Top Downtown Austin Condo Projects Report Slow Sales

New data from four of the top five newly constructed downtown condo projects (the Austonian won’t release data) suggests that sales have been remarkably slow over the last six months at W Residences, Four Seasons, and BartonPlace and that many buyers who entered into contracts have failed to close. At BartonPlace, for example, 15 fewer units are reported sold or under contract than 6 months ago. Spring, in contrast, has seen a dramatic surge in sales with more than 201 units closed — more than the other projects combined — and 14 additional units under contract.

Here is the data:

Spring
Now: 215 / 248 units sold or under contract (201 sold & 14 under contract)
Last September: 158 / 248 units sold or under contract
Change: + 57 units sold or under contract

W Residences
Now: 86 / 159 units sold or under contract (40 sold & 46 under contract)
Last September: 84 / 159 units sold or under contract
Change: + 2 units sold or under contract

Four Seasons
Now: 79 / 148 units sold or under contract (68 sold & 11 under contract)
Last September: 77 / 148 units sold or under contract
Change: + 2 units sold or under contract

BartonPlace
Now: 139 / 270 units sold or under contract (85 sold & 54 under contract)
Last November: 154 / 270 units sold or under contract
Change: – 15 units sold or under contract

While there are many possible reasons for the weak sales trend, the most likely explanation is that many of the projects saw early contracts fall through. While anecdotal evidence suggests sales have been picking up, financing issues and skittish buyers are apparently continuing to walk from their original contracts.

At the W, the large number of residences under contract is likely due to the fact that not all of the units are ready for occupancy. At Spring and Four Seasons, there is only a small number of units under contract. At BartonPlace, a surprisingly large number of units remain unclosed despite the fact that the project has been completed for quite a while.

Spring continues to do well. With many reasonably priced units, a prime downtown location, and a tall & attractive design, the building has hit the same market sweet spot that led 360 to rapidly sell out. At the current pace, the remaining Spring units will be gone by the end of the year.

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