Housing Consultants
Homestead Designation Services, LLCHeadquarters
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Complaint Details
Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.
Initial Complaint
06/25/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Received a letter and paid online. After we spoke to our mortgage company and said this was a fake letter and the fees are already taken care of. We called multiple times and no one answered.Business response
06/26/2024
Hello ****,
You requested document preparation for the designation of homestead. We have no record of you contacting our office and requesting a refund. We will process your refund right away. Please allow a few days for the credit to appear on your account. If you have additional questions and or concerns, please contact customer support at *********************
Initial Complaint
06/21/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
April 10, 2024 I paid what I thought was to homestead my home. I filled out the paper and sent a 89 dollar check. Then a month or 2 later I received another letter wanting $69 more which i paid. I realize now I was scammed out of 158 dollars. I want a refund as well.Business response
06/27/2024
Dear BBB,
We have reached out to this consumer several times and haven't received a response as of today. We are unable to verify her claim and would need proof of payment in order to process the refund she requested for the recording fee. We charge $64.00 for recording the document in public record, and the consumer stated she paid $69.00. However, we cannot find any payment that was made by the consumer in the amount of $64.00 or $69.00. We can refund the $89.00 document preparation fee, but unfortunately we will need proof of payment in a form of cancelled check in order to determine if recording fee should be refunded. We would like to remedy this matter as soon as possible and request that you assist us in getting clarification from the consumer or encouraging her to respond to our requests for further information.
Initial Complaint
06/20/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
My wife and I just purchased a new house a few months ago and received numerous letters from Homestead Designation Services. It sold what seemed at the time like a great service. They would take care of your homestead designation for a fee ($89). Everyone assumes reading this that it means the homestead tax exemption would be taken care of as well. So I sent it off, thinking it would take care of things. I then received a second letter asking for more money ($69). It wanted me to have the next form notarized. After further research, I found that none of this service was warranted and that I had been scammed. I called through every single option on the help line only to get "leave a voicemail" or "send an email". So I sent an email and am leaving this reply to warn others not to make the same mistake.Business response
06/26/2024
Hello ****,
It doesn't appear that you fully read our advertisement for service. It is not true that everyone assumes that homestead tax exemption would be taken care of as well. Assuming that a service would be provided, then complaining about not receiving the service we never offered is not fair, especially since we make it very clear that we do not provide assistance with filling for tax exemption. We state repeatedly throughout our service offer that designation of homestead and tax exemption are distinct. The consumer is fully informed that the service we provide is that of assisting them with the process of designating their property as homestead. We also let you know that for tax exemption, you need to contact the appraisal district. You e-mailed our help desk requesting a refund and received a response within two hours letting you know that your refund will be processed. Your refund was processed on June 20, 2024 and mailed to the address we have on file.
Customer response
06/27/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. Regardless of the multiple solicitations to our home as new home owners, the business has shown professionalism in handling the refund request. We received a prompt response via email and received the refund in the mail today, 06/27/2024. Thank you for your help in this matter.
Best Regards,
*********************
Initial Complaint
05/29/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I have received numerous suspicious letters from Homestead Designation Services, and other entities from the address at ****************************************** beginning 6/2023 through the present. I received another today, 5/29/2024. This is at least the 5th or 6th letter. The letters are generally about the status of warranty or tax filing status on my home, aimed at creating fear in the reader that they are not in good standing with the government for tax purposes. These are requesting money in order to file certain documents with the county clerk. These letters are predatory in nature and are inherently deceitful. For example, the letter I received today states that my home is not homestead exempt according to their records. I know for a fact I am homesteaded with the state, however those with less suspicion may fall prey and assume that they have improperly filed paperwork, thus paying their hard earned money to a scammer. This business needs to be shut down.Business response
06/04/2024
Unfortunately, ******************* misrepresented the facts regarding the nature of our service offer. Our advertisement for services has absolutely nothing to do with any warranty or tax filling status. We clearly stat in our advertisement that designation of homestead (the service we provide) has no effect on property taxes. "The designation of Homestead under Texas Property Code is DISTINCT from the homestead tax exemption." We do offer assistance with recording designation of homestead documents in public records with the County Clerk. Our letter states that "there is no record of designation," again, nothing in to do with tax exemption. We regret that ******************* misunderstood our service offer and will gladly remove his name and property address from any future advertisements for service.
Initial Complaint
05/04/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Customer Service Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I got a notice from this business asking to pay $89 for getting homestead exemption on my property tax. I am a first time home buyer and thinking this was an official Texas document I sent a check of $89 to this business which was encashed by that business on 1st May. I just realized today that this is total scam and I want my money back.Business response
05/10/2024
We regret that you misunderstood the nature of the services we provide and assumed that our advertisement for services was regarding tax exemption. Tax exemption is not the service we provide. This is stated throughout the advertisement for service you received. Designation of homestead (the service we provide) is distinct from tax exemption. Our offer states that, "Designation of homestead is not and does not affect homestead TAX EXEMPTION." You are advised to contact the appraisal district with the questions regarding tax exemption. Additionally, we disclose in large bold font that, "This document is an advertisement of services; not an official State of Texas form. Again, the service we provide is assistance with the process of designating your primary residence as homestead. We offer 100% money back guarantee, and will process your refund right away. With further questions, please feel free to contact out customer support at *********************
Initial Complaint
04/23/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I received a letter in the mail requesting a check for $89 for homestead tax services. There is small print at the bottom of the letter that states "this is an advertisement for services" and it is not bolded or capitalized which is law. I missed that and sent them a check thinking I was going to get homestead tax exemption. Second. About a month later I received another letter to mail them $64 to file the document with the county clerks office. I did not receive the service I thought it was and this letter was extremely misleading. I am seeking a full refund for $153Business response
04/23/2024
****,
You refund has already been processed and mailed to the address on file. If you would like a copy of the service offer you accepted, please notify our help desk and it will be provided to you. A representative addressed all of your concerns and advised you about the disclosures that are printed in bold/large print on our advertisement for services.
