When investing in Texas real estate, or any real estate for that matter, there are many costs to consider. The costs associated with owning a rental property can be vast and varied, but there are a number of universal costs and fees. These include:
- Property prices
- Property taxes
- Property insurance
- Property registration
- Property permits
How do these costs factor into a Texas real estate investment? Keep reading to find out!
Related: A Comprehensive List of Rental Property Expenses for Investors
The Costs of Investing in Texas Real Estate
Of the many costs of investing in Texas real estate, property prices and taxes remain consistent in the long-term.
Property Prices
The Texas housing market is known for its affordable real estate. As the second-largest state by land area, there are plenty of opportunities for a Texas real estate investment. Historically, the Texas real estate market has been in-line with or slightly below the US median. So far in 2019, the national median has ranged from $305,400 to $339,000, with the most recent price at $312,800. At the moment, the Lone Star State’s median property price is $321,957, according to Mashvisor’s rental property calculator.
If you’re interested in how our investment property calculator computes this data, be sure to click here!
Many Texan cities have property prices that are near the state median. And in others, you’ll find a Texas investment property priced below or above the median. Some notable cities that are above the Texas median property price include:
Some notable cities that are below the state median include:
- Fort Worth: $286,202
- San Antonio: $282,135
- El Paso: $211,625
Here are the median property prices of other notable cities in the Texas housing market:
- Amarillo: $263,473
- Arlington: $273,162
- College Station: $331,407
- Corpus Christi: $303,143
- Frisco: $443,309
- Lubbock: $255,129
Property Taxes
Whether you are investing in real estate to buy a home or a rental property, property taxes are a natural component of the investment. Texas has a reputation for high property taxes. However, the overall tax burden is not too severe for a Texas real estate investor, since Texas does not have a sales income tax, among other tax considerations.
According to Tax-Rates.org, Texas has the third-highest effective property tax rate, as a percentage of property value, in the US at 1.86 percent. This equates to a median property tax of $2,275 per year for a property with a median value of $125,800. Texas is also ranked the 12th highest US state for property taxes as a percentage of median income.
Similar to property prices, Texas property taxes differ from one location to another within the state. Here are the property tax rates, as a percentage and value, of the most populous Texas counties based on the median property price of each county.
- Harris County: 2.31%, $3,040
- Bexar County: 2.12%, $2,484
- Tarrant County: 2.37%, $3,193
- Collin County: 2.19%, $4,351
- Fort Bend County: 2.48%, $4,260
- Dallas County: 2.18%, $2,827
- Montgomery County: 1.99%, $3,123
Unlike property prices and taxes, property insurance, registration, and permits tend to vary widely across the state and over time. As with any real estate information, it’s vital for property investors to be up-to-date when it comes to these aspects when investing in Texas real estate.
Property Insurance
Like any real estate market, property insurance is a requirement when investing in the Texas housing market. As of late, it has become more of a necessity than ever when investing in Texas real estate due to the hurricanes, storms, and floods often troubling the region.
Overall, Texas is the seventh most expensive state for property insurance. According to Insurance.com, the average cost of property insurance in Texas is $1,945. Compared to the national average of $1,288, the average property insurance cost in Texas is $717 more for the coverage level of $200,000 dwelling coverage, $1,000 deductible, and $100,000 liability. The cost of landlord insurance necessary for rental properties is likely to be even higher.
Property insurance costs in Texas vary widely. Areas in Galveston, for instance, are among the most expensive places to insure a property, with averages around $7,000. Some areas are in the opposite direction, however, with the average property insurance cost in some neighborhoods in El Paso capping at $1,000. Here are the average insurance rates for the largest cities in the state based on a policy of $200,000 dwelling coverage, $1,000 deductible, and $100,000 liability protection:
- Houston: $2,787
- San Antonio: $1,258
- Dallas: $1,802
- Austin: $1,185
- El Paso: $823
- Fort Worth: $1,893
- Arlington: $1,913
Related: 10 Types of Insurance for Real Estate Investors
Rental Property Registration
When investing in Texas real estate, some cities and counties require specific types of rental property registration. Two common examples of the various types of property registration are present in Dallas and Houston.
Dallas real estate investors are required to register non-owner occupied properties, such as single-family homes, duplex units, and condominium units. The registration entails a registration application, an annual $43 fee, an annual Owner’s Self Inspection Checklist, and a comprehensive inspection by the City of Dallas every 5 years.
Multi-family investment properties in Houston, specifically, are required to be registered. The registration includes a $40 fee per unit or $100 total, whichever is greater, and an administrative fee of $10. For more information on multi-family registration in Houston, check out this link.
The requirements for rental property registration in the Texas housing market range considerably from city to city. When deciding to invest in any market in the state, be sure to learn about its registration requirements.
Short-Term Rental Permits
When investing in Texas real estate, there are multiple rental strategies to choose from. In some cities like Austin and San Antonio, Airbnb vacation rentals are fully legalized and come with short-term rental permit requirements.
Related: 13 US Cities with the Least Airbnb Legal Issues in 2019
As part of the city’s Airbnb regulations, Austin Airbnb hosts are required to obtain an operating license for short-term rentals, which are defined as the rental of a residential unit or accessory building for less than 30 consecutive days. Hosts are required to apply for the license, pay a $500 non-refundable fee, provide proof of property insurance, among other requirements which you can learn about here.
If a San Antonio Airbnb rental property is located within city limits, a permit is needed. Like Austin short-term rentals, San Antonio defines a short-term rental as an entire or partial residential unit rented for a period of less than 30 consecutive days. San Antonio has two types of short-term rental permits. A Type 1 permit applies to an owner-occupied rental, whereas a Type 2 permit applies to a non-owner occupied rental. For more information on San Antonio’s Airbnb permit requirements, be sure to check out Airbnb’s help page.
How Will These Texas Rental Property Costs Affect Your ROI?
As you can see, investing in Texas real estate, like any other market, requires many costs and fees. Listing and calculating these fees can easily discombobulate any investor. And figuring out how all of these costs will affect your return on investment (ROI) can get complicated. However, by using Mashvisor’s rental property calculator, you can list, calculate, and adjust the expenses associated with your rental property and determine its profitability.
To get started investing in Texas real estate and calculating rental expenses, click here to start your 14-day FREE trial with Mashvisor!