Moving-In Guide for Those New to Houston
Houston is a great place to live. There are plenty of good jobs, lots of exciting things to see and do, and it is a great place to raise a family. If you are not already from the Houston area, if you buy a home in Houston, here is information that will help when moving in.
Job Information
The Texas Workforce Commission provides job information and job search for the entire state of Texas.
Taxes
Texas has no state income tax for individuals or for corporations. Property tax rates in Houston average 2.259% of the assessed value of the home (which is less than the sales price). To find out what the property taxes currently are, on a property in Harris County; there is a searchable database. There are exemption programs for the surviving spouse of a military member who died, veterans, disabled veterans, and blind persons. Sales taxes in Houston are 8.25%.
Utilities and Services
Electricity
• Amigo Energy: 713-881-8517 www.amigoenergy.com
• Champion Energy Services: 281-653-1855 www.championenergyservices.com
• CenterPoint Energy: 281-488-7599 www.centerpointenergy.com
• Cirro Energy: 713-263-8100 www.cirroenergy.com
• Direct Energy: 713-877-3500 www.directenergy.com
• Dynowatt: 713-300-3038 www.dynowatt.com
• Everything Energy: 855-532-4985 www.everythingenergytx.com
• Gexa Energy: 713-470-0417 www.gexaenergy.com
• Green Mountain Energy Company: 713-278-7738 www.greenmountain.com
• Reliant Energy, Inc.: 713-497-3000 www.reliantenergy.com
• Spark Energy L.P.: 713-977-5634 www.sparkenergylp.com
• TXU Energy – 800-818-6132 www.txu.com
Natural Gas
• CenterPoint Energy – 281-488-7599 www.centerpointenergy.com
Water
• City of Houston Water: 713-371-1400 www.houstonwaterbills.houstontx.gov
Internet/Telephone/Television
• Consolidated Communications: 866-989-2255 www.consolidated.com
• Comcast: 877-233-0251 www.comcast.com (also offers home security services)
• Phonoscope: 713-272-4600 www.phonoscope.com
Mobile Telephone
• AT&T: att.com
• Sprint: sprint.com
• Verizon Wireless: verizonwireless.com
Satellite Television
• DISH – 800-823-4929 dish.com
• Direct TV – 888-795-9488 directtv.com
Trash Pickup
These services are provided as part of the city services by the City of Houston Solid Waste Management. To learn the pickup schedule go online to: www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/service_schedules.html.
Driver’s License
These services are available from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Vehicle Registration
These services are available from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
Auto Insurance
The Texas Department of Insurance requires mandatory auto insurance in Texas of $30,000/$60,000/$25,000. This means the current liability limits are the minimums of $30,000 for each person injured, up to a total of $60,000 for each accident, and $25,000 for any property damage for each accident. Prove of insurance must be in your vehicle at all times to show to police if requested.
Registering to Vote
You must be a United States citizen, be 18-years old, have no felony convictions, not be declared legally mentally incompetent, live in county where you register, and not be a resident in another state.
Online applications for voter registration are available or you can request the mailing of a postage-paid application. Allow thirty days for processing. Applications must be made thirty days in advance of any election to be able to vote in that election.
Voter registration applications are available in-person here:
• County Voter Registrars’ offices.
• Libraries
• Post Offices
• Schools
• Secretary of State’s office
WELCOME TO HOUSTON!
If have not yet found your dream home in Houston or if you want to sell a Houston home, contact the agents at ACRES Solutions. We would be happy to help.