Central Texas Real Estate FAQ

Start by talking with a lender to learn your budget and get a preapproval letter, then choose an agent and sign the written agreement Texas requires before you tour homes. After that you tour, make an offer on the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) contract, negotiate an option period and earnest money, complete inspections, finish your loan and close at a title company. In Central Texas, check early whether a home is in a MUD, PID or HOA, because those can add to your yearly costs.

Yes. Since January 1, 2026, Texas law (Senate Bill 1968) requires a real estate license holder to have a written agreement with a buyer before showing residential property, or before making an offer if no property is shown. The agreement must state the broker's compensation and say, in conspicuous language, that broker compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable. An agreement that covers only showings cannot be exclusive and is limited to 14 days. Read it carefully and ask questions before you sign.

Yes, get preapproved before you tour seriously. A preapproval shows sellers you are likely to qualify, and it tells you what payment you are comfortable with before you fall for a house. When you make an offer with financing, the TREC Third Party Financing Addendum lets you set a period to obtain Buyer Approval, which covers the lender's review of your income, assets and credit. Compare Loan Estimates from more than one lender, since rates and fees vary.

A stronger offer is usually about more than price. Sellers also weigh the size of the earnest money, the length of the option period and the option fee, the strength of your financing (or a cash offer), your closing date, and flexibility such as letting the seller stay briefly after closing under a written lease. Every one of these terms is set in the TREC contract and negotiable. Your agent can review recent comparable sales so your price is grounded in the market.

Most buyers hire a TREC-licensed home inspector during the option period and then add specialists as needed, such as a structural engineer for foundation questions, a wood-destroying insect inspection, a sewer line camera, a pool inspection, and septic and well testing on rural property. Texas inspectors follow TREC's Standards of Practice. Parts of Central Texas sit on Blackland Prairie clay soil that swells and shrinks with rainfall, so many buyers pay close attention to foundation findings.

Search the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, and read the flood section of the seller's disclosure, which asks about flood zones, past flooding, flood insurance claims and federal flood assistance. Lenders require flood insurance on federally backed loans for homes in high-risk flood zones. Standard homeowners policies generally do not cover flooding, and National Flood Insurance Program policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so get quotes early in the process.

Use the Texas Education Agency's School District Locator and then confirm with the school district, because city limits and school district lines do not match. For example, Round Rock ISD includes parts of Round Rock, Austin and Cedar Park, and Leander ISD covers parts of Leander, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Round Rock and northwest Austin. Attendance zones can change, so verify the specific address directly with the district before you rely on it.

Do not rely on the seller's current tax bill. Their exemptions, such as an over-65 school tax ceiling, and the 10% homestead cap on appraised value do not transfer to you. A better estimate is the taxable value times the combined rate of every taxing unit on the property, which can include the county, city, school district, community college, MUD and emergency services district. Your county's property tax database, linked from Texas.gov, lists each unit's rate.

Yes. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs offers programs such as My First Texas Home, and the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation offers its own homebuyer programs. Eligible Texas veterans can look at Texas Veterans Land Board home loans, and FHA, VA and USDA loans have lower down payment options. Each program has income, price or eligibility rules and usually requires an approved lender, so ask your lender which ones fit.

Get homeowners insurance quotes during your option period, not the week before closing. Hail and wind claims are common in Texas, and many policies use a separate or percentage-based deductible for wind and hail, which can mean a larger out-of-pocket cost. The Texas Department of Insurance's HelpInsure site lets you compare companies and policy types. Your lender will require proof of coverage before closing, and flood coverage is a separate policy.

Rural property raises questions that city lots do not. Ask whether the home uses a septic system (on-site sewage facility) and a private well, and plan inspections for both. Starting July 1, 2026, the TREC contract uses a Seller's Disclosure About Groundwater and Surface Water Rights. If land has agricultural appraisal, changing its use can trigger a rollback tax covering the prior three years. Also confirm road access, easements and any mineral or water reservations in the title commitment.

A home outside city limits is served by the county and special districts instead of a city, and it may be in a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). The TREC contract includes a statutory notice that property outside a municipality may now or later be in an ETJ and may be subject to annexation. Services such as water, sewer and fire protection may come from a MUD, water supply corporation or emergency services district, so confirm providers and taxes before you buy.

A home warranty is optional. In Texas it is called a residential service contract, and the companies that sell them are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. These contracts can cover repair or replacement of major systems and appliances, subject to exclusions and service fees. The TREC contract lets the parties agree that the seller will reimburse the buyer for a residential service contract up to a stated amount. Read the coverage limits before you choose one.

Yes, but only in specific situations spelled out in the contract. The most common is the option period, when a buyer who paid the option fee can terminate for any reason and get the earnest money back. Other exits include financing or lender property approval under the Third Party Financing Addendum, not receiving the seller's disclosure, unresolved title objections, and HOA document review. Missing a deadline can cost you your earnest money, so track dates closely.

The closing date is whatever date the buyer and seller write into the contract. With a mortgage, the timeline mostly depends on how quickly the lender can complete underwriting, the appraisal and final approval, while a cash purchase can often close sooner. Federal rules require that you receive your Closing Disclosure at least three business days before loan closing. Ask your lender for a realistic timeline before you choose a closing date.

Yes. TREC's Addendum for Sale of Other Property by Buyer makes your purchase contingent on selling your current home by a set date. Sellers often see this as a weaker offer, so the addendum lets the seller keep accepting other offers and requires you to waive the contingency within a set time or the contract ends. Many buyers sell first, use a temporary lease, or talk with their lender about other options.

A buyer's agent represents you, not the seller. Under Texas law an agent must put the client's interests first, tell the client any material information the agent knows, present all offers, and treat all parties honestly. In practice a buyer's agent helps you find homes, reviews market data, writes and negotiates the TREC contract, tracks deadlines and coordinates inspections, the lender and the title company. TREC's Information About Brokerage Services form explains these duties.

Base your offer on recent sales of similar homes nearby, how long comparable homes have been on the market, the home's condition, and how many other buyers are interested. Your agent can prepare a market analysis of comparable sales to guide your price. Keep in mind that if you are financing, your lender will order its own appraisal, and the Third Party Financing Addendum and any appraisal addendum determine what happens if it comes in below the price.

Use the county appraisal district's property search. The Williamson, Travis, Hays, Bastrop and Bell appraisal districts all publish owner of record, legal description, exemptions, and appraised value history online. Tax payment status is available from the county tax assessor-collector. Recorded deeds, liens and HOA restrictions are kept by the county clerk. These are public records, and the title company will search them formally before closing.

Condos use a different TREC contract than single-family homes, and the Texas Uniform Condominium Act gives buyers the right to a condominium resale certificate. That certificate covers items such as assessments, reserves, insurance and pending lawsuits involving the association. Review the declaration, bylaws, budget and insurance carefully, because the association typically handles exterior repairs and your monthly dues fund them. Your lender may also have condo approval requirements.

Items that are leased, not owned, do not automatically go with the house. The TREC resale contract has a box for fixture leases, such as solar panels, propane tanks, water softeners and security systems, and attaches the Addendum Regarding Fixture Leases. Before you commit, ask for the lease terms, the monthly payment, the remaining term and whether you must qualify to assume it. Your lender may also need to review a solar lease.

Yes. Many buyers relocating to Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Pflugerville, Leander or Cedar Park tour by video, review inspection reports remotely and visit once or twice. Deadlines in the TREC contract still apply, so plan how you will deliver the earnest money and option fee within three days of the effective date. Ask your lender and title company early about closing logistics, since signing requirements vary by lender.

