HomeTaxAppeal vs O'Connor & Associates
A sourced, side-by-side comparison of HomeTaxAppeal and O'Connor & Associates — fee model, coverage, refund terms, and what each one actually gives you. Every O'Connor & Associates fact below is quoted from its own public statements with the date we checked it.
HomeTaxAppeal vs O'Connor & Associates at a glance
| Feature | HomeTaxAppeal | O'Connor & Associates |
|---|---|---|
| Service type | Self-service software — you file yourself | Full-service contingency firm — "We file the protest and attend the hearing." Annual auto-protest via its Property Tax Protection Program. (per publicly stated terms as of Jul 18, 2026, source) |
| Pricing | Flat $79 one-time evidence packet — no contingency, no percentage of savings | Contingency, 50% of first-year savings — "No flat fee; just pay half of first year property tax savings." The fee is defined as 50% of the current-year tax savings (initial appraisal-district assessed value less the final value). Clients are "not billed for court costs, appraisals, expert witness fees or legal fees." (per publicly stated terms as of Jul 18, 2026, source) |
| Coverage | All 50 states | Residential: Texas, Illinois, Georgia, New York. Commercial: 45 states. Houston HQ plus 9 Texas regional offices. (per publicly stated terms as of Jul 18, 2026, source) |
| Refund / guarantee | Published no-reduction guarantee (see terms) | No refund policy; contingency framing only — "No fees ever unless we reduce your property taxes, not even a nickel. We promise." (per publicly stated terms as of Jul 18, 2026, source) |
| Comparable sales shown before you pay | Yes — the free check shows real comparable sales before you pay | not publicly stated |
| What you get | An evidence packet: comparable sales, adjustments, a county filing checklist, and a hearing script — you file the protest yourself | Protest filing, informal and ARB hearing attendance, judicial-appeal/binding-arbitration coordination (O'Connor covers filing fees), free exemption-application help, "comprehensive evidence files (50-125 pages typical)," and a client portal. (per publicly stated terms as of Jul 18, 2026, source) |
What it costs over time
O'Connor's stated residential fee is 50% of first-year tax savings (poconnor.com/property-tax-protection-program, as of Jul 18, 2026). O'Connor does not publish an average-savings figure, so this uses Ownwell's self-reported $774 Texas residential average as a common baseline, vs HomeTaxAppeal's $79 one-time flat fee. Commercial clients are excluded (different product category). Math assumes the same savings recurs each year (best case for O'Connor).
| Period | HomeTaxAppeal | O'Connor & Associates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $79 flat | 50% × $774 = ~$387 vs $79 (≈4.9×) |
| 3 years | $79 flat | 50% × $774 × 3 = ~$1,161 vs $79 (≈14.7×) |
| 5 years | $79 flat | 50% × $774 × 5 = ~$1,935 vs $79 (≈24.5×) |
What O'Connor & Associates reports about itself
Figures O'Connor & Associates publishes about its own results, quoted as-is. These are the company's own claims — HomeTaxAppeal has not independently verified them.
- O'Connor saved clients over $213 million in 2025. (per publicly stated terms as of Jul 18, 2026, source)
When O'Connor & Associates is the better choice
No single option fits everyone. O'Connor & Associates is likely the better fit if:
- You want zero involvement. O'Connor & Associates files the protest and handles any hearing for you. With HomeTaxAppeal you file the protest yourself and attend any hearing — you do the filing, the software does the evidence.
- You never want to touch the analysis. A full-service option runs the comparable-sales work and negotiates for the homeowner end to end; a self-service packet hands you the evidence to submit yourself.
O'Connor & Associates — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does O'Connor & Associates charge?
Contingency, 50% of first-year savings — "No flat fee; just pay half of first year property tax savings." The fee is defined as 50% of the current-year tax savings (initial appraisal-district assessed value less the final value). Clients are "not billed for court costs, appraisals, expert witness fees or legal fees." (per publicly stated terms as of Jul 18, 2026).
Is O'Connor & Associates legit?
Yes — O'Connor & Associates is a real, operating company. The comparison above summarizes its service model, pricing, and refund terms straight from its own site (as of Jul 18, 2026). Whether it is the right fit depends on whether you want a full-service option or a lower-cost self-service packet.
O'Connor & Associates vs doing it yourself — what's the difference?
O'Connor & Associates handles the filing and any hearing for you. HomeTaxAppeal is self-service software: it shows real comparable sales in a free check before you pay, then gives you a $79 flat-fee evidence packet — comparable sales, adjustments, a county checklist, and a hearing script — and you file the protest yourself.
Does O'Connor & Associates offer a refund or guarantee?
No refund policy; contingency framing only — "No fees ever unless we reduce your property taxes, not even a nickel. We promise." (per publicly stated terms as of Jul 18, 2026).