One of the great things about summer in Chicagoland is the abundance of local farmers market's. Often, we just stumble upon them while out for a Saturday stroll or while visiting a new neighborhood. Well, now thanks to the state's agriculture department, we have an official list of locations for Illinois markets. FYI, the Andersonville Farmers Market starts June 13 and runs through October 17. It is held each Wednesday from 3-8pm on the 1500 W. Berwyn. So, get out there and support local farmers! Surely, no one enjoys paying property taxes in Chicago or elsewhere. Yet, they are inescapable if you are a property owner. In recent years, it seems the burden has increased exponentially. The days are filled with headlines about the decline in home values but the tax bill (which is supposed to be based on value) does not seem to have budged at all. What can you do? One answer is to appeal your assessment. Each year in Cook County, the assessor re-assesses one third of the county in what is called the triennial assessment in which your property's assessment valuation is fixed for the next three years. You can appeal that assessment each year and offer evidence that your valuation is not appropriate. The assessor's office deadlines and appeal forms can be found online here. You can do the appeal yourself and you can do it online. You do not need an attorney. Simply complete the form to start the process. The assessor's office also offers assistance at any of it offices. If you fee that you do in fact need the assistance of an attorney, there is a great service called Tax & Utility Reduction Consultants ("TURC") in New Lennox that offers the best service that we have seen. They are not attorney but do retain attorney's on your behalf and TURC does all of the research to support your appeal. You can contact TURC at (815) 463-1707. Whatever course you choose to take, make sure you appeal. By not appealing, you are guaranteeing that the assessor's valuation will remain the basis for your tax bill for the next three years. Do not wory, the assessor cannot raise your bill just because you filed an appeal. If you have questions about appealing your property tax assessment, call iMove. Our broker, Rusty Payton, has filed ver 50,000 such appeals and would be happy to guide you. Stop in our office and see Rusty. Toady was picture day at iMove Chicago. Many thanks to our photographer, Madeline, who did such a great job at the shoot. We can't wait to share all of the new pics with our clients, friends and family. Stay tuned! This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.
Short sales are presently dominating the real estate sales market and many buyers are electing to purchase these properties because of the often substantially reduced prices. However, buyers of these properties should exercise caution and consult with an attorney before buying. One often overlooked pitfall for the unwary buyer is a provision of the Illinois Condominium Property Act that was put in place in 2007. This change can make the buyer responsible for paying up to six month's of the seller's liability for the assessments levied against the property and remaining unpaid after foreclosure. Thus know what you are getting into before you sign that purchase contract. Set forth below is the referenced change.
Well, not exactly....The Dalai Lama will be appearing and several functions hosted by Loyola University tomorrow and will be bestowed with an honorary degree. The public can purchase tickets to one event featuring His Holiness offered by the Tibet Center. The honorary degree will be awarded at an event held exclusively for members of the Loyola community. Let's all welcome the Dalai Lama. Bark in the Park is back for its 18th year..... May 5, 2012. The event kicks off at Montrose Harbor promptly at 9am. Visit the Bark in the Park to register for this great event. Today's Sunday Tribune confirmed something that I have noticed for quite some time now. The big franchise real estate companies - Coldwell, Banker, Prudential Rubloff and At Properties - seemed to all be locked in a heated battle for the moniker of #1. What's going on here? Coldwell Banker touts that it is "#1 in Chicagoland." Prudential Rubloff claims the title of "#1 Luxury Firm." At properties gives itself three titles: "#1 Company in Chicago," #1 In The North Shore - Winnetka Office" and "#2 In The North Shore - Evanston Office." Is there an upcoming trophy ceremony that I missed? Who awards such distinguished prizes? Does any of this really matter when you are trying to buy or sell a house? Seems that the big franchises are caught up in a storm of self-adulation. Shouldn't YOU be the focus of their marketing efforts instead of THEM? I found it amazing to see that At Properties took out a two page, centerfold spread to tout its own accomplishments and the volume sales that its agents had supposedly achieved. Could this space and the advertising dollars it required have been better spent showcasing one of the THOUSAND or more properties that remains unsold? I know that if I had my unsold property listed with this company that this would certainly be my wish. If you are a buyer out there looking for the perfect new home, would you rather see the mugs of Realtors congratulating themselves or of properties that might be available for sale that you may want to purchase? It seem that the Sunday tradition of opening up the real estate section of the Trib and actually seeing properties that are available is dead. If all I have done is sold your house or found you the perfect place to buy, then give me third place any day. If you live in Chicago, then you know our summers are consumed with festivals in just about every neighborhoods and on most weekends. To help keep track of them all, The Redeye has published a very helpful Chicago Summer Festival Guide which will come in very handy this season. So, now you have no reason to not get out there and explore what Chicago's huge collection of diverse hoods have to offer. If you are moving to Chicago, the guide can be a great introduction to Chicago. Get out and enjoy. |
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