. We confirm both before you sign. Keep reading ## More guides on this topic ![Phone showing an apartment listing beside a printed rendering on a desk](/images/featured/phone-showing-an-apartment-listing-next-to-a-print.webp) ### Rental Scams Around New Construction: How to Spot Them Fake listings using renderings, payment before a tour, and agents you can't verify. How to check the leasing office and a TREC license before you pay. [Rental Scams Around New Construction: How to Spot Them →](/guides/new-construction-rental-scams/) ![Real new apartment living room with floor-to-ceiling glass and oak floors](/images/featured/real-new-apartment-living-room-with-floor-to-ceili.webp) ### Renderings vs. the Real Unit: What a New-Build Listing Doesn't Show Renderings, model units, and your actual unit differ on view, floor, and finish. What to ask for before you sign, and how a live video walk helps. [Renderings vs. the Real Unit: What a New-Build Listing Doesn't Show →](/guides/renderings-vs-real-unit/) The 60-second form ## Tell us what you need. We make the calls. You don't have time to call 20 leasing offices. We do, and confirm the unit, the special, and the written fee sheet the same day during hours. 1. 1 Same day We call or text during hours with a shortlist plan. 2. 2 In writing Unit, special, end date, and fee sheet confirmed before you tour. 3. 3 Year two shown Every pick shows year two at 0% and +3%, plus a 24-month total. Prefer to talk? Call or text 512-000-000 [tel:+1512000000 →](tel:+1512000000) , Mon-Fri 8 AM-8 PM · Sat 9 AM-6 PM · Sun 12-5 PM. Free, same day during hours ## Get my shortlist Step 1 of 3 ### Thanks, we have your details. We'll call or text the same day during hours with your shortlist plan. Related pages ## Related board views Board view ### Moving to Austin A remote shortlist for renters relocating to the metro: five-county overview, electric by area, tolls, and live video walks of the actual unit. Open Moving to Austin→ [/moving-to-austin/ →](/moving-to-austin/) Board view ### Near Work New buildings matched to your job by free-flow drive time, route, and toll, with the toll added into your true monthly. Open Near Work→ [/new-apartments-near-work/ →](/new-apartments-near-work/) Board view ### Opening Soon Pre-leasing communities with opening dates we confirmed within 30 days, matched to the date your current lease ends. Open Opening Soon→ [/opening-soon/ →](/opening-soon/) ![](/images/misc/dusk-view-of-new-limestone-and-glass-apartment-tow.webp) Free to you, and your rent is the same either way ## You don't have time to call 20 leasing offices. We do. Send us your move date and all-in budget. We confirm the unit, the special, and the written fee sheet the same day during hours, then show you year two before you tour. Get my shortlist → [/contact/ →](/contact/) See the New Build Board [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) Call or text 512-000-000 [tel:+1512000000 →](tel:+1512000000) We don't guarantee pricing or approval. The community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign.