Author Archives: Alexia House

Mortgage Rates As Low As 2.5% For A Limited Time

Mortgage Rates As Low As 2.5% For A Limited Time

United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) is offering mortgages rates for as low as 2.5 percent for buyers meeting certain criteria who can close soon. Titled “Conquest,” this new program is designed to increase demand for homes and spur a strong purchase season despite the economic impacts of COVID-19 across the country.

UWM is the nation’s largest purchase mortgage and wholesale lender, but it doesn’t deal directly with borrowers. It works with independent mortgage brokers, such as Kensington Research & Recovery, Inc., who can offer these lower rates to customers. UWM’s “Conquest” program offers mortgage rates that are a full percentage point below what was available recently, according to news reports.
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Berwyn Township 2020 Triennial Reassessments Mailed

Berwyn2020 Triennial reassessment notices were mailed to Berwyn Township homeowners on Monday, May 18th. Homeowners in Berwyn Township have 36 days to appeal their assessment at the Assessor’s office (there will be a second opportunity to appeal later in the year at the Board of Review, whether you appeal at the Assessor’s office or not). The deadline for appealing at the Assessor’s office is June 23rd.

We recommend homeowners review their assessment annually, particularly in a triennial reassessment year, to ensure they do not pay more than their fair share in property taxes. Successfully appealing in a reassessment year may provide 3 years of savings on future property tax bills. If you would like a free analysis of your Berwyn Township home, in comparison to similar properties, we would be happy to conduct a “no obligation” analysis and provide you with a free estimate of how much we believe we could help you save with an appeal.
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Wheeling Township 2020 Assessment Notices Mailed

West Suburban Homeowners Feel Property Tax Pinch2020 property assessment notices were mailed by the Cook County Assessor’s office on Thursday, May 14th 2020, to Wheeling Township property owners. The window to appeal your 2020 assessed value is now open until the deadline of June 19th.

We recommend property owners review their assessments annually and appeal whenever there is a strong evidence based argument that your home may not be assessed fairly. Wheeling Township was reassessed in 2019 but even if you appealed last year you may appeal your assessment again this year. A successful appeal in 2020 may result in two years of savings, until Wheeling is reassessed in 2022. The best way to ensure you never pay more than your fair share in property taxes is to review your assessment every year and appeal whenever you have a strong basis for an appeal argument, no matter where your township is at in the triennial reassessment cycle.
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Property Tax Relief For Small Multifamily Property Owners

Property Tax Relief For Small Multifamily Property Owners

With unemployment at the highest it has been since the Great Depression, many American families are struggling to pay rent. Last month, a third of all renters failed to pay on time – a number that will likely increase as unemployment continues to rise.

In the Chicago area, evictions and foreclosures are banned during the shelter-in-place order. During this time, mom-and-pop building owners with 10 or fewer units are likely to be hardest hit, along with other small, multifamily properties and low-to-moderate income housing.

For Cook County’s small multifamily building landlords, it is a threat that makes the property tax assessment process even more important. Nearly half of Chicago residents are renters, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Smaller building landlords face the prospect of a growing number of tenants struggling to pay their rent. For landlords who cater to Chicago area college students, the prospects may be even grimmer if the pandemic interrupts a return to campus in the fall.
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Palatine Township 2020 Assessment Notices Mailed

tax2020 property assessment notices were mailed by the Cook County Assessor’s office on Tuesday, May 5th 2020, to Palatine Township property owners. The window to appeal your 2020 assessed value is now open until the deadline of June 10th.

We recommend property owners review their assessments annually and appeal whenever there is a strong evidence based argument that your home may not be assessed fairly. Palatine Township was reassessed in 2019 but even if you appealed last year you may appeal your assessment again this year. A successful appeal in 2020 may result in two years of savings, until Palatine is reassessed in 2022. The best way to ensure you never pay more than your fair share in property taxes is to review your assessment every year and appeal whenever you have a strong basis for an appeal argument, no matter where your township is at in the triennial reassessment cycle.
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Calumet Township 2020 Triennial Reassessments Mailed

Property Taxes2020 Triennial reassessment notices were mailed to Calumet Township homeowners on Monday, April 20th. Homeowners in Calumet Township have 36 days to appeal their assessment at the Assessor’s office (there will be a second opportunity to appeal later in the year at the Board of Review, whether you appeal at the Assessor’s office or not). The deadline for appealing at the Assessor’s office is May 26th.