Start with a pricing conversation and a plan. An agent will review recent nearby sales and current competition, walk through your home, and recommend a price and any repairs or preparation. You will sign a listing agreement, complete the Seller's Disclosure Notice, gather HOA, MUD or PID information, and locate your survey. Once an offer is accepted, the buyer's option period, financing and title work lead to closing at a title company.

We recommend a list price using a comparative market analysis: recent sales of similar nearby homes, homes currently for sale, homes that failed to sell, and adjustments for condition, size and features. This is a pricing recommendation from a real estate agent, not an appraisal. If your buyer finances the purchase, their lender will order a separate appraisal. You make the final decision on price.

Most Texas home sellers must give the buyer a Seller's Disclosure Notice under Texas Property Code Section 5.008, and TREC publishes a form for it. It covers known defects, repairs, flooding and flood insurance, and other conditions. Homes built before 1978 require a federal lead-based paint disclosure. Other notices can apply, including HOA membership, MUD and PID notices, and the TREC water rights disclosure. When in doubt, disclose and talk with an attorney.

Texas Property Code Section 5.008 exempts certain transfers, including court-ordered transfers, foreclosure sales, transfers by a fiduciary administering an estate, guardianship or trust, transfers between co-owners or to a spouse or a direct-line relative such as a child or parent, and sales of a new home that has never been occupied. Being exempt from the form does not allow a seller to hide known problems. Confirm your situation with an attorney before relying on an exemption.

No Texas law requires a seller to make repairs before listing, but repairs are often negotiated after the buyer's inspection. In the TREC contract, the buyer either accepts the home as is or lists specific repairs. Agreed repairs must be done by licensed or commercially engaged professionals, with receipts provided and transferable warranties assigned. If a lender requires repairs, neither party must pay unless they agree, and the buyer can terminate if those costs exceed 5% of the price.

It is optional, but a pre-listing inspection can surface problems before a buyer's inspector does, giving you time to repair them or price accordingly. Keep in mind that what you learn becomes something you know about the home, and the Seller's Disclosure Notice asks about known conditions and previous inspection reports. Use a TREC-licensed inspector and talk with your agent about how to handle the report.

During the option period the buyer can inspect and can terminate the contract for any reason by giving notice by 5:00 p.m. local time on the deadline. If they terminate, you keep the option fee and the buyer gets the earnest money back. Most repair negotiations happen in this window and are written into a TREC amendment. Once the option period ends, the buyer's remaining exit rights are limited to other contract contingencies.

You choose which offer to accept, counter or decline, and you are not required to take the highest price. Compare net proceeds, financing type, option period length, earnest money, appraisal terms, closing date and any requests for seller-paid costs. You can also accept a backup offer using TREC's Addendum for Back-Up Contract, which moves into first position if the first contract terminates.

You receive your proceeds after closing and funding, when the title company disburses money after the buyer's lender funds the loan and the deed is signed. The title company pays off your mortgage and other liens, pays closing costs listed on your settlement statement, and sends you the remainder, usually by wire or check. Always confirm wire instructions by calling the title company at a number you already know.

Not automatically. Brokerage compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable. Buyers now sign written agreements with their own brokers, and the current TREC contract lets the seller agree to contribute a specific dollar amount or percentage toward the compensation the buyer owes the buyer's broker. Whether to offer a contribution is your decision, made with your listing agent.

Yes, if the buyer agrees in writing. TREC's Seller's Temporary Residential Lease sets the terms when a seller stays after closing, including the length of stay, any rent or deposit, and responsibility for the property. Without a written lease, the contract warns that a tenancy at sufferance is created. Both parties should talk with their insurance agents, because coverage may change when ownership transfers.

Your exemption generally stays on the home for the rest of that tax year, and property taxes are prorated between you and the buyer at closing. The buyer applies for their own exemption. To get exemptions on your next Texas home you must file a new application, and if you are 65 or older or disabled you can apply to transfer your school tax ceiling percentage to the new home.

Texas has no state personal income tax, and a 2025 constitutional amendment bars a state capital gains tax on individuals, so there is no Texas tax on the gain. Federal tax may apply. The IRS lets many owners exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly, if they owned and lived in the home at least two of the last five years. Confirm with a tax professional.

Yes. Existing leases generally stay in effect after a sale, and the TREC contract requires the seller to disclose residential leases and attach the Addendum Regarding Residential Leases. That addendum addresses the lease, rent and security deposits, which transfer to the buyer. Coordinate showings with your tenants and give the notice your lease requires. Sellers who want the home vacant should plan around the lease end date.

Start by confirming who has legal authority to sell, which may require probate, a muniment of title or heirship documents. The title company will require proof before it will insure the sale. A fiduciary administering an estate may be exempt from the Seller's Disclosure Notice, but that does not permit hiding known defects. Because inherited property raises legal and tax questions, work with a probate attorney and tax professional alongside your agent.

Usually yes. Texas is a community property state, and the Texas Family Code says a spouse may not sell or encumber the family homestead without the other spouse joining, even if only one spouse is on the deed. The title company will look at marital status and may require both signatures. If you are separating or divorcing, talk with a family law attorney before listing.

Your options depend on the buyer's financing addenda. Under the Third Party Financing Addendum, a buyer can terminate if the lender's property approval is not obtained, unless the buyer waived that right in TREC's Addendum Concerning Right to Terminate Due to Lender's Appraisal. Common solutions include lowering the price, the buyer paying the difference in cash, splitting the gap, or asking for a reconsideration with better comparable sales.

Often you can use your existing survey. The TREC contract lets the seller provide an existing survey with a Texas Department of Insurance T-47 Affidavit or T-47.1 Declaration stating nothing has changed. If the title company or lender will not accept it, the contract says who pays for a new one. Find your survey from your original closing documents early, because a new survey takes time.

Under the TREC contract, fixtures and built-in items stay, such as ceiling fans, light fixtures, mounted TV brackets, water softeners, garage door openers, landscaping and generators. Accessories like window units, fireplace screens and blinds also convey. You must list anything you want to keep as an exclusion. At move-in, you must also give the buyer access codes for smart devices and remove your own access. Refrigerators and washers are usually handled on the Non-Realty Items Addendum.

Yes. Owners can sell their own homes in Texas. You are still responsible for the Seller's Disclosure Notice, required notices such as MUD, PID and HOA disclosures, and meeting every contract deadline. TREC contract forms are publicly available, and a title company handles escrow and closing. Many owners who sell on their own still hire a real estate attorney to review the contract.

Generally no, not simply to take a better offer. The TREC contract gives the seller limited termination rights, such as when the buyer fails to deliver earnest money on time. If a seller refuses to close without a contract reason, the buyer may seek remedies such as specific performance. If you have concerns about a contract you have signed, talk with a real estate attorney.

It depends on why the buyer terminated. If the buyer ends the contract under a right it gives them, such as the option period or financing approval, the earnest money goes back to the buyer. If the buyer defaults, the seller may be entitled to the earnest money as liquidated damages. The title company holds the funds and releases them only with signed releases from both parties or under the contract's demand procedure.

Both parties pay closing costs, and the TREC contract lists the default split. Sellers pay items such as releasing existing liens, tax certificates, deed preparation and half the escrow fee. Buyers pay loan-related costs such as appraisal, origination, credit reports, the lender's title policy, prepaid taxes and insurance, and half the escrow fee. Who pays for the owner's title policy is chosen in the contract, and a seller can agree to contribute toward the buyer's costs.

