How To Search for Aurora Property Records

If you're investing in Aurora's real estate market, start every deal with a records check. A fast review of property records often reveals title issues, unpaid taxes, liens, easements, or permit history that can change an offer or exit strategy. Think of Aurora's property records as a background check for real estate; they confirm ownership, verify tax payments, and flag legal claims. Aurora property records are easy to access and open to anyone who requests them. The secret to finding property information is knowing the right offices holding the record. This guide points you to the right resources to locate Aurora property records with ease.

Kane County Recorder's Office

The Kane County Recorder's Office is where you go if you want to see the official history of a property in Aurora. This office is responsible for recording and keeping land documents, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats, and other real estate records. You can use the Land Record Search System to look up property records. The platform allows you to search property records using the document number, quick name, or quick PIN. If you want official documents of Aurora property records, visit the office in person at the Kane County Government Center located at 719 South Batavia Avenue, Building C, Geneva, IL 60134. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Kane County Supervisor of Assessment Office

Another place you can look up Aurora property records is at the Kane County Supervisor of Assessments office. The office's primary duty is to determine the fair market value (FMV) of homes and land so property taxes are calculated fairly. The office maintains useful records, including property values, parcel details, ownership information, exemptions, and assessment notices. You can look up Aurora property records on the website using the "Property Search". The site allows you to search records using the parcel, advanced parcel, or mobile home search feature. Alternatively, you can get the records in person or by mail at the Kane County Government Center located at 719 South Batavia Avenue, Building C, Geneva, IL 60134.

Kane County Treasurer's Office

The Kane County Treasurer's Office handles the property taxes for the City of Aurora, Illinois. They are responsible for sending out tax bills, collecting payments, and tracking payments received and outstanding invoices. You can find property-related information on the webpage, such as tax payment history, delinquent tax information, and the owner's history. To look up Aurora property records, you can use the Property Tax lookup tool, where you can search using the property index number, property address, or owner's name. You may also choose to get the record in person at the Kane County Treasurer's office at 719 South Batavia Avenue, Building C, Geneva, IL 60134.

Aurora Township Tax Assessor

Another resource you can use to look up Aurora property records is the Property Search feature on the Aurora Township Tax Assessor's office webpage. You can search the records by PIN, sales information, street address, property owner, and neighborhood. Alternatively, you can get copies of records at the Tax Assessor's office at 80 North Broadway, Aurora, Illinois. The office opens for in-person requests Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Property taxes are a major source of funding in Aurora, Illinois, helping pay for schools, police, fire protection, libraries, sewer systems, community parks, healthcare, and local infrastructure. These taxes ensure the city can provide essential services to residents. In Aurora, property taxes are assessed by the Kane County Supervisor of Assessment based on a property's market value. Those values are used to create tax bills, which the Kane County Treasurer's Office mails and collects. After values are set, the county issues bills, and collections and enforcement follow.

Aurora property taxes are due twice a year. The first installment is due by June 1, and the second installment is payable by September 1. After the due dates, taxes become delinquent and begin to accrue interest and sometimes penalties. The statutory fee charged as interest varies per year. Be sure to check the statute or county notice for the exact current rate that applies to your bill. Continued nonpayment of the delinquent taxes leads to a tax lien and the potential sale of the house. If taxes are sold, owners usually have a redemption window, sometimes up to 30 months, to repay and stop a tax lien auction. Eventually, this can lead to the loss of the property if the taxes remain unpaid and not redeemed.

You can pay Aurora property taxes online, by mail, or in person. Use the Kane County Treasurer's payment portal to pay your taxes by e-check or credit/debit cards. To pay by mail, send the payment coupon from your tax bill alongside a check or money order to the Kane County Treasurer's office. You can also walk into the office during its business hours to pay your taxes. In-person payment of taxes must be made via checks or money orders. The physical and mailing address is at 719 South Batavia Avenue, Building A, Geneva, IL 60134.

Assessments

The Kane County Supervisor of Assessments is in charge of property assessment in the City of Aurora. Most properties are reassessed every four years, with values set as of January 1. The office uses mass appraisal methods, such as comparing sales, cost less depreciation, and income approaches to estimate fair market value. If you believe that your assessment is too high, you can file an assessment complaint with the Kane County Board of Review within 30 days of receiving the bill. The assessment complaint may be submitted by mail or in person at the Kane County Supervisor of Assessment office.

Appraisals

In Aurora, the assessments function in a similar fashion to appraisals. Each is used to determine the fair value of a specific property. To do this, they examine local prices and conduct comprehensive comparisons to determine values. In select cases involving new buildings or structures that don't fit with the rest of the neighborhood, a special appraiser is required to determine the value. Courts, estate planners, and various lenders rely on appraisers to assess property values.

