All Forum Posts by: Ross Rauschenbach

Yes, you would still benefit from the VA exemption even if you didn't use VA financing to build or buy the property, however the savings would only extebd to the portion of the property that is your actual residence. You just submit an application like would for a regular homestead exemption but check the appropriate boxes. The application asks if any portion of the property is incoming producing, so of your living in one of 4 units and leasing the others 75% is income producing and would therefore not be exempted.

source - I'm a licensed property tax consultant in Texas. I also have a real estate license. 

edit - I'm a property tax guy, not incone tax, so I don't know about the 1031 exchange. Interesting question though. I hope someone can inform us both. 

Are you in coastal tier 1? If so, you'll probably only be able to find windstorm coverage through TWIA (the state's program, any insurance broker should be able to write a TWIA policy. If you're not in windstorm tier 1 and your provider is still limiting windstorm coverage that severely I would recommend finding a new insurer. The STR activity should typically be covered under an homeowners policy (HO-3).

source: I was an insurance agent before I started my career in property tax reduction.

I would think an agent would do it for free. That's part of how they earn their commission at the closing table. 

@kwame koom-dadzie

Yes I can help you with a vacant lot. Chance of success depends on your lot and situation. I'd need to take a look to give you an estimate. 

I hear this all the time in the property tax reduction business. I always have to warn people with mortgage issues that it can take a very long time to fix and you'll have to stay current on your unnecessarily large mortgage payment until the problem is resolved. This is the primary reason I don't take upfront fees. People come to me looking for relief, not another expense.

Don't forget to file your property tax protests. The deadline to file is May 15th for most people. If anyone would rather a professional handle it, let me know ;)

I just want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Ross Rauschenbach, I own and operate a company called Texas Tax Reduction, LLC with my wife. I've been in the property tax appeals business for 4 years now. I'd be happy to answer any general questions for y'all. My service is risk-free for anyone who would like help with their tax appeals, I don't make money unless you do too. I handle everything including evidence compilation and analysis, presenting arguments in hearings, binding arbitration, etc. You won't have to worry about missing deadlines or waiting in the lobby for hours. You can rest assured that your property taxes are always as low as possible.

Glad I could help. Let me know if you need some help with future tax appeals. 

You'll probably get a faster response by contacting the greater Northside management district directly. Their phone number is 713-229-0900. They can probably point you to the specific section of Code that limits their authority to commercial properties. To be clear, I don't know for certain whether the tax applies to you or not. You'll have to verify. If you need any help, let me know. 

Hi Axel. I am a property tax consultant and Houston is my primary market. I believe that tax only applies to commercial properties in that jurisdiction, which is why it wouldn't show up on your tax statement since your property is classed A1 - single family residential. I believe your mortgage company has made a mistake and your escrow will likely be recalculated later this year when the 2021 tax bills are sent out. I could probably help you produce something stating your property isn't subject to that tax. 

Narrowing down by zip code might be helpful if you are actually driving the properties. I usually start with a probate list or a pre foreclosure list.