Northeast San Antonio Metrocom Edition | July 2023

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

GUIDE

For more home improvement tips visit communityimpact.com.

COMPILED BY SAMARA PENNY

2023 HOME EDITION

Bexar County home appraisals increase 14.8% Each year, appraisal values for San Antonio-area homes are assessed and often increase, leading homeowners to le protests. In 2023, the Bexar Appraisal District received 171,572 protests from owners—a decrease from the estimated 178,000 appeals led in 2022. BY JARRETT WHITENER Peter Snaddon, chief appraiser of the Guadalupe Appraisal District, said property is appraised at its “highest and best use,” and is dened as the most probable use that will yield the greatest net income to the land over a holding period. “Determining a parcel’s highest and best use is accomplished through the consideration of four standard tests which relate to the use that is physically possible, legally permissible, nancially

HOME IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

Appraisals at a glance Appraisal Districts measure the value of a

MAINTAINING YOUR HOME

The National Association of Home Builders oers routine home maintenance tips for homeowners looking to maintain their homes’ value and ensure their safety.

ASK A PEST CONTROL EXPERT

RISING APPRAISALS Appraisal values in Bexar County increased by 15.8% in 2023, resulting in 171,572 property owners ling protests, which with evidence could result in reduced appraisal values. Economic A local population’s ability to be nancially able to purchase the property Physical/environmental The proposed or existing use must t the size, shape and topography. Governmental State, regional and municipal codes that put restrictions on what can be developed property based on four categories or factors. Social The number and ages of people moving in and out of an area, including household makeup

Find other useful home ownership tips at www.nahb.org.

Owner Lamar Williams, a Jacksonville, Fla., native, opened Joonbug Termite and Pest Control three years ago. Williams uses techniques he brought from Florida. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS TO AVOID DOING TO GET RID OF PESTS? [The] No. 1 thing with any pest out there, throughout the winter because bugs don’t die o in cold weather. The heat doesn’t make infestation worse or better; it’s just more of a favorable environment for them. HOW OFTEN SHOULD A HOMEOWNER SEEK PEST CONTROL?

According to appraisal district ocials, the overall market value in Bexar County increased by 15.8%, with single-family residential values increasing by 14.8%. The preliminary value of an average home was $341,650, up from $308,460 in 2022. Despite the appraisal increase of 14.8%, the state government protects property owners by using the homestead cap, which prohibits an increase over 10% year over year. With this cap, property owners would only see a maximum increase in property value by 10%. Appraisal districts determine the value of appraised real estate by looking at the physical and environmental aspects of the property, as well as governing city codes, the ages and number of people moving into an area and household makeup. While these are the main concepts to reach an appraisal value, appraisal districts can only share the full breakdown of a property value when an appeal is submitted by the owner.

whether you’re a company or doing it yourself, is to make sure you properly identify the insect because certain types of roaches and ants, if you use sprays on them, you’ll make it worse. WHAT IS THE PEAK SEASON FOR PEST INFESTATIONS? It varies year to year depending on the weather. This year, we didn’t have a bad winter, so we started getting calls as early as February, slowing down around the holidays. We still get calls even

feasible and maximally productive,” he said. Property owners can appeal the value of their property if they were given the incorrect appraised value, or the value is unequal compared with other properties. To have the appeal approved, evidence must be submitted to prove the property does not align with the appraised value. Although the deadline to le a protest has passed for 2023, homeowners have other tools at their disposal to help make housing costs more aordable. Cities, including Universal City, and Live Oak, oer homestead exemptions for residents age 65 and older. These exemptions lock tax rates for approved individuals and protect them from increases. For more information, residents are encouraged to contact local municipalities or the entity oering the exemption.

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

We always recommend having a regular service every quarter, every three months. Baseboard sprays are a temporary x; they don’t really x the problems; they’re more of a Band-Aid. The way our service is set up is we do an initial treatment on the inside and the outside, then every three months we come back and redo the entire outside barrier, which is a seven- step process.

1 Roofs should be inspected by a qualied roofer every three years, and skylights should be inspected so leaks do not develop. 2 Ensure downspouts and gutters do not get clogged with leaves and other debris. 3 Inspect siding each year to see if it needs repainting, and trim shrubs away so they do not touch the siding. 4 Check for split or cracked caulking on windows and doors annually, and replace the caulk as necessary. 5 Moving parts of garage doors need to be oiled once every three months.

6 Air lters require regular replacement, generally once every three months. 7 Regularly check security alarms and circuit breakers . Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 8 Clean each faucet’s aerator every three to four months. Maintain garbage disposals by running cold water through them. 9 Masonry walls can develop a white powder that can be scrubbed o with water and a sti brush. 10 Hardwood oors without polyurethane need to be waxed with a liquid or paste “spirit” wax. Use emulsion wax on vinyl.

+14.8% +15.8% +20.9%

Bexar County market values

Lamar Williams Owner Joonbug Termite and Pest Control 9210 Granberry Pass,

CLEARWOOD PATH

Single-family property values

Multifamily property values

Universal City 210-241-7660 https://joonbugpest.com

SOURCES: BEXAR COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT, GUADALUPE COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

GRANBERRY PASS

SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

LIVE OAK 14623 IH-35 N (210) 651-1911

RECTOR 819 E Rector Dr (210) 340-2244

LEGACY 2003 N Loop 1604 E (210) 494-8600

STONE OAK 23026 US Hwy 281 N (210) 497-1322