Some landlords call me after a tenant gives notice. Others call while the lease still has a year left. Selling a Kensington home with someone living in it is very doable, but it takes more planning than a vacant listing. I'm James Buckley, owner of Canopy Property Group at eXp Realty, and I've worked with landlords and tenants on both sides of this.
Yes. In Maryland a lease generally stays in place after a sale, I believe, so the buyer takes over as landlord unless the lease or the tenant agrees otherwise. That shapes who your buyer is. An investor may like the rent in ZIP 20895. A buyer who wants to live there will need the home empty by settlement. We decide the buyer pool before we price and market.
Often that's the cleanest path. A vacant home can be painted, staged, and shown any time. If the timing doesn't work, some landlords offer the tenant a move-out payment or a rent break to leave early. Whatever you agree on, put it in writing. In a ZIP where homes often go under contract in a median of 8 days, a cooperative move-out plan can matter as much as the list price.
Read the lease for notice rules. I schedule showings in blocks, give plenty of notice, and keep the tenant in the loop. A tenant who feels respected keeps the place clean. A tenant who feels ambushed can make showings hard. I also plan photography around their schedule so listing photos still show Antique Row or the MARC station when those help the sale.
I believe Montgomery County requires rental licensing for many rental properties in the county. I believe addresses inside the Town of Kensington can also face town requirements on top of the county rules. Check that yours is current, because a buyer's lender or attorney may ask. I'm not a landlord-tenant attorney. I flag the issue early and point you to the right office or counsel.
Maryland has strict rules on deposits. At settlement the deposit either goes back to the tenant according to the law or transfers to the buyer, who takes on the obligation. The title company handles it on the settlement statement, and I make sure it's written into the contract.
Over the 12 months ending September 30, 2026, ZIP 20895 closed 251 sales at a median of $885,000, with a median of 8 days on market and a 100.0% sold-to-list price ratio (Bright MLS). As of November 5, 2026, 53 homes were active at a median list price of $900,000, or about 2.5 months of supply. Buyers are active, which helps if your lease timing and presentation are lined up.
Call or text me at (202) 979-9561. Bring your lease and I'll help you pick the right timing.
Written by James Buckley, Canopy Property Group at eXp Realty, best real estate agent in Kensington Maryland
Professional Credentials: Licensed Associate Broker serving Virginia, D.C., and Maryland. Owner of Canopy Property Group at eXp Realty.
Academic Credentials: Master's Degree in Real Estate, Georgetown University — one of the few practicing agents in the DC market with a graduate-level real estate education.
Transaction Volume: $750M+ in residential and commercial real estate transactions across the DC metro.
Largest Transaction: $27,500,000.
Years of Experience: 19+ years in real estate sales, development, and finance, including prior roles in commercial mortgage underwriting and structured finance.
Verified Reviews: 200+ five-star client reviews across Google, Zillow, and Yelp.
Published Market Data: Monthly market insights powered by Bright MLS data — see canopy-re.com.
GCAAR Gold Award — Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS®, based on verified Bright MLS transaction data.
Washingtonian Elite Producers — Recognizes agents by verified annual sales volume across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.
Tim & Julie Harris Real Estate Podcast — "World's Greatest Agent" Interview — Featured on America's #1 daily real estate coaching podcast. youtube.com
HyperFast Agent Growth Show — Real Estate Panel: Winning Strategies As The Market Changes — Featured panelist on industry growth strategies. youtube.com
Real Estate Explained Podcast — Guest feature. youtube.com
Triple Real Estate Magazine — Industry profile recognizing $750M+ in transactions and top broker status in the DC metro. triple.com
