Allen Markel, REALTOR® · Texas Premier Realty

Selling Option

Sell Now, Unlock Your Equity — and Stay in Your Home

Get a competitive, market-value sale with cash upfront, then lease your home back so you move when you're ready — not before.

Compare every option

Is this right for you?

The honest fit

Best for

  • You need your equity now but aren't ready to move
  • Your next home isn't lined up yet, or the kids are finishing the school year
  • You're timing a new build

Maybe not if…

  • Becoming a renter, a future rent increase, or the risk of losing the home if rent became unaffordable would put you in a tough spot — we'll walk through the real terms together first, honestly

The process

How it works

  1. 01

    Tell us about your home.

  2. 02

    Receive a market-value-based offer.

  3. 03

    Sell with cash upfront, like a normal sale.

  4. 04

    Lease it back at a clear, fixed rate — with the option to repurchase when the time is right.

The trade

What you get — and what to weigh

What you get

  • A lump sum of your equity now
  • Stay in the home you love
  • A fixed monthly rate — no owner's taxes, insurance, or maintenance
  • The option to buy it back
  • Move on your timeline

The trade-offs (straight talk)

  • You become a renter
  • Rent is an ongoing cost
  • Understand the lease length and repurchase terms before you sign — we lay out every number
Homes sold
175+Homes sold
In closed sales
$54M+In closed sales
Texas markets served
2Texas markets served
Counties served today
6Counties served today

Career totals across two Texas markets — DFW, then Greater Houston.

We'll show you the comps behind your offer and every line of the lease — no surprises, no pressure.

Questions, answered

Frequently asked questions

It's based on your home's market value — we'll show you the comps behind the number.

Talk through Sell & Stay — no obligation

Tell me about your situation and I'll lay out the real numbers, honestlyno pressure either way.

Call (832) 709-2540

Not sure this is the right path? Let's figure it out together.

A quick, no-pressure conversation is all it takes.

Compare every option

Want to talk it through first? Pick a time.

Schedule time with Allen

Allen Markel, REALTOR® · Texas Premier Realty · TREC #0658294

Questions about Sell And Stay

How it works

  • What does selling and staying actually look like?

    You sell the home at a market-value-based price, receive your equity at closing and sign a lease so you can stay as a renter for an agreed term. The page says the rate is fixed and there is an option to repurchase. We walk through every line before you sign. Ask us for a plain-language walkthrough.

  • What does the repurchase option involve?

    The page says the agreement includes an option to repurchase when the timing is right for you. Ask how the price is set, how long the option lasts, whether there is a fee and what financing you would need. A lender and an attorney help you weigh it. We lay out the terms before you sign.

  • What about my belongings and the move?

    You keep living in the home, so there is no rush to pack, and you can sort belongings at your own pace. When you decide to leave, we help plan the move date with the lease terms. The page says you move on your timeline.

  • How soon do I get my cash?

    At closing, as in a normal sale. The timing depends on the buyer, the title company and your payoff. Ask for the expected dates in writing. Waiting only keeps the pressure on, so call us early.

  • How does sell and stay work step by step?

    You tell us about your home, receive a market-value-based offer, sell with cash upfront like a normal sale, and then lease the home back at a clear, fixed rate. The agreement includes an option to repurchase when the time is right.

  • How is the offer for my home figured?

    It is based on your home's market value, and we show you the comps behind the number. That keeps the offer tied to real sales rather than a guess.

  • Do I get my money at closing?

    Yes. The sale works like a normal sale, with cash upfront at closing. After closing, you become a tenant. Your net depends on what you owe and the costs of the sale.

  • What is a leaseback?

    A leaseback means you sell the home and then rent it from the new owner. You stay in the house under a lease with a fixed rate and a term. It lets you separate the date you get your equity from the date you move.

  • Who is the new owner of my home?

    The buyer under the agreement we put together. We lay out the terms of the sale and of the lease so you know who you are dealing with. Ask for everything in writing before you sign.

  • What does a fixed lease rate mean?

    Your rent is set at a clear amount for the lease term, so it does not change from month to month. The page describes it as a fixed monthly rate with no owner's taxes, insurance or maintenance. We show every line before you sign.

  • How does the repurchase option work?

    The agreement includes an option to buy the home back when the timing is right for you. The specifics, including the price and the window, are part of the written terms. Ask us to walk through them before you decide.

