NorthWest Indiana Real Estate Blog: Indiana

The "State of Real Estate" in Indiana is improving.... Here is a video with Market Statistics from Jim Litten - President of F.C.Tucker Co. Indiana's largest Real Estate Firm with->

F.C.Tucker  Statistics

- 45 Offices

- Over 1300 Sales Associates

- Over $2.1 Billion Sold in 2009

- 14,294 Families Represented in 2009

- 10,489 New Listings in 2009

- 10th Largest Regional Brand in America

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Spring is in the air and the snow is melting in NW Indiana...

Here are some seasonal photos (Spring & Summer) of a property we have listed for sale @

5232  N Colsen Ct,  New Carlisle, IN  46552 

    4000+SF Hillside Ranch on 4 + Acres of Retreat Like Setting La Porte County, IN. Near(20 min)South Bend & Lake Michigan.Commute to Chicago by South Shore Train.Custom Quality Built,Original Owners,Well Insulated.Open Concept Foyer/Living/FDR w/Loft overlooks LL FamRm.2 Story Wall of Windows brings in views of nature.Magestic Central Brick FP on each Level.Main Flr.Master Suite w/Private Deck,2 Walk-in Closets,Glass Block Shower(Dual heads)+Double Vanity Sinks+Whirlpool Tub.Country Kitchen w/Stainless Appliances,Custom Pantry Area w/Wine Rack,Island w/Convection Oven,Breakfast Bar w/sleek cooktop surface,Dining Nook Opens to 2nd Deck.2nd BR on Main level used as Home Office=has Closet+bath.Grand LL FR w/2nd FP,Bar Area,2walkouts to lg Patio.2 LL BR's share 3rd bath.Big Laundry+storage/utility rms.20x40 Heated Inground Pool+Solar Cover+Robot Vacuum.30x48 Pole Barn,Shed,Inground Sprinklers,Meticulous Landscape.NEW CARPETING THROUGHOUT.

Seller pays $4000.towards your closing costs w/full offer!

Welcome Home-Your Custom Brick & Vinyl Ranch Home with finished walkout lower level is perched on a 4.375 Acre parcel of land in a quiet culdesac location where wild life abounds. 4 Bedrooms (2 on main level, 2 LL) & 3 full baths + an attached 2 car garage (side load) w/side drive is sure to please! For the hobbyist or collector of toys the 1400 SF Pole Barn (30 x 48) w/covered porch & 10 x 10 overhead door + handy 8 x 14 storage shed is a plus! All quality ANDERSON windows & doors throughout w/special ice and water shield windows used on the 2 story wall of windows w/western exposure views! Well Insulated Home (R32) has low montlhy gas budget of $93. for over 4000+ SF of living space!. 4 electic panel boxes=2 in home(200 amp) + seperate panel box in pole barn & another panel box for heated pool w/solar cover.2 Energy efficient furnaces w/humidifiers & 2 central air units(zone). Inground sprinkler system covers area from barn to street & property line to property line laterally!

Over the years, Jeff & I have been blessed to come to know many fine officers on the Valparaiso, Indiana Police Department in helping them buy or sell homes in town. Below is an announcement about an opportunity for citizens to learn just how much they do in the service of protecting our community. We are thankful for each and every one of them and occasionally, when I hear some of the calls dispatched on our scanner at home I sometimes say a silent prayer of protection:) They are local hero's!

N E W S

FROM THE
VALPARAISO POLICE
DEPARTMENT



Citizens Police Academy Information

Applications Being Accepted for the Citizens Police Academy

The Valparaiso Police Department is searching for community members that would like to learn more about the police department. The department's annual Citizens Police Academy is currently accepting applications.

The Citizens Police Academy is designed for community members to meet officers, learn what officers do on a daily basis and become involved in their community. Topics featured in the academy include; investigations, Indiana law, daily traffic laws and enforcement, crash investigations and patrol division duties including many specialties within the patrol unit such as, K-9 presentations, bicycle team, taser usage and firearms scenarios.

The academy class will meet on every Tuesday, beginning on April 13th and will meet for 10 weeks. Classes start at 6:30pm each day. Applications for the academy are available at the Valparaiso Police Department located at 355 S Washington St or online at www.valparaisopolice.org. Applications must be returned to the department by Wednesday March 31st.

It's March. and anything can happen....March Madness they call it :)

Especially if you live in Indiana and are a college basketball fan!

