Apartments in Austin, Texas have seen increasing demand over the last year as the central Texas economy has begun to recover and employers have continued to expand their businesses and hire new employees. Along with the employment opportunities offered by companies such as Dell, Motorola and AMD, Austin has long been a popular destination due to it's climate, beautiful neighborhoods, highly-ranked public schools and institutions of higher learning such as the University of Texas.
Austin Apartments are available in a number of sizes and floor plans from 400 square foot studios to 3,000 square foot downtown Austin penthouses. There are hundreds of communities located within and close to Austin that range in size from one hundred to over six hundred units. These properties often have amenities such as courtyards, clubhouses, large balconies, lagoon-style swimming pools, stunning lanscapes, direct-access garages and much more. Many of the newer Austin apartment communities also provide luxuries such as free WiFi, state of the art fitness facilities, limited access gates and pre-wired alarm panels in every unit. Depending on the age of the property, location, and amenities, rents can range from $ 650 per month for one bedroom floor plans to over $ 2,000 per month for premium Downtown units. Fee associated with renting Austin apartments typically include an application fee, administrative fee and a security deposit. Although the fees can vary broadly from one community to another, renters should expect to pay around $ 40 to $ 50 for an application fee and anywhere from $ 100 to $ 300 for the combined administrative fee and deposit. Lease terms offered usually range from six to fifteen months with twelve months being most common. For those who need a shorter lease term, many communities offer three month leases for an additional monthly fee or "upcharge" of $ 150 to $ 400 per month. Not surprisingly, management companies often offer a lower monthly rent for a longer term so choosing a twelve month lease over a six month lease may save the prospective renter anywhere from $ 15 to $ 35 per month or more.
Although many factors must be considered when choosing an apartment in Austin, Texas, most renters give priority to the neighborhood, proximate to employers and academic institutions, and the current rents of properties in those areas. Other considerations may include community pet policies for those renters who have large pets, parking options such as covered or garage parking, units features such as washer and dryer connections or an included washer and dryer, safety features, lease terms and rent concessions.
There are a number of professional and non-profit associations in the Austin Metro area that offer information about apartment and condominium rental availability. In addition to these associations, there are also real estate agents who work as apartment locators, assisting prospective renters in finding a great new place to live. The internet can also be an excellent source of information on Austin apartments for rent with the most current and accurate data typically being offered by local apartment locating services who specialize in the Austin apartment market.