I received the Cook County letter on my assessment hike -- I haven't been paying attention, I had no idea it was on the way.
On the Assessor site, they have an interactive map showing the boundaries of the neighborhood codes to use for comparable properties -- but it doesn't work, and I cannot find a print version. Does anyone have a map, or know the boundaries of neighborhood 010?
Also, any luck fighting the assessments? On the plus side of the real estate drop, it will be no problem finding lo-priced comparables. :-\
Give the library a try.
You can go to the cook county assessor's website and type in different addresses and see how the other homes comparable to yours have been assessed.
Quote from: zilla545 on May 28, 2008, 09:56:52 PM
You can go to the cook county assessor's website and type in different addresses and see how the other homes comparable to yours have been assessed.
Thanks -- I found a list of boundaries when I did a search. They are:
Berwyn
Neighborhood Number: 010
Boundries
North: 16th Street
South: Cermak Road
East: Lombard Ave.
West: Harlem Ave.
Neighborhood Number: 020
Boundries
North: Roosevelt Road
South: 16th Street
East: Lombard Ave.
West: Harlem Ave.
Neighborhood Number: 030
Boundries
North: Cermak Road
South: 27th Street/Home Ave./29th Street/Kenilworth Ave./29th Place/Oak Park Ave./30th Street
East: East Ave.
West: Harlem Ave.
Neighborhood Number: 040
Boundries
North: Chicago Central & Pacific R.R./27th St/Home St./29th Pl./Kenilworth Ave./Oak Park Ave./30th St
South: Ogden Ave.
East: Lombard Ave.
West: Harlem
Neighborhood Number: 050
Boundries
North: Cermak Road
South: Chicago Central & Pacific R.R.
East: Lombard Ave.
West: East Ave.
Neighborhood Number: 060
Boundries
North: 31st Street
South: 35th Street
East: Oak Park Ave.
West: Harlem Ave.
Neighborhood Number: 070
Boundries
North: Ogden Ave.
South: Pershing Road
East: Lombard Ave.
West: Harlem Ave.
Neighborhood Number: 071
Boundries
North: 35th Street
South: 36th Street
East: Harvey
West: Highland
Neighborhood Number: 080
Boundries
North: Roosevelt Road
South: 16th Street
East: Lombard Ave.
West: East Ave.
Neighborhood Number: 090
Boundries
North: 16th Street
South: Cermak Road
East: Lombard Ave.
West: Oak Park Ave.
We got our notice yesterday too. :-\
Our assessed value went down about $180 from 2007. Still think it's high, we will see about contesting it.
Mine went up $5100 from 2007. Oy.
I may be moving.
Mine went up $6900 on the main parcel and $120 on the adjacent parcel - asshats! Looks like I will be doing battle with the assessor AGAIN! You'd think I was living in Riversde - for chrissake. In this real estate market this is ridiculous.
I'm REALLY confused. So according to the assessor, because my actual attic space is not accessible by a "permanent stair," my entire second floor (which I would not consider to be the "attic") IS considered the "attic." WTF? ? ? ? And apparently, I have a second (though completely invisible) full bath in my house that I wasn't even aware of!!! I wish I'd known about THAT over the last 12 years. I'll be sure to note that when I have to sell because of this tax increase.
Jeez. And people actually are HAPPY when they have the government involved in their lives? Good freakin' grief.
The assessed value of our house slightly decreased, but what I find strange is that all the homes surrounding us went up in assessed value. Why would this be the case?
Ours went up $4,500...I checked every other property on the block (both sides) and were all within a couple thousand of each other and all the homes are pretty similar in size. I appealed two years ago, and got it lowered a little bit, at that time they told me to wait until now (summer 2008) to file a "real" appeal.
I just went online to do just that ( http://www.cookcountyassessor.com/data/active/appealonline.asp ), and the site returns this:
"Property Not Available For Appeals At This Time Verify P.I.N. And Try Again Or Check Filing Dates"
Pin is correct and filing dates are open...bureaucracy at it's best.
I got the same thing, Boris. ::)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but these amounts you're posting - these are the deltas on your taxable amounts, not actual yearly increases.
From the letter I got:
"Your Assessed Valuation"
Proposed 2008: $27,355
Previous 2007: $22, 283
I got you beat tgoddess but it doesn't pay to be a winner in this contest
YOUR ASSESSED VALUATION
Proposed 2008 $29,047
Previous 2007 $22,135
I had to practice my lamaze breathing when I opened up that envelope.
Gah. That's pretty brutal, Mrs. N.
mine
2008 = 23941
2007 = 17112
>:(
2008 $31,421
2007 $20,500
But I did find out that I have a finished attic. I'm going to check it out tonight.
That "finished attic" thing is really confusing. I've always just considered it the second floor of the house (since there IS attic space above THAT). I don't get it.
