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Guide · Lease-Ups

Moving Into a Building That's Still Finishing: Amenities and Construction

Pool and gym open dates, phase construction noise and dust, and the questions to ask in writing before you sign at a new Austin building.

Written by New Austin Apartment Team Reviewed by the team, Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC Updated 5 min read

  • Free to you, and your rent is the same either way
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Finished courtyard pool beside a second building phase under construction
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What does it mean to move into a building that’s still finishing?

Many new buildings open before every amenity or phase is done. The first residents move in after the Certificate of Occupancy, while the pool, gym, garage, or a second building is still being finished. In exchange, early residents often get the deepest specials. For you, the question is simple: what will be finished when you move in, and what will you live next to? Our Lease-Ups page tracks what’s finished at each building.

Amenities: get open dates in writing

AmenityWhy it mattersWhat to ask
PoolOften one of the last things finishedConfirmed open date, in writing
Fitness centerEquipment delivery can lagOpen date; temporary alternative?
Structured garageResidents may park on a temporary lotWhen it opens; any parking charge before then
Dog park or pet washOften finished lateOpen date
Clubhouse and work loungeFurniture and finishes may still be arrivingOpen date
Package lockersPackages may be held at the office meanwhileCurrent package process
Nearly finished clubhouse interior with protective film on fixtures

A tour note example

Oct 22, 2026, Citizen House Decker: construction traffic quieted along Decker Lane; clubhouse and pool open. That’s the kind of dated note we add after a tour.

Phase construction next door

Large communities are often built in phases. Phase one opens and fills while phase two goes up beside it. Ask:

  • Where is the next phase relative to your unit?
  • What hours does construction run? Texas cities set allowed hours; ask what the contractor follows.
  • How long until it’s finished?
  • What changes for residents: parking, entrances, dust, deliveries?

A unit on the far side of the building from the active phase can feel very different from one facing it.

Inside your unit

New units sometimes have small finish items in the first weeks: caulk gaps, doors that need adjusting, HVAC balancing, appliance issues. That’s normal for new construction, and the fix is documentation. Use the move-in condition form within 48 hours and keep a dated copy. Our move-in checklist and the day 7 and day 30 punch list guide cover each step.

Is it worth it?

Move in early if…Wait or choose a finished building if…
The special is deep and in writingYou need the gym or pool from day one
Your unit faces away from constructionYou work from home on the construction side
Open dates are confirmed in writingOpen dates are vague or verbal only
You value a brand-new unitYou’d rather avoid early maintenance visits

What we do

We confirm amenity open dates and construction status in writing before you sign, note phase plans on your shortlist, and filter out construction next door if you ask. If an open date slips after you move in, we take it up with the community in writing and report back. To check a specific building, ask us to confirm open dates.

Learn more about Lease-Ups

Open buildings in lease-up or their first 24 months, sorted by stage and fill estimate, with what's finished confirmed in writing.

Open Lease-Ups
Why it goes wrong

What goes wrong at a building that's still filling

Problem 1

The amenities aren't open yet

A pool, gym, or garage can open months after the first move-ins. The listing often shows the finished rendering, not the date it opens.

Problem 2

Construction continues next door

Phased projects keep building after phase one fills. Noise hours, dust, and parking changes can run through your first lease.

Problem 3

Small defects show up early

New units often need caulk, door, appliance, or HVAC balancing fixes in the first weeks. Without a written punch list, they wait.

So we confirm amenity open dates and construction status in writing, and send a punch list at day 7 and day 30.

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 get a discount if the pool isn't open?

Sometimes. Communities may offer a concession or a fee waiver while key amenities are closed. We ask and get any offer in writing.

Will there be construction next door?

In phased projects, often yes. We check phase plans and work hours and note it on your shortlist. You can tick 'no construction next door' on our form to filter it out.

What if an amenity open date slips after I sign?

Keep the written open date. We take it up with the community in writing and ask what they'll offer while it's closed.

Can you guarantee a price or approval?

No. We confirm terms before you sign, and the community sets them.

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, 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
1. Your move & budget

Include fees and parking, we'll do the math.

2. What matters in a new building
Must-haves
3. Where we send your shortlist

Most communities want about 3x the rent; a few test against rent after the special.

Free. Your rent is the same either way.

We'll call or text the same day during hours with your shortlist plan. We don't guarantee pricing or approval; the community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign. See our Privacy Policy.

Related pages
Board view

Lease-Ups

Buildings already open and filling, sorted by stage and fill estimate, with what's finished and what the special does to your monthly cost.

Board view

New Build Board

Every in-scope community on one map, with base rent, the special, net effective, true monthly, and year two pulled every morning.

Board view

Specials

Specials confirmed within the last 7 days, each decoded to net effective and year two, with base rent shown beside every discount.

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.

We don't guarantee pricing or approval. The community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign.