NorthWest Indiana Real Estate Blog: December 2008

This Custom Built Ranch Home on Nearly an Acre of Property (fenced Backyard) overlooks scenic farmland. Extra insulation that raises the R value helps keep utility bills low! The wide hallways & doorways, oversized bathrooms, and flush entry thresholds, plus a convenient ramp from the garage into the home make this property handicap accessible if needed. 

Click on the links for more info about this NEW LISTING :

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Wondering about Relocating to NorthWest Indiana's La Porte County???

Just an Hour From Downtown Chicago by the Famous Electric Shore Shore Train Line (or either Indiana Toll Road I 90 or expressway I 94 if you prefer to drive)....

Scenic  &    History      Rich

         La Porte County,   

is the Largest County (geographic miles) in the State of Indiana! 

 Also, great place to find affordable housing and enjoy the year round activities

Beautiful Lake Michigan has to  offer!

 The County Seat is the City of La Porte  ( french translation = the door :)

 Award Winning Health Care,

  Schools

  Parks & More !

 ( Not to mention Grace's Favorite ZOO  and Favorite Outlet Mall for Shopping Both in nearby Michigan City :)

 There is  Real Estate in every Price Range in La Porte County!

Whether Buying Your 1st Home, Downsizing or Up-sizing, Looking for Farms / Land

or Buying that Dream Lake Michigan Frontage Million Dollar Getaway :)

Give us a call @ 219-405-1232 or visit our website to Search All La Porte County Properties For Sale.

Click below to read / subscribe to our email newsletter with valuable Relocation Information.

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Talk To  Jeff & GraceSafrin "Spouses Selling Houses' TM

 Real Estate Brokers serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW IN. 

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

Local Community Information, Events and Sports .....  check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

 NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

 Thanks for Visiting!  We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided.                      

 Former For Sale By Owner in DeMotte, IN - SOLD - Holiday Shoppers are Serious Buyers!

We've Blogged about Jasper County, Indiana and Homes we've SOLD in De Motte, IN before.

     There is a common objection that the topic of this Blog post addresses, however, that we've heard over many years from Sellers reluctant to list their home in any other season but Spring or Summer. The false perception being : "it won't sell at that time of year" ?

In our experience in the past decade, , during the Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year Holiday Season, the potential Buyers out shopping for homes tend to be more serious about purchasing!

Especially in Northwest Indiana, where winter weather of Snow and Cold, discourages "Looky Louies".

Recently, we Listed an AWESOME Custom Home with a Home Theatre System that was certainly a stand out amenity!

The Sellers had enough of the unqualified showings and casual buyers and limited exposure of the FSBO route of Real Estate, which brought them NO offers over many months.

 We met with them and explained our Professional Services, along with vast Internet presence + Marketing efforts would attract a Ready, Willing and ABLE Buyer bringing an offer on their home which was in move-in ready condition & priced competitively ...even at this time of year!

Only 37 Days later, despite the winter weather and holidays, an offer to purchase from a qualified buyer at list price was received and accepted!

 Only, 46 days in all, from signing The Listing Agreement + the For Sale Sign Going Up, to Signing The Closing Documents & the  For Sale Sign Coming Down.

 If you are looking to Sell Your Home in NW Indiana, please give us a call Today @ 219-405-1232.

We'd be happy to set up an appointment to Tour Your Property, provide you with a Competitive Market Analysis of Price, and discuss our marketing Strategy and answer any questions you may have.

Performance Outsells Promises.

 Let Our Work Ethic and Experience Help You Achieve Your Real Estate Goals in 2009.

 Jeff & Grace Safrin - Real Estate Brokers - "Spouses Selling Houses" TM

F.C. Tucker - Indiana's Largest Real Estate Company (est. 1918).

Full Time, Full Service REALTORS with F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty

Members of Greater Northwest Indiana Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service

Areas Served:

Lake County, Porter County, La Porte County, Jasper County, Newton County & Starke County.

 This is just one in a series of Posts For Local-ism By Jeff & Grace Safrin, F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty, Serving Northwest Indiana...on HOMES SOLD IN A MARKET That's NOT SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD.... 

Home Featured on HGTV's Hidden Potential SOLD - with out of the Box Thinking!

Just SOLD - Today's Real Estate Market Calls For Following a Recipe For Success

Less Than 30 Days From For Sale Sign Going Up to Sellers Signing Documents at Closing - This NW Indiana Home SOLD!

Client Testimonial From Someone on The INSIDE of this Business who has had experiences working with Thousands of REALTORS

Multiple Offers To Purchase - Bring Your Best Offer To The Table Please...

Back-Up Offers in REAL ESTATE - We Encourage Them, SALE PENDING DOES NOT MEAN SOLD.

