If you’re planning a move between November 2026 and January 2027, you’re moving in a season with its own timing. Here’s how lease-up apartments, pre-leasing dates, and renewal offers line up over the holidays for new apartments in Fort Worth and the cities around it. We’ll present it as tradeoffs, not deadlines, with what to do next at each step.
What does the supply look like this season?
There’s a lot of new product. Cushman & Wakefield’s Q2 2026 report counted about 7,000 units under construction in Fort Worth–Arlington, and 3,208 units delivered there in the first half of 2026. That means many buildings are in lease-up or pre-leasing at the same time, and specials are common. On our Oct 25, 2026 board, the median special was 8 weeks free.
How do the three months compare?
| Move window | What’s usually open | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | Lease-ups with units ready now | Specials with end dates, like the Oct 31 dates we saw at several buildings |
| December 2026 | Lease-ups, some new phases releasing | Office hours around the holidays; slower approvals |
| January 2027 | Lease-ups plus buildings opening early in the year | Opening dates that can slip; keep a buffer |
Demand for apartments often softens in colder months, and some buildings respond with deeper specials. That’s a pattern, not a promise. We check the live board each morning rather than rely on the season.
How do pre-leasing dates fit?
If your lease ends in January, a building opening in December or January may fit. Our opening calendar on new apartments opening soon shows dates we’ve confirmed within the last 30 days. Pre-leasing can mean first pick of floor plans. The risk is a date that slips into February, so we’d plan a buffer with your current lease and get the delivery date in writing.
What about specials on longer terms?
Some winter specials only apply to 14 to 16-month terms. A 15-month lease that starts in November ends in February, which moves your renewal out of the holiday season. That can help or hurt depending on the market then. Our guide on 12-month vs. 15-month leases compares both per month.
Timing is a tradeoff
A deeper special in December isn’t worth missing your lease end. Line up your dates first, then compare specials on 24-month cost.
What about your current renewal?
If your current lease ends this winter, your renewal offer may already be in your inbox. Compare its true monthly with nearby new buildings’ true monthly after their specials, then add moving costs. Many Texas leases need 30 to 60 days’ written notice, so a January lease end means deciding in November or early December.
What’s the timeline we’d use?
Our guide on when to start looking has the full timeline. For a winter move, here’s the short version:
- Now: note your notice window and set an all-in budget.
- 60 to 75 days out: get a shortlist and look at pre-leasing that opens in time.
- 45 to 60 days out: tour or get video walks, apply after a pre-check, then give notice.
- 30 days out: sign and set up electric and water.
When can you reach us over the holidays?
Our hours stay the same through the season: Mon–Fri 8 AM–8 PM, Sat 9 AM–6 PM, and Sun 12–5 PM. We’ll text you within minutes during those hours, then send a same-day shortlist.
Planning a winter move? See lease-up apartments open now
