As property tax assessments begin arriving in Rockwall County mailboxes, local homeowners are urged to review their notices carefully. While the median market value for a home in Rockwall rose only slightly this year (up 0.31% to $423,273), the assessed value—used to calculate property taxes—jumped by over 7%.
“This is a direct result of how Texas property tax laws are structured,” said Colton Pace, CEO of Ownwell, a property tax advocacy platform. “Even if your home’s market value stays flat or drops, assessed values often rise as they catch up to the market, particularly for homesteaded properties.”
In Texas, the assessed value of a homesteaded property can legally increase up to 10% per year, regardless of what happens to actual market value. According to Ownwell’s research:
- 75% of Texas homeowners have seen noticeable increases in their property taxes since moving in
- 72% are concerned about continued increases
- Many are unaware they can protest their assessments
Ownwell estimates that Texas homeowners who didn’t protest their valuations last year collectively overpaid by more than $25 million.
“Protesting your property tax assessment is one of the most effective ways to reduce your annual housing costs,” Pace said. “Unfortunately, many homeowners either don’t know they can or assume the process is too complicated.”
In Rockwall County, the deadline to file a protest is May 15, 2025.
Homeowners can file an informal protest through the Rockwall Central Appraisal District or work with a third-party service like Ownwell. The company reports an 86% success rate for appeals, saving customers an average of $1,102. Ownwell operates on a contingency basis, charging only 25% of the total tax savings—with no upfront fee.
For more information or to begin a protest, visit www.ownwell.com.
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