How To Search for Laredo Property Records

Laredo's strategic border location offers unique real estate opportunities. Reviewing property records is a smart step to take before investing in or buying property in the city. They can be a goldmine of information, such as ownership history, appraised values, liens, taxes, zoning details, foreclosures, and other crucial details that can help you make informed decisions. Property records are public in Laredo, which means that anyone can view them or request copies. You just need to know where to look. Below is a list of resources that you can use to search for Laredo property records.

Webb County Clerk

The Webb County Clerk maintains official records of property ownership in Laredo, including deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, easements, maps, and more. You can access these records online using the Clerk's public records portal. You can search by name, document number, date, book/volume/page, or legal description. You can either log in as a guest to search and print documents for a fee, though you cannot view document images before printing, or you can create a user account and purchase a subscription, which offers full image viewing and reduced printing costs. You can also visit the county clerk's office at Suite 201, 1110 Victoria St., Laredo, TX 78040 to access records in person, or call them at (956) 523-4266 for general inquiries and assistance.

Webb County Appraisal District

The Webb County Appraisal District (WCAD) is responsible for discovering, listing, and determining the value of all taxable property in the City of Laredo. You can use the WCAD's property search tool to get detailed information on a property's ownership, legal description, features and characteristics, valuations, recent sales data, and more. Searches can be done by name, address, account number, property ID, and several other criteria. There is also a separate map search tool that you can use to visualize parcel boundaries and get property information. You can also visit the WCAD's office at 3302 Clark Blvd. For in-person services, visit Laredo, TX 78043, or call (956) 718-4091 for general inquiries and assistance.

City of Laredo Tax Assessor/Collector Office

The Laredo Tax Assessor/Collector Office is responsible for collecting property taxes in the City of Laredo. This office is a key resource for tax-related property records, including assessment information, tax statements, current and owed balances, payment histories, delinquency records, and more. You can search for this information online by name, account ID, address, or parcel using the city's Click2Gov Tax Billing tool. You can also visit the office at 1102 Bob Bullock Loop, Laredo, TX 78042, for in-person services, or call them at (956) 727-6403 for general inquiries and assistance.

Webb County Tax Assessor-Collector

Although the Laredo Tax Assessor/Collector Office is the primary contact for tax billing and collection in the city, the Webb County Tax Assessor-Collector also collects taxes on behalf of certain taxing entities (in Laredo). These are separate from the taxes collected directly by the city office. You can access tax statements, payment histories, ownership details, assessed values, and delinquency status online using the tax office's property search tool. You can also visit the tax office at Suite 107, 1110 Victoria Street, Laredo, TX 78040 to access these records in person or call (956) 523-4200 for general inquiries and assistance.

Webb County Courts System

You can also get property records related to legal cases, such as foreclosures, title disputes, landlord/tenant cases, and civil judgments, through the Webb County Court System. You can access these records online using either the Webb County case search tool or the state-provided Re:SearchTX tool (account registration is required, and fees may apply). You may also visit the Webb County Courthouse at 1000 Houston Street, Laredo, TX 78040, to access records in person. You can call the Webb County District Clerk at (956) 523-4268 or the Webb County Clerk at (956) 523-4266 for general inquiries and assistance.

Laredo property taxes fund various essential local government services, including public schools, police and fire protection, road maintenance, parks and recreation, public health programs, trash collection, and much more. The Webb County Appraisal District determines the taxable value of each property in Laredo. At the same time, the Laredo Tax Assessor/Collector Office is responsible for tax billing and collection for the city. The Webb County Tax Assessor-Collector also handles some collections on behalf of certain taxing entities in the city. Property values are determined by analyzing relevant data, such as construction costs, sales of comparable properties, potential income, and property characteristics. Once a property's market value has been determined, it is multiplied by the combined tax rates (set by the city, county, school district, and other taxing entities) to calculate its tax bill.

Tax bills are typically mailed out on or around October 1st and must be paid by January 31st of the following year. However, the city offers taxpayers a split payment option, where payments can be made in two equal payments: the first half is due by November 30th, and the remainder by June 30th. There is also a quarterly payment option available to certain senior citizens (65+) and disabled homeowners, with payments due January 31st, March 31st, May 31st, and July 31st. Unpaid taxes begin accruing penalties and interest immediately after the due dates and increase with each month of delinquency. If the delinquency continues, foreclosure proceedings may be initiated and the property sold at a public tax auction to recover the outstanding balance. There are several options for paying your Laredo property taxes, including online, by mail, and in person. You can call the Laredo Tax Assessor/Collector Office at (956) 727-6403 for assistance.

