South African & Wife React To Texas Property Prices

[@hardtackbeans9790]

One little secret about looking for real estate in Texas (and many other states also). Go to the county taxes assessment office & find out who is consistently behind on paying their taxes. Make an offer to them before they even put their real estate up for sale. They are much more apt to consider an offer carefully. If they are absentee owners, even more so. It has worked perfectly for me.

[@grumblesa10]

That's how I bought my house, which I was renting as a matter of fact :)

[@mr.righty6985]

That's pretty smart

[@hardtackbeans9790]

@@mr.righty6985 It sounds like you are taking advantage of people in trouble. But is is actually giving them something instead of the taxing authority taking it & giving them nothing. Many people habitually late aren't interested. But some are hoping & praying someone to come along.

[@critterkicker85]

You can dig your own pond to make it a man made body of water

[@mr.righty6985]

@@hardtackbeans9790 I don't know why you're pinning this on me, LOL. I would never do nothing like that. I think this comment was geared for somebody else

[@Farmer_Dave]

How much does it cost to dig a pond in Texas? Backyard pond installation costs $3,675 to $14,500, while artificial lakes range from $6,700 - $17,735 per acre. Pond installation cost ranges from $3,675 to $14,500 for midsize backyard ponds with waterfalls, plants, and fish.Nov 29, 2023

[@odemusvonkilhausen]

I've lived in the US for 43 years and I still haven't been killed.

[@bckalt]

Not even once!

[@briancleveland6115]

Not even once, I already decided to say that but someone beat me to it 🤣

[@RebelCowboysRVs]

That's clearly survivor bias. lol

[@dalemoore8582]

63 years for me!! No one has even tried. Guess I am lucky!!!

[@odemusvonkilhausen]

@@dalemoore8582 Oh, there may have been an attempt, for me, but "almost" doesn't count.

[@Anonymously-speaking]

The outdoor fans help with both the heat and keeping away flying bugs (mosquitoes, wasps, etc). If you ever actually decide to move to Texas make sure to check if the property you are looking at is on a floodplain or not. I don’t know about you, but I would not want to have to deal with occasional (or even constant) flooding in my house.

[@jefferyshute6641]

We bought our house, as tenants, from the landlord when he stopped paying the morgage. We offered to pay the morgage which would stop the foreclosure on the bouse. We payed the late fees and penalties, about $3,000. We got over 7 years of equity, and we didn't have to go through any credit or background checks. It was a fully assumable VA loan @ 7 1/2 percent. We got a good deal, and it kept the landlord out of a foreclosure. Win/Win

[@RamblingRose08]

I'm in Northern California and we have tons of fruit and nut trees around our property.

[@GrantReedIII]

California has much higher taxes than Texas.

[@joeyrobison6629]

13:03 The two trees at the gate you were not sure of in house number 7 are Pecan trees, the state tree of Texas.

[@jonograhamreacts]

Awesome, thank you so much.

[@Bad_Meach]

Remember, you can always add onto the house as long as you’ve got the acreage. My parents’ original house was only 800 sq ft. but over the years it’s tripled in size.

[@johnhelwig8745]

Paint is cheap. You can redo the kitchen's look easily by painting the wood cabinets. I've have friends that painted their cabinets and they look great. Read the realtor home description. It usually states what fixtures and appliances are included/excluded in the sale of the property. Usually fixtures that are attached are included like window treatments unless stated otherwise. Some listings include the floorplan and room dimensions and some even have 3D layouts and walkthroughs.

[@jovetj]

Paint, like everything else, has gotten pretty expensive...!

[@jessemendoza7164]

FYI- in Texas you can get a significant property tax break if you have 5+ acres, and you have cattle, etc. It’s called Agricultural Exemption.

[@allibrown8960]

Yes. We used to have 5 head of cattle on our land when I was growing up for that reason! We also had pig pens and steer pens because we kids were in 4H and raised animals. My dad would plant his garden in the pig pens in Spring and Summer because we didn't have to buy our animals until late September. Naturally fertilized!

[@JKM395]

If you ever find yourself sitting on the porch in the Texas summer, that fan on the porch won't look nearly so strange.

