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Ownwell Reviews

Ownwell Review (2026): Can It Really Reduce Your Property Tax?

real estate software Jan 09, 2026

Key Takeaways: Ownwell Property Tax Review (2026)

    • What: Ownwell uses local tax experts and proprietary software to appeal tax assessments and hunt for exemptions.

    • Why: The company claims an 86% success rate and says customers save about $1,100 per property on average.
    • How: You pay only if you save. Ownwell charges 25% or 35% of the tax savings, depending on your state. Ownwelloperates in seven states: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, NewYork, Texas, and Washington.

Ownwell claims they can simplify property‑tax appeals for busy homeowners and investors. But are the fees worth your potential savings?

After reading the service agreement carefully and considering doing it yourself, is it worth it to you?

Find out in our Ownwell Review:


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What Is Ownwell?

Founded in 2020 by Colton Pace and Joseph Noor, Ownwell is a proptech company built to help property owners challenge unfair tax assessments and claim tax exemptions.

The service grew out of Pace’s background in investment management and desire to bring investor‑grade tools to regular homeowners.

Unlike traditional tax‑consulting firms that charge hourly rates or hefty contingency fees, Ownwell operates a “savings‑or‑free” model. The company only collects a percentage of whatever tax reduction it secures and nothing if the appeal fails.

Local tax experts leverage public records, comparative market analysis, and proprietary data to evaluate each property’s fair market value.

When they spot an over‑assessment, they prepare paperwork, gather evidence, and attend hearings on the owner’s behalf. Ownwell also files for homestead and other exemptions, monitors tax bills for errors, and even negotiates reductions on internet, phone, and insurance bills.

Ownwell has processed hundreds of thousands of appeals. The company claimed to handle over 600,000 protests in 2025.

At the time of writing, Ownwell serves homeowners in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Washington.

Coverage varies by county, and some services (such as exemption filing) may be available in more areas than tax protests. If you’re not in one of those states, the platform will not accept your case.

*Editor's Note: Property‑tax appeals rely on accurate valuations and local deadlines. Before delegating your appeal, cross‑check your county’s protest dates and verify that Ownwell covers your market.

In Georgia and Washington, there is a chance your assessed value could increase; Ownwell says it will not file appeals if there’s a risk of your value going up. Always review your property’s details and consult an attorney or CPA if you have unusual circumstances.

Read Also: Taxes On Flipping Houses & How To Avoid Them

Ownwell Key Features

Ownwell positions itself as an end‑to‑end tax‑savings platform.

Below are Ownwell's core features and how they create homeowner benefits:

Features What You Get Investor/Homeowner Benefit
Property Tax Appeals Local experts evaluate your tax assessment using comps and market data and handle hearings Potential tax reduction without spending hours researching or attending hearings
Tax Exemption Filing Identification and filing of homestead or investor exemptions Lower tax bills and potential refunds
Bill Monitoring & Reduction Tracking of property taxes and negotiation of other household bills Additional savings beyond property taxes
Education & Resources Templates, case studies and help center DIY knowledge and transparency
Central Dashboard Secure portal for uploads, deadlines and appeal status Organization and visibility

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Ownwell Pricing & Fees

Ownwell’s pricing structure is refreshingly simple: you "pay only if you save."

There are no upfront fees, and the company only invoices you when it receives documentation from the county showing a reduced assessment. Fees vary by state:

  • 25% success fee: Texas and most other states. For example, if Ownwell knocks $2,000 off your tax bill, you pay $500 and keep $1,500.
  • 35% success fee: California, NewYork, and Florida. On a $2,000 reduction, the fee would be $700, leaving you with $1,300.

Ownwell says customers save about $1,102 to $1,148 on average. The service also reports an 86% success rate, meaning most owners see some reduction.

However, savings are not guaranteed.

You could hire Ownwell, only to find your assessment doesn’t budge. In that scenario, the service is free, but you’ll lose time waiting for the verdict and may miss the chance to appeal yourself.

