AppealDesk vs DIY (No Service): Which Is Right for You?
Last updated: February 13, 2026
Quick Verdict
AppealDesk is the better choice if you want professional-quality evidence without spending 15-40 hours on research. DIY is better if you have the time, enjoy research, and want to spend nothing at all.
Best for budget-conscious DIY
AppealDesk — Homeowners who want to save time while getting professional evidence for $49
Best for zero cost
DIY (No Service) — Homeowners with time, data skills, and comfort with the process
Rob Hartley·Updated February 13, 2026Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | AppealDesk | DIY (No Service) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $49 | Free |
| Time investment | 10-15 minutes (filing only) | 15-40 hours (research + filing) |
| Comparable sales | Professional comp analysis included | You research using Zillow, county records |
| Assessment ratio | Automatically calculated and verified | You must research and calculate yourself |
| Filing guide | County-specific step-by-step instructions | You research your county's process |
| Cover letter | Professional cover letter included | You write your own (or skip it) |
| Evidence formatting | Professional PDF packet | Whatever format you create |
| Hearing preparation | Talking-point scripts included | You prepare your own talking points |
| Success rate | Varies by county (62-98%+) | 40-60% national average |
| Learning value | Evidence explains methodology | Deep learning from full process |
What DIY Actually Involves
Appealing your property taxes yourself means: (1) obtaining your property record card from the assessor, (2) finding 5-10 comparable sales within 0.5-1 mile of your property, (3) adjusting for differences in square footage, lot size, age, and condition, (4) understanding your state's assessment ratio and calculating your implied market value, (5) preparing a written case with evidence, (6) filing the appeal by your county's deadline, and (7) presenting your case at a hearing. Steps 1-4 take the bulk of time — 10-30 hours depending on data availability. Most homeowners underestimate how hard it is to find good comparable sales from public records alone.
The Data Gap
The biggest challenge with DIY appeals is data access. Professional services use MLS databases, proprietary comp tools, and assessed value databases that aren't publicly available. DIY appellants rely on Zillow, Redfin, and county assessor websites. These sources are useful but limited: Zillow estimates aren't appraisals, Redfin may not show all sales, and county sites often have outdated or hard-to-search records. The assessment ratio calculation is another gap — most DIY guides skip this entirely, even though it's essential in states where assessed value doesn't equal market value.
Cost: Free vs $49
DIY costs nothing. AppealDesk costs $49. That's the simple math. But consider the time: 15-40 hours of research at even a modest $15/hour valuation equals $225-600 in time cost. AppealDesk does the comp research, assessment ratio analysis, and evidence preparation in minutes using AI-powered analysis of property data. If your time has value, $49 for instant professional evidence is a strong return on investment. If you genuinely enjoy property research and have the time to spare, the pure DIY route costs nothing and can produce good results.
What AppealDesk Adds to the DIY Process
AppealDesk doesn't eliminate the DIY component — you still file and present your case yourself. What it eliminates is the 15-40 hours of research. You receive a professional evidence packet with comparable sales analysis, a county-specific filing guide with step-by-step instructions, and a cover letter that summarizes your case. The filing guide tells you your county's deadline, filing method, hearing format, and what to say. The cover letter is formatted for the hearing board. You're still doing the appeal yourself — you're just doing it with professional evidence instead of self-researched data.
Success Rate Comparison
The national average success rate for property tax appeals is 40-60%. This includes both professionally prepared and DIY cases. AppealDesk's county-specific success rates reflect professionally prepared evidence: 62% in Cook County, IL (where assessments are notably inaccurate) and 98.68% in Hays County, TX. Well-prepared DIY appeals can achieve similar results — the evidence quality matters more than who prepared it. The question is whether your self-researched evidence is as thorough as a professional analysis. Common DIY mistakes include using non-comparable sales, ignoring assessment ratios, and failing to adjust for property differences.
Who Should Go Pure DIY
Go fully DIY if you meet these conditions: you have 15-40 hours to dedicate to research, you're comfortable accessing and analyzing public records, you understand your state's assessment ratio (or are in a 100% assessment state like Texas or California), you can find comparable sales through public sources, and you're comfortable presenting evidence at a hearing. Some homeowners genuinely enjoy this process and find it educational. If you've appealed before and know your county's process, the time investment drops significantly in subsequent years. The county assessor's website, Zillow, and your state's taxpayer advocate office are good free starting points.
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DIY (No Service) — Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- +Completely free — zero cost for the appeal process
- +Full control over every aspect of your case
- +Available anywhere — any county, any state
- +You learn the system deeply, which helps in future tax years
Weaknesses
- –Requires 15-40 hours of research: finding comparable sales, understanding assessment ratios, preparing evidence
- –Hard to access the same comparable sales databases professionals use — public records are limited and slow
- –Easy to miss assessment ratio nuances that can invalidate your entire argument
- –No professional formatting — hearing boards respond better to well-organized evidence packets
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Frequently Asked Questions
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