Landlords in Austin - is this true?

[Jennifer Streamer]

My sister just accepted a job in Austin, Texas.  She's starting on June 1st. 

She was told that in Austin, it's not possible to look for a house to rent in advance.  The advice was to come down a couple of days ahead of time and go to rental open houses.  She'd be able to fill out an application and take possession within 24 hours.

This doesn't make any sense to me.  I advertise my properties well in advance.  Can anyone with knowledge of Austin tell me if this is true?  Should she just go down there and try to grab the first place she sees?

Any advice on how to get a decent place?

Thanks in advance!

(And if anyone has a charming house for rent in Austin for a recent Ph.D. and her software engineer husband, let me know :-)  )