[@blairarthur302]

coastal areas in Texas are pron to terrible storms

[@larry5813]

157 acres..2 bedroom log house.. additional cabin for guests, sleeps 2.....1/4 mile riverfront property good fishing ..all livestock fenced property.......$419,000 with all closing costs.

[@jamesjones8482]

You have to remember the listed prices are what the sellers are hoping to get. Often times, the seller will be willing to accept lower bids. They are selling their houses for a reason. Some have already lowered their initial price, and may still be asking too much for what it is worth. Find a good realtor to help you and you will be amazed at how much they can save you. Your realtor will do the negotiating with the seller's realtor. (I'm not a realtor. Worked in hospitals during my career.) ❤

[@IrishSetter01]

Where I'm from in KS, $300k will get you a shack at best. Or a duplex for $250....

[@impudentdomain]

If you move to Texas make sure to buy property with a pond or creek going through it. The state will help you stock it with fish.

[@kellylozano8899]

Be sure and contact the County Extension Agent where youre looking to buy...they can answer a variety of questions for you regarding agriculture, etc.

[@wilvin2627]

One thing to look into is if the appliances come with the house or not. For the most part, they do, but I went with a friend house hunting in Tulsa Oklahoma and none of the houses had appliances. I am not sure if it was a city ordinance that you can not leave used appliances in a house or just something people there do. I have moved into homes around the country and the old owner took the Refrigerator or stove. But most places just leave it. Most people will almost always take their washer and dryer so you would have to buy a new one. Sometimes people will include or sell for very cheap price bigger things like pool tables, hot tubs, or pianos because they do not want to bother with the cost of moving them. If you are buying from an older couple this is more likely the case since they are probably downsizing since their kids are out of the house and they are retired. Sometimes the website with the listing will say if something is, or if the old owner is willing to leave those items.

[@jamesstarkey9955]

Some of the houses had Pecan trees or Oak trees or Cedar trees .. Also depending on if that house on the river was in East Texas near Louisiana it could have gators . If it is most anywhere else n the state no gators , you just have to keep on the look out for Water Moccasins/Cotton Mouths and of course the 10 different types of rattlesnake that call Texas home ...

[@russellfisher2853]

If you're looking for. Greener. Or lakes, rivers and water. You want to try the Pacific Northwest..

[@ContentinMesa]

Love to see you check out houses all over America

[@kateg7298]

Always check the taxes paid for previous years. If it's your primary residence in Texas you can 'grandfather' in the taxes and save at least 30%. As previous posters have commented, check the county tax rolls for properties that are behind a few years and make an offer to the seller where you'll pay the taxes up to date. That's how I got my house at a very reasonable price here in Galveston, Texas. As a side note the property prices are skyrocketing in Texas. Now would be the time to buy a rural property and hang onto it. My property has appreciated 120% in 6 years.

[@liamengram6326]

Couple of tips: Houses in America are investments that will always build equity. 1. If you're getting a lot of land make sure it's in an area that will develop in your children's lifetimes. It will make them very wealthy. 2. If that isn't your intent, settle for less land and a nicer house. My primary home is an 8 bed 5 bath 5,180sqft home one 3 acres with 2 separate guest houses each at 3 beds 2 baths and 2,100sqft. I bought it for $980,000. In just a few short years it now comps at around $2.2M. Homes are worth more than land in the U.S. in the long run because how you can sell it and for how much depends on zoning, development, and infrastructure. 3. In some of the areas of Texas you were looking at you could probably find bigger homes on 2 acres for less money, and you don't need personal land because of how much public land we have to use for recreational activity. You get land for privacy and 2 or 3 acres is plenty in most areas.

[@jonograhamreacts]

Great tips thank you. Your home sounds amazing by the way!

[@ScottyM1959]

Jono keep in mind to check what the property taxes are and make sure you don't have a Home Owners Association and the fees that go with it. Your 20-acre home you saw, unless there is a local ordinance, you could make your own shooting range for you and your family to start enjoying your 2nd amendment rights. Also you have to find out about the schools and transportation for your kids to get to & from school. Remember: the prices you're seeing are asking prices so you can haggle over a lower price.

