Braden Deckard

04/07/2025

🗂️Homestead Exemptions🗂️

In Montgomery County, Texas, as of 2025, you generally do not need to renew your homestead exemption annually once it has been granted, unless specific circumstances change or you receive a verification notice from the Montgomery Central Appraisal District (MCAD).

⭐️ However, a new Texas law enacted in 2023 requires county appraisal districts to verify homestead exemptions at least once every 5️⃣ years to ensure continued eligibility.

💭 This means that in 2025, some homeowners in Montgomery County might need to re-verify their exemption if they receive a notice from MCAD requesting updated information.
If you already have an active homestead exemption and your situation hasn’t changed (e.g., you still own and occupy the property as your primary residence), you typically won’t need to take action unless MCAD contacts you as part of this periodic review process. If you receive such a notice, you’ll need to respond promptly with the requested documentation—usually a copy of your Texas driver’s license or ID matching the property address—to avoid losing the exemption.

⭐️For new homeowners or those who haven’t yet applied, you must file an initial application using Form 50-114, available on the MCAD website, and submit it to the appraisal district. Once approved, the exemption remains in place without annual renewal, barring the five-year verification requirement or changes like selling the property or moving your primary residence.

📧 📱 To be certain about your specific case in 2025, check your exemption status on the MCAD website (mcad-tx.org) or contact their office directly at (936) 756-3354. Keep an eye on your mail for any verification notices, as failing to respond could result in the loss of your exemption and higher property taxes.

03/21/2024

Think about what you have been hearing on the news on the discussion of being a REALTOR® and commissions.
Read this post, pulled from Shanna McDaniel Medeiros -

So much misinformation I’ve been reading in the news. So much that is not fully understood. Feel free to ask questions to get my take on it. 
Here is what we bring to the table:
The "average" FULL TIME REALTOR’S® earnings last year was $31,900 @ 40+ hours a week. As a REALTOR® they do not get paid a hourly wage or salary and they only get paid if they sell a home and it closes. They can only get paid by broker to broker. As an agent you could work with someone days, weeks, months, or years with no guarantee of a sale ever!
Essentially they wake up each day unemployed going on Job Interviews and they deal with constant rejection. They dedicate time away from family, use our time, gas, pay for babysitters, miss dinner and weekends and rarely take vacations.
They are on 24/7! You constantly need to be on, or you could miss an opportunity. Once they do close a home, half goes to the other persons agent from the remaining half.
They have lots of upfront expenses that must be paid out BEFORE they even get paid:
Broker Splits and Fees
Office rent and utilities
MLS Fees
NAR Fees
Local Association Fees
E&O Business Insurance
Extended Auto Insurance
Self-Employment Tax
State Licensing Fees
Advertising Fees
Showing Service Fees
Website Fees
Assistant's Salaries
Showing partners
Transaction coordinator
Yard Signs
Photographers
Videographers
Office Supplies
Business Cards
Property Flyers
Electronic Lockboxes
Continued RE Education
Legal Fees
Gas
NOTE: Income taxes are not taken out so they have to put that aside around 25-30%.
Don’t forget health insurance if you don’t have a spouse who provides it.
As a listing agent they have lots of tasks far more than just selling a home.
1. Prepare Listing Presentation for Sellers
2. Research Sellers Property Tax Info
3. Research Comparable Sold Properties for Sellers
4. Determine Average Days on Market
5. Gather Info From Sellers About Their Home
6. Meet With Sellers at Their Home
7. Get To Know Their Home
8. Present Listing Presentation
9. Advise on Repairs and/or Upgrades
10. Provide Home Seller To-Do Checklist
11. Explain Current Market Conditions
12. Discuss Seller’s Goals
13. Share Your Value Proposition
14. Explain Benefits of Your Brokerage
15. Present Your Marketing Options
16. Explain Video Marketing Strategies
17. Demonstrate 3D Tour Marketing
18. Explain Buyer & Seller Agency Relationships
19. Describe the Buyer Pre-Screening Process
20. Create Internal File for Transaction
21. Get Listing Agreement & Disclosures Signed
22. Provide Sellers Disclosure Form to Sellers
23. Verify Interior Room Sizes
24. Obtain Current Mortgage Loan Info
25. Confirm Lot Size from County Tax Records
26. Investigate Any Unrecorded Property Easements
27. Establish Showing Instructions for Buyers
28. Agree on Showing Times with Sellers
29. Discuss Different Types of Buyer Financing
30. Explain Appraisal Process and Pitfalls
31. Verify Home Owners Association Fees
32. Obtain a Copy of HOA Bylaws
33. Gather Transferable Warranties
34. Determine Need for Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
35. Verify Security System Ownership
36. Discuss Video Recording Devices & Showings
37. Determine Property Inclusions & Exclusions
38. Agree on Repairs to Made Before Listing
39. Schedule Staging Consultation
40. Schedule House Cleaners
41. Install Electronic Lockbox & Yard Sign
42. Set-Up Photo/Video Shoot
43. Meet Photographer at Property
44. Prepare Home For Photographer
45. Schedule Drone & 3D Tour Shoot
46. Get Seller’s Approval of All Marketing Materials
47. Input Property Listing Into The MLS
48. Create Virtual Tour Page
49. Verify Listing Data on 3rd Party Websites
50. Have Listing Proofread
51. Create Property Flyer
52. Have Extra Keys Made for Lockbox
53. Set-Up Showing Services
54. Help Owners Coordinate Showings
55. Gather Feedback After Each Showing
56. Keep track of Showing Activity
57. Update MLS Listing as Needed
58. Schedule Weekly Update Calls with Seller
59. Prepare “Net Sheet” For All Offers
60. Present All Offers to Seller
61. Obtain Pre-Approval Letter from Buyer’s Agent
62. Examine & Verify Buyer’s Qualifications
63. Examine & Verify Buyer’s Lender
64. Negotiate All Offers
65. Once Under Contract, Send to Title Company
66. Check Buyer’s Agent Has Received Copies
67. Change Property Status in MLS
68. Deliver Copies of Contact/Addendum to Seller
69. Keep Track of Copies for Office File
70. Coordinate Inspections with Sellers
71. Explain Buyer’s Inspection Objections to Sellers
72. Determine Seller’s Inspection Resolution
73. Get All Repair Agreements in Writing
74. Refer Trustworthy Contractors to Sellers
75. Meet Appraiser at the Property
76. Negotiate Any Unsatisfactory Appraisals
77. Confirm Clear-to-Close
78. Coordinate Closing Times & Location
79. Verify Title Company Has All Docs
80. Remind Sellers to Transfer Utilities
81. Make Sure All Parties Are Notified of Closing Time
82. Resolve Any Title Issues Before Closing
83. Receive and Carefully Review Closing Docs
84. Review Closing Figures With Seller
85. Confirm Repairs Have Been Made
86. Resolve Any Last Minute Issues
87. Attend Seller’s Closing
88. Pick Up Sign & Lock Box
89. Change Status in MLS to “Sold” v- OR BE FINED by the MLS!!!
90. Close Out Seller’s File With Brokerage
As a buyers agent they also have many tasks.