Automatic Annual Enrollment

Ownwell automatically re‑enrolls your property each year. If you don’t want them to protest your taxes again, you must opt out two months before your county’s deadline. This catches some customers off guard.

To avoid surprise invoices, calendar your opt‑out date or email the company to terminate service after the appeal is complete.

Average Timelines & Payments

Appeals take several months. According to a HowToMoney case study, a protest filed on May 10, 2024, was settled on September 17, 2024.

Ownwell emails you when it submits your protest, when the hearing is scheduled, and when the verdict arrives. If the appeal succeeds, you’ll receive a digital invoice due within 30days.

Payments can be made via credit or debit card.

Pros & Cons of Ownwell

Pros âś…

Cons❌

No upfront cost:

You only pay if your tax bill is reduced.

Limited geography:

Service available in seven states and not every county.

High reported success rate:

86% of appeals result in savings.

Potential for unexpected fees:

Annual auto‑re‑enrollment and separate charges for homestead exemptions can surprise customers.

High savings Average

Average savings around $1,100 per property.

Savings not guaranteed:

You could end up with no reduction and lose time.

Convenience:

Ownwell handles paperwork, negotiations, and hearings.

Automatic opt‑in each year:

You must remember to cancel if you don’t want another protest.

Additional services:

Exemption filing, bill reduction, and tax education broaden its value.

Possible assessment increase in GA & WA:

Appealing could raise your value, though Ownwell says it avoids such cases.

Read Also: How To Buy Your First Rental Property: A Step By Step Guide

Ownwell Customer Reviews

Ownwell’s marketing claims an impressive success rate, but what do real customers and critics report? We dug through independent reviews, forums, and BBB complaints to uncover the full picture.

Positive Experiences

  • No up‑front risk: Multiple sources highlight that you owe nothing if the appeal fails. The company charges only when it secures savings, making the service similar in cost to local firms but without a retainer.
  • Convenience: Because Ownwell handles paperwork, communications, and hearings, busy investors and homeowners can outsource the entire process. Business Insider rated the user experience 4.5 out of 5, praising the simple onboarding and dashboard.
  • Additional services: Ownwell’s ability to find exemptions, file for a refund, and reduce other household bills broadens its value beyond a one‑time tax protest.

Critical Feedback

  • Complaints and mixed reviews. The Better Business Bureau shows that Ownwell has had 97 complaints in the past three years. Many issues involve communication and billing, such as being invoiced after selling a property or being charged for separate exemption services.
  • Limited availability. Ownwell operates in only seven states. If your property is outside its coverage area or if your county isn’t supported, you’ll need another solution.
  • Automatic re‑enrollment and surprise invoices.Properties are automatically re‑enrolled each year; you must opt out two months before the filing deadline.
  • Potential value increase. In Georgia and Washington, appealing your assessment can raise your taxable value. Ownwell says it will avoid filing if there’s a risk of an increase, but you should still understand this possibility.
  • Results can vary. Business Insider notes that savings aren’t guaranteed and that homeowners can file appeals and exemptions themselves.

Who Should Use Ownwell?

Ownwell is best suited for:

  • Homeowners in high‑tax states who lack the time or desire to research comparables, fill out paperwork, or attend hearings. The service is particularly attractive if you own multiple properties and need help tracking deadlines and exemptions.
  • Out‑of‑state investors with rentals in Texas, Florida, California, or other supported markets who can’t be present for appeals.
  • Busy professionals who value convenience over maximizing every dollar of savings. If the opportunity cost of a few hours of research outweighs Ownwell’s 25% or 35% fee, the service may make sense.

