I just closed on my house last month — do I need to do anything right now, or does it wait until January?
Answered
AKAsked by Alex Kent0
The answer depends on whether the home currently has a Homestead Exemption. If the property does NOT currently have a Homestead Exemption: file your own within the first 45 days of closing. The first step is updating your Texas Driver's License to your new address, since the appraisal district uses that to verify the home is your primary residence. You can update your address online through the Texas DPS website for $16, and you'll typically receive your new license in 7–10 days. If the property already has a Homestead Exemption: you generally receive the benefit of the seller's exemption for the remainder of the current tax year. Put a reminder on your calendar now to file your own Homestead Exemption in January 2027 (and no later than April 30, 2027) so your exemption continues without interruption. A couple of additional tips that I didn't include in the article: • If you purchased your home between January 1 and May 15, compare your purchase price to the appraisal district's market value. If the county values your home HIGHER than what you paid, consider filing a protest before the protest deadline, typically May 15th. Many new homeowners miss this opportunity because ownership records often aren't updated for several months, so they never receive the appraisal notice. • If you closed between August and November and your taxes are escrowed, set a reminder to check your property tax bill in November. Because county ownership records can lag behind, your mortgage servicer may not automatically receive the first tax bill. Sending them a copy yourself can help prevent a late payment. This is usually only something you need to watch during your first year of ownership. After that your servicing lender will get a copy of the bill. Congratulations on your new home!