Frosy Trapezountios

Common Taxes and Fees YouaEURTMll Pay in Houston TXProperty Taxes OngoingTexas has no state income tax so property taxes are the primary way local governments raise moneyIn Harris County where Houston is located the average property tax rate is about 20aEUR23 of your homeaEURTMs value per yearOn a 70000 home that would be roughly 1400aEUR1610 per year though this can vary based on exemptions such as a homestead exemptionTitle InsuranceIn Texas title insurance rates are set by the state so theyaEURTMre the same no matter which company you useOn a 70000 home expect around 500aEUR600 for the owneraEURTMs title policyRecording and Filing FeesCharged by Harris County to record your deed and related documentsTypically 100aEUR200Other Closing CostsThese may include loan origination fees if youaEURTMre financing appraisal fees and escrow feesClosing costs in Texas usually range between 2aEUR5 of the purchase priceOn a 70000 home thataEURTMs 1400aEUR3500 in total closing costs though much of this goes to services rather than taxes

No in Texas sellers are generally not responsible for major repairs like a broken HVAC system after closing Once you take possession the home is sold aEURoeas isaEUR The only exceptions are if the seller misrepresented the condition or failed to meet specific contract terms

No it is not considered rude to attend an open house just to browse Open houses are designed to attract potential buyers neighbors and even the casually curious Realtors often welcome anyone through the door because it increases exposure for the propertyWhy ItaEURTMs AcceptableMarketing tool Sellers and agents host open houses to get as many eyes on the property as possible Even if youaEURTMre just browsing you might know someone whoaEURTMs lookingLearning opportunity Many future buyers visit open houses before theyaEURTMre ready to purchase just to get a feel for layouts prices and neighborhoodsNetworking Realtors often meet future clients at open houses so your attendance is usually viewed positivelyEtiquette Tips When BrowsingBe honest If asked let the agent know youaEURTMre just looking or not yet ready to buyRespect the home DonaEURTMt touch personal items or open closed doors without permissionKeep it brief Take a quick tour ask questions if you have them and thank the agent on the way out

A private listing sometimes called a aEURoepocket listingaEUR means your home is marketed quietly without being placed on the Multiple Listing Service MLS Whether it hurts your sale depends on your goalsPotential Downsides of a Private ListingReduced exposure In HoustonaEURTMs competitive real estate market most buyers search the MLS and major listing sites Without that exposure fewer buyers may even know your home is for saleLower competition With fewer buyers you may miss out on bidding wars that drive up pricesLonger time on market Homes marketed privately often take longer to sell because of the limited reachWhen Private Listings Can WorkPrivacy concerns Some sellers prefer discretion especially with luxury homes or high profile clientsExclusive marketing If your agent has a strong network they may still find serious buyers without listing publiclyTesting the market A private listing can allow a seller to quietly gauge interest before going live on the MLSHouston Market RealityIn most cases especially at price points under 1M putting your home on the MLS gives you the widest exposure and best chance at top dollar In a hot market a private listing could mean leaving money on the tableA private listing can work in unique situations but for most Houston sellers it will limit visibility and reduce the pool of potential buyers aEUR which can hurt your sale price and timeline