Ownwell Alternatives

If Ownwell isn’t available in your area or you want to compare other options, consider these alternatives:

  1. Local property‑tax attorneys or consultants. Many counties, especially in Texas, have firms that handle appeals. WalletHacks found a Texas firm charging 40% with a $149 minimum. Attorneys may have higher success rates in complex cases, but often require larger savings to take you on.
  2. HomeTaxShield. An Austin‑based competitor, HomeTaxShield, charges a $30 annual fee plus 30% of savings. It works primarily in Texas and offers a fully digital process. For some homeowners, the lower success fee could yield higher net savings.
  3. DIY appeals. Every county has a procedure for protesting assessments and filing for exemptions. You’ll need to research comparable sales, prepare a protest packet, and show up (in person or virtually) for a hearing. Business Insider notes that filing exemptions is relatively simple for most homeowners. For larger appeals, you might spend several hours, but keep 100% of the savings.
  4. County tax‑assessor resources. Many assessor websites provide market data, protest forms, and deadlines. Start there before hiring any third‑party service.

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Tips for Using Ownwell

  1. Gather documentation. Ownwell’s experts work best with solid evidence. Upload rent rolls, profit‑and‑loss statements, photos of deferred maintenance, and recent valuation reports. The more data you provide, the stronger your case.
  2. Confirm deadlines. Deadlines vary by state and county. Ownwell will handle filings, but you must sign up before protest deadlines– which can be as early as April in Texas or as late as September in California. Late sign‑ups will miss the window entirely.
  3. Ask about the fee percentage. States like California, New York, and Florida have a 35% success fee, while others are 25%. Double‑check your county’s rate before enrolling.
  4. Review the service agreement. Make sure you understand auto‑re‑enrollment, additional services (like homestead exemptions,) and billing timelines. BBB complaints often stem from misunderstandings about these terms.
  5. Monitor your property annually. Even if you use Ownwell, review your tax notices each year. Appeal procedures and valuations change. You can always opt out and file yourself if a particular year looks straightforward.

FAQs: Ownwell Property Tax

How much does Ownwell cost? Ownwell charges 25% or 35% of the savings it secures. There are no upfront fees, and you owe nothing if the appeal fails.

Which states does Ownwell operate in? As of early 2026, Ownwell is available in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Washington. Coverage is county‑specific, so check your address on their website.

Is Ownwell legitimate? Multiple reviews confirm that Ownwell is a legitimate company with an A+ rating from the BBB and over 2,200 Google reviews with an average 4.7/5 rating. However, the BBB also reports 97 complaints in the last three years, so read the service agreement carefully.

What if Ownwell increases my assessed value? In Georgia and Washington, appeals can sometimes increase your property’s assessed value. Ownwell says it will not file an appeal if there’s a risk your value could rise, but you should still understand your state’s rules and discuss any concerns with the company.

Do I have to use Ownwell every year? No, but the service automatically re‑enrolls your property each year. You must opt out two months before your county’s filing deadline to avoid a new protest.

Does Ownwell handle exemptions and refunds? Yes. Ownwell files for homestead and other tax exemptions and pursues refunds for overpaid taxes. Be aware that refunds generated by exemptions may incur additional fees, as seen in some BBB complaints.

Ownwell Review Final Thoughts

Ownwell delivers a convenient way for homeowners and small investors to fight inflated property‑tax assessments without spending hours on research or court appearances.

Founded in 2020 and backed by tax experts and software, the company boasts an 86% success rate and average savings of around $1,100 per property.

If you live in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Texas or Washington, Ownwell’s “no savings, no fee” model can make sense, especially if you own multiple rentals or have limited time.

However, the service is not without drawbacks.

Automatic annual re‑enrollment, varying fee percentages and a history of complaints about billing and communication mean you should read the fine print and monitor your account. DIY appeals or local firms may offer better economics if you’re willing to put in the work or if your property is outside Ownwell’s coverage area.

As with any real estate decision, do your due diligence. Compare Ownwell’s fees to your potential savings, and verify your state’s appeal deadlines.


*Disclosure: Real Estate Skills is not a law firm, and the information contained here does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with an attorney before making any legal conclusions. The information presented here is educational in nature. All investments involve risks, and the past performance of an investment, industry, sector, and/or market does not guarantee future returns or results. Investors are responsible for any investment decision they make. Such decisions should be based on an evaluation of their financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.

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