How we stack up.
Straightforward comparisons. No cherry-picked wins. Where a competitor does something better, we say so.
Assumes a typical $1,200/yr reduction that holds for ten years. Ownwell's 25–35% contingency recurs annually until the reduction erodes. Censum charges once. DIY is free if you do the analysis yourself — this comparison is about cost, not effort.
On a $1,200/year reduction, Ownwell takes $300–420 per year. Ten years of that reduction = $3,000–4,200 paid to Ownwell. Censum collects $199 once. Math favors flat.
Credit where it's due: Ownwell operates in 30+ states. If you don't live in Cook, they're a reasonable option.
TaxProper was acquired by Opendoor and the consumer appeal product is being wound down. Its Cook County coverage never operated at scale. If you're weighing TaxProper, verify they're still accepting Cook filings for your window.
Credit where it's due: TaxProper's methodology writeups were among the best in the space.
Cook County lets any homeowner file their own appeal at zero cost. The hard part isn't the form — it's picking comparable properties and writing a defensible argument. That's what the evidence packet does.
Credit where it's due: if you're analytical and patient, DIY is genuinely viable. We'll still show you the score for free.
- — You don't own property in Cook County. We're Cook-only through 2026. Texas + Ohio are on the roadmap.
- — Your property is commercial, industrial, or vacant. Our current model scores residential PINs.
- — Your model score is below tier threshold. We won't sell you a packet if the evidence isn't there.
- — You want hand-holding through a hearing. Hire an attorney directly, or add our Concierge service.
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