[@judynabors8681]

Also ask if it’s in a flood zone 😊

[@rebeccadavis3522]

Ever thought about purchasing land in the US, then putting a modular home or triple wide trailer on it? Many of these modular homes and trailers are actually beautiful, very spacious, and can come in all sorts of custom designs. There are youtube channels galore showing these houses inside and out, you can even order design plans from these companies that showcase these homes.

[@davidnelson5728]

The biggest problem with mobile homes is that they are built like shit. That's my gig. I own a company delivering mobile homes and have been doing it for 24 years. They are not worth the money.

[@macD723]

@@davidnelson5728 I agree with you. I used to deliver and set them up for a while, then I also worked at a plant building them. The plants care more for getting them out the door than they do quality. If you tried to do it right, it would take time and you fall behind the quota for the day. I've been building and remodeling houses for 20 years, and it really upset me that I had to lessen my quality just to get the job done. I worked for Clayton homes, and I can at least say, ours was a little better than other companies that I've seen.

[@PowAngel]

Clayton Homes make some of the most beautiful mobile homes, can get them with pillars inside. Of course they have bought out just about every other competitor.

[@kathymc234]

Not all residential zones allow a mobile home. Be sure to verify the zoning before you purchase.

[@zzzroxyzzz]

We're in kansas, and we just bought a new home, and holy crap did we get lucky, huge yard, extra large double car garage,, completely updated everything, water softening systems, walk in bath tub, big shower, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, massive master bedroom with walk in closet, the biggest kitchen I've ever been in. The park is across two streets, we live on a corner so no one can build, and somehow we managed to get the seller down to 125k. When I tell you we are counting our blessings every day..

[@jonograhamreacts]

that sounds amazing, especially the fact that nobody can build next to you, and for a very reasonable price as well.

[@jovetj]

That seems too good to be true.

[@zzzroxyzzz]

@jovetj yeah I think that every day, I still don't know how we got so lucky.

[@lboden7239]

By all means, come to America. I am praying for your family to have one of those houses or something on a piece of land. Most people when they sell a house here leave the window coverings and the kitchen appliances as well, most often, the washer and dryer. factory built houses are getting nicer and nicer so if you could get land, a factory-built home might be an option.

[@TubE-tr8yi]

Yes there are alligators in Texas, any coastal southeastern states usually have gators and rattlesnakes

[@randall-king]

Yes, there's even an event called Gatorfest annually in Anahauc, TX.

[@Anonymously-speaking]

But there aren’t nearly as many as in the Florida everglades

[@OkiePeg411]

And fire ants!!!

[@RebelCowboysRVs]

They can be found as far north an inland as Tennessee. The population is pretty low that far north though.

[@warrendavis9262]

Re: fruit trees in Florida...my brother's in-laws had a grapefruit tree in their back garden. I got softball and bigger sized grapefruits every Christmas for years...

[@stevencm28]

You can find estimates of property taxes (as well as costs to insure the property) on each of these sites. It will even estimate your monthly mortgage payment. After one year, you can get your property taxes cut by approximately one-third by getting a homestead exemption. For example, on the Los Fresnos property, scroll down and click on the "monthly payment" tab. The property in Los Fresnos is in the Rio-Grade Valley. This is a tropical part of Texas--no ice or snow--ever.

[@EarlBeasley-y4p]

Love how you guys are genuinely honest with these videos.

[@CaseyinTexas]

Generally, the smaller the nearby cities/towns or the further you are from cities (We're talking out in the sticks), the cheaper the land. My wife is looking at 10 to 30 acre lots in West Texas around Mason, Menard, and Junction area. Depending on location, you can find 10 acres for less than 100K to 30 acres less than 200K. Owner financing is also common.

[@TNugent]

The last one had a lot of mesquite trees for your bbq Jono.

[@ionecuff6323]

Before even thinking about buying a property, always always always check to see what the property and state taxes are for the state & county!!!! Each state is different and some are ridiculously HIGH!! I have been wanting to sell my home & move far out from the city & neighbors, but after finding something in my price range, I discover there is absolutely no way I would be able to come up with the yearly taxes for the property.

[@Beans-1111]

I grew up on my grandfather's 100 acre farm. Boy did we have so much fun! He had a dairy farm.

[@Fmanzo10]

Yes we do get Gators all through southeastern Texas. We even occasionally get them in the San Antonio area.