The honest fit

  • Who is sell and stay not a good fit for?

    Someone who would be uncomfortable becoming a renter, or who worries about future rent increases or about what happens if rent became unaffordable. Ask about these before choosing. Another option such as a trade-in or traditional sale may fit better. We tell you plainly.

  • Can I use sell and stay while I wait for a new build?

    Yes, that is one of the common reasons, since build dates can shift. A lease-back gives you a home to live in until the builder is ready. Build the term with room for delays and ask what happens if the build runs late. We plan the dates with you.

  • Is sell and stay a good way to unlock equity for a big expense?

    It can provide a lump sum at closing while you keep living in the home. But you become a renter, which is a big change. A financial advisor or CPA can help weigh the whole picture. We show the numbers and compare other ways to access your equity.

  • Who is sell and stay built for?

    It fits someone who needs their equity now but is not ready to move. Maybe your next home is not lined up, the school year is not over, or you are timing a new build. You sell, get cash, and rent the home back until you are ready.

  • I am not ready to move yet. Does that mean I have to wait to sell?

    No. That is exactly the situation this option addresses. You sell now and lease the home back, so you can unlock your equity without moving on someone else's schedule. Talk to us about what your timing needs.

  • Is it a fit if my next home is still being built?

    It can be. Builds often finish later than planned, and a leaseback gives you a place to live while you wait. The lease length and repurchase terms matter, so we look at them against your build schedule.

  • Can I use this if I want to stay through the end of the school year?

    That is one of the situations the option is meant for. You can sell now and set a lease term that runs through the school year. The term is agreed upfront, so we plan it around your date.

Compared with other options

  • How is a sell and stay different from a traditional sale with a short stay?

    In a traditional sale a short stay after closing may be negotiated with the buyer, but it is not built in. In a sell and stay the lease-back is part of the arrangement, with terms set in advance. Which fits depends on how long you need. We compare them.

  • How does sell and stay compare with a cash offer?

    A cash offer usually lands below market in exchange for speed and ends with you moving. A sell and stay is a market-value-based sale with a lease-back so you can stay. If you need time more than speed, it may fit better. We compare both in net dollars.

  • Why not just sell traditionally and rent somewhere else?

    You could, and sometimes that is the better plan. A sell and stay suits a seller who wants to stay put while the next step comes together. Moving twice costs time and money, and renting elsewhere means another move later. We compare the options in dollars and stress.

  • How does sell and stay compare with a trade-in?

    A trade-in has you buy the next home first and sell the old one empty. Sell and stay has you sell now and keep living in the old one. Different goals, different costs, and we compare them in dollars.

Before you sign

  • What should I ask before signing the lease?

    Ask how long the term is, what the monthly rate is and whether it can change, who handles repairs, what the repurchase option requires, what happens if you leave early or stay longer and how the deposit works. A Texas real-estate attorney can review the lease. Write down the answers and compare options.

  • Who is the buyer, and what should I ask about them?

    The buyer becomes your landlord, so ask who they are, how the purchase is funded and how they handle repairs. Get the answers in writing. We vet the buyer and review the terms with you before you commit.

  • What if I want to move earlier than planned?

    Ask how the lease handles ending early before you sign, including notice and any charges. A lease is a contract, so an attorney can explain your options. We make sure the terms you want are discussed up front.

What it costs

  • How do I compare the new monthly rent with what I pay now?

    Add up what you pay today as an owner: the mortgage payment, taxes, insurance and upkeep. Then compare it with the full monthly figure in the lease. The page says the rate is fixed and the new owner carries taxes, insurance and maintenance. We lay every number side by side before you commit.

  • Is the price lower because of the lease-back?

    The page says the offer is based on market value and we show the comps behind it. Ask how the lease-back term and rent are reflected in the price. Compare with a traditional sale and a trade-in in net dollars. We show each side by side.

  • Who pays the closing costs in a sell and stay?

    Like any sale, closing costs are divided according to the agreement. We show a written net sheet so you can see exactly what you would receive. Ask us who pays which items and compare options. Compensation to real estate agents is negotiable and agreed in writing.

Getting started

  • What should I gather to start a sell and stay?

    Your mortgage statement or payoff details, a list of improvements, your ownership details and your timeline for moving. The more we know, the sooner we show real numbers. Ask for a short checklist.