A seller typically pays the mortgage payoff and lien releases, tax certificates, deed preparation, half the escrow fee, any brokerage compensation the seller agreed to, prorated property taxes through the closing date, and any repairs or buyer-cost contributions agreed in the contract. In most Central Texas resale transactions the seller also pays for the buyer's owner's title policy, but that is a negotiated choice in the contract, not a law. Your title company's settlement statement shows exact figures.

A buyer typically pays loan-related costs such as the appraisal, application and origination charges, credit report, the lender's title policy and required endorsements, recording fees, and half the escrow fee. Buyers also fund prepaid items, including homeowners insurance and an initial deposit into the tax and insurance escrow account, plus any survey or HOA transfer fees the contract assigns to them. Your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure itemize these costs.

The TREC contract makes it a choice: Paragraph 6A has boxes for the seller or the buyer to pay for the owner's title policy. In most Central Texas resale sales the seller pays, but it's negotiable and can shift with the market and the situation, and customs differ in other parts of Texas. The lender's title policy is a separate buyer expense when there is a loan. Confirm who pays before you sign.

Yes, the premium is. The Texas Department of Insurance sets title insurance premium rates, so every title company charges the same premium for the same policy, and rates are based on the sales price or loan amount. Other charges, such as escrow fees, tax certificates and delivery fees, are set by each company and can differ. TDI also notes you may choose any title company you want.

An owner's title policy protects the buyer against covered losses from title problems that existed before closing, such as an unknown lien, a forged document in the chain of title, or a boundary issue, subject to the policy's exceptions and exclusions. You pay the premium once, at closing. A lender's policy protects only the lender. According to TDI, when both policies are issued together, the loan policy is priced at a discount.

It narrows the standard survey exception in the owner's title policy so that coverage extends to boundary and encroachment problems except shortages in area. The TREC contract lets the parties choose whether this amendment is purchased and who pays for it, buyer or seller. The title company usually needs an acceptable survey to issue it. Ask the title company what the extra coverage costs before you decide.

An option fee is money a buyer pays for the unrestricted right to terminate the contract during the option period. Under the current TREC contract, the buyer delivers the option fee to the escrow agent (usually the title company) within 3 days after the effective date. If the buyer terminates on time, the seller keeps the option fee. If the sale closes, the option fee is credited to the buyer toward the sales price. The amount is negotiable.

Earnest money is a good-faith deposit that shows the seller you intend to close. Under the TREC contract, the buyer delivers it to the escrow agent named in the contract, usually the title company, within 3 days after the effective date. At closing it is applied to your down payment and costs. If you terminate under a right in the contract, it is refunded; if you default, the seller may be entitled to keep it. The amount is negotiable.

Late delivery has real consequences. If the option fee is not delivered on time, the buyer does not have the unrestricted right to terminate. If the earnest money is late, the seller may terminate the contract by notice before it is delivered. If the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the delivery deadline moves to the end of the next day that is not one. Time is of the essence for these deadlines.

Not always. The TREC contract offers three options: the seller provides an existing survey with a T-47 Affidavit or T-47.1 Declaration, the buyer orders a new survey, or the seller pays for a new survey. If the title company or lender will not accept the existing survey, the contract states who pays for a new one. The survey must be done by a registered professional land surveyor acceptable to the title company and lender.

A T-47 Residential Real Property Affidavit, or the newer T-47.1 Declaration, is a Texas Department of Insurance form in which the seller states whether any improvements, such as additions, fences, pools or sheds, have been made since the existing survey was done. It lets the title company and lender decide whether the old survey can be used instead of ordering a new one. The TREC contract sets the deadline for the seller to provide it.

No. Texas does not charge a state transfer tax on home sales, and the Texas Constitution prohibits enacting a new tax on a transaction that conveys fee simple title to real property. You will still pay routine recording fees to the county clerk for the deed and deed of trust, along with title and escrow charges. Your settlement statement from the title company lists every fee.

Property taxes are prorated through the closing date. Because Texas taxes are billed in the fall and paid in arrears, the seller usually gives the buyer a credit at closing for the seller's share of the current year, and the buyer pays the full bill when it arrives. If the actual bill differs from the estimate, the TREC contract says the parties adjust the proration once tax statements are available.

Prepaid items are costs you pay at closing ahead of when they are due, such as your first year of homeowners insurance, daily interest from closing to the end of the month, and an initial deposit into your escrow account. Many lenders then collect monthly for property taxes and insurance and pay those bills for you. Your Loan Estimate shows expected prepaid items, and your Closing Disclosure shows final amounts.

If you have a mortgage, federal rules require your lender to give you the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing. It lists your loan terms, projected payments and closing costs. The title company also prepares a settlement statement for buyers and sellers. Compare the Closing Disclosure with your Loan Estimate and ask your lender to explain any changes before closing day.

Never trust wiring instructions sent only by email or text. Before you send money, call the title company at a phone number you find independently, such as on its official website or your contract, and confirm the account details. Be suspicious of last-minute changes to instructions. If you think you have been targeted, contact your bank immediately and report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Closing is when the documents are signed; funding is when the lender releases the loan money and the title company can disburse funds. In a cash sale they often happen the same day. The TREC contract's default is that the buyer gets possession upon closing and funding, so plan your move and key exchange with that timing in mind.

Yes, if the seller agrees. The TREC contract has a blank for the seller to pay a set dollar amount toward the buyer's expenses. Your lender and loan program may cap how much a seller can contribute. If a government loan program prohibits the buyer from paying certain fees, the contract applies the seller's contribution to those fees first. Seller contributions toward brokerage compensation are handled in a separate paragraph.

The buyer and seller agree on the title company, and it is named in the contract. The Texas Department of Insurance tells consumers they may choose any title company they want and do not have to use one selected by an agent, builder or lender. Title premiums are the same statewide, but escrow fees and service levels differ.

When a home in an HOA sells, the association may charge fees for the transfer, resale certificates and reserve deposits. The TREC HOA addendum lets the parties set a maximum amount the buyer will pay for association transfer fees and deposits, with the seller paying any excess. Regular dues are prorated at closing. Texas law caps the fee for a standard HOA resale certificate, and private transfer fee obligations must be disclosed.

Only if they agree to. The TREC contract lets the parties state a maximum amount the seller will reimburse the buyer at closing for a residential service contract. Buying one is optional, and the companies that issue them are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Texas property taxes equal your taxable value multiplied by the tax rate of each local taxing unit, stated per $100 of taxable value. Taxable value is the appraised value set by the county appraisal district minus any exemptions. Your bill combines several units, which can include the county, city, school district, community college, MUD and emergency services district. Texas has no state property tax; local governments set the rates.

Your county appraisal district does, not the city or the tax office. Williamson Central Appraisal District, Travis Central Appraisal District, Hays Central Appraisal District, Bastrop Central Appraisal District and Bell County's appraisal district each appraise property in their county as of January 1. Local taxing units then set tax rates, and the county tax assessor-collector sends the bills. If you disagree with the appraised value, you protest to the appraisal district.

School districts must exempt $140,000 of a residence homestead's appraised value from school taxes. Voters approved the increase from $100,000 in November 2025, and it applies starting with the 2025 tax year. Any taxing unit can also offer a local option exemption of up to 20% of appraised value (at least $5,000), and counties that levy farm-to-market or flood control taxes must provide $3,000. Check your appraisal district for the local exemptions on your property.

