Property taxes: how do you cope? (renter, mobile home, transfer)

[Lowexpectations]

Originally Posted by Ghost Town

It can be even above $5000 easily if you live in Houston area.
My tax rate is 3.5% with mud tax and some newer communities have even 3.8% tax rates. However I just saw pretty nice house not too far from me, but in a countryside, with 2.2% tax rate. That's not too bad.
But definitely a lot higher compared to TN.

Are you quoting gross rates? It's not common to actually pay 3.5% or more of appraised value

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by Lowexpectations

Are you quoting gross rates? It's not common to actually pay 3.5% or more of appraised value

3.5% of appraised value. My appraisal value is only 10K lower than market value. Here in my current area appraisal values are very close to market values.

Regarding tax rates, this is the example of newer community with 3.7% tax rate: http://www.har.com/pricetrends/bridg...ealestate/5974
Combine all lines together and you will get 3.7%.

[Lowexpectations]

Originally Posted by Ghost Town

3.5% of appraised value. My appraisal value is only 10K lower than market value. Here in my current area appraisal values are very close to market values.

Regarding tax rates, this is the example of newer community with 3.7% tax rate: Bridgeland - Water Heaven Real Estate and Price Trends - HAR.com
Combine all lines together and you will get 3.7%.

That's without homestead though that's what I'm getting at. If you homestead you aren't paying 3.5-3.7%

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by Lowexpectations

That's without homestead though that's what I'm getting at. If you homestead you aren't paying 3.5-3.7%

Will see. My homestead is supposed to start only next year. Been living for over 1.5 years already with 3.5% tax rate.

[Lowexpectations]

Originally Posted by Ghost Town

Will see. My homestead is supposed to start only next year. Been living for over 1.5 years already with 3.5% tax rate.

If you lived in your house last year your homestead should be effective this year if you filled the paperwork

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by Lowexpectations

If you lived in your house last year your homestead should be effective this year if you filled the paperwork

I bought my house in 2015, filed paperwork in Jan 2016, still no homestead exemption. I checked with appraisal district and confirmed that they have my homestead form on file. In other thread I've been told it should start in Jan 2017. And it's already time to move so I won't enjoy this exemption much, maybe half a year max. So it won't make much difference to me even if it eventually gets in effect.

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

As someone in a low tax state, I hear that TX is attracting a lot of working class people. Still, I can't see the tax advantages and how people cope with the horrendous property taxes. How do you make do?

Compared to the blue states like NJ, NY, IL, PA property tax rates in Texas are not too bad. Take a look at taxes in NJ. That's ridiculous. I see 6K taxes for 150K houses there.

If you are looking for a state that has a lot to offer and has low taxes, consider Delaware. That's really unique state: low cost of living, moderate house prices, very low property taxes, no sales tax, moderate state income tax, very good geographical location between DC and NYC, real ocean and decent beaches.

[Lowexpectations]

Originally Posted by Ghost Town

I bought my house in 2015, filed paperwork in Jan 2016, still no homestead exemption. I checked with appraisal district and confirmed that they have my homestead form on file. In other thread I've been told it should start in Jan 2017. And it's already time to move so I won't enjoy this exemption much, maybe half a year max. So it won't make much difference to me even if it eventually gets in effect.

If you bought in 15 and filed this year it should be effective in the 16 there is no reason why it wouldn't start until 17

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by Lowexpectations

If you bought in 15 and filed this year it should be effective in the 16 there is no reason why it wouldn't start until 17

It's still not in effect. I don't know why. I probably need to call HCAD again. I didn't call them because I've been told in another thread that my homestead should start in 2017. Now need to check what's going on.
In fact my property tax only increased in 2016, because HCAD raised my appraisal value significantly.

[Lowexpectations]

The rule is if you buy a home with the homestead you get the benefit the rest of the year, if you buy a house without you don't get it until the next year. Whatever thread you are referring to is incorrect