Sell your Bridgeport house as-is

Wise County appraisal and tax offices for Bridgeport

The Census Bureau's 2024 estimate counted 6,763 people in Bridgeport, a Wise County city. The appraisal district and the county tax office that handle the tax side of a sale both have their offices in Decatur.

The Wise County Appraisal District, 400 E Business 380 in Decatur, appraises all real and business personal property in Wise County, and the Comptroller's Wise County directory lists the City of Bridgeport among the units it appraises for. The district's site carries an address change request, which matters if you have moved out and still want the notices, and states that filing a homestead application there is always free. To dispute a value, file a written protest with the Appraisal Review Board by May 15 or 30 days after the notice is delivered, whichever is later (Tax Code 41.44(a)).

Taxes are collected by the Wise County Tax Assessor-Collector at 404 W. Walnut St. in Decatur (940-627-3523). The same Comptroller directory lists the City of Bridgeport and Bridgeport ISD among the units that office collects for.

Bridgeport utility accounts and the city's lien rules

Bridgeport's own utility system covers more than water. Section 13.02.060 of the city code defines utility service as the city's water, sanitary sewer and electric service, and it lets the city record a lien on the property for delinquent charges. Before the lien is recorded, the city mails a certified notice to the customer on the account and, when that customer is not the owner, to the last known record owner on the city tax rolls. An owner who has moved away should keep that address current.

• Homesteads: the section does not apply to homestead property protected by the Texas Constitution.
• Rentals: it also does not apply to charges a tenant runs up as the customer of record after the owner has given the city written notice that the property is a rental, delivered in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested.
• Priority: a recorded utility lien ranks ahead of every other lien except a bona fide mortgage lien recorded before it.
• Court: the city council can direct a suit to foreclose the lien, but not earlier than 60 days after the lien is recorded.

When the charges are paid in full, a release is filed in the county deed or lien records. If the house sat empty or was rented out, ask the city for the account balance and a payoff early. Landlords should also read section 13.02.051 on the same page: temporary service for contractors and landlords is capped at 14 days for single-family structures, and an applicant who left an unpaid balance with the city is required to pay a deposit plus all outstanding amounts.

Substandard building hearings before the Bridgeport city council

Article 3.05 of the Bridgeport code sends substandard building cases to a public hearing before the city council, except when the council finds that a building is likely to immediately endanger persons or property. The steps that matter to a seller of a run-down house:

1. At least 10 days before the hearing, the building official sends notice to the record owner and to all mortgagees and lienholders (3.05.006(c)). To find them, the city searches county real property records, appraisal district records, Secretary of State and assumed name records, and its own tax and utility records.
2. At the hearing, the owner, lienholder or mortgagee carries the burden of proving the scope of the work needed and how long it will take (3.05.006(e)).
3. The council's order must require the owner to secure the building and/or repair, remove or demolish it within 30 days, unless the owner shows at the hearing that the work cannot reasonably be done in that time. More than 90 days is allowed only if a detailed plan and time schedule submitted at the hearing establish that the work cannot reasonably be completed within 90 days because of its scope and complexity (3.05.007(b)).
4. If the city does the work itself, the cost becomes a lien subordinate only to tax liens and existing special assessment liens, with interest of 10% per year from the date the work was performed (3.05.011(d) and (f)).

Inherited houses and occupants who stay

If the Bridgeport house came to you after a death, the probate case generally belongs in the county where the owner lived (Estates Code 33.001), which for a Bridgeport resident is Wise County. While the estate is open, keep the appraisal district's mailing address current so tax notices reach whoever is handling the house, and ask the county tax office for a payoff if taxes have fallen behind. Our guides on taxes on inherited property and selling an inherited house cover the rest.

If a relative or tenant is still living there and will not leave, Property Code 24.0041 puts the eviction case in the justice precinct where the property sits, and section 24.005 generally calls for a three-day written notice to vacate first unless a written lease says otherwise (chapter 24). Wise is one of five counties served by the Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas Denton office (940-383-1406), which offers legal help for people who qualify.

Selling to Cash Home Advisors

Cash Home Advisors can buy your Bridgeport house as-is, so you can skip the repairs. We pay all closing costs, and we can close in 7–14 days. Se habla español.

Start with the offer form, see how it works, or check the holding cost calculator to see what an empty house costs each month.

Local offices for this area

• Wise County Appraisal District
• Texas Comptroller, Wise County appraisal and tax office directory
• Bridgeport Code of Ordinances, utility rates and charges (Division 2, Art. 13.02)
• Bridgeport Code of Ordinances, substandard buildings (Art. 3.05)
• Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, Denton office (serves Wise County)

ZIP codes we buy in: 76426