You qualify if you own the home and live in it as your principal residence. You can claim only one residence homestead, and it generally includes up to 20 acres of land. You must not claim a homestead exemption on another property in or outside Texas. Most applicants must include a copy of a Texas driver's license or state ID showing the property address. Heir property owners may also qualify.

File with the Williamson Central Appraisal District, which offers an online application from your property's page on wcad.org. There is no fee. You will need a copy of your Texas driver's license or state ID showing the property address. The regular deadline is April 30, and late applications are accepted up to two years after the date the taxes become delinquent. Once granted, you do not need to reapply unless the district asks.

File the residence homestead application with the Travis Central Appraisal District, which accepts applications online through traviscad.org. Filing is free. Include a copy of your Texas driver's license or ID showing the homestead address. TCAD lists April 30 as the application deadline, and state law allows late homestead applications up to two years after the taxes become delinquent.

Apply with the Hays Central Appraisal District, which offers homestead exemption forms that can be filed online at hayscad.com. Hays CAD says applications must include a copy of your driver's license or other information the Tax Code requires. The general filing deadline is April 30, with late filing allowed up to two years after the taxes become delinquent. There is no charge to file.

File the Comptroller's Form 50-114, Application for Residence Homestead Exemption, with the appraisal district for the county where the home is located: Bastrop Central Appraisal District or Bell County's appraisal district. Include a copy of your Texas driver's license or ID showing the property address. Check the district's website for online filing options. The regular deadline is April 30, and late filing is allowed up to two years after the taxes become delinquent.

Sometimes. If you buy after January 1, you can receive the exemption for the part of the year you own the home only if the previous owner did not have a homestead exemption on it that year. If the seller already had one, it typically stays in place through December 31, and your exemption begins January 1 of the next year. Either way, apply soon after closing so you do not miss it.

The general deadline is April 30 (before May 1) of the tax year. If you miss it, Texas allows a late residence homestead application up to two years after the date the taxes become delinquent, which is usually February 1 of the following year. If a late application is approved, the tax office will issue a corrected bill or a refund if you already paid.

No. Once your residence homestead exemption is granted, you generally do not have to reapply unless the chief appraiser asks you to or your qualifications change. You do need to file a new application when you move to a new home, and you should file again if you turn 65 or become disabled to add those exemptions.

No. Filing a homestead exemption with your appraisal district is free; Williamson Central Appraisal District states there is no charge to file for any exemption. Homeowners sometimes receive official-looking mail offering to file for a fee. You can file yourself using the appraisal district's online application or the Comptroller's Form 50-114.

Homeowners 65 or older receive an additional $60,000 school district homestead exemption on top of the $140,000 general exemption. Cities, counties and other units may add their own over-65 exemption of at least $3,000. The exemption applies for the entire year in which you turn 65. Qualifying also sets a ceiling on your school district taxes. Apply with your appraisal district, including proof of age.

When you qualify for the age 65 or older or disabled homestead exemption, your school district taxes on that home are capped at the amount you paid in the year you qualified. If calculated taxes later fall below the ceiling, you pay the lower amount. The ceiling can increase if you add improvements, such as a new room or garage. Counties, cities and junior college districts may adopt their own ceilings.

Yes. If you buy another home in Texas, you can transfer the percentage of school taxes you were paying under your ceiling. For example, if your ceiling was $100 and you would have owed $400 without it, you were paying 25%, so on a new home with $1,000 in school taxes your new ceiling would be $250. You request a certificate from your former appraisal district. City and county ceilings transfer only within the same taxing unit.

Homeowners who meet the Social Security definition of disability receive the same additional $60,000 school district homestead exemption as those 65 and older, plus any local disabled exemption and a school tax ceiling. If you qualify as both 65 or older and disabled, you must choose one of the two for school district purposes. Apply with your appraisal district and include documentation of the disability.

Veterans with a service-connected disability rating qualify for a partial exemption on one property: up to $5,000 for a 10-29% rating, $7,500 for 30-49%, $10,000 for 50-69% and $12,000 for 70% or higher. Veterans with a 100% rating or individual unemployability receive a total exemption on their residence homestead. A disabled veteran exemption application may be filed up to five years after the taxes become delinquent. Confirm eligibility with your appraisal district.

Several. The unmarried surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran, of a U.S. armed services member killed in action, or of a first responder killed in the line of duty may qualify for a total homestead exemption. A surviving spouse 55 or older can keep the deceased spouse's over-65 school tax ceiling if the home was their homestead. Surviving spouses of partially disabled veterans may keep the veteran's partial exemption.

Once your home has a homestead exemption, its taxable appraised value cannot rise more than 10% per year, plus the market value of any new improvements, even if the home's market value rises faster. The cap starts January 1 of the tax year after you first qualify for the exemption, and it ends the year after you no longer qualify. Because the cap does not transfer to a buyer, a new owner's taxes can be higher than the seller's.

It is a temporary limit that keeps the appraised value of qualifying non-homestead real property, such as rental homes and small commercial property, from rising more than 20% per year plus new improvements. It applied to property appraised at $5 million or less for 2024, with the threshold adjusted for inflation each year. It takes effect the tax year after the owner first owns the property on January 1. Under current law it expires December 31, 2026, unless the Legislature extends it.

Appraisal districts send the notice of appraised value by April 1, or as soon as practicable after, for residence homesteads, and by May 1 for other property. The notice lists your taxing units, the appraised value and exemptions, and explains how and when to protest. Many districts, including Williamson, Travis and Hays, also post appraised values online.

File a notice of protest with your appraisal district by May 15 or 30 days after your appraisal notice was delivered, whichever is later. You can use the district's online portal or Comptroller Form 50-132. You can request an informal meeting with an appraiser, and if you do not settle, you present your case to the Appraisal Review Board. Bring evidence such as recent sales of similar homes, photos and repair estimates.

File with the Williamson Central Appraisal District using the Online Protest link for your property on wcad.org, or by mail, before the deadline: 30 days after your notice date or May 15, whichever is later. WCAD's online protest portal is open from when notices go out in April until the deadline. WCAD recommends an informal meeting with district staff before any formal hearing. If you do not settle, your Appraisal Review Board hearing can be in person at WCAD's office, virtual, or by sworn affidavit.

File with the Travis Central Appraisal District, which encourages online protests using the property owner ID and PIN on your notice of appraised value. The deadline is May 15 or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever is later. Through the portal you can see TCAD's evidence, upload your own, meet informally with a TCAD appraiser, and accept or decline a settlement offer. If you do not settle, the Appraisal Review Board hears your protest.

File with the Hays Central Appraisal District by May 15 or 30 days after your notice was mailed, whichever is later. You can file online through the Hays CAD property search using the Online Protest ID on your notice, or by email or mail to the district office in Kyle. Hays CAD may resolve protests informally by email; otherwise, you present your evidence at a formal Appraisal Review Board hearing.

The strongest evidence is recent sales of similar homes near yours, especially those that sold for less than your appraised value, along with photos and contractor estimates for defects the district may not know about. You can also argue unequal appraisal by comparing your home with similar homes appraised lower. You may request the appraisal district's evidence before the hearing, and you can appear in person, by phone or video, or by affidavit.