The Journey To CLOSING a Home Sale Can be Difficult, Success is Collaborative WORK - Another NW Indiana Home Sold By The Safrin's

DeMotte, Indiana Home - Jeff & Grace Safrinof F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty Found the Buyers!

You Can ...Put it on The Board - Another NorthWest Indiana HOME SOLD By The Safrin's

13 weeks to Complete a SHORT SALE that almost didn't Close - Lessons Learned

Our Sellers Become Our Buyers!

Safrin's Found The Buyers For This La Porte Indiana Home

Listed AND Sold By The Safrin's - Home and Farm LAND in Northwest Indiana.

Cash Buyers Are Coming Out to BUY REAL ESTATE !

Valparaiso, IN - First Time Home-buyers are out in a Market that's not supposed to be good :)

 Reverse Offers in Real Estate - A Paradigm Shift for the Northwest Indiana Market  !  

Who is NEXT ? Referrals come from asking !

1st BORN, 2nd Wife, 3rd REALTOR...

Tri-Omino Effect on Closing with 3 peat Clients! Another VALPARAISO HOME SOLD by The Safrin's in a Market That's Not Supposed To Be Good !

IN A MARKET THAT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD, Jeff & Grace Safrin Found the Buyer For This Valparaiso, IN Greenfield Creek Home - Why Did it Sell ?

A Step on the Path To Successful Real Estate Transactions...

 Click below to read / subscribe to our email newsletter with valuable Relocation Information.

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Talk To  Jeff & GraceSafrin "Spouses Selling Houses' TM

 Real Estate Brokers serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW IN. 

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

Local Community Information, Events and Sports .....  check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

 NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

 Thanks for Visiting!  We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided.                      

 

Home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL team	Retractable Roof -But Not in December in IN :)

It had been almost 4 years, since I was last at an NFL Game.  So as an early gift for my birthday, my parents gave Grace and I theirseason tix for Sunday's Colts game against the Detroit Lions, what a gift it was! Grace and I have always wanted to go see the new Lucas Oil Stadium home of where the Indianapolis Colts play, so off to Indy we went at 8:30 Sunday morning, as it is about a 2 hour drive from Valparaiso.

Team gets Ready To Run on Field Thru Tunnel	Cheerleaders Perform - Game Starting Flame!

As we entered the Stadium, I was in awe at just how enormous the facility is! Very art-deco decor in the concourses, which were so wide, that even with over 70,000 people walking around, there was plenty of room! Variety of Food and Beverage concessions stands Galore... like every 4 feet, it was sweet. Televisions on the outer concourse at every position possible, so you miss nothing when leaving your seat to buy refreshments!

No Recession noted inside the Dome :)	Alot to see and Do along the concourse!

Entering the field area. one word described my first thought, WOW! There are 7 levels to this stadium, with many private suites. As we looked to our left there was a huge all glass window with the Indianapolis Skyline behind it. The stadium is awesome! A SEA of BLUE loyal Colts fans, most wearing numbered team jerseys filled the seats.

Touchdown Colts!	Kick is good!

Sitting just 15 rows up from the playing field, you get a real feel just how HUGE these athletes are! We had great views, since the seats were very close to where the Colts run out on the field.

FUMBLE....	Ref reviews the calls :)

Now to the game...The Colts sure decided to let the Lions stick around for 59:00 minutes and never put them away. Until, with 48 seconds left, after the Colts were trying to run out the clock, they fumble the ball right in front of us and the melee for recovering the ball began. One ref signaled Detroit ball another came running in with held up the fist indicating 4th Down Colts!?! I saw the entire play come to life in front of me, and so I knew, no doubt, the Colts had indeed recovered the ball! Field Goal then kicked to leave the Colts up WINNING  by 10pts - GAME OVER. All the scoring except for 7 points was right in front of Grace and I so that made this day even more enjoyable:)

Ah here's the TV view we usually watch at home :)	Gigantic Screens in the Stadium provide closeups

It was not the Stadium, Nor the Colts 31-21 win, that was the most memorable event of this game. It was How the Colts and their Coaching Staff acted after the game!!!   Now, I can see why the Indianapolis Colts have the reputation of being one of the CLASSIEST Organizations in this league. After the game, Grace and I stayed, as did many other fans in the entire stadium to show their appreciation towards this team.  Players such as Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Caito June, Jeff Saturday, Peyton Manning + Head Coach Tony Dungy and many others who slowly left the field looked up into the stands and made purposefully contact with the fan...they : raised their hands, or waived, or gave a thumbs ups sign n one even pumped his fist to the crowd showing just how appreciative they are for support. A few even stopped to pose briefly for fans to snap photos. Their interaction with the crowd was something I have never seen pro athletes do in today's sports world. It was refreshing to see just how humble this team is!

