Is the appraisal district valuing your home higher than similar homes nearby?

We compare appraisal district values — not sale prices. This page shows how to check your home, read the colors, and what to do when protest season opens. 2026 protest season is closed. Next: 2027 preliminary notices (typically April–May). Written for neighbors, not lawyers.

Notice vs certified

Preliminary · you can protest only while your notice deadline is open

Opening values for the year. The deadline is on your notice.

Certified · final · lookup only

Final values after protest season. Good for checking history. You cannot protest these.

How to check your home

Three steps. Takes a minute.

1. Find your home

On the map, type your address, or zoom to your house and tap the pin. Every home we cover is on the map.

2. Read the color

The pin compares your home to 5 similar homes nearby, using the appraisal district’s own values.

3. Open your report

Tap View report. You’ll see your home, the 5 similar homes, and one number you could ask for when protest season is open.

The report is a check, not your filed paperwork. When season opens, you’ll still print each similar home from your appraisal district’s website.

What the colors mean

Strong — your value looks more than 7% above similar homes.
Maybe — 2–7% above. A cut is possible, not guaranteed.
In line — not meaningfully above. Filing is unlikely to change it.
Already lower — you’re under similar homes. Filing won’t lower you further.
Check by hand — we couldn’t find 5 similar homes (unusual size, age, or a rural home). You can still compare on your appraisal district’s site.

2026 protest season is closed

When your 2027 notice arrives, file on your appraisal district’s website — not here. We’ll put the how-to-file steps back on this page next spring.

Open the map to check your home.

Common questions

My pin is gray. What does that mean?

We couldn’t automatically find 5 similar homes — usually an unusually old, new, large, small, or rural home. You can still compare homes on your appraisal district’s public search.

My pin is purple. Am I stuck?

You’re already valued below similar homes, so this comparison won’t lower you. The review board also cannot raise your value during a protest. Other issues (homestead 10% cap, damage, wrong square footage) can still matter.

Do I need to hire someone?

No. People who file themselves get reductions about as often as those who hire an agent. Agents handle the paperwork and typically take 30–40% of the first-year tax savings.

I missed this year’s deadline. Now what?

Usually you wait for next spring’s notice and file early. A late notice of your own still counts — use the date on that letter.

Words we use

Appraisal district: The county office that sets your home’s value each year. Sometimes called the CAD. Not the office that sends the tax bill.
Appraised value: The number used to figure your property tax. We compare these numbers — not sale prices.
Preliminary: Opening values for the year. This is the number you can protest, only while your notice deadline is open.
Certified: Final values after protest season. Lookup only.