I am thinking about building but concerned about property tax. I have heard that mobile homes, due to not being 'permanant', do not raise property tax much but know nothing about it.....any experience out there with this? Thanks. P_102

I've heard the same thing but I would call the appraisal district and ask them about it.

You'd have to check with the counties CAD.

Some counties have a minimum land severance requirement for a livable structure, some don't.
Some require a lot 20' in all directions bigger than the structure, others 1 acre or more, some have no lot size requirements.
This area of land you'll pay residential property tax on + the appraised value of the structure.

What you may or may not (depending on county) save in property taxes for a mobile home you will spend on insurance.

I put a 16 x 68 clayton mobile home on my land in Edwards County a year ago. The mobile home was used, 2 years old. Estimated property tax this year is about $850. Last year I paid $190. So approx $660 a year added for the mobile home.

Buy a cheap used motor home to leave on the place. Drive to the place and then take it home once in a while.

Checked with Camp County (where land is), taxes are figured on total value of land + home. Permanant structure vs. mobile home makes no difference.

The only difference would be if you got a travel trailer to live in, "not a mobile home." That does not count as a structure.

That's why they are called mobile homes, leave the tires on it.

In Erath they cut out 1 acre for the homesite, taxed at a higher rate than the rest of the land. Ours is approximately $400 per year.

Except, normally the taxable value of a regular home goes up over time, whereas the value of a mobile home goes down like a car or truck.

We have a property in Leon County with a 28'x70' mobile home on it, and the value drops each year. We have another property adjoining that one with a 30' camper trailer on it. They don't charge any tax on the trailer, but they tax the canopy it sets under.

Do you need water sewer etc? There are a few ways around it. What I've done for clients in the past is permit a small "workshop" on AG land that has all utilities and then you are able to wire and pipe in something on wheels without anyone knowing. What you can get away with is dependent on how big the property is, if you're reliant upon city utilities, etc.

In the counties I am familiar with a mobile home will be considered a residence and taxed accordingly. As stated by others an ac. will be attached and taxed at a higher rate unless you survey an area around the house and fence it. I would recommend a metal building as well (a shop / barn on the outside - living quarters inside). This could also make construction / repairs tax deductible. Good luck.