Editorial by Jeff Safrin

Colts Players Connect With Fans at game End!	Jeff & Grace Safrin - "Spouses Selling Houses" -F.C.Tucker - Indiana's Largest Real Estate Company

-----------------------------

 Jeff & Grace Safrin - REAL Estate Brokers - F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty

Serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Starke, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW Indiana

Visit our website for properties for sale.

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

- Local Community Information, Events and Sports .....  check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided.  

Come out and support our Local team ! Click Here for Schedule of Games and Ticket Info	V.U. Students & Super Fans dressed as Elves :) Crusader's Dance Team await Half-Time to perform.

Everyone I talked with after the first few season games said Valpo was gonna be OK this year. I have played basketball since I was 5 years old, and even coached some, so I knew better. Now, my concern become real after watching the Valparaiso University Crusaders Men's Basketball Team lose to Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne - IPFW Mastodons, 63-46 Wednesday evening at the ARC.

I looked at the season schedule and thought this would be the telling game for the Crusaders and it was. It is gonna be a tough, long & challenging seasonfor the young Valpo Men's Basketball Team.

IPFW is coached by Dane Fife, yes, the same Fife that played under Hall of Fame Coach - Bob Knight at the University of Indiana,and some of the same principals were displayed in Wednesady nights game:

 1. INTENSE Man to Man Defense 

2. Aggressive Animated Coaching 

IPFW played hard! The team played intense for 40 minutes and played a style of man to man D that would make any Coach proud.

Sometimes stats don't tell the game, these stats did:

Valpo Shot - 19 for 61 from the field - they MISSED 42 Shots - yes 42,  many were from inside the paint that is 31.1% for the game.

Valpo Shot - 4 for 21 from behind the arch - that is 17 missed and a whopping 19% for the game.

Valpo Shot - 4 for 12 from the Charity Stripe - that is 8 missed and 33.3% for the game.

  There was a 1 hour delay of the game even starting due to the Valparaiso University Girls Basketball Game (which I must say was exciting -VU Crusader Girls UPSET No. 21 Purdue Boilermakers in a great game!.

It does not get any easier in the next 2 weeks as on Saturday 12/13/08 the Crusaders travel to play the Redhawks of Miami of Ohio . Then a week from Saturday on 12/20/08 at the United Center in Chicago, IL- Are you ready .........The Tar Heels of North Carolina - yes the Number 1 Ranked Team in the Country will play Valpo. I really only have 2 words for that upcoming game OH BOY!                                        

 

I am an optimist, but, it is going to be a trying year for our Valpo Crusaders. Don't get me wrong, this team will be competitive, but need to develop consistency. I have only seen one player this year so far, Howard Little, show game in and game out consistency. Freshman standout Erik Buggs, shows promise, but still is learning and lacks some judgment..... Like trying to drive to the basket and beat 6'9" Post Players :)In time, I'm sure that will all change. Valpo so far this year, has shown they have no threat from anyone beyond the 3 point line. That will be an issue as the season goes on. IF, they can get some perimeter shooting- it will open the inside play to Igbavoda, Rogers & Little. The Crusaders have played all their games this year without standout Senior Guard Brandon McPherson and do they need him NOW !

Editorial By Jeff Safrin

________________________

If we can help you find a home or land in NW Indiana, give us a call @ 219-405-1232 - we are Full Time Full Service Real Estate Brokers serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW IN.

Click below to read / subscribe to our email newsletter with valuable Relocation Information.

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Talk To  Jeff & GraceSafrin "Spouses Selling Houses' TM

 Real Estate Brokers serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW IN. 

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

Local Community Information, Events and Sports .....  check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

 NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

 Thanks for Visiting!  We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided.                     

We've Blogged about Homes We've Sold in KNOX, Indiana and in the County it is located,Starke County before.

Recently, we listed a newer (2002) built home for sale perched on a scenic lot (almost an acre) in the newer Lakewinds subdivision that is just a block or so walk away from BASS LAKE.

Perfect Vacation Home, as there is a public boat launch and beach for this 11 square mile lake in NorthWest Indiana's city of Knox. Enjoy Fishing, Boating, Swimming and water sports!

Click on the information and map links below and enjoy the photo slide show!

xxxx

If we can help you find a home or land in NW Indiana, give us a call @ 219-405-1232 - we are Full Time Full Service Real Estate Brokers serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW IN.

Click below to read / subscribe to our email newsletter with valuable Relocation Information.

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Talk To  Jeff & GraceSafrin "Spouses Selling Houses' TM

 Real Estate Brokers serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW IN. 

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

Local Community Information, Events and Sports .....  check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

 NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

 Thanks for Visiting!  We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided.