When people are purchasing a home, the majority of buyers are concerned about home prices and mortgage rates. There is however another significant factor that people tend to overlook: local government policies. It’s worth mentioning that policies such as the Texas homestead exemption, property tax exemptions, tax relief programs, and zoning regulations significantly influence the overall cost of homeownership.
From tax rates to land use rules, local measures can make owning a home more affordable or more costly. Be ready to choose the right home purchase thus making an effective buying decision.
So here are four of the local homeownership policies in Texas:
1. Property Taxes and Local Rates
Property taxes are one of the most common ways local governments fund essential services. These taxes are set by the city, county, or township government, and the proceeds from these taxes fund vital services like schools, emergency services, and neighborhood infrastructure.
Two homes with the same price tag can have very different annual tax bills depending on their location.
Some areas in Texas, such as San Antonio, Austin, and Harris County, offer tax breaks or exemptions for homeowners, while others, like Dallas County and Travis County, tend to have higher property tax rates. So you should also pay attention to your local taxes when you’re looking for a home.
Keep in mind that local tax rates are periodically reviewed and adjusted.
2. Zoning Laws and Housing Supply
Zoning regulations themselves do not directly influence the cost of homeownership, but they do control what you can build, how dense an area must be, and even the size of a home.
Zoning regulations also limit the development of affordable housing such as townhouses or duplexes, which may result in a housing shortage and drive home prices within that area higher.
In Texas, areas with overly restrictive zoning laws, such as Austin, have created a housing shortage that has driven up prices and made it harder for buyers to find affordable homes. In other areas, such as Dallas, zoning laws are less restrictive, so Dallas has a large supply of affordable homes.
3. Homeowners Tax Breaks and Tax Deductions
A homeowner tax break is a local government policy that can reduce the homeowner of the tax burden. Through the program, homeowners are permitted to exempt a portion of the home’s value from taxable value.
For example, homeowners in Texas who qualify can deduct up to $40,000 from the taxable value of their home. The tax break is intended for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. While tax breaks do not lower the market value of a home, they do significantly reduce the annual tax bill, making homeownership more affordable for many people.
While not all areas of Texas offer these tax breaks, each area has its own rules. So it’s important for prospective homeowners to find out if their area offers tax breaks.
4. Local Infrastructure and Community Growth
You need to know if your local government is investing in infrastructure such as roads, public transportation, and utilities, as this will ultimately affect the cost of homeownership.
Good neighborhood infrastructure can increase property values and make it more comfortable to live in the neighborhood, but even if your property value increases, you will be charged higher taxes as well.
A well-developed neighborhood community tends to attract more buyers, thus increasing property prices. On the other hand, neighborhoods with poor infrastructure usually have lower house prices and face many other challenges, such as long distances from workplaces, unstable internet connections, and deteriorating neighborhood infrastructure.
It is important to remember that a strong community environment not only increases property values but also the quality of life for its residents.
Final Thoughts
Local government policy tends to be overlooked, since people are more concerned with loan rates for their home or overall housing trends. Most people are unaware that local government policies can significantly impact the value of their property and the costs they incur.
From tax rates to zoning regulations, the future value of your property is also affected by local infrastructure projects and government policies, which determine whether your property’s value will appreciate or decline, affecting the homeowner financially. The more you understand local policies, the better you will be able to protect your investment.