1. Schedule Time To Meet Buyers
2. Prepare Buyers Guide & Presentation
3. Meet Buyers and Discuss Their Goals
4. Explain Buyer & Seller Agency Relationships
5. Discuss Different Types of Financing Options
6. Help Buyers Find a Mortgage Lender
7. Obtain Pre-Approval Letter from Their Lender
8. Explain What You Do For Buyers As A Realtor
9. Provide Overview of Current Market Conditions
10. Explain Your Company’s Value to Buyers
11. Discuss Earnest Money Deposits
12. Explain Home Inspection Process
13. Educate Buyers About Local Neighborhoods
14. Discuss Foreclosures & Short Sales
15. Gather Needs & Wants Of Their Next Home
16. Explain School Districts Effect on Home Values
17. Explain Recording Devices During Showings
18. Learn All Buyer Goals & Make A Plan
19. Create Internal File for Buyers Records
20. Send Buyers Homes Within Their Criteria
21. Start Showing Buyers Home That They Request
22. Schedule & Organize All Showings
23. Gather Showing Instructions for Each Listing
24. Send Showing Schedule to Buyers
25. Show Up Early and Prepare First Showing
26. Look For Possible Repair Issues While Showing
27. Gather Buyer Feedback After Each Showing
28. Update Buyers When New Homes Hit the Market
29. Share Knowledge & Insight About Homes
30. Guide Buyers Through Their Emotional Journey
31. Listen & Learn From Buyers At Each Showing
32. Keep Records of All Showings
33. Update Listing Agents with Buyer’s Feedback
34. Discuss Home Owner’s Associations
35. Estimate Expected Utility Usage Costs
36. Confirm Water Source and Status
37. Discuss Transferable Warranties
38. Explain Property Appraisal Process
39. Discuss Multiple Offer Situations
40. Create Practice Offer To Help Buyers Prepare
41. Provide Updated Housing Market Data to Buyers
42. Inform Buyers of Their Showing Activity Weekly
43. Update Buyers On Any Price Drops
44. Discuss MLS Data With Buyers At Showings
45. Find the Right Home for Buyers
46. Determine Property Inclusions & Exclusions
47. Prepare Sales Contract When Buyers are Ready
48. Educate Buyer’s On Sales Contract Options
49. Determine Need for Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
50. Explain Home Warranty Options
51. Update Buyer’s Pre-Approval Letter
52. Discuss Loan Objection Deadlines
53. Choose a Closing Date
54. Verify Listing Data Is Correct
55. Review Comps With Buyers To Determine Value
56. Prepare & Submit Buyer’s Offer to Listing Agent
57. Negotiate Buyers Offer With Listing Agent
58. Execute A Sales Contract & Disclosures
59. Once Under Contract, Send to Title Company
60. Coordinate Earnest Money Drop Off
61. Deliver Copies to Mortgage Lender
62. Obtain Copy of Sellers Disclosure for Buyers
63. Deliver Copies of Contract/Addendum to Buyers
64. Obtain A Copy of HOA Bylaws
65. Keep Track of Copies for Office File
66. Coordinate Inspections with Buyers
67. Meet Inspector At The Property
68. Review Home Inspection with Buyers
69. Negotiate Inspection Objections
70. Get All Agreed Upon Repair Items in Writing
71. Verify any Existing Lease Agreements
72. Check In With Lender To Verify Loan Status
73. Check on the Appraisal Date
74. Negotiate Any Unsatisfactory Appraisals
75. Coordinate Closing Times & Location
76. Make Sure All Documents Are Fully Signed
77. Verify Title Company Has Everything Needed
78. Remind Buyers to Schedule Utilities
79. Make Sure All Parties Are Notified of Closing Time
80. Solve Any Title Problems Before Closing
81. Receive and Review Closing Documents
82. Review Closing Figures With Buyers
83. Confirm Repairs Have Been Made By Sellers
84. Perform Final Walk-Through with Buyers
85. Resolve Any Last Minute Issues
86. Get CDA Signed By Brokerage
87. Attend Closing with Buyers
88. Provide Home Warranty Paperwork
89. Give Keys and Accessories to Buyers
90. Close Out Buyer’s File Brokerage
✨You don't have to buy or sell a home to support your agents real estate business….
Here are just a few simple ways you CAN easily show your support!⁣
1. Sharing one of their listings
2. Sending a friend or family member their way
3. Let them connect you with agents outside their area for a broker to broker referral
4. Leave them a positive comment or review.. this helps them feel seen and supported !
If you’re a REALTOR®, please feel free to copy & paste and continue to share this information!

