On November 7, 2006 there is a referendum to increase the current property transfer tax from $5.00 per each $1,000 of a homes selling price to $6.00 per $1,000 in the City of Evanston. The extra $1.00 per $1,000 will go to a fund for affordable housing initiatives that helps low income families to buy homes in Evanston.

Those in favor of this referendum say this $1.00 per $1,000 increase is a one time fee charged to homeowners selling in Evanston and does not affect Real Estate taxes paid out each year by homeowners. In addition, the $1.00 will be used as HOME funds where the city helps to renovate homes and make them available as affordable housing.

Those against the referendum believe the transfer tax of $5.00 per $1,000 of the selling price is enough tax to pay as a seller. On a $100,000 sale price the amount of tax is currently $500.00 and with the referendum that cost would be $600.00 an extra $100.00.

Transfer tax is an individual decision by each community. For example, in Wilmette the Buyer pays the transfer tax. The current tax paid by the buyer in Wilmette is $3.00 per $1,000 of selling price. There is no transfer tax in Winnetka , Kenilworth, or Glencoe.