You have appeal options. A residence homestead regardless of its appraised amount, or other property appraised at $5 million or less, may qualify for regular binding arbitration if you file within 60 days and pay a deposit. Property over $1 million may qualify for an appeal at the State Office of Administrative Hearings, and any owner can appeal to district court within 60 days. Consider consulting a property tax attorney.

Property tax bills usually go out in October or soon after, and payment is due by January 31. Penalties and interest begin February 1. If you have a mortgage escrow account, your lender typically pays the bill. Homeowners 65 or older, disabled homeowners, and qualifying disabled veterans and surviving spouses can pay in four installments if the first is paid before February 1 and they notify the tax office in writing.

Yes. Homeowners 65 or older, disabled homeowners, and qualifying disabled veterans can file a tax deferral affidavit with the appraisal district to postpone paying property taxes on their homestead as long as they own and live in it. A deferral does not cancel the taxes. Interest accrues at 5% per year, and the deferred amount becomes due after the owner or qualifying surviving spouse no longer owns or lives in the home.

Every Texas county has a property tax database, and Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes links to each one. These sites list each taxing unit's proposed and adopted rates and are updated during August and September while rates are being set. Your appraisal district's property record also shows every unit that taxes your property. Rates change each year, so check the current year before estimating a payment.

Agricultural appraisal, often called an ag exemption, bases the appraised value of qualifying farm or ranch land on its capacity to produce agricultural products instead of its market value, which usually lowers taxes. You apply with the appraisal district, generally by April 30. If the land's use changes to a non-agricultural purpose, such as building homes, the owner may owe a rollback tax for each of the previous three years, plus interest in some cases. Buyers of acreage should ask about ag status early.

No. The $140,000 exemption and the extra $60,000 for homeowners 65 or older or disabled apply only to school district taxes. Cities, counties and special districts such as MUDs decide for themselves whether to offer a local option homestead exemption of up to 20% and an over-65 or disabled exemption of at least $3,000. Your appraisal district's property record shows which exemptions each unit grants.

A MUD, or municipal utility district, is a local government district that provides services such as water, sewer and drainage, often in developments outside or at the edge of city limits. MUDs typically pay for infrastructure by issuing bonds that are repaid through a property tax on homes in the district, so a MUD tax appears as a separate line on your tax bill. MUDs are overseen by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The seller must give you a statutory notice under Chapter 49 of the Texas Water Code before you sign a binding contract if the home is in a MUD or similar district. You can also check the property's taxing units on the appraisal district's website, search the address in the TCEQ Water Districts Map Viewer, or look at the seller's most recent tax bill. Ask about this before writing an offer.

Use your county's property tax database, linked from Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes, which lists the rate for every taxing unit, including MUDs. The statutory MUD notice from the seller also states the district's tax rate and bonded debt, and many MUDs post their rates and meeting information on their own websites. MUD rates are set each year, so confirm the current rate rather than relying on an older notice.

Texas law requires the seller to give the MUD notice before the contract is signed, and a buyer who does not receive it as required may have remedies, which can include terminating the contract. The specific rights depend on when the notice was given and whether the sale has closed, and deadlines apply. If you did not receive a required notice, talk with a real estate attorney promptly.

A PID, or public improvement district, is created by a city or county to pay for improvements or services that benefit a specific area, such as roads, drainage, parks or landscaping. Owners in the district pay an assessment, which can be paid in full or in annual installments that vary from year to year. A seller must give the buyer written notice of PID obligations before the contract is signed, and TREC has an addendum for that notice.

A MUD tax is an ad valorem tax, meaning it is a rate applied to your home's taxable appraised value each year. A PID assessment is a charge levied against the property for its share of a specific improvement project, collected in annual installments under the district's assessment plan, and it can usually be paid off early. Both typically appear on your property tax bill. Ask for the PID's payoff amount and remaining schedule before you buy.

Texas Property Code Section 5.014 requires the seller to give the PID notice before a binding contract is signed. If a contract is signed without the required notice, the buyer is entitled to terminate it. Rules on timing and remedies are specific, so confirm your situation with a real estate attorney.

Besides the county, city and school district, a Central Texas tax bill can include a community college district, an emergency services district that funds fire or EMS service, a MUD, a water control and improvement district, a fresh water supply district, or a special utility district. Each sets its own rate. Your appraisal district's property record lists every taxing unit, and your county's tax database shows each rate.

An HOA, or property owners association, manages common areas and enforces deed restrictions in a subdivision. In many Texas neighborhoods membership is mandatory, and the TREC contract includes the statutory notice that you will be obligated to be a member and pay assessments. The notice also warns that failing to pay assessments could lead to enforcement of the association's lien and foreclosure. Review the restrictions and fees before you commit.

A resale certificate is a document from the HOA, described in Texas Property Code Section 207.003, that states the amount and frequency of regular assessments, any special assessments, lawsuits involving the association, and other information about the property and association. The HOA must deliver it within 10 business days of a proper request, and Texas law caps the fee at $375 for a certificate and $75 for an update. Buyers use it with the restrictions, bylaws and rules to evaluate the purchase.

The buyer and seller decide in TREC's Addendum for Property Subject to Mandatory Membership in a Property Owners Association. One option has the seller obtain, pay for and deliver the documents by a set date; another has the buyer obtain them at the buyer's expense. The buyer can also acknowledge receiving them before signing or waive delivery. Most of the time the seller pays in Central Texas, but it's negotiable depending on the market and the situation.

Yes, under TREC's HOA addendum. If the seller or buyer delivers the subdivision information as the addendum requires, the buyer may terminate within 3 days after receiving it, or before closing if that comes first, and get the earnest money back. If the seller was responsible and the buyer never receives the documents, the buyer can terminate any time before closing. The buyer can also terminate if the information was untrue or materially changes before closing.

Generally, no. Texas Property Code Section 202.010 limits a property owners association's ability to prohibit solar energy devices, but it allows some restrictions, such as rules about placement and appearance, and it includes exceptions, including during a development period in some subdivisions. Read your deed restrictions and ask the HOA for its written guidelines before installing panels. Talk with an attorney if there is a dispute.

Ask for the subdivision information described in Texas Property Code Section 207.003: the recorded restrictions, bylaws, rules and a resale certificate. Restrictive covenants and dedicatory instruments are recorded in the county's real property records and can be obtained from the county clerk, and many HOAs post governing documents online. The TREC HOA addendum sets the timeline for getting these documents during your contract.

Yes, it is a good idea. The builder's on-site sales representative works for the builder, not for you. Your own agent can compare the builder's prices and incentives with resale homes, review the builder's contract with you, point out MUD, PID and HOA costs, and coordinate independent inspections. Many builders have their own policies about agent registration at the first visit, so bring your agent or ask about the policy before you tour.

Sometimes, but many builders use their own contracts prepared by their attorneys. TREC publishes a New Home Contract (Incomplete Construction), form 23-20, and a New Home Contract (Completed Construction), form 24-20, both effective July 1, 2026. Builder contracts often differ significantly from TREC forms on deposits, completion dates, warranties and dispute resolution, so read every page and consider having a real estate attorney review it.

Look closely at how much of your deposit is refundable and when, estimated completion dates and what happens if construction is delayed, how change orders and upgrade costs are handled, any requirement to use the builder's lender or title company to receive incentives, arbitration clauses, and the written warranty. Also look for MUD, PID and HOA notices. Get every promise in writing, and have an attorney review terms you do not understand.

