College athletes and their families in Dallas-Fort Worth usually rent near campus first and consider buying once the athlete's plans are clearer. Families who do buy typically choose a condo or small house close to campus, held in the parents' names or an entity, and treat it as a multi-year investment that can be leased or sold after graduation. The right choice depends on how long the athlete expects to stay, the family's budget, and the school's housing rules.
College sports have changed quickly. In June 2025 a federal judge approved the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows schools to share revenue directly with athletes, on top of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals that became possible in 2021. More college athletes and families now face real estate decisions that used to arrive only with a pro contract. The Agency Dallas helps these families through our TAD Private Client: Sports & Entertainment division.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or compliance advice. Athletes should confirm any arrangement with their school's compliance office before signing.
Which Dallas-Fort Worth campuses are we talking about?
The major universities with Division I athletics in the metroplex include:
- SMU in University Park and Dallas, surrounded by Highland Park, University Park and nearby rental neighborhoods.
- TCU in Fort Worth, near neighborhoods west and south of campus.
- UT Arlington in Arlington, close to the entertainment district.
- University of North Texas in Denton, north of the metroplex.
Should a college athlete rent or buy near campus?
Renting is the simpler default for most athletes, especially early on:
- Plans can change. Transfers, eligibility and professional opportunities can shorten a stay.
- School housing rules. Some programs require or expect athletes to live on campus for a period. Check with the program first.
- Lower commitment. A lease avoids transaction costs if the athlete leaves in a year.
Buying can make sense when the athlete expects to stay several years, siblings may attend the same school, or the family wants a long-term rental property near campus. Our article on whether parents should buy a house or condo for a student at SMU walks through that decision.
What does renting near SMU look like?
SMU's location in the middle of some of Dallas's most expensive neighborhoods makes rent a real budget item. Before signing a lease, families should understand:
- Typical rents by area, covered in what it costs to rent near SMU.
- Which neighborhoods are practical, in the best neighborhoods to rent near SMU.
- How group leases and guarantors work, in renting a house together near SMU.
- When to start looking, in when SMU students should start their search.
How should a family buy a home for a college athlete?
Families who decide to buy near campus usually work through these questions:
- Whose name goes on title? Parents, the athlete, a trust or an LLC. Each has different tax, liability and privacy effects, so the family's attorney and CPA should decide.
- Condo or house? A condo can be simpler to maintain; a house can hold roommates and may lease more easily later. Our guide to buying a condo in Texas covers condo specifics.
- Taxes for out-of-state parents. A home that is not the parents' primary residence will not usually qualify for the homestead exemption. See property taxes for out-of-state parents near SMU.
- The exit plan. Lease it after graduation or sell. Our article on whether to sell or rent out a student house after graduation covers both paths.
Are there NIL rules that affect housing?
Possibly. NIL deals and school revenue sharing are governed by NCAA rules, conference rules, state law and each school's policies, and those rules have changed several times since 2021. Housing provided by a booster, collective or business can raise compliance questions. The safest approach is simple: any housing arrangement that involves a third party, a discount, or a deal connected to the athlete's NIL should be reviewed by the school's compliance office before anyone signs. A family paying market rent or buying with its own funds is the most straightforward case.
How do privacy concerns apply to college athletes?
High-profile college athletes can draw attention, too. Families can borrow the same tools professional athletes use:
- Keep the address off social media and out of interviews.
- Choose a building or home with controlled access where possible.
- Consider holding title in a trust or LLC, as covered in how athletes buy homes privately in Texas.
- Ask contractors and movers to sign NDAs if the athlete's profile warrants it.
How does The Agency Dallas help college athletes and their families?
The Agency Dallas works with college athletes and their parents through the TAD Private Client: Sports & Entertainment division. We help families compare leasing and buying near SMU, TCU, UT Arlington and UNT, coordinate with the family's attorney and CPA on ownership, and keep the process confidential. When an athlete moves on to a professional career, the same team can help with the next step, starting with whether a newly signed athlete should rent or buy.
What questions should families ask before signing a lease near campus?
A short list of questions prevents most surprises. Families should ask how long the lease runs and whether it matches the athletic and academic calendar, whether subleasing is allowed if the athlete transfers or leaves early, who handles maintenance and how fast, what security the building or home has, whether a parent guarantee is required, and how parking works near practice facilities. It also helps to confirm the athletic program has no housing requirements that conflict with the lease. If the family is weighing a purchase instead, the Private Client: Sports & Entertainment page is the place to start a confidential conversation with our team.
Frequently asked questions
Can college athletes in Texas buy a house?
Yes. An adult college athlete can buy a home like any other buyer, using their own funds or financing, and parents can buy one too. Any arrangement involving a booster, collective, business or discount tied to the athlete should be reviewed by the school's compliance office first. The family's attorney and CPA should decide whose name goes on title.
Should parents buy a condo or house for a college athlete?
It depends on the timeline and budget. A condo can be simpler to maintain and secure. A house can hold roommates and may be easier to lease after graduation. If the athlete may transfer or turn professional soon, renting is usually the lower-risk choice. Compare total costs, including Texas property taxes, over the expected years of ownership.
Do out-of-state parents get the homestead exemption on a student's home?
Usually not. The Texas homestead exemption applies to a person's primary residence, so a home owned by parents who live in another state generally does not qualify. That means property taxes are based on the full appraised value without the homestead cap. Factor this into the purchase budget and any future rental math.
Can a booster or collective provide housing for a college athlete?
Rules on third-party housing for athletes depend on NCAA, conference and school policies and state law, and they have changed often since 2021. Do not assume an arrangement is allowed. Any housing offer from a booster, collective or business should be cleared with the school's compliance office before the athlete accepts or signs anything.
Where should a TCU or UT Arlington athlete live?
Most athletes start with on-campus housing or a lease close to campus to keep practice and class commutes short. Families who want to buy usually look at condos and smaller homes in neighborhoods near each campus. Ask the athletic program about any housing expectations first, then compare commute times, safety and lease terms.
