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| Appraisal News | | Most Grimes County property owners will see modest increases in their 2013 tax valuations as the local real estate market begins to strengthen after experiencing several years of relatively flat sales prices.
"In comparing our overall levels of appraised values to sales prices, we found that we needed to make some fairly widespread changes, "The market is improving, but it's not booming. For example, most increases in residential properties will be five percent or less."
However, Sullivan emphasized that in 2013, as in any year, there will be geographic areas, categories of properties and individual properties whose values will change to a greater or lesser degree than properties in general.
The appraisal district reported that larger rural acreage tracts in the southern and middle part of the county comprised the strongest sector of the market as larger investors began to re-enter the market.
"Our proximity to growing economies in Bryan-College Station, Montgomery County and the greater Houston area continues to have a significant impact on the local real estate market," he added. "When those economies are doing well, it enables both local and out of county purchasers to buy property here whether it's for industrial, commercial, investment or recreation purposes. We also have a good quality of life here that motivates people to buy residential acreage properties and single family properties."
The Texas Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University recently reported an increase in the median statewide sales price for homes as the market continued to benefit from population and job growth.
Since tax year 2013 is designated as a complete reappraisal year, notices of appraised value are being mailed to all property owners. The appraisal district began mailing the first of some 47,000 notices around the first of May.
The deadline for filing a notice of protest on real property is June 5th. Property owners are encouraged to visit with a member of the appraisal district staff to see if their problems can be resolved on an informal basis before filing a notice of protest. Contact information for individual staff members may be obtained at www.grimescad.org
The appraisal district is projecting that total mineral values will be up due to additional discoveries in the Iola area. However, values for natural gas reserves on a countywide basis will be down due to reduced production. The deadline for filing a notice of protest on oil and gas is May 31st.
Valuations for industrial and utility properties have not yet been developed.
The appraisal district will complete the appraisal review process near the end of July and governing bodies of the taxing units will adopt tax rates in August and September.
The appraisal district is located at 360 Hill Street in Anderson, Texas. Office hours are 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday. The appraisal district may be reached by phone at (936) 873-2163.
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| Appraisal News | | The appraisal district's phone number is (936) 873-2163. Contact information for appraisers by area of responsibility is as follows:
(1) City of Navasota & South of Hwy 105 and West of FM 362: David Homeyer Ext. 228
(2) South of Hwy 105 and East of FM 362: Justin Mock Ext. 246
(3) North of Hwy 105 and South of Hwy 30: Barry Aikin Ext. 242
(4) North of Hwy 30: Shannon Sanders Ext. 241
(5) Commercial and Business Personal Property: Duwayne Sandel Ext. 245
(6) Oil and Gas: Pat Raum Ext. 225
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| Appraisal News | | Pursuant to Sec. 11.1825(r) of the Texas Property Tax Code, the Grimes County Appraisal District gives public notice of the capitalization rate to be used for the tax year 2013 to value properties receiving exemptions under this section. A basic capitalization rate of 9.00% will be used to value these properties, although adjustments may be made based on the individual property characteristics and the information provided to the chief appraiser as required under sections 11.182 (d) and (g) of the Property Tax Code.
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| Appraisal News | | Land must meet some minimum intensity of use requirements to be eligible for agricultural use appraisal. However, agricultural producers have recently experienced unprecedented drought conditions that have affected all aspects of agricultural production. In some cases, producers have been forced to cease agricultural production or substantially reduce levels of production.
State law basically provides that eligibility for agricultural appraisal does not end because the land ceases to be devoted principally to agricultural use to the degree of intensity accepted in the area if (1) a drought declared by the governor creates an agricultural necessity to extend the normal time the land remains out of agricultural production; and (2) the owner of the land intends that the use of the land in the manner and to the degree of intensity be resumed when the declared drought ceases.
The Governor renewed the official drought proclamation, which includes Grimes County, on December 28, 2012.
We are unable to predict when the drought will officially cease in our area. The appraisal district will be working with local producers and various agencies to determine when the degree of intensity requirements can be resumed at a future date.
The appraisal district recommends that producers maintain a record of the use of their property for future reference.
The appraisal district emphasizes that landowners who receive any type of notification regarding agricultural valuation should respond in a timely manner. Landowners who have specific questions may contact the appraiser who works their property at the phone number listed above.
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| Collections News | | The deadline for filing a notice of protest on real property is June 5, 2013. The dealine for filing a notice of protest on oil and gas properties is May 31, 2013. Filing deadlines for business personal property will be announced at a later date.
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| Collections News | | All 2012 taxes that remain delinquent as of June 30, 2013 will incur an additional charge of 20% for attorney fees.
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| Collections News | | The next delinquent tax sale is scheduled for May 7, 2013 at the Grimes County Courthouse in Anderson, Texas. For more information on tax sales visit our delinquent tax attorney's website at http://www.mvbalaw.com
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| Collections News | | Homeowners who are age 65 or older or disabled may defer or postpone paying property taxes on their home as long as they own and live in it.
A tax deferral, however, only postpones the tax liability. It does not cancel it. Past taxes, penalty and interest become due 181 days after the subject property no longer qualifies as a homestead.
To postpone your tax payments, you must file a tax deferral affidavit with the Grimes Central Appraisal District located at 360 Hill Street in Anderson, Texas. For further information you may contact the appraisal district at (936) 873-2163.
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| Collections News | | The appraisal district retains attorneys to foreclose tax liens on delinquent properties which will utimately result in the seizure and sale of those properties. Foreclosure proceedings can begin at any time or may have already been initiated. Taxpayers who are unable to pay the total amount due may make partial payments. Taxpayers may make on-line payments on this website.
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