A Harris County homestead check begins with the HCAD account, not a savings estimate. The record should show whether a residence exemption is attached to the correct account and tax year. Ownership, occupancy, and identification then determine whether the published application route fits the facts.
What does HCAD require?
The Harris Central Appraisal District FAQ says the applicant must own and occupy the property as a primary residence and provide a Texas driver's license or state ID with a matching address. HCAD uses Form 11.13 for the general residence homestead, over-65, disability, and several related exemptions. Its online filing page also asks for the date of occupancy.
How much does Texas remove from school-district value?
The Texas Comptroller's current exemption guide states that school districts provide a $140,000 general residence-homestead exemption. It also states that an owner who is 65 or older or disabled can receive an additional $60,000 school-district exemption when the statutory conditions are met. Local taxing units may offer other amounts, so the HCAD account is still the right place to read the actual record.
Is there a late application route?
HCAD's online exemption page says a late application may be filed no later than two years after the delinquency date for the taxes. Dates and supporting documents matter. The chief appraiser decides whether a property and owner meet the statute; a record read cannot decide that question.
What can the Reality Contact check provide?
The free check reads one supported county record and replies with what is on file, what the county currently publishes, and which date or document prevents a reliable conclusion. The $19 audit expands that comparison across the supported exemption categories and prepares the county's form fields for owner review. A $49 life-event pack adds the relevant missed-year and life-event forms. The owner signs and files every document.
Where does the operator boundary sit?
This is informational only. Reality Contact, LLC reads public records and county rules. We do not decide eligibility, file forms, represent an owner, or contact the county. The owner signs and files; the county decides. The free read is a real check of one public record. Reality Contact is sampling whether homeowners want this work before buying a longer audit. We reply by email with what the record shows, including a HOLD when the deed or record is not ready for a reliable read. The current source check starts with this published record.