NorthWest Indiana Real Estate Blog

Yesterday, we had our 2nd F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate Round Table Conference.

These informational monthly gatherings at different local spots are for the purpose of our Experienced REALTORS to come together and be updated on the latest Real Estate Market happenings AND share each others business building tips!

We place value on the fact that every individual comes to the table with unique insights and experiences in life and we all can benefit from each others knowledge, backgrounds, or niche's :)

This is a valuable asset in serving our current and future clients-> striving to stay current with continual quality improvement always in mind.

Our discussion included seasonal service tips, real estate lending changes, social media policy, examples of actual in the field issues encountered by others, local MLS board updates, IDX links, and chance for questions and discussion by all.

The last part of our round table was a hands on working / learning opportunity to share what we know.

Here we are gathered around our laptops discussing LinkedIn

We Invite you to Link with us all on linked in  - click names below to  invite us!

Pictured : Ty Gammon, Grace Safrin, Linda Littlejohn

not pictured Olga Kwolek and Jeff Safrin.

As Always we appreciate your business and referrals!

F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate - experienced REALTORS serving Northwest Indiana

Help us in welcoming

Ty Gammon, experienced REALTOR

to F.C.Tucker Company's newest affiliate brokerage:

F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate - serving Northwest Indiana!

Ty's commitment to public service both personally and professionally, combined with her local marketplace knowledge and Internet savvy skills make her a great candidate to come on board with our Virtual Office Model of Real Estate Practice for professionals.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home or property in Lake, Porter or La Porte Counties in NW Indiana,

Talk to Ty @ 219 - 252 - 0285

email : tjgexec@yahoo.com

She's also here on Active Rain

We wish her continued success!

With more than $2 billion in annual sales, F.C. Tucker Company is Indiana’s largest independently owned comprehensive real estate firm with 46 offices and more than 1,500 sales associates throughout Indiana and select markets in Kentucky. Less than one percent of all real estate firms have the longevity of F.C. Tucker. Founded in 1918, the company’s family of businesses includes a full range of real estate services—mortgages, title insurance, relocation services, a full line of insurance products, auctioning and homeowner warranty products. F.C. Tucker has earned a reputation for its exceptional service, experienced sales associates and “Golden Rule” commitment to its clients and employees.

In these changing times with social media morphing at about the rate of the speed of light... LOL...i.e. micro blogging on twitter... the whirlwind of RE barcamp and who knows what next (Google wave?).....

Our most recent listing that sold was brought to us courtesy of another type of social networking : 

Interacting personally with past clients - > sphere of influence.

Here's how it went :)

We were driving by a former clients home in Valparaiso, IN and saw an empty garbage can at the curb of a very long driveway.

Yea, my Jeff responded, "He reminds me of my grandfather. I'm gonna stop and take the trash can up the driveway for them and put it near the garage so they don't have to."

We tried to make our stop transparent (just do the deed and leave), but the wheel of the trash can got stuck in the groove between the driveway and grass. When Jeff pulled it up, the can tilted and knocked off the rear view mirror on the drivers side of our truck ;0 

As Jeff wheeled the can up the driveway, our clients came out. After thanking him for wheeling the trash can up for them, Jeff asked to borrow some duck tape, (reluctant to explain what had just happened). He ended up telling them while laughing about it, after they asked why he needed the duck tape... and told them it was no big deal.

The next comment I heard from our client was pricless & well worth the stop. "In all my years of building and selling homes, I've never had a REALTOR do such a nice thing for me, and I've worked with many."

 "Well," Jeff said, not missing a beat,  "Keep us in mind if you know of anyone needing our services other than trash can retrieval." and we all laughed.

Funny thing..... the next day we get an email from a relative of this former client......asking for our services to list and sell multiple properties in NW Indiana.

Connecting by social media is something we are striving to learn.....

Connecting in person is still the best !

____________

Just as the seasons change here in NW Indiana, we help clients achieve their Real Estate Goals in various seasons in life. We look forward to serving you.

 Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace Safrin - "Spouses Selling Houses" TM

Real Estate Broker Associates with F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty - phone # 219-405-1232.

Valparaiso residents serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW Indiana.