Mine doesn't begin to reflect the reality of my house and never has. Our attic is finished and was when I bought the place. Our basement is also finished (with a bath) as well (also that way when I purchased it). My assesement states that we have a 3 bedroom, one level place.
So, dumb question here... I guess I should keep my mouth shut? :coreyhart:
You Northsiders must be movin on up, cuz down South, we are loosing value. For the sake of taxes, I won't complain, but... :-\
Quote from: renovatorbear on May 29, 2008, 12:24:31 PM
So, dumb question here... I guess I should keep my mouth shut? :coreyhart:
Someone prob already reporteded you.....
Basements aren't normally considered as floors, and your attic was finished illegally. Yeah, keep yo mouf shut. ;D
(mine went up tree gran or so)
Quote from: renovatorbear on May 29, 2008, 12:24:31 PM
Mine doesn't begin to reflect the reality of my house and never has. Our attic is finished and was when I bought the place. Our basement is also finished (with a bath) as well (also that way when I purchased it). My assesement states that we have a 3 bedroom, one level place.
So, dumb question here... I guess I should keep my mouth shut? :coreyhart:
With the numbers I'm seeing...
I would!
Quote from: Hogzilla on May 29, 2008, 12:25:52 PM
You Northsiders must be movin on up, cuz down South, we are loosing value. For the sake of taxes, I won't complain, but... :-\
I live in the Depot District. Along with my 29,047 proposed new assessment on the main parcel I also have a $3,812 proposed assessment on the adjacent parcel. If this goes through I'm going to have to start a pitbull breeding business to pay my taxes.
Quote from: Bonster on May 29, 2008, 12:28:32 PM
Basements aren't normally considered as floors, and your attic was finished illegally.
If that's the case, than shouldn't it have been an issue when we bought the house? It was marketed as a 5 bedroom place... But the guy I bought it from was a realtor in Berwyn for many years.
Quote from: renovatorbear on May 29, 2008, 12:55:10 PM
Quote from: Bonster on May 29, 2008, 12:28:32 PM
Basements aren't normally considered as floors, and your attic was finished illegally.
If that's the case, than shouldn't it have been an issue when we bought the house? It was marketed as a 5 bedroom place... But the guy I bought it from was a realtor in Berwyn for many years.
According to the assessor website basements are excluded from building square footage, except if there is an apartment.
Regardless if the basement is finished or unfinished, though?
I don't know the details on how that works (Tony?).
I know they do count bedrooms and bathrooms, but when considering square footage they don't usually include them as floorspace.
Quote from: renovatorbear on May 29, 2008, 12:55:10 PM
Quote from: Bonster on May 29, 2008, 12:28:32 PM
Basements aren't normally considered as floors, and your attic was finished illegally.
If that's the case, than shouldn't it have been an issue when we bought the house? It was marketed as a 5 bedroom place... But the guy I bought it from was a realtor in Berwyn for many years.
The good old days...where rules apply or don't apply depending upon who you know.
Quote from: tgoddess on May 29, 2008, 01:02:28 PM
Regardless if the basement is finished or unfinished, though?
Right - doesn't matter. So expand down-not up!
Interesting. Because the appeals form makes it sound like it's an issue...
Foundation or Basement (select one)
Reset to original ( Partial and Rec Room )
1. Full Basement - Extends under 3/4 or more of the ground floor area.
2. Slab - No basement; foundation is made of a solid slab of concrete on the ground.x
3. Partial Basement - Extends under ¼ to ¾ of the ground floor area.
4. Crawl Space - No basement; space under the ground floor is less than 4 feet high.
Basement Finish (select one)
1. Finished - Basement used as recreation room, study, bedroom or similar living area.
2. Apartment - Basement has separate utility meter and exterior door.
3. Unfinished - Basement not finished as recreation room, study, bedroom or similar living area.
Even if the basement is finished they don't count the square footage unless it's an apartment so you would think it wouldn't raise your assessment. But we're dealing with the government here so who knows.
On that line of thinking I was able to remove my attic from my description. I have a two story with an attic that is tall enough to stand in above the 2nd floor but there are no permanent stairs to it. To reach it you have to put a ladder in one of the bedroom closets - the celing has a square hatch in it. I wish I could make some other part of the house disappear like that on my description.
Quote from: MRS. NORTHSIDER on May 29, 2008, 01:23:50 PM
Even if the basement is finished they don't count the square footage unless it's an apartment so you would think it wouldn't raise your assessment. But we're dealing with the government here so who knows.
On that line of thinking I was able to remove my attic from my description. I have a two story with an attic that is tall enough to stand in above the 2nd floor but there are no permanent stairs to it. To reach it you have to put a ladder in one of the bedroom closets - the celing has a square hatch in it. I wish I could make some other part of the house disappear like that on my description.