We've blogged about  the fun attending local area basketball events in the winter season each year - family fun for all ages!

Our hometown of VALPO is know for a famous shot during march madness that got them to the sweet 16 once!

"The Shot" is seen each year on CBS during "March Madness" and is considered one of the top moments in NCAA history.

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Come out and see the game tomorrow - buy tickets online here or at the door!

We've been blessed to have started off the New Year 2010 with sales of our listed properties in NW Indiana in Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties and have more pending real estate closings as well.

Ironically, we still get calls from prospective buyers wanting to see homes that have accepted offers or are SOLD already ?! 

We suggest writing Back-up offers on some of these, but rather than experience the pain of regret for not acting sooner....consider our professional services to list and market your property to sell during this PRIME TIME ->

Time is running out for  $ 8.000 1st Time Home Buyer tax credit needing a offer in place by April 30th, 2010 or for move up / downsizing opportunities for existing home owners to take advantage of the $6500 tax credit!

As Real Estate Brokers & Owners of one of  F.C Tucker Company Real Estate affiliate offices in Indiana, we now travel to Indianapolis from our hometown of Valparaiso about once a month for various meetings, events or an occasional speaking engagement.

It has been our personal observation in the last 6 months, that more and more Wind Energy Turbine's grace the farmland and landscape along Interstate 65 from Northwest Indiana south to Indianapolis.

Wind Energy in Indiana is becoming a growing business!

If you are interested in large vacant land parcels for sale in Northwest Indiana to develop GREEN wind energy business - give us a call to help you find the farm or parcel that suits your budget and needs.

We've been blessed to have served many wonderful people in NW Indiana over the past decade and are grateful for the repeat business and referrals from past clients as well.

Our website has had a Testimonial page for years with letters from clients who gave us permission to share their story ....each situation being unique and just as varied as every home we help sell or buy :)

Yesterday, after a real estate closing with repeat clients who we've come to know and like over the course of helping them in both buying and selling homes in the last 6 month period...we did our 1st Video Client Testimonial.

Thanks Kindly to Tom and Shannon for taking a few moments to endorse our services:)

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 The Indiana Association of REALTORS has a great website called Indiana Is Home.

There is a collection of Market Data Reports with Statistics on home Sales in Indiana by County updated montly

Here is a link to January 2009 vs. January 2010 Existing Single Family Residential Home Sales

" To Everything There is a Season"  I thought of the old song Turn Turn Turn

the day we traveled in a Northwest Indiana snowstorm to take this listing for sale in scenic La Porte County.

Even though there is snow on the ground now, the seasons will change and the landscape of this lovely home will look much different in just a few months :)

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Come Home to the Country!

Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood

$202,500 Single Family Home For Sale Main Features 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 Partial Bathroom 1 Unit Interior: 2608 sqft Lot: 3.19 acre(s) Location 5154 Bootjack Road Rolling Prairie, IN 46371

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Jeff & Grace Safrin F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate (219) 309-9930 safrin@jorsm.com http://www.safrin.net Listed by: Jeff safrin of F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate

Our recent listings Affordable Portage Tri-level on 2 Lots Custom Home + Retreat Like Setting Come Home to the Country! Opportunity Knocks - Great Location for this newer 1/2 Duplex in Valpo Subject To Short Sale Approval Subscribe to our listing feed

See more Rolling Prairie, IN real estate for sale

There is so much to do and see in the corridor between Michigan and NW Indiana like:

Lake Michigan Beaches.....

The Michigan City Zoo.....

The Lighthouse Premium Outlet Mall......

South Bend and Notre Dame Games :)

Some of Our Favorite Eateries i.e. Ruth Chris Steak House or BoneFish Grill 

....this beautiful Home and Property we just listed is worth your careful consideration!

Social Media Strategies for Churches ?

Yes, it's one of many plans for our growing congregation at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, IN

Last month we launched our Twitter account

& this month we're now on Facebook

- become our friend if you'd like :)

Click here to read my previous blog post about the exciting happenings this year @CLCVALPO as we build a new worship space!

- and many thanks to ValpoLife.com for reprinting the article for our community!

God's Blessings

Grace Safrin

Evangelism chair

This week we closed on some of our listed  homes in Northwest Indiana that were for sale subject to the Lenders approval of a Short Sale. Not all short sales are alike. Each has it's own set of individual circumstances and obstacles to overcome in getting to the closing table.

