Special offer

Homestead Your Property in Texas - Helpful Information

By
Mortgage and Lending with First Choice Loan Services NMLS#210764 NMLS #246495

What is the DEFINITION of a Homestead in Texas:  A homesteadis a place of residence for a family or a single adult which is exempt from sale by creditors except under certain specified conditions.  It can be urban or rural. 

Urban:  Which consists of NOT more than 10 acres of land which may be in one or more contiguous lots, together with any improvements.

Rural:  For a family, the rurual homestead consists of not more than 200 acres, which may be in one or more parcels, with the improvements.  For a single adult, not more than 100 acres which may be in one or more parcels with the improvements.

Homestead for AD Valorem Tax Purposes:  A homeowner who wants the benefit of a homestead exemption for ad valorem tax purposes must contact the Appraisal District of the County in which they reside in.  You must complete the Homestead Tax Form and return it back to the Appraisal District.   The earliest one can file for a homestead is January 1st.   There are deadline restrictions usually around April so check with your local Appraisal District.  There is NO FEE to declare a homestead.  Beware of companies trying to sell this service to you.

A homeowner who wants the benefits of a homestead for tax purposes, must apply for the exemption.  Below are some of the Appraisal Districts contact numbers and web addresses accross Texas.

Bexar Couny Appraisal District:  210-224-8511               www.bcad.org

Collin County Appraisal District:  469-742-9200               www.collincad.org

Comal County Appraisal District:  830-625-8597             www.comalad.org

Cooke County Appraisal District:  940-665-7651             www.cookecad.org

Dallas County Appraisal District:  214-631-0502             www.dallascad.org

Denton County Appraisal District:  972-566-0904           www.dentoncad.com

Guadalupe County Appraisal District:  830-372-2871      www.guadalupead.org

Johnson County Appraisal District:  817-558-8100          www.johnsonad.org

Kendall County Appraisal District:  830-249-9343           www.kendallad.org

Kinney County Appraisal District:  830-249-9343            www.kendalladorg

Lubbock County Appraisal District:  806-775-1000          www.lubbock.tx.us

Parker County Appraisal District:  817-613-8099           www.parkercad.org

Smith County Appraisal District:  903-510-8600            www.smithcad.org

Tarrant County Appraisal District:  817-284-4063          www.tad.org

Travis County Appraisal District:  512-834-9317            www.traviscad.org

Uvalde County Appraisal District:  830-278-1106          www.uvldecad.org

Willbarger County Appraisal District:  940-553-1857     www.wilbargerappraisal.org/

Wilson County Appraisal District:  830-393-3065         www.co.wilson.tx.us/ips/cms

 

 

Posted by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie Stringer

Residential Mortgage Loan Orginator NMLS#246495

Direct:  (469)556-0894    Office:  (210)547-3490

AmeriPro Funding, Inc.

18585 Sigma Road Suite 104  San Antonio, Texas 78258

Check out what people are saying about STEPHANIE STRINGER 

 

Company NMLS#131699

 

 

Comments (7)

Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Great information.  Homestead laws have been on the books in Texas since the 1800's.  Many don't know but if seperate property is your homestead and you are married then both spouse must sign a deed to transfer ownership.

Jan 03, 2011 02:48 AM
Stephanie Stringer
First Choice Loan Services NMLS#210764 - San Antonio, TX
Mortgage Loan Originator

Richard-  That is exactly right on both signing if married on a primary residence that will be considered as homestead.

Jan 03, 2011 03:52 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Stephanie, It is that time of the year to apply for that exemption.  I don't know if this is true with every county but in our area you can't apply until after the first of the year and it is easy for people to forget.

Jan 10, 2011 02:17 PM
Stephanie Stringer
First Choice Loan Services NMLS#210764 - San Antonio, TX
Mortgage Loan Originator

Marchel,   Yes, you are correct you can not file until the first of the year. 

Jan 17, 2011 02:24 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Stephanie, good localism post and  reminder that there is no fee for declaring a homestead.

Jan 21, 2011 05:49 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Stephanie:  I have written several posts over the years on Active Rain, but have written them from the viewpoint of agents using the upcoming December 31st deadline for taking title to a property... as motivation for someone to get off the fence, and make a purchase.

But... this post of yours... in addition to your definitions... give an excellent source of websites for all of the surrounding counties.  This is just... as I said... excellent !  Thanks for doing the research, and then sharing it with us.  <smile>

By the way... I have subscribed to your blog, and invite you to do the same.  Have a great week !

Jan 26, 2011 07:35 AM
Stephanie Stringer
First Choice Loan Services NMLS#210764 - San Antonio, TX
Mortgage Loan Originator

Karen,

It has a lot of wonderful information for the buyers.  I hope it helps you and your potential buyers.

 

Mar 09, 2011 08:51 AM