Yes. City permit inspections check for minimum code requirements, but an independent TREC-licensed inspector works for you. Many buyers order phased inspections, such as before the foundation is poured, before drywall goes up and before closing, plus an inspection shortly before the builder's first-year warranty ends. Confirm the builder allows third-party inspections and how access will be scheduled, and put that permission in writing.

There is no state agency that administers new-home warranties today. Texas abolished the Texas Residential Construction Commission, which had registered builders and set warranty standards, effective September 1, 2009. Warranty coverage now comes from your builder's contract and written warranty, which may be backed by a third-party warranty company. Read the warranty documents before signing, and note what is covered, for how long and how to file a claim.

The Residential Construction Liability Act, Chapter 27 of the Texas Property Code, sets steps homeowners must follow before suing a builder over a construction defect. Generally, the homeowner must send the builder written notice of the defect at least 60 days before filing suit and give the builder a chance to inspect and make a written offer to repair or settle. This is general information; talk with a construction attorney about a specific defect.

Appraisal districts appraise property as of January 1. If your home was still under construction or only a lot on January 1, that year's tax bill may reflect only the land or a partly finished house, and the next year's bill can be much higher once the finished home is appraised. Plan for that increase and expect your mortgage escrow payment to rise. Taxes at closing are prorated through the closing date.

Often yes. Texas lets a buyer who acquires a home after January 1 receive the homestead exemption for the part of the year they own it, as long as the previous owner did not have a homestead exemption on the property that year. Builders typically do not claim a homestead exemption, so apply with your appraisal district soon after you close and move in.

Yes, you can choose your own lender, and the Texas Department of Insurance says you may choose any title company you want. Builders often offer incentives, such as closing cost credits or rate buydowns, if you use their affiliated lender. Get a Loan Estimate from the builder's lender and at least one other lender, and compare the total cost side by side before deciding.

Many newer subdivisions in the region are. Developers commonly use MUDs to finance water, sewer and drainage infrastructure, and some cities use PIDs to fund improvements in new neighborhoods. Both add to your yearly costs beyond the county, city and school taxes. Ask the builder for the MUD and PID notices and current rates before you sign, and include them when comparing new homes with resale homes.

A spec or inventory home is one the builder started or finished without a specific buyer, so you can often close sooner and see what you are getting. A to-be-built home is constructed after you sign, which gives you more choices but a longer timeline and more risk of delays. TREC's forms reflect this difference, with separate new home contracts for completed and incomplete construction.

No. Texas Property Code Section 5.008 exempts the sale of a new home of one dwelling unit that has never been occupied. Other notices still apply, such as MUD, PID and mandatory HOA membership notices. Ask the builder for soil and engineering reports, the plat, the HOA documents, and any warranty and maintenance guides.

Before closing, you and the builder walk through the finished home to identify items that need correction, often called a punch list. Have your own inspector's final report in hand and compare it with the list. Get the builder's written commitment for any items that will be completed after closing, including the timeline, and keep copies of warranty and appliance documents.

A builder warranty is the builder's written promise to fix covered defects in workmanship, materials or structure for set periods, and its terms come from your contract. A home warranty, which Texas calls a residential service contract, is a separate product that covers repair or replacement of home systems and appliances. Companies selling residential service contracts are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

In a new subdivision, the developer, called the declarant, usually controls the HOA board during the development period. Texas Property Code Chapter 209 requires the association to transition some board seats to owner-elected members as lots are sold, with full owner control following later. Check the declaration for the development period and any special rules that apply while the builder is still selling homes.

Most Texas resale home purchases use the One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale) promulgated by the Texas Real Estate Commission. The current version, TREC No. 20-19, took effect July 1, 2026, replacing 20-18. TREC also publishes separate contracts for condominiums, new homes, farm and ranch property and unimproved land, plus addenda for financing, HOAs and other situations. Texas license holders generally must use TREC's promulgated forms when one applies.

The 20-19 contract, effective July 1, 2026, adds a Seller's Disclosure About Groundwater and Surface Water Rights, which the buyer can use to terminate within 7 days after receiving it if it was not provided before signing. It refers to the parties' brokers as "Seller's broker" and "Buyer's broker," and it states that brokerage compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable, with each party paying its own broker under separate written agreements. It also requires the seller to hand over smart-device access at possession.

The option period is a negotiated number of days after the effective date during which the buyer has the unrestricted right to terminate the contract for any reason. In exchange, the buyer pays an option fee to the escrow agent within 3 days after the effective date. To terminate, the buyer must give notice by 5:00 p.m. local time on the last day. The seller keeps the option fee, and the buyer's earnest money is refunded.

Not under the standard TREC resale contract. The contract's Saturday, Sunday and legal holiday extension applies to delivering the earnest money, option fee and additional earnest money, not to the option period deadline itself. The option period ends at 5:00 p.m. local time on the date calculated from the effective date. Put the exact date and time on your calendar and confirm it with your agent.

The Third Party Financing Addendum, TREC No. 40-11, is attached when the buyer is using a loan from a lender. It describes the loan type, such as conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Texas Veterans Land Board or reverse mortgage, and it sets two approvals. Buyer Approval covers the buyer's income, assets and credit within a set number of days. Property Approval covers the lender's requirements for the home, such as appraisal and insurability.

Buyer Approval means the loan terms are available and the lender has determined the buyer meets its requirements for assets, income and credit history. If the contract is subject to Buyer Approval and the buyer cannot obtain it, the buyer may terminate within the number of days stated by giving the seller a termination notice and a copy of the lender's written statement of reasons. After that period passes, the contract is no longer subject to Buyer Approval.

Under the Third Party Financing Addendum, if the lender determines the property does not meet its requirements, including because of the appraisal, the buyer may terminate by the 3rd day before closing by giving notice and a copy of the lender's written statement. The parties can change that with TREC's Addendum Concerning Right to Terminate Due to Lender's Appraisal. For FHA and VA loans, a separate required provision in the financing addendum applies.

An appraisal gap clause is an agreement that the buyer will cover some or all of the difference if the lender's appraisal comes in below the price. In Texas it is usually done with TREC's Addendum Concerning Right to Terminate Due to Lender's Appraisal. The buyer can fully waive the right to terminate over a low appraisal, partially waive it if the appraisal is at or above a stated amount, or keep an added right to terminate below a stated amount. It cannot be used with FHA or VA loans.

The Seller's Disclosure Notice is the seller's written statement about the home's condition required by Texas Property Code Section 5.008 for most residential sales. The TREC contract records whether you received it before signing. If not, the seller must deliver it within the days stated. If you never receive it, you may terminate any time before closing, and if it arrives after signing, you may terminate for any reason within 7 days after receipt or before closing, with your earnest money refunded.

The IABS is a TREC notice that explains the ways a real estate broker can work with you, such as representing the seller, representing the buyer, or acting as an intermediary, and the duties owed in each. Texas license holders must provide it at the first substantive communication about a specific property, with limited exceptions. The current version, IABS 1-2, has been required since January 1, 2026. It is a disclosure, not a contract.

An intermediary is a broker who, with the written consent of both buyer and seller, works with both parties in the same transaction. The broker may appoint different agents to advise each party. An intermediary must treat both parties fairly and may not disclose confidential information, such as that the seller will accept less than the list price or the buyer will pay more than the offer, unless authorized. The IABS form describes these duties.

The effective date is the date the contract becomes binding, filled in on the final page when the last party accepts the final terms. Many deadlines count from it, including delivery of earnest money and the option fee within 3 days and the length of the option period. Confirm the effective date as soon as the contract is signed so you can calendar every deadline.