11/21/2022

For all my real estate clients who purchased a home during this year(2022), I want to be ahead of the ball as we go into 2023. On January 1(or as soon as the Appraisal District opens after the New Year), you can file for your homestead exemption. You don't want your mortgage payment to go up unnecessarily to pay for higher property taxes. Give me a call. Get with me. And I can help guide you through it.

01/29/2021

It's official! I'm now a and can offer you all of the amazing benefits of the Home Swap program so you can buy before you sell. Contact me today to see if your house is eligible!

12/15/2020

Excited to announce my awards from my Company this year. So delighted to take extra special care of my clients at all times! Thank you for all my clients and my referral partners for helping me achieve this award as well as my fantastic Broker!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

07/21/2020

Closing day for Morgan and Stacey! Congratulations!!

01/03/2019

Call me if you have any questions!

12/21/2018

Nice house that just needs a little love!

26448 Easy Street Magnolia TX 77355 is listed for sale for $95,000. It is a 0.22 Acre(s) Lot, 1,170 SQFT, 3 Beds, 2 Full Bath(s) in Woodland Lakes 01 Mag.

10/13/2018

Coming soon...! 🔑

For more information 📞 281-203-0079

10/12/2018

17 Ways to Increase Your Houston Area Home's Value with 17 Surprisingly Inexpensive Curb Appeal Hacks ❤️🏡!

Message me a picture of your home (or just comment below) for some pro tips on how you can increase your Houston Area home value via these and other curb appeal hacks if you like 📈👨‍👩‍👧‍👦!

First impressions matter. Enhance your front yard so people will stop and stare after the first glance. The good thing is, it doesn't have to cost a fortune.