Assessments

The Webb County Appraisal District conducts annual assessments of properties in Laredo to determine their value. Residential properties are valued primarily by analyzing local construction costs and recent sales prices of similar properties in the neighborhood. For commercial properties, valuations are done using a more complex approach that considers both the cost to replace the building and the potential income it could generate, with adjustments made for the property's specific features and comparisons to similar business properties in the area.

Property owners are typically mailed a Notice of Appraised Value between March and May, informing them of their property's assessed market value as of January 1st. If you disagree with the valuation, you can first request an informal review with WCAD staff. If you are unable to come to an agreement at this level, you can file a formal protest with the Webb County Appraisal Review Board. Protests must be filed by May 15th or within 30 days of the mailing date of the value notice, whichever is later. You can call the WCAD's Taxpayer Liaison Officer at (956) 718-3798 or email them at wcadtlo@webbcad.org for general inquiries and assistance with filing a protest.

Appraisals

Laredo assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair market value of property by comparing it with similar properties that have sold recently 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.

Tax Rates

Laredo, Texas, has a median effective property tax rate of 1.55%, higher than the national median of 1.02% but lower than the Texas state median of 1.67%. The city's average annual tax bill is $2,605, slightly higher than the national average of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Laredo's tax rate compares to other counties in Texas:

• Bexar County 2.03%
• Collin County 1.49%
• Dallas County 1.74%
• 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%
• Winkler County 1.22%

Exemptions

Although property taxes in Laredo are relatively lower than in some other parts of Texas, some residents may still find it challenging to keep up with payments.

Thankfully, several tax exemptions can help ease the burden for eligible homeowners in the city. These include:

• Homestead Exemption: Lowers the taxable value of a homeowner's primary residence.
• Over-65/Disabled Exemption: Lowers the total taxable value of the primary residence of seniors aged 65 and older and individuals with disabilities.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Provides partial to full property tax relief for disabled veterans, depending on their disability rating. This exemption is also available to surviving spouses of service members killed in action and first responders who died in the line of duty.

You can call the Webb County Appraisal District at (956) 718-4091 for more information or assistance with applying for a tax exemption.

Permits are required for constructing new buildings and for renovating, remodeling, or demolishing existing structures in Laredo. Specific cosmetic work and repairs or alterations that do not affect a building's structures or core systems are usually exempt. Examples include painting, installing cabinets, clearing stoppages in plumbing lines, and reinstalling attachment plug receptacles. The Laredo Building Development Services Department issues building permits. You can apply for one, submit building plans, and also schedule inspections online using the city's Click2Gov Building Permits tool (account registration is required). You can also visit the department at 1413 Houston Street, Laredo, TX 78040, for in-person services or call (956) 794-1625 for general inquiries and assistance.

Common types of permits issued in Laredo include:

• Building Permits: Required for constructing, altering, or demolishing structures.

  • Residential Building Permits: For building or modifying homes, duplexes, and other dwellings.
  • Commercial Building Permits: For new construction, renovations, or expansions of business, retail, or industrial properties.

• Trade/Specialty Permits: Required for work on specific systems within a building.

  • Electrical Permits: For wiring, panel upgrades, installing or replacing lighting systems, and other work involving electrical systems.
  • Mechanical Permits: For installing or replacing HVAC systems, ventilation units, and other mechanical equipment.
  • Plumbing Permits: For installing or repairing water lines, sewer connections, fixtures, gas piping, and other work involving plumbing systems.
  • Solar Panel Permits: For installing or modifying photovoltaic systems.

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.

Located on the north bank of the Rio Grande, Laredo is one of Texas's fastest-growing cities and home to the largest inland port on the United States-Mexico border. The city is a major hub for land, air cargo, and rail transportation. It is also known for its bilingual community, rich cultural heritage, and annual Washington's Birthday Celebration, which attracts over 400,000 attendees every year.

Laredo, Texas, has a population of 255,205 residents. The city has 87,698 housing units, with approximately 93% of these units occupied and 64% owner-occupied. The city offers a diverse range of housing options, including single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, apartments, luxury rentals, and affordable housing. Popular housing styles include Ranch, Spanish Colonial, Southwest Style, Craftsman, and Mediterranean. The average home value in Laredo, TX, is $214,907, representing a 2.0% increase from previous years. Keep in mind that actual home prices can vary considerably depending on the area in Laredo. Here are examples of home values in different Laredo neighborhoods:

• San Isidro $325,025
• Shiloh Crossing $320,759
• Las Palmares $345,033
• Green Ranch $228,815

The Laredo, Texas, real estate market is moderately competitive, with steady, stable growth driven by its unique economic position and relative affordability compared to other Texas cities. Homes typically go under contract in around 46 days of listing, and about 18.5% of listed homes sell above the listing price.