Don - nothing I said is incorrect. You admit yourself that you are not an attorney. I stand by everything that I posted. Nice to see that you are filling a niche though - which seems to have been vacated by the attorneys.... Gee - I wonder why.... (I know the answer of course..)

Dear Lisa,
Ricks answer is incorrect, I have helped hundreds if not thousands of home owners though out Chicago and Suburbs , THERE ARE ATTORNEYS that do specialized in propert reduction with an upfront fee from $50-$100. I am NOT a attorney but I also do charge an upfront fee but only charge 1/3 of whaat i save you your first year only. Some attorney do charge for each year savings until you re-assessed.
There are a number of ways to get reductions and until you go through each process you won't know which is the best way to go.
Comps by assessmenr or Comps by recent sales or comps done by apprasier or
sales Ratio study.
Sometimes your increase can because of a factual error so alot of time and effort must go into this research before you know how to tackle this project.
Each Way of showing your information has several different steps involved and deadlines and photo requirements.
They can throw out your complaint if you don't send in 3 copies with your orginal complaint.
So I think you know where I am going with this!!!
Leave this typeof work up to the experts the you will probably find out sooner or later is that most Attorney's or people that do this for a living won't handle the smaller case's unless you have multiple properties,because it is very time consuming .
I try to help every I can so if you want any phone or e-mail consultation just call or e-mail me. I really like winning ,I am not all about the money but we all have to eat.
Sincerely yours,
Don Yosef marcus GRI,ABr,CCREC
D J M Property Tax Reductions
DonYo770@aol.com
847-361-7770

The Real Estate Tax form is pretty blunt in having you get an appraisal to use to protest your assessment
I am going before the board in 1.5 weeks and would be curious what you found out - I also live in Lake county
flamingo3950@comcast.net

I'd have a Real Estate agent put together some comparables - and help you formulate an argument and/or -- you can also get an appraisal ($350-$375). You'll have to present logical evidence to the Board. Appeals in Lake County are very difficult. Contrary to what Heidi posted -- you cannot hire an attny in Lake County for $50 - and then pay the attny half the tax savings. Those attorneys exist for Cook County properties - but they do not cover Lake County properties.

Could you find an attorney to fight it for you? Yes - but it would be expensive for Lake County. In Lake County - most homeowners appeal things themselves - but the success rate is very low.

Rick Hauser ABR GRI
Broker/Owner
Relocation Advisors Group Inc -- The #1 Exclusive Buyer Brokerage in Chicago - Always on the buyer's side - never representing sellers....

Lisa, There are lawyers that specialize in fighting these issues----I myself, am a licensed IL Broker w/access to all the info that I needed to argue the case, but from my past experiences, its time prohibitive and they get a much better response, have hired one 3 times---its was well worth the cost--which happens to be quite reasonable--$50.00 to start the process--if they win, you pay 1/2 of the amount they saved you--thats it---if they lose you pay nothing more.
I am not sure if they also handle Lake county, but if you would like the name and number I will be glad to forward it to you.

Heidi Engel BROKER/Realtor
RE/MAX Suburban

I had a client who bought in Wadsworth - new construction. She had the same problem you're having. Her assessment was OUTRAGEOUS - much beyond what was contractually estimated - and also had to appeal. Ultimately, her assessment was lowered, by I'm sorry to say that not by much. Lake County, in general, is pretty insane.

To prepare for your review, you have to show that you have reason to believe your assessment is not in line with comparable properties. Prepare the following:

*I don't know when you bought your property, but if it was recently and you still have a copy of the Bill of Sale or HUD, take that, too, to prove sales price.
*A picture of your property.
*You might consider having a professional real estate appraisal done.
*Print outs of the assessed valuations of the comp properties you mentioned.
*In conjunction with the above info, a summary as to why you believe your property is overassessed.

Good luck!