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Your go‑to DFW listing strategist & negotiation nerd
Why are property taxes trending (again)?
Yesterday the Texas Senate fast‑tracked Senate Bill 9, slashing the annual revenue growth cap for cities and counties from 3.5 % to 2.5 % for jurisdictions larger than 75 k residents. Lawmakers say it’s a “gut check” for soaring tax bills; critics warn it could squeeze local budgets. (The Texas Tribune)
What the new cap really means for a $500 k Dallas‑area home
- Current Dallas County voter‑approval rate: $0.222188 per $100 of value.
- Annual county portion today: ≈ $1,111.
- If the cap holds: local leaders must ask voters before collecting more than a 2.5 % bump—about $28 on that same home next year. (Axios)
In plain English? Bigger hikes get put to a ballot, giving you the final say.
Coming in November: record‑setting relief (or is it?)
Two ballot measures signed by Governor Abbott promise $51 billion in cuts via:
- Homestead exemption boost from $100 k ➜ $140 k.
- Extra senior/disabled exemption up to $160 k.
- Small‑business personal‑property exemption jump to $125 k. (Kiplinger)
Average projected savings: $938.72/year for homeowners 65+, and “almost 50 %” off school taxes for everyone else. But local officials warn they may raise their own rates to backfill lost dollars—so stay alert. (Kiplinger)
Action plan: stay two steps ahead of the taxman
| Move | Why it matters | How to do it fast |
|---|---|---|
| File your homestead (or senior / disabled) exemption | Locks in the higher shelter amounts above | Grab the form at the Texas Comptroller’s portal. |
| Protest your 2025 valuation | Most DFW appraisals rose 6‑10 % this year | Use my free DFW Property Tax Protest Guide. |
| Audit your escrow | Many lenders won’t adjust automatically for new caps | Call your servicer; ask for a mid‑year escrow analysis. |
| Leverage today’s lower mortgage rates | 30‑year fixed now averages 6.66 %, the lowest in nine months | Compare quotes; I’ve vetted three local lenders who honor rate‑match guarantees. (Bankrate) |
| Strategize before you list or buy | Tax liabilities change net proceeds & monthly cash flow | Let’s crunch numbers in a 15‑min strategy session. |
Bigger picture: how taxes + rates + inventory collide in 2025
- Inventory across DFW is up 19 % Y/Y, easing bidding wars.
- Mortgage rates dipped 10 bp this week and analysts expect a gentle glide lower by Q4.
- If November’s relief passes and the Senate cap becomes law, monthly payments for many buyers could shrink on both the PITI and tax lines—fueling fresh demand heading into the spring market.
Translation? Sellers should prep early (that staging consult is free, y’all), and buyers may finally regain some leverage—so long as they lock loans strategically.
Ready to turn legislative chaos into personal savings?
- 🔎 Search every active DFW listing
- 📦 Request my complimentary DFW Newcomer Kit
- 🤝 Book your free pricing & tax‑impact consult
I’ll bring the market data, negotiation muscle, and a little Brazos‑River grit—so you can keep more of your hard‑earned equity.
Because around here, we don’t just watch trends—we ride them straight to the closing table. 🏡✨
