Pre-Leasing an Austin High Rise: How Lease-Up Works
Lease-up phases, unit selection order, delayed move-in clauses, and deposits held before the certificate of occupancy.
By the Austin High Rise Apartment Team · · 6 min read
What pre-leasing means in Austin
Pre-leasing is signing a lease before the building, or the part of the building you’ll live in, is ready. In Austin’s 2024–2026 wave of towers, it’s how many renters got first pick of upper floors and the widest concessions. It works well when you understand the phases and read the lease clauses that protect you. Our new construction high rise apartments page lists the towers currently in lease-up.
The phases of lease-up
| Phase | What’s happening | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pre-leasing | Building under construction; leasing from a sales gallery or model | First pick of units, widest deals, firm move-in date not guaranteed |
| 2. First move-ins | Lower floors get a temporary certificate of occupancy | Real units to tour; some amenities may not be open |
| 3. Active lease-up | Floors released in stages, concessions at their widest | Best balance of certainty and deal |
| 4. Stabilization | Occupancy climbs past the building’s target | Concessions tighten, sometimes quickly |
Towers like The Travis (2026), 415 Colorado and The Residences at ATX Tower (both 2025) have been moving through these phases.
Unit selection order
During pre-leasing, you often choose from the full stack before anyone else. That’s the main advantage: the best views and layouts go first. Buildings typically release floors in stages, so upper floors may not open until later in lease-up. If a specific floor or view matters, ask when it will release and whether you can reserve it.
Clauses to read before you sign
Delayed move-in. Construction schedules slip. Your lease should say what happens if your unit isn’t ready: daily rent credits, help with temporary housing, or the right to cancel after a set number of days.
Certificate of occupancy. A unit can’t be occupied without a certificate of occupancy (sometimes a temporary one first). Ask how your move-in date relates to it.
Deposits. Confirm how any deposit is held before move-in, when it becomes non-refundable, and what happens if you cancel under the delay clause.
Amenity delivery. Pools, gyms and lounges sometimes open after the first residents. Ask for target dates in writing.
Concession rider. How the free rent is applied, the lease length it requires, and the clawback if you leave early.
Pre-leasing is a bet on timing
The reward is the best unit at the best deal. The risk is schedule uncertainty. Good lease language turns that risk into a defined remedy.
Who pre-leasing suits
- Renters 60+ days from their move with some date flexibility
- Renters who want a specific top floor, view or layout
- Relocators whose start date is fixed far in advance
It suits less well if your current lease ends on a hard date and you have nowhere to bridge.
Pre-leasing questions to ask the leasing team
- What phase is the building in, and which floors are released now?
- When will the floor or stack I want be released?
- What’s the target move-in date for my unit, and how firm is it?
- What does the lease say if move-in is delayed: credits, temporary housing help, cancellation?
- How is my deposit held before move-in, and when does it become non-refundable?
- Which amenities will be open on my move-in date?
- What concession applies, how is it structured, and does it change if move-in slips?
- Can I see a finished unit in the same stack before signing?
Pre-leasing vs. leasing a delivered unit
| Pre-lease | Delivered unit in lease-up | |
|---|---|---|
| Unit choice | First pick of the stack | What’s released and available |
| Concession | Often the widest | Still wide, adjusted monthly |
| Move-in certainty | Lower | High |
| What you can tour | Model or sales gallery | The actual unit |
| Best for | Renters 60+ days out with flexibility | Renters on a firm date |
For many renters, the sweet spot is a delivered unit in active lease-up: real units to tour, concessions still near their widest, and a firm move-in date. We’ll tell you which phase each new tower is in and which approach fits your timeline. If you’re moving into a building that’s still finishing, read moving into a tower still finishing amenities.
How we help
We track each tower’s phase, which floors are releasing next and what concessions are live. We read the delay and deposit clauses with you before you sign. If a pre-lease looks risky for your timeline, we’ll pair it with a delivered alternative. Want first pick at a new tower? Ask about pre-leasing, and read lease-up concessions to time the deal.