The notion of a second home in Austin is certainly tempting, at least for me. It’s becoming more and more difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to make the customary weekend rounds, especially if crossing the river is involved. Even Capital Metro isn’t always informed of street-closings, and pedestrian detours can take a lot of pleasure out of a jaunt, particularly during the hot weather. We would have been spending much more money on favorite baked goods and other delights during the past several months, had it not been akin to mounting a major trek to reach them. It would be wonderful to have small retreats available in several parts of Austin.

Today’s NYT touts downtown Austin nationally as a great place to own a vacation hideaway (“People-Friendly Planning,” byline Bethany Lyttle). It’s reported that downtown condos are being snapped up by people from Boston, New York, Dallas, Houston, and San Francisco.

My favorite insights gleaned from this feature are that supply now exceeds demand, that prices are now negotiable, and that some who committed before construction to purchase condos have failed to gain financing for them.

The piece contains some photographs and specific pricing information for a high-cost and a lower-cost offering. Will these look cheap to potential out-of-town buyers?