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Estate Appraisals 101: What You Need to Know When Inheriting a Home in Montgomery County, TX

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When someone passes away and leaves behind a home, emotions run high—and paperwork tends to pile up just as fast. Whether you're keeping the house, selling it, or dealing with multiple heirs (who may or may not be getting along), one thing's almost always required: an estate appraisal . So let’s break it down in plain English: what is an estate appraisal , when do you need one, and why is it so important here in Montgomery County? 📅 What Is a Date-of-Death Appraisal? An estate appraisal—often called a “date-of-death appraisal”—is a professional valuation of a property as of the day the owner passed away. This is the value used for: Probate court IRS reporting (if needed) Inheritance planning Trusts and estate settlements And no, it’s not the same as the market value today. Even if you're getting the appraisal six months later, the value needs to reflect what the home was worth on the exact date your loved one passed. 🧾 Why You Can’t Just Use Tax Rec...

Neighborhood Spotlight: Is Woodforest Still Worth the Hype?

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If you’ve lived in Montgomery County for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard someone gush about Woodforest . It’s the kind of master-planned community that makes realtors light up like a freshly staged listing—walking trails, golf courses, splash pads, and those dreamy custom homes. But here’s the big question: Is Woodforest still a good investment in 2025—or are buyers just paying for the branding? As someone who appraises homes all over this area, I’ve seen the good, the great, and the “wait, this place is HOW much?” Let’s break it down. 🌳 What Makes Woodforest So Popular? There’s a reason this place keeps showing up in top 50 master-planned communities lists. You’ve got: Family-friendly vibes with parks, playgrounds, and events that scream “Pinterest-worthy parenting.” Golfers’ paradise thanks to Woodforest Golf Club—one of the nicest in Montgomery County. Top-tier builders like Perry, Highland, and Westin Homes. Zoned to Montgomery ISD (and a few p...

Lower Your Property Taxes in Montgomery County – Download This Free DIY Guide Now

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Property taxes in Montgomery County got you sweating? You're not alone. Every year, thousands of homeowners overpay because they didn’t know how to protest—or didn’t realize they could. But here's the good news: You don’t need to hire a tax agent or legal team to fight your county’s assessment. You just need the right tools... and I've got one for you. Free DIY Property Tax Protest Guide – Now Available As a state-certified residential appraiser here in Montgomery County, I’ve helped countless homeowners save money by challenging inaccurate property tax valuations. That’s why I created a 70-page downloadable guide to walk you through the entire protest process—step-by-step. Whether you live in Conroe, The Woodlands, Montgomery, Magnolia, or Willis , this guide is built for you . No fluff. Just real strategies, clear checklists, and insider tips you can put to work immediately. 📌 Claim your free copy through our Google Business Profile offer here: 👉 https://posts.g...

5 Signs a Home is Overpriced (And How to Spot It Before It’s Too Late)

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If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the real estate world, you’ve probably seen it: A nice-looking house hits the market... sits there... price gets slashed... then slashed again... and eventually sells for less than it probably would have if it had just been priced right in the first place . It happens all the time here in Montgomery County , The Woodlands , Conroe , and everywhere in between. Overpricing a home can cost sellers time, money, and leverage —and trust me, none of those are things you want to lose. So how do you spot an overpriced home before the market does it for you? Here are five big red flags you should watch out for: 1. Long Days on Market (DOM) If a property’s been sitting for 30, 60, 90 days or more , that’s usually a sign buyers have taken a hard pass at the asking price. Pro tip: In a healthy market, homes priced right should go under contract fairly quickly—especially if they're clean and in good locations. If it’s been on the market since y...

💸 Property Tax Season is Here — And So Are Overinflated Home Values

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It’s that time of year again in Texas — the weather’s heating up and so are those property tax statements. If you opened your mail and nearly spit out your coffee after seeing your new assessed value, trust me... you’re not alone. Counties all across Montgomery County — from Conroe to The Woodlands — are bumping up home values like it’s a game of Monopoly. Only problem? You’re not collecting $200. You’re handing it over. Here’s the thing most homeowners don’t realize: you can protest your property taxes. And better yet? You don’t need a lawyer, a tax agent, or a PhD in spreadsheets to do it. So, Can You Really Protest Your Property Taxes Yourself? Yes. And it’s not as complicated as they want you to think. The county hopes you’ll just grumble and pay it. But if you take just a little time to gather your facts and show up with a strong case, you’ve got a real shot at lowering your tax bill — this year and every year after. I’ve seen homeowners in Conroe and Montgomery slash thou...

Appraisals for Divorce: What You Need to Know When Splitting Property in Texas

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Let’s face it—divorce isn’t easy. It’s emotional, it’s messy, and when real estate is involved, it can get downright complicated. One of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of the process is figuring out what the house is actually worth. Because let’s be real— you can’t divide a home down the middle like a pizza , so someone’s either keeping it, buying the other person out, or it’s hitting the market. That’s where an appraisal comes in. Whether you’re in Conroe, The Woodlands, Montgomery, or anywhere in between, a professional home appraisal during a divorce can save you a ton of time, money, and stress. Here’s what you need to know. Why You Need a Divorce Appraisal A divorce appraisal provides an unbiased, third-party opinion of your home’s current fair market value. It's not based on your emotions, what your neighbor's cousin sold their house for, or what Zillow spit out last week. Courts, attorneys, and mediators rely on a professional appraisal to ensure...

Appraisal Myths Busted: What Agents, Buyers, and Sellers Always Get Wrong

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You know what I love? When someone tells me how the appraisal “should” come out before I even step out of my car. Happens all the time — and trust me, I get it. There’s a lot of folklore out there about how appraisals work. So today, we’re busting some of the biggest myths floating around Montgomery County, Conroe, The Woodlands, and beyond. 🏚 Myth #1 — The Appraiser Uses the Tax Value Nope. Not even close. Your tax-assessed value is about as helpful to me as using a weather app from last week to plan today’s picnic. Appraisers use recent market data , comparable sales , and actual market trends , not whatever the county says your house is worth. Taxes are their own thing. Appraisals? Whole different beast. 💵 Myth #2 — The Appraisal Always Comes in at Contract Price I wish it worked like that — it would make my life easier. But nope, I don’t get a little pop-up that says, “Adjust until you hit contract price.” My job is to determine market value , not to “make the deal work....