  • How do I start?

    Tell us about your home on the form or call us, and we will go through the real numbers with no pressure either way. You can also schedule time with Allen.

  • Is there any obligation to talk through the option?

    No. The conversation is no obligation, and it is a way to see the numbers and the lease terms. The sooner you ask, the more choices you have.

Selling and buying

  • Can I sell and stay if I plan to buy another home?

    Yes, you can use the lease-back time to find and close on the next home so you move once. Get pre-approved by a loan originator first so you know your budget. We coordinate your sale, lease and purchase dates. Ask us to map it.

Your team

  • Who should be on my team in a sell and stay?

    An attorney can review the lease and repurchase terms, a CPA can explain tax questions, a title company handles the closing and a REALTOR coordinates it all and shows the numbers. Each has a role, and we coordinate them so you do not carry the stress alone.

What you get and what to weigh

  • What do I gain from selling and staying?

    A lump sum of equity now, staying in the home you love, a fixed monthly rate, the option to buy it back, and the freedom to move on your timeline. Each of these has terms that matter, and we go through them honestly.

  • What am I giving up?

    You become a renter, rent is an ongoing cost, and you have a lease to honor. You also no longer own the home. These are real trade-offs, and we want you to weigh them before choosing.

  • Do I stop paying property taxes and insurance after selling?

    The page describes a fixed monthly rate with no owner's taxes, insurance or maintenance, since the new owner carries those. That is built into the rent, so look at the whole monthly figure, not just one part.

  • Is this the same as getting a loan against my home?

    No. A loan keeps you as the owner with a debt, while this is a sale, with a new owner and a lease for you. The consequences differ, so details depend on your situation and need careful review.

Cost and timing

  • How long can I stay in the home?

    You lease it back for a term we agree on upfront, with flexibility to move when you are ready. The term is part of the written agreement, so it is worth planning around your real timeline.

  • What does it cost to stay?

    Rent at a fixed rate for the lease term. It is an ongoing cost, so compare it against what you pay now as an owner. We lay out every number before you commit.

  • Can the rent go up later?

    The lease sets a fixed rate for the term. A future rent increase is a real consideration if you stay beyond the term, which is why the page flags it. Ask us what happens at the end of the lease.

  • What if I need to stay longer than the lease term?

    That depends on what the agreement says about extensions or renewals. Raise it before signing, because needing more time later can mean new terms. We help you plan the term around your real timeline.

  • How quickly can I get my cash?

    At closing, like a normal sale. The time to closing depends on the agreement and the paperwork. We give you a realistic timeline once we see your situation.

Preparing

  • What should I think about before choosing sell and stay?

    Think about how long you really need, whether the rent fits your budget, and whether you want to buy back. Write down your must-haves. Then talk to us before you decide, since the lease terms matter.

  • What do I need to share to get an offer?

    Basic details about the home and your goals, which you give on the form. We build the offer from market value and show you the comps. There is no obligation.

  • Do I need to fix up the home before selling?

    Not necessarily. The offer is based on market value, but condition can affect the number. Ask us during the conversation whether any preparation matters in your case.

Risks and what could go wrong

  • What are the main risks?

    You become a renter, so rent is an ongoing cost and there is a lease to honor. If rent became unaffordable, you could lose the home. We walk through every term honestly before you sign anything.

  • What happens if I cannot afford the rent later?

    A missed lease obligation could put your stay at risk, since you are a tenant, not an owner. That is why we look hard at whether the rent fits your budget over the whole term. Talk to us before deciding.

  • What if I cannot buy the home back when the time comes?

    The repurchase is an option, not a requirement, and being able to use it depends on your finances and the written terms. Do not count on it unless you have a plan. Ask us how realistic it looks for you.

  • Could I lose the chance to buy back?

    Yes, if the window in the agreement passes or the conditions are not met. Read the repurchase terms carefully. We lay out every number so you know your deadlines.

  • What should I read most carefully before signing?

    The lease length, the rent, what happens at the end of the term, and the repurchase terms. These shape your whole experience after the sale. We go through each of them with you.

Special situations

  • Can I sell and stay if I still have a mortgage?

    Typically the mortgage is paid off from the sale proceeds at closing, and you receive the remainder. The details depend on what you owe, so we show your net before you decide.

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