What Happens after Receiving a Property Tax Reduction?

Cook County Property Tax Appeal Service Payment ImpactCongratulations: you’ve received a property tax reduction of $500 to $5,000… now what?

Mortgage Payment Impact & Government Regulations

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) limits the amount of money a lender may require a borrower to hold in escrow for payment of taxes, insurance, etc. The RESPA statute and regulations provide that lenders are capped in the amount of cushion they can require a borrower to maintain in their escrow account in the amount of one-sixth (1/6) of the total amount of items paid out of the account, or approximately two months of escrow payments.

Therefore, if you receive a reduction in the assessed value of your property, your mortgage servicer should reduce the amount of your monthly mortgage payment accordingly.
Continue reading →

Chicago Homeowners: Triennial Reassessment Is an Excellent Time to Appeal

Cook County Property Tax Appeals: Triennial Assessments for ChicagoFor Chicago homeowners residing in one of the city’s eight townships as defined by Cook County — which includes Hyde Park, Jefferson, Lake, Lakeview, North Chicago, Rogers Park, South Chicago, and West Chicago — your property is in the triennial reassessment zone this year.

If you want to be sure that you’re not paying too much in property taxes, this is a good time to appeal your assessment. Here’s what you need to know.
Continue reading →

2017 Assessment Notices Mailed For Evanston Township

The Cook County Assessor’s Office has mailed assessment notices for Evanston Township. The Assessor’s Office offers a 30 day window to appeal your assessment each year. The deadline to file a 2017 property tax appeal for properties located in Evanston Township is March 27, 2017.Why Have a Pro Appeal Your Property Taxes

Cook County’s 38 townships are divided into three districts: city, north suburbs and south suburbs. Evanston Township is located in the north suburbs district and the next scheduled triennial reassessment year is 2019. That said, appealing your assessment can be done in every tax year, including non-reassessment years. Since the market is constantly changing we believe reviewing your assessment annually, to determine whether or not an appeal makes sense, is in your best interest.

Get Your Free Property Tax Reduction Estimate

Norwood Park Township Triennial Reassessment Notices Mailed

Norwood ParkTriennial reassessment notices were mailed to Norwood Park Township property owners on Friday, February 22nd. Norwood Park valuation statistics from the Cook County Assessor’s office can be found here. Homeowners in Norwood Park Township have one month to appeal their assessment at the Assessor’s office (there is also a second opportunity later in the year at the Board of Review). The deadline for appealing at the Assessor’s office is Monday, March 25th.

We recommend reviewing your assessment annually, especially in a year when your township is reassessed, to ensure you do not pay more than your fair share in property taxes. If you think your home’s assessment is not comparable to similar properties in your area you should consider appealing. Successfully appealing in a reassessment year may provide 3 years of savings on your future property tax bills. If you would like a free estimate of how much we believe we could help you save with an appeal contact us today.
Continue reading →

Evanston 2018 Assessment Notices Mailed

EvanstonEvanston Township assessment notices for tax year 2018 were mailed by the Cook County Assessor’s Office on Thursday, February 22nd. The 30 day window for property owners to appeal their assessment is now open until the deadline of Monday, March 26th.

Regardless of when your township was last reassessed by the Assessor’s Office (Evanston was last reassessed in 2016) you may file an appeal each year. In fact, it is our opinion that you should review, if not appeal, your assessment every year due to regular changes in the housing market (others have also made this recommendation).
Continue reading →

Norwood Park Township 2020 Assessment Notices Mailed

Savings House2020 property assessment notices were mailed by the Cook County Assessor’s office on Thursday, February 20th, to Norwood Park 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. Norwood Park 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 Norwood Park 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.
Continue reading →

Evanston Township 2020 Assessment Notices Mailed

Evanston2020 property assessment notices were mailed by the Cook County Assessor’s office on Wednesday, February 19th, to Evanston 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. Evanston 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 Evanston 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.
Continue reading →

Senior Exemption Deadlines Approaching

Senior Exemptions

Senior citizens who are newly eligible for a senior citizen property tax exemption or who are eligible for the income-based Senior Freeze Exemption, have until April 10th to apply, under a recently extended deadline.

Under a new law passed last year, senior citizens who have already qualified for the standard senior citizen exemption in past years do not have to reapply. The exemption is now automatically renewed.

Applicants for the Senior Freeze Exemption however, are required to apply each year. Cook County homeowners age 65 or older who have household incomes of $65,000 or less may qualify. This senior freeze exemption provides additional property tax deductions to offset increases in assessed property values.
Continue reading →

Cook County Property Tax Appeal Schedule 2016

Attention Cook County Homeowners: Property Tax Reduction Season Is Here

Cook County Property Tax Appeal Calendar 2016Every year, the Cook County Assessor accepts property tax appeals for each township for about 30 days and at various times from late January through late summer.

Each township’s appeal window is different – see your township’s property tax appeal window on the Assessor’s full appeal schedule here.
Continue reading →