On  Facebook  ?...... be-friend us - look up Jeff Safrin  : )    

 Linked in??.....  link to us... look up Grace Safrin  : )

TWITTER?? ...Follow....  SAFRIN

 We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate 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 

Have a Blessed Week !

Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace Safrin - "Spouses Selling Houses" TM

Valparaiso residents serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW Indiana

Real Estate Broker Associates with F.C. Tucker Realty - phone # 219-405-1232.

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  Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker  Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided.  

From Our Home to Yours.....

Wishing you & your families a safe, healthy and Happy Memorial Day weekend. 

Enjoy the blessings of family & friends at local events, parades, picnics, bbq's, outings, etc... 

and here are some fireworks Jeff recently captured after a baseball game :

 Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace Safrin - "Spouses Selling Houses" TM

Real Estate Broker Associates with F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty - phone # 219-405-1232.

Valparaiso residents serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW Indiana.

On  Facebook  ?...... be-friend us - look up Jeff Safrin  : )    

 Linked in ??.....  link to us... look up Grace Safrin  : )

TWITTER?? ...Follow....  SAFRIN

 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.   

From Our Home to Yours......

Have a Safe, Healthy & Blessed Mother's Day Weekend everyone.

The world is a better place because of a Mother's Love & Sacrifices - we appreciate all Mom's :)

Sincerely,

The Safrin's

 Jeff& GraceSafrin " Spouses Selling Houses" TM Real Estate Broker Associates  with  F.C. Tucker -

Indiana's Largest Real Estate Company

 On  Facebook  ?...... be-friend us - look up Jeff Safrin  : )    

 Linked in ??.....  link to us... look up Grace Safrin  : )

TWITTER?? ...Follow....  SAFRIN

 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.    

From our Home to Yours......To all our family, friends, clients and associates....

Wishing you all a very safe, healthy and Happy Easter and a Joyous Passover filled with God's Blessings!

Mark 14:12

[ The Lord's Supper ] On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"

_____________

Jeff& GraceSafrin " Spouses Selling Houses" TM

Real Estate Broker Associates with  F.C. Tucker - Indiana's Largest Real Estate Company

 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.

On  Facebook  ?...... be-friend us - look up Jeff Safrin  : ) 

 Linked in ??.....  link to us... look up Grace Safrin  : )

TWITTER?? ...Follow....  SAFRIN

  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. 

     For the Last Decade, every January we've usually run a One Page Color Ad in the Local Homes & Life Styles Magazine thanking & listing by name the Co-op REALTORS throughout NorthWest Indiana who've worked collaboratively with us to SELL listings!

This year, we noticed these Books are not moving from the local grocery store stands? And the size has shrunk to about 1/4 of the thickness that it was a decade ago.

So....here is our online Thank You CARD ( which has a shelf -life of more than 2 weeks :)

Thankful Reflections 

Jeff & Grace Safrin - Real Estate Brokers with F.C.Tucker   

wish to thank those who helped make 2008 a great year!

First & Foremost, to all our Clients, both Buyers & Sellers!

As Always, we appreciate your Business and Referrals!

We Look forward to Serving You in the Future for all your

Real Estate Needs.

Second, to the Owner of F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty Deana Rule.

We appreciate your supporting our remote Home Office.

Last, but not least, to the following Real Estate Agents who worked with us on

Co-op Transactions in 2008:

Mitch Portney, Ken Cordova, Jim Cordova, Scott LaMantia, Clay Whaley, Jeanette Kesel, Kimberly Genovese, Michael McCarney, Ed Kratkoczki, The Jana Cadill Team, Ruth Norlington, Susan Rhodus, Pete LaSalle, Jillian Kosiara, Patricia Hawrot, Linda Robison, Jorge Pomales, Ken Staury, Rich Gray, Lee Mumaw, Lisa Daniel-King, Rosalind Davila, Mary Swanson.

We Look Forward to doing Business with you in the Future !

With Sincere Thanks,

The Safrin's

______________________________________________________

 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.          

    Back in October, I received an email from Bridget McCrea a writer for the bi-monthly Magazine "The Residential Specialist" which is mailed out globally to Certified Residential Specialists.