"The designation of homestead under Texas Property Code is distinct from the homestead tax exemption. Designation of homestead is not and does not affect homestead tax exemption. For information regarding tax exemption, please contact the appraisal district. This product or service has not been endorsed by any governmental agency and this offer is not being made by an agency of the government. This document is an advertisement of services; not an official State of Texas Form."
We regret that you are unsatisfied despite acknowledging that you fully read and understood the nature and purpose of homestead designation, receiving the service you requested and being issued a full refund.
Customer response
04/23/2024
Good afternoon,
if the extremely small print at the bottom of the form and your misleading company name was clear to me I wouldn't have paid you the money. The attorney general wouldn't have issued a statement and news outlets wouldn't be writing about your "scam". This request is not satisfied until the funds are back in my bank account because I still have trouble believing this check is really in the mail. Good day and please respond after the check has been cashed.
Business response
04/24/2024
Our company name is at the very top of the letter, written in bold print. ********************** wrote two checks to Homestead Designation Service. All of our company information and contact information are in our advertisement. The font is 12pt throughout the advertisement for service, with 14pt bold font disclosing This document is an advertisement for service; not an official State of Texas form. Consumers refund was mailed out on 4/23/2024. We ask that ********************** be patient during a reasonable time frame that was provided to him regarding standard mail delivery times. According to **** website, First ****************** delivers between 1-5 business days. We further advised ********************** to notify our office if at the conclusion of the standard mail delivery time frame he did not receive the refund. We have gone above and beyond, and even provided the consumer with an e-mail of scanned cover letter and copy of the refund check that was mailed out to him.Customer response
04/25/2024
still haven't received my refund so I will reject this claim.
Secondly, you didn't respond to the news articles and attorney general warning the public about this "scam" of yours.
thirdly, I would suggest putting the disclaimer at the top of the page, not at the bottom in the bare minimum font size. But let me guess, then it would be too obvious.
Initial Complaint
04/22/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I sent Homestead designation services a check of $89. The check was cashed on 03/07/24. Never received the service from them. Cant even contact them.Business response
04/23/2024
Your documents were mailed out on April 5, 2024 to the address you provided. As of today, we have not received notification that the mailing was undeliverable. Our contact information is on the advertisement for service we sent you. We dont have a record of you reaching out to our customer support via phone or e-mail. We offer 100% money back guarantee and your refund will be processed right away. Please e-mail our customer support at ********************* to confirm your mailing address.Initial Complaint
04/11/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Received an intentionally deceptive solicitation in the mail to pay for a homestead designation. It is deceptive, because Homestead Designation Services, LLC intentionally does its best to hide its name from a letterhead and only exposes its name in fine print in the bottom right hand of the letter. They may claim this as a mere service, but many individuals may fall for the trap that they are receiving a letter from a government agency and be suckered into paying a much higher fee for the same amount of work. Do not pay this company, despite what they may respond with. They intentionally use language, format and solicitation efforts to trick homeowners into engaging with them on a service.Business response
04/17/2024
*************,
Please take a look at our advertisement for service again. Our company name is clearly printed at the top of the service offer we sent you, in large/bold print. Our disclosures at the bottom clearly explain the purpose and the type of services we provide. We can remove you from our mailing list. Please e-mail customer support at ********************* and provide us with the mailing address and recipient names you would like to have removed.
Sincerely,
Customer Support Team
Initial Complaint
02/13/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Sales and Advertising Issues
- Status:
- Answered
This company mails a letter stating that its a required form to file for homestead and they ask you for $89. A month later they mail another asking for another $64 dollars. After researching and going to my counties clerks office if find that they are a bunch of scammers targeting new home owners . I want my $89 back . This company should be ashamed .Business response
02/13/2024
You did not read our offer before accepting our services. We advertised document preparation services for the process of homestead designation. Nowhere in our advertisement for service did we state that using our service is required. Please take a look at our letter again. It is written in large/bold print, "Recording a designation of homestead in public records in not required by law. The use of this form or service is not required by law. This document is an advertisement of services; not an official ************** Form." If you read the first paragraph on the back of our offer, you can learn about the benefits to designating one's property as homestead. We will refund your $89.00 document preparation fee. A representative e-mailed you regarding the refund already.
Initial Complaint
02/05/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
This business tries to take money from people to make their tax designation homestead exempt. We all know that it is free to file for a homestead exemption for tax purposes for your home. This company has already scammed me out of money before, and I tried reporting with the Better Business Bureau, but I have not received any information as of yet how this was going to be resolved.Business response
02/06/2024
Dear BBB,
It looks like we marketed to this individual. We have no record of ever providing services for **************. We have never charged $250.00 for the services that we do provide. Additionally, we have nothing to do with tax exemptions. This is stated over and over in our service offer. ************* should figure out who she paid $250.00 to and contact that company.
Sincerely,
Homestead Designation Services
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Customer Complaints Summary
27 total complaints in the last 3 years.
8 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
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