In Lake County,Illinois, the real estate tax assessments were just recently mailed to all of  the homeowners.   The scenerio in most households goes like this. 

You can't believe it- your real estate taxes have increased, but your real estate property values have decreased.

If you want to protest your Lake County real estate taxes, do it now!

In Lake County Illinois, there are only 30 days after you receive your notice of assessment,(not 30 days  after you receive your real estate bill),to file an appeal for that year.   In other words, it is imperative at this time to  act fast since the assessments were already mailed to the owners of record at the beginning of November, and the due date of the appeals would be at the beginning of December. If you snooze - you will lose!  ( your shirt)

An expert can help you appeal your taxes if you don't feel that you have been fairly assessed.   According to Carl Peterson, (see below) it is important to  verify that your real estate property record card reflects accurate information when you receive the reassessment form.  The number of baths, basement area, finished lower level, gross building area, garage type, etc. are important components of your total market value. If you find an error, contact your particular township to discuss these errors and if they agree with your findings, they will correct the property record card to reflect your changes. 

If your property record card is already accurate, and you believe your assessment is too high, it is important to find 3 or more comparable properties from your neighborhood which are the  most identical to your home.  The homes you choose  should be the same style, i.e. ranch, split level, 2-story, etc. as your home; be of similar size and have similar amenities, such as bath count, fireplace, garage size, etc.  Next, compare the assessments of these properties to yours to determine if you are equitably assessed.  If it appears that your assessment is higher than the comparables,  you may  consider contesting or appealing your assessment.  This appeal needs to be filed on the County RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE ASSESSMENT APPEAL FORM FOR TAX YEAR 2009

Carl Peterson has been a real estate appraiser for over 30 years and for the past 15 years has been actively involved in the real estate tax assessment field, as a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer (CIAO).  He has reviewed thousands of parcels and has worked on correcting the assessment of homes that have been assessed incorrectly.   If you would like help in protesting your taxes, please free to contact Carl Peterson of The Third  Principal Meridian (708) 826-2101 or by email at The3rdPM@aol.com  

If you would like more information about the Chicago Northwest Suburbs,including Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Vernon Hills, and Lake Zurich  please do not hesitate to call me at 847-602-5435

The above information regarding was provided by Judy Greenberg, Lincolnshire Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 

Judy's websites, www.movetolonggrove.com , www.buffalogroveareahomes.com and www.judygreenberg.com will provide you all the information regardless as to whether you are a potential buyer or seller!

Judy can be reached at 847-602-5435 or via email at info@buffalogrovehomes.com. Judy has helped people move in and out of  the Chicago Northwest  Suburbs.