Home Values Dip Amid County's Rising Appraisal Roll | The Locally Times
Travis County's total property value soared by 5.48% to $482 billion, but single-family homeowners are facing an average 1.8% market value decline. Here's what that means for your tax bill and how to fight it.
Travis County's overall property value just hit a staggering $482 billion, a 5.48% jump. But for many homeowners, the news is far less rosy: single-family residences actually saw an average 1.8% *decline* in market value. This stark contrast means hundreds of thousands of Travis County property owners need to pay close attention to the 2026 market values now being released online by the Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) and the notices arriving in their mailboxes in the coming weeks. Understanding these new appraisals and the protest process is crucial, as these figures directly impact your potential property tax bill. This surge, primarily fueled by growth in commercial properties across the healthcare, industrial, and office sectors, was released by the district on March 25, 2026. But this county-wide boom doesn't tell the whole story for homeowners. Single-family residences in Travis County, on average, experienced a 1.8% decline in market value for 2026. The median market value for a residential homestead property in Travis County is $493,449, with a median taxable value of $384,747. The records do not detail the specific reasons for the average 1.8% decline in market value for single-family residences across the county. Similarly, the exact breakdown of the 5.48% increase in the appraisal roll by specific commercial property type is not provided beyond identifying healthcare, industrial, and office properties as primary drivers. While these market values are critical, they don't directly dictate your property tax bill. Instead, they determine your share of the total tax levy, which local taxing entities—like cities, counties, and school districts—set through their annual budgets. This crucial document details your property's market value as of January 1, its taxable value (factoring in exemptions), and a full breakdown of the protest process. Chief Appraiser Leana Mann urges all Travis County property owners to meticulously review their property’s information both on the district’s website and within their mailed notice. This step is vital to ensure accuracy and confirm all eligible exemptions have been applied. If you believe your property’s market value is incorrect, you have the right to file a protest with TCAD. Mark your calendar: The deadline to file a protest is May 15, or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever comes later. TCAD strongly encourages filing protests through its user-friendly online portal. This digital platform allows property owners to upload their evidence, review the appraisal district’s evidence, review settlement offers, and attend informal meetings and formal hearings through their online accounts. Protests and supporting evidence are also accepted by mail and in person at the TCAD office, located at 850 East Anderson Lane. ## Key Dates and Support for Property Owners The informal protest process is set to kick off on April 6, 2026. During this phase, you can meet informally with a TCAD appraiser to discuss your property's valuation and potentially settle your protest. If an informal settlement isn't reached, you still have the chance to present your case to the Travis Appraisal Review Board (ARB). This independent board of citizens resolves disputes between taxpayers and the appraisal district, with hearings anticipated to start in June 2026. For additional support, TCAD will host a webinar on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 11:30 am. Registration and additional information regarding property values and the protest process are available on the TCAD website, traviscad.org. The mission of the Travis Central Appraisal District, as outlined by the Texas Constitution and state laws, is to provide accurate appraisal of all property in Travis County at one hundred percent market value, equally and uniformly, working to ensure that each taxpayer pays only their fair share of the property tax burden. ## Key Questions **How much did the county's total property value change?** The overall Travis County appraisal roll increased by 5.48% to $482 billion for 2026, driven by commercial properties. **What is the deadline to challenge my property's appraised value?** The deadline to file a property tax protest is May 15 or 30 days after a notice has been mailed, whichever is later. **Where can I get help understanding my appraisal notice?** Travis Central Appraisal District offers an online portal for protests, accepts mail and in-person inquiries, and will host a webinar on April 7, 2026, with more information available at traviscad.org.