Harris County Property Tax Representation
Michael Saegert represents Harris County homeowners, investors, and businesses in property tax disputes. As former counsel for the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD), he helps property owners challenge appraisals, correct property records, evaluate settlement offers, and prepare for Appraisal Review Board hearings.
Harris County Property Tax Help: HCAD Appraisals and ARB Hearings
Property tax disputes in Harris often move quickly once an HCAD Notice of Appraised Value is issued. The right next step depends on where you are in the process.
HCAD Appraisal Notices
We review your notice, market data, property records, and exemptions to determine if your value is supportable.
iSettle and Informal Settlement Offers
We evaluate offers against your evidence so you can decide whether to accept or continue to hearing.
HCAD Informal Meetings
We help you prepare evidence and a clear value position for your informal review with an HCAD appraiser.
Appraisal Review Board Hearings
We prepare and present your case, challenge HCAD's evidence, and focus on the property's true market value.
Post-Hearing Options When Needed
We review corrections, arbitration, litigation, and other remedies after an unfavorable ARB decision.
How We Handle Harris County Property Tax Appeals
We handle the property tax appeal process from assessment review to appraisal district negotiations, ARB hearings, and potential tax reduction.
1
Step 1: Review the HCAD Notice and Property Record
We analyze your appraisal, history, property data, and the issues affecting your value.
2
Step 2: Build an Evidence-Based Value Position
We gather comparable sales, condition docs, photos, repair estimates, and correct inaccurate HCAD Information.
3
Step 3: Evaluate Settlement and Informal Review Options
We assess any offer and help you decide whether settlement makes sense or if a hearing is the better path.
4
Step 4: Prepare for the ARB Hearing
We organize the evidence, present your case, and address HCAD's valuation position clearly.
No recovery, no fee.
You only pay if we achieve a reduction.
Why Property Owners Choose Michael Saegert
Former HCAD Counsel Insight
Understands appraisal district procedure, evidence, and hearing strategy from both sides of the process.
29 Years of Property Tax Focus
Dedicated experience with Texas appraisal appeals, corrections, hearings, litigation, and related tax disputes.
Evidence-Based Appeal Strategy
Cases are built around property records, comparable sales, condition documentation, and a supportable value position.
Fees Based on Your Matter
Representation may involve a contingency fee, a flat fee, or a combination of both. Your written engagement agreement explains the applicable terms.
Related Property Tax Services
Houston Property Tax Questions We Hear Most Often
Do I need an attorney to protest my Harris County property appraisal?
No. Property owners may file and handle a protest themselves. However, legal guidance may be helpful when the property has a significant value, the evidence is difficult to interpret, HCAD has made a settlement offer, the case is headed to an ARB hearing, or you are considering post-hearing options. ​Michael Saegert helps property owners evaluate the strength of the case, prepare evidence, and decide which course of action best fits the property and the available facts.
What is HCAD iSettle?
iSettle is HCAD’s online settlement process for eligible property tax protests. A property owner may submit an opinion of value and supporting information through the HCAD owner portal. If HCAD makes an offer, it should be reviewed against the property’s comparable sales, condition issues, repair documentation, and other evidence before it is accepted. Accepting an offer resolves the protest for that tax year.
Should I accept HCAD’s settlement offer?
​It depends on whether the proposed value is supported by the evidence. Before accepting an HCAD offer, review whether it reflects your property’s actual condition, corrects any account errors, and reasonably compares with similar nearby properties. In some cases, settlement is the practical choice. In others, the evidence may support continuing to an ARB hearing.
Do I have to attend an HCAD informal meeting or ARB hearing?
Not always. The right approach depends on the stage of the protest, the property, the available evidence, and whether you have representation. An informal meeting is generally an opportunity to discuss the case with an HCAD appraiser before a formal hearing. If the case does not resolve, the ARB hearing is the formal stage where the property owner and appraisal district present their evidence.
What evidence can help lower my HCAD property value?
Helpful evidence may include comparable sales, photos of deferred maintenance or damage, repair estimates, inspection reports, and records showing that HCAD has incorrect information about the property. The strongest evidence does more than show that taxes are high. It supports a specific, lower value for the property.
Can the ARB increase my property value?
The ARB is not required to follow an informal or iSettle offer. It decides the protest based on the evidence presented during the hearing. Before rejecting an offer or proceeding to hearing, it is important to understand the evidence, the requested value, and the possible outcomes.
What happens if I disagree with the ARB decision?
After an ARB hearing, the property owner receives a written order reflecting the board’s decision. Depending on the facts, additional options may be available, including appraisal corrections, arbitration, or litigation. These options can involve strict requirements and deadlines, so it is important to review the written order promptly.
Do you represent both homeowners and commercial property owners?
Yes. Saegert Law represents homeowners, investors, businesses, and other Texas property owners in matters involving appraisal appeals, corrections, ARB hearings, litigation, delinquent taxes, omitted property, and related property tax issues.
How are representation fees determined?
While we primarily work on a contingency fee basis, a flat fee or a combination of both may be more suitable for the representation requested. Fees and the scope of work are confirmed in a written engagement agreement.