Owners
Home ownership is exciting!
But it can also be overwhelming. At Socius, we are committed to making your experience enjoyable and worry-free – think of us as the “God Parent” to your home. We strive to help you by maintaining a frequent, open and honest line of communication between us so that you can feel comfortable that you are making well-informed decisions regarding the ownership and maintenance of your home.
We sincerely appreciate the confidence you have placed in us. Our top priority is taking care of your needs, and our business depends on your satisfaction. We will attempt to exceed your expectations because we want to make this experience fun and rewarding for you. Some of the many ways we can be of help as the Godparent of your home are below.
Annual Home Review Details
The Annual Home Review is a great way for you and your agent to check in on the health of your home. Since many things can change over the course of a year or even months, Socius offers what we refer to as our Annual Home Review. The Annual Home Review consists of a physical evaluation of the interior and exterior of your home, an assessment of the terms of your loan as they compare to current market rates, a review of your insurance policy, and a property value review. Click this link to request your home’s review, or simply give your Socius Agent a call to set up a time.
Physical House Review
This review consists of a brief interior and exterior inspection to check for obvious signs of termites, water damage or foundation issues and includes tips on maintenance and burglar proofing your home. If there are concerns about possible termite damage, we can schedule a local termite inspector to do an estimate and analysis.
Market Property Value
During this quick assessment of what your property is worth in the current market, your Agent will share their professional opinion as to your property’s current resale value, which is good to know even if you have no plans to sell. They will also show you how and why the value of your home changes over the years.
Home Improvement Review
You and your Agent will discuss the effect of any planned or recently completed improvements have on your property’s value. They can also recommend referrals to any service providers or contractors you may need for any future repairs.
Property Taxes
This section is a review your current taxes to identify any additional tax savings you may be entitled to. We will also help with filing for your exemptions, and if needed, gather data to help you in protesting the appraised value of your home.
Loan Review
The Loan Review is a closer look at both your current loan rate and term to see if there is a better option for you, and your Agent can also identify equity to refinance any high-interest debt.
Insurance Review
This review will help ensure that your current policy protects you for the correct value based on the replacement cost of your property. You and your Agent will also see if you qualify for any additional savings.
Tax Timeline
January 1 – Homestead Exemption
January is the time to file for your Homestead Exemption and any other exemptions you may qualify for. As a homeowner, you are eligible for the Homestead Exemption beginning the first January you occupy your home. Your Agent will contact you (if they haven’t already) to assist with the required paperwork. Once you submit the necessary forms, your exemptions will remain in effect for the time you live in the home. If you wish to know what exemptions are currently in effect on your home, give your Agent a call and they’ll be happy to help you find that information.January 31 – Property Tax
Property taxes are due for payment in full by January 31st to your county’s tax assessor’s office. If you have an escrow account, typically your lender would have paid your taxes and the county should have sent you confirmation of payment. If you don’t have an escrow account, most sites can accept payment via credit card. You must pay taxes by the January 31st deadline to avoid paying penalties and interest.April 15 – Income Tax
When filing your income tax, please be aware that closing costs, interest, property taxes and insurance premiums may be tax deductible. Those of you that purchased, sold, or refinanced in the previous year may need a copy of your Settlement Statement to complete your taxes. If you purchased or sold last year and your Agent has not already contacted you to provide a copy of your Settlement Statement, please feel free to reach out to us for a copy.May 15 – Appraised Value
Every year you will receive the appraised value of your home for the current calendar year. If you choose to do so, you must protest this value by May 15 or no later than 30 days from the date the notice was mailed. If you need help deciding whether to appeal, send your notice to your Socius Agent so they can advise you on the process.
Protest Your Property Taxes
Guide
Property Tax Protest
Our Commitment to You
We are here to help you get the best possible outcome and to ensure that your property taxes are at a level that makes sense given the market values in your neighborhood.
As part of our commitment to be your ongoing real estate resource, we would like to offer our assistance in providing relevant market data and discussing whether it makes sense for you to protest. Additionally, we can provide insight as to what the best strategy is when you attend either your informal or formal review. Give Socius a call today; we would love to help you!
If you want your friends, co-workers and family members to share the same kind of experience, let us know. When our clients refer us to others, we are honored and excited, and it is the primary reason for Socius’s success. We look forward to being of assistance!
Each year you own your home, you will receive a notice that includes the proposed appraised value of your property. This value is used by your County’s Appraisal District to determine the amount of property taxes you will owe. One of your rights as a property owner and a taxpayer is the ability to protest to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) if you disagree with the assessed value of your home or any of the Appraisal District’s actions concerning your property.
After filing your protest and requesting the formal hearing, you will receive written a notice of the date, time, and place of your hearing with the ARB. Most appraisal districts, however, will also offer to informally review your protest to try to resolve your concerns prior to the formal hearing. The ARB’s decisions are binding only for the tax year in question.
You may be able to expedite your protest process if you have the additional option of uploading your Final Settlement Statement to the website, however you should only upload your Final Settlement Statement if your current assessed value is higher than the sale price of your home. Please note that the county may use that document to establish the tax value for the property.
Should you decide to protest your proposed value, you should file a Notice of Protest form form with the ARB by May 15th or no later than 30 days from the date the notice is mailed.
