Buying or selling in Montgomery County? Let's build a strategy that makes sense.

A Municipal Utility District funds water, sewer, and drainage in areas outside city utility service. It shows up as an extra line inside your property tax rate, often adding roughly 0.3 to 1.0 percent. It is normal here and it typically declines over time as the district pays down its bonds. What matters is knowing the combined rate before you write an offer.

There is no state income tax, so schools, county, city, and special districts are funded through property tax. Combined rates in Montgomery County generally run about 1.7 to 3.0 percent of appraised value. Your homestead exemption and the appraisal cap lower the taxable amount once the home is your primary residence.

In Texas you can buy a short window, commonly 5 to 10 days, for a small option fee that gives you an unrestricted right to terminate. That is when inspections happen. It is your one clean exit, so we use it deliberately.

Earnest money is a good faith deposit held by the title company and credited to you at closing. The option fee is separate, usually a few hundred dollars, and it buys your termination right during the option period.

No. Texas closings run through a title company using state promulgated contract forms. An attorney is only needed for unusual situations such as estates, trusts, or complex title issues, and Melissa has one on her board of advisors when that comes up.

Usually more. Wind, hail, and flood exposure push Texas premiums above the national average, and lenders will require flood coverage in some areas. Budget for it early, and get a quote before the option period ends.