Jerry Walker - Realtor

05/25/2026

04/28/2026

Timely advice from my roofer:

1. Once the storm is past, visually inspect your roof. Telltale things to look for are darker or lighter spots. This tells if a shingle is missing. Shingles in your yard could be from other roofs.
2. Don't call your insurance company until your roof is inspected. One phone call to the insurance company counts as a claim. Wait to have it inspected first.
3. Don't do business with people who come to your door. If you need a name or two of reputable companies let me know.
4. Breathe! You have 6 months to file a claim.

My truck won't fit into the garage, Jen and I did our best at covering it up.

Stay safe!

04/21/2026

Attending the 2026 Richardson Leadership Workshop.

04/17/2026

Property Tax Tip #7

Congratulations! You have successfully appealed your appraised value, the appraisal district lowered the value, and now your property taxes are going to be lower!

But, did you know that in the fall taxing entities (school districts, cities, community college districts, etc.) begin holding hearings and meetings to discuss their tax rate for the next year? These meetings are as equally important as appealing your value.

Meeting dates and times will be posted on your county appraisal district website. Make sure to watch for these!

Reach out if I can answer any questions!

04/17/2026

Property Tax Tip #6
Notice of appeal has to be submitted to the county appraisal district by May 15th. Your window of gathering information, compiling, getting estimates is short, hence the need to act now!

Reach out if I can answer any questions!

04/17/2026

Property Tax Tip #6

You may have heard radio advertisements from companies who will fight your property tax appraisal for you - at a charge of about 30%. Last year I appealed our property tax and was able to lower the value about $40,000, which amounted to about a $900 savings in property taxes. That savings was totally worth the 3-4 hours I spent gathering the information and subsequent meeting with the appeal board.

Whether you do it yourself or hire a company, I highly encourage reviewing appraisal values and protesting.

04/17/2026

Property Tax Tip #5

Appraisal districts make their judgment by driving down the street; they are not entering the house nor seeing what issues there may be in the house. For example, maybe your foundation has settled and now there are cracks in the ceilings or doors that won't close. Take pictures that show these issues, get estimates that document the cost to repair these issues. This information demonstrates to the county that your house is not worth as much as they say.

04/17/2026

Property Tax Tip #4

Access your county appraisal district and look at homes that are similar to yours; square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, condition, swimming pool, same neighborhood, etc. With this information you can figure out how your house compares to those around you. With this information you can determine whether or not to appeal your valuation.

I can provide assistance with gathering this information if needed.

04/17/2026

Property Tax Tip #3

Contact your county appraisal district now and ask them to give you the list of homes they used as comparables. This information will help you determine whether are not the valuation they came up with is based on houses that are similar to yours. When looking at comparable houses we want to use homes in your neighborhood, similar square footage, age, bathrooms, swimming pool, etc.

04/17/2026

Property Tax Tip #2

Valuations assessed by the appraisal district are based on January 1st. Why is this important? What if, as of January 1st, your home had a damaged roof or foundation issues which have since been repaired? Use pictures of the damage and estimates as documentation proving that the house should have a lower valuation.