Evanston IL Real Estate

Since I stared writing this blog site in September of last year, I had no idea that anyone would be reading the information or be interested in what I have to say about Real Estate in Evanston. I must say now three months later, that this site has become My Field of Dreams. As of today’s date I have had 636 Hits on the site. While this seems to be a relatively small number of people, the daily number continues to increase. I am getting around 30 hits per day and like the movie Field of Dreams, ” Build It and They Will Come”. Right now, this blog site is listed on the first page of Google and MSN, on the second page of Yahoo . I have direct links with both BackFence and EvanstonNow . I have had people visit the site from as far away as Canada, Germany, France, India, Albania, Korea, Poland, Portugal, Australia,and the UK. The avergage time on this blog site has been 2.5 minutes with the longest time being 16 minutes.  People visitng the site appear to be looking for information about the local real estate market in Evanston and for ways to search for property for sale which this site offers. Other popular topic have been Real Estate Taxes,”What is the difference between a Condo and a Coop”, “Cost VS Value” and finally Relocation information..

I really enjoy writing articles for this blog site and would love to hear from you. I look forward to your comments and suggestions. Aslo, if you have any other real estate need, I hope you would not hesitate contacting me personally. I want you to know that the success of MY business depends on YOU.

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.

Every three years the Cook County Assessor is required by law to assess one third of all properties located in Cook County. Evanston’s Triennial Reassessment for Real Estate Taxes is in 2007. You will not see the adjusted value on your tax bill until 2008 because taxes in Cook County are paid in arrears.

 Every homeowner is entitled to the Homeowner Exemption Property Tax Relief and if you are a Senior Citizen you are entitled to another tax relief. Your tax bill should indicate whether you are receiving these exemptions. For more follow the link to Cook County Assessors office and click on Exemptions.

f you feel you are paying too much in real estate taxes you can appeal those taxes yourself or hire a Real Estate attorney to appeal them on your behalf. Most attorney’s work on a contingent fee basis in that if they reduce your taxes they receive a percentage of the savings.