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Home Buying Research

Please do not take this page lightly.

It is recommended that you obtain as much history as is available concerning any property you are thinking of buying. This  information may include copies of any seller's disclosures, previous inspection or engineering reports, reports performed for or by relocation companies, municipal inspection departments, lenders, insurers, and appraisers. You should attempt to determine whether repairs, renovation, remodeling, additions or other such activities have taken place at this property. Visual inspections are considered the start of a due diligence investigation by the buyer and not the final or end of due diligence.

A seller has a duty to disclose known defects and can be held liable after the sale for failure to disclose. As an example, sometimes a plumber comes out for a repair only to tell the new buyer that he told the previous owner that the sewer needs to be replaced. This should have been disclosed. In 2006, I had a seller disclosure showing no foundation problems. An easy check of the appraisal rolls showed the property with foundation questions. The buyer asked the seller who said he knew of no problems. Well, this seller was obviously mis-guided. He filled out the paperwork with the appraisal district to testify that he had foundation problems in order to lower his taxes. The on-site inspection showed he had foundation problems readily visible  evidenced by cracked brick, cracked sheetrock and sloping floors. These obvious and visible conditions should have been questioned by the sales agent as well.

A Good Inspection Can Help Lower Your Property Taxes...Read on

Who is on your side? Which agent can represent you in Texas
 

County Appraisal Districts

The local appraisal district has a wealth of basic Information about a home. You can check legal ownership, legal taxable square footage and general basics about the property as well as previous ownership on some. You can also use the information to verify or protest your evaluation based on comparable properties.

Harris County Appraisal District

Galveston County Appraisal District

Brazoria County Appraisal District

Chambers County Appraisal District

Montgomery County Appraisal District

County appraisal districts were created to take the heat off the elected officials from raising taxes. The District is ruled by individual cities, school districts, water districts, education districts and any other tax entity. If you want lower property taxes then you need to vote and voice your concern to your local tax entities by registering to vote. If you don't vote, then don't complain.

Other Resources

Zillow is a site of estimated historical sales and projections which also offer a satelllite photo of the property

Eppraisal.com

RealEstateabc.com

Reply.com

Don't miss this one...Tools for Buyers
Coming Soon