Client Testimonials

JPMorgan Chase Bank

David Senior, SVP. “We began a routine search for a new property tax consultant in 1994 after several years with another prominent firm. We engaged Equitax and watched in wonder as our taxes plummeted. We were asked to approve innovative concepts which, once assimilated, proved to be far more effective than we imagined. Today, our taxes are still substantially lower than they were ten years ago in an inferior market.”

“ We used to think that you just hired a new tax consultant every few years and hoped the new enthusiasm would produce some results. With Equitax, the enthusiasm just grows every year—no one else could match the zeal or the results.”

Weingarten Realty Investors

Steve Richter, Senior Vice President and CFO. “When we decided to outsource property tax work to try to gain ground on our 25% premium market valuation position, we were somewhat skeptical of Equitax’s target values. Now that we are almost a decade into the program, our taxes are far lower than we ever imagined—perhaps as much as 25% below the market standard.”

Paul Wilke, Director of Tax. “I’ve watched Mike Wilson respond to the challenge over and over again and deliver the goods—continually lower valuations and dramatic tax savings. It’s great fun to mediate with Mike—and then go flyfishing!”

Popp, Gray, and Hutcheson

Jim Popp, “Mike has developed several useful explanations of appraisal methodology including rent stratification for office buildings, intangible extraction for retail centers, percentage rent analysis, and valuation of bank properties that have proven very effective. We have successfully worked together on many significant cases and I have used his approaches for many of our clients. And Mike taught me how to fly fish.”

Raymond Gray, “I’ve worked with appraisal districts, taxpayers and consultants for a long time. I think Mike Wilson’s knack for explaining some fairly complex valuation strategies in a way that is understandable is one of the keys to his success at the administrative level. And, no one tops Mike in preparation or knowledge, which is why he has so much success with litigation. Mike is a tenacious advocate for his clients, working small accounts just as hard as large ones. I’ve learned a lot from Mike, but when is he going to teach me to flyfish?”

Randall’s Food Markets

Bob Onstead, founder and former Chairman of the Board. “When we first hired Equitax, and Mike Wilson wanted us to litigate to get lower values, I was pretty skeptical. But after we saved a significant amount of money I wished we had hired him sooner.”

Lee Straus. “One of my jobs was to help Randall’s Food Markets lower its costs in order to keep prices low for our customers. Mike Wilson and Equitax helped us achieve that objective.”

Texas Tower Ltd.

Ann Marie Curtin, Prime Asset Management. “As owners and operators of one of the most prominent buildings in the United States, JPMorgan Chase Tower, we felt that we needed the best possible representation to help control our property taxes. Since 1995 Mike Wilson at Equitax has achieved remarkable results. We’re really happy, but probably not as happy as our tenants—they look forward to their refund!”

RS Property Management

Phil Parsons. “We hired Mike Wilson and Equitax for the first time in 2003. Previously we utilized several seemingly well-qualified tax consultants who worked on a fixed-fee basis for us. Mike really sold us on his practice and methods—we checked him out with his current clients who had nothing but good things to say about their performance; however, we were still doubtful of his achieving significant reductions for us, but we decided that we would be happy with a percentage of his target reductions. What a nice SHOCK! Mike’s work provided our company with savings of $1.0 million per year on just the four buildings that we own in Houston, not to mention savings in Austin and San Antonio! We could not be happier with the performance, results and our working relationship with Equitax.”

AmREIT

Max Shilstone. “As our company grew in prominence, we knew we needed the best property tax representation. We asked for recommendations from peers and people-in-the-know and went with Equitax and their aggressive program. So far we have already dramatically improved our position and expect even greater rewards in the future.”

Lovett Homes/Lovett Commercial

Frank Liu. "Mike told me he was pretty smart—I didn't believe him but we hired him anyway! Including a reduction from one purchase at $2.0 million to a value of about $700,000, it looks like Equitax will save us about a million dollars the first year, so I guess I was the smart one. I really think Tom & Paul did all the work!"