A title commitment is the title company's report showing who owns the property, what liens and easements affect it, and what must happen before a policy is issued. Under the TREC contract, the seller must furnish it within 20 days after the title company receives the contract. The buyer can object in writing to certain defects within the time the contract sets, and the seller then has 15 days to cure. If uncured, the buyer may terminate or waive the objections.

A backup offer is a second contract that moves into first position only if the first contract terminates. TREC's Addendum for Back-Up Contract sets the terms, including the date the backup must move up or terminate. While in backup position, the buyer's deadlines, such as the option period, generally do not start until the backup contract becomes primary. Ask your agent to explain the exact timing before you sign.

A temporary residential lease covers either a buyer moving in before closing or a seller staying after closing. TREC publishes a Buyer's Temporary Residential Lease and a Seller's Temporary Residential Lease that set rent, deposits, length of stay and responsibilities. Without a written lease, the TREC contract says a tenancy at sufferance is created. Both parties should check with their insurance agents, since coverage may change.

The Non-Realty Items Addendum is a TREC form used to transfer personal property, such as a refrigerator, washer, dryer or furniture, as part of the sale. Items attached to the house generally convey under the contract automatically, but freestanding items need to be listed. Lenders sometimes have rules about personal property in a financed purchase, so check with your lender.

Use TREC's Amendment to Contract, signed by both buyer and seller. It is commonly used to agree on repairs or a price reduction after inspections, extend the option period, change the closing date, or adjust seller contributions. Until both parties sign, the original terms stand, so do not assume a verbal agreement changes any deadline.

A buyer terminates by delivering written notice to the seller under the paragraph of the contract that gives the termination right, usually on TREC's Notice of Buyer's Termination of Contract form, within the deadline. The earnest money is then released based on signed releases from both parties, or through the contract's demand process if one party will not sign. Talk with your agent before sending any termination notice.

Under the TREC resale contract, neither party must pay for lender-required repairs, including wood-destroying insect treatment, unless they agree in writing. If the parties do not agree to pay for them, the contract terminates and the earnest money is refunded to the buyer. If those repairs and treatments cost more than 5% of the sales price, the buyer may terminate and receive the earnest money.

Only in limited ways. The TREC contract's special provisions paragraph is for informational items, such as filling in facts or instructions. TREC rules prohibit real estate agents from practicing law, so they cannot draft new legal terms or change the contract's provisions. If you need custom terms, a party or that party's attorney must draft them, and the contract advises consulting an attorney before signing.

Yes, for most homes built before 1978. Federal law requires the seller to disclose known lead-based paint and hazards and provide available records, and the TREC contract notes this requirement. Buyers of pre-1978 homes also receive a pamphlet and an opportunity to test for lead. If you are unsure of a home's year of construction, check the appraisal district record.

It is a TREC form, the Seller's Disclosure About Groundwater and Surface Water Rights, used with the resale contract effective July 1, 2026. Sellers disclose what they know about wells, ponds, water rights, groundwater districts and the property's water source. The seller may skip it only if all listed conditions apply, such as no known well or pond and water only from a city, MUD or water supply corporation. If delivered after signing, the buyer may terminate within 7 days.

A financed offer attaches the Third Party Financing Addendum, which gives the buyer termination rights tied to loan approval and the lender's property approval, including the appraisal. A cash offer has no financing addendum, so those termination rights do not exist, and an appraisal is optional. Cash buyers usually show proof of funds. Both still have the option period and other contract protections if they are included.

Sometimes. Certain loans, such as many FHA and VA loans, can be assumed with lender approval, and TREC publishes a Loan Assumption Addendum for these transactions. The buyer must qualify with the lender, and the process can take longer than a new loan. Sellers should understand whether they will be released from liability, especially for VA entitlement. Talk with the loan servicer early.

The Consumer Protection Notice explains that TREC regulates real estate brokers, sales agents, inspectors and others, and how to file a complaint or check a license. TREC requires license holders to make it available, including a link on their website homepage. You can also verify any Texas license holder through TREC's license holder search.

No. Texas does not have a personal income tax, and the Texas Constitution prohibits the Legislature from imposing one. In November 2025, voters also approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting a state tax on capital gains for individuals, families, estates and trusts. Federal income tax still applies. Texas relies more heavily on sales and property taxes to fund state and local government.

The Texas state sales and use tax rate is 6.25%, and cities, counties, special purpose districts and transit authorities can add up to 2% more, for a maximum combined rate of 8.25%. Local rates vary by location, so check the Comptroller's website for the combined rate at a specific address.

Texas has no state property tax, but local governments, including counties, cities, school districts and special districts, levy property taxes based on the appraisal district's appraised value minus exemptions. After you buy, file for your homestead exemption right away; the school district exemption is $140,000, with more for homeowners 65 or older or disabled. Budget for the full tax bill, since exemptions and caps from the previous owner do not carry over.

Dell Technologies has been headquartered in Round Rock since 1994. The Round Rock Chamber also lists headquarters for Emerson Automation Solutions and Toppan Photomasks, and health care employers including St. David's, Ascension Seton and Baylor Scott & White. Samsung is building a semiconductor manufacturing campus in nearby Taylor, and Apple's large campus is on Parmer Lane in north Austin, near the Williamson County line.

Samsung announced in November 2021 that it would build an advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility in Taylor, in Williamson County, with an estimated initial investment of $17 billion, which the company called its largest-ever U.S. investment at the time. The fab is designed to make advanced logic chips for uses such as mobile, 5G, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence. For current operating and hiring status, check Samsung's newsroom and the City of Taylor.

Interstate 35 is the main north-south route linking Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville and Austin. SH 130 is a tolled north-south route on the east side near Hutto, Pflugerville and Georgetown, and SH 45 connects east-west. In the northwest, US 183 and the 183A Toll serve Cedar Park and Leander, and MoPac (Loop 1) runs into central Austin. US 79 links Round Rock, Hutto and Taylor. TxDOT posts current construction and traffic information.

It is convenient but not required. Central Texas toll roads are run by TxDOT, including SH 130 and SH 45 North, and by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, which operates the 183A Toll, 290 Toll, MoPac Express Lane, 71 Toll Lane, 45SW Toll and 183 Toll. Tolls are collected electronically, and the Mobility Authority accepts TxTag, TollTag and EZ TAG. Drivers without a tag are billed by mail, so compare rates on each operator's site.

Yes. CapMetro's Red Line commuter rail runs from Leander through Cedar Park's Lakeline station and north and central Austin to downtown, with a park and ride at the Leander station. Service runs Monday through Saturday, and CapMetro posts current schedules and fares online. Transit options differ by city, since not every suburb is part of the CapMetro service area, so check CapMetro's page on service outside Austin.

Much of Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto is served by Oncor, which delivers the power, and you choose a retail electric provider for your plan and bill. The Public Utility Commission's Power to Choose website lets you compare plans. Some addresses near these cities are served by electric cooperatives instead, where you cannot choose a provider, so confirm by address before you move.

Georgetown Utility Systems, owned by the City of Georgetown, provides electricity in most of the city. Leander and Cedar Park are largely served by Pedernales Electric Cooperative. Most of Austin is served by Austin Energy, the city-owned utility. Customers of municipal utilities and cooperatives generally cannot choose a retail electric provider. Service territories do not follow city limits exactly, so confirm the provider for the specific address.

