Are you paying more in property taxes than your home is actually worth?

If your property’s appraised value seems too high, you have the right to protest it, and with the right data and comparable sales, you could significantly lower your tax bill.

Why Property Tax Protests Matter
Every year, homeowners across Texas receive their property appraisal notices, and many accept the value without question.  The reality is, appraisal districts can overestimate your home’s market value. When that happens, you end up paying more in taxes than necessary.  Protesting your property taxes gives you the opportunity to correct that value using real market data.

When and How to File Your Protest
According to the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University, you typically have until May 15, or 30 days after your appraisal notice is mailed, to file your protest.

You can file in one of three ways:

• Online through your county’s appraisal district website
• By mail using the notice form
• In person at your local appraisal office

Missing this deadline means losing your chance to challenge your valuation for the year.

What Evidence Strengthens Your Case
The strongest protests are backed by solid, factual data.

Here is what helps most:

• Recent comparable sales (comps) in your neighborhood
• Photos showing property condition issues
• Repair estimates for needed updates
• Unequal appraisal comparisons with similar homes

The Texas Real Estate Research Center emphasizes that comparable sales are one of the most effective tools in proving your home’s true market value.

What to Expect During the Hearing
After filing, you will attend an informal or formal hearing with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB).  This is your opportunity to present your evidence and explain why your home’s value should be reduced.  Keep your presentation simple, organized, and focused on facts. The goal is to clearly demonstrate that your home would not sell for the appraised amount.

Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many homeowners miss out on savings because of simple errors:

• Waiting too long to file
• Bringing weak or no comparable data
• Relying only on opinions instead of facts
• Not preparing for the hearing

A well-prepared case can make a significant difference in your outcome.

How I Can Help You Win Your Protest
This is where working with a real estate professional gives you an edge.  As a local agent, I can pull accurate, up-to-date comparable sales that reflect what homes like yours are actually selling for.  This data is often the key piece of evidence needed to successfully challenge your appraisal.

Final Takeaway:
Protesting your property taxes is not just an option, it is a smart financial move. With the right timing, preparation, and market data, you can potentially reduce your tax burden and keep more money in your pocket.

If you are planning to protest your property taxes this year, let me help you build a strong case. Reach out and I will provide you with detailed comps for your home so you can walk into your protest with confidence.

Source: Texas Real Estate Research Center, “It’s Property Tax Season, Here’s Your Guide to Protest Your Appraisal”

Kelly Jones / Real Estate Professional
Century 21 Judge Fite Co.
Call or text me: 832-681-0445
Email: keyswithkellyjones@gmail.com

If you own property with a water well in Texas, have you registered it with your local groundwater district?

Registering your water well helps protect Texas groundwater resources, ensures compliance with local regulations, and allows groundwater districts to manage water levels responsibly for long term use.

Why Water Wells Are So Common in Texas

Across Texas, many rural and semi rural properties rely on private water wells instead of municipal water systems. Wells provide independence from city utilities and are common on acreage properties, ranch land, and homes outside city limits.

Groundwater comes from underground aquifers. These aquifers recharge slowly, which means responsible management is essential to keep water available for future generations.

That is where local groundwater conservation districts play a key role.

The Role of Groundwater Conservation Districts

In many parts of North Texas, groundwater is monitored by organizations such as the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.

Groundwater districts are responsible for:

• Monitoring aquifer levels

• Tracking water usage

• Issuing permits for certain wells

• Protecting groundwater sustainability

• Educating property owners about responsible water use

To do this effectively, districts need accurate records of the wells drawing from the aquifer.

Why Registering Your Well Is Important

Well registration is not about restricting your water use. It is primarily about tracking and protecting groundwater resources.

When a well is registered, the district gains important data that helps them understand how water is being used in the region.

Registering your well helps:

• Track groundwater demand across the district

• Protect aquifer levels over time

• Assist with drought planning

• Provide better data for long term water management

• Ensure wells meet local guidelines

Without registration data, it becomes much harder for districts to protect the aquifer that thousands of property owners depend on.

When Well Registration Is Required

Requirements vary by district, but many areas require registration when:

• A new well is drilled

• A property with an existing well changes ownership

• A well is modified or replaced

Some wells may also require permits depending on size, use, or production capacity.

For example, many domestic and livestock wells have different requirements than large production wells used for irrigation or commercial purposes.

What Information Is Typically Needed

Registering a well is usually a straightforward process. Property owners may be asked to provide:

• Property location

• Well depth and diameter

• Pump size or capacity

• Intended use of the water

• Driller information if available

Many groundwater districts provide online forms or printable registration documents to make the process simple.

How This Impacts Property Owners

If you own or are purchasing property with a well, registration is an important step in responsible ownership.

It helps ensure:

• Compliance with local groundwater regulations

• Accurate records for future property transfers

• Protection of the shared aquifer system

Understanding local groundwater requirements is especially important when buying rural or acreage properties where wells are the primary water source.

Final Takeaway

Water wells are a valuable resource for many Texas property owners. Registering your well helps groundwater districts monitor aquifer health, plan for long term water availability, and protect the water supply that rural communities rely on.

If you own property with a well, checking with your local groundwater conservation district to confirm registration is a smart step that supports responsible water management across the region.

If you are considering buying or selling property with a water well, it helps to understand the requirements that come with it. I am happy to help guide you through what to expect so you can make informed decisions about rural and acreage properties in Parker County.

Information referenced from resources provided by the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District:  https://uppertrinitygcd.com/resources/

Kelly Jones / Real Estate Professional
Century 21 Judge Fite Co.
Call or text me: 832-681-0445
Email: keyswithkellyjones@gmail.com