Picture

You shouldn't pay more than your fair share, and we make sure you don't.

The government provides services that enhance the value of your home, like police, fire and education.  While you must pay for those services, we don’t believe you should pay more than your fair share.  And, we use the tax appeal process to make sure that you don’t.

We will review your assessment to ensure your home is not being over-assessed.  In Cook County, our proprietary CompFinder software allows us to search for homes comparable to yours from a real-time database of current assessment and sales data and to present our findings in a clear, convincing way.

We will handle your case before the assessing officials on a contingent-fee basis meaning you will not owe us a fee unless we reduce your assessment. Let our experienced team review your assessment and pursue the lowest taxes possible.
"We selected Elliott & Associates because of their reputation in the marketplace for successful appeals. They were able to get a reduction greater than we had expected and kept us apprised throughout the various milestones of our appeal."
MIKE STOPKA

SINGLE FAMILY HOME (SUBURBAN COOK)
Over $99K in tax savings and refunds*

THE CHALLENGE

A residential client owned home includes an indoor pool and the Assessor included the square footage of the pool in his valuation of the home.  Additionally, the home abuts a golf course, but faces the golf course maintenance sheds and does not truly enjoy a “golf course view”.  The Assessor, however, valued the home consistent with other golf course homes in the neighborhood, which, implicitly, assigns a premium to the subject for golf course views and proximity. The client has been with Elliott & Associates since 1998.  

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Property Type: Single Family Home
  • Savings: Over $99K in tax savings* and refunds
  • Description: 3,200 square foot single family home
  • Location:  North Suburbs Cook County, Illinois

KEY RESULTS

  • Selected the right appraiser that assigned much lower value to swimming pool and golf course proximity than Assessor
  • Tried the case before the PTAB and won
  • Obtained over $99,000 in tax savings and refunds for the client

Our Strategic Approach

Our team argued that based on unique property characteristics, the Assessor was overvaluing the home.  Our team believed the indoor swimming pool to hurt, not enhance, the value of the home. Elliott argued that many buyers would consider the pool to actually be a negative feature and that including the square footage of the pool would result in an over valuation of the home.  Further, the Elliott team believed it was inappropriate for the Assessor to value the home consistent with other golf-course homes in the neighborhood since the subject faces a maintenance shed and not the golf course itself.

Our team recognized that an appraisal was key to success. Additionally, selecting the appropriate appraiser and educating the appraiser on the home’s unique characteristics would be equally as important. The appraiser valued the home using comparable non-golf course homes.  Elliott filed appeals to the Cook County Assessor and Board of Review and obtained assessment relief, but we felt that the client deserved more relief.  Appeals were then filed to the Property Tax Appeal Board and ultimately, our firm tried the case.  At trial, the County agreed the square footage of the home for assessment purposes should not include the square footage of the swimming pool. 
The PTAB reduced the assessment as a result of the appraisal.

RESULTS

Over the years, the assessment of the property was reduced and tax refunds were directed by the County resulting in tax savings* and refunds, before exemptions, of over $99,000.  To obtain the desired results, it was necessary for Elliott to obtain an appraisal and try the case before the Property Tax Appeal Board.  Assessments are now at an appropriate level.

*tax savings before exemptions

 
"Spiraling tax increases of unreasonable proportions left me feeling frustrated and tempted to move out of state. Elliott got my tax bill back in line and I’m relieved enough financially to tolerate staying in Illinois. If you want to be taken care of and get results, hire this firm."
C.M., HOMEOWNER