She had read some of my Thread Posts on the on-line FORUM at the CRS website about Reverse Offers.

Working on an Article entitled : "Unusual Tactics For Unusual Times" she asked if she could set up a phone interview with me as this topic may fit what she was looking to cover.

A week or so later, we talked for at least a half hour!  She thanked me and awhile later sent an email that she was not sure if the article was going to run or not, but was saving our interview for another article she was thinking about submitting perhaps to a Texas magazine.

fast forward to Happy New Year 2009 :)                                                                                                

Low and behold, I get a thick package on January 2nd in the snail mail with a cover letter written by Mike Fenner, the managing Editor of The Residential Specialist Magazine along with several copies of the January/February 2009 Issue!

On page 27, Next to the Title - ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY, THE CHALLENGING REAL ESTATE MARKET IS SPURRING CRS'S TO TRY SOME UNUSUAL TACTICS" I get a mention along with some excerpts of my wonderful conversation with Ms. McCrea last year in the first few paragraphs of the article!

 Thanks CRS Magazine & Organization!

With our 1st Sold /Closed Listing Referral from another CRS REALTOR on New Years Eve....and then this pleasant surprise by mail, the few months I have had the privilege of using CRS after my name has sure paid off.   The time, energy, effort, and expense of the past few years it took me to achieve this coveted designation is well worth it!

Blog post written by Grace M. Safrin, CRS, Real Estate Broker

part of a Husband and Wife TEAM of REALTORS

    a. k. a.

" Spouses Selling Houses" TM

with F.C.Tucker Realty, Serving NorthWest Indiana!

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f 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.

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 Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided.    

New Years Eve ended on a good note with a Real Estate Hat Trick:) -1.  a NEW Listing (see our next blog post) 2. a BPO and 3. this Real Estate Closing!

With a verbal offer in only 18 days on the Market and our positive experiences with Reverse Offers this year, we put a Reverse Counteroffer in writing to the Buyers agent to present to the buyers and 32 days later we closed!

We've invited the out of town REALTOR, CRS, who contacted us with this listing lead to AR.  He found us on Grace Safrin's  CRS WEBSITE.

Completing the Education this past Spring and submitting the Proof of required annual Real Estate Sales to become a Certified Residential Specialist has paid off!                                                                 

Consumers who have a lifelong REALTOR will ask them for a referral if they own out of town properties.

Certified Residential Specialists are a part of a network of worldwide designees who hold a coveted      designation that only a small percentage of Agents achieve. If you are looking for a REALTOR for your future Real Estate Transaction, you may want to consider what a CRS offers.....before you choose!

Blog post written by Grace M. Safrin, CRS, Real Estate Broker

part of a Husband and Wife TEAM of REALTORS

    a. k. a.

" Spouses Selling Houses" TM

with F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty, Serving NorthWest Indiana!

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

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.                       

  From Our Home to Yours...

   Wishing You & Your Families  a

Happy, Healthy & Safe

Thanksgiving Holiday

filled with

God's Blessings!

Sincerely,

The Safrin's

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.  

I am so very thankful to God for the Blessings of Children and living in this Free land.

Every year since the girls were small, we have given back to children less fortunate in various philanthropic endeavors.

Last year, I blogged about one very special organization :Your Old Shoe Boxes can Bring a Smile to a Child this Holiday-Operation Christmas Child National Collection week November

Samaritan's Purse  -  is an International Relief organization that provides Spiritual

and Physical aid to people in need around the  world based on the parable of the Good Samaritan.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 

delivers millions of shoe boxes to underprivileged children in hundreds of countries all over the world!

They ask for things like Hygiene Items, School Supplies, Personal Notes-not your typical Santa's List!

These are children in need who most likely won't get anything for Christmas!

Just watch this video and see---> xxxx

If you have an empty shoe box laying around- won't you consider wrapping and filling one with items suggested on their website - they have drop off points at many places- just enter your zipcode.

This years 2008 Collection dates are this week and next November 17th -24th

I'm sure many of you here on AR already do something similar for the needy in your communities or churches...but, if you did not know about this wonderful organization and the video moves your heart then that's one more child who will not feel forgotten :)

God Bless You &  Your Family this Thanks+giving!

