How To Search for Garland Property Records
If you're looking for long-term value or rental income opportunities, then Garland is a great location to consider. However, you should always check property records before buying or investing in real estate. These records contain valuable details, including ownership history, assessed values, liens, tax data, zoning information, foreclosure filings, amenities, and more. Property records are public information in Garland, so anyone can view them or get copies. You just need to know where to look. This is important because Garland is unique in that it spans three counties: the majority of the city is in Dallas County, but portions extend into Collin County, and a very tiny part is in Rockwall County. Use the list of resources below to find various types of Garland property records.
County Clerks
Garland is spread across three counties: Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall. Each county clerk's office keeps official copies of documents related to property ownership and transfers in the city of Garland. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements, subdivision maps, and other recorded property documents. Each clerk's office provides an online search tool that allows you to look up records by name, document type, document number, or subdivision. These tools also include an advanced search option that provides additional criteria to narrow down search results. You can also obtain plain and certified copies of records in person at the relevant clerk's office. Note that fees may apply. Below are the addresses, phone numbers, and direct links to the online search tools for the Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall counties' clerk's offices:
Dallas County Clerk's Office
Suite 2100, 500 Elm Street
Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: (214) 653-7099
Collin County Clerk's Office
Suite 2106, 2300 Bloomdale Road
McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: (972) 424-1460 ext. 4185
Rockwall County Clerk's Office
Suite 100, 1111 E Yellowjacket Lane
Rockwall, TX 75087
Phone: (972) 204-6300
Central Appraisal Districts
The Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall central appraisal districts are great resources for Garland property records. Each central appraisal district is responsible for identifying and valuing real property in its portion of the city for tax purposes. The Dallas Central Appraisal District covers Garland properties in Dallas County, while the Collin Central Appraisal District handles those within Collin County, and the Rockwall Central Appraisal District oversees properties in the Rockwall County portion. Each appraisal district provides an online property search tool that you can use to get detailed information on property ownership, features, valuations, sales history, and more. You can search using these tools by name, account number, address, and other criteria. You can also visit the relevant central appraisal district office to access records in person. Below are the addresses, phone numbers, and direct links to the online search tools for the Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall central appraisal districts:
Dallas Central Appraisal District
2949 North Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75247
Phone: (214) 653-7099
Collin Central Appraisal District
250 Eldorado Parkway
McKinney, TX 75069
Phone: (469) 742-9200, (866) 467-1110
Rockwall Central Appraisal District
841 Justin Road, Rockwall
TX 75087-4842
Phone: (972)-771-2034
Garland City Tax Office
The Garland City Tax Office handles property tax billing and collection for the city, making it a valuable resource for tax-related records, including current and prior tax bills, payment histories, and outstanding balances. The tax office offers an online tool that you can use to search for this information by name, address, account number, and CAD number. You can also visit the tax office at 217 N Fifth Street,
Garland, TX 75040 to access these records in person or call (972) 205-2410 for general inquiries and assistance.
County Court Systems
The Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall County Court Systems are valuable resources for property records related to legal proceedings, such as foreclosure filings, title disputes, landlord-tenant cases, civil judgments, and more. Each county provides case search tools for looking up these cases online. The Texas Judicial Branch also offers a centralized Re:SearchTX portal that you can use for case searches, though registration is required. You can also access these records in person at the courthouse where the case was filed. Here are the addresses, contact numbers, and direct links to the online search tools for the Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall courthouses:
Dallas County Courthouse
George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building
600 Commerce Street
Dallas, TX 7520
Phone: (214) 653-7307 (District Clerk) and (214) 653-7099 (County Clerk)
Collin County Courthouse
2100 Bloomdale Rd.
McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: (972) 424-1460 ext. 4320 (District Clerk) and (972) 424-1460 ext. 4185 (County Clerk)
Case Lookup and Court Schedules
Rockwall County Courthouse
1111 East Yellowjacket Lane
Rockwall, TX 75087
Phone: (972) 204-6500 (District Clerk) and (972) 204-6300 (County Clerk)
Garland Property Taxes
Garland property taxes are a primary source of funding for local government services, including public schools, police and fire departments, community health services, trash collection, parks and recreation, road maintenance, and more. The Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall central appraisal districts identify and establish the taxable value of properties in Garland (depending on the property's location within the city), while the Garland City Tax Office handles tax billing and collection. Properties are valued using a combination of three methods: the sales comparison approach (comparing the property to similar recent sales), the cost approach (estimating the cost to rebuild the property), and the income approach (evaluating income potential, especially for rental or investment properties). The final tax bill is determined by multiplying the property's established value by the total combined tax rate (which is set by the city, county, school district, and other local taxing entities).
Annual tax notices are mailed out during the first week of October, and full payments must be made by January 31st. Seniors (65+) and disabled homeowners may qualify for installment payments, typically broken into four deadlines (due January 31st, March 31st, May 31st, and July 31st). Late payment penalties and interest begin to accrue from February 1st and increase with each month. Continued failure to pay taxes may result in the enforcement of a tax lien, and the property may ultimately be auctioned off at a tax sale. The Garland City Tax Office provides several options for paying your property taxes, including online, by mail, and in person at the tax office. You can call (972) 205-2410 for assistance.
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Assessments
The Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall central appraisal districts list and assess properties in Garland every year to establish their value. These valuations are based on mass appraisal techniques, including sales comparisons, cost analysis, and income potential. Field visits, physical inspections, aerial imagery, and building permit reviews may also be used to confirm property characteristics and ensure accurate assessments. Properties are assessed at 100% of their fair market value. This means that the property's taxable value is based on its full estimated market value, not a discounted or partial amount.
