Best DIY property tax appeals Alternatives (2026)

Last updated: February 13, 2026

The best alternative to a fully DIY property tax appeal is a service that provides professional evidence while you handle the simple filing step. AppealDesk generates evidence packets, filing guides, and cover letters for $49 — eliminating the 15-40 hours of research while you keep control. For fully hands-off options, Ownwell (9 states, 25-35%) or O'Connor (40+ states) handle everything.

Rob Hartley·Updated February 13, 2026

Why People Look for DIY property tax appeals Alternatives

The research phase takes 15-40 hours: finding comparable sales, understanding assessment ratios, calculating adjustments, and preparing a coherent evidence packet. Many homeowners start and give up.

Accessing good comparable sales data is difficult. Professional databases aren't publicly available, and county records are often incomplete or hard to search.

Assessment ratios trip up most DIY appellants. In states that don't assess at 100% of market value, comparing assessed value directly to sale prices produces misleading results.

DIY property tax appeals Alternatives at a Glance

Service	Price	Coverage	Type	Best For
AppealDesk	$49 flat fee	All 50 states	DIY with professional evidence packet	Homeowners who want professional evidence without the research time — still file yourself in 10-15 minutes
Ownwell	25-35% of savings	9 states	Full-service	Homeowners who tried DIY and want someone else to handle everything
O'Connor & Associates	Percentage of savings	40+ states	Full-service	Homeowners who want established full-service representation without doing any work
PropertyTax.io	35% of savings (capped)	Texas only	DIY evidence packet	Texas homeowners who want DIY evidence with no upfront cost

1. AppealDesk

AppealDesk is the closest thing to "DIY but easier." You still file the appeal yourself — a 10-15 minute process using the county-specific filing guide — but the evidence is professionally prepared. The packet includes comparable sales with price-per-square-foot analysis, assessment ratio verification, and a formatted cover letter. This eliminates the hardest part of DIY (the 15-40 hours of research) while keeping the part that's actually easy (the filing).

See detailed AppealDesk vs DIY property tax appeals comparison →

2. Ownwell

If DIY frustrated you because of the process, not just the research, Ownwell removes everything from your plate. They handle research, filing, hearing attendance, and negotiation. You pay 25-35% of savings, but invest zero time. Available in 9 states including Texas, California, Florida, and Illinois.

3. O'Connor & Associates

O'Connor provides the same hands-off experience as Ownwell but with broader coverage (40+ states) and 50+ years of experience. If you attempted DIY and realized you'd rather pay someone to handle everything, O'Connor's established track record and wide availability make them a reliable full-service choice.

4. PropertyTax.io

PropertyTax.io offers a similar model to AppealDesk — they provide evidence and you file — but with contingency pricing (35% of savings, capped) and Texas-only coverage. If you're in Texas and prefer paying only if you save, they're worth considering, though the fee is significantly higher than $49 on most reductions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the easiest way to appeal property taxes?

The easiest method is a full-service company like Ownwell or O'Connor — they handle everything. The most affordable easy method is AppealDesk ($49): professional evidence with a 10-15 minute self-filing step.

How long does a DIY property tax appeal take?

Fully DIY takes 15-40 hours for research and preparation, plus the filing time. With AppealDesk, the research is done for you — you spend about 10-15 minutes on filing.

What do most people get wrong with DIY appeals?

The most common mistakes are: using non-comparable sales (wrong size, age, or distance), ignoring assessment ratios in non-100% states, failing to adjust for property differences, and poor evidence formatting.

Is $49 worth it compared to free DIY?

Consider the time cost: 15-40 hours of research at even $15/hour equals $225-600. AppealDesk's $49 provides professional evidence in minutes. If your time has any value, the math favors the service.

Can I start DIY and switch to a service?

Yes. You can use your own research as a starting point and supplement it with AppealDesk's professional evidence packet. Or switch to a full-service company at any point before the filing deadline.

Want a detailed head-to-head comparison? See AppealDesk vs DIY property tax appeals →