05/29/2026
If you had to choose between an automatic 8% reduction...or a 23% reduction backed by evidence...Which would you choose?
Today I wrapped up negotiations on a property that started the year with an appraised value of $946,458.
After digging into the details, analyzing the property, gathering evidence, and working through negotiations with the appraisal district, we reached an agreed value of $728,456.
That's a reduction of more than $218,000.
More importantly, it's a reduction of over 23%.
As I was working through this case, I couldn't help but think about an article I recently read regarding large national property tax firms and blanket settlements being negotiated because appraisal districts simply don't have the resources to process thousands upon thousands of protests.
In one example, a large property tax agency reportedly received an 8% blanket reduction across their portfolio.
And that raises an important question.
Is that really what's best for the property owner?
Let's compare.
My client received a reduction of more than 23%.
Not because the system was overwhelmed.
Not because of a blanket settlement.
Not because someone filed thousands of protests.
But, Because I built a case.
I found evidence.
I identified weaknesses in the appraisal.
I presented facts that supported a lower value.
The result was a reduction nearly three times larger than the 8% blanket reduction discussed in the article.
So which outcome would you rather have as a property owner?
An automatic 8% reduction because a large company overwhelmed the system?
Or a 23% reduction because someone actually analyzed your property and fought for its specific facts and circumstances?
That's what concerns me about the direction parts of this industry are heading.
The conversation has become focused on volume.
How many protests can be filed?
How much pressure can be applied?
How overwhelmed can the system become?
But very little attention is being paid to whether individual property owners are actually receiving the best possible outcome.
And there's another issue that bothers me.
Fairness.
If a homeowner files one protest, they are expected to provide evidence.
If a small business owner files one protest, they are expected to provide evidence.
If a local property tax consultant represents a client, they are expected to provide evidence.
Yet when thousands of protests are filed at once, it appears that different rules apply.
Whether you agree with that or not, it certainly creates the appearance that large firms may receive treatment that individual property owners and smaller firms do not.
The property tax system only works when taxpayers believe everyone is being treated equally.
The same standards should apply whether you're representing one property or ten thousand.
As a former appraisal district appraiser, I understand how difficult protest season can be.
As a property tax consultant, I understand why taxpayers hire representation.
But I also believe the goal should be accuracy, not volume.
Today, one property owner received a reduction of more than 23% because I focused on the facts.
And that's why I will continue spending my time building evidence, analyzing properties, and fighting for results one property at a time.
Because in my experience, good evidence beats blanket settlements every day of the week.
What do you think?
Would you rather receive an automatic 8% reduction...
..or have someone dig into your property and potentially uncover a much larger reduction based on the actual facts? See less
