The current home builders’ mindset is that if they build them, buyers will come. Building spec homes (based on speculation) can look like playing the lottery. Developers, along with builders, are rolling the dice that the demand will be there at today’s level of need (or greater) when the homes are complete.
While demand shapes Austin’s homebuilding trends, the existing inventory of developable land also influences what gets built. With land becoming increasingly scarce, maximizing housing density is a top priority. It’s the reason why condo regimes are common and why new homes are getting smaller. Continue reading