The lease survives the sale
In Texas, a valid lease generally binds the new owner — the buyer inherits your tenant through the lease term. That single fact drives the whole strategy: selling occupied narrows you toward investor buyers (who may prefer a paying tenant in place — make the lease, payment history, and deposit transfer part of the package) while selling vacant opens the owner-occupant pool, usually the deeper one for corridor houses, at the cost of vacancy months and turn costs. Timing the listing to the lease's natural end is often the highest-value move available; check your lease's notice and showing clauses either way, and follow them precisely.
The tenant-cooperation variable
Occupied showings live or die on the tenant relationship: proper notice every time, scheduling respect, and — a widely used, honest tool — direct incentives for cooperation (flexible showings, clean presentation) framed transparently. A resentful tenant is the most expensive staging problem on this page.
The money notes
Investment-property sales carry tax consequences owner-occupied sales don't — depreciation recapture and capital-gains treatment among them, with structures like 1031 exchanges existing for specific goals. This site's line is bright: those are professional-advice territory, engaged before listing, because some options expire at contract. Educational only, August 2026; not tax or legal advice.
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