Custom home build guesthouse vs extra bedroom (Cuero: apartments, assessor)

[parrotheadtexan]

Howdy,

We are working on plans for a new home. The wife and I have been going back and forth on adding an extra bedroom to the floorplan or just putting up an accessory building (pool house with bathroom) and just putting an air mattress in there when we have guests.
I remember overhearing someone at party years back that it's possible to sneak past taxes if it's just basically a pool bathroom and changing area. Does anyone know if this is true? This is wise county FYI

[TheOverdog]

IMO, a detached poolhouse (bathroom, shower, etc) that can double as bedroom, with a small sitting area, maybe a microwave, would be far more valuable than an extra bedroom, and I think most guests would really appreciate it.



Not sure about the taxes.

[StealthRabbit]

Always get to know your assessor (anonymously) very well BEFORE building your home.

Don't use your real name or address, but know your address zoning / specific taxing district within the county + any urban boundaries.

Since this is Texas, you have 254 different counties and answers (interpretations) will vary, even within your Assessor's office.

Rewrite the "Low Tax House" booklet for your county, once you figure it out. (Last printed from Vermont in 1980's AFAIK) I do a lot of 'low-tax' planning when building. One of my areas offers a huge tax incentive to build an ADA compatible home. No problem, I may need that myself some day!, Can be great for resale.

Of course, if you have an HOA, they will have plenty to say about your plans.

BTW: I became a caregiver for a disabled parent the day I turned 18 (and for next 30+ yrs), so I have multiple living spaces at all my homes, and each time I build, I specifically design for an ADU (in spite of the county or HOA), but within their published guidelines. There are many good reasons to have an ADU (or the benefit of converting a space to an ADU). Family in AL have a very nice pool house which is used as ADU for and unexpectedly disabled parent. My Texas homes have cabins, bunkhouses, shops with apartments, apartments within home, + all have RV sites with full hookups (for traveling friends, or others who might desire a nice quiet rural place with a good view).

[Dopo]

I’ve learned that my attics are not taxed square footage.
If I was in your place, I would make sure that I’d built as an attic that later you can easily change to an usable room.
That will save you a lot of money in taxes,

Let’s say that that attic is 20x20 = 400sq.ft.
Houses are around $120/sq.ft. And property taxes around 2.5%.

That extra 400sq.ft. Will cost you $1200/year in property taxes.

[Cuero]

Originally Posted by Dopo

I’ve learned that my attics are not taxed square footage.
If I was in your place, I would make sure that I’d built as an attic that later you can easily change to an usable room.
That will save you a lot of money in taxes,

That extra 400sq.ft. Will cost you $1200/year in property taxes.

Woohoo!!! $1200 a year. Better than the lottery. If you pull the proper permits CAD will know about it. If not, you take your chances down the road.

If it's climate controlled space then it would be taxable living area. If not, then you escape the taxes but your guests will hate you.

As much as you are going to spend on this project the taxes are irrelevant. Do whatever you will use more and be happier with. You will also get your money back when you sell if the improvement is desirable for your area.

If you do go with a pool house, make sure to build the pool at the same time to avoid unnecessary headaches and expense later.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by Cuero

Woohoo!!! $1200 a year. Better than the lottery.

Not everybody is rich like you,
That's $100/month, a big chunk of money for a lot of people