How to Search for Forth Worth Property Records

Property records contain a lot of helpful information like the owner's name and address, property values, taxes, insurance, liens, deeds, foreclosures, etc. These records are public records, and anyone can access them at any time. Most are now kept online, making them easy to access. The key to finding what you want is knowing where to look. Some places to find Fort Worth property records include:

Tarrant County Clerk's Office

The Tarrant County Clerk's Office is the custodian for all property records for the area. They record, store, maintain, and provide access to property records within the county. You can search on their website for records or visit them in person at 100 W. Weatherford, Fort Worth, Texas 76196. The County Clerk's Office also has court cases and files, so if you are looking for liens, bankruptcies, or probate cases, you can find them there.

City of Fort Worth Plat Directory

The City of Fort Worth Plat Directory is also a helpful resource for finding maps, plats, and surveys of a specific property.

Tarrant County Property Tax Division

The Tarrant County Property Tax Division offers a search portal where you can look up property taxes (for any property in the county) along with owner information and assessed values. You can search by owner name, property address, and account number.

Tarrant County Appraisal District

The Tarrant County Appraisal District is responsible for property values and assessments. They also manage and approve property tax exemptions. You can easily search their website for property records. You can search both residential and commercial properties here.

Fort Worth property taxes are the primary source of funding for local government and community services, such as schools, road maintenance, the water system, sewer, the fire department, and law enforcement. Since 1995, the property tax has only increased slightly. However, with the city budget expanding, property taxes must rise to meet the demands.

Assessments

The Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector is the office that assesses all real property each year. Tax rates are then determined, and notices are sent out to all property owners. If you have an issue with your property tax assessments, you can do so through the North Texas Property Tax Services Department. Alternatively, you can also contact the Tarrant Appraisal District to file an appeal.

Appraisals

Fort Worth property appraisals are the same as assessments; the terms are used interchangeably. However, in cases of new construction, commercial buildings, or unusual structures, the tax authority may enlist the help of a certified appraiser to value the property. The courts, estate planners, and lenders also use appraisals (various methods) to determine property values.

Tax Rates

Tarrant County and Fort Worth have one of Texas's highest property tax rates, chiming in at 2.26% of the assessed value. Different sections of Fort Worth have slightly varied tax rates. For example:

• Azle 2.72%
• Birdville 2.97%
• Burleson 3.06%
• Castleberry 2.93%
• Crowley 3.17%
• Hurst-Euless-Bedford 2.87%
• Keller 3.06%
• Lake Worth 3.19%
• Northwest 2.97%

Exemptions

Fort Worth property taxes are crazy high, and residents need ways to save. The county offers qualified individuals a few tax exemptions to lower their tax bills or exempt them altogether. The available options include:

• General Residence Homestead Exemption - caps the value at 10% of the appraised value.
• Person Age 65 or Older (or Surviving Spouse) Exemption
• Disabled Person (or Surviving Spouse) Exemption
• 100% Disabled Veteran (or Surviving Spouse) Exemption
• Donated Residence of Partially Disabled Veteran (or Surviving Spouse)
• Surviving Spouse of an Armed Services Member Killed in Line of Duty Exemption
• Surviving Spouse of a First Responder Killed while on Duty Exemption

You can apply for an exemption with the Tarrant Appraisal District. They offer an online option to make it easy.

The Fort Worth Development Services Department is responsible for issuing building permits for commercial and residential properties. You need a permit whenever you build a new home, renovate an old one, or demolish a building. The city of Fort Worth has an excellent website with all the information you need to apply for a permit and schedule inspections. You can even pay the fee online and upload your documents (plans, materials list, contractor licenses, etc.). Some of the permits available in Fort Worth include:

• Additions
• Interior Remodeling
• Detached Garage
• Roofing
• Plumbing
• Pools
• Demolition
• Carports
• Foundations
• Fences
• Decks
• Siding
• Electrical
• Heating and Air Conditioning
• Storm Shelters
• Sidewalks and Driveways

Inspections are an important part of the building permit process. The inspector will inspect the work throughout the project to ensure it complies with all safety and building codes. If anything does not, work will stop until it is fixed. You can schedule your inspections online.

The modern city of Forth Worth, Texas, has a population of 978,468 people. The city has a total of 326,648 housing units, and 185,371 of those units are owner-occupied. The household density is 2.6 households per acre. Due to population expansion (roughly 20,000 new residents per year), Fort Worth is experiencing a severe housing shortage, with only 13,000 new units built annually. The types of housing units available in Fort Worth include single-family homes, apartments, duplexes, manor houses, townhouses, studio apartments, mixed-use buildings, and affordable housing for low-income families. The average price of a home in Fort Worth is $308,593, with a median list price of $346,600. However, it depends on where you live in Fort Worth. For example:

• Sendera Ranch (76179) $316,800
• Arlington Hill (76107) $480,000
• Ridglea Hills (76116) $473,900
• Downtown Fort Worth (76102) $387,500

Fort Worth is experiencing a considerable growth spurt, with real estate sales up 22.7%. Homes stay on the market for an average of 55 days and usually close within 31 days.