[@SherriLyle80s]

So I know a lot of European homes will keep some of the furniture in the home and they just move without the furniture. But just in case you don't know all the furniture goes. So if you're seeing some furniture in the home, unless it says otherwise, it's going with the owner. And they just use the furniture to stage or they're just too lazy to remove the furniture for pictures. The only thing that usually does stay (but not always,) are the appliances like refrigerator, washer and dryer etc. Again, this is in case y'all don't know. We move everything with us including furniture and wall decor. I know some European countries won't do that, and some will, but just to forewarn you. Take care and dream away! 💓

[@adamr9215]

I’ve never bought a house with a refrigerator or washing machine and drier included. The dishwasher and stuff that is built in stays, but usually not anything else. Now, sometimes sellers will let that stuff go with the house because it won’t fit in the new home. But usually that doesn’t happen.

[@RamblingRose08]

I love these videos. They are so fun!

[@jeffjones6221]

2 of those places looked like they had finished basements.

[@mbourque]

About Texas Geography. South East is forests and warm growing areas. West Texas is desert areas. An North Texas is cooler and has winter snows. So if you're wanting fruit trees, look in the South East.

[@PAT8888-is2pd]

Also, are you taking into consideration the conversion from Euros to Dollars.

[@mrkoda3992]

You were right in the beginning, if you want the American experience, your kids can mow the lawn , been doing it since I was 8

[@jeffhall2411]

a lot of fruit trees are going to depend on the climate you are in.. i mean, some places get way to hot to have certain fruit trees, so normal homes usually dont have fruit trees unless they grow really well and someone planted them there.. we are planning to try to plant an apple, cherry, and pear tree where we live in northwest South Carolina to see if it will work.. but you never know.

[@KCNicole]

Our house is 3 bed, 2.5 baths. 5 acres, a 50×40 shop with an apartment, 2 chicken coops, and the back 3 acres are fenced into separate pastures for our mini cattle we breed. Bought in 2019 for $240,000. AND we have the star, ours is dark red.

[@brianhoward9336]

Try doing a similar search in Georgia especially an hour south of Atlanta down to the Florida line and you can find some very nice homes on land for very reasonable prices.

[@revtoyota]

What you are calling a veranda we call a covered porch and in some cases (houses you showed) a wraparound porch. 13:00 Those look to be Oak trees. 14:00 you would never get a loan for this place. The "house" is a mobile home. That instantly disqualifies it from most lenders.

[@patrioticz2858]

You can always build a pond on these properties

[@brianlanning836]

We didn't move to Texas specifically because the property prices (and therefore also the property taxes) were too high. Oklahoma is nearly identical to Texas in every way. And the properties are much cheaper. In general, in the US, the more rural the property is, the safer it is. People living in rural areas tend to watch out for each other. Also, rural people tend to be politically very conservative. Hunting is a big deal. So nearly everyone is armed. But these aren't the people shooting up schools. It's the kind of neighbors who would come to your defense if you ever had a problem. There are definitely venomous snakes, with or without a pond. They're not a major problem as long as you exercise some common sense. You can get fruit trees here. But for some reason most people don't do it. I have plans to plant a lot of them. The heat in Texas in the summer can be brutal. Also, water can be a problem in the western half of the state. You can have vegetable gardens here but you'll probably need shade cloth in warmer weather. Check out aquaponics or the mittleider growing method.

[@rupertmiller9690]

Yeah, but it's Oklahoma. Yuck.

[@crazytrain03]

Um...no...sorry, Oklahoma is not nearly identical to Texas in every way. Have you ever been to east Texas? Bridge City, Beaumont, Galveston, Port Author. That's pure swamp lands, lakes and ocean.

[@randall-king]

I agree, @brianlanning836. I've lived in Texas over 40 years, but haven't lived in Oklahoma. However, I know many people who live there and have visited there numerous times. In many, many ways, the two states are similar. I also back up the other things you said. Nicely worded.

[@401Impala]

Ah yes, smack in the middle of Tornado alley. Brilliant.

[@OkiePeg411]

​@@rupertmiller9690I've lived in both Texas and Oklahoma. They are very similar. Have you actually lived in both ?

