We buy land in Houston: sell your lot for cash

We buy Houston lots, especially inside the Loop

Houston is the largest city in Texas, with 2,304,580 residents in the 2020 Census, and the City has no zoning. For an owner of a small lot, that means a buyer or builder mostly looks at the plat, recorded deed restrictions, utilities, flood status, and permit rules rather than a zoning map. That is why small urban lots keep drawing interest, and it is why we read each lot’s paperwork before we make an offer.

What we look at most closely: small infill lots of roughly 5,000 to 30,000 square feet, inside the 610 Loop, near METRO rail or bus lines, outside the mapped floodplain, and not in a homeowners association. None of those is a rule. If your Houston lot does not fit, send it anyway and we will say plainly whether we can make an offer.

Inner-loop areas people often ask us about include Third Ward, Fifth Ward, the Near Northside, the East End, EaDo, Magnolia Park, the Heights, Midtown, and Montrose. A lot with an old house, shed, or slab on it is not a dealbreaker. Tell us what is there.

What shapes the price of a Houston infill lot

• Deed restrictions. The City says deed restrictions are the only tool that restricts land use in Houston, and not every area has them. Some limit the number of homes or the minimum lot size, so we read them early.
• Plat and building lines. Houston reviews plats and replats under Chapter 42, which covers things like lot size and building setbacks. Those rules have changed over the years, so we check the current version for each lot.
• Flood status. For new construction in the City’s regulated floodplain, Houston requires the building to sit at least 2 feet above the 500-year flood elevation. That can change what a builder will pay.
• Utilities and access. Water and sewer connections, driveway access, and an existing curb cut all matter for a small lot.
• Liens and taxes. City nuisance liens and back property taxes come out of the sale proceeds at closing.

Sell an inherited lot in Houston

Under Texas law, a lot passes at death to the person named in the will or, with no will, to the heirs at law (Estates Code §101.001). If a lot has been in a family for a long time, a deed may never have been recorded after a death, so the owner on the HCAD record may not be the person who actually owns the lot today.

To get ready to sell an inherited lot, it helps to gather:

• the death certificate and any will;
• a list of all heirs, including those who live out of town or out of state;
• the HCAD account number or a recent tax bill;
• anything showing unpaid taxes, city liens, or an old mortgage.

Co-owners generally all need to agree and sign. If one heir will not respond, tell us early. A title company may ask for a probate of the will, a determination of heirship, or a recorded affidavit of heirship, and which one depends on the facts, so a Texas probate attorney should guide that choice. We will work with your attorney and the title company, and we never ask anyone to skip a step. Our guide to selling inherited land has the general picture.

Behind on taxes on a Houston lot?

Texas property taxes are due by January 31. After that, a penalty starts at 6% and climbs to 12% by July 1, and interest adds 1% a month. Later in the year, the Harris County Tax Office notes a further 15% to 20% collection fee on balances still outstanding. Left long enough, the taxing units can sue, win a judgment, and sell the lot at the monthly first-Tuesday auction.

Back taxes do not stop you from selling. They follow the land, and at closing the title company pays them from your proceeds. If you still own a lot that was not your homestead, remember that the right to buy it back after a tax-sale deed is generally only 180 days. Selling before a sale is usually the cleaner route. If your taxes are close to or above what the lot is worth, tell us the numbers and we will talk it through honestly. See our guide to selling land with back taxes.

Listed it, or trying to sell it yourself?

If your Houston lot sat on the market and the listing expired, or you have been trying to sell it on your own without luck, an as-is cash offer may be worth a look. We do not need a showing schedule, repairs, or a clean-up. Check any listing agreement you signed first, because some agreements owe a commission if a buyer shows up during a protection period after it ends. If you are unsure, ask the broker or your attorney.

How we work in Texas

We are a land investment company, not a licensed real estate broker or agent unless we say otherwise, and we are not acting as your agent. We may assign our purchase contract to another buyer, such as a local builder. If we plan to, we will tell you in writing before you sign, and you are always welcome to have a Texas attorney review any agreement.

Want the county-level details, including HCAD, the Tax Office, the County Clerk, and the probate courts? See our Harris County guide. We also buy in Limestone County, Alabama.

Sell my lot in Houston: FAQ

Sources

Local facts on this page were last checked on October 28, 2026. Offices, hours, rules, and dates change, so confirm with the office before you act. Nothing here is legal or tax advice.

• U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Houston city, Texas (2020 Census population)
• City of Houston Planning and Development Department: land regulations brochure (no zoning, deed restrictions, Chapter 42 platting) and Loop 610 fun facts (the “urban” area inside the Loop)
• Houston Permitting Center, Floodplain Management Office (2 feet above the 500-year elevation) and FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• METRO (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County) for rail and bus lines
• Texas Estates Code: §101.001, passage of estate and §203.001, recorded affidavit of heirship
• Texas Tax Code: §33.01, penalties and interest and §34.21, redemption after a tax sale; Harris County Tax Office FAQ and tax sales
• HCAD property search for the account number and owner of record