Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate
Realtor & Vice President of Sales of Bryan College Station Real Estate
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Archive for May, 2011
How You Can Protest Property Taxes in Brazos County
May 27th, 2011 Categories: Mortgage Help, Real Estate
Tax assessors in Brazos County are the ones that determine your property taxes by appraising the market value of your property in Bryan and College Station. Should there be any doubt, talk to your appraisal district staff with regard to your property’s value and items which don’t understand. Contention can be made if you think the appraised value placed on your property is too high.
Here are a few suggestions that can be of great help in achieving a successful appeal.
(1) Be punctual and prepared for the hearing.
Before attending your scheduled hearing, check the property information on your tax bill, specifically, the address, lot size, and number of rooms. Take notice of the appraised value of the property. Have with you every information that you might use in your protest.
(2) Adhere to the facts and avoid emotional pleas.
The ARB doesn’t have a control over the operations or budget of the appraisal district, its tax rates, or local politics, so it is not advisable to address such topics during the presentation for it will just waste your time and will not likely help your case. Read the rest of this entry »
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Possible Remedies on Brazos County Property Taxes
May 27th, 2011 Categories: Mortgage Help, Real Estate
Property taxes are determined by a percentage of your property value. Majority of people pay their Brazos County property taxes annually without having a second thought as to how the amount due was decided. And most people pay it through their mortgage company in their monthly mortgage payments. Your property value is decided through the local tax assessor’s office so GET INVOLVED!
When you find yourself dissatisfied with the appraised value assigned to your property, you can make an appeal to your appraisal district regarding the remedies available to you. It is the task of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to publish an explanation of the remedies available to taxpayers and procedures that must be followed in seeking remedial action. The Comptroller should also include guidance on preparing and presenting a protest.
Futhermore, the legislature furnishes copies of this document and are made readily available to taxpayers free of charge. The chief appraiser of an appraisal district may give a copy of the Notice of Appraised Value mailed to property owners explaining the time and procedures used in protesting the value of their property. The chief appraiser must provide another copy to property owners that initiate protests.
In the event that the appraisal district appraises your property at a higher amount in comparison to the prior year, state law requires the appraisal district to send a notice by May 1, or by April 1 if your property is a residential homestead. The notice of protest is said to be sufficient if this identifies (1) the protesting individual claiming an ownership interest in the property, (2) the property that is the subject of the protest, and (3) dissatisfaction with the decision of the appraisal district.
The value of your property could be protested in accordance with the following: Read the rest of this entry »
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Space Center – Houston
May 17th, 2011 Categories: Living Here
Space Center Houston is a great place for people of all ages! The Space Center is a great place to take kids for an educational and exciting day trip. NASA’s Johnson Space Center (the official visitors center) has been open since 1992 and there they have welcomed over 11 million people into their 180,000 square-foot facility. The excitement of the summer programs are something that need to be experienced first-hand but I can tell you a little bit about what is going to be offered.
For 2011 summer the exhibit will be based on extreme sports! This is expected to be a onetime experience, so don’t miss it! From what Jack Moore (spokesman) says, the kids will be able to experience the life of a real athlete and “get their feet off the ground” by performing extreme stunts! The kids will be plunged into and experience first-hand and interactive, virtual and digital world.
There are many awesome things to learn and experience at the Space Center Houston. Find some time to bring your children this summer! They will have a great time and learn so much!
Susan Hilton
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Importance of Keeping Your Ladders Away From Power Lines
May 17th, 2011 Categories: Uncategorized
When you are do things such as repairing your roof, trimming trees, cleaning your gutters, painting, etc., the odds are you will probably be using a ladder. Ladders are great tool to use but there are some things you need to be cautious of when using them. Whenever you use a ladder it is important to not have contact with electric lines. Be aware of how close your ladder is to the electric lines around you and make sure to maintain a big distance between the two. Metal and wood ladders are commonly used but one thing many people do not think about is that they are conductors of electricity. This can lead to dangerous situations if these types of ladders have contact with wires. Using a ladder made from materials that do not conduct electricity, such as fiberglass, is a great idea!
If you are in a situation where there is only a metal or wooden ladder available there are some things to do to help keep you safe:
- Be aware of the lines above you so your ladder does not make contact with one.
- When you set up your ladder make sure there is a distance twice the length of the ladder between the power line and ladder.
- Always set up your ladder on solid ground.
- Be sure your ladder has been cleaned and dried. If there is moisture on the ladder it will help increase conductivity of electricity through your ladder.
- Try to keep balanced. It is important to understand balance can be thrown off by overreaching or even by the wind.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where your ladder does fall into a power line do not move it. It is important to call an electric company to assist you.
Susan Hilton
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Bryan College Station Tx Real Estate Market Update Jan – April 2011
May 13th, 2011 Categories: Market Trends
Have you noticed the headlines in the media seem to be different every day? 
- Foreclosures Are Down
- Foreclosures Are Up
- Prices are Falling
- Prices Are Holding
- and on and on
Since Bryan College Station, Tx is in a “bubble” with Texas A&M University, hospitals and businesses, below is what is REALLY going on here.
Inventory of available properties a buyer can choose from continues to rise:
- January up 14% over 2010
- February up 9% over 2010
- March up 9% over 2010
- April up 15% over 2010
Number of actual properties being sold:
- January up 6% over 2010
- February down 6% from 2010
- March down 8% from 2010
- April down 20% from 2010
The number of properties sold has been less than 2010, but better than Read the rest of this entry »
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