We recommend homeowners review their assessment annually, particularly in a triennial reassessment year, to ensure they do not pay more than their fair share in property taxes. Successfully appealing in a reassessment year may provide 3 years of savings on future property tax bills. If you would like a free analysis of your Calumet Township home, in comparison to similar properties, we would be happy to conduct a “no obligation” analysis and provide you with a free estimate of how much we believe we could help you save with an appeal.
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Cook County Assessor Extends Deadline for 9 Townships

May 1stThe Cook County Assessor’s Office has extended the deadline for 2020 property tax appeals for nine Townships. The Assessor’s deadline to appeal your 2020 assessed value is now May 1st for the following townships:

  • Evanston
  • Norwood Park
  • Rogers Park
  • New Trier
  • Barrington
  • River Forest
  • Riverside
  • Oak Park
  • Palos

We recommend property owners review their assessments annually and appeal whenever there is a strong evidence based argument that your home may not be assessed fairly. Barrington, New Trier, Norwood Park, and Evanston Townships were reassessed in 2019 but even if you appealed last year you may appeal your assessment again this year. A successful appeal in 2020 may result in two years of savings, until Barrington, New Trier, Norwood Park, and Evanston are reassessed in 2022. Rogers Park Township’s next triennial reassessment is scheduled for 2021. River Forest, Riverside, Oak Park, and Palos triennial reassessments occurred between February and March of this year. Any savings received in 2020 for River Forest, Riverside, Oak Park, and Palos will last for 3 years, until the next triennial reassessment in 2023. The best way to ensure you never pay more than your fair share in property taxes is to review your assessment every year and appeal whenever you have a strong basis for an appeal argument, no matter where your township is at in the triennial reassessment cycle.
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Barrington Township 2020 Assessment Notices Mailed

Report Shows2020 property assessment notices were mailed by the Cook County Assessor’s office on Friday, March 13th, to Barrington Township property owners. The  window to appeal your 2020 assessed value is now open until the deadline of May 1st.

We recommend property owners review their assessments annually and appeal whenever there is a strong evidence based argument that your home may not be assessed fairly. Barrington Township was reassessed in 2019 but even if you appealed last year you may appeal your assessment again this year. A successful appeal in 2020 may result in two years of savings, until Barrington is reassessed in 2022. The best way to ensure you never pay more than your fair share in property taxes is to review your assessment every year and appeal whenever you have a strong basis for an appeal argument, no matter where your township is at in the triennial reassessment cycle.
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Palos Township 2020 Triennial Reassessments Mailed

House in Hands2020 Triennial reassessment notices were mailed to Palos Township homeowners on Friday, March 13th. Homeowners in Palos Township have 40 days to appeal their assessment at the Assessor’s office (there will be a second opportunity to appeal later in the year at the Board of Review, whether you appeal at the Assessor’s office or not). The deadline for appealing at the Assessor’s office is May 1st.

We recommend homeowners review their assessment annually, particularly in a triennial reassessment year, to ensure they do not pay more than their fair share in property taxes. Successfully appealing in a reassessment year may provide 3 years of savings on future property tax bills. If you would like a free analysis of your Palos Township home, in comparison to similar properties, we would be happy to conduct a “no obligation” analysis and provide you with a free estimate of how much we believe we could help you save with an appeal.
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New Trier Township 2020 Assessment Notices Mailed

New Trier2020 property assessment notices were mailed by the Cook County Assessor’s office on Thursday, March 5th, to New Trier Township property owners. The window to appeal your 2020 assessed value is now open until the deadline of May 1st.

We recommend property owners review their assessments annually and appeal whenever there is a strong evidence based argument that your home may not be assessed fairly. New Trier Township was reassessed in 2019 but even if you appealed last year you may appeal your assessment again this year. A successful appeal in 2020 may result in two years of savings, until New Trier is reassessed in 2022. The best way to ensure you never pay more than your fair share in property taxes is to review your assessment every year and appeal whenever you have a strong basis for an appeal argument, no matter where your township is at in the triennial reassessment cycle.
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