Harris County Multifamily Buyer
Sell Your Commercial Property In Harris County, TX
Harris County is the core of greater Houston and home to Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and the Port of Houston. Its apartment market spans dense inner-loop neighborhoods, older garden communities, and suburbs such as Pasadena, Baytown, and Katy.
- Clear feedback on your deal, typically within 48 hours
- 5 to 100+ units, stabilized or distressed, listed or off-market
- Owners, agents, and brokers welcome — every conversation is confidential
We buy:Tired landlordsEstate & trust sales1031 exchangesDeferred maintenanceHigh vacancyPartnership splits
Cities We Cover: Houston · Deer Park · Friendswood · Katy · La Porte · Pasadena — County seat: Houston
Harris County
Where We Buy In Harris County
We evaluate apartment buildings of 5+ units across Harris County — in each city below, plus smaller towns and unincorporated areas countywide.
Local Market Data
Harris County Apartment Market
Figures gathered October 2026 from public market data.
If you plan to sell commercial property in Harris County, TX, start with the size of the renter base. Harris County holds 795,727 renter households, 45.3% of all occupied homes, per the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey. That share sits well above the Texas figure of 37.4%, and Houston alone counts 538,885 renter households. Pasadena and Baytown add two more cities where renters approach half of all households.
Apartment buildings carry much of that demand. Some 614,224 Harris County housing units, or 32.0% of the stock, sit in buildings with five or more units. Median gross rent reached $1,401, up 30.0% from the 2015-2019 survey, and now sits within $2 of the $1,403 Texas median. Rental vacancy stands at 9.3%, so buyers here price lease-up risk as carefully as rent growth. Rents, vacancy and tax costs also shift from one Harris County city to the next.
A 4.8 million-person county
Harris County grew 4.1% to 4,838,303 residents between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 Census surveys, adding 191,673 people.66,813 more renter households
Renter households in Harris County rose 9.2%, from 728,914 to 795,727, outpacing population growth over the same five-year comparison.A large, growing apartment stock
Harris County counts 614,224 units in buildings of five or more units, up 9.4% from 561,680 in the 2015-2019 survey.Who rents in Harris County
Renters head 795,727 of the 1,757,164 occupied households in Harris County, a 45.3% share in the 2020-2024 ACS. Owners still edge them out, at 961,437 households. Across Texas, renters make up only 37.4% of households.
Most of that renter base lives inside Houston. The city counts 538,885 renter households, about 67.7% of the Harris County total. Houston also holds roughly 75.4% of the county's units in 5+ unit buildings. Suburban cities such as Katy and Friendswood lean heavily toward owners, with renter shares near one in five. Pasadena, with 22,561 renter households, and Baytown, with 14,773, hold the next-largest renter pools in the table.
Rents, growth and affordability
Harris County's median gross rent climbed 30.0%, from $1,078 to $1,401, between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 surveys. Population grew far more slowly over the same span, up 4.1% to 4,838,303 residents. Renter households rose 9.2%, adding 66,813 households.
Supply kept pace in part. Units in 5+ unit buildings in Harris County grew 9.4%, an increase of 52,544 units. That new stock helps explain a 9.3% rental vacancy rate, above the 7.7% Texas rate in the same survey.
Rent burden is heavy. In the 2020-2024 ACS, 53.8% of Harris County renters paid 30% or more of income on gross rent. HUD's FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent for the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area is $1,497, effective October 1, 2026. That benchmark runs $96 above the county's median gross rent.
On price, Harris County tracks the state closely. Its $1,401 median gross rent compares with $1,403 for Texas as a whole. The gap shows up in vacancy and density instead, where Harris County runs higher on both.
