Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 4^th February 2025

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which Harris County Home Value ("we," "us," "our," or the "Company") collects, uses, maintains, and discloses information collected from users ("you," "your," or "User") of the Harris County Home Value website and related services (collectively, the "Service").

We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with applicable US and Texas state privacy laws, including the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA), Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §§ 541.001 et seq., and the federal CAN-SPAM Act.

By accessing or using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you must immediately cease use of the Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Data You Provide

• Property Valuation Data: Property address, property type, and any details you voluntarily provide during the valuation flow.
• Contact Information: When you request an agent connection, we collect your full name, email address, and US phone number.
• Agent Application Data: Full name, phone number, email address, Texas real estate license number, brokerage name, professional experience, specialization, coverage areas, and business metrics.
• Contact Form Submissions: Name, email, phone, and message content submitted through our help and contact page.
• Intent and Timeline Data: Selling timeline and reason for seeking a valuation that you select during step two of the valuation flow.

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Session Data: Session identifiers, timestamps, pages visited, and usage patterns stored via HTTP-only cookie.
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type, time zone, and referral source.
• Analytics Data: Through Google Analytics, we collect aggregated information about how you interact with the Service.

2.3 Sensitive Personal Information

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information as defined under the TDPSA (such as Social Security numbers, financial account information, health data, or precise geolocation). If you believe you have provided such information inadvertently, contact us at info@harriscountyhomevalue.com for immediate deletion.

3. Legal Basis and Purposes for Processing

We process your personal data for the following purposes and on the following legal bases:

• Service Provision: To generate property valuations and connect you with agents when you opt in — necessary to perform the service you requested.
• Communications: To respond to your inquiries and send service-related notifications — with your consent or as necessary for service delivery.
• Service Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve our valuation algorithms — based on our legitimate interest in operating and improving the Service.
• Agent Network Management: To evaluate and manage agent applications — necessary for our legitimate business operations.
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and governmental requests.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Estate Agent Network

We share your contact information and property details with verified Harris County agents only when you explicitly opt in by submitting the agent connection form on the valuation results page. We do not share your data with agents based on your address entry or step-two responses alone.

4.2 Third-Party Service Providers

• Cloud Hosting: Amazon Web Services (AWS) — secure data storage and processing.
• Analytics: Google Analytics — aggregated usage data. IP addresses are anonymized.
• AI Services: Third-party AI providers may process property data to assist valuation generation. These providers are contractually prohibited from using your data for their own purposes.

All third-party processors are contractually obligated to use your data solely for services provided to us.

4.3 No Sale of Personal Data

We do not sell, share for cross-context behavioral advertising, or rent your personal data to any third party. This applies to all users, including Texas residents under the TDPSA.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your data if required by law, court order, or valid governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Company, our users, or the public.

4.5 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may transfer to the acquiring entity. We will provide notice before your data becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookie	Purpose	Duration	Type
valuation_session	Maintains your valuation session across the three-step flow. Stores your property address, timeline, and reason. Enables agent connection if you opt in.	1 year or until deleted	First-party, HttpOnly, Secure, SameSite=Strict
_ga, _ga_*, _gid, _gat	Google Analytics — aggregate usage statistics, anonymized.	24 hours – 2 years	Third-party (Google)

You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. Disabling the valuation_session cookie will prevent you from completing a valuation.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures including 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption in transit, encryption at rest, access controls, and regular security assessments. No method of internet transmission is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

• Valuation Session Data: Retained until you request deletion or the session cookie expires.
• Contact and Agent Application Data: Retained until you request deletion or withdraw consent.
• Analytics Data: Aggregated, anonymized data may be retained indefinitely.

8. Your Rights Under the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA)

If you are a Texas resident, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

8.1 Right to Know

You may confirm whether we process your personal data and request a copy in a portable, readily usable format.

8.2 Right to Correct

You may request correction of inaccurate personal data we hold about you.

8.3 Right to Delete

You may request deletion of personal data you have provided to us, subject to certain exceptions permitted by law.

8.4 Right to Opt Out of Sale / Targeted Advertising

We do not sell personal data or use it for targeted advertising. No opt-out action is required, but you may contact us to confirm this at any time.

8.5 Right to Non-Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your privacy rights.

8.6 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, email info@harriscountyhomevalue.com with subject line "Privacy Rights Request." We will respond within 45 days as required by the TDPSA. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request. You may also appeal our response by replying to our decision; if you are unsatisfied with our appeal response, you may file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General at texasattorneygeneral.gov.

9. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed to individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, contact us immediately at info@harriscountyhomevalue.com and we will delete it promptly.

10. Do Not Track

There is no industry consensus on responding to Do Not Track browser signals. The Service does not currently respond to DNT signals. You may manage tracking through your browser settings and the Google Analytics opt-out described above.

11. International Users

The Service is operated in the United States. If you access it from outside the US, your data will be transferred to and processed in the US. By using the Service, you consent to this transfer.

12. Third-Party Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites. This Privacy Policy applies only to our Service. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

13. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy at any time. Material changes will be communicated by updating the "Last Updated" date and, where appropriate, by email notification at least 30 days before the change takes effect. Continued use of the Service constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact Us

For privacy inquiries, data requests, or complaints:

Harris County Home Value
Email: info@harriscountyhomevalue.com
Subject Line: "Privacy Policy Inquiry"