University Heights property tax protests: 2026 data
71 homes in University Park, Dallas County (appraisal neighborhood 1HSP16), compared with their most similar neighbors.
Updated October 12, 2026. Source: Dallas Central Appraisal District, 2026 data. Methodology
single-family homes compared
71
valued above similar homes nearby
49%
look worth protesting in 2026
42%
of decided 2026 protests got a reduction
68%
49% of University Heights homes are valued above similar homes nearby
We compared each of 71 single-family homes with its most similar neighbors (same neighborhood and quality, similar size and age). 49% have a house value above the median of those homes: together, $2.2 million of house value above them. Texas lets you protest a value that is above the median of comparable homes.
44% of University Heights homeowners protested in 2026, and 68% of decided protests got a reduction
Of 71 University Heights homeowners in our data, 31 protested their 2026 value; 21 of 31 decided protests lowered it, typically by $98,880 (3.5% of the value).
University Heights homeowners who protested on their own got bigger reductions than those who hired an agent: $585,020 vs. $94,385
The typical winning protest cut the value by 9.6% on your own vs. 3.5% with an agent.
On your own
$585,020
typical value cut among wins (9.6%)
Decided protests won
25%
Cost
$0–50
Off the yearly tax bill
about $8,483, all yours
With a paid agent
$94,385
typical value cut among wins (3.5%)
Decided protests won
74%
Cost
25–40% of the tax saved
Off the yearly tax bill
about $1,369, minus $342–$547 to the agent
Source: the Dallas Central Appraisal District, 2026 protests. Tax figures at a typical 1.5% effective tax rate. Agent or do it yourself? · Methodology
An agent keeps 25–40% of what you save. Doing it yourself costs $0–50.
At a typical 1.5% Texas tax rate, the typical win on your own takes about $8,483 a year off the tax bill, and you keep all of it. The typical agent win takes off about $1,369, and the agent keeps about $342–$547 of that. Filing is free, online or by mail, and there's no agent contract to renew or cancel each year.
12 University Heights homes valued above similar homes weren't protested
Their house values were above the median of the most similar neighbors, the comparison Texas law allows a protest on, but their owners didn't protest in 2026.
The typical Texas home pays about $7,106 a year in property tax
Our estimate from 2026 published tax rates and each home's exemptions: 1.5% of market value. (The Dallas Central Appraisal District doesn't publish tax rates with its data, so this uses our Texas data.)
15% of University Heights homes have no homestead exemption on file
Usually a rental or second home. If it's your own home, a homestead exemption takes $140,000 off its school taxable value and caps yearly increases in taxable value at 10%; you apply with your appraisal district (Form 50-114).
Free, in about 10 seconds: how your home compares with similar homes nearby.
By the numbers
Single-family homes
71
Median market value
$3,500,000
Median change from last year
+0%
Median value per sq ft
$714
Median living area
5,136 sq ft
Median lot
10,500 sq ft
Median year built
1998
Homes with a pool
49%
Homestead exemption on file
85%
Homes with a paid protest agent
48%
Streets where most homes are valued above similar homes
Street
Homes
Above similar homes
Median gap
VILLANOVA ST
26
80%
+4.4%
WENTWOOD DR
45
36%
-4.1%
Streets with at least 10 homes we could compare. "Median gap": how far the street's typical house value is from its comparables' median.
How to protest
The protest deadline is May 15, or 30 days after your appraisal notice was mailed, whichever is later. Check the date on your notice. New to this? Read how to protest.
Based on 2026 appraisal values and protest outcomes from the Dallas Central Appraisal District. Estimates, not promises: every protest is decided on its own evidence.