# Pre-Lease a New Apartment or Move In Now? > Choose between pre-leasing an unopened building and moving into one that URL: https://newapartmentsfortworth.com/guide/pre-lease-or-move-now/ Last-Modified: 2026-10-26 Decision guide # Pre-Lease a Building That Isn't Open, or Move Into One Now? How to choose between pre-leasing an unopened building and moving into one that's open: lease-end timing, delay risk, and how pre-leasing specials compare with lease-up specials. Written by New Fort Worth Apartment Team [/about/#new-fort-worth-apartment-team →](/about/#new-fort-worth-apartment-team) · Updated October 26, 2026 ![Finished apartment building beside one still under construction at golden hour](/images/featured/finished-apartment-building-beside-one-still-under.webp) ## What’s the real choice here? If your lease ends in a few months, you may have two good paths. You can pre-lease a building that hasn’t opened yet, from our list of new apartments opening soon [/new-apartments-opening-soon/ →](/new-apartments-opening-soon/) , or you can move into a building that’s open now. Both are new construction. The difference is timing, certainty, and what you can see before you sign. ## What does each path offer? | | Pre-lease an unopened building | Move into an open building | | --- | --- | --- | | Choice of units | Often first pick | What’s left in the release | | Specials | Pre-leasing specials, sometimes deep | Lease-up specials, often deep | | Seeing the unit | Model or hard-hat tour | The actual unit | | Move-in date | Can slip | Known | | Amenities | Likely unfinished at first | May be partly finished | | Risk | Date slip, overlap with your lease | A special changing before you apply | ![Decision flow graphic: pre-lease vs. move now](/images/content/decision-flow-graphic-comparing-pre-leasing-and-mo.webp) ## How do you decide? We’d ask four questions, in this order: 1. **When does your current lease end, and how much notice do you owe?** If the opening date is close to your lease end, pre-leasing carries more risk. 2. **Can you go month-to-month or extend if the date slips?** If yes, a slip costs less, and pre-leasing gets easier. 3. **Is there a specific unit or floor plan you want?** If yes, pre-leasing may be the way to get it. 4. **How do the specials compare over 24 months?** A pre-lease special and a lease-up special can look different and cost about the same. If your dates are tight and your current landlord won’t go month-to-month, moving into an open building is usually the steadier choice. If you have buffer and want first pick, pre-leasing can work well. If the building opens in stages, our guide on renting in a building that opens in phases [/guide/renting-in-a-building-that-opens-in-phases/ →](/guide/renting-in-a-building-that-opens-in-phases/) covers what to ask. > **Buffer is the deciding factor** > > The more room you have between your lease end and the expected opening, the less a date slip costs you. ## How do the specials compare? Pre-leasing specials help a building start strong. Lease-up specials help it keep filling. Either can be deeper at a given moment. Both lower year one only, and renewals price from base rent. We compare them on net effective, true monthly, and year two, from the morning pull. Our lease-up apartments [/lease-up-apartments-fort-worth/ →](/lease-up-apartments-fort-worth/) page shows what’s open now. ## What should you get in writing for a pre-lease? - The expected delivery date, and how you’ll be told if it moves - The delay clause: later start, transfer, or release - The pre-lease special, with its conditions - Any holding deposit, and when it’s refunded - The amenity opening dates ## A labeled timing example Here’s how buffer changes the decision, with made-up dates. | Your lease ends | Pre-lease opening date | Buffer | What we’d suggest | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | March 31 | January 15 | About 10 weeks | Pre-leasing fits well | | March 31 | March 1 | About 4 weeks | Fits if month-to-month is available | | March 31 | March 25 | Under a week | Move into an open building instead | Ten weeks of buffer absorbs most slips. A few days doesn’t. If your current landlord won’t go month-to-month, give extra weight to buildings that are open now. The special side of the decision is simpler. Compare the pre-lease special and the lease-up special on net effective, true monthly, and year two. If they’re within a few dollars a month, pick the path with less date risk. ## What happens next? Our pre-lease or move now flow [/tools/pre-lease-or-move-now/ →](/tools/pre-lease-or-move-now/) walks through the questions with your dates. Or tell us your lease end and areas. We’ll send a same-day list with both kinds of options, priced the same way. ## Learn more about New Apartments Opening Soon We'll text you within minutes during our hours, then send a same-day shortlist. See the page [/new-apartments-opening-soon/ →](/new-apartments-opening-soon/) ## Questions renters ask about this ### Are pre-leasing specials deeper? Sometimes. Communities use pre-leasing specials to build early momentum, but lease-ups nearby may offer as much. We compare both on the live board. ### What's the main risk of pre-leasing? A move-in date that slips past your current lease end. Plan a buffer and get the delivery date and delay terms in writing. ### Can I tour a building that isn't open? Often you can see a model unit or take a hard-hat tour. We'll ask what's available and can send a video walk. ### Can I cancel a pre-lease? It depends on the agreement. Many allow a release if the building opens late. Read the delay clause before you sign. ### Do you guarantee the price or my approval? No. The community sets both pricing and approval, and we confirm them in writing before you sign. ## Related guides Guide ### Renting in a Building That Opens in Phases Living in Phase 1 while Phase 2 is built: phased Certificates of Occupancy, which amenities are in which phase, construction near occupied buildings, and asking for the phase map. [Renting in a Building That Opens in Phases →](/guide/renting-in-a-building-that-opens-in-phases/) ## Where to use this ![Finished apartment building beside one under construction](/images/content/finished-apartment-building-beside-one-still-under.webp) Find ### New Apartments Opening Soon Unopened communities with opening dates confirmed within 30 days. Open [New Apartments Opening Soon →](/new-apartments-opening-soon/) ![New apartment community in lease-up with a few furnished balconies](/images/content/new-apartment-community-in-lease-up-with-a-few-fur.webp) Find ### Lease-Up Apartments Buildings in lease-up, with stage, fill curve, and what's actually finished. Open [Lease-Up Apartments →](/lease-up-apartments-fort-worth/) ![Aerial view of new apartment communities across the Fort Worth side](/images/content/aerial-view-of-new-apartment-communities-spread-ac.webp) Find ### New Build Board A map and cards for every new community in scope, with the whole price on each card. Open [New Build Board →](/new-construction-apartments/) Free to you · Your rent is the same either way ## Get the whole price before you tour Tell us your move date, budget, and where you need to be. We'll make the calls, collect the fee sheets, and do the math for every building that fits. Get my shortlist [/contact/ →](/contact/) See the New Build Board [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) What happens next: We'll text you within minutes during our hours, then send a same-day shortlist. We don't guarantee pricing or approval. The community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign.