NorthWest Indiana Real Estate Blog: February 2012

We received an email from potential clients who found our internet presence when searching online for a REALTOR to sell their summer cottage in the Flint Lake Area of Valparaiso, Indiana.

When talking on the phone, they revealed they had interviewed many agents already and asked us to send them information of how we differ. So we did :)

 In less than 30 days from putting the for sale sign up in the yard of this new listing we were at closing!

Talk To Tucker for all your Northwest Indiana Real Estate needs.

Valparaiso Indiana Real Estate Just SOLD in less than 30 Days on Market when listed by

F.C.Tucker 1st Team serving NW Indiana

Wow, It feels like March Madness already in our home town of Valpo!

What a year for The Valparaiso University Men's Basketball Program.

VU's win over Loyola in overtime at the ARC last night solidified it's place as

Horizon League Regular Season Champs!

The Twitter feed hashtags

#GoValpo

#ValpoGameDay

were alive with tweets of Congrats from all over the country from alumni and fans and reporters!

Within hours of the win, a celebratory You Tube Video was posted onto Facebook.

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History was made as now VALPO will HOST the Horizon League Tournament for the 1st Time!

All this happened with LOTS OF NEW at Valpo this 2011-2012 season! New Head Couch Bryce Drew, several NEW Players, and

against all odds (at the beginning of this season, Valpo was "predicted" to finish 6th in the HL conference :) 

.....including an announcement that directed our hearts, thoughts and prayers to a more important matter->

Early in the year both of Bryce Drew's parents were diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery days apart! (Former Head Coach Homer Drew and his wife Janet).

WOW - we are so thankful and inspired by many things this season including Bryce's focus in a difficult time!

The fight of the Team to not give up  despite the odds was impressive and seeing Mr. & Mrs. H. Drew recover & come back to watch some home games was an answered prayer:)

Come on out to the Horizon League Championship Tournament Games Saturday 3/3/12  and Sunday 3/6/12 to experience it for yourself. There's nothing like basketball in Indiana :)

We've Blogged about Homes we've Sold in De Motte, IN zip-code 46310

With easy expressway access to  I 65 in Indiana making travel to both Chicago, IL or Indianapolis, IN accessible, 

Jasper County Indiana has great Schools and the nearby town is Home to one of our favorite

Restaurants.

NEW LISTING a Custom Built Ranch Home in Sandy Pines Golf Estates with Upgrades and Ammenities Galore....not

to mention scenic views of the 10th Fairway and 14th Green of the Golf Course !

View of 18th Green & Golf Clubhouse at Sandy Pines in De Motte, IN

A Unique Custom Feature of This Beautiful Home For Sale by F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate serving Northwest Indiana is a

Stone Waterfall Feature that Fills the Master Bath Bubble Jet Tub!

Other Features of this Custom Property Include:

• Extensive landscaping ->stone paved beds* Outdoor fountain feature at front entrance* In-ground illuminating lighting*Koi pond with bridge over a stream off brick patio in backyard

• Marble Tile Floors in Entry Foyer, Guest Suite bath (or second master suite), Master bedroom marble floor accents before Fireplace and French Doors to deck.

• Volume, Vaulted, Tray and Double Tray ceilings and varied recessed, rope, halogen or other accent lighting with adjustable memory dimer switch controls.

• Rounded Drywall corners, architectural arches, cut-outs, display areas and nooks and long gallery hallways  for art collectibles. Crown Moldings and wide trim.
  

• Gleaming Tiger Wood Flooring with varied pattern design in FDR and inset framing Master Bed area.

• Rich Maple cabinetry in Kitchen and 3 full baths

•  WOW Kitchen with Granite counters + Breakfast Bar, Stainless Viking Appliances and wine refrigerator and a temperature controlled walk-in wine storage room off the kitchen!

• Anderson Windows, Zone Heat & A/C, Built in Speakers - entire home wired for sound system!

• Lavish bathrooms - over sized stone tiled showers, waterfall faucets, granite vanities.

• Executive Home Office, large deck, Finished 4.5 car garage, Wooded Cul-de-sac location & more!

All offers Subject To Lenders approval of a Short Sale

enjoy the hi-def music video and then make an appointment to see this beautiful property Talk To Tucker

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2/16/12 Jim Litten addressed hundreds of REALTORS at the annual statewide F.C.Tucker Awards banquet held in Indianapolis in the Grand Ballrooms of the JW Marriott.

In a State of Real Estate address and statistical slide presentation, the President of Indiana's leading Real Estate Company (established in 1918) shared :

F.C.Tucker Market Share has increased five percentage points in the last 5 years despite economic conditions!

F.C. Tucker was named the 10th largest Real Estate brand in the Country!

2012 prediction = "The Year of Rebound" even with changes in Lending and a "New Normal" evolving!

Talk to Tucker in 2012 for all your Northwest Indiana Real Estate  Needs

Corporate Mission Statement F. C. Tucker Company

To be the dominant industry leader in effectively servicing the real estate needs of the public throughout the State of Indiana and other selected markets by 1) providing superior service with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity; and 2) maintaining a complete commitment to the development of our company family (employees, associates, managers and owners); and 3) continuing to develop the strategic leadership necessary to create long-term financial stability and growth.

Today F.C.Tucker,Indiana's largest Real Estate Company (established in 1918), started a new facebook page for all the Associates statewide to network and share information in place of the monthly email newsletters!

there are many other local Facebook pages for F.C.Tucker offices statewide in IN, including our own in Northwest Indiana - we invite you to check them out  and 'like' us :)

 There's nothing like Basketball Season in Northwest Indiana!

Every year we look forward to cheering on our home town team - Valparaiso University Crusaders.

The Horizon League has some fiercely competitive teams for NCAA in the Midwest!

The 1st year as head coach-> Bryce Drew, son of Homer Drew has certainly earned consideration for horizon league 'coach of the year' award  (ok, so we may be little a biased:)

Valpo has just 4 games left in regular season

1 on the road 2/11/12 ->Valpo @ Youngstown State

3 more games at home = The ARC ->

2/14/12 Valpo vs. UIC

2/21/12 Valpo vs. Loyola

2/24/12 Valpo vs. Butler

So come on out, bring the family & friends and support the team in the home stretch before March Madness!

follow hashtags #GoValpo and #ValpoGameDay on Twitter

Here is a PRE Game Video taken recently at VU ->

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Why List Your Northwest Indiana Home For Sale with F.C.Tucker 1st Team Realty?

As of today, approximately 30% of homes listed for sale by our office in NW Indiana have accepted offers on them!

We are looking to increase our inventory of properties to sell in NWI because our phones are ringing with buyers who are interested in the properties that already have offers on them!

If they do not want to write a back up offer on these homes, we can show them your home if it meets their criteria!

So please call one of our experienced, professional, FULL TIME REALTORS today to get your Northwest Indiana home on the market soon!

Below is our Top 10 List that will help you understand what buyers are looking for in Today's market.

 

       Top 10 Factors that help Sell a Home:

1.       Price                                        * There is a saying in Real Estate=Price is King!

2.      Location                                    * You Cannot Change Location, Location, Location!

3.      Live-ability                                * Neighborhood Amenities do make a difference.

4.      Condition                                  * If Price is King, Condition is Queen!

5.      Competitive Advantage             * Current Listings are Competition=Buyers will Shop and Compare!

6.      Curb Appeal                              * You only get a First Impression ONCE.

7.      Staging                                     * The WOW factor may bring multiple offers!

8.     Kitchens                                     * An Updated Kitchen is a big selling point.

9.      REALTOR                                   * Your Biggest Ally->The REAL work in selling a home begins after an accepted offer. Experience overcoming Transaction Obstacles is key to Closing Escrow these days!

10.  Marketing                                    * It’s Global & gone Social.

The market is not what it once was.  You must be realistic about selling in today’s market.  Consider these Top 10 Ways a Home Sells and help your home put its best forward. 

You have to “WOW” that buyer!  The home has to be GREAT!

Talk To Tucker, Indiana's Real Estate Leader to Sell Your Northwest Indiana Home

 This week, I  attended an Indiana CRS BOD Meeting and Luncheon at the Marriott in downtown Indianapolis, IN.

Indy is host city for Super Bowl XLVI and what a great NFL experience  is happening the week leading up to the big game

Hoosier Hospitality at it's finest!

Media madness at it's best too! 

SKY sports blog even got a photo of Jeff and the Colts Super fan at the same time they were posing and looking at My camera LOL !

Here is a brief photo re-cap of the fun time we had before and after my conferences :)

Zipline anyone?  what you can't see are the office workers 4 stories up in adjacent buildings that were distracted by the zipline riders this week LOL

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I tweeted this photo of Prince Amukamara #20 of the New York Giants cordially signing autographs of fans in the lobby and was subsequently notified by tweeps who follow him of his philanrhropic efforts!

 What an awesome few days in Indy and what a view from our room too ->

If you get a chance to go down to Indy before the Superbowl this Sunday to expereince the pre-game atractions downtown - DO IT - and bring your family - you won't be dissapointed!