If you’re the proud owner of a new home, don’t forget one of the main perks (aside from having a house, of course): filing for Texas Homestead Exemption.

Filing for homestead exemption could reduce the amount of property taxes you will be required to pay. As long as you resided in your home on January 1st of this year, you can apply on or before April 30th. It’s a free service, just apply through your local appraisal district.

Contact the Appraisal District of the county where you live and request the necessary documents, or you can download the form directly from the website.

Collin County: 469-742-9200, http://www.collincad.org

Dallas County: 214-631-0910, http://www.dcad.org

Denton County: 940-349-3800, http://www.dentoncad.com

Ellis County: 866-348-3000, http://www.elliscad.com

Kaufman County: 972-932-6081, http://www.kaufmancad.org

Parker County: 817-596-0077, www.isouthwestdata.com

Rockwall County: 972-771-2034, http://www.rockwallcad.com

Tarrant County: 817-284-0024, http://www.tad.org

Wise County: 940-627-3081, http://www.wisecad.org

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Hawkins Mortgage Group is supported by First United’s in-house processing, underwriting and closing, all backed by secondary markets and a management team that is second to none. Contact Michael Hawkins to let him help you with your loan needs.