Why start from your lease end?
The best-timed moves start from one date: the day your current lease ends. If you’re planning a move into one of the new apartments in Fort Worth, that date decides how much notice you owe, which buildings can have a unit ready, and whether pre-leasing makes sense. We work back from it in steps.
Start by finding two things in your current lease: the end date and the notice window. Many Texas leases ask for 30 to 60 days’ written notice to vacate. Some renew automatically if you don’t give notice, so missing the window can cost a month or more.
What’s the timeline, step by step?
Here’s the timeline we’d use for a new-construction move.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 90 days out | Note your notice window. Set your all-in budget. Decide on areas and your commute. |
| 75 days out | Get a shortlist with the whole price. Look at pre-leasing buildings that open in time. |
| 60 days out | Tour, or get video walks of the actual units. Narrow to two. |
| 45 to 60 days out | Apply after a document pre-check. Give written notice once you’re approved. |
| 30 days out | Sign the lease and addenda. Set up electric and water. |
| Move-in week | Move in, file the move-in condition form, and start your punch list. |
That spacing leaves a buffer for approval and for small delays. It also means you don’t give notice until a new lease is approved.
How does lease-up availability change week to week?
New buildings in lease-up release units in batches, and pricing software can change rents and specials daily as the building fills. A unit that’s open 70 days out may be gone at 40, and a new floor may open in between. That’s why we pull prices every morning and recheck before you apply. Our lease-up apartments page shows what’s open now. When you find a unit you like, check our list of lease red flags before you sign.
Timing is a tradeoff, not a deadline
A special that changes next week isn’t a reason to sign early. We’d rather line up your dates than chase an offer.
When does pre-leasing make sense?
If your lease ends in two to four months, a building that hasn’t opened yet may fit. Pre-leasing can give you first pick of floor plans, and sometimes a special. The risk is a move-in date that slips past your lease end. Our guide on whether to pre-lease or move now walks through how to decide and how much buffer to keep.
What changes the timeline?
The 90-day plan works for most moves. A few situations shift it:
- You’re pre-leasing a building that hasn’t opened. Start earlier, around 120 days, so you can compare opening dates and keep a buffer if a date slips.
- You’re moving from out of state. Add a week for video walks and remote signing, and order your 12-month utility letter early.
- You have a pet. Pet rules and fees narrow the list, so get pet addenda early.
- You need a specific school district. Fewer buildings fit, so start sooner and confirm each address with the district lookup.
- Your lease renews automatically. Find the notice date first. Missing it can add a month or more.
Here’s how notice windows line up with move dates in a simple example:
| Current lease ends | 60-day notice due | Apply by |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 31 | Dec 2 | Late November |
| Mar 31 | Jan 30 | Mid January |
| Jun 30 | May 1 | Mid April |
Apply first, then give notice once you’re approved. That order keeps you from giving notice without a place lined up.
What if you’re already inside the notice window?
It’s not too late. We’d compare two paths. First, what your current landlord charges for month-to-month or a short extension. Second, new buildings that can start a lease on your timeline. We put both on total cost, including any overlap, so you can see which costs less.
Tell us your lease end and move-by date. We’ll text you within minutes during our hours, then send a same-day shortlist that fits your dates.