 These particular short sales closed sooner (less time) than some of our other pending listings that have offers with "traditional" lending involved, in which it is sometimes more common to have underwriting delays nowadays ;(

NW Indiana Short Sale SOLD-26 days from For Sale Sign Up to Signing Documents at the Closing Table.

Valparaiso, IN Short Sale SOLD -33 Days from Receipt of the Buyers Offer to Purchase to Closing the Short Sale Transaction.

We've blogged about short sales before, and in our opinion, they are here to stay while. They require much more time, energy, effort, and problem solving than traditional real estate transactions!!! (also our opinion:)

If you are behind on your mortgage payments and considering selling your home subject to your lender approving a short sale, consider giving us a call to discuss the possibility of using our professional services.

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Just to paraphrase an email we received today from our local board->

The Greater Northwest Indiana Association of REALTORS...

Reminder of a Public Hearing that will take place

Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 7:00 PM, Crown Point High School auditorium,

1500 S. Main Street in Crown Point.

On the Proposed Illiana Expressway - a Tollroad  that would connect I 65 in Northwest Indiana with I 55 near Joliet, IL.

There have been pro's and con's to this for several years to the point it is now a topic indexed on WIKEPEDIA

Here's a link to the Final feasability Study with maps of the Area that would be affected.

More Roads and better infrastructure & therefore connectivity with our neighbors to the West in IL is needed to relieve congestion and support the expansion and growth our counties in NW Indiana are experiencing - not sure about the public / private partnership part of this proposal ?

more will be reveled after this meeting for sure as the news media and blogs will certainly offer editorial comments.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            Contact:    Jeff or Grace Safrin            
Feb. 12, 2010                            (219) 309-9930


F.C. Tucker 1st Team Real Estate Associates Honored at
Annual Awards Banquet

VALPARAISO, Ind. – F.C. Tucker Company honored The Safrin Team this week at it’s annual awards banquet in Indianapolis. The team received the Presidents Club award, designated a life member, based on personal income.
 

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With more than $2.1 billion in annual sales, F.C. Tucker Company is Indiana’s largest independently owned comprehensive real estate firm with 45 offices and more than 1,300 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.

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Happy Valentine's Day from F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate sering NW Indiana's Lake, Porter and La Porte Counties!

As Always, we appreciate your business and referrals!

Click on the name of any of our Professional Real Estate Agents to visit their websites for more information!

Ty Gammon ->

Neighborhood Matchmaker

Olga Kwolek ->

Hablo Espanol

Irene Tron ->

Real Estate Broker Associate

Linda Littlejohn  ->

Real Estate Broker Associate

When Indiana's largest Real Estate Company puts on an event - It's 1st class !

At least that has been our experience over the last 9 years, being affiliated with F.C.Tucker Co.....1st as Sales Associates and now as Broker/Owners of one of their 45 offices in Indiana (ours being the northwest office in Valparaiso, IN  which services Lake, Porter & La Porte Counties).

The Venue was spectacular! The beautiful landmark in Downtown Indianapolis - The Scottish Rite Cathedral cost over $3 MILLION DOLLARS way back in 1927 to complete!

It's ornate architecture with craftsmanship details and stained glass windows was certainly something to be taken in and appreciated!

The Awards ceremony took place in the Theater.

Jim Litten (co-owner) gave a re-cap of events in 2009 that affected Real Estate. He referred to 09 as "A Year of Anxiety" with reminders of Bank Failures, Bailouts, economists use of words like recession and even depression. He pointed out that 4 states account for 50% of the stressed markets (CA,AZ,NV,FL) and reminded us that ALL REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL.

That being said, he reported very positive news=> that F.C.Tucker Company did over 2.2 BILLION dollars in sales in 2009 in Indiana - up from the previous total sales year of 2008. October of 2009 was the companies 2nd best month ever in Real Estate Sales history!

Fred Tucker III, then presented hundreds of awards to honor the achievements of REALTORS around the state who persevered and prospered during these challenging times despite the negative press.

One award in particular brought tears to my eyes. The Special Volunteer of the Year Award - Honoring Above and Beyond Service to Mankind went to an F.C.Tucker Agent, who gave her kidney to a complete stranger as a Samaritan Donor in the Fall of 2009. God Bless her!

