Today is The Last Day to Protest Your Property Tax Appraisal

Remember how Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins told everyone to protest their property tax appraisal? Basically, Jenkins said that because Governor Greg Abbott wasn’t working to freeze appraisals due to the economic havoc that COVID-19 has wrought, everyone needs to protest their property tax appraisal to ease the sting.

Well, if you were going to do that, today is the last day.

If you’re unacquainted with the Dallas County Appraisal District website, the easiest way to protest your taxes is by clicking on “Search Appraisals” on the DCAD home page menu, and then searching for your properties by address or under the owner’s name. On the property page, there’s a link for “uFile Online Protest.”

Of course, to protest your property tax appraisal, you’ll need documentation and evidence for your reduced appraised value. Property sales amount, comparable sales in your area, estimates for repairs, photographs, and an independent appraisal if you have one. Read the rules for yourself here.

However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, DCAD will not be offering in-person informal hearings at this time. There’s no word on when they’ll reopen or if the district will just mail appraisal settlements instead.

Champions School of Real Estate Hosts Virtual Career Fairs June 18-20

Just breaking into the real estate industry? Ready to learn more about brokerages and who offers what? Then you shouldn’t miss the Champions School of Real Estate virtual career fairs June 18-20

Learn about how to be well on your way to success from different brokerages in the Austin, Dallas / Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston regions during these online events. You can field questions to brokers and even talk to Champions School of Real Estate career counselors.

Find out more information about the virtual career fair closest to you, as well as some great questions to ask potential brokers, on the Champions School of Real Estate website.

30 Percent Missed Housing Payments in June, Service Workers Owe $1.7B in Payments Each Month

Throughout the course of May, the COVID-19 pandemic’s grip on the economy began to loosen. Social distancing restrictions have started to ease across the country and some of those who faced layoffs were able to get back to work in recent weeks. However, despite these positive signals, the degree to which Americans are struggling to make their housing payments has yet to show any notable improvement.

After surveying over 4,000 Americans, Apartment List’s latest report found that 30 percent of respondents failed to make their full June housing payments on time, nearly unchanged from the 31 percent rate in May. 

As the struggles with housing payments continue, 37 percent of renters say they are at least somewhat concerned about facing eviction in the next six months, while 26 percent of homeowners are concerned about foreclosure.

Additionally, more than $1.7 billion in rent and mortgage payments is owed each month by U.S. service-sector workers currently receiving unemployment benefits as a result of the coronavirus pandemic — payments that could be in jeopardy if expanded local and federal unemployment assistance fades or workers remain without incomes longer than expected.

Service-sector workers (including the food, arts, entertainment, recreation and retail industries) are perhaps feeling the greatest financial impact from COVID-19 as many shops and restaurants reduced operations or shut their doors completely. An estimated $1.7 billion in rent and mortgage payments is owed each month by service-sector workers who received unemployment benefits in April as a result of COVID-19, according to a new Zillow® analysis. 

About 70 percent of that total ($1.2 billion) is from renters, illustrating the unprecedented scale of what is at risk in the rental market. Zillow estimates service-sector workers comprise a little more than a third of those who have lost their jobs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 

“As we’re watching resilient buyers return to the for-sale market and more renters able to pay on time in May than in April, it’s important to remember that much of the confidence that led to that improvement rests on massive government aid,” said Zillow Senior Principal Economist Skylar Olsen. “By supporting the more than 40 million Americans who have filed for unemployment benefits, that package is not only easing financial hardships but also safeguarding the housing market from widespread evictions and foreclosures that could have devastating effects. That safety net has an end date, so if employment does not bounce back as hoped this summer the housing recovery could be impeded, especially for renters who aren’t insulated by the equity owners hold in their homes.”