Issue No. 8 proposed ninety minutes a year, same week every year. This is that checklist, in order, so you can work straight down it.
THE DOCUMENTS (about 40 minutes)
- TAD.ORG — search your address. Is a homestead exemption showing? If you're over 65, disabled, or a surviving spouse, are those showing too? If any are missing, that's the highest-value item on this list. Texas allows late filing for prior years.
- DECLARATIONS PAGE — find your wind/hail deductible. If it's a percentage, multiply it by your dwelling limit and write down the dollar figure. Check whether roof coverage is replacement cost or actual cash value, and whether a roof payment schedule is attached.
- ESCROW ANALYSIS — the annual statement from your servicer. Do the tax and insurance figures look right? Was your exemption reflected? If you're carrying a shortage, ask about paying it as a lump sum.
- MORTGAGE STATEMENT — is there a mortgage insurance line? Divide your current balance by your purchase price. Under 80%, you can ask about cancellation in writing.
- CLAIMIT.TEXAS.GOV — search your name, your spouse's name, previous names, previous addresses. Free, no deadline, takes five minutes.
THE PROPERTY (about 30 minutes)
THE CALENDAR (about 20 minutes)
- Note the protest deadline — generally May 15 or 30 days after your notice.
- Note your policy renewal date, and set a reminder two weeks before it to actually read the renewal packet rather than filing it.
That's the year. Ninety minutes, and it covers most of what this newsletter has spent ten issues explaining.
Item 6 through 9 are the ones you can't fully do from the ground, which is what the free inspection is for: 45 minutes at your home, timestamped and geotagged photo survey, NOAA hail history for your ZIP, written condition report emailed to you and yours permanently. No cost, no obligation, no claim handling.
Book: /book Or reply with a day.