My attic is only accessible through a small hatch inside the closet that's on the second floor that you can only get through if you're 4 years old or a dwarf.
(Is a "floor" the same as a "story"? Who knows. They give absolutely NO guidelines on ANY of this sh*t on their site.) The thought of having to call (or worse go down to) the assessor's office to get this figured out feels me with unholy dread.
Quote from: tgoddess on May 29, 2008, 01:29:45 PM
Quote from: MRS. NORTHSIDER on May 29, 2008, 01:23:50 PM
Even if the basement is finished they don't count the square footage unless it's an apartment so you would think it wouldn't raise your assessment. But we're dealing with the government here so who knows.
On that line of thinking I was able to remove my attic from my description. I have a two story with an attic that is tall enough to stand in above the 2nd floor but there are no permanent stairs to it. To reach it you have to put a ladder in one of the bedroom closets - the celing has a square hatch in it. I wish I could make some other part of the house disappear like that on my description.
My attic is only accessible through a small hatch inside the closet that's on the second floor that you can only get through if you're 4 years old or a dwarf.
(Is a "floor" the same as a "story"? Who knows. They give absolutely NO guidelines on ANY of this sh*t on their site.) The thought of having to call (or worse go down to) the assessor's office to get this figured out feels me with unholy dread.
t- I was directed to someone's office on 26th and East (2nd flr), they took care of it painlessly back in '05. Saved me a bunch of dough.
I also know that they have a taxpayer advocate division that you can call. After dealing with this crap every reassessment the only thing I know is that there is sometimes no rhyme or reason to any of this s**t and the only way to get it reduced is with a lawyer. Of course, a lawyer who's worked down there at some point is obviously your best bet. Go figure.
Well, it sure has been nice livin' here, folks.
It appears that the CC Assessors web site is working properly now...I just filed my appeal.
Quote from: tgoddess on May 29, 2008, 01:43:17 PM
Well, it sure has been nice livin' here, folks.
...don't give up that easy!!
Keep in mind that the 7% tax cap if you have the homeowner's exemption will limit the amount your taxes will rise no matter how much the assessment has gone up. I would still go for a reduction in the assessment to be on the safe side. The legislature may not be able to keep that in place forever.
Quote from: MRS. NORTHSIDER on May 29, 2008, 02:00:05 PM
Keep in mind that the 7% tax cap if you have the homeowner's exemption will limit the amount your taxes will rise no matter how much the assessment has gone up. I would still go for a reduction in the assessment to be on the safe side. The legislature may not be able to keep that in place forever.
True, and the numbers look scarier than they may actually be. Two years ago my homeowner's exemption kicked in, and as i said I got a small break due to an appeal I filed the same day. My property taxes dropped from $5,100 to the low three-thousands (I forget the exact number at the moment...I think it's like $3,200). There was much a whoopin' and a hollerin' at Dragonfly Manor that day. But after the new tax amount was reflected in my mortgage payments, I saw a drop of under $200/month.
Nothying to scoff at, to be sure...but I won't be drivin' no Murcielago (http://www.lamborghiniregistry.com/Murcielago/2001/) either.
My assessor's statement said:
"In 2006, the Illinois General Assembly decided to renew the 7% provision but amended the bill so that the Expanded Exemption would be phased out over the next three years resulting in a significant increase in taxes for most homeowners."
I read this to say that we'll all be screwed when the 7% cap is rescinded, which might be as early as 2009. Please correct me if I am wrong.
That's pretty much how I interpreted it, too, Robert.
With the economic climate the way it is, and with the Chicago gas tax being the highest in the nation, I would be very surprised if the phaseout plan stuck.
Quote from: tgoddess on May 29, 2008, 01:14:58 PM
Interesting. Because the appeals form makes it sound like it's an issue...
Foundation or Basement (select one)
Reset to original ( Partial and Rec Room )
1. Full Basement - Extends under 3/4 or more of the ground floor area.
2. Slab - No basement; foundation is made of a solid slab of concrete on the ground.x
3. Partial Basement - Extends under ¼ to ¾ of the ground floor area.
4. Crawl Space - No basement; space under the ground floor is less than 4 feet high.
Basement Finish (select one)
1. Finished - Basement used as recreation room, study, bedroom or similar living area.
2. Apartment - Basement has separate utility meter and exterior door.
3. Unfinished - Basement not finished as recreation room, study, bedroom or similar living area.
So, if I paint the basement floor and walls, throw a couch in and a desk, and use it 3 months of the year when it's neither too cold nor too humid, it is a finished basement or unfinished? This doesn't make any sense, it seems that it depends on the use of the basement, not whether it is "finished" or not.