It depends on the address. Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Pflugerville, Leander, Cedar Park and Austin all run city water utilities, but many homes are served by MUDs, special utility districts or water supply corporations. For example, some Hutto subdivisions are served by Jonah Water Special Utility District or Manville Water Supply Corporation. The Public Utility Commission's water and sewer CCN viewer lets you look up the provider for an address.

The City of Round Rock provides water, wastewater, stormwater, and garbage and recycling service, and you start service by submitting a service request with the city's utility billing office. Electricity is delivered by Oncor in most of the city, so you also pick a retail electric provider. If the home is in a MUD, the MUD may provide water instead of the city. Start setup a week or two before closing.

Georgetown Utility Systems provides electric, water, wastewater, garbage and stormwater service at most locations within Georgetown city limits, and its water service area extends well beyond the city into parts of Williamson, Bell and Burnet counties. You can start service through the city's customer care office or online portal. Addresses outside the city may have different electric or water providers, so confirm by address.

Check the address, not just the city name. Several Central Texas cities cross county lines. For example, Austin extends into Travis, Williamson and Hays counties, and cities such as Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock and Pflugerville have areas in both Williamson and Travis counties. Your county determines your appraisal district, tax office and county services, so search the address on the appraisal district's property search to confirm.

New residents can drive on a valid out-of-state license for up to 90 days after moving to Texas. Texas DPS asks that you register your vehicles with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before applying for a Texas license. New residents have 30 days to register a vehicle, after getting proof of Texas minimum liability insurance and any required emissions inspection. Your Texas license address also matters for your homestead exemption application.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), in southeast Austin, is the region's commercial airport. Travel time from Williamson County depends on your route and traffic, and several routes, including I-35 and the SH 130 toll road, connect the area to the airport. Check the airport's website for current airlines, parking and ground transportation.

Round Rock is in Williamson County, with a small portion in Travis County, along I-35 north of Austin. It is home to Dell Technologies' world headquarters. The city provides water, wastewater and trash service, and Oncor delivers electricity in most areas, so residents choose a retail electric provider. Round Rock ISD serves much of the city, but some addresses are in other districts, so verify the school district by address.

Georgetown is the Williamson County seat, north of Round Rock along I-35. The city owns Georgetown Utility Systems, which provides electric, water, wastewater and garbage service in most of the city, so electric choice does not apply there. Georgetown ISD serves much of the city, with some areas in other districts. Newer neighborhoods may include MUDs or PIDs, so review notices and total tax rates.

Hutto is in eastern Williamson County near SH 130 and US 79, between Round Rock and Taylor. Electricity is delivered by Oncor, so residents choose a retail electric provider, and water may come from the City of Hutto, Jonah Water SUD or Manville WSC depending on the subdivision. Hutto ISD serves the area, with some addresses in neighboring districts. Taylor, home of Samsung's semiconductor campus, is a short drive east.

Pflugerville is northeast of Austin, mostly in Travis County, with SH 130 and SH 45 nearby for commutes. Oncor delivers electricity in much of the area, so residents typically choose a retail electric provider, and the city provides water service in its service area. Pflugerville ISD serves much of the city, but school district lines do not match city limits, so check a specific address.

Leander and Cedar Park are northwest of Austin in Williamson County, with parts in Travis County, along US 183 and the 183A Toll. Pedernales Electric Cooperative serves much of both cities, and each city runs its own water utility. Leander ISD serves most of Cedar Park and Leander, and some Cedar Park addresses are in Round Rock ISD. CapMetro's Red Line has stations in Leander and at Lakeline in Cedar Park.

Yes. Along with federal VA loans, the Texas Veterans Land Board offers home loan programs for eligible Texas veterans and military members, and the TREC Third Party Financing Addendum has a specific box for Texas Veterans Land Board loans. Disabled veterans may also qualify for property tax exemptions once they own a Texas homestead. Check eligibility requirements with the VLB and a participating lender.

Jorgenson Real Estate is a local Texas real estate brokerage headquartered at 306 N Lampasas St, Round Rock, TX 78664. Our agents help people buy and sell homes throughout Central Texas, including Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor, Austin and the surrounding area. You can reach us through the contact form on our website.

We serve Central Texas, including Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor and Austin, across Williamson, Travis, Hays, Bastrop and Bell counties. Our office is in Round Rock at 306 N Lampasas St. If you are buying or selling somewhere nearby that is not listed, reach out through our contact form and we will tell you whether we can help.

Yes. We list homes for sale and represent buyers. For sellers, that includes pricing guidance based on a market analysis, marketing, handling offers and managing the contract through closing. For buyers, that includes the written agreement Texas requires before showings, touring homes, writing and negotiating offers, and coordinating inspections, the lender and the title company.

Use the contact form on our website and tell us what you are planning, whether that is buying, selling or relocating, along with your timeline and the areas you are considering. An agent will follow up with you, and agents meet by appointment seven days a week. Walk-ins are welcome at our Round Rock office at 306 N Lampasas St, Round Rock, TX 78664, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Brokerage compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable. For buyers, Texas requires a written agreement before we show homes, and it states the compensation and how it is paid, which may include a contribution from the seller if negotiated. For sellers, the listing agreement sets the terms. We will explain every agreement before you sign so there are no surprises.

Yes. One of our agents can prepare a comparative market analysis using recent sales of similar homes, active competition and your home's condition, and recommend a list price and strategy. This is a pricing recommendation from a licensed real estate agent, not an appraisal. If a buyer uses financing, the buyer's lender will order its own appraisal. Market analyses are free; request one through our contact form.

Yes. We can represent you when you buy a newly built home, including comparing builders and communities, reviewing builder contracts and incentives with you, flagging MUD, PID and HOA costs, and coordinating independent inspections. Because many builders have agent registration policies, contact us before your first visit to a model home.

Yes. We help out-of-state and in-state buyers learn the area's cities, commute corridors, utility providers and property tax structure, including MUDs and PIDs. We can tour homes by video, coordinate inspections, and keep your contract deadlines on track until you close. Tell us about your move through our contact form.

Texas requires every brokerage to link to the Information About Brokerage Services form and the TREC Consumer Protection Notice from its website homepage. You can find both links on our homepage, and our agents will provide the IABS at the first substantive conversation about a specific property. You can also verify any agent's license on TREC's website.

Search the agent's name on the Texas Real Estate Commission's license holder search. It shows license status, license type and the sponsoring broker. Every Texas real estate sales agent must be licensed by TREC and sponsored by a licensed broker, and you can use the same search to check a home inspector's license.

Yes. We follow the federal Fair Housing Act and the Texas Fair Housing Act, which prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability and familial status. We do not steer clients toward or away from neighborhoods. When you ask about schools, crime or community makeup, we point you to official sources so you can make your own decisions.

Check your existing agreement first. Buyer and listing agreements set terms and end dates, and some are exclusive, which could mean owing compensation to more than one broker. Read the agreement, talk with your current broker about ending it if that is your goal, and then contact us. We will not interfere with an existing exclusive agreement.

No, we don't manage rentals ourselves, but we can recommend trusted property managers in your area. If you're deciding whether to rent out a home or sell it, one of our agents can walk you through the numbers from the selling side and connect you with a property manager for the rental side.

Yes. JRE Commercial, our commercial division, helps business owners and investors buy, sell and lease commercial property across Central Texas, including retail, office, industrial and land. Tell us about your project through our contact form and a commercial advisor will follow up.