Search 15,000 Homes Online…Using the Actual MLS

To search the MLS click on this link

Assisted MLS Search

It takes you DIRECTLY into the North Texas Real Estate Information System (our MLS).  It is a client view to the agents’ database and is the most current information available.  In addition, there is a helpful entry page at the bottom of the AssistedMLSSearch.com page that allows you to enter the MLS numbers you like.  They will be submitted to us and we will keep a running file on them.  We will also send you more detailed information about the homes you submit (the full agent report with pictures).  No more emails to many different agents…hoping for a response…and trying to track your preferences with sticky notes and random pieces of paper!

How To Use The Appraisal Districts

Each county has an appraisal district which attaches a tax appraisal value to each home.  You can go to the Appraisal District website and get information about a home – year built, history of past owners, size, and tax appraisal value.  You can also see what exemptions are currently on the property.  Keep in mind when using these sites that the appraisal districts get behind and ownership information may take up to 3 months to be updated.

We use this information to try and get a better feel about the history of the home.  Sometimes it can be very telling – for example if a home has been owend by one owner for 30 years and is now in an estate, or going back to see who the builder was, or even just to see how many people have owned the property in the past 10 years. 

One of the biggest questions I am asked as a real estate consultant is how accurate is the tax appraisal value and what is the difference  between it and the market value of the home.

The tax appraisal value can be a good indicator, but it is not a solid number to hang your decision on.  Your real estate consultant should run you a market analysis on any home you are considering putting in an offer on.  That is the best way to really tell value.  The tax appraisal is limited to only increase 10% per year, so sometimes you will see a difference in the appraisal site between tax assessed value and fair market value.  All this means is the tax value will continue to increase 10% per year until the two numbers are equal.  I have seen properties where the tax appraisal value was 10,000 or more over what the home is worth fair market value.  Unfortunately for these homeowners, they are paying more in taxes than they need to.  As a buyer, you do not want to accidentally believe that the inflated value is really what the home is worth.  On the other hand, I had one property that was appraised by an independent appraiser for $170,000.  It was being carried on the appraisal district’s values at $38,000.  That was an extreme example…but true. 

Click here to get to the Tarrant Appraisal District

Or click here to ge to the Dallas Appraisal District

How to Search for HUD Foreclosures

To search the Actual HUD Management site, click on this link

HUD Foreclosures

This takes you directly into the management site for all of the HUD foreclosures in Texas.  When you find a home you would like to see, just give us a call and we will arrange a time for you to see it.  If you would like to make a bid on a HUD home, give us a call and we will handle the process.  We are a certified HUD broker.  Note:  These homes are also listed in the MLS (except for the lottery rounds for disaster survivors, teachers next door, and policemen next door).  Usually you can tell a HUD listing in the MLS because it will say something about Southwest Alliance.com in the comments, or say HUD in the legal description, or say that the broker can receive up to a 5% commission, or sometimes they just give the bid deadline.  All of the comments will alert you to the fact that you are dealing with a HUD foreclosure.

To Use Realtor.com…Or Not

Many people got to Realtor.com to search for houses.  We do not recommend it as the most efficient means for searching for two reasons:  First it is not a live update – it is always behind on what is actually still available (and what is newly available).  Second, it is preferential to the homes that are marketed by Realtor.com members (yes we are an upgraded member ourselves). 

The following link  Assisted MLS Search takes you DIRECTLY into the North Texas Real Estate Information System (our MLS).  It is a client view to the agents’ database and is the most current information available.  In addition, there is a helpful entry page at the bottom of the AssistedMLSSearch.com page that allows you to enter the MLS numbers you like.  They will be submitted to us and we will keep a running file on them.  We will also send you more detailed information about the homes you submit (the full agent report with pictures).  No more emails to many different agents…hoping for a response…and trying to track your preferences with sticky notes and random pieces of paper!

But…for those of you who are still resisting change… here is the link: Realtor.com