Quote from: Boris on May 29, 2008, 03:06:10 PM
With the economic climate the way it is, and with the Chicago gas tax being the highest in the nation, I would be very surprised if the phaseout plan stuck.
Never underestimate boy wonder Erkel.
Quote from: Nazerac on May 29, 2008, 03:12:14 PM
Quote from: tgoddess on May 29, 2008, 01:14:58 PM
Interesting. Because the appeals form makes it sound like it's an issue...
Foundation or Basement (select one)
Reset to original ( Partial and Rec Room )
1. Full Basement - Extends under 3/4 or more of the ground floor area.
2. Slab - No basement; foundation is made of a solid slab of concrete on the ground.x
3. Partial Basement - Extends under ¼ to ¾ of the ground floor area.
4. Crawl Space - No basement; space under the ground floor is less than 4 feet high.
Basement Finish (select one)
1. Finished - Basement used as recreation room, study, bedroom or similar living area.
2. Apartment - Basement has separate utility meter and exterior door.
3. Unfinished - Basement not finished as recreation room, study, bedroom or similar living area.
So, if I paint the basement floor and walls, throw a couch in and a desk, and use it 3 months of the year when it's neither too cold nor too humid, it is a finished basement or unfinished? This doesn't make any sense, it seems that it depends on the use of the basement, not whether it is "finished" or not.
Unless you pull a permit to do major remodeling or invite the assessor over for a visit I'd say it's unfinished no matter what you do down there - wink wink
Ours went from $23,297 to $25,466. Up $2,169. :-\
Ours went up about 2000.00 also. What does this mean when the tax bill arrives next year?
I just checked my appeal status online, and it appears that my "2008 Proposed" is now the same as my "2007 Board Final", meaning the proposed is now "no change"...which would be a very good thing.
If you haven't done so...APPEAL! It's easy and fast. Took me 15 minutes.
Quote from: Boris on June 04, 2008, 02:49:36 PM
I just checked my appeal status online, and it appears that my "2008 Proposed" is now the same as my "2007 Board Final", meaning the proposed is now "no change"...which would be a very good thing.
If you haven't done so...APPEAL! It's easy and fast. Took me 15 minutes.
Same here ;D
Have they updated the "2008 Current" on your online appeal?
tgoddess,
i got you topped. my assessment increase for my 22 unit on the corner of kenilworth & cermak went up over
70 % !!!!!
i cannot remember the assessment levels off the top of my head, but the bill will go from the mid 40's to the low 70's.
yes------- that's a $70,000 BILL prior to any appeal. total and complete utter bullsh*t in this economy.
folks, take your percentage assessment increase , in most of these examples 20-25%, and that will
be your increase on your actual property tax bill (absent the 7/7/7 legislation)
mike
Quote from: k6s2zvfw on July 15, 2008, 09:47:14 PM
tgoddess,
i got you topped. my assessment increase for my 22 unit on the corner of kenilworth & cermak went up over
70 % !!!!!
i cannot remember the assessment levels off the top of my head, but the bill will go from the mid 40's to the low 70's.
yes------- that's a $70,000 BILL prior to any appeal. total and complete utter bullsh*t in this economy.
folks, take your percentage assessment increase , in most of these examples 20-25%, and that will
be your increase on your actual property tax bill (absent the 7/7/7 legislation)
mike
Pay up ghetto boy and quit your whining...WTF do you expect as a commercial
property owner in cook county?
Gee...guess it put a dent into your obscene profits eh?
bear,
i educate, you blabber like an idiot.
is that simple enough for you to understand?
trying to provoke me, eh? what do you want me to undress you yet again?
wow, i got through that without swearing, i'm actually quite proud of myself.
mike
And I'm proud you didn't call him any names either.
"what do you want me to undress you yet again?"
I don't go that way mikey...but does your family know of your latent
tendencies to undress me?
I just checked my appeal - denied on August 4th. May want to check yours.
Denied on August 5 ... up 10-10.5 %
What is interesting, the land went up 40% but the building on 3%
Quote from: Roach on August 06, 2008, 04:43:49 PM
I just checked my appeal - denied on August 4th. May want to check yours.
...same here.
God darn tax & spend liberals, right Boris?
Quote from: Nazerac on August 07, 2008, 11:25:48 AM
God darn tax & spend liberals, right Boris?
heh...actually, in my appeal I supplied about a dozen comps that were significantly lower in assessed value than me. My appeal came back with about a dozen or so equally valid comps that were a little bit higher.
*sigh*
I got a reduction, as follows:
2007 assessed value: $20,500
Proposed 2008 value: $31,421
2008 Current average: $28,142
This is still bull shit. None of the comps they used were on my block - one comp was $43,314! I'm going to appeal to the Board of Review, which I understand is more reasonable than the assessor's office.