Property owners are usually sent a Notice of Appraised Value between April and May, outlining their property's assessed value as of January 1st (when valuations take effect). If you disagree with the valuation, you may first request an informal review with the relevant appraisal district. If you cannot resolve the matter at this level, then you can file a formal protest with the county's Appraisal Review Board (ARB). Protests must generally be filed by May 15th or within 30 days of the mailing date of your value notice, whichever is later. You can call any of the following numbers for general inquiries and assistance with filing a protest:
- Dallas Central Appraisal District: (214) 653-7099.
- Collin Central Appraisal District: (469) 742-9200, (866) 467-1110 (toll-free).
- Rockwall Central Appraisal District: (972)-771-2034.
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Appraisals
Garland assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair value of property by comparing it with similar properties that have recently sold in the local area. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.
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Tax Rates
Because Garland spans multiple counties, its median effective property tax rate varies. For properties in the Dallas County part of the city, the median tax rate is 1.75%; for those in the Collin County portion, it's 1.04%; and in Rockwall, it's around 1.49%. These rates are higher than the national median of 1.02%. The average annual property tax bill in Garland also depends on the specific area within the city: $4,888 for properties in Dallas County, $4,979 for those in Collin County, and $6,357 for Rockwall County, all significantly higher than the national average of $2,400.
Here's a look at how Garland's tax rate compares to other counties in Texas:
- Bexar County 2.03%
- Denton County 1.49%
- El Paso County 2.01%
- Grayson County 2.09%
- Harris County 1.66%
- Kendall County 1.25%
- Lubbock County 1.86%
- McMullen County 1.12%
- Potter County 2.16%
- Starr County 0.79%
- Stonewall County 3.00%
- Tarrant County 1.70%
- Travis County 1.65%
- Webb County 1.54%
- Winkler County 1.22%
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Exemptions
Property taxes in Garland are above the national average, and some homeowners may struggle to keep up with their tax obligations. Thankfully, there are exemption programs available to help qualified homeowners reduce their tax bills and ease the financial strain. These include:
- Homestead Exemption: Available to Garland residents who occupy their home as their primary residence and lowers the property's taxable value.
- Over 65/Disabled Persons Exemption: Available for seniors 65 and older and homeowners with disabilities, and provides a reduction in their property's taxable value.
- Disabled Veterans Exemption: Available to disabled veterans, and offers partial to full tax relief based on the veteran's disability rating. Surviving spouses of service members killed in action and first responders who died in the line of duty may also qualify.
You can call any of the following numbers for general inquiries or assistance with applying for tax exemptions:
- Dallas Central Appraisal District: (214) 653-7099.
- Collin Central Appraisal District: (469) 742-9200, (866) 467-1110 (toll-free).
- Rockwall Central Appraisal District: (972)-771-2034.
Garland Building Permits/Inspections
You need a permit for new construction or to renovate, alter, improve, or demolish existing structures in Garland. Minor work and cosmetic updates, like painting, installing cabinets, or replacing flooring, typically do not require a permit. The Garland Building Inspection Department issues permits. You can contact the city's Development and Permitting Center at 800 Main Street, Garland, TX 75040, to apply for necessary permits, submit plans, schedule inspections, and get general permit-related assistance. You can also call the building inspection department at (972) 205-2300 or email permits@garlandtx.gov for general inquiries and assistance.
Common types of permits issued in Garland include:
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General Building Permits: Required for constructing, renovating, altering, and demolishing structures.
- Residential Building Permits: For residential structures (single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, and accessory buildings).
- Commercial Building Permits: For business and commercial properties.
- Fence Permits: For installing fences.
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Trade/Specialty Permits: Issued for specific systems in a building, even if a general building permit isn't pulled.
- Electrical Permits: Required for all electrical repairs/installations.
- Mechanical Permits: Required for installing and replacing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
- Plumbing Permits: Required for all plumbing work, including installing RPZ and double-check valves.
When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.
Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.
Real Estate in the City of Garland
Located northeast of Dallas, Garland is one of the largest cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, known for its cultural diversity, natural resources, urban appeal, and pure Texas charisma. The city is the birthplace of the popular Wingstop franchise and also boasts several entertainment venues and recreational amenities, including the Granville Arts Center, Downtown Garland Square, and Spring Creek Forest Preserve.
Garland, Texas, has a population of 246,018 residents. The city has 86,420 housing units, with approximately 94% occupied and 59% owner-occupied. The city offers a diverse mix of housing options, including single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes, condos, apartments, custom and estate homes, senior living, and assisted living communities. Popular housing styles include Ranch, Craftsman, Mid-Century Modern, Tudor, Colonial Revival, Contemporary, and Transitional. The average home value in Garland, TX, is $289,022, representing a 6.0% decrease from previous years. Keep in mind that actual home prices can vary considerably by area in Garland. Here are examples of home values in different Garland neighborhoods:
- Bellaire Heights $206,196
- Chandler Heights $211,749
- Freemonteers $189,327
- Glynnhill Highland Estates $213,458
- Mill Creek Crossing $311,192
- Monica Park Heights $203,364
- Park Groves $206,569
- Rainbow Estates $207,821
The Garland, Texas, real estate market is moderately competitive, with gradual shifts toward a more balanced state, driven by rising inventory and slightly declining home values. Homes typically go under contract in around 28 days of listing, and approximately 21% of listed homes sell above the listing price.