City-by-city comparison
Houston dominates the apartment stock, with 44.5% of its housing units in 5+ unit buildings. Pasadena and Baytown follow at 30.5% and 28.1%. The Woodlands and Missouri City appear here as part of the wider Houston market, though most of each sits outside Harris County lines.
| City | Median gross rent | Renter share | Share of units in 5+ buildings | Rental vacancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | $1,361 | 57.9% | 44.5% | 10.0% |
| Deer Park | $1,318 | 21.7% | 12.3% | 13.9% |
| Friendswood | $1,688 | 22.8% | 11.3% | 2.0% |
| Katy | $1,602 | 19.3% | 5.4% | 22.1% |
| La Porte | $1,378 | 28.9% | 13.6% | 1.5% |
| Pasadena | $1,213 | 45.5% | 30.5% | 8.2% |
| The Woodlands | $1,822 | 27.5% | 19.3% | 10.3% |
| Baytown | $1,307 | 47.7% | 28.1% | 9.7% |
| Missouri City | $1,931 | 18.2% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
Vacancy varies sharply. La Porte posts 1.5% and Friendswood 2.0%, while Deer Park reaches 13.9%. Katy's 22.1% figure comes from a small renter base of about 1,530 households, so its survey margin is wide. Rent ranges from $1,213 in Pasadena to $1,931 in Missouri City.
Pasadena pairs that low rent with a 45.5% renter share, close to the Harris County figure. Baytown runs 47.7% renters and 9.7% vacancy. The Woodlands posts $1,822 rent with 10.3% vacancy, near Houston's 10.0%.
Property taxes and assessment in Harris County
Harris County adopted a 2025 tax rate of $0.38096 per $100 of value, per the Harris County Tax Office. That rate was $0.38529 in 2024 and $0.35007 in 2023, a 10.1% jump in one year before a 1.1% dip for 2025. On $1,000,000 of appraised value, the county portion alone comes to $3,809.60 a year.
The county levy is only one layer. School districts, cities and special districts set their own rates, and the Harris County Tax Office bills many of them together. Your total rate depends on the exact parcel, so pull the full bill before you set a price.
Under Texas Tax Code Sec. 23.01, Harris Central Appraisal District values apartment buildings at market value as of January 1 each year. The 10% homestead cap does not cover rental buildings, so a strong sale price can feed the next appraisal.
What this means if you sell in Harris County
When you sell commercial property in Harris County, TX, you sell into a deep renter pool. Renters hold 45.3% of households, and 32.0% of units sit in 5+ unit buildings. The 9.3% rental vacancy rate is the counterweight. Expect buyers to test your rent roll against concessions and current occupancy. A La Porte building in a 1.5% vacancy market can draw a different buyer than a Houston complex near the city's 10.0% rate.
Taxes come next. Buyers underwrite the post-sale appraisal, not your current bill, because Harris County values reset each January 1. Rent control is not a factor, since Texas Local Government Code Sec. 214.902 allows it only after a disaster emergency with the governor's approval.
As a multifamily buyer in Harris County, we review 5+ unit buildings from Houston to Baytown as they stand today. Send a current rent roll, a T-12 and the latest tax statement, and we will price the building on those numbers.
Local Knowledge
Selling Multifamily In Texas
What we factor into every Harris County offer:
More about Texas →- Pull the full Harris County tax bill; school, city and special district rates stack on the county's $0.38096.
- Expect a reappraisal at market value each January 1 under Texas Tax Code Sec. 23.01, with no cap.
- Show trailing occupancy; Harris County rental vacancy runs 9.3%, above the 7.7% Texas rate.
- Have security deposits, lease terms and any concessions listed per unit for the buyer's estoppel review.
Property Tax
Property Tax In Harris County For Apartment Owners
Homeowners in Harris County pay a median of $4,489 a year in property tax on a median home value of $276,600, an effective rate of about 1.62%, according to the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey. That is above the Texas statewide average of 1.4%.
How property tax works in Texas: classes, assessment and appeals →Estimate a building’s tax bill with the property tax calculator →
- Those figures describe owner-occupied homes. An apartment building can be assessed on a different basis or in a different class, so its bill as a share of value may differ.
- A sale can reset the assessed value. Before you price a Harris County building, check how Texas reassesses property after a transfer and model the buyer’s new tax bill.