Sincerely,

Grace Safrin

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.

November 11th

marks the Day we remember our

Veteran's in this great nation!

This note is to thank them for their service and sacrifice, so that we may enjoy FREEDOM.

   God Bless You & God Bless the U.S.A.

Jeff & Grace Safrin - REAL Estate Brokers

F.C.Tucker

Serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Starke, 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 Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided.  

 photo courtesy of  Veteran's Day Poster Gallery

In this Challenging Real Estate Market - there are Positive happenings - although you won't see these reported on the News....  When asked this frequent question: How is the Real Estate Market?  We do not hesitate for one moment to turn it around and ask right back " Why? Are you thinking of Buying or Selling?

Attitude..is a personal choice.

Here are what a few experts have to say :)

Warren Buffet  said just a few days ago ...

" A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful. "

Donald Trump said recently about Critics:

" To me it's a negative approach that doesn't serve any purpose! "

An old sayng that applies to attitude goes like this:

If you think you can, You Can!  If you think you can't, you probably can't. Either way, you are right!

 A more personal story I have witnessed myself involves an 80 year old Italian grandmother who was being told THE statistics about her chances of recovery from open heart surgery bypass pre-operatively by her Famous and Well Educated and Very Experienced Cardiac Surgeon.

Stopping him mid stream in his explanation of THE FACTS, she waived her finger at him and said "Listen here sonny.....I have my grandson's wedding to go to in 6 weeks! Now, I don't care about these numbers. Are you gonna do Your best ? If you do, God will fix the rest if he is willing!   But, I need to know that YOU have a POSITIVE attitude, despite how things look!

Needless to say...Her Attitude influenced her RECOVERY !

She was up in a chair sipping soup 24 hours after surgery. Out of ICU in 4 days, out of the hospital in 8 and came back to show us photos from the wedding a few months later:)

 Professional REALTORS do their best to be part of the Solution, despite how things look, despite consumer fears and critical media.  We persevere to get the job done and then months later, we come back and show you our photos...  of Homes Sold, even in a market that's not supposed to be good:)

Attitude Determines Recovery !

 Video of Jeff Safrin - Positive Real Estate News Update. Now is a Great Time to BUY Property!

xx xx

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.                            

On 8/27/09 we attended our local Board of REALTORS ( GNIAR )annual meeting at the Avalon Manor Banquet Hall located @  US 30 in Merrillville, IN.

The statistics reported that day about the drop-out rate of REALTOR members in the last year (High of 2600 agents at one point in NW Indiana to current 2100+ and projected decrease to 1800 agents by 2010 )...

reminded me of this BLOG I wrote last year .....

and how servicing the friends, family & clients of those who were once active collegues in our profession is very important!

While writing out Happy Anniversary greetings the other day for past CLOSINGS, I came across a Multiple Listing Data Sheet in which we were the LISTING AGENTS and the BUYER was a REALTOR !

I remember the transaction well. She was relatively new in the field, and Jeff was kind & patient enough to explain tax pro-ration ( Indiana Pays Property Taxes in Arrears ) and many other First Time HOME Buyer Questions that she had....remembering....we were all NEW once :)

I did an MLS Search and found she is no longer an active REALTOR.

This question came to mind......

WHO WILL SERVICE THE FUTURE REAL ESTATE NEEDS OF THOSE PROFESSIONALS in The Real Estate Industry who are Leaving the Profession?

WE WILL !

So, I wrote the Happy Anniversary Card with a personalized note, and plan to contact a few others that we know, to stay in touch, in an attempt to ADOPT Future Business!  From a group of former competitors and peers, who all have family and friends and NEW co-workers, comes a source for the generation of new found Referrals! 

HAS YOUR REALTOR left the FIELD of PRACTICE of REAL ESTATE ?

If so, and you are in need of the Services of a FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL TEAM....

Please feel free to Contact us @ 219-309-9930

or,

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

Thanks for Visiting our Blog! To read more about local NW Indiana events, sports, and more, click our blog link below. For more homes for sale view our Other Listings and client testimonials!

    We are Your Local Experts for NW Indiana Real Estate.

    Call or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today !

  Serving Lake County, Porter County, La Porte County, Starke County, in NW Indiana.