[@bluflaam777LSA]

Great homes, but the pics are deceiving. they're taken with a fish-eye lens and software to straighten the lines and it makes it look HUGE, when in fact it isn't that big. most listings will have the actual room dimensions. Check those to be sure. Also location is important. Some places are more arid. Some will be more hot and humid.

[@russellgtyler8288]

First lesson in talkin Texan. In Texas, a pond is called a tank. I don't know why, it wasn't my decision, it's just the way it's been the 74 years I've been around. Another sayin, "ya'll come." Edit, if it has palm trees there's a good chance there are gators.

[@randall-king]

Because a tank is a receptacle for holding liquid or gas.

[@glendamaikell4224]

Likely the custom of referring to ponds as tanks comes from using natural depressions as tanks or waterholes for livestock, as in “stock tank”.

[@ccormx]

Down here, especially on the coast, many people build homes called “barndominiums”, similar to that first home. It’s a metal building, a pole barn, whatever you want to call hit, and you finish it out inside as a home. It’s exceptionally wind resistant, being in hurricane country, and it can be finished out on your own, one step at a time. The exterior buildout can be done in days by pros, or you order a kit and do it yourself. Very helpful in defense against the many bugs in Tx. There are many pros. As far as property taxes go, the homestead exemption, especially with children, disqualifies atleast the first 100,000 in value of your home from being taxed.

[@beadwright]

Texas has several different planting zones. Citrus in South Texas, peaches in central , northern, and west Texas, figs and pecans everywhere.

[@andrewwood7217]

Most realtor sites have a line item (estimated taxes) from the county tax accessors office, plus if you purchase acreage outside city limits, Which most of the properties you were looking at, allow the land to be zoned as agricultural (raising livestock etc.) the taxable value is preset. For example if your 50 acres have a taxable value of $3,000 an acre or a total of $150,000 that $150000 is what the county will base your annual taxes on. Once the property is AG (except for the land on and around the actual house) the maximum value of each acre is set at $138.00 an acre. So for exactly the same piece of property the county would tax the ag land at a total value of $6,900 instead off the $150,000, saving you approximately 78% on your taxes every year. You would have to continue to graze and keep livestock on the property. Raising cattle makes you money too.

[@ccormx]

I love that Jono is slowly but surely convincing his family to move to Texas.

[@shadowangel3995]

The biggest thing to remember is that every area has different types of taxes. One of the biggest factors in an area is the local and state property taxes. Another big factor is the cost of the utilities and the interest rates on the mortgage for the property itself.

[@kenziedayne4234]

I know you're just looking for fun but... It's best to know what areas you might want to avoid if you do get serious about buying a home here. For instance... that home in Robstown on 8 acres. It's on the Gulf Coast in Corpus Christi. The home is manufactured. I'd be worried about how well it would hold up in hurricanes and flooding. In some parts of Texas you have to be more concerned with tornadoes, or high crime and traffic, etc. Also, unless you are retired, all of these are 1-3 hours from cities with jobs. I'd research the different areas before trying to find a home.

[@staceybirner673]

Many of those homes are Mobile Homes...you have to be careful, when looking at Mobile Homes, to not buy them in areas where there are a lot of tornadoes! Also, if you have enough animals you can get an Agricultural Exemption for taxes. Yes we have a lot of gators! Even in little neighborhood ponds! As for the trees...there are various trees in different parts of Texas. The trees there looked like they might be cedar trees. For fruit trees, we usually plant them, but depending on where you are, some fruit trees are viable.

[@katiebwheeler]

we bought a 1600sqft house in central Texas on about .5 acres a couple years ago for 110k. Yes, we have been doing some work and projects and improvements but we love it and have loved making it our own...

[@elvenmagick9039]

some of these long skinny houses are actually double wide trailers on a foundation.

[@maxr4448]

Jono, be sure to ask if the house is manufactured or site built. What the last years taxes were, and average utility bills. It varies alot. Get or ask for a land survey as well. Plus has the home has been inspected!

[@jonograhamreacts]

great advice, thank you

[@TNugent]

Also I think the one with the swimming pool was in Arkansas. Peace from Central Texas

[@jeffjones6221]

Honestly, since about 8 years ago, stained wood was standard, paint was an ungrade. I was a remodel contractor for 36 years.