- Pull the actual tax bill from the Harris County assessor or tax collector. City, school and special-district levies stack on top of the county rate.
Seller Guides
Selling A Building In Harris County
Learn More
Taxes & Rules For Harris County Property
The Texas rules that shape any deal in Harris County: what a sale costs in tax, how buildings are taxed, what landlords must follow, and how to defer gains.
Our Buy Box
What We Buy In Harris County
Asset Type
Multifamily, 5+ Units
Apartment buildings and income-producing residential.
Size
5 – 100+ Units
Sweet spot: 15–25 units.
Condition
Stabilized To Distressed
Value-add, mismanaged, and high-vacancy properties welcome.
Deal Types
Listed Or Off-Market
Direct-to-owner, pocket listings, portfolios.
How Selling To Us Works
- 01
Submit The Deal
Send the address, unit count, asking price, and a rent roll or T-12 if you have them.
- 02
Initial Review
We review it against our buy box and give clear feedback — typically within 48 hours.
- 03
Underwriting & LOI
If it fits, we underwrite in detail and submit a written letter of intent.
- 04
Diligence & Close
Inspections and financing on the agreed timeline, then a professional, predictable closing.
Harris County Seller FAQ
What should I check on taxes before I sell commercial property in Harris County, TX?
Start with the rate stack. Harris County adopted $0.38096 per $100 of value for 2025, per the Harris County Tax Office. That covers only the county levy. School districts, cities and special districts add their own rates, so an apartment building's total bill depends on its exact location.
How high is rental vacancy in Harris County?
Rental vacancy in Harris County was 9.3% in the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey. That is above the 7.7% statewide rate. Within the county's market, La Porte sat at 1.5% while Deer Park reached 13.9%. Buyers usually weigh a building's own occupancy history against those local rates.
How much have rents risen in Harris County?
Median gross rent in Harris County rose from $1,078 in the 2015-2019 survey to $1,401 in 2020-2024, a 30.0% gain. Population grew 4.1% over the same period. HUD's FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent for the Houston metro area is $1,497.
Does Harris County have rent control?
No. Texas Local Government Code Sec. 214.902 lets a city adopt rent control only after a disaster-related housing emergency, and the governor must approve it. Harris County owners set rents by lease terms and market conditions, which buyers factor into their projections. That leaves rent levels to the market in Houston, Pasadena, Baytown and other Harris County cities.
How do I sell commercial property in Harris County, TX?
Send the address, unit count, and any financials. We review Harris County apartment buildings of 5+ units, give feedback typically within 48 hours, and follow with a written letter of intent if it fits.
Do you buy apartment buildings throughout Harris County?
Yes. We evaluate multifamily properties across Harris County, including Houston, Deer Park, Friendswood, Katy, La Porte, Pasadena, The Woodlands, Baytown, and Missouri City, as well as smaller towns and unincorporated areas. Every property is reviewed on its own fundamentals.
What size Harris County properties do you buy?
Apartment buildings and income-producing residential properties with 5 or more units. Our sweet spot is 15–25 units, and we review larger communities with capital partners.
Will you buy a property that needs work or has high vacancy?
Yes. We underwrite value-add, mismanaged, and distressed properties as they are today — no repairs or lease-up required before selling.
Can I sell rental property in Harris County with tenants in place?
Yes. We buy apartment buildings with tenants in place and keep existing leases intact. As a commercial real estate buyer focused on 5+ unit properties, we underwrite the current rent roll as it stands.
How fast can I sell my apartment building in Harris County?
Most owners get clear feedback within 48 hours of sending the address, unit count, and a rent roll. Closing is typically set around your timeline, including extra time for a 1031 exchange.
How do property taxes factor into a Harris County offer?
Property is assessed at the county level (the county seat is Houston), within Texas rules. Texas appraisal districts reassess every year, and effective property tax rates are among the higher ones nationally. We model the likely post-sale appraisal and account for the annual protest process.
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