Tax Rates

The median effective property tax rate is 2.63% in Aurora, Illinois. By comparison, the city's tax rate is higher than the national median effective rate of 1.02% and the state's median effective rate of 2.35%. In dollar terms, Aurora homeowners pay about $4,305 per year, compared to the $2,400 tax bill paid nationally. Among Illinois counties, Aurora's tax rate tops most counties, as shown below:

• Lake County 2.68%
• Kendall County 2.589%
• Will County 2.4%
• DuPage County 2.11%
• St. Clair County 2.17%
• Cook County 2.02%
• McHenry County 2.612%
• Winnebago County 2.59%
• Madison County 1.95%
• DeKalb County 2.622%

Exemptions

Property taxes in Aurora can be steep, and many homeowners need help. Thankfully, several homestead exemptions in Kane County can help lower the taxable value of your home. Some of the available exceptions in Aurora include:

• General Homestead Exemption: Reduces the value for owner-occupied homes by up to $8,000.
• Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption: Reduces Equalized Assessed Value (EAV). The reduction is $8,000 for the current tax assessment year.
• Low-income Senior Assessment Freeze (Senior Freeze): Keeps your home's EAV at its Base Year level by reducing it to offset any increase in later years.
• Veterans with Disabilities Homestead Exemptions: Varying reliefs for persons with a disability.

You can apply for any of these exemptions at the Kane County Assessment Office or online through the Online Exemption Portal. Additionally, you can call (630) 208-3818 to get the application form mailed to you.

Most new construction, remodeling, electrical, plumbing, demolition, and new building projects require a permit and staged inspection to ensure code compliance and safety. You can obtain one from the City of Aurora Division of Building and Permits. The city allows for online applications through the eTRAKiT Online Portal, which allows you to submit applications, monitor your permits, pay fees, and schedule inspections. Alternatively, you may apply for permits in person by visiting their office at 77 South Broadway, 1st Floor, Aurora, IL 60505, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The following permits are available in Aurora:

General Building Permits

• New Constructions: This permit is required for all new residential and commercial constructions.
• Additions and Remodeling Permits: This building permit is required for expanding or changing an existing building or adding garages and similar structures.
• Demolition Permits: Required before tearing down any structure.
• Roofing and Siding Permits: It is required when replacing large portions or all of a roof/siding.

Specialty Permits

• Electrical Permits: Needed for new wiring, service upgrades, or installing new electrical panels.
• Plumbing Permits: A plumbing permit is required for new plumbing, major repairs, water heater replacement, or sewer or septic work.
• Mechanical/HVAC Permits: Needed for the installation or replacement of heating, cooling, or ventilation systems.
• Pool and Spa Permits: Required for the construction of new swimming pools and spas.
• Fire Permits: It is needed when you are installing or modifying fire safety systems
• Sign Permits: You need this permit before you can put up business, real estate, or even signs.
• Historic Districts/Preservation Permits: You require these permits if you want to make changes to properties in historic zones.

To obtain a permit, you must submit all the necessary paperwork. The permits that require paperwork include items such as contractor licenses, building plans, and most blueprints. There are fees included with the permitting process, too.

While working to get the necessary permits, you should expect to go through an inspection process. The inspector will verify that the structure complies with the safety and building codes locally. If you need an inspection, you can schedule one online or in person throughout regular business hours.

Nicknamed the "City of Lights," Aurora, Illinois, is one of the first U.S. cities to install an all-electric street-lighting system, which helped shape its downtown and riverfront culture. Downtown Aurora's historic Paramount Theatre and RiverEdge Park make the city a lively cultural hub, which is part of what draws buyers to the area.

Aurora has a population of 180,700 residents. The city has 64,000 units, with over 55,000 units occupied and fewer than 10,000 unoccupied units. The city has a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and apartments. In addition, Aurora, Illinois, has Victorian, Ranch-style, Colonial, and Cape Cod homes. The median home sale price in Aurora is about $340,000, with a 4.3% year-over-year growth. Its rate is relatively higher than the state median at $287,000, but lower than the national median of $414,000. Homes sell on average within 23 days on the market. Aurora's median price per square foot is $213.

However, home prices vary considerably based on where you live in Aurora. Some examples include:

• Fox Valley $319,500
• Stonebridge $819,500
• Naperville $414,000
• Stolp Island $270,000
• Pigeon Hill $269,900

The Aurora, Illinois, real estate market is seeing steady demand, supported by its growing economy, family-friendly neighborhoods, and convenient locations within the Chicago metropolitan area. Home prices in Aurora have been rising gradually, with year-over-year increases of around 3%. While competition among buyers is present, Aurora remains more affordable than many nearby Chicago suburbs. This balance of value and accessibility makes the city attractive to both families and investors seeking a strong housing market in Kane County.