Property Sale Prices Reported to HCAD

[Caroline Broderick]

Hello BP!

I am looking to buy my first rental property in Houston and considering whether to use an agent or not. I know that when using an agent to buy a property off the MLS in Houston, the sale price gets sent HCAD and it is used to significantly raise the properties assessed value. My question is, if I still want to use an agent to buy a house NOT listed on the MLS, does the sale price still get reported to HCAD? I want them to have as little info as possible about the property I buy so the city appraisers can't use it to raise the property value right out of the gate.

Thanks!