[@robertstout260]

The one home on Zillow in Robstown is a manufactured home (mobile home) .One good thing about that would be close to Corpus Christi and Padre Island.

[@RH-ug4nv]

you guys are so welcome. You can definitely fine what you want. I would gladly have your kids stay at our house. We have room and my kids are grown. I live in Florida near the Kennedy space center, 50 Miles’s from Daytona beach, 50 miles to Disney, Cocoa Beach is about 20 miles away. They can come during spring break for 2-3 weeks. Get to know this area-and we will be sure to keep them occupied.

[@anthonyb.9336]

I live on New England. Our houses are all older and foe the most part, kitchens do not look like that. Thise houses where i am would be am acre of land and cost 500k. Something to consider is how far away from a moderate sized town you are. A grocey store or home improvement store xould be a 45 minute drive which means it will take 2-3 hours to grocery shop . As you get closer to cities, the houses get more expensive. Also before you settle down in Texas, you should briefly visit other regions such as southeast, northeast, noethwest and midwest to see where you like the culture.

[@jonograhamreacts]

great advice thank you. We are still exploring all of our options, but we can dream for now.

[@adamrou12345]

It is wild how much prices fluctuate across the US. There is a 50 sq foot parking space for sale near me in Provincetown, Massachusetts for $69,000 you don't actually get to own the land it's just deeded access and it has a $250 a month hoa fee on top of the asking price. Don't get me wrong it's a fabulous location to park but it's a bit much for a small town of 3,600 people.

[@Chef-Bret]

1:39 Holy Crap! That house with the 5 acres would go for $1 Million easy, where I live.

[@sharmullins3894]

You should check out the homes for sale in Oklahoma. The prices are low and the quality of home is high.

[@ritabagley7808]

I live 5 miles from the nearest town which is 15,000 people then 30 minutes to the nearest large town which is Ft. Worth ,Texas . We have 175 acres the taxes are somewhat high but you can get an agg. Discount for cattle or farming . Which helps a lot,I pay the same taxes as they do in town because of the discount

[@jonograhamreacts]

Sounds lovely, that's alot of land (for us anyway). Do you farm cattle?

[@usmc24thmeu36]

Also you have to consider where in Texas is this if it isn't the Eastern part of Texas they do get quite a bit of rain the Western part of Texas is more drier

[@Nimbus1701]

Short answer to your question..... yes there are gators in Texas. The Southeast is really where you have to worry about though, as the closer towards Louisiana you get, the higher rhe concentration of gators are. They have distinct smell that is evident, and in areas where there are larger populations and when they are dense in an area, your nose will tip you off. It may be advisable to go to a zoo where there is an outdoor viewing area with some gators to get an idea of the smell I'm talking about. The fans outdoors are good for a couple of reasons. First, they do help keeping some of the flying insects away, and in Texas we have some monster sized mosquitoes, along with wasps and some flies and horse flies. Second, they can help with air circulation, especially when it is pretty still out, and definitely when it is humid and muggy out without much wind. It's nice to see you guys talking about your goals and dreams and that the kids seem so excited about America. Texas really is great. I'm birn and raised in Texas and at 50 years old, I still live here. People are very polite, and kind and will use manners and hold doors open, except for an odd person here or there, but in large part we Texans really try to treat everyone like a neighbor. Don't be shocked if/when you move to be invited to cookouts by your neighbors if you are fairly close to some. It is a pretty normal thing here. America gets a bad rap a lot if the time, especially abroad because of how divisive news media is, and in some places it definitely warrants that reputation. However, the vast majority of the average citizen in this country in about every state are probably the nicest and most generous people in the world.

[@brucew7062]

I live in Fort Worth, Texas and we have peach trees, mulberry trees, lemon trees. etc. here. Yes, we do have alligators in Texas. We occasionally have some come up from the lake and into the neighborhood amongst the houses. That is never something people like to have happen. I have at least seven large lakes within an hours drive from the house and a few state parks nearby. Lots of places for camping, hunting, and fishing. It gets hot in the Summer, but I don’t mind the heat. I moved here in 2001 and have no plans to live anywhere else.

[@jonograhamreacts]

Sounds amazing, the whole outdoor lifestyle is what I miss the most.