F.C. Tucker is so much more than a Real Estate Company - it's the PEOPLE who make it special :)

Like the final award for the evening:

The Bud Tucker Volunteer of the Year Award, an annual award honoring an individual in his/her commitment to community service, or, as Fred's father Bud once put it ...Civic Duty- "The rent you pay back for the space you occupy".  Recapping the countless past winners and sharing the current vitae of this years recipient brought tears to Fred Tucker's eyes as he brought up this years winner, with his wife and 2 sons appearing on stage to surprise him and share the moment!

The Banquet following the Awards presentation was filled with Food & Dance & Fun!  Gourmet Food Serving Stations with eclectic presentations i.e. pasta in martini glasses, stir fry in take out boxes, and lavish chocolate desserts! PLUS, a live band made up of TUCKERS own talented musicians and singers to rock the night away :) Mingling and networking galore with agents from all around the state for several more hours into the night!  FUN is an understated adjective to describe the evening.

 I tell Jeff every year this gets better & better  - they out do themselves ?!  You just have to experience this event for yourself 1st hand...If you are considering a change in Real Estate Firms in Indiana - Talk To Tucker, so we can see you at next years celebration:)

This lovingly updated & spacious Home In Valparaiso Indiana's  Liberty Township location sits on 0.68 wooded acres and is conveniently located  to major roads for ease of commute to Chicago-land.

Large Pole Barn that has a concrete floor and heat and water comes in handy for the hobbyist or auto enthusiast.

Talk to Jeff & Grace Safrin to schedule an appointment with advance notice to view this property for sale.

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Liberty Township in Valpo, Spacious Updated home + Pole Barn

Overview Maps Photos Features Description Market Stats

$224,791 Single Family Home For Sale Main Features 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 Unit Interior: 3005 sqft Lot: 0.68 acre(s) Location 791 N Calumet Avenue Valparaiso, IN 46383

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Jeff & Grace Safrin F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate (219) 309-9930 safrin@jorsm.com http://www.safrin.net Listed by: Jeff Safrin of F.C.Tucker !st Team Real Estate

Our recent listings Liberty Township in Valpo, Spacious Updated home + Pole Barn 2 Homes in 1 Related Living or Extended Family accomodated here ! Spacious Home on 2 Lots Affordable Portage Tri-level on 2 Lots Best Value in Autumn Creek + Seller Assists w/Closing Costs. Subscribe to our listing feed

See more Valparaiso, IN real estate for sale

Just in time for Super Bowl Weekend we recieved this email from a past client today (a New Orleans Saints Fan)  in which we (Indianapolis Colts fans) successfully Listed & Sold their Northwest Indiana Home subject to their lenders approval of a short sale....

I guess we can agree to disagree on some things :) GO Colts!!!

HI Grace / Jeff,

     Don't have a scanner here, so just put my testimonial below.  Hope that works ok for you.  You may use my name if you wish.

Have a great weekend and

"GO Saints" !!!!!  

   Lynn

I had my house listed with a large well known real estate agent for 6 months.  The house didn’t sell and it sat empty costing me a fortune with each passing month, paying for mortgage, utilities, insurance etc.  I came across Jeff and Grace Safrin’s name on a website.  I talked with Jeff and decided on a short sale, based on the information I had obtained from my mortgage company.  The house was listed on a Monday and by Saturday of the same week we were signing papers.  A Couple of weeks later, we closed on the sale.

   Jeff is extremely knowledgeable in real estate, selling, short sales and handling and dealing with all aspects of this business.  He worked quickly and efficiently to get the sale closed, with liens, and several other road blocks.  Jeff and his wife are very friendly and personable and a pleasure to work with.  The Safrin’s know their business and I would recommend them to ANYONE looking to buy or sell a home.

With Easy access to both the Indiana Toll road or Interstate I 94, not to mention the South Shore Train...Portage, Indiana has affordable housing options and yet is within commuting distance to Chicago-land.

Some of our favorite places to shop & eat are in Portage :)

Once Jeff made a date out of taking me to Bass Pro Shop - we spent a few hours in there getting ready for fishing season on our neighborhood Lake, then had dinner in their World Famous Islamorada Fish Company restaurant :)

 When we are out early morning showing homes in Porter County, our favorite breakfast spot is

Egg on Your Face

 With close proximity to the Scenic Indiana Dunes & Lake Michigan Marina's...the city of Portage is growing fast and worth your careful consideration when looking for a place to call home in Northwest Indiana.

If we can help you find a home in Portage, Indiana that suits your families needs and budget, give us a call @ 219-405-1232.

We can show you any property you find on the internet, regardless of which real estate company has the sign in the yard :)