What does “opening soon” mean on our board?
It means a building is in pre-leasing: you can sign before the first move-in, usually from a floor plan, a model unit tour, or a hard-hat tour. We list a building here only if we confirmed its opening date with the community within the last 30 days. If you’re planning a move around a lease that ends on a set date, that 30-day rule matters to you more than any rendering.
Supply of new apartments in Austin is shifting. Deliveries fall from about 13,000-14,900 in 2026 to about 7,000 in 2027 (Austin Apartment Association; Northmarq). Fewer openings can mean fewer buildings competing with lease-up specials. We don’t predict prices; we show today’s dated numbers.
How does pre-leasing work?
- Choose a floor plan. Often sight unseen, from plans and a model unit.
- Pay a holding deposit. The holding agreement says when it’s refundable.
- Sign the lease. The lease start date is tied to the expected first move-in.
- Wait for the Certificate of Occupancy. Some buildings open floors on a temporary certificate of occupancy first.
- Move in. Confirm the unit is ready and amenities match what was promised.
Our guide on how pre-leasing works covers holds, deposits, and price locks in more detail.
What should you ask before you pre-lease?
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What’s the confirmed first move-in date? | Your current lease end depends on it |
| What happens if the unit isn’t ready? | Look for a right to cancel if the unit isn’t ready, rent credits, or interim housing |
| Is the holding deposit refundable? | Terms vary by community |
| Does the price lock at signing? | Rent can move before move-in under revenue management |
| Which amenities open at first move-in? | The amenity opening date can trail the building |
| Is the pre-lease special in writing? | Look-and-lease specials have short deadlines |
Pre-lease now or move into an open building?
It depends on your lease end, how much you value a brand-new unit, and how much delay risk you can carry. A pre-lease special and a lease-up special can look similar; compare net effective and year two on both. Rent seasonality matters too: summer is the peak leasing season and winter the low, and your renewal month follows your start month. Our pre-lease or move now guide walks through the decision, and Lease-Ups lists buildings open today.
| Pre-lease (opening soon) | Open building (lease-up) | |
|---|---|---|
| What you see before signing | Floor plan, model unit, or a hard-hat tour | The actual unit, in person or on a live video walk |
| Move-in date | Tied to the expected first move-in; it can slip | Set when you sign |
| Delay risk | Read the delay terms and holding agreement | None on the unit itself |
| Amenities | May open after first move-in | Confirm what’s finished in writing |
| What to compare | Net effective and year two | Net effective and year two |
What if the move-in date slips?
Construction timelines move. If your date slips, read the lease’s delay terms first. Your options usually include holding the unit, switching to an open building, or a release. We take it up with the community in writing, ask about interim housing or rent credits, and report back. The move-in date delayed guide lists the steps.
How we match buildings to your move date
Send us your current lease end and your move-by date on the form. We line up every confirmed opening against those dates, flag buildings where a short slip would overlap your lease, and show a backup open building for each pick. If you’re moving from out of town, we can run a live video walk once your actual unit is ready to show. See Moving to Austin for remote leasing.