[@tmtrikosko9060]

Check the weather (and not just the averages). There's a reason you don't see many veggie patches.

[@libertybell8852]

I cant see the trees CLEARLY, but they looked like oak trees at a distance. 🤷‍♀️ i could be way off, i just had a glimpse lol

[@cheryla7480]

Remember to do your research well if you ever decide to move to Texas. Texas has the most tornadoes of any state… steer clear then of settling in the Texas part of tornado alley. Teas has one of the highest home insurance rates in the US ….on average $4,500 yearly largely due to climate change.

[@CSharp-hk9oc]

Texas is very hot in the summer. A garage or carport is a necessity. You can grow crops in Texas but you have to plan carefully to avoid too much sun. Also, prices vary greatly depending on the location. Suburbs of the large cities are more expensive than smaller towns. However, the eastern part of Texas is good for commuting. The roads are mostly flat and straight with speed limits at 70 mph. Texas has pretty high property taxes because there is no state income tax. Make sure to do your homework before making a purchase.

[@chroniccomplainer3792]

Idk if they do similar things in your countries but its very popular to hire a professional photographer that has super wide angle lenses so the rooms look HUGE. Its proven that hiring a photographer will increase the number of offers and offer amount. Almost like an optical illusion. A 2,500 sq ft house is a 2,500 sq ft house. No way around it.

[@myrtlemaude47]

The next to the last house you looked at is in the southernmost tip of Texas just north of the Mexican border. The house looks like it is on a resaca not a river which shouldn’t flood but not sure you would want to live in that area. Also, one of the first homes you looked at was in Arkansas, not Texas.

[@grumblesa10]

The single floor home is "ranch style" here. As others have said, you will NOT get the furniture in the photos as part of the house. Unless the owner wants get rid of it, which is HIGHLY unlikely. Sometimes even the appliances will go with the previous owner, but this is less common. Pools are....a PAIN IN THE ASS. You have fill them (which can expensive in areas where water costs more-like west Texas). Then you gotta clean/shock them. In the winter and it does get cold/freezes in TX, you'll have to drain and cover it. Oh and your homeowner's insurance will go up-if some kid leaps over the fence and gets hurt/drowns in your pool you could be liable. Finally as others have said, the asking price is always negotiable-unless it's in a very desirable location. Consider property taxes, HOA fees, Homeowner's Insurance (see above) in the total price.

[@minigirl6839]

I live in Texas, and I have a pool. I know many people who have pools in Texas. Nobody in Texas " drains and covers " their pool in the winter. We keep them running year round. It's not a big deal at all to take care of a pool. I spend less than 15 minutes a week on my pool and spa. It's hot here and we enjoy the pool.

[@grumblesa10]

@@minigirl6839 Hmm. Odd because here in NV we do that every winter.

[@minigirl6839]

@grumblesa10 Whatever. My pool is set up to automatically turn on in Freeze Mode, which means it turns on automatically when the temperature dips below 35 degrees. It cycles the pool and spa as long as necessary to prevent freezing. Hmmmmmmm. Perhaps I paid for better equipment?

[@liamengram6326]

5:35 In the states we call that "nuts to butts"

[@jonograhamreacts]

hahahaha, brilliant

[@briansjohnson17]

I grew up in California. I left at 39 and bought a house in Missouri for $77,500. It's a 3bed 2 bath house and my mortgage is $621 a month. Prices have gone up but you can find a house for cheap so move to the states

[@OkiePeg411]

I worked for a real-estate broker here in oklahome. He had me working at a desk in his office. There was a taxidermied squirrel over my head on the wall. Sometimes id look up and it would freak me out a bit wirh a squirrel's hind end hanging over me!!! 😆 🤣 😂

[@Missilynn]

We live in Louisiana just across the Texas state line down SW La/SE Tx & everything is similar. You wouldnt know u crossed the state line. Rural areas with small towns & small school districts work well for us. We hunt fish & enjoy the seafood being close to the Gulf of Mexico. Lots of lakes & streams.

[@jbs454]

Riverfront property may require flood insurance some of Texas is very desert type land and different parts of the state have different types of land and climates

[@george217]

The stairs probably go to a basement.

[@glendamaikell4224]

Basements aren’t very common in Texas houses. Central Texas especially has limestone just under the soil and it is very difficult to dig out holes for basements, pools, or storm shelters.

