04/22/2026
Repost: 🚩 REALTOR ALERT: The "Hidden" Tax Trap in Investor Flips
I normally don’t use my personal page for title-specific deep dives, but this is important enough that I needed to spread the word to my fellow agents and buyers.
If you are writing an offer on a property owned by an investor for over 12 months (e.g., they bought a primary residence in late 2024, held it through 2025, and are selling now in 2026), your buyer is likely walking into a tax spike.
The Problem:
Title companies are legally required to use certified tax bills for prorations. We can’t "guess" what the new bill will be; we have to use the real numbers currently available.
The Red Flag:
When those 2025 taxes (payable in 2026) finally come out, they will lose the previous owner's homestead exemption. The bill could nearly double, and your buyer will be stuck with the difference if it wasn't handled at the closing table.
The Solution:
Check ownership records closely.
Talk to your title rep before you write the purchase agreement.
Negotiate a seller credit to cover that inevitable tax increase.
We can’t predict the future, but we can definitely protect our buyers! ☕️
I’m happy to grab a coffee and explain the math behind this if you have questions. Let’s keep those buyers protected!
Aprill Rogers Shelburne