Austin Tea PartyYou sign once. We represent you for as long as you own the house.
Here's the whole thing, in the order it happens, with the real dates.
You · two minutes, today
Look up your county record
We pull your county record, show you what the appraisal district has you at, and tell you what we think it should be.
You · today
Sign the Declaration
Form 50-162, the county's agent-designation form. It names Austin Tea Party as your representative. You can revoke it any time.
Us · by April 30
We file your homestead exemption, free
Free. If the address on your driver's license doesn't match the property yet, we'll tell you and hold it until it does. This is separate from the protest and it happens whether or not the protest goes anywhere.
The county · April
April: the Notice
The county mails its number. Revere rides that week. You don't need to do anything with it. We get the same information and we're already working.
County · January 31
January 31: the tax bill
Most people with a mortgage never see a tax bill. Your lender collects property tax and insurance monthly, holds it in escrow, and pays the county for you.
Us · by May 15
May 15: we file the protest
We review what the district has you at against its own records, comparable sales, and similar homes. If we think we can bring it down, we file. If we don't, we tell you why and we don't file, a protest we can't win wastes your time and puts nothing in your pocket.
Us · May to July
Summer: we argue it
Comparable sales, a like-for-like comparison against similar homes, and the records that support a lower number. Most protests in Texas are resolved in an informal conference without a hearing. If yours needs to go to the appraisal review board, we go. You don't have to be there.
Us · summer
The Tea Bill, only if we win
One invoice, 40% of the first year's savings. If we held the line, nothing.
Us · next April
Next year, again
Then we review your number again next spring, without asking you for anything. When we bring your value down, the saving reaches you as a lower monthly payment, an escrow refund, or a lower tax bill if you pay the county directly.
