Openness to third‑party help, tempered by privacy
The survey also probed attitudes toward outside assistance. Among those who appealed, “53% claim to have handled it entirely on their own, while 19% used a tax firm or online resource, and 17% hired a lawyer.”
Yet homeowners appeared broadly receptive to outside help. “Seventy‑three percent of homeowners express at least some trust in a third‑party service to handle an appeal on their behalf, with 12% describing themselves as ‘very trusting.’”
Among the 27% who were distrustful, “42% … said they simply prefer to handle property matters themselves,” 39% cited “data privacy and security concerns,” and “only 20% doubted that a third‑party service could achieve a better outcome.”
Part of a broader affordability squeeze
The findings came as multiple data sets pointed to persistent cost pressure on owners. Census Bureau figures showed median monthly owner costs for mortgaged homeowners climbed to $2,035 in 2024, up from $1,960 the year before, even after adjusting for inflation.
ATTOM data showed the average US property tax bill rose to $4,172 in 2024, a 2.7% annual increase, even as effective tax rates dipped slightly.
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