[@Roboto2073]

Step Brothers. Classic movie.

[@custisstandish1961]

If your daughter wants to attend university/college in the US, if she has good grades, she can apply for admission and scholarships. Many institutions welcome foreign students, especially the many Catholic colleges and universities.

[@jonograhamreacts]

She really wants to and her grades are really good so it's on the cards for the future

[@americasfavoritebrazilian2399]

The cheap up and coming State is West Virginia. I bought 11 acres for 120k. It's a fix up home. The land was to beautiful to pass up. You can grow anything!

[@rmlrl1971]

I have a galley kitchen that is very small. I empathize with what you said about your kitchen.

[@ladybird2015]

You have a capable family that could dig your own pond/lake on your own property.

[@fasttruckman]

Looking for property in Texas, you need to look in small towns around the major cities. Property taxes in major Texas cities are high, but you go to a small town outside of a major Texas city and the property taxes are 75% less.

[@ViPro2023]

I think most of the trees you're looking at in the photos are oak. I almost moved to Texas and from what I remember the property taxes were somewhat higher than much of the US but the rest of the taxes in the State are really low.

[@carlanderson7618]

Some people will warn you about property taxes., but they have just been cut, also there types of exemptions: Homestead, agricultural etc. which can lower your property taxes. Another offset is there is no state income tax.

[@randallbroadus3213]

I AM FROM TEXAS,WE DO HAVE ALOT OF GATORS AND SNAKES,DEER,WILD HOG, COUGAR'S,BLACK BEARS AND COYOTES, BOBCATS, SQUIRREL, JAVELIN, QUAIL,DOVES,DUCKS,GEESE

[@allibrown8960]

Nope. That "rustic" beam is a support beam. It's been made to look decorative, but has to be there for the integrity of the home.

[@987654321wormy]

Tennessee is a great place to have property. Ranks as 15th lowest in property tax, no income tax, although their sales tax is high. A friend bought 50 acres with a 2,500 sf house a few years ago for $275K. It's near the Kentucky border so they just shop there for their purchases.

[@OkiePeg411]

I know you love Texas, I do too, but just across the Red River, you can find a lot of even less expensive acreage. Lots and lots of farming land. Property taxes are even less expensive.

[@scallums]

#1 prefab house- avoid, #2 flooding could be an issue (elevation) #3 property tax in Texas going down estimate 5k per year. TX no income tax. #4 nice ..will need a tractor to maintain land est.80,000. #5 nice ..how far from a town.#6 again add 80,000 for tractor to maintain property. #7 pass prefab 1 step above mobile home pass.#8 too good to be true, most likely flood zone. #9 Bunk house style.. looks private built pass.

[@jamescostabile862]

Keep in mind that the photos are shot with a wide angle lens...which makes everything look bigger. I live in the Central Texas area (Austin). My wife and I know this stuff because we are both Realtors.

[@kathymc234]

Make sure you research zoning off any house before you buy. Some zoning will preclude you from having chickens. Also if you buy in a neighborhood with an HOA, they will not allow chickens. Good luck.

[@Janewski11]

When I hear you guys saying that you'd like to buy one of the houses that you liked, and the house had 10-15-20 acres, keep in mind that, as you get older, you won't be able to take care of that much property. I had my house built some 40 plus years ago, and it's only a three bedroom raised rancher on 1.2 acres of property. While that amount of property doesn't seem like a lot of property, keep in mind that I am now 71 years old, and trying to take care on my meager 1.2 acres of property is difficult for me. If it gets any more difficult for me, I'll have to sell my property, and find somewhere else to live....which would kill me because I love my house and where it is located. We never think about things as we age, but when we do age, things that we don't want to do, become evident, so keep that in mind when buying a house.

[@paulmartin2348]

Last time I looked, several years ago, 5 of the top 10 cost of living vs income cities were in Texas. I looked at a house there like you are doing that had an 80 thousand dollar asking price that would have been around 4 to 5 hundred thousand dollars where I live in Oregon. (I don't live in the expensive part of Oregon either) Just telling you that prices are much lower in Texas for real estate than many ore places and you are correct it thinking you get great value for your investment.